Marriage certificate?
Carson Flores' eyes suddenly widened, his gaze filled with disbelief.
Hadn't it been just an hour since he entered the house, and now they were talking about getting a marriage certificate?
That's too exaggerated!
Even if she was a fiancée arranged by the elders, shouldn't there be some development of feelings, some formalities to follow?
Carson instinctively looked towards Shirley Miller, guessing that her impression of him must be so bad that she would surely oppose it.
However, to Carson's surprise, although Shirley's mouth clearly twitched, indicating her great dissatisfaction, she did not speak up against it.
Is this... agreement?
"Carson, you don't have any objections, do you?"
Parker Miller's question snapped Carson back to reality, and he responded with an awkward smile, "Miss Miller and I just met today, isn't it a bit too hasty... "
Parker Miller said unconcerned, "What's there to be hasty about? You went off to the military and were away for five years. Shirley has been waiting for you for all this time, and now both of you are not so young anymore. Let's not waste any more time. Affection can be developed slowly. You are a good kid, and I believe you wouldn't make Shirley upset..."
Waited for five years?
Carson wanted to say something, but Shirley suddenly spoke up, "Grandfather, I'd like to have a private chat with Carson."
Parker Miller was startled for a moment, then smiled, "That's right, you young people really do need to communicate properly. But Shirley..."
Parker didn't finish his sentence, just staring at Shirley meaningfully.
Shirley nodded composedly, "Grandfather, don't worry. Since I've promised you, I won't mess it up."
Only then did Parker show a smile, "Alright, you two go and talk."
Shirley gave Carson a look, "Let's go for a walk outside."
Carson actually wanted to talk to Shirley as well, so he readily agreed, "Okay!"
The two of them walked out and followed a pathway until they reached the edge of an artificial lake, where Shirley stopped, turned around, and stared at Carson with an icy gaze.
"I don't want to marry you."
Carson was stunned for a moment but then nodded naturally, "I know."
Perhaps it was Carson's calm reaction that eased some of the hostility in Shirley's heart as she spoke with a slightly softer tone, "You can accept that?"
Carson spread his hands, his smile serene and demeanor candid, "Which woman doesn't want her love to be passionate? Even if not passionate, love should at least be a mutual affection, not a pairing forced together by others. A melon forcibly twisted off its vine may quench your thirst, but it may not necessarily be sweet, right?"
Shirley's mouth curled up involuntarily, amused by Carson's playful remark at the end.
After thinking for a moment, Shirley said, "I don't understand why grandpa insists on me marrying you. I don't want to get married now, but I don't want to disappoint him either..."
Carson was suddenly confused, "What do you mean? Are you asking me to be the one to turn down this engagement?"
Shirley shook her head, "No."
Carson was really puzzled and decided to be frank, "Miss Miller, I admit, you are very beautiful, more beautiful than I expected. Marrying you would definitely be a great catch for me. But, when it comes to finding a wife, it's not all about beauty. What matters most is mutual consent and compatibility, don't you agree?"
Now it was Shirley's turn to be confused. What did that mean?
Was he indicating he was not satisfied with her?
Carson continued, "I have no intention of forcing Miss Miller to marry against her will. My real purpose in coming to the Miller Family was to retrieve the jade pendant my master gave to Mr. Miller..."
Shirley's eyes widened, "Jade pendant?"
Carson asked tentatively, "Yes, my master mentioned it was a token of engagement. Do you know about this, Miss Miller?"
Shirley nodded, "I know, that jade pendant... my grandfather gave it to me."
Carson was elated, "Miss Miller, since you don't want to marry me, how about you give me that jade pendant, and I'll leave?"
Shirley was taken aback and then felt an inexplicable wave of irritation!
What did the joy on his face mean?
He didn't want to marry her?
He only wanted to retrieve the jade pendant?
She held no attraction for him?
Seeing Shirley's annoyance, Carson quickly added, "I know, when my master gave the pendant to Mr. Miller, he took a sum of money from your family. We owe you for that favor, and I acknowledge the debt. Just name the price, and once I've earned enough, I'll repay you, okay?"
Money?
Shirley suddenly felt inexplicably angry.
Was she angry about the money?
Shirley silently bit her back teeth and spoke coldly, "No, you have to marry me!"