Volume 1, Chapter 5: Ready for a Big Show

Money is no concern. Besides the Lin family, I need the support of the other three families as well, so I can sit firmly in the position of heir in the Zhang family. Of course I should send them gifts they like, Zhang Shaojie said with unwavering resolve.

When Wang Rong heard the words "position of heir," she clung even tighter to Zhang Shaojie's arm.

As for the civil affairs office, Fang Tao was still dazed as he stared at the marriage certificate in his hands.

Tang Xinyi let out a quiet sigh of relief, handed him the certificate, and said, "Remember this: you are my husband now. Behave yourself, and don't mess around with other women."

Fang Tao took the certificate, and when he saw the names on it, he immediately woke up. Only then did he realize that, in a moment of impulse, he had become husband and wife with the third young lady of the Tang family. He looked at the divorce certificate in one hand and the marriage certificate in the other, and could only smile bitterly.

Who would have thought that in less than half an hour, his life would take such a sharp turn, divorced and then married again?

So this was the famous flash marriage, and one so bizarre it could only be called lightning-fast.

Tang Xinyi gracefully slipped her arm through his and set off at once. "Let's go. They must be getting anxious waiting."

The two walked out of the civil affairs office side by side, looking as though they had long since prepared for this.

Fang Tao's life was like a roller coaster. Yesterday he had divorced the lovely Wang Rong, and today he had married the breathtaking Tang Xinyi.

The change was enough to make anyone sigh: was the world changing too quickly, or was the human heart simply too fickle?

Young people, it seemed, truly were open and casual when it came to marriage.

The staff at the civil affairs office looked at the newlyweds and could not help wondering to themselves: was this marriage a little too casual?

Someone nearby muttered under his breath, as though he had seen through the whole thing.

When a man is handsome, opportunities just keep coming.

The moment Fang Tao and Tang Xinyi appeared before everyone hand in hand, Wang Rong's expression turned ugly.

The bride, Tang Xinyi, held up the marriage certificate and said to Wang Rong in a tone that brooked no argument, "Former sister-in-law, remember this: he is my husband now. Let the past stay in the past."

Seeing Tang Xinyi's confident bearing, Wang Rong felt as though she could hardly breathe. She had thought she had thrown away nothing more than an insignificant man, only to find that in the blink of an eye he had become a prized treasure, and one that the third young lady of the Tang family was eager to claim.

"So you planned this all along," Wang Rong said bitterly, her gaze filled with confusion as she looked at Fang Tao. "Why did you agree to the divorce so readily back then?"

Fang Tao gave her a cold look. "Everyone has his own choices and his own waiting, don't they?" His manner had suddenly become hard and unyielding, no longer the man who had once obeyed Wang Rong without question.

"Our situations are different..." Wang Rong tried to explain, but Fang Tao cut her off. "Why are you free to choose, but I am not?"

Wang Rong was left speechless. She had never seen Fang Tao so resolute. She turned to Tang Xinyi and tried to persuade her. "Miss Tang, you don't know what kind of man he is. He's a fraud, someone who tricks old people out of their money..."

Tang Xinyi only said lightly, "I know what kind of person he is, and I know what I want."

"You know? But he's nothing. He only lives off women!" Wang Rong still tried to advise her, but Tang Xinyi said firmly, "I am willing."

At that moment, everyone saw Tang Xinyi's determination. She had chosen her own path, without regret.

For her, this was not a rash decision, but one made after careful thought.

And for Wang Rong, perhaps this was a lesson carved deep into the heart: cherish the person before you, and never let go too easily.

Zhang Shaojie stared, dumbfounded, nearly collapsing on the spot. To think that such an absurd thing could truly happen in this world.

"Husband, let's go home..." Tang Xinyi said softly, taking Fang Tao's arm.

That only fanned the flames of anger in Zhang Shaojie and Wang Rong's hearts.

After three years of marriage, she had almost never cooked. It had always been Fang Tao who made the meals.

Now this usually aloof third young lady of the Tang family was actually going to cook in person. Wang Rong felt as though the world had been turned upside down.

She opened her mouth as if to speak, but Tang Xinyi had already taken Fang Tao toward her brand-new Ferrari.

"You drive. You can use my car whenever you like from now on..." As they walked, Tang Xinyi handed him the car key in a gentle voice.

Wang Rong's face gradually turned as white as paper. In the past, Tang Xinyi would have her Porsche washed three times over if anyone merely touched it lightly. And now everything had been completely reversed...

The sense of loss in her heart slowly curdled into an indescribable feeling.

"Tang Xinyi, you will pay the price for the choice you made today!" Wang Rong muttered, watching their retreating figures.

...

Fang Tao drove that priceless sports car down the street, drawing every eye on the road. He was dressed simply, handsome in appearance, and beside him sat a stunning beauty. It was the kind of scene impossible not to notice.

"What exactly am I lacking?" Fang Tao muttered to himself. "How did I end up stumbling into something this good?"

"How is this a waste? He's clearly made enjoyment a daily routine," the passersby whispered among themselves, their eyes full of envy. If looks could kill, Fang Tao would have been riddled with holes already.

Luxury car, beautiful woman—what man did not dream of that? Yet the one living that dream was not them.

The car stopped at a street corner. Fang Tao said calmly, "Satisfied now?"

"You really are treating this like a performance," Tang Xinyi asked with feigned surprise.

Fang Tao gave a bitter smile. "Anyone who isn't blind can see that. Still, I should thank you."

Just as he reached for the door, Tang Xinyi called him back.

"Anything else?" Fang Tao asked, tossing the marriage certificate onto the seat.

"Where are you going?" Tang Xinyi asked urgently, a teasing lilt in her voice as her hand clutched his arm tightly.

"What business is that of yours?"

"Of course it's my business. You're my husband now, and you're so handsome too. If some vixen were to lure you away, how much would I lose?" Tang Xinyi said, though her eyes made it plain to Fang Tao that none of this was real.

Fang Tao was a little stunned.

"I'm going back to get some things," he said helplessly.

"Back to your ex-wife's place?" Tang Xinyi blinked and asked.

Fang Tao nodded.

"Then I'll go with you. In case you run into any demons or monsters, I can help you deal with them," Tang Xinyi said, looking ready for battle at any moment.

On the way, Tang Xinyi suddenly dragged Fang Tao into a hair salon and had the stylist give him a completely new look.

"I want the coolest style possible, the trendier the better..." Tang Xinyi instructed.

Fang Tao nearly sprang out of the chair. It felt less like a haircut than a punishment.

"Now that suits my Tang Xinyi," she said, admiring his new hairstyle with great satisfaction and circling him several times.

"Your man?" the stylist asked in astonishment.

"We can talk about that later," Tang Xinyi said, offering no explanation. With a wave of her hand, she dragged Fang Tao into a men's clothing store and began choosing clothes.

"Change three outfits. Underwear, socks, shoes, all of it has to be new..." she ordered.

Fang Tao nearly lost his footing, staring wide-eyed at her. "What are you staring at? Your clothes still have her scent on them. Hurry up and change."