Chapter 34 "Not Recognizing Your Husband After Just a Few Days?"

How did Jing Zhuo get here?

He was supposed to be working in the capital; what was he doing at the Song family wedding?

Before she could react, the man supported her waist and lowered his head, scanning her from top to bottom.

"Are you hurt?"

"N-no, I'm fine."

Song Xi quickly steadied herself, her disbelief growing. "Why are you here?"

Jing Zhuo answered with a straight face, "I'm here on business. I happened to have a project with Mr. Song, so I was invited to his niece’s wedding."

So, it was her uncle who had invited him.

Song Xi let out a breath of relief. Just then, Song Shiqian walked over, his gaze landing on Song Xi.

"Are you alright, Xiao Xi? Were you scared?"

"I'm fine," Song Xi shook her head.

The two stood very close. Song Shiqian’s eyes swept over her and Jing Zhuo in turn, and he asked hesitantly, "Do you two know each other?"

"Kn—"

"We don't!" Song Xi interrupted, smiling dismissively at the question. "I've never met this gentleman before. Thank you for your help just now, sir."

Jing Zhuo’s remaining words stuck in his throat as he gave her a deep, brooding look. He couldn't help but wonder if, in Song Xi’s eyes, he was something too shameful to be seen in public.

"This is our business partner from the capital, President Jing," Song Shiqian introduced them. "And this is my niece, Song Xi. Her new job is also in the capital; you two should get to know each other."

Jing Zhuo stared at Song Xi and slowly extended his right hand, the ring on his ring finger gleaming in the sunlight.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Song Xi."

Song Xi: "..."

With her uncle watching, she put on a show of extending her hand to shake Jing Zhuo’s.

His grip was firm. The two rings touched for a few seconds in the warmth of their palms, and as he pulled away, he gave her hand a deliberate squeeze.

Song Xi instinctively met his gaze. The man’s eyes were burning, seemingly carrying a faint, resentful vibe of a "secret affair."

Feeling guilty, Song Xi dared not meet his eyes for long. She quickly looked away and found an excuse to slip away with Sui Sui.

It wasn’t that she wanted to be cruel to Jing Zhuo; it was just that on such a special day, if her whole family found out she had secretly registered their marriage without following protocol or telling a soul, it would not only disrupt her cousin’s wedding, but she would also be facing a full-blown interrogation.

Since their relationship wasn't well-established yet, it was better to avoid trouble. Slipping away was the safest bet.

After the wedding ceremony, the guests moved to the banquet hall.

Due to his status and the size of his conglomerate, Jing Zhuo was seated at the VIP table below the head table.

Song Xi sat at the bridesmaid’s table, absent-mindedly eating while playing string games with the little girl.

"Sister Xi, that uncle keeps staring at you."

After a while, Sui Sui pointed a small finger directly at Jing Zhuo, who was not far away, and spoke in a crisp voice.

Song Xi’s eyelid twitched. She grabbed Sui Sui’s hand and pulled it back. "Don't point at people, it's rude. And he’s not staring at me..."

"From the moment we came in, he’s looked at you three times and glanced at you twice. That makes five times in total!" The little girl counted on her fingers, her voice clear and bright.

Song Xi felt like dying of embarrassment and quickly covered the child’s mouth. "Little ones shouldn't say such things. Do you want more shrimp? I'll peel one for you."

"Yes!"

"With soy sauce?"

"Yes!"

For the rest of the banquet, Song Xi peeled a plate of shrimp and two crabs just to keep the little ancestor quiet.

Not far away, that gaze swept over again. Song Xi buried her head even lower and didn't dare to look up for the rest of the event.

After the banquet, the eldest Mr. and Mrs. Song stood at the door, seeing the guests off one by one.

As the guests departed, Jing Zhuo and Chen Feng walked out last, moving at a leisurely pace.

The eldest Mr. Song, having had a bit too much to drink, offered some enthusiastic pleasantries. "President Jing, coming all the way to Su City to attend my daughter’s wedding—we are truly grateful and delighted. Our city has many beautiful sights and great food. If you aren't in a hurry to return, feel free to stay at our home and explore. We would be happy to host you."

Jing Zhuo, who had been about to step out the door, paused. His tone shifted suddenly.

"Alright."

"?"

