Volume One, Chapter Nine: Put Your Pants On

Song Yi pondered for a moment, then handed over the two thousand yuan she had been keeping in her pocket. "Return this to you."

Shang Chen did not take it, his dark eyes looking deep and inscrutable. "What does this mean?"

Song Yi took a deep breath. "Shang Chen, I am very grateful that you helped me out of that predicament, but the arranged marriage was just a joke. We shouldn't be married."

The pressure emanating from Shang Chen suddenly vanished, replaced by a coldness that lowered the room's temperature by several degrees. "You want to divorce me?"

"Divorce?" Song Yi was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "That's one way to put it, so I'm returning the bride price to you. Once I find a place, I'll move out. I won't be a burden to you or Grandmother Shang."

Shang Chen lifted his eyelids coldly. "You cannot divorce me."

"What do you mean?"

Shang Chen curled his lips, a look in his eyes that was hard to define. "I am a soldier. According to state regulations, a divorce requires approval from the military."

Boom—

Song Yi was completely blindsided. "What?! You're a soldier?"

When she asked him yesterday, didn't he say he wasn't? No, that wasn't right. He never actually said he wasn't a soldier; he just hadn't said anything at all. She had subconsciously assumed he wasn't. Heavens, she had walked straight into this trap herself.

Shang Chen’s dark eyes were heavy. He took the money from Song Yi's hand, folded it neatly, and tucked it into her pocket. He repeated, "That's right, so you cannot divorce me. Besides, you don't need to worry about living arrangements. The military allows dependents to accompany soldiers; you will move into the military compound with me later."

"...What? I have to move with you??"

Song Yi was stunned again. Watching Shang Chen’s departing back, she felt like crying.

Grandmother Shang was peeking through the window. Seeing Song Yi's dejected face, she couldn't help but cover her mouth to stifle a laugh, only to be caught red-handed by Shang Chen as he walked out.

Shang Chen sighed helplessly, his tone filled with disapproval. "Grandmother."

Grandmother Shang nudged him with her shoulder and gave him a thumbs-up. "You sly dog, actually using the 'military marriage cannot be divorced' excuse to trap your little bride."

"I didn't trick her."

According to the regulations, if the non-military spouse wants a divorce, they need the consent of the military spouse. If he did not agree, the marriage could not be dissolved.

Grandmother Shang smiled and asked, "Do you really like the girl that much?" This boy was always cold and indifferent, and she hadn't seen him show much warmth toward Song Yi, so she had always assumed he wasn't interested.

Today, she had suggested that the brat marry Song Yi partly because she didn't want to see Li Yuhua suffer, and partly because she was truly anxious to see him married. She hadn't expected it to work out so well.

Shang Chen didn't answer. He just looked through the window at the crestfallen Song Yi, his eyes dark and deep.

Dinner was prepared by Li Yuhua: five dishes and a soup, accompanied by freshly steamed buns. Grandmother Shang couldn't stop praising her, complimenting her cooking skills until Li Yuhua was incredibly embarrassed. Having cooked for the Song family for nearly twenty years, the elder Mrs. Song had only ever picked fault, never once offering a word of praise, which had led Li Yuhua to believe she was a poor cook.

Song Yi, however, was so dejected by the prospect of not being able to divorce that she had no appetite. After a few bites, she made an excuse about being tired and returned to her room.

Watching her spiritless back, Shang Chen pressed his lips together tightly. A moment later, he picked up a bun and also headed back to the room.

Song Yi was sitting on a stool, lost in thought. When she subconsciously turned and saw it was Shang Chen, she reflexively stood up. "Are... are you going to sleep?"

What was she to do? She did not want to share a bed with him. But given his intensity—the way he looked at her as if he wanted to swallow her whole—would he let her off the hook tonight?

Shang Chen did not miss the clear tension on Song Yi’s face. His jaw tightened as he handed her the bun.

Song Yi was slightly stunned. "For me?"

Shang Chen’s voice was deep and cool. "I saw you didn't eat much earlier. Have a bun to hold you over."

Song Yi thanked him in a low voice and began to nibble on the bun, her mood becoming increasingly complicated. She hadn't expected him to notice that she had barely eaten.

Shang Chen took out his clothes, intending to bathe. He looked up, caught sight of Song Yi’s conflicted expression, and paused. "If you don't want to sleep with me, I'll sleep outside tonight."

Song Yi was indeed worried about this, but she hadn't expected him to bring it up directly. She bit her red lip. "Wouldn't that... wouldn't that be inappropriate? If Grandmother or my parents see, how would we explain it?"

Shang Chen asked, "Then how do you suggest we resolve it?"

Of course, he desired her; he wished he could spend every night in intimacy. But he was a man with principles, and he couldn't force himself on her when she was clearly resistant.

Song Yi tucked a lock of loose hair behind her ear, her jade-like earlobes flushing red. "You take the bed, and I'll make a pallet on the floor. Is that okay?" She had brought bedding when she moved in, and since it was warm, she could just lay a mat on the floor and sleep with a quilt.

Shang Chen didn't answer. He glanced at her, turned around, and walked out.

Song Yi couldn't figure out what he meant, so she decided to lay out the mat and bedding on the floor. Just as she finished, Shang Chen returned.

He was wearing only a simple tank top and shorts, revealing sturdy, long limbs. His lean, muscular build was enough to make one's heart race. Song Yi looked away involuntarily, her cheeks burning. "Why... why are you dressed like that?"

Shang Chen was drying his hair with a towel, his knuckles strong and well-defined. Hearing her, he looked down at his attire and furrowed his thick brows. "Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Song Yi was speechless. She choked slightly. "Just... put on some pants." She considered herself a worldly person; she had seen many shirtless actors on television in her past life, but for some reason, she couldn't handle it when it came to Shang Chen.

Shang Chen’s gaze swept over her flushed cheeks, and he understood instantly. His dark eyes flickered, and he found a pair of trousers to pull on.

Song Yi let out a long sigh of relief. "I'm going to take a bath," she said, before fleeing as if escaping.

Watching her lithe figure scurry away, Shang Chen couldn't help but curl his lips. So, his little bride wasn't completely indifferent to him after all. It seemed the life he hoped for wasn't just a dream.

Thinking of this, he followed her out. Seeing her standing in the courtyard looking lost, he raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Song Yi was a bit embarrassed. "How do you bathe in this house?"

Shang Chen pointed to the side of the kitchen. "The bathroom is there; there is hot water on the stove." Seeing her confused expression, he walked toward the kitchen. "Go wait inside; I'll get the hot water."

Song Yi wanted to refuse, but it was too late. She had to hug her clothes and wait in the bathroom.

The bathroom was much more luxurious than she had imagined. The walls and floor were tiled, and in the center sat a large, waist-high wooden tub, specifically for soaking—large enough to submerge a person completely. The decor was at the level of a decade into the future.

She hadn't realized Shang Chen was this wealthy, or perhaps, she hadn't realized Grandmother Shang was this wealthy!