Even though they were both in Z City in the East, they'd never crossed paths. But Jiang Chenyu's name had been floating around for a while.

Jiang Chenyu, a 28-year-old big shot, successful in his career, and easy on the eyes. He was practically the economic king of the East, holding all the strings of the economy. He used to be the kind of guy that made others nervous, and now he's becoming her husband!

Young and powerful, he had this intimidating presence that made people sweat just being near him.

But at this moment, at their wedding, he looked like he just got back from a business trip, all disheveled, as if he hadn't bothered to tidy up for his own wedding. It's like getting married was just another chore for him.

Seems like he's not thrilled about this marriage either. Well, if that's the case, might as well just go with the flow.

With that thought, Gu Nuannuan couldn't help but smirk!

When her old man handed her over to Jiang Chenyu, her fingertips were ice cold with nerves. When she touched Jiang Chenyu, she felt the warmth of his hand, and she instinctively wanted to pull back.

But Jiang Chenyu was quick; he grabbed her hand before she could retreat.

Their eyes locked!

Jiang Chenyu glanced at her face, his eyes brushing over Gu Nuannuan's doe-like eyes, sending ripples through the deep pool of his gaze involuntarily!

For a moment, he turned away, no longer looking at her.

Feeling the warmth from Gu Nuannuan's fingertips, Jiang Chenyu couldn't help but think to himself: "Guess I'm the old bull now, huh?"

And no one knew that the bride-to-be was daydreaming at her own wedding!

So much so that when the priest asked, "Bride, do you take this man to be your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" There was silence in the hall.

Gu Nuannuan's heart was racing, and Jiang Chenyu, who was closest, noticed her irregular breathing.

Jiang Chenyu reminded her, "You gotta answer."

His voice was deep, powerful, oozing magnetism, causing Gu Nuannuan to unconsciously tighten her grip on the bouquet.

Gu Nuannuan looked up, confusion evident in her eyes!

Jiang Chenyu waited, but there was no "I do" from Gu Nuannuan.

Sensing some unrest in the room, Jiang Chenyu's grip on Gu Nuannuan tightened involuntarily.

Jiang Chenyu couldn't help but turn to look at his jittery bride.

Jiang Chenyu narrowed his eyes. If this little wife dared to embarrass the Jiang family at the wedding, the Gu family would pay.

But his gaze met Gu Nuannuan's clear eyes, and the clarity caused Jiang Chenyu to pause!

Jiang Chenyu reached out and casually tucked away a strand of Gu Nuannuan's hair. It looked affectionate to others, but they maintained a distance. He whispered threateningly in Gu Nuannuan's ear, "Don't space out again, or both the Jiang and Gu families will be in trouble!"

His words hit her hard!

This was supposed to be a transactional wedding~

Gu Nuannuan smirked. This time, as she looked into Jiang Chenyu's eyes, she was more composed.

She whispered softly, "I will, thanks for the reminder!"

The warm breath brushed against Jiang Chenyu's ear, and the fragrance made him pause for a moment.

His ear twitched involuntarily, then he nodded and looked up at the priest!

Receiving Jiang Chenyu’s gaze, the priest smiled and asked again, “Bride, do you take this man... until the end?”

“I do!” Gu Nuannuan nodded vigorously this time, like a garlic pounder, loudly affirming.

With her response, the hearts of both the Jiang and Gu families finally settled.

The priest then asked the groom, “Groom, do you take... until the end?”

“I do.”

His voice sounded as solid as a rock to Gu Nuannuan’s ears.

Gu Nuannuan couldn’t help but look up at the man beside her again. Regardless of whether it was a transaction or not, this man would be her husband from now on!

“...Please exchange rings.”

Warm applause filled the room.

Hearing the applause, to ease the awkwardness, Gu Nuannuan took the initiative to ask Jiang Chenyu, “Do we clap when we exchange rings?”

Jiang Chenyu ignored her, simply rudely pulling her hand and forcing the ring onto her ring finger.

Gu Nuannuan’s impression of him soured. What a rough man!

When it was Gu Nuannuan’s turn to put the ring on him, she deliberately used force to slide the ring onto his left ring finger.

The pain made Jiang Chenyu look at his vengeful little wife.

Hmm, she’s small but holds grudges.

Gu Nuannuan was about to yell at Jiang Chenyu when suddenly their eyes met again. His gaze was obscure, staring at her, making Gu Nuannuan’s heart feel uneasy.

She mistakenly thought that this petty man was holding a grudge because she had used force when putting the ring on him.

Yep, he’s also a grudge-holder!

The wedding day ended.

That night, Gu Nuannuan followed the Jiang family to their old mansion.

Thinking about tonight being their wedding night, Gu Nuannuan couldn’t bear to face it. She closed her eyes nervously, biting her lip, “What should I do tonight?”

The door to the bridal chamber was pushed open, and she nervously opened her eyes, quickly standing up from the foot of the bed.

Seeing the man entering, she nervously swallowed.

The thought of possibly sharing a bed with this man made her whole body break out in goosebumps.

Jiang Chenyu walked into the room, heading towards Gu Nuannuan.

Gu Nuannuan nervously backed away, “Um, let’s get to know each other first. I’m Gu Nuannuan, twenty years old, going into my sophomore year after summer vacation. I, I, I...”

