What surprised him was that they coincidentally ran into Marcel Horne and Ruby Bluen at the Civil Affairs Office, who were also there to register their marriage.

The two soon-to-be-married couples saw each other and, as they were acquaintances, chatted for a while after they got their certificates. Little did they know, to their astonishment, that Marcel Horne and Ruby Bluen had picked the same wedding date that Hansen Ruiz had chosen for himself.

So, the couples excitedly decided to have their weddings on the same day, in the same church.

After returning from the Civil Affairs Office, Hansen Ruiz stuck to Rachel Bailey like glue. He had enjoyed the dinner she personally made for him and the apple she peeled for him, yet he still showed no intention of leaving.

Rachel Bailey was mopping the floor. It was her habit to clean her little apartment every evening. Although her place—strictly speaking, a rental—was small, it felt comfortable, well-organized, and had the warmth of a home.

Every so often, she glanced at the time and would say to Hansen Ruiz, "Hansen Ruiz, it's eight o'clock. Aren't you going home?"

Hansen Ruiz would then complain, "Rachel, we're husband and wife now. Must you call me by my full name? It's still early at eight. I'll leave at nine. Actually, I don't have to leave at all. We're legally husband and wife now; sharing a bed is normal. Rachel, let me hold you in my arms and fall asleep tonight."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Rachel tossed the mop into his arms. He caught it hastily and laughed teasingly, "Honey, does this mean I can go to bed after I finish mopping? Ah, this weather is freezing! Your little place doesn't even have heating. It's so cold sleeping alone. It's much more comfortable together, keeping each other warm. If we could get some exercise, it would be even warmer."

This man refused to leave after sitting there all evening.

Without responding to Hansen Ruiz's words, she turned and went into the room.

Hansen Ruiz threw down the mop and followed her into the room, then embraced her from behind.

"Hansen Ruiz, are you a water buffalo? You're so heavy! Let go!" Rachel struggled to push him away.

"Rachel, you always have such a way with words," Hansen Ruiz said in a low, husky voice.

Hansen Ruiz looked deeply at Rachel Bailey. He wanted her wholehearted consent, as he knew she had always wanted to save her beautiful first time for their wedding night.

In fact, tonight could also count as their wedding night since they had registered that afternoon and were officially married. The wedding was just a formality, but it was one he insisted on for her, so she wouldn't feel slighted; it was also his way of declaring his love to the world. With that ceremony, she would become the highly sought-after Young Mistress of the Ruiz Family and also the 'crown princess' of A City, holding the same social status as Julia Bluen.

He had never cared about her social status. However, he still wanted everyone to respect her, not to look down on her or bully her. All right, her tongue was sharp. Usually, she was the one bullying others; not many could bully her easily.