Marriage First, Love Later: The Soft and Obedient Little Wife of Mr. Lu - Chapter 62: Eighteen-Year-Old Song Shimu

Chapter 62: Eighteen-Year-Old Song Shimu

In the car on the way home, Song Shimu gazed at the silent man driving. Leaning against the passenger seat, her expression was gentle.

“Why didn’t you believe what Zhang Hanzhi said?”

“Because I trust you more.”

Lu Zhijin’s reply came naturally, as if it required no thought at all.

The frustration from being pestered by Zhang Hanzhi suddenly vanished. Song Shimu leaned back in her seat, studying the man’s profile intently, her eyes filled with dense affection.

“If you keep looking, I might blush.”

“Master Lu can actually blush?”

He’d never hesitated to say shameless words or do bold things before, yet now he claimed he’d blush from just being looked at!

“Of course. My wife is so beautiful – anyone would blush under such gaze.”

Song Shimu chuckled softly. Lu Yike sat in the backseat silently enduring their affection, hugging Little Prince tightly in frustration.

Zhang Hanzhi had ended up hurting herself while trying to scheme against others, but no one in the Lu family believed her story. They didn’t need any so-called evidence – they all trusted Song Shimu’s character.

“The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Let’s visit your parents in your hometown.”

Lu Zhijin lay on the bed, watching the woman doing her skincare at the dressing table. Her silk nightgown outlined her perfect figure, her face fair and radiant, with a little bunny hairband holding back her hair.

“Really?”

Song Shimu turned excitedly, her eyes sparkling. It had been so long since she’d been home.

“Of course. Why would I lie to you?”

“I love you so much, husband!”

Song Shimu climbed onto the bed, straddling the man’s legs, wrapping her arms around his neck while acting coy.

Lu Zhijin held his fragrant, soft wife and planted a firm kiss on her cheek.

“So sweet!”

During the Mid-Autumn holiday, the family of three flew to City G, a small southern town where they were immediately greeted by sweltering heat upon arrival.

Father Song and Mother Song were already waiting at the arrival gate, their faces beaming with smiles when they saw them.

“Grandpa! Grandma!”

Lu Yike jumped off the luggage cart, running toward the elderly couple with open arms, his curly hair bouncing with each step, his voice clear and bright.

“I missed you so much!”

“Oh my dear grandson, Grandma missed you too!”

“I told you to wait at home. Why did you bother coming all this way?” Song Shimu chided affectionately.

“We had nothing to do at home anyway. A Jin, are you tired from the flight?”

Father Song took Lu Yike’s small backpack, showing concern for his son-in-law.

“Not at all, Dad.”

“Let’s go home. Your mother has already prepared dinner.”

Mother Song was the epitome of a traditional Chinese virtuous wife and mother – presentable in social situations, skilled in the kitchen, decisive in character, strong-willed throughout her life, and wholly devoted to her family. She was both a qualified mother and wife.

Since this was Lu Zhijin’s first visit home, Mother Song worried about not being hospitable enough. Though there were only four adults and one child, she had prepared an entire table full of dishes, having started working early in the morning. Father Song had specially bought fine wine for the occasion.

“Mom, you’ve worked too hard.”

Lu Zhijin looked somewhat astonished at the exquisite feast covering the table – enough food for ten people. His heart swelled with indescribable emotion. This was recognition – acceptance of him as part of the family.

Though the Lu family had served in the military for generations with substantial wealth, their family rules were strict. All male members had to endure hardship and training in the military, so he hadn’t exactly lived a life of luxury since childhood.

Su Yunrong, being a wealthy young lady who had never lifted a finger for household chores, had grown up eating meals prepared by nannies. This was her first time tasting such a lavish homemade feast cooked by a mother.

“It’s no trouble at all. A Jin, please sit down and try some.”

Father and Mother Song, having devoted their lives to teaching, were simple and sincere people. This was the grandest hospitality they could offer.

“My mom’s cooking is absolutely amazing. You have to try it.”

Song Shimu tugged at Lu Zhijin’s sleeve, pulling him down to sit, and picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs for him.

