Chapter 18: We Can Get the Marriage Certificate Anytime

**Chapter 18 – We Can Get the Papers Anytime**

Today’s meeting was arranged by the Jian family.

He’d originally planned to meet the other person, but before he could communicate his intentions, the other side had already proposed the meeting first.

Technically, Yi Siyu was the one being invited. As the one who extended the invitation, if they bailed on him now, it would truly be a slap in the face to both families.

However, regarding the green-haired boy he had seen in the photo that day, Yi Siyu had no idea what to expect from him.

The boy in the photo was a sultry little wildcat.

And according to what Xie Fei had said, this little wildcat had no problem pulling outrageous stunts—more rebellious than a teenager.

“Siyu, don’t buy what the Jian family’s selling. Even they can’t control this little waste of space. He’s the type to throw fits and threaten to off himself over nothing—totally unhinged!”

“I don’t get why you’re marrying him. Even if the Jian family is the best match for the Yis, at least pick someone halfway decent. A marriage like this needs stability.”

Xie Fei thought it was downright unfair for his childhood friend. Though people like them couldn’t escape arranged marriages, Xie Fei still hoped his friend could find someone gentle and obedient—a drama magnet like that’ll just wreck the household.

“Pfft, no way he’s showing up today! C’mon, let’s go sit in the private room upstairs.”

Just as Xie Fei was certain the Jian family deadweight wouldn’t show, Yi Siyu’s phone buzzed twice in his pocket.

The man checked the screen and saw a text from an unknown number—

[Mr. Yi, I’m at “Rainy Night,” but I don’t see you. Did something come up?]

Before two seconds passed, another message followed—

“If you’re tied up, just say the word. We can reschedule.”

Yi Siyu: “….”

Xie Fei: “???”

Xie Fei’s eyes were too sharp—he accidentally caught a glimpse of the messages.

He was utterly shocked, pointing at the phone and stammering, “That trainwreck actually showed up?? He’s—he’s gotta be lying! I’d have spotted that neon mop in my shop! Make him cough up his table number!”

As if hearing Xie Fei’s words, the phone buzzed again.

“I’m at Table 4 in Zone C. I ordered you an iced Americano in advance. More for me, then.”

Xie Fei nearly spat out his drink: “The hell—?!”

The two of them simultaneously looked toward Zone C.

A decorative pillar blocked part of their view, but they could vaguely see someone sitting there with half of their black hair visible, the ends slightly curled. A slender wrist reached across the table, carefully picking up the untouched iced Americano, like a cat burglar swiping cream.

Xie Fei cursed under his breath: “Son of a—! Who knew he’d gone brunette? I… sorry, my sources failed me. Siyu, are you—hey!”

Before Xie Fei’s rant gained steam, the man’s long legs were already striding in that direction.

The slightly curled hair and slender wrist sent a jolt of recognition through him, making him eager to investigate further.

Yi Siyu had an inexplicable intuition—the person behind that pillar wasn’t just familiar from photos.

In that short distance, his pulse kicked up a notch.

Thinking the truth lay beyond the pillar, only to find his view still blocked after stepping around it.

A bouquet of white flowers stood on the young man’s table, dotted with green buds. It happened to obscure his face, but from what was visible, he was stealing sips of coffee.

Perhaps “stealing” wasn’t quite right—the coffee was technically his, even if he had ordered a second cup under the assumption the other person wouldn’t show.

Jian Ye could already feel the intensity of that unavoidable stare. Still, he pretended not to notice, taking slow sips of iced Americano.

“Hello.” The man finally gave in and interrupted the boy mid-sip.

The moment he saw that pale wrist, an answer began forming in his mind. A slight shift of gaze allowed him to fully bypass the obstructing flowers and clearly see the boy’s clear, luminous eyes.

Hard to put into words—unexpected, yet fitting.

Today, Yi Siyu felt like his usual sharp instincts were off. He should’ve figured it out when the boy mentioned Jinghua Street.

In fact, the red flags were there earlier, in the documents Xu Assistant had delivered.

Jian Ye’s file listed his romantic partner as Yu Wei.

That time the boy had been pitifully bullied by Yu Wei on the street…

It all added up.

Breakups changed people completely; Yi Siyu mused.

But it made sense—heartbreak often pushed people to reinvent themselves.

Jian Ye widened his round eyes, staring at the man who would shape his future.

He fumbled, nearly dropping the cup. “You’re… you?” Then, hesitantly, as if recalling something, “Mr. Yi Siyu?”

“It’s me.” The man’s lips curved slightly, elegantly sliding into the seat across from him.

Jian Ye’s reaction visibly amused him.

And Jian Ye was equally pleased.

[Jian Ye: Classic protagonist poise, but they’re never what they seem. He’ll probably rethink his first impression of me. Every “accidental” move is calculated—those clingy types are too basic. Gotta play the long game if I want to earn Green Tea Points.]

[System 748: Whoa, slow your roll!]

