Wang Lei

Wife?

On the day when the matchmaking party was going to be held, Song Lan was woken up by the noises that were made by the staff and when she spotted Mr Chen, she asked "What's going on?"

"Ah, Miss Song, we are getting ready for a banquet tonight", Mr Chen replied with a smile as he continued saying, "It seems that Master Wang is searching for a wife so various young women and their families were invited to the mansion by the elders. Why don't you join them tonight as well?"

Mr Chen had the same thoughts as the other elders as continuing the family line was more important but he himself thought that it would be nice as well if Master Wang had a life partner that could accompany him through thick and thin soon.

On the other hand, Song Lan had stopped hearing Mr Chen's words after she heard the words 'Master Wang is searching for a wife'.

She suddenly couldn't focus and excused herself without replying to Mr Chen as she went back to her room muttering, "He's getting married...?"

Song Lan always knew the day would come when Wang Lei would get married and start his own family but to think it was this soon... She suddenly felt that it was hard to breathe as a squeezing pain was felt around her chest area.

'Why...?' She wondered why she felt like this. 

Song Lan got distracted by the sound of knocking on the door which made the pain subsidize for a bit and when she opens the door, she could see Li Xiaoli who came with a box and was smiling.

"Little Lan, look at what I have for you. Tonight there is a banquet and Wang Lei invited those who were free to attend them which means I'll have time tonight. Why don't we go together and have some fun?" Li Xiaoli was excited when she thinks of going to the banquet since it has been a while but stopped when she notices Song Lan had a pale complexion and did not seem to be in a great mood.

"What's wrong?" she puts the box away and went near to Song Lan who had one hand around her chest.

"... It's nothing", Song Lan gave a fake smile and tried to assure Li Xiaoli that everything was fine as she couldn't really explain it herself if she was asked about it. 

Li Xiaoli was thinking for a while about what could cause Song Lan to react this way and suddenly she had an inkling as she cautiously ask Song Lan if she knew what the banquet was about.

Song Lan was naturally someone who was used to hiding her emotions but sometimes when it was too strong, the emotions would show on her face and when Li Xiaoli asked her that question, she couldn't hide her feelings as there were signs of fear and anxiety. Truthfully, Song Lan somehow was scared of being abandoned as Wang Lei was her guardian so after he got married then... would things change between them?

"...", Li Xiaoli held Song Lan's shoulders gently as she asked her, "Song Lan, I've always wondered this but... do you have feelings for Master Wang?"

"I..." Song Lan thought for a while.

She remembered their first meeting where she felt saved, then afterwards fear of Wang Lei. But after getting to know Master Wang and after the two had the chat and spent more time together, Song Lan began to understand Wang Lei as a person and could not help but feel a bond between them. On paper, Master Wang was her guardian and in real life, he was someone who takes care of her and seems to treat her fondly as everyone told her that Wang Lei treats her differently.

Wang Lei made sure there was a path created for her after she had been saved. And she knew that Master Wang had treated her differently than some but Song Lan thought that it was because he pitied her. And the worse thing was that actually... Song Lan did not mind if his pity could make him treat her differently as she liked it.

"Ah Lan, do you like Master Wang?" Li Xiaoli asked again when she notice Song Lan was in a daze.

"...", 'Like?' somehow Song Lan knew that it might be more than that.

She still remembers back then when she was still with her family... Her mother always told her that she loves Song Lan. When Song Lan asked what love was, her parents had a sweet look as they smiled at the young her and told her that love was a strong emotion you felt for someone that you really really like. Just like how her mother loves her father and her.

And her father replied that she would know what love is once she found the one.

"Which one?" asked Cattleya (Song Lan's name before the kidnapping).

"Someone you can't live without, who makes you feel various emotions at the same time. It can be someone you respect and adore but never someone who tries to harm and disrespect you", laughed her father.

Although her memories of her parents were already fleeting as she couldn't remember what they look like, Song Lan cherishes them as they were people who she loved.

Song Lan knew that after she was saved by Wang Lei, and the two had been steadily getting closer to one another, her feelings had emerged as Song Lan felt that Wang Lei was someone she could not live without and she knew that it was 'love'.

However, she would not admit it as she knew that Wang Lei did not see her that way. And that she did not deserve to be loved after being tainted. She wasn't ready for it yet so the sudden news of Wang Lei's marriage made her feel a rush of emotions that now she could not help but cry.

"...Eh?" Song Lan's vision got blurry as tears broke out and Li Xiaoli was stunned and instantly tried to comfort her as well as apologize to her.

"Shh... I understand", Li Xiaoli comforts Song Lan as she brought her to rest on the bed.

"Sister Li... what should I do? It seems that I'm in love with Master Wang" said Song Lan who was now hugged by Li Xiaoli.

-----------------

I somehow felt a complicated feeling with this chapter. Song Lan used to grow up in a loving family so she knows what love is. And although I know that some of you might think that she's getting confused at the moment, she herself knows her real feelings well.

Wang Lei caused Song Lan to feel various emotions but the two strongest were respect and admiration. Over time, the feelings grow to like and then love but she hides it even though she knows the truth because she is afraid of falling in love. Especially with Wang Lei who she knows would not see her that way no matter what.