‘Only belongs to you…’
Lu Xinyi had literally been stunned into silence, hearing those words from him. She buried her head against him and choked back tears. Shen Yi pulled her close, wrapping her up in his embrace—heedless if Yang Jian and Yang Liqing were waiting just outside the door. It didn’t matter to him anyway. He would embrace his wife wherever he wished.
The thought that Lu Xinyi might felt some kind of insecurity after her failed relationship with Gong Yijun had crossed his mind. It was usual for people to be cold and defensive once they were hurt before. He wondered if his wife thought that he might be able to be stolen away by another woman.
Her reaction had confirmed his suspicion. Lu Xinyi pretended that she was okay; there was still a small part of her that was afraid that he would abandon her—just like what Gong Yijun had done to her. By confirming and reassuring her that he only belonged to her and no one else, Shen Yi reminded her that she was loved by him.
While it was nice to see Lu Xinyi put up a fight and stake her claim on him, Shen Yi had never really paid attention to another woman except for his wife.
“Xinxin, the fault is their own. For you, beloved, I can go great lengths just to keep you by my side.”
“Shen Yi…” Lu Xinyi’s voice shook. “Call me selfish, but I’ll never give you up without a fight. I might not be the most beautiful, the smartest, or even the most eligible woman to be your wife, but I don’t care! You have no other choice. By marrying me, Shen Yi—you forfeited your life to me.”
She lifted her face and revealed her teary eyes. A coy smile appeared in her face. “What do you have to say for yourself? Any last words?”
Lu Xinyi bit her lower lip to stifle a giggle. Shen Yi gave her a slow smirk. He shook his head in disappointment.
“You don’t know what you are asking, wife. This one is sure that women will not only fall in line but will also fight you tooth for tooth.”
“Hmp! You think so highly of yourself, Shen Yi! Your arrogance is appalling.” She primly sniffed and turned her head to the side.
His hand reached up… but only to brush strands of her hair off of her face. There was still a hint of blush on her cheeks as she tried to ignore him.
“Xinxin…”
Lu Xinyi turned her head back to him upon hearing his low voice, which was what he wanted her to do. His forehead came onto hers, his eyes mesmerizing, as they flickered with desire for her.
“A life sentence with you doesn’t sound so bad after all. I married you, didn’t I?”
His wife nuzzled his palm and kissed it, falling forward to tuck herself once more into his embrace. Should she be any other woman who dared to trespass his private space, he would have killed her, throwing her body to the lake and filing several restraining orders against her.
“I love you, Shen Yi. I don’t mind how many women I should defeat and whose dreams I crush. I won’t let you lose face for marrying me.” Lu Xinyi whispered, unaware on the possessive glint on her husband’s eyes.
—
Afternoon came in a breeze.
Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi went to the pavilion where the competition would be held. The place was located northeast of the town. They hadn’t even reached the place yet when they heard bursts of laughter from within.
Spectators were betting on who’d win today’s battle. Blue Haven was at the top of the list while the Grace Palace was down at the bottom before the commotion happened outside Grace Palace earlier. Because of what Luo Yin did to Lu Xinyi, rumors about Lu Xinyi had been lessened; but the speculations about Grace Palace being sold to the Shen family had been confirmed.
They couldn’t just spread rumors about Grace Palace anymore. Who didn’t hear about the Shen family anyway? They were one of the most powerful families from the capital city, and their influence ran deep and reached places such as this small town.
Now, people were expecting and anticipating to see more from Lu Xinyi. What kind of woman was she that the Shen Matriarch sent someone like her?
However, not all believed that she would win today. Mo Lihui had been the reigning champion, and no one had been able to defeat her cooking.
“However you see it, rubbish is still rubbish. How do you know she’s telling the truth? Even if the Shen Matriarch sent her here, she isn’t part of the Shen family!” Someone exclaimed in the crowd and was followed by a round of laughter.
Mo Lihui sneered in her heart. Lu Xinyi wasn’t an innocent woman like everyone believed her to be. There was no mistaking after those mischievous smiles behind her act.
Taking advantage of Lu Xinyi’s absence, they continue to mock her—without knowing that she was just an earshot away.
Just as Shen Yi had enough of the insults to his wife, Lu Xinyi’s soft voice ringed in his ears.
“Dear, why are they so mean to me? Did I do something wrong? Do you think Xinxin is a rubbish woman?”
“Who said my Xinxin is a rubbish woman? My Xinxin has more capabilities than any woman I’ve met before. If they don’t believe in you, remember you have me on your back! I’ll bet my whole fortune that my Xinxin is the best above the rest!”