After a Flash Marriage with a Professor - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Beautiful Sea

After speaking her mind plainly and directly, Shen Junlan smiled at Yan Mingshu, patiently awaiting her response.

The blush on Yan Mingshu’s face, along with her tense expression, froze for a moment before spreading rapidly, like a wildfire in the wind, burning all the way to her ear tips, neck, and arms.

She opened her mouth, but found she couldn’t speak.

Yan Mingshu quickly picked up the luo han guo flower tea on the table to soothe her throat, drinking so fast that she choked.

“I’m sorry, I seem to have scared you again.” Shen Junlan offered an apologetic smile. “I just wanted to clearly convey my thoughts. You don’t have to answer right away. Whenever you’ve made up your mind, just contact me.”

Yan Mingshu covered her mouth and nose, nodding in a flustered manner.

“Let’s end it here today, Mingshu. You don’t feel well and need a good rest. I’ll take you home first.” Shen Junlan could feel the intense unease radiating from Yan Mingshu.

“Professor Shen, I…”

Yan Mingshu had no time to waste. In two days, debt collectors would come to chop off her father’s fingers. If she couldn’t find another marriage prospect, she would have to marry Boss Huang.

“Don’t you want me to take you?” Shen Junlan asked, her eyes smiling.

Her gentle tone made Yan Mingshu stare blankly. How could Professor Shen’s temper be so good? It was better than her impression and imagination of him. He didn’t seem annoyed at all by her various awkward words and actions.

“Is that not it?” Shen Junlan appeared thoughtful, a hint of trouble on her face. “I thought a seven-year age gap wouldn’t create a huge generation gap between us.”

“That’s not what I meant, Professor Shen.” Yan Mingshu was both embarrassed and shy. She knew that what Professor Shen had said earlier was serious and not her imagination.

“Mmm.” Shen Junlan responded with a smile. Her gentle gaze was like a soft trap, fixed on Yan Mingshu’s downcast eyes and her small, opening-and-closing mouth. Although it was summer, she could feel the warm breath escaping from Yan Mingshu’s lips, timid like its owner, quickly hiding and disappearing into the vast air.

Still afraid of startling Yan Mingshu, Shen Junlan retracted her gaze and said gently, “You seem to have more to say. I’m free this afternoon, so there’s no rush. We can talk slowly.”

Yan Mingshu clenched her hands into fists, her short, pink nails digging into her palm. The pain was sharp. She mustered her courage and said, “Professor Shen, you might have overlooked my family background. I feel it’s necessary to be clear about my family situation. I truly don’t want to be a burden on you.”

“I’ve already looked into it,” Shen Junlan smiled. “Mingshu, the reason you need a million is to help your father pay off his gambling debts. Also, you have a younger brother who failed the college entrance exam, correct?”

“…Yes.” Yan Mingshu lowered her head heavily. Hearing these words from Professor Shen made her feel even more that she was unworthy.

“These are all within my acceptable limits, Mingshu. But what about you? Do you know me?” Shen Junlan asked with a smile.

Yan Mingshu looked up in surprise, seeing Professor Shen sitting opposite her, calm and at ease like a clear breeze and a bright moon. Unlike her, her posture was stiff and rigid, out of place in this high-end Western restaurant.

They simply didn’t seem to be from the same world.

Just as Yan Mingshu felt discouraged, she heard Professor Shen speak again: “I’m not as perfect as you imagine, nor am I as transparent as you. Mingshu, I can’t be like you and list all my flaws for the other person to scrutinize.”

Yan Mingshu tilted her head in confusion. “Does Professor Shen have any flaws?”

Shen Junlan smiled and said, “I’m sorry, some are a bit difficult to talk about.”

Yan Mingshu became even more perplexed.

“But rest assured, I’m in good health and have no family history of hereditary diseases. It’s just that my relationship with my parents isn’t great. We live separately, so if we get married, you won’t have to worry about how to get along with them.”

