C4 A Marriage Without a Ceremony

Even though he had phrased it as a question, it was a request that no one could reject. After all, when you're asked by Zong Jinghao himself, you'd be crazy if you wouldn't agree to it.

Lin Xinyan knew this herself as she nodded. Besides, the man looked like he wanted to say something to her.

And she also wanted to talk to him.

As they were leaving, Lin Guoan warned, "Know your limits."

The last thing they needed was for Lin Xinyan to offend him right before the wedding. It was obvious enough that Zong Jinghao wasn't satisfied with her from the moment they met, but that didn't really matter. As long as the wedding processions were set forth, then he'd finally be able to reap the benefits.

The catch was already made, and he didn't want her to lose the great fish.

Lin Xinyan followed behind Guan Jin, pretending not to have heard a word.

Even then, she couldn't help but think back to his confidence. Did he really think that after she had married into the Zong family that she'd assist him? What reason would he have against her?

Because he was her father?

She resisted the urge to snort. The man had already lost the privilege of calling her daughter the moment he left them. If she had lived without a father for the last eight years, then she could make do with this.

She had been so lost in her thoughts that her head had knocked against the hard wall. Suddenly, everything reverted back to her, and she jerked up, only to see that the impeccable face was staring down at her.

He had already stood up.

Guess she was right after all.

Even then, the knowledge of his lies still didn't soothe her anxiety. Lin Xinyan could feel her hands growing limp from the glare, and she resisted the urge to tremble. "You did it on purpose." Her tone was neither meek nor accusatory, but simply factual.

His eyes narrowed. "I'm a cripple, yet you wanted to marry me. Why? Do you like my money? Do you like the privilege that comes with it?" His voice was a mix of displeasure and annoyance as if he was already wasting his time from the minute he laid eyes on her.

Lin Xinyan twisted her wrists at his words. His stare was like a hand to her neck–gradually getting tighter with every second he watched. Despite this, she pretended to be calm and composed. "Sure," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "When I was two years old, I knew all about the benefits of entering into this marriage. That's why I asked both our mothers to engage us. You've seen right through me, Mr. Zong."

There was a pause. "I had been two years old then. You, however, were ten. Do you really think that I had a thing for older men?"

Zong Jinghao suppressed a sneer. From the moment he had seen her, he knew that she wasn't as easy to deal with. But perhaps he had underestimated her chatter.

She was very talkative.

And from the way she had phrased her words–was she turning it on him?

The atmosphere felt suffocating all around them.

As soon as their gazes met, sparks flew in all directions. Neither one of them was willing to back down, and as they continued to glare at each other, they realized that they may have finally met their match.

Lin Xinyan clenched her fists. The only reason that she had married into the Zong family was that Lin Guoan had already promised her that he'd return her mother's dowry.

Not wanting to be enemies with this man, her tone immediately softened. "Look, Mr. Zong, I know you don't want to marry me, but there may be a way we can both get what we want."

She deliberately stopped to glance at Zong Jinghao's expression. The darkness of his face had cleared slightly, and she continued,

"So how about we make a deal?" The last thing she wanted was to be associated with the Zong family. The only reason she had agreed to it in the first place was that it provided an avenue for her to get everything back herself.

He chuckled. "A deal with me? What could I possibly want?"

"I know you're pretending to be a cripple to make the Lin family back out on this arrangement. Since that didn't work, perhaps you'd need someone by your side–someone who doesn't care about any of this." Her hands were already growing clammy. "I just need one thing in return."

This piqued Zong Jinghao's interest.

"What do you want?" Like any deal, there must be a condition.

"We'll be married for a month, then I'll divorce you–as simple as that." That was enough, wasn't it? As soon as she had gotten hold of her mother's dowry, she'd finally be able to part ways with him.

"That's the deal you're willing to discuss with me?" The corners of his lips twitched downwards.

"Our mothers were the ones who agreed to this, so it's only fair that we follow through with it–to show respect. However, as our personalities may contradict each other, it's only best that we get divorced, wouldn't it? Plus, it's best that we don't spend our whole lives with someone we don't like and–"

Seeing his eyes flicker, she slowed down. "I also think that you have someone else that you like. That's why you've gone through all this trouble just to get my family to back out, right?"

"I didn't realize you were so inquisitive." Zong Jinghao's face darkened.

Although nothing was set yet, he had wanted to marry Bai Zhuwei. After everything that she had done for him, it was only time that he made things right for the both of them.

But they weren't done yet. "What benefits would you be getting from the month?"

He doubted that she was thinking this up only for his sake.

Her heart tightened. Could she say that she was thinking of her mother's dowry? No...if she had said it–it would just make everything too personal. This was her burden to bear.

But if she told him that she had none, he wouldn't believe her.

"My mom values this engagement, and she–she's not in good health lately. I just don't want to disappoint her." As she spoke, her gaze shifted slightly. Her mother had practically begged her to discontinue the engagement.

"Really?" Zong Jinghao's voice held skepticism and mistrust as if he could already see right through her.

There was a reason why the man was the most feared man in the city. His stare was enough to push anyone to run for the hills. Hell, if she wasn't so determined in getting what she had wanted, she would've done the same. Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang.

He glanced at her before taking out his cell phone. Immediately, his face softened, but just as he was about to turn around and answer it, he glanced back at her. "As we're only married for a month, it's fair that we don't have a ceremony."

"That's fine with me."

On August 12, Guan Jin came to pick her up.

It was the day she'd finally be known as Mrs. Zong. Yet, there weren't any grand ceremonies or even a beautiful wedding. Just a marriage certificate sat on her lap–proof to ensure that she hadn't been dreaming.

Lin Xinyan wasn't discouraged. After all, from the moment she had entered into this marriage, she already knew that this was nothing more than a transaction–for her and him.

If it weren't for the fact that their mothers had known each other, then they wouldn't have met at all.

Soon, the car stopped in front of the villa.

It was beautiful. Although the Lin Family's villa was already large and elegant, there was something about the stone buildings before her that created a more majestic feel. It was like entering a castle–with an extremely large patch of green right at the front gates.

"You may go in, Miss." He made a gesture towards the door.

The man was neither warm nor helpful towards her. If anything, he acted as if she was just another stranger on his list. He must've already known that the marriage between her and Jinghao was nothing more than to fulfill an arrangement.

To him, she wasn't the real Young Mistress of the Zong family. That spot had already been filled by another woman.

Although the mansion was huge, it wasn't crowded with maids and assistants. In fact, there was only one maid in the quarters. As such, as soon as she had entered the living room, he had already upped and left.

Lin Xinyan turned to the older woman standing right in front of her. "I...hello."

"I'm Nanny Yu, the one who had taken care of him ever since he was little." A slow smile threaded across her lips as she led her up to her room. "Welcome to the Young Master's residence. If you need anything, please let me know."

One month wasn't a long time, and she had already brought all her daily necessities with her. Not wanting to give her any trouble, she simply smiled and nodded. "Okay."

Nanny Yu was just about to leave when something held her back. At Lin Xinyan's questioning gaze, she sighed. "It's possible that Young Master wouldn't be back for the night. Today is Miss Bai's birthday."

Although they didn't have a formal wedding, she was still his wife by name. After all, today was the first day of their union, yet he had accompanied another woman for the night. Nanny Yu couldn't help but pity her. Lin Xinyan had gotten married, only to be treated so coldly on her first night. If he had disregarded her so quickly, what more for in the future?