Shocking Marriage at Every Step

What's the rhythm in this absurd life?

Zhan Se's awkwardness lasted only two seconds before it was drowned out by the warm greetings of colleagues who came surging in.

On her way to the meeting room, she couldn't help but sigh at the sight of the beauty's sharp and delicate high heels, a life seemingly destined for dramatic turns.

A brief introductory meeting was over in less than half an hour—administrative processes, personnel structures, and staff introductions didn't take long. The beauty maintained a faint smile throughout, her large Bulgari earrings particularly eye-catching under the lights. She exuded an elegant and easy grace, carrying herself with a dignified and luxurious aristocratic air.

Ai Muran, female, 29 years old, Ph.D.

Her eyes slanted upwards at the corners, her nose slightly protruding, her cheekbones high...

Sitting at the back, Zhan Se quietly analyzed her personality without expecting that she would be the one Ai Muran would choose to remain behind after the meeting ended.

"Teacher Zhan, right? Please, sit!"

The embarrassing incident at No.1 Mansion made her feel a bit awkward, but her professional knowledge reminded her that looking someone in the eye was the best way to interact. Moreover, she was fully capable of playing the part in front of strangers.

"Director Ai, hello, did you need something from me?"

"Yes, I was looking at the facility's infrastructure here and wasn't very impressed. I wanted to know, for contracted counselors like you, what are the personal compensation and benefits like?" Ai Muran asked in a relaxed manner, smiling amicably.

Having been mixed in for over two months, Zhan Se could naturally discern the different nuances of people's smiles.

Contracted employment was a polite way of putting it.

If one were to use layman's terms, three other words would be more straightforward—temporary worker.

Her mouth curved into a smile, "Thank you for caring, Director Ai, I'm fine."

"You're welcome." Ai Muran paused before asking with a smile, "By the way, Teacher Zhan, there's a girl in the rehabilitation center named Wei Cuo, right?"

"Yes, there is."

"Then, I'd like to ask you to help her out a bit more."

These students at the Juvenile Rehabilitation Center differ from actual juvenile offenders; they are also known as wayward youths. Typically, they are minors who have engaged in unlawful acts but have not committed crimes. Naturally, they are not deprived of their freedom like true juvenile offenders. There are mainly two types of students: those who are sent here because they lack guardianship and those whose parents, unable to discipline them, voluntarily send them for education.

Wei Cuo belonged to the latter category. She was a new student who had started last week, coming from a well-to-do family but was addicted to stealing.

After a moment's thought, Zhan Se looked at Ai Muran and smiled.

"Director Ai, that's part of my job. Wei Cuo currently falls into the category of impulse control disorder with kleptomania. I'm conducting psychological interventions with her."

"Thank you for that," Ai Muran glanced at her, then added with a smile, "She's the daughter of the Young Emperor's eldest sister's sister-in-law."

Tsk tsk! What a complicated relationship.

However, Zhan Se felt particularly uncomfortable with this kind of conversational style where more was hinted at than said outright—she was almost sweating with unease as Ai Muran beat around the bush.

"Director Ai, if you have something to say, please just say it directly. There's no need to beat around the bush."

"Teacher Zhan, it's no wonder you study psychology, you really know how to observe and perceive," Ai Muran remarked.

"No, actually my ancestors were face-readers, they made a living from fortune-telling," Zhan Se replied.

Ai Muran shrugged, apparently taking her most truthful statement as light humor. However, her gaze stiffened as it fell upon the 18-bead soft jade strand on Zhan Se's wrist, and her smile became somewhat strained.

"You're not suited to be with him."

"Him? ... Who?"

"Emperor Quan."

Just hearing that man's name made Zhan Se feel annoyed, "Director Ai, there seems to be some misunderstanding here."

"Teacher Zhan!" Ai Muran's gaze swept over, and she sighed with a look of helplessness, "How should I put it? Whether I misunderstand is not really the point. What's important is that as a colleague, I must kindly remind you that a man like Emperor Quan is not someone you can handle. In the end, you will be the one who suffers. Understand?"

Handle him?

Was this Quan guy some kind of animal?!

Internally cursing the ruthless man, Zhan Se curved her lips into a smile.

"Thank you for the reminder. Director Ai, do you have any work-related matters to discuss?"

"No, there's nothing else. How about we have dinner together tonight?"

Invited out to dinner by two people in one evening, Zhan Se really wasn't in the mood, "Sorry, I have a date with my boyfriend."

When Zhan Se arrived at the place, it was still over an hour away from her eight o'clock appointment with Zhang Zhongkai. She wandered up and down the streets near the restaurant before ultimately deciding to step into a pawnshop and hand over the 18-bead soft jade strand.

"The 18 beads of Guifei, consisting of 18 lard-white jade beads, tourmaline strands, Buddhas and pagodas at the top. It features a golden scepter and jeweled gold filigree on the back, with tourmaline pear-shaped beads inlaid at the corners, symbolizing good fortune right in front of you. Young lady, this is quite the item."

Antique?! Irrelevant.

Good fortune in front of you?! Not so sure about that.

Right now, what mattered to her was the price quoted by Boss Wang—100,000 yuan, even at pawn value.

Honestly, she was truly startled by the price when she first heard it.

Why would a Quan give her such an exorbitantly valuable item? It was all too strange!

After much deliberation and although not very honorable, pressing household needs left her no other choice. Besides, she doubted she would encounter Lord Quan the Fourth again, and keeping it would only continue to provoke Director Ai, possibly leading to trouble at work. Thus, with gritted teeth, she pawned the item, which had only been with her for a few days, for a six-month term.

The worry of owing Boss Wang money was no longer a concern.

Yet, as she slid the bank card with the 100,000 yuan into her wallet, she felt a sense of loss.

Indeed, even an inanimate object could evoke feelings after some time spent together.

It was fully dark outside, and in the light of the streetlamps at the entrance of the restaurant, Zhang Zhongkai's tall body leaned against a doorpost. His face, with scholarly features, had a straightforward and clear gaze and a warm, gentle smile. Although not exceptionally handsome, he possessed an elegant and refined poise, like a graceful gentleman stepping out of ancient pages, inexplicably comforting and stable.

Zhan Se approached with a smile, "Senior brother, have you been waiting long?"

Greeting her with a genial smile, Zhang Zhongkai suddenly produced a fiery red rose as if by magic from behind him.

"Se Se, this is for you."

A bit taken aback, she accepted the flower and sniffed it, "A rose? What's going on, you're getting into character so quickly?"

"Of course." Scratching her head gently, Zhang Zhongkai laughed lightly.