At the next table, Luo Qi’s second aunt lowered her voice and asked, “Who is that person talking to Xiaoqi? Is he her boyfriend?”

Luo Yuli said, “No.”

“Yuli, do you know Xiaoqi’s boyfriend?”

“Mm.”

He has seen him in a video call before.

He was helping Luo Qi contact a photographer. During the videocall, Jiang Shenghe happened to be nearby and said ‘hello’.

Second Aunt smashed the pot¹ and asked, “I heard from Xiaoqi that her boyfriend is still another big boss. Which big company is it?”

Jiang Yifang drank water as if nothing was happening around her and pretended not to hear anything.

It was Luo Yuli who replied, “The boss of Yuanwei Group, Jiang Shenghe.”

He added, “Jiang Yueru’s nephew.”

These few words were like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake, causing a half-meter-high splash.

The name ‘Jiang Shenghe’ was not familiar to them, but as for ‘Yuanwei Group’ and ‘Jiang Yueru’—they were all quite familiar with it.

“How old is Xiaoqi’s boyfriend?”

Luo Yuli wasn’t sure about this. “About the same age as me.”

Second Aunt took a sip of the juice. It was obviously peach juice, but it was as sour as lemon juice in her mouth. When she swallowed it, her throat and stomach felt so sour.

“Second Sister-in-law is indeed lucky,” Second Aunt said, looking at Jiang Yifang, “But I heard that people from families like theirs are aloof and difficult to get along with.”

Jiang Yifang smiled, “I don’t think so.”

Second Aunt said ‘hehe’ in her heart.

She turned to look at her eldest sister-in-law whose face was ugly—probably even more sour than hers.

Eldest Aunt could hardly sit still from anxiety. She grew uneasy upon hearing that Luo Qi was dating the boss of Yuanwei Group. Had she known, she would never have listened to Cui Peng and wouldn’t have agreed to transfer the debt of 9.2 million to her.

Eldest Aunt glanced at Luo Qi’s table. Unexpectedly, Luo Qi also happened to look over at this time.

… …

In fact, Luo Qi wasn’t looking at Eldest Aunt at all but at the girl sitting next to her. She was beautiful and gentle, and she sat there quietly without saying anything. She must be Eldest Brother’s blind date. He brought her to the family banquet today; he was probably acknowledging this relationship publicly.

It was just that there seemed to be no communication at all between Eldest Brother and his blind date throughout the whole process.

Eldest Brother suddenly stood up, smiled, and walked towards the door.

Luo Qi followed him with her eyes and saw Jiang Shenghe. They were going to take wedding photos in the afternoon. He was wearing a black suit with the suit jacket open and a white shirt that fit his trim waist.

The banquet hall suddenly became quiet; even if he didn’t say anything, the atmosphere was somehow inexplicably stressful.

Jiang Shenghe first greeted Third Uncle and Third Aunt who were receiving guests, then walked towards Luo Yuli.

The two of them had met before in the video call, and they were no longer so unfamiliar with each other now that they saw each other again. They shook hands and exchanged greetings.

When Luo Yuli saw that Luo Qi had no intention of coming over to introduce Jiang Shenghe to everyone, he asked, “Do you need me to introduce any relatives to you?”

Jiang Shenghe replied, “Thank you, no need. I already know everyone I want to know.”

Third Uncle’s family and Luo Yuli were the only ones he wanted to get to know. As for the others, none of them respected Luo Qi’s parents. There was no need to get to know them.

Luo Yuli understood, “Let’s have dinner together when you have time.”

“Okay. Give me a call next time you come to Beijing.”

After exchanging greetings, Jiang Shenghe went to find Jiang Yifang and Luo Zhiqiu.

“Shenghe, you’ve arrived.”

“There was a traffic jam on the road, so I’m a little late.”

Luo Zhiqiu said, “You’re not too late, it hasn’t even started yet.”

Jiang Shenghe put his hands on their shoulders and said gently, “Mom, Dad, you guys talk first. I’ll go find Luo Qi.”

Hearing how he called them, Jiang Yifang and Luo Zhiqiu felt excited, “Go quickly.”

Second Aunt took another sip of her peach juice, feeling it was even more sour than before.

Her heart was also sour.

Her entire body was pained.

It must be said that Luo Yu was quite mean-spirited. When it came to irritating people, no one could compare to her. “Second Aunt, I have lemon juice here. Do you want a glass? It’s good for the stomach and aids digestion.”

Second Aunt faked a smile. Only her eyes spoke what’s in her heart, You punk, just you wait.

Luo Yu was not afraid at all.

Alas, she didn’t dare to sit at her older sister’s table, so she had to make do with sitting with these relatives.

… …

Luo Qi whispered in Jiang Shenghe’s ear, “He Xu is interested in Luo Yu. He chased her all the way home.”

Jiang Shenghe said, “I know.”

“How did you know?”

