Chapter Forty-Six
After the New Year, when Ms. Shi and her family were about to return to work, the two families arranged to meet.
Pear Garden.
The people who came to visit Lu's mother's side were the same people she met every time, but her aunt couldn't come because she was filming.
She noticed that Lu's mother, like Ms. Shi, really liked wearing cheongsams. Today, both of them were wearing the same red cheongsam, but their different temperaments brought out their own unique charm.
As soon as Lu's mother got out of the car, she rushed towards Xing Bei, grabbed Xing Bei's hand and stuffed things into her hand: "You didn't come back for the New Year, so these are the red envelopes we prepared for you."
Xing Bei looked at her somewhat embarrassedly: "Aunt Lu, I'm not a child anymore, you don't need to prepare these things."
"It's just for good luck." Mrs. Lu smiled even more happily. "Auntie has also prepared a gift for you. I'll have Ah Xu take it back to you later."
Xing Bei: "Thank you, Aunt Lu."
Seeing how harmonious they were, Ms. Shi's serious expression relaxed.
At the dinner table, after a couple of drinks, the two sides became acquainted. Mr. Xing and Mr. Lu rarely drank, and their faces flushed quickly.
Then, someone brought up a suitable topic, and the two went from being polite to chatting with their arms around each other's shoulders, almost becoming sworn brothers.
Ms. Shi glanced at the people next to her and rolled her eyes at Mr. Xing with disdain.
She always messes things up at crucial moments, and we have to rely on her to handle everything.
Mrs. Lu and Mr. Lu exchanged a glance, then smiled and turned their gaze to the person opposite them: "Mrs. Xing, our Ah Xu is ignorant and has broken the ceremony, so we have come here to discuss the engagement banquet for our two children."
Ms. Shi looked away and smiled kindly: "That's how young people are. I think Xiao Xu is quite outstanding. Let time decide for them."
Grandpa Lu coughed lightly: "Beibei is a good girl. It is an honor for our Axu to marry her. We will definitely not skip any of the necessary procedures."
Seeing their family's attitude towards Xing Bei, and with this promise, Ms. Shi had nothing to complain about.
She was already quite satisfied with her son-in-law, Lu Runxu, so any further criticism would be going too far.
The temperature has been low lately, so after discussing everything that needed to be discussed, Grandpa Lu went back to rest.
Mrs. Lu took the gift box that was placed next to her and handed it to Mrs. Shi with a smile: "I heard that Mrs. Xing likes to wear cheongsams, which is just what I like, so I had two sets made. I wonder if they are to your liking."
Ms. Shi took the gift box and glanced at it. She immediately recognized the simple design on the box as originating from Yunxi Town.
She also took out the gift she had prepared and said with a smile, "It seems we all want to be together."
Girls naturally find it easy to start a conversation, and since they all love studying cheongsams, they soon started talking about getting several matching outfits made together next time.
Seeing that they weren't really talking much, Xing Bei seized the opportunity and pulled Lu Runxu outside.
Liyuan, this Chinese restaurant, is only suitable for social occasions. Xing Bei only ate a few bites before losing her appetite.
There's a really nice late-night snack shop near Liyuan. She used to sneak out there for late-night snacks when she was in school. I wonder if that shop is still there after all this time.
Upon arriving at the store, Xing Bei discovered that it was not only open but had also been renovated. Excitedly, she pulled Lu Runxu inside.
"Boss, two bowls of clear broth noodles, please."
"Okay." The boss turned around and looked at them with some surprise. "It's you, young lady. Long time no see."
Xing Bei tilted her head and smiled: "I didn't expect Boss Song to still remember me."
Boss Song: "I could never forget you, no matter who else I forget. You always come right before I'm about to close up shop."
His gaze drifted to the person next to him, whose eyes always seemed familiar: "Your boyfriend is quite a good match for you."
Xing Bei smiled and tightened her grip on Lu Runxu's hand, her voice filled with joy as she said, "Boss Song, I'm married now."
"Married?" Boss Song was taken aback. "My son is still dating, you're moving pretty fast. Your husband looks quite familiar to me."
Xing Bei felt a bit more force in her hand. She glanced at the person beside her and said, "No way, my husband is from Chanjing. How could you possibly have seen him?"
Mr. Song frowned in confusion: "Really? Perhaps I'm mistaken."
Xing Beichao found a seat by the window and could see the white magnolia in her yard.
Xing Bei nudged Lu Runxu's arm and pointed in the direction of her house: "See that? That magnolia tree that's blooming the most beautifully is my house. I really miss the nights when I used to sneak out."
Lu Runxu followed her fingertip and smiled, "I know."
There was a time when he sat in this very spot, longing for someone.
Xing Bei looked at him and said, "I didn't hear what you just said."
