Chapter 60 Consummation
In this luxurious banquet hall, everyone wore smiles on the surface, yet harbored their own private thoughts beneath.
Shen Mengxia was dressed in a pale blue evening gown, her delicate features rendered exceptionally striking under the warm glow of the lights.
Shen Mengqing wore a long white dress, resembling a fresh and refined lily flower.
Yet at this moment, they found themselves helplessly pulled along by Shen Mei, shuttling constantly back and forth among the numerous guests to socialize.
Shen Mei wore a bright smile, exchanging warm pleasantries with every guest they encountered while introducing Shen Mengxia and Shen Mengqing.
The two sisters could only respond politely to the greetings of the guests, leaving them entirely without a moment to attend to anything else.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zeyu and Fu Yanchen stood to one side. Having initially anticipated a pleasant and unhurried chat with the sisters, they could only exchange bitter, helpless smiles as they watched the busy figures before them.
Even Shen Mengqing, despite being mere steps away, had little opportunity to exchange more than a few words with her sister, Shen Mengxia.
She too was trapped within the social labyrinth, forced to navigate various interpersonal dynamics. The entire banquet felt like an inescapable social trap, drawing everyone into its web.
Once the banquet finally concluded, Shen Mengxia felt as though her face was stiff from smiling.
Shen Mei arranged private cars to take them each back to their respective residences.
Inside the car, Fu Yanchen softly asked Shen Mengqing, "Why were you drugged?" Shen Mengqing gently shook her head at him, indicating she did not wish to answer. Fu Yanchen pressed the matter no further.
Shen Mengxia and Fu Yanchen returned to the Fu family villa.
The night was already deep. The two of them stepped quietly into the villa, terrified of waking anyone.
As they reached the second floor, Fu Yanchen suddenly came to a halt and reached out to gently catch Shen Mengxia by the arm.
Lowering his voice, he said, "Your room hasn't been lived in for a very long time, and it might be a bit damp. Why don't you sleep in my room tonight?"
With that, he fixed his deep, fathomless gaze intently upon Shen Mengxia, his eyes revealing an ineffable tenderness and longing.
Hearing these words, a delicate blush bloomed involuntarily across Shen Mengxia's cheeks, making her look as alluring and tender as a ripened apple.
The corners of her lips curved upward into a bashful yet intensely sweet smile as she softly murmured, "O... okay!"
The moment they stepped into the room, Fu Yanchen did not rush to turn on the lights. The moonlight cast its glow across their faces, creating an atmosphere hazy and ambiguous.
Shen Mengxia's cheeks burned with heat, her eyes filled with shyness and anticipation. Fu Yanchen gently gathered her into his arms, pressing tender kisses to her face.
His hands caressed her skin with infinite gentleness, kindling a flame deep within her heart.
She trembled slightly, acutely aware of his warmth. Their lips met, and their breathing intertwined.
On this night, they finally became a wedded couple in truth as well as name.
The following morning, while the two of them were deep in sleep, they were jolted awake by a sudden, piercing shriek!
"Ah—!" Madam Fu had come to Fu Yanchen's room early in the morning, intending to continue trying to persuade him regarding an arranged marriage. Pushing the door open, she was greeted by the sight of the two figures in bed, and gasped in absolute shock.
"Mom, don't make such a fuss! I never told you before, but the reason I refused blind dates and business alliances is simply because I was already married!"
When Madam Fu looked at the marriage certificate Fu Yanchen handed her, she nearly fainted on the spot.
"The two of you registered your marriage three years ago? Why didn't you say anything all this time? Since you kept it a secret then, don't keep it anymore. Shen Mengxia, name your price—how much money will it take for you to leave Yanchen? Speak!"