At the very same moment—
[Congratulations on marrying your destined lover. Pure Love Points can now be obtained.]
The familiar mechanical voice echoed in Gu Yan's mind. His lips curved in a subtle, satisfied smile.
After signing the document, Yan Qingqiu inwardly thought, Now we won't have anything to do with each other anymore.
She exhaled softly, relieved—until a sudden thought struck her. She hadn't even read the document before signing it. Frowning, she reached for the papers and began to scan through them.
Seconds ticked by.
Yan Xing'an, too, had taken a copy to glance over. His expression froze, then twisted into pure shock.
He jerked his head up toward his niece, lips parting as if to speak—only to snap them shut again. Whatever he wanted to say, he swallowed it back, his gaze flicking to Gu Yan in disbelief.
"…This… this…"
Before he could finish, Yan Qingqiu had already read enough. Slowly turning toward Gu Yan, her calm voice carried an undercurrent of tension.
"What does this mean?"
It was not a termination of engagement.
It was not even a business partnership contract.
It was—
A fully completed, legally binding marriage registration form issued by the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Yan Xing'an's voice trembled. "Qingqiu… don't you understand? This is real. This is an official civil marriage form you've signed!"
Gu Yan's tone was gentle, almost tender, as he added, "Which means… from today onward, we are family. I am your husband, and you—my wife."
BOOM.
The words landed like thunder in Yan Qingqiu's mind. She shot to her feet, composure shattering.
"Marriage? A family? Us?!"
Her thoughts spun in chaos. What is going on? Weren't you here to break off the engagement? Why would you even think of marrying a woman like me?
But Gu Yan didn't flinch. He plucked the form from the table and handed it to Lao Gao.
"Go. Submit this and complete the rest of the formalities."
"Yes, Young Master!" Lao Gao bolted from the room. With the Gu family's influence, everything would be finalized within the hour.
Gu Yan turned back, gaze steady. "That's right, Qingqiu. I will treat you well for the rest of my life."
Yan Qingqiu's mind rejected the words instantly. This isn't about 'forever'—I never intended to love or marry. And even if I did… would your Gu family really accept a woman like me? Wouldn't I tarnish your reputation?
Yan Xing'an was still reeling. "Not breaking off the engagement? And now… marriage? Isn't this going a bit too fast, young man?"
Yan Ling'er practically exploded. "Bah! You lying bastard! This is a fraudulent marriage!"
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You must be using my sister as some sort of shield, right?!" (Too many domineering CEO dramas had clearly left an impression.)
Hearing this, Yan Qingqiu seized on the excuse. "Mr. Gu, if you only need a shield, then I think we're not suitable."
Even if it wasn't a cancellation, marriage was still off the table for her. She had long since decided she would never live like an ordinary woman again. Her only purpose in life now was…
But before she could finish that thought, Gu Yan began his act.
His expression flickered with hesitation, uncertainty, and finally, resolve—as though he had made a difficult decision. Taking a deep breath, he looked straight at her.
"No. Not a shield.
Ever since I learned my grandfather arranged a marriage between us, I've been in love with you, Miss Yan."
He stepped closer. "I've only ever heard praises from my grandpa and uncles. At first, I was just curious about you… but the more I heard, the more I liked you. I don't even know when I fell in love. I was just waiting for your grandfather to reach out to mine for further discussions."
His voice lowered. "But when that finally happened… I heard…"
Gu Yan's gaze dropped briefly, a sigh escaping his lips. "I heard you'd been in an accident."
A shadow passed over his face. "I was devastated. Guilty. I hated myself for not being there when you needed me most. I didn't dare face you. I thought I wasn't worthy of being your husband, so I tried to numb my heart, but…"
He met her eyes again, voice firm. "…the person I think of every night before I sleep is still you, Qingqiu."
Rounding the table, he stopped before her, taking her hand in his. "No matter what you've been through, no matter what you've become… I love you. I will treat you well, forever."
Yan Qingqiu instinctively tried to pull away, but his grip was firm—his tone so sincere it almost sounded believable.
Yan Ling'er flushed in anger. "Bah! Who would believe such nonsense?!"
Yan Xing'an, however, blinked at him in surprise. "…Wait… are you serious?"
Only the Yan family knew the truth—that the true power behind the Yan family wasn't him, but Yan Qingqiu herself. If it weren't for her, the Yan family would have gone bankrupt long ago. It was her sharp mind that had kept them afloat until now. (In fact, the Gu family—and Gu Yan—knew, which was why Gu Yan's uncle had said they were a perfect match.)
Silence stretched. Then, after what seemed like a long internal struggle, Yan Qingqiu spoke.
"I understand."
"Sister!" Yan Ling'er stared at her in shock. Are you really agreeing?!
Gu Yan finally exhaled, relief washing over his features. "That's great, Qingqiu. I swear I will treat you well."
Inside, he was practically celebrating. The first step to having a loving wife—completed perfectly. Hehehe…
Yan Qingqiu remained outwardly silent, though her mind was far from still. She had no intention of truly being his wife. But… if Gu Yan loved her so deeply… perhaps she could use him—and the Gu Group—to uncover the murderer behind that incident years ago.
Haha… Gu Yan, you'll never guess that I have my own purpose for you.
But then—
"I'll also help you," Gu Yan's voice cut in softly, "no matter what purpose you have for me."
......