01. Agreement
At 7:30 on Monday morning, the alarm clock rang several times before Jiang Nan jumped out of the bed as if she had been electrocuted.
She brushed aside the messy hair stuck to her face and rushed into the bathroom with her eyes squinting. The cold water splashed on her face, making her shiver, but she finally woke up completely.
The face in the mirror was a little puffy, with faint dark circles under her eyes, the result of her staying up all night to finish a project over the weekend. Then, she hurriedly brushed her teeth, put on a plain black sweatshirt and gray commuter pants, and grabbed the toast on the table that she had bought for a midnight snack last night, but there was still a little left.
She picked up a piece of toast, stuffed it into her mouth, and then left the slightly empty house without looking back.
In early spring, the air in Jiangcheng still held a hint of chill. Yet, the subway line 10 was as crowded as ever. Like a sardine, Jiang Nan was caught in the stagnant air, a mixture of sweat, breakfast, and perfume, struggling to protect her bag.
At this moment, her phone vibrated several times. It was a WeChat message from her best friend Wenwen:
Bao, did you make it to the company alive?
Don’t forget to propose your proposal today, Wang Baopi is waiting to find fault with you!
Jiang Nan typed quickly:
Alive, fermenting in a can of human flesh.
There is nothing wrong with the plan, but if he finds fault with it, I will fight back.
After sending the message, Jiang Nan put the phone back into her bag, but her expression became lost.
Although she spoke boldly, in the end, she probably dared not speak out.
Jiang Nan sighed and looked at his reflection in the car window opposite.
An ordinary twenty-something office worker who is lost in the crowd.
Who would have thought that this ordinary woman on the subway had a name called Chen Yunsheng written in the spouse column.
Chen Yunsheng.
Jiang Nan repeated the name silently in his mind, without any particular emotion. He said it calmly, as if he was reciting the name of a demanding partner, with respect and a little fear.
Three months ago, because her mother in her hometown urgently needed a large sum of money for surgery, she met Chen Yunsheng through a distant cousin. The cousin only said that he was a good and decent man and was anxious to find a nominal wife to support the family.
So, between a county entrepreneur introduced by the matchmaker and Chen Yunsheng, she chose to meet Chen Yunsheng first.
The reason why Jiang Nan made the decision at that time was very superficial. She just thought that the name Chen Yunsheng was nice and catchy, and sounded like a name that only a very elegant person would have.
But their first meeting was in an extremely quiet coffee shop box, not in a teahouse that suits the elegant temperament.
After meeting, Jiang Nan found that Chen Yunsheng was younger and much colder than she had imagined.
It can be said that compared to the adjective "elegant", perhaps the words "taciturn" and "cold as ice" are more appropriate.
He was wearing a dark gray suit that looked expensive, and sat across from her with a stolid expression, like a stone statue devoid of warmth, unable to discern good from evil or compassion. He spoke very little, but when he did, he got straight to the point. After a few pleasantries, he handed her a densely packed prenuptial agreement.
"Ms. Jiang," his voice sounded calm and gentle, yet it outlined an unbelievable arrangement. "This is a three-year agreement. During this period, we will not interfere with each other's private lives and will act like a harmonious couple in public. Your obligation is to take care of my family, especially my grandfather. In return, I will cover all medical expenses for your mother, Ms. Hong Qiuping, and will also pay you 100,000 yuan per month for living expenses. At the end of the three years, you will receive a bonus. I will also provide you with real estate, vehicles, and other living necessities."
He paused, his eyes falling on Jiang Nan's face, assessing her reaction. "You need to move into my place. Is that a problem?"
Jiang Nan's mind was buzzing at the time, and the terms of the agreement flew before her eyes, but she only grasped the key information: all medical expenses were covered and the monthly salary was 100,000 yuan.
She needed money, desperately.
As for marrying a stranger, she comforted herself that it was just acting.
Then she raised her head slightly and tried to make her voice calm and steady: "No. Mr. Chen, it's a pleasure to work with you."
After saying that, she stretched out her hand to him.
Chen Yunsheng's gaze lingered on her outstretched hand for a second or two before he extended his own, gently shook it, and then separated it. "It's a pleasure to work with you," he said.
The situation was even simpler on the day of getting the marriage certificate.
Chen Yunsheng arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau first. He stood on the steps at the entrance, quietly watching Jiang Nan run over. Seeing his serious expression, Jiang Nan immediately trotted over and apologized to him breathlessly.
But Chen Yunsheng just nodded and handed her a file bag. "The agreement has been signed. Keep it for yourself. The card password is six zeros. You can change it."
After saying that, Chen Yunsheng turned around and walked into the hall.
Although it was a major life event like marriage, Jiang Nan felt that the entire process of the wedding was as fast as if it had been fast-forwarded. When taking pictures, the photographer asked them to come closer and smile.
However, Chen Yunsheng remained expressionless. Jiang Nan did try to pull the corners of her mouth, but it didn't make much of a difference. In the end, the wedding photo wasn't festive at all.
