Proofreader&Editor:Lotas
Su Ran sat there, tears streaming down her face, her heart breaking into pieces. Passersby whispered among themselves, yet Su Ran was beyond caring about the gazes cast her way.
At that moment, He Ju had already returned to his family.
Tian Zhen was the first to question him, "Son, what happened to Su Ran? Did you help her?"
He Yu added, "Son, even though you and Xiao Ran aren't together, you've been classmates for so many years. Her father and I are somewhat acquainted. If you can help, please do. Don't just stand by."
Tian Zhen chimed in, "Indeed, I've known Su Ran for so many years, and I've never seen her in such a sorry state. She must be facing some serious trouble."
He Ju nodded in agreement with his parents' sentiments, "Mom, Dad, don't worry, I've already helped her. I know what I'm doing. It's getting late; you should head back, or you'll have to travel at night."
In his parents' eyes, He Ju had always been reliable.
Thus, reassured, He Ju's parents left.
He Yu thought to himself, his son had been fond of Su Ran for so many years; how could he bear to not help her?
Tian Zhen had her suspicions but didn't ask further, trusting that He Ju's decisions were always well-considered.
Soon, He Yu and Tian Zhen drove away, leaving only He Ju and Si Hua at the entrance of the residential complex.
Si Hua was contemplating whether to ask He Ju what they had discussed when he approached her with a smile and suddenly swept her into his arms. Si Hua let out a soft exclamation, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.
Striding towards the elevator, He Ju said, "I know you have many questions. Don't worry, husband will explain everything to you slowly."
Si Hua's cheeks flushed red as she lightly punched his chest, "Why do I feel like you're becoming more and more improper?"
He Ju's smile deepened, "How so?"
Si Hua huffed, "You used to call me 'Sister'."
He Ju whispered, "Seeing you, I can't help but feel restless, and all I want to call you is 'wife'. How can I possibly stay proper?"
Hearing this, Si Hua knew He Ju was teasing her, yet she couldn't bring herself to blame him, only feeling more bashful and burying her face in his chest, unable to speak.
He Ju carried Si Hua back home. She wanted to get down, but he firmly held her waist, and she sat in his arms, listening to him confess everything that had happened at the auction over the week.
He Ju focused on the essentials, mentioning that he had thoroughly offended the Qiu family. Although he felt the Qiu family was not a significant threat and couldn't stir up much trouble, he still reminded Si Hua to be careful when going out, as people can be unpredictable and the Qiu family might act out of desperation.
He also warned her to be wary of Bai Shangmo. Although he was Si Hua's cousin uncle in name, He Ju knew from a few encounters that the man was not to be underestimated.
Having meddled with Bai Shangmo's biological son, He Ju was certain Bai Shangmo wouldn't remain indifferent. He was concerned that Bai Shangmo might target Si Hua.
Si Hua took his words seriously; she wouldn't joke with her life.
After all, the sweet life she now shared with He Ju was something she had yearned for years, and she needed to preserve her life to have children with him.
So Si Hua obediently nodded, "Don't worry, from today on, I won't go to or from work alone."
He Ju smiled, "Then from now on, I'll take you to work, and I'll pick you up if I can. If not, you'll have the driver and bodyguard with you, okay?"
Si Hua nodded again, "Okay."
Then He Ju recounted the series of unimaginable things Su Ran had done at the auction.
Listening, Si Hua frowned slightly, summarizing, "Has she lost her mind?"
She actually wanted to be He Ju's secret lover? Did she even consider the opinion of his official girlfriend?
He Ju nodded in agreement, "I think so too."
Si Hua asked, "Did she come over just now to ask for that?"
He Ju shook his head, "She begged me not to leave City A and to spare the Su family."
Si Hua inquired, "Did you agree?"
He Ju nodded, "The condition is she never appears before me again."
Si Hua was proudly satisfied, "That's more like it. I was worried you'd be soft-hearted because of your first love and the beginning of love…"
He Ju adored this slightly haughty Si Hua, like a noble little cat, tempting one to give her a kiss.
