Upon hearing those words, Tan Mo felt a jolt in her heart, as if a storm had erupted inside her.
She never expected to hear such words from Xie Qichen; it was completely beyond her imagination.
The villa fell silent for a moment, and then she heard him ask,
“What do you think? Want to think about it?”
Tan Mo’s mind went blank, unable to speak. Then the man’s warm voice continued,
“I’ve already signed the agreement. The decision is yours. Take your time, think it over, and let me know when you’re ready.”
Tan Mo mumbled an acknowledgment and took the agreement,
“I… I need to go home now.”
Her mind was in chaos, and she felt like escaping.
“Let the driver take you home.”
His gaze dropped to her ankle, “Does your ankle still hurt badly?”
“It’s much better…”
Before she finished speaking, Xie Qichen bent down again, scooping her into his arms and walking steadily outside.
Tan Mo’s nose bumped against his chest, her heart racing, “Xie Qichen, put me down!”
“Alright.”
Feeling him about to let go directly, she tightly gripped his suit shirt with her slender fingers, curling into his arms, her voice soft like a kitten’s mewl, “Don’t…”
No way should someone be let down like that!
Xie Qichen glanced down at her blushing face, his Adam’s apple slightly rolling, and held her even more securely.
Eventually, she was placed into the car. Tan Mo felt the assistant and driver watching her, feeling both shy and angry, she turned her face away from the man.
Wen Cheng, standing silently beside the car, suppressed a smile and respectfully said, “Rest assured, Mr. Xie. I will make sure Miss Tan gets home safely.”
“Hmm.”
The car door closed.
The car slowly drove out of Haixu City.
Tan Mo gradually relaxed her body, only to see Wen Cheng turn around and hand her a medicine bag, “Miss Tan, this is the medicine Mr. Xie just instructed me to buy for your sprained ankle. There are instructions on how to use it.”
Tan Mo was momentarily stunned before accepting it, “He even told you this?”
“Of course. Mr. Xie cares about you a lot.”
Tan Mo softly replied, not taking those flattering words seriously.
Yet, the little flame in her heart was unconsciously extinguished.
Half an hour later, Tan Mo was driven back to the Tan family villa.
In the living room, Tan Mo’s father, who had been eagerly waiting, saw her and hurriedly approached, “Jiaojiao, you’re back—”
Beside him, Tan Mo’s mother noticed her limping, “What happened to your foot? Did you sprain it?”
“Uh-huh…”
“Come, quickly sit down.”
Her mother showed concern while her father also came over, “Jiaojiao, is your foot okay? By the way, how did your talk with Qichen go? Did you agree? He’s really serious about this arranged marriage, saying he wanted to come find you as soon as he came back.”
Seeing the full smile on her father’s face, Tan Mo’s eyes darkened slightly, “No.”
“Huh? What did he say?”
Her mother lightly clicked her tongue, “Oh come on, you didn’t even ask about Jiaojiao’s foot injury, only talking about the arranged marriage!”
“I do care about Jiaojiao’s foot injury. Dad, can I give you a massage?”
Tan Mo shook her head, “Dad, Mom, I want to rest first.”
“Alright, Ah Zhang, help Jiaojiao upstairs.”
Tan’s father wanted to ask more, but was stopped by her mother, “Forget it. If Jiaojiao really doesn’t want to, don’t force her…”
Meanwhile, Tan Mo was helped upstairs.
At the bedroom door, Ah Zhang left. The door next door opened, and Tan Zhiwan came out.
She casually asked, “What did Xie Qichen talk to you about tonight?”
Thinking about the events of the night, Tan Mo’s expression slightly cooled,
“What do you want to say?”
“You don’t have to think too much. I’ve never been interested in an arranged marriage. Besides, Dad loves me, he would never use his biological daughter’s marriage to exchange for benefits.”
“Did you finish asking?”
“I’m just advising you to seize the opportunity. Since Xie Qichen is willing to settle for you in this arranged marriage, it’s better for you to marry into a wealthy family. After all, nothing in the Tan family will belong to you in the future. Don’t even think about getting your hands on the Tan family’s assets.”
