With no further major demands, they moved on to specifics.  

“People mocked my conditions, saying no one would agree to them,” Jiang Zhen admitted. “Even though this is a partnership, we’ll need to *pretend* to be a loving couple in public. You’ll have to play along.”  

Gu Liancheng had already resolved to agree to anything that didn’t cross his principles—no matter how embarrassing. He nodded stiffly.  

“I’ll cooperate. If I can’t manage something, I’ll stay silent but won’t interfere.”  

Jiang Zhen burst into laughter, finding him more endearing by the minute. She almost wanted to tell him: *Your ex-fiancée didn’t leave because you lacked merit. She fled because she remembered a past life—one where she feared you too much to stay.*  

Her laughter unnerved him. “Is there… anything else to discuss?”  

*A man like this doesn’t need lengthy negotiations.* As long as she avoided his hard limits, he’d agree to anything.  

“Battalion Commander Gu, let’s make a bet,” Jiang Zhen teased.  

“Better not.” He didn’t even let her finish. “Anything involving ‘bets’ tends to drive people mad. If you have a request, just state it. No need for wagers.”  

Undeterred, she smirked. “You said you’d wait ten years before having kids. I bet you’ll break that vow within *three months*.”  

Gu Liancheng: “…” He sat ramrod straight, dead serious. “Comrade Jiang, I would *never* initiate physical contact unless *you* deliberately cross that line.”  

Jiang Zhen giggled. *So stubborn. Fine—we’ll see in three months.*  

Realizing how harsh his words sounded, Gu Liancheng quickly backpedaled. “What I mean is, given time, you’ll find me… rather dull.”  

*Dull? Hardly.* Jiang Zhen found him thoroughly entertaining. Life in this co-parenting arrangement wouldn’t be boring at all.  

“So,” she leaned forward, eyes sparkling, “how many days until your marriage application goes through?”  

“Barring complications, within a week.”  

*That’s fast!* Just as they were wrapping up, the door to the private room shuddered under violent knocking. Since Jiang Zhen had locked it from inside, the person outside couldn’t enter and began shouting impatiently:  

“Gu Liancheng! I know you’re in there—don’t deny it! Someone saw you. Get out here!”  

……

An Qihui had been desperately trying to convince her younger sister not to give up on such an outstanding marriage prospect as Gu Liancheng. But An Xiuqing refused to listen. Just as An Qihui was at her wit’s end, she received word that Jiang Zhen—the temporary pediatric nurse—had been taken to the matchmaking event by Gu Jiaoxia.  

Panicked, An Qihui rushed downstairs, only to find Gu Liancheng already deep in conversation with Jiang Zhen. *This won’t do!*  

She barged in, quickly scanning their expressions. *Thank goodness, they don’t look like they’ve reached an agreement yet.* She immediately stepped between them, blocking Jiang Zhen. “Sorry, Comrade Jiang, but *our* Liancheng isn’t here to matchmake. My apologies for wasting your time.”  

Jiang Zhen blinked in bewilderment. “No need to apologize. I just confirmed—he *is* here to matchmake. Nurse An, you already snatched my ex-husband’s marriage certificate out from under me. How is Gu Liancheng suddenly *yours* now too?”  

An Qihui, beyond caring about saving face, hissed, “Yan Jiawen chose me over you, so you stayed behind just to matchmake with my sister’s fiancé out of spite? Is this your revenge?”  

Jiang Zhen sighed. “If that’s how you want to see it, sure.”  

An Qihui sneered. “Gu Liancheng would *never* want a loose woman like you.”  

Jiang Zhen burst out laughing. “*I’m* the loose one? Weren’t *you* the one who snatched Jiang Tang’s father into a matrilocal marriage?”  

Outmaneuvered in the war of words, An Qihui turned to Gu Liancheng. “You heard her! She’s only matching with you to spite me and Yan Jiawen. You’re *my sister’s fiancé*!”  

Gu Liancheng remained unruffled. “I don’t mind that label. But if *you* do, Sister An, you’re always free to divorce Dr. Yan.”  

……  

Gu Liancheng assured Jiang Zhen he’d handle the An family situation himself—no need for her to intervene.  

Her eyes glimmered with amusement as she drawled in a honeyed tone, “Battalion Commander Gu, think it over carefully—am I not the *most suitable* partner for you? I’ll be waiting~”  

Gu Liancheng: “…” *If she’d used* this *attitude from the start, any man at this matchmaking event would’ve agreed to anything. I wouldn’t have stood a chance.*