Chapter 10

Commander Lu fell silent. The two ladies present were also rendered speechless by surprise. Commander Lu turned to Mrs. Xin and asked, "What do you think?"

The next day, when Xin Xia woke up and left her room, she unexpectedly saw Lu Zi'ang sitting at her family's dining table, chatting and laughing with her father. She stood there in a daze, thinking that this was an illusion.

Why would you want to marry Ziang when everything is fine? When did you two get together?

Xin Xia was left dumbfounded

Lu Ziang slightly raised his head, saw Xin Xianuan, and gave her a faint smile

The indulgent family truly says, once this relationship is established, certain things are inevitable

If Xin Xia Nuan were to tell her father about their absurdities, he would surely whip her. She told a lie, "It was very early."

Old Xin said nothing more. In fact, he was quite pleased that his daughter was marrying Lu Zi'ang, who had grown up alongside her. Firstly, he was familiar with the family background, and secondly, he was also familiar with the son-in-law. The two families were actually quite well-matched.

Warm and gentle, Mannie

Xin Xia Nuan was just about to sit opposite him when her mother stopped her, saying, "Go sit over there, this is my seat"

It is surprising to be happy about this. Out of the blue, both sets of parents were invited to dinner, and the first thing said upon gathering was that she believed it to be the least likely event. In Ms. Qian's memory, while Lu Zi'ang and Xin Xia'nuan had a good relationship, there was no indication that it could lead to such a situation

Lu Ziang couldn't help but laugh upon hearing Xin Xiangnuan's low and slightly trembling voice. He held Xin Xiangnuan's hand, not wanting to feel the dampness, wondering if she was breaking out in a cold sweat.

The focus shifted to Xin Xia Nuan. Three pairs of eyes were all on her. Although Lu Zi Ang, who was sitting beside her, was smiling, she understood what that smile implied. This sudden turn of events was completely unexpected for her; without any preparation, Lu Zi Ang had taken the liberty to propose marriage without giving her a heads-up. How could she bear such pressure? If she said no, then she would truly have nothing left with Lu Zi Ang in the future. If she said yes, it would mean she was too weak, allowing him to lead her by the nose. If she said no, then she would truly have nothing left with Lu Zi Ang in the future. If she said yes, it would mean she was too weak, allowing him to lead her by the nose.

If you can't wait, I am available at any time

Xin Mu came out of the kitchen and saw Xin Xia Nuan standing foolishly to the side. She quickly looked at her with a reproachful expression, "What are you daydreaming about? Hurry up and come eat, Zi Ang came early this morning to take you to work."

Lu Ziang raised his wrist to check the time, "To be precise, there are still thirty-five minutes left. The company policy states that being late results in a deduction of half a day's salary, as you should know." Lu Ziang's serious demeanor sent a shiver down the spine of the originally relaxed Xin Xiaonuan. She glared at him in anger, "I know."

Eh? Xin Xia was taken aback

"Do you not care that Ziang has someone else in his heart?" Lao Xin finally spoke out

Lu Ziang of "Warm Drops"

Commander Lu sat silently beside them, his expression unchanged. On the other hand, Ms. Qian repeatedly asked, "Zi'ang, you are not joking with Nuan Nuan, are you?" Ms. Qian even began to think they were joking. However, Lu Zi'ang did not appear to be joking at all; he answered very seriously, "Mom, aren't you the one who likes Nuan Nuan the most? You should be happy to hear this news."

"My daughter likes me, and I have no objections. As for my husband, of course, there's nothing more to say, haha." There was a slight unnaturalness on Xin's mother's face

"Are you really willing to turn on the machine?" came the displeased voice of Lu Ziang from the other end.

Did you enter my room

Certainly, this meal was evidently difficult to digest, and the atmosphere while eating was not as relaxed as before; it was merely a casual meal to pass the time. Xin Xiaonuan followed her mother Xin home, and Xin's mother did not mention this matter at all. Xin Xiaonuan also did not bring it up for clarification until Xin's mother discussed it with Old Xin, at which point Old Xin called Xin Xiaonuan out of her room.

