After Being Cheated, I Had a Flash Marriage with My Ex's Aunt - Chapter 5

Before Li Sui could even process how to respond to Shuyi’s proposal, a sudden crack of thunder shook the air.

The sky transformed in an instant. Heavy raindrops began to pelt the ground with a rhythmic patter, sending the surrounding crowds scurrying for cover. As the rain intensified, droplets splashed against Li Sui’s face. She instinctively pointed toward the eaves of the ticket booth. “This rain came out of nowhere! Let’s go take cover!”

“It’s fine, I have an umbrella.”

With practiced ease, Shuyi pulled a blue folding umbrella from her bag, snapped it open, and naturally tilted it over Li Sui’s head. It all happened in a heartbeat; by the time Li Sui realized what was happening, she was already standing under the canopy.

The space beneath the umbrella was small.

They stood in a cautious proximity, so close that the slightest movement from either of them would result in a touch. Li Sui wasn’t used to being enveloped by Shuyi’s presence like this. Her heart began to drum an erratic beat, and her first instinct was to suggest they run for it.

But Shuyi’s voice cut through her hesitation. “The car is parked by the road. It’s only a two-minute walk.”

Li Sui offered a strained smile. “Okay… thank you.”

At 164cm, Li Sui wasn’t short by Southern standards, but standing next to Shuyi, the height difference was stark. Shuyi was easily 173cm or taller. To accommodate her, Shuyi walked with slow, deliberate steps, keeping their pace synchronized.

When they reached the parking lot, Shuyi opened the passenger door first. “Get in.”

As Li Sui slid into the seat, she caught sight of Shuyi’s right shoulder. It was soaked through with rain. Her lashes fluttered. She kept the umbrella over me the whole time. It was a subtle gesture, but it left a complex, warm feeling in her chest.

Once Shuyi was in the driver’s seat, she handed Li Sui a clean towel. “Dry yourself off.”

“I’m fine,” Li Sui said, feeling a bit guilty. “But your clothes are wet.”

“It’s nothing,” Shuyi replied with a small smile.

The rain showed no signs of letting up. Shuyi punched an address for a barbecue restaurant into the GPS, and they set off. The restaurant was buzzing and full when they arrived, but the hostess greeted them warmly and led them to a private booth.

Since this was Li Sui’s treat, she insisted Shuyi do the ordering.

“Alright, I won’t be formal then,” Shuyi said, scanning the QR code on the table.

While they waited for the food, Li Sui checked her phone. As usual, Mimi’s messages were the loudest.

Mimi: I’ve been talking to a top-tier hacker.

Mimi: I want to see exactly what kind of ‘rich person’ that cheating bastard fell for.

Mimi: Whatever you do, don’t you dare go back to her!

Li Sui’s eyelid twitched. She could practically see Mimi gnashing her teeth on her behalf. Go back? She wasn’t that desperate. She sent a quick text to reassure her friend.

Mimi’s reply made her lean between a laugh and a sigh:

Mimi: The fastest way to get over a breakup is to find someone new!

Mimi: When you get back, we’re going out drinking. You need to meet some fresh faces.

Mimi: There are thousands of beautiful people in the world. Leave the trash where it belongs!

Li Sui: “…”

The logic was sound, but she was officially retiring from drinking.

The food arrived quickly—chewy fish strips, traditional Three-Cup Chicken, tender steamed fish with rice flour, and bouncy meatball soup. The table went quiet as they began to eat. Then, Li Sui’s phone buzzed again.

It was a social media update from her cousin—a screenshot of a post from Liang Xiaona’s younger sister.

“Thank you to my sister-in-law for the gift! Wishing you and my sister a long and happy life together~”

The post featured a grid of nine photos showing off expensive gifts.

Li Sui’s expression went cold. Her appetite vanished.

Shuyi noticed the sudden tension in Li Sui’s face. “Is something wrong? Do you not like the food?”

Li Sui looked up and collided with Shuyi’s gaze. Shuyi was watching her intently. Her features were sharp, almost cold when she wasn’t smiling, but being the focus of that direct, unblinking gaze somehow stilled the irritation in Li Sui’s heart.

Feeling a bit awkward, Li Sui looked away. “No, the food is delicious.”

As she spoke, she instinctively reached up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. Her elbow knocked against a glass on the table. Before she could react, the drink splashed directly onto Shuyi’s white sweatshirt.

