03

He had already started to sweat. The person in front of him appeared at once close yet distant, at once hazy yet clear. His mind was experiencing waves of numbness. In an instant he lost all ability to reason, whatever emotions he had before vanished. He had the sensation that this was unreal, this was extremely unreal.

Qu Moyu was calmly observing him.

Shen Dai stuffed his hands into his pockets and clenched them lightly. A long time passed before he settled down. Finally, he opened his mouth to speak, “We… I didn’t know it was…you.”

“You didn’t know it was me,” Qu Moyu repeated, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Shen Dai wanted to bury his head in shame. Admittedly, what he said sounded rather far-fetched. If it were him, he wouldn’t have believed it either.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Not at all. not at all,” Shen Dai hurriedly replied.

”In that case, let us get back to the question,” Qu Moyu continued, “What are your requirements after the marriage?”

Shen Dai slowly drew in a breath: “What requirements do you have?”

“This is a mutually beneficial partnership for both of us. I’ll need you to sign a few agreements before the marriage, which will clarify the ownership of assets and various rights. After the marriage, you would just need to be a regular wife - maintaining secrecy, keeping a low profile, being loyal, and understanding your boundaries.”

Qu Moyu spoke quickly and articulately. Evidently, these words had been thoroughly prepared in advance, just waiting to be expressed at this very moment.

Shen Dai nodded his head.

“Mr Chen, the lawyer, will communicate the specific details with you,” said Qu Moyu, glancing at the man next to him.

Mr Chen smiled and nodded, “Alright.”

“With that said, what about your requirements? I will ensure that you are provided with living arrangements befitting my wife. There is no need to feel self-conscious; this is simply the respect you deserve. You are also free to make reasonable adjustments to your future living arrangements to suit your personal habits. In light of everything I’ve mentioned, do you have any thoughts or preferences?”

Shen Dai noticed that Qu Moyu had quickly glanced at his watch again. He became dejectedly aware, that sitting here face-to-face, were two people about to become a legally married couple. While his inner world was being shaken to its core by this bombshell news, and his whole life was on the verge of unforeseeable upheaval, his only armour against the unknown on the eve of this potentially life-altering storm was his repressed calm. 

Yet for Qu Moyu, this whole matter was only worth the brief interval pulled out between lunchtime and his next meeting, like a routine task to be swiftly dealt and dispensed with. The major event of marriage was not a 'major event'. It was merely 'a mutually beneficial partnership for both of us’. 

Shen Dai’s fever began to cool. Qu Moyu was correct, this was only a partnership. The reason he had agreed to marry a stranger in the first place was to repay his debts. It was only after unexpectedly discovering that his marriage partner was Qu Moyu that he began to indulge in wishful thinking. He was the one bringing unnecessary emotions into the picture.

Shen Dai raised his head and looked directly at Qu Moyu for the first time.

For an Omega like him to meet the gaze of a top Alpha truly required courage.

It was like a herbivorous animal facing a carnivorous predator, even if the latter displayed no intention at all to attack.

He asked, ”President Qu, where will I be living after this? Will it be far from the office?”

Qu Moyu was taken by surprise. “Do you intend to continue working?”

“…I can’t continue working?” Shen Dai became hesitant. His job wasn't just good – it was his ideal role. If this was the price he needed to pay, then it was too steep.

“Of course you can, It would be a shame for the company to lose an outstanding employee such as yourself.”

He immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“Engineer Shen, for matters of legality and procedure, you may discuss them at length with Lawyer Chen. If you have any questions or requests, feel free to bring them up. I still have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave,” said Qu Moyu as he started to get up.

”Alright. President Qu, don’t let me take up any more of your time,” replied Shen Dai, following suit.

Qu Moyu was far too tall. Even among generally tall Alphas, he was considered tall. He was like a wall, casting a shadow over Shen Dai. As Shen Dai gazed up at the man before him, the sense of oppression which hadn't dissipated since he'd entered the room had grown even heavier, despite the fact that he appeared refined, courteous, and gentle.

While Alphas were prevalent in everyday society, S-class Alphas were far and few between. The pheromone suppression exerted by S-class Alphas was formidable, akin to wielding heavy weapons that could overwhelm someone both physically and psychologically. Indeed, its use was even legally prohibited due to the potential for causing personal harm. Though Shen Dai himself had never experienced it, he had heard about it from others.

Facing others with a gentle demeanour was a mark of Qu Moyu’s refined character as someone in a position of authority,  which only made Shen Dai think even more highly of him.

After Qu Moyu departed, Shen Dai exhaled softly in relief.

“Engineer Shen, please have a seat, we still have many more details to discuss,” said Lawyer Chen politely, as he pulled out a thick stack of documents from his briefcase.

Upon seeing it, Shen Dai said, “That must be the prenuptial agreement?”

“Well, ‘Prenuptial agreement’ is more of a blanket term. Not only does this contract cover asset ownership, but it also includes confidentiality clauses, matters of reputation and goodwill, as well as individual rights and obligations after marriage, among others. Of course, as mentioned by President Qu, these are merely the requirements on our end. You may also put forward your own. I will be responsible for facilitating the communication and negotiation between both parties.”

Shen Dai picked up the contract and symbolically flipped through it, remarking, “It’s quite thick.”

“That won’t be an issue. You can take your time to read it. I will be here with you. That is your right. However, this contract cannot be taken out of the office before it is signed.”

Lawyer Chen added, “Of course, if you prefer not to read it, I can also briefly summarise the key points for you.”

