Chapter 73: Extra 3
What kind of marriage is this?
Xie Yao’s brow twitched.
Xie Yao calmed down and did not show any dissatisfaction. He said, “You mean to be my girlfriend first?”
Yuli did not respond, neither refusing nor nodding.
Xie Yao: “That’s fine too.” In this era, two unmarried men and women could live together. People thought it was very normal. In that case, it was not much different from a husband and wife.
“However, Yuli, our relationship is for the purpose of marriage. I will always be waiting for you to accept me as your husband.”
Yuli nodded this time. Marriage involved too many people. In the original novel, his parents looked down on her and had broken off relations with him, but they still did not accept his marriage to her.
His parents were like this, and of course, the relatives and friends in the environment where he had grown up were the same.
There was also a vicious female supporting character who was of the same social status as him and had grown up with him. She had made things difficult for her everywhere and had casually caused her all kinds of unbearable trouble.
For them to be able to reach the end, both sides had made many sacrifices.
The male lead had suffered a fall from grace and had lost his power, while the female lead had run away with a baby and had raised the child alone. Yuli could not imagine the hardships she had gone through.
Dating was fine. She didn’t have to face his parents, and if they were a little more low-key and secretive, she wouldn’t run into a vicious female supporting character.
When she had earned enough money, she would just find an excuse to break up with him.
Xie Yao looked at Yuli’s somewhat calm expression, and the restlessness in his heart gradually grew. He wanted to, like in his previous life, put pressure on her with the attitude of a superior, so that she had to be close to him.
But it was different now. If he used a forceful method, she would only resist more strongly, seeking the help of the public security and the law. And the criminal law did indeed not distinguish between high and low, and would punish everyone.
If he were to take a single wrong step, he would be completely pushing her to an irreversible opposite side.
He had money, looks, strength, and patience. He also understood himself and her better than when he had first met her in his previous life.
Coming to this world, he had survived twenty-nine years without her. It didn’t matter if it was another year or two.
Yuli’s residence was sealed by the police. Yuli could only temporarily live in Xie Yao’s house.
His house was simpler than the one opposite, but it had everything it needed. Yuli slept in the side bedroom for a night.
The next day, when she went to work, Xie Yao was waiting at the door and went out with her.
In the elevator, Xie Yao pressed the button for the first basement floor. Yuli wanted to press the button for the first floor but was held by his wrist. Yuli’s wrist instantly became hot and numb.
“Come to the company with me.”
“Others will gossip if they see.”
Yuli was a little reluctant and still wanted to press the elevator button.
Xie Yao’s force did not decrease. “If you had agreed to marry me last night, half of the company would be yours. If you’re worried about others gossiping, then marry me.”
In fact, this company had been founded to find her in the first place. Xie Yao didn’t say it, afraid of sounding too hypocritical and greasy.
In short, he was determined to go to work with her.
He was dealing with last night’s case, which had caused him a lot of trouble. He might need his help later. Yuli was reluctant, but it was not good to have a falling out with him.
She got into the car with him and saw that he was very focused on driving, with no other tricks. Yuli also relaxed.
When they reached the company, he did not appear overly intimate and naturally separated from her to go to the president’s office, while she went to the assistant’s office.
During the day at the company, everything was business-like, with no extra communication, not even eye contact.
But when it was time to clock out, just as Yuli was thinking of clocking out and slipping away as soon as possible, she received his text message.
Let’s go together after work. I’ll take you to buy daily necessities.
Yuli pretended not to see and did not reply, counting the time and waiting to clock out.
The other two colleagues were still dealing with matters. She had already quietly packed up, and her computer was also turned off.
Just as she was about to get up, Xie Yao appeared at the door and knocked with his knuckles.
Yuli and her colleagues all quickly stood up. Xie Yao looked at her. “Song Yuli, look at your phone.”
Yuli still didn’t know what he meant. She picked up her phone in a flurry. There were no missed calls and no unread messages.
Xie Yao: “Let’s go together after work.”
Yuli understood. It was her fault for not replying to his text message.
Yuli maintained her composure. “Alright, Mr. Xie.”
Xie Yao paused, then turned and left.
