Shadow Bride - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Coming-Of-Age Ceremony

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

No one noticed her arrival.

The coming-of-age ceremony had officially begun. Her younger sister, Su Xingqi, was dressed in a high-end, custom-made gown. She stood on the stage delicately and charmingly. The layers of embroidered petals and lace complimented her already beautiful appearance, making her even more attractive. Her eyes sparkled, and her smile made people unable to look away.

“So beautiful…”

As Su Xingyu carefully walked through the crowd of guests, she heard many people discussing in low voices. “Everyone says that the Second Miss of the Su family is a beauty. Looking at her today, she lives up to her reputation. No wonder she could become a model at such a young age.”

“Exactly. She’s much prettier than her sister.”

“It’s said that the Eldest Miss of the Su family has a good family background and is the granddaughter of the Mu family’s Old Master. In my opinion, this is all that a prestigious family can do. Her genes are not even comparable to Liu Meizhi, a fruit seller. Look at how beautiful Liu Meizhi’s daughter is.”

“No wonder the Mu family went bankrupt. Their genes weren’t good.”

“Stop talking. Su Xingyu is here.”

As the whispers died down, a few guests looked at Su Xingyu strangely. She knew that they were comparing her to Su Xingqi, and she was the one who had lost. However, so what? As long as she could endure for two more years, just two more years would do… By the time she graduated from university and found a job, she would live independently. And in that time, she would lead a good life and not embarrass her deceased mother and grandfather!

She walked to the main table and sat down beside her father, Su Zhongxiao, and her stepmother, Liu Meizhi. She greeted them in a low voice, “I’m late.”

Liu Meizhi glared at her from an angle that no one could see. “You’re getting more outrageous!”

Even Su Zhongxiao looked at her sternly. “You still know how to come? You almost ruined your sister’s big day!”

She pursed her lips lightly and said nothing else. After so many years of interaction, she knew very well that she would still be wrong no matter how she explained it. She might as well not say anything and waste her breath.

The coming-of-age ceremony on stage proceeded in an orderly manner.

Su Xingyu watched quietly as her thoughts drifted. She and her younger sister, who was glamorous and dazzling, were simply like people from two different worlds. They had pampered her younger sister since she was young, and she had the best of everything. She entered a modeling school at the age of ten and debuted at the age of fourteen. Now, she just turned eighteen and was already a celebrity.

As for herself?

Her father and stepmother had never enrolled her in any training classes. From a young age, she had been studying and taking examinations. Although her results were good, she unexpectedly suffered from food poisoning the night before the college entrance examinations. Hence, performed abnormally poor then. As such, she entered only a third-rate university.

Everyone ridiculed her, looked down on her, and mocked her for being useless and unworthy of being born into the Su family.

There was only one person who had been by her side silently, giving her warmth.

Qin Mu.

Her heart softened at the thought of that name.

He was the Second Young Master of the famous Qin family in the city, and he was also the fiancé that the Old Master Mu had arranged for her to get married to before the Mu family went bankrupt. All these years, Qin Mu had always taken good care of her. Even after being raped when she was eighteen years old, he still didn’t leave her and even promised to marry her after graduating from university.

He was a ray of light in her life that was filled with darkness.

Just as she was thinking about this, there was a commotion in the banquet hall.

Many guests exclaimed, “Look! Isn’t that the Second Young Master of the Qin family? Why is he walking towards Su Xingqi with a bouquet of roses? What is he planning to do?”

She jolted and looked up at the stage almost reflexively.

On the stage, Qin Mu, who was well-dressed, walked towards Su Xingqi with a massive bouquet of red roses. His footsteps were firm and steady, and his eyes were filled with deep admiration. He walked to Su Xingqi and said tenderly, “Xingqi, marry me. I’ve been waiting for you to come of age for a long time. Are you willing to accept my proposal?”

Su Xingyu stared at him in a daze. She felt as if her ears were ringing, and the blood in her body was about to freeze.

She suspected that she had misheard and stood up instinctively. With a trembling voice, she asked, “Qin Mu, what did you say?”

However, her voice was too low, and the man on the stage did not hear her. He did not even glance over.

“Oh my, Qin Mu is proposing to Su Xingqi!” The guests were already in an uproar.

“No wonder there weren’t any rumors about Second Young Master Qin all these years. It turns out that he already has someone in his heart!”

“It’s Su Xingqi! Although the Su family has been doing well these few years, they’re still just an ordinary wealthy family. She must be fortunate to be able to marry into a prestigious family like the Qin family!”

“Exactly! But Su Xingqi is pretty and a popular model, so it’s normal.”

“A perfect match!”

“They are indeed very compatible!”

The discussion got louder, and Su Xingyu felt dizzy. Back then, not many people knew about her and Qin Mu’s engagement. Now that Qin Mu was proposing to Su Xingqi, no one was puzzled. She finally couldn’t hold it in anymore and took a few steps towards the stage. Her voice trembled again as she asked, “Qin Mu! What do you mean by this? Didn’t you say you wanted to marry me?!”

Only then did Qin Mu turn to look at her.

Even Su Xingqi, who was dressed to the nines, turned to look at her in shock. “Sister, why are you here? What do you mean Brother Qin wants to marry you? You, you…” She shook her head as if she was hurt and said in disbelief, “Are you trying to steal my boyfriend?”

“What boyfriend?!” Su Xingyu was shocked and furious. “Xingqi, didn’t you always know that Qin Mu is my fiancé? When did he become your boyfriend? Qin Mu, what exactly is going on?”

She turned to look at the well-dressed man holding the roses.

The guests were also stunned by this sudden change. They all looked at Qin Mu, hoping he would answer.

On the stage, Qin Mu furrowed his brows as he looked at Su Xingyu. There was a hint of impatience in his voice. “Su Xingyu, stop being so unreasonable. Do you want me to expose what you’ve done in front of so many people? By then, everyone will look bad!”

“What?” Su Xingyu did not expect him to say that and subconsciously pulled Qin Mu away. “What have I done? Qin Mu, explain clearly! Why are you suddenly with Xingqi?”

The impatience in Qin Mu’s eyes intensified as he flung Su Xingyu’s hand away.

Su Xingqi, who was standing at the side, had a gloating look in her eyes. However, she pretended to persuade her sister, “Sister, stop fooling around. Brother Qin is too embarrassed to say what you’ve done. Brother Qin is saving face for you in broad daylight in front of so many people. Hurry up and leave. We’re sisters. I won’t hold it against you for ruining my coming-of-age ceremony.”