Marriage first. Then, love. Yun Shu is a wedding planner, who was busy planning others' weddings while having a nonexistent romantic life. Meanwhile, her grandmother was urging her to be in a relationship and get married fast. “Grandma, choosing a boyfriend is not as easy as choosing a cabbage.” This was how Yun Shu had answered when her grandma urged her to find a boyfriend again. Who would have thought that her grandmother would walk over to the handsome man at the vegetable aisle and introduce her as her granddaughter and that, she was looking for a boyfriend? Just like Yun Shu, Qi Zheng’s family was also urging him to get married fast. The next time he see her again, it was at a blind dating event. Qi Zheng had mistakenly thought that Yun Shu was a participant in this event as well. He walked over and directly asked, “Do you want to come with me and get a marriage certificate? Your grandmother would stop urging you to get a boyfriend, and I can stop my family from doing the same.” Yun Shu looked at the agreement in front of her and decided to sign it. The man looked at her signature and smiled. "Miss Yun, let's try to get along with each other within this one-year period." --- Slow romance. --- Entering WPC 299 - Contract Marriage --- Cover Illustration commission by kirinlukis 1. Loving You Too Much 2. True Love and Other Lies 3. A Lifetime with You 4. You're My Only Star 5. The Dragon Beside Me 6. Love So Sweet 7. Commander Qi's Runaway Wife 8. The Author Must Die
"Did you get together after that time?" Yao Ying asked. Her gaze alternated between the couple. The smile in her eyes was enough to let others know just how happy she was to see her granddaughter with the man that she had picked.
Her granddaughter had always rejected her kind intention to introduce her to a potential boyfriend. But look now! Wasn't she dating the fine man that she had introduced?
On the side, Xu Yuan was surprised to know that her mother-in-law really knew this young man. When she turned to her daughter again, a hint of suspicious flashed in her eyes
Yun Shu's palm started to sweat when she noticed her mother's face. She could already imagine how the situation would be when her mother learned of her marriage.
"Grandma, Mom, let's take a sit first," Qi Zheng spoke smoothly. "We can still talk while having our meal. The food in this restaurant is quite delicious."
Xu Yuan realized that there was something wrong with the way his man had called her. However, before she could find a chance to speak about it, her mother-in-law had already tugged her hand to sit down.
Yun Shu tugged at Qi Zheng's arms and whispered, "What are you trying to do?"
Qi Zheng shot her an assuring smile and patted her hand gently. "I told you to leave this to me. Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
The couple's interaction was seen by both Yao Ying and Xu Yuan.
Although Xu Yuan was still doubting the couple, Yao Ying seemed very satisfied with the couple's intimacy.
Nothing makes her happier than seeing how her granddaughter was able to get along with this man well.
Seeing that they have sat down, Qi Zheng reached to touch the teapot on the table. He poured two cups of tea for the elders.
The refreshing scent of the tea wafted in the room. Just by the smell, one would be able to tell that this should be a pure and excellent quality Long Jing tea.
Qi Zheng glanced at Yun Shu who was still looking worried of the situation before turning to the elders again. "Grandma, Mom, please have a taste."
This was the second time that this strange man had called her 'Mom'. The first time, Xu Yuan could still accept it as a slip of his tongue. However, she could no longer ignore it again.
"You..." Xu Yuan realized that she was not properly introduced to this man.
Her daughter had only told them that she wanted to introduce them to a man. But, she did not give away other useful information, such as the man's name as well as what he does for life.
"You have only dated my daughter for a while, right?" Xu Yuan spoke. Her tone of voice sounded stern. "Don't you think it's too early to address me 'Mom'?"
"Mom!" Yun Shu sat up straight. She wanted to explain to her mother what was going on, but her brain was still trying to sort out her thoughts. She wanted to find a way that would minimize her mother's wrath upon learning the situation.
Xu Yuan shot her daughter a warning gaze before turning to Qi Zheng again.
The gaze frightened Yun Shu so much that her neck started to shrink. If she uttered another word, there was no doubt that her mother going to scold her.
"We haven't been properly introduced," Qi Zheng spoke. "My name is Qi Zheng." He reached to hold Yun Shu's hand. "This afternoon, the two of us went to the Civil Affairs Bureau and received a wedding certificate."
Both Yao Ying and Xu Yuan's expressions changed but for a different reason.
Yao Ying was looking at her granddaughter in a new light, while Xu Yuan was having a hard time trusting her hearing.
"You... what did you say?" Xu Yuan looked at Qi Zheng incredulously. "You repeat those words. What did the both of you go to the Civil Affairs Bureau for?"
Yun Shu held her breath. Although she had already foreseen that her mother was not going to like this news, it was still frightening to look at her mother's furious face.
The last time she saw her mother this furious was in high school. She got into trouble with her best friend when they both decided to skip school together.
"Mom, don't be angry," Yun Shu tried to coax her mother. Although she was still afraid of her mother, Yun Shu could not allow her mother to scold Qi Zheng.
Fortunately, Yao Ying stepped up to control the situation.
"Alright, what are you shouting for?" Yao Ying patted her daughter-in-law's arms. "Sit down first and talk things slowly."
"Mom!" Xu Yuan could not hide her frustration that her mother-in-law continued to take Yun Shu's side.
"Yun Shu is an adult. Surely, she knew what she was doing," Yao Ying said. "Instead of getting angry at them, why don't you listen to what they have to say about it first? Anyway, they both already got a certificate. Xu Yuan, don't be angry in front of your son-in-law."
Xu Yuan stared at her mother-in-law speechlessly. What son-in-law?
Yao Ying heaved a sigh. She turned to the couple and spoke, "The two of you should sit down and explain this situation to us carefully." Her gaze finally stopped at her granddaughter. "Yun Shu, I know that I often urged you to date, but I would never want you to do anything reckless."
Although she fully supported Yun Shu's decision, Yao Ying decided that she should at least pretend to be on her daughter-in-law's side This way, Xu Yuan would be less angry towards Yun Shu.
"Grandma, we both are not treating this marriage as child play if that is what you are worried about," Qi Zheng spoke. "Yun Shu and I have discussed this properly."
Yun Shu stared back at the man, thinking that the only thing they have discussed earlier was the content of their contract.
"Perhaps we both haven't known each other for too long," Qi Zheng continued. "But, I believed that the period of knowing someone had little to do with a happy marriage. In fact, even if we both know each other for a long time it could not guarantee that both of us will still be happy together. The most important thing in marriage is hard work. I believe that if Yun Shu and I are willing to work together, then we both could live happily together."
Yun Shu could not help but admire Qi Zheng. This man was really good at spouting nonsense. After all, they both agreed to mind their own businesses.
Her gaze shifted to her mother and grandmother again. To her shock, her mother seemed to be considering Qi Zheng's words carefully.