3 – Let’s Get Married
When seeing Shen Yu off, the two did not discuss their impressions of each other.
However, Chi Wanwan felt that Shen Yu was somewhat cold, and this blind date was most likely a bust.
After tidying up the kitchen and taking a comfortable hot shower, Chi Wanwan brought over a stool and sat down beside the flower rack on the balcony.
On a midsummer night, the heat had faded slightly, and a gentle breeze blew, making it feel very pleasant.
The apartment building was constructed by the river. Sitting on the balcony, one could see colorful sightseeing boats slowly heading upstream.
Chi Wanwan glanced down at her phone and saw several messages on WeChat.
Opening WeChat, she saw they were from her mother and Shen Yu.
Her mother was asking how today’s blind date had gone.
Chi Wanwan planned to first read Shen Yu’s message to see what he had said, and then reply to her mother afterward.
Shen Yu: Chi Wanwan, let’s get married.
“Cough, cough…”
Because she was so shocked, Chi Wanwan choked on her own saliva and coughed repeatedly.
After turning around and going back to her room to drink some warm water, she finally felt a little better.
Looking at the message on WeChat again, Chi Wanwan did not understand why Shen Yu would agree to marry her.
She had clearly felt Shen Yu’s coldness and distance toward her.
Chi Wanwan scratched her hair somewhat irritably, typed a few lines on WeChat, looked them over, was not quite satisfied, and deleted them all.
It was really too sudden. She still had not figured out whether she should refuse or agree to marry Shen Yu.
Shen Yu’s outward qualifications were absolutely one in ten thousand. Even in the entertainment industry, where handsome men were as numerous as clouds, Chi Wanwan had not seen many who could compare to Shen Yu.
As for his financial situation, Shen Yu had a car and a house, both bought in full payment.
That could be considered passable.
As for family background… her grandfather and Grandpa Shen were old comrades-in-arms and had been close friends for decades.
Looking at it from every angle, Chi Wanwan felt that Shen Yu actually quite matched her criteria for a partner.
Just then, her mother’s call came in.
Chi Wanwan quickly answered the phone. “Mom. You still haven’t rested?”
“I haven’t slept. I was waiting for you to reply. Wanwan, how did it go? Did you take a fancy to him or not?” Gu Jinlan asked somewhat anxiously.
“We only met once today. I didn’t feel anything special.” Chi Wanwan answered truthfully.
“So that means it’s a no?”
Gu Jinlan sighed. Although she did not want to pressure her daughter into marriage, there was still a hint of disappointment in her tone.
Chi Wanwan did not answer this question directly. Instead, she asked, “Mom, if I married Shen Yu, what would you think?”
“Not bad at all. At least Elder Shen’s family has strict traditions, and we can trust the character of the Shen family. As for Shen Yu, I last saw him seven or eight years ago. He seemed to be quite handsome.”
From the sound of it, Gu Jinlan seemed rather optimistic about Shen Yu.
“Uh, I see. I’ll consider it seriously.”
“Mom, go to bed early. When you and Dad are off this weekend, I’ll come home and see you both.”
As soon as Gu Jinlan heard her daughter say she would come home over the weekend, she immediately said with a smile, “All right, Mom will go to sleep now.”
After finishing the call with her mother, Chi Wanwan held her phone in her hand, still thinking about how to reply to Shen Yu.
The blind date had been unexpected to her.
And Shen Yu proposing marriage to her was even more unforeseen.
Before Chi Wanwan could figure things out, Shen Yu sent another WeChat message: See you at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow at nine in the morning.
Chi Wanwan’s eyes widened. Getting the marriage certificate tomorrow?!
She could no longer sit still, pacing back and forth in the narrow room.
After agonizing for over an hour, Chi Wanwan finally replied to Shen Yu’s WeChat message.
Chi Wanwan: Okay.
When Shen Yu received Chi Wanwan’s reply, he looked at the red household registration book on the bedside table and revealed a meaningful smile.
Since Grandpa wanted him to marry Chi Wanwan, then he would. After all, supporting one more woman was something the Shen family could afford.
…
The next morning, the alarm clock by the bed rang punctually at 7:30.
