By the time I returned from the outskirts, it was already 3:30 in the afternoon. I made several trips back and forth to carry all the Epimedium from my packed trunk into the house.
I placed three pots on the bay windows in each of the two bedrooms and neatly arranged the rest on the balcony. Before long, a faint floral fragrance filled the entire house.
My wife and I had never kept plants before, so this was the first time our home had so much greenery. It looked quite nice, though.
I admired my handiwork with satisfaction while silently praying that it would work. Wang Di had once mentioned that the primary function of Epimedium's floral scent was to treat neurasthenia, with only a mild aphrodisiac effect. If one didn't harbor any improper thoughts, they might not even notice it.
After a moment's thought, I ran downstairs to buy a bottle of red wine and a lot of groceries.
By the time my wife and Liao Wen returned home, I had already prepared a full table of dishes.
My wife was still happy, but noticeably less excited than the day before—there was no screaming, and she didn't kiss me.
"Honey, you've prepared lavish meals two days in a row. That's not like you. Tell me honestly, what are you up to?" A woman's intuition kicked in at that moment.
Before I could say anything, my wife wrinkled her nose and asked, puzzled, "What's that smell in the house?"
As she spoke, she looked around and immediately spotted the balcony filled with Epimedium. "Why did you bring back so many flowers?" she asked in surprise.
"Manager Wang's friend gave them to her. She said these flowers are called 'Immortal's Spleen' and are good for the nerves, helping to refresh and clear the mind. I asked for a few to bring home," I evaded.
My wife didn't seem suspicious. She called Liao Wen to wash his hands, and they sat down to eat.
I quickly opened the red wine and poured a glass for each of them.
My wife squinted at me and said, "You're definitely up to something. Confess, what are you planning?"
She knew me too well. Even the slightest change in my behavior couldn't escape her notice.
But I had already prepared an excuse and replied calmly, "Isn't this to celebrate Liao Wen's smooth entry into the workforce?"
"Cut it out. You already made a big feast yesterday to celebrate," my wife immediately called me out.
"We didn't have wine yesterday," I chuckled, raising my glass. "A celebration needs both wine and food. Come on, let's toast to Liao Wen officially starting work."
My wife clearly didn't believe my nonsense, but she didn't say anything more. She gave me a meaningful glance and finally picked up her wine glass.
"Brother, I don't know how to drink," Liao Wen said, his face flushing.
"That won't do. You've started working now, and social engagements are unavoidable in the workplace. Drinking is bound to be part of it. You need to learn quickly," I said.
"Alright then, I'll have a little, but not too much. Please don't mind, brother," Liao Wen picked up his glass.
"Don't listen to your brother's nonsense. If you can't drink, then don't. Don't force yourself," my wife hurriedly advised.
"N-no, it's fine, sister-in-law. Just a little bit, it's fine, really." Sure enough, this guy got nervous and stuttered as soon as he spoke to my wife.
I smiled slightly, quickly clinked glasses with both of them, and took a big sip myself. Liao Wen held his glass and took a small sip. My wife gave me a cold, lingering look—I was certain her suspicions were growing, but with Liao Wen present, she couldn't ask too much. In the end, she also took a sip of wine.
I laughed heartily, warmly urging the two of them to eat and drink. Liao Wen stopped after a couple of sips, and I didn't push him further, focusing instead on entertaining my wife.
By the end of the meal, my wife had finished two full glasses of red wine and was slightly tipsy, her fair cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.
As the evening wore on, my wife gradually became more talkative. She pulled Liao Wen to sit on the living room sofa and, like a seasoned mentor, began sharing stories about the company.
Liao Wen's eyes kept wandering over my wife's face, his gaze somewhat infatuated. It was hard to tell whether he was captivated by her stories or by her personally—I suspected the latter.
I didn't disturb them, slowly clearing the dining table and washing all the dishes before returning to the living room.
"Husband, since you're done, why don't you keep Liao Wen company? I'm going to take a shower," my wife said, then stood up and went to the bedroom to change.
Liao Wen's eyes followed her until she had entered the bedroom, lingering even after she was out of sight.
"Is your sister-in-law beautiful?" I suddenly asked.
"Beautiful," Liao Wen replied instinctively, then suddenly snapped back to reality, waving his hands repeatedly, his face flushed as he stammered, "That's not what I meant, brother, don't... don't misunderstand."
"What is there to misunderstand? Go rest early," I said, suppressing a smile as I patted his shoulder, then stood up and returned to the bedroom.
"What exactly are you up to today?" my wife asked as I entered, changing her clothes.
"Nothing much. Go take your shower," I chuckled, leaning back against the headboard.
My wife changed into her pajamas, rolled her eyes at me, and left.
Closing my eyes, I pondered carefully—how could I provoke my wife later, so she would take the initiative to flirt with Liao Wen? I kept turning over possible methods in my mind.
"Husband, I'm done. You should change into your pajamas and go shower too," my wife said, emerging much faster than usual, having taken only about ten minutes.
I nodded, changed into my pajamas, and stepped out. Instead of rushing to shower, I went to the living room for a cigarette. The living room was empty—Liao Wen had already returned to the small bedroom.
The reason I wasn't in a hurry to take a shower was to let my wife soak in the fragrance of the flowers filling the room. I wasn't entirely sure whether the scent of Epimedium would have any effect on her, but I figured the more she absorbed, the better the results might be.
After finishing my cigarette, I lingered a bit longer before finally heading to the bathroom. I took my time, spending a full twenty minutes in the shower before coming out.
My wife was leaning against the headboard, scrolling through her phone. When she saw me return, she immediately tossed it aside.
"Flirting with some handsome guy again? Afraid I'll see?" I teased with a smile as I walked over to the bed, ready to climb in.
But in one swift motion, she rolled over and threw herself into my arms. Without a word, she pressed her seductive red lips against mine.
At the same time, a soft, fragrant tongue slipped into my mouth, stirring passionately.
I wrapped one arm around her fragrant shoulder and the other around her slender waist, responding to her fervor.
We kissed intensely for a good four or five minutes, only breaking apart when she was nearly out of breath.
"Nannan, what's gotten into you?" I asked with a laugh.
She shot me a glare before panting, "You're the one who caused this, and you're asking me? I just looked it up on my phone—the flowers you brought back are called Epimedium, right? They're supposed to be an aphrodisiac."
"My wife is so clever," I chuckled.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, leaning close to my ear and whispering, "You naughty husband, the scent of those flowers has left me completely soaked. I want you."
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