“Why didn’t he try to find a better place if he’s already married? He could have a better one now that he’s living with his wife.” Kang Wei complained while he drove towards Shen Yi’s house.
Zhao Xi sat in the pa.s.senger seat, checking her makeup for the last time.
“Dear, it’s his life. He wanted to get married? Good for him. I thought you were worried he’ll never find the right woman for him?” she asked.
“Can’t blame me, babe. He hadn’t gone to a date for the longest time we’ve known him, and then suddenly, he got a wife? I’m concerned. For crying out loud, he could’ve married a stranger!”
“Nah, she’s fine.” Zhao Xi continued to refresh her makeup. “They seemed pretty much into each other so I don’t think she seduced him or he blackmailed her or anything.”
“You already met her! Why didn’t you say anything?”
His wife gave him a sly smile. “I like seeing you fl.u.s.tered. Why would I miss my chance?”
—
Shen Yi came home later than he had expected. He quickly entered the house and greeted the twins who ran towards him as soon as they saw him. As the president of the Shen group, having the complete rein to manage it required a lot of time and patience. He should’ve been home earlier, but an expected problem arose when he was just about to leave.
“Hey, bro. You’re late.” His brother called after him. Shen Xue was sitting on the floor, munching on some truffles that Lu Xinyi made earlier. Ah, Shen Xue probably took the price for the favor he asked during Lu Xinyi’s exam.
“I know. Where is she?”
“At the garden”—Shen Xue pointed outside—”with your friends.”
Shen Yi groaned. He hadn’t told Lu Xinyi about his friends coming over to meet her tonight. He was embarra.s.sed to tell her that his social life was severely lacking, but he did have some couple of friends he had grown to rely over the years.
Lu Xinyi wouldn’t mind it, he knew. It was something that Li Qiao had nagged about before—nitpicking on his life, pointing out his mistakes. She tore down some wall he built for himself and walked away as if he didn’t matter.
It took some time for him to recover, but Shen Yi knew what Li Qiao did will permanently leave a dent on his life. Lu Xinyi filled the gaps in his life, the one who reminded him that he still mattered.
Shen Yi spotted his wife talking with Zhao Quan—Zhao Xi’s younger brother—and Kang Wei. He hoped Lu Xinyi wasn’t upset about his tardiness. To his defense, he did try to call her; but she never picked up his calls.
“Where’s Shen Yi?” Kang Wei asked and looked over the place but failed to see the person he was looking for.
“Xue said he will be late. Something came up that needs his urgent attention.” Lu Xinyi shrugged. “He said he’ll be here soon.”
Kang Wei lightly frowned, “First Sister, you should really tell him to come home and leave his work on time. Overworking could hurt your marriage.”
Lu Xinyi giggled. She didn’t understand why Kang Wei and Zhao Quan kept calling her ‘first sister’. Was this some kind of code between them?
“Shen Yi knows what will happen if he chose work over me,” she replied.
He stepped outside. The patio was lit up with bright lights that weren’t so blinding but enough to lighten up the garden. Yuan Jin, Lu Xiulan, and Xia Yuhan were teaching the twins how to do a bonfire pit while Mallows and Milktea decided to take a nap under the table where the guest wouldn’t disturb them.
His gaze went back to his wife and stopped suddenly, taking in her appearance tonight. Her long hair was pinned up in a ponytail, and she wore one of the dresses they brought together before she met Grammie.
She must have felt eyes on her, for she looked at him. Their eyes connected. He preened himself as her eyes lit up, cheeks turning into crimson and her teeth biting her lower lip. He didn’t know how she could evoke these kinds of feelings from him.
Someone stepped beside him and nudged his arm.
“Go after her. She’s been missing you.” Zhao Xi told her with a wink before joining Lu Xinyi, pa.s.sing a drink to her husband.
“Xinxin, that Creme brulee is really good! Do you think you can teach me how to do it?” Shen Yi heard Zhao Xi asked his wife. Lu Xinyi laughed. Her laughter was sweet and soft, like the sound of tinkling bells.
“Sure, I’ll email you the recipe, and you can give me a call if you encounter problems,”
“Great! Would it be alright to invite your wife some time for girly chitchat, Shen Yi?” Zhao Xi grinned.
Shen Yi reluctantly drew his eyes away from the delectable sight that was his wife.
“No problem. Just bring her back to me in one piece,” he replied.
“Do you mean to bring her in perfect condition or literally in a one piece?” Zhao Xi’s grin grew wider.
“Zhao Xi!” Kang Wei exclaimed. He couldn’t believe how his wife could be so bold sometimes. Zhao Quan laughed at his brother-in-law’s reaction. Lu Xinyi’s cheeks grew pinkish as she heard Zhao Xi’s question.
She dearly prayed to any deities above the heaven that her husband, Zhao Xi, and Yuan Jin wouldn’t tag-team in the near future to torment her. She couldn’t understand why she had to endure this life full of shamelessness from the people around her.
“As much as I want to see her in a one-piece swimsuit, I doubt she will agree to put it on,” Shen Yi wrapped an arm around her waist, oblivious to the glare she was throwing his way.
“I make miracles, Shen Yi. You never know when it’ll happen.”