The Third Wheel

Shen Yi was slightly distracted from the scent of dessert his wife made, but he didn't forget what Lu Xiulan asked Lu Xinyi. He strode towards Lu Xinyi and checked what she had made on the saucepan.

"You want some?" Lu Xinyi asked. Shen Yi nodded in response. Good thing, the one she prepared was good for two persons. She gave her share to her husband since she wasn't really that hungry.

"So whose fiance are you talking about?" He asked Lu Xiulan who was busy with her dessert.

Lu Xiulan lifted her spoon and pointed to her cousin.

"You have a fiance?" Shen Yi asked his wife as he accepted the small bowl of dessert from her. He took a spoonful of it and tasted it. The dessert was light, a little sweet with a touch of cinnamon. The bananas weren't overcooked. It wasn't special, but it was good.

She never mentioned anything about this fiance before. If she already had one, why did she marry him?

"No, not really. It isn't official, and I have never met him." Lu Xinyi replied.

"Because she always stands up the poor guy." Lu Xiulan chuckled. She knew Lu Xinyi never listened to whatever the Sun family told her to do. It was like another Sun Meixiu again in her case.

"Xiulan!" Lu Xinyi exclaimed.

"What? I'm just stating the truth. You don't want your husband to misunderstand it, right?"

Shen Yi felt better, but he had no idea if it was because of the light dessert or Lu Xiulan's reassurance that Lu Xinyi never met her supposed-to-be fiance.

"You don't want to marry him?"

"Why would I marry him? It will only give my aunts more reasons to bully me and to take away my inheritance just like what they did to Mom." Lu Xinyi explained.

Shen Yi pushed the idea about her fiance aside. It wasn't like that man can take her away anyway. Remembering the business trip his father mentioned, he decided to ask Lu Xinyi.

"Do you have plans this week?" he asked.

He got a suspicion that his father and his brother were going to set him up again on another date. Being with Lu Xinyi would save him from more trouble and headaches. With her being his wife, she would surely fend off those women, and he wouldn't easily get bored while on the trip.

Lu Xinyi took the empty saucepan to the sink and quickly washed it.

"I don't have one. Since I'm practically broke and unemployed, I'm free to go anywhere. Why?"

"Ah, then accompany me to City H for a business trip. I can't leave you here for a few days." Shen Yi replied, his Akita dogs trying to get his attention, which was unusual. Did they suspect that he was trying to take away Lu Xinyi from them?

City H? Of course, Lu Xinyi wouldn't let this chance to visit the beaches. City H was a popular tourist destination. It was on the southern part of the country and a little bit warmer than where they were. She hadn't visited a beach for a long time. Maybe she could also find some interesting trinkets along the way.

"Sure, no problem. When are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow night. Don't forget to pack some bikinis." Shen Yi grinned.

Lu Xinyi flushed red and slapped her husband's shoulder. How dare he make such comments in front of her cousin? That was embarrassing!

"Shen Yi!" This man surely wouldn't waste his opportunity to tease her.

"What? I haven't seen you wearing one. Am I not allowed to see you in bikinis?" he asked, laughing at his wife's angry face.

"Shut up! I don't wanna hear what you're going to say!" Lu Xinyi covered her ears and turned her back to her husband.

Lu Xiulan watched the couple bantering and flirting in front of her. These two! Have Lu Xinyi forgotten that she was heartbroken? Did they really need to flirt in front of her? She felt like a forgotten third wheel.

Did they forget she was still here with them?

It was like she was given a front row seat to watch them flirt and a special dog food to eat.

This was one of those times she wished she wasn't single.

Lu Xiulan took a scoop from her bowl and ate quietly.

*sobs*

'Someday, I will have a boyfriend, too.'

*sobs*

But for now, she would enjoy Lu Xinyi's sweet dessert.