Love Contract with the Queen Actress - Chapter 39

[Oh my god, Su Yuchen’s portrayal of Princess Minglu is absolutely mesmerizing.]

[Her acting is so immersive, don’t you think?]

[When I watched the live broadcast of Su Yuchen getting this role, I thought she wouldn’t be able to pull it off. Who knew she’d hold her own against even the veteran actress Ruan!]

[Honestly, Su Yuchen and Ruan look like real mother and daughter, just look at those almond-shaped eyes. Standing together, they truly embody the Empress and her little princess.]

[My heart skipped a beat the moment she appeared on screen. I even shouted in front of my parents, “Hail the return of the true princess!”]

[Right? I can’t wait for them to film that scene from the novel where she exposes the fake imperial daughter and punishes the eleventh uncle who swapped the babies. I’ll definitely shout, “Hail the return of the true princess!” then too.]

[I’ll say it first: “Hail the return of the true princess!”]

[Hail the return of the true princess!]

Su Yuchen held her phone, double-checking, this was indeed her own fan page.

She actually had a fan page now?

Searching under her alt account [I’m Feeling Jade], the buzz and discussions were unprecedentedly high. She kept scrolling, but the posts seemed endless.

This… felt like a dream.

It felt like just yesterday she was being chased in the subway.

After confirming several times, she dazedly clicked back into her fan page.

Most of the discussions were about her acting as Princess Minglu, with many fans of The Chronicles of the Dynasty expressing their love for her character. But what stood out the most were the shippers with names related to [Misty Jade Hearts].

Just seeing her name paired with Shen Wu’s made her happy.

The earlier daze instantly transformed into joy, a sudden surge of elation at being recognized by the audience.

From the hollow “you’re famous now” spat by the uncle she’d kicked out, to now seeing so many people discussing and praising her role, it finally felt real.

Happiness.

Overwhelming happiness.

Happiness that made her spin in place.

But spinning wasn’t enough. Su Yuchen couldn’t help but jump up and down, cheering.

“What do I do? I’m just so happy!”

So many people were hailing her as the true princess, it felt like her chest was filled with fresh air, and even her shabby little apartment seemed charming now.

Mimicking the dance Shen Wu had led her through in the starlit rose garden, she held her hands up as if embracing an invisible partner, humming a tune and twirling mid-step.

Though days had passed, that dance felt like it had happened just moments ago.

As the world spun before her eyes, she could almost smell that intoxicating iris fragrance again.

Recreating the dance with Shen Wu in her mind, she moved gracefully, celebrating silently for herself.

Just as she was reveling in her triumph, fully convinced by Shen Wu’s praise, “You have a natural talent for dancing”, her shin collided with the wooden coffee table, making her gasp sharply in pain.

“Ouch!”

Hugging her leg, she hunched her shoulders, then looked up at the darkening sky outside the window and broke into a radiant smile.

Bright and unclouded, as if all shadows had been swept away.

She was truly, incredibly happy.

Originally, she thought nothing could bring her more joy than the role she was performing, but suddenly, her phone let out a “ding-dong” sound.

It was a text message notification.

These days, few people sent text messages anymore. Notifications usually meant some business-related matter.

Su Yuchen picked up her phone, a smile lingering on her lips, but it froze the moment she read the message.

Her almond-shaped eyes widened in shock…

“Huh?”

“You said you want to compete for the White Rose ad endorsement?”

In different spaces and different scenarios, Fu Nan and Fu Mozheng’s new agent, Fu Jiaqi, simultaneously uttered these words.

One was in a cramped, old apartment.

The other was lounging in a luxurious bedroom with a view.

Su Yuchen and Fu Mozheng, without prior agreement, replied at the same time, “Yes, I want to compete for this ad endorsement.”

“…”

Fu Nan held the phone receiver: “Yuchen taking the initiative to compete for an ad endorsement is really rare. Although we’re already at a disadvantage compared to others, I’ll do my best to help you figure something out.”

Su Yuchen: “Thank you, Sister Fu Nan. Also… do you know what Shen Wu likes?”

“…” At the mention of Shen Wu, Fu Nan instinctively rubbed her temples: “Her temper is hard to predict. Are you planning to give her a gift?”

