Chapter 3: Study chess game, a paper agreement
Su Lingwan spent two days in a state of anxiety and resistance.
Her father's "marriage proposal" was like a huge rock dropped into the tranquil lake of her heart, stirring up a thousand waves that wouldn't subside for a long time. She tried to numb herself with work, locking herself in a makeshift design studio, sketching on paper, but her lines always lost their former elegance, becoming sluggish and hesitant. Sometimes her father's heavy, unquestionable face surfaced in her mind, and sometimes Huo Linshen's deep, cold eyes flashed by.
She couldn't imagine how she could spend her life with a man like that. It was like trying to transplant a plant that needed sunlight and rain onto a glacier covered in snow year-round.
Just when she was getting upset and almost breaking the charcoal pencil in her hand, the screen of her mobile phone beside her lit up. It was an unfamiliar local Hong Kong number.
Her heart skipped a beat. She hesitantly picked up her phone and swiped it to answer.
"Ms. Su, good afternoon." A steady, slightly formulaic male voice came from the other end of the line. It wasn't Huo Linshen himself. "I'm Chen Ming, Mr. Huo's special assistant. Mr. Huo would like to meet with you. Is 3 p.m. convenient for you?"
What is coming will eventually come.
Su Lingwan's fingers tightened slightly around the phone, her knuckles turning white. She took a deep breath and tried to sound calm. "Excuse me, Mr. Huo, what can I do for you?"
Assistant Chen's voice remained polite yet distant. "Mr. Huo only instructed me to invite you. Miss Su will know the details when we meet. The venue is Mr. Huo's private villa in Repulse Bay. The address will be sent to your phone shortly. Mr. Huo said it's about... a collaboration between our two companies, as well as some matters of personal concern to you."
Personal concern? Su Lingwan's heart sank. Was he referring to a marriage? Was he going to personally pronounce the verdict, or... put pressure on her?
A rebellious feeling welled up within her. Well, let's talk it out face to face! She wanted to see how CEO Huo would approach this arranged "marriage."
"Okay, I'll be there on time." She agreed straightforwardly.
At 2:50 p.m., a black Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up in front of a modern villa nestled among green trees in Repulse Bay. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, facing the azure bay, it was a place of utmost tranquility and privacy.
Su Lingwan was getting off the car. Today, she wore a simple white silk dress. The style was elegant, neither impolite nor a reminder that she wasn't attending some lavish banquet. Her makeup was bare, save for a touch of lip balm. Her long hair was loosely tied up, revealing her slender, graceful neck. She wanted to present her most authentic attitude to this negotiation that could determine her future.
A butler dressed in formal attire and wearing white gloves was already waiting at the door and respectfully led her into the villa.
The villa's interior is decorated in a minimalist, cool palette of black, white, and gray, with clean lines. The furniture is expensive yet cold, with few unnecessary ornaments. The air is filled with an air of emptiness and silence, like its owner, exuding a sense of distance and distance. The vast floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking sea view, and the sunlight, which shimmers across the water like a thousand golden dots, fails to warm the chill within.
The housekeeper led her to the door of the study on the second floor and knocked gently.
"Come in." A low and magnetic voice came from inside. It was Huo Linshen.
Su Lingwan pushed the door open and walked in.
The study was more spacious than she had imagined. Bookcases stretched from one wall to the ceiling, filled with books in various languages and weighty tomes on economics and finance. To the other side, a massive floor-to-ceiling window framed the magnificent seascape. Huo Linshen sat at a large ebony desk in front of the window, the vast ocean backdrop behind him. He himself was even more oppressive than the ocean itself.
He was wearing a simple dark grey housecoat today, less sharp than the formal suit he wore the day of the banquet, yet more at home, with a presence that could not be ignored. He seemed to have just finished some official business, with a closed laptop beside him.
Seeing her come in, he raised his eyes and looked at her calmly, as if he was examining an object or evaluating a business rival.
"Ms. Su, please sit down." He pointed to the chair opposite the desk.
Su Lingwan walked over as she was told and sat down opposite him, her back straight, like a small animal ready to defend its territory at any time.
"Mr. Huo," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "What brings you here?"
Huo Linshen did not answer immediately. He leaned back slightly, lazily sinking into the wide leather seat, his hands crossed casually in front of him, but his eyes were still locked on her, with a sharp insight that seemed to see through everything.
"Miss Su is a smart person," he said slowly, his voice remarkably clear in the empty study. "I believe Uncle Su has already mentioned to you that our two families are interested in a marriage."
