The next day.
Before heading to the Civil Affairs Bureau, Yu Xiyue sent Feng Jingche a message.
He didn’t reply.
It didn’t matter if he didn’t reply; as long as he showed up.
With the current low marriage rate, the marriage registration office didn’t require any queuing at all.
Yu Xiyue took a number and sat in the hall waiting.
At 9:01, Yu Xiyue received a call from Feng Jingche.
“Where are you???”
A fierce voice came through, and Yu Xiyue held the phone slightly away from her ear.
A few months ago, that night, Feng Jingche had carried himself with the noble elegance of aristocracy, but the first meeting after returning to the country completely shattered the image she had of him in her heart.
And now, yelling at a pregnant woman—how uncouth!
Yu Xiyue gently patted her baby bump. Baby, please don’t inherit your father’s bad temper!
After comforting the baby in her heart, she softly replied, “At the marriage registration office. Have you arrived?”
Through gritted teeth, he responded, “I’m here. Where are you!”
“Share your location.”
Yu Xiyue hung up.
They shared their locations.
Coincidentally, both were at marriage registration offices, but unfortunately, Jing City had over ten of them.
Yu Xiyue was at the one near her home.
Feng Jingche was at the one near his home.
Both had tacitly assumed the other would come to their respective registration office.
[Yu Xiyue: Come over.]
[Feng Jingche: Why should I come over? Why don’t you come here?]
What a jerk.
Not considerate of a woman at all!
[Yu Xiyue: I’ll call Grandpa and ask him which of us should go over. ( ^＿＿^ ) Death smile]
[Feng Jingche: Coming.]
Those two simple words made it clear Feng Jingche had lost all his fight.
Yu Xiyue sat in the hall waiting. Two couples there to register sat quite far from her, whispering and glancing her way.
The place wasn’t that big, so their murmurs easily reached Yu Xiyue’s ears.
Things like: She’s only registering because she’s pregnant, tricked by some scummy man, how pitiful.
If someone so beautiful can get abandoned, then me being ugly and getting dumped isn’t something to complain about.
If I were marrying such a stunning beauty, I’d be running there; how could I make a beauty like her wait!
The two couples finished their registration and left, but Feng Jingche still hadn’t arrived.
Yu Xiyue wasn’t in a hurry. Feng Jingche was a big star, with an idol image to maintain; maybe he’d pull some special move.
A little past 11 a.m., the marriage registration office was quiet and deserted.
A tall, straight figure entered and walked directly toward Yu Xiyue.
She was looking down, complaining about Feng Jingche to her best friend Bian Xue, when a shadow blocked the light above her. Annoyed, she looked up to see Feng Jingche, a slight smirk on his lips, sitting down beside her.
“You’re finally here. I’ve been waiting so long the flowers have wilted.”
As soon as Yu Xiyue finished speaking, Feng Jingche took a contract from his assistant and handed it to her.
She took it. “What’s this?”
Feng Jingche removed his sunglasses, twirling them idly between his fingers. “Miss Yu, you mentioned a contractual marriage, so of course, we need to clearly outline both parties’ rights and obligations. I had a lawyer draft this yesterday. I’ve already signed it. Once you sign, we’ll go get the certificate. Don’t think you can use Grandpa to threaten me.”
Still warning her?
(ˉ▽￣～) Whatever~~
Who cares about you!
Even if you are the baby’s biological father, so what? She just wants to escape the original plot.
Feng Jingche, you’re just a tool.
Who cares about a tool’s feelings?
Yu Xiyue quickly scanned the contract: separate rooms, no kissing, no hugging, no physical contact except in necessary situations, no public disclosure of the marriage, he wouldn’t be responsible for raising the child, and the child didn’t need to take his surname.
In short, it was a marriage in name only.
“Do I need to return the bride price Grandpa Feng gave?”
Feng Jingche lowered his voice, “Yu Xiyue, you’re really thick-skinned. Marrying me while pregnant with someone else’s child, still wanting my family’s bride price, and expecting me to raise the kid too? You want to have all the advantages in the world.”
Hehehe~
She was going to take them anyway!
The old master’s precious great-grandchild—he would surely be willing to give her all the best things.
But now…
Old Master Feng had naively believed that so-called master and only wanted her to ward off bad luck by arranging a marriage with Feng Jingche.
If Feng Jingche’s illness didn’t improve, she might be kicked out.
“Given Young Master Feng’s generosity, what’s rightfully mine, I’ll take. What isn’t mine, I won’t.” Yu Xiyue signed her name neatly. “I’ve agreed to all your demands. Is that sincere enough?”
Feng Jingche’s expression softened slightly. “At least you know what’s good for you.”
“Then stop dawdling and let’s go register before they get off work.”
Yu Xiyue initially thought of pulling Feng Jingche along but remembered the clause in the contract forbidding physical contact and withdrew her hand.
It was a shame they couldn’t have physical contact.
The memory of that night—their fingers interlaced, pressed against the wall as they kissed—was still tantalizing and evocative.
Feng Jingche’s fingers were pale and slender, with distinct knuckles and nails tinged a faint pink.
Just imagining those hands wandering over her body was intensely erotic.
After filling out the registration forms, they went to take their photo.
Both removed their outerwear, revealing white shirts underneath.
Since becoming pregnant, Yu Xiyue had stopped wearing makeup. Her black hair framed a bare face with dewy almond-shaped eyes, a delicate nose, and naturally full lips stained like strawberry juice.
What a beautiful face.
Another masterpiece by Nuwa.
Feng Jingche stood casually beside her. “Yu Xiyue, why are your ears red?”
“You’re mistaken, it’s the background.”
The backdrop behind them was bright red.
The photographer upfront was grinning ear to ear.
This shift was totally worth it!
To witness her favorite actor marrying such a beauty.
Amid her excitement, she felt a twinge of anger.
The girl looked pregnant already, and they were just now registering—clearly a shotgun wedding. Who knew Feng Jingche was that kind of man in private?
By the time they received their marriage certificate, it was almost noon.
Feng Jingche took a photo of the red booklet and sent it to his grandfather. “Want to have a meal together?”
“Better not. I’m afraid seeing me might put you in a bad mood.”
“Yu Xiyue, do you know what warding off bad luck by arranging a marriage means? It means you have to stay with me.” Feng Jingche wanted to test it out.
Whether having Yu Xiyue around would actually work.
How absurd.
How could Grandpa believe the words of a quack?
Even funnier was that he had actually married Yu Xiyue!
He was the biggest victim here.
His innocence stolen by a wicked woman, and now he was a married man.
Indeed, women were trouble.
Women slowed his draw.
“It’s easy to get photographed outside. I don’t mind, but you’re a public figure—are you really okay with that?” Yu Xiyue’s eyes curved slightly, a faint, playful smile dancing in her gaze.
“Since when are you so considerate?” Feng Jingche scoffed lightly. “I don’t believe it.”
Yu Xiyue pulled out her phone. “Then I’ll post the official announcement on Weibo right now. Will you follow suit?”
“I believe you.”
(ˉ▽￣～) Hmph~~
You little rascal.
As if I can’t handle you!
Yu Xiyue cheerfully got in the car, took a photo, and posted it on her Moments.
She said she’d show it to Gu Feiran.
Might as well let him see it.
Visible to him only.