Civil… Civil Affairs Bureau?!
For a second or two, Su Xingyu did not understand what he meant. Or rather, there was too much information. She was so shocked that she could not believe it. She stuttered, "What… what are you doing?"
"Get married," he said briefly.
Su Xingyu did not feel good at all. Married? How crazy was she to get married to this man?! Was this man crazy? They had only met twice. How could he get married just by catching someone casually on the streets?!
"No!" She immediately refused.
The man narrowed his eyes at her. His deep gaze was like that of a beast silently observing its prey.
Su Xingyu's hair stood on end as he stared at her. Subconsciously, she shrunk her body closer to the other side of the car and stared at him nervously and warily. The air conditioner in the car was warm, but she felt cold sweat forming on the tip of her nose.
After a while, the man said, "You were holding a camera when you were knocked down."
Her expression changed, and she suddenly thought of something. She frantically argued, "That's not…! It's new! I've never used it!"
"I don't care if it's true or not," the man interrupted her, his voice cold and gentle. "Do you still remember what I said to you two years ago? You're not allowed to use cameras in this lifetime, or you'll bear the consequences."
That night two years ago.
She still remembered every detail clearly. The scary man in front of her had indeed threatened that he would tear her into pieces if she dared touch a camera again. She still didn't know how she had triggered him by using a camera. There were thousands of photographers in this world. Why did he have his eyes on an amateur like her?
However, his cold tone made her shudder. She knew he could do anything.
Therefore, in the past two years, she indeed never touched a camera again. If not for Qin Mu's sudden betrayal today and the immense pain that crushed her, she would have remembered this taboo. God was also blind. She had spent so many days and nights peacefully, but she suddenly bumped into this man less than ten minutes after picking up a camera again.
She hurriedly explained, "I haven't taken any photos in the past two years! If you don't believe me, you can send someone to check!"
However, he said, "Two years ago, you left a photo with me."
With just one sentence, Su Xingyu's face turned pale.
A photo!
She knew what he was talking about. In her countless nightmares, she had dreamed of that soft click, like a demon's murmur. It was the sound of a camera shutter, and it was unforgettable.
At that time… in the studio filled with lights and shadows…
After he had pressed her down and humiliated her…
He then took a photo!
She wished so much that the faint click had been her imagination, but it was clear that his words now gave her no hope.
"You're shameless!" She cursed angrily.
The man in the car's backseat was unmoved. "You broke our agreement. Guess what I'll do to you?"
Su Xingyu was trembling all over. She was not stupid and knew what he would use those photos for. If those unbearable photos were to spread, the consequences… she did not dare to think about them. "I'm sorry." She endured the humiliation and begged the man in a low voice. "I will never touch a camera again. Please return the photos to me."
The man said, "We'll get married."
Her body trembled as she lowered her head, not saying a word. It would be terrifying to have the photos leaked out, but if the price was to gamble on her marriage…
Her heart was in a mess. Should she marry this mysterious and terrifying man that once cruelly humiliated her? She had already lost Qin Mu, so it didn't matter whom she married. If it were any other man today, she might have agreed to it, but only… He… he was the demon in her life.
The Bently drove steadily. Su Xingyu recognized it was driving towards the Civil Affairs Bureau.
The rain outside the car window pounded against the glass. From her point of view, it looked like a crazy and dreamy silent drama.
The man leaned against the back of the car. His every word was as cold and precise as a scalpel. "If the photos get leaked, do you think the Qin family or the Su family will tolerate you? I heard that you're not favored in the Su family. If you create such a scandal, how can you marry into a good family? You might even be chased out of the house. The only ones who will be humiliated are your dead mother and grandfather."
Two years ago, when he found her, he had investigated her thoroughly.
Su Xingyu bit her lips. She knew in her heart that he was right. The bloody reality was right before her eyes.
"I've already fallen out with Qin Mu," she said in a self-deprecating manner. The scene of her sister's coming-of-age ceremony flashed before her eyes again. The scene where Qin Mu held a bouquet of roses and asked her sister for love pierced her eyes. She had already lost everything and couldn't bring shame to her family—she was referring to the Mu family. When she was young, her mother and grandfather doted on her so much and treated her like a treasure. Now that she was in such a sorry state, it was already very shameful that she couldn't do anything for them. If they were to be treated as a joke after their deaths…
She could never forgive herself.
"I will marry you," she said, lifting her eyes and gathering her courage. "But please promise me one thing too. I like taking pictures. Please allow me to touch a camera again."
Photography was her last bit of comfort.
But the man's expression darkened, and the gloominess in his eyes was like a hidden storm.
Her heart thumped wildly, afraid that he would turn hostile in the next moment. What should she do then?
It was as if ten thousand years had passed before she heard him say, "Who do you think you are to dare negotiate with me?"
She was resentful and humiliated that tears welled up in her eyes. That's right. Who was she? Ever since her mother and grandfather died, who had thought highly of her? She was just a low speck of dust, an ant that anyone could step on without paying any price. She held back her tears, unwilling to let the man in front of her see her fragile appearance.
As she lowered her head, her pale and cold fingers clutched the corner of her shirt tightly. After a long while, she finally managed to control her sobs and asked softly, "Then why do you want to marry me? Your wife… is worthless to you?"
He glanced at her, seemingly surprised by her question.
There was a pause. Then, he said, "Of course, my wife is honorable, but you are not yet my wife."
So, was it just a difference in status?
Su Xingyu's head hung even lower as she stared at her fingers. Due to clenching it so hard, her fingers had gone pale. She used them to grip onto the dirty and tattered remnants of her dress, which had blood stains too. What else did she have to lose?
"Okay, I'll marry you," she finally said.
If she married him and became his wife, there might be a chance for things to change. In the long years that they would spend together, she might be able to understand why he had abused her so cruelly. She might even be allowed to touch a camera again someday. Her late grandfather's family manufactured cameras, and her mother was a top photographer. She would pass on their glory.
The car drove to the Civil Affairs Bureau. She got out of the car with him to go through the registration process.
Only then did she know his name—Lu Shifeng.
It was a simple sentence.
It was also a name that resounded like thunder.
No way… Could he be that Lu Shifeng?! Su Xingyu felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She asked him in shock, "You… What's your relationship with the Sharp Edge Group?"
God…
It should just be someone with the same name, right?
What kind of big shot did she marry?!