After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 50

Chapter 50

The Christmas season had just ended, and the New Year was quickly approaching.

Street shops, having just finished their Christmas promotions, were busy redecorating and preparing for the next wave of New Year’s Day celebrations, enjoying every moment of the hustle.

On the 31st, Ye Qin finished work early and went straight to her Grandmother’s house. She bought some fresh groceries for dinner, changed into loungewear, removed her makeup, and casually tied up her hair before sitting down to prepare vegetables with her grandmother.

“You and Lu Lu have been married for a while now, haven’t you?”

“Yes, about half a year now,” Ye Qin replied casually.

“You’ve been so busy with work, there’s one thing I haven’t mentioned.”

“It’s alright, Grandma. Just tell me what it is. If you need anything, please tell me, and I’ll do my best to take care of it.”

“Since you two are married, our two families haven’t had a chance to meet yet…”

Ye Qin smiled, setting down the vegetables. “Grandma, you’re suggesting we invite them over for dinner tonight, right?”

The grandmother nodded.

“I’ll go call them right now,” Ye Qin said, standing up and drying her hands.

…

Shen Lu was out with her mother at the supermarket buying goods for the new year. Although the Lunar New Year was still a month away, the Gregorian New Year was also worth celebrating. The supermarket was packed, and checkout lines stretched into long queues.

Just as she was about to join the line, Shen Lu’s phone rang in her pocket. “Mom, you line up first. I need to take a call.” She walked away with her phone, finding a quiet corner behind a shelf to answer. “Hello, Sister.”

“What are you doing?”

“At the supermarket with my mom.”

“Grandma wants to have dinner with your family. Come over to Grandma’s place tonight.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll tell my mom later.”

“Mhm…”

There was silence on the other end for a while. Shen Lu couldn’t help but ask, “Sister, anything else?”

“No, that’s all. Call me when you arrive tonight, and I’ll come down to meet you.”

“Alright.”

The call ended. When Shen Lu returned, the queue hadn’t moved much. Her mother was waiting, slightly impatient. “Whose call was that?”

“Ye Qin’s. She invited our family over for dinner tonight.”

“I heard her parents aren’t in the country, right?” Mother Shen asked curiously. “She only has her grandmother with her?”

Shen Lu nodded.

“Do her parents know about you two? Will they be back for the New Year? And…”

“Aiya, Mom, don’t ask so many questions yet,” Shen Lu signaled that there were too many people around to talk freely. In truth, she didn’t know how to answer those questions, given how much she knew about the truth and her inability to lie well.

…

When they returned home from the supermarket, her father was sprawled on the sofa like a king, watching war dramas, while Shen Jing was happily playing games in his room. Shen Lu and her mother brought in the groceries, and Shen Lu announced, “We’re not eating dinner at home tonight.”

Shen Lu went to notify Shen Jing, while Mother Shen was responsible for telling Father Shen. “Dear, quickly put on something nice. We’re going out for dinner tonight.”

Father Shen didn’t look up, his eyes fixed on the TV. “It’s just New Year’s Eve. No need to go out and spend that money.”

“Aiya, we’re not eating out. We’re eating at Qin Qin’s house.”

At this, Father Shen’s attention returned. “Did you say that, or did Lu Lu say that?”

“Neither. Qin Qin called herself. Do you think we can refuse?”

Mother Shen paused, then added, “Come on, hurry up. Let’s go change into new clothes and tidy ourselves up. Don’t embarrass the kids.”

…

Surprisingly, when Shen Lu entered Shen Jing’s room, he wasn’t playing games but was instead hiding under his blanket. “Shen Jing, Shen Jing, are you asleep?”

“……” No response.

“We’re going to Sister Qin’s house for dinner tonight. I’m letting you know.”

“……” Still no response.

Shen Lu pouted, then closed the door and left.

Shen Jing finally threw off the blanket, revealing his head. He was shaking all over. He had received another debt collector call. If he couldn’t pay the money soon, he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the New Year. He didn’t know what to do.

When it was time to leave that evening, everyone was ready except for Shen Jing, who hadn’t moved.

“Why hasn’t Shen Jing come out yet?” Shen Lu patiently knocked on his door again. “Hey, if you don’t come out, we’re leaving without you.”

