Using Marriage as Bait : Extra 18
Extra 18
Lu Junting's voice sounded weary. “You can leave now.”
Before Lu Chengmao exited, Lu Wantang, who had been standing near the door, quickly ran away. She had sliced some fruit and thought her father and brother were still discussing matters. Not knowing how else to help, she decided to bring the fruit over but inadvertently overheard their conversation.
Back in her room, Lu Wantang wrapped herself in her blanket and cried bitterly.
For the next couple of days, Lu Wantang was deeply troubled. When she was upset, she usually became quiet. Zhang Minmin, who understood her temperament, didn’t bother her and instead passed notes whenever she needed to communicate.
After school that afternoon, Lu Wantang walked out of the school gate and bumped into Jiang Zhouming, who had come to see her.
“Jiang Zhouming, why are you here?”
“I came to see you.”
In the past, whenever Jiang Zhouming came to find her, she’d be thrilled, skipping over to grab his arm and saying, ‘That’s great! Let’s go get something yummy.’ But this time, she simply nodded. “Oh.”
Jiang Zhouming knew her mood was due to her mother’s illness.
“Let’s go eat first.”
“I’m not very hungry. I don’t feel like eating.”
“Then accompany me. I’m starving.”
The two went to a clay pot rice restaurant. This place’s char siu clay pot rice was her favorite. When she was upset, she would come here, saying the char siu brought her happiness. But today, she didn’t touch a single piece of char siu in her bowl. She had to eat something. Jiang Zhouming coaxed and prodded her, eventually getting her to eat half a bowl.
After their meal, the two sat on a long bench by the street. The sun in the distance was about to set. Jiang Zhouming glanced at her as she tilted her face up to look at the sun. The red light painted her face with a warm glow.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Lu Wantang shook her head. “Not really.”
“Tell me about it.”
She remained silent for a long time. Jiang Zhouming didn’t press her. If she wanted to talk, she would. If she didn’t, no amount of urging would help.
“I overheard my dad and brother talking. If something happens to my mom, my dad said he’d follow her. If that happens, I’ll be an orphan.”
She gave a self-deprecating laugh as she spoke. The fiery sunset blazed passionately in the sky, but its light couldn’t chase away the heaviness in her eyes. The once bright and mischievous sparkle in her gaze was now clouded with sorrow, like a pearl covered in dust.
Jiang Zhouming didn’t know how to comfort her. Having grown up with little care from his parents, he didn’t feel much attachment to them. To him, their presence was optional. But he knew Lu Wantang was different. He couldn’t fully grasp the pain of losing one’s parents, but he could feel her sorrow.
And because she was sad, his heart ached too.
“At least you still have your brother.”
“But my brother will get married someday and have his own family. If my parents aren’t around, I won’t have a home of my own anymore.”
As the sunset burned most brightly on the horizon, Jiang Zhouming had the sudden urge to tell her he was willing to take care of her, to give her a home. But the words didn’t come out. Deep down, he felt unworthy.
“Alright, Jiang Zhouming, I have to go back to class now.”
He walked her to the school gate. She waved at him before turning to leave. As she turned, a gust of wind lifted her hair, brushing it across his fingers and leaving a tingling sensation.
“Tangtang.”
Jiang Zhouming called her name instinctively, almost involuntarily.
“En?”
She turned back, looking at him with a faint smile. His friends often questioned why he was so smitten with her, saying she wasn’t particularly stunning. He’d never told anyone about his feelings for Lu Wantang, often suppressing them as if liking her was some shocking secret. Yet, people still noticed.
In his eyes, she was stunning—every expression and gesture captivated him.
Like now, with just a simple glance back, she took his breath away.
“What is it?”
He shook his head, feeling a bit sheepish. “Nothing.”
I want to take care of you forever.
But he didn’t say it. She turned and left. He lowered his head, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle.
The oppressive days for the Lu family didn’t last long. After being unconscious for five days, Lin Xiyu finally woke up. The doctor examined her and confirmed that the surgery had gone well and she was out of danger.
What followed was an overwhelming sense of relief and joy. At her bedside, Lu Wantang hugged her mother tightly, her tears soaking into her mother’s clothes. She discreetly wiped them away so her mom wouldn’t see.
“Mom, now that you’re better, can you make sweet and sour ribs for me? I’ve been craving yours.”
