Lu Yunchuan never imagined that his clever attempt to secure his own future would run into such a situation, and he had even shamelessly told his boss that he felt the boss’s wife quite appreciated him…

It was simply—he didn’t even know how he would die.

He didn’t dare linger any longer. At a time like this, the more he hovered around Chen Shao, the more he was courting death. He quickly made up an excuse and left.

Chen Shao curled his lips in a slight sneer.

Lowering his head, he saw the emoji Ye Chuqing had just sent to his phone—”Service was good, here’s your reward.”

She was something else, truly possessing the ability to have young handsome men lining up at her command.

Chen Shao stared at his phone screen for a while. Later, for reasons unknown even to himself, he passed on Lu Yunchuan’s earlier request to her.

[Ye Chuqing: Who is Lu Yunchuan?]

Chen Shao: “…”

What a woman who forgets so quickly after pulling up her pants.

Then she sent a string of voice messages—

“Oh, oh, oh, I remember now, that guy from your company I met yesterday, right? I was still half-asleep.”

“I do know that production team, but I never interfere with casting. Besides, for this kind of drama, they’re just looking for a pretty face and fan base. There are plenty of candidates, and he’s not at Chen Die’s level. They absolutely wouldn’t delay filming for him—other actors need to eat too, you know.”

“Your Yiming Entertainment must be going under if you’re coming to me with such a stupid idea.”

After listening, although Chen Shao was still being mocked, his mood somehow improved considerably.

He didn’t reply after listening to her messages. Just as he put his phone aside, it vibrated again. Madam Chairman Ye had sent another emoji—”See this palm? The next second it will appear on your face” JPG.

Who knows where she got all these random emojis?

The Lu Yunchuan matter was over. Regardless of what kind of “appreciation” he was talking about, Chen Shao had completely blocked his way with a simple and brutal “Yiming Entertainment’s boss’s wife.”

But Ye Chuqing knew nothing about Chen Shao’s maneuverings. A week later, she visited Yiming Entertainment on business.

She had been there several times before and knew the way to the executive floor by elevator. She went straight to the assistant: “Is your Director Chen in? I have an appointment with him.”

The assistant, seeing it was Ye Chuqing, hurriedly stood up: “Yes, yes, please go in.”

The news that Madam Chairman Ye was Yiming Entertainment’s boss’s wife had already spread throughout the company, from one person to ten to a hundred.

The assistant ushered her in like a greeter and asked: “By the way, would you like something to drink? Coffee or tea?”

Ye Chuqing was startled by her enthusiastic behavior, wondering why she had never received such treatment in her many previous visits.

“Coffee would be fine, thank you.” After a pause, she hesitantly asked: “Don’t you need to notify him first?”

“No need, no need.” The assistant was very perceptive, guessing that she might be making a surprise inspection, and even spoke up for her boss: “Director Chen has been in meetings all day and just returned to his office.”

Although Ye Chuqing found it somewhat strange, she didn’t think much of it and walked into the office. Chen Shao was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, talking on the phone.

Hearing her enter, he looked over and gestured for her to sit down.

Moments later, the assistant brought in surprisingly fragrant coffee, as if brewed from top-grade coffee beans. It was completely different from the instant coffee typically served in most companies.

But then she thought, for a rich young master like Chen Shao who could set up a dedicated beverage area on the company’s top floor for people to enjoy, serving freshly ground coffee to guests was normal.

Meanwhile, this young master stood by the floor-to-ceiling window with sunlight streaming in, falling on his shoulders, penetrating his shirt, revealing the slightly concave curve of his waist underneath.

Based on her hazy, intoxicated memories of those two nights, Ye Chuqing recalled that Chen Shao’s physique seemed quite good, showing clear signs of working out.

She leaned back on the sofa and, taking advantage of Chen Shao’s back being turned to her, let her gaze fall very directly on his body, admiring him.

Then this wealthy young master began speaking: “What do I care whether you come back or not.”

Ye Chuqing: …?

She had been waiting and almost dozed off, but hearing this, she immediately perked up and pricked her ears to carefully listen to her married husband’s gossip.

Chen Shao: “Call a driver to pick you up. Why should I go?”

Chen Shao: “Then don’t come back.”

Ye Chuqing: …??

What’s going on? First love? The one that got away?

Brother, your pregnant wife is sitting right here—aren’t you being a bit too blatant?

Chen Shao hung up the phone directly and sat down across from her, glancing at her legs: “Why are you wearing high heels again?”

His attitude had completely turned around 180 degrees. Even his tone could be described as gentle, totally unlike how he had spoken to his “first love” just now.

Ye Chuqing was stunned for a moment before looking down: “Ah, what else? If I don’t wear high heels, people will suspect I’m pregnant.”

“You are pregnant.”

