Chapter 1

In the luxurious, dimly lit hotel room, an atmosphere of intimacy filled the air.

A woman in a strapless black dress had her skirt lifted, revealing her slender, fair waist.

Moments later, a pair of warm, broad hands gripped her waist and tossed her onto the soft mattress. The sudden movement made her wince in pain, her delicate brows knitting together as she whimpered, “It hurts…”

Her voice, soft and enticing, deepened the gaze of the impeccably dressed man. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he asked in a husky tone, “Where does it hurt?”

Hearing his deep, raspy voice, Lin Youning instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her dazed eyes meeting his as she leaned in, pressing her lips to his Adam’s apple. “My head…” she murmured, her voice tinged with coquettishness. “I need you to kiss it better.”

“Are you sure?” The man tightened his grip on her waist, his breathing heavy.

Lin Youning’s long lashes quivered as she mumbled, “Gu Huaichen, you’re so wordy. If you’re going to do it, then just—”

She never got the chance to finish that sentence for the rest of the night.

The following morning, the abrupt ringing of a phone disturbed the peaceful slumber of the two nestled together in bed. Lin Youning, who despised phone calls, attempted to bury herself under the blanket to escape the persistent sound.

Unexpectedly, her hand brushed against an arm draped over her waist.

Startled, Lin Youning’s eyes flew open. She turned her head to see the man beside her, already awake, reaching out to silence the phone.

“You… I…” Lin Youning opened her mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by the man.

“What about you?”

Gu Huaichen’s sharp, hawk-like gaze landed on her delicate collarbone, faintly marked with red. “Miss Lin, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what happened last night?”

Lin Youning watched as he pulled off the blanket and got out of bed, his well-defined abs coming into view. The sensation of those abs—hard and unyielding—lingered in her mind. “I haven’t forgotten,” she said firmly.

Meeting Gu Huaichen’s probing gaze, Lin Youning regained her composure. With a blush spreading to her ears, she said with remarkable clarity, “I was drunk last night, but I knew exactly what I was doing.”

Gu Huaichen’s eyes narrowed slightly, the corner of his lips lifting. “What do you want?” he asked bluntly.

Lin Youning, the pampered eldest daughter of the Lin family, must have had a reason to seduce him.

“I want to marry you,” Lin Youning declared boldly. “I know that compared to the Gu family, the Lin family is insignificant. But you need a marriage too.”

Gu Huaichen paused, raising an eyebrow. “If you know the Lin family is insignificant, how can you be confident that I’d choose you over other families more beneficial to the Gu Group’s future?”

This question caught Lin Youning off guard. She hadn’t thought about it before. Last night, driven by a mix of impulse and desperation, she had followed Gu Huaichen to his room and pushed her way in.

But now, after a moment of reflection, she said, her face flushing red, “At least we’re… compatible in that area.”

To preempt Gu Huaichen from denying it, Lin Youning quickly added, “Don’t deny it. You… you used three last night.”

Her waist and legs were still sore.

Gu Huaichen: “…”

Hearing her candid remark, Gu Huaichen raised an eyebrow, momentarily speechless. He hadn’t expected Lin Youning to be so straightforward in her bid to marry him.

After a brief silence, the corners of his lips quirked. “Why do you want to marry me?”

“My father…” Lin Youning bit her lip and lowered her eyes. “He’s arranged someone for me.”

Gu Huaichen: “Hmm?”

Lin Youning: “It’s Jian Cheng. He’s disgusting. I don’t like him.”

Jian Cheng was a notorious playboy, known for his good looks and wealth. But he was far too flirtatious and unfaithful, attracting countless women.

Lin Youning didn’t want to live the kind of life her mother did—constantly dealing with her husband’s endless string of affairs.

Unfortunately, the Lin family was already collapsing from within, holding on by a thread.

When Lin Youning was still in college, she overheard her parents discussing an arranged marriage for her once she graduated.

She had enjoyed all the privileges the Lin family provided—everything she wanted was hers. She had long since come to terms with the idea of an arranged marriage.

While she could accept marrying someone she didn’t like that much, she absolutely refused to marry Jian Cheng.

So, upon learning that her parents had chosen Jian Cheng as her marriage partner, Lin Youning started searching for someone better—someone more powerful and morally upright.

In their social circle, truly upright men were rare.

Even more crucially, some upright men came from families that couldn’t compete with the Jian family and lacked the power to suppress them.

After careful consideration, Lin Youning set her sights on Gu Huaichen. He was the head of the Gu Group, a man even Jian Cheng’s father would respectfully address as “President Gu.” Not only did he possess immense power and influence, but he was also known for his impeccable self-discipline.

Rumor had it that Gu Huaichen was indifferent to women. Once, a business partner sent a woman to his room, only for him to throw her out without a trace of mercy.

Last night, Lin Youning had made her move on him, fully prepared to be tossed out as well.

After all, whether you stick your head out or shrink back, it’s all the same blade.

“You’ve known Jian Cheng since childhood,” Gu Huaichen said in a calm tone. “You have no feelings for him at all?”

Lin Youning looked up at him, her gaze filled with disdain. “Who would have feelings for a filthy cucumber?”

Gu Huaichen was momentarily stunned.

“So, are you going to marry me or not?” Lin Youning didn’t bother reasoning with him.

After a moment of silence, Gu Huaichen lowered his gaze. “How do you know I need a marriage partner?”

“I heard people talking,” Lin Youning replied. “They said Old Master Gu has been pressuring you to get married.”

If not for that, she wouldn’t have dared to act so recklessly.

Gu Huaichen said nothing.

“Gu Huaichen…” Lin Youning grew anxious under his scrutiny. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t tell me you plan to—”

Before she could finish saying “deny responsibility,” Gu Huaichen interrupted, “Go freshen up first.”

Lin Youning blinked. “Huh?”

Gu Huaichen’s gaze lingered meaningfully on her as her loosely tied robe slipped slightly open when she sat up, revealing the unmistakable marks left by their passionate night.

Unbidden, the memories of the previous night’s intimacy flashed through his mind, darkening his eyes. His voice was husky as he said, “After you’re ready, I’ll take you back to the Lin family.”

At that, Lin Youning’s eyes lit up. “Does that mean you agree to marry me?”

Gu Huaichen replied flatly, “Do I have any other choice besides marrying you?”

Lin Youning shook her head. “You don’t.”

She eagerly threw back the blanket and got out of bed, but as someone who had just experienced such a passionate night for the first time, her legs were unsteady. The moment her feet touched the ground, she nearly collapsed.

Seeing her about to fall, Gu Huaichen reached out and caught her in his arms.

For a few seconds, they simply stared at each other.

Then, Gu Huaichen slowly raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with amusement. “Miss Lin, you are rather enthusiastic.”