Forewords:
She thought he was the epitome of a reckless rascal; rich, careless, and a playboy to the full extend of the word. He considered her a goody two-shoe princess; boneless and unpretentious. From birth they belonged to the same class, a society built around appearances and money and never once spoke…until fate intervened.
Chapter 1
Perfection.
It was how all the guests described the wedding between the heir to one of the most power family in China’s business world, Hu Ge, and Lin Jia Yu, descendant of a royal family from long ago.
And they weren’t kidding.
The Spring sky, darkened for days by rain and thunder, was as clear and blue as sapphires. The sun shone brightly, so warm it tingled. And the sweet fragrance of blossoms filled the air. Some guest even remarked that birds could be heard singing in the distance.
The display of wealth and power was everywhere. From the crystals that decorated every table to the extravagant menu and three thousand red roses, no detail was spared.
It was the kind of wedding a person read about, the kind every little girl dreamed about.
Except the bride.
In a closed room, away from prying eyes and ears, Lin Jia Yu waited to finalize the arrangement between herself and Hu Ge. The wedding, although beautiful, was a ruse and she wanted it over as quickly as possible.
Had Hu Ge let her have things the way she wanted there wouldn’t have been a huge, public wedding for the world to see. After all, her union to Hu Ge was simply a business arrangement. She married him for money and he married her for appearances. There was no love between them, only a history of dislike.
In the silence, Lin Jia Yu finally allowed herself a good look of the ring on her finger. It was a tear shaped diamond that sparkled back at her. “I did it,” she whispered.
For a fleeting moment Lin Jia Yu was truly happy at what she’d done. From the moment she learned of her parents’ debt she’d done everything she could to help. Using the education they gave her she even found a wonderful job. But it wasn’t enough. Intelligence was nothing without money.
Then two weeks ago Hu Ge approached her with the proposal. He would get rid of her parents’ debt if she married him. She had no idea how he found out about her family problems, but declined without a thought.
Hu Ge didn’t even like her. They grew up in the same social circle and never once spoken to each other. Then out of the blue he wants to marry her. Any sane woman would’ve said no.
Besides that, Lin Jia Yu didn’t particularly like him. The feeling, she knew, was mutual. The Hu Ge she remembered changed girls every other week and was as reckless as a drunk. When she heard that he nearly died in an accident she wasn’t surprised. Going to the same school with him had been enough. Marrying him would be similar to signing herself up for a one way trip to hell.
Then a week ago Lin Jia Yu found out her family was on the verge of losing their ancestral home. It nearly killed her father. The entire episode had been heartbreaking and she knew without a doubt what she had to do.
There were no questions about it. It was her home. They were her parents. That was it. She called Hu Ge the next day and agreed to marry him a week later.
The door of the study creaked and Lin Jia Yu looked up to see Hu Ge enter with an elderly man. She stood up immediately.
“Mr. Hun, my wife Lin Jia Yu,” Hu Ge quickly said.
Lin Jia Yu smiled and shook Mr. Hun’s extended hand. “Hello.”
“Nice to meet you Miss Yu—“
“Mrs. Ge,” Hu Ge corrected.
Mr. Hun turned pink and almost dropped the papers in his hand. “My apologies, Mrs. Ge.”
“No need to apologize, Mr. Hun,” Lin Jia Yu said, narrowing her eyes at Hu Ge. Hu Ge ignored her and took his seat behind the desk. Lin Jia Yu waited until Mr. Hun sat down before sitting down in the chair next to him.
“Mr. Hun has been a lawyer to the Ge family for years. He’s here as a witness and to help us finalize the paper work,” Hu Ge explained.
“Is there a lot left?” Lin Jia Yu asked, eyeing the stack of papers in Mr. Han’s hands.
“No,” Hu Ge answered. “There are only two crucial documents left to sign. The stack is copies of your father’s finances and everything he owes. You may want to keep them for your own records.”
“I do,” Lin Jia Yu said, meeting Hu Ge’s gaze.
Amusement crossed Hu Ge’s face and he leaned back in his chair. “You may begin Mr. Hun.”
Mr. Hun cleared his throat and Lin Jia Yu was forced to listen to the man rather than analyze what Hu Ge found was so funny about her response.
“Miss…I mean Mrs. Ge, this is a check for 5 million dollars, the total cost of your parents’ debt.” Mr. Hun pushed the check in Lin Jia Yu’s direction. “The term of your marriage to Hu Ge was that he will pay off the Yu family debt. Please sign here acknowledging that the term has been met.”
Lin Jia Yu stared at the check, looked up at Mr. Hun, then at Hu Ge, and then back at the check. 5 million dollars. It was all there.
It was so much money. Too much. How could she take it? There must be other ways to help her family. Wasn’t there? She didn’t have to take his money. Did she?
“Something wrong?”
It was Hu Ge who asked the question. Lin Jia Yu hesitated before looking up at him. “N-No. Nothing’s wrong,” she lied.
“Then what are you waiting for?”
She didn’t know, wasn’t sure. “I…”
“It’s too late to back out now. We’re already married. You’re my wife whether or not you take the money.”
Lin Jia Yu glared at Hu Ge, hating the fact that he was right. Grabbing a pen she reached over and signed her name.
Mr. Hun seemed embarrassed by the whole exchange and quickly handed Hu Ge the same document. Hu Ge signed it without hesitation. “Now, then,” Mr. Hun said, relieved. “One last thing.” Turning to Lin Jia Yu he explained, “This outlines your part of the arrangement. You’re to stay married to Hu Ge until his position as CEO of Gen Corps is secure. Should you fail to keep your end of the deal—“
“I won’t,” Lin Jia Yu interrupted, looking straight at Hu Ge.
Hu Ge quirked a brow.
“I understand,” Mr. Hun placated, pretending he didn’t see the exchange, “but should you fail Miss Yu, Mrs. Ge I mean, you’re to pay back the money twofold.”
“I understand.” Lin Jia Yu quickly signed the document. “And Mr. Hun, Miss Yu is fine by me. There’s no need to correct yourself.”
Whether or not Lin Jia Yu’s remarked affected Hu Ge he showed no signs. Mr. Hun on the other hand appeared even more uncomfortable. As soon as Hu Ge handed him the signed papers he quickly excused himself.
Lin Jia Yu waited until Mr. Hun closed the door before getting out of her chair. “Excuse me. I should go say goodbye to my friends and family.”
“Not so fast.” Hu Ge was beside Lin Jia Yu in an instant. “There are some things about our marriage that needs to be discussed.”
^_^ TBC