Chapter 5: Marriage Was My Own Choice

The afternoon sky over Aocheng was heavy. Before long, the gathering rain began to fall, veiling the city in a pale mist.

In the lounge adjoining the president’s office on the eighty-eighth floor of Shengyu International, Shen Rui exchanged a look with Ming Xiujin. After the other man nodded, he turned to Lu Siting on the central sofa and lowered his voice.

“You really dumped Jiang Yingchan and married that subordinate of yours? What’s her name—something Xia? The Jiangs played on the favor they did your grandfather, and he used it to trap you. Maybe all he wanted was to put pressure on you because he wants a great-grandchild. Did you really have to jump into the hole?”

Ming Xiujin narrowed his eyes, watching Lu Siting with interest.

They had been dumbfounded when Ah Yi told them he had married—and not to Jiang Yingchan.

It was too sudden.

The least likely man to marry had been the first to get a marriage certificate. And under these circumstances!

Lu Siting looked up, his dark eyes calm.

“Marriage is only one more woman in your life, I suppose. Perhaps a subordinate suits you better. Or did you need someone to hide behind because you’re still waiting for her…”

Ming Xiujin had started with a chuckle, but before he could finish, Lu Siting’s gaze settled on him, cold and sharp.

“Marriage was my own choice. It has nothing to do with anyone else. She isn’t a shield.”

If it hadn’t been her, it would have been someone else. If not Ms. Jiang, then perhaps a Ms. Wang or a Ms. Han. If the problem had to be resolved, there was nothing wrong with taking an opportunity to resolve it.

“Are your grandparents pushing that hard? They’ve pressured you before. Why this time…”

Shen Rui was puzzled. Lu Siting had never struck him as someone easily forced into anything.

“Getting married saves trouble.”

With that indifferent reply, he stood and left.

The room seemed suddenly colder. Shen Rui and Ming Xiujin exchanged another puzzled glance.

Once Lu Siting had disappeared through the door, they breathed out and turned to Ah Yi.

“What’s going on with him? Does she know?”

Ah Yi looked uncomfortable. After a pause, he lowered his voice.

“Before he returned to the country, Ms. Song came to see him. I don’t know what they discussed. She left in tears…”

He didn’t understand what had happened either. That day, Ms. Song had lost her temper and cried bitterly. His employer had merely said, “As you wish.”

Both men fell silent, their expressions changing.

After a while, Ming Xiujin asked, “Have you thoroughly checked this… Xia woman’s background?”

“Only the broad outline. He doesn’t seem concerned,” Ah Yi said hesitantly. “But Ms. Ning seems quite nice.”

At least she was prettier than Jiang Yingchan.

Perhaps the family feared he still couldn’t move past what had happened years ago. Maybe they insisted on marriage because they hoped a new life would help him forget.

Yet Lu Siting hardly seemed the sort to let his past dictate his life.

“He really does… keep doing things his own way.”

Who knew how many people would be stunned this time?

“His grandfather doesn’t know the bride has changed?” Shen Rui asked.

“No. He may have plans for that later.”

Ah Yi couldn’t say for sure. The newlyweds hadn’t met or spoken since dinner after registering the previous day. His employer seemed almost to have forgotten the whole thing.

“All right. I picked up some fine things on my recent trip to the South China Sea. Send someone to collect them from my place. Consider them a wedding present for the couple.”

Ming Xiujin withdrew his gaze.

“Of course, Mr. Ming!”

…

By evening, the rain was still falling thickly.

A black Mercedes eased off the access road outside Shengyu International and joined the stream of traffic.

“Sir, Peninsula Villa or Maple Garden?” Ah Yi asked from the front.

After a few seconds of silence, Lu Siting answered in his low voice.

“Nanxiang Old Street.”

Ah Yi blinked. Then he remembered the address in Ms. Ning’s file: 117 Nanxiang Old Street.

Had he finally remembered her?

“Yes, sir!”

…

It was almost seven when Ning Yixia got home from work.

She lived alone on Nanxiang Old Street. The Ning family had long since made it clear there was no place for her in their home, doing everything possible to drive her out.

The neighborhood was old, but convenient and well equipped. She usually took the crowded subway to work, avoiding most traffic jams. On the way home she could buy groceries at the nearby supermarket without worrying about parking.

Her home was an old, two-story Western-style house.

The front part of the ground floor could serve as a shop. Farther in were the kitchen, living room, and storeroom. Upstairs were the bedrooms, a study, and a small roof terrace. Her mother, Gu Yunzhi, had left it to her.

She had put her things down and was about to wash her hands and cook when the doorbell rang.

“What are you doing here?”

She stared at Lu Siting in surprise.

“Am I not welcome?”

Calmly, he took a bouquet from Ah Yi and offered it to her.

Champagne roses and lisianthus. They looked lovely together.

Her gaze paused on them. It took a moment for her thoughts to catch up before she reached out.

“Thank you. Come in.”

Seeing him again felt abrupt and awkward. But considering what they had already done, there was only one way to go: forward.

Lu Siting entered. Ah Yi followed with an armful of gifts, set them on a table, and promptly left.

She gestured for Lu Siting to sit.

“Have you had dinner? I was about to cook. Would you like some?”

“Yes.”

His immediate acceptance left her momentarily stiff.

She had only meant to be polite.

Still, given their unusual new relationship, having dinner together was perfectly reasonable.

“Is there anything you don’t eat, Mr. Lu? Are scallions, ginger, garlic, and cilantro all right?”

“Anything is fine.”

He had originally intended to go straight to Peninsula Villa. Shen Rui and Ming Xiujin’s unexpected visit that afternoon had reminded him of the woman he had just married.

Now that he had married her, he couldn’t simply leave her to herself.

“Make yourself comfortable. Feel free to look around, or watch some television.”

She poured him a glass of water.

“Mm.” He accepted it.

She placed the remote on the table in front of him and went into the kitchen.