Chapter 176: The Three Months Promise
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Ning Qing waited for 5 minutes. Someone exited the villa. It was not Lu Shaoming, but it was an elegantly dressed luxurious woman. She had a delicate up-do, and looked to maintain herself well. Her face still showed signs of her beauty, and she seemed to be a belle in her youth. Ning Qing was momentarily nervous; this woman was probably Lu Shaoming’s mother. Her mother in law. Song Yajing.
Song Yajing walked quietly to face Ning Qing. She did not open the door, but stood behind the door to look at Ning Qing. Her eyes did not seem to contain any hate or favour, and she only silently observed without warmth. Ning Qing felt that she was taken as a product in the supermarket and was scanned head to toe by a person.
She felt a little uncomfortable, and a little nervous. She tried hard to present a warm and proper smile, and she said, “Mother, how are you? Our first meeting is a little abrupt. My name is Ning Qing, and I am Lu Shaoming’s wife.” Song Yajing had a green premium silk scarf on her, she tightened the scarf and replied in a sharp tone, “Miss Ning, how are you? It turns out that you are the wife that my son married in China.”
The words, “The wife my son married in China,” were said to mean that she would not recognize Ning Qing as her daughter in law. She would not even open the door to let Ning Qing into the Lu family. So they could only speak like this, with one person behind the door, and the other outside. Ning Qing had predicted this would happen. Although her heart was in great pain, her smile did not change. “Mother, I know that Lu Shaoming and I got married too fast. In this period of time we also did not come to visit you or Father. These things are all my fault, I will try to respect and be filial to you two in the future. I will do well in the role of the daughter in law of the Lu family.”
Song Yajing did not respond to her words. She could only question her further, “Miss Ning, do you know what kind of family the Lu family is?” Ning Qing wanted to answer, but Song Yajing did not even give her the chance to speak. She said, “Our Lu Corporation is the biggest conglomerate in the business sector today. My son Lu Shaoming is the 9th generation son of the Lu family. He debuted his first company Guang Qing on the market in Los Angeles when he was 16. Miss Ning, if you had such a family background, and such a son that made you so proud, how would you choose a daughter in law?”
Ning Qing did not speak further because she knew that Song Yajing still had other words to say. “Miss Ning, I asked someone to check on your family background. Your father Ning Zhenguo managed a small company and he had many scandals. 3 years ago, he chased both you and your mother out of the house. Then you entered the entertainment industry, and struggled all the way until now. You fought with your stepmother, stepsister and were the subject of endless rumors. You even attracted many unlucky romantic interests. Miss Ning, solely based on your notorious name for yourself, do you think that makes you qualified to call me mother now?
“The Lu family doesn’t need any family connections by marriage, but the daughter in law of the Lu family must be born of a wealthy family. She has to be elegant, reserved, and n.o.ble. Which of these requirements do you think you fulfil?
“Taking a step back to say – you have been married to my son for half a year. What did you give up for him? What did you give him? You have attracted so many unlucky romantic interests but had my son settle it all for you. If he had to England for surgery and now has amnesia, then it is you who harmed his life!”
“Miss Ning, put yourself in my shoes. You will be a mother in the future. If your son married a woman like you, would you like and accept her?”
Ning Qing had no words to retaliate, Song Yajing was calm and made sense. Although the factors that she listed were all the objective truth, standing from the angle of a mother in law, a daughter in law like her was actually not favourable. Song Yajing’s words were not overboard.
But, “Mother, my family background and experience are not something I chose for myself. All these things you listed weren’t all my fault. I know that being together with Shaoming, he has always been the one that is contributing in this relations.h.i.+p. I couldn’t be by his side while he went for surgery in England, but Mother please believe that I love Shaoming. I will treat him even better in the future. I know I am in the wrong and I will work harder to mend my wrongdoings in the future.”
Song Yajing was not convinced. She said coldly with a snort, “Miss Ning, it’s a pity that it’s too late. My son has forgotten you, and you have no chance of mending the wrongdoings.” This line poked Ning Qing’s sore spot. “Mother, where is Shaoming? Let me see him once okay? I am his wife. We are married. This is a fact.”
“Miss Ning is using the marriage certificate to do whatever she pleases? Since you are her, then state your conditions. Your conditions to divorce.”
