She was tricked into marriage for three years, then remarried a childless, tough guy and became preg

"The Spring Festival Gala has started!"

Song Zhiyi stared at the TV and said.

"Which number is Song Cheng'an's show on?" Lin Manni asked.

"I don't know. It should be earlier, something like a song and dance performance," Shen Tang replied.

Huo Xiuyuan picked up a piece of candied sweet potato, soaked it in cold water, and placed it on Shen Tang's plate.

"Eat it while it's hot."

Shen Tang picked it up and took a bite.

"So sweet." Her eyes crinkled with laughter.

"Huo Xiuyuan, your cooking is so delicious! I've already gained ten pounds. What am I going to do if I keep eating like this?"

"What? What should I do? You'll look better if you gain some weight, and your blood and energy will be stronger. It will make you more fertile in the future."

"Or, I'll give birth tonight," Shen Tang said, turning playful again.

Huo Xiuyuan watched as she frowned, yet couldn't suppress the smile at the corner of her mouth.

She lowered her head, pursed her lips, and said, "Let's eat."

"He's out! He's out! It's my brother!"

Song Zhiyi cheered loudly.

Shen Tang looked at Song Cheng'an standing on the Spring Festival Gala stage and a smile appeared on her lips.

The performance by the cultural troupe was also selected, and Shen Tang saw Zhao Wenjing and Zhou Nan on TV.

A pang of regret flashed through her mind; she hadn't been able to stand on the stage with them.

But life is never perfect.

The clock struck midnight.

Fireworks exploded outside the window, one after another, and colorful lights reflected on the windowpane.

"Wow—let's go see the fireworks!" Song Zhiyi jumped up.

"We have some too. Let's go set off fireworks!"

Gu Siming pulled Lin Manni and walked out.

Huo Xiuyuan took Shen Tang's hand and followed her out of the courtyard.

Colorful fireworks exploded overhead.

Shen Tang leaned against Huo Xiuyuan's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Are you cold?" Huo Xiuyuan asked, looking down.

"I'm not cold." Shen Tang's nose was red.

She looked up at Huo Xiuyuan and said, "Let's get married!"

"Anytime is fine," Huo Xiuyuan said, lowering his eyes.

"Then—the eighth day?" Shen Tang said. "Zhou Nan has told me several times that he wants to get married on the same day as me."

"it is good."

Huo Xiuyuan hugged her even tighter.

On the other side, Lu Jingshen slammed his wine glass hard onto the table.

"Yang Xinyue! What are you doing now? If you don't love me anymore, then let's get a divorce!"

Yang Xinyue held a child in her arms, coldly watching Lu Jingshen.

"Lu Jingshen, didn't you hear what your mother said about me?"

Liu Jinhua rolled her eyes at her, "What did I say wrong? You gave birth to a worthless little girl and ruined her health. You're a useless thing."

Wang Cuixia sat beside them, gloating, "It's alright, we still have my son, Shitou, at home, don't we?"

"Who doesn't know your son isn't a member of the Lu family? What are you so arrogant about?!" Yang Xinyue said coldly.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Believe me or not, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Wang Cuixia slammed her chopsticks on the table and grabbed Yang Xinyue's hair.

Yang Xinyue was pulled by the hair and slammed onto the table by Wang Cuixia. The child she was holding was so frightened that he burst into tears.

"Ah—I'll fight you to the death!"

Yang Xinyue put the child on the kang (a heated brick bed) and then went up to her and started tearing at her.

Lu Jingshen sat there, not getting up to break up the fight, and took a swig of wine.

"What are you doing!" Liu Jinhua stood up as well, pointing at Yang Xinyue and yelling, "What are you doing making a scene during the New Year? You're a jinx!"

Yang Xinyue's lips trembled with anger: "Who are you calling a jinx? I think you're the jinx!"

"Say that again!" Liu Jinhua rolled up her sleeves and was about to rush forward.

The courtyard gate was pushed open with a "bang," and Yang Aimin strode in, followed by Wu Meijuan and Yang Chaoyang.

The three people stood at the door and saw the mess of cups and plates inside, the child crying with a red face, and Yang Xinyue standing by the table with her hair disheveled. Their expressions darkened.

Yang Chaoyang lunged forward and grabbed Lu Jingshen by the collar:

"Lu Jingshen, you bastard, is this how you take care of my sister?"

