Emperor's Residence.
This was the most luxurious villa in Jiangzhong, covering an area of twenty thousand square meters.
Gardens, a swimming pool, a golf course—it had everything.
In the villa's main hall, Tang Chuchu sat on a soft sofa, staring at the palace-like surroundings in a daze.
She knew her grandfather had found her a husband, but she also knew that anyone with a shred of pride would never marry her or live in with the Tang family as a son-in-law.
She didn't know the identity of this husband of hers.
But she could roughly guess that he was someone vain and shiftless, looking to gain wealth by marrying into the Tang family.
She hadn't expected this husband to bring her to such a dreamlike place.
Jiang Chen knelt down and reached for the veil on Tang Chuchu’s face.
"Don't..."
Tang Chuchu panicked and quickly tried to dodge him. Her appearance was too terrifying; she was covered in scars, and she was afraid that this man—whom she had never met before, yet who was now her husband—would be horrified if he saw her.
But Jiang Chen removed the veil nonetheless.
Tang Chuchu was extremely nervous, her heart hammering against her ribs. She felt so ashamed she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her.
Jiang Chen gently lifted her face.
Her face was covered in shocking, ghastly scars.
As Jiang Chen touched these scars, his heart felt as if it were being sliced by a knife. A wave of pain washed over him. All of this was his fault; if she hadn't saved him, Tang Chuchu would never have ended up like this.
His rugged face softened with heartache, and his nose soured, nearly bringing him to tears. "Chuchu, you’ve suffered."
Tang Chuchu dared not meet Jiang Chen’s gaze, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her shirt.
Jiang Chen said tenderly, "Trust me, I will heal you."
Tang Chuchu looked panicked and didn't dare to look at him.
"Bring the medicine."
Jiang Chen stood up and called out.
Immediately, the villa doors opened, and several men in black suits walked in carrying trunks.
When the trunks were opened, they were filled with expensive Chinese medicinal herbs, each one worth a fortune.
Jiang Chen began to prepare the medicine.
Once the concoction was ready, he came to Tang Chuchu’s side and knelt down. Looking at her as she sat with her head bowed and hands twisting her hem, he reached out to take her scarred hand. Tang Chuchu flinched and instinctively pulled her hands back, hiding them behind her back. She lowered her head and whispered, "What... what are you doing?"
"Chuchu, don't be afraid. Take off your clothes."
Tang Chuchu began to cry. She quickly pulled off her clothes, looked at Jiang Chen standing before her with tears in her eyes, and sobbed, "Fine, I’m ugly. I’m covered in scars. Are you satisfied now?"
In Tang Chuchu’s eyes, the husband her grandfather found for her was only there to mock her and humiliate her.
She had grown used to this over the years.
Since the accident, she had spent every day and night washing her face with tears, waking up from nightmares every single night.
She looked at Jiang Chen, biting her lip, sobbing uncontrollably as large tears rolled down her cheeks.
Seeing her like this, Jiang Chen felt a pang of heartache.
His cold, ruthless heart was moved.
He pulled the scarred Tang Chuchu into his arms and promised solemnly, "I won't despise you. No matter what you look like, you are my wife. You are now, and you will be in the future."
Tang Chuchu was dazed.
Wasn't this man supposed to be here to laugh at her?
Her mind was in a whirl, unable to process what was happening.
Jiang Chen let her go, picked up the prepared medicine, and carefully applied it to her entire body.
Then, he took some gauze and bandaged her up. Soon, Tang Chuchu was wrapped in gauze, looking like a mummy.
Jiang Chen helped her sit down.
"Chuchu, I wouldn't lie to you. Just ten days—in ten days, I guarantee you’ll be completely transformed."
"R-really?" Tang Chuchu finally reacted, though she was still skeptical.
"Of course. I wouldn't lie to you."
Although she couldn't see Jiang Chen’s face right now, she could hear his voice—magnetic and gentle—which made her feel a warmth in her heart.
In the blink of an eye, ten days passed.
These ten days were the happiest Tang Chuchu had spent in the last decade.
She didn't know who her husband really was, but the man who had married into her family cared for her meticulously, watching over her twenty-four hours a day.
Every night, he would tell her stories and jokes to soothe her to sleep.
Whenever she woke up, there was always a strong pair of hands holding hers.
For ten years, she hadn't known what it was like to be cared for, let alone what love felt like.
Now, she felt like she had fallen in love.
At the villa, in front of the mirror, Tang Chuchu was still wrapped in white gauze, even on her face.
At this moment, she couldn't help but feel nervous.
For the past ten days, she had applied the medicine daily, and she could feel a burning sensation on her skin.
Jiang Chen had told her that if she kept up the treatment, she would recover her beauty in just a few days.
"Can... can it really work?" She gripped his strong hand tightly.
"Yes." Jiang Chen slowly removed the gauze from her face and then from her body.
Tang Chuchu felt the light, but she dared not open her eyes.
"Open your eyes and look."
Tang Chuchu opened her eyes and stood naked in front of the mirror.
In the mirror was a woman still covered in medicinal powder, but even with the powder, one could see her fair, smooth skin underneath.
