Xia Zhuxi had sent a message in the family group chat, reminding everyone that a shuttle from Xuanyuan Villa would pick them up. Seeing the instant replies, she burst out laughing.
Shen Jingsong turned at the sound. “What’s so funny?” Xia Zhuxi’s laughter sounded strangely gleeful.
“It’s the first time the family group has replied to me this quickly,” Xia Zhuxi explained.
Shen Jingsong fell silent, her expression turning displeased.
She hoped certain people would show some self-respect and not cause any drama.
Shen Jingsong’s pager chimed for the shuttle. “My mom’s here.”
Qi Peijun was feeling better, so Shen Jingsong had asked Shang Mingrong to serve as bridesmaid and pick her up on the way.
The shuttle glided through the gardens, a gentle breeze stirring the air.
Shen Jingsong let out a soft chuckle, tinged with schadenfreude.
Xia Zhuxi looked at her curiously. “Sister Jingsong, why are you laughing too?”
Shen Jingsong’s chat window showed a photo from Shang Mingrong: Lu Guanlan helping Qi Peijun with her bags, while Shang Mingrong’s goofy half-face peeked in from the edge of the frame.
They had sent invitations to Shang Mingrong out of courtesy, including one for Lu Guanlan—never imagining Boss Lu would actually show up. What a face-saving gesture.
Heh. Now she was a married woman.
Xia Zhuxi covered up Shang Mingrong in the photo and muttered under her breath, “No peeking.”
Shen Jingsong leaned against Xia Zhuxi’s shoulder. “I’m not looking at her. I’m looking at…”
She paused for a moment, as if studying Xia Zhuxi’s face.
Xia Zhuxi touched her cheek. “There’s nothing there. What are you looking at, hmm?”
Shen Jingsong narrowed her eyes, a sly curve tugging at her lips. Xia Zhuxi knew that smile all too well—it was Bad Squirrel.
Shen Jingsong zoomed in on the photo and tapped Lu Guanlan’s image.
“Your sister once said that only a woman of Boss Lu’s caliber was worthy of being her principal wife.”
Xia Zhuxi: ?
Same parents, and yet she knew so little.
The Pei Family and Qi Peijun arrived together.
The butler led the way, with the elders up front.
Shen Jingsong deliberately slowed her pace, and Xia Zhuxi stayed by her side.
Xia Zhuxi glanced to the side and noticed Lu Guanlan matching their slow stride.
Lu Guanlan was helping Shang Mingrong hold her daughter.
Lulu was captivated by the riot of colors in the garden, asking in her babyish voice what all the flowers were.
Lu Guanlan snapped a photo and searched an encyclopedia app, but Shang Mingrong offered a silly suggestion. “Just make something up for a kid. Tell her they’re the seven-colored flowers of happiness.”
Lu Guanlan shot her a cold, cutting glare, and Shang Mingrong shrank back in mock fear.
Lulu waited patiently, so Lu Guanlan read from the encyclopedia and taught her the plants’ names.
“This one is a monocotyledon…”
“Boss Lu.”
Lu Guanlan set Lulu down, letting her toddle back to her mother.
“Shen Jingsong, I wish you and Xia Zhuxi a hundred years of harmony.”
Shen Jingsong smiled and thanked her, then leaned in close to whisper something.
Xia Zhuxi watched from nearby. Lu Guanlan’s face suddenly darkened. She shot a glance at Pei Ziying up ahead and snapped irritably, “What bad luck.”
Shen Jingsong returned to Xia Zhuxi’s side, clearly in high spirits.
Xia Zhuxi knew she had gotten her revenge. She was happy for her—and deeply curious. “What did you say to Boss Lu?”
Shen Jingsong blinked with wide, innocent eyes. “I just told her that Pei Ziying used to want to marry her as her principal wife. But now that she’s engaged to Li Han, she probably doesn’t anymore.”
Xia Zhuxi gazed at her innocent expression, then recalled that earlier Bad Squirrel grin. Her heart melted.
God help her—her wife was just too adorable.
Shen Jingsong tilted her head. “Xiao Xi, was that a mean thing to do?”
Xia Zhuxi lowered her eyes thoughtfully. “It doesn’t matter if it was good or bad. If you wanted to do it, then I think it was perfect.”
She gave a big thumbs-up.
Shen Jingsong pursed her lips toward her and blew an air kiss with a soft “mwah.”
The rehearsal began.
The bridesmaids waited at the flower archway as the couple walked the red carpet to the altar.
Qi Xuanyan read through the vows, guiding Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong through the practice run.
Shang Mingrong and Jian Ge, both bridesmaids, chatted idly at the flower arch while Lu Guanlan played nearby with Lulu.
The central air conditioning blasted cold air.
Lu Guanlan felt a chill and, worried Lulu might catch a cold, shrugged off her jacket to drape it over the child.
