A few minutes later, Gu Liansheng's assistant, Jin Wei walked into the study room.
He bowed slightly to both of them. Gu Liansheng gave a brief nod, while Shen Linyi's brows furrowed slightly in confusion.
"Jin Wei. My assistant," Gu Liansheng introduced simply.
"Boss, the papers have been prepared," Jin Wei said respectfully, placing a thick folder on the table.
Shen Linyi's gaze flickered to the file before turning to Gu Liansheng, who had that same calm, unreadable smile.
"You may leave," he instructed. Jin Wei gave a quick bow before exiting the room.
The moment the door shut, silence settled again. Shen Linyi's fingers curled lightly around the edge of her trousers.
"What papers?" she asked, her eyes wary.
"Take a look yourself."
He pushed the file toward her. She hesitated before flipping it open.
Her eyes scanned the title page — Marriage Contract Agreement.
Her gaze shot up to him. "What is this supposed to mean? We've already gotten the marriage certificate."
"Exactly," he said calmly. "This is the part that protects both of us."
"Protects us?" she echoed, her tone incredulous.
Gu Liansheng leaned back in his seat, crossing one leg over the other. "You and I are not marrying out of love, Miss Shen. Let's not pretend otherwise. This," he tapped the contract lightly, "makes sure the arrangement remains beneficial."
She stared at him, unblinking. "What kind of arrangement?"
He met her eyes, his voice low, deliberate. "For one year, you'll be my wife—in name and in public. You'll attend social functions with me, host business dinners, and make sure the world believes in our perfect marriage. In return, I'll use my resources to secure the Shen Group's control back into your hands."
Her breath caught slightly. "So that's what this is really about."
He smiled faintly. "You wanted revenge, didn't you? You can't fight Zhou Yuanfeng alone. With me beside you, every move you make will count."
She swallowed, her gaze returning to the contract. The clauses were detailed. They were ruthless and precise, just like him.
Clause 3: Neither party shall interfere in the other's personal matters beyond public appearances.
Clause 6: No emotional involvement is to develop within the duration of the contract.
Clause 9: Termination before the stated date requires mutual agreement.
Clause 10: Breach of contract will result in financial and reputational penalties.
Her brows knit together. "You've really thought this through."
"I always do," he said evenly. Then his gaze softened, though only slightly. "You should know, Shen Linyi — I'm not in the habit of letting people close without terms."
Her eyes met his again, sharp and assessing. "And if I refuse?"
Gu Liansheng's lips curved slowly, and dangerously "Then this marriage ends as soon as it begins. And Zhou Yuanfeng wins without lifting a finger."
The words hit their mark. She hesitated, then exhaled quietly, the fight in her eyes dimming into cold calculation.
"Fine," she said finally. "I'll sign."
He reached for a pen, sliding it across the table toward her. Their fingers brushed briefly, the contact fleeting but electric.
"Good," he murmured. "Then we understand each other."
Shen Linyi took the pen. Her signature flowed across the page in clean, elegant strokes.
Gu Liansheng followed, his own signature precise and sharp.
As he closed the folder, his voice carried a hint of satisfaction. "Congratulations, Mrs. Gu. The contract begins today."
Her gaze lingered on him. It was wary yet composed. "Let's hope you're as good as your promises, Mr. Gu."
He smiled faintly. "You'll find out soon enough."
Shen Linyi stared at him for a heartbeat longer. He was calculating. Had she made a mistake by partnering with him? But she knew she couldn't back out anymore.
The heavy silence of the study faded once Gu Liansheng shut the folder and slipped it into the briefcase.
He straightened, buttoning his suit jacket. "We're done here."
Before Shen Linyi could ask what came next, he glanced at his watch and said, "Let's go."
Her brows furrowed slightly. "Go? Where?"
"Back," he said, turning toward the door. "Grandmother must be waiting."
The way he said it left no room for argument.
