Two hours later, Song Wantang stood outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, staring at the freshly issued marriage certificate in her hand, still somewhat dazed.
It felt utterly unreal!
Just yesterday, she had been full of anticipation, ready to marry her long-term boyfriend Shen Mozhou, but today she had gotten her marriage certificate with Lu Shaodong.
The red cover, the gold-embossed national emblem—opening it, there was their joint photo.
In the picture, she smiled a little stiffly, while Lu Shaodong still wore that indifferent expression, revealing neither joy nor anger.
But from today onward, they were legally husband and wife.
Truly unbelievable!
"Mrs. Lu, I look forward to working with you!"
A deep voice came from above.
Song Wantang looked up, meeting Lu Shaodong’s gaze.
"Mr. Lu, I look forward to working with you!" she said softly.
"Great!" The little dumpling’s voice rang out, full of contentment and satisfaction. "From now on, I’m a baby who has both a daddy and a mommy!"
Listening to this childish voice, Song Wantang felt a strange tenderness surge up in her heart.
"Mommy, don’t worry! I’ll help you keep an eye on Daddy!" the little dumpling declared confidently. "If he dares to show any attention to other women, I’ll kick your belly to remind you!"
Song Wantang: "..."
Kick her belly to remind her?
What kind of move was that?
Song Wantang couldn’t help but laugh.
This kid really was a little treasure.
"What are you thinking about?"
Song Wantang snapped back to reality. "Nothing. I just feel like it’s a bit unreal."
Lu Shaodong looked at her, and a barely perceptible flicker passed through his usually indifferent eyes.
"You’ll get used to it gradually. Let’s go," he said.
Just as they were about to get into the car, Lu Shaodong’s mobile phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the caller ID and frowned almost imperceptibly.
But he still answered.
"Grandma."
An old madam’s vigorous voice came through the phone: "Shaodong, come back to the old residence tonight. I’ve arranged a blind date for you. The other party is the youngest daughter of the Lin family, just back from abroad. She’s beautiful and has a good family background. You..."
"Grandma." Lu Shaodong interrupted her. "There’s no need to arrange it."
The old madam paused. "What do you mean? Are you trying to find another excuse to avoid it? I’m telling you, you have to come this time! How old are you now? Over thirty and still not married—do you want the Lu family to die out? I don’t care what important business you have today, you have to cancel it."
"I’m married."
The line went silent instantly.
After a few seconds, the old madam’s voice came again, tinged with disbelief: "What did you say?"
"I said, I’m married," Lu Shaodong replied, still in a very calm tone. "We just got the certificate today."
"..."
Another long silence.
Then the old madam’s voice suddenly shot up a few pitches: "Lu Shaodong! Don’t try to fool me with that nonsense! You think I’ll believe you just because you casually say you’re married? There isn’t even a female mosquito around you! Who did you marry? Air?!"
Lu Shaodong frowned slightly and moved the phone a little farther from his ear.
Once she finished yelling, he put it back to his ear, his tone still calm: "Grandma, I’m not lying to you. I really am married."
"Then bring her back here and let me see!" The old madam’s voice carried a hint of defiance. "Bring her back now! I want to see which girl was blind enough to marry a quiet log like you!"
Lu Shaodong’s mouth twitched slightly, and his gaze fell on Song Wantang beside him.
Song Wantang had vaguely heard the content of the call and now looked somewhat embarrassed.
"Mommy!" The little dumpling’s voice was so excited it nearly cracked. "It’s Great-Grandma! We’re going to see Great-Grandma! Great-Grandma is wonderful; she’ll spoil you rotten!"
Song Wantang: "..."
How did this little brat know everything?
Lu Shaodong looked at her: "Would you be willing to come back to the old residence with me?"
Song Wantang was taken aback.
Meeting the family so soon?
Even though it was a marriage of convenience, meeting the parents was still...
"Mommy, let’s go, let’s go!" The little dumpling was already frantically urging. "Great-Grandma is the biggest backing in the family! As long as Great-Grandma likes you, no one in the Lu family will dare bully you!"
Song Wantang took a deep breath.
Oh well, since the certificate was already issued, they’d have to meet sooner or later anyway.
She nodded: "Okay."
Lu Shaodong spoke into the phone: "We’re on our way now."
The old madam clearly hadn’t expected him to agree so readily. She paused for a moment, then quickly said, "Alright! I’ll be waiting!"
After hanging up, Lu Shaodong looked at Song Wantang: "Get in the car. We’re going home."
......
The car drove toward the Lu family’s old residence.
Along the way, Song Wantang’s emotions were complicated.
What kind of family were the Lus?
The number one wealthy family in the capital, three generations of the powerful elite, deeply rooted with far-reaching influence.
Old Master Lu had been in politics in his early years. After retiring, the Lu family shifted to the business world, reaching its peak under Lu Shaodong’s leadership.
Old Madam Lu came from a prestigious family and was a famous beauty in the Beijing Circle when she was young. Now, though over seventy, she remained the undisputed matriarch of the Lu family.
Would such a family accept a granddaughter-in-law of unknown origin?
Especially after the scene yesterday, she was probably already "famous far and wide."
Song Wantang couldn't help but mock herself inwardly.
"Don’t be nervous." Lu Shaodong’s voice came from beside her.
Song Wantang turned her head to meet his gaze.
"Grandma may have a loud voice, but she’s a good person," he said. "As long as her great-grandchild is in your belly, she’ll treat you like a treasure."
Song Wantang couldn’t help but curve the corners of her mouth.
That sounded pretty practical, at least.
"Mommy, Daddy’s right!" The little dumpling chimed in again. "Great-Grandma loves kids! When she finds out about me, she’ll be over the moon!"
"Then she’ll nag Daddy to be good to you, or she’ll scold him!"
"If Daddy ever dares to bully you, just go tattle to Great-Grandma!"
Song Wantang: "..."
Whose side was this kid really on?
The car drove into a quiet, tree-lined avenue flanked by towering French plane trees.
At the end of the road stood an elegant Chinese-style courtyard house.
Blue bricks and gray tiles, vermilion gates with bronze rings, and two ancient locust trees in front that were at least a hundred years old.
Just as the car came to a stop, the gate opened.
An elderly woman in fine clothes walked out quickly, followed by two servants.
Lu Shaodong got out, and Song Wantang followed.
The old madam’s gaze passed directly over Lu Shaodong and landed on Song Wantang.
That look swept from top to bottom, left to right, as if appraising some rare object.
Song Wantang felt a bit nervous under the scrutiny, but she politely spoke: "Hello, Grandma. I’m Song Wantang."
The old madam didn’t say a word, still staring at her.
Song Wantang’s heart started pounding.
Was she… dissatisfied?
The little dumpling’s voice sounded from inside her belly, this time with a hint of urgency: "Mommy, don’t be afraid! Great-Grandma is just checking if you’re pretty! She loves having a beautiful granddaughter-in-law!"
As soon as the words fell, the old madam suddenly broke into a smile.
She smiled with eyes crinkling, the wrinkles on her face smoothing out.
✦✦✦