Chapter 5: Wife

The word wife, when spoken by Jiang Huaiyu, carried a soft undertone of intimacy, a subtle intertwining of emotions.

It was supposed to be a straightforward business discussion—so why did it suddenly feel so different?

Wen Shuyu barely recognized this version of Jiang Huaiyu. He seemed a bit playful, almost flippant. Then again, after so many years of distance, how well did she really know him anymore?

She shot him a glance, then walked past him toward the fridge, fishing out a bag of chips. “Whatever. You or I—one of us will tell our parents. Let’s set up a meeting for tomorrow night and get this over with.”

Jiang Huaiyu lowered his gaze slightly. “Alright, I’ll head out now. You should get some rest.”

“Bye.” Wen Shuyu watched his figure disappear out the door, a sigh escaping her lips. She couldn’t believe she had given in and agreed to his outrageous plan.

But wasn’t it the result of days of careful consideration?

A marriage where they wouldn’t interfere in each other’s lives—living separate but convenient existences. It was hard to resist.

Later that night, Wen Shuyu sent a message in the family chat group titled Listen to Your Mother:
[Dad, Mom, I have something to tell you tomorrow night.]

At the same time, Jiang Huaiyu informed his own parents:
[Dad, Mom, we’re going to Uncle Wen’s house tomorrow night. I have something to announce.]

Jiang Huaiyu’s mother immediately forwarded the message to Wen Shuyu’s mother. Confused, the two mothers wondered what their children were planning.

No matter how much they were questioned, the two maintained a cryptic silence, promising only, “You’ll find out tomorrow.”

The next evening, at 6:30 PM, as the sun sank below the horizon and orange-red clouds stretched across the sky, the two families gathered at Lin Yu Courtyard.

Wen Shuyu and Jiang Huaiyu stood together at the front of the room, while their four parents sat neatly in the center of the living room, their expressions tense and serious.

Oddly, the parents were more nervous than the two of them.

Despite all the courtrooms Wen Shuyu had stood in and all the storms she had weathered, when it came to her own future, she couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

Still lying, Jiang Huaiyu’s heart pounded harder. He lowered his eyes and glanced at the woman beside him, noticing she was nervously touching her earlobe. It was a telltale sign—she did it every time she was uneasy.

Facing the four eager faces of their parents, Jiang Huaiyu finally spoke. “Uncle Wen, Aunt Lin, Mom, Dad… Fish and I are getting married.”

His words fell into the silence like a pebble into still water. The four parents exchanged glances, then stared at their children, processing the sudden announcement.

Wen Shuyu was just about to explain when both Jiang’s and Wen’s mothers clapped their hands with joy, breaking into excited chatter.

Jiang’s mother exclaimed, “I knew it! I guessed it last night. You two were secretly dating all along and pretended not to know each other in front of us.”

Wen’s mother added, “Exactly! Just like those childhood sweethearts in the romance novels—always bickering, but perfect for each other!”

Meanwhile, the two fathers, clearly uninterested in the drama, simply nodded and returned to discussing business matters.

Wen Shuyu and Jiang Huaiyu exchanged wide-eyed looks. They had prepared for a barrage of questions, but no one seemed to care. Their parents had already jumped ahead, planning the wedding.

“We need to book a hotel and arrange for wedding photos,” Wen’s mother said. “These days, you have to book everything six months in advance!”

“Yes, yes!” Jiang’s mother chimed in. “Fish, tell me what kind of photos you’d like. I’ll get a friend to save a date for you. First, let’s settle the engagement and then the marriage. No need to rush the ceremony, but it has to be grand!”

Neither parent seemed concerned with them anymore. The mothers were already lost in planning, as if afraid the two would change their minds.

Sensing the chance to escape, Wen Shuyu quickly played her trump card. “Dad, Mom, Uncle Jiang, Aunt Lin—I’m starving. I’m going to grab something to eat first!”

Jiang’s father, who had always treated Wen like his own daughter, immediately responded, “Huaiyu, go with her.”

Things were going too smoothly. Their mothers were already diving into details about wedding venues and gowns, their excitement filling the room.

“We should take several sets of wedding photos—by the seaside, on the grasslands, in ancient towns, and in both Western and traditional styles,” Wen’s mother said.

“Where should we have the wedding?” Jiang’s mother asked. “Domestic is fine, but if it’s abroad, we should start booking now.”

Wen’s mother called out, “Fish, after you eat, come look at some ideas!”

“Sure,” Wen Shuyu replied. Then, turning to Jiang Huaiyu, she said seriously, “I don’t want an engagement or wedding ceremony. You tell my mom and Aunt Lin.”

She had assumed that all it would take was signing a piece of paper, but now she was faced with the entire elaborate process of a wedding. The thought of it all made her head hurt.

Jiang Huaiyu understood. He knew that the person she was marrying wasn’t the one she loved. How could she possibly be excited about this?

If it were Lu Yunheng, everything would be different.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jiang Huaiyu’s eyes darkened with frustration. After a moment of thought, he said quietly, “Fish, we can’t skip the engagement or wedding. Our parents would suspect something.”

