Downstairs.
The man sat quietly in a wheelchair, his upper body as straight as a pine. Even unable to stand, he lost none of his innate elegance and nobility.
He wore a meticulously tailored black suit with a silver brooch pinned to the lapel—understated yet magnificent—and his eyes, deep as a freezing pool, were cold and distant.
His skin was pale to the point of transparency, as if he rarely saw the sunlight. His fingers, slender and distinct at the knuckles, rested lightly on the armrests of the wheelchair.
At her first glance at him, Wen Xuyu’s pupils constricted. Wasn't this man the same person she had seen at the hospital last time?
He was the third young master of the Lu Family?
"Sir, the Second Miss is here!"
A servant helped Wen Xuyu over to Lu Baiqian and announced it to Wen Yuqin in the main seat.
Hearing this, everyone looked over, and nearly all of them widened their eyes.
Wen Xuyu stood there looking like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting, possessing both classical charm and spirited vivacity, but above all, an intrinsic aura of noble and cold elegance that made people hesitant to approach her casually, yet unable to resist the urge to draw closer.
Even Jiang Lihua nodded in satisfaction before she could catch herself.
Whatever else might be said, this daughter of hers was truly flawless in appearance.
Wen Qianyu also froze for a moment, a flash of astonishment quickly sweeping across her face, only to be replaced by disgust deep in her eyes.
Clothes really do make the person, but they still couldn't cover up Wen Xuyu’s vicious heart!
A trace of jealousy flickered in Wen Qianxue's eyes, but she quickly smoothed her expression.
No matter how pretty she was, so what? Wasn't she still going to marry an illegitimate son who was also a cripple?
"Ahem," Lu Baiqian frowned imperceptibly, as if disliking the attention of the crowd.
Meng Jin, standing at his side, tactfully stepped forward.
"Since the Third Young Madam has arrived, we will be heading back," Meng Jin said respectfully and politely, maintaining perfect propriety as he handed a card to Wen Yuqin. "This is what we agreed upon, President Wen."
"Good."
Wen Yuqin stood up to take the card, while the housekeeper beside him handed Meng Jin a small package.
The latter opened it to find several identification documents.
With that, Wen Yuqin turned his gaze back to his unruly younger daughter, lecturing her with the air of a stern father.
"Xuyu, once you are married into the Lu Family, you must live your life properly and not be as willful as you were at home!"
Wen Xuyu said nothing. She had nothing to say, nor did she wish to exchange polite fictions with Wen Yuqin.
Her gaze was involuntarily drawn to the man in the wheelchair before her; there truly was something very familiar about him.
Wen Yuqin gave a somewhat awkward low cough, shot Wen Xuyu a fierce glare from under his lashes, and then flashed a smile at the silent Lu Baiqian.
"Third Young Master, I must ask you to bear with her."
Although Lu Baiqian was an illegitimate son and a cripple, he was still a member of the Kyoto Lu Family—something the Wen Family could not compare to, forcing even him to bow his head and offer a ingratiating smile.
"Mn," Lu Baiqian acknowledged, appearing utterly indifferent.
Sensing his cold attitude, Wen Xuyu didn't mind it much; in fact, she felt rather relieved.
Though she didn't know why the Lu Family wanted to marry her, for now, she seemed to be in no danger.
The Wen Family members stood up to see them out.
Just as she was about to get into the car, Wen Xuyu caught sight of a black Maybach parked not far away out of the corner of her eye, and her heart skipped a beat.
This car looks so familiar... Could it be Bian Xunzhou?
Before she could dwell on it, Wen Xuyu was already inside the car. She sat with her hands nervously twisting in her lap, feeling somewhat flustered.
Lu Baiqian sat beside her, taking in her every nervous movement.
"Is Miss Wen nervous?"
Suddenly, the man beside her spoke quietly, though it was unclear how long he had been watching her.
Wen Xuyu pressed her lips together, not daring to raise her head to look at him. "...No."
