Chapter 5 Collecting the Credentials

• There was a black Maybach waiting for them downstairs when they walked out of the hotel. Zhan Senyu held the door open for Qi Yushi. While her expression showed no change, she was impressed on the inside - woah, just how much money does this person have?!
• Then again, it’s a good thing that he has money - at least it means that the necklace would be worth nothing more than a penny to him. It makes me feel less guilty.
• After following Qi Yushi’s directions for a while, the car soon arrived in front of a dilapidated apartment building.
• “I’ll go get the credentials.” Qi Yushi quickly said before she stepped out of the car, dashing up to the fifth floor.
• This was the apartment that she rented with her friend, Lu Xiaoxiao - although it was a bit old, it was in a good location, right in the heart of the city, making it convenient for her to get around.
• When she opened the door, the apartment was quiet - Lu Xiaoxiao did not seem to be in.
• Initially, Qi Yushi had wanted to quickly share with her friend about her plight, that she was about to get married - however, upon seeing that she was not in, she simply retrieved her residence registration booklet from her bedroom before hurrying back downstairs.
• When she reached the second fair, she bumped into Madam Liu. Upon seeing Qi Yushi, the woman immediately called out to her: “Yushi.”
• Qi Yushi smiled. “Hello, Auntie.”
• Living up to her unofficial title as the Director of the Gossip Association of the area, Madam Liu pulled Qi Yushi close as though she were sharing exclusive first-hand information with her: “Something in our building had been snagged - they’ve really struck gold!”
• Qi Yushi was dumbfounded. Huh?
• There was a quizzical look on Madam Liu’s face as she explained: “There’s a really nice-looking car downstairs that’s definitely worth about fifty grand. Do you think anyone living in our apartment complex can afford such a car?”
• Qi Yushi felt like she was about to break into cold sweat; if I were to tell Madam Liu that the car is not worth fifty grand but rather nine hundred grand, she would surely be so shocked that she might get a heart attack!
• “I don’t think it might necessarily be someone’s private car, perhaps it’s a company car sent to pick someone up?” Qi Yushi awkwardly offered.
• “Hmph, given my expertise in having researched about forty something gossip cases, I definitely have not got it wrong! Someone here had definitely been bagged and struck gold!” she hurriedly replied, sensing that Qi Yushi was skeptical of her gossip knowledge.
• Qi Yushi quickly switched topics: “Auntie, it’s about time that you go back to prepare food.”
• It was then that Madam Liu realised she was still holding two stalks of spring onions. As she left rather hesitantly, she muttered to herself under her breath: “Just whose car could it be…”
• Qi Yushi felt like she had a bit of a headache. Ignoring it, she hurriedly made her way downstairs.
• When she returned to the car, Zhan Senyu noticed that Qi Yushi had a strange expression. “What’s the matter?” he asked.
• Qi Yushi hesitated for a while before she quietly replied: “Someone said that I had been snagged by you.”
• Zhan Senyu had not expected her to say these so abruptly. Slightly stunned, he raised an eyebrow. “Well, there’s a price for supporting someone.”
• “What price?” Qi Yushi blurted out.
• “What do you think supporting someone means?”
• Supporting someone? Doesn’t that just mean selling your body for a long period of time?
• After musing over it for a while, Qi Yushi suddenly realised what her words sounded like; she immediately rushed to correct herself, urgently waving her hands: “No, I don’t mean that you’re supporting me! After all, ours is purely a mutually agreed deal, right?”
• But is it really pure? Zhan Senyu bit his lower lip slightly.
• By the time they reached the Ministry of Civil Affairs, someone had already picked up a number and waited on their behalf, enabling them to directly proceed with the registration process without having to wait any longer.
• As they walked from the entrance to the registry, the attractive duo drew the attention of many, men and women alike.
• Qi Yushi had always been very confident in her appearance - she knew that she was beautiful. However, she realised that at this very moment, she wasn’t the one who most of the people here had their eyes on.
