Si Nian froze, not expecting him to suddenly change the subject. She quickly recovered and smiled, "Sure."
Wasn’t she here in the countryside to marry him, after all?
Zhou Yueshen was momentarily taken aback, seemingly surprised by how easily she agreed.
"Once we register the marriage, there’s really no turning back," he reminded her in a low voice.
Si Nian feigned seriousness. "Why would I regret it?"
Zhou Yueshen hesitated, his expression grave. "I have three children, and I’m older."
"That’s perfect. I’m actually afraid of childbirth, and I prefer older men—they say they’re more considerate," Si Nian replied cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Zhou Yueshen: "..." How was she so different from other women?
Had city dwellers become this open-minded?
The women who had come to propose marriage before either recoiled at the idea of him not wanting more children or tried to persuade him to have his own.
Only Si Nian had never brought it up.
This kind of dynamic was unexpectedly refreshing.
Zhou Yueshen’s fingers twitched as he suddenly realized his hand was still resting on her slender waist, their posture intimate.
It was the first time he’d lost his composure around a woman—something even he hadn’t anticipated.
Yet, he didn’t regret it.
Holding her in his arms was an entirely new sensation—one that sent shivers down his spine with just the slightest touch. The intensity of it was unlike anything he’d ever experienced.
His gaze lingered on Si Nian’s delicate features. She was breathtakingly beautiful, the most stunning woman he’d ever seen.
From every angle, she was flawless.
Up close, her beauty was even more overwhelming.
She wasn’t someone who belonged in an ordinary life.
And yet, she was willing to accept him—something others couldn’t.
Zhou Yueshen’s eyes darkened. "Give me two days. Once I finish this busy period, I’ll make time."
He had finally realized what he’d sacrificed for work.
He couldn’t hurt his children anymore—and he wouldn’t hurt her either.
Si Nian nodded, unfazed. She was the type to go with the flow.
But his words reminded her of something important.
"Zhou Yueshen, my household registration hasn’t been transferred back yet."
If they registered their marriage now, wouldn’t they have to use the Si family’s household register?
That wasn’t ideal—they needed to transfer it back as soon as possible.
The process wasn’t complicated as long as both parties cooperated.
But she wasn’t too worried. Given how eagerly the Si family had taken their biological daughter back, they were probably eager to transfer the registration too.
They just hadn’t brought it up out of guilt for making her take the place of their daughter in this marriage.
Zhou Yueshen nodded. "I’ll go with you when the time comes."
Judging by the last time the Si family came looking for trouble, they didn’t seem easy to deal with.
When it came to marriage, he wouldn’t be careless.
When Si Nian returned home, her face still felt warm.
Zhou Yueshen followed behind her—he’d come back because he heard the two children had been frightened.
After their conversation, their relationship had taken a big step forward.
But the atmosphere had also grown more ambiguous.
Especially when they were alone, Si Nian couldn’t help but replay the moment she’d sat in his lap.
She didn’t know Zhou Yueshen well, but she understood that this older man wasn’t easily swayed.
The fact that he hadn’t mentioned marriage registration until now made her think he was giving her time to reconsider.
Which also meant… she wasn’t someone he truly cared about.
She was just a temporary presence, someone he could let go of at any time.
She had assumed winning over this older man would be a long, arduous journey.
But his sudden initiative had caught her off guard.
Still, she had to admit—seeing him flustered by desire didn’t disappoint.
The sheer intensity of his presence was overwhelming.
Just sitting on his lap had made her heart race. If they went further…
Wait, wait—what was she thinking?!
Si Nian, have you forgotten Zhou Yueshen’s… problem?
Emotional matters were one thing, but physical ones…
The thought of a future without a fulfilling night life plunged her into despair.
What was the difference between that and widowhood for a healthy woman?
And the frustration of seeing but not tasting… that was its own kind of torment.
This issue couldn’t be delayed any longer.
Si Nian pulled out her savings, ready to splurge on some potent tonics.
No pain, no gain.
Just as she was counting her money, a knock sounded at her door.
She quickly tucked the cash away. "Come in."
She expected Yaoyao, but it was Zhou Yueshen who entered.
After the incident where he’d accidentally seen her undressed, he had become much more cautious.
He always knocked several times and waited for her response before stepping in.
Si Nian looked up at him and noticed something in his hand.
Every time he saw her bed now covered in pink floral sheets, the sheer curtains fluttering like something out of a fairy tale, and the sweet, intoxicating scent of her perfume lingering in the air, Zhou Yueshen still wasn’t quite used to it.
Even the small wool rug on the floor, where her delicate pink-white feet would step before slipping into slippers—every movement seemed designed to draw his gaze.
"Are the two boys settled now?" Si Nian hadn’t forgotten how pale they’d looked after being frightened.
Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly and took two steps closer, lowering his voice as he spoke to her.
"They’re fine."
Like her, the children had misunderstood—thinking he’d actually beaten someone that badly.
Si Nian pulled out a chair from the desk for him to sit while she perched on the edge of the bed.
Zhou Yueshen’s eyes briefly scanned the thick books on the desk, including an open one about studying abroad.
Recently, there had been a surge in interest in overseas education in the cities.
Returning students had become objects of admiration and envy.
As society evolved, studying abroad had become a growing trend.
Many city families with means were sending their children abroad.
If Si Nian hadn’t come to the countryside, perhaps she would have had that opportunity too…
Zhou Yueshen withdrew his gaze and, under Si Nian’s puzzled look, pulled a bankbook from his pocket.
He raised his hand—his fingers long and well-defined, the veins on the back prominent even without exertion.
His rough fingers held the bankbook out to her.
"This is the family’s bankbook. All my savings are in here. It’s yours now."
Si Nian: "?"
She stared at the bankbook in his hand, stunned.
"For me?"
Zhou Yueshen nodded. "I’m often busy. Giving you money each time would be troublesome. It’s easier to just hand you the bankbook. Take what you need from it—no need for complications."
