"Hongmei, let's just keep deceiving ourselves. We'll get our marriage certificate tomorrow, and I'll take it to talk to him. I'll arrange for you to go abroad right away. That'll be fine. Don't be sad. I'm here for you."

Zhang Hongmei didn't say a word; she just sat there blankly, neither crying nor making a fuss.

Gu Chuanming was startled and quickly stood up, walking to Zhang Hongmei's side. "Girl, it's alright. If you really don't want to, we can bring a few more people with us. I'll go talk to him. At worst, I'll give up some of my power. It's okay, let's not do this. It hurts Grandpa's heart to see this."

Having spent his entire life in bloodshed and turmoil, and never having raised a delicate little girl, seeing the little girl's pitiful and innocent expression, his heart immediately melted.

Zhang Hongmei felt conflicted. She looked up at Gu Chuanming, who was anxiously watching her. "Grandpa, it's alright. There's no need to be overly cautious. Let it be. On the bright side, it can even stop others from pursuing me, and at least I'll have some peace and quiet. There are pros and cons. I'm married, so be it."

The more Zhang Hongmei said this, the more distressed Gu Chuanming felt.

"It's alright. He's already set his sights on the power I have. Giving him a portion is fine. It's no big loss for us. Really, Grandpa can handle it."

Zhang Hongmei was a little moved. Gu Chuanming's power was earned with his blood and sweat, and it would be too much of a loss to lose it for this. Besides, Zhang Shouyi was a trustworthy person. Oh well, let it be.

"I don't want that. All these powers will be mine in the future. I don't want you to lose them because of this. Grandpa, it's alright. Let's leave it at that. From now on, Brother Zhang will be my protector. Even if we are only husband and wife in name, he will have to protect me."

"Yes. From now on, what's mine is yours, and what's yours is still yours, don't worry. If anyone bullies you, we'll repay them tenfold." Zhang Shouyi also felt sorry for his little girl, but he had already done twenty-four kowtows, so what's one more shiver?

"Grandpa, Brother Zhang, you should get some rest. I'm going to bed." Zhang Hongmei said listlessly as she got up and went back to her bedroom.

"Come with me!" Gu Chuanming roared after Zhang Hongmei left, then turned and left.

Zhang Shouyi touched his nose and obediently followed behind Gu Chuanming.

When they returned to Gu Chuanming's bedroom, Zhang Shouyi still tried to appease him by pouring him a glass of water.

"Tell me, how dare you even scheme against me?"

"Hehe." Zhang Shouyi took off his glasses, placed them on the table, and touched his face.

"I didn't plan this out; I was just waiting to reap the benefits."

Looking at the guy's sinister face, Gu Chuanming sighed, "My poor girl." Then he solemnly warned Zhang Shouyi, "I'm telling the truth. I can use my power to exchange for her with Zhou Shixiong, and of course you can too. But I'll say it again: if the girl grows up and you still don't have the ability to make her agree willingly, then you have to let go."

"Hehe. Don't worry, that day will never come. How could I allow such a thing to happen? Once I, Zhang Shouyi, have set my sights on something, I will never fail."

"Are you that confident?"

"Yes, that's confidence. You should be happy. Maybe this way, the heir of the Gu family will arrive sooner. Hehe."

"Stop laughing, it's creepy. Alright, you know my stance. Don't do anything to hurt this girl, and definitely don't hurt her."

"How could I bear to hurt the treasure I hold in my palm? Hehe, starting tomorrow I'll call you grandpa, aren't you happy?"

"It's alright, Zhou Shixiong won't agree so easily tomorrow."

"Heh, so what if he disagrees? Don't worry, everything will be resolved tomorrow. Why do you think I called this girl back in such a hurry? Those few small fry are watching, but I don't care about them."

"You're so cunning, I'm just waiting to see you get your comeuppance."

"Heh, I'm not saying there's no chance. The only person in this world who can make me suffer is Zhang Hongmei. As for others, hmph!"

"Alright, you should leave now. Staying with you will shorten my lifespan."

Zhang Shouyi put on his glasses, and because he was in a good mood, he was a little dizzy.

Gu Chuanming watched Zhang Shouyi's departing figure and smiled. "Everything has its counter," he thought. He hadn't expected this great demon to find someone who could subdue him. He hoped this girl wouldn't be subdued by the demon herself. He was sure there would be some exciting things to watch in the future, and he eagerly anticipated it.

Zhang Shouyi stood in the middle of the courtyard, looking at Zhang Hongmei's bedroom, and silently grinned. No matter what, this was his now. He clenched his fist; although there was still a long wait, at least she was finally his.

Just one last step tomorrow, haha, trying to run away? No way, not even a crack in the window. I have to work overtime tonight; I'll spend the whole day with my wife tomorrow. Just thinking about her makes my blood boil.

Meanwhile, Zhang Hongmei was wandering in her dream.

I felt a huge, dark mass behind me, and I didn't know what it was. It was terrifying, so I kept running and running, but I couldn't shake it off.

Despair and fear made Zhang Hongmei sit on the ground and wail.

I opened my eyes and knew I was dreaming, but my whole body felt sticky, and there were tear stains on the pillow.

Listening closely, the courtyard was quiet, so I went straight into the space.

I took a very luxurious hot bath with some spiritual spring water added, and I also drank a large cup of it.

The more he thought about it, the more resentful he felt. Was Zhang Shouyi really helpless? It was hard to say. He should have been able to handle it, but he didn't. Instead, he took this opportunity to tie himself to Zhang Shouyi's side.

Deep down, she knew she couldn't resist him. She knew Zhang Shouyi to some extent, and since he hadn't asked for the storage ring, he definitely wouldn't let her leave.

It's just a matter of time now, but I'm not willing to accept it. But what can I do even if I'm unwilling?

She couldn't say whether she had feelings for Zhang Shouyi, but at the very least, she could trust him to some extent and had never treated him as a boy younger than herself.

I'm oblivious to emotions and can't understand love. Even though I haven't seen Zhang Shouyi for a year, I haven't felt any longing for him.

However, she treated him and Liu Jingze differently, and she knew that in her heart. When Liu Jingze confessed his feelings to her, she only felt dislike and disgust, but when Zhang Shouyi confessed, she was indifferent. She didn't feel much excitement or aversion.

Oh well, that's how it is. If I don't meet someone I fall in love with at first sight in the future, I'll just settle for him. It's all the same.