Chapter 22: A Wedding, A Wake-Up Call, and a Big Case

The next day, at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

A pair of ‘couples’ in crisp white shirts queued for registration, photos, oaths… until they finally stepped out.

Xiao Yu and Mu Qingwu held their marriage certificate, gazing at each other blankly before turning to the jubilant elders.

You wouldn’t believe it if I told you—we got married!

Words stuck in his throat, unsure whether to spit them out—the poor guy, Xiao Yu, was utterly bewildered.

Beside him, Mu Qingwu scanned both sets of parents as if she were staring at a demon.

They’d thought yesterday’s family discussion was just talk; even if marriage happened, it wouldn’t be for days.

But the very next day…

Both families had their household registration books ready.

First, get the certificate; then, plan the wedding!

Had it not been for the stubborn refusal of the younger generation,

one claimed that having just started at work, taking wedding leave was impossible,

while the other insisted that busy business left no time.

Before long, the wedding would have to go ahead regardless…

Even so, the very next day,

both families arranged ten banquet tables at a hotel, inviting a swarm of relatives and friends.

That night, Xiao Yu and Mu Qingwu drank so much they barely remembered how they got home…

When they awoke, a new day was just breaking.

Xiao Yu realized that his left arm… was missing!

No—it wasn’t missing.

It had simply gone numb.

After all, a woman lying in his arms had pressed on it until it numbed!

Damn it… Xiao Yu couldn’t help but curse under his breath.

He was terrified!

When he finally realized that the sleeping figure in his arms was none other than Mu Qingwu,

he exhaled in relief after taking a cautious second glance.

Thank goodness he hadn’t done anything scandalous last night.

He wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

Either way, Xiao Yu’s mood was a complicated mess.

“Sis, sis, wake up,” Xiao Yu pleaded as he shook the beauty in his arms.

“Don’t make noise!”

Mu Qingwu mumbled something, snuggling closer into Xiao Yu’s embrace before resuming her sleep.

Xiao Yu: …

Is this how you treat your man?

Or do you no longer see me as a real man?

If I weren’t in such a rush for work, believe it or not, I’d…

But the thought of work snapped him back; half-smiling, half-threatening, he said, “If you’re pretending, I really will do something about it!”

Mu Qingwu: “…”

With a blush of embarrassment, she opened her eyes.

Her disheveled hair framed sparkling eyes that burned with a warm, furious intensity.

That look seemed to tell Xiao Yu,

“You’re despicable!”

“Stop giving me that look—check your own conscience.”

Xiao Yu rolled his eyes. “It’s you lying in my arms, not me in yours!”

“Does it really matter?”

Mu Qingwu’s demeanor was elegantly detached and otherworldly, like a celestial fairy.

It was as if the one in Xiao Yu’s arms wasn’t truly her, so confidently she spoke.

Xiao Yu opened his mouth, only to be rendered speechless.

Never try reasoning with a woman.

After all, how many times has he gotten beaten by his mom? He lost count long ago.

Right then, keeping quiet was the best option!

Mu Qingwu’s lips curved into a slight smile as her cool composure returned; she slowly rose and drifted away…

It was only then that Xiao Yu realized this wasn’t his home at all—it was Mu Qingwu’s.

To be precise, it was the villa she rarely occupied.

Now, it had become their new home!

Still dazed, Xiao Yu shook his head and dashed to the bedroom bathroom to freshen up.

Quickly dressed, he bolted out of the room…

Meanwhile, Mu Qingwu sat in the lounge, sipping coffee.

“Sis, come back and talk later—we’re going to be late.”

Xiao Yu, in a flurry, prepared to dash out of the villa.

Calmly, Mu Qingwu said, “Take my car; otherwise, you’ll be terribly late.”

Xiao Yu hesitated for a moment before joining her, taking the car keys, and dashing off…

Having been tardy just days after reporting to the team, he was sure to leave a bad impression on his colleagues.

When he pulled up at the Criminal Investigation Team in his sports car, all he received were puzzled looks from his coworkers.

Xiao Yu smacked his forehead—had he forgotten who he was?

Police? Driving a luxury car to work is just asking for trouble.

Is this really good for the police’s image?

Sure enough, as soon as he changed out of his uniform, the captain summoned him to the office.

With a stern gaze, Zhao Changshan glared at the embarrassed Xiao Yu, “What’s going on? Don’t you know your car exceeds the limit? Even if you’re from a wealthy family, you must consider the repercussions—it’s a recipe for disaster.”

Though it sounded like a reprimand, it was care—explaining the stakes to Xiao Yu.

“Sorry, captain.”

Xiao Yu explained, “The car isn’t mine; it’s… my wife’s!”

With proper paperwork and being legally married, calling Mu Qingwu my wife isn’t an issue, right?

“Huh?”

Zhao Changshan was stunned, “How old are you? You’re married?”

“We just got our certificate the day before yesterday,” Xiao Yu replied with a grin.

“…”

Zhao Changshan was dumbfounded, his expression saying, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’

“Really.”

Xiao Yu gave a rueful smile, “After last night’s banquet turned into a drinking fest, I had no choice but to drive my wife’s car here!”

“Why didn’t you mention such a big deal as marriage earlier?”

Zhao Changshan’s stern face softened into a smile.

“Taking marriage leave as soon as you join our team is not acceptable.”

Xiao Yu could only offer that explanation.

In his mind, he thought, ‘Do you think I got married willingly? I was forced into it!’

“Congratulations,”

After his laugh, Zhao Changshan’s expression turned serious. “I was about to call you yesterday—good thing I didn’t.”

“Huh?” Xiao Yu looked puzzled.

“We’ve got a case at the station.”

Then, Zhao Changshan whispered with a wry smile, “A major case!”

At that, Xiao Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

What did he mean by ‘major case’?

A big case!