Su He didn't argue with her, just grabbed a bag of snacks and walked towards the supermarket entrance.
Her aunt called out to her from behind, "Are you still living with Yan Bei?"
"Yes," Su He replied casually.
"Living together before marriage, aren't you too casual!" Her aunt eyed Su He from head to toe, her gaze full of disdain.
When Su He had first gotten her marriage certificate with Lu Jingyang, her aunt had expressed her bewilderment. She had asked Grandpa Lu more than once why he had chosen a girl from such a common background.
Grandpa Lu had replied with a smile, saying it was because Su He's destiny was very supportive of her husband.
Of course, her aunt had scoffed at that.
Who was still so superstitious these days!
But Grandpa Lu was convinced Su He was a lucky star and insisted on marrying her into the family; her opposition was useless.
However, she found Su He unpleasant to look at and had never shown her a good face in private.
Now, this dissatisfaction had intensified.
Although Lu Jingyang bore the surname Lu and called her aunt, he was not a blood relative. Marrying him had little impact on the Lu family.
Lu Yan Bei, on the other hand, was the blood of the Lu family, the sole heir to the Lu Group. His marriage could not be treated so carelessly.
What's more, Su He was a divorcee! She had previously married his half-brother. This relationship was awkward no matter how you looked at it. Relatives often grumbled about it.
Her aunt was a straightforward person, and her dislike for Su He was evident on her face. "A girl should have self-respect, or no one will cherish her!"
Su He suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
She and Lu Yan Bei had already registered their marriage, so they weren't living together without status! Besides, what business was it of hers that she was dating Lu Yan Bei? As an outsider, why was she pointing fingers at her?
"Alas, I can't help it. A'Yan insisted on not letting me leave!" Su He mimicked the tone of a "green tea" character from a TV show, deflecting the criticism lightly.
Her aunt's eyes widened in anger, "How is that possible! How could Yan Bei fancy a woman like you!"
After a while, when Su He hadn't returned, Lu Yan Bei, worried, came looking for her.
She caught sight of his familiar figure and a mischievous idea popped into her head. As Lu Yan Bei approached, she suddenly changed her expression, deliberately putting on a wronged look. "Aunt is right to scold me. I'll move out now and won't pester him anymore."
Her aunt was baffled by this display.
Then, she heard a sharp, familiar voice from behind, "Without my permission, you're not allowed to go anywhere!"
Su He lowered her head, trying hard to stifle a laugh.
Her aunt turned around and saw Lu Yan Bei. Her arrogant demeanor immediately subsided. "Yan Bei, what a coincidence, you live here too?"
Lu Yan Bei walked past her, straight to Su He's side, taking the shopping bag from her hand, and with his other arm, he tightly embraced Su He's shoulder. "Aunt, didn't you know that already? Why ask what you know."
Her aunt's face stiffened, and she could barely respond.
"You don't need to worry about my affairs anymore," Lu Yan Bei said before she could speak. "Also, Su He is my wife. No one can bully her except me. Understand?"
Her aunt's face turned green and then white, unable to speak for a long time.
Seeing that he had intimidated her, Lu Yan Bei embraced Su He and walked away. "If you encounter such a situation again, call me immediately."
Su He softly hummed in response, but a strange sweetness bloomed in her heart.
Being cherished felt wonderful!
She secretly glanced at Lu Yan Bei, finding him exceptionally handsome today.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Lu Yan Bei caught her gaze with his peripheral vision and looked at her.
Su He guiltily lowered her head. "Nothing..."
After they had walked a good distance, Su He asked, "Wasn't that a bit too much for Aunt just now?"
"You were bullied, and you're still defending them?" Lu Yan Bei couldn't help but chuckle.
"Not exactly. It's just that with her big mouth, she'll definitely gossip everywhere, and it won't be good for your reputation," Su He sighed.
"You care so much about me?" Lu Yan Bei's heart leaped.
"Did I cause you trouble?" Su He actually didn't want to confront these people, but she had finally had enough and couldn't help but explode.
Lu Yan Bei rubbed her head. "It's fine, I'm here."
"Besides, with Grandpa supporting you, their opinions don't matter at all." Lu Yan Bei was telling her that both he and his grandfather were her backing, and she could rely on them.
Mentioning Grandpa Lu, Su He felt a pang of guilt. "It's been a while since I visited him. I wonder how he's been lately."
"Want to go back?" Lu Yan Bei had caught the right message.
Su He hummed. "I promised I'd visit him often."
"Then I'll make time tomorrow to accompany you back," Lu Yan Bei thought about his schedule for the next day and estimated he could spare half a day.
***
Meanwhile, the aunt, having been rebuffed by both Su He and Lu Yan Bei at the supermarket, could not swallow her pride. Upon returning home, she called her relatives, lamenting her grievances.
"I was only doing it for his own good, and he actually embarrassed me for an outsider! Does he have any respect for me as an elder!"
"That girl Su He, relying on Yan Bei's support, actually dared to talk back to me! She's completely out of line!"
"Yan Bei actually protects such an ill-bred girl, it's infuriating!"
After hearing her complaints, the relatives exchanged glances. They truly hadn't expected Lu Yan Bei to be so smitten with Su He, cherishing her like the apple of his eye, to the point where not a word could be spoken against her.
They had originally planned to introduce prospective dates to Lu Yan Bei, but it seemed they had to give up on that idea.
"You know Yan Bei's temper. Why argue with him! Once this novelty wears off, he'll kick her out himself without you even saying a word!"
"From now on, if you see them, just walk the other way. Out of sight, out of mind!"
"These are young people's affairs. It's best for us not to interfere. If you displease Yan Bei, it won't benefit you!"
Her aunt felt even more incensed after their advice. But one thing they said was very true: Lu Yan Bei was not someone she could afford to offend. Therefore, apart from cursing that Su He would soon be disliked by Lu Yan Bei, she had no other recourse.
"They are from different backgrounds; there will be rifts sooner or later. I want to see how long they can last!"
"A girl with no family to fall back on, you'll have plenty to deal with later!"
"Heaven, please open your eyes and let Yan Bei see that girl's true colors soon, and break off relations!"
Her aunt clasped her hands together, muttering incessantly.
Her son, hearing her prayers, found it quite exasperating.
He did not agree with his mother's views. Everyone at the company hoped that his cousin and his cousin-in-law would have a loving and lasting marriage! Even he did. Because only then would his cousin be in a good mood every day, and they would have a good life.