A little surprise that makes Su Qingli sad

"Do you really think I would believe that you don't want me to reconcile with Shen Luoyan at all?" Su Qingli's tone carried a hint of seriousness, though she couldn't help but feel grateful to Shen Luoyan. If it weren't for her appearance, she might not have realized her own feelings for Lu Han.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken the initiative to let him touch her leg—an act she would never have considered before.

However, Su Qingli was conflicted. It seemed that Lu Han had no feelings for her at all. Even if he had previously teased her, it was likely just for fun and nothing more.

"Why?" Lu Han asked curiously. Su Qingli didn't seem to be lying; she genuinely wanted him to stay away from Shen Luoyan.

"You're going to discard me right after our families arranged our marriage? Do I not have any dignity?" Su Qingli huffed, recalling the confident tone Shen Luoyan used when calling her. How could she be so sure that Lu Han would change his mind?

Where does she get this confidence?

Does she think I'm invisible?

Now that Su Qingli understood her own feelings, she wasn't about to let Shen Luoyan have her way easily. That's why she took the initiative to invite Lu Han to the movies—a first step in fostering their relationship.

Lu Han responded nonchalantly, "Heh, don't take things too seriously. If you do, you'll only end up disappointed."

What kind of answer is that?

Su Qingli fell silent, turning to look out the car window, feeling disheartened.

Lu Han didn't bother to break the silence, glancing at the pensive woman beside him before turning on the car stereo. They listened to music as they drove, soon arriving at the photo studio.

...

"Such a perfect match!" the female photographer exclaimed, admiring Lu Han and Su Qingli. He wasn't conventionally handsome but had a striking, chiseled face. She, on the other hand, was stunningly beautiful, even surpassing popular TV actresses.

Yet, there was something off. Despite being engaged, their smiles seemed forced, lacking genuine warmth.

The photographer, despite her suspicions, maintained her professionalism, guiding them through the photoshoot.

"Sir, lean a bit closer to the lady... Yes, straighten your back more."

"Ma'am, raise your left shoulder slightly... Good, good, relax your smile..."

After twenty minutes of adjustments, they finally finished the shoot. Next came selecting the photos. Lu Han, seeing the dozens of images on the screen, quickly lost interest.

"This honorable yet challenging task is yours," he said, handing it over to Su Qingli, ignoring her resentful gaze as he went outside for a smoke.

A few minutes later, he returned to find Su Qingli had already chosen the photos, and the staff was printing them.

"What movie are we watching tonight?" Lu Han asked casually.

"A horror film," Su Qingli replied absentmindedly.

During the photoshoot, she hadn't felt much, but while selecting the photos, she noticed how superficial their happiness looked. Both were smiling, but there was no real intimacy.

Su Qingli admitted her smiles were fake, but not intentionally. Thinking that Lu Han didn't truly care for her made her heart ache. Of course, she could only force a smile.

Lu Han's smile, however, was genuinely fake—he was simply going through the motions.

This realization made Su Qingli both sad and aggrieved. Was she really that unappealing? Did Lu Han feel nothing for her at all?

"I didn't expect you to like horror movies," Lu Han remarked, surprised. He thought she'd prefer sci-fi or action films, maybe even romance, but horror was unexpected.

"Tsk tsk, quite daring of you."

"Just tell me if you'll accompany me or not," Su Qingli said, tilting her chin up playfully. She had composed herself and decided to pursue him actively—after all, persistence often pays off.

"Of course, I'll go," Lu Han smiled. "But let's make one thing clear: don't dive into my arms out of fear. Otherwise, don't blame me for taking advantage."

"As if!" Su Qingli shot back, rolling her eyes, secretly feeling a bit guilty since that was exactly her plan.

Isn't it natural to seek comfort when scared?

The photos were printed quickly, and as they got back into the car, Su Qingli remembered Lu Han enjoyed hotpot and suggested, "Let's go to Yuxiangju for lunch. My treat."

"Not yet," Lu Han said mysteriously. "We need to go somewhere first. I have a little surprise for you."

A surprise?

Su Qingli felt a twinge of sweetness. Maybe this man cared about her after all. But curiosity got the better of her. "What kind of surprise?"

Lu Han just smiled and drove to a secluded alley. "Wait here for a moment. I'll be right back."

Su Qingli nodded, feeling uneasy. This area looked deserted and dilapidated—why would he bring her here for a surprise?

She watched him push open a half-open door and waited for about ten minutes before he returned with a paper bag.

Lu Han handed the bag to Su Qingli with a light chuckle. "Open it."

She opened the bag and froze upon seeing two red booklets inside—the word "Marriage Certificate" glaring at her.

These are… fake certificates?!

Realizing this, Su Qingli felt a pang of pain. Trembling, she flipped open the booklet to see their photos from the photoshoot pasted inside.

Their forced smiles seemed to mock the sham marriage.

"Lu Han, is this your surprise?" Su Qingli looked up, her eyes reddening. "What does this mean?"

"What else could it mean?" Lu Han asked, puzzled. "If our marriage is fake, why should we have real marriage certificates?"

He was confused. Shouldn't Su Qingli be happy that they had fake certificates instead of real ones, given her disdain for hollow formalities?

"But what if our parents find out?" Su Qingli clutched the fake certificates tightly, tempted to tear them apart. But what would that achieve?

Should she confess her feelings directly to Lu Han?

But wasn't she the one who turned this marriage into a transaction? Why should she now claim to like him?

"Don't worry," Lu Han said dismissively. "They won't be so bored as to verify the marriage certificate at the Civil Affairs Bureau."

Su Qingli was speechless, pausing before asking, "Lu Han, when did you decide to get these fake marriage certificates?"

Before meeting Shen Luoyan?

Or after?

...

...