Seeing a near-perfect face in the mirror, Tang Chuchu was shocked, her mouth hanging wide open.
After several seconds of staring in a daze, she quickly wiped away the medicinal powder and touched her own face, unable to believe it.
"This..."
She was stunned, dumbfounded. She couldn't believe that the woman with the delicate, fair skin standing in the mirror was her.
Ten years ago, she had been burned and disfigured.
Even with today's advanced medical technology, recovery should have been impossible.
But now, she had recovered.
For ten years, she had never dared to look in a mirror, waking up in nightmares every night.
Looking at the perfect face in the mirror, she wept with joy, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She collapsed into Jiang Chen’s arms and began to sob uncontrollably.
Ten years of grievances vanished in this single moment.
Jiang Chen hugged her tightly and promised solemnly, "From now on, I will protect you. I won't let you be hurt ever again."
Tang Chuchu eventually snapped out of her excitement and joy. Realizing she wasn't wearing anything, she blushed, overcome with shyness.
She broke free from his embrace and stood with her head bowed, feeling at a loss.
Jiang Chen pointed toward the bathroom and said, "The hot water is ready, and I bought some clothes for you. I didn't know your size, so I bought every size for the undergarments. See which ones fit and wear those."
Tang Chuchu ran into the bathroom with her head bowed in shame.
Jiang Chen walked into the hall, sat on the sofa, and lit a cigarette.
"Dragon Commander."
A man approached from outside. He looked about forty, wore a black suit, and held a thick folder. He bowed his head and handed it over. "All the information on the Four Great Families is here, along with the full details of what led to the destruction of the Jiang family ten years ago. Please look it over, Dragon Commander."
Jiang Chen pointed to the table. "Leave it there."
"Dragon Commander, those few third-rate families—just give the word, and your subordinates can wipe them out in minutes..."
Jiang Chen waved his hand slightly.
The man immediately stopped speaking.
Jiang Chen looked up at the man standing before him with his head bowed. "I am no longer the Dragon Commander. From this day forward, there is no more Dragon Commander in this world. Investigating the Four Great Families of Jiangzhong was the last time I will ever use my privilege. You don't need to follow me. Take the brothers and go back; the border still needs your protection."
The man dropped to his knees, his voice firm and resolute. "Once a commander, always a commander. The Southern Wasteland border is stable, and the enemy dares not invade. Dragon Commander, don't send us away. Let us stay and help you."
Jiang Chen stood up and pulled the man to his feet. "Xiao Hei, this is a private matter. I will handle it myself. After this is done, I want to live a quiet life, free from swords and bloodshed. I want to stay by Chuchu’s side and give her the best love in the world."
"Dragon Commander..."
"Stand down! Take the brothers and go back. Go back to the Southern Wasteland!" Jiang Chen roared.
Xiao Hei knelt once more and shouted loudly, "Take care, Dragon Commander! Your Million Black Dragon Troops will be waiting for your return."
"Go." Jiang Chen sat back down and waved his hand.
Only then did Xiao Hei turn and leave.
Soon, Tang Chuchu came out from her bath.
She was wearing a white camisole dress, exposing her fair neck and arms.
This was the kind of clothing she never dared to wear before.
She was in a good mood, humming a little tune and stroking her smooth skin, her lips curled into a smile.
Seeing Jiang Chen sitting on the sofa, smoking a cigarette, she stopped humming.
She walked over and sat down beside him. Her face was flushed red, whether from the bath or from shyness, she didn't know.
"Um..." she started, but didn't know what to say.
Although she had spent ten days with him, she had been blinded for most of it. Now, facing him directly, she felt a bit timid, her face burning, unsure of what to say.
Jiang Chen, who had been deep in thought, realized she was there. Seeing that her scars were fully healed, his eyes lit up. "Wife, when should we go register our marriage?"
"Huh?"
Tang Chuchu froze, her mouth slightly agape, looking perfectly dazed and adorable.
Jiang Chen smiled. "I’ve already married into the Tang family, so I’m your husband. This was your grandfather’s order. Don't tell me you want to go back on your word and not marry me?"
"I will."
After she processed what he said, she didn't say much else, just those two words.
Over these ten days, Jiang Chen’s meticulous care had taught her what it meant to have her heart warmed.
How could she not marry such a man?
She stole a glance at him.
He was tall and sturdy, his features sharp and resolute. At just one look, her face turned bright red, and her heart began to race.
An hour later.
A man and a woman walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, holding hands.
Tang Chuchu looked at the red certificate in her hand, feeling as if she were in a dream.
Just like that? They were married?
She had once imagined her future, dreaming of a grand and passionate romance.
But everything had turned out differently than she had imagined. Her grandfather had arranged her fate, and she had been whisked away by this man who had married into the Tang family, only to live in a palace-like place for ten days.
Ten days later, her injuries were healed, her beauty restored, and she had become a stunning woman capable of toppling cities with her looks.
Though she didn't know her husband’s true identity, she felt happy inside and couldn't help but squeeze Jiang Chen’s hand tightly.