Returned home to retrieve documents.
Shang Chi took her to a professional studio for makeup and a wardrobe change.
Headed to the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Everything seemed to be on fast forward. Before she could process it, Mingzhuo found herself being pulled by Shang Chi onto the red platform at the bureau.
The photographer, seeing this perfectly matched young couple before him, felt a sudden spark of inspiration. Raising his camera, he called out, "Move closer together, a little more intimate—"
Shang Chi lowered his long lashes, offering a polite apology before wrapping his arm around the slender waist encased in soft satin fabric.
His warm palm pressed intimately against hers.
He drew her effortlessly into his embrace.
Mingzhuo's shoulder brushed against his firm chest. Her body, perpetually cool, seemed to absorb his warmth, shrouding her in a hazy layer of heat.
She blinked, then felt damp breath draw near, lightly brushing her earlobe.
"Eleven o'clock."
"...Okay."
Mingzhuo slowly shifted her gaze in that direction.
The photographer peered through the viewfinder: "Ah, yes, look at the camera like that. Both of you smile—this is the photo that'll be on your marriage certificate, accompanying you for a lifetime."
His tone was crisp and upbeat, naturally humorous.
Mingzhu couldn't help but curve her lips, revealing the faint dimples on her cheeks.
A soft click.
The photo froze.
The steel stamp thumped twice.
Mingzhu took the marriage certificate from the staff member.
Her fingertips touched the cool, thick texture. Though it was a thin little booklet, the moment it landed in her palm, it inexplicably gave her a heavy, weighty illusion.
Lost in thought, the hand hanging at her side was taken.
The man had broad bones and long fingers, easily enveloping her entire hand in his palm.
The marriage certificate she held was gently bumped by a force.
Shang Chi's low, smiling voice murmured beside her ear: "Happy wedding."
Ming Zhuo's eyes curved upward as she returned the nudge with equal force.
Two crimson covers overlapped for an instant, intertwining in the bright sunlight like the red thread of fate—a tangled knot never to be parted—held in the hands of the Matchmaker God.
"Happy wedding."
-
Shang Chi's car was parked right outside the civil affairs bureau.
Led by the hand into the passenger seat, Ming Zhe still clutched the marriage certificate as she hurriedly reflected.
The man who had declared unequivocally during their arranged meeting that he wasn't considering marriage was now her lawful partner.
Ming Zhe lowered her head and let out a soft chuckle.
Shang Chi walked around to the driver's side and opened the door. His keen ears caught the sound, and his eyebrows lifted slightly as he asked with interest, "What are you laughing at?"
Ming Zhu turned her head. Her clear amber eyes, filled with scattered, shimmering light, met his gaze directly, as if she were smiling warmly at him.
Her soft, warm voice carried the same smile, tinged with a hint of bashfulness. It flowed like spring water, sweet enough to make one's heart flutter.
"It's just... unexpected."
Shang Chi felt a gentle thud against his chest. Looking at her delicate, lightly made-up face, which seemed even more beautiful and lovely, his eyes and brows unconsciously softened into a smile.
"It really is unexpected."
Two hours earlier, after confirming Mingzhuo's genuine consent, he'd slammed the gas pedal, racing at the absolute minimum speed limit through twists and turns, barely making it to the civil affairs bureau before closing time to secure the certificate.
Shang Ershao, accustomed to the meticulous patience of scientific research,
had never acted so impulsively and recklessly before.
At twenty-seven, he suddenly felt like he'd slipped back into the reckless seventeen-year-old he once was—rushing headlong into whatever he desired, unable to wait even a moment.
Shang Chi leaned back in his seat, glancing sideways at Mingzhu. His gaze swept over the slender, pale fingers clutching the bright red marriage certificate.
His brow twitched as he finally realized what he'd overlooked.
"Now that we're married, we should wear wedding rings. Shall we buy a ready-made pair for now?"
He'd gotten the certificate on a whim.
But custom-made rings would take nearly a month.
Might as well buy a ready-made pair as a temporary solution.
