Chapter 3: Lunch

Jiang Xi stared dumbfounded at the red book in her hand for a few seconds until Li Chen pulled her out by taping on her shoulder, causing her to turn toward him.

"Let's have lunch," said Li Chen. "What would you like to eat?"

"Hah? Um… I'm okay with anything," said Jiang Xi.

"Oh, then let's go for seafood and celebrate."

The two got into the car and headed to a five-star seafood restaurant.

Jiang Xi had never been to such a luxurious place as Li Chen took her to a private room and started ordering her a table full of food.

"Li Chen," said Jiang Xi. "Don't order so much, we can't eat it all."

"Then pack them back for Luna," said Li Chen. "She likes seafood."

"…I'm not really her mother's lost sister, am I?"

Li Chen laughed. "Don't worry, even if we do a DNA test, the result will be negative. You have no blood relation with Luna, trust me."

Jiang Xi sighed in relieve. She really did not want to act out the drama of a substitute wife. But even if they have no relations, this kind of relationship based on face…

"You're not a substitute, stop thinking about it," Li Chen interrupted her thoughts, peeling off a shrimp for her. "I am well aware of who you are Rong Jiang Xi. I don't look at the face, I look at the soul."

"What about last night?" Jiang Xi countered.

Li Chen stared at her in silence for a moment before saying, "I'm a man of honor. I married you, you are now my wife. I won't betray you and I'll be good to you. I will never take you as a replacement for my late wife, trust me on that."

"…Do you love your wife a lot?" Jiang Xi knew that she shouldn't ask this question, but she couldn't help it. She felt that in order for them to move forward, she had to ask.

"I'm glad you asked," said Li Chen. "Yes, I love her. I love her very much. In all my life, I will never forget her, nor will I stop loving her. No one will ever be able to replace her in my life."

Jiang Xi felt uncomfortable hearing him say all these words. "Then what is our relationship?"

"Naturally, we are married."

"… Do I have to…?" Jiang Xi blushed in embarrassment, not daring to look up.

"…Jiang Xi, I'm a man."

Jiang Xi blushed even harder. "But there is no love between us…"

"There is no love now, does not mean there is no feelings, nor does it mean that love won't develop later. Besides, some physical relations do not even need love, and some are even done out of hate or spite." For some reason, that made Jiang Xi think of Yu Xiang. "Don't worry so much about it." Li Chen reached out to touch her hand, causing her to look up into his tender eyes. "You are my wife now and I will respect you."

It took a moment for Jiang Xi to understand before she smiled and nodded, saying, "Thank you. I will try my best."

The shrimp has pilled up a lot on her plate, and Li Chen moved to the crab meat next. The two ate in silence until Jiang Xi felt full. Suddenly, the lights went out and a birthday song played out as a waitress brought in a birthday cake to Jiang Xi.

"This…"

"Happy late 22nd birthday, Rong Jiang Xi," said Li Chen. "I hope you will be happy in life and no longer have to struggle so hard all alone."

Tears fell down her face. How ironic. Last night, she brought a cake to celebrate with Yu Xiang only to catch rap and was called an old fashion grandma by her long-time crush.

Yu Xiang was the person whom she did everything for since youth, from taking care of him like a maid to doing homework for him, lying for him to his parents, the people who took her in and raised her, and even gave up her college life and scholarships to work and send him to stardom. All because she once overheard his parents talking about raising her up to be his bride. But despite all that she's done for him, Yu Xiang had never been truly kind to help her, nor has he ever done a surprised birthday for her himself.

Ever since they came to Beijing, Jiang Xi had to drop out of college so she could work to support them. She always remembered to celebrate his birthday, but Yu Xiang never bothered about hers. At that time, she thought that he was busy and forgot. Apparently, he forgot for four years.

Yet here is a stranger whom she had a one-night stand and a flash marriage with, wishing her a happy birthday and even brought her a cake to surprise her. Oh, how stupid was she to hang on to that old tree.

"Good girl," said Li Chen, petting her head and whispering in her ears. "Forget your obsession with him, and live a better life. That will be your best revenge to him."

Really, this man. Jiang Xi sweet dropped. Why is it that he seems to know her so well?

Whipping away her tears, Jiang Xi nodded and, after making her wish, blew out the candle.

The two finished off a slice of cake before Li Chen said, "I have to go to work, but I'll leave you the key and the driver. Try to move as much of your belongings to the condo as possible. And to assure her, please pick up Luna from school. She'll be very happy to see you. Take the rest of the cake to eat with her too, I might be home late, so eat dinner first." He handed her the key and stood up, Jiang Xi standing along with him. "Oh, and if you need anything, tell Yu Jing, the driver. He will get it for you."

Jiang Xi nodded and was shocked when Li Chen leaned in to kiss her on the cheek before leaving, walking passed the driver who had just entered.

Yu Jing smiled at her embarrassed face and cheerfully said, "Madam, are you ready to go?"

Speechless, Jiang Xi nodded and asked the servers to pack the leftovers before leaving the restaurant.

Once in the car, Yun Jing asked, "Madam-"

"Call me Jiang Xi," Jiang Xi interrupted him, feeling a bit uncomfortable at the title.

"Shall we go to your house first to move your stuff?" He seemed to ignore her words. "Or would you like to go to the mall?"

"The Mall?" Jiang Xi asked in confusion. "Why go to the mall?"

"To buy new clothes, of course."

"But I don't need new clothes. Forget it. Go to my house, we'll try to move as much as we can before going to pick up Luna."

Yu Jing nodded and pulled out from the parking lot.