The abandoned daughter of the Lu family turns around and marries a celibate tycoon.

As it was nearing the end of the workday, Gu Yanshen was organizing his files in preparation for going home—he was now almost the most punctual person to leave the company, his mind preoccupied with someone who had said they would wait for him to have dinner together.

But the phone rang at an inopportune moment; it was Qi Mingqian.

"Yan Shen, are you free tonight? Let's have a casual meal together." Old Master Qi's voice was as gentle as ever, yet it carried an undeniable weight that was not easily refused.

Gu Yanshen paused slightly, loosened his tie, and said respectfully but directly, "Mr. Qi, it might be inconvenient tonight; my family is waiting. Shall I have Si Hang come and keep you company?"

A hearty laugh came from the other end of the phone: "Haha, who in the whole of Haicheng doesn't know that our CEO Gu is the most family-oriented person? He doesn't even give this old man face?" The laughter stopped, and his tone became more businesslike: "Yanshen, there are some key points to push forward with the Ruijing project, and you need to be there in person to finalize them."

Gu Yan was silent for a moment.

Qi Mingqian was a longtime friend of Bai Fang, highly respected and influential. The Gu family needed his mediation on many matters, so this favor couldn't be refused. "...Okay, send me the location."

After hanging up the phone, he immediately sent a message to Lu Xiran to report the news, and then went there with Lin Chen and Qi Sihang.

When we arrived at the private room, several people were already seated inside.

At the head of the table sat Qi Mingqian, with a warm smile. To his left was Li Changqun, whose smile was shrewd and whose eyes were sharp. Next to him was Lu Hao, who was also smiling obsequiously, and Lu Lichuan, who was fiddling with his wine glass with a bored expression. Even Xie Mingzhong was there.

Gu Yanshen's eyes darkened almost imperceptibly, but his expression remained unchanged, as always, calm and indifferent. He walked to the empty seat to Qi Mingqian's right and sat down, merely nodding slightly to the others.

"Yan Shen is here," Qi Mingqian said with a smile, as if he had just remembered. He pointed to Lu Hao across from him and said, "Look at my memory, I forgot that President Lu is now your father-in-law? That's even better, the Ruijing project will proceed more smoothly, we're all family."

Gu Yanshen didn't respond to that question. He simply picked up the wine glass that had just been filled in front of him, raised it slightly in the direction of Elder Qi, and then drank it all in one gulp. His attitude was respectful, yet distant, neither acknowledging nor denying the so-called "family."

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Lu Hao's face, but he quickly smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Mr. Qi is right. It is a great blessing for our Lu family and for my daughter to marry President Gu."

Gu Yanshen put down his wine glass, slightly lifted his eyelids, and said in a low but clear voice that echoed in the private room: "It is my blessing to be able to marry her."

These words made Lu Hao's smile freeze even more, and he said repeatedly, "Yes, yes, everyone in Haicheng knows that President Gu dotes on his wife the most..."

Li Changqun, who had been observing with a smile, opportunely raised his glass and interjected. Always adept at navigating social situations, he spoke in a warm tone: "I never imagined that President Gu and the Lu family would form such a wonderful alliance. My daughter's marriage to Li Chuan is also drawing near. Come to think of it, everyone here has some connection; we're all on the same side! Future collaborations will surely be much more efficient!"

Gu Yanshen was impatient, but out of consideration for Elder Qi, he could only suppress his aloofness and coldness and maintain a basic social demeanor.

After several rounds of drinks, the dinner was drawing to a close.

Qi Mingqian, using an excuse, led Gu Yanshen to a nearby terrace. He patted Gu Yanshen on the shoulder, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of elder's helplessness and reminder: "Yanshen, I know you're unwilling. But the ownership of that land in the suburbs is inextricably linked to the Lu family. Although Qin Heng is the rightful owner, he and Qin Xuru didn't leave a will, making Lu Xiran and Lu Hao joint heirs in law. If this issue isn't resolved, the project could be stalled at any time. You understand the pressure from above. Tonight's meeting is just a preliminary step."

Gu Yanshen gazed at the city lights in the distance, his jawline slightly tense.

Qi Mingqian set up this trap without prior notice, which meant there wasn't much room for maneuver. He remained silent for a moment, then finally replied, "I understand, thank you for your trouble, Elder Qi."

It was nearly midnight when I got home.

Pushing open the door, I saw a warm yellow wall lamp lit up in the living room, and a faint, comforting aroma of food wafted in the air.

Lu Xiran, wearing an apron, was gently stirring a small pot in the kitchen. Hearing the sound, she turned around, a gentle smile immediately spreading across her face: "You're back? I've made some hangover soup, it'll be ready soon."

The thin layer of ice that had formed in Gu Yanshen's heart during the social gathering melted away instantly. He took off his coat and casually draped it over the back of the chair, pulling her into his arms from behind. He rested his chin affectionately on her slender shoulder, his warm breath, tinged with alcohol, brushing against her ear: "Didn't I tell you... you don't need to wait for me?"

His voice was low and hoarse, revealing fatigue, but also conveying complete relaxation and dependence.

"I can't sleep without you." Lu Xiran turned her head and gently kissed his cheek. "Sweetie, go sit on the sofa for a bit, the soup will be ready soon."

"No." Gu Yanshen tightened his arms, holding her even closer, like a spoiled big child, "I just want to hold you."

Lu Xiran felt helpless yet soft-hearted, letting him hold her, but her hands didn't stop moving: "I'm right here, I won't run away."

"Mmm..." he responded softly, his lips unconsciously brushing against her neck, and he mumbled, "Don't leave me."

"Okay, I won't leave." Lu Xiran responded softly, coaxing him to finish the warm hangover soup, and then half-supporting and half-carrying him to the bed.

She carefully wiped his cheeks and fingers with a warm towel and changed him into comfortable pajamas. Seeing the slight furrow in his brow even in his sleep, she sighed with heartache, gently took his hand resting beside him, and whispered, "You've worked so hard..."

She couldn't resist leaning down and placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Just then, Gu Yanshen's brows furrowed even more, his thin lips moved, and he mumbled something indistinctly, with a heavy nasal tone and an almost imperceptible sense of grievance:

"Ranran...why...why won't you have my child?"

Lu Xiran's movements suddenly froze.

"...You know?" Her voice was strained and almost inaudible.

In his sleep, Gu Yanshen seemed trapped in some obsessive cycle, his brows furrowed, and he mumbled, repeating, "Why... you clearly promised Grandma..."

"You married me... just to have children?"

The man, unconscious and unsuspecting, followed his subconscious and uttered a single syllable from his nose, very softly yet clearly:

"Um."

Although I know it's drunken talk, isn't it the truth that comes out when you're drunk?

She stood there, watching him silently for a long time. In the end, she simply tucked the blanket around him quietly, turned around, and gently turned off the bedside lamp.

After Lu Xiran finished tidying up, she put Gu Yanshen's coat away, her gaze falling on the black briefcase he had casually placed on the entryway cabinet. She instinctively reached for it to take to the study, but as soon as her fingers touched the cool handle, the briefcase tilted slightly because it wasn't properly fastened—

"Smack."

A folded document slipped out from the open compartment.

Lu Xiran bent down to pick it up. The moment her fingertips touched the paper, she stopped.

The document's title is in bold black font, concise yet jarring: "Draft Letter of Intent for Cooperation on the Ruijing Project".