The warm light fell on the bare skin, casting a faint halo.
Her slender silhouette seemed fragile, but from her straight, bare back, Ye Huang saw Bai Xiao's defiance. His gaze softened, and his voice followed suit, becoming gentler, "Are you planning to run away from home? Choosing midnight? On the first night of our marriage?"
"Ye Huang, I really didn't mean to barge into your bridal chamber. Let's just say goodbye and let bygones be bygones, okay?" Bai Xiao pleaded in a negotiating tone, not wanting to have any entanglements with him.
"My bride is you," Ye Huang's voice rang out once again.
Bai Xiao froze on the spot.
A few seconds later, she blinked, forgetting that she was naked. Turning around, her hand trembled as she pointed at him, "What did you say? Say it again!"
"Not a bad figure, you've filled out nicely while abroad these past few years." Ye Huang appraised her, a hint of amusement touching the corners of his eyes.
Foolish girl, still as silly as ever. Other than growing taller and putting on weight, she hasn't progressed at all!
"Ah—"
Bai Xiao screamed again as she came to her senses.
Ye Huang, quick as lightning, threw a piece of clothing over her head, muffling the sound…
Bai Xiao yanked the clothing down to cover her chest, her other hand over her mouth, and looked at the person in front of her with panic-stricken eyes.
"Put on the dress," Ye Huang reminded her.
If she kept flaunting herself naked in front of him, he might lose control.
Bai Xiao instantly understood and quickly turned around to slip the dress on in a hurry.
The dress was long, perfectly covering her knees. With her clothes on, Bai Xiao felt much more secure.
She took a breath of relief, brushed her bangs with her hand, and looked again at Ye Huang on the bed, "What did you mean by what you just said? How could I be your bride?"
Ye Huang opened the bedside drawer and produced two red marriage books, emblazoned with: Ye Huang, Bai Xiao!
"This, this…" Bai Xiao looked at the marriage certificate, then at Ye Huang, and asserted firmly, "I must still be dreaming!"
How could she possibly be married to Ye Huang? She would never be that desperate!
Bai Xiao pinched her thigh fiercely.
"Ow! It hurts!"
With teary eyes, Bai Xiao glared at Ye Huang and then scrutinized the photos on the marriage certificate closely.
Suddenly, a flash of anger crossed her tearful eyes, and she threw the marriage certificate at him, "Tell me, what's going on here? Is this certificate fake?"
"Would I, Ye Huang, forge a certificate?" Ye Huang's voice fell with undeniable certainty. He picked up the marriage certificate and placed it back in the bedside drawer, his gaze landing on Bai Xiao once more; "Tomorrow, you can go check the records at the civil affairs bureau."
So it was real...
In an instant, Bai Xiao felt utterly despondent, slumping to the ground, mumbling to herself, "How is this possible? How is this possible..."
Ye Huang paid her no mind, checked the time; it was nearly six o'clock. He should get up for his morning run.
"Wait a minute!"
As if suddenly realizing something, Bai Xiao stood up, energized, a bright light in her eyes, "Did we, last night, do anything?"
"Would you not know whether we did or not?" Ye Huang stood on the floor. He was only wearing boxer shorts, his toned physique glowing seductively in the light.
Damn, too much karate, all those muscles!
Bai Xiao appreciated the view briefly before sensibly averting her eyes, "I think, nothing happened last night. Right?"
"Your reason?" Ye Huang asked with a faintly raised eyebrow.
Bai Xiao replied, "There are no marks on my body, and I don't have a sore waist or legs." She couldn't help but applaud her own attentiveness.