Using power to force marriage

In order to get her marriage certificate the next day, Ruan Fu dyed her blonde hair back to its original color that night.

Having just finished showering, Ruan Qian knocked on her bedroom door.

"What's wrong, sister?" she asked with a smile as she opened the door.

Ruan Qian felt uneasy and doubted Ruan Fu's words.

"Fufu, do you really like Zhao Jingnian? I don't want you to make sacrifices for me."

She thought that with Ruan Fu's clever and mischievous personality, she would definitely be able to force Zhao Jingnian to back down, and that it would be best for the Zhao family to propose annulment of the engagement.

But things didn't go as planned. They were supposed to get their marriage certificate tomorrow, and Ruan Qian felt terrible.

"We'll go to Mom and Dad and my brother. There'll always be a way. At worst, we'll just have to break ties with the Zhao family."

Ruan Fu was somewhat surprised that Ruan Qian, who was usually dignified, composed, and knew how to handle things, would say such a thing.

"But sister, the Ruan family's medical technology project must cooperate with the Zhao family. It would be troublesome if we broke off relations."

Ruan Jiazheng is developing a new generation of intelligent medical devices, but lacks the crucial medical micro-intelligent chip. This core technology has extremely high barriers to entry, and its research and development and mass production are exclusively controlled by the Zhao Group.

The partnership between the two companies also serves to safeguard the in-depth cooperation of the project.

"Don't worry, sister, I really like Zhao Jingnian." She said with a proud look, "You know my personality, no one can force me to do something I don't want to do."

"Really?" Ruan Qian asked, half believing it.

"Of course! I'm not the kind of person who would sacrifice myself for others."

She leaned closer and whispered in Ruan Qian's ear, "Sister, don't worry about me. What you should be worrying about is figuring out how to win over your brother and confess your feelings to him."

A blush visibly rose on Ruan Qian's face as she cautiously looked around. "Keep your voice down."

The two stood at the doorway of the room without going inside, as Ruan Qian was afraid that their whispered conversation would be overheard by others.

Ruan Fu: "My brother is in the study, he won't hear us."

"What did you hear?" Jiang Qiyu's voice rang out behind the two of them.

He had just come out of the study when he turned around and saw the two sisters whispering furtively.

Jiang Qiyu was tall and slender with a neat and long frame. He was wearing a plain-colored house dress and black half-rimmed glasses. He had a reserved and aloof temperament.

The two of them seemed to have been frozen in place, as if they had been immobilized by a pressure point.

"What are you talking about?" He approached slowly.

Ruan Fu pursed her lips. "This is a secret between us sisters, I can't tell you."

Jiang Qiyu curled his lips, his voice lazy and teasing, "Isolating me, huh?"

"How could that be?"

Ruan Fu quickly changed the subject, and also tried to sound out Ruan Qian's feelings, "By the way, brother, how are things between you and Miss Cen?"

Mentioning his arranged marriage partner, Ruan Qian couldn't help but feel a little uneasy, her fingertips subtly tightening around the hem of her skirt.

His gaze was calm, devoid of any complex emotions. "It's fine, let's spend some time together first."

"So what's your relationship now? Friends? Or boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"friend."

Upon hearing these two words, Ruan Qian visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Brother, weren't you quite against arranged marriages with your family before? Mom and Dad introduced you to many women, but you refused them all. How come you suddenly changed your mind?" Ruan Fu was trying to get information out of him.

This question made Jiang Qiyu somewhat uncomfortable. His gaze swept over Ruan Qian with a meaningful look.

"Yes, I've figured it out."

Compared to Ruan Qian's restraint and forbearance, Ruan Fu was clearly anxious.

"What have you figured out?"

Like an elder, she earnestly advised the younger generation, "You must be careful about marriage. You only live once, so you must be with someone you truly love."

Jiang Qiyu and Ruan Qian were both amused by her, and they said in unison, "Such a precocious child."

She reached out and shoved Jiang Qiyu away, saying, "Unless you and Miss Cen are mutually in love, I won't give you my blessings."

"Miss Cen and I are not even close to getting together yet, you should worry about yourself first."