Acting on the thought, He Ju immediately cupped Si Hua's face and kissed her without a word.
Si Hua instinctively tried to pull back, but He Ju was quick to press the back of her head, leaving her no choice but to follow his lead.
Kissing those soft, fragrant lips, He Ju's mood soared until Si Hua was breathless, and only then did he let her go, his smile one of utter satisfaction.
He Ju said, "I won a lot of great things for you, let me show you."
He Ju swore he truly wanted to show off his spoils to Si Hua, considering their value of several billion.
But as he got up, Si Hua pushed him down onto the sofa, her soft body pressing down on him, her arms tightly embracing his waist, "It doesn't matter what you got, I… I've missed you."
He Ju's heart warmed instantly, and he suddenly found those things less appealing, "Missed me how? Hmm?"
Si Hua, too shy to answer He Ju, silently pressed a switch nearby.
Then, the room plunged into darkness.
He Ju's mind went blank with excitement. He wanted to take control, but he was more curious about what Si Hua wanted to do, so he restrained himself from moving.
Sure enough, Si Hua's soft body pressed closer, "How about tonight… you just lie back and enjoy, and Sister will take care of you?"
In the darkness, He Ju clearly felt his breathing grow heavier.
He Ju instinctively wrapped his arms around Si Hua's waist, his voice husky, "Sure, let's see Sister's skills."
Si Hua's cheeks reddened again; she had only practiced on He Ju, what skills could she possibly have?
But Si Hua chose to follow her heart, wanting He Ju to feel good tonight.
That way, she could take him to the civil affairs bureau to queue up tomorrow.
Si Hua lowered her head, and He Ju unhesitatingly pressed the back of her head.
***
In the latter half of the night, He Ju finally took charge, and Si Hua couldn't keep up, "Wasn't it supposed to be… my turn?"
He Ju laughed, "Sister, you're too slow… be good…"
The disgruntled Si Hua ultimately closed her mouth.
The next day, as the alarm sounded, Si Hua woke up.
He Ju, still sleepy, pulled her back into his embrace, "Why get up so early? Sleep a bit more…"
But Si Hua was already unwilling to linger, pushing He Ju, "Get up, get up, I'm taking you somewhere."
He Ju, groggy and checking the time on his phone, saw it was seven in the morning.
He Ju went back to sleep, "Then, baby, you go freshen up first, I'll snooze a bit longer…"
Si Hua thought about it and agreed…
She wanted to take a shower and apply beautiful makeup; she needed more time, so she hurried into the bathroom.
When Si Hua emerged, all dolled up, it was eight o'clock, and He Ju was waking up to see her dressed formally in a white shirt and black trousers, her makeup impeccable.
Anyone would think Si Hua was going to get married.
He Ju asked, "What's going on? Why are you dressed so formally?"
Si Hua smiled without a word, urging He Ju to get up and freshen up, and he complied.
He Ju quickly got ready, and Si Hua had prepared a matching shirt and trousers for him.
He Ju was puzzled but changed into them anyway.
Then, Si Hua led He Ju out the door.
He Ju couldn't help but ask again, "Sister Si Hua, where exactly are you taking me?"
Si Hua finally turned to look at He Ju, smiling, "Would you follow me anywhere?"
He Ju nodded without hesitation, "Of course, whether it's up the knife mountain or down the sea of fire, for my wife, I must go."
Si Hua asked, "So no matter what I do, you'll support me?"
He Ju nodded, "Absolutely!"
After speaking, He Ju felt something was amiss; had he been hoodwinked by Si Hua?
But Si Hua didn't give him a chance to ask, immediately stuffing him into the passenger seat and dashing to the driver's side. With a press of the gas pedal, the car sped off.
He Ju was about to speak when Si Hua preempted, "You'll find out when we get there."
So, He Ju set aside his curiosity and asked another question, "Hungry? Should I take you for some breakfast first?"
Si Hua, with her mind set on the civil affairs bureau, had no thoughts of breakfast and immediately declined, "Let's eat after we're done."
He Ju was puzzled, "What could be so important?"
But he soon found out as they arrived at the civil affairs bureau.