Lu Runxu looked away, just as Boss Song came over with a bowl of noodles. He smiled and shook his head: "It's nothing."
When they arrived back, Ms. Shi and the others had already gone home, and Lu's mother handed them over to the driver.
Seeing them return, Lu's mother took out a scarf from the car and put it on Xing Bei: "You should go back early too. It's been very cold lately, be careful not to catch a cold."
Xing Bei buried her face in her scarf, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lu's mother: "Okay, Lu's mother, send us a message when you get home."
Mrs. Lu nodded, then looked at Lu Runxu: "Go back and make some ginger soup for Beibei. Don't get carried away just because you've won over your mother-in-law."
Lu Runxu helped his mother into the car: "Mom, there's no need to say more about these things, I know everything."
Just as Lu's mother's car disappeared from sight, Secretary Lin arrived, and Lu Runxu took Xing Bei's hand and got into the car.
*
In early spring, the sun shines brightly, the snow has long since melted, and clusters of camellias bloom on the branches in the yard.
The makeup artist arrived early in the morning to do Xing Bei's makeup. After discussions between the two parties, they decided to hold the engagement banquet in the spring.
The beginning of the year carries a beautiful meaning.
Lu's mother had a cheongsam custom-made for her a long time ago, but it was too troublesome for her to wear.
Lu Runxu came out after changing his clothes and was stunned when he saw the person next to the dressing table.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, the person admires their own beauty. A few white camellias adorn the dark red cheongsam, with black auspicious cloud buttons. The flamboyant red hair cascades down the slender back like a waterfall. Even without makeup, the person is already breathtakingly beautiful.
Hearing a noise behind her, Xing Bei turned around and looked back. Her peach blossom eyes were clear and a little confused. When she saw the familiar figure, she smiled and tilted her head as she walked towards Lu Runxu.
Xing Bei slowly turned around, looking at the man in front of her with some anticipation: "How is it? Does it look good?"
Lu Runxu stared at her, his slender fingers tucking the stray hairs behind her ears, praising her without reservation: "Our Mingzhu is like a fairy from heaven, I feel like I'm not good enough for her."
Xing Bei proudly raised her head: "Then you'd better treat me well in the future, or your fairy wife won't be with you anymore."
"Yes, ma'am." Lu Runxu bent down and kissed her red lips. "I will treat my wife well for the rest of my life."
At the engagement banquet, Xing Bei didn't like socializing with relatives she didn't like, so she invited friends with whom both sides had frequent interactions.
Lin Zhuochi arrived first, accompanied by two secretaries carrying a large amount of stuff. Lu Runxu immediately knew what he was up to.
After all, Chi Qingtang hasn't agreed to reconcile with him yet, so he needs to maintain a good relationship with Chi Qingtang's best friend.
"Lin Zhuochi, when have I seen you so generous?" Shang Yichen walked over slowly. "Haven't you won Chi Qingtang back yet?"
Lin Zhuochi rolled his eyes speechlessly: "Is it any of your business?"
Shang Yichen looked at the man in the Chinese-style suit: "I didn't expect A-Xu to gain the approval of my uncle and aunt so quickly. I thought I would be kicked out."
Lu Runxu chuckled smugly: "How can I compare to some people? I heard that someone was locked out when they went to visit him."
Shang Yichen: "..."
If I had known he would say that, I shouldn't have brought it up.
Xing Bei had just finished a video call with Chi Qingtang when she ran into He Min as soon as she stepped out of the room. He Min had just finished greeting Shang Ruixing.
She tried to pretend she didn't see it, but the other person came over and stopped her, Xing Bei looking at her with her arms crossed.
He Min smiled insincerely: "Congratulations, cousin."
Xing Bei forced a smile: "I heard that my cousin has been getting close to an older man lately. I wonder if your aunt and uncle know about this?"
Upon hearing this, He Min's expression changed, but then she suddenly laughed as if she had thought of something: "You don't need to worry about that, cousin. I heard that your brother-in-law has a crush on someone he's had a white moonlight for a long time. I wonder if you can accept that."
Xing Bei burst out laughing at her petty, divisive behavior.
From childhood to adulthood, He Min had always enjoyed going against her and was most skilled at framing others. When she had someone she liked, unfortunately, that person liked her, so He Min spread rumors about her in order to be with him.
She simply couldn't believe that after all these years, they still preferred to use such methods.
When He Min saw her laugh, she stared at her seriously and asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Xing Bei glanced at her coldly: "That's all in the past. Besides, we're all adults now. Who didn't have someone they liked when they were young?"
She looked He Min up and down, her gaze finally settling on her lower abdomen: "Unlike my cousin, who loved her first love so much, only to be abandoned in the end, and even forced..."
That's enough.
He Min, whose bottom line had been crossed, was so angry that she wanted to slap her. Xing Bei raised her eyes and curled the corners of her lips: "He Min, don't forget that you are still in the entertainment industry."