Xinxia Nuan was taken aback, "Isn't getting married next year the same?" Having experienced a classmate's engagement, Xinxia Nuan found it to be quite troublesome and exhausting

Hmm. Xinxia Nuan vaguely brushed it aside

Xin Xia Nuan did not expect Lu Zi Ang to suddenly say the joke that he often mentioned in front of the parents. She was clearly quite frightened, and even Xin's mother, who was sitting opposite, turned pale with fear

Lu Ziang could not understand what she was saying, "It seems that we are not suitable for marriage this year"

It was not... Xin Xia warmed up, unsure of how to express why she suddenly felt at ease. She could only say, somewhat conjecturally: "Although my exterior is pure, my inner self is lewd; I have thought about that aspect."

Xin Xia's mind suddenly became impure, conjuring up some very discordant images, which only grew more horrifying the more she thought about them. The increasing horror led her to spiral into more wild thoughts about what to do in the future. In the end, she still installed the battery into her phone and took the initiative to call Lu Zi'ang.

How long have you been broken up with Liao Xiucai?" Xinmu interjected from the side, "Is it really because of Ziang?

"Warm, let us get engaged first," Lu Ziang suddenly said.

I am getting married

Commander Lu was very composed and did not speak to Lu Ziang. Instead, he turned his head to the dazed Xin Xianuan and asked, "Nuan Nuan, do you really wish to marry Lu Ziang?"

What happened, beautiful

This support is quite inadequate, as if it is willing to let her rely on it

Lu Ziang felt a sudden shift in his mood upon hearing Xin Xiannuan's joy. "You are so happy? If you really don't want to marry me, just say it. I won't force you."

Even though she knows that such a day will never come, in this matter, Xin Xiaonuan cannot be carefree; she is still a foolish woman, a woman who is still dreaming

Lu Ziang was so clever that he understood it at once. He couldn't help but feel both amused and helpless, placing his hand on his forehead, saying, "I understand."

She nodded and said, "Uncle Lu, I want to marry Ziang."

Xin Xia warmly stuck out her tongue, "There are forty minutes left until work starts, no need to rush." She felt embarrassed to say it, as her boss was sitting right there, but what was there to be afraid of? In fact, this could be considered having a strong backing.

Xin Xia remained silent, feeling warm and stifled. She admitted that she had been overthinking some things yesterday, which indeed felt quite discordant. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat; she had always been in a state of "fantasy" regarding that matter, without any practical experience. ... After all, practice is the only criterion for testing truth, and she was about to test it, so she felt both fear and curiosity while also having a desperate expectation...

Indeed, you are unaware even when I steal a kiss from you

[Slow Melody] Pre-marital Depression = = Congratulations, you no longer have to remain a single woman. I believe that in no time, you will lose your virginity.

After quickly finishing the meal, I got into Lu Ziang's car and left with him. As Lu Ziang drove, he chuckled mischievously and said, "What kept you up late last night? You look like a dead pig today."

A family of three is sitting around the sofa in the living room

It was only the matter of Lu Ziang back then that became a thorn in Old Xin's heart. It is likely that Xin's mother also felt this way, after all, that incident caused quite a stir, and as neighbors, they naturally knew something about it. Old Xin is not one to get stuck on trivial matters; he understands that all of that is in the past. However, he also knows his only daughter—can she truly let it go?

My mother just went to consult about our birth dates, saying that our charts have too much earth element. If we were to get married this year, it might lead to a collapse. It would be better to wait until next spring.

Are you still thinking about that kind of thing? The lewd wife in your heart? Lu Ziang smiled crookedly, feeling quite pleased with himself

I feel a bit nervous after what you said

Xin Mu shot a glare at Xin Xia Nuan and said, "Do you know what time it is?"

