Chapter 327 Anniversary
The celebration banquet was a joyous occasion, filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.
Looking at everyone, Shang Wu felt that life couldn't be more perfect than this.
The shadows of the past have completely vanished.
...
Night had fallen.
The noise of the dinner party subsided.
The Lu family villa has returned to tranquility.
After washing up, Shang Wu came out of the bathroom wearing a soft silk nightgown and saw Lu Rang standing alone in front of the bedroom's floor-to-ceiling window.
He didn't turn on the main light; only a warm yellow wall lamp by the bedside emitted a soft glow.
Shang Wu walked over quietly, gently wrapped her arms around his lean waist from behind, pressed her cheek against his broad back, and felt his body stiffen slightly.
"What's wrong? Still thinking about today's check-up?"
Her voice was soft and gentle after her bath, "The doctor said everything is fine, don't worry."
Lu Rang did not answer immediately, but covered her hands that were clasped on his abdomen; his palms were a little cool.
After a long while, he slowly turned around to face her.
In the dim light, Shang Wu saw that his eyes were bloodshot.
His usually sharp and composed eyes were now veiled with a fragile, watery light.
Lu Rang looked at her intently, his thin lips pursed, and said nothing.
Shang Wu's heart clenched suddenly. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Lu Rang's lips tremble slightly.
Lu Rang shed tears.
Shang Wu was completely stunned.
“A-Jan…”
She called out to him with heartache and reached out to wipe away his tears.
Lu Rang suddenly lowered his head, buried his face deep in her neck, and hugged her tightly, so tightly that she could hardly breathe.
His body trembled slightly, and tears dripped onto Shang Wu's neck.
Shang Wu stopped talking, but hugged him back just as tightly, gently patting his back with one hand.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. I'm fine now, aren't I? Okay, don't be afraid."
After a long while, Lu Rang's voice, muffled in the crook of her neck, came through, tinged with lingering fear: "Awu, I'm so scared, I'm really so scared."
"I'm terrified of losing you, terrified of losing you."
He tightened his arms around Shang Wu, as if only by holding her tightly could he confirm her real existence.
“When you fainted, I saw you lying there lifeless. The doctor said you needed surgery because there was something in your brain. I felt like my world was collapsing.”
Shang Wu listened quietly, her heart aching terribly.
Lu Rang remained calm throughout, but only she knew how scared and sad he was.
“While you were having surgery, every single second I was outside felt like I was being slowly tortured to death. My hands were shaking as I signed those consent forms.”
Lu Rang's tears flowed even more fiercely. "I dare not think about it. I dare not think about what I will do if the outcome is bad, what will happen to Xiao Wu?"
Shang Wu's eyes also welled up with tears.
Lu Rang's meticulous care over the past few days was all a facade to keep her from worrying; he silently bore all the pressure alone.
"I'm sorry." She choked back tears, gently kissing Lu Rang's temple. "I'm sorry for making you worry..."
Lu Rang shook his head vigorously, his eyes reddening, and laughed: "Don't apologize to me, A-Wu. It's good that you're alright. Your well-being is more important than anything else."
He cupped Shang Wu's face in his hands, his fingertips still slightly cool, and gently kissed her brows and eyes.
"Promise me you'll take good care of yourself from now on, and you'll stay with me until we're old. I can't live without you."
Shang Wu watched him plead for a promise like an insecure big boy, and her heart softened and ached, mixed with a hint of inexplicable amusement.
She tiptoed and kissed Lu Rang's lips.
"I promise you." Shang Wu whispered on his lips, "I will always be with you, watching Xiao Wu get married and have children, watching our grandchildren grow up, and we will see many, many beautiful sights together, and grow old together."
Lu Rang gazed at her intently, the vulnerability in his eyes gradually fading.
"Mmm." He responded softly, burying his face in Shang Wu's fragrant hair, unwilling to let go.
Shang Wu smiled and patted his back, gently coaxing, "Alright, let's go rest. It's getting late, I can't stay up late, have you forgotten?"
Lu Rang's eyes flickered, and he nodded.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
...
After a night, Shang Wu instinctively reached out to her side, only to find nothing.
She opened her eyes and found that Lu Rang had already gotten up, and the other side of the bed was cold.
She got up with some confusion, washed up, changed into her home clothes, and went downstairs.
As soon as she entered the living room, Shang Wu froze.
Lu Rang stood in the center of the living room, dressed in a dark gray suit, his hair neatly combed.
She replaced the cufflinks on her clothes with the pair of tulip-shaped gold buttons she had given her before.
"Awake?" Lu Rang saw her, a slight smile playing on his lips, and walked towards her.
He naturally took Shang Wu's hand and said, "Go change your clothes, I'll take you somewhere."
Shang Wu looked down at her loose-fitting loungewear and became even more confused: "Where are you going? Why are you dressed so formally?"
She reached out and straightened Lu Rang's already perfectly neat tie, jokingly saying, "Attorney Lu, are you going to meet some important client? Do you need me to help you make an appearance?"
Lu Rang grasped her mischievous hand, a gentle smile in his eyes, and said mysteriously, "Much more important than clients. Go on, pick out your favorite dress."
Seeing his seriousness, Shang Wu became curious. She smiled at Lu Rang, went upstairs to the dressing room, and picked through a row of dresses.
She ultimately chose a lotus root-colored dress, simple and elegant, which made her look radiant.