He Min immediately put her hand down and carefully looked around. Hearing a sound coming from not far away, He Min glared at her and hurriedly left.
Xing Bei looked in the direction she had fled and gave a mocking snort.
What a useless thing.
Almost everyone had arrived in the hall. Xing Bei stood next to Ms. Shi, looking at the man holding her hand beside her, and her depressed mood vanished.
Today, Lu Runxu was wearing a matching black Zhongshan suit, with his white shirt neatly buttoned up to his neck and the auspicious cloud-patterned buttons on the outside undone.
With one hand in his pocket, he chatted with people who came to greet him, his eyes full of smiles.
The man, who was usually aloof and extraordinary, had now completely fallen into the mundane world.
Under the guidance of Grandpa Lu, the engagement banquet was held in a very grand manner, with joyful atmosphere both indoors and outdoors. The engagement ceremony for both parties was held in a separate room.
After exchanging pleasantries, Old Master Lu personally wrote out the engagement letter for them.
Xing Bei and Lu Runxu stood to the side, took the shadow puppets, looked at each other, and pressed their hands under their names.
Their friends immediately started spinning the fireworks when they pressed the button. Lin Zhuochi and his friends were the most enthusiastic. On such a good day, Lu Runxu didn't stop them.
Midway through, Xing Bei went outside for some fresh air. Looking at the scenery, she felt a little dazed. It felt unreal that she had entered a new phase so quickly.
Thinking back to when she broke up with Zhou Xuzhe last year, she thought it was impossible for her to get married after she turned thirty. Now, she is actually stuck at twenty-nine, marrying the person she loves most.
True happiness always comes to us in the end.
Lost in thought, Xing Bei noticed a pink figure appear beside her. She looked away and glanced at her side.
"Sister Beibei, I wish you and Brother Lu a long and happy life together." Shang Ruixing handed her a large bouquet of cappuccino roses.
A pungent aroma filled her nostrils, and Xing Bei couldn't help but sneeze several times.
Shang Ruixing put away the roses and turned to look at her: "Sister Beibei, what's wrong?"
Just as Xing Bei was about to speak, she sneezed several times in a row. Shang Ruixing realized that she might have caught a cold from the roses, so she quickly threw the flowers away.
Without the pungent floral scent, Xing Bei's nose wasn't as itchy, and Shang Ruixing pursed her lips, not daring to speak.
Xing Bei took a deep breath and leaned against the wall to catch her breath. Fortunately, the roses hadn't been there for too long, so it wasn't too serious.
"Sister Beibei, are you alright? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"
Meeting Shang Ruixing's gaze, Xing Bei knew she hadn't meant it, but remembering what He Min had said to her before, she couldn't help but suspect it was He Min's idea.
She gently patted Shang Ruixing's shoulder and said with a smile, "I'm fine. Did He Min tell you that I like roses?"
Shang Ruixing nodded: "It's her. I thought she was your cousin, so I asked her what you like, and she said, 'Sister Beibei, you like roses the most.'"
It really was her.
Xing Bei lowered her eyes, showing no anger whatsoever; instead, a mischievous smile flashed in her eyes.
Shang Ruixing understood what was going on; she had been set up.
She held Xing Bei's hand and said very seriously, "Sister Bei Bei, let's tell Brother Lu to teach this bad woman a lesson."
Xing Bei gently rubbed the top of her head: "No need to tell her, I have a better way to deal with her."
Since she doesn't want her to have an easy time, then she'll let her dream of entering the entertainment industry end today.
After she let Shang Ruixing leave, she found a familiar profile picture on her WeChat contact list, just in time to help her friend boost her sales.
He Min already had some popularity in the entertainment industry, and with her friend's article, the topic immediately went viral and became a trending topic.
He Min, who was still feeling smug, lost her composure instantly after receiving a call from her agent and hearing that the company wanted to sideline her.
After seeing the trending topics on Weibo, she collapsed to the ground, her dream of entering the entertainment industry completely shattered.
Seeing the satisfactory result, Xing Bei felt much better. They couldn't even hide their own weaknesses and still dared to provoke her. They were really courting death.
After toasting Xing Bei, Lu Runxu returned to her side. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a red mark on her fair neck, and his eyes darkened.
Xing Beizhu noticed that the person beside her was staring at her neck, so she raised her hand and touched it: "What's wrong?"
Lu Runxu looked away, took a picture and handed it over. Xing Bei looked at it and became a little annoyed: "I accidentally touched the rose just now and had a slight allergic reaction. I'll apply some medicine when I get back and I'll be fine."
Lu Runxu curled his lips: "Let's go to the hospital, this time it's a bit serious."
Xing Bei touched the back of her neck and nodded: "That works too."
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