Chapter 5 Rumors
As conversations occasionally drifted in from outside the window, Lu Zhenyu opened her eyes to find it was already broad daylight.
"Aunt Chen, look how beautifully these yellow roses are blooming."
"What are you talking about? They're blooming so beautifully. Actually, the camellias from before were all white, but they weren't as appealing as these yellow roses, which make people feel comfortable."
Duan Xi'er chuckled, "I told you to listen to me, you wouldn't go wrong."
Mother Shen always went along with her, saying, "Yes, yes, yes, from now on we'll listen to you. Once you're married into the family, the entire Shen family will be under your management."
Hearing this, the girl lowered her head shyly, "Auntie Chen, you're teasing me again."
"Hey! This isn't a joke."
Taking her fair and flawless hands, Mother Shen said solemnly, "In your uncle's and my hearts, we have long regarded you as the daughter-in-law of the Shen family. We were planning to wait for your uncle to come back this time so that our two families could discuss your marriage properly."
“Then…” Duan Xi’er lowered her head shyly, “I’ll listen to you.”
Bright yellow roses were carefully cut and placed into the basket, one by one, while the conversation between the "mother-in-law and daughter-in-law" drifted upwards, squeezing through the crack in the balcony door.
The bedroom was dimly lit, and Lu Zhenyu lay there motionless.
In fact, I didn't think about anything; I just kept staring at the ceiling until my eyes were sore and aching before I got out of bed.
Yes, it's not a hallucination.
After washing up, applying some powder to her forehead and the corners of her mouth, and tidying up her bangs and shoulder-length short hair, she prepared to go downstairs to say goodbye to her mother.
Just as the white camellia doesn't attract attention, her status as a "phoenix girl" also makes her stand out to many.
…
"The weather is nice today, and Sister Zhenzhen is here too. How about we go shopping?"
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who had just returned from picking flowers, were sitting in the living room slowly arranging flowers.
Mother Shen thought the suggestion was good. "It just so happens that your sister Zhenzhen didn't bring anything with her when she came back this time. I'm thinking of getting her some clothes and jewelry."
“I also want to buy some casual clothes for A-Si. He wears only suits all day long, which makes him seem stiff and boring.”
Although they are not even boyfriend and girlfriend yet, Duan Xi'er has already placed herself in the position of Mrs. Shen.
She had known Shen Jingsi for over a decade. Regardless of the past, during the most difficult years for the Shen family, she was always there for them, never abandoning them.
Even if she doesn't want the position of Mrs. Shen, no one dares to take it from her now.
Everyone likes a thoughtful and sensible daughter-in-law, and with her good family background, Shen's mother wished she could marry her off to her son right away.
He patted her hand, his eyes filled with relief, "Xiao Si, having you by my side to help with everything is truly a blessing from my past life."
Duan Xi'er lowered her light pink cheeks shyly, "Having him is my blessing."
Coming down from the second floor, Lu Zhenyu, standing at the corner, watched this scene of mother-in-law's kindness and daughter-in-law's filial piety. Her gaze was lost for a moment before she smiled faintly.
A person's greatest virtue is self-awareness, and Lu Zhenyu has possessed this for twenty years.
It is even clearer that Shen Jingsi's future wife may be the daughter of the Duan family, who hold power.
With the Duan family's help, his later life will be easier.
Composing herself, Lu Zhenyu went downstairs and said, "Godmother, I overslept."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked up in tacit agreement. When they saw that someone had arrived, Duan Xi'er got up to greet them and affectionately took Lu Zhenyu's arm.
"Sister Zhenzhen, we were just saying we were going to take you shopping!"
Mother Shen instructed the servants to prepare breakfast, then looked at the two people who had sat down with a smile, "Let your sister Zhenzhen eat first, and then we'll set off."
The two of them chatted back and forth, leaving Lu Zhenyu, who hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise, sitting there until Duan Xier skipped out to have a car prepared, which gave her a chance to speak.
"Godmother, I won't go shopping."
"What's wrong?" Madam Shen looked at her with concern and took her hand. "Are you still feeling unwell? You didn't look well when the servants carried you back last night. Is something wrong with your health?"
Didn't Shen Jingsi bring her back last night?
It seems it was just a dream.
But she still cherished this dream.
In his dream, Shen Jingsi held her in his arms, and as she rambled incoherently during her nightmare, he gently patted her back and softly comforted her:
"Don't be afraid, Shen Jingsi is here. Tell me, has someone bullied you?"
But it was just a dream after all.
Lu Zhenyu snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head at Chen's mother, "It's because no one has lived at home for a long time, and I want to go back and tidy up."
Upon hearing this, Chen's mother frowned. "Isn't this your home? Do you want to return to the old family house?"
Seeing her nod, she slapped her hand away reproachfully, "Nonsense! That house has been uninhabited for so long. Besides, you are now a daughter of the Shen family. If you go back to live there by yourself, there will be no one to take care of you. How can your mother feel at ease!"
The mother and daughter each expressed their own opinions and refused to back down. In the end, Duan Xi'er returned and temporarily put the topic aside.
After a quick breakfast, Lu Zhenyu was led by the two to a shopping mall owned by the Shen family.
