After Being Cheated, I Had a Flash Marriage with My Ex's Aunt - Chapter 28

Liang Xiaona had never been stingy with sweet talk. To her, these lines were like a well-rehearsed script she had performed a thousand times.

True to form, she looked deep into Su Tan’s eyes, her voice dripping with affection and a hint of something more. “It’s you, of course. You’re the person I love most, and you’re the most beautiful bride-to-be I’ve ever seen.”

Su Tan broke into a satisfied smile. “You always know exactly what to say to charm me.”

Hearing the answer she wanted, Su Tan’s mood soared. She loved seeing herself reflected in Xiaona’s eyes and truly believed her own charm was leagues above Li Sui’s. Li Sui only has that face to lure people in, she thought arrogantly. Otherwise, she’s utterly useless.

Following her impulses, Su Tan reached out, cupped the back of Xiaona’s head, and pulled her into a deep, eager kiss.

They stayed wrapped in each other for a long moment before slowly pulling away. Su Tan, slightly out of breath in Xiaona’s arms, blinked her long lashes. “Grandmother told me she’s going to announce something big later.”

“Mhm,” Xiaona hummed softly.

Su Tan gave a little giggle. “I remember my mother mentioning that when I get married, she’ll transfer fifteen percent of the company’s equity to me. Even my partner gets five percent. You’d better stay on your best behavior from now on.”

Xiaona thought to herself: Exactly as I suspected.

She shifted slightly, gazing at Su Tan’s flushed, pretty face. However, the image of Li Sui’s breathtaking entrance earlier kept flickering in her mind, making Su Tan feel suddenly dull by comparison.

If only the person I was holding was Li Sui…

Xiaona’s eyes flickered. She discreetly eased Su Tan away from her, her voice as gentle as ever. “How could I take that? You know I want to make it on my own merit.”

“Oh, stop.” Su Tan looked at her with bedroom eyes, teasingly testing her. “I know you’re ambitious, but we’re family now. Why keep things so separate? Grandmother is getting older; the company will be mine sooner or later. You’ll help me manage it, won’t you?”

Xiaona let out a low, smooth laugh. “I will. Trust me.”

Just give me a little time, Xiaona thought. She didn’t just want five percent. Eventually, the entire Su empire would be in the palm of her hand.

Just as everyone thought the ceremony was about to begin, the Su family butler announced a thirty-minute delay. A “distinguished guest” had yet to arrive.

The guests buzzed with curiosity. Who in Gan-Du could be considered so important that the Su family would hold up their own heiress’s engagement party?

Meanwhile, Li Sui and Shuyi had stepped away from the crowd to get some air on the balcony. Li Sui was perched on a sofa, deep in a video call with Mimi.

Mimi had met with Su Youlan and visited the matriarch in the hospital. The meeting had gone smoothly, without the hostility Mimi had feared. She had stood her ground, stating she wouldn’t be moving into the Su estate and would stay with her adoptive mothers—a condition the Sus had accepted.

But the real drama was the party itself. The Sus couldn’t cancel Su Tan’s engagement without causing a public relations nightmare and a stock market dip. The solution? The engagement would proceed, but it would be scaled back. The second half of the night was the “main event”: the matriarch intended to announce Mimi as the true Su heiress, effectively demoting Su Tan to an “adoptive daughter” before eventually shipping her off.

Mimi had been hesitant to attend until Li Sui told her the bombshell: Liang Xiaona, the “cheating trash,” was actually Shuyi’s niece.

Mimi had nearly slapped her thigh in excitement. The woman Xiaona left Li Sui for is a fake heiress? And tonight is the night she finds out? There was no way Mimi was missing this show.

Now, Mimi was in a private suite at the hotel, surrounded by top-tier stylists. She turned her phone around to show Li Sui the racks of designer gowns. “Look at these! Half of these brands I’ve never even heard of. My head is spinning.”

“You look stunning,” Li Sui cheered. “I can’t wait for your ‘grand reveal’ to shock everyone.”

“Sigh.” Mimi looked back at the camera as the stylist adjusted her hair. “I’m just glad you dumped Xiaona. If you were still with her and got caught up in this mess, think of how humiliating it would be.”

“Don’t I know it,” Li Sui said, her voice turning pensive. “In another life, I’d be the one crashing the stage to expose her…”

“What? You’re losing your nerve now?” Mimi teased.

Li Sui lowered her voice, a bit sheepish. “I’m not alone anymore. If the story came out that I was played for two years, I’d be fine, but I don’t want the Bai family’s name dragged through the mud because of me. I don’t want people whispering about Shuyi.”

Mimi sighed. “You really need to start looking out for yourself more.”

“I can’t help it,” Li Sui laughed.

They continued to chat until Li Sui burst into a loud, unrefined laugh at one of Mimi’s jokes. Suddenly, she felt a gaze on her. She looked up and locked eyes with Shuyi, who had walked over unnoticed.

Li Sui froze. Was I being too loud? Does she think I’m a mess?

“Ahem,” Mimi coughed over the video, sensing the shift. “Alright, you two. I see those ‘longing gazes’ even through the screen. I’m hanging up. See you in a bit.”

