[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-365":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},365,17,"Chapter 17: \"上交工资卡，不用吗？\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">There weren't many couples at the registry office today.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aside from them, only two or three other pairs were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, chatting while waiting for their numbers to be called. Arianna Stone and Maxwell King had decided to get married on a whim, so they hadn't made an appointment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell went to the kiosk to grab a ticket, then returned to sit beside Arianna. He noticed her staring intently at the door to the registration room. \"What's wrong? Nervous?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No,\" Arianna snapped back to reality, smiling. \"Just curious.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Give it a moment. We'll be up soon.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The way he said it made it sound like she was the one dying of impatience. Arianna just offered a soft, \"Mhm.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On the other side of the lobby, there was a small stage for couples to pose for commemorative photos after signing their papers. In front of it, an LED sign displayed today’s date. Arianna stared at the numbers for a long while before asking out of the blue, \"Why did you decide on today?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Because it’s your birthday.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell didn't hesitate. \"Getting married on your birthday—that’s a memory that sticks.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna considered this, a faint smile touching her lips. \"And what if I hadn't said yes?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then it would still be a day worth remembering,\" Maxwell said, his gaze locked onto hers. His tone was gentle, underscored by a faint trace of amusement. \"August 16, 2000. That’s the day Arianna Stone was born.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And today, we’re married. So, it just gained another layer of significance.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s voice was steady and unhurried. \"August 16, 2023. Today, Arianna Stone married me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">August 16, 2000: Arianna is born.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">August 16, 2023: Arianna and Maxwell wed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Both dates held the same weight; both were equally worth cherishing. Arianna felt as if her heart had been struck by something soft yet powerful. She stared at him, stunned, unable to find the words. Her eyes clouded with a thin, shimmering veil of moisture.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">To lighten the mood, Maxwell laughed and sighed, \"Man, what have I done? I just realized—does this mean I have to buy you two separate gifts every year from now on?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna laughed too. \"Seems like it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was a \"gift-giving disaster.\" Arianna knew that all too well.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back in college, when Cameron Hughes had a birthday, Maxwell had pulled her aside to ask for advice on what to buy. Arianna had assumed he was just being overly cautious and told him, \"You guys are best friends. It’s the thought that counts. Even if you bought him an action figure, he’d still be thrilled.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">To her horror, on the night of the party, in front of everyone, Maxwell had actually presented him with a collector's edition action figure. It was incredibly expensive, of course, but from that day on, Maxwell was branded with the reputation of a \"gift-giving idiot.\" Arianna felt a sliver of guilt for being the one who had \"helped\" him reach that conclusion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was still chuckling. \"Same day, two gifts—my brain cells are going to burn out trying to keep up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Regretting it already?\" Arianna teased. \"It's not too late to back out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">No sooner had the words left her lips than the staff called their number over the intercom. Maxwell stood up, reaching out to take the hand she had resting on her lap. His expression turned serious. \"No regrets.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I was the one who proposed. Why would I regret it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let’s go, Arianna. I’ll take you out for a meal as soon as we’re done.\" He paused, looking down at her. \"Anything specific you’re craving?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Half an hour later, Arianna and Maxwell were sitting in a quiet bistro tucked behind the registry office.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stared at the two bright-red marriage certificates in her hands, still struggling to believe it. She was actually... married. To Maxwell King.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She subconsciously looked up at him. Maxwell was scanning the menu, his long, pale fingers sliding across the tablet, the veins on the back of his hands standing out clearly. Arianna’s gaze drifted upward, following the line of his arm. When she caught his expression, she froze. \"What are you smiling at?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ever since they stepped out of the office, the smile on Maxwell’s face hadn't faded once. He looked dazed, almost as if he were dreaming, living in a moment that felt profoundly surreal. He seemed unable to fully process that the woman he had wanted for so long—the woman he had obsessed over—was now his wife.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At her question, he reigned in his expression, putting on a show of composure. \"Nothing. Just thought of something funny.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna gave a noncommittal \"Oh.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After the meal, they returned to the car.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I have a meeting at the office in a bit. Where are you headed? I’ll drop you off.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna thought for a moment. \"Just home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell gave a curt nod and started the car. A few seconds later, as if struck by a sudden thought, he reached over to turn the key, killing the engine.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna turned to him, confused.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell pulled a black, professional-looking wallet from his pocket. It had a sleek, minimalist logo in the corner. He fished out a bank card and handed it straight to Arianna.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"???\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna didn't take it, looking at him blankly. \"What... is this?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell lifted his eyes, his voice concise. \"My paycheck.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stood frozen for a beat, staring at the polished, reflective surface of the card. She said, tentatively, \"Why are you giving me your... paycheck?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The air in the car seemed to still.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell raised an eyebrow. \"Is it not standard procedure to hand over the paycheck?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, no,\" Arianna stammered. \"You don't have to—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before she could finish, Maxwell leaned over, grabbed her wrist, and pressed the card firmly into her palm. His movements were unyielding, a quiet, possessive authority in his touch. Their skin brushed briefly, and Arianna could feel the heat radiating from his fingertips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You have to,\" Maxwell said, closing her fingers over the card. A smile played in his eyes. \"Handing over the paycheck is the bare minimum. A man should look like he’s actually married, don't you think?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Facing that logic, Arianna found herself completely speechless.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Keep your phone on 24/7. If you need anything, call me anytime.\" Maxwell tilted his head, meticulously laying out the ground rules. \"Or shoot me a text. I’ll reply the second I see it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And if you get bored, feel free to drop by the office to hang out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The first part had been normal enough, but the last bit nearly made her choke on her own spit.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell continued, \"If I have business dinners, I will report to you in advance. The time, the location, and exactly who will be there. Of course, you’re welcome to show up, or just call to check in. If I’m out for work, I’ll be home before midnight—I never stay out overnight.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is there anything else you’d like to add?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was completely dazed. She shook her head blankly. \"That... that’s enough.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If you think of anything, just tell me,\" Maxwell said, his gaze softening. \"Arianna, we’re married now. I want to give you absolute peace of mind.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna couldn't help but ask, \"But if you report every detail of your life to me, aren't you afraid I’ll infringe on your freedom?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell looked her straight in the eye, his tone entirely sincere. \"I don't know about other men, but I happen to like being kept on a leash.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Arianna, you’re my wife. You have the right to demand anything from me, no questions asked.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272905545]