Chapter 10: Eating
Shen Zhuyu’s plane landed in Jingbei City at around five o’clock in the morning.
She didn’t even have time to pick up her luggage, carrying only a bag in her hand as she stormed straight toward the exit gate.
The moment she stepped out, Shen Zhuyu saw her younger sister standing obediently at the arrival gate. As soon as she spotted her, she waved vigorously and plastered on a fawning smile.
Shen Zhuyu let out a cold snort.
When they were little and she got into big trouble, didn’t she always smile like this? She really couldn’t be bothered to scold.
Walking up, Shen Zhuyu grabbed Shen Zhuying’s ear and, without a word, dragged her out of the airport.
Halfway, Shen Zhuying tried to strike up a conversation.
“Elder Sister～”
“Shut up.”
“……”
In the taxi, Shen Zhuyu rubbed her tired temples before finally beginning her reprimand.
“Shen Zhuying, have you grown bold? You didn’t even tell me about something as huge as marriage. Next time, are you going to announce in the family group chat that I should attend your baby’s one-month celebration? That would be formal enough.”
“That rebellious, I wouldn’t be.”
“You mean you’re not rebellious enough now?”
Shen Zhuying blinked her big eyes at Shen Zhuyu, not daring to say another word.
For half an hour straight, Shen Zhuyu scolded her without pausing for breath. Finally, she asked, “What’s the name of the man you married? What family, what background?”
Shen Zhuying answered honestly, “His name is Fu Sizhuo. His family…”
“Wait.” Shen Zhuyu took a gulp of water, frowning. “What’s his name?”
“Fu Sizhuo.”
Shen Zhuyu froze: “Don’t tell me it’s that Fu Sizhuo from high school?”
Seeing the girl nod, what more did Shen Zhuyu need to understand?
She sighed, both distressed and helpless.
After a long pause, she ruffled Shen Zhuying’s head hard but said nothing more.
—
When they got home, Shen Zhuyu and Shen An sat at the dining table, glaring at Shen Zhuying, who stood meekly, like judges in a trial.
Shen An: “Do you admit you were wrong?”
“I was wrong.”
Shen Zhuyu: “Where were you wrong?”
“Everywhere.”
At least she had a good attitude about admitting fault.
Only then did Shen Zhuyu and Shen An’s expressions ease.
After a few seconds of silence, Shen An broke first, curiosity getting the better of her: “How did you run into him again?”
“Mom.” Shen Zhuyu shot her a look, signaling her to stay serious.
“Ahem.” Shen An instantly straightened up.
“How long have you been dating?” Shen Zhuyu tapped the table as she asked.
“We didn’t date.” Shen Zhuying lowered her head.
“…You just went straight to marriage?” Shen Zhuyu looked like she was ready to kill someone.
“Mm.”
“Who suggested marriage?”
Shen Zhuying’s voice grew softer and softer: “I did.”
“……” Shen Zhuyu stared at her like she hated iron for not becoming steel.
“Who gave you the courage?” Shen Zhuyu couldn’t help but ask.
Shen Zhuying cautiously peeked at her: “You and Mom.”
“Anyway, you’ll cover for me, won’t you?”
Because of the indulgence and favoritism she had been given since childhood, Shen Zhuying had never felt herself any different from other healthy children.
So she had the courage, time and again, to throw herself wholeheartedly into pursuing the people or things she loved, without ever needing to consider the consequences.
Shen Zhuyu’s bellyful of anger suddenly vanished. She curled her lips. “From childhood till now, still the same sweet mouth.”
“Heehee.” Shen Zhuying leaned over and rubbed against her in her arms.
“I still have a performance in the U.S. Since you’re already married, better set a date soon for both families to meet properly.” Shen Zhuyu vented her frustration by rubbing her little sister’s cheeks.
“I really want to see what kind of great deity managed to captivate my sister for so many years.”
Shen Zhuying acted coy. “Don’t tell him I’ve liked him for many years. I don’t want him to know yet.”
“Alright, alright, got it.” Shen Zhuyu patted her head. “My little princess.”
“So…” Ms. Shen An rested her chin on her elbow, batting her eyes at the two of them, “Miss, you and that British-educated boy of yours, how exactly did you go from strangers straight to marriage?”
