Bowing to Arranged Marriage [Rebirth] - Chapter 23

Zheng Xiyun instinctively refused, “I’m not going.”

Mu Qing sighed. “Come on, my parents and brother all want you to spend the New Year with us. Besides, you’d just be alone at home anyway.”

Mu Qing was right. Ever since her mother passed away, Zheng Xiyun had never celebrated the New Year with her father’s family. Even when she was there, she always felt like an outsider. Now that they had completely fallen out, she had even less desire to go back.

But Zheng Xiyun didn’t want to go to Mu Qing’s house either. She wasn’t familiar with Mu Qing’s family, and it would only make things awkward.

Seeing that she didn’t respond, Mu Qing knew further persuasion wouldn’t work, so she dropped the matter for the time being.

There weren’t many people in the courtroom, and Zheng Xiyun wasn’t surprised to see Zheng Yoaquin present. Fortunately, this was a court of law. No matter how spoiled Zheng Yoaquin was, she wouldn’t dare cause a scene here. Yet her gaze was terrifying, filled with venom as she glared at Zheng Xiyun.

“Let’s switch seats,” Mu Qing whispered beside Zheng Xiyun before standing up and swapping places with her, blocking Zheng Yoaquin’s line of sight.

The sight of Zheng Yoaquin reminded Mu Qing of how heartbroken Zheng Xiyun had been that night. Though Zheng Xiyun had agreed to marry her because of it, Mu Qing felt no gratitude toward Zheng Yoaquin.

With a faint glance in Zheng Yoaquin’s direction, Mu Qing curled her lips slightly, her eyes flashing with something sinister.

Zheng Yoaquin shuddered involuntarily and averted her gaze before she even realized what she was doing.

Mu Qing turned back to face the court, expressionless.

When Kang Minghong was brought in, he had completely lost his usual refined demeanor, looking disheveled and defeated.

He glanced at Zheng Xiyun with what seemed like indifference, but she could see the deep-seated hatred in his eyes.

Zheng Xiyun sometimes found it strange. She once asked Mu Qing, “Why does he hate me so much when it was his own fault? It’s as if I ruined him. Didn’t he bring this upon himself?”

Mu Qing smiled. “That’s exactly why people like him end up in prison.”

Yes, that’s why Kang Minghong was in prison now.

In the end, Kang Minghong never gave a clear reason for kidnapping Zheng Xiyun. He only told the judge that she had made him feel insecure, and that he had orchestrated the kidnapping to play the hero, hoping to win her trust and love.

Zheng Xiyun couldn’t bear to listen any longer. She stood up and quietly left the courtroom, with Mu Qing following close behind.

The courthouse was silent, their footsteps echoing clearly in the hallway. Mu Qing looked at Zheng Xiyun, quickening her pace to walk beside her. “He actually claimed he wanted to be the hero, only for me to swoop in and save the day instead.”

“You believe him?” Zheng Xiyun stopped and turned to Mu Qing. “You believe what he said?”

A sly glint flickered in Mu Qing’s eyes as she chuckled. “Do you think I’m stupid? Of course, I don’t believe him. I’m just amazed at how quick-witted he is—at least this excuse might get him a lighter sentence than if he’d admitted to plotting against your inheritance.”

Zheng Xiyun felt a sudden clarity. “He’s always been clever.” That was why she had been fooled in her past life. If she hadn’t signed the inheritance agreement this time, Kang Minghong might never have slipped up.

But that still didn’t prove he was the one who had killed her in her previous life.

“Can you do me another favor?” Zheng Xiyun looked at Mu Qing, her voice hesitant, even stumbling over her words.

Mu Qing’s smile widened. “Of course, I’d be even happier if you weren’t so formal and distant with me.”

Zheng Xiyun clenched her right hand into a fist, then immediately relaxed it, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips. “Help me investigate my family—my father, Zhang Meiyan, and Zheng Yoaquin.”

Mu Qing nodded. “No problem, but I don’t have the capability myself. I’ll have to ask my brother.”

Zheng Xiyun replied, “Then I’ll trouble your brother.”

Seizing the opportunity, Mu Qing said, “Verbal thanks aren’t enough. Come to my place for dinner tonight.”

Zheng Xiyun couldn’t refuse her this time and gave a slight nod. The Mu family had helped her so much; she should take the initiative to discuss the marriage and help Mu Qing resolve her misfortune as soon as possible.

As Luo Xiaoli had predicted, Kang Minghong was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison. The attempted kidnapping of Zheng Xiyun was reported by journalists, sparking widespread discussion online. Everyone speculated about Kang Minghong’s motives, as no one believed his claim of merely wanting to play the hero. His excuse was widely criticized as twisted thinking.

Regardless, Kang Minghong’s life was ruined. Even after his release, who would trust him, employ him, or be willing to do business with him?

That evening, when Zheng Xiyun went to Mu Qing’s home for dinner, she once again sought Mu Jin’s help, and he readily agreed.

After dinner, Mu Qing’s mother, Chen Mingya, pulled Zheng Xiyun onto the living room sofa and said, “We consulted Master Lin about auspicious dates, and he said spring would be very suitable, with ample time for preparations. Do you have any issues with that?”

Zheng Xiyun shook her head. “No, I’m available anytime.”

Chen Mingya smiled. “Then I’ll proceed with the arrangements. Don’t worry—we’ll handle everything. From now on, we’re family.”

Family…

Zheng Xiyun smiled faintly and nodded lightly.