As he pondered, he recalled he had no particular fondness for collecting precious jade or diamonds.
But it's okay, his mom has plenty.
Back then, he gave his sister-in-law two small suitcases full of treasures.
He must have prepared quite a few for his wife too.
I wonder if there are any diamonds with brilliant fire and rare colors—perfect for custom-made wedding rings.
Shang Chi was thinking boldly about snatching treasures from his mother.
Then he heard the girl's slightly hesitant voice: "Sure, but don't buy anything too expensive."
Shang Chi hummed in acknowledgment, his voice rising slightly in confusion. "You prefer simpler designs?"
Ming Zhu nodded quickly. "Yes, and I practice piano. I might have to take off the ring often. If it's too expensive, I'd worry about leaving it anywhere."
"No problem. We'll get a chain to go with it. You can wear it as a necklace."
Shang Chi started the car and drove toward the downtown commercial plaza.
"..."
Ming Zhe hesitated, words on the tip of her tongue.
When Shang Chi led her by the hand to the jewelry counter and the salesperson cheerfully quoted prices in the hundreds of thousands, Ming Zhe bit her lip. After much hesitation, she gently tugged at Shang Chi's sleeve.
"What is it?"
Shang Chi was engrossed in selecting pieces.
The jewelry store's lighting was specially adjusted to be soft and flattering.
Mingzhuo's hands were pale and slender, her nails a delicate pink. Every ring she tried on looked absolutely stunning.
Shang Chi even considered buying several to let her switch them out.
A light tug, like a small animal scratching him, finally pulled his gaze back to Mingzhuo.
To his surprise, the girl's clear, delicate features were clouded with conflicted hesitation.
Ming Zhe whispered, "Let's talk outside."
She followed Shang Chi step by step to a corner. Only after stopping did she take a light breath and voice the words she'd pondered for so long.
"You said you spent your savings on a car earlier. You probably don't have much money left now, right?"
"Honestly, the ring doesn't need to be too expensive. We're just ordinary people—a basic one will do."
Shang Chi: "?"
Ming Zhe lowered her head slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
It was clear she felt awkward saying such discouraging words to the enthusiastic Shang Chi, her delicate earlobe already flushing crimson.
She spoke cautiously, "Over a hundred thousand is really too much... But if you really like that pair, maybe I could pay for it?"
Shang Chi: "??"
Shang Chi's expression went blank as he suddenly recalled all the nonsense he'd spouted when they first met.
Talking about earning four or five thousand a month, being a contract worker, smoking and drinking...
With those credentials, Mingzhu still wanted to marry him?
Shang Chi rubbed his temples and began to explain, "Actually, none of that was true."
Mingzhu nodded understandingly.
"I know. You don't smell of tobacco, and Aunt He mentioned you rarely drink."
She brushed her cheek with her fingers, gathering the courage to voice everything she'd prepared.
"I heard from Manman that Aunt He won't let you come home. You're sleeping on the floor at the company now. If you don't mind... you could actually move in with me."
"I just checked—Qingping Street is only two kilometers from Yueshen Group. It'd be super convenient for you to drive to work."
Mingzhu's eyelashes fluttered. Listening to the steady breathing across from her, she gathered her courage and took a step forward.
Her almond-shaped eyes curved upward, revealing shallow dimples on her cheeks.
The light makeup couldn't conceal the blush spreading across her face—like delicate petals fallen on snow, tempting one to reach out and touch, to see if it felt as soft as imagined.
When she spoke, her tone was bashful yet resolute.
"After all, we're married now."
"..."
Shang Chi's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed the words he'd been about to say.
Moving in together...
He lowered his long lashes, his dark eyes fixed intently on the small face tilted upward, unaware of its own tension. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly chuckled softly.
"Alright."
Shang Chi nodded earnestly in agreement. "Since we're married, we should live together."
"Then I'll be relying on you to take me in, Xiao Zhu."
He held back, again and again.
He didn't let the final syllable carry an overly cheerful inflection.