Meng Siyi was twenty-seven this year. With superior looks, he graduated from the best local medical university and subsequently entered the affiliated hospital of Wenbei Medical University. In just a few short years, he was promoted to attending physician.
With a house and a car to his name, his income was considerable. What was even rarer was his upright character and a clean, disciplined private life; he had virtually no bad reviews at the hospital.
The elders in the family were a million percent satisfied with him.
Then, looking back at Zhu Shiyu.
Although she had gotten into a good university, she hadn’t achieved anything noteworthy after staying in Beijing for years. Since returning, she had been unemployed at home. Setting aside the matter of income, she was also introverted and naive to the ways of the world.
Aside from a rather pretty face, it was hard to find any other outstanding strengths.
For the two of them to marry, she was clearly marrying entirely out of her league.
Whether in terms of appearances or otherwise, she could be considered incredibly lucky to have found someone with such excellent qualifications in all aspects.
Parents understand their children best.
Zhou Zhen knew deeply that Zhu Shiyu was a slow-warmer and stubborn, not as gentle and sociable as she appeared on the surface. If she continued to dawdle like this, waiting for the next suitable person to appear would be harder than hard.
There were too many variables in the future, and she simply didn’t have the time left to gamble.
Zhou Zhen considerately gave the two of them a chance to be alone.
Zhu Shiyu walked Meng Siyi downstairs. It was already dark outside, the moon hanging right above the treetops.
On this night nearing deep winter, cold and silent, the residential complex was completely still.
Zhu Shiyu gathered the collar of her coat, keeping her face lowered, her toes unconsciously scuffing the pavement below.
“Meng Siyi…”
She had barely started when the person in front of her caught the words.
“Mm.”
Zhu Shiyu lifted her face.
He was very tall, a full head taller than her. When she looked at him from a close distance, she needed to tilt her head up.
Her eyes open, her gaze landed steadily on his face to observe him.
The man in front of her was undoubtedly good-looking. There was even a touch of elegance in his handsomeness, yet owing to his full brow bone, he didn’t look the least bit feminine.
Meng Siyi had beautifully shaped eyes. His double eyelids were narrow at the inner corners and wide at the outer, fanning out in a thin, distinctly creased layer.
When he looked at someone with slightly lowered eyes, there was a silent, deep affection to them.
“Why do you want to marry me?” Zhu Shiyu asked bluntly.
“I’ve reached the age to get married.” The air quieted for a moment, closely followed by Meng Siyi’s composed voice.
“You are very good in every aspect.”
Although she had mentally prepared herself beforehand, the moment she heard this answer, Zhu Shiyu still fell silent.
She lowered her head in thought. After a long while, she finally made up her mind.
“You saw it yourself today.”
“Mm?”
“My family is very anxious.” She paused briefly, organizing her wording.
“Before… I was always living out of town. My parents are afraid I’ll leave again, so they hope I get married as soon as possible.”
“Mm.” He responded again, giving a slight nod, this time adding, “I know.”
“I’m not averse to entering a marriage, but… we might not be able to be like other normal couples. After all, we’ve only known each other for a few months and don’t understand each other particularly well.” Zhu Shiyu found it a bit hard to speak, even feeling that she was being somewhat absurd. She couldn’t help but look up to seek his eyes.
“I understand,” Meng Siyi nodded, his voice gentle.
His understanding nature made Zhu Shiyu feel even more guilty. At the same time, her myriad of thoughts were tangled, unable to find a proper outlet.
She tilted her head up slightly and took a soft breath.
“I might need some time.”
“Alright,” he agreed straightforwardly.
“Even like this, you’re still willing to marry me?” Zhu Shiyu raised her eyes in confusion, asking earnestly.
“Mm.” Meng Siyi nodded once more, parting his lips to say, “I am willing.”
Having met the parents, the two sides were considered to have officially entered a dating phase.
Their mode of interaction didn’t change drastically, but Zhu Shiyu would occasionally feel a sense of unreality. She still hadn’t adapted to the fact that she truly had someone she was preparing to marry.
Meng Siyi visited her house more frequently, and most of the time he would be kept for dinner. Once, Zhu Shiyu overslept her afternoon nap. By the time she woke up, it was already evening, the twilight stuffing the entire living room. Zhou Zhen’s voice drifted from the kitchen—gentle and smiling—accompanied by faint, clanking sounds.
Zhu Shiyu walked over and saw a tall shadow standing on a chair, repairing the exhaust fan that had been broken for ages.
“Little Meng, you’re the amazing one. Your uncle tinkered with it for half a day last time and still couldn’t fix it.”
Meng Siyi was gripping a wrench, tightening the screws of the exhaust fan. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing the tight, firm lines of his forearms.
The modest-sized kitchen appeared slightly cramped because of his presence.
“It’s nothing, swapping it for a new one does the trick.”
