DTBS – Chapter 14
Chapter 14: Just Married
After changing clothes and fixing her makeup, Qin Qingshang put her mask back on and followed behind Tao Qiuyun as they left the private room.
The two security guards at the door watched their retreating figures. Once they were sure their conversation wouldn't be overheard, they started talking:
"Whoa, they changed clothes."
"I just peeked into the room, there's a pile of condoms on the floor, awesome!"
"What?!" The buzz-cut guard turned his head. "Hey kid, speak clearly. I thought you meant used ones."
"Sister Lan," Qin Qingshang pushed open the door to the private room and walked over to Lan Su, "I have something I need to report to you, Sister Lan."
Lan Su was just about to have a serious talk with her artist, but when she turned, she saw Qin Qingshang had changed clothes. Tao Qiuyun, standing by the door, had also changed into a white shirt and a light green casual jacket that somewhat softened her imposing aura, adding a touch of casual ease.
However, she could still make people feel breathless.
After all, Chunjin Group was simply too big a name.
"What do you need to report?" Lan Su looked at Qin Qingshang's expression, feeling very uneasy, and really wanted to ask about the so-called child.
"I'm going to get a marriage certificate with CEO Tao."
"Pfft—" Ji Qiongxue spat out a mouthful of water.
Wen Yu immediately exclaimed, "Sister! Are you leaving the industry?"
After all, many actresses choose to retire after marrying into wealthy families.
"No, why would I leave?" Qin Qingshang looked at Wen Yu. "CEO Tao and I are having a hidden marriage. I don't want outsiders to know about this. You are all people I trust..."
She paused here and looked at Ji Qiongxue.
"Don't worry," Tao Qiuyun saw her action and stepped forward to her side. "Go ahead and speak. Everyone here is controllable."
Meeting Tao Qiuyun's gaze, Ji Qiongxue's heart trembled, and she quickly said, "Yes, yes, yes, I promise not to tell."
"Since you are all trusted people," Qin Qingshang looked at the stunned Lan Su and continued, "then I won't hide it from you. Maybe I'll even need your help covering for us in the future."
"So the child is real?" Lan Su finally recovered and asked the question she was most concerned about.
Qin Qingshang felt a bit awkward, unsure how to answer this question.
"Sister Lan," Tao Qiuyun looked at the startled Lan Su and continued, "We still need to go home to get the household registration book. Any questions can be discussed later."
"CEO... CEO Tao," Lan Su quickly distanced herself and waved her hand, saying, "Please don't call me that, I can't accept it, I can't accept it."
"Since my wife calls you that," Tao Qiuyun smiled gently, "I naturally should..."
"Who's your wife!" Qin Qingshang exclaimed, grabbing the woman's sleeve beside her. Seeing her turn back, she glared at her. "We haven't gotten the certificate yet."
"Aren't we going now?" Tao Qiuyun thought for a moment and nodded. "Wife."
The woman had fair skin and exquisite features. Those two words, spoken in her gentle voice, sounded enchanting and affectionate, like the winter sun.
Stared at by those burning eyes, Qin Qingshang instantly blushed and let go of her sleeve. "What, what are you saying! Don't call me that randomly. If you keep talking nonsense, I won't marry you."
Hearing this, Tao Qiuyun's eyes drooped slightly, and her tone was a little low: "Okay, I just wanted to get used to it in advance."
The gazes from Lan Su, Wen Yu, and Ji Qiongxue made Qin Qingshang very uncomfortable. She turned around, put her mask back on, and said, "Let's go, home to get the household registration book."
Tao Qiuyun responded, took a step, and when she reached the door, she glanced sideways at Ji Qiongxue before quickening her pace to catch up with Qin Qingshang and walk beside her.
Ji Qiongxue, who had been swept by the sharp gaze of her top boss, covered her eyes...
It's over, I saw CEO Tao's embarrassing side. Will I not survive tonight?
