Chapter 1: Divorce and Forced Marriage

In a luxurious city, cars were coming and going, the sun was shining, but the large TV screens in the city were broadcasting an orange weather warning for heavy rain.

Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, potted plants were solemnly placed at the entrance. Two people walked in, one after the other, and sat down in chairs. Sitting opposite them was a person handling divorce procedures.

The person handling the divorce asked, 'Do you really want to get divorced?'

Ethan smiled wryly, 'We're already here, isn't that a rhetorical question?'

'But, you two seem to be a good match, and quite harmonious. Why do you want to get divorced? It's a shame, and you're both so young,' the person said.

Emma smiled lightly, 'Sister, just hurry up and process the divorce certificate. I have things to do.'

She smiled, but her eyes didn't reflect the smile. Her eyes looked sad, but it was hard to notice.

Ethan looked at Emma with disdain, 'What could you be busy with? Some half-baked job?'

Emma replied calmly, 'We're both getting divorced. What I'm busy with probably has nothing to do with you.'

Then she urged the person handling the divorce, 'Could you please hurry? I really have something to do.'

She said she had something to do, but it was just an excuse. She didn't want to stay with him for a second longer.

The person handling the divorce said, 'Emma and Ethan, right?'

Both nodded in agreement.

The process was completed quickly, and before long, Emma took the divorce certificate and left without stopping. Ethan followed her out.

Ethan looked up at the sky, 'It looks like it's going to rain. Emma, can I give you a ride home?'

Emma sneered, 'No need. I can go by myself. Lastly, Ethan, I wish you and her happiness.'

Ethan smiled, 'Sure, thank you for your wishes. I'll be happy.'

Ethan added, 'Happy birthday!' and then left without looking back.

Emma looked up at the sky, trying hard not to let her tears fall. She smiled bitterly, 'Wishing me a happy birthday? With what? The divorce certificate?'

'Ping!' Emma's phone received a text message from her best friend. The message read, 'Emma, happy birthday! Sorry I can't be there with you on your birthday. I've been really busy lately. Anyway, just wanted to send you a text to let you know that I haven't forgotten your birthday. That's it for now. Gotta go.'

Emma looked at her phone and smirked. Her birthday was really happy indeed

She and Ethan were forced to get married for a year, both being pressured by their families to go on a blind date. Then they had a fake marriage and didn't have a real married life. It was no different from not being married at all.

As time went by, Emma slowly developed feelings for Ethan, but they were very weak. However, Ethan remained indifferent as usual. It wasn't until today that she found out that he had a girlfriend from long ago and that their marriage was purposeful. She didn't know what his purpose was, but she knew from the beginning that he was using her.

Finally, they ended up divorcing. Emma couldn't help but shed tears, walking on the street with tears in her eyes and a pitiful appearance. Passersby cast sympathetic looks at her.

Emma is twenty-four years old, 164 cm tall, and weighs only ninety pounds. She's thin, and with her pure and saintly appearance like a white lotus flower, she looked distressed and pitiable while walking down the street with tears on her face.

Emma wiped away her tears and decided not to cry. She had nothing to lose anyway. She took out her phone and flipped through her contacts, but she didn't know who to call. Suddenly, thunder roared, and a thunderstorm hit. People on the street hurriedly ran for cover, but Emma looked up and enjoyed the rain washing over her. The heavens took pity on her. Where in the world could there be such a foolish wife like her? Her husband had used her, and she hadn't even realized it.

It was ridiculous.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious building in the city, rows of women stood there, plump and thin, each with their own unique features.

A wealthy woman smiled and said, "Son, look at these women that Mom has found for you. They are all from prestigious families. See if there is anyone you like."

A man sat on the sofa with a delicate and charming face full of coldness. He rubbed his temples with one hand and raised the other to wave, saying, "Mom, I will find my own wife."

"Hey, son," Mia said, "You're already 26. Other people at 26 already have kids. You still don't have a partner. You're not in a rush, but I'm anxious to have a grandchild."

Then, like a child, she bounced over to the man's side and plopped down on the couch, taking Noah's hand and pleading, "Son, please understand your mother. I'm so bored at home. Can you find me a daughter-in-law? Please? I'm really, really bored."

Noah looked helpless and cold, unable to do anything about his mother's persistent pressure. He stood up and said, "Alright, Mom, I'll make my own decisions."

