The Secret of Second Marriage

After thinking about it, I accepted the red envelope. When the dinner ended and I got home, I locked the red envelope containing more than 1 yuan in a drawer.

My mom is beaming with joy because she sees that my marriage is settled and I'm now dating a boyfriend who has a good career, a good family, and a good personality.

She and my dad prepared many wedding gifts for me, including a dowry and the three gold pieces.

Lu Xiao messaged me saying that my ex-husband has been arrested for illegally detaining another person and is now in a detention center. Once the case is transferred to the procuratorate, he will be imprisoned for one or two years.

I said, "Thank you, Lu Xiao. My mom said she's preparing a family dinner tonight. Do you have time to come over for dinner? I'd like you to formally meet my daughter, Tangtang."

"Okay, manga."

Lu Xiao said excitedly, "I got off work early today, I'll definitely go there early!"

In the evening, my mother and the housekeeper prepared a large meal in the kitchen: abalone, lobster, poached chicken, braised duck, seafood... a very sumptuous dinner.

My daughter Tangtang also came home from school and waited for Lu Xiao at home that evening.

She hasn't met this Uncle Lu yet.

As the sun set on a weekend evening, its rays bathed the living room, and the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.

Tangtang softly called to me, "Mommy, will you marry Uncle Lu?"

"Maybe."

I said, "He and I are a good match. He's a simple person, suitable for a life together. Tangtang, don't worry, you're Mom's precious darling. Even if Mom remarries, you'll always be the apple of my eye. I'll work hard to support your university education, and whatever you want to do in the future, Mom will support you!"

"Mom, I hope you are happy."

Tangtang whispered, "Actually, I think Shen Xing is the most suitable for Mom."

"He's too young, almost 10 years younger than my mother. Even if my mother were to be with him, his family wouldn't agree. My mother just wants a stable and peaceful life."

Uncle Lu is like tea, plain and simple, with a lingering, pleasant aroma. Shen Xing is like Sprite, strong and intense with every sip. For Mom, it's like riding a rollercoaster, only caring about the immediate pleasure, but not knowing what to do in the future.

Mom doesn't want any thrills or relationships with younger men.

I say.

Tangtang blinked her big eyes, unable to understand what I was saying.

I chuckled; Tangtangzi definitely wouldn't understand what I was saying.

Lu Xiao had promised to come over for dinner at 6:30 p.m., but our food got cold before he showed up.

I called him and asked, "Are you busy?"

"Um, Man, I'm sorry. I had already arranged all my work so I could leave early in the afternoon, but I didn't expect a new case to come up today. I have to stay and work overtime to go to the crime scene and write materials tonight."

I don't think I'll get off work until one or two in the morning... Man, you should go to sleep first. Say sorry to Auntie, and also to Tangtang, I bought her toys and clothes, I'll deliver them later."

Lu Xiao's voice was tinged with apology.

He couldn't balance his career and his love life, which is why he's almost 33 and still hasn't found a partner.

Surprisingly, I felt calm. Maybe it was because I realized I didn't love Lu Xiao that much, or maybe I'm more mature now and don't feel the same anxiety and longing to see my lover as I did when I was younger.

I said, "It's okay, you go ahead and do your work! After you get off work, go home and get some sleep to recharge your energy. Don't push yourself too hard."

"Okay, honey."

Lu Xiao affectionately called me "wife" before reluctantly hanging up the phone.

I think it's fine.

Now that I'm middle-aged, I think I've accepted reality and stopped fantasizing about marrying a man I love to the point of obsession.

Sometimes, even the most unforgettable love can't withstand the mundane realities of daily life.

Lu Xiao is very busy with work, has a good character, is a tenured employee, and doesn't have time to fool around. She can give me a stable and secure home.

I told my mom that Lu Xiao wouldn't be coming tonight because she had to investigate a case.

My mother expressed her understanding. She said to me, "This child is a workaholic. His mother wanted him to come home and take over the family business, but he refused. He devoted himself to his police career, catching bad guys, solving cases, enduring hardships, not for money or profit, but only to protect the safety of the people."

He's an unsung hero. Mom trusts his character. If you marry him, he'll entrust you with all the household finances and won't have many ulterior motives. You'll live a very stable and peaceful life.

"Mom, I understand. Let's go eat."

I sat down at the dinner table with my mom, Tangtang, and dad, the four of us, and had dinner.

Two days later, to make up for her apology, Lu Xiao ordered a huge bouquet of flowers for me, invited both sets of parents to dinner at a hot pot restaurant, and bought Tangtang a lot of clothes, shoes, pretty toys, and books.

I said, "Tangtang, thank you, Uncle Lu."

"Thank you, Uncle Lu."

Tangtang said it in a well-behaved and sensible way.

He is your mother's boyfriend, and also your mother's future husband.

My mom said, hugging Tangtang.

