"Today is our wedding day, and yet you're exchanging glances with that woman named Song Qinian, as if I don't exist?"
Hearing her name, Song Qinian paused.
She cautiously peeked out and saw Zhou Yuting and Shen Yushu outside.
The slap she just heard was Zhou Yuting hitting Shen Yushu.
Shen Yushu lowered his head, and Song Qinian couldn't see his expression.
"You've misunderstood. Niannian is President Shen's wife. We were friends, but now we have no relation."
"Slap..."
Another slap landed on Shen Yushu's face.
Zhou Yuting, dressed in a red qipao, had a face full of rage. She claimed it was her and Shen Yushu's wedding day, yet she showed him no respect.
To slap her new husband in public seemed to disregard who might see.
Shen Yushu didn't resist at all; he even seemed accustomed to it. His explanation was delivered in a flat tone, yet it didn't sound like he had given up.
"Niannian? Hmph, if you have no relation, why do you call her so affectionately? Anyone would think she's your lover!"
"No, I don't like her."
"It's best if that's the case. If I ever see you interacting with that vixen again, you'll have a miserable life."
"Yes."
"I'm going to change. You, get lost and make me something to eat."
Today's protagonist was Zhou Yuting. Though not attractive, plump and ugly, she was surrounded by people who flattered her. This made Zhou Yuting a bit arrogant, believing she was the most beautiful and unique woman in the world.
For this special day, she had prepared several outfits, intending to shine in front of everyone.
"Okay."
Zhou Yuting wobbled away, her plump body swaying. Song Qinian, having witnessed this scene unexpectedly while using the restroom, felt a complex mixture of emotions.
She had thought Shen Yushu had found true love, only to discover this situation.
"Come out."
Shen Yushu's voice suddenly rang out. Song Qinian's heart tightened.
It's over. Did Shen Yushu see her?
How awkward would it be if she were discovered?
Song Qinian remained still. Shen Yushu walked over to her. Their eyes met. Song Qinian was full of embarrassment, while Shen Yushu smiled faintly. "I apologize for letting you see that scene."
Song Qinian had never felt so mortified. She slowly gestured with her hands, "I just... didn't see anything, didn't hear anything."
She had hoped to offer a way out for both of them, but Shen Yushu had other ideas.
"Aren't you curious why I'm still marrying her, given how she treats me?"
Song Qinian was genuinely not curious. Just as she was about to gesture her departure, Shen Yushu sighed softly. "I know I wronged you back then, and you must not want to see me. But today is my wedding day, and all the guests here are from the Zhou family. None of my own people are here. If Grandmother were alive, she would surely be happy to see me married."
Shen Yushu's expression was desolate. He tried to smile, but it was a terribly sad sight.
"Niannian, whether you believe it or not, I truly considered you a friend back then. I'm feeling very down right now. Could you just stay with me for a little while and listen to me talk? Even for a minute would be enough."
Shen Yushu's tone was filled with melancholy. Song Qinian thought of Shen Yushu's kind and gentle grandmother. For her grandmother's sake, she nodded slightly.
Shen Yushu smiled. "Thank you."
He took out a cigarette and asked Song Qinian, "Do you mind?"
Song Qinian shook her head.
After lighting the cigarette, Shen Yushu slowly began, "From childhood, I've been afraid of poverty. Grandmother exhausted herself to send me to school, incurred a large debt, and I always thought I could repay the money and give Grandmother a happy life through my own efforts. But after entering society, I realized reality is much crueler than I imagined."
"One wrong step leads to many. Through Lin Lanxing, I connected with Zhou Yuting. But Zhou Yuting is just a spoiled young lady from the Zhou family. She's arrogant, overbearing, and willful. As long as she's unhappy, she'll verbally abuse me or even hit me, not to mention how she treats the servants."
Song Qinian's brow furrowed tightly. If that's the case, why still marry her?
As if sensing Song Qinian's thoughts, Shen Yushu chuckled self-deprecatingly. "But what can I do? Her family is rich. And she likes me. She said she doesn't care about my background and that I can be a live-in son-in-law in the Zhou family. I've now joined the Zhou family's company and become the general manager of the planning department. Apart from marrying a woman whose appearance is ugly and whose heart is even uglier, instead of a beautiful and rich woman, all my other dreams have come true."
Song Qinian felt utterly bewildered. She cautiously looked around, seeing that no one was nearby, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Is Shen Yushu crazy?
Today was his wedding day with Zhou Yuting, and he was here badmouthing Zhou Yuting as ugly inside and out. Wasn't he afraid Zhou Yuting would hear and make his life unbearable?
Seeing Song Qinian's expression, Shen Yushu smiled faintly. "Don't worry. Since I've entered the Zhou family's house, I won't be easily driven out. People strive for the best. Since I've chosen this path, no matter how many thorns lie ahead, I will grit my teeth and walk through them."
Perhaps it was Song Qinian's illusion, but she felt Shen Yushu had changed so much. He was no longer the cheerful young man who used to joke with her and Miao Zi. He had become someone who would resort to any means to achieve his goals.
Shen Yushu let out a heavy sigh. "Niannian, thank you for listening to my nonsense. I feel much lighter. Although I might not be able to help you much, if you ever need anything in the future, you can come to me, and I will do my utmost."
Song Qinian gestured faintly, "Take care."
To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, Song Qinian quickly left.
She felt a pang of regret for Shen Yushu's current predicament, but ultimately, it was Shen Yushu's choice and his life. As an outsider, she had nothing more to say.
Song Qinian glanced at her phone. At this hour, the banquet should be over, and they should be leaving by now.
Just as Song Qinian was about to look for Shen Chi Yan, she was blocked by Lin Qiutong, who suddenly appeared by the lakeside.
Lin Qiutong seemed to have drunk quite a bit, her face was flushed, and she was swaying as she walked.
Song Qinian's mood soured as soon as she saw Lin Qiutong. Just as she was about to bypass her, Lin Qiutong grabbed her arm. "I heard you've been investigating the events of three years ago. If you want to know so badly whether your father was wronged, there's no need to investigate. I can tell you now."
Song Qinian's face changed drastically, and she turned sharply to look at Lin Qiutong...