Contract Wife

Let’s get married

Gu Xixi had no illusions about the power of the Yin family. They craved this child. And once it was born, they’d never let her keep it.

But it was her flesh and blood. How could she simply hand over her baby?

The thought was unbearable. Panic welled up inside of her.

Yin Sichen watched her, his expression unreadable. He knew she was trapped, her resistance crumbling. Pushing her to the edge, only to offer a solution, was one of his most effective tactics.

"So," he asked, his tone clipped. "What will it be? My time is precious."

Gu Xixi thought it over. There was no going back to Zhao Zegang. Not after this.

She'd already been threatened with disinheritance for spending a single night with Yin Sichen. If her family found out about the baby... It would destroy her and her mother.

She’d be homeless, jobless, utterly and completely alone.

She took a deep breath. “Fine," she said, her voice barely a whisper. “I’ll marry you. I know you need this child. And once we’re married… I’ll give you your heir.”

Yin Sichen didn't even wait for her to finish before turning to leave. "Consider yourself on indefinite leave," he said coolly. "Rest up and prepare for the wedding.”

Her manager received a surprising phone call. “Gu Xixi will be on an extended leave of absence, effective immediately. Full pay and benefits, of course. Special arrangement from the CEO himself."

The news spread through the office like wildfire. Everyone was floored.

A wave of panic washed over one of Gu Xixi’s coworkers, a woman who loved to delegate her work to her. Why would the CEO lavish such privilege on a nobody like Gu Xixi?

What had transpired between them? Had Gu Xixi traded her dignity for a life of luxury?

A surge of regret swept over the other female employees. If they'd known…

But before anyone else could make their move, a bold soul from another department, dressed to the nines, “accidentally” bumped into Mr. Yin on his way in. She was fired before the day was over.

A bucket of ice-cold water had been tossed onto their simmering ambitions. No one dared to question Yin Sichen’s motives again.

But the mystery lingered. What could the CEO possibly see in plain, ordinary Gu Xixi?

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Gu Xixi was living a life of unimaginable luxury.

A team of specialists catered to her every need.

One afternoon, feeling restless after days of confinement, she decided to take a stroll in the hospital garden.

She barely made it past the lobby when she was surrounded by nurses, their expressions a mix of concern and panic.

"Young Madam, it's a bit breezy today. You’re still in your first trimester. Best not to risk catching a chill," the head nurse chirped, practically tethered to her side. “The Chairman gave strict instructions. We can't afford any mishaps.”

Gu Xixi sighed, realizing a peaceful walk was out of the question. With an entourage like this, it would be impossible. “Alright, I understand,” she relented.

Confined to the indoors, Gu Xixi wandered through the halls.

As she neared her room, she spotted a procession of chefs pushing a seemingly endless line of food carts towards her.

What in the world…?

She hurried back to her room. The chefs were setting an extravagant spread on the table – a dizzying array of at least fifteen different dishes.

The chefs snapped to attention as she entered. “Good afternoon, Young Madam! The Chairman arranged this special lunch for you,” one explained. “If it doesn’t suit your taste, we can prepare something else. Anything you desire.”

Gu Xixi stared, speechless. This was just lunch… for one person?

“There’s no need for so much food. I can’t possibly eat it all," she stammered.

The transformation from small-town girl to pampered heiress was overwhelming.

“The CEO will be joining you for lunch,” one of the chefs explained. “This is his usual fare.”

Gu Xixi felt a wave of embarrassment. So there was an explanation!

Wait… Did he say Yin Sichen was coming here? For lunch?

Before she could ask, a chorus of voices rang out from the hallway. “Good afternoon, CEO!”

Gu Xixi froze, every muscle in her body stiffening.

She might have agreed to a marriage of convenience… but deep down, this man was still a stranger.

Yin Sichen walked in, his gaze falling on her rigid back. "What are you waiting for?" he said smoothly. "Let’s eat."

As he took his seat, someone immediately presented him with a hot towel. He meticulously cleaned his hands, using three towels in total, before finally lifting his fork, his movements effortlessly elegant.

She might not have liked him, but Gu Xixi couldn’t deny the man was captivating, even in the simple act of eating.

A server handed her a warm towel. Gu Xixi accepted it, wiped her hands, and returned it. The server, following the protocol established by Yin Sichen, presented her with two more towels before pulling out her chair.