• Even she couldn’t help but secretly steal a glance at the man beside her.
• Even though I’m wearing high heels, I’m only at his shoulders! He looks like he’s about 1.85m?
• A neat, custom-made black suit, exquisitely tailored and delicately iron-pressed adorning his figure; walking in a dignified and elegant manner with an aura of nobility radiating from him; a face so good-looking that people could not help but find themselves unable to look away...
• Even as he walked into the hall in a rather casual manner, the air of king-like prowess and dominance seemed to follow him no matter what.
• Truly a high-quality man...
• Qi Yushi couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat.
• She was feeling a lot better - even though she was going to be stuck in a fake marriage, at least her “husband” was a pleasure to look at.
• The procedure was not too much of a hassle - after completing a series of procedures of filling out the necessary forms, paying a fee and taking pictures, Qi Yushi was starting to feel a little uneasy. When they reached the final stage, she picked up a pen to sign her name - only to hesitate for a bit.
• Am I really going to drop everything and recklessly get married to someone I just met all because of a deal?
• If mother was still around, would she have approved of this?
• “Miss Qi?” one of the staff called out to her. While she was hesitant, Zhan Senyu, on the other hand, had long signed the papers.
• Qi Yushi lifted her head, a little startled at suddenly being called. She tightened her grip on the pen.
• At this moment, all the wild thoughts that were scurrying around her head were clearly reflected on her small face; her big eyes were wide with indecisiveness and uncertainty.
• What kind of person is the man next to me?
• Zhan Senyu frowned. “Don’t tell me that you’re starting to regret it.” he said, some annoyance laced in his voice.
• Am I starting to regret it? She couldn’t say it out loud.
• Sensing the tense atmosphere between the two, the staff personnel collected back the forms and asked them: “Miss Qi, may I ask if you are willing to marry on your own accord?”
• A hint of coldness flashed in Zhan Senyu’s eyes at the blatant question.
• Qi Yushi did not expect such a question. She immediately nodded her head, saying: “Yes, I am willing to marry on my own accord. I’ll sign it.”
• Just as she was about to proceed, a large hand caught her wrist. Zhan Senyu pulled her into his embrace with just a slightest bit of effort.
• He had one hand around her waist and one below her chin. Staring at her intently with his sharp gaze, he leaned in to press his cool lips against her soft, petal-like lips...
• Qi Yushi widened her big eyes in disbelief; although they had been so intimate with each other the night before, this was the first time that they were soberly kissing.
• She could feel his hot breath against her face as they kissed.
• The initially bustling registry office seemed to have momentarily ceased at this passionate moment, halting to appreciate the sweet gesture of affection before them. Some people even began to wolf-whistle.
• Although most of the workers in the registry office had grown accustomed to couples being unable to hold themselves back from public displays of affection due to overwhelming happiness, it was rare to witness such an attractive pair in action.
• Just when an embarrassed Qi Yushi was about to stamp on Zhan Senyu’s foot to get him to stop, he released her. He raised his eyebrows: “She said that you weren’t willing to marry me on your own accord.”
• While Zhan Senyu looked perfectly fine, Qi Yushi was the complete opposite - her face was flushed red and she was breathless, disheveled and dazed at the sudden moment of passion. How could he still look alright while I’m a complete mess!
• Embarrassed to even take one glance at the onlookers’ reactions, Qi Yushi hurriedly signed the papers, taking two small books, before grabbing Zhan Senyu’s hand and pulling them away, her head bowed like an ostrich as they went off.
• Behind them, some people cheered and voiced well wishes for them.
• “Aw, that’s so sweet!”
• “Ah, my teenage girl heart! Were they really not filming a superstar movie?!”
• “They’re even more attractive than celebrities!”
• There were even some staff who were captivated by Zhan Senyu’s good looks, sighing: “Wow, he’s so handsome, it’s a pity that he’s taken.”