“The wedding will be in March. The Mu family won’t invite too many people—just close relatives. Do you have anyone you’d like to invite?” Zheng Xiyun didn’t want her stepmother involved in the wedding, so Chen Mingya discussed all the details with her directly.

Zheng Xiyun said, “Zhang Yi, a friend of mine. Just her.”

Chen Mingya nodded. “Alright. As for the Zheng family, we’ll only invite your father and ensure they keep things low-key, without publicizing the event.”

This was for the best. No matter what, publicly marrying someone of the same sex would affect her future life and career.

In the end, Zheng Xiyun stayed at the Mu residence again and agreed to Chen Mingya’s suggestion to spend the New Year with them.

Back in the bedroom, Mu Qing handed Zheng Xiyun her change of clothes with an impassive expression, then sat on the bed scrolling through her phone. To her surprise, Zheng Xiyun ignored her, took the clothes, and locked herself in the bathroom.

Mu Qing froze on the bed, staring at the bathroom door.

Unaware that someone outside was eagerly waiting for her, Zheng Xiyun kept thinking about the wedding. Though Chen Mingya had arranged everything well, she still felt nervous.

When she finally opened the bathroom door after her shower, she found Mu Qing standing there with her arms crossed, expressionless but with a murderous glint in her eyes.

“Is something wrong?” Zheng Xiyun tightened her grip on the towel, her face equally expressionless.

Mu Qing snorted, her tone laced with a hint of jealousy. “If my mother had approached you first to marry me, would you have agreed right away?”

Zheng Xiyun froze for a moment before realizing that the other woman was actually jealous of her own mother. Slowly relaxing her grip on the towel, Zheng Xiyun explained, “Auntie is an elder.”

Mu Qing retorted, “I’ve been pestering you for days, and you never agreed to anything. Yet you say yes to whatever my mom asks.”

“Don’t be so childish, alright?” Zheng Xiyun frowned slightly. Being cornered in the bathroom by Mu Qing would have been fine if it were for something serious, but clearly, she was being confronted over petty jealousy.

Mu Qing knew her behavior was immature, but she couldn’t help feeling irritated. Shooting Zheng Xiyun a glare, she stepped aside to let her pass before entering the bathroom to wash up.

Zheng Xiyun turned to watch the bathroom door close behind Mu Qing, instinctively deciding it would be best to go to bed early.

By the time Mu Qing finished her shower, Zheng Xiyun was already asleep. Still nursing a hint of resentment, Mu Qing sighed helplessly as she looked at Zheng Xiyun’s peaceful, almost docile sleeping face.

Oh well. At least this person was lying in her bed now.

The next morning, Zheng Xiyun woke up shivering from the cold. Mu Qing had sprawled diagonally across the bed, leaving Zheng Xiyun squeezed into a corner with her legs dangling off the edge. Her toes were icy, and her body ached from the awkward, twisted position.

Zheng Xiyun kicked Mu Qing lightly, eliciting only a drowsy murmur before the other woman fell still again.

Resigned, Zheng Xiyun got up, stretching her stiff limbs and wiggling her frozen toes. Deciding a hot bath was in order, she headed for the bathroom. When she emerged later, Mu Qing was already awake, grinning at her. “Sleep well?”

Zheng Xiyun gave her a silent look before walking out of the bedroom. She’d rather chat with Auntie Chen downstairs than speak to Mu Qing right now. Auntie Chen was kind, gentle, and considerate—everything Mu Qing wasn’t being at the moment.

As the year drew to a close, Zheng Jiangling suddenly received a call from the Mu family. Assuming it would be the same as previous conversations, he had his responses ready—only to be informed that Zheng Xiyun and Mu Qing were getting married in March, and the Mu family was inviting only him to the wedding.

Zheng Jiangling was at a loss for words, too stunned to react. By the time he regained his composure, the Mu family had already hung up.

Once he recovered, he immediately called Zheng Xiyun. “What’s this about you and Mu Qing getting married?”

Zheng Xiyun had anticipated this. “Didn’t you all keep pushing me? Kang Minghong broke my heart, so I decided to marry Mu Qing instead. Isn’t this what you wanted?”

It was indeed what they wanted. “But why is the Mu family only inviting me to the wedding?”

Zheng Xiyun replied matter-of-factly, “No idea. You should ask them.”

When Zheng Jiangling called the Mu family back, Mu Qing’s father, Mu Yu, explained, “Same-sex marriage isn’t legally recognized in China yet. Making a big fuss about it could negatively impact both families. It’s better to keep things low-key to avoid harming our business interests.”

Mu Yu’s reasoning was sound, but what ultimately made Zheng Jiangling relent was his firm, non-negotiable tone. “We’d also appreciate it if you could inform the Zheng family to keep this quiet. The Mu family has always valued discretion. We old folks don’t care much for gossip, but it could harm the children’s future prospects.”

Zheng Jiangling understood. In today’s China, if people knew you were gay, they might refuse to do business with you. Let alone if you married someone of the same sex.

Soon after, Zheng Jiangling called the key relatives in the family to inform them of the news, urging them to keep it confidential.

Zheng Xiyun had full confidence in the Mu family’s ability to handle matters, so after hanging up the phone, she didn’t give it another thought. As the year drew to a close, most of the company’s projects continued to operate without pause, and every department was required to submit year-end reports. Zheng Xiyun was so swamped with work that she barely had time to catch her breath. Even when Mu Qing came to visit, she would be neglected, let alone her father.