After Being Cheated, I Had a Flash Marriage with My Ex's Aunt - Chapter 37

Li Sui hadn’t noticed anything unusual about Shuyi yet. She glanced at her watch and realized it was almost 10:30 AM—nearly time for their appointment.

She nudged Shuyi’s arm and urged her with a playful pout, “We can’t dawdle anymore, or it’ll be rude to keep Master waiting.”

Shuyi couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle. Right. Terrible timing.

Li Sui led Shuyi up to the third floor and stopped in front of Room 305. Shuyi suddenly checked her phone. “Wait a second, the things I ordered are almost here.”

Li Sui was puzzled. “What did you buy?”

“Hairy crabs,” Shuyi said with a straight face.

Li Sui was speechless. She had mentioned them in passing last night, and Shuyi had taken it to heart. She was clearly determined to make a good impression on the Master.

A few moments later, a delivery man hauled two massive crates of hairy crabs up the stairs. Li Sui stared in disbelief. Two whole crates? That was way too much. Her Master had a temper—what if she refused to accept them?

Li Sui thought for a moment, pulled a cat treat stick from her pocket, and pressed it into Shuyi’s hand.

“What’s this for?” Shuyi asked, confused.

Li Sui gave her a cryptic shake of the head. “You’ll see in a minute.”

With that, Li Sui used her fingerprint to unlock the door and swung it open.

“Master! Mistress!”

Li Sui’s loud voice filled the apartment as she called out toward the living room. Shuyi followed her in, taking in the surroundings. It was a standard faculty apartment—bright, south-facing, and flooded with light. But the most striking feature was the books. Shelves lined every wall, making the place feel less like a home and more like an old, tucked-away bookstore.

As they were switching into slippers, a powerful, resonant voice rang out:

“Stop shouting! If you keep it up, they’ll hear you all the way at the sports field.”

Old Lady Xiao stepped out from the balcony, wearing her reading glasses. Trailing behind her was a large, fluffy black cat that looked like it had just been startled.

“Master, it’s been a while,” Li Sui said politely, setting her things down. “Oh, where’s Mistress?”

Old Lady Xiao adjusted her glasses. “She’s away on a business trip. Won’t be back for a few days.”

“I see.” Shuyi nodded respectfully. “Hello, Master.”

Li Sui grinned and knelt down, pulling out the cat treat. “Hey there, Ah Hua! Long time no see. Your big sister is back. Want a snack?”

Shuyi watched Li Sui and finally understood the purpose of the treat. She quickly knelt beside her, tore the packaging open, and began feeding the black cat. Old Lady Xiao watched them, sighing as her cat—usually a prideful creature—immediately flopped over to show its belly to the strangers.

It had been a while since Old Lady Xiao had seen Li Sui. She noticed a change—the girl looked more beautiful, more vibrant, and she smiled much more often.

The Master walked over to the dining table and set out two cups and a teapot. “Stop fussing over Ah Hua,” she said calmly. “You’ve come a long way. Have some tea.”

“Master,” Li Sui stood up and pulled Shuyi forward. “This is Bai Shuyi, the person I told you about. Our marriage was a bit… sudden, but we realized we were right for each other. I wanted to bring her to meet you today.”

Shuyi bowed politely and handed over her gift. “Hello, Master. My name is Bai Shuyi. I’m a lawyer.”

Shuyi took a moment to observe the woman. She was older than she had imagined, but she radiated the unique grace of a true intellectual. Her eyes were sharp and full of life.

Old Lady Xiao looked Shuyi up and down with unexpected intensity. “Oh,” she said slowly. “So you’re that ‘Wan Pigeon’ is always bragging about? Her prize pupil?”

“?” Li Sui froze at the name “Wan Pigeon.”

“Wan Pigeon” was the nickname for the head of the Gan-Du Intermediate Court’s favorite protégé. Her Master wasn’t exactly a social butterfly, and the few friends she had often came with complications—like the sister of one friend who was constantly at odds with her. That sister was “Wan Pigeon.”

So Shuyi is Wan Pigeon’s student? Li Sui realized with a start. It seemed the circles of the elite were smaller than she thought.

