At first, Liang Chengmin didn’t understand what Luan Mingrui meant.

Not until she saw him stand up and start unbuttoning his shirt did she suddenly understand.

She scrambled to the corner of the bed, pointing at him and shouting: “Stay away from me! Who wants to study you?”

“Then I’ll study you. You teach me.”

Luan Mingrui didn’t know either. These past few days, someone had given him some magazines from Hong Kong to study on his own. He had flipped through them and roughly understood what was going on. But he felt it was just that—he was about to have a real person, so why look at those!

“Who’s teaching you?” Liang Chengmin’s heart was pounding. Wasn’t the wedding night supposed to be where the couple’s eyes meet, the lights go out, and they just do what they’re supposed to do? Why were they studying human anatomy now? Why was Luan Mingrui making this so frightening?

Luan Mingrui tossed his shirt aside, revealing a clean white undershirt. His body looked good. Much better than Liang Chengmin’s practice dummy.

He got on the bed, sitting cross-legged opposite her, and said: “Liang Chengmin, come here.”

“I won’t.”

“Coward. Is this how you treat patients, too? Do you run away when a patient takes off their clothes?”

“…You’re the coward. You’re not a patient.”

“Don’t you always ask me: ‘Are you sick?’ I am a patient, come here, I need you to examine me. Otherwise, you’re not qualified to be a doctor.”

“You’re talking nonsense!”

Seeing how fiercely she argued back, Luan Mingrui knew she wasn’t nervous anymore. He turned off the light and moved inward, completely trapping her in the corner. In the darkness, his hand found hers and placed it against his face.

His face was very hot. Liang Chengmin tried to pull her hand back, but he wouldn’t let her.

He turned his head slightly to kiss her palm, her wrist, and then placed her fingertips on his Adam’s apple: “This is my Adam’s apple.”

“This is my shoulder.” He guided her hand in the darkness to trace his shoulder. His shoulders were broad, with properly shaped and positioned collarbones.

“This is my chest… what do you medical professionals call these areas?” As Liang Chengmin touched his chest, his muscles tensed, her hand felt burned, and then she was pulled into his embrace.

Their breaths mingled in the darkness.

“Liang Chengmin, why aren’t you speaking? Aren’t you usually so sharp-tongued?” Luan Mingrui turned his head to capture her lips, his movements gentle. He held her hand, guiding it downward bit by bit: “Can we study this area too?”

Liang Chengmin didn’t know if all men were like Luan Mingrui, speaking so shamelessly. Her hand felt scorched, her heart skipped a beat, and being studious, she ran her hand up and down to understand.

Luan Mingrui liked her eagerness to learn and held her in his arms.

After some time, he finally said: “Good, now it’s my turn to study you.”

His hand rested on her shoulder, slowly moving toward her collar, his fingertips touching her buttons. Liang Chengmin grabbed his hand and finally spoke: “I’ll guide you in your study.”

Luan Mingrui was stunned for a moment, then laughed in the darkness. How entertaining Liang Chengmin was—how could she be so adorable?

So he surrendered his hand to her, truly letting her guide his exploration.

Liang Chengmin placed his hand against her face. Luan Mingrui’s lips followed; wherever their hands went, his lips followed. Liang Chengmin’s breathing became increasingly rapid. After studying medicine for so many years, today’s human body study was the most thorough.

Neither of them had any technique, fumbling and rushing through the night. When they opened their eyes the next day, one was refreshed while the other was drooping.

When their eyes met, everything from the previous night rushed into their minds.

Their first time hadn’t been successful because Luan Mingrui didn’t know how.

He didn’t know, but he wasn’t discouraged. Just like in his business—lose a little money now, make more later. Just when Liang Chengmin thought the human body study was over, he began his exploration. He was so eager to learn and so gentle, exploring her inside and out thoroughly. At one point, Liang Chengmin couldn’t help but make sounds, which he stifled. Whispering in her ear, he said: “I don’t want others to hear.”

When Liang Chengmin couldn’t hold back, he silenced her with his lips, trapping all her sounds in her throat.

Liang Chengmin liked it.

When she visited her parents’ home, her mother discreetly and vaguely asked: “Is Mingrui… good?”

“From a human anatomical perspective, certain organs of his differ from the norm,” Liang Chengmin answered seriously.

And so their days passed.

The couple bickered daily, never determining a winner. Regardless of who angered whom, as long as Luan Mingrui was around, he would escort her to and from work, rain or shine.

He bought her a women’s bicycle, but when he was present, he wouldn’t let her ride it. He preferred her sitting on the back of his bicycle as they weaved through the small town. When they quarreled, Liang Chengmin would sit on the back without touching his waist; when they weren’t fighting, she would hold his waist, her face pressed against his back.

Their real argument erupted when Liang Chengmin went to the provincial capital for advanced studies.

Liang Chengmin hadn’t expected to run into her old classmate, Fu Bo.

Back then, classmates said Fu Bo had liked her, but she never noticed. The two often spent time in the library together, with Fu Bo tutoring her. In Liang Chengmin’s mind, Fu Bo was just a study partner.

Meeting an old classmate again brought a certain warmth, and after class, they arranged to have dinner with a few classmates. During the meal, everyone thought Liang Chengmin’s marriage was a good thing and proposed a few drinks. Liang Chengmin was happy and agreed.

They drank, starting with small sips, but as they became more comfortable, they became more open.

