Madam, Please Behave

< p136" data-end="150"> November 27th.

< p152" data-end="249"> In Liu Changqing’s hand was a phone, the small screen displaying the result from a search engine. < p251" data-end="421"> Sitting in front of the vanity, fixing herself up, An Yuanyao saw Liu Changqing’s furrowed brows through the reflection in the mirror from where he sat on a nearby chair. < p423" data-end="560"> Her hand, mid-application of lipstick, paused. Looking at him through the mirror’s reflection, she couldn’t help but find it a bit funny. < p562" data-end="625"> “I never noticed before... You actually believe in this stuff?” < p627" data-end="771"> “Better to believe it than not… I’ve already experienced things science can’t explain, so being a little careful is better than being careless…” < p773" data-end="884"> Without lifting his head, Liu Changqing still answered her, his gaze focused on the answer on the phone screen. < p886" data-end="985"> The screen was loading slowly, and after waiting almost ten seconds, he finally opened the webpage. < p987" data-end="1063"> Little by little, the words started to appear, revealing what he’d searched. < p1065" data-end="1153"> Right there in the search bar: ‘Is November 27th a good day to register a marriage?’ < p1155" data-end="1283"> Seeing the answer provided by the site, Liu Changqing straightened up in his chair and leaned slightly closer toward An Yuanyao. < p1285" data-end="1328"> Eyes still on the screen, he mumbled aloud: < p1330" data-end="1422"> “Today’s good for: marriage, worship, sculpture, consecration… Not bad, this is a good day.” < p1424" data-end="1593"> “You’re seriously turning into one of those old masters I used to see when I was a kid... All of this is fake, you know? There’s no such thing as lucky or unlucky days.” < p1595" data-end="1699"> “Fake or not, it’s all about setting the tone. Registering a marriage isn’t a small thing. And besides…” < p1701" data-end="1874"> As he spoke, Liu Changqing’s grip on the phone tightened. With a soft click, the clear case snapped shut. He looked toward the mirror at An Yuanyao’s reflection and grinned. < p1876" data-end="1936"> “The sooner the better. I’ve been dying to call you ‘wife’.” < p1938" data-end="2103"> Hearing that, An Yuanyao’s eyes narrowed into little crescents in the mirror. That burst of giddy happiness inside her felt like she was trying to suppress a giggle. < p2105" data-end="2195"> Then she turned to look at Liu Changqing, reaching out to press a finger against his lips. < p2197" data-end="2209"> “So cheesy~” < p2211" data-end="2349"> Feeling her gesture, Liu Changqing knew all too well—this woman who always said one thing but meant another was actually overjoyed inside. < p2351" data-end="2376"> It was all over her face. < p2378" data-end="2575"> An Yuanyao was so easily satisfied. Just hearing Liu Changqing call her “wife” had her heart fluttering—even if she pretended to scold him for being cheesy, deep down she couldn’t hide her delight. < p2577" data-end="2644"> Looking at her, Liu Changqing reached out and held her hand in his. < p2646" data-end="2805"> If it had been the old him, he would’ve never said something like that. But as days passed with An Yuanyao by his side, he realized—he was changing bit by bit. < p2807" data-end="2933"> He was slowly and unconsciously being influenced by this slightly naive woman. Little by little, he was drawing closer to her. < p2935" data-end="3078"> “Forget about the cheesiness for a sec. Come on… Let’s rehearse once. After we get our marriage certificate, what are you supposed to call me?” < p3080" data-end="3204"> When An Yuanyao heard that, and saw the mischievous smile on his face, she instantly realized—he was messing with her again. < p3206" data-end="3350"> She tried to pull her hand out of his grip, acting like she didn’t want to answer. But the difference in strength meant she couldn’t break free. < p3352" data-end="3405"> After struggling a few times, she gave up altogether. < p3407" data-end="3465"> “Aiya… Quit messing around! I still need to do my makeup!” < p3467" data-end="3505"> “Nope, say it first. I wanna hear