Seeing her little scheme exposed, the other end of the line fell silent for a moment.

Finally, she spoke again.

“Yes!” Even through the phone, Su Yuchen’s excited voice came through clearly: “I just received my payment, and it’s a huge amount! I want to buy Shen Wu a proper gift.”

She sounded as if she were holding up her little treasure trove, overjoyed at the thought of buying something for the person she loved.

Hearing this, Fu Nan chuckled lightly: “Actually, you don’t need to go through all that trouble. Just wrap yourself up as a gift for her, and she’d be even happier.”

Fu Nan rarely joked, unless she was teasing a certain someone.

Su Yuchen was stunned: “Sister Fu Nan…”

“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore,” Fu Nan said seriously. “Shen Wu lacks nothing. And I wasn’t entirely joking, she lacks you.”

“…” Su Yuchen was at a loss for words: “Mmm…”

This didn’t seem much different from what she’d said earlier.

Fu Nan thought for a moment and said, “How about just getting the red book? Any later, and I’m afraid she’ll be forced into an arranged marriage by her family.”

“Ah! It’s… that urgent?”

“Yes. Her mother hasn’t pressured her, but as the sole heir of her lineage, with Shen Wu having no interest in business, many eyes are already on her. Some are even making moves. She has to take action, at least take the first step.”

“Her great-grandmother is the main source of pressure. Those from the collateral branches have been cozying up to the old lady, trying to create opportunities for themselves. Plus… you know how it is with the elderly, they tend to have strange ideas, and favoritism becomes more pronounced.”

At this point, Fu Nan spoke very seriously: “The reason Shen Wu keeps bringing up marriage with you is partly because she genuinely likes you, but also partly due to these circumstances.”

After a pause, Fu Nan added, “But for a family like the Shens, even if Shen Wu is practically flooding the gates for you, there’d still be a prenup before getting the red book.”

“In a way, your marriage would still be a contractual one.”

“You…”

“Think about it.”

…

Meanwhile.

On the 21st floor of the Fu Conglomerate Entertainment headquarters, Fu Jiaqi, Fu Mozheng’s new agent and distant cousin, held her phone as she gazed at the endless stream of cars beneath the neon lights.

“Mozheng, as your distant cousin, I support you in going after what you want.”

On the other end of the line, Fu Mozheng stared at the television screen, her eyes narrowing slightly when she saw Shen Wu and Su Yuchen smiling at each other.

“Yes, I always fight for what I want.”

Fu Jiaqi fell silent for two seconds. “Mozheng, you’ve already secured the script for Love of the City, but the drama hasn’t aired yet. We weren’t the first to reach out to Heartful Chocolates, but the brand still prefers ambassadors with established works…”

Before she could finish, Fu Mozheng cut her off.

“Cousin, as far as I know, you’re also managing my other cousin, Fu Monan, right? She’s still an amateur, yet you managed to get her into a popular dating show. I’ve already started filming, how is it that you can’t even secure a simple chocolate endorsement for me?”

Perhaps triggered by something on the screen, an irritable Fu Mozheng took a sip of red wine and vented all her dissatisfaction.

“My uncle hired you as my agent out of familial obligation. Even if we’re distant relatives, you should still support me. But that doesn’t mean you can slack off, nor does it mean you get to pour cold water on my ambitions instead of fighting for me.”

After a pause, she continued, “This world always needs villains. If it helps me get what I want, I don’t mind being the ruthless antagonist.”

“Harsh, but effective.”

“…”

The silence on the other end stretched a little too long before Fu Jiaqi finally spoke again.

“The Shen family is hosting a dinner tomorrow,” she said carefully. “Madam Shen has returned from abroad and invited your parents as old friends. We can go together, to test the waters and do some PR.”

Standing on the 21st floor of the Fu Conglomerate, Fu Jiaqi locked eyes with someone across the way, on the 21st floor of Gaole Entertainment.

Through the glass curtain wall, beyond the neon glow and bustling crowds, Fu Nan and Fu Jiaqi’s gazes met from afar.

For a brief moment, Fu Nan looked stunned, then pressed her lips together.

The two women stared at each other for a long moment before Fu Nan suddenly checked her watch. “Tomorrow, Shen Wu’s family is hosting a dinner. Her mother just sent an invitation, she wants you to attend.”