“You guys go. I’m feeling a bit unwell,” Shen Jing finally replied.

“What’s gotten into this child? He’s been acting strange lately,” Mother Shen muttered.

“Who knows? Forget him. Let’s head out first.”

After they all left and the door closed, Shen Jing frantically jumped off the bed, opening his computer, desperate to find a solution to his troubles.

He had even sought help from his gaming friends, but everyone was at a loss, and some advised him to tell his family. They believed sharing the burden would lead to a faster solution, and hiding it wasn’t the answer.

But Shen Jing knew his family’s financial situation. His parents and sister earned meager salaries. Sister Qin, on the other hand, did have the means, but why should she help him pay off his debts? Plus, given his sister’s personality, she definitely wouldn’t allow it.

Just then, his former in-game romantic partner, Little Zhizhi, sent him a private message.

Little Zhizhi: I can help you.

Shen Jing: I don’t need your help.

Little Zhizhi: It’s simple. Sleep with me, and the money is yours.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Sleep with someone and get paid? Shen Jing was tempted.

Shen Jing: Get lost. I’m not gay.

Little Zhizhi: I’m so sad you would say that, but it’s okay. What can I do, since I like you? I’ll wait for your message. Call me if you need me.

Shen Jing quickly logged out of the game.

…

Shen Lu called Ye Qin when they reached the entrance of the residential area. Ye Qin came down to lead them in. Mother Shen was surprised. “Qin Qin, you live here?”

The neighborhood was quite old, even older than Shen Lu’s own.

Shen Lu nudged her mother. “What are you doing, Mom?” she whispered.

Ye Qin smiled. “Yes, I lived here when I was little, but now Grandma lives here. I stay in another apartment when I’m working.”

“Ah, I see,” Mother Shen said, looking around as she walked.

Shen Lu knew what her mother was thinking—Why would a rich celebrity live in such an old place? Shen Lu, however, was keenly aware that Ye Qin owned several properties in A City alone.

Sometimes, the wealth of the rich truly exceeded imagination.

This was the first time Shen Lu’s family was meeting Ye Qin’s family, and it was a wonderful idea to gather on New Year’s Eve.

Grandma was wearing a festive red padded jacket that day, printed with the traditional Chinese character for ‘joy.’ Ye Qin had bought it for her during a shopping trip because Grandma instantly loved it. Ye Qin bought it without even checking the price.

Radiant and full of spirit would aptly describe Grandma’s energy that evening. Despite her age, she was sharp-minded and well-educated. She chatted very amiably with Shen Lu’s parents, which put Shen Lu at ease.

However, Mother Shen still felt a little regretful about not meeting Ye Qin’s parents. She felt it wasn’t entirely official, as if something was missing, or as if the marriage of the two children lacked witnesses.

“It’s almost midnight,” Shen Lu suddenly said.

“What’s so special about midnight?” Ye Qin asked.

“Come out with me,” Shen Lu looked excited.

Ye Qin had to leave the dinner table and follow her. Shen Lu knew the layout of the house well. She pushed open the glass sliding door to the balcony. Ye Qin was still confused.

“Why come out here? It’s cold.”

Shen Lu looked down at her watch. “Don’t be impatient. You’ll know in a minute.”

Shen Lu remembered spending New Year’s Eve on location for the past few years with Ye Qin, so it was normal that Ye Qin didn’t know about this.

Ye Qin waited patiently, instead asking, “Are you cold?”

Shen Lu smiled and shook her head. “Not at all, not at all.”

“Ten, nine, eight, seven… three, two, one, Happy New Year!”

With a boom, the sky over the entire A City seemed to explode. Colorful fireworks soared into the sky, lighting up the night and making it absolutely beautiful.

Shen Lu excitedly pulled out her phone to record a video. Ye Qin turned her head to look at her. So you called me out here to watch this… Thinking this, she couldn’t help but smile—an uncontrolled, genuine smile.

A moment later, Ye Qin reached out and put her arm around Shen Lu. Shen Lu looked up at her, bewildered.

Ye Qin looked at the distance, a smile playing on her lips. “You might not be cold, but I am.”

Basically, I just want to hold you.