Indeed, what could he get? There's no free lunch in the world—everything requires a fair exchange. Yu Wanwan was momentarily at a loss. She really didn't know what she could give him in return.
She had thought she could easily win him over, but she forgot that Zhang Jingxu was no longer the same—he was no longer the little kid who used to do everything she said.
After thinking, Yu Wanwan braced herself and said, "If you're willing to marry me, I'll take care of all the household chores from now on. How about that?"
Without a second thought, the man coldly rejected her. "My home doesn't need a maid."
Besides, having Yu Wanwan, a pampered young lady who had never suffered a day in her life, doing housework would probably result in every breakable piece of furniture being smashed to pieces on the first day.
"Then..." Yu Wanwan's gaze gradually became dejected, and her voice grew subdued. She put herself in a submissive position and said, "What do you want? As long as I can give it, I'll agree."
Hearing this, Zhang Jingxu raised an eyebrow at her. Seeing her obviously frustrated look, it seemed she was truly at her wit's end and desperate to get married.
He put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth, and spoke in a businesslike tone. "Alright, I can marry you, but..."
He deliberately paused, then said, "You have to teach me how to date, and... how to get along with girls."
Yu Wanwan looked up. "That's it?"
"That's it." The man appraised her from a superior position, his voice as light as a feather.
Yu Wanwan started grumbling inwardly. She remembered when, during college, Zhang Jingxu had pestered her on WeChat to share tips on dealing with girls. But back then, she not only didn't teach him but even belittled him, saying he wouldn't learn anyway. In her eyes, a guy who needed to be taught how to date was simply too dense.
This request wasn't difficult for Yu Wanwan, so she agreed without hesitation. "No problem!"
Zhang Jingxu continued, "Can you guarantee you'll teach until I learn?"
Yu Wanwan placed her hands on the table and said confidently, "Don't worry, I have tons of experience in dating. I absolutely guarantee I'll teach until you learn. And when you find someone you like, you can ask for a divorce anytime. I won't cling to you. Maybe I can even be your wingman!"
Seeing this, the man didn't waste any more words and agreed readily. "Deal."
"Huh?" Probably not expecting him to agree so readily, Yu Wanwan's eyes went blank, and she suddenly looked dazed, even seriously suspecting she might be hallucinating. But she quickly snapped out of it and exclaimed excitedly, "Really?"
"Truer than pearls."
Hearing such a definite answer again, Yu Wanwan barely stopped herself from jumping up in excitement. She began to vow earnestly, "Don't worry, I'll teach you all my dating secrets. I'll definitely mold you into the perfect lover in girls' eyes!"
To avoid any further complications, Yu Wanwan eagerly started confirming the marriage date. "So when are we going to get the marriage certificate?"
Unlike her urgent tone, Zhang Jingxu's voice was extremely calm. "When do you want to go?"
Yu Wanwan's dark eyes darted around. "Better to do it today than pick another day. Why don't we go right after the meal? Let me tell you, getting married in China is super convenient now—you just need your ID card. Did you bring your ID?"
"I did."
"Then we'll go soon?"
"Okay." Zhang Jingxu replied flatly, but a barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
——
Because the other party agreed so readily, Yu Wanwan felt both excited and unreal, as if in a dream.
Even when they arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, Yu Wanwan still looked half-doubting and asked again, "You really want to marry me?"
"Mm." Zhang Jingxu turned his head and met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Didn't we agree that we each get what we need? Coincidentally, I really do need a marriage partner right now."
She asked again, "Aren't you afraid I'll curse you?"
"Didn't you say you prayed for many peace talismans for me?" Seeing her hesitate at the last moment, Zhang Jingxu frowned slightly. He averted his gaze and pretended to leave. "I find you really interesting. When I didn't agree, you begged me. Now that I've agreed, you're hesitating. If you don't want to do it, we can leave right now."
Hearing this, Yu Wanwan quickly grabbed him. "No, no, no, don't go! Who said I don't want to? I just wanted to double-check. It seems our number is being called. Let's go in."
Saying this, she linked her arm through his and walked into the photo area.
Zhang Jingxu watched Yu Wanwan gripping his arm tightly, afraid he'd run away if she let go, and couldn't help but show a meaningful smile behind her.
"Both of you, look here." The staff member stood in front of the camera and began counting down, "Three, two..."
"Wait!" Yu Wanwan suddenly interrupted the countdown. Under the staff's puzzled gaze, she turned around and straightened Zhang Jingxu's slightly crooked tie. "Your tie is crooked."
After fixing his tie and shirt, Yu Wanwan turned back to face the camera with a radiant smile. "Sorry, we're ready now."
Zhang Jingxu turned his head, momentarily stunned by her sudden gentle gesture. He stared fixedly at Yu Wanwan's beautiful profile until the staff counted down again, then he straightened his face.
The moment the Civil Affairs Bureau's stamp fell on their photo, Yu Wanwan's hanging heart finally settled.
Walking out of the Civil Affairs Bureau into the bright sunshine, Yu Wanwan stared at the two stamped red booklets in her hand and couldn't contain her inner joy. She had finally... successfully married herself off!
As she was admiring her stunning beauty in the photo, Zhang Jingxu silently took one of the red booklets from her hand.
Under Yu Wanwan's puzzled gaze, Zhang Jingxu glanced at their wedding photo, then closed the certificate and said naturally, "One for each of us."
Saying this, he slowly walked down the steps, looking in a very good mood. "What nice weather today. Where to next?"
Yu Wanwan quickly caught up to him. "Let's go to my place first."
Author's Note: