Chapter 080: Receiving the Marriage Certificate

Perhaps it was everyone’s first time participating in such a mentally challenging variety show, so no one had really adjusted yet. Since none had suffered any losses, their guard was not particularly high, allowing Song Wan and her companion to eliminate the others with just a few clever tricks.

Even the most difficult opponent, Guo Feng, was caught off guard by Deng Qi and Song Wan’s joint ambush and had his name tag torn off.

In the end, only Song Wan and Deng Qi remained, facing each other in silence.

Deng Qi’s gaze upon Song Wan was so intense that even the audience began to suspect he intended to leave her in the time machine forever to keep him company.

Song Wan took a step back, her expression helpless.

The optimal way to play the game would have been for Guo Feng to nearly tear off Song Wan’s name tag, at which point Deng Qi would block for her and vanish, allowing Song Wan to seize the chance to eliminate Guo Feng. In this scenario, she would have become the undisputed winner of the episode.

But Deng Qi was a guest, and Song Wan felt a bit constrained, so she didn’t act accordingly.

This resulted in the awkward situation now: Deng Qi could tear off Song Wan’s name tag at any moment, yet Song Wan had no idea how to make Deng Qi disappear.

Unexpectedly, Deng Qi smiled at Song Wan and pulled a golden sticker from his pocket.

“This is what I took from Brother Guo. It can make a ghost vanish…” Deng Qi walked up to Song Wan and handed it to her directly. “Girlfriend, stick it on me.”

Song Wan paused, surprised. “Brother Deng, you don’t have to…”

“At the very least, you’re my woman, right? Would I really leave you in the time machine?” Deng Qi’s gaze was deep and indulgent, making anyone’s heart race and cheeks flush.

Song Wan felt trapped. “I—I don’t want to…”

Deng Qi glanced at her, as if saying, “I really can’t do anything about you,” then peeled the sticker and slapped it onto his own name tag with a crisp sound.

“There, the champion of tonight’s show is decided!”

—

When the third episode finished airing, as expected, ratings dipped somewhat, but the next day’s online play count doubled compared to the previous episodes. Even the rerun on the following day outperformed other shows by nearly a full percentage point.

The show’s director was startled by this unexpected turn.

But the program’s sponsor was overjoyed, quickly approaching the production team to discuss future collaborations for the next season.

—

Thanks to the episode’s explosive discussion, the few remaining voices accusing Song Wan of stealing endorsements vanished completely.

It was only then, as she was granted special permission by Zhao Qing to leave the set for the fifth episode of “Rising Stars,” that Song Wan learned she had nearly become unrecognizable amidst the storm.

Song Wan: “…Wasn’t I the one involved in all this? How did I only hear about it after everything was over?”

Gao Xiang, however, looked aloof and elegant, not bothering to explain.

Song Wan: wtf? You’re going to lose me, your precious baby, you know?

There were still two hours left before they had to head to the filming location for the fifth episode. To be safe, the three of them dragged their luggage and prepared to get to the airport early.

The traffic in the capital was truly worrisome; none dared gamble on their luck.

Just then, Song Wan’s phone rang.

She only had one SIM card and rarely gave out her number, so strangers would always call Gao Xiang or Zhou Yaya instead. Anyone who called directly must be someone close.

Without checking the caller, she answered, “Hello, this is Song Wan…”

“Song Wan, have you forgotten what you promised me?” Jin Youqian’s cold voice came through the receiver, sending a shiver down Song Wan’s spine.

Once she recovered, she was baffled. “What did I promise you?”

Jin Youqian: “…”

“That day in my office,” he reminded her, gritting his teeth.

Song Wan was stunned, almost tossing her phone in fright.

“What’s wrong?” Gao Xiang looked at Song Wan. “Who called to make you so pale?”

She glanced at the screen. “President Jin?”

Gao Xiang met Song Wan’s soul-leaving expression and burst out laughing. “Hahaha, I almost forgot you two haven’t registered your marriage yet!”

Zhou Yaya looked at Song Wan curiously. “Wan-jie, who are you getting married to?”

Song Wan nearly cried.

The call was still ongoing, so she signaled to her friends and walked aside. “President Jin…”

“What did you just call me?”

“…Husband?”

“Has my wife remembered what she promised me?”

Song Wan wanted to smack herself. “I remember, but I’m busy right now…”

“I checked your schedule. As of now, you have a full two hours of free time.” Jin Youqian’s voice was calm and composed. “I think that’s more than enough to get our marriage certificate.”

Song Wan: “But traffic here is unpredictable…”

“Then change your flight,” Jin Youqian insisted. “Your show doesn’t start shooting until tomorrow, so even if you arrive in the morning, it won’t affect your work.”