Lin Xiyu patted her head and said, “Of course. Tangtang, I’ll make anything you want.”
From the side, Lu Junting scolded, “Your mom just woke up, and you’re already making her work?”
Lin Xiyu quickly interjected, “It’s fine, really. I’ve been lying down for so long, I feel like I’m wasting away. A little activity will be good for me.”
After a few days of observation in the hospital, Lin Xiyu was discharged. Though she couldn’t handle heavy tasks after surgery, Lu Junting temporarily put work aside to stay home and care for her. This left Lu Chengmao shouldering the company responsibilities until his father returned.
Lu Junting accompanied Lin Xiyu on slow walks in the backyard. He matched her unhurried pace with patience.
Lin Xiyu noticed the changes in him—he looked visibly more haggard, and his hair had grayed significantly. She recalled what she had coaxed out of Lu Chengmao. That day, Lu Chengmao had been sitting by her bedside when she subtly inquired about how the three of them had been coping recently. She noticed his troubled expression and pressed him a little until he spilled everything.
She learned that during her coma, this man had already drafted his will, intending to follow her if she didn’t make it.
She wanted to scold him for making such a decision. But seeing the white strands in his hair, she couldn’t bring herself to say a word.
Sensing her gaze, Lu Junting stopped walking and looked at her.
“What’s wrong? Why are you staring at me?”
Lin Xiyu smiled. “I’m admiring how handsome you are.”
“I’m just an old man now. What’s there to admire?”
“Even as an old man, you’re still handsome, Mr. Lu.”
Her words amused him, and he nodded in agreement. “You have good taste.”
Lin Xiyu burst into laughter. After a moment, her expression turned serious. “Junting, I want you to promise me something, alright?”
“What is it?”
“I will live well.”
“Then you better remember that.”
“Of course.”
I will live well because I want you to live well. Only if I live well can you live well.
After Lin Xiyu was discharged from the hospital, Lu Wantang finally relaxed her tense emotions. Feeling cheerful, she went to Absolute over the weekend to find Jiang Zhouming.
She wanted to have a drink, but Jiang Zhouming resolutely refused, leaving her no choice but to drink her fill of soda instead.
Seeing that it was getting late, Jiang Zhouming suggested taking her home, only for Lu Wantang to flash him a mysterious smile and say, “I told my parents I'd be staying over at Minmin's tonight. Minmin's already in on it.” She grabbed his wrist, shook it gently, and asked, “So, shall we get a room tonight?”
Jiang Zhouming was stunned by her words. Looking shocked and unsure, he asked, “Weren't you going to wait until you turned eighteen?”
Lu Wantang smiled deeply. “Jiang Zhouming, so you've been looking forward to it, huh?”
Jiang Zhouming: “......”
He took a gulp of beer to mask his awkwardness and muttered, “Of course not.”
“I told you I wanted to wear a cosplay outfit for you, didn't I? We can get a room, and I'll wear it for you, okay?”
“......”
To his surprise, they actually ended up in a hotel room. Now sitting on the bed, Jiang Zhouming was filled with mixed emotions, as Lu Wantang changed in the bathroom.
He buried his fingers in his hair, torn between regret and anticipation. He looked expectantly towards the bathroom.
The bathroom door opened, and Jiang Zhouming instinctively looked over, locking eyes with Lu Wantang as she stepped out. He froze.
She was dressed in a colorful skirt, sporting an ice-blue wig. The skirt was scandalously short, barely covering her thighs. Despite the mismatched look, her long, slender legs made up for any shortcomings, exuding boldness and allure.
She walked toward him with a light, bird-like step, twirling before him. “How do I look?”
Jiang Zhouming snapped out of it, feeling his breath tighten. Heat rose from his nose, and he turned his head slightly, giving a faint nod.
“Do I look good or not, Jiang Zhouming?”
“You look good.”
Lu Wantang approached him, lifting his chin with her fingers. She leaned in close, their faces mere inches apart, and asked teasingly, “If I look good, why won’t you look at me?”
Her breath brushed his face, sending his heart racing. He wanted to push her away to regain composure, but his hand landed on her wrist instead, pulling her onto the bed. Staring down at her, he gritted his teeth. “Stop teasing me, Lu Wantang. I'm not a good guy.”