Su Yuchen on the other end of the line let out a confused, “Huh?” before even processing the words. “A… family dinner?”

She wanted to ask, why would Shen Wu’s mother invite her to a family dinner? It was hard to believe.

But before she could voice her question, Fu Nan had already dropped another bombshell. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow. No more taking the subway, PR got flagged by the authorities for suspected hype manipulation.”

Without waiting for an explanation, Fu Nan grabbed her suit jacket from the back of her chair and rushed out the door, abruptly ending the call.

“…”

Su Yuchen listened to the dial tone, utterly bewildered.

It was the first time she’d ever heard the unflappable Fu Nan sound so frantic, as if something earth-shattering had happened, as if she’d encountered someone extraordinary and suddenly had to act in a hurry.

Only after hanging up did it finally sink in, tomorrow was the Shen family dinner.

“Ah, should I prepare a particularly grand outfit?”

The clothes in the bedroom wardrobe were neatly arranged. Though each piece had been carefully washed, dried, and folded, they were all plain whites and light shades, with no eye-catching styles to speak of.

Su Yuchen sighed at the collection of budget-friendly online purchases.

She usually claimed not to care much about such things, but just as one regrets not reading more when knowledge is needed, her wardrobe now seemed woefully inadequate at this crucial moment.

For the first time, Su Yuchen entertained the thought of buying designer clothes.

But she quickly dismissed the idea: “No, this money is meant for Shen Wu’s gift. I can’t splurge recklessly.”

She picked out a white knit dress and held it up against herself.

Facing the narrow full-length mirror on the wooden door, she smiled softly, her expression as warm and comforting as the white sweater in her arms: “You’ll do.”

At the same time.

At the Fu Entertainment Corporation, Fu Jiaqi’s hand holding the phone had dropped to her side. She watched Fu Nan’s retreating figure, barely registering what Fu Mozheng was saying.

“Tomorrow, prepare a Chanel limited-edition early spring outfit for me. Attending a family banquet like the Shen’s requires a stunning entrance…”

As she spoke, Fu Mozheng also entered the walk-in closet. The bright lights illuminated the worry on her face.

She held up an outrageously expensive outfit, frowned at her reflection, and tossed it aside in dissatisfaction. Then she picked up an even pricier one, only to discard it again, her face scrunching up in displeasure.

“Why is there nothing decent to wear?”

…

On Saturday night, Love or Marriage premiered.

That very night, it set a new record for variety show ratings.

Everyone was talking about it: “Kuang Gong is actually this cool?”

“Why does it feel like there’s such obvious chemistry between Kuang Gong and Shen Wu?”

“Is this the show’s editing? Shen Wu’s gaze at Su Yuchen was way more intense, so why are they suddenly making it seem like Kuang Gong can’t control herself? Feels fake.”

“Exactly. Audiences aren’t that easy to fool these days. Is the production team about to go rogue?”

Amid the backlash, the director’s Weibo was nearly flooded.

Yet despite the criticism, the dramatic confrontations in the episode were undeniably captivating.

The funniest part? The most popular contestant turned out to be Kuang Gong.

Love or Marriage Super Topic:

[This is freaking hilarious. Kuang Gong is the fan favorite, forcing Liu Ruomeng into a candlelit dinner at the mountaintop villa, scaring her so much she nearly climbed over the railing to escape.]

[I never expected Season 6 to go this wild. The first episode already has the fan favorite picking their crush? I thought it’d take a few more episodes, or at least have a mutual vote. But no… Is the production team burning through material already?]

[I’m dying. Su Yuchen, Shen Wu, and Xiao Zhi all voted for Kuang Gong, making Fu Monan and Liu Ruomeng’s votes practically meaningless. Whoever came up with this idea is sneaky as hell [laughs].]

[Guess who Kuang Gong sent her crush message to?]

[Lol, isn’t it obvious? Whoever tried to escape is the one.]

[Poor Liu Ruomeng. She voted for Su Yuchen, only to end up stuck in a candlelit dinner with the person she bickers with nonstop.]

[This season is really entertaining. They look so relaxed vacationing on the island.]

