How Could a Scumbag Alpha Possibly Love His Wife? - Chapter 15

Cheng Wan stared at Bai Juntang, unsure if she had misheard.

But Bai Juntang looked completely serious. She met Cheng Wan’s eyes and repeated what she had just said, word for word:
“Bring your ID and household registration tomorrow. Take half a day off from work. We’re getting our marriage certificate.”

“Marriage certificate…?”

For a moment, Cheng Wan couldn’t process what she was hearing.

She looked at Bai Juntang, her heart pounding fast in her chest, and her face suddenly flushed with heat, as if it were burning for no reason.

“Yes,” Bai Juntang replied, looking directly at Cheng Wan. She leaned in slightly and said,
“I’ve thought it over these past few days. Since we’ve decided to keep the baby, it’ll need to be registered properly. A child of the Bai family can’t be undocumented.”

Cheng Wan’s heart, which had been racing just moments ago, began to settle.

So… it was for the baby.

The warmth that had rushed to her face faded quickly. She nodded and said,
“Okay. I’ll ask for time off tomorrow. But… is half a day enough?”

“Start with half a day. If it’s not, we’ll take more,” Bai Juntang said, extending her hand in front of Cheng Wan.

Cheng Wan looked at her pale, slender fingers, not quite sure what she meant.

“We’re getting married tomorrow,” Bai Juntang said, watching her closely. “Are you still going to act like we’re strangers?” Then she added with a faint smile,
“You’re really not like your father. He’s been trying every trick in the book to get money out of me.”

Cheng Wan didn’t completely understand what she meant, but before she could say anything, Bai Juntang took her hand and laced their fingers together.

Their hands interlocked, and Cheng Wan’s heartbeat quickened again—this time from the sudden closeness.

“Remember what I said,” Bai Juntang whispered near her ear, her voice low but clear.
“Until the baby is born, we need to act like we’re close—very close.”

Cheng Wan nodded. She slowly looked up at Bai Juntang and said softly,
“I understand.”

If Bai Juntang was marrying her because of the child, then she would do her part—play the role of a gentle, dutiful wife. She wouldn’t embarrass her.

She knew exactly what was expected of her.

In the past, she had tried her best to be a good, obedient daughter.
Now, she would try to be a gentle, supportive wife.

At the core, it wasn’t all that different.

When Bai Weilan returned, she saw the two of them standing quietly under the shade of the trees, hand in hand, waiting for her. She glanced at their clasped hands, but didn’t say a word.

At lunch, Cheng Wan had thought she might throw up again, but to her surprise, she ate quite well this time.

Bai Juntang sat beside her, occasionally helping her with some food. The three of them chatted casually—mostly Bai Juntang and her mother talking, while Cheng Wan focused on eating.

After the meal, Bai Weilan turned to Bai Juntang and said, “I’m heading overseas tomorrow. Can you handle things at the company on your own?”

“I’ve been handling them alone for years. It’s not a problem,” Bai Juntang replied calmly. “How long will you be gone this time?”

Bai Weilan thought for a moment. “Not sure. I had a talk with your mom earlier, and I realized there are still so many places she never got to see. I’ve decided to keep traveling the world for her.”

Bai Juntang didn’t say much, only reminded her mother to be careful while traveling.

Back in the car, Cheng Wan stared out the window at the passing scenery and suddenly said, “Madam Bai… doesn’t seem as harsh as the rumors say.”

Even though Bai Weilan had a strong presence, she had been gentle—with her daughter, with her late wife, and even with Cheng Wan.

She was nothing like what Cheng Jiajian had warned—cold, ruthless, or impossible to deal with.

Bai Juntang chuckled softly. “People say she’s sharp-tongued and cold, and that I’m just like her.”

“But that’s just how she is with outsiders,” she added, her tone calm. “She was raised to be tough with people she doesn’t trust. But with the people she cares about, she’s always gentle.”

Then she glanced sideways at Cheng Wan and said, “Because the people closest to you… are the ones who deserve your gentleness.”

Cheng Wan didn’t reply. She wasn’t quite sure what she was feeling.

When they got out of the car, she assumed Bai Juntang would leave—but to her surprise, she followed Cheng Wan into the house.

“I think it’s only right we let your parents know we’re registering our marriage,” Bai Juntang said, standing in front of her. “I’m sure they’ll be thrilled.”

She held Cheng Wan’s hand as they entered the house. In the living room, Cheng Jiajian and Xu He were watching TV. They turned at the sound of the door and were both surprised to see Bai Juntang.

“Mr. and Mrs. Cheng,” Bai Juntang greeted warmly, her arm around Cheng Wan, “I wanted to let you know that Cheng Wan and I will be registering our marriage tomorrow. Please have her ID and household registration ready—I’ll pick her up at 8 a.m.”

Xu He immediately stood up, smiling brightly as she hurried over. “That’s wonderful news! Miss Bai, you won’t regret marrying our Wanwan. She’s thoughtful and gentle—once the baby is born, she’ll be fully devoted to raising the child. You’ll be free to focus on whatever you want.”