“Wow! This is incredibly delicious! Grandma is amazing!”

Before Lu Zhijin could even taste it, Lu Yike, seated nearby, was already offering his review, shaking his head in delight and making everyone laugh.

At the dinner table, Father Song and Lu Zhijin chatted over drinks. Fortunately, both were restrained individuals who didn’t overindulge. Had Lu’s father been present, he would undoubtedly have dragged his good brother into drinking until the early hours.

After the meal, Lu Yike grew drowsy and was carried by Mother Song to the bedroom to rest. Song Shimu led Lu Zhijin by the hand to her former bedroom.

The room wasn’t particularly large but was impeccably clean, evidence that her parents had regularly cleaned it during her absence. A small pink floral-patterned bed was adorned with several stuffed animals, while fresh light green curtains hung by the window. As the breeze drifted in, the outer sheer layer lifted, reminiscent of exam papers scattered by the wind in their youthful days.

The desk by the bed was piled with books—his Mu Mu must have sat there every night, frowning over math problems. A photo frame on the desk captured an 18-year-old Song Shimu during her coming-of-age celebration at the beach with friends.

In the photo, Song Shimu’s face still carried a youthful innocence, her long straight hair flowing as she wore a simple white “first love” dress. Against the backdrop of the azure sea, the ocean breeze tousled her hair while she laughed heartily—a beautiful moment frozen in time by the camera.

Lu Zhijin picked up the frame, studying the image of Song Shimu intently, as if yearning to travel through time to meet her eighteen-year-old self.

“Pretty silly, right?”

Song Shimu leaned in, resting her head on Lu Zhijin’s shoulder. Her husband’s shoulders were firm, his expression both serious and enamored as he gazed at the photograph.

“Not at all. Exceptionally beautiful.”

Lu Zhijin wanted to etch every version of Song Shimu he hadn’t witnessed into his memory, as if this person had walked through every chapter of his life.

“Are there more photos from before?”

Song Shimu retrieved the photo album—she had quite a collection growing up, as Mother Song was fond of documenting her daughter’s development.

Lu Zhijin turned the pages one by one, starting from her birth. Unlike most newborns who appear wrinkled and reddish, Song Shimu was destined to be a beauty from day one—with plump, adorable cheeks and lively eyes. Then came photos at hundred days old, first birthday, followed by elementary school years with her hair in two pigtails. Even then, her features were distinct and her aura extraordinary. Later images showed Father and Mother Song taking her on travels.

Lu Zhijin felt as though he was witnessing Song Shimu’s entire growth journey—from a newborn babe, through innocent childhood and vibrant youth, gradually blossoming into the remarkable woman she was today.

He turned each page with reverent fascination, feeling both the pride of watching a daughter grow up and a tinge of regret.

“If only we had known each other since childhood.”

“Would Mr. Lu have become my guardian angel then?” Song Shimu teased him with a laugh.

“Of course, I’ll mark you within my territory. No one else is allowed to approach you.”

Lu Zhijin wrapped his long arm around her, settling her on his lap. His nose brushed against her smooth skin as he gazed at the photo of Song Shimu wearing her white school uniform shirt, sitting in the classroom. The sunset gradually faded, ink-blue skies washing over the world, his little girl with her ponytail staring dreamily out the window.

That was the age of no regrets. That was the unbridled youth.

“Stop looking! I’m getting jealous!”

Song Shimu pouted, her soft little hands blocking the man’s line of sight, her tone tinged with possessiveness.

“Do you like it that much? Am I not good enough now?”

Lu Zhijin couldn’t help but laugh, his fingers gently holding her chin as he pressed a kiss to her pink lips, his voice deep and sensual.

“Getting jealous of yourself?”

“You’re only allowed to look at me!”

Song Shimu cupped his face with both hands, forcing him to look directly at her. Those narrow eyes of his were filled with amusement.

“My Mu Mu is so wonderful, she’s taken over my entire heart. No one else could ever catch my eye but you.”

I just want to imprint every version of you in my mind.