[Relaxed my foot! They had to build their own sleeping quarters and cook their own meals when they woke up. Shen Wu’s magical pot of porridge absolutely blew my mind.]

[Speaking of which, only Su Yuchen actually ate the porridge. That’s definitely true love.]

[Yeah, the leaked clips were edited so haphazardly. Turns out Su Yuchen was the one who ate it, she was the only one who seriously tasted it and even enjoyed it. Su Yuchen is seriously so sweet!]

[Where? I think she’s just head over heels for Shen Wu. The way they look at each other, no words needed. Feels like without any technological intervention, a baby would just pop out in the next second.]

[But honestly, everyone’s saying Kuang Gong and Shen Wu have something going on, even the show’s editing hints at it. Feels a bit off to me [thinking]]

Su Yuchen’s phone lay face-down on the leather car seat, trapping all these comments beneath its darkened screen.

The white Grand Cherokee roared through the sea of traffic.

Fu Nan had kept her promise to drive Su Yuchen to the Shen family’s ancestral home, but today, Fu Nan seemed preoccupied. She missed several turns and nearly rear-ended the car in front of her.

Fortunately, after taking a phone call, her mood visibly improved.

Outside the window, the scenery blurred past. Su Yuchen held two small, exquisitely wrapped gift boxes in her lap, practicing her smile against the headrest where Fu Nan’s reflection would be.

“Hello, I’m Su Yuchen.”

“No, no, the tone’s not right. Let me try again.”

“Hello, I’m Su Yuchen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Fu Nan glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

Su Yuchen was dressed in a white knit dress today. The V-neck wasn’t particularly low, but it still revealed a stunningly fair collarbone. A long, delicate scarf of the same snowy white draped elegantly around her slender neck, complementing her perfectly.

From the mirror’s reflection, Su Yuchen looked pristine and lovely. Her diligent smile practice made her appear especially sweet and well-mannered.

Fu Nan couldn’t help but think Shen Wu had really struck gold, but she still offered some reassurance.

“You don’t need to be so nervous. Shen Wu’s mother is very open-minded, she’ll probably like you a lot.”

Su Yuchen rubbed her hands together. “I’m afraid I won’t make a good impression.”

After all, this was Shen Wu’s mother.

Seeing how seriously Su Yuchen was taking this, Fu Nan sighed softly and shook her head. “Really, it’s fine. You didn’t even need to buy gifts. Her family is very down-to-earth, they don’t care about formalities. Even if you went empty-handed like me, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Fu Nan was actually someone who paid great attention to etiquette and was quite perceptive. If she said it was fine, it probably was.

But Su Yuchen still instinctively tightened her grip on the two small gift boxes resting on her knees.

“Actually, I’ve been wanting to get Shen Wu a little gift for a while now. Even if it’s just something small…”

Fu Nan finally laughed. “No wonder Shen Wu likes you so much. Yuchen, you’re even more endearing than I imagined.”

Her voice sounded much lighter now, unlike when she was driving earlier, or when she’d abruptly hung up the phone last night and dashed off.

It wasn’t her place to pry into others’ affairs, but Su Yuchen was genuinely flustered by the praise.

She lowered her head, lips pressed together, when suddenly Fu Nan’s voice reached her ears from the driver’s seat in front.

“Really, Yu Chen, you don’t need to be so nervous. Although it’s a family dinner today, the Shen elders have also invited their friends. We’re not the only guests.”

“…”

Despite the reassurance, Su Yuchen only grew more tense.

“There… there are other friends of the elders coming too?”

Hearing this only made her social anxiety flare up again.

“Then… wouldn’t my presence be inconvenient…?”

Maybe I should just jump out of the car and run away…

Fu Nan coughed lightly into his fist. “Ahem, I didn’t tell you that to make you nervous. Besides, you have no reason to be. You were personally invited by Madam Shen Qiang, in other words, you’re the guest of honor. I’m just tagging along on Shen Wu’s coattails.”

“Madam Shen Qiang…?”

This was the first time Su Yuchen had heard Shen Wu’s mother’s name. It struck her as both curious and amusing, and she mouthed it silently a few times.

“Yes, Madam Shen Qiang is Shen Wu’s mother. Shen Wu was conceived through technological means. The Shen family has no male head, only a matriarch.”

