"This is... where you wanted to bring me?"
Meng Shang stopped, confirmed he wasn't misreading the banner that read "Premarital Medical Service Point," and his usually cold face twisted into an expression hard to describe.
On closer inspection, it looked like a classic Disney animation character, petrified and cracked.
"We've reached a consensus, haven't we? You don't mind my weird family background, and I don't mind being a tool to fulfill an elder's wish. We're both busy, and it's rare to have free time, so we might as well get it all done."
Meng Shang looked at the sign, then at Jiang Ruoqi, hesitating: "By 'get it all done,' do you mean the premarital checkup? Isn't it... a bit too soon?"
Jiang Ruoqi blinked, seeing his reaction, and explained further: "We agreed to maintain a normal marriage for at least three years. Normal couples also fulfill their marital duties. Since we're going to be long-term, legal sexual partners—and we've both been adults for years—getting checked out will put us at ease."
"Besides, I checked: premarital checkups are free."
Meng Shang was speechless. That wasn't what made him hesitate.
"Or..." Jiang Ruoqi suddenly realized something, scanned Meng Shang up and down, and fixed her gaze on his waist, frowning slightly. "Could it be... you have some problem that's not convenient to mention?"
She chose a euphemistic way of putting it for his sake.
But Meng Shang understood the insinuation. His brows furrowed, his narrow eyes locked on hers, and he said, almost word by word: "I don't have that kind of problem!"
His voice wasn't loud, but since it was a weekend, quite a few couples were there for checkups. Seeing a pair arguing in the middle of the road drew curious looks.
"Ah~" Jiang Ruoqi grabbed his arm to cover it up, thinking: good, at least it's not that kind of problem.
But half of her unease remained.
In their previous conversations, they'd mostly talked about family, and she hadn't delved into his love life.
First, she'd heard about his famous high school romance. Second, they were both at an age where past relationships were normal. She herself had several exes, so she didn't mind if he had lingering attachments or heartbreak.
After all, she liked him, but practicality still outweighed feelings.
The only thing she couldn't accept was infidelity during their marriage.
Jiang Ruoqi probed: "So you have some other concerns? Like... a regular bed partner you don't want to end things with?"
Meng Shang half-closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, as if his heart had finally died.
He shouldn't have let Jiang Ruoqi speak.
All around, people were watching.
He composed himself, organized his words, and was about to speak when Jiang Ruoqi didn't give him a chance.
"I didn't ask clearly earlier. But if you still have a bed partner, we might need to reconsider our relationship. I can't accept a threesome..."
"I don't!"
He hadn't used any of the words he'd prepared, but this time his voice was indeed much louder.
The doorway wasn't spacious, and Jiang Ruoqi spoke with no filter. Anyone who caught a word couldn't help their curiosity.
Passersby pretended to look straight ahead, but their ears were practically dropping off.
Meng Shang, who had lost his usual cool elegance, wished he could clamp his hand over Jiang Ruoqi's mouth.
His temple twitched. He pressed his hand to his brow, trying to explain his hesitation: "I don't have a bed partner, and I'm not unwilling to do the checkup. I just..."
Jiang Ruoqi waited for his answer.
Meng Shang met her gaze, then awkwardly looked away after a long moment: "Forget it. It's not important. Let's go in."
"Hey..."
Jiang Ruoqi wasn't satisfied with that answer, but Meng Shang took the lead, gripping her forearm and pulling her inside. The distance suddenly closed; their bodies overlapped, close enough to feel each other's warmth.
Jiang Ruoqi still stared at Meng Shang, stubbornly tilting her head to lock onto his handsome profile. Just as they were about to enter, she said: "I have one last question. You can pretend you didn't hear it if you don't want to answer."
"Did you and your ex ever..."
"No!"
"Ah~" Jiang Ruoqi let out another sound, lowered her head, took two steps, and couldn't help laughing. "So you're still a virgin, huh."
Meng Shang stopped walking, exhaled, and stood there looking at her: "Jiang Ruoqi."
"Alright, alright, I won't ask anymore." Jiang Ruoqi relented, tugging on his coat sleeve. "Let's go quickly. If we finish this morning, we'll still have time."
Meng Shang felt his temple ache even more. What time was she in such a hurry for?
This was their fourth meeting, and Meng Shang was still clueless about his future married life. But one thing was certain: as long as Jiang Ruoqi wanted, she could 'play' him however she liked.
For example, now he was sitting outside the examination room, waiting for her, after signing for a free gift from the promotional staff: a keychain and two boxes of contraceptives. Very thoughtful—so thoughtful that Meng Shang wanted to throw them straight into the trash.
He still couldn't figure out how, after just finishing a night shift and having breakfast with Jiang Ruoqi, he'd ended up here. Over breakfast, they'd clarified both families' situations and decided to register for marriage.
She hadn't pressed him about his past, but somehow he'd told her everything anyway. And now, here he was, sitting in embarrassment?
"When your wife comes out, would you help us take a promo photo? Such a handsome couple—if we put it in the window, it would definitely boost the marriage rate."
The promotional staff member was a retired local auntie. Seeing Meng Shang alone, she chatted with him intermittently.
She asked about his job, income, household registration. If she hadn't remembered this was a checkup center, she might have tried to set him up with someone else. But she was too enthusiastic; if Meng Shang hadn't stopped her, she might have given him two more gift boxes.
"I'll ask her later." As a doctor, Meng Shang couldn't show enthusiasm, but he acknowledged her.
The auntie patted his back contentedly and moved on to another waiting couple.