Getting into Tao Qiuyun's Bentayga, the two remained silent in the car all the way to the entrance of Qin Qingshang's apartment complex.
Tao Qiuyun's car was stopped. Qin Qingshang took off her mask and greeted the security guard before they were allowed in.
"I'll be driving this car often," Tao Qiuyun held the steering wheel. "You can register my license plate in the system."
"CEO Tao, by saying that," Qin Qingshang looked out the window, "I thought you meant you'd be coming to my complex often."
"That is indeed what I meant," Tao Qiuyun said seriously.
"Then there's no need. I still hope CEO Tao and I can maintain a distance," Qin Qingshang turned to look at her. "Although CEO Tao said I can use your resources and money, I still prefer to rely on myself. As long as CEO Tao doesn't interfere with my life, being CEO Tao's contractual partner for this year is not impossible."
"Is being associated with me so... difficult for you?" Tao Qiuyun's expression didn't change, but she gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. "Even if we're not real lovers, can't we be real friends?"
"It's not difficult, but friends aren't necessary either. It's better for CEO Tao and me to maintain a simple contractual relationship. We are originally from two different worlds, only connected because of a child. Ah, it's this building."
Tao Qiuyun stepped on the brake, feeling an inexplicable unpleasantness and annoyance inside, but she still spoke politely: "I'll find a parking spot nearby and wait for you."
"Okay," Qin Qingshang got out of the car.
After parking the car in a public spot, Tao Qiuyun rolled down the window and let out a sigh of relief.
The agreement had been sent over by Executive Assistant Wang during dinner and signed online. Logically, she should be very satisfied.
The image of Tao Aiqin crying and calling for her mother reappeared in her mind...
Qin Qingshang is truly a contradictory person, passionate in the bar, cold in the hospital, sometimes irritable, sometimes terrifyingly indifferent.
Her fingertips brushed her slightly furrowed brow, her eyes deep.
Perhaps, rich and varied emotions are what a normal person should have. It is the change in emotions that makes a person more vivid and three-dimensional.
What are my emotions then?
Polite, humble, gentle, always flat and without fluctuations.
Tao Qiuyun scoffed. She had worn the mask for so long that she even fooled herself.
"Qiuqiu?" A middle-aged noblewoman walking a poodle looked at Tao Qiuyun. "I knew it was your car by the license plate. Why are you here? Did you come specifically to see me? How did you even find this place?"
"Auntie Feng," Tao Qiuyun opened the car door and got out, smiling as she walked towards her. "I'm really sorry for canceling our appointment last minute. Something urgent came up."
"It's fine, it's fine," Mrs. Feng waved her hand with a smile. "I know you're busy with work. If your mother hadn't asked us to look after you and tell you not to be so stressed, we wouldn't bother you, the busy person, every now and then."
"It's no bother at all. I'm also very happy to chat with you," Tao Qiuyun looked down at the elegant white poodle. "Daily walk?"
The dog, which had been excited just moments before, whimpered twice and hid behind its owner.
"Yes, taking Xiaoxiao out for a walk. Hey? Why are you so shy? Come, come out and say hello to your sister," Mrs. Feng tugged on the leash.
"It's okay," Tao Qiuyun's smile was gentle and polite. "Small animals don't seem to like me much."
"Nonsense," Mrs. Feng said disapprovingly. "Qiuqiu, you're so beautiful, who wouldn't like you? You just haven't interacted with small animals much. You're tall, so cats and dogs are bound to be scared when they see you. If you squat down and talk to them more, you'll get familiar. Come... try?"
Seeing Mrs. Feng's expression, Tao Qiuyun naturally wouldn't be a spoilsport. She squatted down and reached out to the white poodle. "Come, Xiaoxiao."
"Woof woof woof woof!" The dog dodged backward, and Mrs. Feng almost couldn't hold it.
"This child, I don't know what's wrong with her today," Mrs. Feng smiled apologetically at Tao Qiuyun.
