Fu Shao and I turned toward it and something in his demeanour shifted ever so slightly.
"Fenli," He said with a nod.
My eyes froze on the woman, even though her father ministry had started talking to me. She was beautiful in an artificial way with a too narrow nose, full lips and a cleavage that made my moderate chest look like child's play. I didn't think any of it was natural. Or maybe my jealousy was talking.
So I dismissed the thought as quickly as it had come.
With a look in my direction, she leaned up and said something to Fu Shao. His face remained a passive.
Just then, she turned to me and actually pulled me into a hug. I had to force myself not to stiffen.
"Oh... I should warn you. Fu Shao is a monster of devil when he is in the bedroom and hungrier like one a wild fox too. It'll be painful when he takes you and he won't care about your feelings or painful. I'm sure doesn't care about you or your silly emotions. He will take you like an prey meal. He will eat you bloody," she murmured, then she stepped back and followed after her parents.
I could feel the colour drain from my face. He reached for my hand and I flinched, but he clasped it anyway. I steeled myself and ignored him.
So I couldn't face him now, not after what that woman had just said. I didn't care that it was required to invite her and her parents.
Fu Shao should have kept them away. I could tell he got frustrated with my continued refusal to meet his gaze as we spoke to the last few guests.
When we walked toward the tables that had been set up under a roof of flowers attached to wooden beams, he said.
"You can't ignore me forever, Shen Mi. We are married now."
And I ignored that as well. I was hanging onto my composure with desperate abandon and still I could feel it slipping through my fingers like sand. I could not, I would not break into tears at my own wedding, especially since nobody would mistake them for tears of happiness.
Before we could take our seats, a chorus of 'Mon Cheri' broke out among our guests. I'd forgotten about that tradition.
Whenever the guests shouted the words we'd have to kiss until they were satisfied.
He pulled me against his rock-hard chest and pressed another kiss against my lips. I tried in vain not to be as stiff as a porcelain doll, to no avail.
He released me and finally we were allowed to sit down.
Qina took a seat beside me, then leaned over to whisper in my ear.
"I'm glad he didn't shove his tongue down your throat. I don't think I could get any food down if I had to witness that."