Chapter 13
They walked hand-in-hand towards the hospital parking lot.
Lu Xuefeng’s hands were perpetually cold, even in summer.
But Song Muqing’s hands were large and warm, the heat transferring through their skin. Although it was almost winter, Lu Xuefeng felt his palms sweating slightly.
He didn’t pull away, letting Song Muqing hold his hand.
When they finally released their hands, the warmth lingered in Lu Xuefeng’s palms.
They had only held hands for a short while.
Song Muqing asked, “Are you uncomfortable?”
Lu Xuefeng thought for a moment, clenching his hand slightly. “Not really, no.”
He didn’t dislike it.
Perhaps it was because Song Muqing’s hands were large, providing a sense of security and reassurance.
Then he heard Song Muqing chuckle softly.
Lu Xuefeng glanced up, meeting his gaze, seeing the smile in his eyes.
“Then we’ll hold hands again next time,” Song Muqing said.
Lu Xuefeng thought that since they were married, and both adults, holding hands wasn’t something to be shy about.
If Song Muqing wanted to hold hands, then so be it.
It wasn’t a big deal, and it didn’t matter.
They had dinner together before heading home.
Before parting, Song Muqing seemed to have something to say, but in the end, he only bid Lu Xuefeng good night.
Later that evening, Song Muqing messaged him, saying he had told his parents about their marriage.
Lu Xuefeng had no objections. When and whether to tell his family was Song Muqing’s prerogative.
Marriage was a significant event, and from another perspective, Song Muqing’s family was now his family too. He needed to consider their feelings, even though they hadn’t formally met.
So, Lu Xuefeng typed: “What did they say?”
Song Muqing called him instead.
“They think it’s a bit sudden,” Song Muqing said. “They might need some time to adjust.”
“Oh, then…” Lu Xuefeng felt a pang of nervousness.
“Don’t worry, it’s not because of you.”
Song Muqing explained that his parents were blaming him for not preparing anything before registering their marriage, not even meeting properly beforehand.
It definitely wasn’t because they disliked Lu Xuefeng.
Lu Xuefeng responded with a soft “Hmm.” “I should meet your family properly.”
Although the marriage was rushed, they should still observe the proper customs.
Lu Xuefeng suddenly realized that from now on, he needed to consider not only himself but also everything related to Song Muqing.
“I’ll find a suitable time then.”
“Good.”
Song Muqing, fearing Lu Xuefeng might feel uncomfortable, added, “It’s just a meal, meeting the elders. Don’t feel pressured.”
“I know,” Lu Xuefeng felt he didn’t need to be so considerate of his feelings. “It’s what I should do.”
Song Muqing chuckled softly on the other end, seeming to be in a good mood.
Lu Xuefeng took this opportunity to ask, “When we parted earlier, what were you about to say?”
He hadn’t asked at the time, but he remembered the unfinished sentence.
“I’ll tell you tomorrow,” Song Muqing said. “I’ll pick you up after work.”
“Okay.”
Lu Xuefeng agreed.
He guessed it wasn’t anything urgent, so he didn’t press further.
He thought that apart from registering their marriage and informing their families, he didn’t really feel any different.
It was as if nothing had changed.
This was good; it avoided too much emotional entanglement.
Lu Xuefeng had no expectations for marriage, simply hoping for a peaceful life together, nothing more.
That was his perspective, but he didn’t know what Song Muqing thought.
The next day, he woke up early, feeling refreshed.
As he left his building, he ran into Aunt Chen, the one who had arranged his previous blind dates.
He hadn’t seen her since rejecting Jiang Jie, whom she had introduced.
Aunt Chen, with her sharp eyes, spotted him first and called out, “Xiao Lu!”
Lu Xuefeng stopped. “Aunt Chen.”
“Hey there.”
Aunt Chen had worked at the neighborhood committee for many years. She dressed well and looked younger than her actual age. In her spare time, she enjoyed matchmaking and had even organized matchmaking events in the community, successfully pairing several couples.
