C4 A Million Yuan to Hire Her as His Wife!

"You've seen for yourself—I'm practically swarmed by women who fancy me, and honestly, it's a real nuisance. I need a wife to serve as a shield. You've got the guts for it, I can tell. Agree to marry me, and I'll return your pendant. Deal?"

Huo Niannian was far from sold on the idea. Just the thought of being the subject of rumors with him was more than she could stomach. Marrying him would be like painting a target on her back, inviting trouble like a ticking time bomb, right?

Then again, his wealth and power might just ensure her safety.

Plus, there was one undeniable perk to marrying him.

Huo Niannian straightened up and faced Gu Tingshen with resolve. "I'll risk being your wife, but besides getting my pendant back, you'll have to fulfill one additional request."

"Do tell," Gu Tingshen said, his interest piqued.

"I need a certain amount of money."

Her journey to S City, abandoning medical treatment to find her kin, was driven by her illness—an ailment with grim survival odds and staggering costs. Huo Niannian couldn't afford her own treatment. As her life hung in the balance, her frantic search for her biological parents was all she could focus on.

Now, with the opportunity to marry into affluence, her priority was to fund her treatment with his money, prolong her life, and buy more time to locate her parents.

Fearing Gu Tingshen might decline, Huo Niannian hastily assured him, "Don't worry, I won't break the bank. A mere million will do. To someone like you, that's pocket change. It's a steal for the advantages I'll offer you."

She bartered like a shrewd entrepreneur, momentarily forgetting she was the merchandise.

Gu Tingshen didn't bat an eye. "Indeed, it's a smart investment. You've got a deal."

He immediately wrote a check for a million dollars, placed it alongside the pendant, and set them both before her.

"When can we get the marriage license?"

Huo Niannian's eyes sparkled with unexpected joy. She never imagined that a fling could lead to such a fortunate twist. She had effortlessly secured the funds for her treatment!

"Anytime! I've brought all my documents with me!" She had come to S City prepared for the possibility of no return, keeping all her vital documents close at hand.

"Let's go ahead and get the marriage certificate now. After we're married, I'll hold a press conference to announce our relationship. As my wife, you'll be able to shield me from any other women's advances."

"Absolutely!" Huo Niannian joyfully put the pendant back around her neck and nestled it inside her shirt. She patted the pendant affectionately, then carefully placed the million-dollar check into her wallet.

Yet, as Huo Niannian settled into the plush seat of Gu Tingshen's Maybach, the reality of marrying this man beside her felt almost dreamlike.

Is this really happening?

He was certainly handsome and rich, but this was nothing like the love-filled marriage she had imagined.

With her life expectancy dwindling to less than six months, she reminded herself not to pine for love. If she could find even a semblance of familial affection, it would be more than she could ask for.

As they arrived at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, Huo Niannian's phone rang—it was her primary doctor.

"Just a moment, I need to take this call," she informed Gu Tingshen, then stepped aside to speak with her doctor.

Five minutes later, she disconnected the call, her heart racing with emotion. Life was like a roller coaster—exhilarating and intense. She felt a mix of joy and an urge to cry.

Her doctor had called with an apologetic tone to inform her that her brain cancer diagnosis was incorrect. The hospital was profoundly sorry for the turmoil they had caused.

"Are you alright?" Gu Tingshen's voice came from behind her.

Huo Niannian turned around slowly, smiling at him. "I'm good. Go ahead inside and wait for me. I'm just going to buy a bottle of water across the street."

Gu Tingshen glanced at her with impatience. "Hurry up, then."

He proceeded into the Civil Affairs Bureau as Huo Niannian grappled with her newfound reality.

With the pendant securely around her neck, she no longer had to worry about Gu Tingshen holding it over her. Now, faced with an unexpected crossroads, the only path she could see was to flee.