Yuli didn’t dare to look at her two colleagues. According to their professionalism, their faces were surely well-maintained. She just didn’t know how surprised they were in their hearts.
When it was time to get off work, a text message came as expected, two words. Downstairs.
Yuli got into the car. She wanted to say something, but Xie Yao began to talk about the arrangements. “Let’s eat first. After eating, we’ll go to a clothing store, and then to the supermarket to buy daily necessities. I’ve extended Aunt Li’s travel time. When the case has progressed enough, I’ll have her come back. Before the final trial, you can’t show your face either. Just stay at my place.”
As Yuli listened, for some reason, the tense string in her heart suddenly loosened, and for the first time, she had a solid sense of reliance.
She wanted to look at him, but her heart was beating uncontrollably fast.
This was a bad sign. In the end, she did not look at him, but just hummed lightly in agreement.
The place they ate was very quiet and looked a little elegant. But Yuli had been to many restaurants in her previous life and did not feel constrained. After the meal, Xie Yao paid the bill, and she didn’t have to know the cost.
Yuli’s clothes were not easy to get. She had to buy a lot. After leaving the restaurant, she went straight to the first basement floor of the mall.
Xie Yao wanted to say something but pursed his lips and didn’t open his mouth.
According to the prices of this era, and her current salary, she could buy the clothes on the first basement floor of the mall with her eyes closed.
When she saw something she liked, she would take it down, try it on herself, and pay for it herself.
Xie Yao was wearing a suit. He was tall and handsome, and the rate of people turning their heads to look at him was extremely high.
Yuli was in the mood for shopping and didn’t pay any attention to him at all. He just stood by the door, his arms crossed, watching her.
In the end, Xie Yao was carrying large and small bags, and the rate of people turning their heads was even higher.
Yuli was a little embarrassed and stayed a little far from him. Xie Yao was a little resentful but didn’t say anything.
After they got into the car and went home, Yuli was busy arranging the items.
Xie Yao leaned against the door and watched her for a while, then went to take a shower. He came out in loose pajamas. Yuli had already tidied up, and it looked as if there were no traces left.
He poured a glass of water, drank it in one gulp, and walked to the door of Yuli’s room.
Just as he was about to knock, Yuli opened the door from the inside.
The two of them looked at each other. Xie Yao’s gaze was dark and deep. Yuli looked a little dazed, but her slightly red ears showed that she was not as calm as she appeared on the surface.
Xie Yao’s short hair was half-dry and damp. His skin was fair, and his lips were rosy. He looked very different from the description of the male lead in the original novel.
He was very gentle, not without a sharp side, but extremely restrained. In the business world, a slight reveal would make the other party surrender. But in front of her, when he revealed a little and met her defense, he would immediately soften.
Just like at this moment, he had just wanted to ask her for an explanation, but upon seeing her, he had softened both inside and out.
Yuli was very sensitive and could sense his restraint. She was also a normal woman and was not indifferent.
“Mr. Xie, is there, is there something?” she stammered a little, nervous.
“Are you going to call me Mr. Xie forever?” he stepped closer, looking down at Yuli from above, with a sense of oppression, but he was smiling.
“Then, what should I call you?” Yuli did not retreat.
In order to attract her attention, the two words “Mingyan” had been used as the company’s name, and many people were calling it.
He wanted to hear her call him something that others would not.
“Calling my full name is better.” Needless to say in his previous life, no one in this life could call his full name. It was exclusively hers.
Yuli was relieved. Although the full name was also a bit awkward, it was better than some cheesy terms of endearment.
“Alright. Xie Yao.”
Xie Yao smiled even more brightly, revealing some white teeth.
*
To avoid being seen by their colleagues always coming and going together, although Yuli and Xie Yao went to work together, she would wait for him to go upstairs before going up, and she would also go downstairs a little later than him after work.
Xie Yao didn’t say anything. After all, they were not married yet, and it was not good for Yuli to be too partial.
On this day, Yuli subconsciously wanted to go to the garage first, then remembered that he had gone to the police station today. Song Kang’s case was progressing very quickly, and it was almost time for the trial. He had to undergo the final questioning.
