After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 71

Chapter 71

In the third year of Ye Qin and Shen Lu’s marriage, Tan Xueying was released from prison.

The name of this person seemed to have been forgotten by the public for three years, only to be suddenly remembered by everyone on the day of her release.

The internet was filled with curses and malicious comments.

“Why let someone like her out? To endanger society?” “Why not lock her up for life?” “Oh look, the ‘green tea bitch’ is out of prison.” “Did anyone go to watch today?” “I want to see what she looks like now. A former star ravaged by three years of prison? Hahahaha….” “…”

There were spectators watching for the spectacle and those who mocked her. Only a very small number of remaining fans were still keeping to themselves, spontaneously organizing a welcoming group. Their love for her remained unchanged despite the passage of time, and even though she had done something wrong, she could be forgiven by her die-hard fans.

No one came to pick Tan Xueying up on the day she was released. Her father was too ashamed to attend, her management contract with the company had long since expired, and even her manager didn’t come, concerned about his livelihood and future development. She seemed to have been isolated by the entire world overnight.

Many members of the media showed up. They must be here to take her ugliest pictures. It must be, Tan Xueying thought.

“Go, Tan Xueying!”

Just then, she noticed a small banner in a tiny corner, held up by her fans. She felt a surge of relief and emotion. Tan Xueying covered her mouth to suppress the urge to cry, whispering, “Thank you…”

Through media reports and reposts, the news of Tan Xueying’s release immediately became known throughout the entire entertainment industry, including the general public, and including Ye Qin and Shen Lu.

“She’s out,” Shen Lu said.

“Yes,” Ye Qin murmured.

However, after that, Tan Xueying completely vanished, with no further news. There were various speculations online. Some said Tan Xueying couldn’t bear the change after her release and had taken her own life. Others said she was already looking for a new company to stage a comeback. Still others claimed she had no desire to stay in the industry and was seeking a secluded life… In short, there were all kinds of rumors.

A few days later, Shen Lu suddenly received a call from an unfamiliar number. She answered with a skeptical attitude.

“Shen Lu, it’s me.”

“Tan Xueying?” Shen Lu was a little surprised, yet also felt it was expected.

“I’m about to leave… Can I see you one last time?”

Shen Lu fiddled with her fingers, hesitating for a long time, until the person on the other end of the line gave a wry laugh and said, “I won’t hurt you… Don’t worry. I just want to talk to you one last time before I go.”

After the call, Shen Lu immediately told Ye Qin about it, seeking her opinion. Ye Qin’s answer was to agree to let her meet Tan Xueying.

“Perhaps she really just wants to say goodbye to you. Don’t overthink it. Relax and go to the meeting.”

With Ye Qin’s encouragement and consent, Shen Lu felt reassured.

When she learned the meeting place was the airport, Shen Lu finally felt certain that this was truly a farewell.

Tan Xueying was dressed very plainly that day, with a bare, unmade face. A large hat seemed to completely hide her small face. Perhaps only this way could she block out some unnecessary trouble from the outside world.

“You came.”

“Mm, I came.” Facing her, Shen Lu was no longer afraid, but confident and firm.

“I’m leaving and won’t ever come back here. I wanted to say goodbye before I left.” Tan Xueying paused and suddenly smiled. “Can I hear you call me that one last time?”

Shen Lu was startled. “…Sister Xueying.” She then gave a relaxed smile.

Tan Xueying smiled too. “That still sounds better. I apologize for everything I did to you and Ye Qin in the past.”

“Actually, Ye Qin told me everything about you. It’s all in the past. We don’t care anymore,” Shen Lu said.

Tan Xueying reached out and stroked her head, just as she had in the past. “Little Shen Lu, it seems you’ve truly forgotten all about me.”

Shen Lu didn’t understand, looking at her with confusion.

“Well, it’s better not to remember. Just let the beautiful memory live in the past. My time is up. I have to go,” Tan Xueying said, looking down at her watch.

“Okay,” Shen Lu nodded, raising her hand to wave goodbye. She watched Tan Xueying’s retreating figure until it completely disappeared from sight.

…

Wang Lin met Yang Li in a university club. She fell in love with this quiet, slightly shy girl the moment she saw her.

Wang Lin had never been afraid to openly express her sexual orientation to her classmates, but after meeting Yang Li, she became extraordinarily cautious because she was afraid of scaring her away.

At that time, there were no laws regarding same-sex marriage, and social acceptance was lower. Wang Lin had to carefully approach her, starting as friends. After getting to know her, she learned that Yang Li was a girl from a village, had never been in a relationship, and was a blank slate—clean like a sheet of white paper. This made Wang Lin excited and even more determined to cherish her.

