After Being Cheated, I Had a Flash Marriage with My Ex's Aunt - Chapter 39

This…

Hearing Shuyi’s words, Li Sui’s ears felt soft, and her heart couldn’t help but pound violently. So precise? Sister Shuyi remembers so clearly? Have we really been married this long?

Li Sui felt a bit sheepish and quickly explained, “I haven’t forgotten. I remember it was the morning of the 15th, at ten o’clock, right after I came back from Xiamen.”

Upon hearing this, Shuyi’s eyes filled with warmth, and she gave a soft, lingering “Mhm.”

“Oh my, look at that gaze.”

At that moment, Bai Zhilan noticed the way Shuyi and Li Sui were looking at each other. She marveled at the chemistry, snapping several photos from different angles, terrified of missing even a second of the moment.

Aware that Zhilan was capturing them, Li Sui tilted her head slightly toward Shuyi, a gentle smile gracing her lips. Shuyi, tightening her hold on Li Sui’s slender waist, met her gaze. Her heart overflowed with joy, and she couldn’t suppress the upward curve of her mouth.

The atmosphere between them was perfect, humming with an indefinable, sweet intimacy.

“These turned out wonderful,” Zhilan murmured, scrolling through her “masterpieces.” Zooming in on a photo, she suddenly realized something and found the perfect excuse to exit. “I’m far too old to be playing the third wheel here. I really shouldn’t.”

She needed to give them some space.

Zhilan immediately forwarded the photos to Shuyi and turned to Li Sui with a smile. “Sui Sui, I just remembered I have some things to handle. I’ll let Shuyi accompany you for the rest of the shopping. I’ll head back first.”

Shuyi couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. “Alright, Mom. Get home safely.”

“Goodbye, Mom,” Li Sui added, feeling a tiny spark of relief. She had been wanting to end the outing for a while, but with Zhilan showering her with so many gifts, it felt awkward to speak up. Now, she could finally think about going home. She just wanted to lie down comfortably and let her body relax.

After Shuyi settled the bill and arranged for the store to deliver their purchases, she turned to the quiet Li Sui beside her. “Do you want to keep looking around?”

Li Sui shook her head gently. “Let’s go home.”

Shuyi was of the same mind. They walked toward the exit in a comfortable silence. The mall was brightly lit and teeming with couples chatting and laughing; a pair as quiet as Shuyi and Li Sui was a rare sight.

As Shuyi’s gaze swept over the restaurant signs, she asked softly, “Have you eaten dinner?”

Li Sui and Zhilan had eaten before the auction, and they’d shared the small cakes in the car afterward. She guessed Shuyi hadn’t eaten yet.

“I am a little hungry,” Li Sui said, her voice turning affectionate. “Should we grab something before we head back?”

“Yes.” Shuyi noticed the couples around them walking close together. She reached out and took Li Sui’s hand firmly in hers. “Let’s find a place.”

They picked a spicy local restaurant at random, finished a simple meal, and finally headed home.

The moment they stepped through the door, Li Sui finally let out a long breath. She was the type of person who felt exhausted after any outing; nothing compared to the comfort of being home.

Shuyi’s phone rang as soon as they entered, and she stepped out onto the balcony to take it. Sister Shuyi is so busy, Li Sui thought. Not wanting to disturb her, she headed upstairs to draw a bath.

Later, having finished her bath and wearing a face mask, Li Sui stepped out of her bedroom to check on the cats, only to find Shuyi standing hesitantly near her door. Shuyi looked up as the door opened, her expression shifting as if she were searching for the right words.

“Sister Shuyi?” Li Sui realized she was waiting for her. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Will you blame me?” Shuyi’s face was full of apology, her tone solemn. “I’ve cleared up everything that happened at the auction. Mom told me everything. I’m so sorry you were mistreated.”

“It’s not your fault,” Li Sui said with a smile. “I’ve already moved past it. Let them say what they want.”

Then, wanting to test the waters, she lowered her head and acted slightly dejected. “I just… I heard them placing bets. They said our marriage wouldn’t last three years.”

“That’s nonsense,” Shuyi’s brow furrowed instantly. Her upbringing prevented her from swearing, but her voice left no doubt about her resolve. “Sui Sui, I would never divorce you. Don’t let those words get to you.”

Li Sui’s eyes brightened. “Really?”