The system was impressed—this host knew the drill, clearly from reading countless novels.

The boy’s flushed cheeks stood out even more vividly against the white flowers on the table.

After a stunned pause, Jian Ye finally stammered, “No way, what are the odds… Just ten minutes ago, we were riding the same bus…”

“I didn’t expect it to be you either,” Yi Siyu replied sincerely, though his face gave nothing away.

But just as Jian Ye suspected, inside, he was reeling.

He’d imagined today’s meeting going many ways—arguments, misunderstandings, awkwardness, cold indifference, chaos, disaster, or a bitter end? None of that happened.

Who would have thought the Jian family’s so-called “problem child” was that helpless stray he’d seen on the street?

If his arranged marriage partner was this boy… Yi Siyu was warming up to the idea fast.

Don't believe rumors—seeing is believing.

Jian Ye glanced down at the coffee he had already drunk most of. "Oh! My bad, I'll get you a fresh cup! What would you like?"

Yi Siyu replied, "It's fine. I was the one who arrived late. I'll grab it myself. And thanks for ordering coffee for me earlier—I like iced Americano too."

"So... I got you these flowers." The boy scratched his head shyly. "First time meeting, and I wasn’t sure what gift to bring. When I saw these white eustomas, I thought they were beautiful, so I bought them."

Yi Siyu was momentarily stunned. He had assumed the flowers were part of the café’s decor, never expecting them to be Jian Ye’s gesture.

The pure, flawless blossoms suited the young man’s demeanor perfectly.

"Ding—Green Tea vibes detected! Green Tea Points +10."

"Jian Ye: Score! Nailed it!"

"System 748: Wow! Dude, you're killing it! So the detail you meant was giving flowers?"

[Jian Ye: Not exactly just giving flowers. I just wanted to shift the protagonist’s impression of me, a minor cannon fodder, away from being an 'attention hog.' Even us young guys know how to be smooth; even us young guys can be gentle and romantic.]

"System 748: Host, I get it now. You’re not basic green tea—you’re next-level strategic!"

"Jian Ye: Exactly! I'm farming those Green Tea Points!"

"System 748: Faced with a male lead like this, aren’t you even a little tempted? Haha"

"Jian Ye: Oh no, I wouldn’t dare. I’ll just be a background NPC. Sure, fictional guys are hot, but nothing beats the allure of Green Tea Points! I’m more excited about unlocking the system shop!"

"System 748: Alright, just don’t regret it later. LOL"

"Jian Ye: What did you say?"

"System 748: Nothing. Boss move, host."

"Thank you, the flowers are lovely." Yi Siyu didn’t stand on ceremony. He was always straightforward and admitted, "I don’t have a gift for you right now, but on the day we register our marriage, I can give you properties in Yingshan. I own over a dozen there—you can pick a few."

No freaking way!!!

"Jian Ye: I struck gold with this legit CEO! I remember Yingshan properties are priceless—he's casually throwing around properties. Suddenly, my bouquet feels way too cheap."

System 748 diligently noted in its log: Strategic flirting pays off—literally!

Jian Ye hesitated, looking embarrassed.

As if reading his mind, the "alpha CEO" spoke plainly, "This is a personal gift from me, unrelated to the arranged marriage. You can accept it without worry—the Jian family won’t know."

"I..." Jian Ye wasn’t actually concerned about the Jian family finding out, but Yi Siyu’s reassurance was comforting.

Considering Jian Ye’s shitty situation in the Jian family, this gesture subtly gave the boy a sense of security.

After all, the Jian family’s pack of vultures had only sent him into this marriage for business gains.

"I'll cut to the chase," Yi Siyu said after the initial surprise, quickly reverting to the male lead’s businesslike demeanor. "I know you must have reservations about this arranged marriage, but I promise to provide you with the good life after marriage. I won’t interfere with your social life or hobbies. That said—"

"No objections here!" Jian Ye responded immediately.

Straight-shooters are the best—let's fast-forward this scene!

The author had already locked in the marriage between cannon fodder Jian Ye and the male lead. His task was simply to play his part.

Plus, he even offered real estate—such a proactive male lead couldn't be more reasonable, right?

Isn’t he a million times better than that Yu Wei? What kind of "Emperor Shrimp" was the original owner anyway?

"Mr. Yi, I’ve prepared all the necessary documents. We can go get the marriage certificate anytime."

The young man’s eyes sparkled like stars in the sky or sunlit stained glass, his curled lashes fluttering and making Yi Siyu’s heart skip a beat.

This was a completely different image from the rain-soaked "stray dog" from that day. He could almost see the "dog" eagerly wagging its tail—well-behaved, obedient, practically begging to be taken home.

Adorable. Wanted to give him a good ruffle.

"Author's Note:"

Third Young Master Yi: *pspsps*, wanna come with me? (*holding a giant bone jpg.*)

Jian Xiaogou: Woof~ (*wagging tail furiously jpg.*)