Chapter 10: Marriage
With a cold snort, Tang Wan suddenly extended her ivory-like, lustrous hand and pinched the button on the collar of Yang Chen's shirt. She gave him a coquettish glance and said, "This shirt is a handmade Italian piece, specially designed for royalty without any branding. However, the buttons are South African blue diamonds, polished to the highest international standards. This single piece of clothing is worth no less than ten million RMB. Did you think nobody would recognize its value? Did you think I'd believe you're wearing some cheap shirt with plastic buttons?"
Yang Chen felt a bit embarrassed. He hadn't expected anyone to recognize the true value of his clothes, but he quickly laughed it off and said, "Miss Tang has a sharp eye, but you're mistaken. These blue diamonds are from Namibia, not South Africa."
"You still claim you're not from a wealthy family? A shirt with Namibian diamond buttons—there are very few people in the entire Mediterranean who qualify to wear such clothes... It's not nice to deceive people," Tang Wan narrowed her eyes, already displeased.
Yang Chen took a few deep puffs of his cigarette, then tossed the butt into the river, feeling extremely frustrated. "Miss Tang Wan, let's be honest here. Yes, you're beautiful, and I, Yang Chen, do want to sleep with you. But I don't need to pretend to be a street vendor just to do so, do I? I may sell skewers, but who says a skewer vendor can't wear a ten million RMB shirt? Can't you trust me? Let's change the subject and talk about something more pleasant."
"That's really rude," Tang Wan didn't hesitate to scold him, but then she smiled charmingly, "But I like your frankness. Fine, I'll temporarily regard you as a skewer seller. However, Mr. Yang Chen, I don't want to sleep with you, especially not with a skewer seller. Not at all."
"Then why are you talking to me so much?" Yang Chen felt a bit disheartened. He had thought he'd stumbled upon a woman who was eager for intimacy, only to find out she had no such intentions.
Tang Wan giggled, her laughter trembling like flowers in the wind, "Mr. Yang, you're truly a straightforward man, much more pleasing to the eye than those pretending to be refined gentlemen. It's a pity, though, I'm not the kind of woman you're thinking of. I only said those things to you because I felt a bit frustrated."
"And then?"
"And then, I feel much better now. I really have to thank you. If fate allows us to meet again, I'll treat you to tea," Tang Wan said.
With that, she walked towards her black Land Rover. After a few steps, she stopped, turned back, and smiled coquettishly, "Oh, by the way, I suggest you not smoke in front of ladies in the future. Most women aren't nightclub hostesses and won't find your behavior particularly polite..." With that said, she swayed back to her car.
Yang Chen watched until the black Land Rover disappeared into the distance like a swift leopard in the night. He sighed and muttered to himself, "Is selling skewers really that bad? Should I consider a career change?"
The next morning, Yang Chen, who had just woken up, heard a loud knocking on his door. Feeling annoyed, he got up, put on his boxer shorts, and walked to the door to open it. Outside stood Lin Ruoxi, her face frosty.
Seeing Yang Chen's sturdy upper body, Lin Ruoxi couldn't help but blush, but she still turned her head expressionlessly and said, "Hurry up and get dressed, I'm in a hurry."
Yang Chen scratched his head, "Miss Lin, we're getting married, not going to a market fair. Can I at least take a shower and have breakfast first?"
"No, I have a meeting at ten o'clock," Lin Ruoxi's tone brooked no refusal. "Don't forget to bring your household registration book and ID card!"
Helpless against the woman's authority, Yang Chen put on his shirt and shorts and followed Lin Ruoxi downstairs, getting into her red Bentley together.
Lin Ruoxi grabbed two large bags from the back seat and threw them at Yang Chen without looking back. "Change into these clothes so you won't be laughed at."
Only then did Yang Chen notice that Lin Ruoxi was wearing a formal OL suit today. The beige suit was obviously from a prestigious designer, its smooth lines accentuating Lin Ruoxi's enchanting curves and complementing her cold yet intellectually rich beautiful face, making her absolutely stunning in the eyes of men.
