Chapter 16

Lu Yi took a deep breath and propped her face on her hand, grinning as she accepted the “wife” and followed it up with a much more natural, “Thank you, hubby.”
“…”
He pressed his lips together, still unable to process being called “hubby.” He honestly couldn’t understand how Lu Yi said it so easily.
If she’d married someone else, would she call them that too? Or was it just for him?
“Mom, do you need some?” After pouring their water, Lin Jinshen asked the two mothers.
Madam Xu frowned. “No, no need to trouble yourself.”
Lin Jinshen nodded.
Madam Qin crossed her arms and smiled quietly to herself. Both of these women had lived through half a lifetime; they knew full well what was real and what was a show. This was just for their peace of mind.
And it worked.
The fact that the couple was willing to play along meant their marriage couldn’t be going too badly.
Madam Qin took out her phone. “Let me send the pictures I took to the family chat. Everyone have a look.”
She opened her album and selected dozens of photos. One shot had the two standing side by side, not interacting, just standing there, but still, the couple looked flawless together, absolutely made for each other.
No matter how many times she looked, Madam Qin felt nothing but satisfaction with Lu Yi. Sometimes a twinge of guilt hit her, as if she’d tricked a good girl into all this.
“Look how nice these came out.” Madam Xu tapped through the photos one by one, saving them with visible pride.
Lu Yi grinned. “Mom, your photography skills are on par with a professional! Did you study this somewhere?”
“Not at all, just a hobby,” Madam Qin said, lips curling with a private smile.
Soon the chat exploded with praise from all the relatives. Uncle went so far as to say he thought it was a celebrity poster at first glance.
Lin Yumo: [@Uncle, now that’s not quite right, my sister-in-law’s even prettier than a lot of celebrities.]
[The second I opened the pic it was like a goddess descended. So beautiful I nearly wept, it’s my brother who’s scoring way above his league!!!]
[With how strict her standards are, do you think I still have a shot?]
[…]
Lin Yumo instantly turned the group chat into party mode.
Uncle’s playful quips played perfectly with Lin Yumo’s. The two were comedy gold.
Lu Yi replied to Lin Yumo: [You could always try to crash the wedding, you know.]
Lin Yumo: [Say less, I’m booking my flight right now!]
While the group chat was in chaos, Lin Jinshen finally started looking through the photos. There were a few he hadn’t seen. His finger paused before saving them. Then he exited the gallery and glanced at the messages.
He sent a photo of their marriage certificate.
@Lin Yumo: [Married now.]
Just to make it clear she didn’t have a chance.
Lin Yumo: [?]
[You never posted your marriage certificate before. Bro, do you know what that makes you?]
[Such a closet romantic!!!]
Lu Yi hadn’t even realized when he took that photo; at the time, he’d just gone through the motions, face expressionless, like it was a business transaction.
Lin Jinshen: [You think I’m like you, desperate to broadcast every little thing to the world?]
[By the way, I saw your grades this time.]
[You’re getting half your allowance this month.]
Lin Yumo: [Aaaaahhhh!]
[That’s called targeted revenge!]
[Sister-in-law, help! My dreams of a sibling for next generation just shattered in my hands.]
[…]
Lu Yi pursed her lips to hide a smile. She hadn’t met this little sister-in-law yet, but she had a feeling they’d get along just fine.
The dishes began to arrive one after another.
Lu Yi’s throat felt scratchy, so she covered her mouth and coughed softly.
Madam Xu put down her chopsticks, her gaze full of concern. “Are you catching a cold?”
“No, I’m fine.”
She took a sip of tea to soothe her throat.
Madam Xu’s tone grew meaningful. “You’ve always had a weak constitution, ever since you were little. Every change of season you catch a cold. I could keep an eye on you before, but now you’re an adult. You really need to look after yourself.”
“That’s on me. I’ve been busy lately and neglected her a bit, but I’ll pay more attention from now on.” Lin Jinshen picked up the thread smoothly.
Madam Xu relaxed her eyebrows. “It’s not all on you, Xiao Yi’s old enough to know better.”
