The young girl wore a simple white polka-dot blouse dotted with orange and blue circles of varying sizes paired with a blue waist-cinching dress fastened with a matching sash that accented her slender delicate waist. The hem fell just to her calves leaving her porcelain-smooth skin exposed and strikingly luminous. Jiang Chiye’s gaze deepened his brows drawing together almost imperceptibly.
Xu’s mother stepped out carrying breakfast and couldn’t help but ask at the sight of her daughter’s outfit “Why didn’t you wear the one I laid out for you?” Her daughter was breathtakingly beautiful with a shapely figure; this dress lent her an air of cool elegance yet she looked stunning all the same and Jiang Chiye hadn’t taken his eyes off her once.
At the mention of the red dress her mother had picked out Xu Yaoyao’s cheeks flushed pink. She mumbled softly “That one didn’t suit me.”
Her mother didn’t press the matter and set the breakfast on the table. “Eat quickly now don’t keep Chiye waiting too long.”
“Auntie it’s no trouble I’m happy to wait” Jiang Chiye said with a smile.
Xu Yaoyao glared at him indignantly as if to say Look who’s being smug! His smile broadened. The little girl was cross he’d have to make it up to her properly tonight.
After breakfast Xu’s mother handed over the household registration booklet and spoke earnestly “Chiye I’m leaving Yaoyao in your care from now on.”
“Auntie rest assured I’ll take good care of her” Jiang Chiye promised. He was in full military dress for their marriage registration that day; he saluted her with a gravity he had never shown before.
“Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease” Xu’s mother nodded beaming with relief.
On the way to the Civil Affairs Bureau Jiang Chiye pedaled so fast the wheels were nearly spinning sparks. Xu Yaoyao felt her breakfast threatening to make a reappearance and scolded “Why are you going so fast? It’s not as if we’re racing to the afterlife!”
He slowed down his tone teasing “I was just afraid you’d change your mind and run off.”
She made a face. “And if I did would you really come drag me back?”
“I would.” His voice dropped his gaze turning sharp and serious. If he hadn’t wanted her this badly he might have stepped back but now that she’d come into his life there was no getting away.
The intensity in his tone startled her. She remembered what his rival had said and a shiver ran through her. These past few days he’d been so gentle she’d almost forgotten what he was really like and here she was provoking him like a fool. She loosened her hold around his waist instinctively wanting to put as much distance between them as possible.
Jiang Chiye noticed instantly. He frowned freed one hand to guide hers back firmly around his waist. When she tried and failed to pull away she gave up instead her hands drifted forward pressing lightly against his uniform. Her eyes lit up; he was solid as a rock underneath. Did he have eight-pack abs? She’d been too flustered to look properly last time what a waste!
Emboldened she poked and prodded. Heat coiled tight in Jiang Chiye’s veins rising to places he really shouldn’t be thinking about right now. Then came her voice innocent and curious “Jiang Chiye do you have eight-pack abs? Are all the men in your unit built like this?”
“None of them are built like me” he replied gruffly.
“I don’t believe you I’ve never seen any of them.”
He gritted his teeth half-amused half-exasperated. “Who else do you need to see? Isn’t this enough for you?” His tone softened. “Be good Yaoyao. Tonight you can see all you want.”
Her face burned and her hands stilled. “I never said I wanted to see anything!” she mumbled.
He smiled. “Then I want to show you.”
“That’s not what I—”
They chatted all the way and soon the Civil Affairs Bureau stood before them. Her heart fluttered. Was it too late to change her mind? Suddenly going back to the countryside didn’t seem so bad. As if reading her thoughts Jiang Chiye took her hand and led her firmly inside giving her no chance to retreat.
Everything went smoothly with his military clearance and pre-submitted paperwork the formalities were completed quickly. Moments later their marriage certificates were issued bright and official. Walking out Xu Yaoyao felt dazed. Married. She was actually married. It felt unreal.
Jiang Chiye let out a breath he’d been holding radiating unbridled joy. If they weren’t in public he would have swept her up and kissed her senseless. He gently took both certificates from her. “Let me keep these safe for you wife. Just say the word whenever you need them.” She watched him tuck them away with such care and rolled her eyes playfully.
“Where are we going now?”
“Home. Grandfather and our parents are waiting.”
Our home already? She had to admire his nerve. Settling behind him on the bike she wrapped her arms around his waist and teased “Husband let’s go.”
The bike lurched to a sudden halt. She pitched forward pressing flush against his back completely thrown. “What’s wrong?”
“Yaoyao call me that again.” His voice was low rough with longing his gaze burning bright with adoration.
She hesitated then said softly “Husband…”
“Mmm.” He smiled unable to hide his delight.
When they arrived at the Jiang family home they crossed paths with Jiang Chiyue and her fiancé. Xu Yaoyao wasn’t surprised she’d known this would happen. The young man Chen Zhiyuan stared at her clearly dazzled and regretful. He’d heard who she was but he hadn’t expected her to be so striking.
Jiang Chiye noticed the look. He stepped squarely between them his eyes cold and cutting. Chen Zhiyuan flinched and quickly lowered his gaze. Oblivious Jiang Chiyue beamed and said “Brother this is Chen Zhiyuan my fiancé.”
Jiang Chiye raised an eyebrow. “Since when did your taste become so poor?”