C9 The Mother That Was Planted

Little Tiantian was brimming with excitement, rubbing her small, fair hands together. She shyly extended her right hand for a handshake, her round cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

“Hi, Mommy! I’m Tiantian, and I’m four years old. This is my first time being someone’s daughter, so please take care of me!”

Wen Ruanruan couldn’t help but chuckle, though she felt a bit awkward. “I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

As soon as Tiantian heard this, her smile vanished. Her rosy little lips quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes, tugging at the heartstrings of anyone watching.

“Tiantian knows... it must be because Tiantian isn’t well-behaved enough. Everyone else has a mommy, but Tiantian doesn’t. Boo hoo... But Tiantian really wants a mommy, just like the pretty lady here. Tiantian is so sad...”

Tiantian, looking like a porcelain doll, started to cry, and Wen Ruanruan’s maternal instincts kicked in. She quickly hugged her and wiped away her tears. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I never said I couldn’t be your mommy.”

What Wen Ruanruan didn’t see was Tiantian giving a sly wink to Choo Liting from an angle she couldn’t catch. They exchanged a knowing glance.

Choo Liting cleared his throat. “It’s cold outside. Let’s go in and talk.”

Little Tiantian clung to Wen Ruanruan’s arm like a little accessory, unwilling to let go. It wasn’t until Choo Liting gave her a stern look that she reluctantly released her grip and toddled into the playroom with her short legs.

The spacious living room suddenly only had Ruanruan and Liting left.

Liting opened the coffee table drawer and took out a thin booklet. When Ruanruan realized what it was, her eyes widened in shock.

It was a household registration book! What was this man planning?

"Miss Wen, as far as I know, your brother's leg isn't completely beyond repair, right?" Liting asked.

Ruanruan's expression hardened. Her brother was her Achilles' heel. "What do you mean?"

"I have access to the most advanced medical resources. Treating his leg is not a problem," Liting stated succinctly.

Ruanruan let out a cold laugh. "There's no such thing as a free lunch, Director Choo. You know that better than anyone."

"Of course. My condition is that you marry me and become a mother to my child."

"Why me?"

Liting's lips pressed into a thin line. After a moment, he said quietly, "Because it's been a long time since I've enjoyed a meal."

"What?" Ruanruan was dumbfounded. Did he even realize what he was saying?

Liting looked up. "I have a severe eating disorder, but eating with you makes me feel hungry. That's why I chose you."

Ruanruan frowned, torn. Her brother meant everything to her, but was she really going to spend the rest of her life with a man she barely knew?

"I know what you're worried about. If my anorexia isn't cured within three years, I'll end this marriage agreement with you. I'll also take full responsibility for your brother's leg."

It sounded like a pretty good deal.

Wen Ruanruan had lost her job and had no family to rely on. After thinking it over, this marriage agreement didn't seem entirely unreasonable.

"Let me think about it," Wen Ruanruan finally conceded.

Choo Liting didn't pressure her. After exchanging contact information, he had Special Assistant Lin take her back to the hotel. As he watched Wen Ruanruan leave the villa, a thoughtful look flickered in Choo Liting's eyes.

The next moment, the door to the playroom clicked open.

Tiantian curiously poked her little head out. Once she confirmed Wen Ruanruan was gone, she approached Choo Liting's side.