Leng Xiaoyao originally thought it would be enough to just hold the wedding and get through a year, but who knew Mrs. Han was serious and insisted on registering the marriage? This was legally binding, after all! If they registered it, she would actually be married to this man. She absolutely didn't want that!
"You don't have a choice, we're here. Get out of the car," Han Chenyu said.
"No!" Leng Xiaoyao gripped the car door with all her strength, as if taking one step outside would mean she could never return.
"Xiaoyao, please help me, alright?" Han Chenyu's usually cool face wore an unusually pleading expression, which stunned Leng Xiaoyao. The CEO, who was always so arrogant, now looked like a little puppy asking for sympathy. Was this a dream? Was the sun rising from the west?
"Xiaoyao, you saw my mom last time, right? She lies in bed all day, unable to go anywhere, and never complains. Her only wish is to see me married. I can't do anything about it, and I can't be with any other woman because of my severe cleanliness obsession."
"But that night... we...?" Leng Xiaoyao hesitated, her voice soft with confusion. How could he have such a strong cleanliness obsession after what happened that night?
"I know, it's strange, but I don't know why. You're the only one I can be close to." Han Chenyu didn't mention the other person, the woman from his past, because he knew it wasn't something he could say.
"But...?" Leng Xiaoyao was still unsure.
"Xiaoyao, please, just help me. If, after a year, we don't have feelings for each other, I'll divorce you. Please, just help me out." Han Chenyu's voice was softer, almost pleading.
Leng Xiaoyao, a sucker for handsome men, froze. When he spoke to her in that tone, her mind went blank. She mechanically nodded.
Before she knew it, two bright red marriage certificates were placed in front of her. She saw the words: Leng Xiaoyao, Han Chenyu, Husband and Wife. She realized that in her moment of infatuation, she had practically sold herself out.
The next day, Leng Xiaoyao reluctantly donned the wedding dress and was driven to the Maria Church. Han Chenyu and the guests were already waiting. Cold Feng led her down the aisle, guiding her toward Han Chenyu. Han Chenyu looked at his bride, who looked stunning in her white, off-the-shoulder wedding gown, making her appear both cute and alluring, like an angel in a snowy world.
It was hard to believe that he was really marrying someone other than "her."
Leng Xiaoyao looked at the groom across from her. He was, indeed, handsome. In his tailored wedding suit, he stood tall and even more striking, radiating a mature and composed manly charm.
Was she really about to marry this man, whom she had only met three times?
At that moment, she felt the urge to run away, but she knew she had no choice now.
The priest spoke the marriage vows, and Han Chenyu stood before Leng Xiaoyao, speaking in a voice only she could hear, "My bride, you look beautiful today. So captivating."
"Of course. Leng Xiaoyao is always captivating," she replied, her voice slightly teasing.
"Really humble, aren't we? So, are you ready to spend a wonderful year with me?" Han Chenyu asked with a playful smile.
"Please guide me," Leng Xiaoyao said, her eyes narrowing with mock seriousness.
"Now, the groom and bride, please exchange rings."
Han Chenyu placed the ring on Leng Xiaoyao's left hand, and at that moment, he suddenly felt a sense of responsibility for her. Although he knew this marriage was just to appease his mother, he felt unexpectedly moved. Why? He wasn't sure himself.
"Now, the groom may kiss the bride."
Leng Xiaoyao blushed as Han Chenyu's handsome face slowly approached her.
"Um... can we skip the kiss?" she asked nervously.
"No," Han Chenyu replied, and before she could protest, his familiar scent filled her senses as he kissed her.
The sound of thunderous applause echoed through the room. Leng Xiaoyao's parents were wiping away tears, while her three brothers silently wished her well. Mrs. Han, seated in her wheelchair, also shed tears. Her son had finally gotten married, and the Han family had heirs now.
"Father, you saw this, right? Chenyu finally married a good woman, not that woman who was only after the Han family's fortune. Rest easy."
After the lengthy wedding ceremony, Leng Xiaoyao was exhausted and barely wanted to move a finger. She collapsed into the soft bed in the bedroom, immediately falling into a deep sleep.
Later, Han Chenyu walked in, shaking his head with a smile. He knew she had been bombarded with questions by relatives and forced to drink, though she had been wise enough to avoid getting drunk, knowing that would lead to... other consequences. So he had stepped in to help her avoid trouble.
"Xiaoyao, wake up! You're wearing that heavy wedding dress and taking up the whole bed. How am I supposed to sleep?"
Upon hearing this, Leng Xiaoyao immediately snapped awake.
"What? You want to sleep on this bed?"
"Where else should I sleep? The floor?" Han Chenyu gave her a look, then entered the bathroom.