Returning home, I was accustomed to leaving the lights off, relying on the moonlight to guide me to the sofa. I slipped off my shoes and lay back comfortably. With my hands pressed together, I silently counted to six.
It had been ten years. Ten minutes of reflection each day gave me the confidence to face the challenges of tomorrow. I was an Aromatherapist, with a keen sense of smell and a solid knowledge of chemistry, which allowed me to join a high-end brand project team in just five years.
The alarm clock rang. I had slept for ten minutes. As I opened my eyes, I saw Lao Ma quietly closing the door and changing his shoes in the darkness. A smile tugged at my lips; thankfully, he hadn’t returned too late, or he would have been angry with me again.
I walked over and hugged him. "Honey, you're back."
"Mm."
Lao Ma patted my back gently and said softly, "You've worked hard all day; you should rest early. You don’t need to wait for me."
"Okay."
I looked at the back of his head and said solemnly, "I'm sorry for not cooking for you this year."
"It's fine; the housekeeper will take care of it."
Lao Ma ruffled my hair and continued to murmur, "We're married now; you should handle some things yourself. Aren't you tired?"
I shook my head.
Then I caught a whiff of it—his cologne. That scent was common in luxury hotels. Sensing the moment, I wisely fell silent and walked toward the bedroom.
Lao Ma has cheated.
I know.
I hired a private detective and found out who the other person is.
A young and beautiful girl, specifically targeting married men.
Lao Ma is intrigued, spending lavishly to win her favor.
I close the door and have no intention of confronting this matter.
He's just a man; he's not worth my time and energy.
Besides, I prefer my career over relationships.
Marrying anyone is less reliable than marrying my career.
I brew myself a cup of coffee to stay focused.
After Lao Ma finishes his shower, he lifts a corner of the blanket and gently lies down.
I turn off my phone and close my eyes.
A dreamless night passes.
At seven-thirty in the morning, I wake up on time.
I make myself a cup of coffee and start today’s work.
I have been promoted to Project Leader, tasked with developing a brand new fragrance for a hotel.
I enjoy the feeling of being in control, so I set high standards.
“ sister Ying, here are the hotel details for all the fragrance systems in the city.”
My assistant places the documents on the table, excitement written all over her face. “Are we creating our own fragrance brand this time?”
“Mm-hmm.”
I take a sip of coffee. “Is the market research complete?”
“It’s done.”
The assistant hands me her tablet, filled with dense notes.
I looked closely, the scent of perfume worn by Lao Ma lingering in my mind. If I remembered correctly, it should be this hotel. I tapped on the table and sent a message to the private detective.
"Keep an eye on things, thanks."
"Not a problem."
The private detective replied quickly, seemingly waiting at the hotel entrance. I set my tablet down and began to focus on my work. It's quite normal for men to cheat; as long as they don't leave any evidence behind, I can turn a blind eye. Time and energy are far more precious.
As noon approached, Lao Ma called. "Dad, how have you been feeling lately?"
I closed the file and absentmindedly played with my pen. My father-in-law suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and needed to use oxygen for 18 hours a day, which was excruciating for him. He coughed a few times, his voice hoarse and weak. "Just the same."
Lao Ma sighed. "I've arranged for someone to buy an Oxygen Therapy Machine from abroad; you can use it at night so you can sleep better."
"That's thoughtful of you."
My father-in-law replied lightly, "Just focus on your own matters."
"Dad, I'll hang up now."
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