III. Flash marriage, love will come later

Silence followed her acceptance; no one expected her to surrender without a fight, and the patriarch had a lot of control over the family. However, they weren't aware of the tight relationship between Zhang Mei and the patriarch.

When she was away in England, they spoke every week. They were close, and Zhang Mei used to confide in her grandfather, but a year before her return, she began to distance herself from him.

The patriarch didn't know the reason for her sudden coldness, but he tried not to interfere since he knew she would be home soon.

Over the years, he tried to remind her of her engagement to Liang Chen, but Zhang Mei would do anything to avoid the conversation.

The patriarch sighed tiredly, then his gaze swept around the room carefully as he began to speak, "Whatever happens here must never reach the public's ears, and you all will swear by jade moonstone to ensure compliance."

The members of the large family looked at themselves and lowered their heads afterward; no one dared to go against the patriarch.

Satisfied with their humility, Patriarch Zhang Wei continued speaking, "Since the wedding is sudden, we can't have a traditional one, but we'll all be witnesses." He searched the room until he found who he was looking for. "Ming," he addressed the young man dressed in a suit and wearing glasses. "You are a judge; make preparations for the marriage to be legal."

The one to whom he was speaking stood up and bowed, "As you wish, Grandfather."

The patriarch turned to his wife, who had been sitting quietly by his side. They shared a look only they understood, and then the matriarch smiled, tearing her gaze from her husband.

"Wang Jing, please go and prepare Mei Mei for the wedding," Matriarch Li Mei instructed. Zhang Mei was named after her, but the girl seemed to have developed a contrasting character to hers.

Wang Jing approached her daughter with a stern face. "Get up," she told her. If not for the matriarch and patriarch, she would have pulled the disgraceful child by her ears.

Clenching her fists, Zhang Mei obeyed. She followed her mother out of the room, escorted by her sister and some of her female cousins.

The Zhang family house was large, so it was not hard to find a room to get Zhang Mei ready. One of the ladies who escorted her was a fashion designer; she quickly ordered a white dress to be brought to the estate.

Zhang Xui applied the little makeup she had in her purse to the unwilling Zhang Mei's face. While they tried to make Zhang Mei presentable, she wore a gloomy face.

Everything was ready in thirty minutes, even the paperwork for the marriage. Zhang's family was extremely powerful; they could turn the city upside down if they wanted, but right now, they wanted to change the view of the city of their prodigal daughter, Zhang Mei.

"Put a smile on your face; you are getting married and not attending a funeral," Wang Jing scolded Zhang Mei as they made their way to the large living room.

Zhang Mei ignored her mother and maintained her poker face. Her mind was no longer here; she was thinking of her mission, which had become complicated.

They entered the room, and Zhang Yu, Zhang Mei's father, was standing at the door. He smiled sadly at his daughter as he crossed his arm with hers. "This was not the way I planned it, but I wish to be the one to give you away."

Again, Zhang Mei did not answer; she just kept observing her environment.

A table was already set up with Zhang Ming, the judge, standing behind it.

In front stood the ever-dazzling Liang Chen; he stood facing sideways, but Zhang Mei could see the smile plastered on his face.

She gritted her teeth and felt bile rising to her throat. She couldn't explain why, but she blamed Liang Chen for everything.

She was made to face him, but she refused to look up. She was clenching the fabric of her dress so tight that it would leave it crumpled, but she didn't care.

"You are beautiful," Liang Chen said with his eyes full of warmth. He came closer to Zhang Mei and lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. "I am so lucky," he chuckled 

The insult Zhang Mei wanted to throw at him got caught in her throat. Her gaze lingered on Liang Chen's face, her eyes tracing the contours of his features. Unconsciously, she leaned in a little closer. 

He towered over her like a giant. His eyes were white, making his brown eyes stand out more. His nose was straight like a beeline, his lips full and pink.

His jawlines were perfect, like that of male models on Broadway; it was so flawless that one would doubt he hadn't been under the knife before.

His brown hair that complemented his eyes was combed back, but a few stubborn strands were falling on his dark, sword brows.

His chest was broad, like that of someone who visits the gym at least four times a week. And lastly, his smile could make a thousand women, both old and young, faint from its allure.

All these features Zhang Mei registered in her mind. Her lips parted, and the words, 'Liang Chen,' almost slipped out, but thanks to the little composure she had, it came out in the form of a rasp.

She couldn't help but narrow her eyes a little. How did she not notice the shocking change in her childhood friend's appearance?

Earlier on when they had an encounter, she could only see a foolish young man who was willing to lick her mother's heels.

Why would her family want her to marry such a man? He was like an idol! Certainly, the chances of getting cheated on are high because with that face, many women would swoon over him.

Annoyed, Zhang Mei slapped away Liang Chen's hands and glared at her cousin as if he were the cause of her predicament. "Let's get this over with," she said, her voice a mixture of suppressed anger and bitterness.

Zhang Ming swallowed then he began the usuals. After they said their vows, he declared, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Zhang Mei's eyes rolled as if she had heard the worst thing ever. Before Zhang Ming could direct her, she signed the papers and Liang Chen followed suit.

Her lips quivered as she watched Liang Chen sign as well, the ring on her finger was another reminder that she was trapped.

Zhang Ming studied his little cousin's face, a pang of empathy welling up within him. He couldn't help but wonder how she truly felt in this unexpected situation.

If she hadn't disgraced the family she wouldn't have been — no, he corrected himself, whether she disgraced the family or not, she would have still been forced to marry Liang Chen only that it would have been grander and better than this one.

"Zhang Mei, don't be sad, It may be a flash marriage but love will come later," he assured her with a smile.