No matter what, it didn’t change the fact that he was about to become Wen Shuyu’s fiancé—and soon, her husband.

After a pause, he added, “I don’t want to shortchange you.”

If other women could have a proper wedding, so should his little princess.

Their wedding needed to be legitimate, official, and grand. As the old saying went, she deserved to be married with full honors.

Wen Shuyu blinked, momentarily taken aback. Shortchange? That word didn’t apply to them.

They were, after all, just partners in an arrangement that could end at any moment. So why all this trouble?

But the decision was made. She shrugged, her mood shifting quickly. “Fine, but I want the best.”

Jiang Huaiyu smiled, placing a peeled shrimp on her plate before picking up another for himself. “That’s exactly what I was hoping for.”

He had slipped into his new role effortlessly. They hadn’t even formally started, yet he was already taking care of her.

The mothers continued to steal glances at the two of them, exchanging knowing smiles as they watched one peel and the other eat, their heads close together as they whispered quietly.

“They’re not faking it,” one mother said.

“Let’s keep watching. Both a Western and traditional ceremony sound perfect. We’ll ask Fish which she prefers later.”

“And we’ll have to choose an auspicious date—better consult someone to make sure.”

Business families always took care to choose good omens, especially for something as important as a wedding—one of life’s four great joys.

The next morning, as a light mist lingered in the air, Wen’s mother and Jiang’s mother drove to Baima Temple on the southern outskirts of the city.

The temple had stood for over a thousand years, its incense never once extinguished.

With the sound of distant bells echoing through the halls, they found Master Huiyuan, who carefully examined Wen Shuyu and Jiang Huaiyu’s birth charts to determine an auspicious day for their wedding.

“Their fates are aligned,” the master said. “But there will be challenges. They must work together to overcome them.”

He suggested three dates, which he noted down on a red card.

The first was for their engagement: the 24th day of the fourth lunar month.
The second, for their marriage and registration: the 2nd day of the fifth lunar month.
And finally, for their wedding ceremony: the 20th day of the fifth lunar month.

As they left, the master warned, “Do not delay. The longer you wait, the more uncertain things may become.”

Hearing the master’s advice, Wen Shuyu couldn’t help but agree. He had seen the truth: delay too long, and they might very well part ways.

With the dates set, it became clear—by next Saturday, Jiang Huaiyu would officially be her fiancé.

Bored, Wen Shuyu scrolled through her phone, suddenly remembering Shen Ruoying’s wedding, which was also planned for early May.

[Yingying, if I get engaged, does that mean I can’t be your bridesmaid?]

Ten seconds later, Shen Ruoying’s video call came through, her face filled with shock. “Wen Shuyu, what’s going on?!”

Wen Shuyu cringed. “You’re a proper lady, Yingying. Could you act like one?”

But Shen Ruoying was too excited to care, her face mask slipping off in surprise. “How can I stay calm when my best friend is suddenly getting engaged? Who is it? Is it that handsome guy from your last blind date?”

After giving herself a pep talk, Wen Shuyu replied, “It’s Jiang Huaiyu.”

She had spent so much time complaining about Jiang Huaiyu to Shen Ruoying that now, announcing she was going to marry him felt like a total slap in the face. Wen Shuyu couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

Shen Ruoying was completely thrown off. She shot up from her chair, voice rising dramatically, “What the—? When did this happen? Did he make the first move, or was it you? Are you pregnant? How far along are you?”

Her imagination was running wild. Wen Shuyu instantly regretted telling her. “Tone it down, please! There’s nothing like that. We’re just avoiding the endless nagging to get married, so Jiang Huaiyu and I made an agreement. Let’s just call it the ‘Wen-Jiang Friendship and Mutual Assistance Treaty.’ That’s all.”

Shen Ruoying wasn’t convinced. “Just like that? Doesn’t sound right. Weren’t you always saying how much you couldn’t stand him?”

Wen Shuyu rolled around on her bed with a stuffed animal. “It’s just easier this way. You know my parents adore him.”

Her mouth moved faster than her brain, and Shen Ruoying quickly asked, “And what about Lu Yunheng?”

The room suddenly fell silent, leaving only the faint crackling of static over the video call. If it weren’t for the time ticking on the screen, one might have thought the call had ended.

Wen Shuyu’s stuffed toy slipped from her hands, hitting the floor with a soft thud, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Why bring him up? It’s been two years. He and I are ancient history.”

A somber mood hung in the air, even through the internet. Shen Ruoying offered softly, “Maybe… you and Jiang Huaiyu will grow old together.”

Wen Shuyu didn’t answer directly. “Yingying, I’m tired. Good night.”

“Good night,” Shen Ruoying sighed before ending the call. Feeling frustrated, she turned to vent at Meng Xinhao. “Meng Xinhao, what’s up with you guys? How can men just walk away from someone they obviously care about like it’s nothing?”

She cut herself off, realizing that Meng Xinhao probably didn’t know all the details.

