Married The Crybaby Childhood Crush First, Then Fell in Love - Chapter 11

The news of Yan Qiu’s marriage quickly dominated all major social media platforms.

The identity of the other half was not disclosed; all reports simply described it as a marriage for love.

Lin Wanqing was having lunch with her roommate in the cafeteria, surrounded by students discussing the wedding.

“I heard the bride is from our school?” said a student at the next table. “That’s so awesome, to snag such a bigshot. She must be a daughter of a wealthy family herself.”

“None of the famous rich girls at our school seem to be married. Could the news be wrong?”

“Lin Wanqing is also rumored to be the campus belle, with many admirers, but there’s never been any dating news about her.”

“And the rumor says they’ve known each other for a long time. The childhood sweethearts thing is killing me.”

Throughout the entire meal, Lin Wanqing’s palms were sweating, and her stomach felt slightly uncomfortable from the tension.

Lan Xiaoxiao said, “I really don’t get it. So many people want to marry a rich person. What’s so good about marrying into a wealthy family? You’ll probably have endless children.”

Lin Wanqing’s hand holding the chopsticks trembled, “No way?”

Yan Qiu hadn’t demanded that she must have children before the marriage; they could adopt.

Lan Xiaoxiao continued, “And the wealthy circles are incredibly complex, with all sorts of social obligations. Ordinary people who marry into them are instantly chewed up and spat out.”

Lin Wanqing bit her chopsticks. Since she started interacting with Yan Qiu, she seemed to have never met anyone else from the Yan family; Yan Qiu had always protected her.

Lan Xiaoxiao curled her lip, dismissive of the big, wealthy families.

“Plus, I heard that a few years ago, after the car accident, Yan Qiu’s parents died on the spot, and she was left with disabled legs. Industry insiders say this person acts without any reservations and doesn’t seem like the type to be good to a wife.”

Lin Wanqing: “…Perhaps?”

Lan Xiaoxiao looked at the aloof campus belle across from her, “Why are you constantly spacing out? Didn’t you sleep well last night?”

Lin Wanqing covered up her guilt, “Didn’t sleep well.”

After lunch, Lan Xiaoxiao had another class, and Lin Wanqing strolled around the campus to digest her food.

In her pocket was an invitation. There was an event next Saturday night, a small gathering that only invited established and emerging designers.

Lin Wanqing, as the perfumer for the emerging studio, was on the invitation list.

The investing fathers were also invited, but usually, these bigwigs didn’t attend.

Lin Wanqing’s phone vibrated. The caller ID was Yu Fei.

Yu Fei chuckled, “Miss Lin, good afternoon! Have you eaten?”

Lin Wanqing, “Yes, I have. Is there something up, Sister Qiuqiu?”

Yu Fei, “There’s a small gathering this Saturday night. Would Miss Lin like to attend? Oh, right, should I call you Mrs. Lin, or Lin Tai?”

Lin Wanqing was silent for a moment, “No need for that, really.”

Yu Fei, “Alright. It’s an industry gathering for designers, held periodically. The boss has invested in quite a few established designers. Miss Lin will also be entering this industry soon, so it’s a good opportunity to meet people.”

Lin Wanqing thought, I already know everyone I need to. She didn’t reveal her identity.

“Okay, I’ll be there on time.”

Yu Fei, “I will pick Miss Lin up on time. If Miss Lin doesn’t go, our boss will secretly shed tears again, sitting alone in a wheelchair, pining away. It’s truly heartbreaking to watch.”

Lin Wanqing, “…Seriously?”

Yu Fei said firmly, “Truer than true gold.”

Yu Fei got the confirmation from Lin Wanqing, hung up, and went to report back to Yan Qiu.

Yan Qiu looked up, “She agreed to go?”

Yu Fei smiled, “Of course. Miss Lin is utterly smitten with you. She’s overjoyed that you invited her to attend.”

“…” Yan Qiu’s finger caressed a perfume bottle. “Does Lin Wanqing truly want to go?”

She knew Lin Wanqing wasn’t the type to enjoy excitement; she avoided all school activities. It didn’t seem like something Lin Wanqing would enjoy.

Yu Fei, “She really does.”

Yan Qiu was silent for a moment. Although her secretary was flippant, she was reliable in getting things done.

Yan Qiu held a new perfume from “Su Po” (Simple Soul), a pale gold liquid in an exquisite glass bottle.

“I hope to meet the person in charge of that studio.”

Yu Fei, “I heard they’ll be here, but no one has ever seen their true face.”

Yan Qiu finally placed the perfume bottle on the table, feeling somewhat regretful. She had tried several times to invest in that studio but was always politely declined.

It was the first time her investment had been rejected; it was quite interesting.

…

On the day of the gathering, Yu Fei drove the car to the entrance of Lin Wanqing’s school. When she opened the door, she saw Yan Qiu sitting in the back.

Lin Wanqing smiled shyly, “Sister Qiuqiu.”

