Chapter 13

The next morning, Shi Ran received a call from her lawyer.

“Ranran, are you getting married?”

She had just woken up. Last night, she had stayed up late thinking about registering their marriage, and hadn’t slept well.

While brewing coffee, she asked, “Did his lawyer contact you?”

“Mr. Yan’s lawyer just added me.”

Shi Ran paused for a moment, then realized that Sister Zhou didn’t yet know she and Yan Yi had broken up.

“It’s not Yan Yi. I’ve broken up with him.”

There was a brief silence over the phone, tinged with awkwardness.

“When did this happen?”

Shi Ran replied, “About a month ago.”

Sister Zhou had been Shi Ran’s legal advisor for many years and they were on friendly terms, so they chatted a little more.

Sister Zhou hadn’t expected Yan Yi to cheat.

“Good thing you found out, otherwise I’d have to help you with a divorce.”

Shi Ran couldn’t help but laugh. “That makes sense.”

Sister Zhou asked, “So who’s the one you’re with now?”

Shi Ran said, “We’ve known each other since high school.”

She thought for a moment, then added, “You could say it’s an arranged marriage.”

Her relationship with Ji Xi was much like a political union.

Since it was already decided and an arranged marriage at that, Sister Zhou didn’t press further. They discussed the agreement briefly.

Then Shi Ran reminded her, “Sister Zhou, please keep the marriage registration confidential for now.”

Though Sister Zhou didn’t know the reason, she assured her, “Of course, you can count on me.”

***

Suddenly remembering the prenuptial agreement, Shi Ran had thought they might not get the certificate by Monday, but the lawyers on both sides worked overtime and finished everything efficiently.

According to Sister Zhou, Ji Xi’s side was very agreeable and didn’t object to any clauses, so it went much more smoothly than expected.

Shi Ran didn’t dwell on it; with Ji Xi’s methods, she knew she wouldn’t suffer any loss.

Before going to bed that night, Shi Ran received a message from Ji Xi.

-Ji Xi: Ten tomorrow morning?

-Shi Ran: Okay.

Monday dawned clear and sunny.

At nine thirty, Shi Ran took her household registration booklet and drove to the civil affairs bureau.

She had told her assistant, Yuanyuan, she would be out in the morning and arrive late at the office.

By nine fifty, Ji Xi was already there.

He was still driving that black velvet Ferrari, which looked even more stunning in the sunlight.

They exchanged a glance as they stepped out of the car.

Since they had to take photos, Shi Ran had deliberately worn a white blouse under her trench coat, paired with a dark green satin skirt. Her long hair fell down her back, revealing her ears.

Ji Xi’s shirt was also white, fresh and youthful.

They were both dressed perfectly for wedding photos.

As they prepared to enter the bureau and register, Shi Ran’s heart raced, and she wasn’t sure what to say.

Ji Xi withdrew his gaze from her; the sunlight dazzled. “Shall we go in?”

Shi Ran exhaled quietly but appeared calm. “Let’s go.”

Together, they walked into the civil affairs bureau.

***

When they came out, Shi Ran’s hand held a bright red marriage certificate.

The photo was freshly taken, and the official seal still gleamed.

Throughout the process inside, Shi Ran felt it was somewhat unreal; stepping into the sunlight afterward made it even more surreal.

A chilly breeze blew, and she turned to Ji Xi to ask for her trench coat.

She had taken it off for the photos inside and hadn’t put it back on since it didn’t feel cold, holding it in her hand. Her other hand carried a bag, so it was inconvenient.

As her coat began to slip, Ji Xi casually took it and held it for her.

His shirt sleeves were rolled up halfway, and the light-colored coat was draped over his arm, exuding an elegant and suave air.

Ji Xi handed her the coat with a relaxed tone. “Congratulations on the wedding, my princess.”

A warm light flickered in his deep black eyes.

He was teasing her again.

Shi Ran’s cheeks flushed, the rosy color spreading to her neck.

She took the coat and returned the greeting, “Congratulations to you too.”

They had broken up over a month ago, and now she was registering her marriage with a man she barely knew before, having only met a few times since returning to the country.

It was the boldest thing she had done in years.

Dressed in her coat, she and Ji Xi headed to the parking lot.

Their cars were parked side by side.

Ji Xi opened the passenger door of the sports car and pulled out a bouquet.

He had actually bought flowers.

Shi Ran had thought they were just going to register and that it would be a routine matter.

The flowers surprised her, giving the illusion that he had prepared carefully.

Meeting her astonished gaze, Ji Xi said casually, “Bought them on the way.”

A man and woman passed by, likely just leaving the registration office as well. Shi Ran noticed the woman was also holding a bouquet.

It seemed customary to give the woman flowers upon registration.

Though their marriage was one of convenience, this was an important moment for Shi Ran—it was her first time registering marriage with someone.

The flowers brought a little joy.

“Thank you,” she said, taking the bouquet and holding it close.