"Heh," Lu Baiqian let out a soft laugh, then glanced down at her outfit. "Do you like this dress?"
"...I like it, thank you."
Is it coming? Is it finally coming?
Wen Xuyu’s heart hammered against her ribs, completely unaware of his intentions.
Perhaps because her nerves were strung too tight, she didn't even notice a stray strand of hair clinging to the corner of her lips.
Lu Baiqian’s gaze flickered slightly, and the man raised a hand, intending to brush it away.
Unexpectedly, the very next second, the black Maybach tore out from a side street, its tires emitting a harsh screech against the pavement as it cut squarely across the front of the wedding car.
Caught off guard, the driver whipped the steering wheel around and slammed on the brakes. A wave of intense weightlessness hit, and Wen Xuyu tumbled directly into Lu Baiqian’s arms.
The latter let out a muffled grunt, but still caught her securely against him as a familiar scent wafted into Wen Xuyu’s nostrils.
"Third Young Master, are you alright?" Meng Jin, sitting in the front passenger seat, quickly turned back to ask.
"I'm fine. Go down and see what's happening."
Lu Baiqian lowered his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse.
Meng Jin nodded, and the moment he stepped out of the car, he saw a tall figure stride out from the Maybach.
Bian Xunzhou wore a sharply tailored black suit, his tie hanging loosely around his neck. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, exuding an intense, oppressive aura.
Meng Jin paused. Of course he recognized this person.
Bian Xunzhou, the eldest son of the Shang family in Kyoto, and the undisputed top name on Kyoto's list of people not to be messed with.
Yet why would he intercept their car?
"Are you alright?"
The question came from right above her, and Wen Xuyu realized she was still collapsed in the man's arms. She hurried to sit up, smoothing down her clothes while still dazed.
That scent just now...
"I'm fine, thank you..."
"Stay in the car and don't get out. I'll go take a look."
Lu Baiqian spoke calmly. He raised his eyes, locking gazes with the person outside through the car window, a flash of ruthlessness cutting through his eyes.
The driver quickly opened the door and pushed him out.
Through the car window, Wen Xuyu’s eyes met Bian Xunzhou's. Whether intentional or not, the latter offered her a slight smile—one that was inexplicably chilling.
"Bian Xunzhou, why is he here?" Wen Xuyu muttered under her breath, hurriedly lowering her head to avoid his gaze, her voice laced with disbelief.
Outside the car.
Bian Xunzhou leaned against the front of the Maybach with his hands in his pockets, his brows sharp. Lu Zhao stood at his side with an equally stern expression.
Opposite them, Lu Baiqian sat in his wheelchair, his expression cold and detached, as if devoid of all emotion.
The two men did not exchange a single word, yet the air was thick with tension and a suffocating silence.
Sitting inside the car, Wen Xuyu gripped the hem of her qipao tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.
Through the window, her gaze fell upon the two men confronting each other outside, her heart beating so fast it felt ready to leap out of her throat.
What should she do? One was her "destined partner," and the other was the man the Wen Family had forced her to marry—how was she supposed to handle this?
"Lu Baiqian, Wen Xuyu is my person," Bian Xunzhou said indifferently, lifting his eyes to cast a sidelong glance at the man opposite him, his tone laced with deliberate provocation.
"Bian Xunzhou, you've crossed the line."
Lu Baiqian’s voice was deep and hard, yet carried an irresistible, towering authority. "Wen Xuyu is my bride today. You have no right to take her away."
"Your bride?" Bian Xunzhou let out a cold laugh, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes. "Even if she has already registered her marriage with you, I have the means to take her away!"
Lu Baiqian’s gaze paused for a fraction of a second, but he quickly recovered his cold, distant demeanor, remaining entirely composed.
"You are far too full of yourself."
Sitting inside the car and listening to their exchange, Wen Xuyu grew increasingly anxious.
Were these two actually going to fight? But right now, no one seemed to be paying attention to her—should she just make a run for it?