Forced Into Marriage with My Childhood Sweetheart - Chapter 3

“Let’s just do it today.”

Birds chirped in the branches, their songs alternating between long and short notes. The summer sun, even in the early morning, already felt slightly scorching.

Yan Huaijin was woken by his 8:00 AM alarm. With sleepy eyes and two red marks on his face, he stumbled into the bathroom.

After washing up, he headed downstairs for breakfast, feeling completely refreshed.

For some reason, today’s breakfast tasted exceptionally good. When he noticed it was almost 8:40 AM, Yan Huaijin quickly finished the last of his milk, then rushed upstairs to grab the documents they needed for the registration.

Just as he packed the papers into his backpack, his phone rang.

He glanced down at the caller ID, Jiang Yunkai.

Yan Huaijin grabbed his backpack strap and answered the call as he hurried downstairs.

“Hello? You’re here, right? I’m all ready. Give me three minutes,” Yan Huaijin said before hanging up. He strode quickly to the entryway, grabbing a face mask on his way out.

Running and walking, Yan Huaijin managed to reach Jiang Yunkai’s car within three minutes.

“Did you run here? I told you there was no rush.”

Jiang Yunkai opened the passenger door for him. Seeing Yan Huaijin panting, his cheeks flushed and looking like he was about to break into a sweat from the heat, Jiang Yunkai reminded him, “I put some water in the door pocket.”

Yan Huaijin didn’t stand on ceremony. He pulled out a bottle of water, twisted off the cap, and took a long swig. Glancing over as Jiang Yunkai settled into the driver’s seat, he raised an eyebrow with a hint of smug pride. “I’m fast, aren’t I? I said three minutes, and I meant three minutes.”

“Impressive.” Jiang Yunkai played along, turning the steering wheel to drive away from the villa complex. “But it’s too hot in the summer. Overexerting yourself can easily lead to heatstroke.”

“Just this once.” Yan Huaijin held up one finger, as if making a solemn vow, and flashed him a playful smile. “After all, I promised you three minutes over the phone. I have to keep my word.”

“A promise is a promise. A good lesson to learn.”

Jiang Yunkai smiled faintly, feeling for a moment that Yan Huaijin hadn’t changed a bit since childhood.

At 9:30 AM, they arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Before getting out of the car, Yan Huaijin pulled his mask on, fitting it snugly against his face. Once done, instead of rushing out, he crossed his arms and looked Jiang Yunkai up and down.

Under the scrutiny of Yan Huaijin’s round eyes peeking over the mask, Jiang Yunkai did a self-inspection, glancing at himself from head to toe. “Is there something wrong with my outfit again?” he asked suspiciously.

“No, the white shirt is a good choice.”

“What is it?”

“I’m just wondering if you should wear a mask to cover your face too.” Yan Huaijin said, his tone genuinely conflicted.

Jiang Yunkai replied, “I’m not a public figure.”

“I know, but your face is anything but ordinary.” Yan Huaijin fretted for a few seconds before quickly shaking his head and dismissing the thought. He pushed open the car door and got out. “Forget it. If we both wear masks, it’ll only draw more attention. Let’s just go in like this.”

The Civil Affairs Bureau opened late, so Yan Huaijin and Jiang Yunkai were among the first to arrive and process their paperwork.

This was their first time at the Civil Affairs Bureau, and having no idea what they were doing, the two of them stood right in the middle of the busiest area.

One was dressed in pristine white from head to toe, yet even with his face covered, it was obvious that the man beneath the mask possessed a stunningly handsome face. The other had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, exuding a steady, composed aura and a straightforward, undeniable handsomeness.

Even from behind, their height and build differences were enough to fuel two rounds of gossip from the passersby.

Sure enough, the ever-vigilant Yan Huaijin immediately felt the weight of numerous discreet gazes fixed on him and Jiang Yunkai.

His scalp tingled with apprehension.

