Using Marriage as Bait : Extra 14
Extra 14
Lu Chengmao came out of the classroom with his backpack, looking puzzled at the boy blocking his way. He recognized this boy—it was Tangtang’s dance partner, or rather her former partner. His name was Jiang Zhouming, if he remembered correctly.
“What are you doing here?” Lu Chengmao asked.
“I heard Tangtang is sick. I want to see her,” Jiang Zhouming said.
Lu Chengmao was much taller than Jiang Zhouming. The younger boy looked up at him with a determined expression.
“Where do you plan to see her?” Lu Chengmao asked.
“Can you take me to your house?”
“No,” Lu Chengmao refused decisively.
He stepped around Jiang Zhouming and continued walking, but the boy quickly ran ahead and blocked his path again.
“I just want to check on her. I won’t do anything else,” Jiang Zhouming pleaded.
The little boy, with his pride and self-respect, lowered his head. In the past, even when he was bullied and forced to beg for mercy, he would rather endure beatings than give in. Yet now, he seemed to beg as he said, “Please, I’m begging you. Let me see her.”
Lu Chengmao wasn’t particularly fond of Jiang Zhouming. There was something gloomy about him that reminded him of the villains in storybooks, which made him reluctant to let his younger sister be friends with him.
However, hearing the boy’s pleading tone, Lu Chengmao, not completely cold-hearted, softened a little. It was clear Jiang Zhouming genuinely cared about Tangtang.
“It’s impossible for me to take you to my house,” he said.
The boy’s face instantly fell with disappointment.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Chengmao added, “Tangtang isn’t actually sick.”
Jiang Zhouming’s head shot up. “She’s not sick? Really?”
“She faked it to avoid going to school,” Lu Chengmao replied.
“......”
Without further explanation, Lu Chengmao left.
When Lu Junting came home, Lin Xiyu shared Tangtang’s situation with him.
“She’s really attached to her dance partner. To avoid practicing with the new one, she even pretended to be sick today,” Lin Xiyu explained.
Lu Junting hadn’t expected his daughter to be so persistent. He initially thought kids would quickly adjust to new partners. But then again, he realized his daughter’s determination was just like his own. Being steadfast wasn’t a bad thing.
“Where’s Tangtang now?” he asked.
“She’s sitting alone in the backyard, daydreaming.”
Lu Junting went to the backyard and saw the little girl sitting under the eaves, holding a stuffed toy and talking to it.
“Kitty, kitty, Jiang Zhouming is such a big dummy, right? You’re not saying anything, so that means I’m right.”
Lu Junting walked over and scooped his daughter up from behind, startling her into a fit of squeals.
He carried her back to the living room, sat on the sofa, and placed her on his lap. “Why are you sitting alone in the cold backyard? What if you catch a cold?”
Xiao Tangtang poked at her stuffed toy and said, "I was playing with Kitty."
It was her favorite toy, a chubby cat with a hat that her brother had given her for her birthday.
“Tell Daddy, is something bothering you?” Lu Junting asked.
Leaning against her father, Xiao Tangtang began pinching his earlobe, something soft she liked to do whenever he held her.
Despite being the decisive and authoritative figure he was outside, at home, he let his daughter pinch his ear without complaint.
“Daddy, I want Jiang Zhouming to be my dance partner again. I don’t like the new partner. Jiang Zhouming dances well, and I want to win first place. I can only do that with him.”
Lu Junting cupped his daughter’s face with his large hand. “Alright, Daddy will make sure Jiang Zhouming is your partner again.”
“Really, Daddy?”
Her eyes sparkled as she stared at him.
“Of course. When has Daddy ever lied to you?”
“So, it’ll be fixed by tomorrow?”
“Absolutely.”
Overjoyed, Xiao Tangtang hugged her father’s neck and smothered his face with kisses. Receiving his daughter’s affectionate gestures, Mr. Lu was also delighted.
Despite his protective instincts, his priority was her happiness and well-being.
When Jiang Zhouming arrived at school the next day, he was told Xiao Tangtang was his partner again. She hadn’t arrived yet, so as usual, he sat on the steps waiting for her. Soon, a cheerful voice called out.
“Jiang Zhouming, Jiang Zhouming!”
Looking up, he saw Tangtang’s chubby little figure running toward him. She didn’t look sick at all. Her vibrant energy put him at ease.
Without thinking, he ran toward her.
The rising sun bathed the field in golden light, and the fresh scent of dew filled the air. As he ran, Jiang Zhouming felt as if a beam of light pierced through the gloom in his eyes, though he ignored it and focused only on the familiar figure ahead.
Finally, he hugged her tightly.
With Tangtang’s partner issue resolved, Lin Xiyu accompanied Lu Junting to a talk show. Known for his low profile, Lu Junting rarely appeared on such programs, usually only attending finance-related interviews. This time, however, the show had an entertainment slant. Aware of his preferences, the host stuck to professional topics.
