After Teasing the Crazy Mermaid, He Actually Deceived Me into Marriage - Chapter 44

“However, my eyes are naturally like this I’m not wearing colored contacts.”

The other party carried an air of noble elegance, with an undeniable aura of authority that seemed impossible to conceal. It was the kind of presence one only developed after long periods of holding a superior position.

This person, Si Tang felt he was as elusive as mist.

“Mr. Fan Yi.” Si Tang reached out to pick up the document folder from the nearby coffee table, opening it and pulling out a contract. Yet she didn’t immediately hand it over, instead casting a probing gaze at the man. “I’m quite curious, why are you helping me?”

For this day, she had long instructed her legal team to prepare the agreement she now held in her hand.

Truth be told, if he refused, Si Tang could simply find someone else. This marriage alliance was merely a means to reclaim the shares her mother had left behind.

However, the man before her was profoundly enigmatic and likely uninterested in such trivial gains. Si Tang was already considering whether to increase her offer to prevent him from backing out.

“I help because I want to,” Fan Yi replied casually, but the next moment he noticed Si Tang’s confused, inquisitive eyes.

And her thoroughly guarded expression.

Having grown through various experiences, Si Tang no longer easily placed her trust in others.

Fan Yi regretted his hasty words:

“From what I understand, Mr. Fan Yi, you aren’t short on money. You wouldn’t lightly sacrifice something as significant as marriage for the compensation I mentioned.” Si Tang slightly lowered her gaze, her eyes resting on the contract in her hand. The light fell directly on the young woman’s face, highlighting the elegant and noble demeanor cultivated by her aristocratic upbringing, making her impossible to ignore. “Did you know me before?”

As she finished speaking, she lifted her eyes to meet his, her almond-shaped gaze sharp and perceptive.

Fan Yi couldn’t help but curve his lips into an amused smile. It was a thrill only Si Tang could evoke in him. However, the smile was blurred by the backlight, and Si Tang couldn’t see it clearly.

Si Tang had already formed a suspicion earlier. Recalling her bodyguard’s mention of two exceptionally handsome men looking for her a couple of days ago, she had vaguely guessed it might be Fan Yi and Xiao Liu.

Moreover, a stranger wouldn’t have gifted her such a rare and precious pearl.

But what could his motives be?

Having gone through a failed relationship, Si Tang’s wariness toward others had intensified.

Faced with the woman’s deepening suspicious gaze, Fan Yi decided to come clean.

“I know you.” The man’s voice was warm and magnetic, as if subtly soothing Si Tang’s tense defenses. “I’ve heard that Miss Si is not only a renowned jewelry and antique appraiser but also a celebrated designer with an outstanding team under her leadership. Therefore, I have a project I’d like to collaborate with you on.”

Hearing this, the tension in Si Tang eased slightly.

From an angle invisible to Si Tang, Fan Yi’s brows furrowed with hidden frustration.

So, why did he still have to work? But if he didn’t work, Tangtang would doubt his motives and identity would she even think he was just a frivolous playboy trying to pick her up? This was truly giving the god a headache.

Maintaining a serious facade, Fan Yi explained, “I have a batch of raw stones and have been struggling with how to cut and craft them. It wasn’t until I saw the jewelry group Xing Nian, managed by Miss Si Tang, that I found inspiration. I greatly admire your company’s philosophy and designs, and I wish to collaborate with Miss Si Tang to create jewelry collections that will astonish the world.”

Si Tang’s eyes lit up. However, collaborations were meant to be mutually beneficial, Fan Yi didn’t need to stake his marriage on it.

Thus, she remained somewhat hesitant.

“Mr. Fan Yi, if it’s just for collaboration, there’s no need for you to pay the price of marriage.”

“Miss Si, there’s no need to worry too much, A contractual marriage is just a small favor. Besides, I have quite a fondness for Miss Si Tang.” The man’s smile was gentle, like a refined gentleman under the clear moon, and he spoke without reservation. “However, since I’m paying such a high price, one condition alone isn’t enough.”

