When Lu Xinyi arrived at the entrance of Silver Leaf Academy, she was welcomed with flashes from the cameras reporters had glared at her brightly, forcing the Fu siblings to step forward to cover her.
“Miss Lu… no, Mrs. Shen, can you confirm when you got married?”
“Mrs. Shen, is it true that your mother had already promised you to President Shen without her family’s consent?”
“Why did you get married? Are you really rebelling against your mother’s family? Are you really using President Shen?”
At that question, Lu Xinyi halted her steps, looked over her shoulder, and said meaningfully. “All is fair in love and war.”
Lu Xinyi already expected that the media would follow her everywhere but hadn’t expected that they’d barged inside the academy just to get an exclusive interview with her. She lowered her head and refused everyone’s gaze.
A reporter from the crowd pushed his arm forward with his microphone in hand towards Lu Xinyi, his malicious smile spreading on his face. His microphone almost hit Lu Xinyi’s head from its brashness. Thankfully, Zhang Qing saw it coming and pulled the reporter from the crowd, surprising everyone.
Her actions were then followed by a piercing scream coming from the reporter who dared to hit Lu Xinyi. Silence ensued. The media stood still, their jaws dropped at what they’d witness. The lady bodyguard of Young Madam Shen easily dislocated the reporter’s shoulder in one swift motion.
“You are free to ask questions, but please be reminded who you are talking to. Please act accordingly, unless you want to face the repercussions of harming our Madam.” Zhang Qing’s warning was so scary that the media could feel their cold sweat starting to form on their foreheads.
Her cold gaze then shifted to the wailing man on the ground. Zhang Qing took a step forward and pulled his ID harshly from his coat. She read his name printed on the card and looked back at him with contempt.
“You’re lucky that you weren’t able to harm our Madam. Else, a dislocated shoulder wouldn’t be the only thing you’ll receive as a punishment. Anyway, if you were just asking questions and didn’t dare to hurt Madam Shen, the Shen family wouldn’t come knocking on your door to cause trouble.”
The media personnel shivered. They knew what the unspoken meaning behind her words was.
‘Do not cross the line unless you want to face the demon king’s wrath.’
The crowd was easily dispersed once the security personnel of the academy came to intervene. The media had no choice but to leave, afraid that they’d anger the Shen family. Lu Xinyi was led to the headmistress’ office instead, causing her to miss her morning class.
“Miss Lu, Headmistress Han is still busy presiding over the selection for the senior year. Please wait here.”
Lu Xinyi wasn’t pleased with the events. This meant that she wouldn’t be able to watch her brother’s performance for the selections. She’d been excited that she wasn’t able to sleep last night. Watching her brother cook was like watching their father showing her cooking skills with confidence.
Between the Lu siblings, Tian Lingyu’s style was closer to their father’s while Lu Xinyi adapted based on the situation and how her tongue discern the flavor of one dish.
Her phone chirped. It was her husband. Shen Yi told her to go back home as soon as possible. Lu Xinyi groaned but didn’t argue even if she wanted to be angry at him for not waiting for her go-signal before announcing their marriage.
Her bodyguards found a secluded path for her to escape the public’s attention and led her to another car sent by Shen Yi. Because her head was bowed and her long hair covered half of her face, Lu Xinyi hadn’t noticed a pair of eyes was watching her from a vacant classroom. Only when she was safely seated in the backseat of the car did she raise her head. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“Miss, are you okay?” Fu Shuren asked when he saw how Lu Xinyi was almost breathless from their long walk. The driver started the engine and took the other exit out of the school premises, making sure to avoid the media waiting for Lu Xinyi’s re-appearance.
“Yes.” Lu Xinyi took a deep breath.
As they got in the car, the cold outside seeped in. Noticing the slight trembling of their boss’ hands, Fu Shuren turned the heater on high.
When they arrived back at the Shen Mansion, Shen Yi was nowhere to be found. The twins ran towards Lu Xinyi at once when they saw her.
“Mommy, you came back. Are you okay?” Little Yuyan asked her worriedly. Her little hand reached out to touch Lu Xinyi’s forehead lovingly, making the woman laugh.
“I’m okay. Is Daddy home?” she queried. Both children shook their heads.
Checking her phone, she found no messages from her husband. He must be busy dealing with the news.
Lu Xinyi sighed. She lay down on the sofa and dozed off while the twins chose that time to take all their toys and scatter it on the living area, playing in hush voices so they wouldn’t disturb their mother.
Lu Xinyi only opened her eyes when she heard the twins talking to someone. When she opened her eyes, she saw her husband’s figure hovering at her to kiss her cheek.
“Did you just come back?” he questioned. He could see the annoyance in her eyes.
“No, but you should have called me and informed me what’s happening,” she mumbled.
Shen Yi sighed. He looked almost exhausted which Lu Xinyi easily noticed. He sat down next to her and closed his eyes.
“Sorry, something came up; and Grammie called me today to discuss it.”
To be honest, the news about their marriage wasn’t supposed to be revealed today, but someone with malicious intent wanted to drag Lu Xinyi on the muddy waters of gossip and defamation.
He knew it was Chu Ting who initiated the rumor about Lu Xinyi extorting money from her father. Shen Yi only took the chance to wipe out the rumors by leaking the copies of their marriage certificates and photos with the Tang family’s help.
Speaking of the Tang family…
“Xinxin, we have a guest. She’ll be staying with us for a few days. Do you mind looking after her?”
Lu Xinyi blinked. An unexpected guest by this time? Who could it be?
“It’s alright. I don’t see why not,” she answered. “Who is it?”
Shen Yi hesitated and shifted on his seat.
“It’s your grandmother… Tang Lingfei.”
