Chapter 17: Can I get a hug?

Zuni hired a cab and reached Song Jingren's office. Since almost everyone in the office knew her, they let her enter his office without an appointment. Although the scene was expensive, it was working well. She would reward Luna later.

"What–" Song Jingren was about to scold whoever entered his office without permission but when he looked up to see the intruder, he ignored her and began reviewing the documents.

"Hubby, you are a sight for sore eyes, " Zuni said with a silly smile.

"Why are you here?" Song Jingren asked her in annoyance when he could no longer ignore her.

"I just want to see your gorgeous face to recharge myself, " Zuni said as she sighed and sat on the chair opposite of him and stared at her without blinking.b

"You saw my face, "Song Jingren said as he continued reviewing the documents. "Now, scram."

"Five minutes, hubby. After that I will leave, "She whispered as she placed her elbows on the table and stared at his soothing face. After five minutes, she stood up to leave just like she promised.

"Where are you going?" Song Jingren asked her as he saw her quietly leaving the office.

"Five minutes is up, hubby, " Zuni smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Stop calling me that silly name, " Song Jingren scolded her. " I have a name."

Zuni nodded in understanding. "Alright, Mr Song."

"Since when are you so obedient?" Song Jingren asked, slightly dissatisfied.

Zuni didn't say anything. She was just not feeling good. She felt as if looking at his face wasn't enough today. She came all the way here only to feel good after seeing his gorgeous face but she was too sad to find it enough.

[Am I getting greedy?]

[Can I ask him for one hug? Only one. Please.]

"Did you have lunch?" Song Jingren asked her after a while.

"Yes, I had yesterday." Zuni nodded her head.

"I'm asking about today!" Song Jingren said in a hard voice.

"Oh, I didn't have anything after yesterday's lunch, " Zuni replied as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Are you crazy?" Song Jingren looked at her as if he couldn't believe her words.

She only shrugged.

"Follow me!" He suddenly announced.

"Where?"

"To perform your wifely duties. You will serve me lunch."

…

Zuni was sitting in her seat while Song Jingren was having late lunch along with his wife. She was wearing a thick mask while putting dishes on his plate occasionally. She appeared as if she was forced to be here.

Song Jingren raised his gaze to find her sitting far from him. If he knew his wife well, she should have taken the chance to stick to him but she was sitting far from him and with her mouth shut. It just didn't sit well with him.

"Since you served me lunch, you can eat too, " Song Jingren said as if he didn't arrange the whole fiasco to make her eat.

"Nah, I'm fine, " Zuni said, holding her breath. She was wearing a mask and she was holding her breath because the smell of meat was making her nauseous.

"What's up with you?!" Song Jingren slapped the chopsticks on the table and looked at her. "I ordered so many dishes, you have to finish them. I don't like people wasting food. Eat!"

He ordered her in a stern voice.

Zuni gulped as she looked at his stern eyes. She removed her mask and with trembling hands, she tried to pick the piece of vegetables instead of the meat piece, but as the smell and flavour of the meat overwhelmed her she threw the chopsticks on the table and ran to the bathroom to puke.

"Zuni!" Song Jingren followed her to the bathroom. He saw her pale face puking in the toilet. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Jingren, I can't stand the sight and smell of meat, " Zuni whispered, not meeting his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"You used to love chicken, " Song Jingren whispered back. He knew how much she loved chicken and so the majority of the dishes that he ordered had chicken in them.

"We are not the same person we were five years ago, " Zuni softly said. "Even if I want to be the same person that I was, I can't and neither can you. Circumstances have changed both of us."

"You are right, " Song Jingren said as he looked at her. "I never thought Zuni Long could ever leave chicken. It's just hard to believe."

"I never wanted, " Zuni said to herself but he didn't hear. She was so disgusted with the sight of blood and flesh that she could no longer put meat in her mouth even if it was in cooked form. She just couldn't.

"So, what are you now? Vegan?" Song Jingren asked in curiosity.

"Vegetarian, " Zuni corrected.

"What's the difference?" Song Jingren scoffed. "Both of them want to save the planet."

Zuni snorted. "Trust me, I have no intention of saving the planet."

"Come, I will take you to a vegan restaurant for lunch, " Song Jingren found himself saying.

"Baobei, can I please get a hug?" Zuni asked in a soft voice. "I'm very sad."

Song Jingren sighed helplessly but he opened his arms for a hug.

"Truly, there is no place more comforting than my Baobei's hug, "Zuni whispered as she wrapped her arms around his waist and put her head against his beating heart.