Beneath it, she wore a deep V-neck backless dress.
“The AC is pretty fierce. Are you cold?”
Lu Guanlan turned to find Pei Ziying standing right behind her, though she had no idea when she’d snuck up.
Lu Guanlan ignored her.
“I wonder if Boss Lu has seen that movie I did with Director Guo and Director Qin.”
“I don’t watch movies.”
Pei Ziying bent down and handed Lulu a packet of wedding candies. “What a cute little kid.” Then, to Lu Guanlan: “You’ve already got a baby? When did you get married? Your figure’s still amazing.”
Lu Guanlan pulled Lulu behind her. Pei Ziying feigned casualness as the back of her hand brushed against the sensitive inner side of Lu Guanlan’s forearm. “Your hand’s freezing. Here, wear my jacket—”
Slap!
Pei Ziying froze, ears ringing and vision swimming, a massive red handprint blooming across her face.
“Looks like she was telling the truth.” Lu Guanlan’s brows shot up in fury. “You’re fucking disgusting.”
~~~
Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong got married.
It was a traditional Chinese wedding, simple and straightforward without any elaborate rituals.
They offered tea to their elders, bowed to heaven and earth, sipped from the crossed wedding cups, and exchanged bows as a couple.
Then they played a little game that Chu Yun had suggested.
Chu Yun declared: “You’re married now, yet you’re still sleeping in the same bed with separate quilts? I can’t stand it. You two are such pure souls—let me inject a bit of passion into that innocence.”
The “passion” Chu Yun injected was a single Big White Rabbit Milk Candy.
She suspended it from a red string, and the two brides had to snatch it with their mouths—whoever got more could make the other do one thing.
Qi Xuanyan held the red string aloft, the white candy swaying lazily in the air. Xia Zhuxi was on the left, Shen Jingsong on the right, separated by a tall wooden table. Each took one end of the candy in her teeth and tugged it toward herself.
Their friends below the stage whooped and hollered, with Chu Yun’s cheers ringing out the loudest. “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
Xia Zhuxi gripped the edge of the table. Seeing that Shen Jingsong was losing the tug-of-war, she quickly loosened her bite just a fraction, yielding a bit of the candy. Shen Jingsong, caught off guard and thinking she was about to lose it entirely, lunged forward for a bigger bite. The candy swung outward from the sudden shift, and their lips brushed together. Then it swung back, tapping against their mouths.
Chu Yun clapped in excitement. “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
Shang Mingrong and Jian Ge joined in the laughter, egging them on. “Give us a smooch, new brides!”
Lu Guanlan kept a straight face. She sat below the stage, covering Lulu’s eyes with both hands as she watched the brides accidentally lock lips on stage. The corners of her mouth curved up ever so slightly.
Xia Zhuxi’s head burned hot. She had fantasized about so many ways to touch Shen Jingsong, but never like this.
The cheers around them roared. Shen Jingsong’s face was flawlessly pale, her long lashes curling upward, fluttering lightly and tickling Xia Zhuxi’s skin.
Gazing into those misty eyes, with Shen Jingsong’s soft, warm breath spilling from her mouth, Xia Zhuxi’s heart pounded wildly. She tightened her grip on the table’s edge, leaned across the surface, and pressed her lips firmly against Shen Jingsong’s soft petals, grinding against them deliberately.
The crowd erupted in whoops. Just when everyone thought things were about to heat up, Xia Zhuxi tilted her head and slowly pulled away. She lifted a red round fan to shield Shen Jingsong’s profile, then turned to the audience. “And that’s all you get—no peeking.”
Chu Yun let out a theatrical boo. “So stingy!”
The guests burst into delighted laughter.
Qi Xuanyan smoothly guided them through the rest of the ceremony.
And with that, the rites were complete.
Next came the wedding banquet.
Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong slipped into the dressing room they’d reserved ahead of time to change into their toasting outfits.
Shang Mingrong touched up their makeup. Once that was done, she stepped out to give the two brides privacy to help each other dress.
Xia Zhuxi changed into her gown in the fitting area and checked herself in the mirror, touching her lips. There was still a sweet taste lingering in her mouth.
The candy from the game had been on the harder side, and in the midst of all the tugging, she’d managed to bite off a piece.
Her heart hadn’t stopped racing yet. Shen Jingsong’s lustrous eyes and soft red lips seemed to hover right in front of her.
Gazing.
Slightly parted.
What if she went deeper…
“Xiao Xi, are you ready? Let me tie your sash for you.”
Xia Zhuxi pinched the back of her skirt’s waist. “Coming.”
Shen Jingsong had changed into a deep red gown. From her chest upward, a layer of delicate, diamond-dusted sheer gauze draped over her, her creamy skin faintly visible beneath.
Elegant, yet undeniably sensual.
“Turn around.”
“Mm-hm.” She obeyed sweetly.
