Qin Wan was taking a shower in the bathroom adjoining the master bedroom on the second floor.
Halfway through, a middle-aged woman brought her a change of dry clothes and a bath towel.
A quarter of an hour later,
Qin Wan finished her shower, dried her hair, and headed downstairs.
Gu Yingchuan had already changed into loungewear in the living room. His hair fell softly around his face, and he no longer looked as cool and distant as before. Instead, he seemed relaxed and approachable.
At that moment, he was leaning back on the sofa with his legs crossed, a cigarette between the fingers of one hand and his phone in the other, reading the family background information about Qin Wan that Cao Jun had sent him—
Her father had died of liver cancer when she was six. The following year, her mother remarried and took her to live in an old, dilapidated apartment on the outskirts of the city owned by her stepfather. Her stepfather also had a son, three years younger than her, who was studying law and currently interning at a well-known law firm in B City.
At first glance, there seemed to be nothing particularly wrong.
That was until he saw the long list of background information about her stepfather, Xu Liming. He was adept at drinking, gambling, womanizing, and all manner of vice. The latest information showed that Xu Liming had taken out a million-yuan loan from a lending company—and, in the guarantor section, he had listed his stepdaughter Qin Wan’s contact information.
Gu Yingchuan could more or less guess why Qin Wan wouldn’t go home despite having one, and why she had even been slapped.
His gaze grew cold as he stared at the phone screen.
He didn’t even notice Qin Wan coming down around the corner of the stairs.
“Miss Qin, come have some ginger soup to warm yourself up.”
Nanny Wang came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming bowl of freshly made ginger soup and said with a smile to Qin Wan as she came downstairs.
At the sound of her voice, Gu Yingchuan also looked up toward the stairs.
Qin Wan was wearing one of the red floral dresses Nanny Wang liked to buy. Her long hair was casually tied in a low ponytail. If not for her looks, she would have been a perfect little village girl.
Gu Yingchuan couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from lifting.
Qin Wan took one look at him and immediately guessed what he was laughing at. A little embarrassed, she turned her gaze away.
Nanny Wang, meanwhile, was completely absorbed in her own unique sense of style.
She quickly led Qin Wan to a chair by the dining table and said cheerfully, “A young girl looks lovely in a little floral dress! Here, have some ginger soup first. Sir said you probably hadn’t had dinner. I’ve also made porridge and some side dishes; they’ll be ready in a moment.”
Nanny Wang had been taking care of Gu Yingchuan for many years.
This was the first time she’d seen a beauty in the house, so of course she sensed that something out of the ordinary was going on.
Qin Wan wasn’t sure what to call Nanny Wang, so she could only smile and nod. “Thank you for going to the trouble.”
Nanny Wang’s smile widened.
What a polite young girl! Madam Gu would surely like her!
Thinking this, she went back to the kitchen to finish preparing the late-night meal.
Gu Yingchuan rose from the sofa and strode over to the dining table. He pulled out the chair at the head of the table and sat down, then said to her, “The woman who just spoke to you is Nanny Wang. She takes care of everything in the villa. She’s prepared the guest room for you, so make yourself at home. If you need anything, just ask me or Nanny Wang.”
His gentle, soothing voice drifted into Qin Wan’s ears.
A trace of warmth stirred in her heart. She lowered her head and took a sip of ginger soup before saying, “I’ll probably be imposing on you for a while, but I’ll find a place and move out as soon as I can. I won’t trouble you for long.”
Qin Wan was grateful for Gu Yingchuan’s kindness.
But she wasn’t the sort to take advantage of someone. Staying at another person’s house indefinitely just wasn’t appropriate.
Besides…
It seemed Gu Yingchuan’s mother had misunderstood their relationship.
If she stayed for long, it was hard to say what other trouble might arise.
But as soon as Qin Wan said this,
Gu Yingchuan’s brow furrowed slightly. He thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Qin Wan, is there someone you like?”
Qin Wan’s hands tightened around the bowl of ginger soup.
She looked up abruptly, blinked her bright eyes, and shook her head. “No.”
“Since there isn’t, how about we enter into a marriage of convenience?”
He leaned his tall frame back against the chair, folded his arms across his chest, and made the suggestion with measured calm. “You’ve been thinking about how to make it up to me, haven’t you? I’ve thought it over, and the only thing I’m missing is a wife. Since there’s no one you’re in love with and you need a place to stay, why don’t you marry me and become Mrs. Gu Yingchuan? I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life, and all I’ll ask in return is your loyalty. What do you think?”
His expression was composed and calm. Looking at him, it was impossible to tell that he might be joking.
Gu Yingchuan’s words were like a bolt of lightning tearing across the dark night sky. Qin Wan’s mind went blank for a moment, and her hand loosened in fright. The bowl of ginger soup spilled across the table.
“I-I’m sorry…”
Qin Wan hurriedly apologized.
Gu Yingchuan pulled out a few tissues and handed them to her, unable to keep from laughing. “It’s not that big a deal. Why are you so scared?”
Not that big a deal?
A man and a woman entrusting their whole lives to each other—how was that not a big deal?
Qin Wan took the tissues and wiped her hands clean.
When she looked up at him again, her expression was very serious.
“I did say I’d do what I could to make it up to you, but a marriage of convenience… isn’t that a bit too outrageous?”
“What’s so outrageous about it?” Gu Yingchuan replied unconcernedly. “Besides, you slept with me. Shouldn’t you take responsibility?”
Qin Wan: “…”
Why did she feel as if she’d fallen into a wolf’s den?
She’d been grateful to him just moments ago for giving her a place to stay. Now, Qin Wan almost wished she could turn back time and make a clean getaway before he pulled her into the car!
“Of course, I’m not someone who likes forcing people, either. I’ll give you a week to think it over. Tell me your answer a week from now, okay?”
Gu Yingchuan watched her intently, his low voice carrying a seductive, persuasive charm.
Qin Wan remained silent.
Her gaze shifted between dazed and conflicted as she tried to find even the slightest hint in his eyes. In the end, she came up empty.
A little while later, Nanny Wang came out of the kitchen carrying abalone and chicken porridge.
Seeing the ginger soup spilled across the table, she hurriedly bent down to clean it up.
At that moment, Gu Yingchuan stood up. His gaze swept over Qin Wan’s clear, bright face, and he said in an even tone, “For now, just make yourself at home here. Nanny Wang will take care of your meals and daily needs. Treat this place like your own home; there’s no need to feel uncomfortable.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and walked toward the stairs.
Gu Yingchuan’s departure helped Qin Wan relax a little.
And Nanny Wang’s cooking really was excellent. Having skipped dinner, Qin Wan drank three bowls of porridge before she finally felt full.
After she finished eating,
Qin Wan had planned to help Nanny Wang clean up, but Nanny Wang sent her upstairs instead.
She pushed open the door.
The guest room had been tidied up spotless. The bed was made with clean, neatly arranged Tencel bedding, and even a scented candle had been thoughtfully placed on the bedside table.
Qin Wan had never been treated this well as a child, and for a moment she stood there, stunned.
After lingering by the doorway for a long while, she noticed there was a balcony adjoining the bedroom. The glass sliding door happened to be open, and, curious, Qin Wan stepped toward it…