Mrs. Fu, please be mindful of the appropriate boundaries.

When Xu Shengchang heard her say she was getting married, tears welled up in his eyes, and he spoke in a hoarse voice.

It's all jumbled up and I can't explain it clearly.

Xu Qingcheng smiled through her tears, but then suddenly tears streamed down her face as she lay beside Xu Shengchang, her eyes red from crying.

She remembered when she said Ye Tinghong proposed to her. That night, her father drank too much and, in his drunken state, touched her head and said, "Dad wanted to keep you for a few more years, but you've grown up so fast. I can't keep you here any longer. If he treats you badly, I'll break his legs."

Ultimately, Ye Tinghong was not the right man for her. But Xu Qingcheng felt little joy at that moment.

She was psychologically at a disadvantage in this marriage that she had schemed into, and she couldn't be open about it.

Seeing her so flustered, Zhao Lan said, "Why are you crying? The person will be here soon."

"I just wanted to know if my dad could give me a ride to the wedding," Xu Qingcheng said, her voice choked with emotion.

Zhao Lan's eyes also reddened.

Fu Pinghui and his wife came with sincerity. The couple were polite and humble, afraid of making Zhao Lan uncomfortable.

Fu Jingting also came over. His back was badly injured, and a day's rest wouldn't have helped, but he kept his back straight, so there was nothing unusual about him, except that he didn't dare to lean against anything.

He noticed Xu Qingcheng's eyes were red, and reached out to rub the corners of her eyes. "Were you crying?"

"no."

She grabbed his hand, gesturing for him to focus his attention on the elders.

Ask him, "Does your back still hurt?"

He gave her a look and she could figure it out herself.

Xu Qingcheng quietly moved her hand behind him and gave him a gentle push.

Hiss... Damn!

Like a beast struck by lightning, Fu Jingting instinctively grabbed her arm in response to the attack.

By sheer coincidence, he grabbed the wound on her arm, and Xu Qingcheng couldn't help but let out a soft cry. She grabbed his collar with one hand, and in pain, she pressed her forehead against his shoulder.

Fu Jingting hurriedly let go, his arm supporting her waist, only to be met with a heavy blow from the woman. Her eyes glared at him, filled with anger and resentment, her tear-filled eyes even more vivid.

Fu Jingting pulled her into his arms, trapping her inside, and let her hit him.

Her soft exclamation drew the attention of the elders who were speaking, who then witnessed the two flirting.

Zhong Wanxiu, fearing that Zhao Lan would think the child was frivolous, quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "This child, doesn't he even pay attention to his behavior?"

Zhao Lan seemed unperturbed, simply smiling and saying, "Young man."

They were courteous and thoughtful, and arranged the dowry and betrothal gifts clearly. Although Zhao Lan said she didn't care about these things, their emphasis on them naturally meant that their child was important to them, so she didn't refuse.

He simply said, "I've said before that I won't let Qingcheng marry with debt on her hands. Let Qingcheng have a prenuptial agreement, and the Xu family's debts will not affect you."

"You're being too polite," Zhong Wanxiu said, looking at Fu Pinghui.

Fu Pinghui nodded, "No need. Since she's my Fu family's daughter-in-law, her affairs are the Fu family's affairs. Jingting has the responsibility and obligation to take good care of her and you all. This is his responsibility, not a burden."

This conversation completely put Zhao Lan at ease.

Around the 25th of the twelfth lunar month, most companies begin to close for the Spring Festival holiday. It seems that because of the special nature of the Spring Festival, all grudges and hatreds can be put on hold for the time being, and everything can wait until after the New Year.

It happens when everyone is busy preparing for the New Year.

On the morning of the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, Fu Jingting's car was already waiting downstairs at the Xu family's house.

Zhao Lan urged her, "Why aren't you done yet?"

"Okay. That's all." Xu Qingcheng took two documents from the room and stuffed them into her bag.

"What are you taking? Do you still need to handle official business?"

Xu Qingcheng hummed in agreement, offering no further explanation.

She put on her coat, grabbed her bag and document folder, and went out.

The car drove to the Civil Affairs Bureau.

They really did get their marriage certificate just before the holiday.

Just before she was about to get out of the car, Fu Jingting grabbed her hand, took her hand, and, under Xu Qingcheng's questioning gaze, took out a diamond ring and put it on her ring finger.

The man's fingers were long and slender, holding her fingertips. His skin was a darker color than hers, and their intertwined fingers created an indescribable ambiguity.

Her heart suddenly started beating faster, thumping so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of her chest, unlike her own heart.

The man put a men's ring on her finger and placed it in her hand, his large hand casually displayed in front of her, waiting for her.

Xu Qingcheng lowered her eyes as she helped him put the ring on. When the ring brushed against the bone of his ring finger, she paused for a moment. In that moment of hesitation, the man's finger bent, and the ring obediently stopped where it was supposed to.

"get off."

Fu Jingting spoke, his voice indifferent, and even his expression seemed to darken.

Her hesitation for just one second instantly ignited his temper.

Xu Qingcheng got out of the car with him.

He was wearing a suit and a white shirt today, looking neat and tidy, but his stern face turned what could have been a warm white into a cold one, making his appearance resemble a pine tree standing tall and bare in winter.

He got out of the car and walked ahead, ignoring her completely.

Xu Qingcheng felt something was off. The atmosphere seemed fine when she got in the car, but now it was different...

However, it's also easy to understand.

Xu Qingcheng gritted her teeth and followed in his footsteps.

The atmosphere between the two was so awkward that the registration staff couldn't help but ask, "Are you here to get married?"

I'm afraid they'll get divorced and go to the wrong place.

Fu Jingting frowned, his voice as cold as if it had thorns, "Do I look very old? Old enough to get married and then divorced?"

The staff were speechless after his retort, unable to even manage a smile.

He picked up the pen and quickly signed his name. Seeing that Xu Qingcheng was still looking at him, he clicked his tongue and said, "What are you looking at? Sign it."

Xu Qingcheng really wanted to say, if you really don't want to, you don't have to sign.

But she couldn't say those words; she was going to get married sooner or later.

If he really doesn't want to... there are other ways. But she won't turn down an opportunity that's already in her grasp.

Xu Qingcheng signed the papers, and the two went to take photos.

Facing the camera, he looked fierce and menacing, and no matter how many times the camera was taken, he was not satisfied.

Fu Jingting suddenly stood up in agitation. He told the photographer to step aside, pulled Xu Qingcheng over, and kissed her fiercely.

"What are you doing... um..."

Her lips and tongue were sealed by him. Xu Qingcheng tried to push him away, but the man pulled her tightly into his arms, his lips and tongue filled with anger and oppressive force.

Only when her struggles and resistance subsided did his movements soften. He kissed her lips with tender, lingering kisses, wrapped her small waist in his arms, and watched as her lightly closed eyelids trembled slightly, her breath becoming disordered because of him.

The pent-up frustration in my heart suddenly dissipated.

Xu Qingcheng really hated his sudden and inexplicable advances, regardless of the occasion, but she couldn't resist his teasing. She always became powerless against him, her body going limp and losing strength, leaving her to be supported by him.

Fu Jingting finally let go of her. He kissed the corner of her mouth and whispered, "Your lip makeup is smudged. Touch it up before we take pictures."

Xu Qingcheng opened her eyes, her gaze meeting his teasing smile, and her face flushed instantly.

She shoved him away, stamping her foot in anger, "Fu Jingting, you're so mean!"

The photos are finally done.

The photographer said, "That's the feeling."

Xu Qingcheng's face was still red even after she left the Civil Affairs Bureau.