Chapter 8: Let’s Get Married

Lu Zhixia was still lost in a daze when Yan Fanghua scolded her with a pout, “You child, why didn’t you open the door?”

Yan Fanghua stepped forward and swung the door open. The bearded man broke into a grin, greeting Fanghua first before nodding slightly at Lu Zhixia. “Pleased to meet you.”

Shen Wanqing, standing beside him, curved her lips into a faint smile. “Please take good care of me.”

A chill ran down Lu Zhixia’s spine. Weren’t these the exact lines from her dream?

The man was tall and slender, with fair skin. His beard obscured half his face, but it couldn’t hide his handsome features.

There was a resemblance between him and Shen Wanqing, especially in the shape of their eyes and brows. Lu Zhixia sneaked a glance at Shen Wanqing, whose gaze remained cool and detached.

On that front, the two women shared an unspoken understanding—they both pretended not to recognize each other. Lu Zhixia’s heart finally settled back in her chest.

Yan Fanghua took the initiative to introduce her. “This is my daughter, Lu Zhixia.”

“And this is my daughter, Shen Wanqing,” the man said with a smile, making his own introduction.

Shen Wanqing carried herself with poise and grace, extending her hand first.

When Lu Zhixia clasped it, she felt a gentle squeeze.

Surprised, Lu Zhixia looked up. Shen Wanqing’s refined features were strikingly beautiful, and the gland on her earlobe was still faintly red. A closer inspection revealed faint marks along her collarbone—Lu Zhixia’s handiwork from the night before.

Shen Wanqing’s gaze was mild, yet laced with a deeper meaning that made Lu Zhixia quickly drop her eyes, not daring to look further.

Once they were seated, the man’s smile turned a touch shy as he introduced himself to Lu Zhixia.

His name was Shen Tingyun, Shen Wanqing’s father, and the purpose of his visit was to propose a marriage alliance between their families.

Lu Zhixia stared at her mother in shock, lightly nudging her from behind and shooting her a pleading look: How could you keep something this big from me?

Yan Fanghua turned her head, arching a brow in challenge: Didn’t I ask you about it last night?

Ignoring Lu Zhixia’s wide-eyed grimaces, Yan Fanghua gestured for him to continue. “Go on, Tingyun.”

“Since we’ve already discussed this beforehand, neither of us cares for elaborate ceremonies. We’ve planned a simple wedding for next Sunday,” Shen Tingyun said with a cheerful chuckle, turning to Lu Zhixia. “If it’s not too forward, may I call you Little Xia? What do you think?”

“Me?” Lu Zhixia blurted, too stunned to think straight. “Isn’t this too rushed?”

“Too rushed?” Shen Tingyun clearly hadn’t expected that response. He seemed a bit awkward, glancing at Yan Fanghua. “When do you think would be better, then?”

Sensing his discomfort, Yan Fanghua waved it off. “Don’t mind her, Tingyun. Next Sunday it is. Wanqing, does that work for you?”

Shen Wanqing nodded, her smile faint. “I’m free.”

“See? Wanqing has time, I have time, and Tingyun does too,” Yan Fanghua said, pulling Lu Zhixia’s hand into her own. She smiled sweetly on the surface while applying subtle pressure beneath. “Little Xia, it’s a matter of majority rules, got it?”

Lu Zhixia had never heard of a marriage being arranged quite so hastily. She glanced at Shen Wanqing, who kept smiling serenely, and suddenly felt like she was staring into a massive trap—while her own mother shoved her toward it.

Everything else could be faked or improvised, but not a lifetime commitment. Lu Zhixia stated plainly, “The problem is we barely know each other. Getting married right after meeting is way too fast.”

“You two?” Yan Fanghua and Shen Tingyun said in unison. Yan Fanghua caught on first, lightly patting her daughter’s arm. “What are you thinking, child? We’re talking about Tingyun’s and my wedding.”

Lu Zhixia wanted to bash her head against the floor right then and there. Shen Tingyun burst out laughing. “Little Xia, you’re adorable.”

Shen Wanqing’s smile deepened, though she said nothing.

After that, Lu Zhixia fell silent, too mortified to speak.

In simple terms, it was a marriage alliance—one both sides understood perfectly well, and so did the outside world.

The goal was mutual benefit, and the two had already acknowledged as much.

With outsiders present, Lu Zhixia held back from asking too many questions. As they chatted lightly about the weekend wedding and what married life might entail, she barely paid attention, her mind wandering the whole time.

Lu Zhixia had only just returned to the country and knew little about the Shen family’s background. Her mother was just an art academy professor with a single art gallery to her name. What value could such a union possibly hold?

Unable to sit still any longer, she excused herself to use the restroom and slipped away with a quiet sigh of relief. She pulled out her phone from her pocket.

There wasn’t much public information on Shen Tingyun—mostly that he was a painter and photographer, followed by an extensive rundown of his family. The details painted a picture of considerable wealth.

Lu Zhixia was engrossed, head bowed over her screen, when a soft knock sounded at the restroom door. She turned—and in walked Shen Wanqing.

Shen Wanqing regarded her calmly, advancing step by step.

