Enemies meet, and their eyes burn with hatred.
Memories of every wrong Lu Qiming had done to her came flooding back, scene by scene.
Song Qinghuan clenched her fists so tight her knuckles turned white, her whole body trembling with rage.
She was about to lose control — to lunge forward and smash her fist right into Lu Qiming’s hypocritical face — when Zhao Yufang suddenly stepped in and grabbed her arm.
“Child, what has gotten into you?”
She wore a smile, but her tone was sharp with rebuke.
“Even if you’re overjoyed to be marrying Qiming, you can’t behave so rudely.”
“That’s right,” agreed Song Shouyang, nodding in agreement beside her. “No matter how happy you are, you shouldn’t shake with excitement right in front of him. It makes you look utterly spineless.”
Their words sounded like light teasing, but the mockery was impossible to miss.
Is she so infatuated with Lu Qiming that she can’t even control herself?
What a useless girl — truly nothing but a money-loser.
Zhao Yufang and Song Shouyang were both mortified by what they saw as her lovesick display. If they’d had another daughter, they never would have agreed to this marriage, fearing what the neighbors would say.
But every scruple faded in the face of gain.
No matter how undignified Song Qinghuan acted, no matter how much shame she might bring to their family — if Lu Qiming wanted her, this marriage would happen.
All because the Lu family’s betrothal gift was unimaginably generous. And it wasn’t just the money: every member of the Lu household held high rank, a status anyone would envy. Lu Qiming was already a battalion commander at such a young age — handsome and promising. His uncle, only a few years older, was even more legendary; everyone had heard of Lu Huaixiao, the military region’s youngest combat hero and high-ranking chief. As for the older generation, every one of them was decorated with battle honors.
Together, their names carried enough weight to awe anyone. If their families became in-laws, the Song clan would have the most powerful backer imaginable. They’d be able to walk tall not just in this alley, but across all of the capital!
Just thinking of all they stood to gain made Zhao Yufang lick her lips, practically drooling with greed. She would never let this perfect match slip through her fingers.
With that thought, she gave Song Qinghuan a hard shove in the back. She ignored the strange look in her daughter’s eyes entirely, mistaking her silence for shyness.
“What are you standing there gawking for? You’ve always adored Qiming — you’d talk about him nonstop if you went a day without seeing him. Now your fiancé is right here in front of you! Don’t be so shy — go over and talk to him.”
Her tone was sickeningly eager, less like introducing her daughter and more like peddling goods for sale.
Song Qinghuan curled her lip in silent scorn, said nothing, and looked toward the door. She knew the key players hadn’t all arrived yet. The ones who were about to walk in would shake things up like no one else.
And sure enough, Li Qing’e and Lu Lin stepped through the doorway a moment later.
Zhao Yufang’s eyes lit up. The “merchandise” she was eager to sell shifted instantly from Song Qinghuan to Song Yunfei.
“Our in-laws have arrived! Yunfei, come quickly — greet your uncle and aunt.”
Song Yunfei was the Song family’s only son, their precious treasure, spoiled beyond all reason. Even on such an important occasion, he slouched carelessly and picked his nose with his pinky finger.
Burning with embarrassment, Zhao Yufang pinched him hard behind his back, hissing through gritted teeth: “Act properly! You might need these two to get you a good job later. We have to win them over first, no matter what.”
Reluctantly, Song Yunfei mumbled: “Hello, Uncle. Hello, Aunt.”
The crude, country-bumpkin greeting made Li Qing’e and Lu Lin wince; neither wanted to acknowledge him. Just then, Wang Siyu walked in behind them.
Saved by the distraction, they immediately turned to greet her instead.
“Siyu, don’t stand on ceremony — make yourself at home.”
“You’re not well — sit down and rest right away.”
Song Shouyang and Zhao Yufang were stunned. They’d barely begun discussing the marriage, and the Lu family was already snubbing them openly to fuss over another woman. It was a clear message: they did not matter.
Their faces turned an ugly shade of green, and the air grew thick with awkwardness.
Sensing the tension, Wang Siyu spoke up quickly to smooth things over.
“Hello, Uncle, Aunt,” she said with a soft, polite smile. “Today is such an important day for Qiming and Qinghuan — it decides their whole future. I couldn’t bear to miss it, so I came along too. Qiming is rather shy; he finds it hard to say certain things out loud. If you have any questions, you can ask me instead. We live under the same roof — I know everything about him.”
She spoke as naturally as if she were Lu Qiming’s older sister. To anyone who didn’t know better, they would seem like childhood sweethearts with a secret bond — not a widowed sister-in-law and her brother-in-law, who should keep their distance.
Far from finding anything improper about it, Li Qing’e and Lu Lin looked at her with genuine gratitude and approval. They truly believed she was acting only in Lu Qiming’s best interests.
Song Shouyang and Zhao Yufang were left completely at a loss, unsure how to react to this bizarre family. They exchanged a quick look, both quietly suspecting something was wrong with the Lus. But blinded by the fortune and status within their grasp, neither dared speak up. They just stood there, stony-faced, watching Song Qinghuan step toward her own ruin.
Lu Qiming, who had remained silent by the door, finally stirred. He turned to look at his family, his brows knitting slowly into a frown.
When he first arrived, he’d watched Song Qinghuan quietly. She seemed different today — no blushing or shyness like before, just bold and unguarded, like a girl from next door. He’d even found it rather endearing. But the moment Wang Siyu appeared, all his attention shifted to her.
Their eyes met for a second. Wang Siyu lowered her gaze, breaking eye contact — then whispered: “Qiming.”
Lu Qiming’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He didn’t answer aloud, but his gaze darkened instantly. He hadn’t known she would be here. He didn’t need to ask — his mother must have invited her on purpose.
In an instant, he understood Li Qing’e’s plan. She wanted Wang Siyu to stand witness as he pledged himself to another woman — to watch him seal this engagement, so he would finally let go of what he could never have.
He pressed his lips together, and a sharp, stabbing pain pricked at his heart.