Tan Mo smiled thinly, “Sister, I find you quite suitable for acting in a certain kind of play.”
Tan Zhiwan was taken aback, “What play?”
“A solo play.”
Tan Mo smiled, “Every day, you make up various scenarios about others’ inner worlds in your mind, treating them as truth and enjoying it endlessly.”
Tan Zhiwan’s face stiffened. She watched Tan Mo smile,
“Thank you for your advice, sister. I will seriously consider it.”
The door was closed, and Tan Zhiwan’s expression was uncontrollable, instantly collapsing, jealousy surging in her heart.
Inside the room, Tan Mo finally had peace and quiet.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, her mind was a mess, eventually looking down at the medicine in her hand.
Xie Qichen’s words echoed in her ears again.
She had never imagined that one day Xie Qichen would actually propose to marry her, even if it was just a fake arranged marriage.
What exactly is he plotting…
Tan Mo leaned back, sinking into the soft bedding.
–
After talking with her, Xie Qichen didn’t appear in front of her for the next few days, as if giving her enough time to think.
On the weekend, Ji Shu came to her house and asked about the conversation between the two that night, “What did Xie Qichen say to you?”
“He… just mentioned the conditions of the arranged marriage to me.”
Tan Mo repeated the conversation content, and Ji Shu was shocked, “Wow, Xie Qichen is willing to give you so many assets after marriage? Shares and houses, can there also be a rich and blind boss who wants to marry me like that!”
“…Ji Shu, can’t you have a little more dignity?”
“If you don’t marry him, I will!”
Tan Mo laughed, “Alright, I’ll tell Xie Qichen to consider the Ji family.”
“Don’t joke, I was kidding,” Ji Shu laughed and steered the conversation back on track, “Since Xie Qichen said that, what do you think? Will you agree or not?”
“…I don’t know.”
Actually, she also couldn’t understand her own heart. She only felt that her inner scale seemed to be slowly tilting, the original idea of refusal beginning to waver.
Tan Mo lowered her eyes and tugged at the bear’s ear on her lap, “I still don’t understand why he said he only chose me.”
“What if… it’s because he likes you?”
Tan Mo immediately denied, “Impossible.”
“Why is it impossible? My baby is so beautiful and lovely.”
Tan Mo calmly stated the facts, “He never had feelings for me before, and after going abroad for six years, he came back less than a month ago. How could he like me now?”
Ji Shu scratched her head, thinking it made sense.
“Could it be because of your relationship? Instead of marrying a stranger, it’s better to marry someone familiar, making it easier to get along after marriage.”
This reason was also the most reasonable explanation Tan Mo could come up with.
“To be honest, why bother calculating so much? There are so many benefits clearly in front of you, why not agree? After all, after marriage, you don’t have to be a servant for him or give him children. It’s just a two-year sham marriage, and you can earn hundreds of millions. Why not? I would marry him if I were you!”
From a material perspective, this arranged marriage was indeed very tempting.
“Besides, Xie Qichen is impeccable in appearance and status, countless women are chasing him, so marrying him isn’t a bad deal. He has everything he could want, what could he possibly want from you?”
Ji Shu spoke eloquently,
“Anyway, I’m quite materialistic. In this day and age, getting divorced doesn’t mean you can’t remarry. An arranged marriage isn’t as terrifying as climbing a mountain of knives or crossing a sea of fire. Look, there are many daughters of wealthy families who enter into arranged marriages around us.”
Ji Shu leaned closer to her and pointed out bluntly,
“Besides, admit it, Jiaojiao. At least in your heart, you don’t reject Xie Qichen, otherwise you wouldn’t even be hesitating.”
Upon hearing those words, Tan Mo’s thoughts were like the bubbles in soda water, continuously rising, and she couldn’t speak.
But in the end, Ji Shu still said she respected her opinion and let her make her own decision.
In the evening, Ji Shu didn’t stay for dinner and left. Later that night, after Tan Mo finished taking a shower, she received a message from her neighbor landlord, saying the house renovation was completed and it wouldn’t be noisy anymore.
She planned to move back to her apartment and told her mother, who, knowing she had been uncomfortable at home recently, agreed.