“But I’m a newcomer. If I’m the last to arrive, the others will surely be displeased.” Song Wan struggled.

She had agreed to Jin Youqian’s proposal in a moment of impulse and still didn’t regret it, but she was at a loss…

She hadn’t formed a family in her past life, even in her thirties, so was she really getting married at twenty in this one?

It wasn’t the marriage itself, but the thought of sharing a roof with Jin Youqian that made her uneasy.

Jin Youqian seemed to see through her. “One hour from now, in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau on Jingdu Road, I expect to see you there.”

With a sharp click, he ended the call.

Song Wan paused, then sighed, “Sister Gao, I need to make a stop at Jingdu Road.”

Gao Xiang wore an “I understand” expression. “I know, I know, you’re going to register your marriage, right? Go on, it’s a big deal! You seem lost, but let me tell you: this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Can’t you be happier? If you’re happy, President Jin will be even happier.”

“The path is yours to choose. If you’ve decided to marry President Jin, don’t act like you’re being forced. That only makes things harder for you and lets others look down on you.” Gao Xiang paused, her tone earnest. “It will also make President Jin unhappy, won’t it?”

Song Wan stopped, then smiled and nodded. “The way you say it, I really feel like I’m trying to play the martyr.”

Zhou Yaya was confused. “Wan-jie, why would you say that about yourself?”

Song Wan didn’t mind. “It’s the truth.”

She had agreed to marry Jin Youqian, but now she hesitated, acting melodramatic.

Having figured it out, Song Wan felt at ease, her smile blooming ever more radiantly, making it impossible to look away from her.

Zhou Yaya rarely saw Song Wan smile so freely and was momentarily stunned.

Gao Xiang chuckled and slapped Zhou Yaya’s forehead. “Yaya, snap out of it! Wan-jie has already gone!”

—

The Civil Affairs Bureau on Jingdu Road was located in the city center, with couples lining up daily to register their marriages.

When Song Wan arrived, the queue stretched over ten meters.

Alarmed, she quickly called Jin Youqian. “President Jin, I’m here. Where are you?”

As a celebrity, Song Wan wore sunglasses and a mask, and even wrapped a scarf around her head, moving cautiously and appearing suspicious enough to draw stares from those around her.

Feeling anxious, she feared being recognized. If someone saw her alone at the Civil Affairs Bureau, she’d have trouble explaining herself.

Fortunately, Jin Youqian was efficient. “I see you. Stay where you are. I’ll send someone to bring you over.”

Song Wan nodded repeatedly, then found an inconspicuous spot and turned her back to the crowd.

Within two minutes, Wu Yi appeared before her. “Miss Song, President Jin asked me to bring you.”

Song Wan nodded and followed Wu Yi to a building beside the Civil Affairs Bureau.

She didn’t ask questions, simply kept her head down until she saw Jin Youqian.

“Is this Miss Song?” A refined middle-aged man followed behind Jin Youqian, smiling as he greeted her.

Song Wan paused, then nodded. “Hello, I’m Song Wan.”

Jin Youqian wrapped his arm around her waist. “My wife’s identity is special, so we can’t publicly announce our marriage yet. I hope Director Zhou doesn’t mind helping us with this matter.”

Director Zhou shook his head repeatedly. “Not at all, it’s my honor.” Others would fight to help President Jin; how could he mind? If anything, he’d wish for more such opportunities, so President Jin would owe him more favors.

He studied Jin Youqian’s expression, noting the subtle joy in his eyes and even the liveliness in his demeanor—clearly, he was very satisfied with Miss Song Wan.

Suppressing his surprise, Director Zhou smiled and led them to a table covered in red cloth, indicating two chairs. “Since things were rushed, there wasn’t much preparation. I hope you don’t mind the simple setting.”

There was nothing to mind. Song Wan shook her head.

Jin Youqian had worried, but seeing Song Wan’s indifference, he relaxed—though he felt a strange dissatisfaction. Still, he didn’t show it.

The two sat side by side, and a staff member with little presence stepped forward to prepare for the photo.

After a moment, he didn’t click the shutter.

Song Wan was puzzled. “Is something wrong with our attire?”

It shouldn’t be. She’d changed into a white blouse, wore no makeup, and carried no jewelry. Jin Youqian was even simpler: he’d just taken off his jacket and was ready for the ID photo.

The staff member looked nervous but tried to gesture politely. “Could you get a bit closer? And, President Jin, could you smile?”

So that was it.

Song Wan instantly flashed a sweet smile, linking her arm with Jin Youqian and leaning close. “President Jin, it’s such a happy occasion—give us a smile, won’t you?”