Chapter 142 Obtaining the Marriage Certificate

Afterwards, only damp breathing remained in the bedroom.

Su Ruan lay sprawled on the messy bed, her throat parched.

"water."

Yan Tingnan chuckled softly, kissed her sweaty forehead, and got up from the bed.

His back view showed broad shoulders and a narrow waist, covered in scratches.

When he returned, he had two bottles of mineral water in his hand.

Yan Tingnan unscrewed the mineral water bottle and handed it to her, carefully supporting the back of her neck as he fed her slowly.

The water flowed through my throat, relieving my hoarseness.

Su Ruan sighed softly, a few strands of wet hair clinging to her still flushed cheeks.

Yan Tingnan wiped the water from the corner of her lips, his gaze sweeping over the bed sheets that he couldn't look at.

"Change it, I can't sleep."

He walked familiarly to the wardrobe against the wall.

Su Ruan's apartment is small but cozy, with warm-toned furnishings and her usual lily-of-the-valley citrus fragrance in the air.

It was completely different from his cold, hard, and empty mansion.

The wardrobe door slid open.

The colors are soft, the clothes are neatly hung, and they have a faint fragrance.

He swept past a row of clothes hangers, then suddenly stopped.

A light pink silk nightgown was folded in the corner; its texture was soft and its color was warm and gentle.

It was the dress she wore that night at Yunqi Temple.

He hooked it out, his fingertips tracing the delicate fabric, and looked back at her.

"You brought this back?"

Su Ruan's cheeks flushed instantly, and she reached out to snatch it.

"I just stuffed it into my suitcase!"

"Give it back!"

Yan Tingnan raised her head to avoid her lunging motion, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Return what?"

"Wear it for me? Tomorrow night?"

Su Ruan turned her face away and snorted.

"Dream on."

He chuckled softly, stopped teasing her, and pulled out a clean sheet from the top of the wardrobe.

With swift, deft movements, spread it out, flatten it, and tuck in the corners.

Su Ruan stared blankly as he made the bed.

His profile was softened by the warm light.

Who would have thought that Qingyan, the usually decisive CEO, would be so adept at changing bed sheets in her little apartment?

"President Yan is quite adept at changing bed sheets now."

Su Ruan tilted her head and smiled at him.

He tucked in the last corner and straightened up.

Practice makes perfect.

His gaze lingered on her face, carrying a pointed meaning.

"After all, someone uses too many sheets."

Su Ruan grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

Yan Tingnan caught the pillow and pulled him and the pillow into his arms.

"Take a shower and go to bed."

He carried her to the bathroom.

Su Ruan was a little surprised and looked at him with astonishment.

"You're letting me go so early tonight?"

You're asleep already?

The person who used to never stop until the wee hours of the morning actually called a halt today?

"Is Teacher Yan being so restrained today?"

Yan Tingnan kicked open the bathroom door, put her in the bathtub, and adjusted the water temperature.

"We'll get our marriage certificate at nine o'clock tomorrow."

"If I go too far, you might cancel your plans and not go tomorrow. Who am I supposed to complain to?"

She scoffed, "Am I such an unreasonable person?"

He tested the water temperature, and when it was suitable, he looked up at her.

"Reasonable, but spoiled."

"If your back aches, you should groan; if your legs are weak, you should complain; if you're really tired, you can keep me away for three days."

"Tomorrow is a big event, we have to make sure it's taken care of."

Su Ruan couldn't help but laugh out loud, deliberately raising her eyebrows.

"Now you know fear?"

Yan Tingnan squeezed out some shower gel, lathered it in his palm, and applied it to her back.

"Afraid."

He answered crisply, his voice slightly hoarse from the sound of water.

"Mrs. Yan, who was about to be taken advantage of, has flown away."

The foam was slippery, and he pressed his fingers against her sore waist, kneading it gently.

"So a truce is tonight."

...

The next day, at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

They were the first couple to complete the registration process.

The process was very fast.

When taking photos, the photographer smiled and asked them to come closer.

Yan Tingnan reached out and firmly supported her lower back with his palm, gently pulling her towards him.