Ning Qing shook her head and said with certainty, “Mother, I would not divorce him!”
“Ah!” Song Yajing’s smile had a touch of insult, “Miss Ning, I always thought that you were a clever person, so now take into account that you still have your hands on the bargaining chip. I still can fulfil your wishes, you should take this chance when you have it. I am not inclined to take action against you, but once I do, you will know that you won’t be able to withstand the actions taken by the Lu family. If your family or friends get into trouble because of you, then you would be left with no family or wealth. It would only be too late to regret then.”
Ning Qing took a step back and she did not question Song Yajing’s words. If she wanted to play, the entire Ning family and even her friends by her side could not escape. Song Yajing was already threatening her. Now that Lu Shaoming has forgotten about her, Song Yajing could delete her existence with a simple sentence. What was she going to do?
She was beyond that rash age. She was on the losing end, and she had to think of a plan to change the tides. “Mother, if you want to talk about divorce, can you first let me see Shaoming once?” She wanted to see if Lu Shaoming really did not remember her anymore. Song Yajing was silent for a while and lifted her gaze, “Okay, my son is back now. You can have a glance.” At this moment, she heard the sound of a car approaching from behind her, and she turned her head to look.
…
An extended Lincoln sedan came over. Ning Qing stepped backwards and the old housekeeper opened the door. The luxury sedan drove into the manor. When they entered the gate, because of Song Yajing’s presence, the car slowed its speed and the window from the pa.s.senger seat winded down. Ning Qing could finally see that familiar face again. Lu Shaoming sat in the back, his two long legs crossed elegantly in a customary pose. He wore a white s.h.i.+rt and a dark blue checkered business vest.
She had not seen him for 10 days, and he was still handsome beyond words. “Mum,” Lu Shaoming said with his melodious voice. It was all like she remembered it to be.
“Yes.” Song Yajing nodded her head and looked towards Ning Qing who stood outside the door. She said to Lu Shaoming, “I have an express delivery from China, this is the girl who delivered my parcel.” Ning Qing saw Lu Shaoming look towards her. The moment he turned his gaze onto her, Ning Qing felt her heart stop. She was nervous but expectant.
The man gave her a glance, a slow and una.s.suming glance. His deep gaze was unfamiliar and cold, and she could not find a sliver of warmth. Ning Qing felt her entire body drop into a cold river. He need not speak. With one glance from him, she knew that he really must have forgotten about her. Ning Qing did not have the chance to have a reaction when the Lincoln drove by the manor and disappeared from Ning Qing’s sight. Tears filled Ning Qing’s entire face.
….
“Miss Ning, what do you think? You have seen it for yourself. Now can you tell me your decision? My son does not recognize you. The things that happened in T city – you can only treat them as a dream. I will ask people to erase all traces, and my son would not know that you were ever a part of his life.” Ning Qing used her two small hands to cup her face, and felt her hot tears stream through her fingers. She suddenly thought of the beginning of summer last year, when he appeared abruptly without warning in front of her. Now with how life was playing out, it was similar, but in that flash, he had left again. Everything had gone back to point A.
But at that time, no matter how hard the days were, she held onto her heart and preserved with vigor. She had once felt satisfied after earning a few hundred dollars. Now, she need not fret about money, but she felt this was so painful and hard. She gave her heart to Lu Shaoming, and now he brought it along with him. Her entire heart had been emptied out.
Ning Qing used her hand to wipe her tears. She looked at Song Yajing with red rimmed eyes and said, “Mother, please give me 3 months. Really, I only need 3 months. I will try my best. I want to help him regain his memory. Lead him to fall in love with me again. If he doesn’t do so, then I will let go, we will divorce then.” Song Yajing’s eyes brightened up and she said, “Miss Ning, why do I have to give you 3 months?”
Ning Qing straightened her body and looked at her in the eyes, “Mother, even if you use tactics to overcome me, I can show the marriage certificate to Shaoming. Even if there are no more feelings left, he is a responsible man, and he would definitely go to trace the things in the past. He will definitely take responsibility for me. At that time, this matter would make both mother and son unhappy due to the circ.u.mstances. Then your gains would not be enough for your losses either. ”
“Give me three months, I won’t tell him that I am his wife. If he falls in love with me, I will ask mother to give us a chance. If not, then we would divorce. This is the best plan to settle this problem.” Song Yajing looked at Ning Qing directly in the eye, she could ask for such conditions in such a situation now, she was also considered to be a smart lady. It was a pity that she did not fit the Lu family. “Okay, then three months it is.” Song Yajing agreed.
