Chapter 1: The Flash Marriage

Beijing.

In a café, Meng Ning sat down and got a clear look at the man she was on a blind date with, and was slightly taken aback. He was incredibly handsome, beyond her expectations. His exquisite features were flawless, and he exuded an innate air of nobility.

This was her tenth blind date in the past three months. There was no other choice; if she didn't go, her mother would go on a hunger strike and threaten to kill herself.

In terms of looks alone, this blind date was far superior to the men she had met before. Having been on so many blind dates, Meng Ning wasn't shy anymore and went straight to the point: "When do you plan to get married?"

Before coming, Meng Ning had made up her mind that as long as the man wasn't too bad, she would go straight to marriage, skipping the dating phase. After all, the purpose of blind dates is to get married, right? Her mother would only stop her suicide threats if she got married.

The man was slightly taken aback but then laughed, "Miss, this is our first meeting. Isn't this a bit too rushed?"

His smile was particularly charming, like the warmth of early spring. Meng Ning, being a sucker for good looks, almost got infatuated. Steadying herself, Meng Ning said, "Oh right, I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Meng Ning. The matchmaker from the dating site should have told you about me. I'm twenty-five years old, a freelancer, selling small accessories at night markets, with an income of about ten thousand. I live with my mother, I have had one previous relationship, am currently single, in good health, and have no bad habits."

She added, "I'm ready to get married anytime."

Meng Ning was forced by her mother to go on this blind date today. The date was arranged by her mother through a dating site. She originally thought it would be another weirdo with a skewed sense of values, an older man with a beer belly, or some other unappealing type. There were too many unreliable matches on those dating sites, and Meng Ning had seen plenty. It was rare to meet someone who looked decent.

The man understood the situation after hearing Meng Ning's introduction. With a slight smile, he asked in a warm voice, "What did the matchmaker tell you about me? Aren't you worried about meeting a fraud?"

"Marriage is a gamble," Meng Ning said, pursing her lips. "This is my tenth blind date. They told me you work at Shengyu Group, a local, both parents deceased, a dependable and hardworking man eager to get married, with the last name... Fu..." She forgot the rest. When her mother told her about the date before she left, she hadn't listened carefully.

"Fu Tingxiu," the man said with a warm smile. "I'm a local in Beijing, I don't own a house but I have a car, renting an apartment, and driving a Chevy worth just over a hundred thousand, with a stable income. I'm currently single, in good health, and have no bad habits."

Meng Ning took out her household registration book and looked at Fu Tingxiu, "Mr. Fu, are you willing to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau with me right now to get our marriage certificate? I can support myself, I won't spend your money. We can split expenses equally, you don't need to give me a dowry or have a wedding. Let's keep it simple and just get the certificate."

Anyway, since it's just about getting through the days together, she was only doing this to appease her mother. As for everything else, she would take it one step at a time. If they were really compatible, then they would continue on.

Meng Ning had many friends who got married through blind dates, and most of them were doing quite well. Plain and simple happiness was true happiness.

Fu Tingxiu casually tapped his forefinger on the back of his hand, considering her words. This woman, bringing her household registration book to a blind date, was she really in such a hurry to get married? He was thirty years old this year, and his family was also pressuring him to marry.

Fu Tingxiu asked, "You don't mind that I don't have a house? Being with me might mean enduring hardships."

"I don't have a house either," Meng Ning said. "Without parental support, very few people can afford to buy a house by the age of thirty. I understand that. As long as you're of good character and hardworking, everything will fall into place."

Meng Ning was well aware of the housing prices in Beijing. She herself was just an ordinary person with no background or significant abilities, so how could she demand that others must own a house?

Meng Ning kept her eyes fixed on Fu Tingxiu. After about ten seconds, Fu Tingxiu took out his phone and made a call, "Send my household registration book to the Civil Affairs Bureau."

...

An hour later.

Meng Ning and Fu Tingxiu walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau. Looking at the marriage certificate in her hand, Meng Ning belatedly realized just how crazy this was. She had actually married a man she had only met once.

Fu Tingxiu observed her expression closely, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, "If you regret this, it's still not too late to back out."

Meng Ning put away the marriage certificate, looked up at him, and shook her head firmly, "I don't regret it. Mr. Fu, you probably need to go to work, and I need to set up my stall, so I'll head back now."

Just after getting the certificate, were they already parting ways? This woman, did she really think she was just here to get the certificate? Getting the certificate and then going their separate ways?