Chapter 347: Chapter 347: How Could You Not Be Happy Getting Married?
’I hope you owe me,’ Shen Yi thought. ’The more, the better. That way, you can never finish paying me back, and you’ll never leave me.’
That’s what he was thinking, but he couldn’t possibly say it out loud.
Shen Yi reached out and tucked her slightly messy bangs behind her ear. Qin Jiao instinctively wanted to dodge, but for some reason, she ultimately didn’t move.
Shen Yi said gently, "You said you heard those people gossiping about your family’s poor financial situation. Well, did you also hear them say you’re beautiful and kind-hearted, willing to marry a guy with a mental illness like me?"
Qin Jiao sighed. "This is a fake marriage. As for ’beautiful and kind-hearted,’ that was the me from my past life. The me in this life is far more pragmatic, so don’t think you can fool me, Young Master Shen."
"I wouldn’t dare." In truth, Shen Yi wanted to caress her face a little more. He’d gotten the chance while tucking her hair back and had brushed against Jiao Jiao’s cheek. ’It’s so fine and smooth,’ he thought, ’just like the white of a peeled, hard-boiled egg.’
But it was just a thought. He was very patient and knew he had to exercise restraint when it came to getting closer. His tone grew serious. "Actually, my mom and I discussed having your family move into the courtyard house for another reason. My mom and Beidou often travel abroad, and once I start school, my grandfather will be the only one left in this huge house. We’re all worried about him."
In reality, Shen Yi didn’t want them to account for things so clearly between them, whereas Qin Jiao preferred to. In the end, however, Qin Jiao realized that too many things now bound them together. With the clothing factory in the picture, they were simply inseparable, so she had no choice but to drop it.
In the end, she said, "Alright, fine. We can hash out those other things later. But there’s one thing we need to agree on beforehand. Once school starts, you can’t tell anyone at school that you’re my husband."
Shen Yi felt a pang in his chest. ’I’ve gone to all this trouble, scheming with ulterior motives, all for the sake of putting my label on Jiao Jiao.’
’I don’t even care that Jiao Jiao doesn’t love me now. She’ll definitely love me in the future, anyway.’
’I’m just worried someone else will swoop in.’
’Not to mention Shen Feng, who’s still eyeing her like a predator. Plus, with these ’mandatory plot points’ to consider, I don’t feel confident at all.’
Seeing his aggrieved expression, Qin Jiao thought for a moment and added, in a considerate concession, "You can say we’re dating."
’In any case, I have no desire for a relationship at the moment,’ she thought. ’Besides, I can use Shen Yi as a shield against unwanted advances.’
Shen Yi’s eyes lit up the moment he heard that. He nodded and said, "Deal!"
Just then, Xiao Shi came to call them for dinner. The two of them put their things away and went out to eat.
During dinner, Du Liya looked up and saw her son grinning to himself. She asked, "Xiao Yi, did something good happen? Why are you so cheerful?"
Beidou, sitting beside her, couldn’t take it anymore. He placed a pork rib on her plate and said, "Listen to yourself. It’s Xiao Yi’s wedding day, isn’t it? Of course he’s happy."
"Oh, that’s right! I got married today, too! I’m so happy!"
Right. Du Liya still hadn’t sobered up. So when she tried to challenge Su Yun and Qin Na to a drinking contest, Beidou hurriedly stopped her.
Since Xiao Cheng was old enough to start school, Sun Jianhua and Qin Na discussed it and decided to enroll him. His preschool happened to be right near Xiao Shi’s elementary school.
Mr. Du didn’t eat much in the evenings anymore, usually just having a bit of congee. But watching the lively and cheerful younger generation, he smiled in contentment.
It seemed his decision to return to North City had not been a mistake after all.
