Liang Chеngmin didn’t undеrstand what Luаn Mingrui meаnt аt first.
It wаsn’t until shе sаw him stаnd up and stаrt unbuttoning his shirt that she suddenly reаlizеd.
She sсramblеd tо thе сornеr оf thе bеd, рointing аt him and shouting, “Staу аwaу from me! Who wаnts to study уou!”
“Thеn I’ll studу уоu. Теаch me.”
Luаn Мingrui didn’t know hоw еithеr. Somеonе hаd slippеd him а few mаgazines from Нong Kong thеsе рast fеw days, telling him tо studу оn his own. Не hаd fliрреd through thеm аnd roughlу understоod what it wаs abоut. Вut hе thought thаt wаs еnоugh—he was abоut to have a reаl person, sо why bothеr with thosе mаgazinеs!
“Who wants to teach you!” Liang Chengmin’s heart pounded wildly. Wasn’t it said that on the wedding night, once the man and woman were alone and the lights went out, things should just happen naturally? Why was there talk of studying the human body! How could Luan Mingrui make this so terrifying!
Luan Mingrui tossed his shirt aside, revealing a clean white undershirt underneath. His body was beautiful. Much more beautiful than Liang Chengmin’s mannequin.
He climbed onto the bed and sat cross-legged facing her, saying to her, “Liang Chengmin, come here.”
“No.”
“Coward. Is this how you treat patients? The moment they take off their clothes, you run away?”
“…You’re the coward. You’re not a patient.”
“Don’t you always ask me: ‘Are you sick?’ I am sick. Come here, I need you to examine me. Otherwise, you’re not fit to be a doctor.”
“You’re talking nonsense!”
Luan Mingrui saw how fiercely she was arguing back and knew she was no longer nervous. He reached out and turned off the light, shifting inward to completely trap her in the corner. In the darkness, his hand found hers, pulling it to rest against his face.
His face was burning hot. Liang Chengmin tried to pull her hand back, but he wouldn’t let her.
He tilted his head slightly to kiss her palm, her wrist, then pressed her fingertips against his Adam’s apple. “This is my Adam’s apple.”
“This is my shoulder.” He guided her hand in the darkness, tracing the shape of his shoulder. His shoulders were broad, his collarbones well-defined and perfectly positioned.
“This is my chest… What do you call these places in medical terms?” Liang Chengmin touched his chest, and his muscles tensed. Her hand felt as if it had been scalded, and then she was pulled into his embrace.
In the darkness, their breaths mingled.
“Liang Chengmin, why aren’t you talking? Aren’t you usually so sharp-tongued?” Luan Mingrui tilted his head and gently captured her lips. Guiding her hand slowly downward, he whispered, “Shall we study this part too?”
Liang Chengmin wondered if all men were as shameless as Luan Mingrui when they spoke. Her hand felt scorched, her heart fluttering wildly. Yet, driven by her innate curiosity, she truly began to explore, moving her hand up and down to understand.
Luan Mingrui loved her eagerness to learn and held her close in his arms.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally said, “Alright, now it’s my turn to study you.”
His hand rested on her shoulder, slowly moving toward her collar. As his fingertips reached her buttons, Liang Chengmin grasped his hand and finally spoke up, “Let me guide you.”
Luan Mingrui was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled softly in the darkness. Liang Chengmin was so amusing—how could she be this adorable?
He placed his hand in hers, truly letting her guide him.
Liang Chengmin pulled his hand to her face, and Luan Mingrui’s lips followed. Wherever their hands went, his lips followed. Liang Chengmin’s breathing grew increasingly rapid. After studying medicine for so many years, today’s exploration of the human body was the most thorough yet.Neither of them had any real technique, fumbling nervously through the night. When they opened their eyes the next morning, one was refreshed and energetic, while the other was listless and wilted.
As their eyes met, all the events of the previous night rushed back into their minds.
Their first time together had not been successful, because Luan Mingrui didn’t know how.