He would definitely not fall in love with her again. She was sure.
Ning Qing saw Song Yajing turn to leave, she immediately called out to her and gave the present in her hands to her, “Mother, this is the present that I picked out for you and Father. Please accept it.” Song Yajing gave an indication to the old housekeeper and the housekeeper came to accept the gift. The doors to the Lu family closed before her eyes again.
…
When she was about to enter the villa, the old housekeeper asked Song Yajing. “Madam, what should we do with this present?” Song Yajing did not spare any glance at him and walked straight into the villa, her tone cold, “Throw it away.”
“Yes, Madam.”
…
Lu Shaoming stood on the balcony on the third level. The wall of the balcony was built using premium jade tiles, and the railing of the balcony was retro white carved with flowers. It was delicate and elegant. His two hands were inside his pockets. The wind blew over, and he looked downwards to look at the huge azure blue swimming pool below. His brain suddenly thought of the girl who stood by the door just now. When the car drove by that piece of gra.s.s, he could not help but look through the rear mirror. That girl was looking at his car with tears in her eyes. Why did she cry?
His vision was extremely clear. He could see clearly those crystal clear tears dropping down from her delicate face. Her face was like a dew-covered begonia, and the sight was extremely pitiful. Why would he think of a random stranger? Lu Shaoming shook his head, and suddenly, his head hurt. One of his hands gently ma.s.saged his temples. He was in a car crash half a month ago, he didn’t really recall why he got into a car crash. He couldn’t think about it. Once he did so, his head would hurt.
He had surgery in England. The operation was successful. He needed to slowly recuperate; it was very weird. The days pa.s.sed by like normal, but he felt something was missing from his life. Oh, his heart was empty and missing something. As if someone took the most important thing in his heart away from him. But what did they take away?
Lu Shaoming diverted his gaze far away to the main doors of the villa. He saw the girl turn to leave. She was dressed in a long sleeved white wool sweater together with black tight pants. There was a dark blue scarf on her neck. The setting sun made her shadow very long, and that little girl’s shadow of her back was lonely and isolated. Lu Shaoming placed his hand onto his own heart. He frowned, and his heart was hurting. He felt…heartbroken.
At this moment, a maid walked into the villa, with a cup of coffee in her hands, it was the flavour that Lu Shaoming liked. The maid was extremely beautiful, her big, bright, watery eyes sneakily looked towards the man in front of her. Her Young Master was only dressed in a white s.h.i.+rt with black trousers and stood by the delicate ma.s.s of carved flowers of the imperial court style of the balcony just like a sand painting. He emanated a sense of royalty and elegance that was mesmerizing.
He was really a premium product among all men. The maid walked forward and used two hands to serve the coffee and her voice was soft and gentle. “Young Master, this is your coffee.” Lu Shaoming used his right hand to accept the coffee, and took a small sip. He did not look at her and said plainly, “You can go.” The maid was hurt and disappointed, but she did not dare go against his wishes and turned her body around. When she walked to the door, Song Yajing walked into the room. “Madam.” Song Yajing quietly waved her away and the maid left.
…
Song Yajing walked to Lu Shaoming’s back and said, “Shaoming, just now, Butler Zhou gave us a call. You have been spending most of your time in T city this year. You are seldom back. Your Aunt Zhou and Zhi Lei wants to see you once, and they want to have a meal with you.” Lu Shaoming lowered his gaze. His thick lashes that were more beautiful than a woman’s were half closed. He coldly replied, “I don’t have time. I have to fly back to T city in two days.”
“What? Shaoming, there are no relatives in T city. Why do you always want to go there? You quickly end your business in T city, and move your life and the heart of your career back to America.” Lu Shaoming lifted his brows and did not speak.
Song Yajing saw that he did not object and knew that she had 60% of the matter settled. In the past, he stayed behind in T city for Ning Qing. Now that he had forgotten about Ning Qing, returning to America was also natural. She was proud of her son that made her happy in her life, but he did not listen to her teachings from his youth – he made his own decisions in life. And throughout these years, both mother and son slowly drifted apart. His thoughts were deep and kept inside. She did not know what he was thinking about. But it was good that he was filial. He was the future successor of the Lu family. She placed all her hopes on him.
