[Married first, love later + winning her back + younger brother-in-law takes the lead]
Ling Yao saved the life of the Gu family patriarch. The family wanted to repay her, and she asked for just one deal.
She would sign a three-year marriage contract with Gu Lin, the eldest grandson of the Gu family, in exchange for the money needed to save a life.
Before the wedding, they agreed to be a couple in name only, with no strings attached once the term was up.
For three years, she stayed in her lane and played the role of Mrs. Gu to perfection. Meanwhile, Gu Lin gradually fell for her without even realizing it.
The only one who objected from the moment she joined the family was his younger brother, Gu Xiao. Yet beneath his hostility lurked an obsession he hadn't even recognized himself.
Ling Yao could see right through him, but couldn't be bothered to call him out. She wrote him off as a prickly young master and teased him now and then for fun.
Then Gu Lin's first love returned from abroad, and overnight, his gaze turned completely cold.
Three years of pretending had ultimately been nothing but an act.
Ling Yao didn't make a scene or cling to him. She packed her things and left the Gu family without hesitation. “The contract is up. We're even.”
She thought their paths would never cross again, but Gu Xiao came looking for her.
She couldn't be bothered to entertain him and turned to leave. Suddenly, her foot slipped. Gu Xiao instinctively grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. They lost their balance and tumbled together into the soft haystack behind them.
Looking down at her from inches away, he asked tentatively in a gentle voice, “Now that the act is over, would you consider giving me a chance?”
Ling Yao frowned and pushed herself free. “Gu Xiao, stop fooling around.”
He chuckled and held her tighter, his breath brushing her ear. “I'm not fooling around. I've been holding this in for three years...”
Later, Gu Lin, eyes red, blocked her in the rain and desperately begged her to come back. Hearing the commotion, Gu Xiao rushed over and shielded Ling Yao beneath his umbrella, his tone confident and firm.
“Brother, your part is over. Let me introduce you: she's my fiancée now.”