Xia Zhuxi lowered her gaze, watching those slender fingers deftly circle the sash.
The haphazard ties fell neatly into place under Shen Jingsong’s nimble touch, forming a beautiful knot in under a minute.
“Noon is when the banquet officially starts. We’ve got ten minutes to rest.” Shen Jingsong settled onto the sofa.
“Want some water, Sister Jingsong?”
Shen Jingsong shook her head and asked, “You barely ate anything this morning. Hungry?”
“A little. But we’ll be eating soon.”
“I’ve got something here to tide you over.”
Yes!
Xia Zhuxi sat down on the sofa beside her. Shen Jingsong held her fist closed—something clutched inside—and placed it on the small tea table, slowly uncurling her fingers to reveal her palm facing up.
There, nestled in her pristine white palm, lay the milk candy, still tied with its red string.
The passion injected into their innocence~
Xia Zhuxi couldn’t stop the grin tugging at her lips as she reached for it. But Shen Jingsong snatched it first, unwound the string, and popped it into her own mouth.
How deceitful.
Wasn’t it for her?
Suddenly, a flash of deep red caught her eye, and the air filled with a richer, sweeter perfume.
The light overhead dimmed as a cascade of diamond-studded gauze leaped into her view.
—It was supposed to cling obediently to Shen Jingsong’s chest.
Yes. And now it was pressed against Xia Zhuxi.
Along with Shen Jingsong’s full, scorching lips.
“Mm…”
Xia Zhuxi sank back into the sofa, her teeth pried open by a supple, agile tongue. A piece of the slightly melted candy dropped in.
It hit the root of her tongue.
So sweet.
So deep.
“Haah…”
Xia Zhuxi felt like she was bubbling up.
She saw Shen Jingsong’s smiling eyes again, along with the triumphant curve at the corner of her mouth.
Bad Squirrel. Her lipstick was smeared.
Shen Jingsong quickly pulled out.
She had only eaten a piece of candy.
Shen Jingsong sat down in front of the makeup mirror to fix her makeup. She reapplied her lipstick, then brought the cosmetics over. She bent down and used her thumb to wipe away the smudged red mark from the corner of Xia Zhuxi’s mouth.
Xia Zhuxi panted hotly. Just the brush of Shen Jingsong’s fingertip made her feel like she was floating away.
Shen Jingsong gently lifted the tip of Xia Zhuxi’s chin. “Ah oh, just reapplying lipstick won’t do.”
Xia Zhuxi was entirely enveloped in a sweet fog, her ankles going soft. “Hm?”
She followed Shen Jingsong’s offered hand mirror and looked. Her cheeks were so red.
It wasn’t her usual flush from heat or alcohol, but raw, naked arousal.
“Sister Jingsong…” Xia Zhuxi gave her an embarrassed look and hoarsely protested, “You can’t bully the newlywed wife.”
Swish swish. Soft and fluffy.
Something delicate brushed over her cheeks.
Fine particles of rouge powder scattered in the air before slowly drifting down.
Xia Zhuxi tilted her face up, her lashes curved, her pupils filled with Shen Jingsong’s reflection.
One stroke, two strokes. Shen Jingsong held the brush and gently blended blush onto her cheeks.
She looked in the mirror again. Red clouds bloomed across Xia Zhuxi’s cheeks. Compared to her usual crisp and neat look, her makeup now had a touch more delicate charm.
Hm.
Now it wouldn’t show.
It wasn’t blushing—it was blush.
The blush felt so hot.
Her lips felt so hot.
The root of her tongue felt so sweet.
*
The wedding banquet didn’t have a huge crowd, but it was lively and bustling.
The newlyweds went around toasting. Shen Jingsong had warned Xia Zhuxi not to drink too much beforehand, so Xia Zhuxi only toasted one cup per table. If anyone tried to pour more, Shen Jingsong handled it for her.
They started with the main table.
Pei Jianxun and Xia Jie unusually greeted Xia Zhuxi with warm smiles and offered their blessings.
Next was Qi Peijun. Her health wasn’t great, so she toasted with tea instead of wine.
Pei Ziying put on a fake smile and toasted them a cup. It was her usual act, so Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong just smiled back without a care.
It was a perfect day—who wanted to bother with trash like her?
Though for some reason, there was a big red mark on Pei Ziying’s face that looked a little swollen?
“A toast to the Boss!” Xia Zhuxi raised her glass.
Shen Jingsong smiled as she toasted Chu Yun too—she was the one who’d agreed to let Chu Yun sit at the main table.
Chu Yun clinked glasses with them, then stared at Xia Zhuxi’s face. “Did some naughty things? Your face is so red?”
Tsk, old ginger really is the spiciest.
Xia Zhuxi said seriously, “Blush.”
Suddenly, her palm started to itch. She glanced down and saw Shen Jingsong gently scratching it.
She’d done good things.
That’s why it was so red~