Every time he came back from the military, his mother would set up blind dates for him. Under her persistent nagging, he reluctantly went along with it, but always sent someone else in his place. He didn't know how his mother found out, but she called him and demanded that he come back home, and there were rows of women waiting for him when he arrived.

He felt that his life was really not easy.

Noah glanced coldly at the row of women and said, "Mom, I'm going out for a bit." He was forced into marriage every time he came back.

After speaking, Noah turned and walked towards the door.

"Son, where are you going in this rain?" Mia shouted after him.

"I'm going to find you a daughter-in-law!" Noah waved his hand without looking back.

Emma stood in the street, motionless. Suddenly, a man rushed towards her, knocked her down, and ran off. Passers-by hurried along without helping her. She simply squatted on the ground and cried. She would cry enough today, and from then on, she would be a strong person who never cried again.

Suddenly, she felt the rain stop. She looked up and saw a stunningly beautiful face, one that could not be mistaken for a woman despite its delicate features.

It was a face of extreme beauty, with sharp features that looked like they had been carved from stone. The word "enchanting" came to mind.

Although the appearance seemed to be carefree and casual, the glint in his eyes revealed a shrewdness that one could not underestimate. The deep, intense gaze could easily make one fall into it. His dark eyes were devoid of emotion, but at that moment, a dazzling smile played at the corners of his thin lips.

Noah was dressed in casual attire, wearing a white shirt, harem pants, and casual shoes. Three buttons on his shirt were unbuttoned, revealing his delicate collarbone, and his sleeves were slightly rolled up, exposing his attractive skin tone. He held an umbrella in one hand and had the other hand in his pocket. He had a mischievous yet lazy look on his face, a combination of charm and idleness.

Emma looked at Noah without saying a word. Seeing her silence, Noah also remained quiet. He never spoke unnecessarily and they just exchanged a silent stare.

They stood in this standoff for a while, and then Emma stood up, her face indistinguishable if it was tears or rainwater, and she forced out a smile. "Thank you for the umbrella." At first, Noah had no intention of going over to the girl crouching by the roadside, even if someone had died there, he wouldn't have bothered to take a look. But when he saw her trembling shoulders, he couldn't help but walk over.

Noah didn't say anything, but a smile hung on the corner of his mouth, which was so charming that it could pull at one's heartstrings. The smile didn't reach his eyes, and he seemed indifferent and even cold.

Noah lowered his head to pick up the things scattered on the ground, and then his gaze fell on the divorce certificate. He sneered and said in a cold tone, "Miss, getting a divorce today?"

Then he squatted down, picked up the ID card from the ground, and looked down at it. His face was not clear, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

He picked up everything one by one, and after standing up, he looked at Emma, who was standing opposite him in a mess, and said, "Emma?"

Emma hadn't noticed before, but his voice was very pleasant and magnetic, which made people feel comfortable listening to it.

Emma's innocent face had no expression, and she just answered softly, "Yeah."

Noah smiled coldly, "Go first."

Emma panicked. Although she knew that strangers were dangerous, she just didn't want him to leave. She quickly shouted, "Hey! Don't go! Don't go!"

Her voice sounded anxious, afraid that he would just leave without turning back.

Noah stopped in his tracks, without looking back, and only his pleasant voice could be heard, 'What's up?'

Emma sneered and smiled. She suddenly thought of her mother lying in the hospital and her father in prison. However, the man in front of her seemed wealthy. Who would pray to this cold man if it weren't for their parents? Besides, she wasn't sick!

Huh, when did she become so disgusting? Was she still the proud her? Perhaps she could never go back to the way things were.

Emma said, 'Will you take me away?'

Noah turned around and looked deeply into Emma's eyes, lost in thought, pursing his thin lips and saying nothing.

Thinking he didn't agree, Emma said, 'It's okay if you don't take me away.'

Noah's lips curved up, and a hint of slyness flickered across his eyes, gone before anyone could notice. He lightly uttered two words, 'I can, but I have a condition.'

Emma knew this man wouldn't be so easy to talk to, 'What condition?'

'Marry me!' Noah's words swept towards Emma like bullets.

Emma's expression froze.

She had just divorced and was already being asked to marry again? Should she be happy or sad?