Lin Jinshen: “Still, I ought to take better care of her.”
Lu Yi didn’t even get a chance to chime in. She had to admit, Lin Jinshen’s acting had improved, he sounded way more natural just now than when he’d called her “wife.”
Lin Jinshen continued, “She has low stamina and endurance. That might be why her immune system is weak.”
Lu Yi rested her chin in her palm and stared at him. Low stamina? No endurance?
Where’d he get that idea, from the bedroom? Please. She was supposed to be lacking in stamina? Who could keep up with him, anyway? Up before five, fresh as a daisy after an hour, bounding out of bed for a morning run?
“Exactly. And she always craves heavy flavors, that stuff’s bad for your guts. Eating too much junk just builds up toxins.”
“True. Strong flavors damage the digestive system. Weak digestion leads to fatigue and poor sleep.”
“That’s right. Jinshen, you’re more mindful about nutrition. Let Xiao Yi follow your example in the future.”
“Of course, I will.”
“…”
The conversation had veered into wellness territory, a lane where both Lu Yi and Madam Qin had zero input. The two women caught each other’s eyes, sharing a helpless smile.
After all this, Madam Xu’s impression of Lin Jinshen and Lu Yi’s marriage softened. At least, from her son-in-law’s mouth, it sounded like he did care for her daughter.
Affection right after marriage couldn’t be forced. It would grow with time, as long as the attitude was right.
“Let’s eat. We’ve been at this half the day, you must be starving.” Madam Qin deftly changed the subject.
Lu Yi lowered her head and dug in.
Suddenly a shadow slid across her bowl, a delicate piece of steamed fish, just the tender middle, appeared in her rice. She glanced sideways and met Lin Jinshen’s dark, unreadable eyes.
Adam's apple shifting, his tone stiff, he said, "Eat more."
Lu Yi was terrified he'd blurt out "wifey" again.
Thank god he didn't. He just couldn't make himself say it. Lu Yi relaxed slightly, then, in the spirit of reciprocation, picked up a dish in front of her and set it in his bowl. Their eyes met for a second. "You too."
"…"
Their over-the-top, soap-opera acting successfully grossed them both out. Eyes darted away, they buried their heads and finally focused on eating.
Lu Yi couldn't even care if Madam Xu saw through them, a second longer of this act, and she'd lose her appetite for life, let alone dinner.
Luckily, at the table, Madam Qin and Madam Xu were busy chatting about setting up a mahjong game next time.
After the meal, Lin Jinshen suggested accompanying the two moms for some shopping, as a small token of thanks for all their wedding planning headaches. Whatever they wanted, it was on his card. Just a little gesture from the juniors.
Bought gifts weren't the main point, neither Madam Qin nor Madam Xu lacked for anything. The treat was simply that both children joined them, so they happily agreed.
Madam Xu adored handbags: she picked out a teal Birkin. Madam Qin chose an icy jade bracelet.
Lin Jinshen hovered alongside the whole time, never seeming impatient, though he also wasn't much help with opinions. His one real skill was swiping his card with gusto.
The moms had near-identical taste and were discussing with the sales associate.
Lin Jinshen and Lu Yi, arms laden with shopping bags, caught each other's gaze. He asked, "You're not getting anything?"
"Nothing I really want," Lu Yi replied. Then it struck her, he'd already bought her six paintings, so maybe she should give something back.
After some thought, Lu Yi decided to pick out a tie for him. Instead of his usual Stefano Ricci brand, she found a Nordic indie label. The designer had a distinct style; she'd bought similar for her dad. This one was deep navy with a dark-toned print, a classic, old-money vibe that suited Lin Jinshen's forever-stuffy sense of style.
Lin Jinshen offered his card.
"Wait, let me get this one," Lu Yi said, quick to fish her own card out of her bag. Not the joint account, but her salary card.
With a five-figure swipe, half her year's pay vanished.
Lin Jinshen watched her, mouth set, brows pinched as if he couldn't quite get it.
To him, it made no difference which card she used, their money was all joint property now anyway.
