You Hush [Marriage Before Love]

[Back after sorting things out. Thanks to all the lovely readers who bookmarked this!]

Si Xi has been having a rough time lately.

A well-connected guest has joined a variety show that's about to take off.

The good news is that the guest is rich and influential, and brings sponsors along, which could take the show to new heights.

The bad news is that the guest is her secret spouse.

As a rising star in the entertainment industry, Si Xi absolutely refuses to let her acting career crash and burn halfway through.

After filming an episode of the variety show, Si Xi and her contractual husband, who has been her childhood friend since they were young, lay down three rules.

1. Talk less.

When they have to draw something for a task, she only has to raise her hand before he passes her a pen.

2. Do more.

He serves her food right in front of the cameras.

3. Make absolutely sure to act like strangers.

When paparazzi photograph them together in private, they clarify things by publicly admitting online that they're married.

#That seems right, but something feels off#

*

After filming another episode, Si Xi pulls Song Shiying into a corner and says sternly, "We can't keep going like this!"

Song Shiying lazily raises his eyes. "What, afraid people will find out about us?"

Si Xi shakes her head and opens the trending topic about their rumored relationship. "No, our image is already about to collapse."

He smiles. "Then why not make the act real?"

?

#Weren't we supposed to go our separate ways once the contract ended?#

#What has marriage really done for women?#

That night, Song Shiying's post shoots straight to the top of the trending list.

It contains two wedding photos.

The caption reads: "No cheating, no rumor. She has always been the leading lady."

You are the wild, off-key love I carried in my heart as a teenager.

The childhood friend who says, "I'll give you money and a house while secretly loving you," versus the money-loving woman who says, "Living together and getting married are just part of the agreement."

Please note before reading:

I. The heroine has a psychological disorder, and she's alive and well. It's not a big deal.

II. The male lead is often possessed by bladed weapons.

III. The author is currently studying abstract literature.

IV. At heart, this is still a sweet romance, though it gets a little bittersweet now and then.

V. I am 50.

Theme: Freedom and courage are eternal questions of life