My Husband's Eyes Have Been Looking Different Lately After Our Marriage of Convenience - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: “A wedding will be held later”

Who else could be Lu Tingyun’s legitimate wife?

The moment those words left his mouth, the expressions of everyone present shifted instantly.

Song Ai hadn’t expected him to say that. Perhaps it was out of embarrassment, or perhaps it was anger from Lu Tingyun pinching him, but his face inadvertently turned beet red. From a distance, he looked like a ripe red apple.

If someone were to snap a candid photo of him right now, he’d probably give himself two punches on the spot upon seeing it.

So spineless—just beat me to death already.

The person who had been teasing Lu Tingyun and the refined young man earlier gave an awkward cough. “I see… Well, since we’re all a bit unfamiliar, let’s introduce ourselves. I’ll go first. I’m Xu Wen, Tingyun’s high school and university classmate. And you guys are…?”

Wang Ruijing looked left and right. Feeling like the least important person there, he gave a simple name: “Wang Ruijing.”

Xu Wen asked, “Are you also a friend of Tingyun?”

Wang Ruijing glanced at Lu Tingyun, shook his head, and pointed his thumb horizontally at Song Ai beside him. “I’m his friend.”

“Oh, oh. No wonder I haven’t seen you before.” Xu Wen then looked at Song Ai, but the latter seemed to have no intention of acknowledging him, not even lifting an eyelid.

“…”

Pretty, but a bit of a brat. This was Xu Wen’s silent first impression.

Amidst the stalemate, the refined young man spoke up gently.

“Mmm, I’m Lin Zhiyuan, also a high school and university classmate of Tingyun. I just returned to the country yesterday and am still not quite used to domestic customs. If there’s anything inappropriate in my behavior, I hope you all can bear with me.”

“Tsk.” Xu Wen laughed. “Stop being so humble, it’s boring! Among us, other than Tingyun, you’re the most polite one! Remember back in university, when the two of you stood together, what did people say? Oh right, they said you were the model couple of ‘erudition and grace’—”

“Song Ai.”

Before Xu Wen could finish, he was suddenly interrupted by Song Ai, who had been maintaining a cold silence.

Xu Wen froze, taking a moment to realize that was his name. Although it was an introduction, when Song Ai spat out those two words, it sounded to Xu Wen exactly like “Shut up.”

It was actually a bit scary. Xu Wen added another tag to his mental first impression.

…

The Engagement Ceremony Began Shortly.

The Shen heiress wore a gold-flecked floor-length mermaid gown today. Her hair was pulled back, revealing a beautiful, full forehead; she looked grand and elegant.

The elderly man sitting in the wheelchair beside her was likely the rumored eccentric Old Man Shen. However, unlike the happiness radiating from his daughter’s face, Old Man Shen remained frowning, his mustache twitching.

The host stood between the two leads of the engagement party, microphone in hand, moving the process along.

Watching this from afar, Xu Wen suddenly realized he hadn’t attended Lu Tingyun’s wedding.

“Tingyun, did you guys hold a wedding when you got married?”

Lu Tingyun pursed his lips and spoke truthfully: “No.”

Xu Wen gave an “Oh, oh” in response. “I thought so. I had no memory of it and wondered if I’d remembered wrong.”

Lu Tingyun didn’t reply further. Instead, Song Ai shot a fleeting glance over. Although there was no obvious emotion in his eyes, it was enough to make Xu Wen shut his mouth.

However, Lin Zhiyuan followed up without reading the room. “Ah? You didn’t hold one? I thought it was because I was abroad and didn’t get an invitation…”

With someone backing him, Xu Wen’s courage returned. “Hahaha… so why didn’t you hold one? I used to say I’d definitely drink at your wedding feast! This is great, I didn’t even get any wedding candy.”

Why?

Why else?

It was because they had no feelings for each other and were married by agreement. They were going to divorce in three years, so they simply didn’t bother.

But wasn’t this common knowledge? Otherwise, why would everyone automatically ignore the fact that Song Ai was standing next to Lu Tingyun?