Yang Li was a very diligent girl. She would proactively clean up after every club event. Wang Lin would always use her position as the club president as an excuse to keep her behind, staying with her to do things unrelated to club activities.

The two gradually grew closer. Just as Wang Lin was about to take their relationship further, she discovered there was another competitor during that time: a male classmate of Yang Li’s.

When the boy learned that Yang Li and Wang Lin were close, he maliciously told Yang Li about Wang Lin’s orientation. Wang Lin was terrified. She avoided seeing her for those few days, even making excuses to leave if they accidentally ran into each other in the club. She didn’t know how to face her, how to explain her intentions for getting close to her. She was even more afraid… that Yang Li would hate her because of it.

To her surprise, Yang Li proactively asked her out. After much awkward hesitation, she confessed everything to Wang Lin: “Actually, I like… girls too, and the person I like is you.”

Wang Lin was overjoyed. She hugged her without a word. The two spent a long and unforgettable time together on campus, but in the end, they couldn’t escape the obstacle of societal norms.

Yang Li’s family was very traditional and couldn’t accept their daughter’s choice. They ruthlessly broke the couple up and introduced her to a prospective husband. What disappointed and saddened Wang Lin even more was that Yang Li made a choice, and it wasn’t her.

Wang Lin resented her for many years because of this.

When she saw her again, both were in their thirties and no longer the young students they once were. Yang Li had her own child and had become a mother. Wang Lin then learned that she had always been in Yang Li’s heart, and that her choice back then was only to repay her debt to her parents. Not long after that, she had left her home and never returned.

Wang Lin felt a sense of relief and confessed her true feelings to her, telling her that she, too, had never forgotten her all these years. She didn’t care that Yang Li had been married, and she didn’t care that she had a son. She only wanted to be with her, never to be separated again in this lifetime.

It must be admitted that Yang Li, after becoming a mother, was even more mature and charming, exuding factors that endlessly attracted Wang Lin, making her powerless to resist.

If ten years ago she was quiet and pure, now she was gentle, intellectual, and mature.

No matter which version of her, Wang Lin loved her desperately.

“When Lin’er grows up, we’ll travel the world and see all the scenery we haven’t seen yet.”

Yang Li leaned in her arms and smiled softly. “We’ll be old by then. Will we still be able to walk?”

“If you can’t walk, I’ll carry you,” Wang Lin said.

…

Instead of saying Shen Jing met Ye Xun through a game, it’s more accurate to say it was all Ye Xun’s deliberate approach. Ever since he learned that Shen Jing was Shen Lu’s younger brother and Shen Lu was Ye Qin’s assistant, Ye Xun began to contact Shen Jing frequently, consciously or unconsciously. On one hand, he was curious about his cousin he hadn’t seen for many years; on the other, he just thought it was fun, especially since Shen Jing would freeze up the moment he heard a cute girl’s voice.

So, Ye Xun decided to just play along with him.

He had never directly faced his own sexual orientation. For him, gender didn’t matter; what mattered was having a connection.

He remembered the first time he met Shen Jing in person. Ye Xun was in a playful mood and intentionally wore women’s clothing for the date, scaring Shen Jing out of his wits. Ye Xun burst into laughter at his reaction. He found teasing him quite entertaining and particularly loved seeing his flustered, red-faced look. Little did he know that he would gradually fall for him, too.

If the first time Shen Jing slept with him was out of coercion to clear a debt, the subsequent times… were his own willing descent.

He seemed to quite like the feeling, yet he deeply resented it, believing he shouldn’t be like this. He kept struggling and agonizing over it…

Ye Xun became entangled with him, and the two later haphazardly ended up together. Shen Jing was alarmed at how quickly he had fallen and felt a bit unable to adapt.

Who knew that on the night of his sister’s second wedding, while he and Ye Xun were passionately rolling around in bed, their mother walked in on them? The matter could no longer be kept secret.

Ye Xun was Ye Qin’s cousin, Ye Qin was his sister’s wife, and Ye Xun was with him. His mother said this was “adding even more relations.”

Shen Jing: ……

…

The morning after their second wedding on the small island city, Shen Lu and Ye Qin flew directly to Australia for their honeymoon, while Sister Wang and Yang Li chose nearby Malaysia.

The hotel they stayed at allowed them to get up close to koalas, Australia’s national treasure, the tree-dwelling marsupials. They often hung from the trees outside the balcony, visible right from the room. Shen Lu petted them quite a bit.

Of course, since it was a honeymoon, the thing the two did most often was that thing. They went shopping during the day, and at night, they would find ways to have passionate sex in various positions. Almost every night, both of them were so exhausted they fell asleep instantly, feeling as if their bodies had been emptied.