Seated across from him, Gu Xixi nervously spoke. “This… wasn’t necessary, you know.”

Yin Sichen dabbed his mouth with a napkin, his movements precise and elegant. “From the moment I decided to marry you, this became my responsibility," he stated, his voice void of any emotion. “My responsibility–but nothing more.”

Gu Xixi understood. Pushing down her discomfort, she focused on her food.

"That's your third serving of salmon," Yin Sichen noted casually.

A chef overheard, whisking away the salmon platter instantly.

Gu Xixi fought back a laugh. "Is there a limit on how much I can eat?"

He glanced at her. “While I have no interest in dictating your diet, your unborn child deserves our full attention,” he said, addressing the chef. “Bring her the ginseng soup.”

Gu Xixi started to object, but the insistent ringing of her phone stopped her. Her eyes fell on the caller ID, a flicker of sadness darkening her gaze.

She quickly flipped the phone over, silencing the insistent chimes.

"Not taking the call?" Yin Sichen asked, one eyebrow raised.

She picked at her food, avoiding his eyes. “It’s… nothing important.”

Nothing important? Then why the melancholic sigh?

Yin Sichen studied her for a moment, choosing not to press further.

Silence fell over them as they finished their meal. As soon as his plate was cleared, Yin Sichen excused himself.

Once they were alone again, Gu Xixi retrieved her phone. Multiple missed calls from the same number.

Staring at the familiar name on the screen, conflicting emotions washed over her.

Since that fateful night, she hadn't spoken to Zhao Zegang, hadn't returned a single text or call.

Her silence was a clear message. So why did he keep calling? Why did he continue to paint a picture of a happy life abroad, pretending everything was fine?

Didn’t he realize something was different?

A part of her wished he'd just disappear, that he’d stop calling, stop texting. It would have been easier than this constant, agonizing reminder of what they once had.

But every day, for the past two months, he'd called and texted, pouring his heart out, while she listened in silent agony, her own heart breaking a little more with each passing day.

That evening, Yin Sichen returned, accompanied by the now-familiar procession of chefs.

Still troubled from earlier, Gu Xixi picked at her food, her appetite gone.

"Something not to your liking?" Yin Sichen asked, his gaze intent.

Gu Xixi shook her head. “No, everything’s fine. I’m just not that hungry."

His brow furrowed slightly. With a subtle gesture, a server immediately presented him with an exquisite cloisonné bowl.

Yin Sichen scooped a spoonful of bird's nest soup and held it out to her. “Here.”

Gu Xixi stared at him, stunned. The mighty Yin Sichen… spoon-feeding her?

“This baby is of paramount importance. You need to eat,” he stated, his tone brooking no argument. The sharp words shattered any lingering illusion of tenderness.

She wanted to refuse, but what right did she have? With a resigned sigh, she swallowed the spoonful.

They might be trained professionals, but the chefs couldn’t quite hide their shock.

The CEO, notorious for his aloofness and indifference to women, was hand-feeding a woman? Unheard of!

Clearly, this Young Madam was different. The CEO’s feelings for her… they were undeniable.

Gu Xixi took two more bites before her face suddenly contorted in disgust. She bolted from her chair and ran to the bathroom.

The unmistakable sounds of someone emptying the contents of their stomach filled the air.

Yin Sichen's brows drew together in a frown. When she finally emerged, he spoke, his tone laced with concern. “Even if you don’t feel like it, you have to eat. I can’t have the fourth heir of the Yin family going hungry now, can we?”

Gu Xixi met his gaze, realizing there was no room for argument. She had to keep this baby healthy. Forcing a smile, she took the bowl and, ignoring the churning in her stomach, finished the soup.

What was this stuff, anyway? It tasted awful!

Were all rich people like this? Feasting on disgusting food just because it was expensive?

Yin Sichen seemed pleased. “Good.”

The chefs exchanged amazed glances, wiping away imaginary tears.

The CEO… smiled? He actually smiled!

For the next few days, Yin Sichen continued his lunch visits, never missing a single meal.

It was during this time that Gu Xixi learned the truth. His presence was his father's idea, a way to ensure her comfort, her well-being.

She laughed bitterly to herself. Of course. Their relationship was an accident, a contract born out of obligation, not love. Why would this man willingly spend hours by her side?

Besides, the mere sight of these opulent dishes turned her stomach these days. Wasn't he repulsed by the constant sounds of her morning sickness?