After listening to Xu Miao’s somewhat obsessive explanation, Zhang Lei’s expression gradually darkened.
He didn’t respond immediately, walking to the entrance of the billiards hall, back to the noise, lighting a cigarette.
Xu Miao was lost in her own logic, her tone growing more determined.
“She must have used some underhanded trick to force Brother Weidong to take responsibility! He needs to admit it himself, then she should leave!”
Halfway through his smoke, Zhang Lei finally turned, the smoke blurring his features.
“What do you want me to do?”
Xu Miao’s gaze instinctively swept over the rough-looking thugs in the hall.
“Maybe you can get her to tell the truth? Or scare her a bit so she backs off.”
Her voice lowered, but the sharp intent in her eyes didn’t fade.
Zhang Lei exhaled heavily, his brows tightly furrowed.
“Xu Miao, do you know what you’re saying?”
Her heart hit like a slap. Xu Miao’s voice rose sharply.
“What’s wrong with me?! When she does such vile things, doesn’t she think about the consequences?! Doesn’t she deserve it?!”
“Evidence?” Zhang Lei interrupted her.
“Who told you? Did Lu Weidong say he was forced? Or did you see it yourself?”
He stepped closer, staring at her reddened eyes.
“You want us to block her, scare her, without any proof?”
“Do you really want to find the ‘truth,’ or are you just looking for an excuse to vent?”
The last words pierced Xu Miao’s heart like a needle, hitting the most vulnerable part of her.
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Zhang Lei turned and walked away, leaving the words buzzing in her ears.
“Xu Miao, you’re not that kind of person. Don’t lose yourself.”
Xu Miao stood frozen, nails digging deep into her palms.
Confusion, embarrassment, and an even stronger sense of injustice twisted inside her, making her chest burn.
Zhang Lei’s words didn’t quench the fire—they made her feel even more suffocated.
She stumbled out of the smoky, chaotic billiards hall, anger still dominating her.
Lu Weidong didn’t have to like any woman.
But why… should some unknown woman, unclear and mysterious, just win him over like that?
“Hey, miss, what’s wrong? Trouble?”
A slick voice came from beside her.
Xu Miao turned and saw a tall, thin thug from the hall trailing behind.
He wore a flattering smile, but his eyes roamed over her.
“We heard everything inside. Did someone bully you? Steal your man?”
“Want us to talk to her, teach her some manners? After that, just get us a couple of good smokes, easy!”
Xu Miao froze.
Zhang Lei’s disappointed, stern gaze lingered in her mind.
But another, darker, more urgent voice clamored wildly in her head.
…
Over the next two days, Ye Wenxi stayed at the Lu household, busy in her room making a study plan from the textbooks.
She also learned about some university majors and admission scores from Lu Weihua.
Since the original girl only had a middle school education, she wasn’t qualified to take the college entrance exam.
First, she needed a high school diploma.
After obtaining that, she could apply to the Provincial Academy of Fine Arts in Ha City.
Her purpose wasn’t true academic pursuit—it was to give herself a platform for a suitable disguise.
So her abilities could be used properly in this era.
The Ha City Provincial Academy of Fine Arts was well-known, and at that time art courses were flexible.
No need to live on campus, just complete coursework and pass exams to graduate.
That morning, Ye Wenxi was deeply immersed in her studies when a knock came.
She opened the door to find Lu Weidong, unusually relaxed, a faint smile on his face.
“The political review and marriage registration are approved.”
“So fast?” Ye Wenxi was surprised.
She had expected at least ten days to two weeks, yet the Lu family handled everything in just two days.
Lu Weidong came at the urging of Liu Xiuyun.
Early that morning, Lu Zhenghua received a call, giving a clear approval.
Ye Wenxi’s background was clear—a child with a difficult past, politically clean.
Liu Xiuyun was happier than during New Year and had urged Lu Weidong to come discuss the wedding.
Only then did Ye Wenxi remember this “important matter,” having been absorbed in her study plan.
“What do you want to do? I’m easy, no special requests,” she said.
“I’ll follow your lead,” Lu Weidong said, leaving the decision to her.
Ye Wenxi thought for a moment and suggested, “Why not hold it in two parts?”
“First a simple family ceremony here. Then, after we return to the unit, invite close comrades for a proper celebration.”
Her suggestion hit the mark.
Lu Weidong disliked pomp and ceremony.
This two-part approach, prioritizing substance over form, suited him perfectly.
“Okay,” he nodded, a faint smile appearing.
“I’ll inform the family. Shall we go get the certificate today?”
“Ah?” Ye Wenxi blinked. “Oh… okay…”
After that, her mind kept circling one thought:
What about tonight?
Being in his house, their first night married—surely they wouldn’t immediately sleep in separate rooms?
Her mind raced, cheeks warming.
But she followed Lu Weidong anyway.
Both changed into tidy uniforms, took a formal wedding photo at the studio.
Then went to the civil affairs office—fill forms, stamp, get the certificate.
The process was as fast as buying groceries.
Holding the thin certificate, the photo of them side by side, Ye Wenxi felt a surreal flutter.
So… they were married?
On the way back, Lu Weidong walked beside her.
About two steps apart—neither too close nor too far.
Afternoon sunlight stretched their shadows on the stone pavement.
The clinking sound of a small iron spatula came from ahead.
An elderly woman carried a bamboo pole, a basket on one end, a small stove and a sugar pot on the other.
She rhythmically tapped the small iron spatula against a metal plate, selling maltose.
Ye Wenxi’s eyes were drawn to the clinking, slowing her steps.
She’d never seen live maltose-making in the modern world, finding it novel and fascinating.
Lu Weidong noticed her slow pace and stopped, following her gaze.
“Miss, want some maltose? Freshly made, sweet and fragrant!” the woman called cheerfully.
Lu Weidong stopped, looked at Ye Wenxi, and seeing her eyes sparkle, said:
“Buy some, please.”
“Alright!”
The woman lifted the cloth covering her basket, revealing amber-colored, glossy maltose blocks.
She tapped a piece off with her spatula, weighed it on a tiny scale.
“Exactly twelve cents.”
She wrapped it neatly and handed it to Lu Weidong, glancing at the couple, smiling warmly.
“This young man looks spirited, the girl’s lovely too! You two together—perfect match!”
“Is this your partner?”
Lu Weidong took the sugar, turned naturally to Ye Wenxi.
His lips curved faintly, a soft arc, eyes like gentle sunlight.
“She is my wife,” he said, voice low but clear.
He maintained that gentle smile, meeting Ye Wenxi’s eyes.
At that moment, the pale golden sunlight landed on his chiseled profile.
His usually stern features were softened by warmth.
His smile seemed to crack the frozen surface of a lake, revealing tender light beneath.
The normally cold, stoic man looked astonishingly beautiful when he smiled.
Ye Wenxi stared, seeing her own reflection in his eyes.
Somewhere in her chest felt lightly touched by his smile and the sun, a warmth spreading.
Instinctively, she smiled back.
Lu Weidong handed money to the elderly woman, his other arm naturally, gently draped over Ye Wenxi’s shoulder, bringing her closer.
“Let’s go home,” he said softly, the smile lingering.
“Mm…”
Ye Wenxi responded lightly, not moving away.
His arm was solid and warm, even through the thick clothing, a sense of reassurance radiating.
The two walked home, leaning into each other, under the watchful, smiling eyes of the maltose-selling woman.