Extra 2.2

When Jiang Xue smoked a cigarette after the act, her qipao was still on her body, and Gu Zhanwang beside her was still impeccably dressed, looking like a refined scoundrel. They hadn’t even taken off their clothes, yet they had already completed their intimate encounter.

To Gu Zhanwang’s surprise, this was actually Jiang Xue’s first time. If he had known, he would have been gentler.

Gu Zhanwang glanced at the bloodstains on the bed sheet, which became increasingly conspicuous. Despite this, he was overwhelmed with an undeniable sense of joy. This was the nature of men. He took the cigarette from Jiang Xue’s lips, took a few puffs, and then leaned over to bite her lips once more before returning the cigarette. He murmured, “Sorry, I didn’t realize.”

Jiang Xue scoffed, too lazy to respond to him. She thought of herself as a promiscuous person. One more or one less made no difference to her. It didn’t matter to her as long as she knew what kind of person she was.

Gu Zhanwang particularly liked that arrogant air about her. He wasn’t a good person himself and always felt a sense of accomplishment in having such a woman under him.

After finishing her cigarette, Jiang Xue extinguished the butt in the ashtray on the bedside table and said, “I didn’t have time to make it clear earlier. I don’t want to have children. If you don’t want to get a marriage certificate, you can still back out now.”

Gu Zhanwang observed her, noting how the woman’s face looked especially enchanting after the rain. With the alcohol still affecting her, her cheeks were as rosy as peaches and plums in March. His heart raced, and he gently bit her face, saying, “Interestingly, I don’t want children either. I have a godson who fulfills my paternal feelings.”

After saying that, he lifted Jiang Xue and carried her to the bathroom like a restless boy. In a hoarse voice, he said, “Let’s take a bath and continue.”

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

When Jiang Xue woke up again, it was already the next morning. The sun shone through the window, and she opened her eyes to the unfamiliar surroundings. It took her a while to come to her senses.

“Awake?” Gu Zhanwang leaned down to kiss her and handed her a new qipao and underwear that his assistant had just bought from the “Guowang” mall. “Put these on, then we’re going to the Civil Affairs Bureau.”

“Civil Affairs Bureau?” Jiang Xue didn’t react immediately.

Gu Zhanwang looked at her with a “just as I thought” expression, towering over her without saying another word.

Jiang Xue finally understood and responded with a flat “Oh.” She lifted the quilt in front of Gu Zhanwang, sat on the bed stark naked, and slowly put on the new clothes he had bought. This man had really gotten the sizes right, like they were tailor-made, fitting her perfectly.

Gu Zhanwang couldn’t help but turn his face away. This enchantress, if they keep looking at her, they won’t be able to leave the door today.

“I forgot to mention that we might be unable to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau today. I have a special status, and I need to report our marriage to the organization first. We can only get the marriage certificate after you pass the political review.”

Gu Zhanwang had been away from his homeland for many years and was not well-informed about domestic policies. He half-squinted his eyes and asked, “Jiang Xue, are you kidding me?”

Jiang Xue stared at him expressionlessly. “What good would it do me to mess with you? I was drunk last night and acted impulsively, but we’re both adults. We should be responsible for our actions. Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility. Once the political review is done, we’ll get the certificate.”

After sleeping this time, Jiang Xue felt that her previous conservatism and restraint seemed meaningless. She should have found a man to marry earlier—it was so joyful. However, to enjoy this happiness, she also required meeting an open-minded man like Gu Zhanwang. Otherwise, no matter who she married, she couldn’t avoid the mundane realities of having children and managing household chores, which wouldn’t bring her joy in marriage.

Gu Zhanwang: “…………” Damn it, why does something feel off? I’m the man here!

Jiang Xue naturally didn’t know the myriad thoughts going through Gu Zhanwang’s mind.

In the bathroom, Gu Zhanwang had recently purchased a toothbrush and towel. After she finished washing up, she took her lipstick from her handbag, applied it, and then went out, seemingly uninterested in speaking with Gu Zhanwang.

Gu Zhanwang stopped her and gazed at her red lips for a long time. “I have overseas Chinese exemption privileges. I’ll make a phone call later. If expedited, it can be done by tomorrow or the day after, conservatively the day after tomorrow. The day after tomorrow at 10 a.m., bring your documents, and we’ll meet at the district civil affairs bureau.”

Jiang Xue stared at him and didn’t answer.

Gu Zhanwang added: “Or should we visit Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang first and tell them first?”

Gu Zhanwang was serious about their marriage. Marriage had always been something he could take or leave; it didn’t matter much to him. He had long known that Jiang Xue liked Han Cheng, but he didn’t mind. Han Cheng and Su Xiaoxiao were a perfect match, their love unshakeable by anyone. Besides, if Jiang Xue had unresolved feelings or wanted to do anything detrimental to their marriage, she would have done it long ago.

Whether she had remained chaste for so many years for Han Cheng or because she had never met the right person was not important. What mattered was that he, Gu Zhanwang, was her first man and would be her last.

He wouldn’t have minded if he hadn’t been her first man. Having lived abroad for so long, he viewed these things lightly. However, maintaining absolute fidelity to one’s partner was his bottom line during a romantic relationship or marriage.

