Chapter 74
100% Unequal Marriage of Convenience Agreement
"Spreading rumors and misleading the public." Cheng Sangluo rambled on righteously, his face remaining impassive, but in reality, he had already complied with the crazy woman's request, hugging her tightly and pressing her against the wall.
Lin Jin leaned against the wall, her cheek resting against his shoulder, a stray strand of hair tucked into her smile, a hint of teasing lurking in her eyes. "Hold on tight, or I'll fall~" she whispered.
Cheng Sangluo followed the sound, tightening her arms around her waist. With her other hand, she lifted the madwoman's chin, buried her head in her fragrant nape, and sighed with a mixture of helplessness and infatuation, "I can't do anything with you."
The two have a perfect difference in physique, which always creates a captivating tension in ambiguous moments.
Just like now, the embrace pressed tightly against the wall is filled with such tension.
Cheng Sangluo hunched his back, engulfing the slender, beautiful woman in his arms, much like a black, shiny wolf encircling a skinny little white rabbit.
Her kisses weren't gentle; they were more like aggressive bites. In her ecstasy, the soft sighs that rose from her nostrils were enough to make one's heart itch.
Lin Jin enjoyed her light and heavy bites and kisses. The smile on her lips was as carefree as ever, yet full of doting acquiescence, acquiescing to the person who was falling deeper and deeper into her trap being a little wilder, even wilder.
Separated by a wall are two completely different worlds, creating an unspeakable sense of taboo and excitement.
In the living room, Lin Jin's legal team was busy at work, with the sounds of typing on keyboards and discussions occasionally heard.
The busier these people are, the more they can create storms and waves in the restaurant.
The two, dressed in tattered clothes, were pressed against the corner of the wall. Their embrace was filled with unrestrained grabbing and pulling, and their kiss was also one of utter ecstasy.
Cheng Sangluo's fingertips were coated with sticky nectar.
Lin Jin shrugged her thin shoulders, and the fingers that were stroking the puppy's cheek trembled.
Cheng Sangluo wanted to focus her attention on her intimate moments with Lin Jin, but she also had to keep an eye on the noise outside the door.
As she faintly heard approaching footsteps, she quickly pulled her scattered rationality back, hurriedly straightening Lin Jin's robe and tightening her loose belt.
She pretended nothing had happened and carried the limp, crazy woman to the dining table.
What just happened seems like a fleeting dream, with only the lingering stickiness on fingertips hinting at a brief and rough intimacy.
Lin Jin secretly steadied her anxious breathing, propped one hand on her cheek, and watched the dog, who was trying to appear calm, with great interest. She hissed and teased, "You started a fire and didn't put it out. You deserve to die."
In the quiet restaurant, her laughter was soft, like a tiny pebble that could create ripples.
The sound drifted leisurely into Cheng Sangluo's ears, becoming a kiss that was impossible to grasp or scratch, touching every inch of her nerves, and igniting the raging fire in her dantian that was ready to burst forth but was then suppressed.
Cheng Sangluo gripped the back of the chair, grinding her teeth hard against her lips, using the real pain to dispel her intense desire for Lin Jin.
She pulled out a chair and sat down, turning her head to gaze at the seemingly calm but actually crazy woman. She secretly placed her hand on the woman's leg, letting it wander almost imperceptibly. "Then let the fire that can't be extinguished burn even brighter."
As she spoke, she leaned close to Lin Jin's face, her lips brushing against his earlobe, "I'll tell you quietly, you're not the only one who's suffering."
"I didn't know puppies could be naughty like that~" Lin Jin chuckled, leaning her weight onto Cheng Sangluo's shoulder. "It's uncomfortable, but it's also very exciting, I like it~"
Just as the two were enjoying their flirtatious conversation, Zhou Ran walked in carrying a tray in both hands.
Her professional competence and ability to handle affairs are among the best in the industry. Moreover, she serves a boss like Lin Jin who is unpredictable. She not only makes good use of her expertise, but also knows how to read people's expressions and is very cautious.
