Ji Ying’s back pressed against the wooden door, the hard chill seeping into her skin. Tilting her face upward, her eyes grew hazy as she gazed at the faint light filtering through the tall windows. Her heartbeat seemed to merge with the man’s cool, steady breath.
Fu Jingshen’s fingertips soothed her cheek, brushing along her jaw. His breath lingered, lips grinding against hers, teeth lightly biting her lower lip. Ji Ying startled, her mouth parting slightly.
The man chuckled softly, as if triumphant.
His intensity was so overwhelming that Ji Ying felt the urge to flee. Her long lashes trembled violently, and she raised her pale wrist to press lightly against his chest.
Reason returned, just a little.
Fu Jingshen lowered his gaze, not pressing further. His lips brushed hers as he whispered: “Relax.”
Ji Ying forgot to breathe, her face flushed crimson like rouge. “…How do I relax?”
Fu Jingshen clasped her fingers, guiding them to the back of his neck. His other hand pressed her waist, pulling her close. “Then try kissing me.”
Ji Ying hooked her arm around his neck, imitating his earlier movements. Awkwardly, hesitantly, she brushed her lips against his. “Like this… is it okay?”
Fu Jingshen’s hand tightened on her slender waist. His Adam’s apple moved, eyes filled with restrained intensity. “You’re doing very well.”
Encouraged, Ji Ying continued, lightly biting his lower lip, attempting to part his lips. But before she could, his grip on her waist tightened. His voice was hoarse, soaked with wine. “Yinghua, that’s enough.”
Ji Ying stopped, lifting her lashes. Her eyes were misted with spring-like allure. “Mm?”
Fu Jingshen pressed his forehead to hers, his thumb brushing her lip, wiping away the smudge of lipstick. “The rest… we’ll try next time.”
By the time they left the private room, several rounds had already passed. Guests were beginning to leave.
Standing once more under the lights, Ji Ying realized how outrageous their intimacy in the dark room had been. To hide away during their engagement banquet and do such things. She recalled the man’s cool features shadowed with desire, his lips stained with her lipstick. *No—she couldn’t think about it anymore!*
Ji Ying closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
“Yingying,” her mother’s voice suddenly called from behind. “Where did you just go?”
“I…” Ji Ying faltered.
Thankfully, Yu Wanqing didn’t press, only said urgently: “I need to see off the guests. Go check on your second brother—something seems to be happening over there.”
Ji Ying instinctively glanced at Fu Jingshen beside her, parted her lips, then said: “I’ll go now.” She hurried toward Ji Huai’s private room.
Fu Jingshen followed, taking her hand. “Watch your step.”
Ji Ying nodded. At the door, she pushed it open. Though she had braced herself, her brows still twitched at the sight inside.
At the table, Ji Huai clutched a wine bottle, eyes red, drinking and choking out words: “Fu Jingshen, that old fox—my sister’s still so young, yet he wants to marry her. When it comes to anything involving people, he does absolutely nothing!”
Beside him, Yan Hang felt the same. He silently clinked his glass against Ji Huai’s, two kindred souls in misery, and together they tilted back their drinks.
Ji Ying couldn’t bear to watch. She stepped forward, grabbing Ji Huai’s arm as he reached to pour more. “Second Brother, you can’t drink anymore.”
Ji Huai’s hazy eyes met hers, staring for a long moment. Suddenly, he sniffled, covering his eyes in deep sorrow, looking as though he might burst into tears.
Ji Ying: “…” *What should she do now?*
“Yinghua.” From the doorway, Fu Jingshen stepped inside, approaching her. “I’ll handle things here. You go out and see the guests off.”
Ji Ying glanced around. The room was full of Fu Jingshen’s friends—he clearly had control of the situation. After a moment’s thought, she agreed. She left, closing the door behind her.
The banquet was nearly over, and most of the guests were already gone.
Ji Ying stood at the exit, speaking with Wen Yue. “This time you’re back—when will you leave again?” Ji Ying held Wen Yue’s hand, reluctant. “We haven’t seen each other in so long.”
Wen Yue squeezed her hand back, thinking for a few seconds. “In a week.”
“So soon?” Ji Ying frowned. “Stay longer with me, won’t you?”
No one could refuse Ji Ying’s request. Wen Yue sighed inwardly. Just as she was about to nod, footsteps sounded behind Ji Ying.
Wen Yue looked up. The newcomer was tall, composed, his features always gentle, his demeanor unfailingly smooth. She swallowed back her answer. “No, I can’t stay. I’ve already booked my flight for next week. We’ll talk over video.”