He glanced sideways, looking up at Jiang Yunkai. “How did you get so tall?” he whispered. “You’re like a pillar. Just standing here, you’re drawing everyone’s attention.”

Jiang Yunkai fell silent for a moment. “What should we do?”

“Over here.” Yan Huaijin grabbed his forearm and pulled him, sidling along the wall like a crab. “Don’t walk in the middle. Let’s stick to the edge.”

After a couple of steps, Jiang Yunkai wanted to tell him that they looked a bit suspicious this way. But he held his tongue.

Because Yan Huaijin was so focused on the flowchart, moving stealthily and gripping his forearm without letting go.

“Holy crap,” Yan Huaijin whispered, sounding strangely excited.

Jiang Yunkai looked down at him.

Yan Huaijin glanced back, then immediately dragged him into a corner.

“Ten o’clock position, a woman with long hair in a white dress, accompanied by a man with a buzz cut in a black T-shirt. Do you see them?” Yan Huaijin was eager to make sure they were on the same page.

“I see them.” Jiang Yunkai instantly locked onto their position. “Who are they? You know them?”

“Of course I do. You definitely know them too.” Yan Huaijin named a movie. “The lead actor and actress from that film.”

Jiang Yunkai replied, “I’ve only heard their names.”

“It doesn’t matter. Just tell me if that’s the divorce registration entrance over there.”

“It is. The marriage registration is on the other side.”

“Holy shit, they’re actually getting divorced! I’m telling you, the husband was all over the trending topics recently with a bunch of cheating scandals.”

Yan Huaijin’s eyes sparkled above his mask. He eagerly shared the gossip while pulling Jiang Yunkai away from the scene of the drama. “But their official statements online were completely consistent. They both denied the cheating allegations.”

“How could they be getting divorced if he didn’t cheat?” Yan Huaijin analyzed, his voice filled with conviction. “He definitely cheated, but they’re probably trying to use their marriage to leverage some business deals and make a few more bucks. Tsk tsk, how scandalous.”

“The netizens are so slow. Not like me, I get to witness it all firsthand and enjoy the freshest gossip. Not bad, not bad. My luck is really good today!”

Yan Huaijin was thrilled, but after a moment, he realized that Jiang Yunkai hadn’t said a word since they’d witnessed the couple’s marriage fall apart.

“You’re unbelievable,” Yan Huaijin said, bewildered. “How can you be so calm after witnessing a scandal that’s practically guaranteed to trend on Weibo?”

“I’m not calm,” Jiang Yunkai replied.

“Then what’s your reaction?” Yan Huaijin asked.

Jiang Yunkai’s words were chosen with precision. “Xiao Jin, rest assured. Although our marriage wasn’t born of a free-spirited romance, I give you my word of honor: I will never, ever cheat on you.”

“Stop, stop, stop. I get it, I believe you,” Yan Huaijin interrupted, feeling suddenly anxious. “Some vows are meant to be said once, when we register our marriage. I have a little faith in our basic moral character.”

Having earned that trust, Jiang Yunkai remained silent for the rest of the journey.

After submitting their documents and waiting for the staff to verify them online, they signed the freshly printed forms one by one.

“You two can go take your photo now,” the staff member said warmly, guiding them to the photography studio.

Yan Huaijin removed his mask. After confirming their positions and the camera angle with Jiang Yunkai, he sat up as straight as a board, his body so stiff that even a hundred-thousand-year-old zombie would have been more flexible.

“You both look great, but your expressions and poses are a bit… mannequin-like.”

The photographer emerged from behind the black camera, dropping the comment without warning.

At his words, the staff members watching the scene burst into laughter, and even Yan Huaijin couldn’t help but smile.

“You two look so good together. Just relax and smile naturally!”

“Right? You’re such a pleasing pair. If you ever fight, just look at each other’s faces and you’ll cool down immediately.”

