Flash Marriage

Chapter 7: Forced Marriage

Yin Sichen's voice, though seemingly calm, carried an undeniable weight of authority.

The staff vanished instantly, leaving the two supreme figures of the Yin financial empire alone.

Chairwoman Yin looked up at her grandson. He was her pride, her joy. Since taking the reins as President, he'd increased the Yin family's market value by a staggering twenty percent, cementing their dominance.

Yet, his marriage remained unresolved. Countless eyes watched covetously for the Yin family's fourth generation.

To the outside world, he was the formidable President Yin.

But before his grandmother, he was simply her descendant.

With others gone, Yin Sichen's imposing aura softened noticeably.

"Grandmother, why are you here?" he asked gently once they were alone. "If you were unwell, why not summon the doctors home? Why trouble yourself to come?"

"Don't play coy with me, boy," Chairwoman Yin retorted, her joy impossible to contain. She beamed. "This concerns the fourth-generation heir of the Yin family! How could I not come for something so vital?"

"Grandmother! What fourth-generation heir? You must be mistaken!" Yin Sichen protested immediately, refusing to acknowledge the woman inside. "Dina isn't ready for marriage! How could there be an heir?"

Chairwoman Yin rapped his head sharply with her knuckles. "Enough of that! Since Lin Xiaoya is so ungrateful, clinging to her career, let her chase it! The mighty Yin financial empire fears no shortage of women willing to bear your children!"

"Grandmother…" Yin Sichen felt his dread solidify. "You can't possibly intend for that woman inside to have this child?" He frowned deeply. "It's unacceptable. Absolutely not!"

Chairwoman Yin's eyes turned frosty. "Still holding out for that Lin Xiaoya? Sichen, I said nothing all these years because you fancied her. But look! How long has she strung you along? All these years, when has she ever agreed to bear you a child? Does the Yin family lack her earnings? If she wants to model, she could do so after giving birth! But what has she done? You're twenty-eight! How much longer can you wait?"

"But, Grandmother, you promised!" Yin Sichen's own anger surfaced, a flicker of fire in his sharp eyes. "You said once I became President, you wouldn't interfere in my marriage!"

"And you promised me," Chairwoman Yin's voice rose, matching his ire, "that you would marry by twenty-eight! What is so special about this Lin Xiaoya? That she makes you wait indefinitely? Dangling you for years without commitment, without result! If she cannot carry on the Yin family line, why would I accept such a woman as my grandson's wife?"

Inside the suite, the rising tension outside penetrated Gu Xixi's haze. She stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. Utterly unfamiliar surroundings greeted her: exquisite décor, opulent furniture.

Where… am I?

She thought she'd heard… Xiaoya's name?

Was she delirious? Xiaoya was in Milan. Impossible.

As Gu Xixi tried to sit up, a hushed voice sounded just outside the door: "The Young Madam is awake. Prepare."

The next moment, the door opened. A woman of advanced age entered, her face bearing the marks of time yet retaining an undeniable, refined beauty. She moved with composed grace. Behind her streamed a small army of doctors and nurses in hospital whites.

Gu Xixi stared, bewildered. She remembered collapsing at the company, right before the important meeting!

Heavens! She'd missed the meeting!

She scrambled to get up, but the elegant woman stopped her with a gesture. The woman's eyes held pure, unadulterated delight and approval.

"Don't move, child," the woman said warmly. "Let the doctors examine you again." She smiled down at Gu Xixi. "You are the Yin family's benefactor now. Let others handle everything."

Gu Xixi looked at her in utter confusion. "I'm sorry… who are you? I… how did I get here?"

The woman chuckled. "I am the Chairwoman of the Yin financial empire. Yin Sichen's grandmother. And you are?"

"Gu Xixi. My name is Gu Xixi," Gu Xixi stammered quickly. "Chairwoman, I… I didn't mean to… I truly didn't know… I'll return to work immediately! Please don't fire me! I won't make mistakes again!"

Chairwoman Yin gently raised a finger, silencing her. Gu Xixi stared, uncomprehending.

"Rest well," the Chairwoman instructed, her gaze lingering on Gu Xixi's face with evident satisfaction. "Rest assured, with me here, no one in the company dares dismiss you." She paused, her tone firm yet promising. "As long as you safely deliver this child for the Yin family, you will be generously rewarded."

With that, Chairwoman Yin turned and swept out of the room.

Gu Xixi was left sitting upright in the vast bed, utterly dumbfounded.

Deliver this child? What child? Where did a child come from?