"Happy wedding, Miss Song...
Night.
Tossing and turning on the wedding bed, Song Guanyu pondered everything from her first meeting with Ye Yansheng to getting the marriage certificate.
For instance, she was a public figure, so she couldn't make the marriage public, let alone hold a wedding banquet for friends and family. They just had a meal with both sets of parents, who got along faster than she and Ye Yansheng did.
Also, Ye Yansheng was truly an outsider; he didn't recognize her.
They didn't have a wedding, but at the civil affairs bureau, he gave her a huge, beautiful bouquet of pink lychee roses. She couldn't carry it, so he put it in his trunk. He carefully put a veil on her and handed her a small bridal bouquet from the passenger seat. The ring was also bought by Ye Yansheng, along with many lavish betrothal gifts. Song Guanyu followed his lead through the entire process.
For a moment, she wondered if he was so familiar with the procedure because he'd been married before, and she thought about asking him if this was his second marriage.
But before she could ask, Ye Yansheng took her hand. His large palm completely enveloped hers, radiating heat, making her face flush instantly. She felt like she was cooked shrimp.
A strange, tingling sensation spread through her—she couldn't quite describe it, since she'd never had such close physical contact with any man before.
"Miss Song, it's our turn." His clear, crisp voice brought her back to reality. She looked up into his deep eyes and brows and nodded, then dazedly let him lead her through the rest.
She forgot to ask about the second marriage.
Finally, they completed all the procedures: signing, thumbprints, getting the marriage certificate, and taking a commemorative photo at the oath stand.
She gave the certificate to Ye Yansheng for safekeeping, knowing she was prone to losing things.
In the darkness, she spread her five fingers. The sudden addition of a diamond ring on her ring finger felt unfamiliar.
She had told him they didn't need rings.
Ye Yansheng had replied in a steady voice, "Miss Song, we are now legally married. I respect all your opinions, but the most basic ring is necessary. I have no past romantic history, no so-called 'white moonlight,' no ambiguous relationships. You can rest assured."
"After marriage, I will fulfill all the duties of a husband. I will have no one else. I will only be loyal and devoted to you, cherish everything about you, and respect all of you. So please allow me to make one small request."
"In private, please wear our wedding ring. Although we became husband and wife through a blind date, we are ultimately a legally recognized couple under marriage law." His voice was calm and captivating, leaving no room for doubt.
"Will there be marital obligations?" she asked quietly. Deep down, she hoped there would be; hugs and kisses could help love grow.
"When the time is right, there will be," he said.
Finally, she nodded dazedly and agreed with Ye Yansheng that she would take it off when working.
He agreed without hesitation. It seemed her husband would go along with anything.
Then he paused for two seconds at the entrance of the civil affairs bureau.
Sunlight poured down, resting on one of his shoulders. Song Guanyu had to look up at him. Half of his face was hidden in the light, his jawline smooth and even more handsome than any actor she'd seen. His face was alternately bright and shadowed, sharply defined.
Suddenly, he turned to her, bent down slightly, and slowly leaned in. Song Guanyu's breath caught, her eyelashes fluttering rapidly, and she swallowed.
Was it starting? Was he going to kiss her?
She slowly closed her eyes, waiting for his kiss.
"Happy wedding, Miss Song." The amusement in his voice made her instantly open her eyes. He was only an inch from her face, his eyes smiling.
Such close proximity allowed her to smell the fresh mint in his mouth and the scent of disinfectant. His white shirt made him look handsome and gentle; his deep, bright eyes and brows were almost too dazzling to look at, making her feel a sense of danger, like a beast.
The trees on both sides of the road stood straight, leaves rustling in the hot wind. A breeze blew, and Song Guanyu stepped back in embarrassment.
She lowered her head and returned the greeting, mumbling, "You too, happy wedding, Dr. Ye."
Ye Yansheng's soft laugh sent a shiver down her spine. She swore she would never be so mortified again.
In the darkness, Song Guanyu's translucent, round eyes reflected her thoughts. She blinked, looking at the man lying flat beside her bed with a curious expression.
This was her new husband, Ye Yansheng, nine years her senior. She really was married.
According to her mother, his family had been in medicine for generations. Further back, someone in his family had served as an imperial physician in the Ming court. His father had retired, and his mother was a tenured professor in the architecture department of a major university.
Ye Yansheng was highly skilled in medicine and, at a young age, had already become the leading orthopedic surgeon at the city's top hospital.
In the darkness, she could freely observe everything. She now studied the man beside her.
His brow bone protruded, forming a sharp line that extended to his high nose bridge. His eyes were closed, and her gaze traveled down to his sealed lips—perfectly shaped and red.
His Adam's apple was prominent, and beside his neck was a black mole that subtly pulsed with his heartbeat.
In short, he was perfect in every way; she couldn't find a flaw.
His eyelashes lay quietly over the pale skin under his eyes, casting shadows. His superior nose was highlighted by the moonlight, casting a shadow on one side. If Song Guanyu had to describe him, she would say he had the kind of sculpted look that many art students would love.
She couldn't think of a better description.
He seemed emotionally stable and very gentle.
From the parent-arranged blind date to success, and now to getting the certificate, it had taken less than two days—efficiency comparable to her usual speed of writing five songs.
She couldn't help but think back to their first meeting.
Most people's blind dates happen during the day, but hers with Ye Yansheng was at an evening café bathed in sunset glow. She chose the place because it was a private members-only venue she had booked out.
The sunset glow perfectly matched a lazy, lingering English song playing in the café—the melody soft and romantic, the female singer's voice husky and low, yet the singing felt tender and passionate.
When Ye Yansheng pushed open the door, the wind chime on the door jingled.
He was broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, tall, looking around 188 cm.
The aroma of coffee beans filled Song Guanyu's nose. The light fell on his broad shoulder, creating a shadow.