After Getting Bound to Both the Protagonist and the Villain at the Same Time - Chapter 20

Shen Qing might lean forward and—

Lin Chuyi was stunned by her own sudden train of thought. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs; perhaps the haunted house was simply too terrifying, causing her racing heart to conjure up hallucinations and wild fantasies.

To her surprise, Shen Qing actually did lean in. Her lips brushed past Lin Chuyi’s cheek, coming close to the curve of her ear.

While Lin Chuyi was still in a daze, Shen Qing let out a soft, gentle laugh right by her ear. “I’ll go find the switch,” she whispered. “Wait for me here, Sister.”

“Okay.” Lin Chuyi’s voice still carried an unnatural tremble. She touched her face with her hand, trying to steady her nerves.

Shen Qing found the switch quickly. She pressed it, then immediately returned to Lin Chuyi’s side to take her hand, leading her toward the light of the exit.

Shen Qing’s pace slowed as they approached the door.

Lin Chuyi’s eyelashes fluttered. Looking toward the brightness ahead and with her hand firmly in Shen Qing’s, she walked steadily and slowly toward the light.

They were out.

With no more reason to hold Lin Chuyi’s hand, Shen Qing slowly let go.

The world outside remained an ocean of joy. The heart-pounding intensity and the surging emotions inside the haunted house seemed to have become a small, treasured secret locked away in their hearts. Shen Qing pursed her lips, silently tucking that secret deep into her soul.

By the time they emerged, the day was entering its final stretch. They bought some snacks and sat at an outdoor table reserved for visitors. Listening to the excitement and happiness surrounding them, their nerves began to harmonize with the cheerful environment.

Suddenly, the distant sound of gongs and drums drifted over—a festive, vibrant red celebration. Tourists turned their heads toward the source: a vintage two-story pavilion where someone had leaned out. “Look up, everyone! Our Young Lady is going to toss the embroidered ball today!”

The pavilion was draped in layers of red curtains, making it hard to see the people behind them clearly.

Shen Qing wasn’t particularly interested in the “Embroidered Ball Marriage” performance, but Lin Chuyi was curious. She watched the crowd gathering. “Shall we go see the tossing of the ball?”

Lin Chuyi turned to ask, and seeing her interest, Shen Qing nodded. “Sure.”

She didn’t think there was anything special about a mock marriage performance; no matter how beautiful the “bride” was, she couldn’t compare to Lin Chuyi.

Not even by a fraction.

The two squeezed into the crowd just as the actors on the second floor began their performance. “Oh no, Madam! The Young Lady has disappeared!”

“But today is the auspicious day for the marriage! Our manor gave its word; the ceremony must go on.” An actor in lavish robes sighed repeatedly. “Our family business grew large because we value integrity. This concerns our reputation—what are we to do?”

“Why don’t we.”

“Why don’t we what?”

“Why don’t we adopt a new Young Lady today and hold the ceremony for her? Not only will our reputation be saved, but we might even spark a perfect match!”

“But where will we find this new Young Lady?” The ‘Madam’ in her rich robes frowned. Just then, a maid looked down from the balcony. “Madam, look!”

The maid and the Madam’s gazes converged exactly on—Lin Chuyi!

Lin Chuyi waved her hands in frantic refusal, but people soon emerged from the pavilion to invite her in to change into the “bridal gown.” Lin Chuyi resisted for a moment, but the maid and Madam actually ran downstairs. The Madam pulled a small square box from her sleeve and pressed it into Lin Chuyi’s hand. “Since you are now the Young Lady of the manor, we must give you a meeting gift. These gold rings—” Lin Chuyi looked down as the box was opened. At a glance, they looked like rings made of brass or iron. “—are for you.”

Perhaps the actors were too skilled, or perhaps they were simply too enthusiastic, but Lin Chuyi found herself swept into the pavilion.

Eventually, she let go of her reservations. She figured she might as well enjoy the experience since she was already there. She draped the bridal gown over her jacket. The maid’s role wasn’t over; she scurried back to the second floor, leaving the ‘Madam’ to help Lin Chuyi with her buttons and brief her on the proceedings. “It’s alright, it’s just for the experience. If you aren’t happy with whoever catches the ball, just retreat to the room. Leave the rest of the acting to us.”

Lin Chuyi nodded.

Because time was short, the bridal gown and the headpiece were designed to be easy to slip on. When Lin Chuyi finally stood behind the thin veil on the second floor, the event officially began.

Behind the red curtain stood Lin Chuyi.

Shen Qing looked up, unsure why she felt so nervous. She could imagine her “Sister” in the bridal gown—elegant, graceful, her charm like a misty mountain range shrouded in a thin, rosy fog. It made her heart tremble uncontrollably.

Shen Qing’s throat tightened as her gaze fixed on the embroidered ball.

That is Sister’s ball.

The other noises in the park began to fade. Her focus narrowed entirely onto that single object. To catch it meant “marrying” her even if it was just a tiny scripted fragment in a corner of a theme park, it made Shen Qing’s heart instantly catch fire.

Others in the crowd were already shouting and positioning themselves to catch it.

The Madam on stage cleared her throat. Beside her, the maid skillfully pulled back the curtain, allowing Lin Chuyi to step out from behind the hazy red veil.