Li Sui jumped up in a panic. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry, I—”

“Don’t panic,” Shuyi said calmly. she reached for a napkin and began dabbing at the stain, her voice soothing. “Is your arm okay?”

Li Sui blinked, stunned that Shuyi’s first thought was her safety. “I… my arm is fine. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin your clothes.”

“It’s fine. It’s just a sweatshirt. It’ll wash out.” Shuyi’s tone was breezy.

Li Sui watched, mesmerized, as Shuyi slowly unzipped the sweatshirt and pulled it off, revealing a simple white T-shirt underneath. The casual look made her seem much younger than her professional persona.

“Should I… take it back and wash it for you?” Li Sui whispered.

Shuyi looked up, her lips curving into a slow, satisfied smile. “That would be a big help. Thank you.”

******

After dinner, Shuyi drove Li Sui back to her hotel.

“Which hotel are you at?” Shuyi asked. Li Sui gave her the address and added a polite “Thank you.”

Shuyi laughed softly. “Why are you being so formal with me?”

Li Sui wanted to be more casual, but being in a confined space with Shuyi made her mind drift to the “incident” at the bar. She was too nervous to speak, so the ride remained quiet. When they reached the hotel, Li Sui said a hurried goodbye and practically bolted from the car.

She watched the car pull away before turning back toward her room. Only when the door clicked shut did she finally let out a long breath.

She collapsed onto the sofa, letting the dim hallway light wash over her. Her mind was a mess. She thought of the way Shuyi ate—elegant, methodical, and calm. Shuyi was a famous lawyer with a brilliant pedigree; surely there was a line of people waiting to marry her. If they actually got married, it would be Li Sui who was the lucky one.

But the idea of “meeting someone new” still terrified her. She had been ready to propose to Liang Xiaona… only to find out her devotion meant nothing.

A wave of exhaustion hit her. She remembered the day she met Xiaona. She had been at an art exhibition, taking a break by a vending machine, when Xiaona had simply walked up and asked to pursue her.

Xiaona had been the “golden girl” of their school—beautiful, wealthy, and kind. She had pursued Li Sui relentlessly for months until Li Sui finally gave in. She had truly believed that someone like Xiaona, who had everything, wouldn’t bother lying about love.

She remembered the day she decided to move out of her aunt’s house. Her aunt had been demanding money, and Li Sui had left in tears. It was raining, and she felt utterly alone in the world. Then, Xiaona had appeared at the end of the alley with an umbrella and a bouquet of flowers, promising to always take care of her.

Li Sui had cherished that relationship. She had given Xiaona everything she could. And yet, people change. Hearts change.

Li Sui finished her nightly routine and checked her phone, only to find things had gotten worse. She and Xiaona shared a lot of mutual friends, and news of Xiaona’s “engagement” was spreading like wildfire. People who didn’t know they had broken up were sending Li Sui “congratulations” messages.

Then, she saw a notification from a group chat called “The Night Owls.”

Litchi: Xiaotang, is your sister really marrying Li Sui?

Money-Counter: I thought they’d break up eventually. Guess a wedding is actually happening.

Nini: Is the date set?

Xiaotang (Xiaona’s sister): What? My sister dumped Li Sui ages ago.

Xiaotang: My future sister-in-law is someone else entirely. They’re soulmates.

The group exploded with shock. Li Sui felt a fire ignite in her chest as she read on.

Xiaotang: Li Sui was never good enough for my sister anyway.

Xiaotang: We won’t even invite her to the wedding. She’d probably just make a scene.

Xiaotang: As if she could find anyone better than my sister.

Li Sui gripped her phone, her knuckles white. I was never good enough? She had been the one to dump Xiaona. She was the one who was cheated on. These people thought she was a pushover.

She typed out: “I’m the one who dumped her. She was the cheater,” and hit send. Before she could see the fallout, another message popped up.

Auntie: Don’t you dare stand me up for that matchmaking date this Saturday. Your grandmother wants to see you married. Don’t disappoint her again.

The irritation reached a boiling point. Li Sui threw her phone onto the sofa. Her gaze fell on the gift bag sitting on the coffee table—the one containing Shuyi’s soiled sweatshirt.

Who says I can’t find someone better than Liang Xiaona?

Li Sui took a deep breath, snatched up her phone, and opened her chat with Bai Shuyi.

Li Sui: Lawyer Bai, I agree. Let’s get married.

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