“Two days ago, I donated three thousand artifacts to the nation, which will be displayed at the museum in a month. But we’re still missing a suitable narrator, and I believe Miss Si Tang would be perfect for the role.”

Being overly straightforward might arouse suspicion of ulterior motives, so Fan Yi phrased it this way.

His candidness left Si Tang with no grounds for objection.

As for his mention of fondness, such feelings between men and women are natural perhaps a fleeting whim, perhaps something to let unfold naturally. The future holds endless possibilities.

Si Tang smiled, feeling no aversion. She handed him the contract in her hand.

The document stated that the two would enter into a contractual marriage, with a divorce to be announced after three years. Neither party would interfere in the other’s affairs.

“My mother’s will stipulated that I could inherit the shares only after getting married, but there was a loophole in the will. It specified marrying ‘someone I truly love.'”

“So, to be safe, we can’t divorce until three years later. We’ll claim the relationship broke down, and we must not disclose this contract. That way, neither the public nor the Si family will have any grounds for gossip.”

“The compensation is 100 million, but given Mr. Fan Yi’s high status, if possible, I agree to all the collaborations you mentioned and will pay an additional, 100 million. Also, the birthday gift from Mr. Fan Yi is too rare and precious. I’ll return it afterward, so please take it back.”

Si Tang spoke calmly, yet Fan Yi inexplicably felt as if he were being kept by her.

He had known all along that she wouldn’t care for those so-called treasures.

As for divorce… Hah, not in this lifetime.

Fan Yi took the contract, signed it with a flourish, and handed it back.

Si Tang took it and glanced at the signature, momentarily stunned.

His handwriting.

It was wild and chaotic, barely legible. Even her dog’s paw prints looked more like writing than this.

She looked at Fan Yi’s composed expression and felt an overwhelming sense of dissonance.

Of course, Si Tang said nothing, quietly dividing the contract into two copies and placing one back into the document folder.

“Shall we go get the marriage certificate now?” Fan Yi seized the moment to ask.

Si Tang glanced at him in surprise, unexpectedly sensing his urgency.

“Nothing else,” Fan Yi stood up, straightened his sleeves, and spoke calmly. “I just thought Miss Si might want to inherit the shares from the will as soon as possible.”

He had hit the mark. The two reached an agreement and left the banquet early to register their marriage.

At the entrance of the civil affairs bureau, Fan Yi held the small red booklet, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

“Are we considered a flash marriage?” Fan Yi asked with amusement, then added thoughtfully, “Shouldn’t we have a wedding?”

His reasoning was simple: according to books, weddings are part of marriage.

Si Tang nodded, calmly tucking the marriage certificate into her bag.

“As for the wedding, I won’t trouble Mr. Fan Yi. We can just say we’re keeping it low-key. After all, it’s only a contractual marriage.”

Naturally, Si Tang didn’t want to go through the unnecessary trouble. Fan Yi’s expression darkened, and though he wanted to say he didn’t mind the hassle, he could only purse his lips in silent resignation.

“Then, shouldn’t we live together after marriage?” Fan Yi spoke again, feigning nonchalance. “After all, we don’t want the Si family to find any loopholes. It’s better to be cautious.”

If Si Chenfeng found out they had a contractual marriage, he would surely seize the opportunity and refuse to let it go.

“Well.” Si Tang was pondering where to live when Fan Yi spoke up.

“I live in Haiyuan. The house is spacious enough can move in. After all, the media will make a big deal out of it. The fact that this is a contract must not be known by anyone else. Am I right, Miss Si Tang?”

After a moment’s thought, Si Tang agreed without any pretense.

Her gaze swept over the man’s refined and delicate features. When he smiled slightly, he appeared gentle and almost saintly.

This Mr. Fan Yi really didn’t seem like a bad person.

Si Tang thought to herself quietly.