She had heard before that Shen Wu’s mother was a formidable businesswoman.

Having long withdrawn from the public eye, the name Shen Qiang was rarely mentioned. It was only today that Su Yuchen realized she had never known Shen Wu’s mother’s name.

“Then… who are the friends Madam Shen invited?”

“Ruan Mengqing and Fu Zhengliang.”

…

It was utterly unexpected that Shen Qiang’s close friend would be Ruan Mengqing.

With a flutter of unease in her chest, Su Yuchen stepped out of Fu Nan’s Grand Cherokee.

A stately French-style estate with a domed white wrought-iron fence sprawled beside a meandering clear stream, backed by a lush pine forest. The verdant pines swayed in the wind, their needles whispering softly as playful breezes danced through them.

Even in the perennial haze of Jing City, this place seemed to possess an untainted elegance, standing aloof from the mundane, a tranquil retreat within the clamor, a solitary pinnacle of serenity.

The refined taste of the lady of the house had crafted this breathtaking estate, a sight to behold.

Blessed with its own natural oxygen bar, the Shen ancestral home boasted exceptionally fresh air.

Standing outside the tall white wrought-iron gates, clutching her two small gift boxes, Su Yuchen suddenly understood why Fu Nan had told her she didn’t need to bring presents.

“…”

“Let’s go.” Fu Nan returned from the video intercom and glanced at the dazed Su Yuchen. “The Shen ancestral home is over two hundred years old. Madam Shen recently renovated it, and the lawns are newly laid, so everything looks especially pristine.”

“Oh,” Su Yuchen snapped out of her thoughts and followed Fu Nan’s gaze toward a distant domed building, murmuring in genuine admiration, “It’s truly beautiful.”

Thinking that Shen Wu had grown up here made it all the more fascinating.

What was little Shen Wu like, I wonder?

Probably the mischievous type that drove adults up the wall, no doubt about it, given how few people could ever rein her in.

Lost in her scattered thoughts, Su Yuchen boarded a golf cart with Fu Nan. The driver guided them along the winding path, bringing them closer to the ancestral home.

The lush flower beds were already in partial bloom. Hardy weeping crabapples defied the lingering chill, their proud blossoms releasing a delicate, lingering fragrance into the air.

A courteous butler ushered the two through the antique double doors, where the sound of cheerful laughter could be heard from afar.

“I’m getting old, how would I know you’d gone back to acting again?”

“You’re not old at all, you just started dating a girlfriend ten years your junior. Among all our friends, you’re still the most outstanding, even bolder than those in their twenties. How can you set an example for your child with such unconventional ways?”

“Michelle and I share true love. That little monkey doesn’t need me as an example, she’s even more of a handful than I am.”

The playful banter of the two women drifted from the living room. Standing with her back to the sofa, one could see the figure of a woman with her hair meticulously coiled into a bun, her slender, fair neck poised gracefully above her shoulders. She was chatting and laughing with Ruan Mengqing, who sat beside her.

It was Fu Zhengliang, seated nearby, who first noticed the newcomer at the door. He nodded with a smile. “Old Shen, your guest has arrived.”

Shen Qiang and Ruan Mengqing turned toward the entrance simultaneously, their beautiful eyes alight with delight.

“Nannan.”

Ruan Mengqing was the first to speak.

She stepped forward, naturally taking Su Yuchen’s hands, joy brimming in her eyes.

“It’s been so long. I loved the gift you sent me, I’ve already started using it.”

It seemed Fu Monan had told the truth.

Su Yuchen smiled brightly, her almond-shaped eyes curving like warm sunlight piercing through the depths of winter.

“I’m glad you like it, Mother. I can make more for you.”

She was genuinely happy, and it was clear Ruan Mengqing was too.

Shen Qiang, the hostess, glided forward gracefully, a teasing lilt in her voice. “Oh? Already calling her ‘Nannan’ and ‘Mother’?”

She bore a striking resemblance to Shen Wu, peach-blossom eyes shimmering with charm, a high nose, delicate lips, fair skin, and a slender, tall frame. Her gaze as she looked at Su Yuchen was full of approval and delight. “So, you’re the girl marrying my little troublemaker. You’re even prettier in person than on TV.”