It wasn’t the first time she’d heard Shuyi say she wouldn’t divorce her, but every time she heard it in person, a secret joy blossomed in her heart.

“I won’t divorce you either,” Li Sui said, nodding firmly. Then she chuckled. “Mom said she’d handle it. I used that recording device you gave me to keep all the evidence. I’m not that easy to bully.”

“That’s my girl,” Shuyi said, relieved. She shared the latest update: “The Wu family and the others have been calling me, trying to set up an apology banquet. I don’t think we need to give them a chance. We’ll handle it strictly through official channels.”

Li Sui nodded. “I’ll follow your lead on that.”

Shuyi’s tense expression relaxed. She carefully pulled an exquisite gift box from her side and handed it to Li Sui. “I wasn’t at the auction, but I had Secretary Li send someone. When I saw this necklace, I immediately thought of you.”

What necklace? Li Sui opened the box, her eyes widening in shock.

“This is…” Li Sui tried to keep a straight face, but her smile broke through. “I was so disappointed! I fell in love with this at the auction today and bid on it a few times, but someone else won it. So it was you who bought it?”

“Yes. I wanted you to have it,” Shuyi said, her voice full of suppressed anticipation. “Wear it for me when we take our wedding photos, okay?”

“Okay,” Li Sui whispered, her heart soaring. “Thank you, Sister Shuyi.”

Shuyi cleared her throat softly. She didn’t like Li Sui being so formal with her; it felt distant. She wanted to be closer, maybe even have Li Sui act a little spoiled with her.

“Sui Sui,” Shuyi’s gaze darkened slightly as she asked softly, “Don’t you think we’re being a bit too… polite with each other?”

“Mhm?” Li Sui caught her meaning instantly. “A little, maybe.” She blinked her large eyes shyly. “Then… do you want to sleep together tonight?”

Shuyi’s breath hitched. Li Sui’s voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of a sweet, shy invitation that made Shuyi’s resolve waver.

“That’s not exactly what I meant,” Shuyi said, though she couldn’t deny the thought had crossed her mind. She explained slowly, “I mean that we have a lot of time. Those things… we can take them slow. We don’t have to do everything in one night. I want it to be a mutual joy.”

A mutual joy. Something done with a loved one—romantic, sweet, and intimate, not just a task to be completed.

Li Sui’s heart skipped a beat. She’d heard Mimi talk about such things, but hearing it from Shuyi made her feel respected and truly cherished. A deep sweetness began to grow in her heart. Sister Shuyi is so wonderful.

“Sui Sui,” Shuyi said, taking her hand. “I want to take our wedding photos as soon as possible. And I want us to decorate this house together.” She wanted the house to be a reflection of them both—wedding photos, couple’s outfits, matching mugs and toothbrushes. A home where every glance reminded them of the other.

Li Sui’s thoughts mirrored her own. “Let’s do it soon then,” she agreed with a smile. Then she sighed softly. “But the custom main wedding dress isn’t ready yet.”

“That’s okay,” Shuyi said, hating the disappointment in her voice. “The main dress isn’t ready, but we picked out a dozen other outfits for the shoot. We can start with those.”

“The day after tomorrow, then,” Li Sui smiled sweetly. “Tomorrow I need to go to the studio to arrange things.”

Shuyi pinched her cheek affectionately. “Deal.” This was exactly what she wanted. She could spend tonight finalizing the locations and poses so they could get straight to it.

Shuyi then remembered something important. “By the way, we caught the person who sent those photos. It was a hacker who takes jobs on anonymous sites. They were paid to do it.”

Li Sui sat up straight, her face indignant. “Who was it? Who paid them? Was it Liang Xiaona?”

“Not her,” Shuyi shook her head. “We’re still investigating. It seems the target wasn’t you, but Xiaona herself. There’s a lot of dirt on her surfacing lately, though Liang Jun is paying to suppress it. We’ll find the source soon.”

“Okay,” Li Sui said. She wanted this resolved so she could have some peace of mind.

She was about to say more when she felt a sudden, violent lurch. The world began to spin, and the chandelier above began to sway wildly.

What’s happening? Why am I so dizzy?

Shuyi’s face went pale with gravity. The windows and doors were rattling, and objects began to fall from the shelves.

Before Li Sui could process it, Shuyi grabbed her hand in a vice grip. “It’s an earthquake! We have to go!”