Yuli went to the supermarket alone, preparing to cook him a good meal.
Although she was not short of money now, they still often cooked and ate at home. Yuli had only recently learned that he actually had an advanced chef’s certificate. He said he had learned it during the summer vacation after graduating from high school.
The dishes he made were indeed delicious, covering all kinds of cuisines. To this day, he could still make new dishes every day.
She asked him why he had thought of learning to cook. After all, he was a top elite. Learning to fly a helicopter would have been more normal than learning to cook.
Xie Yao had looked at her at that time, with a half-smile. “Because my future wife has a good appetite.”
Yuli couldn’t continue. His future wife would probably not be her.
But they were still in a relationship, and she would not spoil the mood.
Yuli bought ingredients at the supermarket and saw durian in the fruit section.
In her previous life, she had loved to eat durian, but unfortunately, she was short of money and had not eaten it many times. Now that she had money, Yuli bought a whole one.
After getting home, she sent a text message to Xie Yao, asking how long it would be before he returned. She didn’t get a reply for half an hour and thought he must still be busy.
The dishes were already prepared. She planned to cook them after he replied to her text, but she was a little hungry. Yuli opened a piece of durian and prepared to eat.
Xie Yao didn’t like hot pot, and he didn’t like spicy hot pot, which had a strong taste. He would surely not like durian either. Yuli opened the window, planning to eat it quickly and let the smell dissipate.
She was almost gnawing on the plastic box. She took a bite, full of happiness. When she was about to take a second bite, the door opened with a click.
Yuli was facing the door and froze in place. Xie Yao saw her in an unkempt state, holding a box of durian, her head buried, gnawing directly.
Yuli was a little petrified.
She wanted to save the situation but felt that she had no image to begin with, so there was no need.
But if she let it be, she was afraid that he would think she was just a rude and gluttonous person, and the image of the pure little white flower of the original female lead would be completely shattered.
She was afraid he wouldn’t like it, and she was also afraid he would like it too much. Yuli’s mind was in a tangle, but her mouth did not stop. As if nothing had happened, she ate the durian she had bitten and swallowed it.
Xie Yao also acted as if it were normal and did not stare at her.
“You’re back. I’ll go and cook,” Yuli said, as if nothing had happened, and went straight into the kitchen, quickly wrapped the durian, and put it in the fridge.
She could no longer smell it, but Xie Yao could clearly smell it. He stiffened for a moment, saw the open window, and thought of her pretending to be calm just now, and the corners of his lips curled into a smile.
After dinner, Xie Yao did the dishes and saw the remaining durian in the fridge, and took it out.
Yuli had already returned to the bedroom and was reading.
Xie Yao knocked on the door and called her.
She came out and saw the durian on the coffee table. Her ears immediately turned red.
“Dessert after the meal. Let’s eat together,” Xie Yao said.
Yuli sat on the sofa and saw two spoons. She picked them up nonchalantly, divided it into two portions, and ate her own.
Xie Yao did not move his spoon for a long time. He wanted Yuli not to be so reserved around him, but he really could not accept this taste.
But Yuli really wanted to see him eat. After she finished eating, she put down her spoon and pushed it to him. “Eat up. It’s very sweet.”
Xie Yao leaned forward, picked up his spoon, scooped up a piece, and held it to his mouth, not opening his mouth for a long time.
Yuli pursed her lips, unable to hide her smile.
Xie Yao sensed something was wrong, looked at her, and turned the spoon to her. “Then you eat more.”
Yuli was not polite and took it. “Thank you.” It was to thank him for his tolerance. Even if he didn’t like it, he didn’t show it to embarrass her.
Xie Yao looked at her and sensed a moment of softness in Yuli. She looked at him without any defense.
Before Yuli could finish eating, he leaned close to her, held her hand holding the spoon, and kissed her on the lips.
Yuli was stunned.
Previously, they had only held hands and had not even hugged. This was a bit sudden. And it was all durian-flavored, which didn’t seem so wonderful.
Xie Yao came to his senses, but he was suddenly not repulsed by this taste. He savored it carefully. It was indeed sweet.
Yuli was a little embarrassed and forgot to push him away.
“It is indeed sweet,” Xie Yao said.