Shen Zhuying hesitated for a moment before weakly replying, “With… sincerity?”
Shen Zhuyu stared at the two of them with a blank expression: “…”
How was it that after barely half a year abroad, she was already out of step with the times?
—
The dinner gathering was set at Baozhen Tower.
When Shen Zhuying’s family arrived at the private room, Grandma Zhou and Fu Sizhuo had already been waiting quite a while.
As soon as the three walked in, Grandma Zhou hurried over to greet them. “So sorry. My daughter-in-law’s health isn’t well, and Sizhuo’s father has been abroad with her for treatment. He really couldn’t spare the time. Today’s meal can only be hosted by this old woman here.”
“But rest assured, they are very pleased with Zhuying. They even especially asked me to bring gifts.”
“Not at all, not at all. Family’s health comes first.”
The two families warmly clasped hands, exchanging pleasantries.
Shen Zhuying stood to the side, first politely greeting Grandma, before turning her gaze toward Fu Sizhuo.
The man was still in his impeccably tailored black suit, his broad shoulders and long legs all the more pronounced.
The corners of his lips held a faint, gentle smile. He greeted each person courteously, but when his gaze swept past Shen Zhuying, it lingered slightly longer.
Perhaps due to his professional disposition, Fu Sizhuo seemed especially at ease in such settings, composed, considerate, handling every detail smoothly, and striking just the right balance in social graces.
During the exchange, Shen Zhuyu deliberately asked him a few tricky questions, and Fu Sizhuo answered each one with genuine courtesy.
If it weren’t for the formality of the occasion, Shen Zhuying would have stood up and applauded him on the spot.
The smile at the corners of Ms. Shen An’s mouth grew wider and wider, it was truly as the old saying goes: a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, and the more she looks, the more pleasing he becomes.
Shen Zhuyu quietly sent Shen Zhuying a message.
【Shen Zhuyu】: This guy’s got something.
【Shen Zhuyu】: A little princess like you, so naïve about the ways of the world, after marriage he’s going to have you completely wrapped around his finger. Good luck with that.
Shen Zhuying puffed out her cheeks.
【Muzi Manying】: Can’t you just praise him for once?
【Shen Zhuyu】: I did praise him. I said he’s got something.
When the discussion turned to the betrothal gift, the Fu family offered a number that was truly astonishing.
Shen Zhuyu continued messaging her.
【Shen Zhuyu】: And he’s got some wealth. My sister can be considered to have married into a wealthy family now.
【Shen Zhuyu】: You really pulled it off, this time you didn’t lose out.
【Muzi Manying】: ……
The meal ended with everyone happy and satisfied.
As they were leaving, Shen Zhuying deliberately lagged behind and quietly gave Fu Sizhuo a thumbs up.
“You were amazing.” Shen Zhuying’s eyes sparkled like stars.
She was twenty-six now, but still felt like a child in front of all those relatives. Yet Fu Sizhuo could handle the situation with such ease.
“Really?” Fu Sizhuo tilted his head slightly down toward her, lowering his voice to match hers. “Actually, I was a little nervous.”
“Really?” Shen Zhuying didn’t believe it.
He had met so many heads of state.
“Really.”
Fu Sizhuo suddenly extended his hand, brushing tentatively against her palm, pausing for about two seconds—
Then he slowly clasped it.
The touch was cool and smooth.
Shen Zhuying stared at their joined hands, completely stunned. Her face visibly reddened more and more, like a ripe persimmon.
“Do you feel it?” She heard his voice, laced with a smile.
“What?” Shen Zhuying was dazed.
His five fingers pressed firmly yet slowly into the gaps of hers.
Their ten fingers interlocked.
Fu Sizhuo lowered his head slightly, leaning close to her ear, his voice low and magnetic: “I’m really nervous right now.”
So his palms were sweating.
The elders walking ahead saw the scene clearly, all grinning with delight.
Young couples these days, so affectionate, sneaking hand-holding.
Shen Zhuyu even let out a cold chuckle, wearing an expression of “as expected.”
She sent another message to Shen Zhuying.
【Shen Zhuyu】: Didn’t I tell you! After marriage he’s going to have you completely wrapped around his finger!!!