“…”

Truly the mother of Shen Wu, whose thoughts were two decades ahead of her time, her words were sharp, candid, and refreshingly straightforward.

Free-spirited and unrestrained.

Su Yuchen froze. It wasn’t that she was intimidated by the poised, alluring presence of this formidable woman, she just didn’t quite know how to respond.

She had only just told Fu Nan yesterday that she agreed to the marriage of convenience. Yet Shen Qiang already knew.

So, it seemed the invitation to this family dinner was the result of that knowledge.

“Hard to answer, isn’t it?” Shen Qiang saw right through her, her smile enchanting. “No need to be shy. Take a page from my stubborn girl’s book, she’s got enough thick skin to spare some for you.”

“…”

Ruan Mengqing couldn’t stand it anymore. She pulled Su Yuchen closer. “You’re being too abrupt right off the bat. Don’t scare our Nannan.”

“Oh, so you’ve really brought your on-screen mother-daughter dynamic into real life?” Shen Qiang had clearly watched Chronicles of the Dynasty. She tossed her wavy hair over her shoulder and snatched Su Yuchen’s hand. “Let me tell you, she’s going to be part of my family now.”

Fu Zhengliang’s gaze flickered between Su Yuchen and his wife’s face.

She looked so much like his wife in her youth, her features like a painting, those almond eyes shimmering with life.

Last time, he had only caught a fleeting glimpse of her on TV. Now, seeing her in person, standing beside his wife, they looked like two figures who had stepped out of the same masterpiece.

Moreover, Fu Zhengliang instinctively felt a sense of familiarity toward Su Yuchen. But years of navigating the business world had taught him to keep his emotions in check. Even if he admired her, he would only do so silently, never revealing more than necessary.

Yet, the corners of his eyes kept stealing glances in Su Yuchen’s direction, a strange emotion surging in his chest, which he forcefully suppressed.

After a long pause, Fu Zhengliang shook his head, as if trying to rid himself of some inexplicable thoughts. He smiled, rubbed his nose, exchanged a brief greeting with Su Yuchen, and then walked away, apparently to speak with a sharp-dressed girl, whom he addressed as “Jiaqi.”

Meanwhile, Fu Nan stood in the corner, his eyes slightly reddened, staring intently at the same girl.

The undercurrents of tension over there naturally went unnoticed by the cheerful crowd on this side.

Su Yuchen presented a gift box with both hands: “Auntie, hello. I apologize for dropping by unannounced today. This is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it.”

“Oh, I get a gift too?” Shen Qiang took the box from Su Yuchen’s hands, rubbing it appreciatively before shooting Ruan Mengqing a glance. “See? This time, I got a gift too.”

Ruan Mengqing sighed in exasperation. “Why must you compete over everything?”

“Of course I have to compete. Otherwise, what if they don’t take care of me in the future?”

Shen Qiang’s pointed remark made Su Yuchen blush furiously, which only delighted her further. She gestured to another gift box he was clutching tightly. “Holding onto that one so dearly, is it for Shen Wu?”

“Yes.” Su Yuchen nodded, his face still flushed.

He was both sweet and beautiful.

His almond-shaped eyes shimmered like rippling water, his demeanor as pure and clear as those autumn-reflecting pupils.

For some inexplicable reason, Shen Qiang found herself utterly charmed. She nodded approvingly. “Shen Wu will be very happy.”

Like her mother, Shen Wu didn’t care about the price, only whether she liked it.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Su Yuchen’s eyes sparkled as he began scanning the room.

The double-height living room spanned two floors, its grandeur accentuated by a massive crystal chandelier that cast dazzling, prismatic light as it hung suspended.

In one’s youth, crystal chandeliers might have seemed tacky, but with age came the realization that in a high-ceilinged villa like this, only such an ornate fixture could command the space.

The furnishings matched the hostess’s impeccable taste, white leather sofas, delicate coffee tables, and a fireplace, all meticulously designed. Understated yet brimming with artistic detail, every piece was a masterpiece, avoiding gaudy opulence in favor of refined elegance.

The Shen family, old money from the capital, stood at the pinnacle of high society, their reputation well-earned.

But Su Yuchen wasn’t admiring the exquisite decor or lavish displays. His almond eyes darted around, searching for another figure.