Shen Lu didn’t forget to frequently post photos to share their latest updates with their fans on Weibo. Besides beautiful scenery, she also posted pictures of the beautiful person, honestly admitting that Ye Qin was a great beauty, often making her so engrossed in looking at her that she forgot to look at the scenery.

Other than almost hitting a kangaroo that hopped across the road while driving in Australia, Shen Lu also accompanied Ye Qin to look at local houses. Simply because Shen Lu casually mentioned that the scenery in the suburbs of Australian cities was also very beautiful, Ye Qin insisted on buying a property there.

Shen Lu repeatedly told her not to, asking if buying a house abroad wasn’t a waste of money. But Ye Qin’s philosophy was different from hers: buying a house abroad meant they could often come and stay in the future, like having a second home.

They found an agent, viewed the house, settled on one, and paid the full amount in cash, totally extravagant. Just like that, on a honeymoon trip, they also bought a small villa.

Shen Lu spread her hands helplessly:  If my wife is going to be so extravagant, there’s nothing I can do. I can’t talk her out of it…

Regarding children, the two also discussed it: Shen Lu’s egg would be carried and delivered by Ye Qin, and Ye Qin’s egg would be carried by Shen Lu. This way, they could have two children and treat them both equally, and both could experience what it felt like to be a mother.

Of course, plans are always beautiful. After the two successfully did IVF in the US, Ye Qin had a miscarriage less than two months later. Due to years of dieting and controlling her figure, her physical condition was very poor, making her prone to habitual miscarriages. Only Shen Lu successfully became pregnant.

Because of the miscarriage, Ye Qin was even depressed for a short while.

Just then, Shen Lu patted her own belly and said, “I’m carrying your baby. What are you sad about?”

The one sentence made Ye Qin laugh.

The two then accepted it. After a month of rest following the miscarriage, Ye Qin quickly returned to work, announcing that she needed to start working hard to earn milk money for their upcoming child. Shen Lu felt a warmth in her heart when she heard this.

Because her pregnancy made it inconvenient, Ye Qin hired a new assistant. Of course, it wasn’t a woman, to put Shen Lu’s mind at ease.

They had video calls every night. Even when Ye Qin was filming late and was too tired to keep her eyes open, she would still talk to Shen Lu for a few minutes, look at her wife’s increasingly large belly, and fantasize about their soon-to-be-born child. Ye Qin felt utterly happy.

Grandma was actively exercising every day. She said it was for her great-grandchild who would soon be born. Every time she went for a hospital checkup, the results were very positive.

Not long ago, Shen Jing and Ye Xun also registered their marriage. The little rascal was finally an adult and had his own small family. Shen Lu, as the older sister, was very relieved and finally felt at ease.

After a difficult ten months of pregnancy, the baby in Shen Lu’s belly was finally born. It was a girl with big eyes. After discussing it together, Ye Qin and Shen Lu decided to name her Ye Ailu (叶爱鹿), hoping she would be as lively and cute as a little deer, and also to include the love of her two mothers for her.

Ailu, Ailu, grow up healthy and happy.

The first few months after Ailu was born were tough for Shen Lu. She had to wake up many times a night to feed the baby. Ye Qin knew how hard it was for her. Even when she worked very late, she would still come home to be with her. They hired several nannies to help out, lightening some of the burden on Shen Lu.

Fortunately, they got through it.

When Ailu turned three, Shen Lu was free. After dropping the child off at kindergarten every day, she could go to her newly opened shop, sit, read, and drink tea in a quiet, secluded spot.

Opening a bookstore had always been her dream. The shop was called Shuixin Bookstore (水心书屋), named after Ye Qin (the characters for “Water Heart” make up the character “Qin” – 沁, in a playful way), expressing her deep love for her. Every time this was mentioned, Ye Qin would deliberately tease her, making Shen Lu regret it ╭(╯^╰)╮.

“Mommy.”

Ailu’s clear little voice came from outside the shop door. She had fully inherited Ye Qin’s charm—the kind that melts hearts.

Shen Lu got up and walked to the door. Not far away, Ailu, returning from school, was holding the hand of a big brother.

“Lin’er, thank you again for picking up Ailu. I was just too busy to get away.”

“Auntie Shen, don’t mention it,” Lin’er said, then paused. “My mom said we’re having a dinner party tonight, and I was on my way anyway.”

Ailu looked up. “Ailu wants to go to the dinner party too.”

“Good, good. Of course, we’re taking you,” Shen Lu picked up the little darling. “Come on, let’s go see if your ‘Big Beauty Mommy’ is done working!”

Ailu actually gave Ye Qin that nickname herself. Because Shen Lu kept mentioning the words “Big Beauty” in front of her, the little one cleverly adopted the phrase.

But this was good, too. The child was young and could learn to distinguish between her two mothers, otherwise, it would have been quite a headache.