Chapter 1 Married_1

"Ding—"

The wind chime jingled slightly and the glass door was pushed open from outside. A tall woman in high heels stepped into the café and walked straight to the corner after scanning around.

"Hello."

Shen Lan gently knocked on the table, looking at the man across from her, raised an eyebrow.

His facial features were strong and sharp, emanating a sense of extravagance and restraint from head to toe.

This is her blind date match? It was beyond her expectations.

Shen Lan cleared her throat and took a seat calmly, "So you're the nephew Aunt Cheng recommended for the blind date? I'm Shen Lan, your date."

The man uncrossed his long legs, put his newspaper aside, glanced at her, "Blind date? You?"

"Yes, it's me." Shen Lan nodded, took out a file from her bag, and pushed it toward him, "I understand your situation, this is my information."

Shen Lan was too busy working to afford her studies to date during university. Her mother saw her obsession with money and worried she wouldn't marry, threatening her every day with suicide.

Frightened, Shen reluctantly agreed to go on a blind date with "Aunt Cheng's nephew" as her mother referred to him.

Before she came, she was told her date was a nerd. She intended to brush it off, but changed her mind after meeting him.

Watching how the man's clearly-defined large hand took the document.

So handsome, she exclaimed in her heart.

This face, akin to an international male model, having him at home every day would be amazing!

She discreetly took a sip of her coffee, then put it down, "I'm twenty-seven, I sell clothes for a living. It's not a big business, but it's more than enough to support us both. I don't smoke, drink, or gamble. I have my own house and car."

Next, she gazed at his long, captivating phoenix eyes, curled her lips into a smile, "I heard from Aunt Chen that you're still in the entrepreneurial stage and facing some financial constraints. If we get married, I can help you out financially."

"So, will you marry me, Mr. Cheng?"

The entire café seemed to quiet down. The man was taken aback for a moment. Like a mischievous rogue, he spoke up, "Sure, but I don't have a house or car, no income in the early stages of my venture. Miss Shen, would you mind?"

"Why would I mind that!? I can afford to provide for you!" Shen Lan simply adored his greedy yet handsome demeanor!

It's good to be greedy! One's greedy for money, the other for beauty. We each have what we desire.

The man obviously hadn't anticipated her response, froze for a moment, then laughed, "Alright, you provide."

He put down his spoon, stretched out his hand gracefully, "Cheng Yanqing."

Shen Lan shook his hand, her eyes gleaming with a brilliant smile, "Shen Lan."

Taking advantage of the handshake, Cheng Yanqing surreptitiously observed this daring woman from head to toe.

It was his first time being asked to be kept financially, by a woman no less.

He had also reached an age where he should be getting married. If he procrastinated further, there would be an uproar at home.

"Miss Shen, why don't we pick a date for the two families to meet?" Cheng Yanqing asked with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

He knew for a woman, marriage was a significant event. He didn't want Shen Lan to have any regrets later.

"Meet?" Shen Lan paused. She remembered Aunt Cheng mentioning that his parents died when he was young. By suggesting a family meeting, wasn't she like stabbing him in the heart?

"There's no need for a meeting. I will decide about the wedding." She opened her bag, rummaged around, and took out a red booklet, "It's better to act on a whim than to wait for a favorable day. How about we get our marriage license now?"

"Now?"

Cheng Yanqing paused, holding back laughter

This woman, she seemed rather desperate to get married.

He rested his slender fingers lightly on the tabletop, his gaze downward. His fingers tapped on the table surface, fraught with indecision, causing Shen Lan to tense up.

Could it be that he feels threatened because he finds her opening bid too low and fears for financial security after marriage?

Just when she was worried, Cheng Yanqing, who had been lowering his head, suddenly lifted it. Their eyes met and his handsome face appeared unreservedly before her. Shen Lan couldn't help but stare at him.

Damn, he's really handsome.

"Do you like what you see?"

His deep and rich voice made Shen Lan uncontrollably nod her head, only coming back to her senses after hearing a soft chuckle.

What was she doing? She nearly scared him away before even getting married!

Shen Lan wanted to slap herself.

She cleared her throat, quickly regained her composure, and said with a smile, "If you feel insecure because it's too soon, we can do a prenuptial property agreement. I'll transfer a house to you first so that you can feel more at ease."

Cheng Yanqing raised an eyebrow, his words sounded like... she was going to keep him?

His gaze swept over the beautiful woman who was sipping coffee by the window and smiled.

Getting married was just to appease his family anyway. It didn't seem bad to share his life with her in the future.

"Fine, let's go now."

An hour later.

"Come on, yes, smile!"

"Click—"

"Wish you a happy marriage!" The civil affairs bureau staff handed the two little red books to them with a smile.

Shen Lan was still somewhat dazed even after accepting the marriage certificate.

So she was, now, married?