His expression betrayed his embarrassment.

A wave of awkwardness washed over Ye Chen's face, but in the end, he mustered his courage.

"Uh, Yinuo, do you think we could..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but the hopeful glint in his eyes revealed his ulterior motives.

"No!"

After all, she wasn't some innocent, inexperienced girl anymore.

Being the mother of a four- or five-year-old, Chen Yinuo could see right through Ye Chen's intentions. She immediately refused without hesitation.

"Oh..."

The hope in Ye Chen's eyes dimmed, replaced by disappointment.

The last time he had experienced intimacy had been 60 years ago, in his previous life.

After uncovering the hidden truths behind Chen Yinuo's death back then, he had never touched another woman—not because he lacked desires but because her image would always appear in his mind, quelling his urges.

Now, reborn and reunited with his beloved wife, he found it difficult to suppress his feelings, especially as their relationship began to mend.

But her resolute rejection extinguished his rekindled flame.

"Well, I've waited sixty years. A little longer won't hurt."

Watching Ye Chen walk away with disappointment, Chen Yinuo felt a twinge of guilt.

After all, they were husband and wife. Was she being too harsh?

"Maybe later..." she muttered shyly.

Though a mother, uttering those words brought a blush to her cheeks.

"Really?"

Ye Chen spun around, his face lighting up with excitement.

But she didn't reply. Instead, she shut the door with a complex expression, leaving him outside.

"No problem," Ye Chen chuckled to himself. "Good things come to those who wait."

Facing the locked door, the man who once controlled a personal fortune of 400 billion yuan in his past life now smiled like a fool.

The next morning, his biological clock roused him early as usual.

He was heading to freshen up when he heard chopping noises from the kitchen.

To his surprise, it was Chen Yinuo, wearing an apron and preparing ingredients.

Before Ye Chen could say anything, she glanced back and said lightly, "Go back to bed. I'll handle breakfast today."

"Why are you up so early? Did you go to the market already?" Ye Chen asked, his face lighting up with genuine happiness.

Chen Yinuo had always been the quintessential virtuous wife and mother, and seeing her like this reminded him of the beauty he had once taken for granted.

"I couldn't sleep, so I went downstairs to get some things," she said, shaking her head. "Go rest a bit more."

"Then let me help you!"

He stepped toward the kitchen.

"At least brush your teeth and wash your face first!" she said helplessly.

"Ah, right! Be right back!"

Ye Chen hurried off, returning quickly to assist her.

Though their conversation was mundane, it subtly strengthened their bond.

A simple breakfast took them two hours to prepare, but the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

After they ate, their daughter, Ye Youyou, begged Ye Chen to take her for a drive.

Even the usually thrifty Chen Yinuo couldn't resist their daughter's request.

As the family of three prepared to leave, Yinuo's phone rang.

"Who's calling?" Ye Chen paused to ask.

"It's Yihao," she replied before answering, "Hello, Yihao?"

"Sis, what are you up to?" came Chen Yihao's casual voice.

"Getting ready to take Youyou out. Why?"

"Bring Youyou over for lunch at our place!"

"Lunch? What's the occasion?"

"Well, Wang Qian is coming over. Mom and Dad are going all out—flying, running, swimming, growing... You'd think an important official was visiting. It's driving me nuts! I don't know if they're scared I won't find a wife or if they're treating her like royalty!"

Though he liked Wang Qian and wanted to marry her, he was irked by their parents' overly deferential attitude.

"Watch your mouth!" Yinuo scolded. "You're not getting any younger. It's only natural for Mom and Dad to be concerned."

"So what? I don't care if Wang Qian marries me or not. If she doesn't want to, she can leave. I'm not begging her!"

"Big talk!" Yinuo teased. "Let's see you say that to her face."

Though she didn't like Wang Qian much, her parents' favoritism left her no choice but to remain silent.

After the call, Ye Chen asked, "What's Yihao want?"

"Remember Wang Qian? Yihao's girlfriend? He wants me to bring Youyou over because she's having lunch with the family," Yinuo explained.

"That girlfriend of his, the one acting like she's all that?" Ye Chen remarked.

"Mind your words!" Yinuo chided, rolling her eyes.

"Should I go too?"

She hesitated, recalling Ye Chen's recent transformation. With their marriage back on track, she hoped to mend his strained relationship with her family, particularly her brother Yihao.

"If you're up for it and don't mind any trouble, then come along," she said tactfully.

"What's the big deal? It's not like your family's going to chop me up!" Ye Chen replied with a grin.