"I can live without your money. I just need your help in the short run."

  Mo Qingchen shook his head incredulously. "Do you think your father will stop? The moment he gives up on Bai Ye Qing and we break up, he is going to put someone else in your way. What will you do then? Just cut out all these gold-diggers once and for all. I'll act as your shield and you as mine. You'll infuriate your father and at the same time be with a man who is up to your standards."

  She nodded. "You make some fair points. I see why it would be good for me to take this step, but what about you? But what about you? What is in this for you?"

  "Simple. For legalities… I would want you tied to me contractually."

  Qian Meng burst into laughter. "Why me, Mo Qingchen? If you want to make a deal, it could be anyone. Not your business partner or the woman you have hated for years."

  He looked at her like she had lost her mind. "Why did I pick you? There are many reasons. The list goes on and on."

  She glared at him. "Well, start telling me what is on the list, then. I am listening."

  He gave her an amused smirk. "I trust you. Why would I want to bring some stranger into my home, much less marry them? You have known me for years… and my family too. Although we've been fighting for a long time, I trust you because I know you the best."

  She waited for him to go on.

  "My mother adores you. She wants me to get married and settle down so badly. If I am going to do it, I might as well pick someone she will be happy to see me with."

  "First of all, that is not a good reason to marry someone. Secondly, I don't know your mother." She rolled her eyes.

  "You do. It's not a real marriage. It's a contractual agreement."

  She would beg to differ.

  "Every marriage is contractual. And if we sign the papers, it would be a real marriage," she countered. "But go on. What other reasons?"

  "As smart business owners, we would mutually benefit from this agreement. We would make multiple times the money we did before and strike down all obstacles."

  She huffed. "You're the only woman I am willing to marry."

  That gave her a start.

  "You don't like me romantically, but you find me sexually attractive." Her eyes bulged.

  "Oh god, Mo Qingchen. You're so conceited. Do you think every other woman is romantically attracted to you?"

  He shrugged. "They want my money, too. But yes, the female population find me irresistible." As did she. "And it needs to be mutual attraction. I fucking love to touch you."

  She shivered.

  "You're out of reasons, aren't you?" she smirked.

  "No. I just don't want to tell you."

  She stared at him blankly for a moment, trying to absorb everything he had just said. She quickly found it impossible to comprehend. Insanity.

  "I still think this is insane. We're talking about getting married, Mo Qingchen. This sounds more like a bad idea than a smooth business deal."

  He looked down at his hands before speaking. "I know it sounds crazy. At first, I thought I was crazy for even thinking of it. But the more I considered it, the more I realized that it made perfect sense. It would be unconventional, but it fits both our needs perfectly. We're the perfect match."

  She shook her head. "You've let your business deals get to your head."

  She couldn't stop thinking about her oath. He would be the last man on the earth whom she would marry. How could she go back on it?

  "And you aren't thinking properly. You'd be winning here. Free consultations, protection from beady-eyed men and your toxic family… everything I own. And I won't ask for your money in return. Just your presence and connections."

  She stared at him. She remembered the kiss and the things he said. They swirled in her head, mixing together and hindering her judgment. "You're willing to give me access to everything to be your wife?"

  No, she was going to say trophy wife, but she would never be that.

  "We would draw up a prenuptial agreement so that neither of us can take advantage of the other. We will go over divorce agreements and financial responsibilities in the relationship. But yes, as long as we're married, you'll be protected."

  For a second, Qian Meng faltered in her resolve to remain sensible. She actually, for a moment, considered his proposal. Nobody would be able to stop thinking about his offer.

  The business side of her screamed in excitement. The emotional side of her told her it would ruin her. It was crazy.

  "I can't marry you. It would never work out," she said before she could change her mind.

  He nodded once and took a sip of water. Qian Meng could see the disappointment in his eyes. He looked… sad. Miserable, even.

  "I'm sorry that you're not as enthusiastic about the deal as I am, but I understand."

  She gulped. The contrast between him and every other man she had encountered was nerve-wracking. Others would have pressed her until she gave away or ruined them. But Mo Qingchen, the man who ruthlessly pursued his goal and got what he wanted let her be. He let her make her decision and didn't force her into anything.

  It must have taken all his will power to hold himself back.

  "Thank you for understanding," she said in earnest.

  Two marriage proposals in one day. Her life had taken a wild turn.

  "I just… I don't think it is a good idea," she said. "We're business partners now and if things don't work out between us… we'll end up in ruins." And more would be in ruins than their partnership.

  She would lose the only constant thing that drove her to success. She had chased his numbers for as long as she could remember, and if that broke apart, what would be left of her? How would she survive?