The car drove smoothly amidst the bustling of the city. Shen Linyi stared out the window, her eyes taking in the sight before she furrowed her brows imperceptibly.
"Where are we heading to?" She asked without looking at him.
"To get our marriage certificates," Gu Liansheng answered, his voice carrying a hint of underlying teasing.
She snapped her head towards him instantly. "Marriage certificate? Isn't that too... fast?" Uncertainty clouded her eyes as she stared at him.
Gu Liansheng chuckled, but his eyes were devoid of any smile. "I like to get things done ASAP."
The look in Shen Linyi's eyes deepened. "But still... we just announced the engagement." She protested.
Gu Liansheng's lips dropped as he stared at her deeply. "Are you backing out after using me to get leverage over your ex-fiancé?" He asked, his entire aura exuding danger.
Shen Linyi swallowed, and shook her head in response.
Staring out the window, Gu Liansheng stated. "Getting married early would land a fatal blow on Zhou Yuanfeng, I'm sure you know about that."
Shen Linyi remained quiet as she weighed his words.
He then turned to look at her, his lips tilted up. "Shen Linyi, we play by my rules now."
Again, she remained silent but her heart was racing. It felt like she had made a deal with the devil.
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The car rolled to a stop in front of the municipal office. Shen Linyi stared at the large building with lack-luster eyes.
She never imagined that she would get married just a few days later being reborn... and in such a manner as well.
A few minutes later, they were both seated opposite a kind-looking registrar.
The registrar was excited, her hands shook as she pushed the documents to them while instructing where they should sign.
Shen Linyi picked up the pen, her fingers tightening slightly around it. The weight of the moment pressed on her chest.
Her gaze flicked toward Gu Liansheng. He was calm, almost bored and his hand was steady as he signed his name across the document with elegant precision.
When he finished, he glanced at her. "Your turn."
She lowered her eyes, signing her name carefully. The registrar smiled brightly, stamping the document with an official seal that echoed loudly in the quiet room.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Gu," she said warmly, handing the certificates across the table.
Mrs. Gu. The title rang in her mind like a whisper and a warning all at once.
Shen Linyi accepted the document, her expression unreadable. "Thank you," she murmured.
Gu Liansheng rose smoothly, buttoning his jacket. "Let's go," he said, his tone light, almost casual.
The moment they stepped outside, the radiant and scorching sun hit her face. It was bright and for a fleeting second, she wondered if she'd made the right choice.
But she quickly dismissed the thought. This marriage was a move on the chessboard, nothing more.
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Inside the car again, silence stretched between them, thick and heavy and filled with something unspoken.
Gu Liansheng was the first to speak. "You don't seem thrilled," he observed, his eyes on her.
"Should I be?" she asked, turning to him. "It's a marriage of convenience, not romance."
"Perhaps," he said softly. "But you could at least pretend."
Her brows furrowed slightly. "Pretend?"
His lips faintly curved. "You'll find it useful. People like Zhou Yuanfeng don't handle humiliation well. Let's make sure his collapse feels personal."
She looked away, back to the city rolling past. "You're ruthless."
"I'm practical," he corrected, his deep gaze fixed on her. "And you'll thank me later."
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The car slowed as they approached a wide iron gate flanked by marble pillars. Beyond it stood a sprawling estate surrounded by well-tended gardens and tall willow trees swaying in the afternoon breeze.
Shen Linyi's eyes widened slightly. "This is—?"
"The Gu Mansion," he said simply.
The guards opened the gate as soon as they saw the car. It rolled into the driveway lined with blooming hydrangeas and perfectly trimmed hedges.
Everything was symmetrical, controlled—just like the man beside her.
When the car stopped, a line of servants was already waiting at the entrance.
A woman in her late sixties descended the front steps slowly and gracefully despite her age. Her silver hair was neatly pinned, and her eyes, though soft, were observant.
Gu Liansheng's expression softened a fraction. "My grandmother," he said quietly.
They approached her together.
"Grandmother," he greeted, bowing slightly. "This is Shen Linyi."
Madam Gu's gaze fell on Shen Linyi, studying her from head to toe—not critically, but curiously. After a long pause, a gentle smile curved her lips.
"So, you're the one who managed to make my grandson bring home a wife," she said.
Shen Linyi smiled politely. "It's an honor to meet you, Madam Gu."
"Sheng never tells me anything," Madam Gu said lightly, her tone affectionate. "But I can tell you're not the type to be intimidated easily. Good. You'll need that."
Gu Liansheng shot his grandmother a look. "You're already frightening her."
Madam Gu waved a hand. "Nonsense. She doesn't look frightened at all." She turned back to Shen Linyi, eyes twinkling with delight. "I like her already."
A flicker of genuine warmth touched Shen Linyi's lips. "Thank you."
"Come," Madam Gu said, linking her arm with hers. "You must be tired. We'll have lunch together. You can tell me everything about how my grandson managed to win your heart."
Shen Linyi blinked, almost caught off guard. "Ah… well, that's—"
Gu Liansheng cut in smoothly, his voice low. "It's a long story, Grandmother."
"Then you'll both have plenty to talk about," Madam Gu said cheerfully as she led them inside.
Shen Linyi's eyes met Gu Liansheng's who shrugged in response.
----------------
The Gu Mansion's interior was breathtaking—crystal chandeliers, antique furniture, and soft light spilling across the polished floors.
As they sat down in the dining hall, Shen Linyi caught herself feeling strangely… comfortable. Madam Gu's warmth was disarming, the kind that made the walls she'd built feel less heavy.
Between light conversation and Madam Gu's occasional teasing remarks, Gu Liansheng remained mostly silent, watching the two women interact.
When his grandmother excused herself to rest, Shen Linyi turned to him. "She's kind."
"She is," he agreed. "But don't mistake kindness for weakness. She ran this family long before I did."
Her gaze lingered on him. "I can tell."
He looked back at her, his expression unreadable. "You handled yourself well today."
"Was I being tested?" She asked, her eyes deepening.
"Always," he said simply.
Shen Linyi met his gaze steadily. "Then I'll make sure not to fail."
Gu Liansheng's lips faintly curved. "Good. Because this game has only just begun."