Meng Xinhao: “…”

He hadn’t even said anything yet. Oh well. He only knew fragments of what had gone down between Wen Shuyu and Lu Yunheng, so it was probably best to stay out of it.

Meanwhile, at 2001 Building 6, Qinheyuan, Wen Shuyu lay wide awake in her pitch-black bedroom. She had thought hearing Lu Yunheng’s name wouldn’t affect her anymore.

But that name alone had the power to break her down.

It had been two years, and still, the mere mention of Lu Yunheng’s name triggered a deep sadness.

It felt like a small thorn—one that didn’t hurt if left untouched, but would sting with excruciating pain with just the slightest pressure.

How ridiculous. She had just agreed to marry Jiang Huaiyu, yet her mind was filled with thoughts of another man.

She couldn’t help but feel a little disgusted with herself.

Trying to gather some strength, Wen Shuyu whispered to herself, “Wen Shuyu, tomorrow morning when you wake up, forget about him. Forget his name.”

“You can do this.”

Just then, Jiang Huaiyu sent her a message: [Fish, I’ll meet you in the garage at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I’ve booked the photoshoot.]

All these signs pointed to the fact that Wen Shuyu was really going to get married.

She set an alarm, closed her eyes, and tried to sleep, though her thoughts kept racing. She tossed and turned for hours, unable to relax.

Somewhere in the middle of the night, she finally fell asleep, but it felt like mere minutes before the alarm blared. Groggy and annoyed, Wen Shuyu rubbed her eyes and forced herself out of bed.

Even though she was exhausted, her sense of responsibility always kicked in. She yawned, ran a hand through her messy hair, and began getting ready.

After dreaming about both Jiang Huaiyu and Lu Yunheng throughout the night—dreams in which they alternated between marrying her and crashing each other’s weddings—she hadn’t gotten much rest.

Men, she thought, are really just trouble.

Yawning, Wen Shuyu dragged herself toward her car, only to realize she had forgotten her keys. As she turned to go back to the elevator, she heard Jiang Huaiyu calling out, “Fish, over here.”

She had forgotten that Jiang Huaiyu was driving today. What she hadn’t forgotten was to wear a white dress, perfectly matching the color of his suit.

Her pale face was bare, with dark circles under her eyes from a lack of sleep. Jiang Huaiyu handed her a matcha latte. “Didn’t sleep well?”

Wen Shuyu blinked up at him, “I stayed up looking at files. Lost track of time.”

He didn’t question her excuse, instead, he politely opened the passenger door for her.

She climbed into the seat and leaned back, pretending to rest. But for some reason, she’d reflexively lied. They weren’t in love, so what was there to feel guilty about?

Her dream had left her shaken. In one scene, she and Jiang Huaiyu were getting married, only for Lu Yunheng to crash the ceremony.

“Fish, you hate Jiang Huaiyu! You love me! Come with me!”

In the next scene, it was her and Lu Yunheng’s wedding, and Jiang Huaiyu was the one crashing it.

“Fish, don’t marry him. I love you.”

Wen Shuyu wanted to scream. Who had she ended up choosing in the dream? Jiang Huaiyu or Lu Yunheng?

She couldn’t even remember.

Was her life really going to be limited to these two men? Wasn’t there more out there?

As the car drove east, summer sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a harsh glow over the passenger seat. Wen Shuyu squinted, suddenly feeling a shadow fall over her face.

The familiar scent of bamboo drifted toward her as Jiang Huaiyu leaned close, so near she didn’t dare move. She held her breath, unsure of what he was doing.

But all he did was fasten her seatbelt and lower the sunshade, his movements quick and smooth.

It only took fifteen minutes to reach their destination, De Yue Center, after passing three stoplights.

Before getting out of the car, Wen Shuyu grabbed Jiang Huaiyu’s arm and turned to him, her gaze serious. “Jiang Huaiyu, I need to make one thing clear. We’re entering a fake marriage, but we’ll get a real marriage certificate. While we’re married, honesty is important. Loyalty? Not so much. But we still need to keep up appearances for our parents. We can live our own lives, but let’s keep it respectful. And if one of us finds someone else, we’ll divorce without causing drama, okay?”

She was already planning their divorce before they’d even signed the papers.

Jiang Huaiyu chuckled in disbelief, unsure how to respond.

Her eyes were so clear and emotionless that it almost hurt to hear her speak that way.

A knowing smile played on Jiang Huaiyu’s lips. “Fish, you can rest assured. If I ever fall for someone, my first choice will always be my wife.”

He added, his tone light but unmistakably earnest, “First choice: loving you, Fish.”

The man in front of her, with his sharp features and unwavering gaze, hadn’t taken his eyes off her.

Wen Shuyu unfastened her seatbelt and clicked her tongue, “Well, you’re bound to be disappointed. My first choice is not loving you.”

Suddenly, Jiang Huaiyu leaned in, closing the distance between them. “Let’s wait and see about that,” he said, his voice teasing but full of challenge.