“Looking for Shen Wu?”

Shen Qiang saw right through him but shrugged. “I’m looking for her too. She was here just a moment ago.”

With that, she turned to her best friend beside her. “Have you seen Shen Wu?”

The question only made Ruan Mengqing visibly uncomfortable.

“I just saw Mozheng go after her. They seemed to have had some kind of disagreement. I think Shen Wu went out to your garden.”

“Oh?” Shen Qiang gave Ruan Mengqing a knowing look, which made the latter’s expression falter. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s not like I haven’t tried to intervene. But she’s grown up now, and I can’t control her anymore. If you ever get the chance to knock some sense into her, I’d be grateful.”

Shen Qiang smiled. “Consider it done.”

Then, she pointed toward the eastern side of the garden behind them. “Go on. Shen Wu’s probably hiding among the flower beds.”

Hiding…

The choice of words was so incisive that even Ruan Mengqing and Fu Zhengliang blushed with embarrassment.

Su Yuchen bowed to the elders, then quickly headed in the direction she was shown, clutching her gift box.

Shen Qiang sighed as she watched Su Yuchen’s retreating figure. “What a wonderful girl, to end up with our little troublemaker here.”

Ruan Mengqing nodded in agreement. “Yes, Yuchen is a good girl. You’d better treat her well from now on. Don’t bully her, or I won’t stand for it.”

“Wow, you really sound like her mother now,” Shen Qiang said, one arm crossed while the other toyed with a lock of hair near her temple. She chuckled lightly. “Honestly, I think you and Yuchen really do look like mother and daughter. The resemblance is uncanny.”

“…”

Ruan Mengqing hesitated for a moment before turning to her with a serious expression. “Do you really think so?”

“Of course,” Shen Qiang, never one to mince words, replied bluntly. “I suggest you take her for a paternity test. She looks more like your biological child than your own Mozheng does.”

“Don’t hold it against me for speaking out of turn, I’ve just had a bit too much to drink and am rambling.”

After hastily adding that disclaimer, Shen Qiang covered her lips with a hand and laughed again. “Since I’m already tipsy, I might as well say a bit more. If your Mozheng were as sensible and obedient as Yuchen, there wouldn’t be any room for anyone else. Even though we were pregnant at the same time back then and let our children spend a lot of time together, they just weren’t compatible. We even did something as foolish as arranging a marriage before they were born, but they still couldn’t make it work. That’s no one else’s fault.”

Ruan Mengqing’s expression shifted momentarily, and she pointed at Shen Qiang, speechless for a long moment.

Finally catching her breath, she let out an exasperated laugh instead. “Da Qiang, is the only reason you’ve managed to stay with Michelle all these years because she doesn’t understand Chinese?”

“With that venomous mouth of yours, firing off indiscriminately, if I hadn’t known you for so long and understood what a dog you are, I’d have to pick a fight with you right now.”

“Da Qing,” Shen Qiang tilted her head and grinned. “You wouldn’t win against me.”

…

The garden of the Shen family’s ancestral home was vast. Su Yuchen, holding her small gift box, wound her way through the twists and turns of the paths.

Passing through a covered corridor and rounding a corner, she suddenly found herself in a spacious flower garden.

The garden was half-covered by a glass dome and half-open to the sky, with bougainvillea and climbing roses cascading exuberantly over the pillars.

Su Yuchen stretched her fair neck, looking left and right. Being in someone else’s home, she didn’t feel comfortable calling out loudly. Just as she was starting to feel frustrated at not being able to find anyone, her wrist was suddenly seized, and the next moment, she was pulled into an embrace.

The white ribbon-tied gift box fell at her feet.

The scent of irises enveloped her as Su Yuchen melted into the fragrant, soft embrace.

A pair of red lips pressed against her ear, whispering softly, the lips brushing repeatedly against her delicate earlobe.

“Baby, I heard you’re willing to marry me now?”

Surrounded by a sea of flowers and the warmth of the embrace, Su Yuchen’s heart raced uncontrollably.

Thump, thump, thump.

The sound of her heartbeat nearly leapt out of her throat.

Then Shen Wu’s bewitching voice sounded in her ear once more: “Baby, shouldn’t we celebrate with a kiss, or maybe something more?”