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Chapter 36 — Marriage (Bug Fix)

Lin Keying first heard her fiancé mention the word “marriage” while they were sitting at the dining table in the mid-levels villa.

The weather was cooling, and with days of continuous drizzle, Aunt Hua’s seafood congee was tender and delicious. Abalone, lobster, clams, oysters, razor clams…

The natural freshness of the seafood was fully released in the pure, clear broth, making even the soup base itself sweet and flavorful.

It was just as Lin Keying scooped up a spoonful of soup that she heard her fiancé mention marriage, in the same casual tone one might use to ask what’s for dinner tomorrow.

“Let’s get married.”

Lin Keying almost dropped her spoon. Her hand froze mid-air, and she nearly forgot to breathe.

Cheng Wanting calmly used his silver chopsticks to place a piece of abalone into her bowl, reminding her to eat.

“Marriage?” Lin Keying had never thought about that word since she crossed over and boarded the ship to Hong Kong.

Back then, all she wanted was to get the one-million-dollar compensation and return smoothly to the mainland. Later, for reasons she couldn’t understand, her fiancé had a change of heart and started dating her. Fortunately, he was handsome, wealthy, and tall, and she enjoyed it.

But she had never really thought they would actually get married.

“What is it?” Cheng Wanting’s dark eyes settled on Lin Keying’s face, as if trying to discern whether her hesitation was surprise or shock. “Didn’t you keep saying before that you liked only me and wanted to marry me? Have you forgotten what you said?”

“I…” Lin Keying worried whether this powerful man had suddenly gone mad. Based on her assumptions, his family likely wouldn’t want her—a child bride—to actually marry in by contract. “I’m just… too happy. Is this for real? But your family…”

“They don’t matter,” Cheng Wanting said decisively, without a trace of hesitation. “It’s me marrying you. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

Lin Keying quietly studied her fiancé’s expression. Aside from rare moments, Cheng Wanting was usually cold and reserved. Even now, when talking about marriage, he made it sound like a business deal, which made Lin Keying suspicious.

Why did it seem like she was the one forcing him to marry?

As her mind spun, weighing the pros and cons of marrying him, she heard the man call Secretary Yang to bring in documents.

Yang Minghui really wanted to give his young master a warning glance — This is not how you propose!

Young master, you already have a questionable reputation, how can you propose in such a cold, businesslike manner?

Unfortunately, a wink is wasted on the blind — Yang Minghui’s good intentions were ignored.

Yang could only dutifully do his job, handing over a detailed 20-page document listing all of Cheng Wanting’s assets to Lin Keying.

“Miss Lin, these are all of the young master’s assets. As his future spouse, you have the right to know before marriage. The total market value of the young master’s current assets exceeds 10 billion, ranking him in the top five wealthiest in Hong Kong. His businesses span real estate, shipping, electronics manufacturing…”

Lin Keying had never been married before and only now realized how many steps rich people took to get married — the first thing was disclosing their wealth.

Compared to Cheng Wanting’s fortune, Lin Keying suddenly felt her few million were embarrassing. Oh, right — she also had bank loans.

Yang continued professionally: “According to Hong Kong tradition, most wealthy families sign prenuptial agreements so that, in the event of a divorce, the spouse cannot claim half the property. However, the young master has voluntarily waived the signing of such an agreement. Do you wish to sign one to protect your own assets?”

Lin Keying was a little stunned. Her fiancé waived the prenup — did that mean if they divorced in the future, she could take half his assets?

Five billion?!

Lin Keying was shamelessly tempted!

She shook her head and also declined.

If he wasn’t signing, how could she be so petty to ask for one?

Once confirmed, Yang continued: “The young master plans to transfer ownership of one real estate company, one shipping company, one gold business, and two properties under your name as betrothal gifts.”

After Yang finished, Cheng Wanting added one last point: “If you have any requests about the wedding, feel free to raise them. I’ll do my best to accommodate.”

Lin Keying couldn’t seem to find anything to request.

The man’s expression was serious, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he continued: “However, there is one flaw I must tell you before marriage: I’m busy with work and won’t have much time to spend with you.”

Lin Keying’s eyes lit up — How was that a flaw? That was a perk!

Lots of money, few responsibilities, a husband busy with work and rarely home — perhaps, as she suspected before, he even had some health issues, so she wouldn’t have to fulfill any marital duties. How could she not be tempted?

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Lin Keying agreed to the marriage proposal.

After all, they had a betrothal contract; it was reasonable. Even though she was an impostor.

But with billions in assets, no prenuptial agreement, no need to deal with in-laws, and still living independently in the villa after marriage with full control over everything — who wouldn’t be moved?

Once the marriage was settled, they began to finalize the dates for the certificate and the wedding. Cheng Wanting originally wanted to casually pick the soonest auspicious date, but Yang Minghui whispered: “Young master, this marriage is unusual — perhaps it’s best to consult a master?”

It wasn’t that Yang was overly superstitious, but considering the young master’s reputation, it was safest to consult a fortune-teller and choose the most suitable date for them both.

His left eyelid twitched, then his right. He was worried this questionable marriage might run into trouble!

…

The most renowned fortune teller in Hong Kong, Master Pang, was invited to the villa.

Master Pang was a regular guest among the city’s tycoons, and many entertainment celebrities also sought his advice. His readings were said to turn misfortune into fortune, giving him high status.