Su Lingwan was a bit surprised by his directness. She met his gaze, unflinching. "Yes, my father did mention it. But I believe, Mr. Huo, that marriage should be based on affection, not a cold, cold transaction. I appreciate the kindness of both families, but I'm sorry, I can't accept this arrangement."
She finished her words in one breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for the other party's reaction. Would it be ridicule? Disdain? Or pressure?
However, Huo Linshen's expression did not change at all, not even his eyes. He seemed to have anticipated her reaction.
"Feelings?" He parted his lips slightly, uttering the word with a barely perceptible, almost mocking tone. "Ms. Su is indeed very... idealistic."
His tone was calm, but it made Su Lingwan feel embarrassed, as if her persistence was childish and ridiculous in her eyes.
"This is not idealism, this is basic respect for marriage!" She couldn't help but retort, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement.
Huo Linshen looked at her eyes, which had become brighter due to her anger, like two dancing flames. He was silent for a few seconds before speaking again, his tone still unable to tell whether he was happy or angry:
"I didn't ask you to come here to force you to accept this marriage."
Su Lingwan was stunned.
"Instead," he leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them. His deep eyes were like a magnetic vortex, locking onto her, "to provide... a solution."
He reached out and took out a document that had been prepared long ago from the drawer of the desk and pushed it in front of Su Lingwan.
On the cover of the document were some eye-catching black Song font characters: "Love Cooperation Agreement."
Su Lingwan was stunned. She looked down at the document, then looked up at Huo Linshen, her eyes full of confusion and vigilance.
"What's this?"
"Open it and take a look." Huo Linshen gestured.
Su Lingwan hesitantly picked up the document and opened it. The terms inside were clear and cold:
Party A: Huo Linshen
Party B: Su Lingwan
In view of the intention of both families to form a marriage, in order to cope with family pressure and promote the smooth progress of the business cooperation between the two families, Party A and Party B have reached the following agreement through friendly negotiations:
1. Nature of the Agreement: This agreement is a simulated romantic relationship agreement and does not constitute a true romantic or marital relationship.
2. Term of the Agreement: One year from the date of signing.
III. Rights and obligations of both parties:
1. During the term of the Agreement, both parties must act as a couple in necessary situations (such as family gatherings, business events, and in front of the media) and behave in a manner consistent with their relationship to avoid external scrutiny.
2. During this period, Party A shall provide Party B with the necessary resources and platform support for his or her personal jewelry design business (see Appendix 1 for specific support methods).
3. Party B shall cooperate with Party A to deal with the pressure and interference that may arise from marriage problems within the Huo family.
4. The parties will not interfere with each other’s private lives, and the agreement relationship will not affect their normal social activities and lives.
5. During the term of the agreement, if either party meets someone they truly love, they may give the other party thirty days’ prior written notice and terminate the agreement after negotiation.
4. Termination of the Agreement:
1. The agreement will automatically terminate upon expiration, and both parties will part ways amicably without any further entanglement.
2. After the agreement is terminated, both parties must speak with one voice and explain the end of the relationship to the family and the outside world on the grounds of "incompatibility of personality."
…
There are also a series of confidentiality clauses, breach of contract liability, etc., which are carefully worded and logically sound. It is a completely standard commercial contract template.
Su Lingwan read it word by word, and was shocked beyond words.
A dating agreement? Playing the role of a couple? Not interfering with each other's private lives? Amicable separation upon expiration?
This... this was even more absurd than the direct marriage she had imagined, yet... it had a strange and tempting feasibility.
She raised her head and looked at Huo Linshen with complicated eyes: "Mr. Huo, I don't understand... why are you doing this?" With his status and means, if he really wanted to form an alliance, he could use a more forceful method. Why bother with this?
Huo Linshen's eyes met hers, and he saw the confusion, struggle, and a barely perceptible... hesitation in her eyes.
"It's simple," he replied, his voice still steady. "I need a 'girlfriend' to deal with the family and prevent unnecessary trouble. And you," he paused, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment, "Miss Su, you have the right identity, a clean background, and you don't look too annoying. Most importantly, you also need to get rid of this marriage, don't you?"
He analyzed her psychology accurately.
"This agreement will buy you a year, and," he tapped the resource support clause on the document with his slender fingers, "the support you need to pursue your dreams. After a year, you can regain your freedom on the unimpeachable grounds of 'personality incompatibility.' The initial cooperation between the Su and Huo families is also on track, and both families have an explanation. This is... a win-win deal."
