After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The long night passed, and Shen Lu didn’t sleep well, but she was relieved to have safely made it to daybreak. It was just before dawn when she got out of bed, still dark outside. She slipped into a cardigan and quietly opened the door to leave her bedroom. The house was completely silent. She could even hear the sound of snoring coming from her parents’ room across the hall.

She walked alone to the balcony and gently pushed the glass door a fraction open, then slid through the person-wide gap onto the balcony. The entire city was still, with only sparse, early morning lights visible. The cool autumn wind was brisk. The leaves on the trees downstairs rustled loudly. Shen Lu only stood for a moment to clear her head before quickly going back inside.

Unexpectedly, she bumped into Ye Qin, whose long hair was disheveled, dressed in pajamas, and looking weary. “Sister, you’re up so early,” Shen Lu said, surprised.

Ye Qin only hummed, still seeming half-asleep. She walked straight to the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

Shen Lu pouted, turned, and sat on the sofa chair behind her, resting her chin in her hand, feeling a little bored. What to do? Maybe go downstairs and see if she could buy some breakfast.

Thinking this, she quickly got up and knocked on the bathroom door, asking quietly, “Sister, do you want anything to eat? I’m going downstairs to check.”

A small voice soon responded from inside. “Soy milk and youtiao (fried dough sticks).”

“Okay, I’ll go buy them now.” Shen Lu smiled, put on her coat, and went out.

…

Morning Errands

When Shen Lu left, it was still twilight outside. The cleaning ladies and uncles in the neighborhood were already in their fluorescent work clothes, starting their cleaning duties. The chilly wind made her hug her arms instinctively. She mumbled to herself, “When did it suddenly get so cold? It feels like summer just ended.”

She took large strides as she walked out. It was rare to see another person on the street, and they had the same posture as Shen Lu, huddled up and shivering in the cold wind, moving forward. Fallen leaves were picked up by the wind, mixed with small dust particles, spiraling into small vortices.

She finally found a breakfast shop that had just opened early and immediately rushed inside.

“Boss, I want soy milk and youtiao! Five portions, please!”

The owner’s wife had just tied her apron and smiled warmly. “Girl, I just opened. I have to make everything fresh. Are you in a hurry?”

“No, no rush. I’ll just sit and wait.” Shen Lu sat down in a chair next to a dining table.

The owner’s wife busied herself and started making conversation. “You came out so early to buy breakfast for your family.”

Shen Lu nodded with a smile.

“In this day and age, there aren’t many thoughtful girls like you. My daughter is about your age, and I have to call her several times before she gets out of bed, let alone buy breakfast for the family this early.”

Shen Lu scratched her head, embarrassed. Since she hadn’t slept well the night before, she couldn’t really claim to have gotten up early.

When Ye Qin emerged from the bathroom, she had already washed up and happened to run into Mama Shen, who had just gotten up. Ye Qin was momentarily startled, her mind struggling to switch gears. “Aun… Auntie, good morning.”

“It’s still early. Why don’t you sleep a little longer, child? Did you not sleep comfortably?” Mama Shen asked with concern.

“No, I just went to bed quite early last night.”

“Then… I’ll prepare breakfast for you all in a little while. What would you like to eat? We have noodles, dumplings, and…”

“Shen Lu has already gone out to buy breakfast,” Ye Qin replied.

Mama Shen was surprised and muttered quietly, “When did that child start getting up so early and even going out to buy breakfast?”

Ye Qin smiled awkwardly. “Then, Auntie, I’ll… I’ll go back to the room to change.”

“Go on, go on. If you need anything, just tell Auntie. Don’t be a stranger, child. We’re all family now,” Mama Shen said, smiling at her.

Ye Qin nodded and returned to the room, still feeling very out of place, even though she knew it was all an act.

After changing, Ye Qin sat at Shen Lu’s dressing table and applied light makeup. Thinking that Shen Lu hadn’t returned, and feeling awkward about waiting outside alone, she grabbed her phone, lay down on the bed, and started scrolling through the entertainment news from the past couple of days.

The top trending search today was the headline “Zheng Yichun Gets Married.” Ye Qin thought hard before she remembered who this person was—the female lead in a previous drama, a role they had both competed for. Ye Qin ultimately got the part. Since then, there hadn’t been much news about Zheng Yichun, and now the news was that she was married?

Ye Qin curiously clicked on the link, only to find the screen filled with awkward publicity posts. It was clear even to outsiders that the trending topic was bought. Trolls were awkwardly praising her in the comments. The “marriage” was merely about her rumored boyfriend sending her a ring, which Zheng Yichun coincidentally wore to an event.

Seeing this, Ye Qin couldn’t help but click her tongue. It was no wonder she had been heavily promoted but still couldn’t gain true fame, relying on such low-level hype.

She was just an observer watching the drama, but surprisingly, her own name was dragged into the comments by anti-fans.

“Is Yichun trying to copy Ye Qin’s publicity stunts?”

“Hahahaha, she should save it. Ye Qin’s path to fame can’t be replicated.”