Lin Jin didn't ask questions and didn't pry into the boss's private life, so when she placed the dishes on the table one by one, she didn't even look up.
"Please enjoy your meal." Zhou Ran spoke politely, turning to leave with the empty tray. "President Lin, please let me know if you need anything."
"Go on out." Lin Jin waved her hand and busied herself serving food to the puppy, coaxing it with a smile, "You're the one who does 'physical work,' you need to eat more so you have the energy~"
Cheng Sangluo stared at the bowl in her hand, which was gradually overflowing with food, and said with a mix of laughter and tears, "That's enough, that's enough. If I keep eating like this, I'll be slaughtered in less than two weeks."
"You're an energetic puppy, not a pig waiting to be slaughtered. Listen to me, you won't go wrong. Eat more so you'll have the energy later..." Lin Jin dragged out her words, seemingly deliberately teasing the puppy.
Cheng Sangluo was still pondering what 'physical work' meant, and that one had to be well-fed to have the strength. By the time she figured it out, two rosy blushes appeared on her face.
She pretended to be confused and quickly ate her food in silence, her face almost buried in the bowl.
A short knock came from the restaurant door, interrupting the two from their quiet meal.
"Come in." Lin Jin had only taken a small bite anyway, so when she saw the person at the door, she simply put down her chopsticks and bowl.
"Excuse me for disturbing your meal." The team leader approached with two sets of documents, explaining his purpose as he handed them out: "Mr. Lin, this is the first draft of the prenuptial agreement, prepared according to your wishes. Please take a look."
"Put it here and go out first. We'll contact you if there are any problems." Lin Jin picked up the agreement and sent the person away, then glanced at the still bewildered puppy.
Upon hearing about the prenuptial agreement, Cheng Sangluo immediately pulled her head out of the bowl, finally realizing what the people in the living room were there for.
She craned her neck to watch the lawyer leave, pondering the series of thrilling events that had unfolded the previous night. Lin Jin was unexpectedly keen on the marriage by agreement; otherwise, she wouldn't have hastily assembled a team to handle this matter.
Cheng Sangluo's cheeks were bulging as she chewed with difficulty, then picked up the agreement and carefully read through it.
The agreement was as thick as a book, filled with dense text and a bunch of technical terms that made her scratch her head. Every now and then, she would linger for a long time over a single awkward phrase.
Lin Jin, on the other hand, had a relaxed and carefree expression. After glancing at it briefly, she focused her attention on the puppy's face.
She watched intently, a smile playing on her lips, and as Cheng Sangluo's expression gradually became strange, that smile deepened.
"Hiss... this agreement of yours..." Cheng Sangluo frowned, hesitating to speak, flipping through the pages for a while, when she suddenly exploded, "No way, what kind of agreement is this that's 100% unequal?!"
The puppy stared menacingly at the madwoman, pointed to one of the clauses, and repeated: "Party B must be by Party A's side 24 hours a day and cannot refuse any of Party A's requests; otherwise, a penalty of one ten-thousandth of the total debt amount will be imposed as compensation for breach of contract. This penalty will be calculated on a per-incident basis with no upper limit!"
And this is also true! During the marriage, Party B shall not have any private relationship with any woman without Party A's consent. If Party A discovers such relationship or if it has any adverse effects, Party A has the right to demand that Party B compensate for all economic and emotional losses caused by such effects. The amount of compensation will be determined according to the circumstances.
The marriage between Party A and Party B shall last for three years. During these three years, Party B shall not engage in any of the following behaviors: running away from home, having an emotional relationship with another person, or initiating a divorce. If Party B breaches this contract, Party B shall pay Party A a penalty of three times the total amount of the outstanding debt, which shall be based on the outstanding debt of three million.
Cheng Sangluo's voice grew softer and softer as she read, until she finally gasped and exclaimed, "So you mean I have to pay you nine million for breaking the contract halfway through? I don't get a single benefit from this agreement, it's all a trap waiting for me to jump into?! I have no money, but you can take my life!"