Old Lady Xiao took the business card, her tone softening slightly. “Can you cook?”

“I can,” Shuyi replied with a faint smile, glancing at Li Sui. “I’m not sure what your preferences are, but I can make most local Gan-Du dishes.”

“Right, right!” Li Sui remembered the crates. “I know you love crabs, so we brought some famous hairy crabs from Poyang Lake. I was hoping to show off my skills this afternoon.”

“You stay right where you are,” Old Lady Xiao grumbled, her face scrunching up. “Have you forgotten your own cooking? Even Ah Hua refuses to eat it.”

Li Sui rubbed her nose. “…”

“I know a great way to prepare hairy crabs,” Shuyi intervened. She quickly shed her trench coat, draped it over a chair, and headed for the kitchen. “I’ll get started.”

“I’ll help!” Li Sui started to follow.

Shuyi waved her off. “No need. You haven’t seen your Master in ages. Stay and chat with her.”

Before Shuyi reached the kitchen, a slightly plump, middle-aged woman with a kind, round face walked out, clutching a bundle of celery.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, young lady!” Auntie Gu chirped. She was the live-in housekeeper who had looked after the Master for thirty years. “The Master would never let a guest cook on their first visit. She was just teasing you.”

Old Lady Xiao didn’t even look toward the kitchen; she simply clasped her hands behind her back and walked toward the balcony.

“Sister Shuyi,” Li Sui whispered, pulling Shuyi aside. “Auntie Gu’s cooking is legendary. We’re in for a treat.”

“Are you sure I shouldn’t help?” Shuyi asked.

Before Li Sui could answer, the Master’s voice drifted in from the balcony. “Do you play Go?”

Shuyi looked at Li Sui, then quickly responded, “I do.”

Li Sui grinned and nudged Shuyi toward the balcony. “Yes! Master loves Go. Since you know how to play, you can let her give you some pointers. Go on, go!”

Her Master had become obsessed with Go over the last two years, defeating most of the professors at the Academy. Li Sui’s only regret was that she could never quite grasp the game herself.

Two minutes later, Shuyi and Old Lady Xiao were seated formally at a weathered, yellowed Go board on the balcony. The afternoon sun was warm and lazy. Li Sui sat nearby, cradling Ah Hua the cat, watching them play. At first, she could follow the moves, but within minutes, the board became a confusing mess of black and white stones. To her, Go might as well be rocket science—she much preferred Gomoku.

Lunch was a delightful affair, and afterward, the two women returned to their unfinished game. Bored and not wanting to disturb them, Li Sui slipped into her Master’s study to practice her calligraphy.

She lost track of time until she looked up to see Shuyi leaning against the doorframe, a bright smile on her face.

“Is the game over?” Li Sui asked, stretching her neck to peek into the living room.

Shuyi nodded. “Mhm. Your Master is very skilled.”

Did she lose? Li Sui wondered. She knew her Master was a formidable player and worried Shuyi might be upset. “It’s okay, Sister Shuyi,” she said soothingly. “Most professors can’t even last thirty minutes against her. You did great just keeping up.”

After all, they had been at it for over three hours.

Shuyi just smiled. “I have to stop by the courthouse later. Do you want to stay here or come back with me?”

“I’ll go back,” Li Sui said, tidying up her brushes. “I have the auction with Mom tonight, remember?”

“I’ll drop you off then,” Shuyi said. “My mom will pick you up later. If you see anything you like at the auction, just bid on it. Don’t worry about the price.”

Li Sui laughed. “I know, I know. Stop talking like a tycoon.”

She went to say goodbye to her Master, only to find a shocking scene. Old Lady Xiao looked as if she had aged ten years in a single afternoon. She was slumped over the Go board, muttering to herself as she frantically reviewed the moves, her expression a mix of urgency and regret.

“Master? Are you okay?” Li Sui asked, concerned.

“Ask your wife,” Old Lady Xiao grunted, looking up with a huff. She glared at Shuyi, her voice full of mock-irritation. “And don’t bother coming back for a while. Seeing you just ruins my mood.”

Li Sui was baffled as they headed downstairs. She looked at Shuyi in disbelief. “Did you… did you actually beat my Master?”