Hearing this, Ji Chen tugged at his lips and spoke suddenly: “What’s in foreign countries that makes Miss Wen rush back so urgently?”
Wen Yue crossed her arms, expression blank. “That’s none of your business.”
“Heh.” Ji Chen gave a soft laugh. “Years abroad have sharpened Miss Wen’s temper.”
Seeing the two about to quarrel in front of her, Ji Ying quickly pulled Wen Yue’s hand. “Yueyue, it’s late. Let me find someone to send you home.”
She glanced around, finally looking at Ji Chen. “Big Brother…”
“I’ll go back myself!” Wen Yue interrupted quickly.
Ji Chen’s smile was faint, almost mocking. “If I’m not mistaken, Miss Wen’s luggage is still in my car.”
“Yueyue, let my brother take you.” Ji Ying said. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else.”
Wen Yue sighed, reluctant, but after a pause, finally said: “Fine.”
As Ji Ying watched them leave together, she felt puzzled.
Wen Yue had never gotten along with her eldest brother since childhood. Whenever they were together, it was either cold sarcasm or sharp retorts, never a moment of peace. Even the usually composed Ji Chen couldn’t help but clash with her.
When their figures disappeared, Ji Ying turned back. At the front of the hall, she spotted Ji Huai leaning against the wall, staring blankly. She hurried over, standing before him. “Second Brother, are you feeling better?”
Ji Huai looked at her deeply, then suddenly pulled out a lighter and lit a cigarette.
“Second Brother, smoke less.” Ji Ying frowned. “Brother Chen said you shouldn’t—it’s bad for your voice.”
Ji Huai looked at her worried little expression and gave a lazy smile.
“Always trying to control your brother?”
“Of course I have to.” Ji Ying took the cigarette from his mouth. “You’re not allowed to smoke.”
Ji Huai didn’t get angry. He exhaled a puff of smoke, lowering his head.
“I just had a talk with that old… Fu Jingshen.”
“Mm.” Ji Ying crushed out the cigarette, then looked up. “What did you two talk about?”
Ji Huai breathed out. His face was flushed from drinking, pale skin tinged red. He stared blankly for a long while before speaking. “Do you remember when we went to the Fu family as kids?” His hands were shoved in his pockets, voice tight. “Truth is, your brother never really protected you. Careless, playful, irresponsible.”
“Fu Jingshen might… actually be steadier than me.” He turned his face away, speaking with difficulty. “Ah, it’s just that I can’t bear to let you go.”
Then he cursed bitterly. “Damn that old fox, getting the advantage.”
Ji Ying’s expression shifted several times before she finally burst into laughter. She wrapped her arms around him, speaking sincerely. “Thank you, Second Brother.”
“Eh.” Ji Huai answered awkwardly, his palm resting on the back of her head, rubbing gently. “Alright, I’m leaving.”
“Leaving already?”
“Dad, Mom, and Grandpa…”
Ji Huai pulled a mask from his pocket. He gave Ji Ying one last look, speaking softly. “Yingying, tell them hello for me. I’ll go first.”
“See you next time.” He waved at her, and soon his thin figure disappeared into the crowd.
Not long after, the guests had all departed, leaving only the two families to wrap up the banquet.
Old Master Fu beamed, gripping Old Master Ji’s hand tightly, repeating the date as he left. “Then it’s settled—June 6th.”
“Good!” Old Master Ji laughed heartily. “June 6th, everything will go smoothly!”
Ji Ying instinctively lifted her gaze, meeting Fu Jingshen’s eyes. His gaze was deep, his expression tender. Her heart felt brushed by a feather. She silently repeated the words *June 6th*.
She hoped everything would go well.
June 6th, 8:00 a.m.
Ji Ying finished getting ready. Behind her, Yu Wanqing checked her documents carefully, walking her step by step to the door.
“Mom, go back inside.” Ji Ying waved. “I can already see Third Brother’s car.”
Yu Wanqing held the doorframe, suddenly lowering her head, blinking hard. “Alright, go on.”
Ji Tianze stood behind her, resting a hand on his wife’s shoulder to comfort her. “Enough, enough.”
Yu Wanqing took a deep breath, saying nothing, watching until her daughter’s figure disappeared. “My heart aches just thinking… Yingying won’t be on our household register anymore.”
Ji Tianze faltered. His carefully built defenses threatened to collapse.
“Enough.” Bitterly, he pulled his wife back inside. “Let’s go home. Don’t think too much.”
At the Ji residence gate, Ji Ying saw Fu Jingshen in the driver’s seat. Today, he had come himself. She opened the car door, smiling.
