Volume One, Chapter 133: She Has Finally Made It!

“Mr. Lu, this is the penthouse of our complex. It’s well-ventilated from north to south, with flawless lighting, layout, and garden views. Plus, it comes fully furnished, and the interior design was crafted by…” The salesperson’s words flowed like honey, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of having caught a big fish as she looked at Lu Jinnian.

Beside her, Lin Chaochao was over the moon with excitement.

It had to be their wedding home—there was no other possibility.

Finally, the day she had been waiting for had arrived.

A spacious 300-square-meter flat with six bedrooms, not even counting the study, home theater, and gym.

The house was already decorated; all that was left was to add soft furnishings to her taste.

Lin Chaochao had even decided on the designer she wanted to hire.

After they married, with Lu Jinnian at work during the day, she could indulge in leisurely morning and afternoon teas at home, snapping photos and striking poses.

If she put her heart into it, maybe she could become the next viral internet sensation.

That way, she wouldn’t be bored.

She stepped onto the balcony to overlook the lush garden.

Then she went up to the rooftop terrace to bask in the brilliant sunlight.

Returning to the living room, Lin Chaochao hooked her arm through Lu Jinnian’s and coaxed, “Honey, let’s choose this one…”

“All right,” Lu Jinnian said, withdrawing his arm and nodding.

The Mercedes glided out of the gated community. Lin Chaochao clutched the contract in her hand, her heart pounding wildly.

Only her name was written on the contract.

Though her hand had nearly gone numb from signing it, the thought that this grand home belonged to her made her willing to break her hand without complaint.

Looking up again, the luxurious high-rise complex slowly faded into the distance in the rearview mirror.

Lin Chaochao’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she asked Lu Jinnian, “Honey, when can we move in?”

“You can move in today,” Lu Jinnian replied.

Her eyes lit up with joy at his words.

The car stopped again—this time at the furniture mall.

Happiness had come so suddenly, Lin Chaochao felt like she was dreaming.

But glancing back, the usually impatient Lu Jinnian was calm and composed as he looked at houses and picked out cushions.

Lin Chaochao took a deep breath but couldn’t calm herself.

By the time they left the furniture mall, evening was falling. Lu Jinnian checked his watch and looked at Lin Chaochao, saying, “I’ve got plans with friends tonight. You should head home first.”

Go back to the Lu family villa?

But since Lu Jinnian would either not return or come home late and go straight to bed, she would be alone in the empty house.

Tentatively, Lin Chaochao asked, “Can I go to the new house instead?”

Nearby, trucks were loading furniture—everything Lin Chaochao had chosen for their new home.

Lu Jinnian glanced at the slowly setting sun and the darkening sky.

Then he looked back at Lin Chaochao, seeming to have finally made up his mind.

“That’s fine,” he said in a low voice. “I’ll have the butler send your things over later. This way, you can decorate the new home just the way you want it while I’m busy.”

So, this really was their wedding home.

Lin Chaochao nodded, too nervous to even say “okay.”

Lu Jinnian settled into the Mercedes, and the car slowly pulled away.

A cold breeze swept by, causing her to shiver, but she exhaled excitedly.

She had finally made it through!

Next time she saw Sang Wan, she wouldn’t pretend anymore—no more fake sweetness while inwardly annoyed, calling her “Sang Jie” with fake politeness.

And as for Lu Xiaomu, when he returned from Sang Wan tomorrow, she would start laying down the rules!

Want to see Sang Wan? That would depend on her mood.

Most importantly, there was Lin Qiyue and her outrageously biased parents.

Since the last time Lin Chaochao met Lu Jinnian, her father hadn’t called once, as if she was shamelessly clinging to Lu Jinnian and had brought shame upon him.

Her mother was even more persistent, urging her either to return to the Lu family or find a new job, repeating that a woman should never pin all her hopes on a man.

Men were the most unreliable.

Ha.

She would show them all just how good her judgment was.

She instructed the movers on one end.

On the other, she notified the property management and the butler.

After arranging everything, Lin Chaochao hailed a taxi straight to the Lin family home.

But she arrived to find the house empty.

Neither her father nor mother was home.

She called Lin Qiyue; the phone rang for a long time before connecting.

Her mother’s voice came over, “Chaochao?”

???

Lin Chaochao glanced at her phone and furrowed her brows deeply. “Mom, where did you all go? Why is no one home?”

“Oh, your sister took your dad and me to the countryside for a hot spring…”

Her mother’s casual words made Lin Chaochao grit her teeth.

Lin Qiyue was doing this on purpose, wasn’t she?

Her mother seemed to sense the anger beneath Lin Chaochao’s silence and said mildly, “Didn’t your sister call you? You said you were busy! You can’t expect them not to come just because you don’t show up… Anyway, your sister’s back now. Talk to her!”

“Hello?”

Lin Qiyue’s voice sounded on the line.

Lin Chaochao’s expression darkened. She said nothing and hung up abruptly.

Wait until Lu Jinnian proposes, until she finishes setting up the new home, and then takes them all to see it.

They’ll realize how ridiculously wrong they were.

She was their real daughter and their support for the rest of their lives.

Lin Qiyue was a fake.

Fake!!!

It was just a lousy hot spring trip—what was there to brag about?

After cutting off Lin Qiyue’s call again, Lin Chaochao slammed the door and took a taxi straight to the new home.

Perhaps because Lu Jinnian had paid for the house in full, the property management and butler had witnessed her financial power.

Or maybe they recognized Lu Jinnian himself.

When Lin Chaochao entered, every item had already been unpacked and placed exactly where it should be.

Even the trash had been gathered and taken away.

From the living room to the kitchen,

and then the terrace, everything was exquisitely luxurious, just as she had imagined.

“Madam, is there anything else you need?” the butler asked.

“Mrs. Lu, if there’s anything you require, just say the word!” he added respectfully.

Hearing herself addressed as Mrs. Lu made Lin Chaochao smile inwardly like a blooming flower.

But on the surface, she remained composed. “No, thank you.”

Checking the time, it was not yet nine o’clock.

She called Lu Jinnian, but he didn’t answer.

Bored and restless, Lin Chaochao sent the location of the new home to her close girlfriends’ group chat.

Her message stirred up a storm.

Some insisted on throwing a housewarming party.

Others wanted to tour the spacious 300-square-meter apartment.

Lin Chaochao gladly accepted all the invitations.

Within half an hour, the doorbell chimed repeatedly as several groups arrived.

“Darling, now that you’ve landed Mr. Lu, you’ve finally made it. Don’t forget your sisters when good things happen!” one exclaimed.

“Exactly, Mrs. Lu! I’m practically clinging to your coattails now. If there are any handsome guys with good prospects around Mr. Lu, don’t forget your little sister…” another chimed in.

…

Champagne flowed.

Flattery buzzed.

Lin Chaochao floated on cloud nine.

But when the guests left and she saw one side of the walk-in closet overflowing with clothes while the other side stood empty,

she suddenly snapped back to reality.

Why was it only her clothes?

What about Lu Jinnian’s?

Isn’t this supposed to be their wedding home?

Wasn’t he going to move in to live with her?