Shen Yi took a deep breath. At least Lu Xinyi didn’t outrightly reject his proposal.

“This is suddenly turning out to be a lot more awkward than I thought it would be.” His fingers tightened around each other as he sat across Lu Xinyi. He realized his palms had grown damp. “It seemed like a good idea at the time but I don’t have an idea if you’ll accept it.”

Ah didn’t he say he like being single very much and didn’t have a reason to take a wife soon? Shen Yi berated himself for being reckless. This marriage of convenience didn’t sit well with him but he needed her to stave off the rumors or else it might affect his reputation and their family business.

Lu Xinyi huffed but refused to met his gaze.

“I don’t even know your name. Don’t you think it’s only appropriate to introduce yourself to me?”

Shen Yi hesitated. She’s right. She can’t marry a man without knowing his name. Would she change her mind once she knew who he really is?

“Shen Yi is the name, Miss Lu,” He almost said the forbidden nickname again.

Lu Xinyi stared at him.

Did he just say his name is Shen Yi? Wasn’t that the name of the current president of Shen Group of Companies? The one who was rumored to be a loner, a demon in the business field? Was he the same guy who was rumored to be gay because he refused to meet and date women and prefer the company of another man?

“I don’t believe you,” she said with a disapproving look. He can’t be the same man, right?

“What? What made you think that I’m faking my name? I’m really Shen Yi.”

“The president of Shen Group of Companies?”

Oh, so she knows. At least she was aware of what kind of background he has.

“The one and only.”

“It can’t be!” Lu Xinyi jaws dropped in shock.

“Why can’t it be? It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lu.” Shen Yi replied with a laugh, all of the tension within the room began to dissipate.

Lu Xinyi threw a pillow in his face which Shen Yi easily caught with his large hands.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered to herself.

“What? Did I ruin your expectations? What did you think I am then?”

“You! A shameless, lecherous and perverted man!”

“Hey! You wound me.” Shen Yi pressed a hand on his chest, feigning being hurt at Lu Xinyi’s words.

“Are you by any chance seriously asking me to marry you?” she asked very softly. Her cheeks slightly flushed at the thought that she can be his wife. Of all the people, why did she met Shen Yi himself?

She’d never been with another man except for Gong Yijun and now that she officially left him for good, Lu Xinyi thought that marrying Mr. Hollandaise so soon was too absurd. Did she really want to be his wife and use him to solve her problems?

“Yes,” His prompt response surprised her. Lu Xinyi blush deepened as she leaned back in her chair, and shoved her hands into the pockets of her red jacket.

“Ah.”

Shen Yi was tense enough as it was. It was hard for him to know what’s running on Lu Xinyi’s mind right now.

“What does that even mean?” he asked.

“It means that I accept,”

Shen Yi stared at her as if she’d grown another head in her shoulder.

“You do? Just like that?”

Lu Xinyi shrugged her shoulders. Her expression was still the same but there was still a hint of shyness on her face.

“It would appear that marrying you is the best way to protect and help myself as well as keeping my enemies from bugging me,” she confessed.

‘Enemies?’ Shen Yi refused to believe that she has something like that. Her personality speaks for herself and he didn’t find her a pushover or someone that can easily be bullied.

“Don’t you need time to think it over?”

“I have thought it over. It isn’t as complex as it seems. You need to marry me for a reason. I’ll be your trophy wife and you will be my piggy bank. And I’m pretty sure we won’t have to stay married for long.”

“Me? Your piggy bank?” Shen Yi laughed.

“Of course, don’t tell me a rich kid like you wouldn’t spoil his trophy wife. Prepare your credits, my dear hubby.” Lu Xinyi grinned. Of course, she was just joking. As if she will spend his money on atrocious spendings.

“By the way, are you really a gay?” Her curiosity overcomes her mouth and asked the obvious question.

Shen Yi’s expression was as unchanging as ever but there was an intensity on his gaze that had not been there earlier. He leaned forward, his eyes staring back at her wide eyes.

“I assure you, my darling. I can perform my husband duties without a problem. Why don’t we test it out while you’re here?” The devilish grin on his face was back.

“You pervert!” Lu Xinyi hides her face with both of her hands. The blush on her face spread towards her neck and ears that sent Shen Yi to another fit of laughter when he saw it.