The Bund Western Restaurant
Shen Li ordered a cup of coffee and waited leisurely for someone.
In half a year, the great political movement would begin. It would be a long time before she could taste coffee this rich again. She might as well drink a few more cups while she could.
Wait—she had a space now. She could stock up on coffee beans and store them inside. Wouldn’t that mean she could drink it anytime?
Damn it. She had no money right now.
Under the guise of “doing it for her own good,” Shen Liren had controlled her inheritance all these years, giving her only one hundred yuan a month as pocket money.
At a time when workers earned barely thirty yuan a month, one hundred was considered generous. Combined with Shen Liren’s sweet talk about preventing her from spending recklessly, no one gossiped about him. Even her mother’s family believed he treated her well.
But soon, she would take everything back.
Shen Li pulled out a small notebook and began listing supplies to stockpile. Once the money was in hand, she would buy, buy, buy.
“Comrade, hello.”
The voice was low and slightly hoarse, like the deep resonance of a cello.
It was close—right in front of her.
Remembering who she had arranged to meet, Shen Li quickly looked up.
The man before her was tall—at least 1.9 meters. Cold temperament. Sharp brows and bright eyes. A high, straight nose. Strong, handsome features that stood out immediately.
His clothes were brand new, even the collar perfectly pressed.
This was the “mud-legged” fake husband she had chosen?
“Comrade Gu?”
Gu Zhaoye paused briefly, then nodded.
She had once saved the orphan of his fallen comrade. He had been present afterward. It wasn’t strange that she knew his name.
After awakening, Shen Li had immediately sought someone willing to enter a fake marriage.
Originally, she disliked the surname Gu and didn’t want it—but time was tight. She couldn’t afford to be picky. Fortunately, at least he was easy on the eyes.
“You came… to repay a favor?” she asked cautiously.
The matchmaker had said Comrade Gu’s parents were seriously ill and needed money. Shen Li had given fifty yuan, requesting only a fake marriage.
Having witnessed the modern world in her ghostly dream, she knew such arrangements were possible—but people in this era would find fake marriage difficult to accept.
She was afraid he might back out.
With the sunset behind her, a soft golden glow framed her delicate features. Her red lips and white teeth stood out beautifully.
Those lively eyes gazed at him cautiously, like a curious yet wary kitten. It made one want to feed her.
Gu Zhaoye adjusted the Western bread he carried and nodded.
He had just bought it from the restaurant. He’d heard capitalist heiresses liked it and had planned to deliver it to her house. He hadn’t expected to meet her here.
Just as he was about to hand it over, her crisp voice urged gently, “Then when do we go get the marriage certificate?”
His hand froze. He raised an eyebrow. “Marriage certificate?”
“You’re not backing out, are you? I’m not trying to force repayment with gratitude. We’re helping each other, right?”
“I know my background is awkward. It’s normal if you’re afraid of being implicated. But I guarantee—I won’t be targeted in the next six months. That movement won’t start yet.”
Once she obtained the marriage certificate, she could withdraw the assets her parents left in the bank. Then she could divorce.
Divorce was rare in this era, but the law did allow freedom of marriage. With proper arrangements, it could be done.
She had no intention of dragging him down. She would definitely divorce before the political purge.
Shen Li grew anxious. He was just a “mud-legged” man—if she didn’t explain clearly, he might hesitate.
Gu Zhaoye silently observed her.
The blue-black plaid dress outlined her slender figure. Her skin glowed white. Two thick braids hung down neatly. She looked pure as a painting.
How did an ordinary heiress know about the timing of political movements?
Even he, a soldier, didn’t know which way the winds would blow. Yet her bright eyes were full of certainty.
“You’re sure?” he tested.
“Yes!” She nodded quickly. “And I’ll give you another five hundred yuan as compensation.”
Five hundred yuan was a fortune.
She wasn’t lying.
She knew something.
Gu Zhaoye felt suspicion rise. As a soldier, he could not tolerate anything that might threaten the country.
He looked at her deeply.
Shen Li clasped her hands at her chest in a pleading gesture, blinking pitifully and adorably.
“I’ll need time for procedures.”
Her eyes lit up. “Of course! You have lots of rules.”
Rural areas had customs and formalities. It would take time.
She also needed time—to retrieve the household registration and the hidden assets.
She raised three fingers. “Is three days enough?”
She couldn’t delay too long. Shen Liren might resort to force.
He agreed. Three days would be enough to investigate.
He could have reported her immediately. But she had saved Gou Dan. In such sensitive times, even an innocent person could be smeared.
If this became a military marriage, her entire family background would be thoroughly examined.
More importantly, under her pleading gaze—he simply couldn’t refuse.
“You’re such a good person.”
Same surname, yet worlds apart from Gu Xu.
His ears turned slightly red. Coldly he said, “I’ve already agreed. No need to act spoiled.”
Spoiled?
She was simply stating facts.
Fine. As long as he agreed.
Thinking of what she needed to do next, she suddenly couldn’t even finish her coffee.
Outside the restaurant, she wrote an address for him—it belonged to the Li family’s old steward, whom she had recently contacted.
“In three days, meet me here to get the certificate. If anything happens, go to this address. He’ll notify me.”
She didn’t give her home address, in case Shen Liren found out.
“By the way, I’m Shen Li. What’s your name?”
“Gu Zhaoye.”
“That’s actually a nice name. Doesn’t sound like a—”
Before she could finish “mud-leg,” several reckless children bumped into her.
She was standing on steps. The impact sent her falling backward.
Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her.
She hovered midair for a second before landing steadily.
He had caught her with one arm.
Those powerful arms, defined with explosive strength—
No wonder he was her chosen “mud-leg.” He’d definitely be excellent at rice planting.
He offered to escort her home.
She refused.
He insisted at least on putting her into a rickshaw—and even paid the fare in advance.