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Wen Shuyu leaned back in her seat, rolling down the car window. The summer breeze wafted in, gently stirring the air inside the vehicle.
Wen Shuyu was lost in thought, replaying the conversation between Qin Siwan and her husband in the café.
Wen Shuyu had asked, “How did the discussion go?”
Qin Siwan responded, “He said he would change, but I don’t want to wait anymore. If he hasn’t changed after all these years, what’s the chance he will in the future?”
This candid admission shifted Wen Shuyu’s perspective. Despite her seemingly delicate and indecisive nature, Qin Siwan was remarkably resolute; once she made up her mind, there was no turning back.
Wen Shuyu had seen many women who were initially firm about divorce only to be swayed by tearful pleas from their partners. But Qin Siwan’s firm decision was a sign of deep-seated disappointment, not a whim.
After finishing their coffee, Qin Siwan’s husband, Cheng Xingluo, arrived late, clearly trying to delay the process and hope for a change of heart from Qin Siwan.
Cheng Xingluo, still clinging to a shred of hope, recognized the futility upon seeing Wen Shuyu. He knew Qin Siwan’s resolve was unshakeable, with no room for compromise.
Frustrated, Cheng Xingluo demanded, “Wanwan, I don’t understand. We were fine before. Why the sudden push for divorce?”
The word “sudden” made Qin Siwan smile wryly, “It’s not sudden. It’s been a long time coming, and I’ve finally made up my mind.”
She continued, her tone calm and matter-of-fact, “You always ask me for things, claiming you depend on me, but really, you’re just lazy. Do you know I’m on medication right now? Housework isn’t hard; have you done it? Hanging up clothes isn’t difficult either. Why don’t you do it yourself? Just leave the dishes there; whoever sees them first should clean them. You know I can’t stand it, but it’s never just one straw that breaks the camel’s back. I’m exhausted, Cheng Xingluo.”
Qin Siwan’s words were delivered with serene finality, devoid of any emotional outburst. It was as if she was discussing what to have for dinner, with no visible emotional turbulence.
She was truly worn out. “Lawyer Wen, you handle the rest.”
“Understood.” Wen Shuyu pulled out a document. “Going to court is pointless, time-consuming, and unlikely to change much. You know Qin Siwan’s determination better than I do. Mr. Cheng, please review the divorce agreement.”
Cheng Xingluo accepted the agreement, noting that Qin Siwan had not been unreasonable. The assets were to be split evenly, with any portion not divisible converted into cash compensation.
The house’s down payment was covered by his parents, and Qin Siwan only sought a fair split of the value appreciation and joint mortgage repayments.
Cheng Xingluo slumped in his chair, “Will we see each other again?”
Qin Siwan shook her head, “There’s no need. We’ll finalize things at the civil affairs bureau on Monday. Let’s part on good terms.”
Wen Shuyu, having handled many divorce cases—infidelities, domestic abuse—found this one particularly affecting. Especially Qin Siwan’s final words, “Harmony is temporary; unity is lifelong.”
She wondered how her own seemingly fragile marriage to Jiang Huaiyu would fare over time.
The notion of harmony or discord wasn’t in her considerations.
Lost in thought, she didn’t even realize when the car had reached her home’s underground garage.
It wasn’t until she opened her eyes and undid her seatbelt that she realized they had arrived.
Jiang Huaiyu gently tugged at her arm, his gaze softening, “Yuyu, check your phone first, and then let’s talk.”
His tone was as distant as the cool breeze outside, devoid of warmth.
Wen Shuyu glanced at her phone but didn’t change her expression. She tucked it into her bag and said, “Let’s go.”
The driver’s seat remained motionless for a moment. Then, Jiang Huaiyu, after a long pause, asked quietly, “Yuyu, if Lu Yunheng came back now, would you still marry me?”
Jiang Huaiyu didn’t dare look at her, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel tightly.
The reply came quickly, firm and decisive, “Yes.”
Jiang Huaiyu’s furrowed brow relaxed, “Let’s go, Yuyu.”
One word was enough, no matter the reason.
On the 24th day of the lunar month, the light rain pattered outside, tapping on the begonia leaves below.
The mingling sounds of wind and rain created a perfect atmosphere for sleep.
At 7 AM, Wen’s mother knocked briskly on the door, “Yuyu, wake up. You can’t stay in bed today.”
Wen Shuyu pulled the blanket over her head, covering her ears.
With no response, Wen’s mother opened the door and saw her daughter mumbling from under the covers, “Mom, just five more minutes.”
She had never woken up this early for work.
Wen’s mother lifted the blanket, “No, it’s important to get up now. You’ll miss the auspicious time.”
Wen Shuyu clung to her blanket, “Then I won’t get married.”
It was a fleeting thought, quickly dismissed.
“What are you talking about?” Wen’s mother retrieved the qipao from the bedpost.