She wasn't intimidated in the least. Raising an eyebrow provocatively, she said, “How bad could you be? Show me.”
Jiang Zhouming felt completely at a loss before her. He couldn't maintain his usual confident demeanor; she always left him flustered.
Just like now. He wanted to act tough, to teach her a lesson, but her face disarmed him completely. He felt like a fool, he couldn’t do anything before her face.
A loud knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
They both froze. Lu Wantang whispered, “Who is it?”
“No idea.”
Jiang Zhouming got off her, walked to the door, and asked, “Who’s there?”
No answer came, just the heavy pounding of fists against the door. Jiang Zhouming opened it slightly, leaving only a crack, but the person outside shoved it open with force, catching him off guard and pushing him back a step.
The man strode in, and Jiang Zhouming, thinking it was some drunk causing trouble, instinctively blocked his way. But when he saw who it was, he froze in place.
“Move!” Lu Chengmao snapped coldly.
The moment Lu Chengmao stepped in, Lu Wantang recognized him. She was terrified, unable to fathom why her brother had shown up so suddenly.
Her emotions were a whirlwind of guilt and fear—caught sneaking into a hotel room with someone, dressed in such a ridiculous outfit. Thoughts of hiding and pretending she wasn’t there flashed through her mind, but she ultimately decided to face him.
Head bowed like a guilty child, she shuffled over slowly and asked cautiously, “Brother, what are you doing here?”
Lu Chengmao’s expression was grim, his entire demeanor exuding fury. When he noticed her outfit, his already dark face grew even darker.
“What on earth are you wearing?”
His tone was so harsh it startled Lu Wantang.
“Well… I… I…” She stammered, unable to string a sentence together.
Lu Chengmao turned his fiery gaze to Jiang Zhouming, his fists clenched tightly. Before he could act, Lu Wantang quickly stepped between them, grabbing her brother's arm. “Brother, let's go home. I'll explain everything. Please, let’s leave.”
She tugged on his arm, pleading as she pushed him toward the door. Perhaps her intervention calmed him slightly, as he didn’t lay a hand on Jiang Zhouming. Before leaving, she made an apologetic gesture toward Jiang Zhouming. The door slammed shut behind them. Jiang Zhouming sat heavily on the bed, running a frustrated hand through his hair.
Lu Chengmao shoved Lu Wantang into the car and asked, “Now tell me, why did you go there with him? What did he do to you?”
Her brother's stern tone and dark expression made her choose her words carefully. “ bought a few cosplay outfits and wanted to show them to him. We didn’t do anything.”
He glanced at her too-short skirt, his face hardening further. “Sneaking off to a hotel with a boy and lying to your parents—who taught you to behave like this?”
Lu Wantang hurriedly put on a contrite face, her voice tinged with guilt. “I was wrong, Brother. I really know I was wrong. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad. Mom just got out of the hospital, and I don’t want to upset her.”
Lu Chengmao sneered. “You knew this would upset her, and you still did it?”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she pleaded, “Brother, I swear I’ll never do it again. Please, I’m begging you—don’t tell them.”
Lu Chengmao didn’t respond, starting the car with a stony face. When they arrived home, it was late, and their parents were already asleep, sparing Lu Wantang from being caught in her inappropriate attire.
Back in her room, she turned on her phone to find a flood of missed calls—from Zhang Minmin, her brother, and even some frantic texts from Zhang Minmin’s classmates.
“Tangtang, I’m sorry. Your brother tricked me into telling the truth. He already knows you’re not at my place. You need to run!”
“Tangtang, why is your phone off? Turn it on quickly!”
“Tangtang, your brother is really coming for you!”
Looking at the messages, Lu Wantang roughly pieced together what had happened. She figured her sharp-witted brother had noticed something was off and had gotten the truth out of Zhang Minmin’s classmate. With her classmate's intelligence, it was obvious she couldn’t outsmart her brother. Lu Wantang sighed silently, then threw herself heavily onto the bed. She felt guilty toward Jiang Zhouming for what had happened today. She wanted to call and apologize, but seeing how late it was, she decided against it. Forget it—she’d treat him to a big meal tomorrow.
The sky was gloomy today, heavy clouds gathering at the horizon, threatening rain. Jiang Zhouming walked out of the school gate as usual, followed by a group of younger boys.
