In her seventh year of being single, Qiao Qiao made up her mind to get married.
A month ago, her best friend's husband confessed his feelings to her:
"Qiao Qiao, I've liked you for a long time. The hag at home only knows how to raise kids and do chores, always asking me for money, completely lacking any other skills. She's not as beautiful or capable as you. I really like you, let's be together."
After his confession, the husband tried to make a move on Qiao Qiao.
Qiao Qiao was terrified.
Yet she found the strength somewhere within her to pick up an object and give him a good thrashing.
She hadn't betrayed her friend, but she felt incredibly guilty.
More than once, she wanted to confess everything to her friend, but was afraid her friend couldn't handle the truth. The words always caught in her throat.
Therefore, she wanted to get herself married off as soon as possible.
A few minutes early, Qiao Qiao arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau. Someone called out to her from behind.
"Qiao Qiao?"
Upon turning around, she was met with an exceedingly tall and handsome man.
She was unsure of his identity, "Mr. Shang?"
Shang Lu nodded in affirmation.
Qiao Qiao and Shang Lu had met each other through the arrangement of Shang Lu's father, Shang Zhongbo.
Actually, she and Shang Lu have been chatting on WeChat for three months already.
Although it's been three months, they have only managed to exchange a few words.
When they met, Qiao Qiao had never anticipated that Shang Lu's good looks would be so heavenly.
If he were to join the entertainment industry, he would unquestionably be a male god.
Furthermore, there radiated from him an aura of distinction that was anything but ordinary.
However, Qiao Qiao has always been indifferent to handsome men, so her gaze upon him seemed somewhat lukewarm.
At this moment, Shang Lu curled his lips. "I don't really accept this marriage, and I hadn't thought about getting a marriage license so early."
Qiao Qiao suddenly didn't know how to react, "......"
Are they not going to apply for a marriage license?
Didn't that mean she was going to continue to remain single?
She quickly and unequivocally started to persuade him:
"Mr. Shang, I heard that you have two properties in Peng City, several small businesses, and a substantial amount of savings.”
“However, these are all pre-marital assets. In order to avoid property disputes after marriage, I have drafted this prenuptial agreement.”
“I won't take a dime of your two properties and your savings.”
“Besides, I have partnered with others to start a small company. Our income is pretty steady, so if your business can't make ends meet, I can help out financially."
"Or, if you have any other conditions, feel free to mention them. As long as you don't ask me to commit crimes, I can agree to anything."
She handed him the prenuptial agreement, but Shang Lu did not take it.
Shang Lu looked at her. His gaze was deep, revealing no insights into his thoughts. "Wouldn't you be at a disadvantage with this plan?"
"There's no disadvantage involved." Qiao Ruo replied very succinctly, "All those assets were yours before the marriage. I've never thought about depending on a man, nor taking advantage of one. After all, a good marriage should be about mutual support, where both parties are equal."
Such independence?!
Shang Lu was slightly taken aback.
His profound gaze deepened when he looked at her, admiration subtly gleaming in his eyes.
Before meeting her, he had conducted an investigation.
Just like his father had described, Qiao Ruo’s acquaintance with his father was merely chance – they had met seven years ago in the Tibet region and survived a wolf attack together forming a bond in adversity.
Qiao Ruo had absolutely no idea about their family's widespread influence and didn’t deliberately seek out his father.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be acquainted with his father for seven years, without targeting Shang Family's business interests.
So, there were no concerns.
As Qiao Ruo was anxious, worried that he wouldn't go with her to get the marriage certificate, he decisively said:
"I agree to get married and certified. But I have a condition that must be stated upfront."
"Go ahead." Qiao Ruo listened attentively.
Shang Lu directly asked, "Do you want me to satisfy your sexual needs?"
"What, what?" Qiao Qiao had heard clearly, but she was somewhat stunned. She didn't even know how to respond to such a straightforward question, and a moment of awkwardness ensued.
Shang Lu then said, "They say that women in their thirties are like tigers, and Miss Qiao, you are twenty-eight years old. Therefore, I assume you have certain needs, but I cannot sleep with a woman I have no feelings for, and hence cannot fulfil your needs. Please think clearly before deciding to register for marriage."
Qiao Qiao suddenly felt less awkward, after all, they were both adults and he has spoken so bluntly.
It seemed as if she being twenty-eight years old, her needs should be strong. She was suddenly a bit annoyed, she declared:
"Mr Shang, I also cannot sleep with a man I have no feelings for. You can rest assured, if I marry you, it is only to resolve some current troubles. I am just looking for someone to share my life with, I really have no other intentions."