Shang Wu wore light makeup, loosely tied up her long hair, and put on a pair of pearl earrings.
As she walked down the stairs, Lu Rang's eyes flashed with undisguised amazement.
Even after all these years, he still couldn't get enough of Shang Wu's radiant appearance.
Lu Rang stepped forward and extended his arm to Shang Wu: "Shall we go?"
Shang Wu put her hand in his arm and let him lead her out the door and into the car.
Half an hour later, the car stopped outside a Western restaurant.
It was already peak dining time, and the restaurant was very quiet.
The waiter seemed to have been waiting for a long time and respectfully led them to a seat by the window.
A pristine white tablecloth covered the table, upon which sat a bouquet of fresh champagne roses.
Shang Wu glanced around and was surprised to find a violinist in a formal suit smiling at them from a corner of the restaurant.
Seeing them sit down, he began to bow and play.
The sound of the piano flowed out; it was a classical piece that Shang Wu liked very much.
"this……"
Shang Wu looked at Lu Rang in surprise.
Lu Rang simply smiled gently, gesturing for her to come back to her senses.
Soon, dishes were served one after another, all of which were Shang Wu's favorite flavors and were made with great care.
Throughout the performance, the violinist played exclusively for them.
When the dessert arrived, it was a delicate little cake decorated with fresh strawberries and cream frosting. There were no words on it, only a small heart drawn with chocolate sauce on the side.
Shang Wu looked at all of this, puzzled.
She put down the small silver spoon and finally couldn't help but lean closer to Lu Rang, her tone a mix of coquetry and bewilderment.
"Ah-Rang, what day is it today? Why are you being so mysterious?"
Lu Rang looked at her, who seemed to have no recollection at all, and was first taken aback. Then he shook his head helplessly and chuckled, his eyes full of affection.
He sighed softly and prompted, "Nineteen years ago today, someone almost missed getting their marriage certificate because they overslept at the Civil Affairs Bureau."
Shang Wu suddenly opened her eyes wide, revealing an expression of annoyance and sudden realization.
Today is their wedding anniversary.
The 19th anniversary.
She had completely forgotten!
During this period, he first fell ill, and then his daughter was kidnapped after her engagement.
After a series of events, Shang Wu was completely exhausted.
She actually forgot about such an important day.
"I, I..."
Shang Wu's cheeks quickly flushed red, feeling embarrassed and guilty.
She quickly picked up her glass of red wine, saying, "I'm so sorry, I'll punish myself with a glass. I completely forgot about such an important day."
Just as Shang Wu's hand touched the wine glass, Lu Rang gently pressed it down.
"If you forgot, you forgot. Why punish me?"
Lu Rang took her glass of wine and placed it in front of him, then pushed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice next to her, speaking gently.
"You've just recovered, drink this. We have an anniversary every year, your health is the most important thing."
He looked at Shang Wu's apologetic eyes, reached out and gently squeezed her hand.
“I brought you out not to make you apologize, but just to tell you that every anniversary we have together is worth commemorating, and no matter how much time has passed, you will always be the most important person to me.”
Shang Wu was moved and grasped his broad, warm hand in return, her eyes slightly warm.
She couldn't express all her feelings, and in the end, all she could say was a gentle smile on her lips.
"Thank you, Arjun. Nineteen years have passed, and you are still so kind to me."
"Only for you." Lu Rang looked at her and curled his lips into a smile.
The two smiled at each other and quietly enjoyed their anniversary lunch.
After lunch, Lu let the bill be paid.
He carefully picked up Shang Wu's coat.
The two walked out of the restaurant hand in hand.
However, Shang Wu stopped in her tracks as soon as she stepped down the steps from the restaurant entrance.
She looked at the distance with some surprise: "Aren, look over there."
Lu Rang was puzzled. Following Shang Wu's gaze, he saw a familiar figure sitting on the edge of a roadside flower bed.
"Little Mist?"
Lu Yuwu sat there with her knees drawn up to her chest, her chin resting on her arm.
She stared blankly at the traffic on the street, looking preoccupied, and didn't even notice her parents walking up to her.
"Xiaowu? What's wrong? Are you alright?"
Hearing the call, Lu Yuwu suddenly came to her senses, raised her head, and a trace of panic flashed across her face.
She quickly stood up: "Dad, what...what are you doing here?"
Shang Wu and Lu Rang exchanged a glance, both seeing the same question in each other's eyes.
It's not the weekend, so my daughter should be at school at this time.
"Let's go out for a meal."
Shang Wu walked over to Lu Yuwu and keenly sensed that something was wrong with her mood. She asked gently, "What about you? Why are you sitting here alone? Don't you have class?"
Lu Yuwu's eyes darted away for a moment, then she lowered her head and scribbled on the ground with her shoes, the sound muffled.
"I didn't have any important classes this afternoon, so I came out for a walk."
No one knows a daughter better than her mother.
When Shang Wu saw her like this, he knew something must have happened.
She didn't rush to ask any more questions, but gently put her arm around Lu Yuwu's shoulder and said softly, "Let's go home first, the sun is strong outside."
Lu Rang stepped forward and silently took his daughter's backpack.
The family of three got into the car to go home.
Inside the car, Lu Yuwu remained silent, gazing out the window, a stark contrast to her usual lively and cheerful demeanor.
Shang Wu and Lu Rang exchanged a knowing glance.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com