Chapter 4: Do I need to fulfill marital obligations after obtaining a marriage certificate?
04
Since that night of parting, life seemed to have been fast-forwarded, yet strangely, it maintained a calm surface.
Meng Yao did not receive Fang Huaixu's contact immediately, and the brief interval allowed her to catch her breath, manage the balance between school, hospital, and company, and prepare for the marriage with an unknown timeframe ahead.
As expected, Wang Qiang intensified his efforts, making daily additional broadcasts almost a regular occurrence. Meng Yao refused several times with a firm attitude, but she couldn't resist Wang Qiang's persistence. His slow and steady approach was truly difficult to break.
The only thing that brought her comfort was that after receiving Lin Tianhai's money and changing the treatment plan, her grandmother's condition actually stabilized under the new medicine and careful care, and she was even able to occasionally take a walk in the garden with the help of a caregiver.
This light in the darkness kept Meng Yao moving forward. She squeezed out time to frantically study for the postgraduate entrance exam, fantasizing that when everything was over, she would have enough ability and confidence to help her grandmother completely escape the shadow of that family.
A week later, she received a call from an unknown number.
"Hello Ms. Meng, I am Mr. Fang's personal assistant. You can call me Xiao Chen. Regarding your moving, Mr. Fang has already given instructions. Please confirm a convenient time so we can send someone to assist you. This is my direct number. You can contact me anytime."
What was bound to happen has finally happened.
Meng Yao's fingertips were icy cold as she gripped her phone tightly and calmly said, "Okay, let's do it tomorrow afternoon. I'll send you the address later."
Just as he hung up with Assistant Chen, Lin Tianhai's message came in, concise and to the point, with an unyielding commanding tone: "Be at the Civil Affairs Bureau at 10:00 AM tomorrow morning. Dress presentably; don't embarrass the Lin family."
There were no greetings, no expressions of concern, just a notification.
Having just completed the process of Meng Yao returning to the Lin family's ancestral home a few days ago, Lin Tianhai is now too lazy to pretend for even a second longer.
Fortunately, Meng Yao had already given up on him and calmly replied with an "Okay".
The next day was sunny and bright, a rare good day.
Assistant Chen messaged her saying that Fang Huaixu would come to pick her up from school. Meng Yao arrived at the school gate early. Today she wore a blue inner shirt with a brown leather jacket on top, and a dark blue denim mini skirt that made her long legs look thin and straight.
She didn't dress up deliberately; a beautiful woman doesn't need much embellishment. Her fair skin was only lightly powdered, and her outstanding looks and figure would attract the attention of passersby.
She has always been beautiful and self-aware, even to the point of being tired of dressing up because she is so aware of her advantages. Her long hair is casually and calmly draped over her shoulders, exuding a unique temperament that is between maturity and naivety.
A black Mercedes-Benz S-Class silently pulled up in front of her, even more understated than the Bentley from that night. The driver got out and opened the door for her. Fang Huaixu was sitting in the back seat, looking down at documents on his tablet, seemingly still handling official business.
Today he wore a meticulously pressed gray suit, which made him look less aloof and more formal. His tie was a deep blue, and he wore a matching pocket square, which made him look very distinguished.
Hearing the noise, he looked up at her, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. As if approving of her outfit, he nodded slightly and said, "Miss Meng, please get in the car."
Meng Yao responded softly, bent down and got into the car, driving towards the Civil Affairs Bureau.
They remained silent the entire way.
Fang Huaixu's attention was focused on the tablet in his hand, his fingers occasionally swiping the screen or rapidly typing on the keyboard, while Meng Yao turned her head to look at the rushing street scene outside the window, her heart beating a little fast.
Only after the car stopped did Fang Huaixu put down his tablet, rub his temples, and casually ask her, "Did you bring all your documents?"
"I've brought everything." The household registration booklet was only processed at the Lin family home a few days ago. Lin Tianhai had looked at it proudly for a long time and congratulated her meaningfully.
"Okay." Fang Huaixu got out of the car, walked over to her, and opened the car door for her. Seeing the high heels she was wearing today, he very naturally extended his arm to let her help him.
Meng Yao was stunned for a moment. She didn't actually wear high heels much, but after her first encounter with Fang Huaixu that day, she was deeply impressed by his height. For some reason, she picked out these nude-colored high heels before going out today. Sure enough, her feet were sore before she even left the campus.