"It's okay," Tao Qiuyun stood up, her gentle and refined demeanor unchanged. "Next time we have a chance, we can talk about Xiaoxiao again."
"Qiuqiu," Mrs. Feng blinked. "I have a niece who's a vet. How about you two add each other on WeChat? You can chat more about this. Understanding animal habits makes it easier to get along with them. Come... try?"
Tao Qiuyun nodded and said with a smile, "Since Auntie Feng says so, I should get to know that young lady."
"That's great! I'll send her your business card when I get back. You young people can chat well, and she's still single!" Mrs. Feng beamed with joy. "Oh dear, what am I saying? Qiuqiu, you're also single. You'll definitely have common topics."
"Okay," Tao Qiuyun's peripheral vision caught a figure at the stairwell. "I have another appointment, so I won't keep you, Auntie Feng."
"You're busy, you're busy," Mrs. Feng led the dog away, pulling and dragging.
Seeing Tao Qiuyun alone, Qin Qingshang walked over, opened the passenger door, and got in. "Who was that just now?"
"A good friend of my mother's," Tao Qiuyun started the car and navigated directly to the Civil Affairs Bureau. "Why didn't you come over just now? Did you wait long?"
"No," Qin Qingshang shook her head and buckled her seatbelt. "What if it was CEO Tao's client? I shouldn't interrupt, right? Aren't you going home to get the household registration book?"
"Since Grandpa set the marriage deadline, the household registration book has been in my car," Tao Qiuyun drove, pursing her lips. "After we get married, how should I address you?"
Hearing this, Qin Qingshang thought of the word "wife" again. She turned her head, feeling a little awkward. "Just call me Miss Qin, or just call me by my name."
"Okay," Tao Qiuyun nodded. "Actually, I've thought about how Qinqin, that child, came to be. Don't laugh, but I suspect she's from the future."
"Huh?" Qin Qingshang turned to look at her. "What? The future?"
"Yes, because neither of us was pregnant, but she is our daughter," Tao Qiuyun said seriously. "Isn't there such a situation in sci-fi movies? Like going back to the past. Maybe, in the future, you and I will get married and then have Qinqin."
"That's impossible," Qin Qingshang laughed. "I didn't expect CEO Tao to have such an imagination, but unfortunately, that is absolutely impossible."
"Why?" Tao Qiuyun turned her head to look at her.
This was the most likely conclusion she had reached. After all, she and Qin Qingshang had met many years ago. What if, in the future, they met again and even fell in love due to fate?
"Because in my future, there is no CEO Tao," Qin Qingshang said firmly.
She was the female lead of the novel. Was there a character named Tao Qiuyun in the novel? Oh, yes, there was, Tao Zhuohua's sister.
But they had no interaction, let alone getting together. The person connected to CEO Tao, this background big shot, in the novel, besides Tao Zhuohua, should be Ming Siwen, who targeted her multiple times but still remained popular until the end. They said her backing was strong, and many investors were wary.
Now it seems the big shot behind her should be Tao Qiuyun... a lover? Or a partner?
So, if it weren't for that strange child, getting married to Tao Qiuyun would never have been her turn.
Qin Qingshang's light remark made Tao Qiuyun feel as if her heart had been struck by a hammer. Although it was inexplicable, it was very uncomfortable.
"Oh, right, CEO Tao," Qin Qingshang clenched her fist. "During this year of marriage, although we won't interfere with each other, I still hope we don't cheat on each other. Is that okay?"
"Of course," Tao Qiuyun nodded and said considerately, "If Miss Qin meets someone you like, you can tell me, and I will terminate the agreement early and set you free."
"CEO Tao, rest assured," Qin Qingshang stared at her. "I have a strong career ambition and no intention of dating in the next few years. However, CEO Tao, after we get married, I hope you won't keep other women behind my back, especially those in the entertainment industry. Is that okay?"