Ye Chuqing was here today regarding a film festival event that Yiming Entertainment was organizing. She needed to go over some details with Chen Shao.

She handed Chen Shao the documents she had prepared earlier.

Having worked together before and now with this additional intimate relationship, Chen Shao simply flipped through the documents once and signed.

Just as he put down his pen, the phone on Chen Shao’s desk rang again.

Ye Chuqing glanced at it—the contact was labeled with a name: Qiu Yao.

Her sixth sense told her this must be the person who had just called Chen Shao.

Ye Chuqing quickly glanced at Chen Shao’s expression, only to see the man’s brow slightly furrow before he directly hung up and added the number to his blacklist.

“…”

That’s harsh.

But somehow it felt oddly satisfying.

Ye Chuqing leaned forward: “Who was that?”

“Hmm?” Chen Shao looked somewhat impatient. “Sort of my cousin.”

Ye Chuqing was startled and leaned back against her chair: “Why do you have so many sisters? How come I never heard you had a cousin before?”

Chen Shao: “She’s been abroad for several years. She probably got notified about the wedding and was told to come back, so now she’s bothering me. Just ignore her.”

Ye Chuqing laughed: “Why do you dislike all your sisters so much? Previously it was Chen Shuyuan, and now this cousin of yours.”

“They’re too annoying.”

“But,” Ye Chuqing rested her chin on her palm and leaned closer, “did you initially think I was really annoying too?”

Chen Shao’s answer was honest, and he smiled: “One of you is enough to equal both of them plus Chen Die.”

“…”

That evening, Old Mr. Chen invited them to dinner at home. After getting the contract, Ye Chuqing was in no rush to leave. She stayed in Chen Shao’s office for a while, waiting for him to finish his work before leaving together.

They took the elevator down to the underground parking lot. It was the end of the workday, and several people joined them in the elevator.

Ye Chuqing had no idea that Chen Shao had already sold her out, including the news of the CEO’s wife coming to inspect that had already spread throughout the company’s work groups.

To maintain appearances, she made a show of discussing film festival business with Chen Shao in a low voice in the elevator.

Everyone: “…”

Who would have thought the CEO was so unreliable, while the CEO’s wife turned out to be such a workaholic?

Chen Shao didn’t bother to remind her, just giving a bland “Mm” and letting her continue.

It wasn’t until they reached the parking lot and exited the elevator that Ye Chuqing finally stopped talking. She got into the car with Chen Shao, and they drove toward the Chen family’s main house.

Ye Chuqing had met Old Mr. Chen a few times before. He was a very approachable old man, but to prevent excessive nagging, she still changed from her high heels to flat shoes before getting out of the car.

For occasions like this, Chen Shao always kept her flat shoes in his car.

“Remember to speak nicely later, okay?” Ye Chuqing reminded him as she changed her shoes.

Chen Shao lounged lazily in the driver’s seat, looking down as she changed her shoes. Her feet were also beautiful—slender, with fair insteps where faint blue veins were visible.

He stared for a while before finally responding slowly: “Fine.”

At the dinner table, Old Mr. Chen advised her on some pregnancy precautions and finally didn’t forget to inquire about how Chen Shao had been treating her lately.

Ye Chuqing smiled brightly and nodded: “He’s been very good to me.”

Beside her, Chen Shao was about to make a scoffing sound when Ye Chuqing kicked him under the table, so he had to keep quiet.

After dinner, they discussed the wedding arrangements. Since neither of the young couples cared much about the wedding, even thinking it could be skipped altogether, the preparations were left to both sets of parents.

Both the Chen and Ye families were considered prestigious, and the wedding required inviting numerous guests. They had just finalized the guest list these past few days and would start sending out invitations.

Although Ye Chuqing’s drama with Chen Die had already led many to believe Chen Shao had been pursuing her for a long time, receiving wedding invitations so quickly still gave everyone quite a shock.

During those days, both their phones were bombarded as if under attack, all from people asking about the news.

A week before the wedding, Ye Chuqing and Chen Shao were dragged out by Huang Sheng. They had no idea where they were going, and when they asked, they received no clear answer.

An hour later, the two arrived at a broken temple at the foot of a mountain, facing a plump master in a kasaya robe.

Ye Chuqing: “…”

Chen Shao: “…”

The two exchanged a glance, instantly understanding why Huang Sheng had refused to tell them where they were going all the way here.

Otherwise, these two firm atheists would have jumped out of the car rather than follow along.

Chen Shao didn’t comment, but Ye Chuqing immediately frowned and turned to look at Huang Sheng: “Mom, you’re a modern woman, how can you believe in…”

Before she could finish, Huang Sheng interrupted: “Shut up! Don’t speak carelessly in front of the Master.”

Ye Chuqing: “???”

Huang Sheng pressed down on her shoulders and lightly struck the back of her knees, making Ye Chuqing plop down onto the prayer mat in front of the Master.

