I Want You... to Marry Me

“What? Don’t you have anything to say?”

Having finally spilled her life story without getting the reaction she wanted, Liu Ruyi pouted with dissatisfaction.

“No.”

Ye Shu was speechless.

He truly couldn’t think of anything good to say to a woman who had saved him yet was stained with countless bloodshed. In the past, he thought that as long as he kept his distance and avoided entanglements, he could just cut ties with a single sword strike if it came to it—such melodramatic twists wouldn’t befall him. But now, it seemed fate loved to toy with him; the more he fled, the harder it was to escape.

His thoughts were in complete turmoil.

“What do you really want?”

He asked again, returning to the initial question.

“Heh heh...”

Hearing that, Liu Ruyi seemed to recall something. Her eyes twinkled as a sly smile spread across her face. “Even the honorable and loyal Lord of All Under Heaven finds himself troubled? What I want is simple.”

She held up two fingers and wiggled them in front of him.

“I saved your life, so you owe me a debt of gratitude, right?”

“That’s true.”

Ye Shu nodded.

“Good. Now I’ll give you two choices.”

Liu Ruyi folded down one finger. “Either you marry me here and now.”

“???”

The moment those words left her mouth, Ye Shu couldn’t keep his composure.

What in the world was this woman saying?

Trying to trap me with marriage? Haki Liu, you shameless fiend.

Seeing his reaction, Liu Ruyi’s eyes curved into crescents, and she folded down another finger.

“Or you promise me three conditions.”

“Choose.”

“I’ll take the three conditions.” Without a second’s hesitation, Ye Shu answered flatly.

Liu Ruyi was taken aback for a moment, then covered her face with laughter. “As expected of our Lord of All Under Heaven—my beauty didn’t even make you hesitate for a moment.”

“Won’t you reconsider?”

“What’s there to reconsider?” Ye Shu wore a look of pure righteousness, not even glancing at Liu Ruyi.

“Name your conditions.”

“So impatient? Won’t you let this humble maid think it over?”

Liu Ruyi chuckled softly, then suddenly stepped forward and gently lifted his chin, staring straight into his eyes with mockery.

Meeting her gaze, Ye Shu’s heart stirred.

Damn it. A bad feeling crept over him.

And sure enough, she spoke slowly—

“First condition, simple enough. I want you… to marry me.”

Ye Shu: “?”

“Isn’t that the same as the first choice?!”

“Are you messing with me?!”

“That’s right~”

Liu Ruyi looked at him with feigned grievance. “I already asked if you wanted to reconsider. You chose the three conditions yourself. I didn’t force you.”

“But you… you set the trap for me!”

Watching her triumphant yet deliberately pitiful expression, Ye Shu felt like crying but had no tears. He hadn’t expected her to dig a hole for him to jump into—and then bury himself.

Long story short, he was basically gifting her two extra conditions.

“What now?”

Liu Ruyi let out a flirtatious laugh, leaning against Ye Shu, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered, “Surely Master Ye doesn’t want to be a man who breaks his word?”

At those words, Ye Shu froze instantly.

He felt as if all the strength had drained from his spine, leaving him limp and powerless. He collapsed into his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling as two streams of tears slid down his cheeks.

“Xiaobai… I’m useless… I’ve been outsmarted by this seductress…”

“Sigh…”

“Tsk tsk tsk, that’s all it takes?”

Liu Ruyi chuckled, straightened her clothes, and turned to leave.

“Stay put. I’ll go prepare for the wedding.”

With that, she beckoned to Aqi, who stood in the corner. “Come on. Let’s get our groom a proper set of clothes.”

“Understood.”

Aqi replied and followed her out, leaving Ye Shu alone in the room, questioning his life.

How had things ended up like this?

…

Within three days, the dilapidated stone house was bedecked with lanterns and decorations.

Fiery red lanterns hung from every corner, a large scarlet bed stood at the center of the chamber, draped in pillows embroidered with Mandarin ducks, and a pair of dragon-and-phoenix wedding candles flickered by the bedhead.

Clad in a grand red wedding robe, Ye Shu sat on the edge of the bed.

Click—

The door gently creaked open, and Liu Ruyi stepped in, wearing a crimson wedding dress. Her face bore no veil, revealing an exquisitely stunning visage—arched brows like paintings, lips as rosy as rouge.

Without a trace of makeup, she still outshone countless worldly beauties.

Even Ye Shu had to admit that Liu Ruyi’s beauty was natural and irresistible.

“Come, let’s drink this nuptial cup.”

Ye Shu didn’t refuse. He obediently took the cup and linked arms with her, bringing it to his lips.

A flicker of surprise crossed Liu Ruyi’s eyes.

“I thought you’d struggle. I didn’t expect you to be so cooperative.”

“…”

Ye Shu shot her a look before downing the wine in resigned defeat.

“Heh heh…”

Liu Ruyi drank her wine, her pale cheeks flushing slightly as she smiled. “Are you thinking right now that you’ll definitely escape this place?”

“…”

“I know you want to leave.”

Liu Ruyi spoke as if to herself, her face tipsy with a natural confidence.

“But you can’t. Because I know you too well.”

“Do you realize? The only reason you’re still alive and no one has come after you is that I vouched to everyone that you’d become part of the demonic path. They all believe it. That’s how a righteous sect disciple like you survives in this den of wolves at the demonic headquarters.”

“But if you leave, if you go—”

Liu Ruyi suddenly leaned in, her forehead touching his, her nose brushing his as her big eyes locked onto his, reflecting his face in her pupils.

“Then I will die.”