Mrs. Xu, Please Come Home with Me

(An early practice novel. It can’t be deleted, so check out the new book pinned to my profile instead.)

After returning from studying abroad, Lu Si discovers that her boyfriend is about to get engaged to another woman. Only then does she realize that her ten-year relationship with Xu Xiangdi matters far less than the interests of the Xu family.

She cuts ties with him on the spot, but unexpectedly finds shelter with Xu Xinghai, one of Xu Xiangdi’s “business associates.”

At first, they’re just a landlord and tenant. Who could have guessed that, on an impulse, they’d get married and start living as a couple in a marriage of convenience?

Their days are peaceful, with the occasional bump in the road, until Lu Si discovers a secret in Xu Xinghai’s drawer.

The plane tickets, the secretly taken photos: they tell of a man’s long-hidden, unrequited love.

“Lu Si, marrying me is a deal where you can only come out ahead.”

“The most obvious benefit is that you won’t have to pay rent for the apartment anymore.”

The young woman presses both hands against his chest. At his words, her tone softens. “Really?”

Xu Xinghai continues to coax her. “Of course.”

But something still feels off to Lu Si. At last, she spots the flaw in his logic.

“It sounds like I’m the one who benefits. What do you get out of it?”

“As you know, I’m dirt poor.”

Her voice grows quieter.

“Is it possible that I’m not after your money?”

Lu Si is even more confused. “Then what are you after?”

The man chuckles, his clear, magnetic voice coming from above her. “I’m after your body.”

“Xu Xinghai, did you deliberately ask me to enter a fake marriage with you?”

“I did. But, Mrs. Xu, I should remind you that our marriage certificate is stamped, so this isn’t a fake marriage.”