Chapter 5: Marriage Proposal

Qiao Yufen looked at the two of them, her face beaming with joy. It was one thing that her granddaughter’s suitor was tall and well-built, but he was also quite good to Yao Yao. The old woman grew more pleased the more she looked at him, and she pulled Jiang Yan, insisting he sit down.

"This is my grandmother."

Shen Qingyao tucked the ointment into her pocket and went to pour water for Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan spoke earnestly, "Grandmother."

"Yes!"

Qiao Yufen’s voice was loud and clear; she sounded genuinely happy. "Where did you and my Yao Yao meet? Do you have other business here today?"

Shen Qingyao set the cup down and sat on a small wooden stool.

Jiang Yan shook his head. "No."

"If you don't, then stay for a meal."

Qiao Yufen began calculating what was left in the house, eventually deciding to bring out her most treasured items hidden at the bottom of the trunk.

"We won't eat, Grandmother. We have things to do today, so we won't stay for a meal."

Anticipating what the old woman might do, Shen Qingyao immediately intervened. They weren't even married yet; she didn't want to eat the old woman out of house and home.

"That's right, we are going to sign our marriage papers today."

The old woman exclaimed, "So soon?"

Shen Qingyao tilted her head. "Huh, today?"

Shen Qingyao could not hide her own surprise. Having just woken up, her complexion still held a faint, rosy glow. As she tilted her head, loose strands of hair fell across her forehead. She looked very cute.

Jiang Yan’s heart felt as if it had been given a gentle squeeze. He instinctively reached out to brush the stray hair from her forehead, leaving their mutual surprise behind.

[Congratulations, Host. Points increased by two hundred.]

Hearing the system's voice, Shen Qingyao could not mask her inner excitement.

[Host, Jiang Yan is also part of our mission.]

Shen Qingyao looked at the man before her, finding it hard to understand why Jiang Yan was included in the mission. Wasn't the male lead of the novel Lu Shaojun? Where had this Jiang Yan ever been mentioned in the book? Regardless, she didn't care; as long as she could earn points this way.

Just as Jiang Yan pulled his hand away, Shen Qingyao grabbed it and placed it back on her head. Qiao Yufen let out an "Oh my" and retreated into the house.

[Um, System, what about my points? Isn't this how I get points?]

Before she received an answer, she heard Jiang Yan’s laughter. "So, you like it like this."

"That's not it at all, pfft!"

Realizing what she had done, Shen Qingyao blushed and tried to explain.

Jiang Yan withdrew his hand, his palm still seemingly lingering with Shen Qingyao’s unique scent. "I told my family about us, and they all agree."

Shen Qingyao hesitated. "Shouldn't there be some kind of love-hate entanglement?"

"I like you very much, so my family won't have any objections."

"The marriage application still requires your signature. Are you free today to go to the Political Department?"

Shen Qingyao asked, "Does that mean we are considered married once we sign it?"

"Essentially."

Normally, this marriage application would take at least ten days to half a month. However, Jiang Yan could not wait that long; he wanted to get things done today.

Shen Qingyao relented. "Then let's go."

Jiang Yan took Shen Qingyao’s hand, and the two walked one after the other. Shen Qingyao looked down at their clasped hands, her heart fluttering.

Everything was cumbersome in this era, and there was no lack of people queuing at the doors of various bureaus and offices. From a distance, Shen Qingyao saw Shen Mengyi and Lu Shaojun in line. Shen Mengyi was dressed specifically in a fashionable and bright outfit today, while Lu Shaojun had come wearing his camouflage uniform.

Seeing Shen Qingyao and Jiang Yan, Shen Mengyi’s hatred flared up. But as Shen Qingyao approached, Shen Mengyi began to laugh.

"What are you wearing today? Did you steal your grandmother’s clothes? And why is your face bruised..."

Shen Qingyao looked at her own clothes; she felt there was nothing wrong with them.

"Stop it, just stop it." Lu Shaojun met Jiang Yan’s gaze and blocked Shen Mengyi to keep her from courting disaster.

"Why should I stop? She provoked us like that yesterday, and you’re still indulging her?"

Lu Shaojun covered Shen Mengyi’s mouth. "That wasn't a provocation. Miss Shen just has a personality."

"What are you doing..." Shen Mengyi struggled, and Lu Shaojun had no choice but to pull her to a more secluded spot to talk.

Shen Qingyao was not stupid; she saw everything clearly. "Who exactly are you, and why is Lu Shaojun so afraid of you? Isn't he the male lead?"

Jiang Yan lowered his head. "Male lead?"

Shen Qingyao realized she had let something slip. "I meant, does he have some kind of difficulty, which is why he is so afraid of you?"

"It’s leverage."

After correcting Shen Qingyao, Jiang Yan ignored the people in line and walked straight into the office.

Jiang Feng and Xie Meiyi were sitting in the office, waiting for Shen Qingyao’s arrival. Jiang Yan had already signed the marriage application on the desk. When the door pushed open, Xie Meiyi almost stood up to welcome her. She was indeed beautiful, though why was there a bruise on her forehead?

Jiang Feng wore a smile, afraid of startling Shen Qingyao.

"Do I just need to sign here?"

"Yes."

Shen Qingyao signed without even looking. Jiang Yan noticed that Shen Qingyao’s handwriting seemed a bit different.

"Is this okay now?"

Jiang Yan bent down, leaning close to Shen Qingyao to look. Everything was in order, but Jiang Yan deliberately flipped through those pages back and forth.

Jiang Feng let out a cough. "Ahem..."

"It’s fine now."

Xie Meiyi watched her son’s infatuated state and felt a surge of excitement. This girl must be something special; otherwise, she couldn't have her son so wrapped around her finger!

"This application will take a moment to process. Why don't you sit and have a cup of tea?" Xie Meiyi handed over a cup of tea at the perfect moment.

"Such an impressive place is truly different; even the person serving tea has such an elegant air."

Hearing Shen Qingyao’s words, Jiang Yan could no longer suppress the smile in his eyes. Xie Meiyi didn't care about serving tea; she only cared that her future daughter-in-law praised her elegance. Xie Meiyi wanted to bring out a plate of pastries, but Jiang Yan stopped her with a look.

Jiang Feng watched them flirting and felt his eyes turning red with envy. His son and wife were chatting and laughing with the daughter-in-law, while he alone had to pretend to be busy with documents. It was just a matter of stamping a seal, yet they were dragging it out.

Shen Qingyao also noticed Jiang Feng and even mistook him for someone who was slacking off. The worst part was that every time this man caught her eye, his smile looked particularly forced. She had no choice but to look away and sit quietly with Jiang Yan, waiting for the results.

Then Shen Qingyao noticed that the woman serving the tea was also very strange.

"How did you get that bruise? Is it serious?"

"You are too thin; you should eat more. Being too thin is bad for your health."

"The clothes you're wearing aren't ugly, but I think there are better ones for you. How about I give you one?"

If the earlier comments were just concern, wanting to give her clothes was a bit over the top. Shen Qingyao refused repeatedly. "No need, really no need..."

She cast a pleading look at Jiang Yan, and Jiang Yan understood immediately.

Jiang Yan looked at Jiang Feng. "Should be about done, right?"

"Is it about done?" *Who is the one in charge of processing the application here?!*

Jiang Feng stood up. "Marriage application approved."

Jiang Yan took the document, staring fixedly at the red seal.

[Congratulations, Host. Points increased by five hundred.]