Shadow and Light: The Bride Who Clicks Her Way to Love-Chapter 308 - 321: Lunar New Year at the Old House
She was very unwilling, wanting to protest, but didn’t know where to start.
He took her hand: "Walk with me."
The two strolled through the moonlit garden, with mottled tree shadows all around and a winding, secluded pebble path.
In the night breeze, the sound of music and faint chatter from the banquet hall not far away floated over, almost like listening through a layer of dreams, indistinct.
It was rare for the two to have such a peaceful moment, and they cherished it. Lu Shifeng walked with her hand in his, suddenly saying, "What kind of wedding dress do you like? I’ll have someone order it."
She was taken aback: "Wedding dress?"
"The registration was too rushed, and we didn’t have time for a wedding," Lu Shifeng said, "I passed by a bridal shop the other day and saw a bride trying on a dress inside. She was smiling happily. Don’t all women like this?"
Her heart felt a mix of sourness and softness, sweet and fragile.
For a while now, she often felt an illusion of being loved by him, even though she knew he had emotional barriers, and all he did for her was out of responsibility. Yet she couldn’t help being touched, falling deeper into his unintentional tenderness.
"A wedding... is that possible?" she hesitantly asked.
"Why not?" he countered, "Whatever style you like, you can decide. I’ll arrange for a professional wedding planner for you, and you can discuss all your ideas with her."
Su Xingyu’s joy was tinged with disappointment. Indeed, Lu Shifeng was still Lu Shifeng, doing everything for her, yet participating in nothing. She could only console herself that he must be too busy, too busy to attend to these trivial matters. It’s okay, she could handle it. Reaching this point together was hard enough; she shouldn’t be greedy for more.
So, her eyes filled with smiles again, and she softly replied, "Okay."
The news of her marriage to Lu Shifeng spread like wildfire.
The next day, reporters sneaked into the Feng Ren office building, trying to interview them, only to be thrown out by the security on Lu Shifeng’s orders.
She went to the photography center, carrying her equipment bag as usual.
Zhuang Heng wasn’t there, and her colleagues looked at her differently. Even Yun Xi, who usually had issues with her, was silent. Seeing her, Yun Xi gave an awkward, flattering smile, wishing she could bury her head underground.
Only Fang Luohua remained the same, cheerfully greeting her: "Xingyu, I never imagined you were so well-connected, actually being our BOSS’s wife! I worried about you for so long. If I’d known about your relationship with Mr. Lu earlier, I wouldn’t have bothered worrying!" He previously thought she was an unsung woman beside Lu Shifeng, feeling both sorry and regretful, even desperately thinking of ways to rescue her.
Now looking back, he was glad he didn’t take action.
Su Xingyu smiled at him: "Whether or not I’m the BOSS’s wife, I’m still the same me. When Shifeng and I hold our wedding, everyone should come and celebrate."
"Is that really okay?" Fang Luohua was excited, "Xingyu, you’re so thoughtful!"
Other colleagues in the office were also happy. Regardless of how familiar they were with Su Xingyu, they were all eager to have a chance to chat a bit more with the BOSS’s wife: "Congratulations, Xingyu, no, BOSS’s wife, we’ll definitely join in the festivities."
Su Xingyu said: "Why call me BOSS’s wife? Just call me Xingyu."
Everyone exchanged glances, and Xia Ranran was the first to follow suit, cheerfully saying "Xingyu".
The atmosphere seemed to return to how it was before her identity was revealed.
Su Xingyu glanced up at Zhuang Heng’s seat, asking: "Where is she?"
It wasn’t that she cared much about Zhuang Heng; it was just that after the incident at the annual dinner last night, it was hard not to notice Zhuang Heng’s movements. Was that woman lying low, or had she retreated to some dark corner planning some other scheme? She didn’t know, but she had to be somewhat vigilant.
Xia Ranran, who was beside her, said: "Miss Zhuang wasn’t feeling well yesterday, fainted at the annual meeting, and is hospitalized. She plans to take some time off."
"Fainted? What happened?" Su Xingyu asked.
Xia Ranran said: "It seems to be some issue like low blood pressure."
Is such an ailment worth making a fuss about? Su Xingyu suddenly understood, suspecting that after her and Lu Shifeng’s marriage news was announced, Zhuang Heng couldn’t handle the shock and intentionally feigned illness?
Taking leave is good too, saves them both from mutual dislike.
Su Xingyu didn’t dwell too much on this, continuing her usual work and in her spare time, working with the wedding planner Lu Shifeng found to prepare for the wedding. In all aspects, she was fulfilled and busy.
The heated debate on social networks still hadn’t subsided; her and Lu Shifeng’s sudden marriage was the biggest topic at the year’s end.
Thus it continued until the Spring Festival, when she and Lu Shifeng returned to the old house together for the holiday.
Mrs. Lu hadn’t seen Su Xingyu for a long time, holding her hand and chatting about many household matters, and also gifting her a large supply of ginseng and bird nests, urging her to take care of her health to be a beautiful bride when the wedding was held. However, another person, Du Shuxian, was not so friendly.
In the courtyard of the old house with its gray bricks, Su Xingyu sat on a bamboo lounge chair, drinking tea and soaking up the sun.
Du Shuxian stormed in, wearing a glittering turtleneck sweater, with a pair of jade earrings swinging wildly with her steps: "Su Xingyu, do you have any shame left, marrying Shifeng was already excessive, yet you go around flaunting it! How much money do you want to split with Shifeng? Shamelessly clinging to my son, do you have any dignity?"
Seeing her gave Su Xingyu a headache; this was Lu Shifeng’s mother, and during the Spring Festival, she couldn’t hit or scold her, much less avoid her.
She restrained her urge to chase her away, and calmly said to Du Shuxian, "That’s between Shifeng and me, you shouldn’t worry too much. Why not let go and try to accept it?"
Wasn’t it that she initially was helplessly accepting of a certain BOSS, that overbearing tyrant? And through getting along, they gradually developed feelings. She thought, perhaps this approach might also work on Du Shuxian?
But Du Shuxian didn’t see it that way, pointing at her and scolding, "Take a look at your background! How dare you climb up to our Lu family! I know my son well; he couldn’t possibly love you! How did you entice him? Can’t you look at yourself in a mirror? It’s said that a new daughter-in-law should be filial upon entering the door, but what about you? Every day you anger me! It’s been almost a year, and there’s been no news from your stomach. If you can’t continue the Lu family line, what are you still doing here?! The old master and Mrs. Lu protect you, hoping for a grandchild soon, but you, are you even worthy?!"
This was probably the harshest thing she, as a lady of an affluent family, could utter.
Su Xingyu hadn’t even reacted yet when Du Shuxian was already shaking with anger herself.
Su Xingyu sighed, once again resisting the urge to splash her tea in Du Shuxian’s face, and loudly instructed the courtyard servants: "Show our guest out!"
"Madam, you should leave first, the young mistress needs to rest." The servants in the courtyard braced themselves and came to persuade Du Shuxian.
