Chapter 187

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

Late 1998, Shanghai.

The New Year's Eve gala was airing in prime time on CCTV; the Bund blazed with lights, a sea of people.

Lin Xiyu stood inside the 88th-floor observation hall of the Jinmao Tower, hailed as China's tallest building, looking down on this city she had striven in for five years.

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, a slender, graceful figure in a black belted cashmere coat was faintly reflected.

"Xiyu......"

Her mobile phone vibrated slightly; Best Friend Wu Meng's slightly excited voice came through the receiver: "Guben has returned from the United States; he's already an internationally renowned lawyer now......"

Her heart clenched in sharp pain; the mobile phone clattered to the floor.

"Excuse me, are you Sister Xiyu?"

A young man wearing black wide-rimmed glasses, with clear, handsome features, looking like a fresh university graduate, approached tentatively, bent down, and picked up her mobile phone for her.

"Yes, thank you."

Lin Xiyu had no time to think further; she took the phone, composed herself, and returned a sweet smile.

"Hello, I am Zhao Yuncheng."

Astonishment flashed in Zhao Yuncheng's eyes; he praised from the heart: "Sister Xiyu, you have even more temperament than in the photos, younger, prettier......"

"Seems your first impression is not bad."

Lin Xiyu composed herself and smiled gently: "Then, shall we discuss the cooperation matters now?"

"My pleasure."

Zhao Yuncheng's gaze burned, excitement he could not conceal.

"There's a Western restaurant downstairs; let's go down and talk there."

Too many people in the observation hall — not a place to talk; Lin Xiyu gave him a tacit look and headed for the elevator first.

"Okay."

Zhao Yuncheng hesitated not in the slightest and followed her out of the observation hall.

——

The elevator descended rapidly, reached the 16th floor; the doors opened, and a tall, straight figure entered unhurriedly.

Lin Xiyu lifted her eyes; the instant she recognized the newcomer's face, her breath caught, her heartbeat nearly stopping.

Guben — it was him!

He had returned from the United States.

Seeing her stunned, Zhao Yuncheng considerately took her arm and stepped back a few paces, making space.

Guben seemed not to have noticed there were others in the elevator; with a cold, stern face he turned his back and pressed a button.

Lin Xiyu's expression was complex; standing behind him, she quietly observed him.

After many years apart, his brows and eyes were still handsome, his temperament outstanding.

He seemed even taller than before; from an unruly, rebellious youth he had transformed into a proud, noble young man.

Her heart clenched again involuntarily, a hard-to-describe bitterness welling up.

After not seeing him for years, had he really become so strange he couldn't even recognize her?

——

The elevator descended to the 3rd floor; the doors opened, and Guben strode out on long legs.

"Guben, you're here."

A graceful, lovely figure in an evening gown came forward and familiarly linked her arm through his.

Lin Xiyu turned her head away, not wanting to watch the dazzling scene.

"Sister Xiyu, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Seeing her expression off, Zhao Yuncheng's eyes showed concern.

"I'm fine......"

Lin Xiyu took a deep breath, looked at the gentle, considerate Best Friend's younger brother standing beside her who was clearly showing her favor, and bit down hard on her back molars as if in a fit of pique.

A fake marriage turning into a real marriage — not impossible!

——

The two arrived at the Western restaurant, found a secluded corner by the window, and sat down.

Lin Xiyu took off her cashmere coat and draped it over the adjacent chair.

Zhao Yuncheng, very perceptive, summoned a waiter to put a cover on the coat.

"Quite attentive."

Lin Xiyu gave him an appreciative look.

"Naturally......"

Zhao Yuncheng grinned, doing his utmost to impress: "We're about to get married; I have to perform well."

"Won't you reconsider?"

Lin Xiyu's menu-selecting motion paused: "Even a fake marriage — after divorce and remarriage, it's still a second marriage."

"I did hesitate a bit before coming."

Zhao Yuncheng adjusted his glasses, gaze fervent: "After seeing Sister Xiyu, not a shred of conflict remains; Sister Xiyu is prettier than every girl I've met before, making one's heart race involuntarily, a feeling of love at first sight — marrying you is my honor."

"So considerate, and knows just how to sweet-talk people......."

【61】 "Thoughtful and knows how to sweet-talk......."

Lin Xiyu smiled teasingly: "A guy like you must have been really popular back in school, right? Did you have a girlfriend?"

【62】 Lin Xiyu laughed as she teased: "A guy like you must have been very popular in school, right? Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Uh."

【63】 "Uh."

Zhao Yuncheng was a bit embarrassed, his earlobes turning red as he said two words: "No."

【64】 Zhao Yuncheng felt a bit embarrassed, his ears red as he said two words: "None."