"It's not about the price, it's the thought. Every cent came from my own hands." She met his eyes, hoping her explanation would make the gift feel a bit more meaningful.
The attendant handed over the nicely packaged tie. Lu Yi took it and held it out to him.
"?"
"For me?" Lin Jinshen sounded uncertain.
Lu Yi nodded. "Of course. Thank you for the paintings, I love them."
Lin Jinshen's brows furrowed deeper. "I never wear other brands."
"Well, starting today, you do."
She shoved the bag into his hands. There was an edge to her voice, had it not been for her manners, she would have rolled her eyes so hard they'd fall out of her head. What, she gives him a gift and he can't even say thanks? Refusing to wear it? Was saying 'thanks' that hard?
"I'm going to check on Mom and Madam Qin." Lu Yi turned on her heel and strode off.
Lin Jinshen's hand stilled around the bag, glancing down with a strange expression. After a moment, his lips pressed into a straighter line, then slowly relaxed as he headed towards the others.
Madam Xu wore a smile, gaze drifting past Lu Yi to that tall figure. "He's not so hopeless after all as a husband," she said with a sidelong glance.
Lu Yi grinned, teasing, "What, you switch sides so quick? All it took was one handbag to win you over?"
"You think your mother’s that easy?"
Madam Xu smoothed her skirt, then added, "You’re still a child, you'll get it one day. Needing something is one thing; being gifted is another. You can always tell when it comes from the heart."
"Yes, yes, you’re the expert."
Lu Yi thought, she was already twenty-six, but only her parents still babied her. She hugged Madam Xu’s arm, how nice, really. She wanted to be her mother's little girl forever.
"Sit up straight. Did I teach you to slouch?" Madam Xu chided, but made no move to pull away.
Madam Xu let out a contented breath. Her daughter's happy marriage was her greatest wish.
Once the shopping was done, the four prepared to leave.
Madam Xu, who’d come with Madam Qin in the Lin family car, meant to call their driver after, but Lin Jinshen insisted there was no need, he’d drive her home himself.
"I can take Mom home," Lu Yi offered. She’d driven over as well.
"With your Mini?" Lin Jinshen asked. "I’ll ride with you; Mom can take my car."
Madam Xu, eager to give her daughter and son-in-law more time together, waved her hand. She agreed to use Lin Jinshen’s car and reminded them to drive safely.
Madam Qin took Lu Yi's arm. "Look after each other, okay? It’s normal for couples to bicker a little. If Jinshen gives you trouble, just tell me, I’ll scold him for you."
"Thanks, Mom."
The cars sorted out.
Lu Yi and Lin Jinshen each escorted their mothers out to their rides.
Her Green Mini was parked right there. Lin Jinshen looked at it, as if doubting he’d actually fit inside that thing.
Lu Yi caught the skepticism, and the faint look of distaste, in his eyes. "Don’t worry, I’ll drive. Sure, it’s small, but it won’t fall apart halfway home."
"Thank you," Lin Jinshen nodded.
He got in and immediately adjusted the seat as far back as it would go. His long legs just barely squeezed in. He placed the tie bag on his lap and leaned in to buckle his seatbelt.
Every inch of this car's playful, compact energy clashed with his serious, buttoned-up vibe.
Lu Yi noticed it too. She hadn't bothered with decorations, so the interior was still stock, but with Jinshen's legs folded, all crisp suit and rigid posture, in that tiny space, it looked a little absurd.
She turned slightly, caught in the rearview a car behind them, and allowed herself a silent, fleeting grin.
When she faced forward again, her lips were pressed into a calm, frosty line, the tie thing still hadn’t blown over in her mind.
She merged cleanly into traffic and hit the main road.
With Lin Jinshen in the car, Lu Yi sat ramrod straight, hands locked on the wheel, as if she were back at her driving test, no relaxing, not for a second.
For several minutes, silence reigned in the car.
In the suffocating silence, Lin Jinshen was the first to break the ice. “There are other cars at home, brand new, never driven. Take your pick, whichever one you like.”
