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墨書 Inktalez
The smell of disinfectant in the hospital made me anxious.
Song Wenlin lay on the hospital bed, his right hand in a cast.
During that fight, he had been pushed down by a bodyguard while trying to protect me and had crashed into an easel.
"Does it still hurt?" I asked softly.
"It doesn't hurt," he replied with a smile, "it's just a pity about that painting."
I looked at his pale face, feeling a pang of sorrow.
That painting was meant to be my birthday gift, and now it was ruined, stained with blood and paint beyond recognition.
"I'm sorry..."
"Don't say you're sorry," he grasped my hand, "I'm your husband; it's my duty to protect you."
His words left me momentarily stunned.
Yes, we were married now.
Though it was a fake marriage, he felt closer to me than anyone else.
"Mr. Lin Bi," a nurse entered the room, "someone sent a bouquet of flowers."
It was a large bunch of white roses, with a card that read: "I'm sorry." Signed by Lu Heng.
Song Wenlin glanced at it and said, "Throw it away."
"Wait," I picked up the card, "let me see him one last time."
"Are you sure?"
I nodded, "It's time to put an end to this."
On the hospital rooftop, Lu Heng stood alone.
When he saw me, he turned around, the bruises on his face still visible.
"I'm sorry," he said, "I shouldn't have done that."
"It's okay," I leaned against the railing, "we both made mistakes."
"Will you come back?" he suddenly asked, "I can start over; I won't compare you to Lin Wan anymore."
I shook my head, "It's too late."
"Why?"
"Because I've met someone who truly shines," I gazed at the distant sunset, "he showed me that love isn't about possession, but about warming each other."
Lu Heng was silent for a long time. "You’ve fallen for him, haven't you?"
"Maybe," I smiled, "but at least this time, it's my own choice."
---
The old the Song Family residence is located by West Lake in Hangzhou.
"Is this how you're bringing me home?" I looked at the Jiangnan-style garden architecture before me.
"Well," Song Wenlin said, holding my hand, "my dad wants to meet the woman who made me willing to give up my career."
As the door opened, a kind-looking elderly lady greeted us.
"This must be Xinyan," she said, pulling me in for a warm handshake. "Wenlin talks about you every day on the phone."
"Mom," Song Wenlin said helplessly, "please don't scare her."
"You silly child," Song Mother chided him lightly. "If it weren't for seeing the girl in your painting, would we have agreed so quickly?"
It turned out that Song Wenlin had already sent my painting home.
The dining table was laid out with a feast of Hangzhou Cuisine.
Song Father, though appearing serious, had a gentle gaze.
"Wenlin said you two are in a fake marriage," he took a sip of his drink, "but it seems there's real affection here."
My face flushed instantly.
"Dad!" Song Wenlin exclaimed, clearly flustered.
"Do you think I'm getting old and confused?"
Song Father chuckled. "I saw how you protected her at the art exhibition from afar."
So they had attended the exhibition as well.
"So," Song Mother said with a smile, "when are you going to hold a wedding ceremony?"
"Um..." both Song Wenlin and I lowered our heads simultaneously.
The moonlight over West Lake was just right, and the scent of lotus flowers lingered in the air.
In that moment, I felt a warmth I had never experienced before.
In the shadows of the trees in the distance, Lu Heng silently turned and walked away.
---
"We should have the wedding by the lake," Song Wenlin suggested, "right on the lawn behind my studio."
I was looking at the venue design plan. "Sounds good."
It was a small wedding, inviting only our closest friends and family.
Song Wenlin personally designed the venue and even painted a picture of me in a wedding dress.
"What do you think of this hotel?" he pointed to the blueprint.
I was taken aback. That was Lingyun Hotel, a property of Lu Group.
"Should we choose another one?" He noticed my reaction.
"No need," I shook my head. "The past is something we should let go of."
On the day of the wedding, the sun shone brightly.
I wore a simple white gown, while Song Wenlin donned a custom-made suit.
He said he wanted my wedding to be the most beautiful painting.
"I, Song Wenlin, take you, Xu Xinyan, as my wife..."
As the vows were being spoken, I caught sight of a familiar figure outside the church.
Lu Heng stood there, holding an invitation.
It was I who had asked Xiao Ya to send it to him.
"I do." I looked into Song Wenlin's eyes.
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting a kaleidoscope of colors upon us.
Lu Heng turned and walked away, his back radiating blessings.
Lin Wan waited for him not far off; they exchanged smiles, perhaps having found their own paths as well.
The moment Song Wenlin kissed me, I knew that this time, it was true happiness.
"Wife," he whispered in my ear, "our fake marriage has finally become real."
I leaned into his embrace, gazing at the starry sky painted on the church dome.
"Thank you, husband."
[The End]
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