After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Why did Shen Lu feel so deeply manipulated?

After Ye Qin left, her mother began her interrogation. “What are you going to do tonight instead of having dinner with us? Your mother and father traveled hundreds of miles on a train for hours, and you won’t even eat the first meal with us!”

Shen Lu looked troubled, but she had already promised Sister Xueying. It was too late to back out now. “I didn’t know you were coming today,” Shen Lu mumbled, sounding quite wronged.

“Honey, Lulu has her own life. You shouldn’t try to interfere with everything. If she can’t eat with us, she can’t eat with us. It’s not a big deal. Lulu, don’t mind your mother. Go take care of whatever you need to,” Shen Dad said.

Shen Lu smiled and nodded. “Dad is much more reasonable.” She then playfully stuck her tongue out at her mother.

“You two just team up against me! You’re both bullying me today!” Shen Mom huffily folded her arms and turned her face away. Shen Lu quickly went to comfort her mother, putting an arm around her shoulder. “Alright, Mom. You haven’t seen my room yet, have you? Come on, I’ll take you there.”

…

As soon as Ye Qin returned to her room, Wang Lin called. Ye Qin was exhausted and needed to get dressed and shower, so she had to hold the phone between her shoulder and ear. “Sister Wang.”

“How did it go? Did you meet Shen Lu’s parents?”

“Mhm. I’m taking them out to dinner later tonight.”

“Do you need me to come along? An extra person to help you manage things. Didn’t you say Shen Lu is having dinner with Tan Xueying tonight?” Wang Lin asked.

Ye Qin gave a faint, resigned smile. “She is. I don’t know what she’s decided to do. Sister Wang, if you’re free tonight, let’s have dinner together. It’s been a while since we had a proper meal.”

After hanging up, Ye Qin sighed in relief. She stripped off her top and walked barefoot into the bathroom, wearing only her bra.

Shen Dad felt tired and opted to rest for a while in the room. Shen Jing also returned to his own room. Hearing that Sister Qin was treating them to dinner tonight made him ecstatic. It instantly cured the void in his heart caused by paying five hundred for the room. Naturally, he hurried back to primp and groom himself.

Only Shen Mom, who seemed tireless and full of endless energy, followed Shen Lu to her room, saying she needed to tidy the bed and the room. Shen Lu didn’t stop her, believing these chores had long become her mother’s joy.

“You’re a young woman, and your bed looks like a pigsty every time.”

“Mom, I just haven’t made the bed, and there are a few clothes on it… I’m in such a rush every morning; where would I find the time for all this?” Shen Lu muttered quietly.

Shen Mom continued to scold her while diligently tidying up. Shen Lu went to the bathroom mirror to fix her hair and casually touch up her makeup. Just then, a knock came at the door. Shen Mom shouted from outside, “Lulu, go get the door.”

“I know,” Shen Lu said, putting down what she was doing and rushing to open the door. To her surprise, Tan Xueying was standing there.

Shen Lu’s astonishment was written all over her face. “Sister Xueying… why are you here?”

Tan Xueying pursed her lips. “I couldn’t reach you by phone, so I had to come find you in person. You weren’t thinking of standing me up, were you?”

“No, no, I wasn’t! My phone fell into the sea last night, and I haven’t had a chance to buy a new one yet,” Shen Lu quickly explained.

Shen Mom, who had been gone for a while, heard the fragmented conversation and quickly put down her work, coming to the door. Tan Xueying immediately greeted her politely. “Hello, Auntie. I’m Tan Xueying.”

Shen Lu smiled and introduced them. “I haven’t even introduced you yet. This is my mom.”

“I know, because you look a lot like Auntie, and you are both very beautiful,” Tan Xueying said. This compliment pleased both of them, and Shen Mom was naturally delighted.

“You’re Tan Xueying? The one on TV?”

Tan Xueying nodded, maintaining her approachable smile.

“You are so much prettier in person!”

“You flatter me, Auntie.”

“But why are you looking for our Lulu?” Shen Mom asked.

Shen Lu secretly tugged on her mother’s clothing, trying to signal her to stop asking so many questions, but her mother either didn’t notice or deliberately ignored her.

“It’s like this: I’m taking Shen Lu out for Japanese food tonight,” Tan Xueying replied.

“Japanese food? Lulu, aren’t you supposed to be eating with us tonight?” Shen Mom looked at Shen Lu, demanding an answer.

Shen Lu pulled her mother aside and whispered, “Mom, I already promised Sister Xueying. I can’t break my word! We can have dinner with you and Dad tomorrow.”

But Shen Mom wouldn’t have it. “Why are you spending so much time with her? What about Qin…” Before she could finish, Shen Lu quickly clamped her hand over her mother’s mouth. It was a moment of panic and impulse that clearly startled Tan Xueying standing at the door.

“Oh, uh, Sister Xueying, I’m almost ready. Wait one minute, I’ll be right out,” Shen Lu said, quickly closing the door and pulling her mother inside.

…

With the door shut, Shen Mom could finally speak the words she was holding back.

“Lulu, you’re already with Qinqin, how can you be getting tangled up with other female celebrities?”

“Mom, it’s not what you think. Sister Xueying and I are just friends. She even came to the hospital this morning to visit me! For someone of her status to consider me a friend, I’m the one who’s punching above my weight, not the other way around!”

“What kind of friend visits you in the hospital first thing in the morning? I don’t think it’s that simple,” Shen Mom insisted.

Shen Lu was torn between laughter and tears. Her marriage with Ye Qin was only a contract, but should she really have to abstain from dating for five years? Besides, Sister Xueying was truly just a friend. “Mom, have you thought about what would happen if you let something slip at the door just now?”