He didn’t have a collector’s obsession with cars. There weren't that many, but still enough for Lu Yi to switch every day for a month and never repeat.
Lu Yi knew Lin Jinshen had disliked her little Mini from day one, the size, the price, the whole thing screamed toy car to him.
Which made sense. The guy probably never even sat in a cheap car his whole life.
“No, thanks. I’m used to driving this one.” Lu Yi replied with bland indifference.
She’d picked the Mini for work, if she, a junior curator, rolled up in a million-dollar ride, she’d just attract nosey stares and pointless gossip about her background. More hassle than it was worth.
Lin Jinshen didn’t press the matter, just nodded. “Up to you.”
After that, they drove in silence all the way.
Not like in bed, when you turn off the lights and there’s, you know, other stuff to do, talking or not talking won’t kill you.
Lu Yi’s lips were pressed tight together. She just hoped this drive would end quickly.
Lin Jinshen’s phone rang, it was work. After listening, he said in a low voice, “Got it. I’m on my way.” Then hung up, turned to Lu Yi, and said, “I’ll need you to drop me at the office.”
“Now?”
It was already past nine.
“Yeah, something urgent came up. I have no idea when it’ll be over, and I won’t be back tonight. Remember to lock up.”
Lately, Lin Jinshen was swamped: business trips, or else working too late and crashing at a hotel.
A few seconds passed with no response from Lu Yi; he looked away.
The suddenness threw her off, plus she was driving, so her reaction was slow. Without a word, she just changed the GPS destination.
A quick switch, twenty minutes, tops.
Lin Jinshen wasn’t coming home tonight. Again.
Which meant one person and one cat would have the entire 500-square-meter place to themselves.
Lu Yi’s mouth twitched upward, but she forced herself to keep a straight face, trying as hard as possible not to look too happy about it.
This work emergency seemed legit, after that call, Lin Jinshen was all action: calling, messaging, assembling a crisis team...
Lu Yi minded her own business, playing the part of the dutiful chauffeur and staying laser-focused on the road.
In under twenty minutes, they pulled up at the Huayu Group tower.
Lin Jinshen was still on the phone, his face calm and cold. With his free hand he grabbed a paper bag, pushed the car door open, and only after shutting it did he remember: the driver wasn’t a chauffeur, it was Lu Yi, his wife, in every legal and not-so-legal sense.
Lu Yi, meanwhile, was in a good mood thanks to his absence tonight and didn’t care that he was treating her like an Uber.
With the last navigation ended, she tapped “Chengxi Garden” in her GPS history.
A knock on the driver’s window. Lu Yi turned her head and saw firstly the perfectly pressed shirt tucked into tailored slacks, not his face, just that familiar air of pressure. She rolled down the window.
On guard, she asked, “Something else?”
God, please don’t say the plan changed and he’s coming home after all.
After speaking, her lips remained pressed tight in that obviously-not-happy-to-be-here way.
Lin Jinshen seemed to merge with the darkness, his sharply-cut face caught in half-shadow like a black-and-white lithograph. After a pause, he spoke: “Lu Yi, you’ve got a problem with me.”
Not a question. A statement. He’d made up his mind.
Tonight, they’d barely exchanged a word, especially after he got that call and had to rush back to work, she’d been dead quiet.
If not for keeping an eye on traffic, she probably wouldn’t have even looked his way.
So, logically, he concluded she was mad at him. At him, specifically.
Lu Yi blinked, caught off guard. She thought she’d hidden her feelings pretty well, had he actually noticed?
Before she figured out what to say, Lin Jinshen went on, “I know I’ve been busy lately, maybe neglected you, sorry about that. I’ll try to carve out more time for family after this.”
His voice softened, as if...was he trying to coax her?
“…”
So, what, he thought she had “a problem” with him because work kept him too busy for her?
Her hand, resting on her knee, unconsciously curled into a fist, but a moment later she forced a gentle, understanding smile onto her pretty face. “...Of course not. Why would you think that?”
Seriously, don’t you dare clear more time for me!