Chapter 90: Is it enough to just get the marriage certificate?

Besides his aunt, Cheng Qi's second aunt, Zhou Pingchuan also brought his butler. The group got out of the car, and the butler directed the bodyguards to unload the gifts from the trunk.

As before, Xia Dongbo and Tang Wenhua waited for Xia Mian in front of the garage early in the morning.

"Pingchuan, Second Sister, did you encounter any traffic jams? I heard there was an accident on Zhongyuan Road, which blocked the entire street. Dongbo even sent a servant over to keep an eye on things, afraid you'd be getting impatient waiting."

Cheng Qi and Zhou Pingchuan were about the same age, so his second aunt was naturally older than the Xia couple, and the Xia couple simply called her "Second Sister".

Zhou Pingchuan's gaze fell on Xia Mian. The little girl looked clean and well-behaved today, which made her skin appear even brighter. It was just that her T-shirt was somehow soaking wet.

The winds at the turn of autumn and winter are the harshest; if you're dressed lightly, the wind will chill you to the bone, let alone if you're wearing wet clothes. Zhou Pingchuan said, "There's no traffic, let's go inside and talk."

Tang Wenhua was stunned. Why wasn't there even a greeting or small talk?

Cheng Ergu was Zhou Pingchuan's matchmaker. Even though the Xia family knew her identity, they still had to introduce her to each other on the surface.

Tang Wenhua smiled and agreed, "Yes, yes, it's windy outside. Let's go inside and have some tea while we talk."

The banquet wasn't ready yet, so Xia Dongbo led them to the tea room first. After they were seated, Zhou Pingchuan formally introduced the two sides.

Serious matters should be discussed at the dinner table. After exchanging greetings, everyone started chatting about everyday things.

Zhou Pingchuan never participated in, nor did he want to, such topics. He said, "Xia Mian, take me to your room."

Why go into someone else's child's room? Upon hearing this, those present exchanged glances, and they could all see the surprise in each other's eyes.

Xia Mian was also surprised—last time he hadn't tidied the house in advance and Zhou Pingchuan had accidentally seen the...underwear that was drying.

Could it be that she's still hoping to see his underwear since she offered to go to his room this time?

...You old pervert!!!

Even though she decided to treat Zhou Pingchuan better, Xia Mian still couldn't quite accept his tastes; they were too heavy.

Moreover, their relationship isn't one where they can just look at each other's underwear yet. Xia Mian's bottom line is that they have to be dating or get married first.

Looking back now, it was pure freeloading and shady dealing.

Who would have thought that Zhou Pingchuan, who looks so respectable, would reveal his beastly nature after spending time with him!

However, with so many people in the tea room, he couldn't very well hit Zhou Pingchuan. He glared at him and then got up to lead the way back to his room.

To vent his frustration, he deliberately ignored Zhou Pingchuan, his long legs moving quickly. As he entered the room, hands on his hips, ready to have sex with her, he turned around and saw that the other person had already entered.

He even locked the door behind him.

...Why is this guy locking the door? Is he not satisfied with just looking at underwear and is going to do something else?

Xia Mian's pretty little head immediately conjured up some strange images, making his face flush. He raised his chin to boost his confidence: "Third Master, I cleaned the house very carefully today. I put away everything that should be put away and everything that shouldn't be put away. You won't see anything."

Zhou Pingchuan didn't understand at first, but after a moment's thought, he realized that Zhou Pingchuan had misunderstood.

Tonight, he canceled all his work, meetings, and social engagements to come to the Xia family only to discuss the marriage. With plenty of time, he suddenly felt a bit teasing: "Then let me look at something else."

Just as I suspected! I guessed right! Xia Mian looked wary: "...What do you want to see?"

Zhou Pingchuan stood still, turned his antler staff around, and used the end to lift a corner of the hem of his shirt: "Take it off."

aestivation:"......"

aestivation:"!!!"

Zhou Pingchuan is so frivolous!

It wasn't mentioned in the original work either.

“No,” Xia Mian refused decisively. “We haven’t registered our marriage yet, we can’t, we can’t do this.”

Zhou Pingchuan was quite surprised by his reaction and raised an eyebrow: "You mean, once we get the marriage certificate, that's all?"

After obtaining their marriage certificate, they became a legally married couple. Although the laws of the world in the book did not require them to fulfill "marital obligations," in popular opinion, this was a relatively important step.

As a man, Xia Mian didn't care about so-called "chastity." Anyway, he wouldn't lose out. If Zhou Pingchuan wanted it, he was... willing to cooperate.

But these things are understood implicitly by both parties; why do they have to be said aloud?

Xia Mian glared at the other person again, but unfortunately, because he had just thought about "marital obligations," a blush of pink appeared on his cheeks, and there was a hint of water in the corners of his eyes.

In Zhou Pingchuan's view, it didn't seem like a fierce expression, but rather like a reproachful one.

If he continued, he was afraid he would make the person cry. Zhou Pingchuan sighed.

"Your clothes are wet, go change them."

***

While changing clothes, Xia Mian belatedly realized that Zhou Pingchuan was bullying her.

"You bastard!" Xia Mian quickly put on her T-shirt, left the dressing room, and headed straight for the door, intending to give him a beating with socialist iron fists.

But Zhou Pingchuan is the head of the Zhou family, and he is very aware of the dangers. Xia Mian missed her target.

The person who had just teased him had already gone downstairs, leaving only a fist-sized box on the front desk.

Xia Mian opened it and her eyelashes fluttered when she saw what was inside.

A jade pendant, pure imperial green and with a rich, gelatinous texture, is strung on a simple black cotton rope. The pendant is carved in the shape of a bergamot, with the crooked fruit resembling a human hand, making it unique, unconventional, and full of vibrant life.

This must be the gift that came with this visit.

Even though he had seen all sorts of jewelry, Xia Mian had to admit that this pendant was a bit too expensive and suited him well.

That scoundrel is quite generous.

It can be considered a qualified ATM.

Summer Sleep put on the pendant, stroking it lovingly as she went downstairs.

Inside the tea room, Zhou Pingchuan leaned back in a relaxed mahogany chair. Xia Dongbo and Tang Wenhua were facing him, seemingly engaged in conversation.

Aunt Cheng was gentle and cheerful, and laughter could be heard from inside every now and then. Zhou Pingchuan didn't spoil the fun, occasionally chiming in, but mostly just listening.

Looking at this unusually peaceful scene before him, Xia Mian felt for the first time in his life that he was going to get married and start a family with another man.

God knows, he was only 23 years old, and had just passed the legal marriage age!

This thought made him feel a little stifled and confused, but not even a trace of resentment—a fact he himself didn't realize.

Sensing someone behind her, Aunt Ren turned around and immediately saw the bergamot pendant.

Zhou Pingchuan is a child with a hard life. He lost his parents at birth, and his wet nurse is also in poor health. She feels sorry for him and is willing to take care of him.

She helped choose the pendant, which cost a little over 20 million. When Pingchuan said he only wanted to give it to Xia's youngest son as a gift, she felt particularly heartbroken.

In a moderately wealthy family, this alone would be enough for a betrothal gift, and could also be passed down to grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

But seeing how much the Xia family's youngest son loves it, it's clear he genuinely likes it. Since he likes it, it's worth it.

Zhou Pingchuan also saw it. He glanced at the boy's slightly reddened eyes and knew that he had bullied him too much, so he moved aside to make room for him.

She tilted her head at him and said, "Mianmian, come here."