“What did you do to convince him?” Jiang Chenyu’s eyes were full of hostility as he looked at the girl in front of him. He was in a hurry to get the information from his father, so he agreed to the marriage without much thought. But with so many people wanting to marry into the Jiang family, how did this plain girl manage to persuade the stubborn old man to marry her off to him?

Gu Nuannuan was stunned, “You’re not making any sense. I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Jiang Chenyu said to himself, “Don’t covet what’s not yours, Gu Nuannuan. Don’t think that marrying into the Jiang family will make everything rosy for you; quite the opposite.”

This time Gu Nuannuan understood. He suspected that she had used some kind of scheme to persuade his father to agree to the marriage.

To clear up the misunderstanding between them, Gu Nuannuan explained, “Jiang Chenyu, you were forced, too, right? In fact, so was I.”

A sarcastic smile appeared on Jiang Chenyu’s lips. “Today alone, the Gu family received at least fifteen projects. You’re telling me you were forced?”

His tone made Gu Nuannuan furious.

She tried to explain kindly, but no one believed her. “Jiang Chenyu, are you mocking my dad for selling his daughter for glory? Let me tell you, if it weren’t for your dad pressuring mine, even if my dad starved to death, he wouldn’t have married me off to your family.”

“All right then, let’s see if the Gu family ‘starving to death’ will come to the Jiang family for help.” Jiang Chenyu took out his phone, ready to give orders to his assistant. “Acquire the Gu family.”

“CEO, which Gu family?” the assistant asked.

“My father-in-law’s family.” Jiang Chenyu looked at Gu Nuannuan as he said this.

On their wedding night, Gu Nuannuan was so angry she wanted to beat up Jiang Chenyu.

She was so angry she blurted out, “Jiang Chenyu, you’re just a damn business tycoon!”

“You...” He had no idea this woman would curse directly.

Gu Nuannuan, still wearing the evening dress she had greeted guests in, rushed out of the bridal chamber. She grabbed a servant passing by and asked, “Where’s Father Jiang?”

Her sudden appearance startled the servant. “He’s... in the bedroom.”

She asked again, “Where’s Jiang Lao’s bedroom?”

The servant pointed in a direction.

At that moment, a noblewoman emerged from around the corner. From her age and attire, Gu Nuannuan could tell she was Jiang Chenyu’s elder sister-in-law, the mayor’s wife, Wei Aihua.

Wei Aihua instructed the servant, “You may leave.”

The servant bowed and retreated.

Gu Nuannuan looked at Wei Aihua. She couldn’t bring herself to call her “sister-in-law.” This woman was three years older than her mother.

Wei Aihua approached, looking Gu Nuannuan up and down. “What do you want from Dad?”

“He promised me something and didn’t follow through,” Gu Nuannuan replied.

Wei Aihua glanced at Jiang Chenyu, who had followed them out. She exchanged glances with him, and then turned her gaze back to Gu Nuannuan. “On your wedding night, instead of staying in your room, you ran out here. Are you afraid no one will recognize you?”

Wei Aihua sternly criticized Gu Nuannuan and also indirectly criticized Jiang Chenyu.

Jiang Chenyu interjected, “Sister-in-law, this is none of your business!”

Wei Aihua was taken aback by Jiang Chenyu’s retort, her expression sour, and she left in anger.

Gu Nuannuan followed the direction the servant had indicated.

At Jiang Lao’s door, she met the butler. The butler also saw Gu Nuannuan and Jiang Chenyu. “Young Master, Young Madam, shouldn’t you be in the bridal chamber? Why are you here?”

“I want to see Jiang Lao. He didn’t keep his promise,” Gu Nuannuan said.

“Master has already gone to bed. Whatever it is, let’s discuss it tomorrow,” the butler replied.

Just then, a voice came from inside the room. “Butler, let them into the study.”

Five minutes later, Jiang Lao appeared in his study, wearing a coat, with the newlyweds still sitting on the sofa.

Gu Nuannuan was angry, and Jiang Chenyu was sizing up her angry face. He narrowed his eyes, wondering why her first reaction upon learning he was going to acquire the Gu family was to come to his father.

“What do you want from me?” Jiang Lao asked.

Gu Nuannuan stood up and walked over to Jiang Lao. “Jiang Lao, you promised me that the Jiang family would not harm the Gu family.”

Jiang Lao glanced at the calm man sitting on the sofa. He understood his second son’s personality and had a rough idea of what was going on.

“You leave first. I need to talk to Chenyu,” Jiang Lao said.

Gu Nuannuan, brought to this point by her frustration, didn’t say anything else. She was not annoying, but when it came to her family, she didn’t want to make pointless sacrifices.

If she married into the Jiang family, her company would be acquired. If she didn’t marry into the Jiang family, the company would go bankrupt.

“Jiang Lao, if you can’t keep your promise, then I can’t keep mine,” Gu Nuannuan said.

“Get out!” Jiang Lao snapped.

Gu Nuannuan clenched her fists and turned to leave.

In the study, Jiang Lao told his second son, “Withdraw the order. Don’t touch the Gu family.”

“Father, what leverage does she have on you?” Jiang Chenyu asked.

“Jiang Chenyu, don’t make me say it a second time. If I catch you targeting the Gu family again, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

Rarely had his father been so serious, which piqued Jiang Chenyu’s interest. “I’m getting more and more curious. What secrets do you two have between you?”