Ye Chuqing was completely speechless, but she couldn’t be the only one kneeling.

So without another word, she reached out and grabbed Chen Shao’s wrist. She looked up, making eye contact with Chen Shao, then tugged downward twice, indicating that he should kneel too.

Chen Shao raised an eyebrow, clearly refusing, absolutely determined not to kneel.

Ye Chuqing glared at him, threatening with her eyes: Will you kneel or not?

Chen Shao: You get up.

Ye Chuqing: My mom is pressing on my shoulders and won’t let me up—can’t you see that? Hurry up! The Master is waiting! Kneel!

Chen Shao: Idiot.

Ye Chuqing covered her belly, slightly furrowing her brows, and softly hissed.

Chen Shao knelt.

Huang Sheng had no idea that these two had just silently fought several rounds through their eye contact and expressions. She simply handed the talisman paper she had brought to the Master and respectfully said: “These are my daughter and son-in-law’s birth dates and times, as well as when they registered their marriage. I’d like you to pick an auspicious time for their wedding ceremony.”

Come to think of it, Huang Sheng used to be an actress, then a director—how did she come to believe in these things?

Even Ye Chuqing found it shocking.

But since they were already here, she didn’t waste more words. She and Chen Shao each knelt on a prayer mat, though with irreverent attitudes, their postures were quite lazy.

Rather than kneeling, they were merely sitting on their heels.

The Master took the talisman with their birth dates and times, chanting: “All dharmas arise from self-karma due to the power of causation, and these causes and conditions do not remain even for an instant, like flashes of lightning.”

Ye Chuqing was momentarily confused by his words: “What does that mean?”

The Master was quite temperamental and didn’t explain further. He brought out a bamboo tube from his side, containing more than a dozen divination sticks: “Come, each of you draw a stick.”

They both drew.

Ye Chuqing drew a “superior” stick, while Chen Shao got a “supreme” stick.

Ye Chuqing glanced at the one in his hand and frowned, dissatisfied: “How come yours is even better than mine?”

Chen Shao looked at her, but because Huang Sheng was present, they could only communicate through their eyes.

Ye Chuqing understood what his eyes were saying: Idiot, you believe this.

“…”

The Master collected the two sticks from their hands, returned them to the bamboo tube, then clasped his hands together and nodded slightly to Huang Sheng: “Your birth dates are compatible, and your marriage fate is auspicious. There’s no need to worry. Any auspicious time will do.”

“Thank you, Master.” Huang Sheng expressed her gratitude.

Although Ye Chuqing didn’t really understand or believe, hearing “marriage fate is auspicious, no need to worry” still gave her a sense of relief.

This marriage had happened so unexpectedly that she inevitably felt uncertain.

Leaving the broken temple, Chen Shao went to get the car, leaving only Ye Chuqing and Huang Sheng at the temple entrance.

“Why did you bring us here?” Ye Chuqing asked.

Huang Sheng: “A friend told me this Master is particularly divine, and that marriages blessed by him are mostly happy and fulfilling.”

Ye Chuqing couldn’t help laughing: “Since when did you start believing in this?”

Huang Sheng slapped the back of her hand and glared at her: “Don’t say such things in front of the Master’s temple—it will make the blessing ineffective.”

“…”

After a pause, Huang Sheng sighed and added: “Your marriage happened so suddenly, I just don’t feel at ease. I’m trying every method I can think of.”

Ye Chuqing paused, then patted Huang Sheng’s shoulder.

Chen Shao had already brought the car around. The two didn’t say anything more as they got in. They dropped Huang Sheng off first, then went home together.

“By the way, do you remember that jumbled phrase the Taoist said earlier?” Ye Chuqing asked.

Chen Shao raised his eyebrows: “Why?”

“I’m just asking.”

“What for?” Chen Shao laughed. “Don’t tell me you believe it.”

Ye Chuqing was moved by what Huang Sheng had said: “Better to believe it exists.”

Chen Shao laughed at her but didn’t say anything more. He took out his phone and typed a few words from memory, quickly searching for the complete phrase, and handed it to her.

Ye Chuqing took it: “You remember it.”

“Well, considering it was the first time in my life I’ve ever knelt to anyone, and it was to that Taoist, I’d better listen carefully or it would be a waste.”

The explanation of the phrase was also a bunch of incomprehensible Buddhist terms. Ye Chuqing looked at it for a while before growing tired of it, her momentary sense of reverence instantly disappearing: “What gibberish.”

Chen Shao chuckled softly.

Ye Chuqing handed his phone back to him: “My mom seems quite worried that we might divorce someday—she’s even brought out such things.”

Chen Shao reached out, but instead of taking the phone, he grasped Ye Chuqing’s wrist.

