“Let’s talk about the terms and rules of this marriage.” Lu Xinyi suggested.

Shen Yi raised a hand in a small gesture, letting her know he was listening.

“Naturally, I want to know how long are you going to be stuck married to me.”

Shen Yi sighed, not able to answer her since he had no idea how long it would be.

“I don’t know. I really haven’t given a thought about it.” he confessed, “But our marriage will be very real. No one will believe us if it isn’t legal.”

“Oh, sure. Let’s make it real in a legal sense.” she hesitated, ” I suppose we could put a time limit on it if you’d like.”

“That could work,” Shen Yi agreed and eyed her speculatively, “I couldn’t ask you to stay married to me for two years. That would be too much to ask from you. I don’t want you to feel trap in this marriage.”

“As I to you,” Lu Xinyi nodded. She then came to a decision. “Alright, let’s set a time limit. Say one year? If you feel like you’ve enough of pretending, we can reassess the situation at that point and decide if we should get a divorce.”

“That sounds reasonable,”

Shen Yi smiled again in gratitude and relief. He felt better already knowing that his plans are working well. He didn’t just get a wife that could accompany him, it will also stop the rumors about his sexuality. Things were under control and he couldn’t find a better partner aside from Lu Xinyi.

“You’re really being calm about this. I don’t know how to thank you. I realize my plan must sound a little off but I really think it will work out just fine with you.”

“I have my reason,” she admitted. Her gaze met his inquiring ones. “But I will let you know that I’m marrying you because I’m a vengeful woman. Will you still marry me knowing this?” Lu Xinyi curled her hands into small determined fists.

“You want to seek revenge from someone?” Shen Yi’s long lashes veiled his eyes. Once he married her, all her problems will be his too. She only needs to ask for his help, and everything will fall instantly in her hands.

Shen Yi didn’t smile, which was hardly surprising knowing his personality, but a subtle change in his eyes told Lu Xinyi that he found her revelations amusing. She only spent a good few hours with him, but she was getting quite good at reading the small signals that indicated his current mood.

He wasn’t as cold and stoic like what the media portrays him to be. In fact, Lu Xinyi could tell that Shen Yi had learned to exert an amazing self-control on himself and his emotions.

Lu Xinyi’s stomach tightened as she steeled herself. She hadn’t talked about it to anyone for a long time in fear that they will be dragged on her problems.

“Knowing your social status, I assume you know about the Sun family,” she took a deep breath.

“Of course, I know. Who doesn’t know about them?” Shen Yi replied and he wondered what the Sun family had to do with his future wife.

Lu Xinyi shot to her feet and stalked to the nearest window. She looked out at the bright sky and the deep waters of the sea.

“But do you know about their family members?” she glanced back over her shoulder.

How should he answer her? He heard some details about them especially the feud between their successors. Sun family owned the highest profitable jewelry company here in Country A. They control the importation and selling of the precious gems coming from other countries.

“Are you in any way blood related to the Sun family?” Shen Yi asked.

There are a few possibilities why Lu Xinyi wants to seek revenge from the Sun family. It was either they offended and took something important from Lu Xinyi or her, herself a member of the Sun family.

Lu Xinyi’s eyes widened. She was surprised that Shen Yi could come up with that conclusion.

“Unfortunately, I am.” she confessed, “But I and my mother was forcibly removed from the family line. Knowing this Shen Yi, do you still want to marry someone like me? I have nothing to offer you. I don’t share the status you have.” Lu Xinyi repeated her question.

“Who said you have nothing to offer? You can always give your body to me as a payment.” Shen Yi cupped his chin as he stared at Lu Xinyi. He studied her with an expression of subdued satisfaction. Ah, being married to her will surely bring drama and amusement but who cares.

Lu Xinyi shot him a glare. “Shen Yi, I’m being serious here!”

“Joking aside, of course, I will still marry you. Do you think Sun family can easily bully you once you’ve become a member of the Shen family? Only a fool will dare to bully you knowing you’re my wife.”

Lu Xinyi relaxed again and studied him closely.

“I just had a thought.”

“Hmm?”

“Excuse me for prying but are you romantically involved with someone?”

“No,” Shen Yi’s quick response, “I wouldn’t ask you to marry me in the first place if I already have one, no?”

Lu Xinyi wanted to smack herself for asking such an obvious question.

“What about you?” Shen Yi asked slowly. “Are you still involved with him?” He was pertaining to the ex-boyfriend she mentioned before.

She scoffed before coming back to her seat and slouched deeper into her chair.

“Who cares about him? They could go to hell for all I care. There’s no one else concerned here but the two of us.”

Shen Yi hummed in agreement.

“Right. If you feel things drag on for a while and you have a hard time keeping up with this marriage, I want you to know that you don’t have to sacrifice your private life. You are free to date or whatever.” He said but there was something within him that didn’t sit well when he told her that.