His consultations started at a million.

It was already surprising that the famously stoic and skeptical head of Huanyu Group invited him — when he found out it was to match birth charts and choose a wedding date, he was even more stunned.

Lin Keying and Cheng Wanting had each written down their birth details in advance — though Lin had written those of the original body she occupied, not her own. She wondered whose marriage this really was.

Meanwhile, Cheng Wanting didn’t write his own either but instead used the birth details of his cousin, Chen Songxian, which he’d prepared in advance.

He couldn’t risk being exposed in front of Lin Keying, so he pretended to be three years younger.

When the two charts were presented to Master Pang, he was shocked — they clashed! The elements counteracted each other!

But how could he speak such an ominous truth to Young Master Cheng? His face stiffened, and he forcibly calculated an auspicious date: “Young master Cheng, there’s a good date one year from now.”

“One year?” Cheng Wanting narrowed his eyes, a sharp edge in his tone.

Cough cough. Master Pang wiped sweat from his brow and quickly changed his words: “Let me recalculate… Ah, half a year later could work too.”

Cheng Wanting had little patience, tapping his finger on the table, his sharp gaze meeting Master Pang’s: “Master Pang, your skills are profound and well-respected in Hong Kong. I trust you can surely find a suitable date. Hmm?”

Master Pang, experienced in the circles of billionaires, was no fool and quickly recalculated. Finally, he forced out an acceptable date: “Here it is — the 10th day of the third month from now is a good day for your union.”

Since the charts clashed and the marriage would be difficult to maintain, Master Pang didn’t dare speak the truth. He could only pick a date that might suppress the counteracting forces.

Seeing Cheng Wanting still unsatisfied, and Master Pang drenched in sweat, Lin Keying smoothed things over: “Let’s go with three months later. We’ll trust Master Pang.”

She gently tugged Cheng Wanting’s pinky: “It’s the auspicious day Master Pang chose for us.”

Cheng Wanting reluctantly agreed but had one more demand: “Master Pang, please also choose a date for registering the marriage.”

Before Master Pang could speak, Cheng Wanting added, “It must be within ten days.”

Master Pang: “…”

In the end, Master Pang, after much deliberation, reluctantly chose a passable date: “Register in seven days. I wish young master Cheng and madam eternal love and happiness.”

Yang Minghui transferred a million into Master Pang’s account and, when seeing him off, reminded him: “Master Pang, young master Cheng values privacy and dislikes public exposure. Please…”

“Secretary Yang, I understand.” Master Pang had survived among billionaires for a reason. “What happened today is known only to me. It won’t reach anyone else’s ears.”

The villa was about to welcome a wedding, leaving Uncle Zhong and Aunt Hua stunned.

The young master not only had a girlfriend but was now getting married!

The servants busied themselves with preparations, but the bride-to-be, Lin Keying, had nothing to do — it seemed everything was taken care of.

She went to Kowloon City to tell her godparents about her sudden marriage. The two elders were happy but also slightly worried.

“Cheng Wanting is highly capable — since taking over the Cheng family, he’s only risen higher, with bold and decisive means,” Guo Changda, who had a good eye for people, acknowledged the young man. “But such a person… it’s hard to say whether it’s good or bad to marry him.”

Men with too much cunning and ambition were often cold, ruthless, and unfeeling — capable, but not necessarily kind.

Women who loved such men usually suffered.

Zhao Fengzhen could see Cheng Wanting’s feelings for her goddaughter — his urgency in rushing to Red Victory Company that day was genuine. But she still worried: “Men are fickle, especially Hong Kong tycoons. Few are faithful — most have multiple wives or countless mistresses outside. Someone like your godfather is rare. If Cheng Wanting ever changes heart, Keying…”

As Lin Keying ate shark fin soup with shredded chicken and mushrooms, she casually replied, “The young master didn’t sign a prenup and even plans to transfer some companies to me. If he cheats later, I’ll get half of his assets in a divorce.”

Zhao Fengzhen’s eyes lit up: “Well, that’s not bad. If he wrongs you in the future, you can use his money to keep seven or eight young models and live like those rich widows in the newspapers.”

With that assurance, her godparents finally approved of the marriage and asked more questions to ensure her future security.

With the wedding date settled, Lin Keying invited her godparents to attend her wedding in three months. She then asked about the renovations at Xitian Building: “Godmother, the renovations at Xitian are going well. I plan to upgrade the interior and invite some high-end brands to boost the atmosphere and popularity.”

Zhao Fengzhen, who had worked hard for years and still had connections, said: “I know some bosses of gold and jewelry businesses. If you want, I can help invite them.”

“That would be great!” Jewelry and gold businesses were lucrative. Lin Keying also had another plan: “I want to attract some luxury fashion brands, but I don’t have the contacts yet.”

Zhao Fengzhen thought for a moment: “There’s a way — I’ll make inquiries.”

Her inquiries were quick. Half a day later, she found out that the person in charge of foreign luxury brand entries into Hong Kong was Song Xiujuan, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Chen family — one of the three giants in Hong Kong’s fashion industry. “If you want to invite foreign brands to open shops in Xitian Building, you’ll need to go through her. Unfortunately, your godfather and I don’t have much connection with the Chen family.”

“That’s fine,” Lin Keying said, satisfied just knowing the way in. “I’ll visit and propose the collaboration myself.”

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