Han Chong handed over a contract. An Ruo took it blankly and carefully examined the terms laid out. There weren't many clauses, but...
The man spoke in a low voice, explaining, "I've known all along that you're not the real An Qing."
Her expression froze, and her surprised gaze slowly turned calm: "Since you know I'm not An Qing, why didn't you expose me?"
With someone as formidable as Han Chong by his side, it wouldn't be hard for him to investigate the person sleeping next to him.
But why did he choose to stay silent after finding out? That she simply couldn't understand!
"What benefit would exposing you bring me?" Shen Xiaoxing raised an eyebrow slightly, a thin smile curling on his lips as he said slowly, "Marry that brainless, brutish woman?"
Uh, he must be referring to An Qing, right?
An Ruo's gaze returned to the contract, and she couldn't help but speak up: "You've drafted this clause wrong. Grandfather only agreed to a three-year alliance with the An family. After three years, regardless of whether you're well or not, I can..."
"That was his business deal with the An family, nothing to do with us. This is an agreement between you and me."
The old man was a sly fox, calculating everything. Although he hadn't said anything after learning of An Ruo's true identity, it was because he'd always known Shen Xiaoxing was faking his blindness. This time, Shen Xiaoxing was willing to reveal his recovery for An Ruo's sake, indirectly showing his feelings for her. It was hard to say whether the old man might later use this to threaten him into returning to the Shen Group.
He didn't fight unprepared battles. Having An Ruo sign a contract to stay by his side for life was to prevent any further complications along the way.
"Once your injuries heal, we'll get the marriage certificate." He deliberately emphasized the word "we."
An Ruo took a deep breath. "Marriage certificate?"
All this news was coming too fast—she hadn't even thought about spending her whole life with him!
"Isn't it tiring for you to take care of your brother alone?" Shen Xiaoxing's gaze burned into her. "I won't restrict your freedom, and I can guarantee a good quality of life for both you and your brother."
"Is that all?" An Ruo felt a flicker of anticipation inside.
"This time, you conspired with An Deshu to deceive the Shen family. Even if I can forgive you, the old man will never swallow this insult. In his fury, he might drag your brother into it..."
An Ruo's greatest concern was An Che's safety. Even if she had evidence now, without a reliable backer to expose it, An Deshu wouldn't let her go—nor would the ever-troublesome An Qing.
If she didn't release the recording, the Shen family would smear her, and An Qing would fabricate false evidence. Several people would be gunning to send her to prison.
No matter which path she chose, it would only lead to a dead end.
An Ruo didn't care who she married. When she'd agreed to marry Shen Xiaoxing in his wheelchair, it was to get the money to save An Che's life.
She was already caught up in this inheritance struggle, and no matter her choice, the outcome wouldn't be good.
Shen Xiaoxing might not be a reliable person, but at least so far, he hadn't forced her will and could help protect her safety.
Besides, if he hadn't sent Han Chong to rescue her, she'd probably be a corpse by now.
Weighing the pros and cons, An Ruo slowly found her answer.
"What if one day I grow tired and want to leave?"
"I'll let you go."
An Ruo frowned slightly. "Then what do you get out of this? Every clause here seems to favor me..."
"We're in a win-win relationship." Shen Xiaoxing's dark eyes gazed deeply at her. "You choose protection for your brother and quality of life, while I'm fending off the old man from shoving other women at me. So, it's a mutually beneficial partnership."
So in his mind, that was all the value she had.
An Ruo composed herself, took a deep breath, twisted open the pen cap, and signed her real name in the appropriate spot.
The man's eyes deepened. Making her fall in love with him wasn't something that could be done overnight—only by keeping her here could he slowly win her heart.
...
The heavy pharaoh velvet drapes were tied high. The temperature had risen over the past few days, the sea ice had thawed, and the cold sea breeze pushed waves onto the shore.
The setting sun painted the clouds on the horizon, a breathtaking scene...
Old Master Shen leaned back on the European-style carved gold sofa, blowing on the hot tea in his cup. "What made you suddenly think of returning to the Shen Group?"
The man sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, his dark eyes gazing into the distance at the sea, his voice low: "Isn't that what you've always wanted?"
The old man paused, set his cup and saucer on the table with steady hands, and said calmly, "Is it for that girl?"
Shen Xiaoxing didn't evade. "Yes."
"Is this the answer you came up with after two days of thinking?"
"With her by my side to take care of me, my leg can heal. With her here, I'll willingly return to the Shen Group to take up my post."
This was a blatant threat. Old Master Shen had always valued his business acumen, much like the late Shen Ye.
No matter how grand his ambitions, he couldn't escape time's grasp. In the end, he'd pass on without a worthy heir—wouldn't his business empire be built on sand?
Shen Yu had ambition but lacked the capability to shoulder great responsibility. Since Shen Ye's death, aside from Shen Xiaoxing, the business prodigy, Old Master Shen found no one else worthy.
But Shen Xiaoxing had met with an accident two years ago. Though the old man knew who was behind it, he chose to stay silent to stoke their competitive fire.