Li Sui’s face turned a fiery red. She quickly disconnected the call.

Shuyi watched her, a faint, almost invisible smile touching the corners of her mouth. She checked her watch and then looked at Li Sui with an expression of perfect composure. “The timing is right. Sui Sui, shall we go in?”

“Oh… okay.”

Li Sui stood up. Shuyi slowly offered her arm.

Li Sui didn’t hesitate. She stepped forward and naturally looped her hand through Shuyi’s. Together, they walked back into the ballroom.

As they entered, they ran into Bai Zhixue, who was standing with a glass of red wine, looking like the center of attention. She raked her gaze over the two of them—specifically their interlaced arms. “So that’s where you disappeared to. Hiding away to be ‘lovey-dovey’ without me? You two really are something.”

Shuyi glanced at Li Sui and smiled. “Second Sister, stop teasing us.”

“Hello, Second Sister,” Li Sui added with a smile.

Zhixue shook her car keys. “It’s getting stuffy in here. I think I’m gonna head out.”

“You might want to stay for another thirty minutes,” Shuyi said casually. “The real show is about to start.”

Zhixue arched an eyebrow. “What? Am I going to watch them make out?”

Shuyi: “…”

Li Sui stifled a giggle. She really is direct.

Zhixue laughed at Shuyi’s stunned expression. “Fine, fine. Since you’re both staying, I’ll stick around and see what this ‘show’ is all about.”

*****

The ceremony began. Li Sui and Shuyi sat in the audience, watching Su Tan and Liang Xiaona exchange rings to the cheers of the crowd.

Looking at the stage, Li Sui felt a brief, distant pang. She had once dreamed of this—a grand wedding with Xiaona, surrounded by family. But she realized now that was just “grasping at the moon’s reflection in the water.” It wasn’t real.

Shuyi seemed to sense her thoughts. She reached out and firmly grasped Li Sui’s hand. Her voice was low and steady. “Our wedding will be grander, more romantic, and filled with people who truly love us. I promise.”

Li Sui looked at her, moved by the sincerity in her eyes. The noise of the ballroom faded away until it felt like it was just the two of them.

“Okay,” Li Sui whispered with a goofy, happy grin.

The mood made Li Sui think of the wedding dresses she’d seen. “When you’re free,” she whispered into Shuyi’s ear, her voice soft, “let’s go for a final fitting. I want to get everything settled.”

Shuyi’s lips curved upward uncontrollably. “I’m free whenever you are.”

“Good. I’ll set a date.” Li Sui pulled back, trying to act normal again.

On stage, Liang Xiaona had been watching the exchange. Seeing the intimacy between Li Sui and Shuyi made her skin crawl. She felt a surge of resentment. Why is Li Sui with Shuyi? Is she really doing this out of spite because of me and Su Tan?

Xiaona was convinced that Li Sui’s heart was still hers and that this “marriage” was a weapon designed to hurt her. After all, Shuyi was known for being cold and isolated—why would she ever marry someone like Li Sui unless she was being manipulated?

Li Sui is just too beautiful, Xiaona thought bitterly. No one can resist her once they get close.

Beside her, Su Tan was oblivious to Xiaona’s inner turmoil. She was beaming as she spoke into the microphone about their “fated love” and their proposal.

When the ceremony finished, Su Tan noticed Xiaona’s distraction. She saw her gaze drifting toward Li Sui and felt a flash of irritation. That little social climber, she thought. She just won’t stop trying to get attention.

“Sweetheart,” Su Tan whispered, leaning her body heavily against Xiaona. She caught Li Sui’s eye and gave her a haughty, superior look. “Grandmother is about to speak. Are you ready?”

“I’m ready,” Xiaona said, her expression smoothing into its usual mask.

“Good.” Su Tan preened, looking like a victorious queen.

Li Sui caught the look. Tsk. She’s so proud of herself for winning a piece of trash I threw away. She wondered if Su Tan would still be smiling in ten minutes.

Suddenly, Li Sui felt a warm, firm hand cup her jaw. She was forced to turn her head away from the stage.

Shuyi’s voice was low and commanding. “Why are you looking at her? Look at me.”

Li Sui froze.

Li Sui was simply enjoying the spectacle of Su Tan’s downfall, so she was caught off guard by Shuyi’s sudden surge of possessiveness. Sensing the curious gazes of the surrounding guests, her heart fluttered nervously. She instinctively squeezed Shuyi’s hand, a small, slightly forced smile playing on her lips.

“Okay, okay,” she whispered. “I’ll listen to you. I’m only looking at you.”

Shuyi’s expression softened instantly, her voice dropping into a tender, low register. “Am I not good enough to look at?”

“You’re beautiful. Sister Shuyi, you’re the most beautiful person here.”

Feeling a bit exposed in such a public setting, Li Sui gently lowered Shuyi’s hand from her face. Desperate to change the subject, she pointed to the platter of seafood on the table. “That lobster looks amazing. Why don’t I peel some for you?”

“Don’t get your hands messy. I’ll do it.”

