C17 I'm Very Happy to Meet You

After much deliberation, Xue Zhengqing selected a woolen skirt that Qianqian had purchased at the age of sixteen. She had outgrown it and couldn't bear to part with it, but he chose it because he believed it resembled his wife's figure—slim, petite, and adorable.

With flushed cheeks, he timidly approached Qianqian, asking, "Do you have any clean undergarments? My wife has started her period."

Eager to help, Qianqian provided him with a brand-new set of underwear, neatly wrapping it in the skirt and even including a pack of sanitary pads. She watched as the man unhesitatingly paid the inflated price she had quoted and, with a blush, handed the items to the female train attendant.

Speaking to Qian Duojing, Qianqian reflected, "I thought to myself, he's so tender and thoughtful. The way he measured the dress with his fingers, it was as if he were selecting a wedding gown for his wife. He seemed to know every curve of your body by heart."

Qian Duojing blushed at the comment.

Qianqian went on, "It was incredibly romantic. He had the gleam in his eyes of a boy deeply in love, yet he's already someone's husband. If I hadn't married so young, I would have definitely pursued him."

Qian Duojing responded with a smile, "You must have married early because you found someone who truly loves you."

Qianqian laughed along and whispered conspiratorially into Qian Duojing's ear, "You see, your husband really knows how to love you. He's been watching you quietly all this time."

Turning her head, Qian Duojing caught sight of Xue Zhengqing standing at the junction between the train cars. He had been observing her conversation with Qianqian, careful not to intrude. Only after Qianqian had walked away did he come over, sitting opposite Qian Duojing under her watchful eye.

"You seemed to be enjoying your conversation, so I didn't want to interrupt. What were you discussing?" he inquired.

Remembering Qianqian's words, Qian Duojing felt her cheeks warm again. She sidestepped the compliments about how well Xue Zhengqing treated her and whispered, "She said if she weren't married, she would definitely pursue you."

Xue Zhengqing chuckled, his hands bracing against the table as he leaned in closer to Qian Duojing. "I'm already married. If I weren't, I would certainly court my wife properly, marry her, and give her the perfect wedding."

Qian Duojing smiled in response.

Xue Zhengqing went on, "Regrettably, my wife didn't get to experience being courted before she married me."

Playing along, Qian Duojing said, "Then I'd like to experience your courtship now."

"Our beginning was confused and far from wonderful," Xue Zhengqing reflected. "I'd like to start over. Let's truly get to know each other, and then decide if the person before us is the one we want to spend our lives with, okay?"

Xue Zhengqing gazed at her, silent for a long while, before replying, "Okay, but you're already my wife. My pursuit and affection will be that of a husband, not a stranger just meeting you."

Qian Duojing was about to speak further, but Xue Zhengqing cut her off, "I've already begun to love you. I can't interact with you as if you're a woman I'm meeting for the first time. Do you agree? Let me court you as your husband."

"Who pursues their wife after they're already married?" Qian Duojing said with a laugh, looking at him.

"I just don't want to be denied the fact that I'm your husband."

Qian Duojing nodded and replied, "Alright, I'm pleased to meet you, Xue Zhengqing."

His smile radiant, Xue Zhengqing reached out and gently held her fingertip. "I'm pleased to meet you, Qian Duojing."