"Hall Master... what’s going on..." the subordinate stammered, never having seen such a terrifying expression on the Hall Master’s face.

"How many civil affairs offices are there in A City?" The tone was icy cold.

The subordinate didn’t dare slack off, quickly picked up the iPad beside him and checked, then reported, "There’s one in each district, a total of five."

Five—

Damn! Why set up so many civil affairs offices in such a small city?!

"Start from the civil affairs office closest to her company and find her!" A thunderous voice erupted from the throat, accompanied by the cracking sound of clenched fists!

Married behind my back?

Liang Anya, you will die miserably!

...

A City, West District Civil Affairs Office.

Liang Anya got out of the taxi and saw Jiang Pinhao standing at the door waiting for her.

She quickly walked over and called out, "Mr. Jiang."

"You’ve arrived, Anya. Let’s go in." Jiang Pinhao glanced inside.

"Mr. Jiang—" She stopped him.

"What’s wrong, getting cold feet?" Jiang Pinhao teased.

"No, I’m afraid you’ll regret it." She took a deep breath, hesitating again and again, "Even though it’s a fake marriage, you’ll have a marital history. It’s unfair to you... No, Mr. Jiang, I can’t let my issues affect you... I’ve been so foolish..."

She knew Mr. Jiang was helping her because he was kind and perhaps because of some guilt towards her.

Back then, her confession was so grand it became known throughout the school, yet he rejected her, which caused her to lose face.

In fact, if it hadn’t been for the failure of her confession and the desire to relieve the pain of falling out of love before even dating, she wouldn’t have hastily chosen to study in Italy.

For this reason, Mr. Jiang might feel quite guilty towards her.

He was indeed a gentleman, gentle and kind.

"Stop saying silly things. Unless you don’t want to avoid that man." Jiang Pinhao interrupted her.

"I do!" She said urgently, then sighed, "In fact, he called me several times while I was on my way, probably searching for me all over the city right now."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

Liang Anya observed his determined gaze and hesitated no more, following him inside the civil affairs office.

...

The sunset cast a golden glow over the city’s buildings, staining them with a subtle shine.

A steel-colored sports car screeched to a halt at the civil affairs office’s entrance, like an enraged lion.

The car door slammed open, and a figure full of fury stepped out and headed towards the civil affairs office’s gate.

His blue eyes altered with anger, lips pressed into a cold, straight line.

Just as he reached the steps, he stopped.

From inside the civil affairs office emerged a familiar couple.

The man was gentle like jade, the woman young and slender.

They stepped over the threshold and met eyes with the man outside, exchanging a glance.

Their tacit understanding made Si Yuheng even more furious, as if tides rose within him. He strode over and grabbed Liang Anya’s hand, "Liang Anya, you have some nerve!"

He exerted great force, like a whirlwind, pulling her away from Jiang Pinhao.

She was startled and immediately struggled in his grip!

"Mr. Si, show some respect!" Jiang Pinhao immediately warned sternly.

"Respect?" Si Yuheng provocatively pulled the woman in his arm closer to him, ignoring her struggles, holding her tightly against him, "You’ve no idea where I was when I was more disrespectful to her."

Jiang Pinhao said coldly, "But now things are different."

Si Yuheng fixed Jiang Pinhao with a murderous glare, "Explain clearly."

Liang Anya seized the moment he relaxed, pushed him away with force, took two steps back, and pulled out a red booklet from her pocket, flaunting it before him:

"Because Pinhao and I are married! You came too late, Mr. Si, Pinhao is my husband now, I am married! You can read Chinese, can’t you?"

The inner pages showed a couple photo of Liang Anya and Jiang Pinhao, looking like a perfect pair of jade.

The air turned solid.

Several seconds passed, yet it felt like years.

"Anya, let’s go." Jiang Pinhao took Liang Anya’s hand in his own.

Liang Anya calmed her heartbeat, nodded gently like an obedient little wife, and left with Jiang Pinhao.

As they brushed past each other, her hand was tugged by his fingers, gripped tightly.

She furrowed her brow, just as she was about to withdraw her hand, his mocking cold voice, piercing like ice, flowed into her ear:

"Thought getting married was the end? Wishful thinking. Even as a married woman, don’t think you can fly out of my grasp."

This man, no matter when or where, had such audacity!

Before she could speak, Jiang Pinhao already took her hand and walked forward.

Her hand slipped from his palm, freeing itself.

...

On the way home, Liang Anya remained silent.

Getting out of the car and at the doorstep, she looked at Jiang Pinhao, who had stayed with her all afternoon, "Mr. Jiang, thank you."

A simple thank you seemed too inadequate.

But besides thank you, she truly didn’t know what else to say.

Jiang Pinhao looked at her, calmly saying, "I thought you’d be happy once this was settled. But now, you seem more disappointed than I imagined."

"I’m not." She took a breath, smoothing her loose hair in front, "I just didn’t expect him to show up so quickly. Moreover, judging by his demeanor, even though you and I registered our marriage, it seems... it seems to have little effect."

She underestimated Si Yuheng’s ferocity and arrogance.

Indeed! Someone who disregards the law wouldn’t care whether she has a husband or not, whether she’s married or not?

Jiang Pinhao said no more, softly, "Alright, go home."

She tried to calm her mind, nodded, and walked alone into the complex.

...

Several days after returning from the civil affairs office, Liang Anya remained restless.

She feared Si Yuheng wouldn’t give up and would come knocking.

Fortunately, every evening after work, she didn’t see any trace of that man.

Even Liang Tao found it strange, occasionally mentioning, "What’s REX up to lately? Why hasn’t he been coming?"

She could only mutter that he’s busy and doesn’t have time to come over frequently.

...

Tonight at the Liang Family’s, it was very quiet.

Liang Jue’s company had just opened a few days ago, it’s a busy time, busy meeting contacts from all walks of life, busy attracting new business, he simply stayed at the company these days and didn’t come home.

With the change of seasons, the weather was cool; Liang Tao had a bit of a cold, so Liang Anya saw he was unwell and made him drink some cold medicine, insisting he go to sleep.

Fearing he might pass the cold to his precious granddaughter, Liang Tao retired early to his room.

Before sleeping, Liang Anya went to the nursery to see Xiaoxiao.

In the crib.

Xiaoxiao was different than usual, listless, without the usual energy, her face even more flushed.

She extended her hand to touch the baby’s forehead, and felt it burning under the back of her hand. She was suddenly alarmed, realizing Xiaoxiao had a fever.