The heavy door of the limited-edition Maybach closed, sealing off the noise of the outside world.
"Drive," Gu Chen ordered.
As the car moved smoothly into the traffic, the privacy partition between the front and back seats slowly rose, isolating them in a small, enclosed space.
The silence in the car was heavy.
Lin Yu leaned back against the leather seat, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. His back was soaked with cold sweat. Confronting Su Hao was easy; sitting next to the "Tyrant of the Capital" was the real challenge.
He glanced sideways. Gu Chen was looking at his tablet, reading financial reports, seemingly ignoring him. But the air around the man was cold enough to freeze water.
"So," Gu Chen spoke without looking up, his voice low and magnetic. "Hubby?"
Lin Yu's heart skipped a beat. He cleared his throat and put on his professional smile.
"It was an improvisation, President Gu. The situation called for a display of intimacy to crush their psychological defense. Method acting."
Gu Chen finally turned his head. He looked at Lin Yu with eyes that were half-amused, half-dangerous.
"You are very expensive, Actor Lin."
Gu Chen tapped his finger on the armrest. "Fifty million to clear your debt. Thirty million to buy a garbage company. That is eighty million yuan spent in five minutes. Do you think my money falls from the sky?"
"It's an investment," Lin Yu argued calmly, turning his body to face the man. "Star Media is poorly managed, but they own the copyrights to three major IP adaptations coming up next year. If you restructure the company, that thirty million will turn into three hundred million. You didn't buy it for me. You bought it because you saw the profit."
Gu Chen paused. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
He didn't expect the young actor to understand business value. He thought Lin Yu would beg or act cute to get away with it.
"Smart," Gu Chen admitted, the corner of his lip curling up slightly. "But what about the fifty million penalty? How do you plan to pay me back? With your body?"
He leaned closer. The scent of tobacco and cedarwood enveloped Lin Yu instantly.
"I thought Rule Number One was 'No Touching'," Lin Yu reminded him, though he didn't pull away. He held Gu Chen's gaze. "I will work for it. Under your management, I will become the top star in the country. I will earn that money back for you, with interest."
"Top star?" Gu Chen scoffed lightly, but his eyes were traveling down Lin Yu's face, landing on his neck. "You are arrogant."
"I am confident. There is a difference."
The car suddenly turned a corner, causing Lin Yu to sway.
Gu Chen's hand shot out, steadying him. His palm was hot against Lin Yu's shoulder. For a second, neither of them moved. The atmosphere in the car turned thick and ambiguous.
"President Gu," Lin Yu whispered, testing the waters. "Are we going to the Civil Affairs Bureau?"
"We already have the certificate," Gu Chen released his shoulder and leaned back, returning to his cold demeanor. He pulled a red booklet from his jacket pocket and tossed it onto Lin Yu's lap.
"When? How?" Lin Yu picked it up in shock. He opened it. There was their photo—clearly photoshopped, but looking incredibly real.
"I told you, I have connections," Gu Chen closed his eyes, looking tired. "We are going home. My grandfather is coming to dinner tonight."
Lin Yu's eyes widened. "Tonight? But I haven't prepared anything! What does he like? What should I wear?"
"He likes obedient traditional wives," Gu Chen opened one eye, looking at Lin Yu's trendy outfit and dyed hair. "So, you will be the opposite."
"Excuse me?"
"I don't want him to like you," Gu Chen smirked evilly. "If he likes you, he will make us have a wedding banquet. I hate banquets. So, your job tonight is to be annoying, spoiled, and clingy. Make him regret forcing me to marry."
Lin Yu blinked. Then, he laughed. A genuine, bright laugh that made the gloomy car feel a little warmer.
"Understood, Boss," Lin Yu saluted playfully. "Being a 'green tea bitch' is my second specialty."
Gu Chen looked at the young man's smiling face. For the first time in a long time, the irritability in his chest seemed to ease a little.
"Good," Gu Chen muttered, looking out the window to hide the strange emotion in his eyes. "Don't disappoint me, Mrs. Gu."
The car drove through the iron gates of a massive estate.
The battlefield had shifted. From the company to the family. And Lin Yu was ready for war.