The qipao, in a champagne satin base, was adorned with peony and butterfly embroidery, featuring Su embroidery and beadwork. Every movement shimmered with grace and vitality.
On this special day, Wen Shuyu had no choice but to rise, freshen up, and get dressed.
Jiang Huaiyu had arrived early at Wen Shuyu’s home, ready for their engagement party—the second step in his “long march.”
Around 9:30 AM, Wen Shuyu descended the stairs.
The well-fitted qipao accentuated her figure, with an emerald phoenix hairpin holding her hair up.
The hairpin, crafted from vibrant green jade, was embellished with a lifelike golden phoenix, complementing her gentle demeanor.
The jade earrings and necklace were a gift from Jiang’s parents for her coming of age.
The entire set of imperial green jade jewelry, including a necklace with ten 16mm jade cabochons and 99 pure diamonds, was exceptionally rare and pure.
The usually dazzling diamonds paled in comparison to the jade.
Not to mention the bracelet from Jiang’s parents, which was of auction-worthy quality.
Wen Shuyu radiated brilliance as she descended the spiral staircase. Jiang Huaiyu immediately rose to greet her at the top of the stairs.
Beneath the sparkling crystal chandelier, the man in a well-tailored black suit looked regal and refined in the soft light.
His eyes were as dark as night, his steps steady and deliberate, his presence as graceful as a jade tree as he approached her one step at a time.
Jiang’s parents teased, “Look at your son, so impatient.”
Jiang Huaiyu gently grasped Wen Shuyu’s wrist, “Yuyu, link your arm with mine. Mom and Dad are watching; we need to put on a good show.”
“Alright.”
Wen Shuyu complied, looping her arm through his. She couldn’t help but glance sideways at him.
His neatly trimmed black hair, lashes as lush as reeds, and eyes as dark as ink, paired with a slightly sharp jawline, made for an exceptionally handsome face.
He wore a deep gray tie embroidered with the same peony pattern as her dress. The tie knot and cufflinks were custom-made jade fish designs, crafted from the same jade stone as her own jewelry—same origin, same family.
Wen Shuyu smiled slightly, charmed by his attention to detail. He had clearly gone to great lengths to make this moment convincing.
Her smile caught Jiang Huaiyu’s eye.
“Uncle Jiang, Auntie Jun, good morning,” Wen Shuyu greeted as she approached them.
Jiang’s mother said, “We’re just waiting for you to officially say yes.”
Wen’s mother laughed, “It won’t be long now.”
At precisely 10 AM, they left Wen’s home.
As they set out, the sky shifted from cloudy to clear.
The engagement party was held at a five-star hotel in South City—Haiyue Yipin. Those who hosted banquets here were either wealthy or noble.
Securing a reservation on short notice had involved a fair bit of networking.
The relatively modest engagement party only included close friends and family.
Shen Ruoying, unable to miss her best friend’s engagement, had interrupted her honeymoon to attend. As soon as she arrived, she whispered to Wen Shuyu, “Yuyu, I have to say, you and Jiang Huaiyu really make a perfect match.”
The large engagement photo at the entrance showed them standing side by side—one with a clear and refined demeanor, the other with an ethereal beauty, like a pair of celestial beings stepped out from a painting.
Wen Shuyu raised an eyebrow, “It’s because I’m just that beautiful.”
“Of course,” Shen Ruoying said, snapping a photo. “But Yuyu, Jiang Huaiyu has spared no expense with the dowry. It’s so extravagant.”
The dowry display featured, from left to right: 100,001 grams of dragon-and-phoenix gold jewelry, eight real estate property deeds, six luxury car keys, a 52-carat pigeon-blood red diamond, an imperial green jade set, and a sum of cash.
Wen’s parents had shown Wen Shuyu a similar dowry the night before.
While others couldn’t discern the exact amount of cash, Wen Shuyu knew the dowry totaled 13.14 million in cash.
The meaning was clear: forever.
For a couple with a plastic marriage, the dowry and bride price were anything but superficial.
Wen Shuyu tugged at Jiang Huaiyu’s sleeve, “Jiang Huaiyu, why the extravagance?”
Jiang Huaiyu turned to her, his dark eyes locking onto hers, his brow slightly raised, “Because my wife deserves the best.”
His words were so genuine, like a mountain stream clearing away the clouds in her heart.
Wen Shuyu thought, “We’ll figure out the division later. Who keeps what, that’s a matter for another day.”
As the engagement ceremony began, a marriage certificate unfolded on stage, written in flowing script from right to left, from top to bottom.
The script was powerful and elegant, all penned by Jiang Huaiyu himself.
Written in joyous red ink, it read:
“Let the sun and moon witness; let heaven and earth be our witnesses;
May we share joy and sorrows through the seasons;
May the mountains and waters rejoice together;
Together, we embrace the vastness of heaven and earth, and the longevity of the days;
May our wishes for warmth, tea, and morning and evening be fulfilled;
May our desires for peace and success be granted every year.”
