OSTF - 61

Chi Suisui and He Xingwang returned to the house, where the elderly woman was chatting with Jiang Huiyue about recent events in Nancheng.

“It’s snowing outside.”

“This year’s snowfall is late.” Jiang Huiyue glanced out the window. Though it was late, the snowfall was heavy, quickly blanketing the ground in white.

Turning back, she asked, “Are you two staying here tonight?”

He Xingwang naturally had a room at his family’s house, as well as spare rooms, but both families assumed they had already done something intimate.

Chi Suisui glanced at He Xingwang and smiled faintly. “We’ll head back. It’s closer to the news agency from there tomorrow.”

“You can go to your own news agency whenever you want,” Jiang Huiyue chuckled knowingly, fully aware of He Xingwang’s intentions.

Despite much discussion, He Xingwang and Chi Suisui eventually returned to Bai’an Mansion.

Later, Chi Suisui took a photo of the snow from the corridor of He’s house and posted it on Weibo after soaking in a bath and lying in bed that night.

There were plenty of night owls online.

[“I’m a southerner who’s never seen snow before.”]

[“It’s snowing here too—watching the snow with Suisui.”]

[“Is this Suisui’s new place?”]

The photo was taken at night, so the surrounding buildings weren’t very clear, but there were still some identifiable details.

It was clearly not a small location.

Fans speculated whether Chi Suisui had made money and moved into a villa.

After her appearance at He Xingwang’s trial, people couldn’t help but speculate about their relationship. However, in public, they showed no signs of intimacy.

Some netizens guessed Chi Suisui might just be an ordinary fan.

But her identity was slightly different from regular fans. Her behavior otherwise was similar: following competitions, attending trials, and calling out others.

As the year-end approached, even the news started getting quirky.

Chi Suisui’s news agency was still in its familiarization phase, so they weren’t rushing to release news every day. They only published select stories to ensure stable development.

News of her owning a news agency gradually spread within smaller circles.

The director originally thought Chi Suisui would return to being a wealthy heiress, but then someone informed him that she had opened a news agency?

He nearly spat blood.

What difference was there between running a news agency and working at a TV station?

Meanwhile, Su Mian submitted her resignation to the director. The director had already guessed her next move and approved it without expression.

When Su Mian stepped out, she was still in a daze.

“I didn’t even give the director a reason. As soon as I handed in my letter, he signed it immediately.” She mentioned this during a phone call with Chi Suisui.

“The director probably guessed.”

Chi Suisui and Su Mian were close, so it was highly likely Su Mian would join her news agency after resigning. Rather than dragging things out, it was better to maintain goodwill.

To celebrate Chi Suisui becoming a boss, the three of them went to a private restaurant for dinner.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, Song Miaoli was extremely busy. The hospital was packed daily, though it was slightly easier for her since she worked in the emergency department compared to other departments.

“After a year as a doctor, I feel like I’ve lost years off my life,” Song Miaoli sighed sincerely. “Why did I ever think of studying medicine?”

“I remember.”

Chi Suisui smirked. “You met a doctor back then.”

Song Miaoli barely remembered that incident.

Actually, her school had arranged for doctors to teach first aid knowledge. At the time, wearing a white coat, Song Miaoli—like Chi Suisui in high school—had a personality where if she wanted something, she had to have it.

Others might have pursued that doctor, but Song Miaoli took a different route. Instead, she thought she’d look better in a white coat than they would.

As a young lady from a wealthy family, Song Miaoli could do anything else, but being a doctor required study. So, she dove headfirst into medicine.

Once Song Miaoli decided to do something, she committed fully.

“Let’s not talk about that.” Recalling it now, Song Miaoli felt how impulsive she had been. “I saw the news earlier—was Zhou Xucheng really faking it?”

Su Mian also looked over.

As a fan, she had been furious when she saw it.

“It’s real,” Chi Suisui nodded.

“Thank goodness He Shen didn’t fall for it.” Su Mian patted her chest. “Sister Suisui, you don’t know—I couldn’t sleep all night after reading the news.”

Who could sleep after hearing something like that?

Thousands of fans in their group dissed Zhou Xucheng all night, wishing they could become the villainous female lead to take him down.

The underage scandal from years ago had been settled by He Shen.

But Zhou Xucheng had the audacity to meddle again years later.

