Su Nianqing frowned slightly; Gu Tingchen's proposal left her feeling at a loss. She knew very well that with her current abilities, it was impossible for her to raise such a large sum of money within a month. However, she could not bring herself to sell her dignity and become a "plaything" for a man.
"Mr. Gu, please give me some time; I will raise the funds as soon as possible..." Su Nianqing's words were cut off forcefully by Gu Tingchen: "Who do you think would be willing to help you besides me?" His tone carried a hint of mockery, and his deep-set eyes seemed to see through all her pretenses.
"I..." Su Nianqing was at a loss for words. She had to admit that Gu Tingchen's words struck at her soft spot.
"You have one month to think it over," Gu Tingchen said, not giving her a chance to refuse further. He turned to his assistant and ordered, "Make arrangements."
The assistant nodded respectfully and quickly arranged for a vehicle to take Su Nianqing to Gu Tingchen's private villa.
On the way, Su Nianqing gazed out at the passing scenery, feeling a mix of emotions. She did not know what awaited her, but she understood that her fate had undergone a dramatic change.
Gu Tingchen's villa was located in the suburbs of Shanghai, nestled between mountains and water, with a serene environment. The interior of the villa was luxuriously decorated, showcasing the owner's taste and wealth.
Su Nianqing was assigned to a spacious and bright guest room, equipped with all amenities. The walk-in closet was filled with various designer clothes and bags. She knew that all of this had been specially arranged by Gu Tingchen to help her adapt quickly to the life of a "canary."
However, Su Nianqing was not swayed by these material conditions; she maintained her clarity of mind. She knew she had to find a solution to her problems quickly and could not allow Gu Tingchen to manipulate her.
In the following days, Gu Tingchen did not make any excessive moves towards Su Nianqing. Gradually lowering her guard, she discovered a gentler side of him.
One morning, he personally cooked and prepared a lavish breakfast for Su Nianqing. The sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto his profile, and his serious demeanor made Su Nianqing's heart flutter.
At the dining table, they sat across from each other, sharing an indescribable warmth in the silence. He left early and returned late every day to handle company affairs but occasionally took time to have meals and chat with Su Nianqing.
The gentle and considerate demeanor he displayed was a stark contrast to the domineering and strong presence he had at the banquet, which made Su Nianqing develop a slight fondness for him. Gu Tingchen seemed to notice the change in Su Nianqing's attitude; he began to appear in front of her more frequently, creating romantic surprises at every opportunity. He would gift her limited edition bags and perfumes, take her to Michelin restaurants to savor exquisite dishes, and even used his resources to secure her the leading role in a popular movie.
Su Nianqing's career started to flourish, and she gradually developed a sense of dependence on Gu Tingchen. When she immersed herself in the filming crew, fully dedicated to her work, Gu Tingchen suddenly appeared, causing the crew members to gasp in astonishment. "The prince of Hu Circle personally visits his little girlfriend; this is truly a Mary Sue scenario!" "Oh my, I ship this couple!" Not only did he visit frequently, but he also thoughtfully arranged a lavish lunch for everyone in the crew, showcasing his meticulousness with everything from exquisite Western cuisine to authentic Chinese dishes.
Such gestures earned Su Nianqing more respect and envy among her colleagues, stirring ripples of emotion within her. She even thought that being Gu Tingchen's woman might not be such a bad idea. However, the good times were short-lived as Lin Xuan's appearance shattered this tranquility. Unlike previous direct confrontations, this time she brought heavier stakes—the business collaboration between the Lin and Gu families.
In an almost threatening tone, she said to Gu Tingchen, "Tingchen, we both know what the marriage between our families means! For the sake of our families' interests, you cannot continue being so willful! Marrying me is the choice you should make!" Upon hearing this, Gu Tingchen's expression darkened, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He knew Lin Xuan spoke the truth, but his determination made it hard for him to compromise easily.
He looked at Su Nianqing with compassion and reluctance. After a moment of thought, he firmly stated, "Lin Xuan, I acknowledge that there are family responsibilities and ties between us, but asking me to give up Su Nianqing is impossible! She is the one I have chosen; no matter what happens, I will never abandon her!" Lin Xuan's face changed dramatically; she did not expect Gu Tingchen to be so resolute. Taking a deep breath, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes: "Fine, Gu Tingchen. Since you are so stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless. Su Nianqing, we'll see how this plays out!"
Gu Tingchen shouted angrily to stop Lin Xuan's reckless actions. He shielded Su Nianqing behind him and glared fiercely at Lin Xuan. "I'll say it again: she is my woman; you have no right to comment on her!" His tone was icy and devoid of warmth. As soon as Gu Tingchen finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room seemed to freeze, filled with a tense air of confrontation.
Lin Xuan stared in disbelief, her eyes widening as tears quickly filled her eyes, but she fought to hold them back. She took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, and gritted her teeth as she said, "Fine, Gu Tingchen, you are forcing me! You will regret this!" With that, she walked away in her high heels without looking back.
After Lin Xuan left, Gu Tingchen walked up to Su Nianqing and gently pulled her into his arms, softly saying, "Don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."
Su Nianqing felt a mix of emotions inside her. She could sense Gu Tingchen's genuine feelings for her, but she also knew that Lin Xuan's background and methods were not to be underestimated. This relationship was destined to be anything but peaceful. As expected, this calm was completely shattered after Gu Tingchen publicly rejected the family marriage alliance...
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