Memories of the dream flashed through Lu Zhixia’s mind, and her face flushed crimson.

She darted aside, away from the vanity. In the dream, unspeakable things had happened right there on that counter.

Shen Wanqing went straight to the sink and turned on the faucet. Water rushed out with a steady whoosh.

Their eyes met in the mirror as Shen Wanqing washed her hands, her gaze pinning Lu Zhixia in place.

Lu Zhixia didn’t look away, though her cheeks still burned. The dream’s lurid scenes lingered, refusing to fade.

“Do you want to marry me?” Shen Wanqing asked suddenly.

Lu Zhixia’s face flushed even deeper, and she hurriedly defended herself. “That was just a misunderstanding!”

“Heh.” Shen Wanqing let out a soft chuckle, clearly unconvinced.

Lu Zhixia really hadn’t considered it. She turned away with a shrug. “Think whatever you want. In any case, I’m not marrying you.”

Shen Wanqing shut off the faucet and called after the woman heading for the door. “Do me a favor.”

Lu Zhixia frowned. “When you’re asking someone for help, could you at least sound a little nicer?”

“What would count as nice?” Shen Wanqing glanced back over her shoulder, her tone a reminder. “Should I refresh your memory on how you came begging me?”

Lu Zhixia kept her expression stern. “Just spit it out. What do you need?”

“Help me put this on.” Shen Wanqing opened her palm to reveal a dainty blue dangling earring.

With her gland still swollen, she wanted to wear earrings? Lu Zhixia kept the thought to herself.

She handled it as delicately as she could, but her fingers still brushed Shen Wanqing’s ear—and accidentally grazed her earlobe.

Whether from the warmth or the touch, a faint blush colored Shen Wanqing’s cheeks, something rare for her.

Absorbed in the task, Lu Zhixia fastened the tiny earring. When she clicked it shut with a bit more force, it bumped right into the soft lobe. Shen Wanqing’s body gave a slight shiver.

“Sorry…”

“You didn’t sound sorry back on the bed.”

“…”

At last, Lu Zhixia secured it and exhaled in relief. “No need to thank me. I’m out.”

But Shen Wanqing moved first. She turned and leaned against the door, tilting her head up to meet Lu Zhixia’s gaze. “Nothing you want to say?”

Lu Zhixia knew exactly what she meant but feigned ignorance. “What do you want to hear? For the right price, I’ll say whatever.”

“Oh?”

“But I don’t come cheap.”

Amusement flickered in Shen Wanqing’s eyes as she played along. “Then let’s do a monthly subscription. Whatever I want to hear, you tell me.”

“…”

Unsure of Shen Wanqing’s angle, Lu Zhixia tried to spook her. “It’s seriously expensive. And there’s a deposit up front.”

Shen Wanqing’s lips curved in a faint smile. “Sounds good to me.”

Lu Zhixia left the restroom in a daze. What the hell just happened?

A monthly subscription? Had she just rented herself out?

She earned a roll of the eyes from Yan Fanghua the moment she stepped out.

With good humor, Lu Zhixia grinned. Yan Fanghua beckoned her closer. “Add Wanqing on WeChat. It’ll make things easier down the line.”

Can I say no? The refusal burned in her throat, twisting a few times before Lu Zhixia swallowed it back down.

“Wanqing, Little Xia’s younger than you, and she’s not exactly even-tempered. Now that you’re family, keep her in line when she needs it—and don’t hesitate to call her out.” Yan Fanghua patted Lu Zhixia’s shoulder, the gesture carrying the weight of a mother handing off her daughter for safekeeping.

Lu Zhixia piped up in protest. “What’s wrong with my temper?”

“And you think this is good?” Yan Fanghua scolded, her tone laced with fondness. “Sigh, it’s all my fault. Spoiled her rotten since she was a kid.”

Shen Wanqing smiled warmly. “Don’t worry. Little Sister, hand over your phone. I’ll add myself.”

Before Lu Zhixia could respond, Yan Fanghua snatched up the phone Lu Zhixia had set down—the screen still glowing.

She watched Shen Wanqing’s every tap like a hawk. Those steps went way beyond adding a friend.

Casually rising, Lu Zhixia circled the table. “All set?” She bent to scrutinize Shen Wanqing’s screen.

Shen Wanqing was poking around in the security settings. Heat rushed to Lu Zhixia’s face. Shit.

Sure enough, Shen Wanqing spotted her number on the blacklist.

Shen Wanqing lifted her chin a fraction, her eyes narrowing with quiet menace.

Seizing the moment while Shen Wanqing was distracted, Lu Zhixia swiped the phone back. “I’m an honest person. Don’t need anyone riding herd on me.”

In other words: butt out.

“Honest?” Her own mother stood ever ready to call her bluff. “First thing back in the country, you skip home for the clubs. That honest?”

Lu Zhixia clamped her mouth shut. Better safe than sorry.

Her phone buzzed. The notification left her frozen: A message from Little Dog’s Big Sister.

Lu Zhixia shot Shen Wanqing a speechless look. The woman sat there, the picture of poised maturity.

Tapping into the chat, Lu Zhixia stared in utter shock.