The maid announced, “Young Lady, please toss the ball!”

Lin Chuyi’s fingertips touched the silk ball. She looked down, her gentle gaze filled with a warmth that was clear and captivating. She quickly spotted Shen Qing in the crowd. The moment Shen Qing looked up, their eyes met.

Lin Chuyi offered a small smile.

Shen Qing’s heart skipped a beat. That gaze, crossing the crowd and space, struck her straight in her softest inner core.

Lin Chuyi gave the ball a little shake and tossed it directly toward Shen Qing. The crowd surged toward it, but Shen Qing caught the embroidered ball without flinching. She could feel her heart thumping violently; a buried impulse was screaming to break free at this very moment!

No one else really had a chance to grab it, simply because Lin Chuyi had aimed so accurately. It was as if the ball already belonged to its owner; how could anyone else take it away?

To prevent a commotion, as soon as Shen Qing caught the ball, staff members emerged from the pavilion to invite her inside.

Shen Qing felt as if she were in a dream. For the first time, fate was showing her mercy. On her eighteenth birthday, it had given her countless beautiful expectations and the most wonderful “wedding” of her youth—perhaps of her entire life.

Just thinking the word “wedding” made her soul shake. Shen Qing even thought that if she were destined to die, she would be willing to die on this day—this beautiful, hope-filled day.

She put on the matching groom’s robes. They didn’t fit perfectly, but she cherished them. The red patterns on her clothes matched those on Lin Chuyi’s perfectly. Shen Qing walked upstairs, step by step, and looked at her “Bride.”

The actors joyfully led Lin Chuyi and Shen Qing out. They stood before the small railing on the second floor, facing a crowd full of cheers and blessings.

“Kiss her! Kiss her!”

“Red envelopes! Red envelopes!”

The people below were equally delighted. The staff members were professional and kept things appropriate, merely guiding Lin Chuyi and Shen Qing through a formal bow to signal the completion of the ceremony.

“Congratulations, Young Lady! You’ve found a fine husband!” The maid was not only quick-witted but also incredibly sweet-talked. She brought out a basket of wedding candies for Lin Chuyi and Shen Qing to toss down to the crowd.

Everyone who caught a candy offered a happy blessing.

Shen Qing felt like she was floating.

In the midst of the festive atmosphere, the Madam began her lines: “A moment of the wedding night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Quickly, lead them to the bridal chamber.”

By the time Lin Chuyi and Shen Qing had shed those costumes and merged back into the crowd of tourists, Shen Qing’s head was still spinning with dizziness.

This was, without a doubt, the most wonderful day of her life. On the car ride back, the smile on Shen Qing’s face—someone who usually rarely smiled—never once faded.

By the time they arrived home, it was already seven or eight in the evening. Knowing that both she and Lin Chuyi were exhausted, Shen Qing didn’t linger or pester her. Before Lin Chuyi entered her apartment, she smiled and said, “Happy birthday.”

Shen Qing’s lips curved upward, her gaze burning with intensity. “Thank you, Sister.”

The lights were off inside. Assuming Gu Mian wasn’t home, Lin Chuyi reached out and flicked the switch. To her surprise, she found Gu Mian sitting on the sofa, her expression lonely and desolate—a stark contrast to the lingering joy radiating from Lin Chuyi.

“If I had known you’d be back today, we could have gone together.” Though Lin Chuyi had felt a bit lost on how to handle Gu Mian recently, her heart softened at the sight of her looking so dejected.

She was reminded of the day they first met; back then, Gu Mian had sat on the sofa looking just as soul-shaken as she did now.

Yet, the Gu Mian of today was different. She looked incredibly polished, wearing a sharp, stylish V-neck shirt. Her well-defined collarbones were elegant and captivating, her delicate skin glowing faintly under the light. As Lin Chuyi sat down beside her, Gu Mian leaned over and slumped against her.

She rested her head on Lin Chuyi’s shoulder, as if this were the only moment she could finally let her guard down.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen to upset you?” Lin Chuyi asked, genuinely puzzled.

Gu Mian’s life had been going smoothly lately. Word was she had successfully joined the board of directors and taken control of the company’s management. While there was no shortage of business socialites and networking, everything was moving exactly as she had hoped.

“Sister, I’m scared.” Gu Mian buried her face in the crook of Lin Chuyi’s neck. Her scent instantly claimed Lin Chuyi’s breath, an invasive and dominant presence that forced Lin Chuyi to lean back against the small sofa.

Gu Mian was afraid.

She feared that the more she gained elsewhere, the less she would have here with Lin Chuyi.

She had assumed Lin Chuyi would stay right where she was—waiting for her to become incredibly wealthy and capable, so they could move into a mansion together and never have to worry about life’s struggles again.

But when she had come home to find Lin Chuyi gone, an endless panic had surged within her.

She was terrified that her “Sister” didn’t want her anymore.

Only then did Lin Chuyi catch the faint, sweet scent of alcohol. She gave Gu Mian a little nudge. “Mianmian, are you drunk?”

Gu Mian held on even tighter. “No.” She pressed her lips against Lin Chuyi’s neck and kissed her.

“I’m not drunk.”