Luan Mingrui had come to the provincial capital to see her, and his cousin, who lived nearby, wanted to invite them both to dinner. The two waited at the student dormitory entrance for a long time, only to find her returning drunk, supported by another man.

Luan Mingrui had never been so angry in his life.

When angry, he wasn’t gentlemanly at all.

“Liang Chengmin, is this how you study?” He took her from the man’s hands. Fu Bo, not knowing who he was, asked: “Who are you?”

“Answer me! Who am I?” Luan Mingrui pulled at Liang Chengmin, making her introduce him to Fu Bo. Liang Chengmin leaned against his chest and said to Fu Bo: “My husband.”

The flash of disappointment in Fu Bo’s eyes didn’t escape Luan Mingrui. He said to Fu Bo: “You’re here to study, so study properly. Is going out drinking with men and women considered studying? And couldn’t a female classmate have brought her back? It had to be you? Such ill intentions?”

“What are you saying!” Liang Chengmin sobered up a bit and pulled at Luan Mingrui’s sleeve. “You can’t talk like that!”

“How should I talk? Would I only be justified if I found you two locked in your dormitory tomorrow?”

“Luan Mingrui!”

“Don’t fucking call me! Go drink!”

Luan Mingrui handed Liang Chengmin over to his cousin and walked away.

He particularly hated Liang Chengmin like this. She always confronted him directly when they were alone, but in front of others, she presented an obedient, understanding face.

Liang Chengmin returned three days later.

When she got home, Luan Mingrui was reading. She entered, placed her luggage on the table, and said to him: “Apologize to me.”

“Apologize for what?”

“You insulted my classmate, my friend, and you insulted me. Apologize to me.”

Liang Chengmin thought Luan Mingrui was unreasonable, saying those things in public, making her feel utterly humiliated.

“So you drinking with another man isn’t wrong, but me catching you together is wrong? Are you sick, Liang Chengmin?”

“You slandered me, and you need to apologize!”

“What the fuck did I do wrong!”

“You’re using foul language! You’re vulgar! You slandered me! If you don’t apologize, I’ll divorce you!”

Liang Chengmin had always been this stubborn. When wronged, she had to win the argument; no matter who the person was, she would never bow her head. That’s what she thought—Luan Mingrui must apologize, or she would divorce him.

Luan Mingrui nodded: “Divorce, is it? When?”

“Tomorrow!”

“Fine.”

Luan Mingrui put on his coat and headed out. Liang Chengmin called after him: “Where are you going? If anyone leaves, it should be me. This is your house!”

She picked up her luggage and left, walking angrily back to her parents’ home. 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 early the next morning, she wouldn’t divorce him. She didn’t even have to wait until the next day; she was already wavering.

Early the next morning, Luan Mingrui came and stood outside her house, waiting for her without entering.

Liang Chengmin came out and asked him: “Did you bring all the documents?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

In the past, when Luan Mingrui argued with Liang Chengmin, he never truly got angry. He cared for her and was unwilling to quarrel with her. But this time was different. Liang Chengmin had drunk with another man, let someone else escort her back to the dormitory, and still wanted him to apologize. Luan Mingrui couldn’t get past this. He would rather divorce.

His expression was cold, and he didn’t even look at Liang Chengmin: “Hurry up, I have things to do after we’re done.”

Liang Chengmin walked beside him, secretly glancing at him many times, but he didn’t notice. She suddenly felt sad, her eyes reddening as she crouched down: “My stomach hurts.”

“You can rest at home after we’re done.”

“I can’t walk anymore. We’ll go another day.”

“Fine.” Luan Mingrui turned and left.

Liang Chengmin returned home, prepared for work, and thinking of Luan Mingrui’s decisiveness, suddenly felt that he didn’t love her at all. He just wanted to marry someone.

Liang Chengmin began to overthink, returning home after work and hiding in her room, waiting for Luan Mingrui to throw small pebbles at her window like before, calling her out so they could spend time in the dark corners of the small town.

Luan Mingrui disappeared for several days.

One day, Liang Chengmin returned home at noon to get something and saw him standing by the roadside talking to a woman. The woman wore a dress rarely seen in that era, with two large earrings, looking very modern. Liang Chengmin approached and called to Luan Mingrui: “Where are you going?”

“Having a meal with a friend later.”

“What friend?”

Luan Mingrui pointed to the young woman: “A female friend.” Then he asked Liang Chengmin: “Are you available now? I can go with you to process the paperwork first, then have the meal.”

Luan Mingrui had no interest in being a gentleman. Liang Chengmin had kept him awake night after night, forcing him to bow his head, but he wouldn’t. If she was so eager to divorce, then so be it.

Liang Chengmin nodded: “Alright. Wait for me.”

She went back to get the documents, turning the house upside down, but couldn’t find her household registration book or marriage certificate. She asked her mother: “Mom, have you seen my things?”

“What things?”

“My marriage certificate.”

“Your father took it for registration, said it would be returned in a few days. Why are you looking for it?”

“Nothing.”

Liang Chengmin went out again and saw Luan Mingrui waiting there.

“My father took my documents 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 a divorce, we can make do. You drink your alcohol, I’ll eat my meals, we’ll leave each other alone.”

“Luan Mingrui!” Liang Chengmin shouted angrily, tears immediately following. She had never cried like this before, pushed to the edge by Luan Mingrui.

“Why are you calling me? Are we close?”

Liang Chengmin must have been overwhelmed with anger; her vision darkened, and she collapsed.