Chapter Two: We’re Even

Hua Tang's heart felt like it was about to jump out of her throat. She closed her eyes tightly and did not dare to move or speak. 

At this moment, she suddenly felt a force hugging her waist. Before she could react, she was pressed onto the bed by him the next second.

In an instant, Hua Tang's mind went blank. This was the first time she was so close to a stranger. 

She felt the burning heat of a chest pressing against her back, skin-to-skin. She could also hear fierce heartbeats. 

She took a deep breath, her limbs still stiff and unable to extend.

"Do you know who I am?" the man asked suddenly.

Hua Tang was startled by the question. 'He is my husband. This is my wedding night. It is only natural for husband and wife to do such things. Is there a need to ask?' 

Despite her thoughts, she still timidly answered, "I know… You are Mu Chi."

He narrowed his eyes. 'Mu Chi… Ha, she went through the trouble to learn that name. Unfortunately, I'm not Mu Chi, and she isn't Hua Ning.' 

Actually, from the moment she walked in, he could tell that she was just a substitute. Although the exact reasons were unclear to him, according to the Hua family's eldest daughter's temper, it was absolutely impossible for Hua Ning to marry a country bumpkin.

But it didn't matter. She was Hua Ning's substitute, and he himself was Mu Chi's substitute—the two of them were even.

He collected his thoughts and lowered his head to meet her beautiful eyes. Her shy and soft expression was like an invisible hand that suddenly grabbed a place in his heart that no one knew and no one had ever touched.

"I'm sorry. I was too nervous." She bit her lip and tentatively reached out to hook her arm around his neck. " You're my husband. It's your right to do anything to me… Let... Let's begin." 

Beads of sweat formed on the tip of her nose. She clumsily moved closer to him, but her entire body kept trembling.

Fu Yong's heart was touched. Just as she was about to kiss him on the lips, he suddenly pressed two fingers against her forehead, pushing her away from him.

Hua Tang froze. The blush on her face was from both embarrassment and confusion.

He looked at her and said, "You must be tired today. Rest early."

"Mu Chi, I…" Hua Tang panicked.

"I think you need some time to get used to this. In the meantime, I won't make things difficult for you." As he spoke, he turned over and laid down, closing his eyes.

Hua Tang stared at his actions in a daze. 

After some time, she heard the man's faint snoring. Only then did she carefully observe him. 

He was actually very handsome. His angular side profile and muscled physique made her blush.

Hua Tang's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly turned her face away. She was drowsy, and her mind was a mess as she thought about the sarcasm that her stepmother and Hua Ning had given her before she got married. They told her that they and the Mu family were family friends and that the older generation had made a marriage contract between the two families. However, after the Mu family fortune declined, they hid in a remote mountain village. They were so poor that their family had nothing. 

The son of the Mu family was also a disappointment. He was a well-known hooligan, with such frequent visits to the police station that you could almost call it his other home…

"I'm the eldest daughter of the Hua family. How can I marry a hooligan?" Hua Ning held her head high. "You're more suitable. After all, your mother was born to be a sl*t and has been with countless men. Your brother is also a b*stard with an unknown father! A person like you is a match made in heaven for a local ruffian!"

Her father's attitude was also very cold; it was as if he did not hear Hua Ning's words. "As long as you are willing to marry Mu Chi on behalf of your sister, I will give you a sum of money to treat your mother's illness."

Her stepmother gracefully arranged the flowers, but the words she uttered were harsh and vicious. "Letting a little sl*t like you marry with the status as the Hua family's second daughter is already giving you a lot of face! Don't be so shameless!"

Hua Tang woke up with a jolt and found that it was already dawn, and the man beside her was nowhere to be seen. 

She put on some clothes and went out to the courtyard. There, she saw Mu Chi doing his morning exercise. 

His upper body was bare, and he was lifting dumbbells, alternating between his two hands. His brick-like muscles were illuminated by the morning light ... It made people envious.

Hua Tang's face heated up slightly as she greeted him softly, "You're up so early!"

Fu Yong turned around and glanced at her indifferently.

Hua Tang looked around. 

This courtyard wasn't big, only around five square meters. Sandbags, boxing gloves, baseball bats, dumbbells, and other such equipment were placed all over the yard. 

Her heart tightened. 'I'm not sure if the rumors are true, but Mu Chi has definitely had more than his share of fights. I wonder what this man's temper is like? I hear that it is common for men of such nature to drink and beat their wives.'