Yan Mingshu nodded, still feeling that Professor Shen was perfect in her heart. A difficult family relationship was a common situation, and not living together was not a big problem at all.

Yan Mingshu was a little tempted. She looked at Professor Shen, wanting to ask why he thought she would make a suitable wife, but hesitated.

Shen Junlan proactively moved things along. “Mingshu, why don’t we each talk about our needs in a marriage? If we can meet each other’s expectations, we can go and get our marriage license.”

“Mingshu, you go first.”

“I… I need a million-yuan dowry.”

Yan Mingshu lowered her head in embarrassment after saying this, hearing Professor Shen say that it was fine.

She bit her lower lip hard and asked, “What does Professor Shen need?”

“I just need you to fulfill the duties of a wife.”

Hearing Professor Shen say this, Yan Mingshu’s mind immediately brought up her mother’s daily life as a housewife: cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, and the intimate activities between lovers that she couldn’t see in the bedroom.

Her cheeks inexplicably flushed. Yan Mingshu didn’t dare to look up, her right thumb digging into the palm of her left hand. “I… I can do that.”

Without love, it was her duty to be a good wife. From any perspective, marrying Professor Shen was a huge gain for her.

“Is there anything else you want to know?” Shen Junlan asked with a smile.

“No,” Yan Mingshu shook her head lightly.

Shen Junlan took a black leather wallet from her pocket, pulled out a debit card, and placed it on the table, gently pushing it toward Yan Mingshu. “There’s exactly a million in there. Take it back to pay off the gambling debts.”

“The password is today’s date, the day we met.”

Just watching this bank card that could save her father’s life being pushed in front of her, besides shock, Yan Mingshu felt an inexpressible sense of gratitude. Professor Shen was too generous. They hadn’t even officially formed a marital relationship, and Professor Shen was already willing to help her directly. She couldn’t help but think of the greasy, menacing face of Boss Huang. Without receiving a substantial return, Boss Huang would never help in advance.

After thinking about it for a moment, Yan Mingshu shook the thought away. She felt a little guilty toward Professor Shen, comparing the gentle and dignified professor with the mercenary Boss Huang.

The moment her hand touched the bank card, Yan Mingshu made up her mind. “Professor Shen, I’m willing to marry you.”

“Don’t you want to reconsider?” Shen Junlan asked with a smile.

Yan Mingshu shook her head, thinking that Professor Shen was the one who should be reconsidering.

“Professor Shen, I don’t earn as much money as you, but I don’t want to take advantage of you. Let’s sign a prenuptial agreement. We’ll keep our pre-marital and post-marital assets separate, and I’ll also try my best to ensure my original family doesn’t trouble you,” Yan Mingshu said sincerely.

Shen Junlan smiled and shook her head. Yan Mingshu’s heart tensed, and then she heard Shen Junlan say, “Mingshu, since we’ve decided to get married, it’s not right for you to be the only one to fulfill obligations. Pre-marital assets can be kept separate, but post-marital assets should rightly be half yours.”

“Is that so?” Yan Mingshu still felt a little awkward. “But you’ve already given me a million to solve my problem.”

“A million yuan is a very worthwhile price for a desirable marriage partner.”

The word “price” made Yan Mingshu feel a little sad, but it was the truth.

It was indeed a transaction. For Professor Shen, it was getting a desirable marriage partner, though she didn’t know what Professor Shen saw in her.

For herself, it was just a trade from Boss Huang to Professor Shen, a person she found much more acceptable.

“I’m sorry, my wording was improper,” Shen Junlan realized her mistake and immediately apologized, feeling surprised at how sensitive she was to this young woman’s emotions.

“It’s okay. Thank you for being willing to marry me, Professor Shen.”

Shen Junlan smiled helplessly. “Mingshu, nobody refers to their spouse using formal address.”

Yan Mingshu quickly corrected herself. “Professor Shen, thank… you… for being willing to marry me.” It still felt strange, somehow.

Shen Junlan smiled, “Let’s take it slow. There’s no rush.”

