A Winning Ticket After Marriage

[Marriage first, love later + slow-burn romance + sweet and devoted + three-year age gap]

The first thing Zong Zhiqiao did after returning to the Zong family was agree to marry Qi Beichen, president of the Nanxu Group.

The heir to the Qi family was known by a few labels in the outside world: cool and reserved, taciturn, a ruthless family man, and a business genius.

They got their marriage license on their first meeting. After the wedding, they signed ten agreements, the first nine of which were all but meaningless.

Only the tenth mattered. In countless intimate, tender moments, it always began with the same question: “The tenth clause. Shall we?”

One night, Qi Beichen lay in bed and reached for the wrist she had rested on his shoulder. His voice was hoarse. “Mrs. Qi, take it slow. I'm injured.”

Zong Zhiqiao glanced at his perfectly unblemished chest, fell silent for a moment, then raised an eyebrow.

How was this man still such a drama queen?

-

After Qi Beichen realized he had fallen in love with Zong Zhiqiao, he earnestly suggested pursuing her within their marriage to make up for her regrets.

Then Zong Zhiqiao discovered that Qi Beichen had played a part in arranging the marriage of the man who had once been her unrequited love. She slammed their divorce and property settlement agreement down in front of him and declared, “Qi Beichen, we're getting divorced.”

Qi Beichen lost his composure and pulled her tightly into his arms, his eyes red and his voice trembling. “Honey, don't leave me... Please.”

Only later did she understand that everything he had done was simply to keep her safe.

She drew up a new agreement with just one line: “Qi Beichen, you must love me for all eternity.”

The next day, Qi Beichen entered a temple alone, its halls filled with the scent of incense. Before the Hall of Marriage, he knelt three times and kowtowed nine times, praying for the best possible fortune slip.

Its verse was both prophecy and vow:

Heaven and earth unite, a perfect match is made; red leaves seal their bond, and white hair bears witness.

Together they cross mountains and seas, their hearts bound forever. May blessings and prosperity endure, with no one but you.