“Good morning, Third Brother.”
Fu Jingshen lifted his eyes, gaze lingering briefly on Ji Ying.
Today, she was unusually not in a qipao. Instead, she wore a white blouse with a skirt, her long hair clipped back, revealing her delicate features.
“What is it?” Ji Ying glanced at herself. “Do I look strange?”
“You look very good.” Fu Jingshen’s lean wrist turned the steering wheel, and the car pulled out.
Ji Ying pressed her lips together, the corners curving into a small smile.
“Have you decided when to move in?”
The scenery outside shifted as his voice broke her thoughts. Ji Ying froze, her pale fingers tightening unconsciously on her bag strap. “Third Brother… when do you think is best?”
This question had already been discussed between the families.
Since Ji Ying was still in school, the villa at Mid-Mountain was too far from campus, so the Ji family didn’t approve of her moving there. Fu Jingshen had therefore purchased a spacious apartment closer to school as a temporary residence.
Yu Wanqing had carefully listed all of Ji Ying’s living habits and needs for the Fu family, and during this time, they had remodeled the new home to suit her.
“Today.” Fu Jingshen turned to her, his tone calm. “Is that alright?”
Ji Ying’s lips parted, a single syllable slipping out. “…Ah?” Her heart tightened. After a pause, she brushed back loose strands of hair, glimpsed her flushed cheeks in the rearview mirror, and forced composure. “Alright.”
“The new place has everything.” Fu Jingshen glanced at her. “You don’t need to bring much.”
Ji Ying: “…Oh.”
As they spoke, the car stopped at the parking lot behind the Civil Affairs Bureau. Fu Jingshen opened the door, reaching out to help Ji Ying down. Her palm was slightly damp with sweat, resting in his clean, slender hand.
Fu Jingshen’s thumb brushed her palm, his voice tinged with amusement.
“Nervous?”
“A little.” Ji Ying nodded seriously. “After all, marriage is easy, divorce is hard. And now there’s even a divorce cooling-off period…”
Before she could finish, his hand pinched her cheek mercilessly. He cupped her face, voice low. “Yinghua, there will be no divorce.”
Ji Ying realized what nonsense she had just said and quickly corrected herself. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it.”
“I know.” Fu Jingshen held her hand, his tone steady. “You didn’t mean it.”
Sometimes, unintentional words cut deeper than deliberate ones.
Ji Ying lowered her eyes, unable to speak, following him in small steps, feeling his grip tighten—firm, commanding.
The marriage registration process was simple—just photos, signatures, and stamps. Soon, Ji Ying held a little red booklet in her hand. She opened the marriage certificate, her pale fingers pausing on the photo of herself smiling. A sense of unreality filled her heart— Had she really just gotten married?
Until his cool voice sounded above her head. “Let’s go.”
Ji Ying nodded, closing the certificate.
Back in the car, Fu Jingshen tucked away both marriage certificates, gazing into her eyes. His voice was low. “I’ll keep them safe at home.”
“Alright.” Ji Ying responded. “Then now, should I go home first to pack my things?”
“There’s one more thing.”
“Mm?”
She watched as Fu Jingshen took out a red velvet ring box from the bag that held their marriage certificates. Opening it, he held her hand resting on her lap and slid a pink diamond ring onto her slender ring finger. “Our wedding ring, Mrs. Fu.”
Ji Ying’s fingertips trembled slightly, but she let him place the ring. The Fu family had already sent a full set of engagement rings, yet she hadn’t expected Fu Jingshen to prepare another wedding band himself.
“It’s so beautiful.” Ji Ying’s lips curved happily. “Third Brother, let me put yours on too?”
Fu Jingshen extended his long, defined fingers, handing her another ring box. Ji Ying carefully took his hand, lowering her gaze as she focused on sliding the ring onto him. She was so intent on the task that she didn’t notice the deepening look in his eyes. Until suddenly, her chin was lifted. The next moment, Fu Jingshen leaned closer, his breath brushing her cheek.
Ji Ying thought he was going to kiss her and instinctively closed her eyes. But instead, she felt his fingertips gently stroking her chin, while his other hand firmly clasped her left hand—the one now wearing the wedding ring.
“Yinghua, don’t ever say things like that again.”
Ji Ying opened her eyes. At last, she understood the heavy, suppressed emotion he had carried all morning. So he had been upset about that careless remark.
“Third Brother, I’m sorry.” At a loss, she wrapped her arms around his neck, not knowing how else to make amends. In her urgency, she pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth in a quick kiss. “Please don’t be angry with me, alright?”