"Hehe, wife, you're already buying clothes for your husband before we're officially married..." Yang Chen chuckled shamelessly, taking out a set of Armani suit and trousers from the big bag, along with a pair of brand new Piercarlo shoes, obviously carefully prepared.
Lin Ruoxi drove seriously, pretending not to hear anything and ignoring Yang Chen's insolent tone.
Despite the relatively narrow seats, Yang Chen's hands and feet were nimble, and he effortlessly changed into the new luxurious outfit. He even narcissistically tidied his hair using the mirror in the car, looking extremely spirited.
Although Lin Ruoxi kept her eyes fixed ahead, she couldn't help but sneak a few glances at Yang Chen. When she saw him in a suit and tie, Lin Ruoxi felt her heartbeat involuntarily quicken. Although she found it shameful, the man's freedom and unruliness, coupled with the occasional hint of melancholy in his eyes, fascinated her. Yang Chen in this suit exuded a much more extraordinary temperament than the wealthy young masters she usually encountered.
Lin Ruoxi comforted herself inwardly, thinking: "At least he looks decent. I won't be embarrassed to take him out."
As they sped along the road, Lin Ruoxi gave Yang Chen a makeover, and they soon arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau.
After getting out of the car, Lin Ruoxi hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and reached out to hold Yang Chen's arm, putting on a happy, dependent look like a little bird.
Yang Chen couldn't help but laugh. "Good wife, we're starting to act now. You're really dedicated."
"No laughing allowed. Play your role properly! We've signed a contract!" Lin Ruoxi glared at Yang Chen.
Yang Chen sighed helplessly, letting Lin Ruoxi cling to him. After all, he could occasionally brush against Lin Ruoxi's ample chest, which was a small victory for him.
Lin Ruoxi could feel it, but she could only grit her teeth and bear it. After all, there would be many days in the future when she would need to act, as long as she could let this scoundrel take a little advantage.
Walking into the Civil Affairs Bureau, the handsome and elegant appearance of Yang Chen, dressed in designer clothes, and Lin Ruoxi's natural beauty immediately attracted the attention of everyone around. The officials quickly processed their documents and handed them the marriage certificate with a congratulatory smile. "Congratulations to you both. Please keep your marriage certificate safe. You're such an enviable couple and will surely have a harmonious marriage."
Lin Ruoxi had been holding onto Yang Chen's wrist the whole time, feeling the heat of the surrounding gazes, her face already flushed. When she took the marriage certificate, it felt like she was in a dream, so surreal.
She had actually gotten married, to a man she had known for just over a day... Lin Ruoxi's slightly dazed beautiful eyes looked up at Yang Chen beside her, only to find that he was also staring blankly at the marriage certificate, lost in thought.
"He's pondering too? What's on his mind? Does he dislike it, or is he happy?" Lin Ruoxi suddenly asked herself, but then she was startled. Why did she care about what he was thinking?!
Yang Chen suddenly turned his head, locking eyes with Lin Ruoxi, and smirked, "What's wrong, wife? Regretting getting married right after obtaining the marriage certificate? You were the one who dragged me into this, remember."
"Do you think I really wanted to marry you?!" Lin Ruoxi muttered resentfully, "But don't worry, Yang Chen. When Lin Ruoxi decides something, she sticks to it. Just cooperate with me according to the agreement for three years without causing any trouble."
After they walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, Lin Ruoxi immediately let go of Yang Chen's arm and resumed her cold demeanor. "Alright, I need to go to work for a meeting. You can go back on your own."
"Go back? You're not asking me to walk back, are you..." Yang Chen felt a pang of bitterness. His wife was truly a top-grade character. They had just gotten married, and now she wanted him to walk dozens of kilometers back home.
Lin Ruoxi took out a card from her purse and handed it to Yang Chen. On it was written an address in elegant handwriting: "Dragon View Garden, No. 89, Wenhua Road."
"Since we're married, we should live together on the surface, or else it'll be hard to hide it from others. So, you move in with me and get out of your dog's nest sooner." With that, she got into her car without looking back and drove away, leaving Yang Chen behind.
Yang Chen laughed bitterly, more like crying, muttering to himself, "In the end, I still have to leave, huh."