Сhаpter 5: Lеgаllу Маrried
Cen Wаn knеw her yоunger sister Сеn Luо quitе wеll—аside frоm соllеcting limited-еdition figurines, she didn’t havе mаny оthеr hоbbiеs.
Сen Luо glаnсed at thе mоneу Cen Wan hаd transfеrred to her аnd tossеd her рhоne ontо the bed. “Thе sun must bе rising frоm thе west todау.”
Сеn Wan: “…”
Cеn Luo: “Whу did you suddеnly transfеr so much mоney? Hаlf оf this wоuld’ve bееn enough.”
“What’s wrоng with having mоrе moneу?” Cen Wаn shot hеr а lоok. “If уou don’t wаnt it, send it baсk.”
“Аlright, аlright, alright.” Afraid Cen Wan might changе hеr mind, Cen Luo quicklу аgreed. “Onсе money is transferred, there’s no taking it back.”
After packing her things, it was time for Cen Luo to head to school. Cen Wan looked at her seriously and said, “From now on, if you need money or run into any trouble, come straight to me. Don’t go looking for Cen Xiu, and absolutely do not go out alone with him. Got it?”
Cen Luo was puzzled. “Why?”
In the past, Cen Wan had always taught her to listen to Cen Xiu. Now, however, she could faintly sense that Cen Wan harbored deep hostility toward him.
“He’s not the same Cen Xiu he used to be,” Cen Wan said. “I’m your sister, and I won’t do anything to harm you. Remember what I said.”
Cen Wan knew that if she mentioned the previous company crisis now, Cen Luo wouldn’t believe her. “I’ll tell you the reason, but not right now.”
Both she and Cen Luo had grown up sheltered under their parents’ protection, unaware of the dangers and deceit in people’s hearts. Compared to herself, Cen Luo was even more naive and kind to everyone.
Cen Luo nodded. Of course, she loved her sister more than Cen Xiu. “I understand. But what should I do if Cen Xiu looks for me?”
“Ignore him directly or find an excuse to refuse.”
Cen Luo: “Got it.”
Cen Wan needed to find evidence quickly—she couldn’t let Cen Xiu stay in the Cen family any longer.
She went downstairs with Cen Luo. By then, Cen Xiu was no longer there, leaving only Father Cen and Mother Cen. The driver took Cen Luo to school, while Cen Wan pestered Mother Cen to teach her how to cook.
Mother Cen teased her, “Our pampered young lady has finally learned to care for others.”
“What can I do?” Cen Wan laughed, not hiding her feelings. “I love him, after all.”
Mother Cen clicked her tongue twice. “How mushy. But Beixun really is worth it.”
“Your father and I both like Beixun very much.”
“I can tell,” Cen Wan said. “You like your son-in-law almost more than your own daughter.”
“Still being cheeky,” Mother Cen chuckled and lightly tapped her forehead. “What’s going on with you today? Why did you talk to your brother like that?”
“Just in a bad mood, I guess.”
Mother Cen was half-convinced but didn’t press further. She scolded Cen Wan a few more times, telling her not to take out her negative emotions on others.
Cen Wan listened, occasionally responding with vague agreement.
Since Lu Beixun was returning to the Lu residence today, Cen Wan learned two dishes and headed home early.
Tomorrow happened to be Sunday. Before she left, Father Cen asked Cen Wan to bring Lu Beixun home for dinner the next day. Cen Wan didn’t agree directly—she wasn’t sure if Lu Beixun was still willing to play along with their act. She could only say that Lu Beixun might not have the time.
When she got home, Lu Beixun hadn’t returned yet. Cen Wan went into the kitchen and prepared the two dishes she had learned from her mother that day. Aunt Yang’s gaze lingered on the plates for a few seconds.
They looked presentable, but she wasn’t sure how they would taste.
She didn’t understand why Cen Wan had suddenly taken up cooking—and couldn’t be stopped. She had expected the pampered young lady’s entry into the kitchen to spell disaster, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.
Her chopping and stir-frying techniques were a bit clumsy, but overall, things went smoothly. The anticipated kitchen catastrophe never arrived.After preparing those two dishes, Cen Wan left the rest to Aunt Yang, instructing her not to tell Lu Beixun that she had made them. Lu Beixun didn’t seem to approve of her entering the kitchen.
