Chapter 1

At nine o'clock in the evening, a heavy snow fell upon River City.

A black sedan pulled to a stop before the villa district.

The driver informed Song Yuan, "Young Master, we've arrived. Mr. Gu's residence is just a short walk straight ahead."

Song Yuan patted his cheeks, forcing himself awake. "Understood."

The driver, a hint of concern in his voice, said, "Young Master, the wind is picking up. Perhaps you should wait in the car?"

"It's fine." Song Yuan unbuckled his seatbelt, zipped his down jacket to the top, and waved to the driver. "I'll just find a sheltered spot. Uncle Chen, you should head back early."

Against the blustery wind, Song Yuan trudged forward, grumbling inwardly—

*Just my luck! The novel barely mentions a speck of ice all year, yet it snows on the very first day I transmigrate? How unlucky!*

Yes, Song Yuan had transmigrated.

He had transmigrated into a male-centric power fantasy novel where the male lead, at just twenty-six, ascended to the pinnacle of the business world through ruthless tactics, stepping over the flesh and blood of his own kin to become the supreme ruler of a trillion-dollar commercial empire. The entire story centered on the male lead's rise, interspersed with various cannon fodder characters suffering humiliating defeats—a quintessential power fantasy.

And Song Yuan? He had become the male lead's cannon fodder fiancé.

Not just any cannon fodder, but the kind who exited the story after less than ten chapters, having courted his own demise.

The original character was an adopted son of the Song family. When the Song family faced bankruptcy, he was used as a pawn in a deal, arranged for a contractual engagement with the male lead.

The male lead was not only an absolute workaholic but also emotionally distant. During their engagement, they never shared a meal, went on a date, or even held hands—their relationship was so pure it was practically platonic.

But the original character was an extremely clingy nuisance, often suffering from separation anxiety and constantly craving companionship. From day one, the male lead knew that the original character was not on the same wavelength as him.

A year later, when the contract expired, the male lead offered the original character compensation. But the original character didn't want money; he wanted love. Unwilling to give up, he forged and altered the agreement, only to be exposed and ridiculed by the entire elite society.

Upon reading this, Song Yuan felt his world shatter.

*No way am I going to be cannon fodder...*

Furthermore, his adopted younger brother, the Song family's biological son, had been running rampant under Song Yuan's name after the engagement, offending half the social circle and ruining his reputation.

If the plot continued as it was, once the agreement ended and he lost the male lead's protection, he would surely face retaliation from half the social circle.

After recalling the entire plot, Song Yuan couldn't sit still. He *had* to find a way to save himself.

He decided to break off the engagement with Gu Jingchi *before* his adopted younger brother could start causing trouble, take the compensation, and flee. This way, he could both avoid the cannon fodder fate and quickly sever ties with the Song family.

Killing two birds with one stone.

However, this was completely outside Song Yuan's realm of knowledge.

Forget engagement; before transmigrating, he was a virgin. He genuinely had no idea how to interact with Gu Jingchi, let alone propose ending the engagement.

After much thought, he decided to start with the "Three Rules."

Like most contractually engaged couples, Song Yuan and Gu Jingchi also had their own set of rules:

No unnecessary meetings.

Do not refer to each other as "fiancé" in public.

Maintain a stranger-like relationship until the agreement ends.

Song Yuan pondered carefully. If he wanted to sabotage this engagement, he would have to do the *opposite*—

Meet often, call him "fiancé," and cling to Gu Jingchi like a persistent nuisance until he lost his temper...

In addition, he would have to display his ill-mannered and unreasonable side. Gu Jingchi came from a distinguished family, raised with strict etiquette. If he saw his prospective spouse behaving disgracefully, he would surely reconsider their relationship.

This plan was audacious, brimming with an energy completely at odds with Song Yuan's introverted nature. But since he had already transmigrated, embarrassment was the least of his worries.

After all, what was pride compared to survival?

Once his mind was made up, he immediately set off to find Gu Jingchi.

Song Yuan found a relatively dry spot to sit, slowly rummaging through his pockets.

Before leaving, he had instinctively grabbed an individually wrapped mochi, which now seemed perfect for a quick bite.

Before he could find it, a sharp *clank* echoed from the gate.

The black garden gate swung open.

The next moment, a tall, imposing figure appeared in his sight.

A perfectly straight nose, a strong jawline, tightly pressed thin lips, and a gaze that held a hint of disdain—his entire being exuded an unapproachable aura.

Strangely enough, Song Yuan had never met Gu Jingchi, yet in that instant, Song Yuan recognized him.

Song Yuan stood up. "Gu Jingchi."

Gu Jingchi walked over to Song Yuan, looking at him expressionlessly.

Now that he had called out to him, Song Yuan had no idea what to say next.

This wasn't his fault; it was his first engagement, and he truly didn't know how to communicate with Gu Jingchi.

He thought about the purpose of his visit. It probably wouldn't be polite to immediately ask Gu Jingchi to terminate the agreement.

After a moment's thought, he tried to start with a casual greeting, "Busy day at work?"