He hadn’t been an athlete for years, yet he still harbored resentment over the matter. Was his entire life centered around targeting black athletes?

“People like him deserve retribution,” Su Mian cursed. “If he can’t stand others being better than him, why doesn’t he just poison everyone else while he’s at it?”

Song Miaoli said, “Maybe I should give him an injection.”

Talking about such people spoiled the mood, so the topic quickly changed.

“When are you and He Xingwang getting married? He Xingwang seems eager,” Song Miaoli mumbled through a mouthful of food.

“Not long now,” Chi Suisui smiled gently. “What about your Xiao Gu?”

“Probably breaking up after the New Year,” Song Miaoli shrugged, looking somewhat disheartened. “We’ve been dating long enough.”

If it dragged on any longer, her family would intervene.

She liked Gu Nanxuan, but their relationship was destined to end. Moreover, her family seemed to have someone else in mind recently.

She couldn’t afford to play both sides.

Seeing her dejected expression, Chi Suisui debated whether to say something but ultimately decided against it, considering it a private matter between her and Gu Nanxuan—and Gu Nanxuan’s promise.

Her interference wouldn’t necessarily be helpful.

Su Mian, the single dog sandwiched between them, blabbered, “Love, as our group name suggests, men come and go.”

This meal stretched late into the night.

This year was unusual; the civil affairs bureau’s working dates were even featured in the news.

He Xingwang had previously announced in front of the family that they would register after the New Year once the civil affairs bureau reopened. Thus, the wedding date was set.

The year passed quickly.

On the day of registration, Chi Suisui spent the night at home. As soon as she went downstairs, she heard Chi Meiying and Qi Xincheng’s conversation.

“What’s with that expression? Who’s it for?”

“For myself.”

“Then you’d better carry a mirror with you all the time.”

“...”

Qi Xincheng was in a somber mood. Today, Chi Suisui and He Xingwang were going to register their marriage—his precious daughter, whom he had raised for over twenty years, was finally getting married.

What father wouldn’t feel conflicted?

Just as they were talking, the doorbell rang.

Qi Churui went to open the door and saw He Xingwang standing there in formal attire. He quickly greeted him, “Xingwang Ge… Brother-in-law.”

He preemptively addressed him as such—it would be officially accurate in just a few hours anyway.

He Xingwang didn’t correct him but simply hummed in acknowledgment, his expression gentle as he ruffled Qi Churui’s hair. “Where’s your sister?”

“Not up yet,” Qi Churui replied honestly.

“Who said that?” Chi Suisui’s voice echoed from the staircase as she descended. “Don’t you know girls need time to get ready and look perfect? This is going on our marriage certificate!”

Chi Suisui did not want some unflattering photo leaked someday—it would seriously harm her reputation.

Qi Churui truly didn’t understand these things.

He Xingwang’s lips curved upward slightly, his gaze flickering over her jade-like earlobes before he calmly said, “No rush.”

Chi Suisui rarely saw him dressed so formally.

This version of him appeared more disciplined and composed than the one on the field—elegant and self-assured.

Chi Suisui couldn’t help but think: this man really had two faces—and both appealed to her tastes.

After breakfast, the two finally set off.

Since it was the first day the civil affairs bureau reopened after the holidays, it was packed with people. To avoid the peak hours, they had chosen a later date.

Still, they couldn’t completely avoid attention.

Even so, there were several young couples at the bureau. Seeing Chi Suisui and He Xingwang enter wearing masks, no one found it unusual—it was winter, after all.

However, it was still evident that the two were strikingly attractive together, perfectly matched in appearance and demeanor, even sharing an uncanny compatibility in temperament.

“We should’ve bought some sweets,” Chi Suisui murmured softly as she sat beside He Xingwang.

Unexpectedly, He Xingwang reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a few candies, opening his palm to ask, “Want one?”

“You actually brought some?” Chi Suisui was surprised.

“My grandmother gave them to me before we left.” He Xingwang chuckled, his deep voice resonating. “She told me to share half with you.”

Because there were others around, their conversation remained hushed.

As a result, his voice carried an unusually magnetic quality, like a subwoofer, sending tingles down her ears.

Chi Suisui took one, unwrapped it, popped it into her mouth, then peeled another for him. “You’re not allowed to refuse.”

She lifted her mask slightly and placed it into his mouth.

Her fingertips brushed lightly against his lips—they were still cool.

