Chapter 2: Getting the Certificate part 1
The word “fiancé” made Xie Shibai freeze for a few seconds, utterly disgusted. He frowned. “Don’t be gross. We’re just agreeing to a contract marriage; there’s absolutely no need for that kind of title.”
Lu Ciheng hooked the corner of his lips, speaking casually, “Precisely because it’s a contract marriage, we have to commit to the act fully so no one finds out. Don’t you think so? Fiancé.”
Xie Shibai’s patience was running thin. He desperately wanted to wash his hands and had no time to correct Lu Ciheng’s superfluous and bizarre forms of address.
He shot Lu Ciheng a lukewarm glance. “Wear your mask properly. If you get recognized, you’re dead.”
Lu Ciheng flashed a smile. “My hands are a bit full. It would be even better if my fiancé could help out.”
Xie Shibai’s gaze landed on Lu Ciheng’s hands, his voice devoid of ripples. “What kind of agreement requires two hands to hold?”
Lu Ciheng replied leisurely, “Such an important agreement must be handled with extra caution to prevent loss. This concerns our future, after all.”
Xie Shibai said coolly, “Find some time to get a checkup.”
“Hm?” Lu Ciheng looked puzzled. “Was the physical exam I just showed you not enough?”
“Not enough. The most important test wasn’t done.” Xie Shibai’s eyes slanted upward slightly as he cast a careless glance at him, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Go get your brain checked properly, just in case it grew in wrong. After all, normal people don’t talk about ‘the future’ with a contract marriage partner.”
Although Xie Shibai’s expression remained forever indifferent and cold, the foundation of his perfect bone structure was filled with a contradictory aggression. Even when speaking harsh, mocking words, a single fluttering glance from him was soul-capturing; even his ridicule was addictive.
Lu Ciheng’s breath hitched slightly. He stared straight at Xie Shibai’s retreating back. After a few seconds, the corners of his lips curled into a soft chuckle, wanting to hear the man curse him a few more times.
Xie Shibai unconsciously rubbed his wrist with his thumb, mentally calculating the distance from the tea house to the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Signing the contract and immediately getting the certificate was his original expectation—the sooner, the better. Currently, the tactile sensation and faint pain on his wrist were within a tolerable range.
Xie Shibai was very good at enduring; compared to past situations, this was nothing.
He opened the door of the tea house. Just as he was about to step out, he came face-to-face with a man in a suit.
The man had his hand raised, poised to knock. He froze for a few seconds upon seeing Xie Shibai, and then a look of awe flashed through his eyes. He quickly straightened his clothes, which had been disheveled from his rush, trying to look more decent and gentlemanly. He reached out his hand for a handshake, speaking humbly, “Hello, Mr. Xie. My name is Song Yi. I apologize, there was a bit of traffic on the way, so I’m late.”
Although his tone seemed calm, Song Yi was sweating nervously. He was already over twenty minutes late for the appointed time. “I’ve heard so much about you; I’m glad to finally meet you today.”
Xie Shibai took half a step back, frowning imperceptibly. He keenly detected the smell of alcohol hidden beneath the cologne.
He hated the obligatory handshakes of social interactions. Back when his condition wasn’t as severe, handshakes were tolerable, but unfortunately, he felt very unwell today. Although he had taken medicine in advance, its effects were negligible.
Repulsion and resistance overflowed in his heart.
Xie Shibai matched the appearance of the person before him with the resume he had just seen. He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, a faint breeze pressed against his back, stirring the black hair by his ears. A hand reached out from his right side and shook Song Yi’s hand first.
Lu Ciheng held the door frame with one hand. His height of 1.93 meters allowed him to look down from above, his dark eyes settled and deep. With a curved lip, he beat Xie Shibai to the handshake. “Hello. I am this Mr. Xie’s fiancé.”
The hair on the back of Xie Shibai’s neck was stirred by the slightly warm breeze. The scent of pine masked the mixed odor of perfume and alcohol, briefly saving his assaulted sense of smell. However, the presence of the continuous heat source was terrifyingly strong. The breath brushing past his neck made the skin on his arm prickle and throb.
Xie Shibai’s body instantly went rigid. He could feel they were very close, yet Lu Ciheng wasn’t touching him; they maintained a very subtle distance.
Compared to direct contact, this sense of subtle distance was actually the most nerve-wracking. It was impossible to predict if contact would happen in the next second, making it impossible to guess if it was intentional or accidental.
“Hello, I am Song Yi.” Seemingly dazed by this handshake, he subconsciously repeated his name. It took him a few seconds to react. Although he controlled his tone well, he couldn’t help but sound a bit anxious. “Fiancé?! Wasn’t today—?”
Song Yi looked at Xie Shibai anxiously, as if seeking confirmation.
After confirming from Chen Qisheng that Xie Shibai intended to find someone for a contract marriage, he had done everything possible to submit his resume immediately. However, a long time passed with no reply. Song Yi asked around indirectly and only knew that Xie Shibai had rejected many resumes. He thought he wouldn’t get a reply either, but then Chen Qisheng suddenly contacted him, saying they could meet to talk in detail.
Who in their circle hadn’t heard of Xie Shibai? The tacit future successor of the Xie family, the unique “flower on the high peak” of the upper circles. It was difficult for many to even get a glimpse of him, and he rarely appeared at gatherings. Many people tried to invite him through Chen Qisheng only to be rejected; his movements were mysterious.
It wasn’t until rumors spread that he had signed some mysterious agreement with Elder Xie to enter the entertainment industry that his appearances became more frequent.
But that was limited to the screen; privately, no one could book him.
Entering a contract marriage with Xie Shibai wasn’t just about gaining face; having the backing of the Xie family was like a pie falling from the sky. Although Elder Xie delayed handing over power, and Xie Shibai’s father was eager to inherit, anyone with eyes could see that Xie Shibai would be the one in charge in the future.
There were long-standing rumors in the circle that Elder Xie wanted to skip Xie Shibai’s father entirely and let Xie Shibai take control of the Xie family.
When Song Yi received the news, he excitedly booked a venue to treat his friends to drinks and bragged all night. He thought it was a sure thing, even boasting to his friends that he would bring Xie Shibai for drinks another day. But because he drank too much the day before, he almost couldn’t get up the next morning. When he went out, he even harbored thoughts of testing the waters, so he deliberately arrived a few minutes late.
Although he was apprehensive on the way, he figured that since Xie Shibai had chosen him, it was practically a done deal, so he wasn’t overly anxious at the start. After all, to be chosen over so many rejected resumes meant Xie Shibai must be very satisfied with him.
But now, a fiancé had suddenly burst into this sure-fire arrangement.
Lu Ciheng narrowed his black eyes and asked with a smile, “Is there a problem?”
Seeing that Xie Shibai didn’t voice a denial, Song Yi became agitated. Being intercepted halfway… where would he put his face when drinking with friends in a few days?
He gritted his teeth and fought for it. “Mr. Xie, I think the requirements Brother Chen proposed before are completely fine. I brought all the documents this time, too. I think you can prioritize considering me. Have you seen my resume?”
“I think I would be more suitable for this agreement than this gentleman who covers himself up so tightly.”
Although Song Yi didn’t understand where this sudden fiancé came from, he firmly believed that someone who was so secretive they didn’t dare show their face surely couldn’t compare to his family background and education.
He had money, and his looks were an eight or nine out of ten. On what grounds did this guy who didn’t dare show his face compete?
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