“I met them in the lobby of your rental house so I asked them to come clean your apartment.”

Luo Qi smiled, “You should have told me about this earlier.”

Jiang Shenghe promised her, “I won’t hide anything from you in the future.” He Xu asked him not to say anything at that time, so he never mentioned it.

Luo Qi continued to whisper, liking to talk in his ear, “Why did you change how you called my parents to ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’?”

“I just want to say it.”

… …

He Xu, who was sitting next to him, really couldn’t stand how silly they were acting. How could they have so much to talk about? They’ve been talking to each other from the moment Jiang Shenghe sat down.

They finally paused after five minutes, and He Xu managed to extend an invitation to Jiang Shenghe, “Want to go fishing in the afternoon?”

“No time. We’re taking wedding photos later.”

He Xu looked out the window—They’re taking wedding photos on a rainy day?

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

It was half past three, and the rain still hasn’t stopped.

This afternoon’s wedding photos were to be taken near Luo Qi’s home. The rainy day shoot saved Luo Qi from going to the studio. She could change clothes and put on makeup at her own home.

Her room was small, and there was a wedding dress on the bed. She and the makeup artist could fit in perfectly, but one more person would be too crowded. Jiang Shenghe waited for her in the living room.

He looked at the walnut-colored dining table and the window. He turned around and called Jiang Yifang, “Mom.”.

Jiang Yifang had just made tea and brought it to him, “Yes, what’s the matter?”

Jiang Shenghe expressed his thoughts, “Can we move the dining table nearer the window? I want to shoot some pictures of Luo Qi at home.”

“There seems to be nothing wrong, right?”

However, Jiang Yifang was actually worried about something. “Can we achieve good results shooting in such a small place?” This was a wedding photo shoot after all.

Jiang Shenghe assured her, “It doesn’t matter if the photos don’t turn out well. We can keep the wedding photos for ourselves, as long as they are meaningful.” 

This was the place where Luo Qi lived for seven or eight years. He wanted to preserve it as a memento.

Jiang Yifang put down the tea cup, “As long as you like it.” 

She and Jiang Shenghe moved the sofa and coffee table over, and then moved everything that could be moved away, making enough space to finally push the dining table over.

The dining table now stood by window, and outside the window was the river. It was still raining.

Jiang Yifang herself also admired the scene, “Now that I see it, it’s really good.”

If the home was big enough and there was more space to put things, it would be nice to place the dining table by the window. The could probably eat two more bowls while looking at the beautiful scenery outside.

Jiang Shenghe looked at the wooden table and thought that something was missing.

He took an umbrella and went out.He came back ten minutes later with a bouquet of sunflowers. The flowers were not placed in a vase, which would block the view of the window, but placed directly on the table.

Luo Qi finished putting on makeup and came out of the bedroom. When she saw the newly decorated scene, she was surprised and moved.

She hugged Jiang Shenghe and said, “Thank you.”

Even the photographer said that this view was unique.

He took dozens of photos at home, and the effect in the shots were better than the real scene.

Then they went outside; it was still raining.

Luo Qi stood on the stone bridge. The photographer was looking for an angle. Jiang Shenghe took off his suit and put it on her.

She held an umbrella, and the rain fell continuously, but she felt particularly comfortable in his arms.

Jiang Shenghe held her waist with one hand and tightened his suit around her with the other. She leaned against him.

He smiled, “Don’t move.”

Luo Qi wiggled twice.

Jiang Shenghe smiled helplessly and clasped her into his arms again.

When he wasn’t paying attention, Luo Qi moved the umbrella towards him to protect him from the rain.

The photographer’s assistant was instructed by Jiang Shenghe to record a lot of videos for them on his mobile phone. This scene just now was naturally recorded.

They took wedding photos from 3:30pm to when the lights came on.

They shot in a lot of places, including in front of the hotel.

Back then, the photo of their backs under the umbrella was only taken casually by Xiao Jiang. It was not the best and the sense of atmosphere was missing. Jiang Shenghe had asked Teacher Yu to show this sense of atmosphere in the form of oil painting. Today, the photographer made up for his regrets.

Just like the original photo, these shots were taken from behind. But unlike last time, Luo Qi was wearing his suit jacket this time and she was nestling in his arms.

After finishing the shoot, Luo Qi went to Jiang Shenghe’s hotel room to change out of her damp wedding dress and then took a hot shower.

Jiang Shenghe now had several short videos taken by the photographer’s assistant. He selected the one on the stone bridge and sent it to Qin Moling. 

[Keep your eyes open and watch.]

Seventh Year of My Secret Love for You translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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A list of all advance chapters is HERE.
Chapter 54.1 — Don’t Just Keep Hugging Me
Chapter 54.2 — Don’t Just Keep Hugging Me
Chapter 54.3 — Don’t Just Keep Hugging Me

1. ‘smashed the pot’ means to push through with determination regardless of possible ramifications. ↩︎