The next morning, Tan Mo was packing her luggage in her room. Before leaving, her father came into the room and gave her a box of spiced beef, “Your favorite. Put it in the fridge when you get home. It’ll last for several days.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
Looking at her slightly distant demeanor, Tan’s father sighed, “Jiaojiao, Dad knows you’re angry with me for using your marriage to advance the group’s development. I admit I have my own selfish reasons, but it’s not because you’re not my biological daughter that I did this. Actually, you and Wanwan are the same to me. How could Dad ever think of selling you off?”
Tan Mo lowered her eyes, her nose slightly tingling.
Tan’s father continued,
“Last night, I talked with your mother. Dad has decided—to respect your opinion and not force you into an arranged marriage.”
Tan Mo was momentarily stunned, looking at her father, and noticed the many white hairs on his temples due to managing the group.
She remained silent, her throat slightly tight.
Outside the window, the sunlight was faint.
Tan Mo left the villa and took a taxi to her apartment.
Sitting in the car, she gazed out the window, memories of the past continuously surfacing in her mind.
She was abandoned by her birth parents at birth, but she was lucky to be adopted. Her childhood in this family was filled with warmth and happiness, with both Tan’s father and mother doting on her.
She still remembered the day when Tan Zhiwan cried and insisted her parents send her away, she heard Tan’s father firmly say to Grandma Tan, “I will never send Jiaojiao away. She is also my daughter!”
Human emotions are complex.
Tan Mo didn’t know whether what Tan’s father said just now was a calculated move or genuine feelings, but she knew he deeply cared for Yuntong, the company he had spent his entire life building, and indeed loved her very much.
Leaning against the window, Tan Mo lowered her eyes, the wind lifting her long hair, flowing like silk.
Half an hour later, she returned to her apartment.
She went to the balcony, looking at the distant mountains, and after a while, took out her phone and dialed a number.
A few seconds later, the other end answered, a familiar deep male voice came through,
“Hello.”
Hearing his voice, Tan Mo’s heart tightened, her cheeks inexplicably warming, she softly asked, “Are you available to talk now?”
In the CEO’s office, the man at the desk glanced up, signaling the executive to pause the work report. The executive nodded and left. Xie Qichen stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, softening his tone, “Yes, I’m available.”
Tan Mo took a deep breath. A few seconds later, she calmly spoke,
“Xie Qichen…”
“I agree to the arranged marriage with you.”
The phone line suddenly fell silent, so quiet that even a breath could be heard.
Tan Mo’s hand gripping the phone slightly turned white, her heart pounding like a drum. In the silence, the deep gravelly voice finally came through,
“Have you thought it through?”
“Yes.”
Since childhood, she had faced much mockery because of her adopted status, and had often felt unable to hold her head high because of the many benefits she had received from the Tan family. Over the years, she was grateful to Tan’s father and mother for raising her, no matter how Tan Zhiwan treated her. This arranged marriage would be her repayment to the Tan family.
However, she didn’t have such a selfless spirit. On the other hand, she also considered her own interests. After all, Xie Qichen proposed this arranged marriage for his own interests, so they could each get what they wanted, and she wouldn’t lose out.
After she spoke, the man on the other end seemed very calm, “Then let’s find a time for our families to meet and formally discuss this matter.”
“Okay.”
“Where are you now?”
Tan Mo was a bit hesitant, “Are you coming to see me now?”
Xie Qichen lowered his gaze and smiled, “If you want, I can.”
Tan Mo’s face flushed, “I didn’t say that.”
The man became slightly more serious, saying that today the company had several important meetings and he probably couldn’t get away. He would arrange his schedule and contact her later.
Tan Mo agreed, not wanting to disturb him further, so she hung up the phone.
Then, she thought she should inform her father, so she called him—
“Dad, I just told Xie Qichen.”
A few minutes later, on the other end of the phone, Tan’s father, who had learned what happened, was shocked and happy, “Alright, since you two have agreed, I’ll also call Mr. Xie…”
After finishing the call, beside Tan’s father, Tan’s mother was surprised,
“Jiaojiao actually agreed? She wasn’t willing just a few days ago, right? You didn’t force her again, did you?”
