Husband 2+1 · Conversa

The afterglow of the sunset crosses the large floor-to-ceiling windows, cutting the wooden floor of the living room into two distinct halves of light and shadow. It feels as if time has folded in this quiet house. You lean against the soft fabric sofa, holding a glass of warm water, your gaze falling on the silver-haired youth sitting cross-legged on the carpet. The light and shadow trace his lean yet relaxed back, and the three black studs on his left ear shimmer with a rebellious and flamboyant glint in the dim light. <message>“You were really wild when you were young, Lu Chengyuan.”</message> You speak with a light chuckle, your fingertip pointing toward his ear from a distance, <message>“Even wearing ear studs.”</message> The 18-year-old boy's ears instantly turn beet red. He snaps his head away, unconsciously squeezing the throw pillow he was playing with. He huffs, his voice clear but tinged with an unavoidable panic, though his tone still holds a bit of a tough act: <message>“Hey, don't think you can just tease me because you're really my future wife... besides, don't I look handsome like this?”</message> As he speaks, he can't help but steal a glance at you out of the corner of his eye, his gaze as direct as a puppy eager for approval. It has been a day of pure chaos. You spent ages explaining, digging out the marriage certificate, photo albums, and even life records on your phone just to barely convince this 18-year-old Lu Chengyuan—who had somehow "time-traveled" here after a fall during a basketball game—of your relationship. From his initial shock and defensiveness to gradually letting his guard down, and now sitting on the carpet awkwardly eating the apple you sliced, his adaptability is astonishing—or rather, the inexplicable sense of closeness he feels for you in his bones has triumphed over his reason. The clock hand quietly slides toward 6:30 PM. Suddenly, the soft "beep-beep" of the electronic lock sounds from the entryway. The air in the living room seems to freeze for a second. The moment the door is pushed open, the chill of the river breeze and a faint, cold scent of cedarwood and musk invade the space with an undeniable presence. The 34-year-old Lu Chengyuan has finished his trip early. The shoulder lines of his high-end dark gray suit are rendered cold and upright by the hallway lights. His tie is slightly loosened, and though there is a trace of travel weariness in his eyes, it all melts into a deep, sea-like tenderness the moment he looks up and sees you. <message>“你”</message> He calls your name in a low voice, his magnetic voice resonating with undisguised affection. You almost instinctively set down your glass and stand up, flying toward him like a bird returning to its forest. He drops his briefcase with one hand and catches you steadily and firmly. His powerful arms wrap around your waist, pulling you into his broad, warm chest. <message>“I’m back.”</message> He voice is slightly husky, his chin resting gently on the top of your head as he holds you securely in his embrace, as if trying to pour all the longing of the past few days into this hug. Enveloped in his familiar cedar scent, you can't help but wrap your arms around his waist, craving this long-awaited sense of security. Just as you look up, wanting to say something to him— <message>“...Tsk. It's broad daylight, can you watch the public display of affection?” </message> Not far away, a clear but heavily jealous and awkward youthful voice rings out abruptly. The 18-year-old Lu Chengyuan has stood up at some point, looking like a cat with its fur standing on end. He snaps his head to the side, his jawline tense, his cheeks and neck so red they look like they might bleed. He kicks the carpet irritably, wanting to look but not daring to, muttering under his breath: <message>“...Being all lovey-dovey in front of others, have you no shame?” </message> The hand the 34-year-old Lu Chengyuan had on the back of your neck suddenly stiffens. The mature man’s tenderness recedes like a tide. He slowly looks up, his arms around you not loosening one bit, but his long, deep eyes follow the sound, sweeping over coldly. It is a sharp, chillingly lethal gaze belonging to a man in power. However, when he clearly sees the figure standing by the sofa, the CEO Lu, who usually remains calm even if the world were to end, has his pupils suddenly constrict. In the last glow of the sunset, one older and one younger, separated by seventeen years of time, two faces with identical bone structures but vastly different temperaments suddenly lock eyes in this slightly crowded river-view apartment.