It was a fresh bunch of yellow roses, tender and beautiful, brimming with life, the petals still glistening with dew.

She looked up and met Ji Xi’s eyes, deep and distant in the sunlight.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she shifted her gaze back to the flowers, asking, “Why yellow roses?”

Usually, red roses were more common. The woman they had passed was holding red ones.

Ji Xi asked, “Don’t you like them?”

Shi Ran shook her head. “They’re beautiful.”

Then she thought of something and looked at Ji Xi again, speaking in a tentative tone. “Can we keep our marriage private for now?”

After she said it, she saw Ji Xi’s expression darken.

He sneered and asked, “Shi Ran, why else would I marry you if I didn’t want it public?”

He was marrying her for her background, so naturally it would be public.

Shi Ran had agreed to marry him and had no intention of a secret marriage.

“It’s not that I don’t want it public, just a little later,” she explained. “My grandmother doesn’t know yet. Her health is fragile. This is too sudden for her; I’m afraid it might affect her condition. I need some time to gradually tell her.”

She had to prepare her grandmother mentally.

Ji Xi’s expression softened somewhat. “One month.”

Shi Ran shook her head. “One month is too short, at least—”

She thought for a moment. “Two months.”

Shi Ran had expected a long negotiation over this, but Ji Xi surprisingly agreed without hesitation.

“Fine, two months. We’ll go public today, January 27, two months from now.”

“…”

Shi Ran suspected he had deliberately suggested one month first. Two months was well within his expectations; even three months would be acceptable.

Since it was agreed, she didn’t argue further.

Ji Xi said, “I’ve thought of a name for the art gallery.”

Suddenly now?

Shi Ran was curious. “What name?”

Ji Xi: “Twenty-Seven.”

He seemed to like the name.

Today was the 27th.

Shi Ran: “Isn’t that a bit too casual?”

Naming the gallery after their registration date made her feel like she was involved in this audacious plan.

“Casual?” Ji Xi didn’t seem to care.

Shi Ran: “…”

Isn’t it casual?

Ji Xi said no more about naming the gallery.

“Can my partners abroad know I’m married?”

He asked with a hint of mischief, as if applying for permission.

Shi Ran: “They can.”

His marital status affected the company operations. She understood that.

Besides, she didn’t know those people abroad, so it didn’t matter much.

Ji Xi smiled.

Then, in Shi Ran’s line of sight appeared a hand with distinct knuckles holding a black card.

She noticed a small red mole just below the knuckle on the ring finger, complementing the pale skin.

She glanced once, then looked away.

“No need to give it to me.”

Ji Xi didn’t withdraw the card. “Whether you use it or not is up to you.”

Since he said that, Shi Ran accepted it.

In that moment, it truly felt like they were married.

Ji Xi: “There’s also this car. We’ll transfer ownership when there’s time.”

Shi Ran: “You’re giving me the car too?”

Ji Xi raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you like it?”

He saw through her?

Shi Ran gave him a look that said, “Was I that obvious?”

Ji Xi’s eyes curved into a smile. “You were looking at it a lot the night before last.”

“...Really?”

She felt embarrassed wondering how many times she had looked for him to notice.

The amusement in Ji Xi’s eyes deepened. “You can drive it away right now.”

Shi Ran’s phone rang.

“I’ll take this.”

It was Yuanyuan calling to ask when she’d be at the office.

Monday was busy, with several project meetings lined up.

After the call, Shi Ran said, “I’ll drive the car next time.”

She accepted the car and planned to give Ji Xi a gift in return someday.

Ji Xi: “Alright.”

Shi Ran: “Well… I’m going to work now.”

It seemed they had said everything there was to say.

Ji Xi: “Mm.”

Since they were legally married, Shi Ran added, “Goodbye.”

Ji Xi’s gaze flickered but he said nothing.

Shi Ran: “…”

No response; she shouldn’t have said that.

Ji Xi chuckled. “Let’s go. Don’t want to leave, huh?”

What was there to be reluctant about?

Shi Ran, embarrassed, shot him a glare, put the card in her bag, hugged the flowers, and got into her car.

As she pulled out of the parking spot, Ji Xi was already seated in his car but hadn’t left yet.

As she drove past, their eyes met briefly through her side window and his windshield.

Just a second, then his car drove away.

Shi Ran suddenly remembered that Ji Xi had said goodbye to her once.

But that was many years ago.

It was an ordinary evening during sophomore year of high school.

Shi family’s matriarch was out that afternoon and was supposed to pick Shi Ran up from school, but would be late.

When school ended, the classroom emptied quickly.

Shi Ran sat alone for over ten minutes, feeling bored, and decided to go buy something to eat nearby, planning for her grandmother and driver to pick her up there.

She packed her bag and left the classroom, meeting a boy in the hallway.

It was Ji Xi.

Though they were classmates, Shi Ran didn’t know him well.

There was no one else in the corridor, so it felt rude not to greet him.

They walked toward each other, and when their eyes met, Shi Ran said boldly, “You’re still here?”