He Ju's brows twitched, suddenly recalling the visit from his parents yesterday. Could Si Hua have been plotting this with them all along?
This seemed like a big play…
He Ju hadn't yet reacted when Si Hua parked the car, grabbed her bag, and after circling to the passenger side, pulled He Ju out, "Hurry, hurry, I booked a nine o'clock appointment, and it's just the right time now."
Having come this far, He Ju finally understood Si Hua's intentions.
He Ju grabbed Si Hua's wrist, stopping in his tracks.
Si Hua turned around, and seeing He Ju's serious expression, she was startled for a moment, "You… you don't want to marry me?"
He Ju quickly shook his head, "No…"
Si Hua's heart settled, "Then let's go in and get the certificate first. I've brought both our household registers."
He Ju still didn't move, and Si Hua, unable to pull him, heard him ask, "Sister Si Hua, isn't this too hasty?"
He Ju hadn't even proposed, and there was no ring for Si Hua. He felt he owed her a proper ceremony.
If he had known Si Hua was in such a hurry, he would have prepared in advance.
But now…
Si Hua shook her head, "I don't think it's hasty…"
Si Hua looked earnestly at He Ju, "He Ju, I really can't wait any longer. I'm desperate to marry you. If you love me and want to marry me, then don't think about anything else. Just now, come with me inside. Everything else, we can talk about after we get the certificate, okay?"
He Ju looked up at Si Hua, still as beautiful and sincere… He saw her all-in gamble and her nervousness.
Si Hua must have prepared a lot for today, right?
He wasn't unwilling; he always thought things should be done step by step.
But He Ju forgot, this was Si Hua; she didn't need step by step. She needed to reach the goal in one step.
So, under Si Hua's intense nervousness, He Ju intertwined his fingers with hers, "Okay, let's get married. The rest, we'll talk about after the wedding."
Si Hua was willing to marry him at all costs; how could he let her down?
Si Hua finally breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes seemingly teary but quickly adjusting her mood, "Okay, let's get married."
And so, He Ju was hoodwinked into the civil affairs bureau.
Half an hour later.
He Ju emerged, staring at the two red booklets, his mind blank.
He had…
Just got married?
How unbelievable was that?
Si Hua watched He Ju from behind for a long time until the clock struck ten. She then stepped forward in her high heels, asking softly, "Any regrets? But… it seems too late for that now."
Si Hua was too satisfied; she had been planning this for so long, just waiting for this day.
So she was willing to wait for He Ju to come back to his senses.
And He Ju did come back to his senses, as if to confirm his identity, he asked again, "Did we really… just get married like this?"
Si Hua burst into laughter, suddenly turning to embrace He Ju's waist, "Yes, we're married. I'm your legitimate wife now, protected by law. Are you happy?"
He Ju finally smiled, truly married!
Although it was fast, he was very satisfied!
He Ju immediately kissed Si Hua several times, excitedly saying, "Happy! Ecstatic! Let's go, I'll take you to buy a ring right now!"
Si Hua interjected, "Wait a moment…"
He Ju asked, "What's wrong?"
Si Hua quickly took out her phone, "Shouldn't we make an official announcement?"
He Ju grinned from ear to ear, obediently posing with the marriage certificate for Si Hua's photos.
After the marriage certificate, Si Hua took selfies with her phone, He Ju beaming beside her, and they took a kissing photo to finish.
Then, both of them took out their phones and posted to their social circles.
He Ju with his caption: First time getting married, feeling fresh. From now on, different paths for man and dog, everyone behave. (Likes get a 15% discount on gifts)
Si Hua with her caption: Done being a fairy, now I want to be Mrs. He.
After posting, He Ju and Si Hua felt settled, and He Ju pulled Si Hua into the car, "Let's go, let's look at rings, and we need to tell the parents. We should start planning the wedding banquet."
Before Si Hua could speak, He Ju's phone rang; it was his boss. Before the other side could speak, He Ju said, "Hello, hello, Old Zhang, how did you know I'm getting married today?"
Si Hua was puzzled; the other person hadn't said anything, had they?