Although, Lu Xinyi wasn't able to attend her morning classes and watched the senior's selections that didn't mean her other appointments could be set aside. With the launching of the Fire and Ice campaign nearing, she and Xia Yuhan had to finalize the collection and oversee the publicity of Flair Apparel.
When her car was nearing the main boutique of Flair Apparel, she was surprised to see a bunch of reporters crowding the area, hoping they could get a scoop about the famous Mrs. Shen. Although most of them knew that they were probably for nothing, none of them was willing to give up the chance to find Lu Xinyi's whereabouts.
"Hey, do you think President Shen and Lu Xinyi only married for personal interests? I can't seem to believe it. I've seen the couple during the Sun Corporation's anniversary party. They looked very much in love with each other." An amateur reporter asked his senior. The two were from the same media company but it was evident that the senior reporter held disdain towards Lu Xinyi.
The man snorted.
"There couldn't be love between the two. According to some reliable sources, the two met on a cruise vacation and got married a week after that. They probably made a deal and entered a contractual marriage."
The younger reporter's face turned to gloom. What he'd witness between President Shen and Lu Xinyi couldn't be fake. The infamous demon king held and looked at his wife with such gentleness while the woman's eyes sparkled whenever she saw him.
"Maybe they eventually fell in love?" he shrugged. Being together for almost half a year should be enough to develop some feelings for another person.
"Seriously, both came from prominent families within the city. It wouldn't be surprising that they get married to gain something in return. Once they'd reached their goal, they'll probably end their marriage and file for divorce with no strings attached," the senior reporter replied.
Lu Xinyi gave Xia Yuhan a call. She couldn't get inside the store without getting the media's attention. The official statement of the Shen family had been released before she left Imperial Residences, but still, these reporters insisted on trailing after her.
The media reporters were so engaged in their discussion that they hadn't noticed a group of bodyguards arriving at the entrance and blocking their way. They only snapped out of it when a black car stopped near the entrance and saw Lu Xinyi stepping out of it.
Instantly, they threw their arguments on the wind and flocked towards Madam Shen to get an interview. However, the bodyguard had already blocked their attempts, and they couldn't pass through.
"Madam Shen, can you give us an explanation of your marriage with President Shen?"
"Miss Lu, rumors say that you and President Shen entered a contractual marriage, is that true?"
"Is it true that you've used President Shen's influence to enter Silver Leaf Academy?"
The media bombarded her with questions, but none of them asked what the status of their marriage was. She couldn't understand why she had to explain the nature of their relationship to the public.
Lu Xinyi stopped on her tracks and glared ferociously to the media.
"What is it to you? Why do you care if we wanted to get married? Do we need the public's approval to get married and be happy for the rest of our lives? If you think we should disclose our private matters to everyone, why don't you do it first, huh?"
Lu Xinyi stood in front of them arrogantly. Her overall demeanor emanated such cold and indifference that the media received from the demon king himself. At that moment, she was like a demoness in front of them, taunting them with her sinister smile.
As she spoke, the camera continued to record her reaction; and the photographer continued to snap her photos. The contempt and arrogance in her voice left them speechless, their follow-up questions almost forgotten.
Indeed, her marriage with Shen Yi started out from a deal. An act of rebellion against the Sun family who repeatedly tried to corner her, to abuse her. However, for the past months of being with Shen Yi, she was able to remember how it felt to be loved by someone, to be cherished and accepted by his family.
For the longest time, she felt alone and tired. Shen Yi not only gave her a peace of mind but also a family she could call her own.
"I'm not a public figure; neither is my husband. Our private affairs should be respected. You want to hear the truth? Then, I'll tell you the truth. We've known each other better than anyone else. Our bond is stronger and deeper than what the public perceives it to be.
"As his wife, I have to ask you: please don't throw baseless accusations at President Shen. I've always thought that media personnel work to share information with dignity, not to spread lies to ruin one's reputation.
"Our families also have approved our marriage. I don't know who started this nonsensical scandal or who cared about the motive behind it, but I'll tell you now… President Shen is MINE. You can forget vying for his attention. We'll never divorce, and that's for sure.
"As a private citizen, I ask you to stop prying on our affairs and lives. Marrying Shen Yi was the best decision I made in my life, and I couldn't ask for a better husband."
After saying what she wanted to the reporters, Lu Xinyi turned her back and strode inside the store, leaving a bunch of reporters gaping at her words and feeling flabbergasted. Following her departure, the media snapped out from daze and tried to brainstorm for the headlines they're going to use for their articles.
Madam Shen just shamelessly staked her claim over Shen Yi and slapped them with irrefutable words. They'd never thought that Shen Yi would have an overbearing wife that not only could speak up for herself but also protect her husband in public.
A few minutes later, the ambush interview with his wife easily reached Shen Yi's ears. Qiao He turned on the huge, barely-used flatscreen television installed in Shen Yi's office. They watched the video with curiosity, with Shen Yi smirking as he saw his pissed-off wife chastising the media for their behavior.
Madam Shen singlehandedly placed the media on their rightful place.
His smile turned into a wide grin when Lu Xinyi asserted her claim as his wife. He was over the moon! Finally, he could parade Lu Xinyi into the public as his wife!
Qiao He turned to his side and coughed. Lu Xinyi's actions had naturally earned his Boss Yi's approval.
Seeing his Boss Yi's reaction over their Young Madam's action, Qiao He was forced to bite his inner cheek to stop himself from laughing. Ah, these two were really fascinating to watch. When he thought how their peers assume that Shen Yi would never find a woman of his liking, they assumed that he'd be forever alone.
In their circle of friends, Shen Yi earned a nickname 'Old Wizard' for not having a girlfriend or a woman in his life.
However, the more Qiao He watched his boss and Lu Xinyi interact, the more his single heart wished he could find a woman he could be with. At this rate, he'd be the one who'll grow old alone as a wizard!