"What I want is your life, isn't it?" Lin Jin elegantly rested her chin on her hand, watching the puppy's face grow increasingly dark, and still leisurely raised an eyebrow. "I actually think the terms of this agreement are quite reasonable."
"Where is the rationality? The Qing Dynasty is long gone!" Cheng Sangluo glared and angrily rebuked, then buried her head and continued to read through the hundreds of unequal clauses. Suddenly, she let out a screaming chicken-like sound: "What...what...what is this?! If Party A has physiological needs, Party B must! Obey orders, and Party A will pay Party B one thousand yuan as a reward based on Party B's performance."
The worst thing is when the air suddenly goes quiet.
Cheng Sangluo stared at Lin Jin in disbelief, remaining silent for a long while before exclaiming, "No way, this kind of thing has to be written down in black and white!?"
So, the time has come for revenge and for redress.
"Who was it that paid me a thousand dollars for a night back then? I'm just following suit, it's perfectly reasonable, and there's nothing shameful about it." Lin Jin raised an eyebrow, revealing a long-unseen, hypocritical smile, and shrugged dismissively. "Besides, we're at a stage where our sex drive is really high right now, this is a great opportunity for you to make money. You could easily earn tens of thousands a month, what a lucrative deal!"
As she spoke, she reached out and poked the puppy's head, her face clearly saying: What can you do to me? I'm here to get my revenge.
"Making tens of thousands a month? Whoever wants to do it can do it. What kind of messed-up love transaction is this?" Cheng Sangluo impatiently waved her hand away and continued reading: "During the marriage, Party B has the obligation to take care of and protect Party A. If the performance is good, Party A may pay Party B's salary or deduct debts according to market conditions. All interpretation rights belong to Party A. Of the hundreds of clauses, this one is the only one that is fair to me... This agreement shall take effect after both parties sign and seal it... Lin Jin, you really have it, leaving me no way out?"
After thoroughly reviewing the agreement, Cheng Sangluo felt as if she had been skinned alive. This was no legitimate marriage of convenience agreement; it was a blatant contract of servitude, and a completely unpaid one at that!
"It's just a first draft, it can be revised~" Lin Jin's voice was sweet as she quickly wrapped her arms around the puppy's neck and coaxed, "We can draft a supplementary agreement anytime. If you behave exceptionally well in these three years and make me happy, I'll give you a house, a car, money, and so on. You'll become a millionaire or even a multi-millionaire in no time."
"Who wants your junk? Did I come here for these things?" Cheng Sangluo was furious and wanted to spit it out.
She tried to push the crazy woman away, but she couldn't withstand the woman's frail body and was afraid that she would hurt her if she used too much force. So she threw the agreement all over the ground, saying, "No, no, no, I can't sign this."
Hearing the puppy refuse, Lin Jin threatened in a deep voice: "Have you been itching for a fight because you haven't suffered in a long time? You're starting to act stubborn again. This agreement must be signed, and it must be signed today. We don't have much time left."
Cheng Sangluo was so angry that her face turned red, but she couldn't shake off the clingy person hanging around her neck. The person was still stubborn and said, "Do you think I'm stupid and easy to fool? Go find whoever wants to sign this kind of contract of servitude."
"You owe me money, eat my food, lie in my bed, and sleep with me." Lin Jin spoke with such conviction that the little dog beside her wanted to reach out and cover her mouth.
Lin Jin dodged Cheng Sangluo's hand and sneered, "You dare to do it but not admit it, or are you trying to have your cake and eat it too? What right do you have to refuse me?"
"You!" Cheng Sangluo was already bad with words, and after being sharply rebuked by the crazy woman, she was speechless for a moment.
She clicked her tongue, surprised that after so long, her stubbornness was still of little use!
Lin Jin's enthusiasm for teasing the dog finally subsided, the smile on his lips vanished, and he said seriously, "If the situation weren't so urgent, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to call the lawyer to draft the agreement. You saw what happened last night. Lin Sheng's methods are worse than you imagined. The old man is still unconscious in the ICU, and we don't know what's going on with Xu Songheng. Considering Sheng He's betrayal, my situation is very dangerous. I might die at any time."
