Contract Wife

This is his child.

After three days, Gu Xixi was gradually growing accustomed to having Yin Sichen join her for meals.

Oddly enough, Yin Sichen, who had initially felt awkward about this arrangement, found himself adjusting as well. The moment he left work each day, he drove straight to the hospital to have dinner with Gu Xixi, no longer needing a reminder from his grandmother.

Today, Yin Sichen had arrived a bit earlier than usual, well before dinnertime.

As he stepped out of the car, his gaze fell upon the woman behind the glass window. She was delicately pruning a camellia, a soft smile gracing her lips. He had only ever seen her with a blank expression or silently weeping. The sight of her genuine smile struck him – she was breathtaking.

She was nothing like Dina. While Dina exuded an overt, fiery sensuality, Gu Xixi possessed a quiet, captivating beauty, much like the camellia in her hands—its fragrance subtle yet lingering, inviting one to savor it.

“This camellia needs to be kept in a shaded area to thrive," Gu Xixi explained to the group of nurses gathered around her, "Camellias prefer cool and humid environments. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight isn't good for them."

"You're so knowledgeable, Madam!" Having spent several days together, the nurses were now more at ease with Gu Xixi, their conversations becoming more frequent and relaxed.

"My grandmother loves gardening," Gu Xixi shared, "If her plants weren't well-tended, my mother would…" she stopped abruptly, then added, "It's nothing. I've just picked up a few things over the years."

Just then, a chorus of respectful greetings, “Good evening, Mr. CEO,” reached Gu Xixi's ears.

She froze. It wasn't dinnertime yet—why was he here so early?

Yin Sichen drew closer, his sharp gaze settling on the camellia Gu Xixi had been tending. His expression was unreadable.

"You like flowers?" He looked at her briefly, before turning to address the nurses. "See to it that her room is filled with fresh flowers." With that, he walked past Gu Xixi, leaving her standing there, perplexed.

As Yin Sichen disappeared down the hall, one of the younger nurses whispered excitedly, "The CEO is so sweet to Madam!"

Gu Xixi smiled bitterly to herself. He wasn’t being sweet to her—it was the child he cared about.

At that moment, the attending physician walked over, a warm smile on his face. "Madam, it's time for your daily checkup."

Gu Xixi nodded and followed him to her room without a word, accustomed to the routine by now.

However, this was a first for Yin Sichen. As the distinct sound of the fetal heartbeat filled the air, his eyes lit up, and he asked, his voice tinged with wonder, “What is that sound? Is that the baby’s heartbeat?”

The attending physician beamed as he replied, “Yes, that’s the baby’s heartbeat. Listen to how strong it is! The baby is very healthy! It seems that all your care these past few weeks has paid off, Madam."

A strange sensation washed over Gu Xixi upon hearing the doctor's words. It was a feeling of profound connection, of shared lifeblood, growing stronger each day.

The tiny being within her was steadily developing, taking shape. Gu Xixi, who'd initially felt ambivalent about the child, found herself filled with a surprising sense of anticipation and joy as she listened to its tiny heartbeat.

Yin Sichen stood beside her, a flicker of emotion dancing in his eyes, revealing the delight he couldn’t completely conceal.

This is my child, he thought, a surge of possessiveness rising within him.

After the checkup, Yin Sichen's typically stoic expression softened considerably.

During dinner that evening, Yin Sichen surprised everyone by forgoing his usual insistence on separate dishes. Instead, he picked up a piece of perfectly cooked spare rib with his own chopsticks and placed it on Gu Xixi’s plate. “Eat more," he said, "You’re too thin."

The chefs' jaws dropped. The CEO was sharing food? This was unheard of! It was no secret that Mr. Yin was very particular about hygiene—he would never do anything that might mix saliva, like sharing food with his chopsticks!

Gu Xixi wasn't particularly hungry, but how could she refuse food offered by Yin Sichen himself? As she took a bite, her stomach lurched.

Noticing her reaction, Yin Sichen quickly picked up a floret of broccoli and placed it in her bowl. "Have some vegetables then.”

Gu Xixi stared at him, utterly bewildered. What had gotten into Yin Sichen today? Had he been possessed?

Then, Gu Xixi's expression fell as she remembered his heartless words from a few days ago. He's only doing this for the child, she reminded herself sadly. He doesn't care about me.

Pushing down her emotions, she obediently ate the broccoli. Since she'd decided to have this baby, she needed to keep it healthy. The checkup that afternoon had reinforced her resolve to improve her diet.

Seeing Gu Xixi eat the food he'd served her sparked a glimmer of pleasure in Yin Sichen's eyes.