Since they're already married, a simple hand-holding or hug doesn't seem like an unreasonable request, especially since she does need support right now.
Looking at that long, strong hand with distinct knuckles, she hesitated for a few seconds before gently placing her hand on his forearm. Through the expensive suit fabric, she could feel the firm muscles of his arm and the warmth of his body.
Fang Huaixu's actions were gentlemanly and considerate, beyond reproach, as if they were merely habitual gestures born of good manners, unrelated to any feelings.
And so, he gently supported her arm, and the two walked into the lobby of the Civil Affairs Bureau in a manner that seemed intimate but actually maintained a subtle distance.
There weren't many people getting their marriage certificates on a weekday. During the photo session, the uncle taking their picture was exceptionally enthusiastic, constantly directing them: "Groom, get a little closer to the bride!"
"Hey, right! The bride shouldn't be so stiff!"
"Smile, smile..."
"Crack, crack..."
However, after filming for quite some time, the cameraman still awkwardly scratched his head and sighed in front of the camera.
Meng Yao's expression was stiff, with no trace of joy in her eyes or brows. Fang Huaixu maintained a standard, formulaic smile, handsome and proper enough, but lacking warmth.
It's not that the photographer is being picky; anyone who sees these photos can easily see the obvious distance between the two.
The cameraman clicked his tongue in disapproval: "Both of you look good, but something's missing... How about we do it again?"
Meng Yao had no objections, but she noticed that Fang Huaixu beside her sighed heavily, then nodded without saying anything more, clearly disliking the tedious process: he was probably regretting that something like a wedding required the person to be present.
Meng Yao was also unhappy: her time was also precious.
Since you've decided to act, you might as well act convincingly, at least to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.
She made up her mind, and while the cameraman was adjusting the camera, she suddenly reached out and took Fang Huaixu's arms, which were hanging at his sides.
Fang Huaixu's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, and Meng Yao beside him moved closer to him, instantly closing the distance between them.
Fang Huaixu was clearly not prepared for her to act this way, and subconsciously looked at her in surprise: "Miss Meng..."
"Taking wedding photos," Meng Yao said, trying to suppress the rising heat in her cheeks. She gave him a gentle smile, her voice soft but clear because they were so close: "After all, from today onwards, we're husband and wife, and other people will see today's photos, right?"
Her words were straightforward, her eyes clear, and she had the frankness of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. Fang Huaixu looked at her hand holding his arm, slender yet with an undeniable strength, and for some reason, his ears suddenly turned red.
His skin was very fair, and unlike Meng Yao, he didn't have hair to cover his face. Meng Yao glanced at him and easily saw the change in him. She was somewhat surprised that this usually serious CEO Fang could be so innocent.
She has always been the kind of person who isn't embarrassed unless someone else is more embarrassed than her, so she couldn't help but chuckle and whisper with a mischievous grin, "Mr. Fang, you look really hot. Is this your first time taking pictures with a girl?"
The cameraman, who was not far away and could not hear their conversation, laughed first: "Hey! That's more like it, how well-matched they are! Groom, don't just stand there!"
Fang Huaixu looked at the camera, the surprise deep in his eyes quickly fading away, as if he hadn't heard her teasing, and returned to a calm as deep as a pool.
Meng Yao didn't expect a response. Just as she was about to adjust her smile for the camera, Fang Huaixu suddenly adjusted his posture and placed one hand on her other shoulder in an extremely intimate manner. Her head rested lightly on his shoulder, and the previously distant distance instantly tightened.
“You’re right, Mrs. Fang,” he readily adopted the new form of address, his voice deep and gentle, a more pronounced smile curving his lips. “It was my oversight.”
Click!
The moment the shutter clicked and the scene was captured was so beautiful that even the photographer applauded.
Fang Huaixu released his hand to take the photo, but that brief contact left Meng Yao stunned. His body heat and strength seemed to linger on her shoulder, making her back still tense.
Fang Huaixu took the photos back and handed one to Meng Yao: In the red-background photo, Fang Huaixu's smile instantly became more genuine, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible interest, while Meng Yao leaned on his shoulder with a shy smile, looking just like a deeply affectionate couple.
