After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Shen Lu put down the card and carefully took the small cocktail dress out of the box, moving gently for fear of wrinkling or damaging it. She couldn’t believe Ye Qin would send her this style of dress. Although it was beautiful and obviously expensive, it wasn’t Shen Lu’s usual look…

Shen Lu held it up against herself in the bathroom mirror, feeling shy and unable to look at her reflection. Her usual style was quite casual, essentially just a shirt paired with jeans. Ye Qin often complained that her outfits completely lacked aesthetics. Since high school, Shen Lu’s wardrobe had rarely featured dresses because she thought they were for little girls, and she was already grown up.

Just then, her phone rang by the bed. Shen Lu put the dress down and went out to answer the call.

“Do you like the dress?” Ye Qin’s voice came through the phone.

“It’s… it’s alright.”

“‘It’s alright’ means what? You don’t like it?”

“No, no! Sister, you know I don’t usually wear dresses. You’ve never seen me wear one, right?”

But then Ye Qin said, “It’s precisely because I haven’t seen it that I want to. Hurry up and get ready. We leave at seven.”

Seven o’clock?? Shen Lu glanced at her watch; it was already six-thirty.

There was no time for hesitation. After hanging up, Shen Lu quickly took the dress into the bathroom to change. She also washed and blow-dried her hair until it was half-dry when the doorbell rang. She turned off the hairdryer to open the door.

…

When the door opened, a woman in a delicate, ethereal dress with long flowing hair appeared. Ye Qin froze, barely recognizing her. Her gaze was fixed and stunned. Shen Lu touched her own face, feeling embarrassed under Ye Qin’s stare. “Sister, is there something on my face?”

Ye Qin snapped back to reality and stammered, “Are you ready to go?”

“I’m ready, let’s go.” Shen Lu felt awkward and uncomfortable walking, stiff in the dress.

Shen Jing was also lucky enough to snag an invitation to the celebration dinner. He waited in the basement, leaning by the million-dollar nanny van he currently drove, preening in the mirror, styling his hair and adjusting his clothes. Sister Qin is so nice; she actually gave me a suit. Just by touching the material, he knew it was worth a fortune.

Aha, they’re here.

Who is that beauty next to Sister Qin? Shen Jing stared and was dumbfounded. That’s his sister, right?

Even when Shen Lu walked up to him, Shen Jing maintained his stunned expression. “What’s wrong? Don’t you recognize your own sister?”

Shen Jing swallowed. “Clothes definitely make the man—or woman.” His compliment delighted Shen Lu.

Wang Lin also arrived and looked surprised to see Shen Lu. “You’ve been with us for three years, and this is truly the first time I’ve seen you in a dress.”

Shen Lu was extremely shy and only managed to smile.

“How about it, good taste, right?” Ye Qin teased.

“Alright, alright. Since everyone’s here, let’s head off,” Wang Lin said, opening the passenger side door.

Shen Lu was a little nervous sitting in the car, her hands restlessly picking at her fingers.

Ye Qin turned her head to look at her several times, each time withdrawing her gaze with a shallow smile.

…

They finally arrived at the restaurant reserved for the celebration. Due to the large number of attendees, a buffet was chosen, but the dishes were all prepared by master chefs from a five-star hotel, and even the desserts were freshly made on-site by a pastry chef.

They didn’t arrive early, and the venue was already bustling.

“Hello, Sister Qin!” “Ye Qin, Ye Qin!” “…”

Ye Qin smiled and greeted everyone. At the same time, Shen Lu overheard gossip from their colleagues.

“Isn’t that Ye Qin’s assistant, Shen Lu?” “Must be.” “Why is she dressed so seductively? Who’s she trying to charm?” “Are assistants this attention-seeking now?” “…”

Hearing this, Shen Lu felt even more uncomfortable, her hands clutching the hem of her skirt.

That kid Shen Jing disappeared as soon as he entered, tray in hand.

“Shen Lu, feel free to wander around for a bit. I’m taking Ye Qin over to greet the director,” Wang Lin said.

Shen Lu nodded. “Okay.”

Now she felt even more isolated. Shen Lu held her skirt with one hand and a glass of cocktail in the other to look less awkward.

“Oh my, isn’t this Shen Lu?”

She knew it was Li Li by the voice. Shen Lu was about to turn back with an annoyed reply when she saw Li Li and Tan Xueying walking together.

“…Sister Xueying…” She froze, her first instinct being to run away.

Tan Xueying turned and dismissed Li Li. “I need to speak to Shen Lu.” Li Li had no choice but to step aside.

