Meng Ning's arms trembled under the weight of the box. Just as it nearly slipped from her grip, a pair of steady hands caught it. A deep voice rumbled above her:
"Let me."
She looked up to see a man shoving an umbrella into her hands before hoisting the box effortlessly. He strode toward her apartment complex.
Stunned, Meng Ning hurried after him, holding the umbrella over his head. Fu Tingxiu—already familiar with her address from prior investigations—carried the box to her building's elevator lobby and set it down.
"Thank you, sir!" Meng Ning gushed. "I don't know how to repay you. If these goods got soaked, I'd lose so much. Let me pay you or treat you to dinner—"
Face-blind, nearsighted, and without her contacts or glasses, she failed to recognize the man she'd married days ago. To her, he was just a kind stranger.
Fu Tingxiu studied her, amused. "No payment or meals needed. Just invite me upstairs for a glass of water."
The implication of a late-night invitation hit her. Meng Ning stiffened, guard rising. "I… I have a husband."
He smirked. "Glad you haven't completely forgotten that." Leaning closer, he murmured, "Take a good look. *Am* I your husband?"
His face inches from hers, Meng Ning's eyes widened. "F-Fu…"
She blanked on his name.
He sighed. "Fu Tingxiu."
"Oh! When did you get back?"
"Just returned from my trip." He straightened. "Work kept me busy. I hadn't contacted you."
"Th-That's okay!"
"Clearly." His tone dripped dry humor. *She didn't even notice my absence.*
Meng Ning flushed. "I'm face-blind, nearsighted, forgot my glasses… and it's dark! I didn't mean to—"
Her soaked clothes clung to her skin, outlining her curves. Water dripped from her lashes, her cheeks pink, lips parted—a vision of disheveled allure.
Fu Tingxiu's gaze darkened. He shrugged off his coat and draped it over her. "Change your clothes before you catch a cold."
Glancing down, Meng Ning yelped and pulled the coat tight. "Th-Thank you! Your clothes are wet too—come upstairs and dry off!"
The offer slipped out. Instantly, she regretted it. *Would he think I'm…?*
Fu Tingxiu arched a brow, reading her panic. She blushed so easily, so *honestly*—unlike the polished socialites he knew. This woman was wild resilience wrapped in shyness, a flower thriving on cliffs, not in greenhouses.
When he didn't answer, Meng Ning stammered, "I-I just meant—"
"Not tonight." He cut her off gently. "First meeting with your mother shouldn't be rushed. I'll visit formally with gifts later."
The elevator dinged open. He loaded the box inside. "Rest well. And start preparing."
"Preparing for what?"
He chuckled at her confusion. "We're legally married. Shouldn't you move in with me?"
Meng Ning froze. *Live together? Share a bed?*
The reality of marriage crashed over her. She'd signed the papers impulsively, never thinking beyond the certificate. Now, she had no excuse to refuse.
Fu Tingxiu watched her flustered expression, lips quirking. "You agreed to the marriage so boldly. Backing out now?"