"Hey, let's get married," Zuo Zhan said to Xu Yuan on their way to the civil affairs bureau.
"Just a fake marriage, so my grandpa won't force me to break up with Yaoyao," he continued. "Consider it a favor. You’ve got nothing to lose, okay?"
Xu Yuan listened, her heart a whirlwind of emotions. At just twenty-five, she was the head of the Xu family, a powerful business magnate controlling three major listed companies. She had countless suitors vying for her hand in marriage. The idea of being worried about finding a husband was laughable.
Yet, she agreed. Because she loved him. She had loved him for fifteen long years.
As they approached the building, a swarm of reporters descended upon them. Xu Yuan had to raise her hand to shield her face from the flashing cameras. When the car stopped, she gracefully stepped out, linking her arm with Zuo Zhan’s.
Amid the chaos, Zuo Zhan’s phone kept ringing incessantly. As soon as they entered the corridor, he answered the call.
"Yaoyao, calm down. It’s nothing serious, just a fake marriage, a formality, you know…" Zuo Zhan spoke into the phone, glancing at Xu Yuan and signaling for her to wait. He then walked upstairs, still engrossed in his conversation.
A formality…
Xu Yuan couldn’t help but imagine the scandal if the public found out that the proud and aloof Xu Yuan was sitting here, waiting for a man. It would undoubtedly become the talk of the business world.
As she waited, a wave of drowsiness began to creep over her.
In her haze, she seemed to dream of him. His handsome face was as pale as jade, his warm peach-blossom eyes crinkling with a gentle smile. "Hey, kid," he teased, "why do you always hang out with us guys? Aren’t you afraid you won’t find a husband in a couple of years?"
She laughed, a glimmer of light in her eyes. "Because... I like you!"
"Ugh, that’s a bit much. Can you not be so cheesy?"
Her heart sank a little. When she woke up, she pressed a hand to her chest, where a dull ache still lingered. Raising her head, she saw the blinding glow of the setting sun outside the window. And there, silhouetted against the light, was him.
He stood tall at six-foot-three, his presence sharp yet refined. His suit jacket was unbuttoned, revealing a crisp, well-tailored shirt. Xu Yuan got up and walked over, only then noticing the shadow of gloom on his face. "Yao Yao’s been a bit moody," he said.
Xu Yuan forced a weak smile, squinting at the fiery hues of the sunset outside. "The Civil Affairs Bureau is already closed," she remarked flatly.
She stepped past him and walked out. Outside, a swarm of reporters still lingered, while at the back entrance, Zuo Zhan’s limited-edition supercar was parked.
"What’s wrong now?" he asked, opening the car door for her before circling around to get in himself. "Is it because of Yao Yao? Come on, don’t take it to heart. Girls can be a bit stubborn and emotional. You should be more understanding."
The word "understanding" stung Xu Yuan’s heart even more. Both Li Mengyao and she were girls, so why was she the one who had to be understanding?
Oh, right. She almost forgot. In his eyes, Li Mengyao was his beloved, while she was just... one of the guys.
The car pulled into the Zuo family mansion. Just before stepping out, Zuo Zhan winked at her, his captivating phoenix eyes resembling a galaxy, always leaving her spellbound.
"Play it by ear later!" he said with a mischievous grin.
He led her into the villa, and as soon as they entered, they heard voices from inside.
"It's all because you've spoiled him too much. Look at him and that Li..." Mr. Zuo was sternly complaining to his wife when he caught sight of Zuo Zhan. "Where's the marriage certificate? Show it to me."
Two bright red booklets appeared before the elderly couple.
"Good, you've registered..." Mrs. Zuo sighed in relief.
Mr. Zuo took the marriage certificates.
Xu Yuan's heart skipped a beat. When had they ever registered?
The next second, the two crimson booklets were hurled at Zuo Zhan's fair, handsome face.
"What is this? Do you think your mother and I are fools? A photoshopped picture? We can't tell? How dare you try to deceive us with fake certificates!" Mr. Zuo was livid, raising his hand and slapping Zuo Zhan across the face.
Xu Yuan's heart clenched. Fake... fake certificates!
"Dad, Mom, even if the certificates are fake, the news of the Xu and Zuo families' alliance is real. I've done what I needed to do. You two don't need to worry about it anymore!"
Xu Yuan's mind was in turmoil, her chest aching with pain. So, not only had he used her, but he had also resorted to fake certificates to deceive them?
"You... you..." Mr. Zuo clutched his chest, his face pale. "You brat, you're really going to turn the world upside down, you..."
Mr. Zuo's face turned ashen, and suddenly, his body stiffened.
"Uncle!" Xu Yuan exclaimed in alarm.