Fang Huaixu looked at the photo for a long time, then smiled and said, "It seems that Miss Meng also finds it very hot here."
It wasn't a lack of response; it was a blatant counterattack.
Meng Yao hadn't expected Fang Huaixu, who seemed so serious, to have such a wicked side, but she couldn't utter a word in rebuttal, because in the photo, her face had also turned noticeably red from Fang Huaixu's touch.
Fang Huaixu secretly observed her reaction, raised an eyebrow, put the photos away, and promptly defused the situation: "What a coincidence, it seems that Miss Meng is also taking wedding photos for the first time, just like me."
Not only did he shut her up with her own words, but he also attributed the reason for their blushing to the respectable reason of marriage.
Meng Yao tacitly agreed without responding.
The following procedures proceed as usual: signing and stamping.
When the two bright red stamps were firmly placed on the marriage certificate, Meng Yao's heart skipped a beat.
With the dust settled, her life was now legally intertwined with that of the man who was practically a stranger to her, and the entire process took no more than twenty minutes.
Stepping out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, the sunlight was a bit dazzling. Assistant Chen had called another car while the two were registering their marriage and had been waiting by the car door for quite some time.
Fang Huaixu took out a thin red envelope from the inside pocket of his suit and handed it to Meng Yao: "A little something to say, just a token of my appreciation."
Meng Yao hesitated before taking it; its thickness felt like a bank card. She smiled and jokingly asked, "Does a marriage alliance also require a dowry?"
Fang Huaixu's eyes seemed to be thinking, as if he found the idea quite novel. He smiled faintly and said, "You can interpret it however you like. The password is six ones. If you need more for daily expenses or clothing, just contact Assistant Chen."
Assistant Chen introduced himself with a smile: "Hello, my name is Chen Jie."
"Hello," Meng Yao greeted him, and accepted the gift without hesitation, saying, "Thank you."
"I have an important meeting this afternoon, so I can't take you home." Fang Huaixu glanced at his watch. "You can discuss the rest with Assistant Chen. You can ask him anything you don't understand."
Meng Yao nodded in understanding: "Okay, you're busy."
Fang Huaixu looked at her, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end he just nodded and turned to walk towards the Mercedes.
Chen Jie came forward and said, "Madam, I'll help you move later."
Meng Yao felt a chill run down her spine from the sudden address and felt extremely uncomfortable: "Just call me Miss Meng."
"Okay, Miss Meng." Chen Jie smiled and opened the car door for her.
Meng Yao looked into the distance as Fang Huaixu's car slowly merged into the traffic and disappeared. She clutched the brand-new, still-warm marriage certificate tightly in her hand, feeling a strange emptiness in her heart.
They actually got married just like that?
The moving process went much more smoothly than Meng Yao had imagined.
Chen Jie had her luggage packed and sorted neatly early in the morning. She sat in the car driven by Chen's assistant, watching the increasingly bustling street scene outside the window, and finally entered a high-end residential area known for its tight security and quiet environment.
The elevator takes you directly to the top floor. When the door opens, you'll find an extremely spacious, modern, and minimalist sky-high penthouse. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the city skyline is dazzling, and the view is breathtakingly expansive. From the mirror-like floor to the artistic chandelier on the hard ceiling, the entire space is clean, transparent, cold, and empty.
Chen Jie said respectfully, “Ms. Meng, we have already packed your luggage into the master bedroom walk-in closet. Please let me know if you need anything else.”
"Master bedroom?" Meng Yao caught the word and her heart skipped a beat.
"Yes," Chen Jie said with a pleased expression. He clearly sensed something was wrong and led her to the master bedroom with great enthusiasm, saying, "Mr. Fang rarely comes home, so the house is a bit cold and austere. Now that you're here, it's much better. Please let me know if you want anything, especially the master bedroom. I've already changed the bedding and curtains to the standards of a newlywed couple. Do you think we should put another rug by the bed?"
"No, no, no..."
Meng Yao opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything more.
With each additional word Chen Jie spoke, Meng Yao's heart sank further as she suddenly realized an important issue.
Newlywed standards: master bedroom, bedding...
Fang Huaixu only mentioned a business marriage, without any emotional involvement or material compensation.
But we never said we wouldn't sleep in the same bed.
Business marriages... do they still need to fulfill marital obligations?
A note from the author:
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