Volume One, Chapter Four: A Step-by-Step Seduction into Marriage

Yes, he had mentioned it before, and at first, it sounded astonishing to Chengxu.

Caught up in the moment, he joked about wanting to meet a young wealthy woman so he could retire and enjoy a leisurely life.

Now, isn't this a perfect opportunity?

After all, he had been let go from the company, and finding a new job wasn’t easy at the moment.

Xiang Zheng earned more than him, so if one of them had to give up working, it made more sense for it to be him.

He could openly live off her wealth without shame.

With that thought, he took a deep breath and said slowly, “You just focus on having the baby. I’ll take care of raising the child. As a graduate from a top university, educating them through high school won’t be a problem, right?”

The sound of three pairs of chopsticks dropping onto the table echoed.

This turn of events was completely unexpected.

Xiang Zheng’s eyes sparkled with excitement. If the nanny hadn’t been nearby, she might have showered him with kisses again.

But then, she seemed to think better of it, pouted, lowered her head, and hummed discontentedly.

“You’re always working overtime. When would you have time? Besides, why should I bear a child for you? What exactly are you to me?”

Chengxu was utterly baffled, his mind a blur.

A woman’s heart was as deep as the sea. After he had said so much, what more could she be dissatisfied with?

She was just pushing her limits, not knowing any better.

He remembered a love song by a famous singer—it really was a case of loving her too much.

“You’re my woman. I’ll take care of the baby at home, alright? Or do you have other plans? Let’s be honest with each other.”

* * *

No one understands a woman better than her mother. Chunrong Liu got it—women had their subtle ways, which straight men could hardly grasp.

“Xiao Cheng, you and Zheng have been together for three years, so you know each other pretty well. When are you going to invite your parents over so we can settle this properly?”

Xiang Zheng gave her mother a big thumbs-up.

They had fallen in love at first sight—a whirlwind romance driven by youthful passion.

Their relationship felt more like the magnetic pull of young hormones.

She had carefully planned every step: first living together, then gradually verifying their compatibility in personality and habits, reaching about 95%.

But she had never brought up marriage herself; she wasn’t sure about his true feelings.

Finally, Chengxu understood what Xiang Zheng meant.

She wanted to get married.

Was it really so hard to say?

Well, as a man, he was supposed to take the lead on the proposal.

But with a young, beautiful, and financially independent fiancée, his past titles and achievements seemed dull in comparison.

Besides, he was still “living under someone else’s roof.”

“Alright then, I’ll call my parents. Let’s all sit down and have a proper talk.”

Getting the marriage certificate wasn’t so difficult, but the wedding would be tricky. If colleagues were invited, the news of his dismissal would definitely leak.

Wait, Chengxu snapped back to reality.

Xiang Zheng’s every word was a trap, perfectly paced, leading him step by step right into the snare.

* * *

That feeling of being outsmarted returned once again.

* * *

That night, Chengxu lay down first, scribbling and doodling in a small notebook.

With marriage on the horizon, all sorts of chaotic thoughts overwhelmed him.

Xiang Zheng, dressed in a black lace nightgown, rummaged through a suitcase.

His gaze fell on her flawless, pale skin, so radiant and pure that he couldn’t write a single word. He silently scolded himself for being weak-willed. After three years, he still couldn’t get enough of her, and his heart began to race anew.

But with such a wonderful blessing, he wouldn’t be able to enjoy it for at least a year.

“What are you looking for?” he asked.

Xiang Zheng glanced back, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering like water. Her natural waves cascaded over her chest—black and white, each tone distinct—revealing her radiant mood. “The household registration book, we need it for the marriage certificate. Oh, found it.”

She hurried over and slipped into the bed, planting a kiss on his cheek. “When shall we go get the certificate?”

Chengxu’s youthful vigor was fully ignited by her. He rolled over, placing his hands on either side of her pillow, soaking in the waves of her love. Yet, he dared not be reckless anymore because she was pregnant.

“Woman, once the certificate’s signed, there’s no turning back.”

Xiang Zheng loved the look in his eyes—that was the light of surrender, shining solely for her.

“Mm, no regrets at all.” She blinked, sliding her fingers down from his Adam’s apple bit by bit to reward him. “You’ve always been the one working hard; today, I can help you a little.”