Chapter 2: Surely She Won't Be Tricked into a Sham Marriage?

Song Xi didn’t think much of it and just assumed it was a perfume brand.

Outside the window, the crisp air of a northern city filled the room. Spring was approaching, and tender buds were sprouting on the branches.

Song Xi had just arrived in the capital today.

Having just ended a relationship and quit her job, she was lost and aimless, seeking refuge with her best friend.

Unexpectedly, the civil affairs bureau was quite close to her new place. After turning one street, she entered a villa community, and after ten minutes of walking, she arrived at her best friend’s detached mansion.

Zhang Hening led her upstairs to settle in.

“This one’s for you. I picked it out myself. It’s well-ventilated from north to south, really nice. Next door is my brother’s room, but don’t worry, he’s a workaholic who barely comes home all year.”

Song Xi saw that the balcony of her room connected to the neighboring room’s balcony.

Her side was furnished with her favorite rocking chair.

Between the two balconies stood several tall green plants, blocking most of the view.

In the distance were mountains and the setting sun, perfect for watching the evening glow.

Song Xi was touched and hugged Zhang Hening tightly, sobbing, “Ning Ning, you’re so wonderful. Guai Guai would definitely love it here.”

Guai Guai was the name of her cat, currently staying at a pet shop boarding facility. She had planned to move in with her after finding a suitable place, but none of the houses she’d seen satisfied her.

Mainly because those places required yearly leases, and Song Xi wasn’t sure how long she’d stay.

Perhaps she would return to Sucheng once she felt mentally stable again in a few days.

In any case, she would consider a new job after passing the probation period.

With a grand gesture, Zhang Hening said, “Come on, let’s go pick up the cat, then hit the club, and afterwards go to the lounge to hire male models!”

Song Xi hesitated, “Isn’t that a bit… much?”

“What’s wrong with that? You wouldn’t still be waiting pure for a scumbag, would you? He dares to go to commercial KTVs to pick up princesses, so why can’t you go to nightclubs to play with male models? If you’re still stuck on love, I’ll really despise you!”

Song Xi replied, “I’m not hung up on him!”

Then she added, “But I have to remain pure for my husband.”

“Oh, that makes sense,” Zhang Hening nodded, then suddenly screamed, “What??? When did you get a husband? Where is this husband? Who did you secretly marry?”

“You haven’t even gone on a blind date with my second brother yet. Who did you secretly marry?”

Song Xi grabbed her and covered her loud mouth. “Keep your voice down.”

Lowering her voice, she recounted the events of last night to Zhang Hening: drunken indiscretion, sleeping with someone, and taking responsibility by getting a marriage certificate.

Zhang Hening said, “Why didn’t you call me when you were drinking secretly?”

“I was drowning my sorrows from a breakup. I was afraid you’d scold me.”

“You don’t think I won’t scold you for blindly marrying a scammer, do you?”

Shaking her head, Zhang Hening looked like she wanted to drain all the nonsense from Song Xi’s brain.

“You promised you’d marry my second brother and inherit his vast fortune. I waited so long! Now you marry someone else? I’ve lost my future sister-in-law. How am I supposed to stay calm?”

“Divorce! Before my brother finds out, get a divorce quickly!”

Song Xi replied, “That might not be possible. Isn’t there a one-month cooling-off period for divorces?”

She thought for a moment, then said with a hint of delight, “Besides, he’s quite handsome—better looking than your brother.”

Indeed, she was a sucker for appearances.

When choosing a husband, he had to be handsome; otherwise, how could they share a bed?

“Are you crazy?” Zhang Hening didn’t believe her at all. “Our second brother is a male model. His fans praise him to the skies. Is there anyone better looking than him?”

“Yes,” Song Xi said confidently.

“What’s his name? How handsome is he? Let me see the marriage certificate,” Zhang Hening demanded skeptically.

Song Xi shrugged, “He took it.”

Zhang Hening was exasperated, “He must be a schemer, a dark horse, with a crafty mind. Seeing you so naive and brainless, he deliberately got close to you, used you up, and then took the marriage certificate!”

“This isn’t a husband; it’s an old scammer.”

Listening to these words, Song Xi fell into thought.

Wasn’t she supposed to take responsibility after sleeping with him?

Why did it sound like her best friend thought she’d become a fool?

Had she been tricked into a sham marriage?

But the man was undeniably handsome...

Well, if it was a scam, so be it.

Song Xi, ever carefree, shook her friend’s arm.

“Is there any food? I’m hungry.”

“There is. I ordered an extra spicy hot pot. Let’s go out to eat.”

Though scolding her, Zhang Hening pampered her best friend and dragged her off to eat heartily.

During the meal, Song Xi’s phone lit up with a new WeChat friend request.

She glanced at it: a profile photo of an Alaskan Malamute dog, with the name simply “J.”

The note read: “Your husband.”