Having received the news, the mall manager was waiting at the entrance early and led the three of them and a group of bodyguards to stroll around leisurely.
In a men's boutique, three women sat on a sofa as well-built male models walked in one after another, showcasing the clothes they were wearing.
"This one, that one, and the third one, wrap it up for me according to Ah Si's size."
Duan Xi'er picked out several pieces in one go, then turned to explain to Chen's mother, "I think these colors are quite suitable for A Si. He always likes to wear dark clothes in the future, which is unavoidable for work, but he should wear brighter colors in his daily life to show his vitality."
Mother Shen looked at her with admiration, saying, "Your taste is impeccable."
Duan Xi'er grinned broadly and turned to look at Lu Zhenyu, "Sister Zhenzhen, aren't you going to pick out a few things for your brother-in-law?"
Lu Zhenyu wanted to say no, but Duan Xier didn't give her the chance. "Come on, come on, I'll advise you. We can't just buy things for A Si and not for your brother-in-law. He'll be jealous when he gets back."
Lu Zhenyu was pulled to the clothing section at the back by her, and after a while, she heard a lively conversation coming from the front.
Presumably she had run into an acquaintance, Duan Xi'er said, "Sister Zhenzhen, you choose first, I'll go out and take a look."
As soon as the others left, Lu Zhenyu glanced at the white shirt in her hand, as if she had touched something dirty, and put it back without hesitation.
But she didn't go out; instead, she passed the time by looking at other clothes while listening to the conversation outside.
Between the lounge area and the clothing area is an art wall, and the sound of conversation seems to deliberately drift in around it.
The wealthy ladies she encountered were friends of Duan Xi'er's mother, and she first praised them highly in front of Chen's mother.
As they continued their conversation, the topic turned to the marriage between the Duan and Chen families.
“Our Xiaoxi is perfect as a daughter or daughter-in-law. Mrs. Shen, you need to make sure Xiaosi makes time for her and doesn’t waste our daughter’s precious time.”
"What are you talking about? Why don't you hurry up and marry such a good girl? I don't know what Xiao Si is thinking."
"Yes, yes, I'm also anxious about the two children's marriage."
"Mothers, please don't talk about Ah Si. He's too busy with work right now, so it's inevitable that he can't take care of me. Now that I've set my sights on this man, I'm not in a hurry."
Chen Jie, who was surrounded by a group of wives, was deeply moved after hearing Duan Xi'er's words and hugged her.
These wealthy women had all watched Duan Xi'er grow up, so they naturally didn't feel that their enthusiasm was being in vain.
"Mrs. Shen, look how considerate and sensible this girl is. Back then, your Xiao Si broke Xi'er's heart so many times because of that girl from the Lu family. Now you see, a person's true character is revealed in times of trouble."
"Who says otherwise? Back when your Shen family was in trouble, that little girl ran away when things looked bad. It was our Xi'er who stayed with your Xiao Si without holding a grudge."
Mrs. Tang spoke with great detail and conviction, her words flowing freely.
“I saw it with my own eyes. This girl ran home crying and begged her grandfather and father to help you. She went on a hunger strike for almost half a month and almost lost her life. If it were me, I would have married her and taken good care of her long ago.”
What Duan Xier did for Shen Jingsi back then is no secret in the capital.
It was even common knowledge that people praised the Shen family for having such a daughter-in-law, saying it was like their ancestors' graves were emitting auspicious smoke.
Mother Shen was touched, but her eyes darted out of the corner of her eye towards the clothing section. "Yes, meeting Xiao Xi is a blessing for our Shen family. A well-behaved daughter and a thoughtful daughter-in-law, Old Shen and I are very content."
Mrs. Lin across from her scoffed, her lips practically curling to the sky. "It's true that your daughter-in-law is considerate, but a daughter who isn't your own is always a little distant. I've heard that the child hasn't shown her face in five years abroad, but she secretly came back these past two days. Could it be that she sees the Zheng family is about to fall apart and wants to climb the social ladder by marrying into your family?"
Mother Shen's smile froze slightly. "A daughter should always come back to visit her parents' home. We don't care about that in our family."
Mrs. Tang sneered, her face full of disdain, "That's because you're kind-hearted, but these outside sparrows are never as good as house swallows. They'll fly away at the slightest disturbance, and you can't keep them safe. If you ask me, you, as the mother-in-law, should focus your attention on your daughter-in-law. She'll be the lucky star of your Shen family in the future."
"Anyway, I told my son that he can find a wife from a family that has fallen on hard times, or even a poor girl from a small town, but he absolutely cannot find a heartless, ungrateful woman. She'll never be tamed and will always run away!"
The wealthy women chatted amongst themselves, and no matter what Chen Jie wanted to say, she had to consider Duan Xi'er beside her.
After all, back then, for Lu Zhenyu's sake, that brat of theirs really hurt Duan Xi'er, who was devoted to him.
This sounded rather deliberate, so Duan Xi'er stepped in to smooth things over.
Before anyone could speak, a soft, lingering voice drifted in from outside the door:
"I'm afraid Madam Tang is overthinking it. Instead of worrying about an ungrateful wretch, she should worry about how to marry off her mama's boy who's over forty."
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