“An earthquake?” Li Sui’s voice trembled with terror. She gripped Shuyi’s hand tightly as they dashed for the stairs.

As they reached the living room, Li Sui screamed for her cats: “Dudu! Dundun!”

The two cats darted out from the foyer, meowing frantically. Li Sui lunged and snatched up the blue cat, Dudu, while Shuyi grabbed Dundun. With the cats in their arms, they sprinted out the front door.

Li Sui’s heart was racing in her chest. Only when they reached the safety of the open ground did she finally start to calm down.

Li Sui had never experienced a real earthquake before. Her only exposure had been the drills she’d practiced back in school, so she knew the basic safety measures.

“It’s okay,” Shuyi said, her eyes fixed on Li Sui’s face. “Don’t be afraid.”

They weren’t alone; other neighbors from the luxury villas had also scrambled outside in various states of panic. Some were even more disheveled than they were—wrapped only in overcoats, barefoot, faces etched with terror. Everyone stood in small groups, looking at each other in shock.

Only then did the violent shaking finally subside.

Is it over? Was that really an earthquake?

Li Sui’s body shook uncontrollably. Noticing the lingering fear on everyone’s faces, she leaned toward Shuyi and whispered, “Sister Shuyi, is it over?”

“Let me check.” Shuyi cradled the cat with one arm while pulling her phone out with the other.

A news alert flashed across the screen:

China Earthquake Networks Center: A magnitude 4.7 earthquake occurred today at 21:09 in Yulin County, Lin’an City, with a focal depth of 12 kilometers. Aftershocks affected five neighboring cities. Netizens in Xiamen and Gan-Du reported strong tremors.

Li Sui leaned in to read the screen and let out a sharp breath. 4.7? That was terrifying! For someone who had never felt the earth move like that, the experience was bone-chilling.

She felt a wave of lingering fear mixed with relief. She instinctively stroked the terrified blue cat in her arms and gave Shuyi a shaky smile. “Sister Shuyi, thank god we’re okay.”

Shuyi looked at her, her eyes rimmed with red. “We’re okay. We’re safe now.” She pulled Li Sui into a tight embrace, whispering into her ear, “We are all safe and sound.”

“Mhm.” Li Sui smiled, even as tears she couldn’t control began to fall.

Eventually, the aftershocks ceased, and silence returned to the night. While the epicenter in Yulin County was dealing with the immediate aftermath, news reports confirmed no casualties had been reported yet.

Tags like #Yulin4.7Earthquake and #GanDuAftershocks dominated the top five trending topics. Once they were sure the danger had passed, Li Sui and Shuyi returned home. The furniture was a mess, but the structure was sound—Shuyi’s bedroom, fortunately, was untouched.

Li Sui spent a long time calming the cats with wet food. Late that night, still feeling uneasy, she grabbed her pillow and moved into Shuyi’s room.

As they lay there, Li Sui wondered if Yulin would need rescue teams. She planned to check the news in the morning; if she couldn’t go in person, she wanted to at least donate supplies. Shuyi nodded, promising to handle the arrangements. “Don’t worry for now,” Shuyi whispered tenderly. “Just sleep.”

Li Sui tried to close her eyes, but her heart was still racing. What if another aftershock hit while she was asleep? She felt so small in the face of nature’s power. She felt cowardly, afraid of death. She wished she had even a fraction of Shuyi’s cool-headedness.

But as she lay there, the warmth of Shuyi’s body and the familiar scent of her room began to soothe her mind. Soon, her breathing turned slow and even.

Shuyi, however, had no intention of sleeping. She listened to Li Sui’s soft breathing, a look of profound relief on her face. Li Sui didn’t know that Shuyi had been just as terrified. The experience had brought back memories of ten years ago—memories of another brush with death.

She remembered a night of torrential rain, a stalled car, and being trapped on a pitch-black mountain road with her aunt. Her aunt had been burning with a high fever, and every passing minute felt like a death sentence. In that moment of absolute despair, a young girl had appeared like a miracle and led them out of the darkness.

Ten years.

Shuyi tightened her hold on the girl in her arms. She had searched for her for a decade. Now that she finally had her, she would never let her go. She would protect her from every danger the world could throw at them. Sui Sui was the “moon in the sky” to her—her salvation and her faith.