“You weren’t satisfied with the last one, so I’ve found two new candidates for you these past few days. Come, take a look.”
As Aunt Chen started searching for photos, Lu Xuefeng quickly interjected, “No need, Aunt Chen.”
“Why not? I promised to find you a suitable partner.”
Lu Xuefeng nodded, remembering that she had indeed said that.
He had known Aunt Chen since he first moved here, several years now. After bringing his grandmother here, she had also taken care of them.
Lu Xuefeng had always been grateful for her help and had troubled her quite a bit with the blind dates.
“Aunt Chen, you don’t need to trouble yourself anymore.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” Aunt Chen waved her hand dismissively. “You’ve helped me before too.”
Aunt Chen’s daughter-in-law had also studied dance. When her son was pursuing her, he couldn’t get tickets to her favorite dance drama, and it was Lu Xuefeng who had helped him secure them.
Aunt Chen adored her daughter-in-law, always feeling her son wasn’t quite good enough for her.
She naturally remembered Xiao Lu’s kindness. Seeing him living with his grandmother, struggling, and always alone, she wanted to help him find a partner.
Xiao Lu was quiet and reserved, so he naturally wouldn’t want to trouble her constantly, but she didn’t mind.
“Auntie knows you have high standards, so I’ve been keeping an eye out for you. This time, I just happened to…”
“Aunt Chen,” Lu Xuefeng interrupted her, explaining, “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what do you mean? Have you found someone?”
Lu Xuefeng hummed in affirmation. “I’m married.”
Aunt Chen was stunned, looking at him carefully, wondering if she had misheard.
“When did this happen?”
“Yesterday.”
So, just recently married.
Aunt Chen considered this, sounding skeptical. “Young people tend to be impulsive, but I thought you were more level-headed.”
Worried that he might have been deceived, she asked how long they had known each other and what the other person was like.
“I’ve thought it through, Aunt Chen. Don’t worry.”
“Does your grandmother know?”
Lu Xuefeng said yes.
Aunt Chen had nothing more to say. Since his grandmother knew and approved, she, an outsider, didn’t need to worry.
She quickly added, “Then, Aunt Chen wishes you a long and happy marriage.”
However, she noticed something amiss. Why was Xiao Lu still living alone here? She hadn’t seen his partner.
It wasn’t her place to pry into their marital affairs.
Lu Xuefeng bid Aunt Chen farewell and went to work.
It was the same routine as usual, somewhat busy.
However, Jin Hong wasn’t there, so Lu Xuefeng couldn’t tell him about his marriage in person.
During lunch break, Lu Xuefeng asked Lan Xin to order extra coffee for everyone.
During a short break, Lu Xuefeng stayed in the rehearsal studio, keeping them company and monitoring their progress.
Lan Xin sat nearby, sipping the coffee Lu Xuefeng had provided, scrolling through the chat history in her high school dorm group, murmuring to herself, “Wow, that’s a quick marriage.”
Her voice was soft, but Lu Xuefeng happened to hear it and instinctively looked over, asking, “What?”
Lan Xin was surprised that Director Lu was interested in what she was saying.
She explained, “I was talking about my high school classmate. She sent out wedding invitations today.”
Lu Xuefeng nodded, pondering this. “Is that fast?”
“Very fast.”
Lan Xin explained that her classmate had met her partner through a blind date and had gotten married shortly after.
Lu Xuefeng: “…”
“It’s fine if they’re compatible, but seeing my peers getting married makes me feel like their lives are entering the next stage.”
Lan Xin bit on her straw, feeling a sense of melancholy. “It’s as if everyone is moving forward, and I’m still standing still. That’s why it feels fast.”
Having graduated only a few years ago, she still had a student mentality.
Lu Xuefeng understood her feelings, offering some advice. “Don’t overthink it. Live your life at your own pace.”
Lan Xin took his words to heart, nodding in agreement.
