Chapter 13: That Girl’s Really Willing to Marry You?

“What do you think?” Fu Ciyu’s eyes were dark and intense, his voice husky.

Qu Wanwan replied softly, “I…”

“If you do that again,” he warned in a low, gravelly tone, “I might just take you right here in the car. By then, even if you regret it, it’ll be too late.”

“I’m going to marry you eventually anyway,” Qu Wanwan said in a soft voice. “Why would I regret it?”

“Wanwan, I gave you a chance to run away,” he said hoarsely.

“And I told you—I won’t run.”

His forehead rested gently against the nape of her neck, and his voice was slow and deliberate. “Now that you’ve barged into my world, there’s no turning back. Even in death, you’ll still be my woman.”

“Mm.” Qu Wanwan responded softly.

Fu Ciyu lifted his eyes to look at her, his expression unreadable and complex.

Before she could read it clearly, Qingjiu’s voice came from the front.

“Master, Miss Qu, we’ve arrived.”

Qu Wanwan quickly pulled away from Fu Ciyu’s arms, picked up her bag, and got out of the car.

Fu Ciyu stared at the now-empty space in his arms, his gaze darkening.

Qingye followed close behind. After parking the car, he handed the keys to Qu Wanwan.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it, Miss Qu.”

Qu Wanwan lifted her gaze slightly—only to unexpectedly meet a pair of eyes staring at her. Deep, calm, and laced with something unreadable.

“Would you… like to come in for a bit?” Qu Wanwan asked cautiously.

Fu Ciyu responded in a low voice, “No, I’ve still got things to do. Go on in.”

“Alright, then I’ll head inside. Drive safe.”

“Mm.”

It wasn’t until she stepped into the Qu Residence that Fu Ciyu finally withdrew his gaze. “To the old residence.”

“Yes, sir.”

Night had fallen. The clamor of the city gradually faded, leaving only the scattered glow of streetlights behind.

Fu Family’s Old Residence

The estate before them exuded an air of refined nobility. The grand, hollow-carved gates and arched windows, paired with stonework at the corners, radiated luxury and elegance.

The fresh, unconventional combination of dove-gray plastered walls and pale red roof tiles showcased the owner’s tasteful grandeur.

“Ciyu, you’re back. Have you had dinner yet?”

The old master of the Fu Family, Fu Jingshan, looked at his grandson with a kindly smile.

Though nearing seventy, he stood straight and tall. His hair had turned fully white, and his face was lined with the deep traces of time, but his eyes remained sharp and spirited, and his voice rang out loud and clear.

“Grandfather,” Fu Ciyu greeted him softly.

Seeing the exhaustion on his grandson’s face, Fu Jingshan frowned. “Has the company been keeping you too busy lately?”

“It’s manageable.”
—Mostly because a certain someone was constantly weighing on his mind.

“Let Ciyan help you at the company. That boy’s just too idle.”

“I’ll be arranging for him to start learning at the company soon.”

“Good.”

“Come, let’s eat.”

“Where are my parents?” Fu Ciyu looked around but didn’t spot them anywhere.

Fu Jingshan let out a quiet sigh. “At their age, they insisted on going on a trip.”

“When did they leave?” He hadn’t heard a word about it.

“This morning.”

“I see.”

They sat down at the dining table. The servants brought out dinner and then quietly stepped away.

“Grandfather—” Fu Ciyu hesitated, unsure how to begin.

“Speak,” the old man said without looking up.

Fu Ciyu’s voice was low and serious. “If Wanwan and I were to get married—”

“Would you be against it?”

The old man’s expression shifted slightly, but then he calmly replied, “That girl is willing to marry you?”

“Yes.”

“Ciyu, this is your decision. If you’re certain she’s the one, then no one can stop you. If the two of you are sincere about living a good life together, I won’t oppose it.”

“Grandpa, if things still don’t work out this time, I’ll leave the capital and go to City A.”

“Ciyu!” the old man barked sternly.

Fu Ciyu’s voice was low, but resolute. “My mind is made up.”

Dinner, once again, ended on a sour note.

Back in his bedroom, Fu Ciyu stood by the window, staring out at the star-strewn sky, caught in a quiet torment.

He didn’t know if Qu Wanwan truly intended to marry him this time, or if—like before—he would end up doing something reckless again.

Just thinking about what had happened that evening left his heart in a daze.

“Qu Wanwan, I already gave you the chance to run—”

“You were the one who insisted on barging into my dark world, so—”

“You’ll never get another chance to leave me again.”

—

At dawn, silence blanketed the world. A faint light crept gently across the eastern horizon, gradually soaking into the deep blue sky.

It was nearly nine o’clock, but the person in bed still hadn’t stirred.

Qu Mubai knocked on her door. “Wanwan, didn’t you say you had something important today? It’s already nine o’clock. Aren’t you getting up?”

The moment she heard it was nine, she shot up from bed.

When she saw the clock hands already pointing to nine, she rushed into the bathroom to wash up and fix her hair.

She quickly threw on a crisp white blouse, applied a light layer of makeup, and dashed out the door.

What should she do? It felt like she was already late. Would he still be waiting for her?

Seeing Qu Mubai outside the bedroom, she asked anxiously, “Ge, Ge, where’s the household register?”

“It’s with Dad. What’s going on?” Qu Mubai looked confused.

Without answering, Qu Wanwan bolted downstairs to look for Qu Cheng’an.

Seeing her flustered, Qu Cheng’an asked worriedly, “Wanwan, what’s wrong?”

“Dad, the household register! Hurry and give it to me!”

“What do you need that for?”

“Just hurry! Hurry! There’s no time!”

Seeing that she was about to cry, Qu Cheng’an went to the study and quickly handed it to her.

With the household register in hand, Qu Wanwan grabbed Qu Mubai and dragged him out the door.

“Hey, what the—? I haven’t even changed clothes yet!” Qu Mubai growled, glancing at his pajamas.

“Ge, you’re driving me. Hurry up, or we’ll be too late!”

It was already past nine. She didn’t know if he was still waiting in the same place. If she missed this chance, she might never get another.

Seeing her eyes redden, Qu Mubai gave in helplessly and drove out in his pajamas.

Along the way, the girl was so anxious she burst into tears.

“Ge, what if he’s not waiting for me anymore?”

“You mean Ciyu or…?” He didn’t dare finish the sentence.

“Fu Ciyu. Wuwu—I told him nine o’clock, but I overslept—”

Qu Mubai comforted her, “It’s okay, Ge is here with you.”

“You don’t understand—you don’t understand—”

She knew all too well that if she stood him up again, he would give up on her completely.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Qu Wanwan got out of the car, only to find that the place was completely deserted.

She looked around frantically, but there was still no sign of Fu Ciyu.

Her heart sank. She squatted right in the middle of the Civil Affairs Bureau entrance and began to cry.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, hitting the pavement one drop at a time.

Qu Mubai looked at her, worried. “Wanwan, should I call Ciyu?”

Qu Wanwan shook her head hard. “He must be disappointed in me. I told him I’d be here by nine. I should’ve let him come pick me up—”

Last night, she had insisted on going herself. That was the only way it would mean something.

But—

But it seemed she had missed him again.

“Wuwu—”

“Ge, what if he doesn’t want me anymore? I’ve already tried so hard to change. I want to step into his world, to have a future with him… Why is it so hard—”

Qu Mubai sighed helplessly. “I’ll take you to find him.”

“Qu Wanwan, you’re late.”