Yan Qiu gently hummed in acknowledgement.

Lin Wanqing’s initial fear and apprehension towards Yan Qiu had, over time, transformed into admiration for Yan Qiu’s appearance.

She was too beautiful, like an exquisite porcelain doll from the Middle Ages, meant to be admired in a display case. Yet, Yan Qiu was as hard as a steel flower.

Yan Qiu, “You’ve been looking at me.”

Lin Wanqing was embarrassed, “Sister Qiuqiu is very beautiful. I thought many people would compliment you like that.”

Yan Qiu, “Others wouldn’t dare.”

Her beauty was the least remarkable of Yan Qiu’s qualities; no one dared to compliment her so simply and directly.

Lin Wanqing’s hand was held by her, placed on Yan Qiu’s legs, which always kept her awake all night due to pain.

Upon arriving at the venue, Lin Wanqing watched Yan Qiu present her invitation. She did not take out her own invitation, which was in her handbag.

Yan Qiu, “Today’s gathering is more focused on the perfume industry. Do you have a favorite designer?”

Lin Wanqing named a few industry masters, “I heard that domestic brands have developed quite well over the years.”

Yan Qiu gazed at her, smiling sweetly, “If that perfumer were here, I’d really like to introduce you to her. Your temperament suits hers perfectly.”

Lin Wanqing instantly had a sense of foreboding, which quickly passed. At the edge of the red carpet, in her line of sight, she saw the person she least wanted to see.

Lin Wanqing’s younger sister was there.

She was surrounded by a few friends from the rich second-generation circle. Getting an invitation wouldn’t be too difficult for them.

Lin Wanqing: “…”

How annoying.

As soon as Yan Qiu entered, she was surrounded by people seeking to network. Lin Wanqing also happened to see the person she was looking for and waved to her acquainted perfumer friends. She leaned in and whispered to Yan Qiu:

“I’ll go grab something to eat over there, Sister Qiuqiu. You go ahead and be busy?”

Yan Qiu’s heart softened, “Thank you, Tian Tian, for accompanying me to socialize today.”

She kissed the back of Lin Wanqing’s hand in front of everyone.

Lin Wanqing’s face felt hotter than fire, “…It’s what I should do.”

Lin Wanqing held up her skirt and went to sit on a small sofa with the perfumers she knew, discussing the details for the next collaboration. A few more friends arrived, forming a small circle.

…

“You can send your company’s collaboration proposal to the work email of the relevant department, and our professional review team will evaluate it.”

Yan Qiu politely declined a perfume brand seeking investment.

Most people Yan Qiu could ignore, but a small number required her to stop and say a few words for the sake of appearances.

She wearily took a sip of champagne, her fingers stroking the cool, red ruby ebony cane, her eyes scanning the room for Lin Wanqing’s silhouette.

Where was her little wife?

Her delicate, pitiful, and helpless little wife must be nervous and frightened in front of so many people. She needed to find her quickly.

“Boss Yan,” Lin Zhenxi suddenly blocked Yan Qiu’s path. “I heard you plan to go public with your relationship with my sister. Please hear me out for a few words.”

Yan Qiu frowned slightly, and Yu Fei stepped forward, “Excuse me, the boss has other matters to attend to right now.”

Yan Qiu had a slight impression of Lin Wanqing’s sister. She truly couldn’t imagine the excellent and warm Lin Wanqing being related to her by blood.

Yan Qiu narrowed her eyes, opening her pocket watch to check the time, “You have two minutes to finish.”

Lin Zhenxi had found out that Yan Qiu would be attending this banquet, so she specifically pulled strings to get an invitation. Why should my sister have something I can’t have?

Lin Zhenxi gritted her teeth and said, “Lin Wanqing acts virtuous and innocent on the surface, but secretly she’s deeply calculating. She’s always pretended to be pitiful since childhood to get attention from our mother and father. I recently found out she’s been receiving many love letters at university, and I’m afraid she’s maintaining ambiguous relationships with unsavory people. In front of Boss Yan…”

Lin Zhenxi hadn’t finished speaking when Yan Qiu looked up and saw Lin Wanqing standing at the corner of the spiral staircase, watching the scene.

Her bunny rabbit looked nervous and scared, gazing over pitifully.

Yan Qiu knew the relationship between Lin Wanqing and Lin Zhenxi had always been poor, so it was normal for her to be afraid seeing this.

She scoffed, “You’re not even an adult, are you? Your thinking is ridiculously childish. I assume your previous apology to my wife didn’t teach you how to speak properly.”

Yan Qiu would rather believe that Lin Wanqing’s innocent vulnerability in front of her was an act; at least it would prove Lin Wanqing had ambitions toward her.

Rather than the current situation where threats and inducement are needed just to get Lin Wanqing to reluctantly spend money from her card once.

“Received many love letters?” Yan Qiu chuckled lightly, her wheelchair gliding past Lin Zhenxi,

“I want to marry your sister. Is that in conflict with your sister liking other people?”