Volume One, Chapter Six: Dressing Her

Su Li still felt a bit embarrassed, her breathing growing rapid, her lower abdomen rising and falling with each breath.

Her abdomen was flat and taut, the black underwear starkly contrasting with her skin, and her long, well-proportioned legs lying against the gray sheets created a striking visual impact.

Her figure was excellent—he had noticed it before.

But today, it was more fully, more frankly displayed.

The delicate sensation from holding her lingered on his fingertips, now faintly warm.

Mo Xingyuan swallowed lightly, bent down to pull off the other pant leg, slipped her loose trousers on, and pulled them up to her waist.

His fingertips brushed her skin, sensing her body tense and shiver at the touch.

He glanced at her face—fair with a hint of pink, her gaze somewhat unnatural.

Mo Xingyuan pulled the quilt over her, turned away, just as someone knocked at the door.

“Come in.”

Mo Xingyuan’s private doctor entered, glancing first at Mo Xingyuan.

“She had a fall. Check if it's serious,” Mo Xingyuan signaled with his eyes.

The doctor gave Su Li a quick examination, pressing a few spots, confirming it was just a strained muscle—a stretch would suffice.

The doctor noticed Su Li’s irregular breathing. “You seem to have a cold.”

“Yes.”

“Are you trying for a baby?”

Mrs. Mo, who had come in with the doctor, raised her eyebrows, clearly concerned about this.

Before Mo Xingyuan could answer, Su Li nodded, “Yes.”

The doctor couldn't help but glance at Mo Xingyuan.

Mo Xingyuan stared at Su Li, his gaze carrying a silent warning.

Su Li lowered her eyes—wasn’t her answer really for Mrs. Mo’s benefit?

After prescribing medication, the doctor and Mrs. Mo went downstairs, leaving only Mo Xingyuan and Su Li in the room.

Because of that word, Su Li felt somewhat uneasy facing Mo Xingyuan.

For once, Mo Xingyuan didn’t confront her, simply headed to the study.

After a while, Chi Mu knocked and entered.

“Mr. Mo, I’ve brought the documents.”

Chi Mu handed over the agreement. “Drafted as you requested.”

Mo Xingyuan glanced at it and then walked into the bedroom, handing it to Su Li.

“This is the agreement. If you want this marriage, sign it.”

Su Li hadn’t expected him to act so quickly.

She flipped through it, pausing at the final clause. She asked, “If—just if—you happen to fall in love with me, will this agreement still apply?”

“Impossible.” Mo Xingyuan replied without hesitation.

Su Li hadn’t expected any other answer from him.

After all, the agreement was just to put his mind at ease—it meant nothing to her.

“There are no absolutes.”

Mo Xingyuan regarded her, his silence heavy with meaning—though clearly not pleasant.

Su Li understood, signed her name decisively, snapped a photo for her records, and handed it back.

Her straightforwardness made Mo Xingyuan look at her again—sometimes, she really did know her place.

“In future, find your own way to avoid going back to the old house.”

“What did the agreement say?” Lu Jing was curious.

Su Li sat cross-legged on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket and blowing her nose. “A lot, but there are a few key points. First, no physical contact.”

Lu Jing laughed, “He thinks you’re some kind of rogue.”

Su Li sniffed, “With his face and figure, I do feel the urge to be one.”

“…What else?”

“Second, if we meet outside, we pretend not to know each other.”

“He really doesn’t want to be married to you.”

“Third, don’t mention our relationship to anyone.”

“The most important clause: don’t develop feelings for him.”

Lu Jing sighed, “Does he dislike you, or just marriage itself?”

Su Li shrugged, “Both. But mostly me, I suppose.”

“He’s guarding against you at every turn. What do you get out of it? There’s no benefit for you.”

A WeChat notification chimed. Su Li checked it and raised her eyebrows. “No benefit? I don’t have to serve in-laws, don’t have to care for a husband, and I get tens of thousands as monthly pocket money. What’s not to like?”

“Are you serious? When he dies, people will talk.”

“Everyone dies. It’s only a matter of sooner or later,” Su Li said indifferently. “Anyway, I never planned to marry again.”

Lu Jing frowned, “I think you’re so casual because you no longer believe in love.”

“Stop thinking about love all the time.” Su Li corrected her, “I’m not casual. You don’t know how handsome he is. Doesn’t look ill at all. Who knows, he might not die. If he doesn’t, I’ve made a profit.”

Lu Jing couldn’t laugh.

She always felt Su Li wasn’t marrying willingly, nor for money.

It felt like she was degrading herself.

Su Li’s phone rang.

She saw the caller and frowned slightly.

She answered with a light, gentle tone.

After the call, she hummed softly, “The effect of being married is about to show.”

Lu Jing was puzzled, “What effect?”

“To ward off admirers.”

Su Li had applied to the head office to transfer back to Nine Cities for He Shuming’s sake. She hadn’t expected that Zhou Yi, the son of a leader who liked her, would also transfer to Nine Cities.

Tonight, he’d even organized a department gathering.

Su Li hadn’t reported to the company yet, but everyone often met at the same exhibitions, and all the branch staff knew her.

It wouldn’t do to skip this gathering.

On the way to the event, Lu Jing suddenly thought of something.

“What happens if you break the agreement?”

There was indeed a penalty for the most important clause, set by Mo Xingyuan.

If she violated the agreement, she’d have to squat in the city center, jump, and bark like a dog.

It was hard to imagine someone like Mo Xingyuan coming up with such an undignified punishment—it showed just how much he disliked her.

It was an absurd penalty, but it was binding for both him and her.

Of course, it was mainly to guard against her.

Su Li got out of the car, tightened her coat, and walked into the restaurant.

The private room door was open, filled with laughter.

Someone at the door stopped and called out, “Su Li, come on, we’re waiting for you.”

Everyone turned to look at her.

Su Li smiled openly at them. “Sorry for being late. I was home sleeping off a cold and overslept.”

“Are you alright?” Zhou Yi looked concerned.

Su Li shook her head, “Just a mild cold, nothing serious.”

They were all familiar faces, colleagues she’d worked with. Meeting again, everyone was warm and welcoming.

The rumor that Zhou Yi liked Su Li had spread from the head office to the branch—everyone knew it at this gathering.

Someone thoughtfully left the seat beside Zhou Yi empty for her. Su Li sat down and chatted with everyone.

They were all seasoned professionals, and conversation flowed endlessly.

No one felt left out—the atmosphere was harmonious and lively.

After dinner, people were still chatting. Zhou Yi stepped out, and after a while, returned with a bouquet of champagne roses.

Everyone smiled knowingly, their eyes all turning to Su Li.

Su Li wasn’t naive—she knew exactly what was happening.

With so many people present, she couldn’t easily refuse Zhou Yi without making future work awkward.

The private room door was open, and passersby stopped to watch—a spectacle is never to be missed.

“Su Li, I heard you’re single again. Can you give me a chance to love you?” Zhou Yi stood before her, boldly declaring his feelings.

Everyone cheered, though they didn’t press her to accept.

Su Li stood up, facing Zhou Yi’s pursuit with honesty.

“I’m sorry. I’m not single again—I already have a family.”