Chapter 17

The bright sunlight poured through the expansive glass windows, yet it couldn’t thaw the suffocating silence in the office.

Rong Qi… married?

The words were individually familiar, but together, they hit like a nuclear bomb detonating in the room.

“Holy crap, what’s going on here?” Jiang Zhe was the first to react. He turned to Fang Xinyang. “Did you know about this?”

Fang Xinyang, utterly bewildered, replied, “Do I look like I knew?”

Jiang Zhe: “Who did you marry?”

Fang Xinyang: “When did this happen?”

Jiang Zhe: “Are you insane?”

Fang Xinyang: “Is this for real? You’re not pulling some elaborate prank, are you?”

Fang Xinyang: “Am I still dreaming?”

As he spoke, he turned and punched Jiang Zhe in the shoulder.

Jiang Zhe, caught off guard, was dumbfounded by the ambush.

Fang Xinyang, equally shocked, exclaimed, “It’s not a dream!”

Jiang Zhe: “Then hit him, not me! What’s the point of hitting me?”

The two bantered back and forth, completely ignoring Rong Qi.

Finally, Rong Qi raised his hand, the one with the wedding band, and frowned impatiently. “Stop.”

“Stop? Hell no! If you don’t explain yourself, I’ll turn into a nagging monk and talk you to death!” Jiang Zhe exclaimed passionately, nearly leaping onto the couch in protest.

At that moment, a knock came from the door.

“Mr. Rong, your coffee is here,” the secretary announced.

The two instantly fell silent.

“Come in,” Rong Qi said.

The secretary entered, placed the coffee on the table, and then exited.

The moment she closed the door, the quiet office erupted into chaos.

“I still don’t buy it. It’s just a ring. How do we know you’re not messing with us?”

“But considering his personality, he’s not the type to joke about this.”

“This is way too absurd. He didn’t even date anyone, and now he says he’s married?”

“Could it be a flash marriage?”

“That’s even crazier! Wasn’t he the one who always said he’d spend his life with code?”

Jiang Zhe and Fang Xinyang argued openly in front of Rong Qi, speculating wildly.

“Spend my life with code?” Rong Qi suddenly chuckled. Lowering his head, he slowly twisted the ring on his finger. “I never said that.”

Jiang Zhe: “Your actions spoke louder than words.”

No dating, no interaction with women—his life revolved around coding and work.

Although they didn’t grow up in the same city, the three of them had joined a gifted youth program in their early teens.

At university, surrounded by much older classmates, they became best friends and supported each other ever since.

Jiang Zhe, while not a playboy, had always been in relationships.

Fang Xinyang, on the other hand, had a typical love life. He had a girlfriend in college, but they broke up due to a disagreement about their futures—she chose to study abroad while he stayed to co-found a company with Rong Qi.

Over the years, women came and went in Fang Xinyang’s life, but none stayed for long.

They always thought Jiang Zhe or Fang Xinyang would be the first to settle down.

Who could have predicted that Rong Qi, who hadn’t even started the race, would leap straight to the finish line and win it outright?

Fang Xinyang sighed deeply and asked seriously, “Rong Qi, are you really married?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Zhe: “Really, really married?”

Rong Qi shot him a cold glance without replying.

“Why do you answer Fang Xinyang but ignore me?” Jiang Zhe shouted indignantly. “Double standards!”

Finally, Rong Qi had enough. “Is your IQ really 130?”

Jiang Zhe: “I graduated from the youth program, you know.”

Fang Xinyang looked at them both and sighed. “I think neither of your EQs surpasses 100.”

In truth, individually, both of them were mature, successful elites. But having known each other since their awkward and embarrassing teenage years, that history of shared antics and youthful recklessness was deeply ingrained.

As a result, their conversations always carried an intimacy no outsider could penetrate.

Thank goodness for Fang Xinyang, the easygoing tech enthusiast, who acted as a buffer.

Jiang Zhe suddenly brought up a crucial question. “Did you sign a prenuptial agreement?”

“No,” Rong Qi answered nonchalantly.

Both Jiang Zhe and Fang Xinyang’s expressions shifted dramatically.

As high-ranking professionals, they knew all too well what marriage meant for someone like Rong Qi.

This time, Jiang Zhe was utterly floored—more so than when he first heard about the marriage. “Are you crazy?”

“Rong Qi, that’s too impulsive,” even the usually mild-mannered Fang Xinyang had to speak up.

Rong Qi lowered his gaze, his finger lightly brushing the ring. “It’s not impulsive.”

