Chapter 188

Lu Xinyi hadn’t expected that the Silver Leaf Academy would be full of spectators, compared to the preliminary exams. While she knew that this year’s competition had garnered a lot of interest, she didn’t think that the final exam’s event would be as big as today. Since the Liu family’s dethronement had been on the limelight for more than a week, more people grew curious about Silver Leaf’s top examinees.
Of course, she wasn’t afraid of competitions; and to be honest, it had been years since she felt this excitement and thrill in her life. Compared to other examinees, she might not be as good; but she believed in herself. Why should she be afraid to fight head-on when she knew she would always be the number one to Shen Yi and her little family?
“Are you nervous? You haven’t said anything since we left our house.” Her husband commented while he observed the growing crowd at the entrance of the academy’s stadium.
Lu Xinyi released a breath that she didn’t know she was holding.
“I am. I think this is one of the most important events in my life, Shen Yi,” she replied.
“More important than our wedding day?” Shen Yi teased which earned him a slap on his arm from his nervous wife.
“Of course not.” Lu Xinyi laughed awkwardly. “I’m just afraid that my skills and what I know aren’t enough to make it.”
“You are my wife. Any member of the Shen family excels on the path they had chosen. You will be fine.”
She admitted that there was still a lot of things to learn and improve, but somehow her nervousness had also made her adrenaline rush along her veins. Honestly, she was worried that she wouldn’t pass the last leg of the exams—afraid that she might bring shame to the Shen family and to her husband. What if she made a terrible mistake? What if something wrong happened?
Lu Xinyi pushed all those thoughts out of her mind. It wouldn’t do good if she kept thinking about what-ifs. She felt Shen Yi’s hand slid to hers; his slight grip reassured her. Her heart was filled with warmth. Whatever would happen today—as long as Shen Yi believed in her, she wouldn’t give up so easily.
As if in a trance, she let her husband drag her to the sideline to give way to the other spectators entering the stadium. Since she was one of the examinees and Shen Yi was her main sponsor, they could easily slip inside using the VIP entrance at the other side of the stadium.
Shen Xue had been forced by his older brother to act as his proxy to avoid being recognized in the public. It was this that let Lu Xinyi and Shen Yi act like a normal couple without worrying about what the public would think of them. Shen Yi had taken his time to disguise himself so he wouldn’t attract the public’s eyes.
Lu Xinyi let out a giggle as Shen Yi took her to the other side of the stadium. There were fewer people out there waiting for the event to start.
“What’s so funny?” Shen Yi arched a brow to his wife.
Lu Xinyi smiled and took his hand to pull him closer. “Nothing. I just realized that we skipped a lot of things before getting married.”
“Like what?”
“Like dating—going to several places as a couple.” She stopped and looked at their intertwined hands.” I knew we went to City H for our honeymoon before, but don’t you think we still need more time to know each other?”
Shen Yi contemplated her words. True, their marriage was too fast for normal standards. Even the little family they had seemed like it had been thrown at them to deal with. They hadn’t really time to learn and spend time with each other.
“Ah, that…” Truthfully, Shen Yi was afraid to admit he didn’t know how to court her properly. His interaction with the opposite sex was so limited that there were times he found himself struggling to figure out what to do with his naughty wife—except punishing her on their bed.
The corner of his lips lifted up, making a small grin. His eyes blazed as he stared down at his blushing bride. Ah, she really looked so tempting and cute when she blushed like that.
“S-Stop looking at me like that! You’re making me blush…” Lu Xinyi refused to meet his gaze, but the evident blush on her cheeks made Shen Yi chuckle.
“Do I?”
Lu Xinyi punched his chest lightly before burying her blushing face on his shirt.
“Stop teasing, you idiot!” She murmured against his chest. She felt his hand resting on her head. Being with him felt so right. Her nervousness had disappeared and forgotten as he held her close.
“Yes, yes. I’m an idiot. Your idiot. Now, what were your concerns again? You worry too much, wife. We still have forever to spend with each other. Now that you’re mine, let me court you for the rest of my life.”
If there was a possibility to blush harder than what she already had, Lu Xinyi knew that the redness on her cheeks would spread further. How come Shen Yi knew how to make her heart skip a beat? She had never thought she would experience a love so passionate and strong like this. Didn’t she claim that love wasn’t for her before?
“Calling the attention of the examinees, please proceed to the South Wing entrance. Exams will start in 30 minutes.”
The announcement coming from the speakers calling out the attention of the examinees had broken the embrace of the two lovers. Lu Xinyi held Shen Yi’s arm with her eyes filled with determination to face the challenges waiting for her.