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nDo you remember the instance when you went to a supermarket with a list of ingredients but came out of that place with more than what was listed on your list?

nOr when you go for window shopping and end up buying something?

nWhat's that word again? Ah, Impulse buying. That's it.

nYou get sales talked by someone and after a couple of exchanges with them, you end with having one box of mandu that wasn't on your list.

nOr that luxury bag Xiu Mei was just simply admiring from the glass window but somehow she was suddenly holding a paper bag of that same brand?

nXiu Mei felt that this scene seems quite familiar.

nA momentarily lapse in judgment and then voila! You get to see half of your three month's salary, totally gone.

nBut right now, Xiu Mei knew that it wasn't just her three month's worth of salary gone. She felt like the rest of her life are being stolen away, including her civil status as a single person.

nShe almost crushed the black fountain pen on her hand as the words 'Marriage Application' fiercely glared at her face.

nHer inner thoughts crashed and failed to function the moment she realized what she had just signed on.

n…..What the— Did she just really— oh my god.

n

"Well done, my Queen.

"

nLu Chen, on the other hand, didn't let Xiu Mei gather her thoughts at all. He quickly grabbed the folder with the signed paper inside and placed it farther away from Xiu Mei's reach. He knew very well how she'd react once she realizes what's going on.

nThis paper will be made into shreds in such a short time.

n

"Lu Chen.

" Xiu Mei spoke Lu Chen's name without any salutation this time. Her previous mood changed into a serious expression.

nHe realized the anger from Xiu Mei's eyes that glared icily at him. Her eyes felt like sharp knives that would stab him anytime soon if he makes one wrong move. Even though Lu Chen has been in the receiving end of this glare multiple times before, he knew that this time it was the fiercest glare Xiu Mei is giving him now. And that made him panic.

n

"Xiu Mei, listen to me—

" He opened his mouth to attempt to explain himself but Xiu Mei cuts him off.

n

"Did you think my previous words were just empty words?

"

n

"Let me just—

"

n

"Mr. Lu, do you love me?

"

n

"...

"

nLu Chen was suddenly caught off guard by the sudden question. He didn't reply but his gaze lingered on Xiu Mei then he moved it to the little kid beside her.

nXiu Mei noticed his actions and paused at Lu Qiang's sleeping figure beside her. She understood Lu Chen's reply even without the words.

nBecause it's what Lu Chen originally presented to her when he proposed to her to marry him. And it seems, it's still the same reason. Xiu Mei felt a slight pang of hurt in her heart as she thought of this.

nShe shut her eyes and took a breath, counting slowly in her head as she tried to calm herself down. Her emotions are in a mess and if she hadn't stopped herself from holding back awhile ago, she would've exploded in anger and screamed at Lu Chen.

n

"Mr. Lu, can you please stop playing around and give that back to me? It's best if you don't continue your plan with it.

" Xiu Mei calmly uttered those words as she stretched out her hand with her palm open. She looked at Lu Chen so calmly yet hidden underneath her eyes are the strong waves of rage she was trying to control.

n

"Xiu Mei, listen to me first.

"

n

"Why should I? You didn't listen to me at all too.

"

n

"This is to protect you.

"

n

"From what? From the women who are constantly cursing me out every time they see me with you? You just did a great job. With my new title based on that paper, they will keep away women from cursing me out but I can already imagine the number of them trying to pour dirty water to me soon.

"

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"...

"

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"...

"

n

"...not them.

"

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"...

"

n

"It's to protect you from the people who attempted to kidnap you.

"

n

"So it isn't the Ying family huh.

" Xiu Mei somehow deduced from his words the current situation of Lu Chen's investigation. Since she hasn't heard any news related to the Ying family, she thought that her second brother's investigation didn't relate it to that family at all.

n

"But how is marrying you related to my protection from the true culprits?

" Xiu Mei crossed her hands as she tried to listen to Lu Chen's explanation but kept her fierce glare at him.

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"Because if they know you're under my protection, not many people would dare to touch you at all.

"

nXiu Mei thought of Lu Chen's influence in the circle and she agrees that Lu Chen's name does make people fear when they hear it. He is a monster who worked his way from the ground and crushed a lot of his enemies to get where he is right now. Even people from her social circle respect Lu Chen too.

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"But people know I'm from the Xiu family. Yet they still dared to kidnap me. No offense but how does being tied to you protect me?

"

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