After throwing up several times, Nan Xi finally felt a bit better.
She took a deep breath, washed her face, and fixed her makeup before going out.
"Mom, I made a fool of myself, just now I was a bit out of sorts."
Nan Xi felt embarrassed as she looked at Yun Shu sitting on the sofa.
Yun Shu just smiled and said, "It's alright."
Then she gestured for Nan Xi to come over and sit down, and Nan Xi immediately did so with cautious care.
Because she was nervous, her heart was pounding erratically, and even her breathing was somewhat unsteady, but that wasn't the most important thing. She was most afraid her mother-in-law would ask about her "vomiting."
But, as luck would have it, that's exactly what happened.
The next moment, her mother-in-law's voice rang in her ear, "What happened just now? I saw you vomiting quite badly. Do you want to go to the hospital to have it checked out?"
Oh no! Nan Xi exclaimed in her mind, it was exactly what she feared.
"Mom, it's nothing. I accidentally ate some egg, and I've been a little allergic these past few days."
Nan Xi tried hard to make her voice and tone sound very natural, without any giveaway.
"You'll need to be more careful next time. Allergies are no small matter," Yun Shu advised seriously, without overthinking it.
"Yes, mom, I'll be careful from now on."
Next, Yun Shu didn't beat around the bush but got straight to the point.
"If I remember correctly, yesterday was your two-year wedding anniversary."
"Yes!" Nan Xi nodded obediently.
"In this lifetime, we'll meet all sorts of people. Some we may never encounter; others we only brush past. It's not easy to become husband and wife. Since you've gotten married and are legally bound, you should cherish this relationship," she said.
"People say 'it's better to destroy ten temples than to divorce one marriage.' If you still love each other, you should put in the effort and hold on tight. As for Fang Qinglian, what are you afraid she'll do? It's not just me; no one in the Lu Family, neither grandfather nor your father, likes her. No one agrees to her joining the family. We are all your strongest support."
Yun Shu's words made Nan Xi feel like she was on the verge of tears.
Although her mother had passed away many years ago, and her father had never shown her any paternal affection, she was fortunate to have married into the Lu Family.
They didn't look down on her; instead, they cherished her, pampered her, protected her, and loved her.
She would be indebted to them for this kindness for the rest of her life.
"Mom, I know, and I will cherish it."
"Do you really know?" Yun Shu suddenly looked at her with a piercing gaze, "I see that you don't. If you did, you wouldn't entertain the idea of divorce so easily, would you?"
"Don't think I'm unaware of the calculations you and Jianshen are making in your hearts. Grandpa's eightieth birthday is coming up, and his health isn't great. If you dare do anything to upset him, I will never forgive you. Get rid of any such thoughts, chew them up and swallow them back down."
Nan Xi suddenly looked up, incredulously asking her, "Mom, how do you... know?"
By the end, Nan Xi's voice was as faint as a mosquito's.
She kept her head down, not daring to face her mother-in-law.
Yun Shu let out a sigh, "It doesn't matter why Jianshen married you. Since he did, and you have the marriage certificate, you are husband and wife. Since you are husband and wife, you should cherish this relationship. I am still hoping you will quickly give me a grandson, so I can have a moment of pride."
Before leaving, Yun Shu added, "Don't overthink things. Live your life well, and I hope that the next time we meet, you will have dismissed such thoughts."
She didn't even stay for dinner and went straight away.
Nan Xi sat on the couch, hesitating for a long time, wondering whether to call Lu Jianshen.
To tell him that mom already knew about their divorce plans.
Torn with indecision, she felt extremely sleepy and ended up falling asleep right there on the sofa.
As soon as she left Nan Xi's place, Yun Shu called Lu Jianshen, "I'll be at the old house in half an hour. I expect to see you there when I arrive."
Lu Jianshen had a bit of a headache, "Mom, I'm still out."
Yun Shu replied directly, "I know. You dropped your wife and are out shopping with Fang Qinglian. If you don't come, I'll just go to the mall to find Fang Qinglian. If she gets embarrassed again, don't blame me for not showing any mercy. It's your choice!"
"I'll be there."
Before Lu Jianshen could speak further, Yun Shu had already hung up the phone authoritatively.
"Qinglian, you keep shopping; I'll have the driver take you home once you're done," Lu Jianshen said tenderly.
Fang Qinglian immediately sensed something was off, "Jianshen, are you leaving now?"
"Yeah, there's a bit of an emergency."
"Okay, then you go ahead. I'll take care of myself so you don't have to worry about me."
"Yeah."
Just as Lu Jianshen was about to turn around, Fang Qinglian suddenly spoke, "Jianshen, wait!"
"What is it?"
Fang Qinglian wheeled over and then stretched out her hands, her slender fingers deftly straightening Lu Jianshen's collar and tie.
"There, your tie was a bit crooked just now."
"Thank you!"
Watching Lu Jianshen's retreating back, Xiao Man muttered discontentedly, "Miss, why didn't you stop Mr. Lu and just let him go like that?"
"Because he gave me a wake-up call today?"
"What wake-up call?"
"The day before yesterday, we had a fight over postponing the divorce. He was very unhappy; and today, it's also about this matter. I should give him more space, trust him more. If I press too hard, it might backfire."
"Miss, aren't you afraid that he'll fall in love with his wife?"
Fang Qinglian's eyes grew complex.
After a long while, she finally spoke, "Afraid, of course I'm afraid."
"But then I comforted myself. They've been married for two years, and Jianshen hasn't fallen in love with her. There's only one week left, surely their feelings won't make dramatic progress in these seven days!"
"I've endured it abroad for two full years, over seven hundred days. I can't let all that go to waste because of these seven days. I must stay steady, I absolutely cannot lose my composure."
When Lu Jianshen returned to the Lu Family old mansion, Yun Shu was already waiting for him in the study.
Around five in the afternoon, the sun was already setting.
The orange-red afterglow tinged the sky, offering a view of the sunset from the window, Yun Shu's favorite time of day.
In the room, with its antique charm, a faint incense aroma lingered.
On the tea table beside her, a strong tea fragrance was emanating, fresh and enticing.
When Lu Jianshen pushed the door open and entered, Yun Shu had just finished making tea.
He strode forward with his long legs and took a seat on the opposite side of the tea table, casually lifting the teacup to smell it, "Mom, is the tea you make still that fragrant?"
"What's the use of it being fragrant? Your father still prefers the tea made by Xia Rou, saying it's romantic and amusing, like poetry and far-off places. My tea is as monotonous and uninteresting as I am," she lamented.
"Mom," Lu Jianshen frowned, "why bring her up out of the blue?"
"Why not? I'm not allowed to mention your father's old flame, but you can parade your mistress around, showing her off wherever you go. Lu Jianshen, you really are something, aren't you?"
"Have you thought about Nan Xi at all? Is she made of iron? Won't she be hurt?"