In the quiet tea room, mist curled gently upward, carrying a faint fragrance.
The restaurant they’d gone to last time had been chosen by Lin Yunxu. This time, after agreeing to meet, Lin Yunxu gave the choice of location to the other party.
They hadn’t known each other long. Beyond conversation, manners, voice, and appearance, the ways to deepen one’s understanding of a person often lay in the small choices of everyday life.
This was a teahouse known for tea therapy, with a seasoned traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in residence.
The tea served was a mild white tea, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
White Hair Silver Needle aged for over five years had a warm nature and brewed quickly. Prepared lightly, it avoided being too strong and affecting Lin Yunxu’s injury; drinking it in moderation was actually beneficial.
He lowered his gaze and took a sip. The tea was delicate, carrying its distinctive fresh clarity.
In such a tranquil environment, one’s nerves inevitably relaxed. It was indeed a good place for serious discussion.
After tidying the table, the tea master understood the guests’ intent and left, leaving only the two of them in the room.
Lin Yunxu lifted his eyes and glanced at the man sitting across from him, unmoving like a mountain.
That night, after hearing what the other had said, Lin Yunxu had almost asked, “Were you drunk?”
It had been far too abrupt. But he quickly calmed down and repeatedly turned over that sentence in his mind—
“I wonder if Mr. Lin might be in need of a marriage?”
Lin Yunxu knew Ji Zhanming was intelligent. He was simply devoted to research, with a cold and distant temperament, rarely engaging in superficial social dealings.
Yet now, it was clear he was also highly worldly.
What did he mean, if Mr. Lin needs one?
Wasn’t it because Ji Zhanming himself needed it that he had called?
At first hearing, it almost sounded as if he were kindly offering to help Lin Yunxu solve a problem!
He knew perfectly well that if he had opened with “I need a marriage,” he would immediately lose ground in the negotiation.
At the same time, Ji Zhanming must have known that Lin Yunxu was troubled by the same issue, and so he pointed it out first.
Lin Yunxu had initially found it absurd. The words of refusal had been on the tip of his tongue, yet he forced them back down.
He had actually begun to seriously consider it—did he need a marriage?
Even though the man on the other end of the phone hadn’t said anything further, Lin Yunxu fully understood his meaning.
Still, he needed time to think, so he brushed it off vaguely.
After hanging up, he carefully thought everything through.
Then he contacted his personal lawyer to inventory his assets and draft a list of prenuptial considerations.
Only then did Lin Yunxu message Ji Zhanming to arrange this meeting.
Lin Yunxu sighed. “Mr. Ji, you’re quite lucky—you made that call at the perfect time.”
If it had been earlier, he would have firmly replied with three words: No need.
If it had been later, the guilt and heartache that had surged after overhearing his parents’ conversation that afternoon would have subsided, and reason would have completely taken over.
But it had been precisely at night, when he was unusually emotional, his thoughts most chaotic, his heart softest.
The proposal had pried him open all at once, making him consider its feasibility. That was why they were meeting now.
Ji Zhanming slowly set down his cup. Since the other hadn’t continued, he didn’t press about timing.
After watching the young man for a moment, he suddenly asked, “What kind of marriage does Mr. Lin want?”
“In other words… does Mr. Lin require love in it?”
Lin Yunxu smiled.
To be honest, if he required love, he wouldn’t be sitting here discussing marriage with him.
Almost no one knew that deep down, he was someone who sought excitement. In the past, he had even engaged in extreme sports.
Under immense pressure, he needed an outlet—something that would make him forget everything except life itself, where he could hear nothing but his heartbeat.
And Ji Zhanming… was like a frozen lake—steady, calm, rarely stirred, incapable of creating great waves.
What excited Lin Yunxu might seem excessive, unstable, even risky to him.
They would likely never resonate emotionally.
Yet the reason he was discussing marriage with someone without emotional foundation wasn’t because he rejected love.
On the contrary, he deeply believed in it and had once hoped to have it.
Growing up, whether his parents or other elders, they had shown him beautiful models of love—like fairy tales.
But fairy tales were, by nature, unattainable illusions.
True love, to him, already had a perfect standard. Anything insincere didn’t measure up.
Yet genuine feelings were rare.
Besides, he himself was someone who found it difficult to give true feelings or trust. Perhaps he himself was insincere.
Then love had no solution.
So he stopped thinking about it. It wasn’t essential.
Once love was set aside, the man before him—excellent in talent, appearance, and character, well-matched in status, and unlikely to interfere in each other’s lives after marriage—
Was the perfect marriage partner.
Then let’s marry.
Ji Zhanming’s cool voice pulled him back. “I cannot provide love. My apologies.” He paused. “Is there still a need to continue?”
Lin Yunxu held his teacup. “Let’s continue.”
Ji Zhanming understood. They had reached a consensus: in this marriage, neither would expect love or emotional fulfillment from the other.
Everything else would be easier to discuss.
Lin Yunxu spoke first. “When you mentioned that, were you laying the groundwork for the duration of our marriage?”