"Oh?"

【65】 "Oh?"

Lin Xiyu raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised.

【66】 Lin Xiyu raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised.

"I'm broke."

【67】 "Poor."

Seeing her disbelief, Zhao Yuncheng shrugged helplessly: "Dating a girlfriend costs money. My pockets are so empty they rattle; I don't have a single dollar to my name. What girl would be willing to date me?"

【68】 Seeing she didn't believe him, Zhao Yuncheng shrugged his shoulders, putting on a helpless look: "Dating a girlfriend costs money. My pockets are empty, not a single dollar, so which girl would be willing to date me?"

"Makes sense."

【69】 "Makes sense."

Lin Xiyu nodded seriously in agreement.

【70】 Lin Xiyu nodded seriously, indicating her agreement.

"Sister Xiyu."

【71】 "Sister Xiyu."

Zhao Yuncheng felt a sudden warmth in his chest, a feeling of soul-deep connection and being able to bare his soul to her: "Not hiding it from you—if my family weren't poor, if I weren't a poor kid who clawed his way out of the mountains, forcing myself to find a way out, wanting to stay in Shanghai and make big money, I wouldn't have agreed to my cousin asking me to meet you."

【72】 Zhao Yuncheng felt a warmth in his chest, suddenly feeling a sense of soul connection and being able to open his heart to her: "To be honest, if it weren't for being poor at home, a poor boy from the mountains forced to find a way out, wanting to stay in Shanghai and make big money, I wouldn't have agreed to let my female cousin come see you."

"Wu Meng was indeed someone I asked......."

【73】 "Wu Meng was indeed someone I asked......."

Lin Xiyu's eyes flickered, and she smiled self-deprecatingly: "Wu Meng and I have known each other since childhood. She knows me. I'm also from out of town, my family background is average; otherwise, I wouldn't have used such a clumsy method to try to get a school dormitory."

【74】 Lin Xiyu's eyes flickered slightly, and she gave a self-mocking smile: "We've known each other since childhood; she knows me. I'm also an outsider with average family conditions, otherwise I wouldn't have used such a clumsy method to try to get a school dormitory."

"Neither of us has it easy."

【75】 "Neither is easy."

Zhao Yuncheng felt a deep sense of shared hardship, his gaze toward her growing even more fervent.

【76】 Zhao Yuncheng felt the same way, his gaze toward her becoming more fervent.

"This is the contract. Take it back and look it over. If you have no objections, sign it."

【77】 "This is the contract. Take it back and look it over; if you have no objections, sign it."

Lin Xiyu took a paper document from the handbag she carried with her and placed it before him: "Once we get the marriage certificate, I'll go register it at my unit to process the paperwork. No matter how much the allocated apartment is worth, one-quarter of the market value will go to you."

【78】 Lin Xiyu took out a paper document from the handbag she carried with her and placed it before him: "After getting the marriage certificate, I'll go to my unit to register and handle the procedures. Whatever the assigned house is worth, I'll give you one-quarter at market price."

"No need to read it."

【79】 "No need to look."

Zhao Yuncheng's heart burned hot: "I trust you. I can sign right now."

【80】 Zhao Yuncheng's heart burned hot: "I believe you. We can sign right now."

Lin Xiyu: "........."

【81】 Lin Xiyu: "......"

There was really no need to be this rushed.

【82】 There was no need to be in such a hurry.

——

【83】 —

To express his sincerity, Zhao Yuncheng really called the waiter over, asked for a pen, and moved to sign on the spot. The moment the pen touched paper, a shadow fell over both their heads.

【84】 To show sincerity, Zhao Yuncheng indeed called a waiter, asked for a pen, and was about to sign on the spot; the moment his pen touched the paper, a shadow fell over both their heads.

"What you're doing has already crossed the moral bottom line. Strictly speaking, it also violates the law."

【85】 "What you're doing has already crossed the moral bottom line; strictly speaking, it also violates the law."

The abrupt voice startled Lin Xiyu's heart into a chaotic rhythm.

【86】 The abruptly appearing voice startled Lin Xiyu, making her heartbeat disorderly.

"Guben?!"

【87】 "Gu?!"

Seeing who it was, her pupils contracted, the blood draining from her face bit by bit.

【88】 Seeing who had come, her pupils shrank, and the color on her face disappeared bit by bit.

She didn't want anyone to see her fake marriage, yet the person who saw it was him.

【89】 She didn't want anyone to see her fake marriage, but the person who saw it was him.

A sense of extreme shame instantly flooded her whole body.

【90】 A wave of extreme shame instantly surged through her whole body.

"Xiyu, long time no see."

【91】 "Xiyu, long time no see."

