She knew it was rude to clutch onto his arm this way, but she had no choice. If she let go, he would leave.

Gu Liancheng did not shake her off. He simply stood there, and calmly said, "I despise greedy individuals."

Eleven was taken aback. It was him... The check from a year ago was indeed given by him!

"I won’t take it for nothing! It’s a loan, I can work for you, Mr. Gu, do anything at all! As long as you lend me some money temporarily - it’s urgent."

"I’m sorry, but I’m not running a charity." He frowned, unwilling to say more, and told Su Qing back in the car to drive off.

Eleven sat helplessly by the roadside. She knew she couldn’t blame him since he really didn’t owe her anything. But...

If she hadn’t been so desperate, how could she have resorted to such an absurd method? When she set out, she never really believed it would work.

As soon as her phone rang, she answered instantly, "Hello, Xiaoxiao! Did your uncle say—"

"I’m sorry, Eleven, we can’t help you. We’re having financial difficulties at the moment..."

"No...it’s okay... You’ve already lent me all your pocket money. I really appreciate it... Don’t worry..." After hanging up, Eleven felt as if her world was collapsing.

She squatted there, unable to go anywhere. Not until nightfall, when Gu Liancheng’s car reappeared.

He didn’t expect Eleven to still be there when he returned to his company.

...

In the coffee shop.

"You’ll do anything?" Gu Liancheng looked at her seriously.

"Yes, absolutely anything!" She repeated.

"Including marrying me?"

"...What...did you say?" She thought she must have misheard.

"Marriage," Gu Liancheng sipped his coffee, talking about marriage as casually as one would a meal, "A journey that could only offer you matrimony, not love."

"Mr. Gu...I...don’t quite understand... I just need to borrow some money. It may not be a lot to you, but it’s vital for me."

"A few hours ago, I visited my mother. The doctor says she hasn’t got much time left," he continued, "I need a joyous event, a wedding - it will fulfill her long-held wish."

"But...why me?"

"You’re at the right place and the right time."

She just happened to appear when he needed someone.

"Mr. Gu, I can actually put on a show for Madame Gu—"

"If you’re not willing, I can find someone else." Gu Liancheng didn’t want to discuss it anymore and stood up to leave.

Eleven was stunned. She hadn’t expected the conversation to conclude so abruptly.

Her phone rang; it was the hospital, advising her that if the payment wasn’t made soon, they’d cease treatment. She was so frightened, she yelled out to Gu Liancheng’s retreating figure several times, "I agree! I agree, Mr. Gu!"

She caught up with him. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Gu Liancheng looked at her sideways, "Marriage only, no love, you okay with that?"

"Yes! I don’t need love! Just give me the necessary sustenance!"

"As husband and wife, we will do what husband and wives do." He emphasized to her.

Of course, he was not bringing a wife home just for show.

"...Alright..." She gripped her phone tightly.

"I won’t announce our relationship publicly - it’s a secret marriage."

"I agree!" She had to report to West Shadow soon. There couldn’t be a better arrangement than a secret marriage.

"We need to sign a pre-marital agreement."

"I understand!" She didn’t need to know everything.

"I can end our relationship at any point."

"Agreed! I agree to everything!" She was frantic in her eyes.