Ch 17: I’m Her Husband
Having just changed her shoes, Zhuang Lingyun, carrying Xiao Yao’s backpack, walked into the living room and turned to look at her upon hearing a sound. “What’s wrong?”
“Such a large house, you live alone?”
He hummed in response, picking up the air conditioner remote to adjust the temperature.
“It’s so empty, aren’t you scared at night?”
Zhuang Lingyun smiled, “Do you think I’m as timid as a woman? However, I don’t come back often; most of the time I sleep at the bar.”
“Oh…”
Not going home, letting such a nice house sit empty is such a waste. Xiao Yao suddenly thought about the post-marriage issue. Since they were getting married, they would definitely live together, but where?
Here? Or the small apartment she bought?
But she bought that apartment to marry Shen Mingzhe. Zhuang Lingyun hates Shen Mingzhe so much, he probably wouldn’t want to sleep there.
“How about this location?” Zhuang Lingyun suddenly pointed to an empty wall in the living room, “Let’s choose a picture to hang here when we go to pick some out tomorrow.”
So he lives here.
Xiao Yao thought again about him saying he often slept at the bar. After they get married, will he also often sleep at the bar? Left alone in such a spacious house, she was afraid she would be scared sleepless all night.
Lost in thought, “I have to go to work tomorrow, I’ve used up all my vacation days, and if I ask for more leave, I’ll lose my job.”
Zhuang Lingyun pondered for a moment, then nodded, “Alright, then I’ll choose a few when I go, send the negatives to your mobile phone, and you can choose again. How about Black Pepper Beef Fried Rice? Or Tomato and Egg Stir-fry?”
Zhuang Lingyun rummaged through the ingredients in the refrigerator, seeking Xiao Yao’s opinion.
Xiao Yao came to his side, glanced into the refrigerator; it was packed full, with vegetables, fruits, and drinks complete—it didn’t look like the refrigerator of someone who doesn’t often come home.
Xiao Yao quickly scanned the inside of the refrigerator and found that most of the items were her favorites, especially the fruit; several kinds were her favorites, and all were very fresh.
Zhuang Lingyun looked at her sparkling eyes, smiled, took out two bright yellow mangoes, went to the kitchen, took out a chopping board and a fruit knife, skillfully peeled and pitted them, cut the flesh into one-centimeter cubes, placed them on a white porcelain plate, added a small fork, and handed them to her.
Xiao Yao watched his series of actions, her eyes becoming brighter, “So you also like to eat mangoes this way, me too.”
Zhuang Lingyun looked at her, his smile gentle, “Eat, kill some time, I’ll go cook.”
Xiao Yao nodded repeatedly, pulled the fruit plate into her territory, and used the small fork to eat one piece after another. The juice was sweet and delicious; these were definitely top-quality mangoes, so delicious.
Xiao Yao thought contentedly, this Zhuang Lingyun must have found out so much about her preferences from her mother, to go to this length, he’s thoughtful.
Zhuang Lingyun’s cooking was good; the Black Pepper Fried Rice tasted like a five-star hotel, with perfect color, aroma, and taste.
After dinner, Xiao Yao volunteered to wash the dishes, after which Zhuang Lingyun showed her the rooms and took her for a walk around the residential area.
This place is close to her workplace, but quite far from her mother’s house. Zhuang Lingyun, considering her convenience for commuting, even offered her his sedan to use, but Xiao Yao didn’t accept.
Xiao Yao planned to get Shen Mingzhe’s car back; she had driven it for so long, it was already a bargain for him. Now that the marriage was off, the property had to be settled.
But what Xiao Yao didn’t expect was that when Zhuang Lingyun came to pick her up for work in the morning, he was driving the Audi that should have been with Shen Mingzhe.
Xiao Yao’s surprise and confusion were seen by Zhuang Lingyun. He shook the car key in his hand, “Last night someone parked a car at the bar entrance, gave the car key to the reception desk, and asked me to give it to you.”
“Shen Mingzhe?”
“I didn’t see him.”
“How could he return the car so readily? ” Xiao Yao was astonished. This wasn’t something Shen Mingzhe, a man who would skin a fly for its hide, would do.
Zhuang Lingyun shrugged, “There was 150,000 Renminbi in cash in the car.”
Xiao Yao was even more surprised. When she saw the bundles of Renminbi, Xiao Yao calmed down. She looked at Zhuang Lingyun, her eyes scanning him up and down, full of suspicion: “Did you do something?”
Zhuang Lingyun smiled faintly, “Am I in the mafia?”
“But you beat him, right?”
“Maybe he was afraid of getting a few more teeth knocked out, so he sent it over willingly.”
Looking at his calm and fearless expression, Xiao Yao felt even more certain that Zhuang Lingyun must have done something. No matter what, as long as it wasn’t illegal and could subdue Shen Mingzhe, she could accept it.
“Actually, you don’t have to come to pick me up for work. You have to take care of the bar business at night, you sleep so late and get up so early, you won’t have any energy all day. I can get there quickly by subway.”
“It’s on the way, I’m going to choose pictures.”
Xiao Yao nodded, “I’m going to see Grandma tonight, are you coming?”
“I won’t be able to go. I have to personally oversee the hall arrangements, I’m afraid I’ll be up all night.”
Xiao Yao was startled. Compared to his serious attitude towards the wedding, she suddenly felt that her attitude was too casual. Feeling a little apologetic, “Then, after I see Grandma, I’ll go find you and help with the arrangements.”
Zhuang Lingyun turned to look at her while driving, smiled gently, the corners of his lips curving into a handsome, gentle arc, “No need, staying up late damages your skin, you have to be the most beautiful bride.”
Xiao Yao didn’t say anything, but she had already made up her mind to go help him at night.
Because the invitations sent out included the address, the hotel wasn’t changed, but Zhuang Lingyun cancelled the originally chosen banquet hall and booked the top-floor sky garden, which was extremely luxurious, overlooking the entire Beibin City, the scenery was breathtaking.
At the school gate, Zhuang Lingyun got out of the car and went around to the other side, gentlemanly opening the car door for Xiao Yao.
“Thank you.”
“Xiao Yao.”
As soon as Xiao Yao got out of the car, a shout came from the distance. Xiao Yao turned her head and saw Mu Yang getting out of a Bentley that had stopped abruptly. He looked at Zhuang Lingyun warily, then glanced at the Audi logo, and quickly walked over.
“Something wrong?” Xiao Yao asked.
“Why did you suddenly ask for leave yesterday? What happened? Are you feeling unwell?” Mu Yang’s words of concern came out naturally, then his gaze shifted to Zhuang Lingyun, with curiosity and a hint of inquiry, “Who is this?”
Xiao Yao looked at Zhuang Lingyun, and Zhuang Lingyun looked at her, the smile at the corner of his lips deepened, and he raised his eyebrows slightly.
“He’s my…”
Boyfriend? Fiancé? How should she introduce him? After all, Shen Mingzhe had come to the school to find her several times, some people had seen Shen Mingzhe, and now the person she was marrying had suddenly changed, she didn’t know what others would think.
Xiao Yao was still lost in thought, when Zhuang Lingyun couldn’t wait any longer, stepped forward and introduced himself, “I’m her husband.” Then, he leaned forward slightly and extended his hand, a faint smile on his lips, “Hello.”
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