Talking to a smart person really was effortless. Ji Zhanming nodded.
“You want a long-term, stable relationship?”
He didn’t deny it—that was clearly a shared goal.
“Do you think a marriage that only lasts a few years before divorce has any meaning?”
No—it didn’t.
They had already discussed the reasons behind this marriage.
For him, it was his grandfather. For Lin Yunxu, his family.
Their families wouldn’t only live a few more years.
If they divorced soon after, it would only be a temporary fix.
Afterward would come worry, concern, questions about why the relationship failed—perhaps even greater anxiety about their future.
The emotional backlash would be overwhelming.
Just thinking about it, Lin Yunxu felt it would bring endless trouble.
So Ji Zhanming had asked whether he needed love. Love might be fleeting, but a mutually beneficial partnership could last.
“Yes, short-term arrangements are meaningless,” Lin Yunxu said. “So have you considered divorce later?”
“If Mr. Lin wants it, then we’ll divorce.”
Lin Yunxu relaxed slightly, leaning back, studying the man before him.
Adults could not truly be impulsive. Behind every “impulsive” decision was careful thought.
He knew himself. Even if they agreed to divorce if they met someone they liked, he wouldn’t.
Marriage, even without love, was real.
He would not develop feelings for others while married, nor engage in ambiguity.
Not to mention the impact on family.
So once he agreed, he would essentially cut off the possibility of future relationships.
He had already weighed every benefit and risk.
By the time their loved ones were gone, who knew how many years would have passed—divorce would be meaningless then.
The moment he sent that message, he already knew what he was giving up—and what he wanted more.
From the start, they were discussing a real marriage.
Ji Zhanming understood that fully.
Before calling, he had considered various models—contract relationships, fake marriages, short-term arrangements…
None were meaningful.
A long-term process was inevitable.
And a long-term, stable marriage—could it still be called fake?
He knew he wouldn’t propose this lightly. With anyone else, it wouldn’t work.
A loveless long-term marriage sounded frightening.
Most people would be tempted by convenience or fail to grasp the weight of the decision, later regretting it.
But Lin Yunxu was different.
He was too intelligent, too rational.
Without needing explanation, he could see through everything and decide.
Once he chose, it was truly his will.
They were in similar predicaments. Neither needed love. They were equals in this plain marriage.
As for divorce—twenty years later, after his grandfather was gone, it wouldn’t matter much to Ji Zhanming.
But Lin Yunxu’s parents would still be alive.
If they could cooperate that long, it meant no irreconcilable conflict.
So Ji Zhanming left the final decision to him.
If it worked, neither would have to worry about marriage again. Their families would stop worrying. Their lives would remain largely unchanged.
A perfect solution.
Having reached agreement on the key issue, Lin Yunxu took out two printed lists.
“Though we’ve decided to marry, there are details to discuss.”
Then he saw Ji Zhanming take out two prepared documents as well.
Lin Yunxu: “…”
Reassured—and slightly wary.
As Ji Zhanming reached for a document, Lin Yunxu paused, holding it back slightly.
“Since this is a real marriage, do you know what obligations it entails?”
Ji Zhanming glanced at the list. “Mr. Lin comes from a legal family—perhaps you could explain?”
Lin Yunxu smiled. “I didn’t inherit that expertise, but I can translate it into seven languages.”
“Obligations include fidelity, respect, cohabitation, joint decision-making… and perhaps a sexual relationship, if beneficial.”
Ji Zhanming calmly circled a point. “Please.”
Lin Yunxu ignored that. “Which kind of obligation—willing, voluntary, or necessary?”
“There’s a fourth—non-performance,” Ji Zhanming replied. “Do you want me to perform them?”
Lin Yunxu feigned surprise. “You can’t?”
They locked eyes.
“…I can,” Ji Zhanming said at last.
Lin Yunxu nodded. “Good.”
They continued reviewing documents.
“I often travel and live abroad,” Lin Yunxu said. “So cohabitation won’t be frequent.”
“Mostly abroad?” Ji Zhanming asked.
“Yes.”
“…That makes it harder to find you?”
Lin Yunxu froze.
“My family can easily find you. But my grandfather may not be able to contact you easily—is that correct?”
“…Yes.”
Ji Zhanming said calmly, “Then I’ll concede one share in the risk compensation clause.”
Lin Yunxu: “…”
Why did I provoke him?
They finalized compensation terms and conditions.
After over an hour, they finished drafting everything.
As they prepared to leave, Lin Yunxu said, “Next time, I’ll bring a lawyer and medical reports, including psychological evaluation.”
He wanted not just a healthy person—but a sound one.
Ji Zhanming understood.
At the car, Lin Yunxu said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go.”
“Lin Yunxu.”
He turned.
“Ji Zhanming. From now on, just use my name.”
Lin Yunxu smiled slightly as he got into the car.
“Got it.”
With a faint smile, eyes lifting slightly:
“Zhanming. See you next time.”