“Shaoming, you are 31 this year. You should also consider marriage now. Mum is waiting for you to start a family to continue the Lu family line. Mum thinks that Zhi Lei is a good choice. We have been friends with their family for generations. Mum also saw Zhi Lei grow up. You had many interactions with Zhi Lei. The time is right, and you can marry her now.” Lu Shaoming placed the coffee on the balcony. With his two hands inside his pockets, he replied, “Mum, I have told you many times, I don’t have any feelings towards her…”
“Then who do you have feelings for?” Song Yajing questioned him. Lu Shaoming did not speak and he lifted his eyes to look outside the villa. There was no one there, and he also did not know what he was thinking about. Song Yajing saw his gaze land on the spot where Ning Qing was standing before. Her heart sank, and she said, “Shaoming, you should be clear on the daughter in law Mom wants. Your future wife will be the future matriarch of the Lu family! ”
Lu Shaoming was silent for a few seconds and then gave a weak smile, “I know.” Song Yajing was relieved. This son of hers was smart beyond his years. He knew what he wanted from a young age, but she did not know what Ning Qing had given him to make him fall into a craze over her. She somehow got him to marry her.
“It is good that you know. Mum wants to tell you about Zhi Lei…”
Lu Shaoming turned to leave. “Mum, I still have work, I will go to the study.” Song Yajing was furious beyond words.
Ning Qing stayed in a hotel in America for a night. She woke up very early in the morning. She called for a taxi to wait by the gates of the Lu mansion. Around 7am, the extended Lincoln left and Ning Qing used English to instruct the driver, “Follow that car.” After 15 minutes, the Lincoln stopped in front of a high end luxury shop. Ning Qing saw Lu Shaoming get out of the car. Ning Qing paid for the fare and also left the vehicle. There was bodyguard guarding the shopfront of the luxury shop. Ning Qing could not enter. She stood by the French windows to look at Lu Shaoming, who was inside.
He probably came for an inspection. There were a bunch of well dressed businessmen behind him, and there was a subordinate beside him handing over a doc.u.ment to report something to him. He nodded his head plainly and occasionally and asked some questions. He walked inside and Ning Qing stood by the windows to follow his trail. Her eyes were wet, and her tears suddenly rolled down. She wanted to see him very much, and wanted to confirm that he was fine. How was the surgery in England? When he entered the operating room, did he think of her? Was he doing well now?
He wore a light green s.h.i.+rt with a grey sweater and black business trousers today. Although he was handsome as usual, Ning Qing knew that he’d lost weight again. During the operation, how much pain was he in? How much pain did he endure? But she did not know – she did not know about anything. He accompanied her for the New Year. She was so happy and even asked him to stay till the fifth day of the year before allowing him to leave. Was she such a cruel person? He ended his conversation very quickly. He sat on the maroon sofa by the sides of the French windows one muscular hand on the handle of the sofa, and he frowned as he ma.s.saged his temples.
Ning Qing was only a small distance away from him – not even a meter. Although they were separated by the French windows, her pale hand slowly pressed on the gla.s.s, and she traced his outline on the gla.s.s, caressing it delicately. Hubby, her husband… He must not have fully recovered from the operation yet. He had a headache. He could not remember her. When he was thinking about the past that he could not remember, he probably had headaches like this.
He probably seldom smiled, because the cold air on his body was even more distinct now, and looking at the stubble on his defined chin, this man, without his wife around, did not have anyone else to help him shave his moustache. Ning Qing used her hand to block her mouth. She was afraid that she would make a sound when she cried. She wanted to hug him badly, and wanted to smooth out the wrinkles on his forehead when he frowned like she did back in the past. She also wanted to tell him that nothing was wrong. There was no need to be scared. There was nothing to fear about having amnesia. You have protected me for so long, this time, let me protect you.
He turned his handsome hand slightly. Ning Qing slowly bent down and kissed his lips with the gla.s.s between them. Tears filled her eyes and she said in her heart : Lu Shaoming, wait for me, I will definitely find the path back home for you.