Shen Lu gripped the stem of the glass, her palm sweating profusely. Tan Xueying looked around to confirm Ye Qin wasn’t nearby before speaking. “Can we talk somewhere private?”

…

“Ye Qin, this drama owes you a debt of gratitude for joining. I look forward to working with you again,” the director said.

“We can cooperate, but please don’t pair me with Tan Xueying,” Ye Qin said immediately, only to be promptly elbowed by Wang Lin.

Wang Lin quickly followed up with a forced smile, “We’ll have many opportunities to collaborate in the future. Director, please don’t forget our Ye Qin when you have good roles.”

“Naturally, naturally.”

“…”

Ye Qin was distracted, standing there completely uninterested in their conversation. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and whispered in Wang Lin’s ear, “Can I go to the restroom?”

She finally escaped the fake social circle, only to find no sight of Shen Lu in the entire hall. Ye Qin stood there, looking around for a while.

…

On the balcony, the cool wind felt slightly biting on her face. After all, winter had arrived in H City. Though it was a southern city, it couldn’t escape the winter’s chill. Behind her was the colorful, dazzling cityscape at night.

Shen Lu stood there holding her wine glass for a moment, already feeling quite cold, wearing only the thin dress. Her knees were stiff with cold, and the redness on her face wasn’t blush.

“You look beautiful today.”

Tan Xueying scrutinized her for a moment before uttering the compliment. Shen Lu gave an awkward smile, looking elsewhere. “Th… thank you… for the compliment.”

“That’s not a compliment; it’s the truth,” Tan Xueying said, taking two steps forward. Shen Lu subconsciously retreated two steps, bringing them back to the original distance.

Tan Xueying paused, realizing how wary Shen Lu was of her, and felt a pang of discomfort. “About that past incident… I’ve always owed you an apology. I wanted to find you several times on set, but you always avoided me.”

“Since that incident is over, let’s not bring it up again,” Shen Lu turned her face away.

Tan Xueying tried to step closer, but Shen Lu quickly put up a halting gesture. “Sister Xueying!”

Tan Xueying looked helpless and pained. “Can you forgive me? I truly want your forgiveness. I’ll do anything you ask.”

“Please don’t do this anymore. You won’t get any more information about Ye Qin from me.”

“I admit I toyed with your feelings before, but I’m sincerely, genuinely interested in you…. Shen Lu, you’re a good girl.”

…

“Shen Jing, have you seen your sister?” Ye Qin suddenly appeared behind him and patted his back.

Shen Jing was startled and nearly choked. After finally swallowing his mouthful of food, he said, “No, I haven’t seen her. Isn’t she with you?”

Ye Qin pursed her lips. “Alright, never mind.” She continued searching the crowd.

It wasn’t until she ran into Tan Xueying’s assistant that Ye Qin’s sixth sense prompted her to ask.

“Where is Tan Xueying?” Ye Qin asked rudely.

Li Li barely bothered to lift her head, answering testily, “She’s with your Shen Lu.”

“Where are they!” Ye Qin instantly became anxious.

Li Li finally raised her hand and pointed a direction. “You’ll find them on the balcony.”

Ye Qin headed straight for the balcony without a word.

Tan Xueying’s assistant was right. Both of them were on the balcony. The moment Shen Lu saw Ye Qin, she felt a sudden panic, as if she had done something wrong, even though she had only spoken a few words with Tan Xueying and nothing more.

“Sister… Sister…” Ye Qin ignored Tan Xueying completely and walked right up to Shen Lu, asking gently, “Are you cold? What are you doing out here?”

Shen Lu had no choice but to answer truthfully. “Sister Xueying wanted to talk to me…”

Ye Qin had her back to Tan Xueying and couldn’t see her expression. She put a hand on Shen Lu’s shoulder. “There’s nothing to talk about. Come inside with me.” With that, she took Shen Lu’s hand right in front of Tan Xueying. Tan Xueying instantly understood the meaning—it was a clear declaration of war.

Shen Lu obediently followed Ye Qin, but Tan Xueying reached out and grabbed her other hand. “Shen Lu, don’t go!”

The situation became awkward. Shen Lu was literally being fought over like a piece of merchandise.

“Shen Lu, tell her,” Ye Qin instructed.

“Tell her what…” Shen Lu asked cautiously.

“Tell her who you’re leaving with,” Ye Qin’s language was sharp and direct.

Shen Lu first glanced at Tan Xueying, then looked at Ye Qin, her eyes pitiful yet sincere. “I’m going with you.”

In that second, Ye Qin looked as if she had won the lottery. She didn’t hold back her smile, grinning broadly to flaunt her victory. “Then let’s go.”

Shen Lu nodded, then pulled her hand free from Tan Xueying’s grasp.