Bai Juntang gave her a chilly smile. “Oh? So what you’re saying is, once she’s had the baby, I should go off and find someone else?”

Xu He’s face stiffened in embarrassment. She quickly waved her hands. “No, no, that’s not what I meant!”

Bai Juntang didn’t bother arguing further. She looked down at Cheng Wan and said softly, “Get some rest tonight. I’ll bring breakfast when I come get you tomorrow.”

Cheng Wan looked up at her, unsure what Bai Juntang was trying to do now—but she nodded and played along. “Okay. Be careful on your way back.”

After Bai Juntang left, both Cheng Jiajian and Xu He exchanged glances. Their expressions as they looked at Cheng Wan were… complicated.

Cheng Wan was tired after a long day and just wanted to rest once Bai Juntang had gone.

But Xu He stopped her before she could leave. “Wanwan,” she said, watching her closely, “did you meet Madam Bai today?”

Cheng Wan nodded.

“And… Bai Juntang is really going to marry you?” Xu He asked again.

Cheng Wan nodded once more.

A wide grin spread across Cheng Jiajian’s face. He looked at Cheng Wan proudly and said, “Good girl. I didn’t raise you for nothing. I was just hoping you’d give birth to the baby so we could secure that hundred million investment. But now, if you’re actually marrying Bai Juntang… then half of their family’s fortune is basically ours.”

Xu He was overjoyed. She turned to her husband and said, “This is amazing. If our company gets access to the Bai family’s wealth, who knows? Maybe in a couple of years, we could go public!”

Seeing how happy her adoptive parents were, Cheng Wan lowered her head and softly said, “I’m a little tired. I’d like to rest for a bit.”

“Go ahead, go ahead,” Xu He said warmly. “Get some good rest. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

It had been a long time since Cheng Wan had heard Xu He speak to her so gently.

She went into her room, closed the door behind her, sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled out her phone. Then she called Bai Juntang.

“Hello?”

On the other end, Bai Juntang sounded like she was in a good mood—her voice light, even playful.

“Miss Bai,” Cheng Wan said quietly, her eyes on her knees, “I wanted to talk to you about something… Can we not register the marriage tomorrow?”

She hesitated, then added, “I know you want the baby. Once it’s born, I won’t take it away. So… we really don’t need to get married.”

But Bai Juntang simply laughed softly. Instead of answering, she asked,
“Were your parents happy after I left? What did they say to you?”

Cheng Wan didn’t know if she should be honest about what her adoptive parents said—or lie and pretend they hadn’t said much.

She thought Bai Juntang was a little too trusting. After being deceived multiple times, she was still willing to go through with this marriage. To Cheng Wan, it felt foolish.

She didn’t want to take advantage of her. She didn’t want Bai Juntang to be used. So she said, softly but seriously,
“You’re a really kind person, Miss Bai. But I really can’t marry you.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end before Bai Juntang calmly replied,
“Just have your documents ready. You don’t have to think about anything else. Just wait for me to pick you up.”

Cheng Wan repeated her refusal several times, but Bai Juntang never argued. She just smiled and stayed quiet.

After the call ended, Cheng Wan sat there, feeling strangely hollow inside.

What was she supposed to do now? That naive woman was about to be tricked again—and this time, she was about to hand over half of her fortune.

Cheng Wan didn’t know exactly how wealthy the Bai family was, but she knew it had to be a lot. Her adoptive parents were willing to do anything for that money.

So why was Bai Juntang still insisting on marrying her?

She couldn’t understand it. It made no sense to her at all.

That evening, for the first time in a long while, Xu He personally came to call Cheng Wan for dinner. The housekeeper had made a full table of dishes—all of Cheng Wan’s favorites.

But when Cheng Qiaoqing looked at the table and saw none of her favorite dishes, she immediately threw a tantrum.

In the past, Xu He would have asked the housekeeper to prepare extra dishes just for her daughter—whether they were eaten or not didn’t matter, as long as Qiaoqing was happy. But this time, she didn’t say a word about making more food.

“The housekeeper worked hard on this meal,” Xu He said, clearly annoyed. “Just because there’s nothing you like, you’re not going to eat at all? You’re in high school now and still this picky. No wonder you’re not growing. Look at your sister—she eats everything.”

Qiaoqing stared at her mother like she’d grown a second head.
“What do you mean by that? Cheng Wan eats everything and she’s not tall either.”

Cheng Jiajian shot her a sharp glare. “That’s no way to talk. You’re calling her by name? That’s your older sister—do you not know basic manners?”

Qiaoqing blinked, completely confused.
“What is going on? You’re scolding me before I even eat. How am I supposed to enjoy dinner like this?”

Cheng Wan glanced at her, a bit of sympathy in her eyes.

Qiaoqing caught the look and immediately snapped, “What are you looking at?”

Cheng Wan didn’t get a chance to answer—Cheng Jiajian slammed his hand on the table.
“Qiaoqing, if you’re not going to eat, then go upstairs and do your homework.”

Fuming, Qiaoqing stormed upstairs without another word.

All she did was go out for one day. How had the entire house changed overnight?

Nothing made sense anymore.

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