Chapter 247: Xue Pei: Greenhouse Effect
Xue Shufan: “Not at all.”
The law only prohibits marriage between relatives, not between good friends.
“Why choose me? If you want to get married, you won’t lack candidates.”
Xue Shufan closed the agreement document and said to Pei Qingji, “We can be friends, but we won’t get along as a couple.”
“A couple needs to live together, and their habits must match in all aspects. You are long-term disciplined, while I indulge whenever I have free time, and I like extreme sports. Besides the laboratory, I spend most of my time outdoors and in bars.”
Having known each other for so many years, they were perfectly clear about each other’s personalities and boundaries.
Because Xue Shufan would draw a line with people who liked her and wouldn’t pretend to be oblivious while remaining friends, Pei Qingji never overstepped.
Once a certain balance between them was broken.
There were only two outcomes: either more ambiguous, or more vile.
It would be impossible to continue as friends.
“What you’ve described are precisely the reasons I want to marry you,” Pei Qingji met Xue Shufan’s gaze and said unhurriedly, “We’ve known each other for so long, no one understands you better than I do, and no one understands me better than you. There’s no need to waste time on post-marriage adjustments.”
All apples in the world are more or less the same; the only special one is the apple that fell on Newton.
There is gravity between all things, like the law of falling apples, and like his destiny to meet her.
Family marriage alliances often involve non-interference, with one facade in public and another in private. Marriage doesn’t require an emotional foundation, as long as the other party’s value is sufficient.
As the eldest son of the Pei family, Pei Qingji was like a bright moon, his noble status self-evident. His every move exuded a superior nobility and majesty.
Xue Shufan looked thoughtfully at Pei Qingji, dressed in a high-fashion suit. He was as gentle as jade, his emotions unreadable, possessing an innate elegance of old money.
From a utilitarian perspective, in this marriage, Pei Qingji’s value to her far exceeded her value to Pei Qingji.
Lian Li analyzed it thoroughly: if Xue Shufan truly intended to get married, Pei Qingji would be the best choice.
Knowing each other, mutual respect, no need to worry about any marital conflicts; if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.
After a moment of contemplation, Xue Shufan asked, “In what way do I meet your requirements for a partner?”
She expected to hear praise, but instead, Pei Qingji’s amber eyes beneath his gold-rimmed glasses gazed at her, and he said slowly, “You don’t love me.”
Feelings were a sword of Damocles hanging over Xue Shufan’s head.
Two years after their breakup, she still couldn’t forget that person.
If Pei Qingji had been seeking a romantic relationship, Xue Shufan would have undoubtedly refused to marry without hesitation.
Hearing this, she breathed a sigh of relief, “Alright, then when should we get our certificate?”
Xue Shufan’s appearance was rather heroic and spirited, with a well-defined nose and naturally red lips. No matter the angle, she was picturesque.
Pei Qingji appraised her face for three seconds, then lightly adjusted his glasses on his nose with his fingers, and calmly said, “Marriage is not a child’s play.”
Xue Shufan nodded, “I know.”
Pei Qingji: “My expectation for marriage is to sleep in the same bed and grow old together.”
Xue Shufan looked up at him, “What do you mean?”
Pei Qingji said with a straight face, “Adults have normal physiological needs. Let’s tentatively set conjugal relations to three times a week.”
Xue Shufan was instantly stunned.
She wasn’t an inexperienced girl and naturally understood adult needs, but when Pei Qingji stated it so plainly, it still caught her off guard.
Exclamations like startled birds flew through Xue Shufan’s heart.
After a period of silence, even the air seemed to stop flowing.
“Is there a problem?” Pei Qingji met Xue Shufan’s gaze openly and asked gently.
Even with his gentle demeanor, the imposing aura of a superior only intensified.
During the morning meeting, there were disputes among the higher-ups. Pei Qingji merely tapped his well-defined fingers on the table, and the cacophony immediately ceased.
“No,” Xue Shufan regained her senses. It wasn’t just men who had sexual needs; women did too. She didn’t find this condition excessive.
“When can we get the certificate? My elders are urging me, and I’m quite anxious.”
Pei Qingji raised his wrist and checked the time, “It’s two in the afternoon, and the Civil Affairs Bureau is still open. How about today?”
He politely asked for her opinion, and Xue Shufan, having prepared herself mentally, naturally agreed, “Then let’s go!”
Pei Qingji stood up and walked behind her, deftly fastening the second button of his suit.
Looking down, she noticed her palm had inexplicably broken out in a fine sweat.
It’s just marriage, why be nervous?
She wasn’t a teenager anymore, so pathetic.
The Pei family seemed to tacitly understand the relationship between Pei Qingji and Xue Shufan. Upon hearing that he was getting his certificate with Xue Shufan, the entire family happily prepared wedding candies, with no one objecting.
On Xue Shufan’s side, she asked her aunt for her household registration book to get married. Her aunt asked who the groom was.
She replied, “Pei Qingji.”
Her aunt’s face immediately lit up with joy, and she handed the household registration book to her, asking her to bring him over for a meal another day.
Xue Shufan was a bit confused. On the way to the Civil Affairs Bureau, she incredulously sent a message to her Junior Sister: 【 It’s one thing that no one opposed me and Pei Qingji getting married, but why is everyone acting like it’s the most natural thing? It’s as if Pei Qingji and I have been dating for many years and are finally getting married. 】
Lian Li: 【 Because you two look good together, a female general versus a Western mansion peony. 】
Xue Shufan: 【? 】
Xue Shufan: 【 We’re good friends! 】
Lian Li: 【 Good friends about to enter the hall of marriage, is the wedding set yet? 】
Xue Shufan: 【 Get the certificate first to appease the elders, the wedding can be discussed later. 】
She and Pei Qingji weren’t lovers turned couple, so the timing of the wedding didn’t matter.
It was just a formality.
Not many people were registering for marriage at the Civil Affairs Bureau today.
Xue Shufan and Pei Qingji filled out the forms, took photos, and the entire process went smoothly and easily. Soon, the stamps were affixed, and they received their identification documents.
Holding the red marriage certificate, Pei Qingji’s anxious heart finally calmed down slightly.
It wasn’t the dust settling, just taking a step forward.
He looked at Xue Shufan and asked her, “When is convenient for you? I’ll have someone move your things to my place.”
Xue Shufan took a photo of the marriage certificate with her mobile phone and sent it to Lian Li. Hearing him, she looked up, “The Pei family mansion?”
“No,” Pei Qingji was married and had moved out to live alone, “Our marital home, Park Hyatt Mansion.”
As Xue Shufan was lost in thought, a surprised female voice suddenly rang out, “Shufan?”
Pei Qingji looked up and saw a gentle and intellectual woman in a white dress.
“Shufan, it really is you,” Tang Qianwan quickly stepped forward, excitedly holding Xue Shufan’s hand.
Xue Shufan calmly withdrew her hand, “Qianwan.”
Tang Qianwan glanced at Pei Qingji beside her, then at the red books in their hands, and exclaimed in surprise, “You’re married?”
“Just got the certificate,” Xue Shufan said, one hand in her pocket, the other swinging the marriage certificate.
