My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 136: Both are Novices

He was truly lost in a daydream.

He was well past the age of youthful recklessness, yet his romantic experience was probably less than that of an eighteen-year-old. His emotions were in flux; in just a few short hours, he had envisioned their entire life together, down to the smallest detail. His imagination had run so wild that even he found it absurd.

He didn’t share his thoughts with Celia, simply saying gently, "Our appointment is soon. Shall we go in?"

Celia pulled two face masks from her purse and handed one to him. "Put this on."

Silas Norwood put on his mask, slid his arm around her waist, and headed toward the VIP room.

They wore matching outfits; he, distinguished and tall, and she, graceful and captivating. Even with their faces half-hidden, they drew quite a few stares. Escorted by bodyguards, they entered the VIP room. The manager in charge was already sitting primly and, upon seeing them, immediately greeted them with enthusiasm. "Chairman Norwood, Madam, please have a seat. Would you like to have some tea and rest for a moment?"

"That won’t be necessary, we’re in a hurry." Silas Norwood took out his ID, his tone polite. "Thank you for your help."

Celia also took out her ID, dutifully mimicking Silas’s tone. "We’ll be in your care."

The manager waved his hands dismissively. "It’s my duty. Why don’t you two sit over there for the photos? I’ve arranged for a professional photographer who won’t stop until you have a picture you’re both perfectly satisfied with."

They removed their masks and walked over to the photography area in the corner.

The manager and the photographer, who was adjusting his lens, were both momentarily stunned by the faces before them, but maintained their professionalism and didn’t dare to stare.

"Could you two please press your shoulders together? Ma’am, would you be able to tie your hair back? And you, sir, please stop staring at your wife. Look at the camera."

Following the photographer’s instructions, they finished their official photos. The manager then brought out several standard forms. "These are the forms required for the marriage registration. Please fill them out, and feel free to ask me if you have any questions."

They were the usual documents: a Declaration of Application for Marriage Registration, a Marriage Application Report, and a form for personal information.

They each took a pen, filled out the forms, and signed their names at the bottom.

Celia handed her forms to Silas, but when he looked at the signature line, he didn’t immediately pass them to the manager.

"Where is the ink pad?" he asked the manager coolly. "My wife and I would like to add our thumbprints."

The manager paused, taken aback. "A signature is sufficient. Thumbprints aren’t required."

"We’d like to add them anyway," Silas insisted.

Though he didn’t understand why, the manager was cooperative and brought over an ink pad.

Silas opened it and gently took Celia’s hand. "Cece, go ahead."

Celia obediently pressed her thumbprint over her name. Seeing Silas do the same with such seriousness, she couldn’t help but ask, "Silas, why are we...?"

Silas replied with a perfectly straight face, "A little more red. It looks more festive."

Celia cleared her throat. "You’re so progressive sometimes, Silas, but then you can be so traditional..."

Silas inspected the forms one by one, his gaze lingering on the signatures.

’He was thinking about Celia’s other identity—the one that couldn’t be spoken aloud.’

’Even if she used a different name in the future, a thumbprint couldn’t be faked. His wife would still be his wife—Silas Norwood’s wife.’

Once he was satisfied, he handed the forms to the manager and pointedly added, "Please be sure to file these properly."

Filing was standard procedure, but the documents were rarely needed again. Still, given Silas Norwood’s specific instruction, the manager—though confused—cautiously promised, "Rest assured, Chairman Norwood. Your file will be placed in a dedicated safe. There’s no chance of it getting lost."

Silas gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and said no more.

The manager then led them through the marriage vows as per procedure, made a copy of the video recording, and handed it to the couple along with their brand-new marriage certificates.

"Congratulations, Chairman Norwood! Congratulations, Madam! Wishing you a happy marriage!"

Silas gestured, and a nearby bodyguard brought over an exquisite box. He opened it to reveal festive red velvet pouches tied with golden ribbons, each embroidered with a large, golden character for ’happiness’. "Some wedding sweets. Please distribute them to everyone here at the bureau."

"Oh, but... that’s against regulations..."

"I’ve already spoken to your superiors. They’re getting some as well," Silas explained gently. Seeing that the manager no longer objected, he wrapped his arm around Celia’s waist, took the two marriage certificates in hand, and they left together.

「In the car.」

The driver and bodyguards had been instructed to wait by a flowerbed several meters away, leaving the two of them alone in the spacious car.

Silas examined their two marriage certificates over and over before putting them away safely. "I’ll hold on to both of these."

"Okay!" Celia glanced at the time. It wasn’t even lunch yet. She thought for a moment. "Should we go back to the Sterling Family home, or to your place?"

"What do you think?" Silas’s voice deepened suggestively. "Wife."

His hand was still at her waist, and he pulled her closer into his embrace, his palm gently caressing her soft waistline.

Celia feigned ignorance of his implication. "Why don’t we go to the office? I still have a pile of work waiting for me."

Silas’s amber eyes, darker than she had ever seen them, rested quietly on her face. "We’re going to Jade Orchid Manor."

His tone, however, was poised and calm. "The marital home. Its mistress should have a look, don’t you think?"

By now, Celia was wary of his deadpan sincerity. "Just to look?"

"I had new bed linens custom-made for you." The simple sentence said it all.

His tone was gentle and unhurried, infinitely patient.

But as their romantic relationship deepened, Celia knew the physical side of it would deepen as well. It would no longer be just a matter of tentative touches.

She was a little nervous. "M-maybe we could wait a bit? Until tonight..."

"I’m a novice at this too, just as nervous as you are, Cece." With no one else around, Silas shed his aloof, ascetic facade. He gently pulled Celia onto his lap and leaned close to her ear. "The more nervous I am, the more I want you."

「At a coffee shop.」

Theo Chambers and Assistant Thorne were seated in a private booth. Theo was going over Silas Norwood’s packed schedule, rearranging appointments by priority. He methodically sent one directive after another to the chairman’s secretarial office, so busy he didn’t have time for a single sip of his coffee.

"The boss is getting married today," Assistant Thorne said, sipping his coffee leisurely. "As his personal assistants, what kind of wedding gift do you think would be appropriate?"

"I’ve already arranged for a Child-Giving Jade Guanyin set from The Imperial Jade Pavilion."

Ever since he started arranging blind dates for Silas Norwood years ago, Theo had been focused on the future heir. He’d had this gift in mind for just as long, so the choice was easy.

Assistant Thorne fell silent for a moment. "How much did that cost?"

"Two months of my salary."

"..." Assistant Thorne did a quick mental calculation of the other man’s annual salary. "Holy shit! How am I supposed to compete with that?"

"What do you mean, ’how’? Just get a jade set, too. The quality at The Imperial Jade Pavilion is excellent. They have a set of The Moneybags. The boss would definitely like that."

"Sure, we’re both assistants, but you’re also the goddamn Vice President! Your annual salary is multiples of mine. Where am I supposed to get the money for something that expensive?"

The pleasure Assistant Thorne had been taking in his coffee instantly evaporated.

"You can get him something else," Theo said without looking up from his work. His advice was practical. "Just pick a gift that symbolizes a long and happy marriage. The boss will like anything with that kind of meaning."

Assistant Thorne thought that made sense. He pulled up a luxury goods website, ready to do some serious browsing, when his phone suddenly rang.

He froze for a second when he saw the caller ID, then quickly answered, "Boss!"

Hearing that it was Silas Norwood on the line, Theo stopped working and looked over.