Wen Shuyu signed her name at the bottom left corner.
From today onwards, Jiang Huaiyu would be her fiancé.
Jiang Huaiyu’s large hand enveloped Wen Shuyu’s, and he leaned close to her ear, whispering, “Hello, fiancée.”
He had waited years for this moment, and it was only the beginning.
The sudden movement caused Wen Shuyu to freeze, her heart fluttering with a tingling sensation spreading through her body, instinctively wanting to pull away.
Sensing her subtle reaction, Jiang Huaiyu tightened his grip, even gently rubbing her thumb with his long fingers.
“Be good, fiancée.”
The touch was neither too light nor too heavy, but Wen Shuyu felt the slight tickle and numbness of his caress.
She knew Jiang Huaiyu was anything but serious. She whispered back, “Jiang Huaiyu, let go.”
Her palms were sweating, and she knew if this continued, her nervousness would be obvious.
The difference in strength between men and women was too great; Wen Shuyu couldn’t break free.
As the center of attention, she couldn’t afford to pull too hard.
“Not letting go,” Jiang Huaiyu said with a smirk. “Fiancée, remember to address me properly.”
Fiancé.
Wen Shuyu shot him a glance, smiling tightly as she said, “Keep dreaming, Jiang Huaiyu.”
Among everyone, the most delighted were their parents. “After all the twists and turns, we’re finally in-laws.”
Hearing this, Wen Shuyu realized that, after all the twists and turns, she was indeed marrying Jiang Huaiyu.
As a child, she had played house and imagined wedding scenes, but she never expected them to become reality one day.
With the engagement party over, the couple embarked on their journey to shoot their wedding photos, heading to the famous island in the South Indian Ocean—Romance Island.
Like any typical couple, they followed the customary steps of their wedding.
A ten-hour flight landed them at the Proman Hotel.
Away from their parents’ watchful eyes, Wen Shuyu reverted to her aloof demeanor.
Upon landing, Jiang Huaiyu naturally took over carrying all of Wen Shuyu’s belongings.
Wen Shuyu flicked her hair and put on her sunglasses. “The show’s over, Jiang Huaiyu.”
Jiang Huaiyu raised an eyebrow. “It’s perfectly normal for a fiancé to carry their fiancée’s things.”
As a free laborer, Wen Shuyu was content to let him.
Traveling east along the coastal road, the damp sea breeze carried a salty scent.
The crystal-clear blue sea was bathed in a golden sunset, with white seagulls flying low.
Wen Shuyu opened the door to their sea-view suite, taking a spin around the expansive room, which contained only one bed.
Jiang Huaiyu sank into the sofa. “I’m fine sleeping on the couch.”
“You won’t get the bed either,” Wen Shuyu retorted, grabbing her toiletries and heading into the bathroom.
Exhausted from the journey, all she wanted was to catch up on some sleep.
As she bathed, Wen Shuyu hummed a tune, the scattered moonlight streaming through the clouds and dancing across the ocean, creating a shimmering sea of scales. The serene ambiance made her feel completely relaxed.
Passing by the mirror cabinet, Wen Shuyu was startled.
For the beach shoot, she had only packed a spaghetti-strap nightgown, never considering that she’d be sharing the space with Jiang Huaiyu.
She fumbled with the shoulder straps of her nightgown, which had a dangerously low V-neck and barely covered her thighs. It was slightly more revealing than lingerie.
With no other option, Wen Shuyu braced herself and called out, “Jiang Huaiyu, close your eyes. You can only open them when I tell you to.”
Jiang Huaiyu glanced back at the bathroom. “Alright.”
Wen Shuyu carefully opened the bathroom door a crack. Jiang Huaiyu was absorbed in his phone, so she quickly dashed to the bed, burying herself under the covers with only her head sticking out.
“All set, don’t look this way,” she declared.
Jiang Huaiyu, catching a glimpse with the corner of his eye, smirked. Who was he supposed to be guarding against?
While Jiang Huaiyu was in the shower, Wen Shuyu took the opportunity to grab a drink of water from the table.
It was stiflingly hot.
After sipping her water leisurely, she heard the door open and shouted, “Jiang Huaiyu, keep your eyes closed. Don’t look at what you shouldn’t.”
Jiang Huaiyu, towel drying his hair, strolled over to the bedside, placing his hands on either side of her, looming over her with a smile in his eyes. “Fiancée, who are you trying to protect yourself from?”
The man in front of her was enveloped in warm, humid air, droplets of water sliding down his face.
The water trickled onto Wen Shuyu’s pale collarbone.
The sudden coolness made Wen Shuyu grip the blanket tightly, her voice faltering. “You know exactly who I’m protecting myself from.”
Jiang Huaiyu’s smile deepened, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he leaned in close to her ear and whispered,
“Fiancée, if I wanted to do something, do you think you could stop me?”