Shen Lu’s words were a wake-up call. Shen Mom immediately snapped back to reality. “Oh, right. I almost let it slip, but…”

“Don’t worry. I will absolutely not do anything to betray Ye Qin,” Shen Lu said, looking earnestly into her mother’s eyes.

Shen Mom finally relented. “Fine, fine, go then,” she said, turning away and whispering to herself, “Ay, I just pity my Qinqin. Having to watch her wife go off to dinner with another woman.”

Shen Lu was helpless, but there was nothing she could do. In this situation, the more she avoided it, the more suspicious it would look. If she had known her parents were coming ahead of time, she never would have accepted Sister Xueying’s invitation.

…

Having sorted things out with her mother, Shen Lu stepped back out. Tan Xueying was still waiting at the door. Shen Lu looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, Sister Xueying, for making you wait.”

Tan Xueying shook her head and said it was fine. “You and Auntie didn’t argue, did you?”

“No, of course not,” Shen Lu smiled and quickly changed the subject. “Hey, right, which restaurant are we going to tonight?”

Tan Xueying reached out and tapped her nose. “Silly girl, don’t you remember? We were just talking about that place this afternoon.”

Shen Lu embarrassedly remembered. Right, we just talked about it this afternoon. How could I forget? She hoped the awkwardness she and her mother had displayed hadn’t caused Sister Xueying to suspect or think too much. Please, I hope not.

Following Tan Xueying, they reached the hotel’s underground parking lot and stopped in front of a red Porsche 911. Seeing Tan Xueying pull out the key to unlock it, Shen Lu was astonished. “Are we taking this?”

“Yes,” Tan Xueying turned, looking like she didn’t see why not, and opened the car door to get in.

“But won’t it be too…”

“Too what…”

“Too conspicuous or too flashy or something,” Shen Lu swallowed.

“You don’t have to worry. My private life has always been very clean over the years; the paparazzi don’t even bother following me. And the person who should really be worried is me, not you,” Tan Xueying said, winking at her.

That’s true, Shen Lu thought. I’m not a celebrity, just an assistant. What do I have to be afraid of? She got into the car.

The feeling of sitting in a million-dollar car really is different…

Tan Xueying slowly drove out of the underground parking lot and casually asked, “Does Ye Qin know you’re going out to dinner with me?”

Shen Lu paused for a moment, then replied, “She knows. I told her.”

“She didn’t object?” Tan Xueying pressed.

“No, she didn’t. I’m an assistant, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a private life. I need to make friends and eat dinner, too. She doesn’t have the right to control me that much,” Shen Lu replied.

Tan Xueying just smiled faintly, not saying anything more.

….

Meanwhile, a freshly showered and tidied Ye Qin went downstairs to meet everyone: Wang Lin, Shen Jing, and the parents of Shen Jing and Shen Lu. Only Shen Lu was missing. Although Ye Qin knew Shen Lu had plans, she seemed to hold onto a tiny hope that Shen Lu would stay for her parents. But after scanning the room, she saw no sign of her.

“Did Shen Lu already leave?” Ye Qin asked casually.

“Qinqin, don’t blame her. The child said she promised a friend and couldn’t refuse,” Shen Mom explained on her behalf.

“It’s fine, Auntie. Shen Lu and I discussed it, and I agreed. Since we’re all here, let’s go.”

Wang Lin noticed Ye Qin’s expression and seemed to be considering something.

…

In the blink of an eye, Shen Lu and Tan Xueying arrived at the Japanese restaurant. The decor had a very Japanese style, and even the chefs in the kitchen were masters specially invited from Japan. Tan Xueying spoke a little Japanese and greeted them upon entering. Shen Lu stood next to her, bewildered, limited to nodding and smiling.

Tan Xueying then said to her, “Let’s find a place to wait. I already ordered the food.”

“You already ordered?” Shen Lu was surprised.

“Yes. You told me you wanted sushi and sashimi, so I ordered all of that, plus a few other dishes I like that I want to introduce to you.”

“Great, great. I don’t understand Japanese anyway, so thank goodness you’re here, Sister Xueying.”

“As long as you’re willing, I can always be by your side,” Tan Xueying said, looking at her with a notably serious gaze. Shen Lu unconsciously got goosebumps on her arms and started rubbing them.

Tan Xueying noticed. She quickly asked, “Are you cold? I have a jacket in the car. Should I get it for you?”

“No, no, I’m fine,” Shen Lu quickly replied.

“I’ll go get it anyway,” Tan Xueying said, standing up and walking towards the door. Shen Lu watched her back and couldn’t help but wonder, Why is Sister Xueying suddenly being so nice to me…? So nice that it’s causing me to have… certain misunderstandings.

Thinking this, Shen Lu quickly shook her head. Be self-aware, Shen Lu. How could Tan Xueying ever like someone like you? She must just be a genuinely kind person with a kind heart, so she’s very attentive to her friends. That must be it.

Only by thinking this way could Shen Lu keep her mind from wandering into inappropriate thoughts.

A moment later, Tan Xueying returned, holding a jacket—her jacket. She handed it to Shen Lu. “Put this on.”

Shen Lu felt slightly embarrassed and awkward, murmuring, “Sister Xueying, I’m really fine…”

But Tan Xueying suddenly became serious. “Listen to me, put it on. Didn’t you just fall into the sea? You could easily catch a chill, and the weather is so cold now.”

Shen Lu couldn’t refuse again. She took the jacket and put it on in front of Tan Xueying. However, the jacket, which was a good fit for Tan Xueying’s figure, looked somewhat baggy on Shen Lu. After all, celebrities’ bodies couldn’t be described as just size S; they were practically XS, each one impossibly thin.

In comparison, Shen Lu naturally looked a little heavier.