"That’s a brilliant idea. A daughter married off is like water spilled from a basin; by having Gu Yuan move in as a live-in son-in-law, we can secure an even larger share of the family fortune."
"You’re right, that’s exactly what I was thinking." Xiao Qing and her husband firmly believed that for a young man like Gu Yuan, being able to marry into the Qian family was a tremendous blessing.
Once they had settled on their plan, they were convinced of their success. He would surely be more than happy to agree!
But to their surprise, when the Qian family went to discuss the marriage, they discovered that Gu Yuan had no intention of returning with them. Far from agreeing to the wedding, he hadn't even considered it; he had chosen to run away.
Qian Ruixue, who was already pacing her room in a state of agitation, felt a complex mix of emotions when her parents broke the news of Gu Yuan’s flight. She was furious. How could this be happening? Did she, the eldest daughter of the noble Qian family, not deserve a man like him? This was a marriage alliance mandated by her grandfather! She had been fretting over the union, and now, Gu Yuan had simply taken off?
When Qian Rushan, the patriarch of the Qian family, learned of this, he was equally incensed. Why was he so insistent on making Gu Yuan his grandson-in-law? Beyond maintaining the family's prestige, the most important reason was that Gu Yuan had the backing of an extraordinary figure: Lu Jinxian.
From the first moment he met him, Qian Rushan recognized that this young man was no ordinary person; given the right opportunity, he would soar. Now, the Qian family needed that very opportunity. If they didn't offer him a hand while he was down, who would remember their favor once he rose to power? Clearly, the Qian family’s ability to remain at the top depended entirely on whether Qian Ruixue could win his heart.
Therefore, Qian Rushan made his stance clear to Qian Jinyuan’s family: "My decision will not change. If Gu Yuan does not become the Qian family’s son-in-law, then your branch is no longer welcome in this house."
This ultimatum plunged Qian Ruixue’s family into a crisis, forcing them to hunt desperately for Gu Yuan. Meanwhile, the other branches of the Qian family watched from the sidelines with cold indifference, hoping the third branch would fail so they could shrink their share of the inheritance. They assumed the old man was merely saving face and that his word was as final as spilled water, meaning they would have to endure even a "hot potato" like Gu Yuan.
What they didn't know was that Elder Qian had staked the entire future of the Qian family on Qian Ruixue and the third branch.
At that very moment, Gu Yuan was walking back toward the Jiutian Group. Although he could have called a driver, having just been released from prison, the outside world felt incredibly fresh. He chose to walk to stretch his legs.
Suddenly, the roar of an engine shattered the air. A BMW sped past, splashing through a puddle and drenching Gu Yuan from head to toe. Having just left prison in a set of worn-out clothes, he now looked utterly pathetic. He shouted in anger, "Watch where you’re going! Have you no manners?"
To his surprise, the BMW slowly reversed. The window rolled down to reveal a young man in designer clothes and sunglasses. Pushing his shades onto his forehead, he scrutinized the bedraggled Gu Yuan and sneered, "If it isn't Gu Yuan! I didn't realize life after the reformatory was even worse for you. Having trouble adjusting to the real world?"
Gu Yuan’s face turned stony as he recognized Lin Lei, the younger brother of his ex-wife, Lin Xiangyu.
Seeing Gu Yuan’s silence, a mocking smirk tugged at the corner of Lin Lei’s mouth. "What? Did I touch a sore spot?" He stepped out of the car, lit a cigarette, and said with disdain, "No matter. You got a decent payout from the divorce, didn't you? That’s more money than you’ll ever earn in a lifetime."
"I didn't take a single cent from your sister," Gu Yuan replied coldly.
Lin Lei blinked, then burst into laughter. "Who would believe that? A convict like you would have starved to death on the street without my sister's money."
Gu Yuan grabbed Lin Lei by the collar, teeth gritted. "Who do you think I went to prison for? Don't you have any idea?"
Lin Lei remained unfazed. "I know. But nobody forced you to do it, did they?"
Recalling the past, Gu Yuan could hardly believe someone could be so shameless. Back then, when the Lin Family learned of Lin Xiangyu’s trouble, the whole family had begged him to take the fall.
Just as Gu Yuan’s rage flared and he prepared to teach Lin Lei a lesson, a sharp, elegant voice interrupted him: "What do you think you’re doing to my fiancé?"
Fiancé?
This sudden declaration left everyone stunned. A woman, as ethereal as a fairy from a painting, was staring at Lin Lei with a stern expression. She was even more beautiful than Lin Xiangyu—nearly flawless. Lin Lei was shocked; he couldn't believe his ears. Was this celestial beauty really talking to Gu Yuan?
Gu Yuan frowned and released his grip, asking coolly, "What are you doing here?"
Lin Lei felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. They knew each other? And that stunning beauty really had called him her fiancé?
What followed left Lin Lei even more bewildered, as if his worldview had been upended.
"Why did you run away from our marriage without a word? Do you think I'm not good enough for you?" Qian Ruixue demanded, her expression full of confusion.
Lin Lei stared, wide-eyed, at the fairy-like woman and the former convict standing beside her. Running away from the marriage? This beautiful woman and *him*?
Gu Yuan frowned and replied, "I told you, I was acting on someone else's request. I have no intention of marrying you once the matter is settled."
Qian Ruixue felt a surge of irritation. Why was this man so dense? She, Qian Ruixue, was willing to marry him, and he still wasn't happy? If not for the pressure from her family, who would be begging him? Her grandfather had stressed repeatedly that if this alliance failed, the Gu Family would have to sever ties with the Qian family.
Exasperated, Qian Ruixue took a deep breath to compose herself. "Stop acting like a child. This has already spread through our social circles. How am I supposed to face everyone if you run away now?"
Gu Yuan looked confused, unable to understand why his good intentions had backfired.
As they stood in a stalemate, a round of applause broke the silence. They turned to see Lin Lei laughing, his expression one of someone witnessing the most absurd joke in the world.
"Bravo, Gu Yuan," Lin Lei said, still chuckling. "Where did you find this beauty? Her acting is quite convincing! I thought I was just going for a walk, but I never expected to stumble upon your little play."
Lin Lei looked Qian Ruixue up and down. "I have to say, beauty, your acting is superb. How much did this guy pay you to play along with this farce?"
"A farce?" Qian Ruixue looked at Lin Lei as if he were an alien.
Lin Lei turned back to Gu Yuan, mocking, "What else would you call it? My sister just finished the divorce paperwork with you, and now you show up with this?"