He Xingwang’s eyes darkened. He knew the flavors of the candies his grandmother liked, but somehow, their taste seemed different here.

In the distance, a couple who had been observing them earlier now felt something was off...

The man across from them looked familiar.

But the woman couldn’t quite place him.

Since he wasn’t a celebrity, it wasn’t immediately obvious. If you didn’t follow the news or sports, you might not recognize He Xingwang.

It wasn’t until the other couple received their marriage certificate—and she herself held hers—that she suddenly exclaimed outside the bureau.

“What’s wrong?” her husband asked nervously, worried she might regret marrying him already.

“The guy ahead of us earlier—it was He Xingwang, right? He Xingwang came to register!” The woman clutched her husband’s arm, growing increasingly certain. She felt like she might explode.

Such a huge piece of news—if she didn’t share it, she’d burst.

Her eyes gleamed, completely forgetting that today was her own registration day. She wanted to post on social media immediately, hoping to trend like many others who had been lucky enough to go viral.

The color of the marriage certificate was beautiful.

Chi Suisui had seen many people flaunt theirs, but this was her first time holding one. Opening it revealed their joint photo, her lips curving into a faint smile.

This was perhaps their first serious photo together.

Both their names were written inside—they were truly married.

The little booklet felt weighty in her palm. Suddenly, Chi Suisui recalled something. “Didn’t someone keep staring at us earlier?”

Could they have recognized him?

After a moment of contemplation, He Xingwang nodded. “Yes.”

“If they recognized you, the first big news after the New Year will be: #Shock! He Xingwang Spotted at Civil Affairs Bureau with Mysterious Woman, Suspected of Registering Marriage#.”

Chi Suisui’s journalist instincts kicked in.

“Remove ‘suspected,’“ He Xingwang corrected her sternly.

Chi Suisui laughed at his precision. “Is that the main point?”

He Xingwang raised an eyebrow, speaking slowly. “Why can’t it be that they thought you were beautiful and looked a few extra times?”

“...?”

An unexpected compliment.

Chi Suisui lifted her eyes, meeting his ink-black gaze—deep, unfathomable, yet firmly capturing her, drawing her in.

Her lips curved into a smile. “Are you flirting with me?”

He Xingwang replied, “You could say that.”

She was already stunning, but today she looked even more radiant, her features refined, her brows and eyes like ink paintings, exuding the joy of newlyweds.

Her clear eyes sparkled, shimmering like ripples under sunlight.

Chi Suisui tilted her lips upward, smiling. “Alright, you’re right. Maybe they thought you looked good too.”

The newlyweds’ mutual praise achievement: unlocked.

Two marriage certificates lay stacked on her lap. Her pale, jade-like hands rested atop them, fingers slender and long, nails freshly painted.

The driver in the front seat maintained a stoic focus, pretending not to hear the couple’s conversation as he concentrated on driving.

News of the marriage was only shared with a select few.

Even within the shooting sports center, only Coach Zhu knew.

Bai’an Mansion, originally gifted by both families to foster genuine feelings between them, had now become their marital home. The rooms were newly arranged.

During the first hour after registering, Chi Suisui felt a sense of novelty.

The role of a newlywed wife excited her. She snapped a few photos of the marriage certificate and casually posted them on social media, causing quite a stir.

As for who the groom was, everyone could guess.

By the fourth hour, Chi Suisui’s excitement hadn’t waned.

She shared a kiss with He Xingwang, lingeringly exploring what it meant to play the roles of husband and wife.

By the fifth hour, Chi Suisui had calmed down.

Aside from the additional marriage certificate, it felt as though nothing much had changed between her and He Xingwang—they were still eating meals together in the house.

She could even methodically plan the next year, prioritizing wedding photography.

As her husband, He Xingwang had to oversee everything.

He had never realized how energetic Chi Suisui could be about such matters, devoting 120% of her usual work ethic to planning.

Her hair was tied loosely, hanging down her back. Though she had removed her makeup early, her face remained radiant.

Like morning roses glistening with dew, blooming freely.

While watching her, Chi Suisui suddenly looked up, raising her eyebrows teasingly. “You still have a chance to back out of this plan.”

The document was meticulously organized by timeline.

He Xingwang extended his hand, his well-defined fingers lightly tapping the top. “We can add one more item here.”

“What?” Chi Suisui asked.

“Our wedding night.”