Whether or not they had bet on it, the two marriage certificates obtained the next day provided the proof.
Inside the Maybach, Jian Yue, who had been an assistant to Jin Shengshi for many years, turned bright red with shock upon learning that Jin had just registered his marriage to Jiang Lai. "Brother Sheng, have you forgotten that your intended bride was Jiang Yi?"
It was Jiang Yi, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. Not Jiang Lai, the adopted second daughter of the Jiang family. Could a genuine article and a substitute really be on the same level? Furthermore, as far as he knew, Jiang Lai had a fiancé. Could his boss have actually stolen someone else’s girl?
After negotiating with Jiang Lai last night, they had ended up in bed. They were compatible, and after pulling an all-nighter together, Jin Shengshi was now resting with his eyes closed. His voice was cold. "I haven't forgotten. I just swapped the bride at the last minute."
He said this as casually as if he were commenting on the weather.
Jian Yue’s eyes widened. "Brother Sheng, you..."
Since some aspects of their agreement had not yet been finalized, Jiang Lai offered a perfectly timed, light cough. "Assistant Jian, the deed is done. Even if we went to get a divorce now, there would still be a one-month cooling-off period."
Divorce? If they divorced, his boss would be a divorcee when he remarried. Besides, with a one-month cooling-off period, by the time a month passed, the opportunity would have long since vanished.
Jian Yue was speechless.
After silencing him, Jiang Lai folded her hands on her lap, looked at Jin Shengshi with a soft smile, and spoke with honeyed sweetness. "Hubby, let’s talk."
How could she call him "hubby" so naturally?
Jian Yue’s jaw, which he had just closed, dropped open again. As far as he knew, these two had never had any contact before, aside from a few dinners when the Jin and Jiang families met to discuss the wedding. He adjusted his glasses in disbelief. Could it be that they had fallen for each other back then? Did that mean they were both cheating?
Thinking this was highly probable, his eyes darted around, trying to find some logic in the situation. Jin Shengshi, however, remained calm, his eyes still closed. His voice was cold, though tinged with fatigue. "Go ahead."
Jiang Lai knew Jian Yue was Jin Shengshi’s confidant and that they were close like brothers. She felt no embarrassment expressing her requirements in front of someone he trusted so deeply.
"Now that we are a married couple, I will fulfill the duties of a wife during these three years of our agreement. Likewise, you must guarantee the rights I am entitled to."
"For example?"
"Here are a few points: the right to marital freedom—if we truly cannot get along during these three years, I have the right to file for divorce. Equal rights—our status in the family must be equal, and I am entitled to equal ownership and use of our marital assets. Personal protection—you may not use violence against me, nor may you abuse me. Custody rights—if we have children, I have the right to fight for custody. Inheritance rights—if you should accidentally die during a family power struggle, I have the right to inherit your estate."
Hearing this, Jian Yue, as a bystander, was terrified. He had never seen such a brazen partner. *Sister, you and my boss are in a contract marriage. That’s an employer-employee relationship! How do you have zero self-awareness as the subordinate? You want to be the head of the house, you want the right to divorce, you want equality, and you want to spend my boss’s money equally. Fine, whatever. But you actually want to have my boss’s child? You’re dreaming! If you have a kid, you’ll be banking on the child’s status to rise. And in the end, you’re even eyeing his estate in case he dies? Your schemes are so transparent they’re practically hitting me in the face!*
Watching Jin Shengshi open his eyes, Jian Yue shouted, "Boss! Did you hear that? She’s not here for a contract marriage; she clearly wants to seize your assets and snatch a child from you so she can live in luxury forever!"
He had been too loud. Jiang Lai glanced at him with distaste. "I wasn't finished."
Jian Yue’s eyes bulged in disbelief. "You have *more*?"
"Of course." Meeting the man’s dark, unfathomable, and naturally imposing gaze, she deliberately spoke with a coquettish smile. "I also require a sex life, at least three times a week."
*A sex life! At least three times a week!* She dared to flirt with his boss! Jian Yue had seen people with no fear of death, but none quite like this. He counted to three in his heart, waiting for Jin Shengshi to kick her out of the car.
He counted to five, but the scene never happened. Unable to sit still, he blurted out, "Boss, why aren't you saying anything?"
Jin Shengshi ignored him. His gaze latched onto Jiang Lai like a hunting hawk. He spoke slowly. "Fine."
Satisfied with the answer, Jiang Lai smiled. Jian Yue blinked in confusion, leaning forward. "Boss, what did you just agree to?"
Jin Shengshi kept his gaze on Jiang Lai. "I can agree to your demands, but whatever I ask of you, you must deliver perfect results. I don't work with useless people."
Jiang Lai winked at him, ignoring the presence of the other man. "Hubby, how could I ever let you down?"
Jian Yue felt goosebumps erupt. What on earth happened last night?
Midway, Jiang Lai asked to be dropped off. Jin Shengshi didn't even look up as he let her go. Once she was gone, Jian Yue couldn't wait any longer and launched into a barrage of questions. "Brother Sheng, you agreed to such absurd demands—are you possessed by a ghost?"
It was truly too noisy. Jin Shengshi lifted his eyelids lazily, his gaze a warning. "You are extremely noisy. If you continue, get out of the car yourself."
Unfortunately, Jian Yue lacked that sense of self-awareness; he was simply too baffled. "Brother Sheng, why did you marry her?"
"She’s good at infuriating people."
Was being infuriating a merit? Jian Yue was speechless and couldn't help but ask the ultimate question: "And what if she infuriates *you*?"
Jin Shengshi said nothing.
Jian Yue waited for a long time without a reply. He curled up in the corner of the seat and pondered for a good while. In the end, he could only think of the most bizarre possibility. After swallowing hard several times, he asked with wide, glistening eyes, "Boss, you don't happen to have a secret crush on her, do you?"
This question caused Jin Shengshi’s breathing to hitch. Whether it was from anger or guilt, his voice carried a clear tremor. "If you’re that bored, go to the construction site and dig up a hundred pounds of mud for me to inspect."
Hearing the threat, Jian Yue shut his mouth. He couldn't afford to provoke him.
Regardless, he already knew the outcome. Someone definitely had a secret crush. Otherwise, with his boss’s arrogant nature, he would never have indulged Jiang Lai’s unreasonable demands.