One tease after another rained down on them, creating a lighthearted atmosphere. It was as if they were truly a couple, madly in love and blessed by everyone.

They were halfway through getting their marriage license; there was no point in being awkward during the photo shoot. It would be a shame if the pictures didn’t turn out well.

Once Yan Huaijin worked this out, he relaxed considerably. He leaned in and whispered in Jiang Yunkai’s ear, “Hold my hand.”

Before Jiang Yunkai could react, Yan Huaijin had already pressed closer to his side. His fair arm reached out, and his slender fingers lightly brushed against Jiang Yunkai’s palm and the inside of his wrist.

A tingling numbness spread through Jiang Yunkai’s palm and wrist, accompanied by a faint, lingering itch. Instinctively, he curled his fingers, enveloping Yan Huaijin’s hand.

“Alright, look at the camera!” the photographer called out.

Yan Huaijin and Jiang Yunkai looked up in unison.

Click. The flash flared, freezing the moment in time.

“Beautiful,” the photographer praised without reserve. “In all my years of doing this, this is the best shot I’ve ever taken. You’ll absolutely love it. I’ll print it out for you to see.”

Perhaps because the two subjects were so strikingly handsome, the much-anticipated photo was developed remarkably quickly. A few curious staff members had already admired it before it was finally handed to them.

Yan Huaijin gripped the corners of the photo with both hands, studying it closely. “Wow, it really does look good. Much more harmonious than I expected.”

He tilted the photo toward Jiang Yunkai. “My smile looks so natural.”

“Yeah, it looks good,” Jiang Yunkai agreed.

“This is an incredible shot,” Yan Huaijin continued. “Look at how devoted you look. Anyone who sees this would bet you’ve loved me for at least a decade.”

Yan Huaijin marveled at the photographer’s skill. “A master at work.”

Jiang Yunkai: “…”

“Paste the photos into the marriage certificates,” Jiang Yunkai said. “Once that’s done, we can go get them stamped.”

“Okay.” Yan Huaijin took the photos to the service counter and asked the staff to help glue them in and apply the official seal.

After receiving their certificates and leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau, Yan Huaijin sat back in the car, unable to snap out of his daze. He turned the marriage certificate over and over in his hands, staring at it from every angle.

Jiang Yunkai, still in the driver’s seat, hadn’t started the car. He was also staring at the marriage certificate in his own hands for a long time.

“We’re married,” Yan Huaijin couldn’t help but marvel again. “It’s so strange. I’m now legally bound in a marriage, and not just for a role in a play.”

“Yunkai, do you feel like you’re dreaming too?” Yan Huaijin sought some shared understanding.

“Yes,” Jiang Yunkai’s thumb slowly traced the two figures against the red background in the photo. When his finger touched the slightly shorter man, he let out an incredibly slow breath. “It feels like a dream.”

Yan Huaijin flipped through the marriage certificate again, but he couldn’t find anything else to say. Finally, he put it down and stuffed it back into his bag along with various other miscellaneous documents.

“Let’s go home.”

“Wait a moment.” Jiang Yunkai carefully tucked the marriage certificate into his shirt pocket, right over his heart. “There’s something we need to discuss.”

“Xiao Jin, when do you plan to move into our new home with me?”

Yan Huaijin couldn’t give a definite date on the spot.

“Whenever you want. I don’t have any work scheduled lately, so I’m free any day.”

“No time like the present,” Jiang Yunkai said. “If it’s convenient, we could head to the new house right now, see what’s missing, and get everything we need as soon as possible.”

Yan Huaijin didn’t object. “Mm-hmm.”

“As for moving in,” Jiang Yunkai said, his voice calm and steady, as if reciting military regulations, “the house is fully stocked with daily necessities. There’s nothing stopping us from moving in tonight.”

“I suggest we move in as soon as possible to get a feel for the place. That way, we can quickly adjust any uncomfortable or unsuitable details.”

Support