“Then what is it?” Jiang Zhe was exasperated.

With a sarcastic laugh, he said, “Don’t tell me this is some sort of mad love affair?”

Rong Qi didn’t respond this time, remaining silent.

Jiang Zhe and Fang Xinyang exchanged a look.

Holy crap.

Could it actually be a mad love affair?

Fang Xinyang suggested cautiously, “How about introducing her to us sometime? We’d love to meet your wife.”

Both of them were endlessly curious about this sudden, mysterious bride.

Who was she?

“That might not be ideal,” Rong Qi said in his usual unhurried tone, dragging out his words. “She might be a bit shy.”

Jiang Zhe responded, “You’re already married. Are you planning to keep her hidden forever?”

“Exactly. It’s just a meeting. Who knows? We might all become friends in the future,” Fang Xinyang chimed in, trying to persuade him.

Rong Qi lowered his gaze. “Alright, but I need to ask her opinion first.”

Seeing him relent, the two became eager.

Unexpectedly, Rong Qi glanced at them again and casually added, “You two don’t understand. You’ve never been married.”

“This is basic mutual respect between spouses.”

Jiang Zhe: “…”
Fang Xinyang: “…”

Alright, alright. Everyone gets it. You’re married.

*

Cheng Li was at work when she received a WeChat message from Rong Qi.

Rong Qi: [I’ve told my partners and investors about our marriage.]

Cheng Li froze for a moment, letting out an internal gasp.

She reread the message several times, pondering how to respond.

Rong Qi: [It doesn’t break our agreement, does it? After all, as the founder of the company, I’m required to notify them about any changes in marital status in advance.]

Cheng Li quickly replied:

Cheng Li: [Of course not. Feel free to inform them.]
Cheng Li: [This won’t affect your company, will it?]

The thought of not signing a prenuptial agreement crossed her mind again.

If only she hadn’t acted so impulsively.

Rong Qi: [It’s just a procedural matter. No impact.]

Reading this, Cheng Li bit her lip, hesitated, and finally mustered the courage to send another message.

Cheng Li: [Actually, if you want to draft a prenuptial agreement, I can cooperate.]

This time, there was no immediate response.

Seeing his silence, Cheng Li put her phone aside and focused on work again.

Time passed.

Her phone vibrated twice.

Cheng Li glanced at her computer screen while picking up the phone.

The screen displayed Rong Qi’s reply:

Rong Qi: [I have no such plans.]

Cheng Li stared at the message for a moment. Her lips pressed together, but she couldn’t suppress the faint smile forming at the corners of her mouth.

Since it was Friday, Cheng Li sent a casual voice message to Meng Yuange:

“Hot pot skewers—still in the mood?”

“Always in the mood! I’m almost done with this draft. You go grab us a spot first,” Meng Yuange quickly replied with a voice message of her own.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a late night at work this Friday.

By 7 PM, Cheng Li had wrapped up her tasks and told her still-working colleagues to head home and rest.

The skewer hotpot place was on a food street near Cheng Li’s office.

After-work diners filled the vibrant area, where one restaurant after another lined the neon-lit street. Aromas of various cuisines wafted through the air, and stylish influencers snapped photos and videos for social media.

When Cheng Li arrived at the restaurant, she took a queue number.

It was around 7 PM, and the first wave of diners was nearly finished.

Tables were gradually becoming available one by one.

By the time Meng Yuange arrived, Cheng Li was already seated inside.

“Twenty skewers of chicken cartilage—did you order?” Meng Yuange asked the moment she sat down.

Cheng Li nodded.

With ordering now done via mobile QR codes, Meng Yuange scanned the code on the table.

“Cilantro beef or pickled pepper beef—which is better?”

Cheng Li replied, “Can’t you just order something normal?”

“What’s not normal about these?” Meng Yuange protested.

“Neither of them is,” Cheng Li said dryly.

Since Meng Yuange was eating them, Cheng Li let her order whatever she wanted.

“This hellish week is finally over,” Meng Yuange stretched languidly.

Cheng Li massaged her temples. “I still have to visit the lab at the industrial park this weekend.”

“Why so hardworking? Oh, by the way, did you hear back about that promotion?”

“Monday,” Cheng Li replied.

“Well, it’s about time! When all those major companies were sending you offers, you turned them down to join Ren Kuang’s little startup and slog it out from scratch.”

Previously, Cheng Li had even asked Meng Yuange to do an interview profile on Ren Kuang to help promote the company.

While good work is supposed to stand out on its own, in today’s digital age, those who know how to market themselves inevitably gain more opportunities.

