Too Late to Regret, She’s Now With the Big Boss - Chapter 53

The staff member noticed Zhang Tianyi’s stern expression and assumed he was just the serious type. Little did she know that even before the official seal was stamped, his fierce demeanor would surface.

She cast a sympathetic glance at Wen Yuxin, hesitating as if to ask if she needed more time to reconsider.

But then she heard Wen Yuxin chuckle and urge, “Please hurry, we still have to get back to work.”

“…”

With a firm press of the seal, the staff handed them their marriage certificates. “Congratulations on your marriage. May you have a lifetime of happiness together.”

Zhang Tianyi swiftly snatched the red booklet from her hands and pulled Wen Yuxin toward the exit.

“Thank you, thank you! We really are in a rush,” Wen Yuxin called back apologetically.

She wasn’t blind to the pity in the staff’s and other couples’ eyes, but she didn’t think there was anything wrong with Zhang Tianyi’s behavior.

It was work hours, after all. If the boss urgently summoned him, of course he’d be in a hurry.

Their whirlwind marriage was simply a matter of mutual attraction, good looks and decent circumstances had led to a spontaneous decision. There was no deep emotional bond to speak of.

People always said that somewhere in the world, someone would cross mountains and rivers to love you unconditionally. But Wen Yuxin knew that person would never be her.

Years ago, her parents had forbidden her from dating in college, only to push her into endless blind dates the moment she graduated.

Thankfully, she had gotten into grad school, sparing her from the marriage pressure, though her parents still arranged plenty of matchmaking during her studies. She had lost count of how many setups she’d endured.

Matchmakers and her parents alike advised her that marriage was just about finding someone to share a life with someone with good prospects and a pleasant face.

They insisted that happiness depended entirely on her own efforts, and she couldn’t help but agree.

Her parents had spent half their lives bickering, most of their fights rooted in financial struggles.

Whenever her mother was particularly furious, she’d curse and lament not marrying a rich man, even taking her frustrations out on Wen Yuxin and her younger brother.

Her brother would grumble about their mom’s unreasonable tantrums, and Wen Yuxin would always declare that she, Wen Yuxin, would never rely on a man.

The reason she agreed to this impulsive marriage with Zhang Tianyi? First, she was shallow, he was ridiculously good-looking. Second, she figured he was loaded.

After all, even as an intern, her salary was 50,000. Zhang Tianyi’s had to be higher, which already put him leagues ahead of most blind-date candidates.

More importantly, his sharp, striking features and commanding presence would make him the ultimate arm candy.

Plus, he shared a surname with the Zhang family’s butler maybe they were related. Otherwise, how could he so casually threaten to fire her?

Marrying him would secure her position in the Lu household, paving the way for a bright future. And if Zhang Tianyi turned out to be an abusive monster?

Well, she’d just tattle to Madam Lu. The lady was kind-hearted and beautiful, as long as Wen Yuxin clung to her coattails, a life of luxury was guaranteed.

A partner’s temper didn’t matter much. If they got along, great, chat a little more. If not, they could just coexist separately.

As long as she earned over 500,000 a year, how bad could life possibly be?

Once she was rich, she’d flaunt it in everyone’s faces.

Neighbors she’d never interacted with? Fine. But anyone who’d ever slighted Wen Yuxin would get a front-row seat to her success.

Even the dogs in her neighborhood wouldn’t escape a few kicks. What was the point of making it big if she couldn’t be a little arrogant?

She was a woman of passion, holding grudges came naturally. Turning the other cheek? Not her style.

Hahaha! Wen Yuxin laughed wildly in her heart.

“Are you really that happy to marry me?” Zhang Tianyi noticed his newlywed wife grinning like the Maitreya Buddha, and his mood lightened considerably.

“Yeah, you’re… good-looking. Taking you out is a real flex. Marrying you is a huge win for me, how could I not be happy?”

Wen Yuxin had originally wanted to say, Your fierce demeanor will help scare off a lot of people in the future.

But her parents had taught her that being too blunt could hurt others.

Only speak three-tenths of the truth to others, and try to say more pleasant, harmless things, that’s how you make people like you.

Zhang Tianyi studied her eyes, searching for any hint of jest, but all he saw was sincerity and eagerness.

Did she not realize that being with someone like him would invite criticism?

Those who worked under Third Master were known for doing terrifying, ruthless things.

When he had seen the usually composed and shadowy Third Master proudly showing off his wife like an overexcited young man, along with that uncharacteristic recklessness, Zhang Tianyi had suddenly realized, Third Master looked so handsome when he smiled.

Before, his cold, gloomy expression had been more intimidating than attractive.

Hearing her unrestrained enthusiasm, he had impulsively agreed to marry her. But what exactly had his flash-marriage wife seen in him?

Zhang Tianyi stared into Wen Yuxin’s beautiful eyes, suppressing the darker thoughts in his heart.

Damn Third Master!

Damn his wife!

They were the ones who had shackled him with marriage!

“Since you like me so much, I’ll try to accept you from now on,” Zhang Tianyi said with a dark expression.

Wen Yuxin: …What kind of nonsense is he spouting?

I don’t get it at all!

“Here, this is my salary card. I make over ten million a year, spend it however you want. I’ve never used it myself. Third Master covers all my living expenses.”

Handing over his salary right off the bat?

This is what he meant by “trying to accept” her?

Now she was even more confused!

She had always dreamed of marrying someone like this, someone who would toss her a bank card after marriage and tell her to spend freely, splurge to her heart’s content…

“…You… make ten million a year? And you’ve never… used any of it? You’re giving it all to me?” Wen Yuxin stammered in shock.

“Mn. When I was twenty, Third Master started me at five million a year, with a raise of one million annually, plus bonuses.”

“You’re thirty-two now, so twelve years… that means you make seventeen million this year? Wow!” Wen Yuxin banged her head against the car roof in excitement.

“Careless. Where’s your composure? Did you hurt yourself?” Zhang Tianyi stopped the car to check.

“N-no, I’m fine. Don’t you have urgent business? Let’s hurry back, will you get docked pay if we’re late?”

“Poor performance gets deductions, and displeasing Third Master also…” He noticed Wen Yuxin’s pained expression.

He wanted to tell her that good work earned rewards, his annual income only ever increased.

But Wen Yuxin cut him off urgently, “Quick, let’s go back! Are you tired? Should I drive instead?”

“Stay seated. I’ll speed up.” Suddenly, Zhang Tianyi felt that marriage wasn’t so hard to accept after all.

…

At the Old Manor.

“Ding Fan, go check again, why hasn’t Dr. Zhang arrived yet?” The old madam urged anxiously.

“Mom, keep it down. Dad just fainted from anger, it’s nothing serious,” Ye Qianqian said bluntly.

The old man was actually already awake, but he refused to open his eyes, perhaps unable to accept how cruel the person he loved could be.

“Dad, if you don’t wake up soon, I’ll have to send her to a psychiatric hosp-” Before Lu Jingchen could finish his sentence, the old man suddenly sat up.

In a weary voice, he said, “Jingchen, the eldest grandson of the Li family has dirt on your mother. Find a way to destroy it. You all should go back now, and don’t come to the old house unless necessary. I’ll keep an eye on your mother.”