Ye Chuqing froze instantly—strangely enough, although they had done the most intimate things twice, somehow just holding her wrist now felt like harassment.

She stared at her wrist, noting that Chen Shao’s hand was quite attractive too.

He, however, seemed to find nothing improper and just held her wrist lazily as he said: “Neither of us believes in this stuff, so seeking these blessings is useless. We make our fate in life.”

“…”

When did this person learn to speak like a normal human?

Ye Chuqing was still bewildered when Chen Shao’s next words were: “Rather than asking him, you should ask me.”

?

“Ask you for what? As if!” Ye Chuqing immediately retorted.

Chen Shao burst out laughing, his laughter growing heartier, his shoulders shaking.

The more Ye Chuqing watched him, the more annoyed she became. Just as she was about to pull something out of her bag to hit him with, her fingers touched something. She paused, took it out, and nearly blacked out.

When had she put that “supreme” divination stick in her bag??

Wouldn’t taking this thing home bring bad luck??

Chen Shao also saw what was in her hand and was surprised: “You already believe to this extent?”

“…”

Ye Chuqing couldn’t be bothered to explain. She simply carried the stick into the house and stuck it in the potted plant on the coffee table. With fruit and other offerings in front, it almost looked like a shrine.

“Just let it stay there, blessing us not to divorce.”

“…”

Since the house had this “stabilizing pillar,” everything remained peaceful until the wedding.

No more young handsome men or other disturbances appeared around Ye Chuqing, so Chen Shao permitted this kind of “feudal superstition” to enter their home.

Until the night before the wedding.

Ye Chuqing finally met the legendary blacklisted cousin—Qiu Yao.

Just back from abroad, she was dressed very punk with pink hair, wearing shorts despite it being early spring.

After meeting this cousin, Ye Chuqing couldn’t help but think that Chen Shuyuan was just ordinary by comparison.

What was wrong with all the younger generation of the Chen family?

She hadn’t thought much of it at first, since Qiu Yao was a few years younger than her—perhaps still in a prolonged rebellious phase, which was understandable. But she soon discovered that Qiu Yao seemed to be extremely attached to her brother.

As soon as she returned to the country, she practically glued herself to Chen Shao. No matter how many times Chen Shao frowned and pulled her away, she persisted in sticking close to him.

This was a bit excessive, wasn’t it???

In the main hall of the Chen family mansion on the eve of the wedding, several relatives gathered together. Ye Chuqing looked around and secretly messaged Chen Die.

[Ye Chuqing: What’s the deal with Chen Shao’s cousin Qiu Yao?]

[Ye Chuqing: Do you know what’s going on? Looking at this makes me want to run away from the wedding tomorrow.]

[Chen Die: Do I look like someone who knows other Chen family members?]

[Ye Chuqing: …]

Chen Shao finally couldn’t stand it anymore. He pulled Qiu Yao away and went out to smoke.

Qiu Yao seemed completely unaware of how annoying she was. She moved over to Ye Chuqing’s side, and with her pink hair, smiled sweetly: “Sister-in-law.”

Ye Chuqing had been polishing her acting skills every day, and immediately put on a smile, responding affectionately: “What is it, Yao Yao?”

“Are you and my brother Chen Shao getting married?”

“Yes.”

Qiu Yao leaned in closer and whispered: “You’re not just having a fake marriage, are you?”

“…?”

“I’ve never seen my brother Chen Shao like any girl before. I’ve never heard him mention anyone, and this marriage is so sudden. I heard that you’re pregnant, sister-in-law. You’re not just having a shotgun wedding because there’s no love, are you?”

With family all around, Ye Chuqing was panicking inside, but she disliked this so-called cousin. So she smiled broadly, secretly launching a cold attack: “Your brother Chen Shao never mentioned our relationship to you? Maybe he forgot. But that doesn’t seem right—he tells everyone about us. I often have to tell him not to be so high-profile. Maybe he just didn’t remember to tell you.”

“Our relationship is extremely good. Your brother Chen Shao is clingy, always urging me to get our marriage certificate,” Ye Chuqing continued with a straight face. “We’ve been married for a month now, and only now are we having the wedding ceremony.”

Qiu Yao: “…”

She didn’t argue further but looked up to see Chen Shao at the doorway. No one knew when he had finished smoking or how long he had been standing there.

Judging by his expression, he had probably heard everything Ye Chuqing just said.

Ye Chuqing: “…”

Every time she finished an acting performance, Chen Shao caught her. Ye Chuqing felt that if she continued living with him after marriage, she would soon be coughing blood.

“Let’s go.”

Chen Shao leaned against the doorframe, his face showing a smile he could barely suppress. Then, with perfect composure, he added an endearment: “Babe.”

Qiu Yao: “…”

Ye Chuqing: “???”

It perfectly completed Ye Chuqing’s performance.