Guben's eyes were deep, his handsome brows hiding a hint of anger: "Looks like I came back at just the right time. For a contract marriage, I'm more suitable than him."

【92】 Guben's eyes were deep, his heroic brows holding a hint of anger: "It seems I've returned at just the right time. Contract marriage—I'm more suitable than him."

"What do you mean?"

【93】 "What do you mean?"

Zhao Yuncheng's face changed instantly. He scraped his chair back and stood up, glaring at him.

【94】 Zhao Yuncheng's face changed instantly; he stood up from the chair with a swish and glared back at him.

"Exactly the literal meaning."

【95】 "Exactly what it says."

Guben didn't deign to acknowledge his provocation. He picked up the contract, scanned it at a glance, his gaze cold: "This contract is full of loopholes. If one party harbors malicious intent and uses the threat of public exposure to blackmail the other, the victim would not only lose the property but also face the risk of being fired by their work unit."

【96】 Guben disdained to pay attention to his provocation; he reached out, picked up the contract, skimmed through it in ten lines at a glance, his gaze cold: "This contract is full of loopholes. If one party harbors malicious intent and uses public reporting to threaten, the other party will not only lose the property but also face the risk of being terminated by their work unit."

"That's just your opinion......."

【97】 "That's just your idea......."

Unwilling to be dismissed, Zhao Yuncheng stiffened his neck and argued: "Please don't maliciously speculate about others."

【98】 Unwilling to be despised, Zhao Yuncheng stuck out his neck and argued: "Please don't maliciously speculate about others."

"I am a lawyer. Just stating facts."

【99】 "I am a lawyer; I speak based on the facts."

A mocking curve touched Guben's lips as he coldly pressed: "Ask yourself honestly—are you really content with just one-quarter? Have you never thought about seizing the entire property?"

【100】 A hint of mockery curled at Guben's lips as he coldly demanded: "Ask yourself honestly—are you willing to settle for only one-quarter, never thinking of seizing all the property?"

"Sister Xiyu, don't listen to him instigating trouble."

【101】 "Sister Xiyu, don't listen to him sowing discord."

Under his pressure, Zhao Yuncheng felt a moment of panic and avoided that sharp gaze: "I genuinely like you. I never thought about harming you."

【102】 Under his questioning, Zhao Yuncheng panicked for a moment and avoided the sharp gaze: "I truly like you; I never intended to harm you."

"Like?!"

【103】 "Like?!"

Guben's eyes darkened suddenly, cold as a blade's edge.

【104】 Guben's gaze suddenly darkened, cold as a blade.

"Yes, I like Sister Xiyu."

【105】 "Yes, I like Sister Xiyu."

Zhao Yuncheng straightened his spine, trying to make himself look more imposing.

【106】 Zhao Yuncheng straightened his spine, trying to make himself look more imposing.

"Since you say you like her......"

【107】 "Since you say you like her......"

Guben stared at him for a few seconds and sneered disdainfully: "Then let me test just how cheap your 'like' really is."

【108】 Guben locked eyes with him for several seconds, then scoffed disdainfully: "Let me test just how cheap your liking is."

"This is my business card......."

【109】 "This is my business card......."

He took a card from his pocket and handed it to him: "You leave now, and you can get compensation equivalent to half the value of this property, plus a job at a law firm with an annual salary of 100,000."

【110】 He took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to him: "If you leave now, you can get compensation equivalent to half of this property, plus an opportunity to work at a law firm with an annual salary of one hundred thousand."

The air stagnated for a moment.

【111】 The air stagnated for a moment.

Zhao Yuncheng's momentum visibly weakened. His eyes stuck to the business card, unable to tear away.

【112】 Zhao Yuncheng's momentum visibly weakened; his gaze stuck to the business card, unable to move away.

"I don't have the patience to wait."

【113】 "I don't have the patience to wait."

Guben's brows and eyes were cold, his aura powerful enough to suffocate: "Ten seconds. Take it or leave it."

【114】 Guben's brows and eyes were cold, his aura powerful enough to suffocate: "I give you ten seconds; latecomers need not apply."

"Sister Xiyu, I'm sorry......."

【115】 "Sister Xiyu, sorry......."

Zhao Yuncheng couldn't even wait the ten seconds. He reached out a trembling hand.

【116】 Zhao Yuncheng couldn't wait ten seconds; he tremblingly reached out his hand.

"Enough!"

【117】 "Enough!"

Lin Xiyu suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs. Extreme humiliation pushed her emotions to the brink of collapse.

【118】 Lin Xiyu suddenly shouted hoarsely; extreme shame made her emotions nearly collapse.

"What makes you think I'm willing to enter a contract marriage with you?!"

【119】 "What makes you think I'm willing to have a contract marriage with you?!"