But the joy or sorrow of the ID photo does not affect the placement of the stamp.
The sunlight was actually a bit glaring when Jiang Nan walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, but she tried to remain calm.
After Chen Yunsheng put his marriage certificate into his suit pocket, he calmly announced his first post-marriage news to Jiang Nan: "The driver will pick you up this afternoon for the move. The address and password have been sent to your phone."
Then he walked towards the black car that had been waiting for him.
Then, the car drifted away, leaving Jiang Nan standing alone on the busy street. She clutched her freshly-issued marriage certificate and document envelope, feeling as if she had just had a bizarre dream.
In the afternoon, Chen Yunsheng's driver, Zhang Lei, showed up at Jiang Nan's rented apartment building. Seeing the out-of-place luxury car, several neighbors peered in. Jiang Nan felt guilty, but didn't dare delay and hurriedly began unloading her luggage.
Jiang Nan only packed two suitcases. She didn't have many things, and most of them were left in the small apartment she rented - she did not move out.
Firstly, she had been studying and working in Jiangcheng for seven or eight years and had more stuff than she had imagined. Secondly, she wanted to have a way out, a place to stay. Furthermore, Chen Yunsheng's compensation was generous, enough for her to sign a three-year lease straight away. Seeing her willingness, the landlord even reduced the rent a bit.
After going downstairs, she greeted Zhang Lei, who was very polite, but after helping her put her luggage away, he said little.
Jiang Nan wanted to say something to ease the atmosphere, but she didn't know what to say, so she ended up saying nothing.
Later, the car drove towards the city center and after a distance, it finally entered the underground garage of a high-rise apartment building with strict security and a low-key appearance but extraordinary texture.
She followed Zhang Lei upstairs while observing the surrounding environment.
Chen Yunsheng's home—more of a display area than a home—is a penthouse with a stunning view, overlooking most of the city. The decor is modern and minimalist, with large expanses of black, white, and gray, cold lines, and a spotless, almost empty space where you can almost hear your own breathing. The furnishings and furniture inside adhere to a certain set pattern, meticulously arranged, exuding a sense of solemn order without a crowd.
"Mr. Chen said your room is at the end of the corridor on the left," Zhang Lei put down his luggage and pointed her in a direction. "Here are the access card and key to the building. Mr. Chen has an appointment tonight and will be back late." After giving the instructions, Zhang Lei left.
Jiang Nan dragged her suitcase along, stepping carefully on the floor, fearing to leave any marks or make any loud noises. But no matter how lightly she stepped, there was still a rustling sound.
Fortunately, she found her room quickly.
It was very large, with a private bathroom, and was very clean and tidy. It was even the size of a single room, which was equivalent to her small one-bedroom apartment. She was a little surprised, a little delighted, but also a little at a loss.
Afterwards, she checked the room inside and out to make sure everything was alright before taking out her small luggage and putting it away. Then, she sat on the soft but unfamiliar bed and looked around until a huge sense of unreality enveloped her.
This would be her home for the next three years—perhaps workshop would be a better word.
She sat there blankly for a while before standing up, taking a shower, changing her clothes, and then lying on the bed to rest. She had been so busy lately that she had been so tense. Now that the dust had settled, she felt tired.
Although he slept soundly, Jiang Nan still woke up in the middle of the night.
She hadn't eaten for almost a day, and her stomach was rumbling, making her feel a little uncomfortable.
Then, she lay in bed for a while. When she was sure there was no movement outside, she got up and tiptoed to the living room.
When she found out that Chen Yunsheng was not at home, her movements became more natural.
She wandered around the living room aimlessly for a while, then walked into the open kitchen.
The refrigerator has a built-in double door. When you open it, you can see imported mineral water and some high-end fruits neatly stacked inside. The freezer is filled with beautifully packaged steaks and cod, and the plates are neatly arranged. The cupboards are empty except for expensive cups, plates and bowls.
Jiang Nan sighed and rummaged through her luggage, finally finding two packets of emergency instant noodles in the corner—the mushroom and chicken soup flavor. She carefully found a seemingly ordinary pot to boil water, then a seemingly ordinary white porcelain bowl.
Once the water boiled, she placed the dough into the pot and tore open the seasoning packet. Then, a familiar, rich aroma, tinged with a hint of cheap essence, instantly filled the empty mansion. The smell relaxed her tense nerves a little.
Unfortunately, there were no vegetables or eggs in the refrigerator, otherwise they would taste better if they were put in the pot and cooked with the noodles.
Jiang Nan thought about it and let the matter go.
As long as there is something to eat, she is good enough, so she shouldn't be picky.
After a few minutes, Jiang Nan took out the noodles and added a little vinegar according to taste.
Then she cleaned the kitchen before preparing to eat.
She sat cross-legged on the carpet, placing her bowl on a low table. She opened her phone and found a comedy variety show. She ate her noodles and laughed along with the guests on screen. The hot soup dispelled the early spring chill and the anxiety in her heart, allowing her to temporarily forget where she was.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com