The next day at lunch, Madam Yin joined them. Satisfied to see her grandson diligently following her instructions to dine with Gu Xixi, she nodded in approval.

After their meal, the attending physician arrived to brief them on the week’s observations.

“Madam's health has improved significantly after a week of treatment," the attending physician reported to Yin Sichen with a pleasant smile. "There are no remaining issues. As long as she maintains a nutritious diet, she is cleared to be discharged." He handed Yin Sichen a document. "These are her complete medical records. She's free to leave at your earliest convenience."

Yin Sichen skimmed the report briefly and nodded curtly. “Leave them there.”

Once everyone else had left, Yin Sichen passed the medical records to his grandmother. Madam Yin reviewed them carefully, then stated, “Since you’re in good health now, we’ll proceed with the marriage proposal tomorrow at your family home. The baby is growing, it’s best to get married sooner rather than later.”

Yin Sichen frowned slightly. “Grandmother, do we have to rush the wedding?”

Gu Xixi wasn't eager to marry so soon either. She couldn't shake the feeling that once they were married, there would be no turning back.

Madam Yin regarded her grandson calmly. As if she couldn’t read his mind. “In just over two weeks, the chairman and his wife from the Korean conglomerate will be making their official visit to China," she stated matter-of-factly. “They have specifically requested that you and your wife attend the meeting. If you're not married, what will Xixi's status be? How will she be introduced?"

Madam Yin’s words struck a chord with Yin Sichen. As much as he dreaded the thought of an early marriage, he had to acknowledge the bigger picture. This personal matter paled in comparison to their business dealings with the Korean conglomerate.

“I understand, Grandmother,” he conceded, acquiescing to his grandmother’s decision.

Gu Xixi's heart sank upon hearing Yin Sichen agree to the marriage. It’s really happening? she thought miserably. Everything felt so rushed, so sudden—from the decision itself to its imminent execution.

As her gaze, filled with unspoken protest, met Yin Sichen's, he felt a flicker of annoyance. It’s one thing for me to have reservations about this marriage, he thought, but quite another for her to be so resistant.

For reasons he couldn't quite place, his initial reluctance morphed into a strange sense of urgency — the sooner they were married, the better.

Realizing both the chairman and Yin Sichen were resolute in their decision, Gu Xixi knew she had no say in the matter.

She was right. At this point, what was there to refuse? Marriage was inevitable — a day sooner or later made little difference. Still, she dreaded the thought of showing up at her mother’s doorstep with such a grand entourage; it would terrify her. It would be much better if she could prepare her mother for the news beforehand, to cushion the blow.

Having made up her mind, Gu Xixi spoke up. "Chairman," she began tentatively, "Would it be possible… could I return home separately, ahead of the formal proposal? I'd like to inform my family first.”

"Absolutely not!" Madam Yin rejected her request immediately. "You are carrying Yin family’s heir now, your well-being is paramount. There will be no exceptions. Just focus on delivering a healthy baby. Rest assured, we will treat you with the utmost respect and dignity.”

“Chairman, I have no doubt that the Yin family will treat me well. I merely wish to prevent causing undue alarm to my mother. I want to prepare her for this news. I assure you, nothing will happen to me or the baby!”

Seeing that Madam Yin remained steadfast in her refusal, Gu Xixi instinctively turned to Yin Sichen, her eyes pleading for understanding. She didn't know why she sought his support—perhaps it was because he was the only other person in the room, perhaps there was something else at play.

Catching her desperate look, an image of Gu Xixi's genuine smile as she tended to the camellias the previous evening flashed in Yin Sichen's mind. For reasons he couldn't explain, he heard himself saying, "Grandmother, she's not a child. She can handle it."

A soft laugh escaped Madam Yin’s lips. Apparently pleased by their unspoken agreement, she relented. "Very well, you may go ahead. However," she added sternly, "you are the future mistress of the Yin family; you cannot possibly travel alone. Sichen, that assistant who brought Xixi to the hospital—he’s sensible and trustworthy—have him escort her.”

"As you wish, Grandmother,” Yin Sichen replied, glancing at Gu Xixi. He noted her relieved expression, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

Relieved that Madam Yin had finally agreed, Gu Xixi gathered her things and prepared to leave.

A young man named Xiao A, drove her home in an understated yet luxurious Volkswagen Phaeton, the car laden with gifts. Although Gu Xixi had insisted it wasn't necessary, Xiao A had thoughtfully brought presents for every member of her family.

Clearly well-trained, he knew precisely what to say and do, remaining discreet throughout the visit. Once the gifts were presented, he excused himself and retreated discreetly.

“Grandma, these are for everyone,” Gu Xixi said, placing the gifts on the floor before straightening up, “Please distribute them as you see fit.”