After saying that, he kissed her again. Yuli was stiff and did not move. The fruity scent at the tip of her nose was replaced by Xie Yao’s strong fragrance.
The touch on her lips was unprecedentedly soft and smooth. He kissed her lightly, and gradually went deeper. The force and rhythm were perfectly controlled, as if he were a master of this.
Just a kiss made her whole body go limp and hot, but she did not feel repulsed.
Just as she was about to hold him back, he stopped and retreated a little.
“Yuli, let’s get married. We don’t have to have a wedding. Let’s get the license first,” he suddenly said.
Yuli was instantly clear-headed and said calmly, “Marriage is a lifetime thing. I don’t have this plan yet.”
Xie Yao’s expression sank a little, but he didn’t say much, just let go of Yuli and turned into his bedroom.
*
Xie Yao was a little angry.
By the time he realized this, it was already on the way to work the next day.
It was clearly a cloudy day, but he was wearing sunglasses, and his face looked very stern, making people afraid to look at him directly.
And he also spoke little. After getting out of the car, he opened the passenger door, stood by the door without leaving, which meant that he wanted her to go with him.
Yuli found him a little scary, but she couldn’t see his expression clearly, so she subconsciously submitted to him.
He held her hand and got into the elevator, and did not let go.
Yuli was afraid of running into a colleague and struggled a few times but couldn’t break free.
When they reached the first floor, a colleague did indeed come in. She took a step forward, blocking the view of Xie Yao and her held hand, and smiled at the colleague as if it were normal.
Behind her, Xie Yao was like a statue of Buddha, which made the colleague’s scalp tingle. She quickly stood properly with her back to them.
Yuli was afraid that he would not let go even after they got out of the elevator, so she pinched him with her thumb.
He suddenly tightened his grip, and Yuli felt a little pain in her palm. The next moment, he let go.
The whole day was normal. When it was time to get off work, he came straight over, looked at her, which meant that he wanted to go home with her.
Yuli still had work to do and could only pack her laptop in her laptop bag and take it back.
Xie Yao was at the door and naturally took the heavy bag.
Yuli was sure that the other two colleagues in the office had seen it, and her scalp tingled.
She was also a little unhappy with his behavior.
When they got home, Xie Yao opened the door and let her in first. Yuli entered the door, took the laptop bag he was carrying, and, without saying a word, started to work overtime on the coffee table.
Xie Yao was at the door, stood and watched her for a while, helpless, and went to the kitchen to cook first.
After dinner, Yuli’s mood improved a little.
She wanted to do the dishes, but Xie Yao rushed to do them.
Yuli didn’t fight with him and continued to work overtime.
Halfway through her writing, Xie Yao suddenly sat down opposite her and handed her a card.
It was a black card with gold stamping, a high-level bank card.
“This card has half of my assets. Even if we don’t get married, all my family assets are yours.”
Yuli looked up. He was very serious, definitely not joking or pretending to be generous.
But, the origin of this money… was it legitimate?
Xie Yao placed the card by her hand without question and sat on the sofa, looking at her at ease. “Either take this card, or get a marriage license with me. Choose one.”
Yuli pondered for a long time, then took the card in her hand. “Then I’ll keep it for you for now.”
Xie Yao’s lips curled into a smile, and then he returned to his sternness.
Yuli moved her laptop and turned to a place with her back to him and the main door.
She opened the browser and moved to the search box.
She typed four words and pressed enter.
There were no search results.
She thought for a moment, moved her hands to the keyboard, and her fingertips moved quickly.
The words in the search box gradually appeared: how, to, wash, money?
She clicked enter, and this time, many web pages appeared.
Just as she was about to click on the first link.
Suddenly, she heard Xie Yao chuckle.
Yuli looked over. He was looking at her with a half-smile and spat out two words, “Money laundering.”
“What?” Yuli’s mind was stuck.
“Wash money,” his smile deepened, but the meaning in his eyes was unclear.
“Do you want me to teach you?”
Yuli looked at the computer, turned around, and saw the computer screen clearly reflected in the glass window, and Xie Yao was facing the window.
At this moment, Yuli wanted to die a little.