After Running Away from Our Arranged Marriage, the Scum Gong Actually Begged Me to Get Back Together - Chapter 3

Well, then.

This was incredibly awkward.

Shen Zhu stood frozen in front of the elevator, completely lost as he watched the numbers flash across the electronic display.

The receptionist caught up to him and asked politely, “Sir, would you like to schedule an appointment for a later date, or should I call a car for you?”

Though phrased as a helpful suggestion, it was, in reality, a polite eviction notice.

Shen Zhu scanned his surroundings, his gaze ultimately settling on the seating area in the lobby. “Can I wait over there for a bit?”

The receptionist blinked in surprise, but immediately masked it with a professional smile, gesturing toward the lounge. “Of course. Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, thank you.” Shen Zhu took a seat on a sofa near the window. He pulled out his phone and scrolled until he found the contact number for Su Xingque’s mother—one of the pieces of information Shen Pengcheng had forwarded to him alongside details about Su Xingque himself.

After placing a quick call to his future mother-in-law, Shen Zhu leaned back against the cushions, looking around to pass the time.

Setting aside the sheer acreage and height of the headquarters building, the immense wealth of the Su Group was apparent in the finest details of the decor. For instance, the greenery on the coffee table before him looked ordinary, but it was actually a rare, highly valuable imported species.

And then there were the leather shoes currently stepping into his line of sight—a piece from a luxury brand’s unreleased runway collection.

Holy crap!

Su Xingque!

Shen Zhu instantly adjusted his expression. By the time he raised his head, he had seamlessly put on the face of a wronged, innocent victim.

Having his meeting abruptly interrupted by his mother had put the great CEO Su in a thoroughly foul mood. The mere thought of having to drop his work to deal with this kid sent a wave of irritation rushing to his head.

“Running to my mother to complain already?” The deep, rich voice was laced with shards of ice as it cut down from above.

Shen Zhu shrank back, lowering his eyes as he offered a soft, timid protest. “I, I only—”

Oh, I absolutely complained on purpose.

If your mother hadn’t forced your hand, how else would you have come down to see me and fulfill this marriage agreement?

“Forget it,” Su Xingque cut him off, turning to stride out of the building.

Shen Zhu scrambled to his feet and jogged to keep up.

Their initial meeting ultimately took place at a quiet cafe across the street from the company. Su Xingque chose a secluded booth in the furthest corner. Leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed and arms folded over his chest, he watched Shen Zhu order with a cold, detached gaze.

Shen Zhu flipped through the menu from cover to cover. After confirming that he didn’t recognize a single English word on it, he pointed directly to the most expensive item listed.

A quiet, unmistakable scoff echoed from across the table.

Shen Zhu paid no mind to the disdain and contempt Su Xingque didn’t bother to hide. Mimicking the shyness of a young boy meeting his marriage partner for the first time, he stole a quick glance at the man before swiftly looking down again.

He really is exceptionally handsome, though.

“You are not my ideal marriage partner,” Su Xingque said, cutting straight to the chase. He had no intention of wasting time on someone of no value to him.

Shen Zhu blinked his doe-like eyes, deliberately playing innocent. “Then, what is Mr. Su’s ideal marriage partner like? I, I will work hard to become that person.”

“A powerful family background, exceptional leadership skills, stamina, foresight, objectivity, rationality, and a talent for strategic decision-making,” Su Xingque described, outlining his ideal partner as if speaking of a third party. “Gender doesn’t matter; the network of shared interests behind them does.”

“So, I want you to understand that my marriage can only be a commercial alliance built on shared benefits and mutual resources—a safety mechanism for my financing activities. It is not some ridiculous act of repaying a debt of gratitude.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhu’s eyes welled with tears. He clutched the sleeves of his sweater. “But, but—”

“I don’t recall you having a stutter,” Su Xingque countered, his brow furrowing with irritation.

“But there is a marriage agreement between us.”

Perfect. A cold smirk played at the corner of Su Xingque’s lips. “That is an outstanding debt of interest between our fathers’ generation. There is no need for the next generation to balance the books.”

“If you still feel this is unfair, I can compensate you through other means.” He laid out a counteroffer he believed was more than enough to sway the boy.

The arrival of the waiter with their coffee broke the freezing tension in the air.

Shen Zhu cupped the mug with both hands and leaned down to take a small sip. Keeping his lips pressed against the rim for a few seconds as if gathering immense courage, he finally raised his eyes to meet Su Xingque’s gaze.

“Does Mr. Su hate me?”

Su Xingque took a deep breath, fully intending to tell him not to deflect the question. Yet, for some reason, his throat tightened. The explosive irritation that had been building inside him suddenly subsided. It felt like fire being doused with water; though not entirely extinguished, its fury was cut in half.

What a bizarre, twisted sensation.

Playing the victim and showing vulnerability absolutely works! Shen Zhu forced a slight tremor into his voice, continuing his performance. “I can work hard to fulfill my responsibilities, be a proper partner, take care of your daily meals, and even handle the housework.”

“Please, just don’t hate me.”

Shen Zhu’s skin was naturally pale and delicate. Having endured the biting wind on his way over, the flush on his cheeks and the tip of his nose still hadn’t faded. It looked like a natural blush dusted across an exquisite face, and paired with his tear-brimmed eyes, it was a sight that would soften anyone’s heart.

Anyone except Su Xingque, whose heart remained entirely unmoved.

“Even if you marry in, it will be useless,” Su Xingque said, his tone softening a fraction despite himself as he tried a different tactic. “I am deeply averse to this marriage. Consequently, I won’t be able to fulfill the duties of a husband. I will likely ignore you, neglect you—even if it’s like that, you still—?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Shen Zhu interrupted, leaning forward slightly as he balled his hands into fists inside his oversized sleeves. “I don’t mind. I only want to fulfill the marriage agreement and do my duty.”

And then find a way to milk your family for a fortune.

On the surface, Shen Zhu looked pure and harmless, but internally, he was practically cheering.

You better mean what you say about neglecting and ignoring me.

That way, I won’t have to keep up this act 24/7 after the wedding, and I can go right back to living my best life!