Shen Linyi followed him out of the study regardless, her thoughts a tangled mess. They had not only gotten their marriage certificates earlier that day, and now, they had signed a private contract binding them for one year. A marriage within a marriage.
She exhaled quietly. Was this really worth it?
When they entered the grand sitting room, the atmosphere was calm and warm. The scent of freshly brewed tea hung in the air.
Madam Gu sat gracefully on the main sofa, chatting with a middle-aged man whose refined bearing mirrored Gu Liansheng's but with a sharper, older edge.
The old lady's eyes brightened immediately. "Ah, you're done!"
Her smile widened as she beckoned them closer. "Come here, Liansheng, Linyi."
Shen Linyi adjusted her steps, her posture instinctively straightening. Gu Liansheng's uncle turned slightly, his expression polite yet distant.
"Uncle," Gu Liansheng greeted.
"Liansheng." The man's tone was measured, his eyes sweeping briefly over Shen Linyi. "And this must be your wife. Mother has been talking about you nonstop ever since I arrived."
Shen Linyi smiled faintly and bowed slightly. "Good evening, Uncle."
The man nodded once, his expression unreadable. "You two made things official rather quickly."
Gu Liansheng's lips curved faintly. "Efficiency is a virtue."
His uncle gave a short hum — neither approval nor disapproval. "Still, surprises like this tend to stir curiosity in families like ours."
Madam Gu chuckled lightly, diffusing the tension. "Enough of that, Jinhai. You always sound like you're cross-examining people. Linyi, come sit beside me."
Shen Linyi obeyed, and sat gracefully beside the old woman, who reached for her hand warmly.
"You're even lovelier up close," Madam Gu said with genuine fondness. "Liansheng's eyes finally recognized something good."
Shen Linyi flushed slightly, unsure how to respond. "Thank you, Grandma."
Gu Liansheng's uncle — Gu Jinhai — lifted his cup with a faint smile. "Let's just hope this marriage brings stability to both families. You know how fragile things can be at the top."
Shen Linyi's gaze flickered briefly toward him, her tone calm but firm. "I do, Uncle. But I believe stability isn't given, rather, it's built."
Madam Gu laughed softly. "Well said! I like this one."
The mood lightened for a while as the old lady chatted about wedding customs and fussed over Shen Linyi's hand, clearly charmed by her.
When a maid came to announce dinner, Madam Gu clapped her hands exvitefoy. "You'll both stay the night, of course. It's your first day as husband and wife, how could I let you leave?"
But Gu Liansheng shook his head. "Another time, Grandma. I have work to attend to tomorrow, and Linyi hasn't settled in yet."
Madam Gu's face fell slightly. "At least dinner, then."
"I'll visit again soon," he promised gently. "I want her to rest."
Beside him, Shen Linyi nodded, though part of her felt a pang — the warmth of the mansion, the genuine kindness from the old woman, it was the kind of affection she hadn't known in years.
As they stood to leave, Gu Jinhai rose too, walking them to the door. "Liansheng," he said quietly, just as they reached the corridor, "you've always been good at hiding your intentions. Just don't let this marriage turn into another one of your business strategies."
Gu Liansheng's expression didn't waver. In fact, he smiled. "I don't mix family with business, Uncle."
"Mm." The man's eyes lingered on Shen Linyi. "I hope for her sake, that it is true."
Gu Liansheng didn't respond. He simply led Shen Linyi out, his hand resting lightly at her back.
Outside, the night air was cool. Jin Wei already waited beside the sleek black car, opening the door immediately.
"Boss."
"Home," Gu Liansheng said shortly.
As the car pulled away from the mansion, Shen Linyi glanced out the window, watching the Gu estate fade behind them.
She clasped her hands together, her mind still on the old lady's smile and the uncle's veiled warning.
Next to her, Gu Liansheng sat in silence, his profile sharp against the dim lights of the city.
For the first time, she wondered, just what kind of world had she stepped into by signing that contract?