Tan’s father helplessly replied, “How could I persuade her when she wasn’t even at home? I originally thought the arranged marriage had no hope, but I never expected she would change her mind. Mainly because the two of them have known each other since childhood, it’s easier for them to accept each other.”
“But I don’t even know what kind of person Xie Qichen from the Xie family is like. Jiaojiao is still young. This is such an important life decision, I still feel uneasy.”
Tan’s mother cared more about Jiaojiao’s feelings. She didn’t care much about whether the arranged marriage was successful or not, but the one who made decisions in the family was Tan’s father.
“We can discuss the marriage arrangements in detail later. Xie Qichen is a very capable person, and now holds a significant position in the business world,” Tan’s father lowered his voice, “To be honest, I never expected the Xie family to choose Tan Mo.”
“What are you saying? My daughter isn’t good enough for him?”
“Right, right. Who usually gets the chance to have an arranged marriage with the Tan family?”
As the two were talking, Tan Zhiwan, who had walked into the living room, heard them and slightly frowned, “Mom and Dad, what are you talking about?”
Tan’s father was beaming, “Your younger sister just called. She said she and Xie Qichen have finalized the arranged marriage.”
Tan Zhiwan’s pupils slightly widened,
“Tan Mo agreed?”
“Yes, oh my, this is really great news.”
Tan’s father went to make a call, while Tan Zhiwan stood in place, a sense of sourness rising in her heart. She turned back to her room, lightly scoffing, “What’s so great about that.”
It’s just an arranged marriage, who knows when it will end.
A marriage based on mutual benefit will inevitably fall apart when the benefits are gone. Tan Zhiwan didn’t need to guess to know this arranged marriage wouldn’t last long.
–
The day after the arranged marriage was decided, in the morning, Tan Mo had just finished her class at school when she received a message from Xie Qichen:
[We’ll meet tomorrow night. I’ve already informed my father and your parents.]
Tan Mo’s fingertips tensed nervously, and finally replied: [Okay.]
On the way to the cafeteria with her roommate, she looked up at the clear blue sky, sighed lightly, and still hadn’t fully accepted this reality.
She hasn’t even graduated yet, so why is she getting married already? Waaah…
She felt confused, but had no time to process her feelings.
Time passed quickly. The next day, she had no classes and stayed at her apartment. In the morning, she finished editing a food video and uploaded it to her account. After taking a nap in the afternoon, a message came in from Xie Qichen, giving her more detailed instructions: [“Come downstairs at five o’clock this evening. Wen Cheng will pick you up. I’ll head there directly from the group office; I’m still in a meeting.”]
She replied with an agreement.
As evening approached, Tan Mo went downstairs. When she walked out of the apartment, Wen Cheng, who had been waiting by the car, spotted her immediately.
Today, the girl wore an irregular light blue long dress, with a coat over it. Her fair skin and red lips made her look like the brightest and purest touch of vitality in a withered autumn and winter—beautiful enough to steal anyone’s gaze.
Tan Mo walked up to him, and Wen Cheng nodded slightly: “Miss Tan, President Xie asked me to pick you up and take you to Qianshan Shui. He’s already arrived there.”
“Okay.”
It was rush hour, and traffic was slightly congested.
Half an hour later, the car finally arrived at Qianshan Shui Club.
Tan Mo checked the time. There was still a little time before the families’ arranged meeting. As she entered the club, Wen Cheng said to her, “President Xie asked me to take you to his place first.”
Tan Mo remembered this was Xie Qichen’s place.
She was led through vermilion archways and corridors, where rockeries were arranged artistically, and Suzhou-style architecture exuded ancient charm.
Tan Mo recalled that the first time she came here was to discuss a drone collaboration with TOC. That day, she had even teased Xie Qichen a bit, never expecting to reunite with him here—an encounter that was quite embarrassing.
Who would have thought that on her second visit here, she and Xie Qichen were actually getting into a marriage arrangement.
After walking through the corridor, Tan Mo was led to the foot of a tall pavilion. A breeze gently blew through the willow branches, and the lake beside the pavilion reflected the glow of the evening sky, the water shimmering gently.