If the setting weren’t so restricted, making it inappropriate to curse, Song Ai would have asked if they were just bored out of their minds. Asking questions when they already knew the answer—did they just enjoy listening to stories of broken families?

One couldn’t be bothered to lash out, the other kept his eyes down. After a long while, neither of the involved parties spoke.

Xu Wen also belatedly realized his question was a bit stupid. Just as he was about to change the subject to lighten the atmosphere, he heard Lu Tingyun suddenly speak:

“It will be held later.”

Hearing this, everyone’s gaze shifted toward him. Song Ai blinked.

Aren’t we divorcing sooner or later? Why hold a wedding…

Oh—I get it.

While everyone was well aware of the nature of their marriage, some things are better understood than spoken. By saying this, Lu Tingyun could logically shut them up without ruining the image of a harmonious and loving family.

Two birds with one stone. Song Ai realized this instantly, thinking Lu Tingyun was actually quite clever. Of course, he wasn’t bad himself ^_^.

Just then, the brief engagement ceremony concluded. Dozens of speakers simultaneously began playing soft, graceful music, and the topic was dropped.

Waiters stepped forward to guide guests to their seats for the final part of the evening: the meal.

Song Ai had been hungry for a long time. He already had a fast metabolism, and after walking around all night with only a Fanta to sustain him, he could eat a whole cow.

There was no rigid seating arrangement; guests could sit wherever they liked since the lobby was massive. The group found a round table nearby. Soon, more people joined, mostly there for Lu Tingyun. The eight-person table was quickly filled.

The food was served fast. Within minutes, the table was crowded. Song Ai’s bowl was also crowded.

Xu Wen was pouring wine. Just as he set the bottle down, he noticed a “small mountain” of food had appeared next to him at some point, and his eyes widened to double their size.

Lu Tingyun was sitting right there. Xu Wen nudged him with his elbow and asked in a low, serious voice: “Do you just… not feed him?”

“…” Lu Tingyun looked over, but his expression remained normal. Used to this, he explained: “He’s always had a good appetite.”

Xu Wen clicked his tongue. “…That’s a bit too good, isn’t it?”

Even in a suit, one could tell Song Ai was thin; his face didn’t look like it had an ounce of fat. Xu Wen knew male celebrities who were this thin, but they had to strictly control their diets. They were never as reckless as Song Ai.

Lu Tingyun curled his fingers. His mind involuntarily recalled that night when he held Song Ai as he straddled him; he had felt the clear edges of his shoulder blades. He had been startled at the time, but the heat of passion left him no room for thought.

Thinking about it now, it indeed seemed unreasonable. While there was a possibility he was still in a growth spurt, he should arrange a full physical exam just in case.

As Lu Tingyun was lost in thought, a pair of chopsticks suddenly appeared in front of him.

“I remember you used to love this.” Lin Zhiyuan placed a piece of kidney in his bowl, his eyes curved into crescents. “I just don’t know if it’s as good as the shop near our school. Tingyun, give it a try.”

Lu Tingyun hesitated and didn’t move his chopsticks.

Instead, Xu Wen got excited. “Is it the one at Lingnan Mansion? Damn, I haven’t had it in ages! I remember we went there every weekend. Thinking back, it smelled amazing!”

Lin Zhiyuan nodded. “When I was abroad, I often missed that flavor.”

Xu Wen followed up: “We should go back to the school together sometime and eat there…”

“Rong Garden Private Dining?” Wang Ruijing suddenly interrupted.

Xu Wen looked at him with surprise. “You know it too?”

“My dad took me there. He also said their signature dish was stir-fried kidney. But…” Wang Ruijing paused. “That shop went out of business last year.”

Xu Wen: “…Huh?”

Lin Zhiyuan froze, looking somewhat disbelieving. “Out of business?”

Hearing that heartbroken tone, Song Ai finally couldn’t help but look up from his pile of food to steal a glance at Lin Zhiyuan’s expression. It was a bit tragic, but honestly, it was hilarious.

Hahahahahaha.

Though he was laughing internally, his slumped shoulders shook a couple of times.

Lu Tingyun noticed and whispered, “What’s wrong?”