it.” < p3507" data-end="3519"> “Changqing…” < p3521" data-end="3623"> “Not that one. After we register, you know what our relationship becomes. Come on… call me ‘husband.’” < p3625" data-end="3665"> “You can’t just force people like that…” < p3667" data-end="3698"> “Say it or I’m not letting go!” < p3700" data-end="3770"> Seeing Liu Changqing’s mock-serious face, An Yuanyao suddenly got shy. < p3772" data-end="3899"> She’d never called anyone that before—not even during her marriage with Li Chongming. They always addressed each other by name. < p3901" data-end="4061"> But looking at Liu Changqing’s dead-serious expression, even though she felt embarrassed, she didn’t want to disappoint him. After preparing herself internally… < p4063" data-end="4091"> She slowly opened her mouth. < p4093" data-end="4105"> “H-husband…” < p4107" data-end="4151"> Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito. < p4153" data-end="4310"> Liu Changqing heard it loud and clear, and in that moment his serious face completely collapsed—but only for a second before he put the serious mask back on. < p4312" data-end="4386"> Like he hadn’t heard it, he tilted his head and turned his ear toward her. < p4388" data-end="4426"> “Too quiet. Didn’t catch that. Again.” < p4428" data-end="4438"> “Husband…” < p4440" data-end="4457"> “Now I heard it!” < p4459" data-end="4582"> A huge grin spread across Liu Changqing’s face. Hearing her call him that, he lit up like a kid whose prank just succeeded. < p4584" data-end="4701"> From the very first time he met An Yuanyao, Liu Changqing loved seeing that mix of shyness and happiness on her face. < p4703" data-end="4748"> To put it simply, it was his guilty pleasure. < p4750" data-end="4847"> Of course, he knew there were limits. Once he felt he’d teased her enough, he let go of her hand. < p4849" data-end="4963"> As soon as she was free, An Yuanyao shifted a little closer to the mirror and touched her slightly flushed cheeks. < p4965" data-end="5031"> She had to admit, in some ways—Liu Changqing could be kind of bad. < p5033" data-end="5039"> But... < p5041" data-end="5061"> She really liked it. < p5063" data-end="5234"> When Liu Changqing told her they were going to register their marriage, unsurprisingly, An Yuanyao teared up again. It seemed like her emotions were always easily stirred. < p5236" data-end="5293"> That was one of the things she loved about Liu Changqing. < p5295" data-end="5422"> When he said something, he did it. No hesitation, no procrastination. And… he never made empty promises he didn’t plan to keep. < p5424" data-end="5561"> As they spent more time together, she gradually understood—though he always seemed cheerful and easygoing, like nothing ever rattled him… < p5563" data-end="5621"> An Yuanyao knew… Liu Changqing had his own little secrets. < p5623" data-end="5791"> But now that she was about to become his wife, she didn’t feel the need to dig into all of them. She wasn’t going to force him to reveal things he chose to keep hidden. < p5793" data-end="5812"> Time passed slowly. < p5814" data-end="5942"> Just as Liu Changqing was about to doze off in the chair, he felt a shake from An Yuanyao and heard her say she was ready to go. < p5944" data-end="6097"> He instantly woke up, helped her downstairs—even though she kept saying he was making too big a deal out of it, that she could walk on her own just fine. < p6099" data-end="6172"> But Liu Changqing, always cautious, insisted on escorting her downstairs. < p6174" data-end="6262"> Even after getting in the car, he personally adjusted her seat and buckled her seatbelt. < p6264" data-end="6377"> An Yuanyao noticed all of it. She didn’t say anything aloud, but inside, she was even more certain of her choice. < p6379" data-end="6435"> This time… she, An Yuanyao, had picked the right person. < p6437" data-end="6460"> The car started moving. < p6462" data-end="6585"> Sitting in the passenger seat, she looked over at Liu Changqing, who was completely focused on driving. Safe, slow, steady. < p6587" data-end="6616"> A smile appeared on her face. < p6618" data-end="6669"> Meeting you… was the best thing that ever happened. < p6671" data-end="6685"> Liu Changqing.