He didn’t know, but he wasn’t discouraged—just like in business, where losing a little money could lead to bigger gains later. Just when Liang Chengmin thought his exploration of the human body was over, he began his own independent research. He was too eager to learn, and too gentle, exploring her thoroughly inside and out. Liang Chengmin couldn’t help but let out a sound at one point, but he stopped her, whispering in her ear, "I don’t want anyone else to hear."
When Liang Chengmin couldn’t hold back, he used his lips and tongue to silence her, trapping every sound in her throat.
Liang Chengmin liked it.
When she returned to her parents’ home, Liang’s mother discreetly and subtly asked her, "Is Mingrui… all right?"
"From an anatomical perspective, certain parts of him are quite extraordinary," Liang Chengmin replied earnestly.
And so life went on.
The two of them bickered every day, but neither ever truly won or lost. No matter who upset whom, as long as Luan Mingrui was around, he would pick her up and drop her off from work without fail, rain or shine.
He bought her a women’s bicycle, but when he was around, he wouldn’t let her ride it. He liked her sitting on the back of his bicycle as they rode through the small town. When they were arguing, Liang Chengmin would sit on the back without touching his waist; when they weren’t, she would wrap her arms around him and press her face against his back.
Their real argument erupted when Liang Chengmin went to the provincial capital for further training.
Liang Chengmin hadn’t expected to run into her old classmate Fu Bo.
Back in their student days, classmates had said Fu Bo liked her, but she hadn’t noticed. The two of them often spent time together in the library, with Fu Bo always helping her with her studies. In Liang Chengmin’s mind, Fu Bo was just a study partner.
Meeting an old classmate again brought a certain warmth, so after class, they gathered a few classmates to go out for a meal. During the meal, everyone thought it was a good thing Liang Chengmin had gotten married and suggested having a few drinks. Liang Chengmin, feeling happy, agreed.
They started with small sips, but as the mood grew livelier, they began to drink more freely.
Luan Mingrui had come to the provincial capital to see her, and his cousin, who lived nearby, wanted to invite them both for a meal. The two of them waited outside the dormitory for a long time, only to see a drunkard being helped back by another man.
Luan Mingrui had never been so angry in his life.
When he was angry, he was anything but a gentleman.
"Liang Chengmin, is this how you study?" He took her from the man’s arms. Fu Bo, not knowing who he was, asked, "Who are you?"
"You tell me! Who am I?" Luan Mingrui pulled Liang Chengmin, urging her to introduce him to Fu Bo. Leaning against his chest, Liang Chengmin said to Fu Bo, "My husband."
The flicker of disappointment in Fu Bo’s eyes didn’t escape Luan Mingrui. He said to Fu Bo, "If you’re here to study, then focus on studying. What kind of studying is it for men and women to go out drinking together? And wasn’t there a single female classmate who could bring her back? Why did it have to be you? What were your intentions?"
"What are you saying!" Liang Chengmin sobered up a little, tugging at Luan Mingrui’s sleeve. "You can’t talk like that!"
"How should I talk? Should I wait until I catch the two of you in your dorm tomorrow to talk like that?"
"Luan Mingrui!"
"Don’t you dare call my name! Go drink some more!"
Luan Mingrui handed Liang Chengmin over to his cousin, turned around, and walked away.He particularly hated it when Liang Chengmin acted like this. In front of him, she always went against him, but in front of others, she put on a well-behaved and obedient face.
Liang Chengmin returned three days later.
When she arrived home, Luan Mingrui was watching TV. She entered, placed her luggage on the table, and said to him, "Apologize to me."
"What do I have to apologize for?"
"You insulted my classmates, my friends, and you insulted me. Apologize to me."
Liang Chengmin found Luan Mingrui unreasonable. Saying those things in public had made her feel utterly humiliated.
"So you think there's nothing wrong with drinking with another man, but I'm in the wrong for catching you together? Are you insane, Liang Chengmin?"
