We Married in a Flash After One-Night Stand

The city lights glittered in the early night.

The car headed home, with Xia Zhi and He Jinnan sitting in the back, each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

The grandfather said nothing more afterward but left him with the words "Take care of yourself."

These four words carried many meanings, but He Jinnan only heard it as a warning.

He learned of his awkward identity when he was twelve years old, after a relative spilled the beans while drunk. By then, he was already a pre-teen who understood everything. It was then he belatedly realized why his grandfather, mother, and other elders looked at him with estrangement.

In that moment, he abruptly grew up, became guarded, learned to read the room, and mastered concealing his sharp edges.

Yet, deep down, he still felt indignant.

The neon lights streaked across Xia Zhi's face as she stared out of the car window, recalling the conversation she had unintentionally heard among his siblings after the dinner party.

"Why would Jinnan go for her? There are so many noble girls he could choose from instead of someone so unsuitable, aren't you afraid she will embarrass our He family?" These disdainful words were from his elder cousin in his uncle's family.

"I remember Jinnan used to be close with the Fu family's Little Princess, what, did she dump him?" teased a male cousin from the same uncle's family.

Fortunately, his younger aunt He Jiarui stood up for him, saying to the two, "I actually think the girl Second Brother found is quite good, much better than the Fu family's Little Princess."

Xia Zhi sighed quietly, feeling she had dragged him into becoming a laughingstock as well.

Suddenly, she felt warmth on her hand; his had covered hers. In the car's intermittent light, his gaze was bright as he looked at her, asking, "What are you thinking about? You've been quiet for so long."

Xia Zhi asked in turn, "What about you? What are you thinking?"

He Jinnan smiled, "I was wondering if you'd had enough to eat tonight and whether I should take you out for more food."

Xia Zhi felt warmth in her heart. The oppressive atmosphere at the He family's dining table had made her uncomfortable, and fearing she might break some rule, she hadn't dared to eat much. He Jinnan was truly attentive, noticing that she hadn't had her fill.

"Did you have enough to eat? It seemed like you didn't eat much either," Xia Zhi asked with concern.

He Jinnan responded, "I'm used to it. With that kind of dining atmosphere, it'd be strange to be able to eat well."

"Haha," laughed Xia Zhi in agreement, nodding incessantly, "You're so right. I was so scared when I saw Grandfather that I couldn't eat."

He Jinnan then asked, "So, what would you like to eat?"

"Hot pot, is that okay?"

"Of course, it's okay." He Jinnan told the driver, "Xiao Wu, take us to Mr. Yan's hot pot restaurant."

"Yan Family Hot Pot Restaurant" was renowned in Hai City for its unique and delicious taste, drawing crowds of food lovers. The restaurant was packed with diners and dozens waiting outside.

"Is this place owned by your friend? I absolutely love their hot pot even though it's a bit pricey," Xia Zhi said, surprised and delighted.

He Jinnan walked her inside, where the manager recognized him and led them to a reserved private room.

"Want to eat here in the future? I can bring you, and you can invite friends too. You won't need to pay," He Jinnan said with a sly smile.

"Is dropping your name that powerful?" Xia Zhi asked teasingly.

He Jinnan looked at her with a cheerful smile, "Dropping the name of Mrs. He Jinnan works too. No one can refuse that."

Xia Zhi's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head, pressing her lips together firmly. His words carried weight, giving her a sense of belonging she felt inside.

Having lacked love and attention in her original family, she had felt adrift, like a water hyacinth without roots. He Jinnan's entrance into her life had shifted her mindset, and she felt she too could be someone important to another.

Thinking she was bashful about the "Mrs. He Jinnan" title, He Jinnan squeezed her hand and led her into the private room.

The responsibility of ordering fell on Xia Zhi. He Jinnan only requested to avoid duck blood; otherwise, everything was fair game, and he sat back to play with his phone.

Xia Zhi browsed through the menu, made her selections, and handed the tablet back to the manager, who nodded politely before leaving the private room.

Xia Zhi hadn't checked her phone much that day, keeping it on silent mode to avoid an embarrassing ring during her time at the He family's home.

Her good friend Ruan Shishi had sent several texts about inconsequential matters.

Xia Shuyuan, her brother, had also called several times, following up with various flattering messages, also complaining about finances.

She prided herself on foresight, dreading the thought of receiving her father's call while at the He family's home.

Soon, the ordered dishes arrived—a hot pot bubbling with red oil, looking irresistibly delicious.

Seeing He Jinnan still engrossed in his phone, Xia Zhi didn't disturb him and began to add food to the boiling pot. Then, she got up to mix her sauces at the sauce station.

"Do you want to mix your own, or shall I prepare it for you?" she asked, looking back at him.

"I'll have the dipping sauce," replied He Jinnan, looking up from his phone.

Xia Zhi sat down with the prepared sauces, placing one in front of him, then noticed the food was ready to eat. "Stop looking at your phone for now and eat," she told him.

He Jinnan set the phone aside, first picking up food for Xia Zhi with his chopsticks, and only then began to eat himself, leisurely.

"Is medium-hot spicy level okay for you?" Xia Zhi asked.

"It's fine," said He Jinnan.

Suddenly, the door to their private room burst open, and a man with a straight posture and handsome features entered, his gaze pausing on Xia Zhi before addressing He Jinnan.

"Bringing your little wife for hot pot without letting me know in advance? Now you make me seem inattentive," he said.

Yan Zihang introduced himself with a nod to Xia Zhi, "Sister-in-law, hello, I'm Yan Zihang, the owner of this place, and a friend of He Jinnan."

Xia Zhi quickly replied, "Hello, I'm Xia Zhi."

He Jinnan wiped his mouth with a napkin and said to Yan Zihang, "Today's tripe isn't very fresh, and the bamboo shoots aren't crisp."

"How is that possible?" Yan Zihang exclaimed, "They are all air-freighted in daily; you're telling me they aren't fresh? Don't ruin my reputation."

He Jinnan didn't argue with him, sipped on plum juice, and said, "Come on, let's go to your kitchen for a check, see if you can still talk tough."

He then turned to Xia Zhi, "Wife, you eat first. Don't touch the tripe and bamboo shoots."

"Are we really going to the kitchen?" Xia Zhi asked, astonished. Wasn't that taking things a bit too seriously?

"Be good, I'll be back soon."

Once outside the private room, Yan Zihang teased, "You haven't known each other for long, have you? Yet you're already this close?"

"Do you have a problem with that?" He Jinnan glanced at him sideways, "The girl is innocent and gentle, might as well do my best to protect her."

Then he asked more cheerfully, "Is everyone here?"

"Yeah, just arrived. I came to see you right after," Yan Zihang confirmed.

A gleam appeared in He Jinnan's eyes, and a joyful smile graced his lips.