"That does save a lot of trouble," Shang Lu was very satisfied with her answer, "What are you still standing around for? Go in and get the certificate."
"Hold on." Qiao Qiao stopped him as he was about to move, pushing something into his hand. "Here's the prenuptial agreement, it's better for you to have it, it will save you more trouble."
Shang Lu glanced at the agreement, and promptly accepted it. One year later, he would divorce her.
The industries and properties involved with the Shang family were just too vast.
With this prenuptial agreement she voluntarily drafted, it can indeed save him a lot of trouble.
Both of them went to get the marriage certificate.
Qiao Qiao was walking alongside Shang Lu.
Her height of 1.65 meters seemed rather petite next to him, and it always felt weird walking together.
She intentionally distanced herself a bit, Qiao Qiao finally felt comfortable.
From their first meeting to taking pictures for certification, it took less than ten minutes.
Qiao Qiao was now a married woman.
She had no other thoughts, she just wanted to quickly tell her best friend that she was married.
She carefully and quickly put the marriage certificate into her bag, "Mr. Shang, I have something else to do. I have to go now. I'll contact you on WeChat later."
Before she finished speaking, she had already walked a few steps away.
Her slender figure disappeared into the hurrying crowd.
Out of sight, Shang Lu was still staring in that direction, his brows slightly furrowed.
She's gone just like that?
This was very different from the famous ladies who used to passionately pursue him.
When she married him, did Qiao Qiao only care about the marriage certificate?
This made Shang Lu feel relieved, at least he wouldn't be pestered by her.
After getting the marriage certificate, Shang Lu went back to report.
Shang Zhongbo didn't have anything to say about his son and daughter-in-law going their separate ways as soon as they had collected the certificate.
This was within his expectations.
After all, he was the one who forcibly bound these two dispassionate young people together.
Taking the marriage certificate from his son's hands, Shang Zhongbo had an evident smile.
His father's smile like this, Shang Lu hadn't seen for a long time.
His mother died seven years ago, and it was the first time his father had truly smiled since then.
Apparently, he was very pleased with his daughter-in-law.
"Congratulations on marrying the daughter-in-law you like," thought Shang Lu, as long as his father is happy, it's fine.
Shang Zhongbo closed the marriage certificate, "Shang Lu, remember what you promised me, move to Qiao Qiao's place tonight."
"Don't worry." Standing in front of his father, Shang Lu said, "You also have to remember our one-year agreement. If I can't fall in love with Qiao Qiao within a year, I have the right to propose a divorce to her, and you can't urge me to get married again in the future."
After returning the marriage certificate to him, Shang Zhongbo smiled.
"Shang Lu, let's make a bet. I bet you'll fall in love with Qiao within three months, believe it or not?"
"Three months?" Shang Lu slightly curled his lips, his lips tinged with a hint of derision, "Just an ordinary woman, aren't you overrating her?"
Shang Zhongbo gave a meaningful smile and said, "Let's just wait and see then."
Shang Lu looked at the marriage certificate handed over and had only one thought, "Losing and reissuing it is troublesome, give it to me when I get a divorce."
Shang Zhongbo dismissed his son's words with a smile, "In a year's time? You might be grateful then, as I have found you a wonderful wife, the kind one could barely find with a lantern in hand."
Not wanting to continue discussing this meaningless topic, Shang Lu said nothing more.
He went upstairs.
…
After he got back to the company, it was already lunch break.
Qiao Qiao looked around for her best friend but failed to find her.
On the contrary, she bumped into her best friend's husband who blocked her in the office.
This was the first time in a month that Qiao Qiao was alone with Chen Yajun.
Chen Yajun looked at her with guilt but failed to hide his feelings towards her.
"Qiao Qiao, I'm sorry, I was too impetuous that day. But I genuinely like you, I can't lie about my own feelings."
Worried that it might attract unnecessary attention and escalate, Qiao Qiao suppressed her anger.
Otherwise, she really wanted to beat him up.
Lowering her voice, she asked mockingly, "Chen Yajun, what do you like about me?"
Without hesitation, Chen Yajun said, "You're capable, independent, stylishly dressed, and very attractive. You're not mediocre; you keep learning and improving, becoming better and better. On the contrary, Song Wei doesn't wear makeup, doesn't style her hair, doesn't make any progress, has no taste, loses touch with society more and more, more and more like an old woman. I have no interest in her at all. Qiao Qiao, It's been a long time since I've touched Song Wei, you're the only one in my heart now..."
Outside the door, Song Wei heard everything her husband, Chen Yajun, said clearly...
