Out-of-Control Signal [Marriage Before Love]

[Marriage First, Love Later] [Mutual Devotion] [Slowly Falling for Each Other] [Extra Sweet]

Proud and flirtatious, bad at flirting but addicted to it, a beautiful heiress who is actually a bashful, innocent chemistry PhD × A cunning, restrained, urbane scoundrel of a CEO

Pretends to love playing the field × Pretends not to play the field

Thinks she’s the hunter but is actually the prey × The real hunter pretending to be prey

As the second daughter of the declining Gong Group, Gong Ran followed her family’s wishes and went on a blind date with Ji Xiuyan, a leading figure in the business world.

The man was tall and elegant, with refined, distinguished manners. His long, narrow eyes held a languid, affectionate look, and she immediately decided he was worth considering.

It took less than a week from their first meeting to getting their marriage certificate. One needed investment from the Ji family; the other needed a wife from a respectable family. They agreed at once, each getting what they wanted.

They did, however, have one agreement: if either of them met someone they liked, they could end the marriage at any time.

In this loveless marriage, Gong Ran and Ji Xiuyan flirted with each other like seasoned players, enjoying themselves in the process.

In reality, though, Gong Ran was a novice in love with more enthusiasm than skill. Every time she flirted with Ji Xiuyan, he turned the tables on her, leaving her blushing, heart pounding, and fleeing in disarray.

-

The Gong family was in decline, and Gong Ran felt she bore some responsibility. After all, her eldest sibling was useless and knew nothing about business, while she had no interest in the family fortune and spent all her time buried in research in the lab.

One day, a key project ran short of funding and stalled. Even all the money Gong Ran could access herself wasn’t enough. Just as everyone was at a loss, they received an anonymous donation of 300 million in research funds, in U.S. dollars.

Everyone tried to guess who the generous benefactor behind it was. For some reason, one answer came to Gong Ran’s mind.

She asked Ji Xiuyan, “Was it you?”

Ji Xiuyan’s voice was deep and rich, and the answer was clear on his face. “Who else could it be?”

Gong Ran was puzzled. “Why help me?”

Ji Xiuyan’s brow lifted slightly, a dark glint passing through his eyes. “Just trying to make my wife happy.”

-

Gong Ran realized she had lost her head. She had started caring about Ji Xiuyan’s every move, and her heart genuinely raced whenever he was near.

He stayed by her side when she pulled all-nighters analyzing data.

He took tender care of her when she was sick and unconscious.

When the research was frustrating her, he put his work aside and took her out to relax.

She was becoming more and more confused.

In this game of marriage, was he simply too good at it?

Or had she really fallen for him?

-

On their first wedding anniversary, Gong Ran left the lab early, planning to celebrate properly with Ji Xiuyan.

But when she reached the Ji Group’s headquarters, she saw Ji Xiuyan putting his arm around a woman and getting into a car.

She stood frozen in place. The Cullinan had already disappeared from sight, but she couldn’t move. Only after standing there for a long time did she turn and quietly go home.

Since Ji Xiuyan already had someone he liked, she would leave of her own accord. She returned home late at night, packed her bags, and prepared to move out and live alone.

But why did her chest feel so tight and heavy?

As she pulled her suitcase toward the door, an arm suddenly wrapped around her waist in the darkness.

By the time she realized what was happening, Ji Xiuyan had pinned her against the door. In the pitch-black room, she couldn’t see his face, but she could clearly feel his ragged breath on hers.

The man gently brushed the hair away from her temple. His voice was low and hoarse. “What, you’re running off after using me? Mrs. Ji, you’re really heartless.”

1. Single couple, one-on-one romance.

2. Neither lead is based on a real person.

3. Happy ending, very sweet, no angst.

Theme: Always keep your passion alive