In a dingy, cramped rental room. A domineering man covered his mouth with a handkerchief, his brow displaying an indescribable expression.
"You live in a place like this?" His voice filled with disdain and mockery, looking down patronizingly.
Song Xingmian looked at the middle-aged man in front of her with wary eyes. Her voice was slightly hoarse. "You... why are you here?"
"I'm here, naturally, to help you." The middle-aged man took a file from his assistant and threw it at her face. "Your mother is seriously ill and needs treatment. I'm here to give you a chance to turn your life around."
Song Xingmian bent down to pick up the document from the floor, reading it word by word.
When she saw the contract clearly stated that she was to replace his daughter and marry the all-powerful Lu Tingxiao from the imperial city, her mouth curved up mysteriously. However, this was quickly concealed.
"The Lu family conglomerate is the most influential in the imperial city. Even if you have been living a disappointing life these past years, you should be aware of this. " The middle-aged man maintained his haughty attitude, oblivious to the slight change in the young girl's demeanor, he continued, "He's a good catch, but he's already lost three wives, whose causes of death remain unclear, so far. Do you understand what I mean?"
"So you want me to take your daughter's place and die." Song Xingmian spoke very calmly, "Is that the intention?"
"Just in time, your mother's illness needs money. It’s a perfect match, isn't it?" The middle-aged man's mouth formed a mocking smile. "Don't hesitate, my time is precious. Sign it, and the contract will take effect immediately."
"And if I don’t sign, what will happen to your daughter's fate?" Even in ordinary clothes, the bright light in Song Xingmian's eyes was hard to ignore. "Indeed, my mother is ill, but the money I earn from working every day can sustain my mother for a while. But if the Song Group fails to send your daughter over by the date, wouldn't the power of the Lu family bankrupt your Song Group?"
"Are you threatening me now?" The middle-aged man was astonished to see this seemingly weak girl talk to him in such a way. "I am your father! Are you disrespecting me?"
"Father? I have no memory of what my father looks like." Song Xingmian clenched her fists, looking at him with an extremely complex expression, her chest rising and falling slightly. "I can replace your daughter and go to my death, but I have a condition."
"Do you want more money?" The middle-aged man's contempt increased. He knew that people like her, devastated by poverty, were all about money.
"I want to marry in the name of Song Xingmian, not as your daughter."
"You're not after money?" The middle-aged man thought she was about to demand a hefty sum.
"Do you agree, or not?" Song Xingmian took over the pen handed by the assistant and paused at the signing spot, turning to look at him, "If you don't agree..."
"I agree." The middle-aged man's expression relaxed at the moment he agreed.
Without any hesitation, Song Xingmian directly signed her name under the party B section. The contract was established.
After the middle-aged man left, she took out her phone, which had always been muted, and saw over thirty missed calls, so she returned a call.
The moment the call went through, an anxious voice came from the other end, "CEO Song! Where the hell did you go? The group's billion-dollar project is still waiting for your signature! It's killing me!"
"The billion-dollar project can be put on hold for now," a spark of determination flashed in Song Xingmian's beautiful eyes, making her seem like a different person. "I have something more important to do."
"CEO Song, have you lost your mind? What could be more important than a billion-dollar project?"
"Marrying Lu Tingxiao, isn't that more important than a billion-dollar project?"
-----*
Inside the Song family mansion, decorated with a theme of European aristocracy, Song Xingmian, dressed in a pricey wedding gown, quietly sat by the bed, waiting for the Lu family to come for the wedding greeting.
Yes.
Today was her wedding day with Lu Tingxiao.
It was also her first time returning to the Song family home in her twenties, her father's home, the man who had deserted his wife and child more than twenty years ago.
However,
Even though the entire house seemed luxurious, to her, it exuded an air of poverty and cliché.
The phone call continues, with the endless prattle from the other end. "Mr. Song, even though our group's previous attempts to negotiate with the Lu Corporation have been unsuccessful, surely you wouldn't just marry into their family? Isn't that too big of a sacrifice?"
"You wouldn't understand." Song Xingmian's beautiful eyes shift, her lips parting gently. "I'm marrying him not only for business reasons, but more importantly, because marrying Lu Tingxiao is my mother's wish."
"Your mother is seriously ill..." The voice on the other end becomes heavier as these words are said. "But why would her wish be to marry Lu Tingxiao from the Lu Corporation?"
"I also want to know what's going on," admits Song Xingmian. Suddenly hearing many hurried footsteps, she says cautiously, "Got to go, someone's here."
Without giving the other party a chance to react, she hangs up the phone and at the same time, the door opens.
"Miss Song, please come downstairs with us." The woman who has arrived is middle-aged and unfamiliar, but her tone and the scornful look on her face are unmistakable.
"Go downstairs?" If Song Xingmian remembers correctly, she's the bride and according to wedding procedures, shouldn't the groom come into her room and carry her to the wedding car?
"Are your ears not working, Miss Song?" The woman pays Song Xingmian no respect and speaks arrogantly. "Do you need me to pull you down?"
Song Xingmian still doesn't understand what this woman is saying. According to the process...
"The illegitimate daughter dares to act so grand here," says the woman. Her voice isn't loud, but it's enough for those around to hear. "Since you're refusing to drink the toast, then take the forfeit. Grab her!"
Song Xingmian subconsciously wants to raise her hand, using her fifteen years' experience of Taekwondo to teach this woman a lesson. But at the critical moment, she suppresses her urge.
Almost forgetting. Right now, she is here in the identity of the Song Family's illegitimate daughter. Even if she is treated like this, even if she is treated this way by the head of the Song family, as long as her lousy father does not stand up for her, naturally as an illegitimate daughter, she has to endure.
Heh.
Who would have thought that the Song family has fallen to this extent? She doesn't believe that her scumbag father can't hear the noise, merely pretends to be deaf and dumb, isn't he just fearing to offend the Lu family?
"I can walk by myself." She drags her heavy wedding dress, ignoring any wedding customs, she puts on her high heels and heads down the stairs confidently.
Aren't they just wanting to humiliate her? Everyone can be humiliated together then. If you want to see a good show, fine, let's see who will be laughing at the end.