"In that case, I will cancel my hotel reservation. Thank you for your trouble."

"???"

The eldest Mr. Song blinked, taking a moment to process what he had just heard. He was just being polite—did Jing Zhuo actually intend to stay at his house?

Since the other party was a business partner from the capital and a major future client of Universe Technology, he naturally had to be hospitable.

The eldest Mr. Song craned his neck, searching through the younger generation until he called over the most obedient one, Song Xi.

"Xiao Xi, take Mr. Jing to the villa. Have the housekeeper prepare two guest rooms for our VIP."

Song Xi’s eyes widened, her voice rising in pitch. "He's staying at our house?"

Her uncle handed her the car keys. "Of course, a VIP should stay at the house. It's busy here today; you drive Mr. Jing back and make sure he is well taken care of."

What else could Song Xi say?

She had no choice but to act as the temporary driver. She took Sui Sui and Jing Zhuo out of the banquet hall and found her uncle’s car in the parking lot.

With a beep, the headlights flashed twice.

"Get in, you two," Song Xi said.

Jing Zhuo opened the car door but suddenly said to Chen Feng behind him, "You don't need to come. You can go back to the hotel."

Chen Feng: "?"

They had come on this business trip together, and now his boss was going to stay in a grand villa without him. Was he not worthy of enjoying the scenery of Su City?

But Chen Feng dared not argue. He just smiled and nodded. "Understood, boss. Have a pleasant night."

Jing Zhuo curled his lips, buckled Sui Sui into her child seat in the back, closed the door, walked around to the driver's side, and sat down.

"It's too dark; I'll drive. Miss Song Xi, get in."

He certainly didn't stand on ceremony.

Song Xi didn't argue. She gave him the keys and reached for the back door to sit with Sui Sui, but it wouldn't open. It was locked.

"I don't know the way. Miss Song, sit in the front and direct me."

"..." Song Xi had no choice but to walk back, open the passenger door, and climb in.

Once she had fastened her seatbelt, Jing Zhuo’s lips curled into a smile. He shifted gears and the car pulled away slowly.

It was a ten-minute drive to the villa.

Along the way, Sui Sui’s chatty nature showed no signs of fading. She leaned over from the back seat, chattering away at Jing Zhuo.

"Uncle, why are you staying at our house? Don't you have a home?"

"Uncle, why did you keep staring at my sister during the banquet? Does she owe you money?"

"Uncle, why aren't you saying anything?"

Song Xi felt incredibly awkward. She turned around and ordered Sui Sui, "Stop talking! Little chatterbox, close your mouth!"

Sui Sui was defiant. "If I don't talk, I'll be a little mute."

Song Xi held back, not wanting to tell her that if she kept saying things like that, people might want to silence her even if she weren't a mute.

Fortunately, they reached the villa area quickly, and Sui Sui finally quieted down.

Jing Zhuo hadn't said a word the entire time, mostly because he found the child’s sharp-tongued nature too reminiscent of Zhang Hening, and he had no desire to engage with her.

Upon arriving home, Song Xi told the housekeeper that they had a VIP and asked her to prepare a guest room.

"Make sure it has good lighting, and keep the decor simple—cool tones will do."

She remembered that Jing Zhuo liked that style; his own bedroom was decorated similarly.

A moment later, the housekeeper returned and told her, "It's all set. The gentleman’s room is right next to yours. You can take him up."

Song Xi: "..."

The third floor of the Song house was the guest wing. She stayed there whenever she visited, but she hadn't expected to be right next to Jing Zhuo. She marveled at this strange turn of fate.

The housekeeper took Sui Sui to bed, so Song Xi had to lead Jing Zhuo upstairs to his room.

"The bathroom is here, the towels and toothbrushes are disposable. There’s a balcony outside, and the water dispenser is in the living room."

After finishing her introduction, Song Xi snuck a glance at Jing Zhuo and prepared to make a run for it.

"I'll head back now. Have a good rest, Mr. Jing."

Just as she was about to leave, a hand shot out from behind her and shut the door.

With a soft *click*, Song Xi found herself pinned against the door panel.

Jing Zhuo braced his hands against the door, leaning down slightly. His clear, handsome face moved closer to hers, blocking out the light from the ceiling.

"Haven't seen you for a few days, and you've forgotten who your husband is?"