Song Ai suppressed it. “Nothing. This dish is too funny—I mean, too delicious. I’m having a great time eating.”

Lu Tingyun: “…”

Wang Ruijing nodded firmly in response. “Mm.”

“But the owner of that shop wasn’t…” Lin Zhiyuan murmured in confusion, as if he wanted to say more, but a loud commotion nearby interrupted him.

They looked up and saw Old Man Shen leading his daughter and future son-in-law toward them.

Song Ai had attended friends’ weddings before. Usually, after the ceremony, the bride and groom change into simpler clothes to toast the tables. But wasn’t this an engagement?

To avoid drawing attention, he nudged Lu Tingyun’s shin with his leg and whispered, “Do you toast at engagements too?”

Lu Tingyun glanced at the tablecloth and guessed: “He probably wants to introduce them to people.” Even if Old Man Shen wasn’t satisfied with the husband his daughter chose, the Shen family business would eventually be inherited by them. Since he couldn’t change his daughter’s mind, he might as well pave the way.

Lu Tingyun’s guess was spot on.

Old Man Shen led them to the center of the hall. His first words were: “Everyone here is a leader in the business world and has maintained ties with our Shen family for years. My daughter and son-in-law are still young; I fear they may be lacking when they take over the business in the future. I hope you will all remember our old friendship and look after them.”

Though the old man was aged, his voice was still resonant. The guests raised their glasses.

“Of course.”

“Old Man Shen, you’re being too polite.”

“Even if you didn’t say it, we would do so.”

This group of people sounded more devoted than recruits joining a rebellion. The atmosphere was electrified. It sounded so good that Song Ai almost wanted to stand up and shout, “I’ve got your back!”

Unfortunately, “friendship” is the last thing that matters in business.

Old Man Shen was satisfied with the reaction and told everyone to keep eating and drinking; he would lead the couple to toast table by table shortly.

Soon, it was Song Ai’s table’s turn.

The Shens were among the first to get rich in J-City. Back then, Old Man Shen started from scratch during the Reform and Opening-up, becoming a famous “ten-thousand-yuan household” by age nineteen. He founded the company in his thirties, it went public within a decade, and now the Shen family assets were enough to rival a third of the enterprises in J-City. Their influence was obvious.

Wherever he went to toast, that table would automatically stand up. Song Ai’s table was no exception.

Old Man Shen held a porcelain cup of white liquor, said some sincere words, and then tilted his head to drain it. His every move exuded a bold, heroic aura.

Song Ai stared at the coconut milk in his glass, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed. He took a bashful sip, and when he looked up again, he met a strange gaze.

It was the Shen heiress’s fiancé.

The young man’s looks weren’t stunning, but they were decent. He had no flaws but no distinguishing features either. His hair was a bit short, likely just cut. Song Ai remembered that Wang Ruijing said his name was Zhong Shaoxuan.

Song Ai had no memory of that name and couldn’t figure out why the man kept staring at him. But soon, Zhong Shaoxuan withdrew his gaze.

After they left, Song Ai sat down and nudged Lu Tingyun again, but this time he used his knee.

Before he could speak, Lu Tingyun reached under the table first, pressing down on his restless thigh. “Stop moving.”

Lu Tingyun’s palm was incredibly hot. It turned both Song Ai’s thigh and his ears red.

He gave an “Oh,” and only then did the other withdraw his hand and ask, “What is it this time?”

Song Ai curled his lip and said, “Do you get the feeling that Zhong Shaoxuan guy was acting weird just now?”

Lu Tingyun: “How so?”

Song Ai said truthfully: “He stared at me for a long time.”

Lu Tingyun thought for a moment, turned to look at him, and asked: “What do you think the reason might be?”

Song Ai thought about it. “…I’m good-looking?”

Lu Tingyun: “…”

He was silent for two seconds, noticing that Song Ai’s lips were much rosier than when they first arrived—moist and translucent, looking a bit like jelly. He wondered if they felt like it too…

Lu Tingyun’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. He couldn’t think of a more logical explanation at the moment, so he finally just said:

“Mm.”

He was good-looking.