Yan Shu thought that she was starting to hallucinate in her eagerness to get married. "Mr. Bo, what did you say?"
"Yan Shu, marry me. Although I am not as highly educated as your ex-boyfriend, at least I won't live off a woman. I'll take care of all the family expenses and you can do whatever you want with your income. I won't betray my family or do anything to embarrass you."
If it were any other time, to have someone proposing to her in such a random manner, Yan Shu, being the reserved woman she was, would have thought that person had lost his mind.
However Yanshu, having just been wounded and battered by Gu Yucheng, coupled with the intense pressure of her family urging her to get married, was feeling tempted by the idea.
Yan Shu nodded. "Mr. Bo, I'm willing to marry you. However, I hope that I can bear half of the family's expenses. I believe that men and women should have equal standing in a family, so I will have half the say in all the decision-making processes." In a loveless marriage, she would strive for equality.
Bo Su's thin lips curled up into a slight smile. How could a doctor from a top prestigious hospital possibly afford half of his household expenses?
"I respect your decision," Bo Su said.
"Shall we go to the Civil Affairs Bureau now?"
"Okay," Bo Su agreed heartily.
…
As they arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, a gentle breeze brushed against Yan Shu's face, intensifying the effects of the alcohol she had consumed.
Yanshu stared at Bo Su with a dazed expression. He was dressed in a brand new tailored black suit, exuding an air of utmost solemnity and composure. Under the suit was a red dress shirt paired with a navy blue diagonal-striped tie, creating a juxtaposition between maturity and restraint, while emanating a refreshing youthful aura.
He looked very much like the groom.
Meanwhile, Bo Su was also gazing intently at Yan Shu.
He had seen her in a white coat before when she was at work, looking all serious and composed—there was sort of a mature charm about her.
Unexpectedly, after seeing her dressed in her casual clothes, he actually felt an urge to protect her.
"Yan Shu, you have to think carefully. Marrying me is a lifetime commitment. In my perspective on marriage, there is only widowhood, and no divorce," Bo Su said solemnly.
Yan Shu's face was flushed and her gait was a little unstable. However, she nodded firmly. "Very good. Your view of marriage coincides with mine."
Bo Su walked into the building.
Yan Shu followed Bo Su like a puppet and went to the wedding counter. After filling out the form and taking some photos, two red books were handed to them.
"Congratulations on your marriage," the staff member wished them well. "You two are truly the most compatible couple I've ever seen."
Yan Shu said in a muffled voice, "Thank you."
Bo Su, perhaps too used to hearing flattery, was indifferent to the compliments from the staff. He coolly slipped the marriage certificate into his suit pocket and walked swiftly towards the door with his proportionate and slender legs.
Yan Shu quickened her pace and jogged behind the man. Bo Su must have sensed that Yan Shu was lagging behind and suddenly stopped to wait for her.
Yan Shu caught up with him unsteadily and smiled awkwardly. "My legs are too short. I can't run fast."
Bo Su's gaze landed on her legs. Yan Shu's legs were well-proportioned, long, fair and toned. They were prettier than the legs of many supermodels.
Bo Su suddenly picked her up across his arms. "I'll carry you."
The next day.
Yan Shu woke up with a splitting headache.
What came into view was a devilishly handsome face, causing Yan Shu's heart to skip a beat. Instinctively, she lifted the covers to check if she was properly dressed, before finally letting out a sigh of relief.
Bo Su was a light sleeper. As soon as Yan Shu's breathing became irregular, he became aware of her movements and slowly opened his charming eyes.
Seeing Yanshu's flustered state, he gently flicked her nose and reassured her, "Don't worry, Shushu. I won't entrust my virginity to a tipsy person."
Yan Shu's tense body relaxed slightly, but the vigilance in her eyes was still strong.
Bo Su frowned and reached out to hand her the marriage certificate on the bedside table.
"We're married. Have you forgotten?"
Yan Shu swallowed as fragmented images popped up in her mind. Then, she hung her head in frustration.
"Do you regret it?" Bo Su asked.
Before Yan Shu could shake her head, Bo Su said, "It's no use regretting now. You were the one who dragged me to the Civil Affairs Bureau yesterday. You have to be responsible for me. Don't back out once you sober up and turn me into a divorced man with a marital history."
Yan Shu said valiantly, "Don't worry, I'll definitely take responsibility for you."
But in her heart, she was cursing herself. How could she get married to some random person?
What if he was an abusive man, a "phoenix
At this moment, Yan Shu's phone suddenly rang. Yan Shu glanced at the phone screen. The words "Gu Yucheng" were flashing on the screen.
Yan Shu looked at Bo Su awkwardly. "My… ex-boyfriend is calling."
Bo Su asked like a gentleman, "Do you need your husband's help?"
The word "husband" woke Yan Shu up instantly. She already had a family. She should cut all ties she had with other men.
She rejected the call.
But Gu Yucheng's phone calls kept coming in.
Bo Su reached out his hand. "Give me your phone." His tone was inexplicably domineering.
Stunned, Yan Shu placed her phone in his palm.
Bo Su took her phone and picked up the call. Gu Yucheng's anxious voice sounded on the line. "Shushu, you're finally willing to answer my call. Something has happened at my house. Go to my house to check on my mother immediately. My sister said that she has been neglecting her diet lately and is even coughing up blood. Can you send her to the hospital while you're at it? Help me take care of her for a few days. I'll treat you to a big meal later."
"Are you done?" Bo Su's deep voice interrupted Gu Yucheng.
Gu Yucheng was so shocked that he was unable to respond for a long time. After a long while, he shouted, "Who are you? Why is Yan Shu's phone with you?"
Bo Su said, "Yan Shu has broken up with you. In the future, don't bother her with any of your family's messy affairs. She doesn't owe you anything. If you dare to harass her again, I'll deal with you."
With that, Bo Su hung up the phone elegantly.
But after a while, Gu Yucheng started calling again.
Yan Shu picked up the phone and said angrily, "Gu Yucheng, I've already broken up with you. Your family matters are none of my business. Don't call me again."
"Yan Shu, who was that man just now?" Gu Yucheng asked in exasperation.
"Gu Yucheng, you are no longer qualified to meddle in my private affairs," Yan Shu said coldly.
Gu Yucheng was stunned for a moment.
Then, he sighed deeply and said in a helpless tone, "Yan Shu, I know that our breakup has been a huge blow to you, but you can't degrade yourself and just find a random man. I'll feel guilty if that is the case."
"Gu Yucheng, let me remind you again. We're not friends. We're strangers. Please disappear from my life in the future." Yan Shu was filled with hatred for Gu Yucheng.
Gu Yucheng was still trying to manipulate Yan Shu. "Yan Shu, those professional notes of yours are still at my house. Are you not going to my house for the rest of your life?"
Yan Shu thought of the medical notes that she had lent to Gu Yucheng. They were the fruits of her labor over the years. In that instant, there was a flicker of uncertainty in her firm gaze.
Bo Su saw the worry in Yan Shu's eyes. He asked, "Is there something important that you need to get from the Gu residence?"
Yan Shu nodded. "My medical notes."
Bo Su said, "Then I'll send you there."
Gu Yucheng's voice sounded. "Yan Shu, remember to send my mother to the hospital."