——

【120】 —

Restroom.

"Hey hey, look quick, that man is the one who stole the show at the banquet, right?"

"That's right, it's him, the new lawyer at Hanyu Law Firm, heard he came back from the United States."

"He doesn't look old, twenty-four or five at most, a Doctor of Law from a famous American university at such a young age?"

"He's not just a PhD, he also has an International Lawyer Qualification Certificate, earns US dollars, wins one international trade lawsuit, and the commission is this much......"

"One thousand US dollars?"

"NO, you can broaden your thinking a bit, guess more boldly."

"Ten thousand?"

"NoNoNo, can be even bolder."

"One hundred thousand?"

"Don't doubt your ears, it's exactly this number."

"Mygod, one hundred thousand US dollars, isn't that over seven hundred thousand RMB?"

"That's right, calculated at the exchange rate as of yesterday, it's even a bit more."

"Is he married?"

"No, still single, a genuine diamond bachelor."

"Sisters, my spring has come, Sister has decided, this year I must get him and successfully become un-single."

"Go for it, charge boldly......"

"Come on, sisters are rooting for you."

Lin Xiyu faced the mirror, scooped water to wash her face, patted her cheeks, calming her irritable mood.

Faint commotion came from the doorway, several women in formal wear with exquisite makeup walked in from outside, chatting and laughing.

Her heart gave a thump, a bad premonition welled up.

No need to guess, the person they're talking about is eighty percent likely Guben.

After all, that person was very eye-catching even in school, always attracting bees and butterflies.

What is Guben doing at the toilet doorway?

Could it be an occupational flare-up, hasn't had enough verbal addiction, still wants to mock her?!

——

Guben held a cigarette between his fingers, leaning against the wall.

His three-dimensional brow bones and clear contours, reflected in the neon lights outside the floor-to-ceiling window, appeared all the more upright and handsome.

The cigarette tip flickered bright and dim, people in the restroom came and went, one wave after another.

He waited patiently, letting the cigarette burn to ash, only pinching it out when it burned his fingers, then took out another and relit it.

The clock gradually pointed to midnight, the New Year's bell was about to strike.

Waited nearly two hours, the long-awaited person finally walked out from inside.

"Xiyu."

His eyes lit up, he pinched out the cigarette, and went to meet her.

"You haven't left yet?"

Lin Xiyu glared at him displeased, an indescribable irritability surging up.

Heaven knows what mood she was in, pinching her nose hiding in the washroom for two hours!

Wronging herself like this, she still couldn't avoid him in the end.

"I spoke too harshly just now."

Guben ignored her cold stare, reached out, wanting to gently caress her face: "It's my fault, I apologize to you, will you forgive me?"

"No."

Lin Xiyu felt a surge of indescribable bitterness, slapped his hand away in a fit of pique, and rushed out of the Western restaurant.

"Xiyu......"

Guben just wanted to chase out, a waiter blocked him at the door: "Sir, that miss hasn't paid the bill yet."

Guben helplessly could only take out two hundred-yuan bills from his wallet and throw them at him, leaving a "keep the change" and hurriedly chased out.

——

Lin Xiyu rushed out of Jinmao Tower, surging into the crowded flow of people.

The New Year's bell was about to strike, both banks of the river were a sea of people, tourists like they'd been injected with chicken blood, high-spiritedly awaiting the arrival of the Spring Festival.

She was anxious and confused, muddleheadedly following the crowd forward, completely unaware danger was approaching.

Not far ahead came terrified screams, someone fell to the ground from unsteady steps due to overcrowding, people behind didn't know the situation, still kept squeezing forward.

"Don't squeeze, don't squeeze."

Crowds fell in patches, Lin Xiyu was caught off guard, also stumbled, and fell along with the crowd.

Her right ankle ached piercingly, people kept stepping over her legs, crushing onto her body, breathing becoming more and more difficult.

Panic emotions spread to the extreme in an instant, piercing screams rose and fell.

"Xiyu!"

A pair of strong arms fished her out of the pile of people, embraced her into his arms.

Lin Xiyu was overly frightened, the piercing pain in her ankle made her tremble a few times like shivering.

"Don't be afraid, follow me......"

Guben protected her in his arm bend, doing his utmost to resist outside impacts, preventing the two from falling again.

The continuous miserable shrieks by her ear easily shattered the last bit of strength Lin Xiyu had disguised.

She trembled all over, shrinking into his arms like a little quail.

Guben shielded her as they inched toward a less crowded spot.

Lin Xiyu buried her face against his chest, leaning into him completely, greedily drinking in the long-lost warmth.

Sensing her reliance, Guben's gaze grew even more resolute, and he held her tighter.