Lin Jin spoke with a smile about the possibility of being killed by her brother. The smile did not reveal any helplessness; it was calm and composed, as if she had already accepted all the unknown accidents.
Cheng Sangluo calmed down a bit, slumped her shoulders and let out a sigh of relief, thinking to herself that the madwoman's isolation and helplessness were indeed beyond her imagination.
Despite stabbing that bastard Xu Songheng last night, she was not satisfied, because the real instigator was now unharmed and waiting to watch the show.
Perhaps it was her soft heart that was acting up, or perhaps it was to bring down their shared goal, but she hesitated, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something but couldn't, and in the end, her unwavering heart was swayed.
After a moment's hesitation, she called out solemnly, "Lin Jin."
Lin Jin was ladling soup when he heard the puppy call him by his full name, and he knew that the agreement was settled.
She smiled gently: "Say what you want to say, ask what you want to ask."
"I can sign this agreement, but there are a few major conditions that you must agree to." Cheng Sangluo finally relented, which made Lin Jin's eyebrows crinkle, and her previously feigned relaxed expression became genuine.
Lin Jin put the bowl in the puppy's hand and coaxed, "You can talk while you eat. I don't want my puppy to go hungry."
Cheng Sangluo clicked her tongue impatiently, thinking, "What time is it? Why are they still calling me 'little dog'? Can't they be serious for once?"
She rolled her eyes, but still obediently drank two sips of the delicious soup.
I must say, the soup tastes pretty good.
She clicked her tongue, not immediately offering a suggestion, but instead staring intently at the madwoman's eyes and brows. It wasn't to try and decipher her unpredictable thoughts, but simply because she wanted to look at her a little longer; her intentions were that simple.
Unlike a puppy, Lin Jin wasn't easily shy. Instead, she moved closer to meet her gaze and said gently, "After we're married, you can stare at me like this all the time, for as long as you want. I won't be stingy, I'm very generous~"
For some reason, Cheng Sangluo twitched her back.
This feeling of your heart skipping a beat is like an electric shock running through your body, a tingling, itchy sensation that is a fleeting, blissful experience.
She didn't understand the strange feeling that came from their eyes meeting, and wondered why it would make her heart flutter when she knew that the cooperation was for mutual benefit.
Her gaze darted away, and she touched her nose, turning her head away. "Well, firstly, I demand that the agreement automatically become invalid once we've achieved our respective goals; secondly, my interactions with anyone cannot be considered a breach of contract, because that's my human right and freedom; thirdly..."
As she spoke, she leaned closer, and just before kissing Lin Jin's lips, she turned her face away, placing the sudden kiss on his earlobe. "I won't charge you for sleeping with me, otherwise it will seem like some kind of power-for-sex transaction. But if you become my driver, nanny, or bodyguard, you have to pay me the corresponding salary. This is my hard-earned money, and I can't take a penny less."
Lin Jin raised her uneven eyebrows and sneered: "Huh? You think I don't charge you for sleeping with me?"
She turned her head to stare at the determined-looking puppy, their eyes reflecting each other across a nose-to-nose distance. "Why does your statement sound so insulting?"
Cheng Sangluo didn't avoid such an ambiguous distance, and asked in return, "So, are you going to agree or not?"
"I'm not at a disadvantage, of course I agree~" Lin Jin cupped her face in his hands, "I also have a small request, you can't call me crazy woman anymore, what do you have to call me again?"
Lin Jin deliberately avoided specifying the terms of address that indicated their relationship, urging, "Hurry up, say it and let me hear it."
Cheng Sangluo was startled by this simple request, which made her ears burn and her face turn red.
Those two words seemed to have the power to kill her; she stammered for a long time, unable to utter them, awkwardly resisting, "What are you yelling for? We haven't...we haven't signed or sealed it yet..."
[Author's Note]
1. My pre-order novel, "The Sinful Lover," is available for collection.
2. Let's begin the shameless post-wedding phase!
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