Lauren Shaw stared blankly at him, as if still processing what he’d just said.

“I…”

“You don’t want to?” Yancy Shaw looked at her carefully, almost holding his breath.

To be honest, she hadn’t even considered this possibility last night. She’d assumed Dr. Shen was just saying that to get her out of a jam, so she hadn’t taken it seriously at all.

But hearing him say it again today, her once-quiet heart was suddenly stirred. Her mind was a jumbled mess, yet a voice inside kept urging her toward a single answer.

Say yes. What’s there to hesitate about? A man this wonderful doesn’t come around twice.

So what if she’d loved the wrong person before? That’s no reason to lose the courage to love again.

Seeing the disappointment cloud Yancy Shaw’s face, she couldn’t bear it. She spoke up, "I want to. What if we go sign the papers today?"

Having made up her mind, she gave herself no room for second thoughts.

Yancy Shaw let out a long breath. "Alright. I’ve got my household registration booklet in the car."

"Mine’s at home. I’ll go grab it now."

In this moment, she didn’t want to overthink anything. She just wanted to act on impulse for once, to leave herself no regrets.

Yancy Shaw drove her home.

When she’d bought her place, her parents had handed her the household booklet, and she’d kept it ever since. It saved her a lot of trouble now.

"Dr. Shen, could you wait for me a minute?" She changed into a fresh set of clothes to look more energetic.

Gazing at herself in the mirror, she felt something was missing, so she put on a bit of makeup. After all, this was a solemn, formal occasion—she couldn’t be too casual.

When she stepped out of her room again, Yancy Shaw’s eyes lit up in obvious admiration.

Lauren Shaw felt self-conscious under his gaze and lowered her head shyly. "Is this… too much?"

Yancy Shaw chuckled. "Not at all. You look especially beautiful."

A faint smile bloomed on her lips. She’d been complimented plenty on her looks growing up, but hearing it from Yancy Shaw somehow filled her with delight.

"Let’s go then."

As they walked out the door, Yancy Shaw naturally reached for her hand. Her fingers were cool and delicate, soft to the touch.

His warm palm wrapped gently around her hand as he stood by her side. He smelled faintly of sandalwood—a scent that was unexpectedly comforting.

In the car, neither of them spoke. Lauren Shaw stared absently at the household booklet in her hands, her thoughts drifting.

The car pulled up next to the Civil Affairs Bureau. Yancy Shaw looked toward Lauren Shaw.

"Dr. Shen, are you really sure about this?" Lauren Shaw asked, wanting one last confirmation.

Yancy Shaw met her gaze seriously and smiled. "Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?"

Before she could reply, he went on, "I thought about it all night. Isn’t life meant for at least one moment of reckless passion? If I miss this chance and regret it for the rest of my life, that’s something I can’t accept."

Last night, he couldn’t help but wonder—if he’d been the one she liked all along, he’d never have let her suffer even a little bit.

Lauren Shaw was deeply moved by his words. With a heart full of resolve, her earlier worries melted away.

After they got out of the car, Yancy Shaw took her hand again. This time, she didn’t feel awkward—instead, she squeezed his hand back tightly, and together they walked into the Civil Affairs Bureau.

****

When they came out, Lauren Shaw stared in a daze at the little red booklet in her hand. Her head spun; everything felt unreal.

Yancy Shaw led her back to the car, still holding her hand. "Why aren’t you saying anything?"

Since they’d received the marriage license, she hadn’t spoken a single word. He wondered if she regretted it, but if she did, it was too late—his little bunny was now officially listed on his registration; there was no escaping now.

Lauren Shaw looked up at him, feeling limp with disbelief. "Did we really just get married?"

She still couldn’t quite believe it. She opened the marriage certificate and stared at the names and photos inside—it was unmistakably her.

Just like that, she’d married herself off. It was almost unbelievable. Thankfully, it was Dr. Shen—she didn’t feel she’d gotten the raw end of the deal.

Yancy Shaw saw her dazed expression and couldn’t help but laugh. "Mm-hmm, from now on, you’re Mrs. Shen."

"My parents don’t know yet, and we haven’t even met each other’s families," she said, suddenly anxious as the reality set in. There were so many things left undone.

Would her parents accept this if they found out? And what about Dr. Shen’s parents—would they even like her?

"Don’t worry about my parents. I’ll talk to them myself. As for yours, find a time and I’ll visit in person."

They were married now. She was rightfully his wife. Everything else could be worked out in time.

Once she settled down, she realized just how impulsive they’d been. There were so many things she hadn’t considered. What if Dr. Shen’s family didn’t like her, or her own parents blamed him when they found out…

"Let’s not rush. I’ll tell my parents when I get a chance." Now wasn’t the best time—there was still the matter with Yvonne Sung unresolved. She worried her parents might take it out on Dr. Shen.

"For now, can we keep our marriage under wraps? There’s still a mess online, and I have surgeries to focus on. Once things are sorted, I’ll officially bring you home."

Lauren Shaw glanced at him apologetically. The past few days had been all turmoil—between her news plastered everywhere and her busy work, she’d set this matter aside for now.

Yancy Shaw nodded. "Of course. I can wait."

Hearing his reassurance, she felt relieved.

When she realized he was driving somewhere unfamiliar, she asked, "Where are we going?"

"Home," he answered honestly.

"We’re married now. It’s time for you to get to know me better."

Lauren Shaw agreed, "Alright."

It turned out Yancy Shaw’s place was quite close—just a ten-minute drive from her own home, and near her studio.

No wonder she’d bumped into him at the park that day.

His apartment complex was in Ancheng’s priciest neighborhood, nestled between mountains and water, with a gorgeous, peaceful environment.

In the elevator, their reflections shimmered together on the mirrored walls. Lauren Shaw stared at his hand clasping hers, momentarily lost in thought.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Yancy Shaw asked gently, sensing something off. After all, she’d just been discharged from the hospital today.

She looked up and gave him a reassuring glance. "No, I just… haven’t gotten used to it yet. It’s hard to believe I’m actually married now."

Yancy Shaw squeezed her hand a bit tighter. "Take your time. I can promise you this—I’ll never let anyone wrong you."

His words filled her heart with warmth.

At his home, he gave her his passcode and registered her fingerprint in the door system.

Yancy Shaw’s apartment was larger than hers, with a stylish gray palette that felt a bit cool and restrained.

The place was spotless, with not a trace of any female presence.

"My place is closer to where you work. You should consider moving in with me."

Yancy Shaw glanced at her sideways.

Lauren Shaw couldn’t bring herself to say no, so she replied quietly, "Alright."