Several of her classmates, whom she was still in contact with, were either married, engaged, or in serious relationships, not far from marriage themselves.
“It’s just that getting married at our age is really early.”
Lan Xin didn’t understand why people wouldn’t enjoy a few more years of freedom.
Being single was so carefree.
Marriage meant living together, sharing a life, with no personal space.
Lu Xuefeng fell silent, murmuring to himself, “We do have to live together…”
That was what marriage entailed.
Lan Xin, sensing his concern, chimed in, “Right? What if their living habits are different? It would be so troublesome.”
She didn’t even have a partner yet, but she already had so many worries.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t continue the conversation.
After a while, Lan Xin looked at him and smiled. “Actually, Director Lu’s age is the perfect time to get married.”
Lu Xuefeng asked, “…Me?”
“Yes,” Lan Xin said seriously. “Director Lu’s age is neither too early nor too late, just right. Your career is stable and on the rise. It’s the perfect time to get married and enter the next stage of your life.”
Lu Xuefeng smiled faintly, not saying anything.
He took it as a compliment from his assistant.
But he also carefully considered what Lan Xin had said about living together.
He and Song Muqing had gotten married in a rush, without discussing the practical aspects of their future life together.
Should they live together? How would they live together? Where would they live?
Their respective living habits, these were all things they needed to address.
Lu Xuefeng thought he could discuss this with Song Muqing when they met after work.
After work, Lu Xuefeng waited at their usual spot.
Song Muqing hadn’t arrived yet, but he wasn’t in a hurry; there was plenty of time. He sent Song Muqing a message, indicating his location.
Song Muqing was probably busy and didn’t reply.
A colleague happened to be waiting nearby as well, and they chatted briefly to pass the time. When her ride arrived, she bid him farewell and left.
Lu Xuefeng was alone again.
It was almost winter.
The temperature had dropped recently, and the early winter chill was evident, with fallen leaves scattered along the roadside, the branches bare and exposed to the cold wind.
A few minutes later, Song Muqing replied, saying he was on his way and asked him to wait a little longer.
Lu Xuefeng stood by the roadside, his figure tall and slender, his elegant demeanor standing out in the early winter atmosphere.
This was the scene Song Muqing saw as he drove up.
Lu Xuefeng always had an aloof air about him. Simply standing there, he was captivating.
Song Muqing slowly approached him.
As Lu Xuefeng got into the car, Song Muqing apologized. “There was a last-minute meeting at the department. I’m late.”
Lu Xuefeng said it was fine.
Unexpected things happened; it was unpredictable.
“Are you hungry?” Song Muqing asked first.
“Not really,” Lu Xuefeng replied. “I’m not very hungry.”
He wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about food.
Song Muqing nodded. “Then let’s go.”
“Where to?” Lu Xuefeng asked.
From their phone conversation yesterday, he could guess that Song Muqing had plans.
“You’ll see when we get there,” Song Muqing didn’t reveal his destination.
Lu Xuefeng respected his decision and didn’t ask further.
It was rush hour, and the roads were inevitably congested.
During the silent moments, Lu Xuefeng thought about the topic he wanted to discuss with Song Muqing.
He wasn’t good at talking about such domestic matters, considering them rather personal.
But now he needed to share them with Song Muqing.
He glanced at Song Muqing, who was focused on driving, his profile relaxed and patient despite the traffic.
“What do you want to say?”
Sensing Lu Xuefeng’s gaze, Song Muqing looked over during a pause in the traffic. “You can just say it.”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t hesitate for long, saying directly, “I’ve been thinking about our living arrangements.”
He paused, then continued, “After getting married, we should live together, shouldn’t we…?”
His tone was hesitant, lacking confidence.
Lu Xuefeng wasn’t good at handling such matters.
Song Muqing observed his reaction.
“As it happens, I was thinking the same thing.”
He smiled, looking at Lu Xuefeng. “I don’t intend to live separately after marriage.”
Nor did he want to give the impression of marital discord.