Jiang Xue sat back on the bed, took the cigarette box and lighter from the bedside table, lit a cigarette, and took a few deep puffs with her eyes half-closed before saying; I have a semi-estranged relationship with my family. I don’t want to make our marriage public for now if possible. We’ll just get the certificate, but there will be no banquet. If you mind…”

“I don’t mind.” Gu Zhanwang took the cigarette from her hand, pressed his lips to the lipstick mark on the filter, and inhaled deeply. “We’ll do as you say.”

Jiang Xue licked her lips, nodded, and stood up. As she passed by Gu Zhanwang, she suddenly lowered her head and pressed her red lips heavily against his Adam’s apple. “Gu Zhanwang, you’ve been thinking about me for a long time, haven’t you?” It was a statement.

After saying that, she didn’t give Gu Zhanwang a chance to react, so she walked out with her high heels and swayed her waist.

Gu Zhanwang watched her seductive figure until the cigarette burned his lips, returning him to his senses. He touched his Adam’s apple and cursed softly, “Damn it, enchantress, I’m bound to die in your hands someday!”

He lit another cigarette, sat on the bed, and smoked it absentmindedly, smiling foolishly. When he went to take a shower, he saw the red mark on his Adam’s apple and smirked as he touched it. After taking off his clothes, he saw his back covered in nail marks and cursed again, “Enchantress.”

After his shower and changing clothes, he thought for a moment and then drove to the pharmaceutical research institute.

Han Cheng had just arrived at work and was changing into his white coat when he heard someone outside calling, “Engineer Han, there’s a man named Mr. Gu waiting outside. He said he needs to speak with you about an urgent matter.”
Han Cheng thanked him, turned around, and walked out.

He only knew one man with the surname Gu, and for him to come at this hour, there must be something urgent. Han Cheng quickened his pace as he thought.

When he reached outside, he saw a tall figure leaning against the SUV near the security booth from a distance.

Han Cheng jogged over. “Brother Gu, what urgent matter brings you here at this time?”

Gu Zhanwang stared at Han Cheng’s handsome face for a long time. The man had a clear and refined aura; his features were striking, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and his skin was pale and flawless. Time seemed to favor him, leaving few marks on his face over the years. He stood tall and straight, dressed in an immaculate white coat. From youthful days to the brink of middle age, such a gentlemanly figure must have been countless women’s dream lover.

The key point is that Jiang Xue is one of them. Gu Zhanwang suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

“I am going to get a marriage certificate with Jiang Xue,” Gu Zhanwang said directly. For some reason, he felt it was important to inform Han Cheng first.

Han Cheng’s clever brain took a while to think of an appropriate response. Should he say, “Congratulations?”

Han Cheng was actually a little confused. Getting married was a happy occasion, but there didn’t seem to be a need to personally inform him early in the morning. A phone call or a mention during any of their regular meetings would have sufficed. After all, they saw each other almost daily.

After pondering for a while, Han Cheng seemed to understand his intention. “Do you need our side to prepare a betrothal gift? Or are you planning to hold a banquet at ‘Three Meals and Four Seasons’? Whatever assistance you need, you can directly tell Xiaoxiao. Fantuan is quite free these days, so you can ask him about it too. As for me, I would need some advance notice. Are we going to prepare the betrothal gift today? If so, I’ll need to ask for a leave of absence from my superior.”

Gu Zhanwang continued to monitor Han Cheng’s reaction. After a long time, he laughed at himself. What had he been thinking? If Han Cheng had even the slightest feeling for Jiang Xue, why would he marry Su Xiaoxiao?

Gu Zhanwang patted Han Cheng on the shoulder. “No worries, no worries. We’re not planning to hold a banquet or make it public for now. We’re just going to get the marriage certificate. I was just so happy that I wanted to share it with someone close, so I came to tell you.”

Han Cheng nodded and said, “Jiang Xue is a good person, and we know her well. She must be the right one if you’ve chosen her after such a long search. We’re all very happy for you.”

Gu Zhanwang also believed that revisiting the past was unnecessary and considered his baseless thoughts to be absurd. He looked up at the sky, curled his lips, and said, “Yes, I traveled halfway around the world and found the right person back at the starting point. I’m very happy.”

Han Cheng finally grasped the true reason behind Gu Zhanwang’s visit. Although some matters between men often go unspoken, misunderstandings frequently stem from being overly taciturn. Han Cheng said, “Brother Gu, there’s nothing between Jiang Xue and me. We’ve always been clear and open, and we have no romantic involvement. I know you are not concerned, but people’s gossip can be unsettling, so I thought it necessary to clarify this to you.”

Gu Zhanwang patted Han Cheng’s shoulder again. “I know, I know. For some reason, I just felt like telling you in person. This matter is behind us now. It won’t come up again. You go ahead and get back to work. I’ve got some things to take care of, so I’ll be off.”

Han Cheng watched as Gu Zhanwang’s car drove away, smiling to himself.

Some fates were truly remarkable—Gu Zhanwang and Jiang Xue. Who would have thought it was possible before?