Su Li was still flustered, her breathing quickening, the slight rise and fall of her flat stomach marking each shallow breath. Her abdomen was toned and firm, the black of her underwear a stark contrast against her pale skin. Against the grey sheets, her long, shapely legs were a striking image. He’d known her figure was good; he’d felt it before. But today, it was on fuller, more explicit display. The memory of her soft skin when he’d carried her sent a phantom warmth tingling through his fingertips. Mo Xingyuan swallowed lightly, then bent down to pull the other pant leg free. He slid the loose trousers up, settling them at her waist. The pads of his fingers brushed against her skin, and he felt her flinch, the spot tensing at his touch. His gaze swept over her face, where a delicate pink bloomed beneath her pale skin. Her eyes darted away, unable to meet his. Mo Xingyuan pulled the comforter back over her, then turned away just as a knock came at the door. “Come in.” Mo Xingyuan’s private doctor entered, glancing first at his client. “She took a fall. See if it’s serious,” Mo Xingyuan said, gesturing toward the bed. The doctor performed a simple examination on Su Li, pressing on a few areas and determining she had only pulled a muscle. A good stretch would sort it out. Noticing her breathing, the doctor commented, “You have a bit of a cold.” “Mm.” “Are you trying to conceive?” Mrs. Mo, who had entered with the doctor, raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. Before Mo Xingyuan could speak, Su Li nodded. “Yes, we are.” The doctor couldn’t help but glance at Mo Xingyuan again. Mo Xingyuan’s eyes, however, were locked on Su Li, his gaze a deep, silent warning. *She really would say anything.* Su Li lowered her eyelids. Wasn’t that for Mrs. Mo’s benefit? After writing a prescription, the doctor left with Mrs. Mo, leaving the two of them alone in the room once more. Because of that one word, Su Li felt a little awkward facing Mo Xingyuan. For once, he didn’t call her out on it, instead retreating to the adjacent study. A short while later, Chi Mu knocked and entered. “Mr. Mo, I’ve brought the documents.” Chi Mu handed a file to Mo Xingyuan. “The agreement, drafted according to your instructions.” Mo Xingyuan took it, glanced it over, and walked back into the bedroom, holding it out to Su Li. “A contract. If you want this marriage, you’ll sign it.” Su Li hadn’t expected him to move so quickly. She flipped through the pages, her eyes landing on the final clause. “What if—and this is just a hypothetical—what if you fall in love with me? Does the contract still stand?” “That’s not a possibility,” Mo Xingyuan said without a moment’s hesitation. Su Li hadn’t expected any other answer. Besides, a contract like this was merely to set his mind at ease; it had no real power over her. “Never say never.” Mo Xingyuan shot her a look. His silence spoke volumes. And none of it was good. Su Li got the message. She took a pen, signed her name, snapped a photo of the page with her phone for her records, and handed it back. Her decisiveness made him look at her twice. Sometimes, she really knew when to play along. “From now on, find your own excuses to get out of trips back to the family estate.” . “So what’s in the agreement?” Lu Jing asked, curious. Su Li sat cross-legged on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, blowing her nose. “A lot, but there are a few key points. First, no physical contact with him.” Lu Jing laughed. “Sounds like he thinks you’re going to jump him.” Su Li sniffled. “With that face and that body? I can’t say the thought hasn’t crossed my mind.” “…And?” “Second, if we run into each other in public, we pretend we’re strangers.” “He really doesn’t want to be married to you.” “Third, I’m forbidden from telling anyone about my relationship with him.” “And the most important one: I’m not allowed to develop feelings for him.” Lu Jing sighed. “Is it you he can’t stand, or just marriage itself?” Su Li shrugged. “Probably both. But mostly me, I’d guess.” “It's all designed to keep you at arm's length. What are you even getting out of this? There’s nothing in it for you.” A notification chimed on Su Li’s phone. She tapped it open, an eyebrow arching. “Nothing in it for me? No in-laws to serve, no husband to dote on, and hundreds of thousands of dollars a month in spending money. What’s not to like?” “You’re serious? When he dies, you know what people will say about you.” “Everyone dies. It’s just a matter of sooner or later.” Su Li didn’t care. “Besides, I have no intention of ever marrying again.” Lu Jing frowned. “I think you’re only this casual about it because you’ve given up on love.” “Don’t get all hung up on love,” Su Li corrected her again. “And I’m not being casual. You have no idea how handsome he is. He doesn’t look like he has a terminal illness at all. For all I know, he won’t die. And if that happens, I’ll have hit the jackpot.” Lu Jing couldn’t bring herself to smile. She had a feeling Su Li’s marriage wasn’t entirely willing, nor was it just for the money. It was like she was punishing herself. Su Li’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and her brow furrowed slightly. When she answered, however, her voice was light and her tone warm. After hanging up, she let out a small, wry huff. “The perks of being a married woman are about to kick in.” Lu Jing was confused. “What perks?” “Warding off admirers.” Su Li had requested a transfer from the head office back to Jiucheng for He Shuming’s sake, but she never imagined that Zhou Yi, the son of a director who had a crush on her, would also be transferred to Jiucheng. And tonight, he had organized a dinner for the entire department. Su Li hadn’t officially reported back to the company yet, but since they all frequently ran into each other at the same conventions, she already knew most of the people at the branch office. Skipping this dinner wasn’t really an option. On the way to the restaurant, a thought suddenly struck Lu Jing. “What happens if you break the contract?” . For that most important clause, Mo Xingyuan had indeed stipulated a penalty. Violate the agreement, and she would have to squat in the city center and bark like a dog. It was hard to imagine a man like Mo Xingyuan coming up with such an undignified punishment, which only showed how much he detested her. It was a juvenile penalty, but it was a powerful deterrent for both of them. Though, of course, it was mainly meant to keep her in line. Su Li got out of the car, pulled her coat tighter, and walked into the restaurant. The door to the private room was open, echoing with laughter. Someone standing near the entrance spotted her and stopped short. “Su Li! You’re here! We were just waiting for you.” Everyone turned to look at her. Su Li smiled graciously at the group. “Sorry I’m late. My cold had me sleeping all day, and I overslept.” “Are you okay?” Zhou Yi asked, his face etched with concern. Su Li shook her head. “Just a small cold, I’m fine.” They were all familiar faces, people she’d worked with before. As she entered, everyone greeted her warmly. The rumor that Zhou Yi liked Su Li had traveled from the head office to the branch, and the purpose of tonight’s gathering was an open secret. Someone, taking the hint, had left the seat next to Zhou Yi open, and Su Li sat down, easily joining the chatter. They were all seasoned pros in the corporate world, and conversation flowed effortlessly. There were no awkward silences, just a lively and harmonious atmosphere. After dinner, while everyone was still talking, Zhou Yi slipped out of the room. He returned a moment later holding a bouquet of champagne roses. The others smiled knowingly, their gazes shifting teasingly toward Su Li. Su Li wasn’t stupid; she knew exactly what was happening. Rejecting Zhou Yi in front of so many people without a good reason would make things awkward at work. With the door to the private room still open, even passersby paused to watch, never ones to pass up a bit of free drama. “Su Li, I heard you’re single again,” Zhou Yi said, standing before her and making his bold declaration. “Can you give me a chance to be the one who loves you?” The crowd whooped and cheered, though no one pushed Su Li to accept. Su Li stood up. Faced with Zhou Yi’s public confession, she decided to be direct. “I’m sorry. I’m not single again. I’m married.”