Xin Xia's heart suddenly skipped a beat. After a moment's thought, she shook her head and said, "Dad, that's at most just a shadow and won't affect my future." She knew she was making excuses for herself, trying to convince herself not to care so much. It was merely a subtle influence, constantly reminding herself that she used to want to find a man to marry and live a life with, and now it was just that this man was the one she liked the most.

It is truly frustrating to the point of despair, how has Xin Xia Nuan changed into this state? Xin Xia Nuan scorned herself fiercely in her heart

[Slowly Sounding] ... ...

Commander Lu was not surprised that Lu Ziang wanted to marry Xin Xianuan, but rather that Xin Xianuan agreed to marry Lu Ziang. Given Lu Ziang's past, Xin Xianuan was fully aware of it. Based on Commander Lu's understanding of Xin Xianuan, he could not find a reasonable explanation for her agreement to the marriage

Xin Xia Nuan cried out into her phone, "Lu Zi Ang, you rogue." She immediately hung up the call, her face burning red, completely not the natural shade of red. She quickly cupped her heated cheeks, sighing, indeed she was a woman with a lewd heart, thinking of all sorts of things.

That's great. Xin Xia Nuan suddenly felt relieved, as she wasn't quite ready yet; she could take half a year to prepare.

Warm drop, roll away

Commander Lu nodded, "I really like Nuan Nuan, you may go ahead and get married if you wish."

Old Xin fell silent, which could be considered a compromise. Xin's mother certainly understood her daughter better than Old Xin did. Xin Xianuan liked Lu Ziang, and she had always known it. She simply sighed and silently wished them well.

[Slowly Sounding] I can't believe it, really? WHO?

The spot her mother pointed to was the empty seat next to Lu Ziang. Xin Xianuan obediently sat down, ignoring Lu Ziang, and started eating the youtiao on the table. Old Xin coughed softly a couple of times, and Xin's mother reproached, "What were you doing yesterday? Why are you only getting up now? If it weren't for Ziang saying to let you sleep a bit longer, I was ready to go upstairs and pull the covers off you."

"First, let's get engaged. I fear that you, like a turtle, will retract into your shell and renege on your promises, leaving me completely drained. When the time comes, who will compensate for my innocence?" Lu Ziang spoke these words with such righteous indignation, showing not a hint of embarrassment.

Thank you, Dad. Lu Ziang rarely showed a hint of a smile

Xin Xia Nuan heard Lu Zi Ang's voice, and her face immediately turned red in a disordered manner. She said somewhat incoherently, "My phone fell, that... I can't do anything about it."

... ...

Xin Xia felt relieved as he understood, and she sighed in contentment, knowing that he understood was enough. However, just as she exhaled, Lu Zi'ang's words caused her to swallow her breath again

In fact, Lu Ziang is merely gambling everything on a single bet. He is betting that Xin Xianuan cannot bear to end things with him completely. He is forcing her, pushing her, this timid turtle who withdraws at the first sign of danger. Deep down, Xin Xianuan is in turmoil; she wants to nod decisively, so that she can rightfully obtain what she desires. She wants Lu Ziang, who is so close, just within reach if she is willing to extend her hand, but everything is happening too quickly. This is entirely beyond her expectations. Her original intention was simply to fulfill the uncompleted wish of her youth, to try being with the person she likes. She does not seek a result, only the process. She admits that she merely wants to satisfy her own vanity. And this is also because she knows too well about Lu Ziang's past. Her rebellious brother had a passionate love affair, and she witnessed how he fell into a deep melancholy at home after that girl left, isolating himself from everyone. That vivid scene plays back in her mind like a tape rewind. Thus, she would never naively believe that Lu Ziang would one day come to like her, Xin Xianuan.

I currently have a strange feeling. If I say I am happy, there is indeed a bit of that. If I say I am depressed, there is also a bit of that. In short, I feel particularly conflicted

Xin Xia Nuan returned to her room and casually flipped through her phone, discovering a missed call from Lu Zi Ang. She paused for a moment, ultimately deciding to take out the battery and threw herself onto the bed, closing her eyes. After a long period of contemplation, she finally got up, opened her computer, and started chatting with Mani.