“What’s wrong? Have you thought about my question?”
“What kind of game are you playing, Mr. Leng?”
“Marriage.”
Her jaw dropped. Had she heard correctly? “I’m still in school. Our university has explicit regulations – current students cannot get married.”
“Get married first, register later.”
He said it without hesitation. She stared at him in astonishment. “Why me?” He had many choices, so why choose someone like her who hadn’t even graduated yet?
A pang struck his heart as Minqiu’s gentle smile flashed through his mind. “Because you need money, and I need a temporary wife.”
“But I don’t want to sell myself.”
“Wanqiu, that fifty thousand is nothing more than a drop in the bucket to me, but it would take you two years to earn that much. So I think you should consider it seriously. I won’t treat you poorly.”
“Leng Muxun, have you been investigating me?”
“Yes, you even sold your blood.” He didn’t deny it, speaking frankly.
Her mind buzzed, feeling as transparent as glass before him, with nowhere to hide. He knew everything about her, probably even about her mother.
She fell silent, her mind swirling with conflicting feelings as she watched the lukewarm water he had refilled for her, her heart expanding and never dissipating, leaving her eager to understand her own emotions.
He was right – she did need money. She didn’t want to owe Xia Jingxuan anything.
That so-called breakup fee was nothing but an insult, an insult from Xia Jingxuan and Jin Ruoxue. And Leng Muxun’s proposal offered a solution to all of that. However, she understood better than anyone what she would lose. Zhong Wanqiu hesitated.
Noticing her hesitation, he softly added, ‘Or, you could stay here first and give me your answer after you’ve thought it through,’ his tone genuine and reassuring, aiming to make her feel trusted and respected.
His timely step back, spoken with genuine sincerity that touched her deeply, made her heart waver again and stirred her curiosity about his true motives.
“Don’t worry, I won’t touch you before you agree. Your leg is injured – walking too much isn’t good. I’ll ask Fengchen for leave for you, and from school too. Just stay here temporarily to recover from your leg injury.”
He arranged everything so naturally, as if he were already her man.
Staring into his deep, pool-like eyes, she suddenly felt exposed and vulnerable, as if her defenses had melted away, making her feel more emotionally connected and uncertain about her feelings.
At the thought of that word “love,” her heart skipped a beat. She must be going crazy.
She didn’t want to stay, but the late hour, her lingering leg pain, and exhaustion overwhelmed her, and as if bewitched, Zhong Wanqiu nodded, her choice driven by a mix of fatigue and unspoken hope.
Leng Muxun’s expression immediately softened. Pointing toward the spiral staircase extending from the living room corridor, he said, “Wanqiu, the second floor has the study, movie theater, and gym. There are two rooms on this floor – which one would you like to stay in?”
Zhong Wanqiu’s eyes sparkled. “Let me take a look first.” Since he was letting her choose, she would choose. His words made her feel much more at ease – it seemed he didn’t want to share a room with her either. That was perfect, as she didn’t want to share a room with him either. Naturally, she should choose. If she really stayed here, she would treat it like a hotel. After all, it was even more luxurious than most hotels. That crystal chandelier in the living room was truly dazzling. Hopping to the corner, she turned on the light and looked up at it – absolutely beautiful, making her feel as if she were in a dream.
“Wanqiu, pick a room quickly. I need to take a shower.” He was thoroughly drenched and uncomfortable, all thanks to her.