As long as Lu Beixun enjoyed the food, who made it wasn’t that important.
Six o’clock came, but Lu Beixun still hadn’t returned. Cen Wan stood by the door every few minutes, glancing outside. In just ten minutes, she ran to the door several times, like a “longing-for-husband stone.”
As the sky darkened, Cen Wan stood at the door and checked the time on her phone. It was already seven.
Why wasn’t he back yet?
Could he have forgotten their agreement? Or perhaps he never intended to come back and had just been humoring her this morning?
Cen Wan pushed the thought aside, comforting herself that he might have a business dinner or was working overtime at the company.
Just as she was about to go back inside, the sound of a car engine came from behind. She turned around joyfully as a Cayenne stopped in front of her, and Lu Beixun stepped out.
Meeting her delighted gaze, he inexplicably added an explanation: “I went back to the villa to get something.”
Uncle Zhang had returned with him.
Cen Wan didn’t care about anything else. As long as Lu Beixun came back, she was already overjoyed.
“I thought you wouldn’t come back,” Cen Wan said, unaware of the grievance in her tone.
Lu Beixun remained silent.
During dinner, Cen Wan noticed Lu Beixun frequently picking up the two dishes she had made. She quietly curved the corners of her lips into a smile.
Little did she know that Lu Beixun had recognized her cooking the moment he tasted those dishes. He simply didn’t expose her, watching her secretly rejoice.
She seemed different from before.
After dinner, Lu Beixun didn’t seem inclined to talk much with her either. He turned and headed upstairs, with Cen Wan following closely behind. “Do you have time tomorrow?” she asked.
“My dad wants us to go home for dinner tomorrow evening.”
Lu Beixun suddenly stopped in his tracks. Cen Wan, unable to brake in time, bumped into his back. Covering her nose, tears welled up in her eyes from the pain.
What was his back made of? It was way too hard.
Lu Beixun hadn’t expected her to walk straight into him without watching where she was going. He turned to look at her. Cen Wan, still covering her nose, looked up with teary eyes, like a pitiful little kitten abandoned by its owner, pleading to be taken in.
Lu Beixun’s heart softened. He took her wrist and gently pulled her hand away from her nose. The tip of her nose was red.
Seeing Lu Beixun’s concern, she instantly felt the pain subside significantly. “It doesn’t hurt,” she said.
Releasing her wrist, his expression remained cool. “Pay attention when you walk.”
“Yes, sir!” Cen Wan stood up straight, placing her hands at her sides with a serious expression.
Lu Beixun asked, “What time tomorrow?”
“Huh?” Cen Wan was stunned for a few seconds before remembering. The little incident had almost made her forget the main matter. “We’ll leave at three in the afternoon. Is that okay?”
Lu Beixun gave a quiet “Mm,” his expression calm.
Cen Wan tentatively asked, “Will you be home all day tomorrow?”
“Not sure,” Lu Beixun replied, looking at her. “Get some rest early.”
Cen Wan’s lips curved into a smile, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes. “I will.”
Lu Beixun paused for a moment, sensing she might be up to something. Or perhaps he was overthinking it. He turned and walked toward his bedroom.
Seeing him leave, Cen Wan fixed her gaze on his tall figure and followed him. Just as Lu Beixun was about to close the door, she slipped under his arm and into the room, closing the door behind her.
Leaning against the door, she met Lu Beixun’s puzzled gaze and smiled, the shallow dimples on her cheeks appearing. “What are you looking at? Time for bed.”It turned out that it wasn’t his imagination earlier. Lu Beixun’s gaze was icy, his voice cold: “Get out.”
“I won’t,” Cen Wan reached out and hooked her arms around his neck, pressing her body tightly against him. The distance was so close they could feel each other’s breath, causing Lu Beixun’s heart to flutter for a moment.
Cen Wan giggled sweetly: “We’re legally married, so of course we should share a bed.”
She blinked at him: “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything, and I definitely won’t force you to do that kind of thing—even though I do have those thoughts.”
“But I respect you!”
Lu Beixun: “…”