His words were calm, rational, without any personal emotions, and were entirely based on the perspective of maximizing interests.
Su Lingwan's heart was beating violently. She had to admit that Huo Linshen's proposal cleverly circumvented the core issue of "sacrificing marriage" that she was most resistant to, while giving her a buffer period and even providing support for her to realize her dream.
One year. Just one year of acting.
A year later, she will be free again, and with the resources provided by Huo Linshen, perhaps her design career will have established a firm foothold. By then, she will have more confidence to face her family and pursue the life she wants.
This sounds like a chance to survive.
But...his opponent was Huo Linshen, this unfathomable man.
"Why should I trust you?" Su Lingwan stared directly into his eyes, trying to discern some clues from the deep pool. "What if you change your mind a year from now? Or is this all just a delaying tactic to secure your marriage?"
When Huo Linshen heard this, the corners of his mouth seemed to curl up slightly, like ice and snow melting slightly, but adding to the chill.
"Miss Su, I, Huo Linshen, always keep my word. This agreement is legally binding, and the breach of contract clause is clearly spelled out." His tone was indifferent, yet carried an unquestionable authority. "As for the delaying tactic... If I wanted you, there would be no need for such trouble."
His words were arrogant, but true. With his power, if he really wanted to use force, the Su family might not be able to completely resist.
He stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to her, and looked out the window at the vast sea.
"Whether to sign or not is your decision." His voice drifted on the sea breeze, carrying a hint of elusive meaning. "If you sign, we'll both get what we need and live in peace for a year. If you don't sign... then, you might face direct pressure from both families. I don't think that's what you want."
He was putting pressure on her while also appearing cooperative.
Su Lingwan lowered her head, once again examining the agreement in her hands. It was written in black and white, the terms clear and concise. The list of resources Huo Linshen had provided (Appendix 1) was incredibly specific and enticing, including introductions to top international jewelry brand buyers, a year's rent-free use of a studio in the heart of Hong Kong's Central district, and support for her participation in international jewelry design competitions. These were all things she couldn't easily acquire on her own.
And what she had to pay was to play the role of his girlfriend in front of others.
This was a gamble. A gamble that Huo Linshen would keep his promise, a gamble that he could stay true to himself during this year's "performance" and not get lost in this fake relationship.
She remembered her father's heavy gaze, her design dream soaked in milk, and her desire for freedom and true love.
After a long moment, she took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind.
She raised her head and looked at the tall and lonely figure.
"Pen." She said only one word.
Huo Linshen turned around, his face still expressionless, but his eyes seemed to flash with emotion. He walked back to the desk and handed her an expensive Montblanc pen.
Su Lingwan took the pen, the cool touch making her fingertips tremble slightly. She didn't read the terms again, and turned directly to the last page, where Party B signed.
The tip of the pen touched the paper, making a slight rustling sound.
The three words "Su Lingwan", with a hint of stubbornness in their elegance, were imprinted on the agreement that would determine her fate for the next year.
After writing the last stroke, she put down the pen and pushed the agreement back in front of Huo Linshen.
"Is it okay now, Mr. Huo?" Her voice carried a hint of barely perceptible fatigue and a kind of calmness after a desperate struggle.
Huo Linshen picked up the agreement, his eyes lingering for a moment at her signature, then he picked up his pen and neatly signed his name, Huo Linshen, on the Party A section. His handwriting was vigorous and powerful, with a fierce aura that formed a sharp contrast with her delicateness.
Closing the document, he looked at her. There seemed to be something more in his eyes, yet there seemed to be nothing.
"It's a pleasure to work with you, Miss Su." He extended his hand.
Su Lingwan looked at his clean, slender hands with distinct joints, hesitated for a moment, then reached out her hand and shook hands with him gently.
His palm was broad, warm, and dry, unlike the slightly cool touch that night. This time, the handshake was brief and restrained, parting as soon as they touched, yet it seemed to leave an invisible mark on the back of her hand.
"From now on, in front of outsiders, you are my, Huo Linshen's, girlfriend." He declared, his tone calm, but with an unquestionable sense of possession. "I hope we can... have a pleasant cooperation."
Su Lingwan's heart inexplicably throbbed at his words. She couldn't tell whether this throbbing came from fear of the unknown or nervousness about the "performance" that was about to begin.
She got the buffer period and support she wanted, but also personally put herself into a more complicated situation.
This study game that started with interests kicked off with this agreement.
But she didn't know that the moment she signed her name, some gears of fate had already begun to turn quietly.
The game between hunter and prey is never as simple as it seems.
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