Emperor's Residence.
This is the most luxurious villa in the river, covering 20,000 square meters. It boasts
a garden, a swimming pool, a golf course—everything is included.
The villa's lobby.
Tang Chuchu sat on a soft sofa, gazing at the palatial villa, a bit bewildered.
Her grandfather had been looking for a husband for her, and she knew no man of integrity would marry her, nor would he marry into the Tang family.
She didn't know her husband's identity.
But she could roughly guess he was vain, unmotivated, and seeking financial gain by marrying into the Tang family.
She hadn't expected this husband to lead her to such a dreamlike destination.
Jiang Chen knelt down and removed the veil from Tang Chuchu's face.
"Don't..."
Tang Chuchu panicked and quickly dodged. She looked too intimidating, covered in scars, and she feared the stranger, yet her husband, would be frightened by her appearance.
But Jiang Chen still removed the veil.
Tang Chuchu was nervous, her heart pounding. She felt so ashamed she wished she could crawl into a hole.
Jiang Chen gently lifted her face.
It was covered in horrifying scars.
Jiang Chen touched them.
His heart felt like it was being cut by a knife, a wave of pain. All this was thanks to him. If he hadn't saved him, Tang Chuchu wouldn't be like this.
A trace of heartache crossed his stern face. His nose felt sore, and he almost cried. "Chuchu, you've suffered."
Tang Chuchu couldn't meet Jiang Chen's gaze, rubbing the corner of her clothes back and forth with her hands.
Jiang Chen spoke tenderly, "Trust me, I will heal you."
Tang Chuchu was terrified, afraid to look at him.
"Get the medicine,"
Jiang Chen shouted, standing up.
Immediately, the villa's door opened, and men in black suits entered, carrying boxes.
Inside, they revealed expensive Chinese herbs, each one priceless.
Jiang Chen began to prepare the medicine.
After preparing the medicine, he came to Tang Chuchu's side, squatted down, and saw her rubbing the corner of her clothes with her hands. He took her scarred hand, and Tang Chuchu trembled. She couldn't help but withdraw her scarred hand, hiding it behind her back, lowering her head and whispering, "You, what are you doing?"
"Chuchu, don't be afraid, take off your clothes."
Tang Chuchu burst into tears and quickly stripped off her clothes. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Jiang Chen standing before her, sobbing, "Yes, I'm ugly, I'm covered in wounds. Are you satisfied now?"
In Tang Chuchu's eyes, the husband her grandfather found for her was just to make fun of her and humiliate her.
Over the years, she'd gotten used to it.
Ever since the accident, she'd been in tears every day and night, waking up from nightmares.
She looked at Jiang Chen, biting her lip, sobbing continuously, tears as big as beans rolling down her cheeks.
This look made Jiang Chen's face ache.
His cold-blooded heart was moved.
He held the scarred Tang Chuchu in his arms and solemnly promised, "I will never despise you. No matter what you look like, you are my wife, now and forever."
Tang Chuchu was a little confused.
Wasn't this person trying to make fun of her?
Her mind was in a tizzy, unable to react.
Jiang Chen released her, took the prepared medicine, and carefully applied it to her entire body.
He then brought gauze and bandaged her. Soon, Tang Chuchu was wrapped in gauze, looking like a mummy.
Jiang Chen helped Tang Chuchu sit down.
"Chuchu, I won't lie to you. Just ten days. In ten days, I guarantee you'll be a completely different person."
"Really? Really?" Tang Chuchu reacted, a little disbelieving.
"Of course, I wouldn't lie to you."
Although she couldn't see Jiang Chen's face, she could hear his voice. It was magnetic, gentle, and warmed her heart.
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Those ten days were the happiest ten days Tang Chuchu had experienced in the past ten years.
She didn't know the identity of this husband, but this man, who had married into the Tang family, cared for her meticulously, watching over her 24 hours a day.
Every night, he told her stories and jokes, lulling her to sleep.
As soon as she woke, she was sure to find a pair of strong hands holding her.
For ten years, she hadn't known what care meant, let alone the feeling of love.
Now, she felt like she was in love.
In the villa, in front of the mirror.
Tang Chuchu was wrapped in white gauze, even her face.
At this moment, she couldn't help but feel nervous.
For the past ten days, she had been applying the medicine every day, and she could feel the burning sensation on her skin.
Jiang Chen told her that as long as she persisted in applying the medicine, her beauty would be restored in a few days.
"Really? Is this really possible?" She clung tightly to the strong hands.
"Okay." Jiang Chen slowly removed the gauze from her face and body.
Tang Chuchu felt the light, but she didn't dare open her eyes.
"Open your eyes and look."
Tang Chuchu finally opened her eyes. She stood naked in front of the mirror.
In the mirror was a woman, her body still covered in powdered medicine. Despite the powder, her fair, smooth skin was visible.
Seeing the nearly flawless face in the mirror, Tang Chuchu was stunned, her mouth hanging open.
