Chapter 8: Love-Brain

Cen Xiu’s upturned lips froze for a few seconds before they flattened.

Cen Fu, hearing about grandchildren, beamed. “Good, you two young people, keep at it.  Let your mother and me hold a grandchild soon.”

“We will,” I said, smiling at Lu Beixun.  “You chat with Dad.  I’ll go help Mom with dinner.”

“Okay,” Lu Beixun said, reminding me, “Be careful with the knives.  Don’t get hurt.”

I nodded obediently.  I knew he was just playing along for my parents, but I was still happy.

We both thought the other was acting, but every word we said was sincere.  I wanted to have children with Lu Beixun, and he, in turn, wanted me to take care of myself and avoid getting hurt.  It was just that some things could only be said under the guise of acting.

Cen Fu teased, “You two, you’re already married, and you’re more lovey-dovey than a couple just starting to date.”

I stood up, lifting my chin slightly.  “We’ll be lovey-dovey until we’re old!”

“Alright, alright, you young people, just have fun.”

I walked past Cen Xiu.  He opened his mouth as if to say something, but I ignored him and went into the kitchen.

I only knew how to make those two dishes, so I just helped out, not wanting to show off my lack of skills.  My chef mom was in charge.

While I was washing the vegetables, Mom asked as she chopped, “What’s going on between you and your brother?”

“We’re the best of siblings.  Why are you two so cold now?”

My hand paused for a second as I washed the vegetables.  Then, I answered casually, “I’m a love-brain.  When Lu Beixun is around, I can’t see anyone else.”

Mom sighed.  “Cen Xiu is your brother.”

I mumbled, “He’s not my real brother.”

Mom gave me a disappointed look, poking my forehead.  “You ungrateful little thing!  How can you say that?  Don’t you remember how good Cen Xiu has been to you?  Even a real brother wouldn’t be that good.”

A mocking glint flashed in my eyes.  Yes, because Cen Xiu was so good to me, I trusted him unconditionally, and he tricked me so badly.  I killed the man I loved with my own hands.

I had less than a year.  I would make sure Cen Xiu paid for everything.

“We’re grown up now, and I’m married.  We should keep our distance.”  Even if I told her, my mom wouldn’t believe me.  After all, the Cen family’s troubles hadn’t happened yet in this life.  If I told her now, she’d probably think I was crazy.

Mom didn’t disagree.  “But you don’t have to be so cold.”

If it hadn’t been for the Cen family’s financial crisis and Lu Beixun’s sudden appearance, I would have wanted my precious daughter to be with Cen Xiu.  They were childhood sweethearts, with deep feelings for each other.  Cen Xiu came to the Cen family when he was six years old.  He grew up under my watchful eye.  He was excellent in every way, and his character was impeccable.

They would be a perfect match, with no in-law issues to worry about.  I wouldn’t have to worry about her getting hurt.

But I had hinted to Cen Fu many times, and he always changed the subject.  He didn’t seem to approve.  Later, Cen Wan married Lu Beixun, and the Cen family’s financial crisis was resolved.

When Cen Wan took the initiative to marry Lu Beixun, I understood.  Cen Wan had only brotherly feelings for Cen Xiu, nothing more.

“Wanwan, I need to talk to you.”

Before I could answer Mom’s question, I was interrupted by a voice.  My brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed.

Mom took the vegetables from my hand and pushed me towards the kitchen door.  “Go ahead.  Your brother is looking for you.”

I sighed, glanced at Cen Xiu, took off my apron, and followed him out.

Cen Xiu took me to the study on the second floor.  As we entered, he went to close the door, but I stopped him.  “Don’t close the door.  It’s not good for a man and a woman to be alone in a room.  I’m also afraid Lu Beixun won’t be able to find me later.”

His hand paused, then he withdrew it.  He still looked gentle and refined.  “Wanwan, has something happened to you recently?”

“No,” I said coldly.

“You’re in love with Lu Beixun?”

“Yes, I love him.  I love him very much.”  My gaze was firm and sincere.

Hearing this, Cen Xiu looked at me with disappointment.  “Wanwan, have you forgotten what he did to Cen’s company?”

From the moment he noticed my gaze towards Lu Beixun in the living room, he knew I wasn’t acting.  I was truly smitten.

I curled my lips.  “There was no evidence pointing to Lu Beixun for the Cen family’s financial crisis.”

“He’s the only one in all of Kyoto who could do it without leaving a trace.  You should know that,” Cen Xiu said confidently.  “You can’t forget that Cen’s company almost went bankrupt a month ago just because you’re in love with him!”

Looking at Cen Xiu’s righteous indignation, you’d think Lu Beixun had committed some heinous crime, something unforgivable.

In my previous life, I had been fooled by him.

“Let’s not talk about the lack of evidence,” I said.  “Even if it was Lu Beixun, he just wanted to keep me by his side.  He filled the Cen family’s financial hole and made the company even more prosperous than before.”

“My parents also like him very much.  I don’t think it’s a big deal.”

Cen Xiu rubbed his temples in frustration.  He suddenly grabbed my shoulders, his eyes filled with disappointment.  “Cen Wan, can you stop being so love-brain?”

“I’m so disappointed in you.”

Love-brain?  That word coming from him was hilarious.

I took a step back, avoiding his hands.  “Unless Lu Beixun doesn’t want me, nothing can separate us.  Even if he did the most unforgivable thing in a marriage, domestic violence, and beat me to death, I’d accept it.”

Based on Lu Beixun’s upbringing, he wouldn’t commit domestic violence.  If he really beat me to death, it would be my fault.  I’d just be paying him back.

“What if he cheats?”  Cen Xiu’s gentle demeanor was gone.  “Would you still stay with him?”

“He wouldn’t,” I said confidently.  After saying that, I turned to leave, but I saw Lu Beixun standing at the door.

When did he get here?

I hid the disgust and mockery in my eyes and gave him a sweet smile.  I walked over and linked my arm with his.  “When did you get here?”

“Just now.”  Lu Beixun looked at me with complex emotions, then his gaze fell on Cen Xiu.

I thought he was jealous.  In my previous life, Lu Beixun had been secretly jealous of Cen Xiu many times.  “Should we go for a walk in the backyard?”

“Okay.”

I didn’t know that he had heard every word of my conversation with Cen Xiu.  This was the only time he wasn’t jealous when we were alone.

We walked downstairs hand-in-hand.  My hand was enveloped in his palm.

Cen Fu shook his head.  They were so lovey-dovey.  They couldn’t be apart for even a few minutes.  I had just gone upstairs, and Lu Beixun followed me.

He wasn’t this clingy when he was younger.

We went to the backyard.  I turned to look at him, my eyes filled with a smile I couldn’t hide.  “Your palm is so warm.  I wish you could hold my hand like this at Lu’s house.”

Here, it was all just acting.  I sighed, a hint of disappointment flashing in my eyes.  Lu Beixun caught it.

“Okay.”

“Really?”  My eyes lit up at his words.

“Mm.”

It felt like a dream.  I reached out and squeezed his cheek gently.  “Does it hurt?”

Lu Beixun: “?”

“No.”

I withdrew my hand and squeezed my own cheek.  It hurt.  I frowned, then suddenly smiled.  “It does hurt.  This isn’t a dream.”

“You promised, so you can’t go back on your word.  Going back on your word is like a puppy.  I guess you don’t want to be Lu Xiao Gou, do you?”

I smiled brightly.  At this moment, my hatred was temporarily forgotten.  All I could see was him.