Shuyi nodded modestly. “It was close. I won by two and a half points.”

Li Sui gasped, then a slow grin spread across her face. “Sister Shuyi, you’re amazing!” In her mind, her Master was an unbeatable pro. To hear that Shuyi had beaten her—and sent her into a mid-life crisis—was a first for the old campus.

Shuyi glanced at her. “Do you want to learn, Sui Sui?”

Li Sui shook her head. “No thanks. Master tried to teach me, but it felt like trying to solve an advanced physics equation. I decided I’d rather spend my time on things that actually make me happy.”

“True,” Shuyi said, her expression turning uncharacteristically serious. “Happiness should always come first. Go is a very dry, dull sport.”

Li Sui blinked. There was something in Shuyi’s tone—a weight, as if she were a weary elder looking back on a long, difficult journey. It made Li Sui think of “Luo Zi Wu Hui,” the person she’d been searching for. She wondered if Shuyi had ever heard of that name.

But before she could ask, the elevator opened to a crowd of people, and the conversation was cut short.

After Shuyi dropped Li Sui off at home and headed to the office, the villa was far from empty. Secretary Li had found a candidate for the housekeeper position, and today was the interview.

Li Sui reviewed the candidate’s profile—a fifty-year-old woman with a stellar rating from the domestic service agency and glowing reviews from previous employers. After a brief chat, Li Sui was impressed by her efficiency and pleasant demeanor. She hired her on the spot, with the job set to start the next day.

Once that was settled, Li Sui began to prepare for the evening. She was genuinely looking forward to the private auction with Bai Zhilan.

Sifting through Weibo, she noticed that the topics surrounding “Su Tan” were finally losing steam, replaced by celebrity tax evasion scandals and starlet catfights. Though the recorded evidence of her conversation with Liang Xiaona was ready, Qiao Zui had advised her to wait. Xiaona had been sent abroad by the Su family under the guise of a “honeymoon” to avoid the fallout; it was unlikely she’d return for at least two years.

However, Li Sui had a hunch that Xiaona wouldn’t stay quiet forever. Moreover, she still didn’t know who had leaked those doctored “intimate” photos of her and Xiaona. Whoever was behind it clearly had a grudge.

Should I draw the snake out of its hole? Li Sui wondered, idly waving a cat teaser for her cats. She considered taking action herself rather than waiting for Qiao Zui.

At 4:00 PM, Bai Zhilan arrived in a private car to pick her up. Along the way, Zhilan chatted warmly, telling Li Sui that if she enjoyed these events, she could take her to Qipao salons, galas, and charity balls whenever she liked. Li Sui smiled and agreed, though she secretly preferred staying home and drawing.

When they entered the venue, Li Sui immediately noticed the difference between a private auction and a formal one. This was an invitation-only affair for the elite circle. There was no professional appraisal process; many items were personal collections, ranging from high-quality antiques to… questionable pieces.

Even fakes were mixed in.

Knowing this was Li Sui’s first time, Zhilan patted her hand affectionately. “Sui Sui, if you see anything you like, just bid. Don’t worry about the price; our family can afford whatever the heart desires.”

Li Sui finally understood what “backing” felt like. Between Shuyi and Zhilan constantly reminding her they were the wealthiest family in Gan-Du, she could only laugh softly. “I understand, Mom,” she said, leaning into Zhilan’s arm.

As soon as Bai Zhilan appeared, the room recognized her. Heads turned, and eyes lingered on the stunning girl by her side. Rumors of the Bai family’s third daughter marrying a “commoner” orphan had been circulating for months, but seeing Li Sui in person changed the narrative.

Wearing a simple, sky-blue Qipao with minimal makeup, Li Sui looked elegant and noble. She didn’t look like a “commoner” at all. The whispers shifted from pity to awe as guests realized that rumors often fail to capture the truth.

As people swarmed to flatter Zhilan, she introduced Li Sui as a member of the Bai family, asking everyone to look after her. Li Sui stood her ground with poise, her polite smiles making it impossible for anyone to find fault.

*****

The auction began at 6:30 PM. Being guests of honor, they were seated in the front row. The first few items were jewelry and gemstones, which didn’t interest Li Sui much. She was more curious about a Tang Dynasty scroll she’d seen in the catalog—it looked like a fragment, which usually meant it had a significant history.