After a few seconds of daze, she quickly wiped the powder off her face and touched her face, a look of disbelief on her face.
"This..."
She was shocked, dumbfounded. She couldn't believe that the woman standing in the mirror, with her fair, smooth skin, was herself.
Ten years ago, she had been burned, leaving her disfigured.
Even with today's advanced medical technology, recovery would be impossible.
Now, she'd recovered.
For ten years, she hadn't dared look in the mirror, waking up every night from nightmares.
Looking at the flawless face in the mirror, she burst into tears of joy, large tears rolling down her cheeks.
She threw herself into Jiang Chen's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Ten years of grievances vanished in that moment.
Jiang Chen hugged Tang Chuchu tightly and solemnly promised, "From now on, I will protect you and will never let you come to any harm again."
Tang Chuchu, recovering from her excitement and joy, realized she was naked and blushed, her face flushed with shyness.
She pulled away from Jiang Chen's embrace, lowering her head in bewilderment.
Jiang Chen pointed to the bathroom nearby and said, "The hot water is ready for you, and I've bought you some clothes. I don't know the sizes, though. I've bought several bras in various sizes. You can wear whatever suits you best."
Tang Chuchu shyly lowered her head and ran to the bathroom.
Jiang Chen walked into the living room, sat down on the sofa, and lit a cigarette from the table.
"Long Shuai."
A man, about forty years old and dressed in a black suit, came through the doorway. He held a thick document in his hand and lowered his head to hand it over. "Here is the complete information on the four major families. The entire story behind the Jiang family's annihilation ten years ago is in it. Please review it, Marshal Long."
Jiang Chen pointed at the table. "Put it here."
"Marshal Long, these are just a few minor clans. Just give the order, and I'll lead my men to wipe them out in a matter of minutes..."
Jiang Chen waved his hand slightly.
The man suddenly stopped talking.
Jiang Chen looked up at the man standing before him, his head bowed. "I'm no longer General Long. From now on, there will be no more General Long in this world. This investigation of the four major Jiangzhong families will be the last time I will use my privileges. You don't have to follow me. Take the brothers back. We still need you to guard the border."
The man immediately knelt on the ground and said firmly, "Once a general, always a general. Now that the Southern Wilderness border is stable, the enemy dares not invade. General Long, don't chase us away. Let us stay and help you."
Jiang Chen stood up, helped the kneeling man to his feet, and said, "Xiao Hei, this is a personal matter. I will handle it myself. After this is settled, I want to live a peaceful life, free from bloodshed. I want to stay by Chu Chu's side and give her the best love in the world."
"Long Shuai..."
"Back off! Take your brothers and return to the Southern Wilds!" Jiang Chen roared.
Xiao Hei knelt again and shouted, "Long Shuai! Take care! Our one million Black Dragon Army awaits your return."
"Go ahead," Jiang Chen sat down again and waved his hand slightly.
Xiao Hei then turned and left.
Tang Chuchu emerged from her shower soon after.
She wore a white halter dress, revealing her fair neck and arms.
It was something she hadn't dared wear before.
She was in a good mood, humming a tune, caressing her smooth skin, her lips pouting.
Seeing Jiang Chen sitting on the sofa, smoking, she immediately stopped humming.
She walked over and sat down beside him. Her face was flushed, and she couldn't tell if it was from the shower or shyness.
"Um..." she began, but couldn't find the words.
Although she had spent ten days with Jiang Chen, she had always been blindfolded. Now, facing him, she felt a little timid, her face flushed, and she didn't know what to say.
Jiang Chen, lost in thought, came to his senses. Seeing Tang Chuchu's scar healed, his eyes lit up. "Honey, when are we going to get the marriage certificate?"
"Huh?"
Tang Chuchu was stunned, her mouth slightly open, her expression bewildered and adorable.
Jiang Chen smiled and said, "I'm already married into the Tang family. I'm your husband. This is your grandfather's order. Do you think you're going to change your mind and not marry me?"
"Marry."
Tang Chuchu, realizing what she was saying, said only one word.
Over the past ten days, Jiang Chen's meticulous care for her had made her realize what warmth truly meant.
How could she not marry a man like him?
She stole a glance at Jiang Chen.
He was tall and well-built, his features radiating strength. Her cheeks flushed bright red at first sight, and her heart began to beat faster.
An hour later.
A man and a woman walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau hand in hand.
Tang Chuchu stared at the red certificate in her hand, her heart dazed.
Just like that?
She had imagined her future, a passionate love affair.
However, nothing turned out as she had imagined. Her grandfather had arranged her fate for the rest of her life. She was taken away by Jiang Chen, who had married into the Tang family, and taken to a palace-like residence for ten days.
Ten days later, her injuries healed, her appearance restored, and she transformed into a stunningly beautiful woman.
Although she didn't know her husband's identity, she felt elated and couldn't help but squeeze Jiang Chen's hand tightly.