“This meal isn’t for your promotion celebration, is it?” Meng Yuange teased suddenly.

“What do you want to eat?” Cheng Li asked.

Meng Yuange grinned. “The food’s not important. What matters is the cost. Anyplace under two thousand yuan per head doesn’t match the status of you, our chief architect.”

Cheng Li readily agreed.

In the past, when Cheng Li was dating Xu Jiheng, she often felt a sense of unease.

Xu Jiheng wasn’t from Shanghai, nor did he own a home in the city. If they had stayed together, buying a house would have been inevitable.

Cheng Li was well aware of how daunting that prospect was for young people in Shanghai.

She had started saving consciously for the future, only for her careful planning to be upended when Xu Jiheng cheated with someone wealthy.

Now, with her current circumstances, Cheng Li felt unburdened.

Whatever the future held with Rong Qi, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about housing.

“You know, I have a frie—” Cheng Li abruptly bit her lip. “I know someone who seems to be planning a flash marriage.”

She’d almost said “friend” but caught herself.

Her social circle was too familiar to Meng Yuange, and the two of them rarely kept secrets.

“A flash marriage?!” Meng Yuange’s eyes widened. “Is she out of her mind?”

Cheng Li: “…”

At that moment, the skewers they had ordered arrived. A server brought over a pot brimming with spicy red chili oil, cautioning them, “Careful, it’s hot.”

As the pot was set down, Meng Yuange grabbed a skewer and asked, “So, what’s the story? How did it turn out?”

“What story?” Cheng Li looked confused.

Meng Yuange clicked her tongue, “Did the flash marriage succeed?”

Cheng Li: “It did.”

“An absolute warrior,” Meng Yuange said while eating, “Next time, introduce me to this brave soul. I need to ask where she got the courage.”

That brave soul was sitting right in front of her.

Considering the noisy surroundings, Cheng Li thought for a moment and decided this wasn’t the right place to come clean.

After finishing their meal, they went their separate ways and returned home.

As soon as Cheng Li got home, she noticed a strong hotpot smell clinging to her clothes and even her hair. She was about to head to the bathroom when her phone rang.

For some reason, she instinctively felt it would be Rong Qi.

When she opened it, it indeed was.

Rong Qi: [Are you home?]

Cheng Li: [Just got back. How about you?]

Rong Qi: [Almost there.]

She guessed he’d been working late again and couldn’t help feeling a bit sympathetic.

Cheng Li: [Did you have dinner?]

Rong Qi: [The secretary ordered takeout.]

Feeling that there was no need for formalities between them, Cheng Li chatted casually.

Cheng Li: [I went out for skewers with Yuange tonight.]

Cheng Li: [She can handle spicy food way too well. I couldn’t, and now my stomach hurts.]

This time, there was no immediate reply.

Cheng Li: [I’m going to take a shower.]

She set her phone aside and went into the bathroom.

As typical with girls, her shower took quite a while. When she came out, she habitually picked up her phone to check for messages.

Rong Qi: [Finished showering?]

It was sent about half an hour earlier.

Cheng Li quickly replied: [Just finished.]

Rong Qi: [Come downstairs.]

Seeing those familiar words, Cheng Li froze, then hurried to her window and looked outside.

Scanning the area, she finally spotted a tall figure under the sycamore tree near her house. Standing casually, his relaxed posture illuminated by the faint glow of his phone screen.

It was Rong Qi.

Without hesitation, she tossed the towel aside and rushed out.

When she reached the living room, she slowed down, glancing at her parents’ bedroom door out of habit.

Thankfully, her parents kept a strict schedule, always asleep by ten.

Cheng Li quietly put on her shoes and dashed downstairs.

Nearly running, she reached the sycamore tree. The man, who had been looking down, lifted his head just as she arrived.

Cheng Li spoke softly, “Why are you here at this hour?”

“You said your stomach hurt.”

Rong Qi glanced at her still-damp hair.

The evening had grown cooler, carrying a hint of autumn’s chill.

Cheng Li hadn’t expected him to mention that and nodded, “Ah, yes, it’s still a bit uncomfortable.”

She had only mentioned it to make casual conversation, not expecting him to take it to heart.

But had he come all this way just to talk about this?

As Cheng Li mulled over her thoughts, Rong Qi lifted his other hand, revealing a bottle of milk. “I brought you this. Drinking it should help.”

Cheng Li looked at the bottle of milk he handed her.

It was the same brand her family used.

She slowly reached out, taking the bottle from him.

