Chapter 24 – Registration is as Good as a Handshake

Yan Xiuzhi felt that recently Zhou Ziyi’s gaze towards him had been a bit strange.

Although the two only met at breakfast and dinner every day, this did not prevent Zhou Ziyi’s subtle observations. Yan Xiuzhi endured for two days, but finally couldn’t help asking on the morning of the registration day, “What are you looking at? Just say it.”

Zhou Ziyi swallowed the noodles in his mouth and hinted, “We’re going to register later, President Yan?”

“Otherwise? Am I taking the day off and lazing around at home this morning?” Yan Xiuzhi looked at him. “What, do you want to back out?”

“No,” Zhou Ziyi hinted, “I’m just reminding you, are you sure?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Yan Xiuzhi couldn’t understand what he was trying to say and didn’t intend to delve into it. The CEO stood up. “Finish eating and change your clothes, keep an eye on the time.”

“Okay, I’ll keep track of it.” Zhou Ziyi responded, watching Yan Xiuzhi go upstairs, then quickly finished his noodles.

After putting their bowls in the kitchen, rinsing them with water, and putting them in the dishwasher, Zhou Ziyi changed his clothes.

Today’s outfit was very simple, a white shirt and black trousers. Zhou Ziyi still had time to fix his hair. After fixing it, he applied some concealer, a light foundation, a bit of brown eyeliner, and almost colorless lipstick, and he was done.

It was not in vain that on the day of the wedding photo shoot, Zhou Ziyi asked the stylist how to do the so-called “simplest nude makeup”.

There was no other way, ID photos are really a tough challenge. Yan Xiuzhi spent 30 million yuan “buying” Zhou Ziyi to obtain the certificate, which is equivalent to paying for the photos. Zhou Ziyi must demonstrate a “professional” level of skill.

So, after waiting downstairs for a few minutes, Yan Xiuzhi suddenly felt that when he saw Zhou Ziyi, he seemed different.

A bit like… suddenly starting to shine.

But President Yan couldn’t understand what “nude makeup” was all about. He just took a glance at Zhou Ziyi’s hair and thought it was probably because Zhou Ziyi exposed his forehead, making him look lively.

Zhou Ziyi, on the other hand, took a look at Yan Xiuzhi and proactively said, “President Yan, want some powder?”

Yan Xiuzhi was taken aback, “What?”

“Just wait a moment.” Zhou Ziyi slipped back to his room, took out a makeup bag, and then fussed over Yan Xiuzhi’s face in the living room.

Yan Xiuzhi wasn’t willing at first, but Zhou Ziyi pulled him saying, “You need to look good in the photo, President Yan! ID photos are scary!” Yan Xiuzhi didn’t know what he was thinking, so he let him do it.
But he still adamantly refused to put on eyeliner.

Zhou Ziyi didn’t insist, just brightened him up a bit, and that was it, much simpler compared to the wedding photoshoot day.
After finishing, just before leaving, he took a selfie with his arm around his neck.

Yan Xiuzhi is already used to Zhou Ziyi’s way: “Another post in your Moments?”

“Yeah,” Zhou Ziyi nodded, “I posted one before we left, and I’ll post another when we get the certificate. When we get the certificate, you can also post it, right? I’ll give you the photos and text, and you can just post it like you did on our engagement day.”

Yan Xiuzhi didn’t bother to argue and just commented, “You seem to enjoy this.”

“I’m just providing good service, right?” Zhou Ziyi paused while adding a filter to the photo, then couldn’t help but ask again, “President Yan, we really are going to register today? If you have any doubts, you can still hit the brakes.”

After hearing him bring this up again, Yan Xiuzhi finally asked, “What exactly do you want to say?”

Zhou Ziyi hinted, “I mean, if you have someone you truly want to be with, you should consider this situation… whether the other person minds it or not.”

Yan Xiuzhi furrowed his brows, “What?”

