“Oh no, you don’t! You wouldn’t put my hard work into waste just because you want me to stay with you.” Lu Xinyi rolled her eyes. She’d waited and practiced hard for this occasion. There was no way in hell she’ll let Shen Yi put her efforts down the drain.

“I have something for you,” Shen Yi said, taking her hand and lead her to the living area where he placed small velvet box at the coffee table. Lu Xinyi looked at him confusedly and then to the box before opening it to see the most exquisite jewelry she’d seen in her life.

The centerpiece was a star. Wait. Wasn’t this the north star? It was made of silver and diamonds. It was bright and shining like the north star itself.

“Shen Yi, this is so beautiful,” she whispered.

Shen Yi took it out of the box and placed it around her neck. His fingertips lightly brushing against her pale smooth skin.

“This is my gift for you and I hope you’ll cherish it,” ‘As I cherish you,’ Shen Yi thought.

“Is there a special occasion? Why are you giving me this?”

“Don’t you like it?”

“I love it. Thank you but why the North Star?” Was there something special about the North Star for him?

“Because you are my north star in this ever-changing world. Back in the days before GPS and maps were invented, people use the North Star to guide them in the right direction to get home or reach their destination. You are my north star, the one who’ll keep me on my right path.”

His hand reached out to touch the star on her necklace. Lu Xinyi blushed and turned her gaze away from her husband. He was unusually talkative tonight. Was this his way to tell him that whatever happens tonight he will not abandon her?

“Your love shines for me, pointing my way home to happiness with you. You’re my home and there’s no better director than the North Star, don’t you think?”

He might not say directly that he loves her, but if there was something he was good at, Lu Xinyi was sure he has way with words. Words that could make her fall in love again, make her heart melt from all the sweetness he does for her. She wouldn’t change that about him, not for anything in this world.

“Thank you,” Her eyes almost blurred with tears.

“Shh… you don’t have to say anything as long as you like it.” Shen Yi released his hold on her necklace and offered his arm. “Let’s go.”

—

She only wanted to live a peaceful life with him but Lu Xinyi knew it’ll be impossible not until the issue between the Sun and the Shen families was resolved. Sometimes she wished that she wasn’t part of that despicable family. She had no idea that her husband that was sitting next to her shared her dream, the feel of completeness of her beside him was indescribable and entirely new to him.

“Xinyi,”

Lu Xinyi looked up from her seat. Her husband calling her name from his side as they stopped at a red light.

“What is it?” she asked timidly, straightening her back and tried to smoothen her long skirt.

Shen Yi’s hand slid under hers, gently holding it while his thumb rubbed the smooth skin of her hand.

“You’ll do fine. Just do your best and I’m sure Grammie will understand us,” he assured her, making Lu Xinyi relax on her seat.

‘I’ll do my best. For you. For us.” she murmured, giving a tight squeeze on his hand.

Their car quickly gunned its way down the streets, avoiding the traffic and vehicles on their way as they passed the outskirts of the city towards the opposite end of the capital city. The lights coming from the other cars, lampposts, and skyscrapers outside illuminated her pale skin white and yellow glow.

The scenery was changed from the busy streets of the city into passing trees and windy roads. Lu Xinyi felt the car turned up in a huge driveway and maneuvered through the iron gates of the Shen Mansion. Instead of pulling his car at the front doors where a large red carpet was placed to welcome the guests, Shen Yi sped up and pulled the car into a stop at the other side of the mansion and stepped outside.

Lu Xinyi then knew it was time to meet the rest of her husband’s family.