After finishing the installation, he carefully checked it over one last time. Stepping down from the chair, he looked up and saw Zhu Shiyu standing in front of him.
“You’re awake?” Meng Siyi’s eyes curved slightly. Not knowing if it was just an illusion, Zhu Shiyu felt as if she could see undisguised laughter shining in his eyes.
Belatedly realizing, she looked down and saw the pajamas still on her body.
Zhu Shiyu’s face heated up uncontrollably.
Meng Siyi had dinner at her house that day. Before leaving, he even fixed the kitchen faucet that had been dripping for years.
Zhou Zhen sang his praises non-stop, and Zhu Anyuan gifted him a beloved tea set that he cherished the most. After Zhu Shiyu saw Meng Siyi off and came back upstairs, she overheard her parents talking.
“A household still needs a man. Little Meng is truly not bad at all,” Zhou Zhen sighed emotionally, followed by Zhu Anyuan’s voice echoing in agreement.
“Yes, with Little Yu together with him, we can finally be at ease.”
“Wait, what do you mean by that? Am I not a man?” He suddenly reacted, asking back indignantly.
“I didn’t mean it like that. You are getting older after all. These manual labor chores still need a young man to do them, right?” Zhou Zhen hastily explained, her words unconcealed in their soothing tone.
“That’s more like it.” Zhu Anyuan harrumphed twice, as if grudgingly accepting the logic.
Zhu Shiyu stood quietly outside for a moment, silently retracting her hand that was preparing to push the door open. Her body unconsciously leaned against the wall, falling into deep thought. After a long while, she finally straightened up again and returned to her room.
Their wedding date was set for after the New Year.
Meng Siyi’s parents had passed away early on due to an unexpected car accident. Since high school, he had been living with his uncle’s family.
The meeting between both sets of parents took place at a five-star hotel in the city. From start to finish, Meng Siyi handled everything. From booking the venue to the actual meet-up, he arranged it all properly and securely.
Zhu Shiyu wasn’t good at socializing. After following Zhou Zhen and the rest to the hotel, she just sat quietly in her seat. When she met Meng Siyi’s uncle and aunt, she stood up and greeted them politely but rigidly.
They, on the other hand, seemed to adore Zhu Shiyu. From the moment they met, they showered her with praises. Right before leaving, his aunt firmly grabbed her hand and slipped a jade bracelet onto her wrist.
“This was left behind by Xiao Yi’s mother. She said it was to be passed down to her future daughter-in-law. Now, it rightfully belongs to you.”
“Little Yu, you keep it safe.”
On the way back, since Meng Siyi had been drinking, Zhu Anyuan drove.
After he started working, Meng Siyi had moved out to live on his own near the hospital, which wasn’t in the same direction as his uncle’s place. So, Zhu Anyuan offered to drop him off on the way.
The night spread outside, while the interior of the car was enveloped in a dim, yellow glow. Zhu Shiyu and Meng Siyi sat in the back seat. He looked a bit tired, leaning against the backrest, his weary eyes lowering to look at her.
As if knowing he needed to rest, no one in the car spoke. The vehicle drove steadily along the road, a faint scent of alcohol lingering in the air.
It wasn’t unpleasant, but Zhu Shiyu cast a glance at the person beside her. He leaned there lazily, carrying a bit more casualness than usual. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, the exposed patch of skin slightly flushed, but his eyes were even brighter than when he was sober.
The man was more intoxicating than the alcohol.
Zhu Shiyu unnaturally looked away, but the hand resting on her lap was gently grabbed.
Meng Siyi’s fingers were fair and slender, his joints perfectly proportioned—very much like the hands of an orthopedic surgeon.
At this moment, he lightly held her wrist, the pads of his fingers gently caressing that pale jade bracelet.
“This was left behind by your mother?” Zhu Shiyu lowered her head, her gaze landing on that spot as she asked softly.
“Mm.” The slightly drawn-out nasal sound was inexplicably a little hoarse.
“Then, I’ll store it away carefully once I get home,” she hesitated, voicing her worry.
“No need.” Meng Siyi turned his face sideways, his bright eyes looking at her. “Just wear it.”
“I’m afraid I might accidentally knock or chip it.”
“It’s fine. This was meant for you anyway.” His tone was casual and natural, yet Zhu Shiyu was momentarily at a loss for words. After a beat, she merely mumbled a response.
“Oh…”
Outside the window, the sounds of cars roared past, the scenery flashing by in the blink of an eye.
Zhu Anyuan focused on driving, while Zhou Zhen dozed off against the passenger seat.
Their surroundings fell into an indescribable tranquility.
The hand Meng Siyi used to hold her wrist slightly loosened and slid down, slipping right into her palm.
His hand rested within hers, closing lightly.
His unique warmth and touch spread silently.
Zhu Shiyu lowered her eyes, looking at their clasped hands. A moment later, she gently squeezed his hand back.