“Just consider if the other person minds this situation… at least, if they mind that you’ve been married before,” Zhou Ziyi revealed a “you know what I mean” expression, “I would definitely step down without hesitation if the person you truly care about comes.”

“I can’t follow your line of thought at all,” Yan Xiuzhi said, “I don’t have someone I truly care about.”

“Do you still need to find a marriage partner if you have someone you care about?” Yan Xiuzhi found Zhou Ziyi’s thoughts amusing, “You’re overthinking it.”

“Uh, maybe it’s just that the timing isn’t right yet,” Zhou Ziyi couldn’t directly say “I know you have a white moonlight abroad,” right? Tang Shirong, who loves to gossip, would be in trouble. Zhou Ziyi had to say something positive, “When the timing is right in the future, you will get what you wish for. There’s nothing that someone as outstanding as President Yan can’t achieve.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Yan Xiuzhi squinted, “Want to back out?”

“Absolutely not,” Zhou Ziyi clenched his fists and approached Yan Xiuzhi, “I will definitely go and sign the papers with you, officer.”

Yan Xiuzhi looked puzzled at the fist extended towards him, “What’s this for?”

“Oh, just trying to get you to arrest me, or should I make you guess which side the coin is on?” Zhou Ziyi withdrew his hand, “Anyway, I’m definitely not backing out, I’m just being considerate. As long as you want me to leave, I’ll definitely go; if you want me to stay put, I’ll be loyal to the people, loyal to… uh, the family!”

Yan Xiuzhi heard a hint in his words and said calmly, “I won’t have an affair in the marriage.”

“Understood, bad reputation,” Zhou Ziyi shrugged, “It’s okay, I won’t say anything. If needed, you can make up a story and blame it on me. I’ll just follow your lead.”

“Avoid gossip, avoid unnecessary thoughts,” Yan Xiuzhi couldn’t understand where Zhou Ziyi’s melodramatic thoughts were coming from, and he didn’t bother to investigate. He simply warned, “Don’t do anything unnecessary.”

“Got it!” Zhou Ziyi saluted playfully, then checked the time, “Shall we go, President Yan?”

Yan Xiuzhi glanced at the clock, “Let’s go.”

Zhou Ziyi originally thought that it might be tough mentally to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau for the marriage registration.

But in reality, once they entered, they entered, and once they queued, they queued.

Before taking photos, Zhou Ziyi deliberately tried to lighten up Yan Xiuzhi’s mood: “President Yan, don’t look so serious, think of something happy.”

Yan Xiuzhi glanced at him, “Something happy?”

“Um, I know that getting married doesn’t make you very happy,” Zhou Ziyi said, “Think about the industrial park that Hua Hao recently signed? Think about your net profit and stock price?”

Yan Xiuzhi: “You know?”

“I read the news, and I also looked at your financial reports,” Zhou Ziyi coughed lightly, “Although I don’t quite understand.”

Yan Xiuzhi: “What part don’t you understand?”

“Huh?” Zhou Ziyi didn’t understand why he was asking this, but still replied honestly, “The part about the introduction of the technological research and development direction. I understand every word like empowerment, enablement, but when they are put together, I don’t understand…”

Yan Xiuzhi, who was used to seeing his intelligent and composed appearance, rarely saw him bewildered and suddenly found it a bit funny.

“If you don’t understand, you can ask me.”

“It’s not necessary…” Zhou Ziyi blinked, “Ge, you’re smiling!”

Yan Xiuzhi was taken aback.

“Keep it up! That’s the expression!” Zhou Ziyi also smiled, much brighter than Yan Xiuzhi, and even stretched out his hand to hold Yan Xiuzhi’s hand.

“Let’s go, let’s get registered.”

In the morning, marriage registration; in the afternoon, back to work. Yan Xiuzhi is such a workaholic.

Of course, this is how his colleagues and subordinates see Yan Xiuzhi. For himself, registration is just a part of his schedule, and once it’s done, it’s on to the next step.

