Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Wedding Raid

Downstairs.

The man sat quietly in his wheelchair, his upper body straight as a pine tree. Even though he could not stand, there was no diminishing the innate elegance and nobility that surrounded him. He wore a meticulously tailored black suit, a silver brooch pinned at his collar—a touch of understated luxury. His eyes, deep and cold as a winter pool, were clear yet distant.

His skin was so pale it seemed almost transparent, as though sunlight had long forgotten him. His fingers, long and defined, rested lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair.

The moment Wen Xuyu saw him, her pupils contracted slightly. Wasn’t this the man she’d seen in the hospital last time?

So he was the third young master of the Lu family?

“Sir, the second young lady has arrived!”

A servant helped Wen Xuyu to Lu Boqian’s side and addressed Wen Yuqin, who sat in the seat of honor.

All eyes turned at these words, and nearly everyone stared in surprise.

Wen Xuyu stood there as if she had just stepped out of a painting—a fairy with both classical grace and lively spirit. Yet it was her aura, noble and aloof, that kept people at a respectful distance while compelling them to draw near.

Even Jiang Lihua nodded unconsciously in approval. Whatever else could be said, her daughter’s looks were beyond reproach.

Wen Qianyu was momentarily taken aback, a flash of amazement quickly replaced by disdain in his eyes. It was true what they said: fine feathers make fine birds. But no matter how well-dressed, nothing could disguise Wen Xuyu’s malicious heart!

A trace of jealousy flickered in Wen Qianxue’s eyes before she relaxed her brow. So what if she was beautiful? She was still destined to marry an illegitimate cripple!

A faint cough—Lu Boqian frowned almost imperceptibly, as if uncomfortable with being the center of attention.

Meng Jin, standing by his side, immediately stepped forward with tact.

“Since the third young madam has arrived, we’ll take our leave now,” Meng Jin said respectfully, offering a card to Wen Yuqin. “This is what we agreed upon, President Wen.”

“Very well.”

Wen Yuqin rose to accept the card, while the butler at his side handed Meng Jin a small package.

He opened it to find various identification documents.

Wen Yuqin then turned to his unruly younger daughter, assuming the stern posture of a strict father. “Xuyu, once you’re married into the Lu family, you must live properly. Don’t be as willful as you were at home!”

Wen Xuyu said nothing. She had nothing to say, nor did she wish to exchange empty pleasantries with Wen Yuqin.

Instead, her gaze was drawn to the man in the wheelchair before her. There was something in him that felt oddly familiar.

Wen Yuqin cleared his throat awkwardly, shooting a sharp, warning look at Wen Xuyu before turning to the silent Lu Boqian with a forced smile. “Third young master, I must trouble you to be patient with her.”

Although Lu Boqian was an illegitimate child and crippled besides, he was still of the influential Lu family in the capital—a status the Wen family could not rival. Even Wen Yuqin had no choice but to humble himself.

“Yes,” Lu Boqian replied, as if indifferent.

Sensing his cold detachment, Wen Xuyu felt surprisingly at ease. Though she didn’t know why the Lu family wanted her as a bride, it seemed, for now, she was not in danger.

The Wen family members rose to see their guests out.

Just before getting into the car, Wen Xuyu caught sight of a black Maybach parked not far away. Her brows knit together. That car looked so familiar… Could it be Bian Xunzhou?

There was no time to think further as she climbed into the car, her hands twisted anxiously in her lap, troubled and uneasy.

Lu Boqian sat next to her, easily noticing her nervous fidgeting.

“Miss Wen, are you nervous?”

Suddenly, his calm voice broke the silence. She didn’t know how long he’d been watching her.

Wen Xuyu pressed her lips together, not daring to meet his gaze. “…No.”

He let out a quiet laugh, then looked over her attire. “Do you like the clothes?”

“…I do. Thank you.”

Is this it? Is this about to happen?

Wen Xuyu’s heart pounded uneasily, uncertain of his intentions.

Perhaps she was too tense to notice a stray lock of hair clinging to her lips.

Lu Boqian’s gaze flickered. He reached out a hand, intending to brush it away.

Before he could, a black Maybach shot out from a side street, tires screeching against the pavement as it came to an abrupt halt across the wedding car’s path.

Caught off guard, the driver jerked the wheel and slammed on the brakes. The sudden loss of balance threw Wen Xuyu straight into Lu Boqian’s arms.

He let out a muffled grunt but managed to hold her steady, a familiar scent tickling her nose.

“Third young master, are you all right?” Meng Jin, seated in front, quickly looked back.

“I’m fine. Go see what’s happened.”

Lu Boqian lowered his gaze, his voice rough.

Meng Jin nodded and stepped out, only to see a tall figure emerge from the Maybach.

Bian Xunzhou wore a sharply cut black suit, his tie hanging loose around his neck. His gaze was razor-sharp, his presence oppressive.

Meng Jin stopped in his tracks. He knew this man well.

Bian Xunzhou, eldest son of the Bian family in the capital, and the most formidable of them all.

But why had he intercepted their car?

A gentle inquiry sounded above her head. Only then did Wen Xuyu realize she was still in Lu Boqian’s arms. She quickly straightened, tidied her clothes, and found herself still a little dazed.

That scent just now…

“I’m fine, thank you…”

“Stay in the car. Don’t get out. I’ll see what’s going on.”

Lu Boqian’s voice was mild as he lifted his gaze, locking eyes with the man outside through the window, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes.

The driver swiftly opened the door and wheeled him out.

Through the window, Wen Xuyu met Bian Xunzhou’s gaze. Whether it was intentional or not, he gave her a small, unsettling smile.

“Why is Bian Xunzhou here?” Wen Xuyu murmured, ducking her head in disbelief.

Outside, Bian Xunzhou leaned against the hood of his Maybach, hands in his pockets, eyes cold and sharp. Lu Zhao stood by his side, equally stern.

Across from them, Lu Boqian sat in his wheelchair, his expression as cold and impassive as ever, betraying no emotion.

Not a word passed between the two men, yet the air was thick with tension and a suffocating silence.

Inside the car, Wen Xuyu clutched the hem of her cheongsam so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Her eyes strayed through the window to the two men facing off, her heart thundering in her chest.

What now? One was her “fated companion,” the other the man her family insisted she marry. What was she to do?

“Lu Boqian, Wen Xuyu belongs to me,” Bian Xunzhou said coolly, glancing up with a challenging look that carried a hint of provocation.

“Bian Xunzhou, you’ve crossed the line.”

Lu Boqian’s voice was low and unyielding, a force that brooked no opposition. “Wen Xuyu is my bride today. You have no right to take her.”

“My bride?” Bian Xunzhou sneered, a mocking glint in his eyes. “Even if you’re already married, I have the means to take her away!”

Lu Boqian’s gaze faltered for a moment but quickly returned to his icy composure, his demeanor utterly unruffled.

“You overestimate yourself.”

Inside the car, Wen Xuyu listened to their exchange, her anxiety mounting.

Would these two start a fight? No one seemed to notice her just now—should she slip away while she had the chance?