C5 Not Giving a Shameless Man Any Face!

Huo Niannian was resolute in her decision not to rush into marriage. She was determined not to treat such a pivotal life choice carelessly.

As for the scandal, Huo Niannian had no cause for concern. Once she retreated to her small hometown, no one would connect her to the woman who had been involved with Director Gu of the Imperial Group.

Furthermore, taking that money was absolutely out of the question for Huo Niannian. It wasn't a matter of her being particularly virtuous or kind-hearted; rather, she knew that once Gu Tingshen discovered her escape, he would immediately notify the bank to block the check, rendering it nothing more than a worthless piece of paper in her hands.

Head bowed, Huo Niannian was on the verge of making a swift exit when, in her haste, she bumped into a man.

"Sorry," she said quickly, trying to bypass him.

"Huo Niannian? You're actually here in S City!" the man said, surprised.

As she looked up, Huo Niannian was met with two faces that made her nauseous. It was her ex-boyfriend, He Feng, and her former best friend, Cao Nana.

Huo Niannian had only ever had eyes for He Feng, but after half a year, she was devastated to find out that he had been secretly seeing Cao Nana, her best friend. They had been having an affair right under her nose, treating her like a fool. It was a deeply humiliating experience.

Even a year later, seeing the treacherous duo still made Huo Niannian's blood boil.

With a look of insincere sympathy, Cao Nana said to Huo Niannian, "Niannian, I saw the news. You're the one who tried to seduce the Gu family's Young Master, right? Why would you do that to yourself? Even if my relationship with He Feng upset you, you shouldn't demean yourself like this."

"Are you done talking? If so, kindly step aside. A good dog doesn't block the path," Huo Niannian snapped back.

Cao Nana's face darkened as she scoffed, "Who's living like a dog is still up for debate. Since today is the auspicious day of my marriage registration with He Feng, I'll spare you the argument."

She deliberately emphasized the words "marriage registration," flaunting her love to rub salt in Huo Niannian's wounds.

Just as Huo Niannian was clenching her teeth, ready to strike, a pair of strong hands gently grasped her balled-up fists.

Gu Tingshen's deep, soothing voice followed, "I've been waiting for you inside for quite a while."

He cast a glance towards the direction of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Standing beside the tall and stately Gu Tingshen, Huo Niannian was overwhelmed with embarrassment. He had undoubtedly seen her earlier mockery.

Now, Huo Niannian faced a dilemma: should she bolt from her own wedding, or not?

He Feng and Cao Nana were equally shocked.

Was this truly Gu Tingshen of the Imperial Group? Was Huo Niannian really about to marry into such a prestigious family? Why her! Cao Nana wailed inwardly.

He Feng, observing Gu Tingshen and Huo Niannian's interlocked fingers, felt a sudden sourness in his heart. He had once looked down on Huo Niannian and abandoned her. Now, as she was about to marry the President of the Imperial Group, he felt as if he'd been slapped in the face.

"Are all the documents prepared?" Gu Tingshen asked with a smile.

Sensing that Gu Tingshen was defusing the situation for her, Huo Niannian affectionately wrapped her arm around his, cooing, "Of course, they're ready. You've reminded me so many times."

Gu Tingshen affectionately ruffled Huo Niannian's hair and, with his arm around her shoulders, they walked towards the Civil Affairs Bureau.

As they passed He Feng and Cao Nana, Huo Niannian smiled at them with the magnanimity of a victor.

Huo Niannian knew there was no escaping the marriage—it was inevitable. And what better way to get back at that contemptible pair?

The wedding formalities proceeded flawlessly. As Huo Niannian and Gu Tingshen left the Civil Affairs Bureau, she felt as if she were in a dream.

Gazing at the man beside her, Huo Niannian grappled with the reality of her new life. Was she truly going to spend her days with Gu Tingshen?