As she admired the scenery, she turned her eyes upward and saw the man descending from the pavilion. He was dressed in a suit, his sophisticated appearance accentuated by a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He radiated elegance and nobility.
Xie Qichen had just finished a business call and walked toward her. Thinking about their upcoming marriage, Tan Mo felt a nervous ripple in her heart. She instinctively looked away. Seeing this, the man smirked:
“What’s wrong, are you nervous?”
“No…”
“You look like you’re about to go to your execution.”
The girl rolled her eyes at him. “It’s just a marriage arrangement, no need to make a big deal out of it.”
She tried to appear nonchalant: “Xie Qichen, I’m giving you the right to back out anytime. If you regret it now, you can tell me.”
Xie Qichen’s gaze rested on her:
“I won’t.”
Tan Mo was slightly taken aback, instantly understanding his mindset.
Of course, the capitalist wouldn’t regret if he could gain benefits.
Xie Qichen said, “Let’s go first. We need to go to the private room.”
“Okay.”
On the way, Tan Mo nervously rubbed her palms and started to think anxiously: “Xie Qichen, is your dad very serious?”
Even though it was a business marriage, meeting the parents still made her nervous…
Xie Wenzong was a famous entrepreneur. He inherited Aochuang from his father and led the group step by step out of hardship into prosperity. In the business world, he was known for being decisive and efficient.
The man replied, “He is quite serious. Be mentally prepared.”
“Ahh…”
Tan Mo was almost in tears when they arrived at the private room. Xie Qichen pushed the door open and entered. Xie Wenzong had just arrived.
Xie Qichen greeted him, and Xie Wenzong, expressionless, gave a slight nod, exuding a strong and steady aura of an elder.
Tan Mo followed beside Xie Qichen, her palms sweaty with nervousness. She politely greeted, “Hello, Uncle.”
However, when Xie Wenzong turned to see her, a warm smile instantly appeared on his face: “It’s been so long. Mo Mo has grown up so much. You’re even more beautiful now.”
???
Tan Mo looked at Xie Qichen in confusion and obediently replied, “It’s also been a long time since I last saw Uncle…”
Beside her, Xie Qichen’s eyes flickered with a faint smile.
Soon after, Tan Mo’s parents arrived. The two families exchanged greetings. Then Xie Qichen turned to Tan Mo’s parents and politely said, “Hello, Uncle and Aunt.”
“Ah…”
Tan Mo’s mother had heard that Xie Qichen was usually aloof and cold, so she was genuinely surprised by his politeness.
The two families sat down at the table together. Xie Qichen sat beside Tan Mo, handing her a hot towel and asking what she wanted to drink.
Seeing his son’s attentiveness, Xie Wenzong smiled: “These two sitting together really look well-matched.”
Tan Mo’s father laughed: “Yes, a match made in heaven. A perfect couple indeed.”
Upon hearing these words, Tan Mo was so startled that she choked slightly. Xie Qichen beside her gently wiped the corner of her mouth with a wet napkin, smiling helplessly: “Drink slowly.”
Tan Mo: ???
Is he actually acting now?!
The menu was brought over, and Xie Wenzong said: “You two kids, what do you want to eat? You two can order.”
“I’m fine with anything. Let Mo Mo order what she likes.”
“She’s really spoiled…”
The elders all laughed.
The serious atmosphere of a business marriage seemed to vanish.
Tan Mo awkwardly accepted the menu. Taking advantage of the elders chatting, she covered half her face with the menu, giving Xie Qichen a shy glare, her face slightly flushed: “Can you act normal? Don’t act like this. It feels so fake!”
Xie Qichen poured a cup of tea, slightly raising his eyebrows: “What am I acting?”
“You…”
Tan Mo was so annoyed she kicked him slightly under the table. The elders across noticed the noise: “What’s going on? What are you two whispering about?”
Meeting Tan Mo’s flustered expression, Xie Qichen’s eyes flickered with a faint smile. Calmly and composedly, he replied:
“Nothing much.”
“Just discussing when to hold the wedding with Mo Mo just now.”
Tan Mo: ???!
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