“Please do.”

“This marriage will not exceed a duration of five years, and the date of termination will be chosen at President Qu’s discretion. You are required to maintain complete confidentiality about the marriage, both during its duration and after its end. Similarly, any sensitive information you learn regarding President Qu and the Qu family is to be kept entirely confidential.

During the marriage, you are to fulfil the duties of a wife as stated by President Qu: maintaining confidentiality, keeping a low profile, being loyal, and respecting boundaries

This term, “respecting boundaries”, refers to doing your utmost to abide by President Qu’s arrangements, while at the same time not interfering in his private life and work.

In regards to your living arrangements, the housekeeper of the Qu family will coordinate with you on this in person at a later time.

Aside from that, you may be expected to cooperate with You Xinghai and President Qu to handle the transfer of certain resources. This being the main aim of the partnership: The primary purpose of this union is to integrate the resources of both companies, with the blood relation between you and You Xinghai serving as the foundation of President Qu's trust.”

You will not be entitled to any assets acquired by President Qu before and during the marriage. Additionally, you will not conceive President Qu’s offspring without permission.

Nevertheless, President Qu will still provide you with additional compensation once the marriage is dissolved, on condition that you respect all the terms of this agreement. You will receive the freedom and respect you deserve, along with a substantial alimony.”

Shen Dai quietly watched as Lawyer Chen carried on with ease and confidence.

The lawyer’s professionalism and reasoning were impeccable, but Shen Dai could only feel a sense of discomfort. Though he wasn’t what you would call an idealist, he couldn’t bring himself to view marriage as a purely utilitarian affair.

No doubt, his marriage was a transaction, but he didn’t believe that was how marriages should be. It was just that he had no better options.

But whether it was You Xinghai, Qu Moyu, or the person standing in front of him, they all seemed to take this as a matter of course.

Shen Dai interrupted, saying, “I’ll agree to everything and sign it directly. Let’s not waste any more of your time.”

Lawyer Chen gave him a token smile, not in the least bit surprised. “Very well.”

He handed Shen Dai a pen. “All the places marked with a label will require your signature and a fingerprint.”

Shen Dai immersed himself in signing the documents. He mused that he was, in effect, signing a contract for the sale of himself. If it weren’t so inappropriate, he might have even laughed.

When it was finished, Lawyer Chen meticulously checked everything twice, saying, “Thank you for your cooperation.”

“You’re welcome. In that case, I’ll head back.”

“Do you really not have any requests?” asked Lawyer Chen, switching from his formal, professional tone to a more advisory one.

“As President Qu stated, you could ask for a higher standard of living, or even bring up a few legitimate needs.”

“As long as I don’t owe anyone money, my standard of living is decent enough, thank you”

Shen Dai nodded in acknowledgment and left calmly.

When he returned to the laboratory, everyone paused what they were currently working on to turn around in unison and look at him.

He smiled. “Don’t gossip, it was nothing.”

Shen Dai was the most senior member of the team. He carried a bit of respect, having been brought on board by his teacher when the experimental group was first established. If he didn’t want to talk, nobody would dare gossip in his presence. This was what he liked most about academic circles: the emphasis on seniority and achievements, rather than on gender.

Things were different with Cheng Zimei. They had been classmates before and could talk about anything under the sun. Apart from their teacher, she was the only one who knew about Shen Dai's debts

The moment Shen Dai sat down, she rolled a chair over to his side and asked in a low voice, “What’s the situation?”

Shen Dai looked at her and said, “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, it’s just that I don’t know how to explain.”

“No worries, my grand scientific endeavours can wait,” said Cheng Zimei, blinking as she looked at him.

“I signed a confidentiality agreement,” Shen Dai explained, feeling a little embarrassed.

“What! That's so mysterious,” she exclaimed, widening her eyes. But she knew what Shen Dai was like. If he didn’t want to talk, there was no way his mouth could be pried open. He only spoke about taking the blame for his father and owing a load of debt when he couldn’t bear it any longer and had to seek help.

Forcing a smile, Shen Dai said, “Anyway, I guess it was good news.”

“Great, as long as it’s good news,” Cheng Zimei laughed and added, “When you get rich someday don’t forget about me.”

Shen Dai also laughed.

“Oh right, which department did you visit at headquarters? Did you manage to bump into the Crown Prince?”

”No I didn’t.”

“That’s a pity.”

“What’s a pity?”

“Quit pretending, do you think I don't know? Every time you run into the Crown Prince, you can't take your eyes off him.”

Shen Dai replied nonchalantly, “Isn’t that normal? He’s just too good-looking.”

“That’s true. Sometimes I really wonder, how is it possible for a man that perfect to exist in this world? What kind of top Omega could possibly be worthy of him?”

You Boyue would be worthy, thought Shen Dai to himself.

This was one of the things that puzzled him the most. Why would You Boyue allow himself to be marked by someone else, when his fiancé was already a flawless S-class Alpha? From the tone of voice that You Xinghai had used, it didn’t seem like a case of assault, more likely it was a case of the ‘naive child bringing misfortune to his family’, so to speak. He couldn’t help but feel a bit of pity on You Boyue’s behalf.

To get ten million for nothing and the chance to marry Qu Moyu at the same time, it was like the heavens were stuffing a winning lottery ticket into his mouth. Yet at the same time, he couldn’t feel joyful, having learned from countless predecessors that nothing good could come out of an undeserved windfall.