Episode1The Flash Marriage
Lin Ting got her marriage license with a man she’d just met—on the very day of her blind date.
Three nights earlier
The moment her bedroom door slid open, a pair of heavy hands crept around her waist and began to roam upward. Lin Ting snapped awake, shoved the intruder off, and fumbled for the bedside lamp. When the light flickered on, she stared in horror at the greasy, leering face before her.
“Cao Junqiang, what do you think you’re doing?” she gasped, breaking into a cold sweat. He slapped a hand over her mouth.
“Just give in to me,” he sneered. “You’re going to be in a man’s bed sooner or later anyway.”
He lunged again, ripping at her nightdress. Lin Ting, now a grown woman with a curvy figure and porcelain skin, fought to push him away. But his bulky, oily frame pinned her to the mattress, and her stomach churned with revulsion.
“Cao Junqiang—what if I tell Sister and brother-in-law?” she managed.
He laughed, utterly unconcerned. “So what? If they find out, you’ll just become my wife—Mom already promised to give you to me. Saves us a fortune on a bride price!”
“You’re dreaming!” Lin Ting trembled with rage. She grabbed the lamp from the nightstand and smashed it down on his head, then bolted from the room.
Though she’d driven him off this time, Lin Ting knew he wouldn’t stop. Living under the same roof was unsafe—and she had to escape.
Her sister, Lin Lang, was already looked down on by her in-laws for dragging a “useless burden” (Lin Ting) into their family. If Lin Ting confided in her, her sister would be stuck in the middle. To reassure Lin Lang and put an end to Cao Junqiang’s schemes, Lin Ting needed to marry someone—anyone—and move out as soon as possible. But she didn’t even have a boyfriend. How could she find a husband on such short notice?
After scanning her contacts, she reluctantly agreed to Aunt Jiang’s proposal: marry her thirty-something, never-dated son.
Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau
Lin Ting clutched her hukou booklet, staring doubtfully at the tall man holding a bouquet. Could this handsome stranger really be her fiancé? She checked her WeChat details: height 189 cm; black suit; red roses. The information matched.
Tentatively she approached. “Mr. Qi?”
Towering on the steps, Qi Nian looked down at her, then inclined his head. “You’re late.”
He sounded displeased—his face composed, his tone ice-cold.
“I’m so sorry!” Lin Ting blushed. “There was traffic on the way…”
Qi Nian cut her off. “Let’s go inside. My time is precious.”
His distant manner gave her pause. Aunt Jiang had always praised him—dutiful, successful, but hopeless in love. Now she understood why: he was too blunt, too “straight arrow.”
Qi Nian advanced a few steps and paused when Lin Ting hesitated. His brow creased in impatience. He’d only agreed to this marriage to placate his mother’s nagging; he didn’t truly want it.
“If you have second thoughts, now’s the time to back out.”
Lin Ting shook her head.
“Marriage is serious. Before we sign, there are a few things you should know—whether Aunt Jiang told you my situation.”
She nodded.
“I work as a designer at Ronald Ceramics and am still building my career. I don’t plan to have children immediately, and if I do in the future, I won’t be a stay-at-home wife.”
Ronald Ceramics… Qi Nian recognized the name. He’d recently invested in that company. He inclined his head in approval.
“Also, Aunt Jiang said you own several properties in Jiangcheng and run a real-estate business.”
At the mention of property, Qi Nian glanced up—his mother had told him how selfless Lin Ting was, but now came the real test.
Lin Ting surprised him again: “All those assets are yours from before the marriage. They’re of no concern to me. I won’t ask to have my name added to any deeds, nor do I expect a dowry. If there are outstanding mortgages, I’ll help make the payments—and after we marry, I’ll move in with you. If you’re not comfortable, I can sign a prenuptial agreement.”
She handed over a prepared contract. Qi Nian’s eyebrows rose. Not only did she forgo his wealth, she even offered to share his debts. Why would anyone accept such a one-sided deal?
“Don’t you want anything from me?” he asked.
“I’m not looking for someone to support me. I can take care of myself.” She paused, then tapped the bureau’s grand entrance. “What I want… is that.”
“The marriage certificate?” he echoed.
Lin Ting nodded emphatically.
Qi Nian’s eyes flickered with surprise. She looked perfectly ordinary—why such desperation to marry? Yet her straightforwardness spared him future headaches over asset division. He didn’t care why she was in such a hurry.
After the ceremony, each held a little red booklet. Lin Ting beamed as she gazed at hers.
“I’m finally married,” she whispered.
Only then did Qi Nian realize: she truly cared only about the paper itself. Among all the socialites drawn to his billions and status, she was the first to prize a marriage certificate above him.
“May I move in tonight?” she asked eagerly.
Taken aback by her sudden enthusiasm, Qi Nian’s fleeting respect for her vanished.
“The apartment is at Building 6, Unit 2204, International Plaza, Qiyunshan Road. Code 686099. If you have luggage, I can call a van.”
“I don’t,” she said, still clutching her certificate. Relief washed over her—now she could tell her sister and break free from the Cao household once and for all.
“How will you get home?” Qi Nian asked out of politeness.
“By bus,” she replied.
Qi Nian flagged a taxi, handed the driver cash, then turned to her: “Hop in. I’ve covered the fare.”
She opened her mouth to refuse, but he was already walking away.
Watching his retreating figure, Lin Ting found herself reconsidering: perhaps he really was a gentleman, and maybe—even if only by a hair—he could make a decent husband.
Elsewhere
Qi Nian approached a waiting black Bugatti. His driver, dressed in a suit and white gloves, opened the door.
“Master Qi,” the driver greeted.
Qi Nian climbed in and handed the marriage certificate to his mother, Jiang Zhaolin, who had been waiting anxiously.
“I’ve married this woman,” he reported.
Jiang Zhaolin clasped the booklet, smiling at their wedding photo. “You two look perfect together!”
“Mother, she’s as ordinary as they come,” Qi Nian grumbled. “Why must I wed her? Just because she saved you five years ago, you demand I ‘repay’ her with my life?”
Jiang Zhaolin patted his hand. “Not entirely. But believe me: Lin Ting is kind and sincere—nothing like those social climbers who only want our wealth. She won’t leave you for money.”
Qi Nian rolled his eyes.
“Remember your promise: if within a year she proves as materialistic as any gold-digger, I’ll grant your divorce—and you’ll never interfere in my marriage again.”
Jiang Zhaolin nodded solemnly. “You know I always keep my word.” Then she turned to him, lips curved in challenge: “But what if you fall in love with her?”
Qi Nian laughed scornfully. “Impossible.”
“Then we shall see,” she replied with confidence.
Qi Nian, for his part, was just as sure: “It won’t take a year. In three days, I’ll prove she’s only after vanity—just an ordinary woman like the rest.”
“Very well,” Jiang Zhaolin agreed. “You have three days.”