However, the atmosphere in the company is a bit different. In the past, when Yan Xiuzhi encountered the company’s employees, everyone would make way, lower their heads, and say “President Yan,” even if they had already greeted him. But today, when everyone saw him, they all smiled and congratulated him.

Yan Xiuzhi wondered how the entire company found out, as he hadn’t made a big deal out of the registration. When he got to the office and checked his messages, he understood what was going on.

Zhou Ziyi had already posted on social media. In the morning, there was a selfie of the two of them, with the caption “Civil Affairs Bureau! Let’s go!”. Just at noon, another post went up, with a photo of the marriage certificate against a red background, a photo of the two red books, and a photo of one hand pressing down on the other hand, together on the red book.

Of course, the last photo was taken by Zhou Ziyi holding Yan Xiuzhi’s hand. At that time, they were still in the car. He first grabbed Yan Xiuzhi’s hand and moved the ring from his middle finger to his ring finger, startling Yan Xiuzhi with the motion.

But Zhou Ziyi quickly let go of his hand and changed his own ring as well. Then Zhou Ziyi pressed his hand onto the red book: “Ge, lend me your hand.”

Yan Xiuzhi: “…”

Zhou Ziyi encouraged him: “Just for a moment, it’s quick and painless!”

Yan Xiuzhi suspected that if he didn’t extend his hand, this guy would start talking nonsense again.

Probably based on their previous experience, this time Yan Xiuzhi acted on his own, extending his left hand and pressing it onto Zhou Ziyi’s hand. The two rings reflected the light in reverse, looking very eye-catching.

Zhou Ziyi was still not satisfied, he turned on the car light, opened the phone’s filter, and even directed the CEO to “tilt a bit,” “don’t bring it too close, it doesn’t look good,” “loosen your fingers a bit, don’t keep them together.” After a series of requests, they finally took a few photos.

Now it’s finally been selected and posted on the Moments (a feature in WeChat, a popular social media platform in China).

Yan Xiuzhi felt like it was an official announcement of a celebrity online.

But looking at the original picture and the text sent by Zhou Ziyi, Yan Xiuzhi still posted one himself.

‘If I don’t post it, this guy will keep urging me, so I’d better post it.’

In just a few minutes after posting, Li Fei, who lives next door, quickly liked it!

In the evening, Zhou Ziyi looked surprised at Yan Xiuzhi… holding a bunch of red roses back home.

“What’s this for…?”

“People from the company sent it to me, congratulating me on my marriage.” The big boss holding the flowers didn’t look very good. “It’s not suitable to put them in my office, so I brought them home.”

Zhou Ziyi quickly got up from the sofa and rushed to Yan Xiuzhi… and took several photos.

Yan Xiuzhi was directly annoyed: “Zhou Ziyi!”

“Oh, I took them just in case, as a backup.” Zhou Ziyi smiled and put away her phone, then was stuffed with a full of roses by the boss.

Zhou Ziyi: “???”

“You handle it.” CEO Yan certainly wouldn’t handle this himself. After passing the bouquet, he turned and headed upstairs.

Before stepping onto the stairs, Yan Xiuzhi remembered something else, stopped in his tracks, turned to look at Zhou Ziyi, and said, “I’ve instructed Li Fei to transfer the funds, but the amount is large, so it will take some time for the transfer. Be sure to check for it.”

Zhou Ziyi was momentarily stunned, then remembered that it was the “first transfer after marriage registration” as stipulated in the contract.

He blinked, “Wasn’t it supposed to be the day before the wedding…?”

Yan Xiuzhi calmly replied, “It was set for the day of the registration. Since we registered today, I’m transferring it to you today.”

Zhou Ziyi’s eyes lit up.
Holding the roses, he bowed to Yan Xiuzhi and sincerely thanked him, “Thank you.”

“Don’t bow. Just following the rules.” Yan Xiuzhi didn’t like seeing him in such a humble state, reprimanded him first, paused, and then responded to his thanks.

“You’re welcome.”