Lin Xiyu joined midway, enlivening the atmosphere. After some light banter, the host asked Lu Junting, “You’ve avoided entertainment interviews before. Why bring your wife along this time?”
Lu Junting replied, “I used to avoid them because my public appearances would often shift the focus to irrelevant topics.”
“What kind of topics?” the host asked.
“For example, my looks and physique. Discussions about these would overshadow the key points I intended to convey in my interviews. That’s why I stayed away. As for bringing my wife this time, it’s partly to address the baseless rumors linking me to other women. I want to make it clear: I have a wife. Please stop involving me in such stories.”
There had been recent rumors that Lu Junting’s investment in an entertainment company was due to his interest in a particular actress. Both he and Lin Xiyu were displeased, so he decided to clear the air.
Holding his wife’s hand, Lu Junting faced the camera and said, “If these rumors persist, I’ll have no choice but to take legal action.”
Even through the screen, his words carried an undeniable weight.
Momentarily intimidated by his presence, the host chuckled nervously. “Well, Mr. Lu, with your exceptional looks and physique, it’s no wonder people are envious. Not everyone can match you, even among idols.”
Lu Junting said, “In my opinion, things like height and looks aren't that important.”
The host nodded and turned to Lin Xiyu, “Mrs. Lu, hello. I've always been curious about how you and Mr. Lu ended up together. In other words, what do you think is the most attractive thing about Mr. Lu?”
Lin Xiyu paused for a moment before saying, “There are many things about him that attract me—his talent, his abilities. But honestly, I think what initially caught my eye was his handsome face and perfect physique.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Junting cleared his throat and added, “I take back what I just said. Sometimes I think looks and height are quite important after all.”
The audience and host found the couple entertaining. The interview made them popular as a power couple online.
Perhaps because of Lu Junting's warning on the show, there were no more rumors linking him to others.
At home, Lin Xiyu and Lu Junting watched a playback of the interview. Lu Junting had installed a projector in their bedroom, and now the two of them were cuddled in bed watching it together.
When the program ended, Lu Junting turned off the projector. Snuggling in the blankets, Lin Xiyu found him so endearing during the show that she couldn't help but say, “Lu Junting, I love you.”
“En?”
Lin Xiyu was naturally shy and rarely said such things outright. Hearing her sudden confession, Lu Junting was momentarily stunned but quickly pulled her into a tighter embrace. “Say it again,” he said.
His tone was laced with amusement, clearly delighted.
“I love you.”
Lu Junting heard her loud and clear. Though the darkness hid his expression, Lin Xiyu could hear his quiet laughter, knowing he was secretly grinning.
After his laughter subsided, Mr. Lu lowered his head and planted a kiss on his wife's forehead. Resting his head on her shoulder, he softly said, “I love you too.”
Not long after the interview aired, it was time for National Day. Ever since her dance partner was reinstated, Tangtang had been in much better spirits. Seeing her daughter happy every day, Lin Xiyu was also in a good mood. During the National Day celebrations, Tangtang and Jiang Zhouming won first place, just as she had hoped. Tangtang was overjoyed, and Lin Xiyu rewarded her with a generous prize: a dress Tangtang had been eyeing for some time.
Tangtang put on her new dress and twirled in front of Jiang Zhouming. “Jiang Zhouming, is it pretty?” she asked.
The normally reserved Jiang Zhouming was too shy to compliment her and simply nodded.
Tangtang wasn't satisfied. “Am I pretty or not?” she pressed.
“Pretty,” Jiang Zhouming said, his ears turning red.
Only then did Xiao Tangtang beam with satisfaction.
Xiao Tangtang hooked her pinky with Jiang Zhouming's and said, “My mom said winning is thanks to both of us. So, I need to thank you, Jiang Zhouming. Is there any gift you want? I have lots of lucky money, and I can buy it for you.”
Jiang Zhouming shook his head. “No, I don't need anything.”
“Think again.”
“Really, I don't.”
The little girl frowned, looking a bit disappointed. “Are you sure? I really want to get you a gift.”
Jiang Zhouming glanced at their intertwined fingers and thought for a moment before saying, “Will we always be friends?”
Tangtang nodded eagerly. “Of course, of course.”
“Then just being my friend forever can be my gift.”
Tangtang thought this wasn't much of a gift, but since Jiang Zhouming wanted it, she'd go along with it. After all, Jiang Zhouming was her person, and she wanted to spoil him. So if he said so, she'd agree.
“Alright, we'll always be friends,” Xiao Tangtang said with a sweet smile.
Jiang Zhouming smiled as well.
“If we're always friends, that means we’ll never be apart, right?” Xiao Tangtang asked in her soft, sweet voice.
Jiang Zhouming nodded and answered decisively, “Right.”
We won’t ever be apart.
The author has something to say:
The upcoming chapters will be about Tangtang and Jiang Zhouming as they grow up—the school tyrant and the sweet little cutie.
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