Since they started dating, they had always been proper and courteous. Meng Siyi, especially, was a perfect gentleman, never overstepping his bounds.
From the time they met until now, this was their very first time holding hands.
He was probably just drunk.
Zhu Shiyu unnaturally turned her head to gaze out the window, yet she never pulled that hand away. She just quietly held hands with him like this, all the way until the end of the night.
The Zhu family had many relatives, and they usually kept in close contact.
With the year coming to a close, dropping in on each other became even more frequent. In the past, Zhu Shiyu’s biggest headache was following her parents to visit relatives, and it had only gotten worse over the last few years.
Ever since she willfully insisted on studying in Beijing and majoring in the “unorthodox” field of broadcasting and directing, and then stubbornly stayed in Beijing post-graduation, she hadn’t made any exceptional achievements for years.
Compared to her cousins who either landed “iron rice bowl” civil service jobs or had already settled down and started families, Zhu Shiyu was considered an outlier in the family. During every gathering, Zhou Zhen’s face would always turn ugly amidst the gossiping whispers.
However, this year was an exception.
Upon hearing the news that her marriage had been settled.
The gazes Zhu Shiyu received shifted dramatically—from pity and disappointment over a failure to meet expectations, to immense warmth and gratification.
“Little Yu, it’s wonderful that you’re settling down. Live a good life, and spare your parents from worrying.”
“That’s right! Look at your parents, they’re getting on in years and you’re their only daughter, yet you weren’t even by their side. Last time your mother suffered a heart attack and passed out at home, nobody knew for half the day. Thank goodness your neighbor came over to drop off some food… The doctors said even one minute later to the hospital and something terrible would have happened.” The great-aunt who spoke patted her chest, residual fear still lingering on her face.
“I met that young man last time! He’s tall, handsome, and even a doctor. He’s a perfect match for our Little Yu!” Second Aunt grabbed Zhu Shiyu’s hand, smiling from ear to ear.
Amidst the teasing, the atmosphere at the dinner table was unexpectedly pleasant. Even Zhou Zhen and Zhu Anyuan wore smiles on their faces today. Ever since Zhu Shiyu had left home to study, she rarely experienced this kind of vibe anymore.
It was as if, after “rebelling” for so many years, she had finally listened to the adults and done the right thing.
At this very moment, Zhu Shiyu didn’t have any particular deep thoughts; she only felt calm and relieved, along with a slight sense of profound luck.
Thank goodness she had met Meng Siyi.
As the Spring Festival drew nearer, those working out of town gradually began returning home.
Zhu Jinxiao returned on the day of the Laba Festival, less than a month before the Lunar New Year.
The moment she got home, she found out the news that Zhu Shiyu was getting married after the New Year. She was so shocked she didn’t even eat; dropping her luggage, she charged straight to Shiyu’s house.
“Zhu Shiyu! Are you insane?!” she forcefully shook Zhu Shiyu’s shoulders, completely in disbelief.
“Let me crack your brain open and see if water got in there! I highly suspect you are not normal right now. Did your body get possessed by another soul?”
“Come on, look me in the eyes and answer me: in third grade, what embarrassing thing did we do to get called up to the podium and punished to stand by the teacher?”
“Because you pantsed Little Pang from next door and made me cover for you, but we both ended up getting caught by the teacher and had to stand for half the class.” Zhu Shiyu let her friend shake her back and forth, answering helplessly.
“It’s you. The person inside this body is still you.” Zhu Jinxiao’s expression was dramatic, knitting her brows in absolute bewilderment as she inspected her.
“Then how are you suddenly getting married?! Babe, if you’ve been kidnapped, blink twice! I’ll risk my life to save you!”
Zhu Jinxiao was a staunch non-marriage advocate, and she believed Zhu Shiyu was one too. Although Shiyu hadn’t realized it herself, based on their lifelong bond and understanding of growing up together, Jinxiao believed Shiyu was merely temporarily bewildered by real life. Inherently, she just wasn’t the type to step into marriage.
Even though back then she had been with Lu Ge for several years, and had always felt that, barring any accidents, she would end up marrying him.
“Where’s Lu Ge?” Zhu Jinxiao asked the most crucial question of the day. Even if she had found out Zhu Shiyu was marrying Lu Ge, she wouldn’t have been this flabbergasted, shocked beyond measure.
As her words dropped, the person in front of her fell silent for a few seconds. Immediately after, Zhu Shiyu spoke: “We broke up.”
“Huh??!” Zhu Jinxiao’s jaw practically unhinged for the night, her eyes wide as saucers.
“He cheated,” Zhu Shiyu said calmly.
Translator’s Anecdote: Every rom-com needs that fiercely loyal bestie ready to risk it all to save you from a “kidnapping” via sudden marriage… especially when there’s cheating ex-boyfriend tea to be spilled! ☕👯♀️