Chapter Nineteen: We've Got Our Marriage Certificate

Chen Liang was almost disarmed by her smile; this silly girl, what a waste of that ascetic face! Like any scoundrel, he preferred action over words, grabbing Teacher Xiaoyu’s soft hand. “Comrade Xiaoyu, are you ready?”

Teacher Xiaoyu, feeling helpless as Chen Liang took her hand, was suddenly stunned in place.

“Are you ready to be my bride?” he asked.

How could he be so domineering? Oh! But he’s so handsome! I really do like him!

Her heart fluttering like a frightened fawn, Teacher Xiaoyu stole a glance at Chen Liang, only to be caught by him. It was as if she’d been caught stealing; she blushed and lowered her head.

But Chen Liang wouldn’t allow it. He gently lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Looking at the pure and ascetic beauty before him, Chen Liang suddenly leaned in, leaving Teacher Xiaoyu wholly bewildered.

Her eyes widened, and she stood there frozen, not daring to move a muscle.

When their heads finally parted, a mist had gathered in Teacher Xiaoyu’s lovely eyes—he had kissed her by force! She was mortified!

During the kiss, Chen Liang restrained his restless hands from measuring her curves, only pulling Teacher Xiaoyu into his arms after they separated.

His hands, as if protesting: “Heh! You despicable scoundrel, as if this is my fault! You always shift the blame. I just want to ask, where’s your manners? Bah!”

Holding Teacher Xiaoyu, trembling like a wounded dove in his embrace, the scoundrel began his lesson.

“Comrade Xiaoyu, now that I belong to you, are you willing to take responsibility for me?”

Damn, this is intolerable! He’s the one who kissed Teacher Xiaoyu, wasn’t he?

Oh well, don’t sweat the details. The result is what matters most!

To deal with innocent girls like her, you’ve got to be shamelessly bold—just as the Tiger of the Major Crimes Unit taught me! Uncle Da, forever legendary!

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“Ah! But you…” She barely had time to speak before Chen Liang launched into his performance again. “What? I gave you my very first kiss, and you want to shirk responsibility?”

Bah! How could this scoundrel say such a thing?

Teacher Xiaoyu felt her mind unravel; how could he be so infuriating! As if she wasn’t also giving him her first kiss!

“Oh, you were the one who made the first move…” Teacher Xiaoyu began, but Chen Liang cut her off.

“Yes, I made the first move, but it was still my first kiss. Don’t you want to be responsible?” No matter what, this blame had to be placed squarely on her shoulders.

With just a few words, Chen Liang had deftly shifted the focus from the kiss itself to whether Teacher Xiaoyu should take responsibility.

Gradually, her nervousness faded under Chen Liang’s teasing, and she even raised her tiny fists to gently punch him twice.

Seeing that Teacher Xiaoyu seemed to accept him, Chen Liang wrapped her in his embrace. Neither spoke, quietly listening to each other’s heartbeats—the silence more eloquent than words.

“Comrade Xiaoyu, I’ve brought the household registration book. Would you like to go get our marriage certificate right now?” Teacher Xiaoyu, at one meter seventy, fit perfectly against Chen Liang’s chest, able to hear the rhythm of his heart.

Feeling his heartbeat grow ever faster, Teacher Xiaoyu was full of happiness. “Mm!” Her voice was soft, but to Chen Liang, it thundered in his ears.

Chen Liang kissed her forehead again. “Let’s go now. I can’t wait another moment!”

As they stepped out the door, they saw Zhao’s mother quarreling with someone, quite fiercely. But their aunt was mediating beside them, so the couple paid no mind and walked straight out.

“I’ll tell you, Cuihua, Chen Liang is a fine young man—he’s gone on more blind dates than your son, but the results are reversed. It’s not that girls don’t like him, it’s that Chen Liang isn’t interested in them!”

Last night, Zhao’s mother had done her share of asking around about Chen Liang, learning that he’d been on many blind dates in the past two years. From what she knew, all the girls he met were top-notch! But none caught his eye.

Though Zhao’s mother didn’t quite understand ‘aesthetic standards,’ she could guess that Chen Liang probably liked her own daughter’s type!

So when she overheard her neighbor subtly hinting that Chen Liang might have some defect, Zhao’s mother was instantly incensed.

The friendship boat overturned in an instant, and she confronted her neighbor head-on.

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Cuihua’s son was also struggling with blind dates—his family was decent, but girls just refused to be interested, driving her to constant anxiety.

She meant well with her warning, but being slapped down so thoroughly left Cuihua furious. Unable to out-argue Zhao’s mother, she was about to get physical.

Someone intervened, and so she gave up. “Forget it! Like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, unable to recognize a good heart! Why waste my effort?” She turned and walked away.

It wasn’t Zhao’s mother’s fault for being so prickly; if she didn’t fiercely stand her ground with Cuihua today, rumors would spread across the city by tomorrow, saying the Chen family’s second son was physically unfit, or that they were selling their daughter for money.

Having won the argument, Zhao’s mother spat on the ground. “That Cuihua is brainless, really willing to say anything! Serves her right to be put in her place!”

If this rumor reached the Chen family, the Zhao and Chen households wouldn’t be forming an alliance—they’d be forming a feud!

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Chen Liang rode his bicycle leisurely, with Teacher Xiaoyu seated behind him, her arms wrapped around his waist, her face pressed against his back, happiness written all over her.

After Chen Liang’s lively, textbook scoundrel behavior, Teacher Xiaoyu had completely fallen under his spell—no, his gentle trap.

They laughed and chatted along the way, and aside from Teacher Xiaoyu’s exotic looks, they seemed a perfect pair, drawing the envy of everyone on the street.

In those days, there was no civil affairs bureau; for marriage certificates, people simply went to the local neighborhood office.

After leaving a few White Rabbit candies with the staff who processed their marriage, Chen Liang, face alight with excitement, took Teacher Xiaoyu away.

He glanced at the marriage certificate, which looked just like an ordinary award—finally, his heart stirred. Not easy! After so many chapters, he’d finally won a girl!

Looking at Teacher Xiaoyu, beaming like summer flowers, Chen Liang gazed at her with deep affection.

“My beloved! From this day forward, please take good care of me!”