As her warm fingers brushed against his knuckles—sharp and angular—a faint electric sensation seemed to run from her fingertips to her heart.

She stood there silently, holding the milk.

Rong Qi broke the quiet. “Grandma will be moved to a regular ward tomorrow.”

Without thinking, Cheng Li said, “I’ll go with you to visit her.”

“Alright.”

After agreeing, Rong Qi slightly tilted his chin. “Head back upstairs.”

Cheng Li nodded and turned to leave, but after walking a few steps, she couldn’t resist glancing back.

Rong Qi stood still, his eyes fixed on her.

Flustered, she awkwardly smiled and waved before dashing into the building with the milk.

Once back in her room, she set the milk on her desk, examining it from every angle.

Finally, she took a photo of it before leisurely opening the cap and taking a sip.

She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but the milk tasted slightly sweeter than usual.

*

Hospitals are rarely pleasant places.

They usually mean someone is ill—yourself or someone close to you.

This was the first time since Grandma Xiang’s hospitalization that Cheng Li had seen her fully awake.

“Li Li, you’re here,” Grandma Xiang immediately grabbed her hand upon seeing her, barely acknowledging Rong Qi. “Rong Qi told me it was you who saved me. If it weren’t for you, who knows where I’d be now.”

Cheng Li quickly deflected, “You’re a blessed person, Grandma. Besides, it was the doctors who saved you. I had nothing to do with it.”

“Nonsense! If you hadn’t called the ambulance, Rong Qi’s grandfather wouldn’t have known what to do in the moment.”

After chatting for a while, Cheng Li pointed to the fruit basket she brought. “Grandma, would you like me to peel you an apple?”

“You didn’t have to bring anything,” Grandma Xiang scolded lightly.

Cheng Li reached for the apple, but Grandma Xiang promptly said, “Rong Qi, how could you let Li Li peel the apple?”

Rong Qi was already walking over when he heard this and naturally took the apple from her hand. “Let me do it instead.”

Grandma Xiang seemed to be in good spirits.

It wasn’t clear whether it was because she was recovering from a serious illness or if she had always been preoccupied with this matter.

She asked eagerly, “Lili, do you still remember the favor Grandma asked you for earlier?”

“Matchmaking?” This time, Rong Qi took over the conversation.

Grandma Xiang shot him a glance. “This time, I was lucky enough to survive. If you don’t hurry up, I really don’t know if I’ll still be around to see you get married.”

“I’ve already met someone.”

Rong Qi suddenly interrupted the elderly lady.

Both Grandma Xiang and Cheng Li were stunned.

But Grandma Xiang was visibly delighted and pressed on enthusiastically, “You’ve met someone? What’s the girl like? How are you two getting along? When can you bring her over for me to meet?”

Meanwhile, Cheng Li was stealing nervous glances at Rong Qi.

She was terrified he might say something.

Just as she couldn’t stop herself from glancing over, Rong Qi, who had been quietly peeling the apple, suddenly looked up.

Their gazes collided midair.

Rong Qi looked at her steadily and said, almost lazily, “She’s quite tall.”

Cheng Li, at 168 cm, was considered tall among Southern girls.

“She’s highly educated, graduated from a top-tier university.”

Cheng Li was a graduate of J University, one of the country’s leading institutions and a member of the prestigious C9 League.

“She has a great personality, hardly ever loses her temper.”

Since high school, Cheng Li had been famously good-natured, with both boys and girls enjoying her company as a friend.

“And she’s beautiful.”

Cheng Li had been a beauty since childhood, winning the title of campus queen all the way through her studies.

Cheng Li couldn’t tell if he was making things up casually or if he was actually describing her.

But with every sentence he uttered, her face grew redder, as if it were being painted with layers of glaze, until even her earlobes turned crimson.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she stood up abruptly and said softly, “Grandma Xiang, let me pour you a glass of water.”

She quickly walked to the table nearby, turning her back to Rong Qi and Grandma Xiang, and started pouring water.

At this moment, Grandma Xiang became more and more satisfied as she listened. She thought to herself that Cheng Li was truly a wonderful girl, having introduced someone so reliable to Rong Qi.

She glanced at Rong Qi and asked with a pleased smile, “Do you like her?”

The hand Cheng Li was using to pour water trembled sharply.

The water nearly spilled out.

She had to steady herself and continue pouring, but apart from the sound of the water flowing, the air around her seemed to fall into a sudden silence.

Until that lazy voice sounded behind her once again.

“Well, that depends on what she thinks.”