The Meeting

Ever since Liang Xiaona had dumped her, Cao Ying had been miserable. Xiaona had been her first real partner—beautiful, high-status, and wealthy. Cao Ying couldn’t accept being discarded so easily. She had tried to get back with her, only to stumble upon Xiaona’s secrets.

She realized Xiaona hadn’t just broken up with her for no reason—she was a serial cheater! Xiaona had been playing three women at once: Li Sui, the devoted college sweetheart; Su Tan, the wealthy heiress; and herself.

Cao Ying had watched from the shadows as Li Sui caught Xiaona kissing Su Tan at the airport. She had admired the way Li Sui had cut ties instantly. But what came next had left her floored.

Li Sui is with Shuyi, Xiaona’s aunt? Brilliant.

Cao Ying had to admit, Li Sui’s “revenge” was legendary. By marrying Shuyi, Li Sui had effectively become Xiaona’s superior in the family hierarchy.

As for Xiaona and Su Tan, Cao Ying had photographed every intimate moment between them as insurance. She had even intentionally crossed paths with a drunken Su Tan at the bar to make Xiaona nervous. It had worked—Xiaona had paid her a million-yuan “hush fee” without a fight.

But then, the tide turned. Su Tan was a fake heiress. Xiaona had fled the country for a “honeymoon” with no return date in sight. Seeing Xiaona living comfortably abroad while she felt used and abandoned made Cao Ying’s blood boil. She had been sincere in her feelings, only to be treated like a toy.

She decided that someone who plays with hearts should pay the price. After Xiaona ignored her calls and sent threatening texts, Cao Ying tracked down Li Sui’s studio.

As Li Sui stepped out of the elevator at Whale Studio and walked toward her car, she noticed a tall, sultry woman staring at her. Her intuition told her the woman was there for her.

“Li Sui,” Cao Ying said, getting straight to the point. “I know who you are. My name is Cao Ying. When Liang Xiaona was with you, she was also with me.”

“????”

Li Sui’s pupils contracted. She understood immediately. Another mistress? She’d thought Su Tan was the only one. It seemed Xiaona’s betrayal went deeper than she’d ever imagined.

“What do you want, Ms. Cao?” Li Sui asked, forcing herself to remain calm.

Cao Ying looked around warily. “This isn’t the place to talk.”

Li Sui raised an eyebrow and pointed to her car. “Fine. Let’s talk inside.”

A minute later, they were sitting in the backseat in a heavy, eerie silence. Two of Liang Xiaona’s exes, former rivals, now sitting together. It felt like a plot point from one of her own manga.

“Cough.” Li Sui cleared her throat, her hand instinctively touching the “hair clip” recorder on her head. “You can speak now.”

“I was the one who sent those photos,” Cao Ying confessed, her smile stiff with apology. “I’m sorry. I know it was wrong. My target wasn’t you—it was her. I want to see her pay.”

The information was overwhelming. “And why are you here today?” Li Sui asked.

Cao Ying pulled out her phone and sent a massive file to Li Sui’s email. “Everything I’ve gathered. She cheated multiple times, playing all three of us. I want you to help me take her down. I want her reputation destroyed.”

Li Sui scanned the email. Her jaw nearly dropped. She had no idea Xiaona could be this… filthy.

She closed her phone, her heart hammering. Was Cao Ying’s appearance a coincidence? Why now? “Liang Xiaona’s character is indeed terrible,” Li Sui said tiredly. “I’ll look into this. If it’s true, I won’t let her get away with it.”

Cao Ying grew frustrated. “The evidence is right in front of you! What are you hesitating for? Don’t tell me you still care about her?”

Knock, knock, knock!

A sharp rapping on the car window made them both jump. A figure stood outside, partially obscured by the glare on the glass.

Li Sui’s heart leapt into her throat. Her phone lit up with a call from: Sister Shuyi.

Shuyi was standing outside the car, her voice sounding tense through the glass. “Sui Sui? It’s me. Open the door.”

Li Sui panicked. She needed to get Cao Ying out of there immediately. “We’ll talk later! Get out, now!”

Cao Ying was practically shoved out of the car. She looked at Li Sui’s frantic expression with confusion. “What? Are you afraid she’ll think we’re doing something in here?”

Yes, Li Sui thought, her heart trembling. She wasn’t afraid of a misunderstanding—she just didn’t know how on earth she was going to explain why she was meeting with another one of Xiaona’s exes.

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