Chapter 1: A Sudden Marriage

"Sis, didn't you make plans with Young Master Wang for ten thirty? Why are you heading out so early?" Qin Lianzhu called to her sister at the doorway.

Hearing her sister mention Young Master Wang, Qin Miaoyu felt a surge of discomfort. She had taken special leave to come home for a few days, only to discover her family was arranging suitors for her. She'd already refused the first one, yet now came this Young Master Wang, with a meeting set at a notorious club...

As she thought about what awaited her, her face softened into its usual gentle expression. "I have some errands to run first. I'll go to meet Young Master Wang at the agreed time."

"Really?"

"Really. I'm in a hurry, so I'll be off."

Qin Miaoyu truly was pressed for time. She had arranged to meet someone at the Civil Affairs Bureau at nine thirty. If she didn't hurry, she'd be late.

At twenty-eight minutes past nine, she arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau. The man she'd only met twice before, Mr. Lu, was already waiting at the entrance. He seemed preoccupied, frowning at something in the distance.

Following his gaze, she noticed a strikingly extravagant car parked nearby—if she wasn't mistaken, it was a globally limited edition. Luxurious cars were not uncommon, but one this ostentatious was a rare sight, attracting a crowd of onlookers snapping photos.

Qin Miaoyu paid it no mind and approached Mr. Lu with her customary gentle smile. "Mr. Lu, sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go in now?"

Lu Qi'an looked at the woman before him, her cheeks flushed from hurrying. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Are you sure you want to register this marriage with me? No regrets?"

Qin Miaoyu gave him a curious glance. "Of course not. Didn't we sign the marriage agreement just yesterday? Or are you having second thoughts?"

"Of course not," Lu Qi'an denied quickly. "I'm only concerned you might be acting on impulse."

"Don't worry. If this were a whim, we wouldn't even be meeting a second time." She smiled.

Her smile was gentle and pleasing, and yet, in her eyes, Lu Qi'an caught a hint of rebellion and resistance. He chose not to dwell on it now. All he wanted was to finalize their marriage registration as soon as possible, to avoid any unforeseen complications.

He bent his arm slightly, looking at Qin Miaoyu in invitation.

She blinked, puzzled.

"We're here to get married. If we don't act a little intimate, people might think we're here to get divorced."

Catching the humor in his words, Qin Miaoyu slipped her arm through his.

There was quite a crowd at the bureau that day. An hour passed before they emerged, marriage certificates in hand.

Lu Qi'an gripped his certificate, about to say something, when Qin Miaoyu's phone suddenly rang.

She answered. On the other end, her father Qin Shengyi's voice came through, laced with anger. "Qin Miaoyu, Young Master Wang says you never showed up. Where did you go? Get back here at once. Your mother will take you to the Wang family to apologize in person. Do you have any idea how much effort I've put into connecting with the Wang family?"

"Father, I understand. I'll explain everything when I get back," Qin Miaoyu replied gently, though a mocking smile played at her lips.

Lu Qi'an couldn't make out the words on the other end, but he could tell the caller was angry. "Is there trouble? Do you need my help?"

Qin Miaoyu shook her head. "No need, I can handle it myself. I'll return to Jing City in a few days. I'll contact you then about transferring the house. My cab is here. Goodbye."

Lu Qi'an watched her walk away. Her distant tone left him feeling a touch desolate, but when he glanced at the red marriage certificate in his hand, his lips curved upward despite himself.

They're married now—a huge step forward. From now on, he could officially seek out his wife!

When Qin Miaoyu returned home, she found her father Qin Shengyi, her mother Su Yaqing, and her sister Qin Lianzhu all seated on the sofa, as if preparing for a tribunal.

She found the scene almost amusing as she walked over to face the oncoming storm.

Sure enough, her father was the first to attack, accusing her of being inconsiderate, ungrateful for his efforts, listing how much the company would benefit from ties to the Wang family.

Her mother, seeing her remain silent, immediately put on a show of chiding her husband, telling him not to shout, that their daughter didn't understand these things, and if he explained, she wouldn't act this way.

In the past, Qin Miaoyu believed that to judge someone's affection, you should listen not to what they say, but watch what they do. She once thought her mother's defense of her was genuine.

She didn't realize this was just a tactic to keep her obedient—until three years ago, when an incident opened her eyes: Some parents love their children, while others see them only as tools.

"Father, Mother, I've heard Young Master Wang is a compulsive gambler, a playboy with a different woman every month. It's also rumored he has sadistic tendencies. Is this really the kind of man you want me to marry?"

Su Yaqing's expression remained unchanged. "Miaoyu, it's normal for men to be wild before marriage. They settle down after. Once you marry into the Wang family, you'll live in comfort. Why concern yourself with his character? Your father has gone to great lengths to secure you a good match."

"There's no need for that anymore. I'm already married."

Qin Miaoyu took a marriage certificate from her bag and displayed it with a serene smile before her parents and sister, leaving all three speechless for several seconds.

"You!" Qin Shengyi pointed at his eldest daughter. This child had always been gentle and obedient—who would have thought her first act of rebellion would be so drastic?

But recalling the wealthy suitors who'd pursued her, he lowered his hand and softened his tone. "Who did you marry? President Su's son? The eldest from the Liu family? Or—"

"None of them. Just an ordinary office worker, also working in Jing City, struggling to buy a home there. We registered the marriage today."

"What? Miaoyu, have you lost your mind? Is someone like that worthy of you? Have you forgotten all the luxuries we've provided you with? And now you marry a pauper? If you think Young Master Wang unsuitable, your father and I can find someone else for you..."

"Someone else? Like Jiang Anqi the rapist? Or President Huang, forty years old with two children, who nearly beat his ex-wife to death?"

If they'd found her a decent match, she wouldn't have minded. Nancheng was full of prominent families, and they'd looked in neighboring Lin City and Jiang City as well. Yet, time and again, the men they chose were all like this. Was it bad luck, or was it deliberate?

Su Yaqing staggered back, shocked by her daughter's rare vehemence.

Qin Shengyi flew into a rage at her words. "I've raised you all these years, only to breed a thankless ingrate! After all we've given you, is it so much to ask for a little sacrifice? If you won't accept our arrangements, then get out! Don't come back! From now on, the Qin family has no daughter like you. Don't come running home when you can't stand being poor!"

Sacrifice? Qin Miaoyu thought she'd sacrificed too much all her life, which only made her parents take it for granted.

She tossed out a curt "Fine," then went upstairs to pack for her return to Jing City.

Seeing her attitude, Qin Shengyi was beside himself with rage. He turned to Su Yaqing, ready to vent, but was interrupted by the hurried arrival of the butler.

"Sir, Young Master Wang is outside."