"You slandered me, so you have to apologize!"
"What the hell did I do wrong?"
"You swore! You're vulgar! You slandered me! If you don't apologize, I'll divorce you!"
Liang Chengmin had always been this stubborn since she was young. Whenever she felt wronged, she had to argue her point, no matter who the other person was. She would never back down. That was how she thought—Luan Mingrui had to apologize, or she would divorce him.
Luan Mingrui nodded. "Divorce, huh? When?"
"Tomorrow!"
"Fine."
Luan Mingrui put on his jacket and headed out. Liang Chengmin called after him, "Where are you going? If anyone's leaving, it should be me. This is your home!"
She grabbed her luggage and stormed out, heading straight back to her parents' house. Her mother was surprised to see her and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Liang Chengmin decided to give Luan Mingrui one more chance. If he came to apologize the next morning, she wouldn't go through with the divorce. She didn’t even have to wait until the next day—she was already wavering.
Early the next morning, Luan Mingrui arrived and stood waiting outside her house, not bothering to go in.
Liang Chengmin stepped out and asked him, "Did you bring all the documents?"
"Everything's here. Let's go."
In the past, whenever Luan Mingrui argued with Liang Chengmin, he never truly got angry. He cared for her and couldn’t bear to fight with her for real. But this time was different. Liang Chengmin had been drinking with another man, let him walk her back to her dorm, and still demanded an apology. Luan Mingrui couldn’t get past that. He’d rather get divorced.
His expression was cold, and he didn’t even look at Liang Chengmin. "Hurry up. I have things to do after this is over."
Liang Chengmin walked beside him, stealing glances at him, but he didn’t notice. Suddenly, she felt a pang of sadness. With reddened eyes, she crouched down. "My stomach hurts."
"Rest at home after we finish."
"I can’t walk. Let’s go another day."
"Fine." Luan Mingrui turned and left.
Liang Chengmin returned home, packed her things, and went to work. Thinking about Luan Mingrui’s resolve, she suddenly felt he never really loved her. He just wanted someone to marry.
Liang Chengmin began to spiral. After work, she’d hole up in her room, waiting for Luan Mingrui to throw pebbles at her window like he used to, calling her out so they could wander through the dark corners of their small town.
Luan Mingrui disappeared for several days.
One day at noon, Liang Chengmin went home to grab something and saw him standing by the roadside talking to a woman. The woman was wearing a dress rarely seen in those days, with two large earrings—very fashionable. Liang Chengmin walked up and called out to Luan Mingrui, "What are you doing?"
"Going to have lunch with a friend later."
"What friend?"
Luan Mingrui pointed at the girl. "A female friend." Then he asked Liang Chengmin, "Are you free now? I can go with you to handle the paperwork first, then have lunch."Luan Mingrui had no interest in being a gentleman. Liang Chengmin kept him awake night after night, forcing him to yield, but he refused to bend. Since she was so eager for a divorce, then so be it.
Liang Chengmin nodded. "Fine. Wait for me."
She went back to fetch the documents, rummaging through drawers and cabinets but couldn’t find the household register or marriage certificate. She asked her mother-in-law, "Mom, have you seen my things?"
"What things?"
"My marriage certificate."
"Your father took it for registration. He said it won’t be returned for a few days. Why are you looking for it?"
"It’s nothing."
Liang Chengmin left the house again and saw Luan Mingrui waiting there.
"My documents were taken by my father for registration. They won’t be back for a few days."
"If you don’t want a divorce, just say so," Luan Mingrui told her. "If you don’t want to divorce, we can make do. You drink your wine, I eat my meals, and we’ll leave each other alone."
"Luan Mingrui!" Liang Chengmin shouted angrily, tears immediately streaming down her face. She had never cried like this before, pushed to the brink by Luan Mingrui.
"Why are you calling me? Are we even close?"
Perhaps overwhelmed by his words, Liang Chengmin’s vision went dark, and she collapsed.
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