“Seeing this trending topic first thing in the morning is quite embarrassing.”

“……”

Ye Qin was exasperated and was about to close Weibo when she suddenly received a private message. Due to a particularly attention-grabbing keyword, Ye Qin uncharacteristically opened the private message from a stranger. Normally, she ignored them to avoid anti-fan messages ruining her day.

“I know all your secrets. I will be watching you in the dark.”

It was chilling. Ye Qin was so scared that her phone slipped from her hand. The next second, she quickly closed Weibo and turned off her phone, but that sentence kept echoing and cycling in her mind.

“Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock.”

A knock on the door broke the silence in the room. Ye Qin, still reeling from the ominous message, jumped and turned pale until she heard Shen Lu’s voice.

“Sister, can I come in?”

“C-come in.”

Shen Lu opened the door and saw Ye Qin sitting on the bed, looking unwell. “Are you okay?”

Ye Qin pursed her lips. “I’m fine.”

“Breakfast is in the living room. Let’s go out together.”

Ye Qin nodded.

Mama Shen had prepared additional preserved egg and lean meat congee, pan-fried dumplings, and boiled eggs. The breakfast spread on the table looked quite generous. Shen Jing was the last one to wake up, surprisingly having changed into clean and tidy clothes, his hair slicked back with gel. He looked like he had carefully groomed himself. “Good morning to my two sisters!”

With that, he brought a chair and tried to squeeze himself between Ye Qin and Shen Lu. Shen Lu reluctantly made some room for him. When Shen Jing leaned in, the pungent smell of hair gel made people dizzy, and Shen Lu had to cover her mouth and nose. “Shen Jing, are you going on a blind date? Why the strong scent!”

Shen Jing smiled shyly. “Well, we have a new sister-in-law at home. As a younger brother, I can’t bring down the standard. I have to pay attention to my appearance.”

Shen Lu’s mouth twitched. I’ve been your sister for twenty years, and I’ve never seen you make an effort to dress up for me!

Ye Qin quietly ate with her head down when Mama Shen suddenly addressed her.

“Qinqin, Auntie has a small request. My son here is idle all day and doesn’t work. I’ve found him several jobs, but he quits after only a few days. You know a lot of people in your industry. Could you possibly introduce him to a job… Of course, it’s okay if you can’t. Just let nature take its course.”

“Mom!” Shen Lu frowned and called out, signaling her to stop. Why bring up such a topic suddenly? Honestly…

Ye Qin smiled faintly, pursed her lips, and then looked at Shen Jing. “Can you drive?”

Shen Lu was stunned. Ye Qin was being too accommodating. This was nothing like the Ye Qin she had known for several years.

Shen Jing was thrilled to hear this. “Yes, yes! I’ve had my license for several years but never had a chance to drive.”

“Then fine. You… come work as my driver. As for salary, I’ll pay you 3,000 for the first month. After that, if you perform well, I’ll raise it to 5,000. Your sister will detail the other benefits for you.”

“Yes, yes, yes! That’s great! Thank you, Sister Qin!” Shen Jing was grinning from ear to ear, almost jumping out of his seat.

But Shen Lu was not happy. Why bring this kid into this mess? Could he even handle the job? And… it was too unfair! Shen Lu’s salary was only about 4,000 when she first started as an assistant. It had only recently been raised to 6,000. This brat was getting close to her salary right from the start! Pout.

Shen Lu pursed her lips and suddenly spoke up. “Shen Jing, I’m warning you, don’t talk carelessly after you start working, especially about my and Ye Qin’s relationship. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

“Aiya, I know, I know! I’ll keep your secret! I wouldn’t tell anyone I’m Ye Qin’s brother-in-law!” Shen Jing boasted smugly.

“This is really great! Now all three of you siblings will work together and can look out for each other. Shen Jing, you have to listen to your two sisters when you’re out there, okay?” Mama Shen said.

“I know, stop nagging.”

Papa Shen also cautioned him. “If you don’t do well, you better come straight back home! Don’t go out there and embarrass your sister!”

Shen Jing pouted, ignoring him. Neither of them believed in his abilities.

…

After breakfast, the three of them prepared to leave for City H. Mama Shen personally packed Shen Jing’s suitcase. Shen Jing was confident that he could handle the driver’s job well. Mama Shen repeatedly told him not to cause trouble or be a burden when he was out.

Shen Lu stood aside, shrugging helplessly. With his temperament, not causing trouble would mean he wasn’t himself.

Before leaving, Ye Qin received a call from Sister Wang, asking about the situation and when she would return.

“Everything here is handled. We’ll head to the airport shortly,” Ye Qin said. Then, she suddenly remembered something and added, “Oh, right, I hired a driver. That should lighten your workload a bit.”

“A driver?” Wang Lin was surprised. “Who is it?”

“Shen Lu’s brother.”

Wang Lin: “……”

I have no other wish. The marriage is just an act for now, as you requested. But please don’t let the pretense become reality in the end.