Chi Wanwan reached out to stop the alarm, rubbed her eyes, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
She had slept very poorly last night—very, very poorly.
Two little people were fighting in her head. One little person was saying: You’ve only met Shen Yu once—you can’t just casually decide something as important as marriage!
The other little person was saying: You can’t find true love in the entertainment industry. Rather than that, you might as well marry a blind date partner. Shen Yu’s conditions are excellent—miss this chance and you won’t get another!
In the end, Chi Wanwan had forgotten who won. She only fell asleep when dawn was approaching.
In any case, she still planned to get the marriage certificate with Shen Yu today.
Living together as partners—what difference did it make who it was with?
Finding someone she didn’t mind looking at wasn’t a loss, was it?
Chi Wanwan yawned hugely, lifted the blanket, sat up, put on her slippers, and went to the bathroom to wash up.
She casually steamed a meat bun and an egg for breakfast.
After breakfast, Chi Wanwan tidied up her appearance a little.
She put the household registration book in her bag, picked up the bag, and walked out.
There was still plenty of time. Chi Wanwan didn’t plan to take a taxi—the subway was cheap and fast.
She entered the subway station, rode five stops, and got off at Sangyuan North Road Station.
When Chi Wanwan arrived at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, it was still two minutes before nine.
Walking into the Civil Affairs Bureau hall, Chi Wanwan spotted Shen Yu at a glance, sitting in the waiting area, looking down at the documents in his hand.
She walked over and greeted him with a smile: “Good morning, Mr. Shen.”
“Good morning.” Shen Yu looked up at Chi Wanwan and said: “Chi Wanwan, you can just call me by my name.”
“Mm, Shen Yu.” Chi Wanwan readily complied.
They were about to get their marriage certificate—calling him Mr. Shen was indeed too formal.
Chi Wanwan sat down next to Shen Yu. She glanced at the documents in his hand—they were actually in German…
Her English had passed CET-6, but she didn’t understand German at all.
“I got a number, but judging by the situation, we’ll have to wait in line for a while.”
After hearing what Shen Yu said, Chi Wanwan turned to look at the windows. There were still many people queuing there—it seemed these people had come to line up very early.
“Then let’s wait.”
Shen Yu closed the documents and said solemnly: “I hope that for now, we can keep our marriage hidden and not make our marital relationship public. You’re an actress—this is more advantageous for you, right?”
“Sure, I was thinking the same thing.”
Chi Wanwan smiled faintly. She didn’t care at all what Shen Yu was thinking.
It was just living together as partners—as long as it was tolerable, it was fine.
After waiting for over half an hour, Shen Yu’s number was finally called.
The two walked to the window together and sat down separately.
After filling out the marriage application form, the staff member took the form and asked routinely: “Are both parties entering into this marriage voluntarily?”
“Yes, voluntarily.”
“Yes.”
Having received Chi Wanwan and Shen Yu’s affirmative answers, the staff member printed out the marriage certificates, affixed their wedding photo, and stamped them with the official seal.
“Congratulations to you both. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.”
“Thank you.”
Chi Wanwan took the two marriage certificates and walked out with Shen Yu, handing one of them to him.
Shen Yu took the certificate and casually tucked it into his folder.
As they stepped out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, the two were now husband and wife.
Shen Yu spoke up, asking, “Did you drive here? If not, I can give you a ride home.”
“I don’t own a car. I usually take the bus or the subway when I go out.”
“Then let’s go. My car is parked over there.”
Chi Wanwan sat in the passenger seat, and Shen Yu closed the door for her before taking a set of keys from the center console and handing them to her.
“Now that we’re married, it’s only natural that we live together. My apartment is at Yingcui Huating, Building C, Unit 801. You should terminate your lease as soon as possible and move in.”
“Alright…” Chi Wanwan took the keys without hesitation.
Since they already had their marriage certificate, it would be improper to live apart. Moving in together would also save her rent money.
“I have a flight abroad this afternoon, so I won’t be able to help you move. You can hire a moving company, and I’ll reimburse you for the expenses later.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Chi Wanwan shook her head. “I can afford that much.”
Although they hadn’t explicitly agreed to split expenses before marriage, she wasn’t in the habit of asking a man for money.