"I have always been clean and have no lovers. Miss Qin can rest assured about this," Tao Qiuyun's attitude was solemn. "Furthermore, by marrying you, I have an obligation to ensure my loyalty to you. I would never do something like cheating."
Qin Qingshang smiled and didn't reply.
The atmosphere was silent for a moment, then Tao Qiuyun spoke again: "Miss Qin, if Qinqin isn't from the future, then why is she our daughter?"
"Does CEO Tao know about fanfiction?"
"What is that?"
"Parallel universes," Qin Qingshang relaxed and leaned back in her seat, having to admit that Tao Qiuyun's driving skills were excellent, smooth and comfortable even on the bustling streets. "Maybe that child came from another dimension due to time distortion, and in that dimension, we have a child."
Hearing this, the gloom in Tao Qiuyun's heart suddenly dispersed. The woman's eyes curved slightly. "So, Miss Qin believes that in other dimensions, the two of us have a future and a child?"
"No," Qin Qingshang shook her head. "What I mean is, in this dimension, you didn't do anything to me back then, but in another dimension, maybe you were overcome by beastly desires that night and forced me, leading to me getting pregnant before marriage and raising the child alone. This also perfectly explains why that child only recognizes me and calls you a bad guy who bullied me, because in that dimension, CEO Tao, you are a complete scoundrel."
That's right, in this novel, she was an actress forcibly used as a stand-in by the scumbag Jiang Lihe. Maybe in another novel, she was a student forced by the scumbag Tao Qiuyun and then ran away with the child. Alas, her fate as a female lead is truly miserable. She hopes her alternate self can show the style of a strong female lead and give that beast Tao Qiuyun a grand "crematorium" arc, burning that scoundrel to ashes!
Tao Qiuyun: "..."
It's over, I actually find this explanation quite reasonable.
So CEO Tao fell silent, feeling depressed.
They arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau to handle the procedures.
"Did you bring photos?" Counter staff A looked at the two people in front of her, screaming internally: Fairies are getting married!
"Do we need to bring photos ourselves?" Tao Qiuyun was a little confused. "Aren't they taken here?"
"Uh, if you don't mind the poor photography skills here, you can also take them with us."
"We don't mind," Qin Qingshang interjected. "We're already wearing white shirts, let's just take them here."
Counter staff B stared at her, noticing she was wearing a mask but her voice sounded familiar. "Okay, then, two ladies, did you bring your medical reports?"
"What medical exam?" Both were startled.
"Premarital medical exam."
Tao Qiuyun's breath hitched. "We were in a hurry and forgot this step. I heard the Civil Affairs Bureau can provide premarital checkups."
"Yes, but the report takes a few days to come out," Counter staff A showed a standard smile. "Do you want to postpone getting the certificate?"
"No," Tao Qiuyun shook her head. "We want to get the certificate today. Can the medical exam be skipped?"
"The premarital exam is mandatory," Counter staff B smiled understandingly and took out two forms. "These are the medical examination forms. You can follow the process, but you'll need to sign later. Since you're getting married before the report is out, you have to sign first to indicate this is your personal wish."
Tao Qiuyun and Qin Qingshang exchanged glances.
"I have annual checkups, and I'm very healthy," Tao Qiuyun said seriously.
Qin Qingshang nodded: "Me too. I have annual checkups, and health management and assessments are done quarterly."
Thus, the two reached an agreement, signed, and got their certificates.
Once they had the red books printed with "Marriage Certificate" in their hands, Qin Qingshang smiled at Tao Qiuyun, extended her hand, and said, "CEO Tao, pleasure working with you."
"Pleasure working with you, Miss Qin," Tao Qiuyun nodded seriously. "Miss Qin, I am about to touch your right hand. I hope you will permit it. The reason is that you have extended a handshake invitation to me."
Qin Qingshang: "...CEO Tao, I hope we meet less in the future, preferably not at all."
Although it was my request, your words are really annoying!
Their hands clasped together...
"As you wish, Miss Qin."
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