The morning after Jiang Haotian's ultimatum, Yuxi awoke feeling like a prisoner awaiting sentencing. The weight of her mother's condition and the cold ruthlessness of her father left her with no room to breathe. When she emerged from her bedroom, she found her stepmother, Yang Meilin, sipping tea leisurely, her manicured fingers lightly tapping against the porcelain cup.
"Oh, you're finally awake," Yang Meilin said with a smirk. "I expected you to run away in the night like some pitiful beggar, but I suppose even you know that wouldn't change anything."
Yuxi didn't respond. She had learned long ago that arguing with her stepmother was like arguing with a wall—pointless and exhausting. Instead, she focused on the breakfast laid out on the table.
"Jiang Yuxi, sit," her father commanded.
Jiang Haotian's voice was calm, but there was an underlying steel to it. He was a man used to control, and to him, she was nothing more than a piece in his grand chessboard of power and wealth.
Yuxi sat, her hands clenched beneath the table.
"Today, you will meet Gu Zeyan," Jiang Haotian announced, his tone making it clear this was not up for debate.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Gu Zeyan?" she repeated, pretending not to already know what this was about.
Her father gave her a cold glance, unimpressed by her feigned ignorance. "The Gu family has agreed to discuss the engagement. You will meet with him at the Jade Pavilion at noon."
Yuxi swallowed hard.
Jiang Ruolan, her stepsister, let out a soft laugh. "I can't believe the Gu family would even consider this match. No offense, Yuxi, but you're hardly their standard."
Yang Meilin laughed softly, taking a sip of her tea. "Ruolan's right, you know. The Gu family is prestigious, and Gu Zeyan… well, he could have any woman he wants. He's wealthy, powerful, and sophisticated. And you?" She let out an exaggerated sigh. "You're just a poor girl who can barely keep up with her hospital bills."
Yuxi's nails dug into her palms, but she forced herself to remain composed.
Jiang Haotian ignored the insults and simply stared at his daughter. "You will not embarrass me, Yuxi. You will go there, you will be agreeable, and you will secure this engagement."
"And if I don't?" Yuxi asked, already knowing the answer.
His eyes turned colder than ice. "Then I will no longer be responsible for your mother's medical bills. I'll have her removed from that hospital before the sun sets. Do you understand me?"
Yuxi's breath caught in her throat. It wasn't a threat—it was a promise.
She had no choice.
At exactly noon, Yuxi arrived at the Jade Pavilion, an exclusive high-end restaurant that catered to the city's elite. She had put on her best dress—not that it mattered. It wasn't luxury brand clothing, just a simple yet elegant white dress that at least looked presentable.
The restaurant's staff treated her politely but without warmth, and she quickly realized why. This wasn't a meeting arranged with care or respect—it was a transaction.
When she was led to the private dining room, she found herself facing an unexpected sight.
The man waiting for her was not Gu Zeyan.
It was one of his assistants.
"Miss Jiang," the assistant greeted her formally. "President Gu is currently occupied with work and asked me to relay his message."
Yuxi's stomach twisted. He didn't even bother to come.
She kept her expression neutral. "And what message is that?"
The assistant cleared his throat. "President Gu wishes to know how much it would take for you to reject this marriage."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Yuxi processed the words slowly.
Money. Gu Zeyan thought she was after money.
Her fingers curled slightly against her lap. "And what did he say if I refuse to take the money?"
The assistant adjusted his tie. "President Gu will consider this marriage only if you are determined to go through with it for reasons beyond financial gain."
A test.
Yuxi felt an unexpected surge of anger. Gu Zeyan was the one unwillingly pushed into this arrangement—just like her. But instead of facing it, he was trying to buy his way out while assuming she was only here for money.
Taking a slow breath, she forced herself to remain calm. "Tell President Gu that I'm not interested in his money."
The assistant looked mildly surprised but nodded. "Very well. I will inform him."
Just as he prepared to leave, the door suddenly opened.
The room fell into a heavy silence as a tall, imposing figure stepped inside.
Gu Zeyan.
He was dressed in a sharp black suit, his presence dominating the room instantly. His gaze was cold, assessing, and uninterested. He barely looked at the assistant before dismissing him with a flick of his fingers.
The assistant bowed quickly and exited, leaving Yuxi alone with him.
For a long moment, Gu Zeyan simply studied her.
Then, finally, he spoke. "You turned down my offer."
Yuxi met his gaze without hesitation. "Because I'm not here for money."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Then what are you here for?"
Her hands tightened into fists beneath the table, hidden from his view. "I don't have a choice."
He scoffed. "Of course. The obedient daughter, following her father's orders."
Yuxi's temper flared. "And what about you? Are you not doing the same?"
His gaze darkened slightly. "You don't know anything about me."
Yuxi inhaled sharply. "And you don't know anything about me, either."
For the first time, something flickered in his expression. A brief moment of interest. But it was gone in an instant.
He leaned back in his chair, watching her like a predator deciding whether its prey was worth the effort.
Finally, he spoke.
"If we do this, there will be rules."
Yuxi remained silent, waiting.
"You will not interfere with my personal life." His voice was cold, emotionless. "You will play your role as my wife in public, but in private, we are nothing."
Yuxi swallowed, but she nodded. "Fine."
"There will be no affection between us," he continued. "No expectations."
She met his gaze steadily. "That's exactly what I want."
Gu Zeyan studied her for another long moment, and then—almost as if he was disappointed—he nodded. "Then we have a deal."
The words felt heavier than they should have.
That night, the engagement was formally announced.
The city's social circles buzzed with the news—some were shocked, some amused, and some furious.
Qin Ruo was livid. Zhao Liying's reaction was colder but no less resentful.
But the one who remained completely indifferent was Gu Zeyan himself.
There were no public statements from him, no sign of warmth or excitement.
Yuxi sat in her small apartment, staring at the news article covering their engagement. There was a photo of Gu Zeyan—alone, looking as distant as ever.
She had agreed to this marriage.
But for the first time, she truly realized—she wasn't marrying a man.
She was marrying a contract.
A loveless agreement sealed with nothing but necessity.
And yet, as much as she told herself she didn't care, a small voice whispered in the back of her mind.
Was this really all her life would ever be?