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nLu Xinyi yawned and stretched as she stepped out of their bed the next day. With the selections finally coming to its end, finals for the first semester was the only thing she’d have to deal with soon. It was a strange feeling, not rushing around to prepare for school or work; but the change was certainly not unwelcome.

nAfter going through her usual routine, Lu Xinyi sat beside her husband who was busy reading the news over his tablet. He was taking a break now as he awaited his brother’s return and their upcoming wedding ceremony. These left the couple enough time to relax before the big day finally arrived.

n“My brother agreed. I’m glad that he’s taking this well.”

n“Hn? You should know your brother better. I don’t think he’ll miss the event this time.” Shen Yi assured her.

nShe slumped down in her seat with a sigh of contentment, her head resting against her husband’s arm.

nShen Yi took a side glance, pleased that she wasn’t as restless as the past days. He’d let his mother and Lady Tang take over the wedding preparations to give Lu Xinyi a chance to continue her work and studies.

n“Mom sent some wedding booklets for you to check. Have you seen it?” he asked.

n“Hmm… I did. I asked Jiao Jiao to send it back after marking the catalogs earlier. How’s the preparation going? Is it really fine? Shouldn’t we plan it ourselves?” she replied, curious as to why her grandmother and Shen Yi’s mother volunteered to plan their wedding ceremony.-.

nShen Yi placed his tablet on the table and wrapped an arm on her waist, pulling her closer.

n“Let them be. It has been long since there’s been a festive event within the Shen family, also this will keep your grandmother busy, don’t you think?” His nose rubbed against her cheeks, making her laugh.

n“Ah, how rude of you to send my grandmother away?” She laughed but didn’t stop him when he buried his face on her neck and peppered it with light kisses.

n“Ah, but this hubby of yours has been craving for meat for so long. How can I not take the chance to keep her busy at this time?” he whispered against her skin.

n“Ah, but darling, didn’t we agree that you’ll have to do fasting until the ceremony is over?” Lu Xinyi countered.

nShen Yi released her from his hold and glared down at her.

n“Wife, you’re so cruel. How can you let your husband take extended fasting without his permission?” His face looked pained with betrayal from his own wife.

nLu Xinyi laughed and gently slapped his chest. She also missed spending time alone with him. When she thought about it, had it really been months since she married this man?

nHer reverie was broken when the twins came running at the tea room where they were in. As the winter came to an end, the harsh coldness was also starting to fade. The spring would come, and everything—as well as the plants—would start growing again. This also marked a new beginning, especially for someone like her.

n‘Mom, Dad, can you see me now? Yu Gege is back, and I have Yi now. It’s really a shame I couldn’t share the things I have now with you.’

n—

nThe wedding day finally dawned, and Shen Yi found himself wandering around in a daze as he followed his father and Shen Xue who recently came back from his business trip overseas two days ago with Lu Xiulan.

nHis father and Shen Xue had busted in their home and dragged him away from the comfort and warmth of his beloved wife. Once he had gotten himself ready, Shen Xue told Lu Xinyi not to worry about him until they saw each other again for the ceremony.

nThe place Tang Lingfei had chosen had a peaceful atmosphere. The wedding would be held at the private courtyard of one of the villas owned by the Tang family. The wedding day had been kept secret from private, but the Shen family—with Tang Lingfei’s help—released the wedding photos of the couple as well as their family pictures with the twins in it.

nManaging to escape from his family’s rant and teasing, Shen Yi wandered around the garden and saw ribbons and garlands of flowers decorating the garden. As he looked around him, Shen Yi had to admit that the villa was a beautiful piece of architecture. The Tang family, after all, had long established their high social status even before the Shens reached theirs.

nThe main villa itself was already old but well-maintained and had lasted well through the years. The wooden French doors were varnished and beautifully decorated with flower carvings while the enormous windows were kept in pristine condition, allowing the soft light from the sun reflecting on its polished panels.

n“Here you are. I thought you’re planning to run away.” Shen Xue’s voice drifted towards him as he walked towards the bench he was sitting on.

nHis brother sat in a good distance on the same bench and looked around him.

n“You’re looking for me, or are you running away from Grammie?” Shen Yi raised a brow on his brother.

nShen Xue snorted.

n“Not really. I’m just wondering where you are, thinking that maybe you’re nervous. There’s still a couple of hours before the wedding starts, you don’t need to worry.”

n“I see,” Shen Yi said, and a momentary silence fell between them.

n“Are you nervous?” Her younger brother asked, knowing he wasn’t planning to break the silence.

n“I would be lying if I say I’m not,” Shen Yi admitted, “Before, I was wondering how it would be like if Xinxin and I had a proper wedding ceremony. You know we’ve got our marriage license on a whim.”

nShen Xue chuckled and crossed his legs, the morning breeze playing with his dark hair.

n“Why? Is it really a surprise to find yourself marrying the woman you called ‘wife’?”

n“It is. Knowing Xinxin, if I didn’t ask her to disclose our marriage, she probably would wait for a long time until she announces it herself.”

nHis brother considered his words and nodded. That would be something his Big Sis would do.

n“Even though she came from the Sun family, the fact that she loves you the most… Bro, she’s a good catch. You found yourself a woman that can tolerate you.” He grinned.

nThis made Shen Yi frown. What was that supposed to mean?

n“Just make sure you won’t make her cry. I don’t wanna get subjected to Tang family’s ire.” Shen Xue shrugged.

nAt these, Shen Yi lowered his head and didn’t say anything.

n“What are you two doing here?” Shen Huang arrived, confused as to why his sons suddenly left him without a word.

n“There’s still so much to do, and yet you decided to have a heart-to-heart talk without me?” He then turned to his eldest son and complained dramatically. “Yi, I’m your father. Shouldn’t you be asking me instead of your brother who couldn’t get himself a woman?”

n“Hey, Dad! Don’t act like I’m not here! I can hear you!”

nShaking his head, Shen Yi nudged his brother and rose to his feet to return inside the villa. As the three left the courtyard, Shen Yi gave it a last look knowing that the next time he walked in this place, he would be leaving with a family he could finally call his own.

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