At the gate, someone blocked his path. Seeing who it was, Jiang Zhouming sneered. “Lu Wantang didn’t come to find me today.”
“I’m here for you,” Lu Chengmao said. “There are a few things I’d like to discuss. Do you have time?”
Jiang Zhouming smiled lazily, giving off an air of indifference. “Sure.”
Near the Third High School was a park. Jiang Zhouming and Lu Chengmao walked into a pavilion in the middle of the park.
“So, what do you want to talk about?” Jiang Zhouming asked.
Lu Chengmao stared at him for a few seconds before speaking. “You’re not seriously planning to be with Tangtang, are you?”
His tone was laced with mockery, instantly stoking a flicker of anger in Jiang Zhouming. He had always tried to hide his feelings for Lu Wantang, unwilling to let anyone know, not even her.
But for some reason, facing Lu Chengmao’s probing gaze now, he chuckled and said, “Yes, I am. Why not?”
“It’s absolutely not an option,” Lu Chengmang replied without hesitation.
“Why not?”
“Because you’re not worthy.”
The words hit like a sharp blade, cutting right into the part of Jiang Zhouming he least wanted to face.
Because you’re not worthy.
As much as it stung, Lu Chengmao wasn’t wrong.
He wasn’t worthy.
But he couldn’t accept that!
A clap of thunder boomed in the distance. Jiang Zhouming’s smile faded as memories of his struggles over the years flooded back—the feeling of helplessness and the desperate desire to change.
Unconvinced, he demanded, “Why? Why am I not worthy?”
Lu Chengmao replied, “I’d rather not say something too unpleasant, but look at your father. What kind of person is he? With a father like that, and no mother around to guide you growing up, do you think you could turn out well? Skipping school, fighting all the time, poor behavior—why would my parents ever agree to let Tangtang be with someone like you?”
Jiang Zhouming let out a cold laugh. “Sure, my father isn’t a good person, but from what I’ve heard, your father didn’t exactly use honorable methods to win over your mother back then.”
“I don’t know how my parents got together, and I didn’t witness it either. But I do know that I grew up seeing a loving relationship between them, and Tangtang and I were raised in a healthy family.”
The rain suddenly poured down in torrents, the sound of water pounding against the ground filling the air.
Through the noise, Lu Chengmao’s steady voice carried, “If you really care about her, stay away. If you’re only looking to possess her, then be prepared. With me as her brother, you can forget about it.”
Lu Chengmao left, but his words echoed in Jiang Zhouming’s mind. Sitting alone in the pavilion, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, rubbing his temple with his thumb.
His thoughts drifted back to their middle school days. He and Lu Wantang had been classmates back then. During a summer camp organized by their teacher, Lu Wantang had asked him to accompany her to buy gifts for her family before the camp ended.
They wandered through quaint streets, and he happened to catch sight of a familiar figure. It was his mother—the one who had left him years ago. She was crouched in front of a little boy, wiping sugar off the boy’s mouth as he held a candied fruit skewer.
For a moment, Jiang Zhouming barely recognized her. It wasn’t that she looked different but rather that she had never shown such tenderness to him. The boy seemed about four or five—the same age he had been when she left.
She had never been that gentle with him. Despite how much she resembled his memory of her, he doubted it was her until she stood up, holding the boy, and their eyes met. She paused, clearly recognizing him.
But it lasted only a moment. She left with the boy as if Jiang Zhouming were a stranger.
In that instant, he felt frozen, an overwhelming chill seizing him, paralyzing him.
Then, suddenly, a warm body wrapped around him. The heat from Lu Wantang’s small frame gradually thawed him, bringing back feeling to his hands and feet. She had hugged him tightly, saying repeatedly, “It’s okay, Jiang Zhouming. I want you. I’ll always want you.”
He couldn’t remember the weather that day. It must have been cold, or else he wouldn’t have felt so frozen. But perhaps the sun had come out because warmth enveloped him.
Anger, jealousy, and bitterness were melted away by her warmth. He still remembered murmuring to her that day, “Lu Wantang, don’t ever let go of me.”
The rain continued to pour. Recalling that moment, Jiang Zhouming chuckled softly, though his laughter sounded fragmented against the rain.
Lu Wantang, how can I ever bear to let you go?
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