Before Lu Jingshen could even speak, Yang Chaoyang punched him in the face and then kicked him into a corner.

Blood seeped from the corner of Lu Jingshen's mouth.

Yang Xinyue took a step forward, then abruptly stopped.

Yang Aimin looked coldly at Lu Jingshen, "My daughter will not suffer like this."

He walked over, took Yang Xinyue's arm, and said, "Xinyue, let's go home."

Yang Xinyue bit her lip and glanced back at Lu Jingshen.

Lu Jingshen sat on the ground and did not stop her.

Wu Meijuan went over and picked up the crying baby from the bed.

Liu Jinhua glanced at it but didn't stop her.

The group walked outside.

Yang Chaoyang turned around and glared at Lu Jingshen: "Don't come looking for my sister again, or I'll beat you up every time I see you!"

He turned and strode out.

The courtyard quieted down, and the child's cries faded into the distance until they were completely gone.

Lu Jingshen leaned against the wall, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and looked up at the dark sky.

He laughed silently.

How did life turn out like this?

Wang Cuixia pulled Lu Tianci along and led her son back into the house, slamming the door shut behind them.

Liu Jinhua looked at Lu Jingshen, sighed, and went back into the house.

Lu Jingshen slowly straightened up, picked up the stool that had fallen to the ground, and sat down at the table.

He picked up the bottle, tilted his head back, and downed it.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the sun shone brightly.

The largest restaurant in Jiangzhou City was packed with guests.

On stage, Huo Xiuyuan wore a black suit, his posture was upright, his shoulders were broad and his back was wide, his eyebrows and eyes were cool and handsome, and his eyes were full of expectation.

Qin Zheng was dressed in a white suit, exuding a dashing and elegant air, with a gentle and refined demeanor, and a smile in his eyes.

The two exchanged a glance and then looked toward the doorway.

The emcee walked onto the stage, cleared his throat, and the noise in the hall gradually subsided.

"Distinguished guests, today is the auspicious day for Mr. Huo Xiuyuan and Ms. Shen Tang, and Mr. Qin Zheng and Ms. Zhou Nan. Both couples have chosen the same day and the same place to embark on this new chapter in their lives. Let us welcome the brides with warm applause!"

The music started.

The doors to the hall slowly opened, and the two brides appeared at the entrance.

Shen Tang wore a white wedding dress with a train that trailed on the ground, perfectly fitted at the waist. The dress shimmered softly under the lights. She stood there, holding a bouquet of red roses, her gaze fixed on Huo Xiuyuan in front of her.

Zhou Nan stood next to her, also wearing a white wedding dress, the skirt of which was shorter than Shen Tang's. She held a bouquet of pink roses in her hands, and she pursed her lips shyly, looking down at Qin Zheng opposite her.

A low gasp of surprise rippled through the audience.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

"The groom is handsome, the bride is beautiful, they are a perfect match!"

Song Zhiyi watched as the two clapped enthusiastically.

Huo Xiuyuan's gaze fell on Shen Tang, and before she could come over, he strode forward.

Qin Zheng was taken aback. Why wasn't he playing by the rules?

He hurriedly followed.

Huo Xiuyuan picked up Shen Tang and walked back to the stage.

Qin Zheng, of course, couldn't be left behind and also picked up Zhou Nan in his arms.

The two couples stood side by side on the stage.

The emcee smiled and said, "The groom can't wait any longer, so let's get straight to the point."

The two couples exchanged rings.

Qin Zheng took Zhou Nan's hand in his and kissed her on the cheek.

Zhou Nan buried her head in her chest in embarrassment.

Huo Xiuyuan held Shen Tang's hand and whispered:

"Wife, I love you."

"Huo Xiuyuan, from now on you belong to me."

She leaned close to his ear and said, "Go home and have the baby tonight."

one year later.

"Huo Xiuyuan, mother and children are safe. They are twins, a boy and a girl."

(End of the article)

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Thank you all for your company. This book has now come to an end.

To be honest, I'll feel reluctant to part with it.

Shen Tang, Huo Xiuyuan, Yang Xinyue, Lu Jingshen, Zhou Nan, Qin Zheng, Zhao Wenjing, Lin Manni...

These people seem to exist in a parallel world, breathing their own air.

The story is long, and many people's stories are still untold.

They will continue on their own paths in parallel worlds.

See you in the next book.

Thank you for your company.

ღ(´･ᴗ･`)