Chapter 33 Are You Getting Married?

Love always teaches us to find strength in the depths of despair.

Just then, Xiaoyu stepped out of the kitchen and, seeing the two standing in silent confrontation, greeted them with a cheerful smile, “Sir, Miss, wash your hands and come eat.”

Xue Zuining hadn’t expected Lu Huaining to appear in the villa at lunchtime. Didn’t he need to return to his romantic entanglements with Mu Chenxi?

But the man seemed to read her mind. As she bowed her head, counting the grains of rice in her bowl, Lu Huaining’s indifferent voice sounded at the table, “There’s no need for suspicion. Mu Chenxi is indeed my most suitable candidate for a wife.”

With a sudden clatter, the chopsticks slipped from Zuining’s trembling hand, striking the floor with a crisp sound.

Lu Huaining watched her for a moment, then rose and walked to the balcony. Lighting a cigarette, he stood shrouded in rising smoke, his expression blurred. Zuining stared at him in a daze, his silhouette bathed in dazzling sunlight. In that rare moment, she felt a sense of desolation and solitude emanating from him.

“Lu Huaining, are you getting married?” Zuining stood behind him, letting his figure block out all the sunlight. “I…”

“What?” He turned unexpectedly, his gaze piercing deep into her eyes, as if seeking to uncover all her secrets. At yesterday’s banquet, his grandmother and Mu Li had already broached the subject of marriage. Undeniably, whether in terms of family background or personal qualities, Mu Chenxi was the ideal choice for his wife. Besides, there was a past between them that others could gossip over. Yet, as time slipped away, facing his former lover, he found he could no longer recover the person he once was.

“Lu Huaining, no matter how much you despise me, no matter how you intend to torment and humiliate me, if you are truly going to marry, then please let…”

“Let you go?” Lu Huaining’s dim eyes suddenly flashed with irritation. “Why should I let you live freely?”

“I will not be the other woman!” Zuining didn’t know where her courage came from. She spoke each word with determination. “Lu Huaining, you’ve already stripped away all my dignity. You’ve won. What more do you want from my surrender?”

“Xue Zuining, are you constantly thinking about how to leave me?” He strode toward her, gripping her ribs with force. “Tell me! Are you pleased that I’m about to get married? Do you wish I’d disappear from your sight right now? Say it! Say it—”

“Are you happy, Lu Huaining? Does it please you to torment me and imprison me like this?” Zuining’s smile was tinged with sorrow. “I can’t learn to be as obedient as other women. I only seem to anger you. Why won’t you let me go? If you’ve already chosen your partner, then please respect her. Is that so much to ask?”

“In your dreams!” Each word was resolute. Lu Huaining, in a fit of madness, dragged her upstairs. She struggled, and he twisted her resisting arms behind her back with brutal force.

Her body was thrown onto the soft mattress, folded into a posture that satisfied him. Her clothes were torn apart and cast aside. Through the pain, she could faintly hear Xiaoyu’s anxious footsteps outside the bedroom door. Why—why had everything become such an inextricable knot?

He held her tightly, possessing her as he pleased. At the height of passion, he heard her speak in a barely audible voice, “Lu Huaining, you will face retribution.”

His desire instantly faded. He pushed her aside, tossed her some pills, and sneered, “We’ll see.”

Drowsy consciousness was roused by his voice. She opened her eyes, the last traces of sleep banished by his presence. He noticed the hatred she struggled to hide and merely arched an eyebrow, “Get up and dress properly. We’re going out soon.”

She suddenly remembered what had happened last time he took her to the hot springs resort and shuddered. He turned his head and said, “It’s a business banquet. Just stay quiet by my side. As long as you don’t embarrass me, I won’t make things difficult for you.”

What else could she do?

She could only drag her weary body to the bathroom, washing away the scent he’d left on her. Following his instructions, she opened the wardrobe. The rows of extravagant gowns stunned her. Upon closer inspection, they were all new, all her size. She clenched her fists quietly. So, he had planned all along to keep her as his plaything.

Lu Huaining, already adjusting his tie, glanced at her back—her trembling form wrapped in a bathrobe. The corner of his lips curled. “What, nothing you like?” He circled her, guiding her hand along the dresses. “Pick carefully. These are things countless women dream of. Or is it that your standards are too high for anything I give you?”

He feigned intimacy, but Zuining felt his gaze sharp as needles. She bit her lip hard, picked a light green long dress at random, dressed, and stood silently by, waiting for his word.

Lu Huaining lifted her chin with two fingers, gazing deep into her eyes. “Smile, or never smile again. It’s your choice.”

Her nails dug into her palms, the pain barely keeping her sane. She forced a faint smile. From the moment they left the house, got in the car, arrived at the venue, and entered the hall, she maintained the same expression. The hall was filled with dazzling gowns and sparkling champagne towers, yet her heart was shrouded in darkness.

Fortunately, Lu Huaining was busy with his friends discussing business, freeing her for a moment. She quickly grabbed a glass of juice and slipped into a quiet corner, taking a sip and wincing at the tartness.

It seemed that as she closed her eyes, warm tears rolled down unnoticed. Lost in thought, she suddenly sensed the faint scent of cigars and cologne. A white handkerchief appeared before her.