The warmth seeped through the thin fabric of her clothes, and Su Ruan subconsciously turned her head to look at him.

He was also looking down at her, and when their eyes met, he curled his lips into a slight smile.

The shutter is pressed.

In the photo, her eyes are slightly wide open, and she looks somewhat bewildered.

He turned his head to look at her, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

The two were so well-matched it was almost blinding.

The stamp fell with a soft snap, and two red booklets were handed to him.

Holding the heavy marriage certificate, Su Ruan stood on the steps of the Civil Affairs Bureau, the sunlight making her feel somewhat dazed.

Does that make it legal?

At twenty-two, not long after graduating from university, she became a married woman.

She married Yan Tingnan, the most difficult man in Beijing's social circle.

Su Ruan looked down at the names side by side on the marriage certificate.

She suddenly turned her head and looked at the man in a suit and tie beside her.

"Yan Tingnan".

She waved the red booklet in her hand.

"From today onwards, you belong to me."

She hooked her arm around his tie and pulled him closer.

"You must uphold male virtues, understand?"

"Report all social engagements, ask permission before returning home late, maintain a clean record, and hand over everything, understand?"

Yan Tingnan stared at her red lips as they opened and closed, then suddenly lowered his head and bit them.

"certainly."

"From the inside out, from body to soul, it's all yours."

The 22-year-old girl was tricked and coaxed into getting a marriage certificate by him.

The little stray cat, which had been coveting the kitten for so long, finally brought it back to its den.

What's wrong with upholding male virtues?

He couldn't have gotten what he wanted.

It's better than leaving her outside surrounded by mad dogs and wolves.

He couldn't stand it for even a day.

“Move to live in the Tan Palace.”

"Your apartment has terrible security and is too small."

"The bed is even smaller; it's not enough for me to make the most of it."

Upon hearing this, Su Ruan raised an eyebrow at him.

"Mr. Yan, you've already revealed your true intentions right after getting the marriage certificate?"

"It is only natural for legally married couples to live under the same roof."

He opened the car door, helped her into the back seat, and then went back to the driver's seat himself.

"Before the wedding, stay at the Tan Palace."

"I'll choose a different place for the new house and renovate it according to your preferences."

Su Ruan's heart skipped a beat.

This man always moves so fast that he catches people off guard.

We just got our marriage certificate today and are moving tomorrow.

"Teacher Yan, isn't your process jumping around too fast?"

"Is it fast?"

He looked down at her, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"I think it's too slow."

"So slow that it almost gave others an opening."

Yan Tingnan's fingers slid down to her left ring finger, caressing the newly worn diamond ring.

"I only feel at ease when I'm locked in."

"So that no one will always be eyeing my precious child."

Su Ruan looked at their clasped hands and hummed in response, her voice light and cheerful.

"Alright."

"Then, I'll reluctantly take you under my wing for now."

Su Ruan held the corner of the red book and gently patted his chest.

"Now that we've got our marriage certificate, shouldn't Mr. Yan explain the arrangements for tonight?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"What are your plans for the engagement party tonight?"

The topic shifted abruptly, and the tone became serious.

"It's all arranged."

His voice was steady, without any discernible emotion.

"The farce that Lin Xuqiu wants to see will not happen."

"The marriage that the old man is waiting for will not happen."

Su Ruan still felt a little worried.

"What if the old man makes a scene on the spot?"

"He won't."

Yan Tingnan answered decisively.

Su Ruan asked, "Why?"

Yan Tingnan did not answer her directly.

"In short, trust me."

Su Ruan nodded and did not ask any further questions.

He turned to the side and carefully tidied the slightly messy strands of hair at her temples, his gaze fixed on her face, deep and focused.

Are you nervous?

Su Ruan raised an eyebrow.

"A little? After all, we might be facing a bloody storm."

Yan Tingnan chuckled softly, then pulled her into his arms around her waist.

"Don't be afraid."

"Pick a skirt you like, preferably in a bright color."

"After all, this is the first time we've made a public appearance as a married couple."