“…Okay.” Their identities had changed in a strange and wonderful way. Yan Mingshu lowered her head shyly.

Guests in the Western restaurant came and went, with two groups changing over, but they were sitting in a relatively secluded corner and weren’t too affected.

The restaurant owner, Yu Le, would sneak out of the lounge every now and then for a look.

How rare. Shen Junlan, this “iron tree,” was finally blooming. She was actually on a blind date and was so careful and protective of her date. It reminded Yu Le of the orchids that Shen Junlan painstakingly cultivated. Back then, she didn’t know how much Shen Junlan treasured that orchid. She thought it was pretty and picked one, which caused Professor Shen not to speak to her for a week.

She was smiling so brightly; it seemed the conversation was going well. If things continued this way, they might even get married. Professor Shen would be 30 on her birthday this year, so it would be the perfect time to get married.

But where did Shen Junlan find such a beautiful young woman? Yu Le also wanted Shen Junlan to introduce someone to her.

Yan Mingshu and Shen Junlan agreed to rest for a while and then go to the civil affairs bureau to get their marriage license. Yan Mingshu was in a hurry these past few days, so she had her household registration booklet and ID with her. She didn’t expect Professor Shen to have hers as well.

Their eyes met, and neither of them spoke. Yan Mingshu was the first to look away. She turned her face to the right, and through the clean and bright glass window, she saw the sparkling sea, shining like scattered diamonds under the brilliant sun.

Yan Mingshu suddenly realized that the weather had become so beautiful, completely different from when she left home, just like her mood at the moment. It was bright and relaxed. Although she was still a little nervous, it was completely manageable.

The glittering blue sea mesmerized Yan Mingshu. Although she was born in a coastal city, this was the first time she had seen such a beautiful sea, and it was the first time she was looking at the sea with such a relaxed mood.

She didn’t notice that while she was looking at the sea, Shen Junlan had been watching her the whole time, her gaze gentle and profound, with a subtle sense of possessiveness.

“Mingshu, what style of ring do you like? Gold, silver, or diamond?” Shen Junlan suddenly asked.

“Huh?” Yan Mingshu turned her head, not having heard what Professor Shen asked just now.

Shen Junlan smiled and repeated the question. Yan Mingshu listened, then answered a little awkwardly, “I don’t know.”

She really didn’t know. She had never thought about these things. She had never imagined that she would have to rush into marriage before even having a serious relationship, and that the other party in such a hurried union would care about her preferences.

This feeling was completely different from when Boss Huang and her mother had secretly arranged for her to go buy a ring.

“That’s okay. After we get our license, we can find a time to go to a store and try some on. You’ll know what you like then,” Shen Junlan said.

Yan Mingshu instinctively asked, “Will it be very expensive?”

Shen Junlan laughed, “Mingshu, as I said before, I will also fulfill my duties. I will try my best to give you the best life I can within my means.”

“I… I don’t have such high demands, and I can also earn money, Professor Shen.”

“Mmm. Don’t be nervous. I’m not trying to take away your right to work freely. We can discuss everything slowly, okay?”

Yan Mingshu nodded heavily. Even in her own home, she had never felt so seriously and respectfully treated.

Marrying Professor Shen might be the best choice for her.

Seeing that it was almost time, Shen Junlan said, “Let’s go get our license.”

“Oh…” Yan Mingshu stood up, a little flustered. Shen Junlan bent down to pick up the bank card on the table, put it in Yan Mingshu’s bag for her, and gently reminded her, “Mingshu, don’t forget the bank card.”

“Thank you, Professor Shen.”

The two walked out side by side. Before leaving, Shen Junlan took out another card and swiped it to pay the bill. Yu Le, pretending to be a waiter again, followed them and asked softly, “Professor Shen, how did it go?”

“It went well. We’re going to get our license now.”

The words were like a spell, making Yu Le’s feet stop in place.

Yu Le: Got engaged and got a license right after the blind date? No way, that must be a lie!

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