Ruan Qian's lips unconsciously curled up. She suddenly felt that the words "not even close to being settled" were more beautiful than any piece of music in the world.

-

The next morning, he was supposed to pick her up at nine o'clock to get their marriage certificate. Zhao Jingnian had already arrived when she had just woken up.

He Shu urged her upstairs many times, but Ruan Fu remained completely unhurried.

Take your time washing up and putting on makeup; why not let him wait a bit?

Accompanying Zhao Jingnian was Old Master Zhao, who brought a list of betrothal gifts to discuss marriage matters.

He Shu urged, "Zhao Jingnian can wait, but the old man is an elder. Making him wait too long will make our Ruan family daughters seem unruly."

Pressed relentlessly, Ruan Fu quickened her pace, hurriedly finding a plain white t-shirt and a black pleated skirt from her wardrobe, paired with white sneakers.

After changing her clothes, she stood in front of the dressing mirror and looked at herself. Her hair was styled in a fluffy bun, and her makeup was delicate and light. She felt like she was about to step into a high school campus.

Dressing up makes you feel good, and Ruan Fu walked downstairs with light steps.

Downstairs in the main hall, Old Master Zhao sat in the main seat, and the group chatted and laughed.

Various valuable gifts were laid out on the table, along with a thick, bright red betrothal gift book.

Ruan Fu sighed silently, "The Zhao family is at the height of their power in Beicheng; they are simply too powerful."

Seeing Ruan Fu come downstairs, He Shu smiled gently and waved to her, "Fu Fu, come and say hello to your Grandpa Zhao."

She rushed forward to greet him, her smile bright and cheerful, "Hello, Grandpa Zhao, I am Ruan Fu."

The old man hadn't seen this little girl for years; in the blink of an eye, she had grown into a beautiful young woman and was about to become his granddaughter-in-law.

"Fufu, right? This girl is really endearing."

She smiled and thanked the old man after receiving the praise.

I was so busy chatting with the elders that I almost forgot to appreciate the "youthful and energetic" Zhao Jingnian.

The man sat on the side of the sofa. Today, he had changed out of his formal attire and was wearing only a simple, clean white T-shirt and neat black trousers.

The simple and clean outfit removes the usual cold and oppressive feeling, and even the cold and hard outline is softened.

There was not a hint of incongruity; on the contrary, it exuded a relaxed and clean-cut youthful energy.

Ruan Fu raised an eyebrow at Zhao Jingnian with a sly look in her eyes, "Mr. Zhao, you look quite refreshed today."

The man's lips curled slightly, sensing the flirtatious undertone in her words.

"I'm glad Miss Ruan is satisfied."

Grandpa Zhao glanced at the two exchanging glances and smiled kindly, "Go ahead, don't miss the auspicious time to get your marriage certificate."

Ruan Fu woke up late and dawdled for half the afternoon; it was almost 11 a.m. now.

"Let's go." Zhao Jingnian stood up and reached out his hand to her.

Ruan Fu calmly took his arm and left with him.

-

Arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

The driver opened the car door, and the two got out.

As soon as Ruan Fu lifted her foot, she realized that her shoelaces were loose.

She was wearing a pair of simple white sneakers today.

"Wait me a moment."

Ruan Fu called out to him and then prepared to squat down to tie her shoelaces.

Before she could squat down, Zhao Jingnian bent down in front of her and reached out to tie her shoelaces.

Ruan Fu refused, saying, "Zhao Jingnian... I can tie it myself."

The man ignored her and quickly helped her fasten the belt.

The driver standing to the side rubbed his eyes hard. Seeing what he was seeing, he thought he was hallucinating.

At the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, Mr. Zhao, who is usually aloof and unapproachable, actually knelt down on one knee to tie a little girl's shoelaces, which is quite surprising.

Ruan Fu lowered her eyes to look at the man kneeling at her feet, her eyebrows slightly raised. "Thank you for kneeling for me, Mr. Zhao."

He slowly stood up, leisurely brushed the dust off his trousers, and replied in a low, languid voice, "We are husband and wife, no need for thanks."