After hearing this, Tangtang opened her eyes wide and looked at me pitifully: "Mommy, after you and Uncle Lu get married and have your own baby, will you... stop liking me?"

"Won't"

At that moment, my heart clenched with pain. I held Tangtang tightly in my arms, rested my head on her forehead, and kissed her cheek: "Baby, don't worry, Mommy will always be with you... Even if we get married, Mommy will still love you unconditionally."

"Mom, I don't object to you being with Uncle Lu, because Tangtang loves you so much..."

Tangtang is a very intelligent girl. Although she is only six or seven years old and has just started elementary school, she is already like a clever and witty adult.

When I heard Tangtang's words, tears welled up in my eyes. This child is truly gifted. From the time her father and I got divorced, she has always been there for me, comforting and encouraging me.

On this pleasant evening, Lu Xiao got past Tangtang's hurdle, and our two families enjoyed a hot pot meal together.

During the meal, the two families naturally started talking about the wedding.

My dad said, "Man, do you and Lu Xiao have your own thoughts about marriage?"

I put down my chopsticks and took a serious look at Lu Xiao.

We held hands and discussed, "Dad, Lu Xiao and I have been getting along very well lately. Last night, he talked to me about wanting to get engaged at the end of the year."

When Lu Xiao's mother heard that the two of us were finally getting engaged, she beamed and said, "My husband and I both support Jiang Man's marriage to our child."

Over the years, I've introduced him to countless blind dates. To be honest, this big hotel is almost overflowing with people, but he always says he doesn't feel anything, or that he's too busy, or that he doesn't want to get married, as an excuse.

Man is the only girl Lu Xiao has confirmed his relationship with and wants to marry.

My wife and I are very happy. Man, I know you're getting married again; your mother has already told me.

Don't worry, we're not a feudal family. As long as you two have a good relationship, it's okay to remarry. Have you seen the TV series "Home with Kids"?

That blended family is living a very happy life, isn't it?

"Now that you're married into this family, you'll be the lady of the house with Lu Xiao. Your father and I will definitely give you our full support... We can also help take care of Tangtang; she'll be like our granddaughter."

"Thank you, Mom."

My eyes welled up with tears.

My mother-in-law's magnanimity, gentleness, and wisdom touched my heart, which had been cold for so long.

After that meal, my relationship with Lu Xiao quickly warmed up.

Lu Xiao is my third boyfriend. I won't talk about my ex-husband, who was a scumbag. The second was President Jiang, and the third is him, a very serious boyfriend.

Lu Xiao's father also said, "My son is all grown up, but he hasn't dated or gotten married. The neighbors think he likes men or that there's something wrong with him."

Now my son has finally come to his senses and wants to get married. Great! We can finally hold our heads high. With our son settled down, we parents can finally put our minds at ease.

Lu Xiao's mother said generously, "Yes, tomorrow is an auspicious day. Lu Xiao, why don't you take Man to the mall and see what kind of jewelry she likes? Weddings always require gold jewelry and betrothal gifts. She can choose any gold jewelry she likes, such as necklaces or bracelets... Our family can definitely afford it."

I nodded in agreement, feeling that after all the mistakes and hardships in my life, things were finally looking up and everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction. I was getting closer and closer to my wedding day.

……

Back home, at night, I lay on my expensive sandalwood Simmons bed in my room, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I wondered what kind of life I would have lived if I hadn't met President Jiang.

But I told myself not to think about it.

Ever since the wrap party for the TV show, President Jiang seems to have been triggered by something. He went back and deleted all his contacts on WeChat, and now he has his assistant handle all business dealings.

He has become increasingly low-key and keeps a low profile.

I told myself not to think about it anymore; Jiang's matter was all in the past.

Just then, my phone rang. I answered it and it was President Jiang calling.

He said, "Hey, Man, I've resolved the power crisis within the group."

I won the lawsuit. The shares that my mother transferred to my uncle for the purpose of marriage were returned. Now my mother has transferred all these shares to my name, and I am now capable of taking over the Jiang family business.

Man, I heard you're getting married, is that true?

I'm telling you, you can't get married! Promise me you won't get married! Okay?

"President Jiang, my parents and the other party's parents have already met, the marriage has been finalized, and it can't be changed."

I said, "President Jiang, stop talking nonsense. You know why we broke up. I don't want you to leave me all alone next time I have to make a choice, and then choose your career."

Your career is too large, and you face too many temptations. I've seen many wealthy women who, in their middle age, especially after their forties or fifties, have had their husbands' hearts change and started keeping younger female secretaries.

I'm afraid things will eventually turn out beyond recognition between us. So, while we still have feelings for each other, let's make a dignified exit now.

I don't crave wealth or status, nor do I have the ambition to marry into a wealthy family. I just want to live a peaceful and stable life. Do you understand?