Shuyi stopped her with a gentle touch, then proceeded to methodically put on plastic gloves. She picked up a large, succulent lobster and began to shell it with practiced grace.

Li Sui hadn’t actually wanted her to do it; she was just trying to break the tension. Across the table, Bai Zhixue watched the exchange in silent shock. She knew her younger sister better than anyone—Shuyi had always been the “iceberg” of the family, distant even toward her own siblings and fiercely independent. To see her so attentive, so completely focused on Li Sui with such an aura of warmth, was nothing short of a miracle.

Did Sui Sui actually melt the glacier? Zhixue wondered. And did she manage to make flowers grow on it too?

Li Sui watched, mesmerized, as Shuyi’s nimble fingers expertly de-shelled the lobster, revealing the perfect, intact meat glistening with spicy oil and broth. Then, with a look of pure adoration, Shuyi held the morsel to Li Sui’s lips.

Li Sui dithered for a second before opening her mouth and taking the bite, chewing slowly under Shuyi’s satisfied gaze. To make things even more “scandalous,” Shuyi then reached out with a napkin to gently dab the corner of Li Sui’s mouth.

Li Sui: “…”

The weight of the surrounding stares was making her feel like she was going to spontaneously combust. This is a public banquet, for heaven’s sake!

Zhixue ducked her head to hide a smirk. Definitely melted. And she’s the one who did the melting.

****

On stage, Su Tan and Liang Xiaona had slipped away, likely to change into their traditional toasting outfits. The emcee took the stage, announcing a performance of “The Moon is Round, the Flowers are Fair” by a renowned guqin master.

Backstage, however, the atmosphere was far from festive. Su Tan had been summoned alone by the matriarch. Inside the private lounge, her world had just imploded.

Staring at the DNA report and the police files on the table, Su Tan’s mind was a chaotic storm. Not a Su? The daughter of a nanny’s sister? It sounded like a nightmare. If this got out, her status, her pride, and her friends would all vanish.

But the most bitter pill to swallow was the identity of the “True Heiress.” Looking at the photo of Li Mimi, Su Tan realized she recognized her—the “lapdog” friend who had been with Li Sui at the antique shop.

“So… it’s her?” Su Tan whispered, her heart racing.

The matriarch made it clear: Su Tan would be reclassified as an “adoptive daughter.” After the engagement, she was to go on a two-month honeymoon and then… disappear from the public eye.

“Grandmother,” Su Tan sobbed, tears streaming down her face. “Are you throwing me away?”

The matriarch paused at the door, let out a small sigh, and looked back with cold authority. “Compose yourself and come out. Do not forget your manners.”

Su Tan stood frozen. The grandmother who had once indulged her every whim was now a stranger. She felt a surge of pure, unadulterated resentment. Why should Li Mimi take everything?

****

Back in the ballroom, the guqin performance ended to thunderous applause. But the music didn’t restart. Instead, the Su matriarch took the stage, leading a young woman by the hand.

The room went quiet. Su Tan’s mother, sitting at the front, gasped. The girl on stage shared seven-tenths of the matriarch’s features—she looked exactly like Mrs. Su had in her youth. One look was all it took for her to know: That is my daughter.

“I have a joy to share with you all,” the matriarch’s voice rang out. “This is my newly found granddaughter, Su Mimi. The Su family will be holding an official ‘Welcome Home’ banquet for her next Saturday.”

The room erupted. A new granddaughter? What about Su Tan?

The matriarch didn’t stop there. She announced a massive 20% discount across all Su Group stores and a 100-million-yuan “red packet” giveaway to celebrate. The message was loud and clear: Li Mimi was the new priority.

As the matriarch led Mimi from table to table to introduce her to the city’s elite, the power shift was instantaneous. Business leaders scrambled to hand Mimi their cards, sensing where the future of the Su empire lay.

Liang Xiaona watched from the sidelines, her blood running cold. If Su Tan wasn’t the biological heiress, her own plans were in ruins. She looked at Su Tan, who had emerged from backstage looking pale and broken.

“What happened?” Xiaona whispered.

“Nana… will you stay with me?” Su Tan sobbed. “No matter who I am?”

“Of course,” Xiaona lied smoothly, pulling her close. “I’ll always be the person who loves you most.”

Across the room, Mimi caught Xiaona’s eye. She saw the flash of malice and fury in the other woman’s gaze and simply smiled—a high-level, enigmatic curve of the lips.

Surprise, surprise, Mimi thought. Wait until you realize you traded a diamond for a piece of glass, you cheating trash.

Li Sui watched the whole thing like she was at the cinema. Seeing the twisted expressions on Su Tan and Xiaona’s faces was the highlight of her year.

“Hee hee,” Li Sui whispered to Shuyi. “Look at their faces. I wish I could see this every day.”

“You’ll have plenty of chances,” Shuyi said. She checked her watch and leaned in, her voice dropping into that dangerous, magnetic tone again. “The rest of this is boring. Want to sneak out early?”

Li Sui remembered Shuyi’s promise to take her somewhere special. “Where are we going? Are you really not going to tell me?”

Shuyi looked at her, her eyes deep and intoxicating.

“Kiss me, and I’ll tell you.”

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