Slow to mature after marriage

The bonfire was blazing, sparks crackling and leaping upwards, warming half the lawn. A band played upbeat folk songs on stage, some people swayed their glasses along, while others chatted and laughed around the fire.

There were quite a few people here tonight. Xu Qishan's manor was opening, and everyone with eyes could see that he was close to Bo Yan, so Bo Yan would definitely be there tonight. As a result, those who wanted to curry favor with him sprang into action—under the guise of offering congratulations, they went around exchanging pleasantries with wine glasses in hand, their eyes darting everywhere.

Bo Yan and Mu Siwan arrived late.

Bo Ning was holding a glass of juice and looking around when she saw them coming. Her eyes lit up, and she was about to wave—

Zhou Na tugged at her sleeve from the side and lowered her voice.

"Are you stupid? Once someone comes out of their room, don't go up to them."

Bo Ning froze for a second, then realized what was happening, and her face flushed red. The firelight shone on her cheeks, making them rosy, and she became unusually quiet, standing still in place.

"I...I just..."

Zhou Na rolled her eyes at her.

"Alright, alright, who told you to knock on the door?"

Bo Ning bit her straw and remained silent.

Just as I was feeling awkward, an annoying voice interrupted from the side.

"Hey, why is Bo Ning being so well-behaved today? Did the sun rise in the west?"

Bo Ning turned her head and saw who it was; her face turned even redder—this time, she was angry.

"Song Yu, you're being cheeky again, aren't you?"

Song Yu was brought along by Xu Qishan to join in the fun. He was the same age as Bo Ning, and the two of them had been bickering ever since they met. He was wearing a black hoodie, holding a bottle of beer, and had a smug grin on his face.

"I didn't say anything, so why are you feeling guilty?"

Bo Ning raised her hand to hit him.

Song Yu dodged backward, laughing as he did so.

"Are you getting angry out of embarrassment?"

The two chased each other around the campfire twice, which dispelled the awkwardness from before.

-

Mu Siwan sat down on the recliner, while Bo Yan went to the side to deal with the endless stream of social engagements.

She picked up the hot drink on the table and took a sip, her gaze falling on the campfire—Bo Ning and Song Yu were still chasing each other, and people around them were laughing.

"Is your sister-in-law sitting here all alone?"

A soft voice sounded from the side.

Mu Siwan turned her head and saw a girl in a white dress. She had walked over at some point, holding a glass of champagne, and was looking at her with a smile.

A hint of doubt flashed in Mu Siwan's eyes.

"……Who are you?"

"My name is Su Wan, and I grew up in the Bo family." She smiled gently. "When Yan Ge was little, I always played with him. He would tell me his worries. Those were the good old days."

"Really?" Mu Siwan nodded. "I didn't see you at the Bo family banquet."

Su Wan's smile froze slightly.

She was just a member of a collateral branch of the Bo family, so of course she couldn't attend the family banquet.

"I've been working away from home all this time, so it's normal that you haven't met me before, sister-in-law." She paused, "What do you do for a living, sister-in-law? I've never had a chance to meet you before, but I'm so glad to meet you today."

"Forensic pathologist."

Su Wan was taken aback for a moment, then covered her mouth and laughed.

"Forensic pathologist, that must be a tough job, dealing with those things all day long." She paused, her tone carrying just the right amount of concern, "Yan-ge seems lazy, but he's actually quite particular. I was worried he might not be able to adapt."

Mu Siwan slightly pulled open her cloak, revealing the few still-present hickeys below her collarbone.

"No," she said. "He's adapted very well."

Su Wan's smile froze for a moment as her gaze swept over the marks.

"Is this cape Yan-ge's?" She quickly composed herself, her tone gentle. "He used to take care of me like this too. When I was little, if I was cold, he would give me his coat to wear."

Mu Siwan glanced down at the cloak she was wearing.

"Yeah?"

"Mm." Su Wan smiled, pursing her lips. "Yan-ge may seem cold, but he's actually very thoughtful. You'll know that once you spend more time with him."

Mu Siwan frowned.

We've been married for three years.

Su Wan was taken aback, but then she forced a smile and said, "Really? I heard that Brother Yan was abroad for those three years and didn't have time to spend with you, so I'm afraid you didn't have much opportunity to spend time with him either."

"I grew up with Yan-ge, so I know his temperament. If you want to know anything about Yan-ge, you can come and ask me."

Mu Siwan looked up at her.

"So, during those three years he was abroad, he was with you?"

Su Wan's smile froze.

"Sister-in-law, you're joking." She forced a smile. "Of course I didn't see Yan-ge during the three years he was abroad."

Mu Siwan nodded.

"You just said, 'I can ask you anything I want to know about Yan-ge.'" She paused. "How can I ask him if you haven't seen him for the past three years?"

Su Wan was speechless.

"I……"

"Also," Mu Siwan glanced down at her cloak, "you said you and Bo Yan grew up together. But Bo Yan hasn't mentioned you once in the month since he returned to the country."

She paused.

"If someone is truly important to another person, it's impossible for them not to mention it even once."

Su Wan's face lost some color.

"Sister-in-law, what...do you mean?"

Mu Siwan looked at her calmly.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to say that the information you provided isn't very useful."

-

Su Wan was in a hurry when her skirt tripped on the grass, and she almost fell.

Zhou Na came over at some point and sat down next to her, laughing so hard her shoulders were shaking.

"Sister-in-law, I'm impressed." She covered her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents. "I never knew you were so good at dealing with scheming women."

Mu Siwan turned her head to look at her.

"green tea?"

Zhou Na nodded and pointed in the direction Su Wan had left.

"Her? She's from a distant branch of the Bo family, relying on that tiny, unrelated kinship, she's always going around saying how she grew up with Bo Yan and how close they are." She rolled her eyes. "I'm so annoyed with her."

A hint of surprise flashed in Mu Siwan's eyes.

"Is she a green tea bitch?"

Zhou Na was taken aback by her reaction.

"Sister-in-law, didn't you notice?"

Mu Siwan shook her head.

Zhou Na opened her mouth.

"Then what you just did...?"

"Her logic is flawed," Mu Siwan said calmly. "I'm just pointing it out."

Zhou Na stared at her for two seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"Killing someone without them even realizing it." She leaned back. "Sister-in-law, you're really something."

Zhou Na picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and sighed.

"I didn't expect Brother Bo Yan to like this type." Her tone was tinged with melancholy. "It seems I really have no chance."

Mu Siwan turned her head to look at her.

Several people have said that Bo Yan likes her.

It seems that Bo Yan is quite good at acting in public.

Zhou Na suddenly leaned closer, lowered her voice, and smiled ambiguously.

"Sister-in-law, I have a question for you."

Mu Siwan looked at her.

Zhou Na winked and made faces.

"In that area... how good is Brother Bo Yan?"

Suddenly, images from the afternoon flashed through her mind—his hand on her waist, his breath near her ear, and the way he looked down at her as the water rippled.

My ears started to feel hot.

She lowered her eyes, trying to keep her tone steady.

"Unusual."

Zhou Na opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

Then she leaned back and sighed deeply.

"What a pity," she murmured, "I'll never get to sleep with him in this lifetime."