“See anything you like?” Zhilan whispered.

“Not yet. Do you have your eye on something, Mom?”

“Oh, I have everything I need,” Zhilan smiled, squeezing her hand. “I’m just here to keep you company.”

Li Sui was deeply moved. Since her marriage, she had received nothing but kindness. She’d worried her humble background would lead to judgment, but Zhilan had treated her like her own, even arranging for family doctors to check on her grandmother.

Eventually, a scroll titled Leisurely Landscape was brought out, causing a stir. It was a minimalist ink sketch of a rural sunset—an old man with a hoe walking through fields. The simplicity of the lines gave it a profound, rustic charm.

Li Sui scrutinized it, her eyes flashing with suspicion. To her trained eye, something felt off. She felt like she had seen this exact composition somewhere before.

“The starting bid is 100,000 yuan!” the auctioneer announced.

The bidding escalated quickly. 250,000… 550,000… 800,000…

Seeing Li Sui’s interest in the catalog, Zhilan raised her paddle. “One million!”

Li Sui was startled. “Mom, do you like this painting?”

“It’s quite nice,” Zhilan nodded. “I thought I’d buy it as a gift for you.”

Li Sui leaned in close, tugging at Zhilan’s sleeve. “Mom, there’s something wrong with it,” she whispered.

“What?” Zhilan looked at her with surprise.

“Shh,” Li Sui shook her head. She knew the “water” in these private auctions was deep. Most sellers didn’t guarantee authenticity. She was certain this wasn’t a genuine piece—it wasn’t even a high-quality imitation. It was a flat-out fake.

Zhilan, knowing Li Sui had studied under Old Lady Xiao, immediately lowered her paddle.

However, they didn’t realize that a group of women in the row behind them had overheard the word “fake.” One woman stared at the back of Li Sui’s head with a sneer. Who does she think she is, questioning this auction?

The scroll eventually sold for 1.7 million yuan to a wealthy socialite. Li Sui sighed inwardly. Another victim of a scam.

******

When the auction ended, Li Sui and Zhilan hadn’t purchased anything. Li Sui had almost bid on a ruby necklace for Shuyi, but the price had been driven up far beyond its worth by a woman who refused to back down. Zhilan had been ready to outbid her, but Li Sui stopped her. She knew a better auction was coming up at the Antique City soon where she could find something truly special for her wife.

To the onlookers, the Bai family’s lack of purchases was baffling. Did the richest family in Gan-Du just come here to show their faces? Is the collection too beneath them?

“I’m going to touch up my makeup,” Zhilan said as they walked out to the lobby. “Sui Sui, why don’t you wait for me at the dessert station? The cakes there are from our bakery—new recipes, very delicious.”

“Okay, Mom!” Li Sui loved sweets.

As she walked toward the buffet, she pulled out her phone and sent a message to a high-level group chat: [Gan-Du Auction Association Main Group].

Li Sui: [Auction Catalog Image]

Li Sui: Someone is auctioning fakes as originals at this private event.

Li Sui: @President Liu @Manager Zhan, please follow up and investigate.

Just as she reached the desserts, she heard her name mentioned by a group of women nearby.

“What was her name? Sui something?”

“I heard she’s an orphan. Who knows how she seduced the third Bai daughter.”

“Such a terrible background… talk about a carp jumping over the dragon’s gate.”

“She only has that face. A marriage like that won’t last three years.”

Li Sui paused. The world is really full of busybodies.

With a calm, practiced movement, she reached up and clicked the “hair clip” Shuyi had given her. The recording began.

She stood there, listening to them place bets on when she’d get divorced and calling her a gold-digger. She wasn’t in a hurry. Once she had enough recorded, she rolled up her sleeves and prepared to walk over to confront them.

“I say, we should invite her out one day and really show her—” the tallest woman began.

SLAP!

Before the woman could finish, another woman appeared out of nowhere and delivered a stinging blow to her face. The sound was sharp and echoed through the hall.

The other women froze in shock.

Li Sui was equally stunned. I was going to do that myself… who beat me to it?

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