Gu Jingchi didn't respond, his scrutinizing gaze fixed on Song Yuan.

Beneath Song Yuan's left eye was a tiny, faint tear mole, a delicate pale pink that seemed to shimmer with his every word.

Gu Jingchi stared at the mole near Song Yuan's eye for two seconds, then looked away.

The weight of his gaze persisted, and Song Yuan's palms began to sweat.

From the moment they met, Gu Jingchi hadn't put on the cold, imposing air of a superior. He spoke little, almost calmly—yet he naturally carried an oppressive presence. Even his expressionless gaze made people nervous.

Song Yuan didn't know if Gu Jingchi found him "rude," but he was already desperate to escape.

The silence stretched, until even the lamplight seemed to fall silent. Then, Gu Jingchi slowly spoke.

"Song Yuan."

A pleasant voice.

A terrifying effect.

Song Yuan's breath hitched, feeling like a student caught daydreaming in class. "...Yes?"

Gu Jingchi asked, "Do you need something?"

*Of course I do.*

*I need to break off this agreement with you.*

But Gu Jingchi's question was strange. What kind of engaged couple never met? This naturally diverted Song Yuan's attention, and he momentarily lost focus.

"Is it unacceptable to visit without a specific reason?"

Gu Jingchi ignored that question. "Nothing else?"

Song Yuan shook his head.

"The driver is at the gate. He will take you back." Gu Jingchi walked past Song Yuan and left without a word.

The hem of his black coat fluttered open before Song Yuan's eyes, and in the blink of an eye, Gu Jingchi was gone.

Song Yuan stood with his mouth half-open, his surprise undisguised.

He knew Gu Jingchi was cold, but he hadn't expected him to be *this* indifferent.

If they couldn't even meet, how was he supposed to bring up divorce?

Alarm rose in Song Yuan. "W-Wait! I..."

Just then, a piercing screech of brakes sounded from behind him.

The next second, a sleek black sports car pulled up smoothly in front of the villa. The young man in the driver's seat took off his sunglasses, tossed them onto the dashboard, and curved his charming peach-blossom eyes into a smile. He leaped out of the car with a devil-may-care attitude, exuding a lazy nonchalance. "Mr. Gu, long time no see."

No one acknowledged him.

The young man walked into the courtyard, muttering to himself. He looked up, and the moment he saw Song Yuan, a look of confusion spread across his face.

"Huh?"

"Huh???"

He hesitated, as if about to say, "Aren't you...?"

*The Song family's adopted son who's pretty but otherwise useless?*

But seeing Song Yuan's polite, deferential demeanor only deepened the young man's confusion.

Rumor had it that Song Yuan was delicate, arrogant, and riddled with flaws.

Yet, none of those words seemed to match the young man standing before him.

*He is indeed very pretty.*

*But why is his personality so different?*

Gu Jingchi's voice drifted from a distance, colder than before, but also more casual. "Pei Han, what are you doing?"

Pei Han was Gu Jingchi's friend, a notorious playboy in their circle, and consistently ranked second on the "Most Charming Men in River City" list.

(The top spot belonged to Gu Jingchi.)

Pei Han finally tore his gaze away. "The Song family is hosting a banquet tomorrow night. Young Master Song must have mentioned it to you, right? Are you going?"

Gu Jingchi's voice was flat. "I didn't know about it."

Pei Han raised an eyebrow, looking at Song Yuan with interest.

Attending an event with Gu Jingchi was sure to spark discussion. Most people with an agenda would have seized the opportunity to climb the social ladder.

Moreover, it was rumored that Song Yuan was merely an adopted son of the Song family, not highly regarded at home, and his social connections in the circle weren't particularly strong. By all logic, he should be more eager than most to seize this opportunity.

Yet, Song Yuan showed no such inclination.

*How strange.*

And *interesting.*

He was genuinely curious whether Song Yuan's innocence was an act or genuine. Grinning, Pei Han was about to tease Song Yuan, but Gu Jingchi cut him off.

"Anything else?" Gu Jingchi asked.

Pei Han wasn't annoyed by the interruption, but he was the type who couldn't resist stirring the pot. "The kid came all this way to see you. The least you could do is smile—don't be so rude."

Gu Jingchi's response was blunt. "Get lost."

"You'll smile for someone one day," Pei Han said, twirling his keys, utterly unbothered.

Before leaving, he winked at Song Yuan. "See you tomorrow."

Song Yuan nodded blankly.

To his surprise, Pei Han's smile widened even further. Even as he walked away, his lighthearted chuckle drifted back on the cold wind.

With Pei Han gone, the atmosphere turned icy once more.

Song Yuan felt a little uneasy, wondering how to begin, when Gu Jingchi spoke first.

"Since we are already engaged, there are some things I hope you understand."

Song Yuan nodded obediently.

"My life revolves around work, and that will not change."

"I will abide by the Three Rules, and I expect you to do the same."

"I will not be a 'good husband' in the conventional sense. You should be prepared for that."

"The only guarantee I can make is that I will not be unfaithful, nor will I allow your reputation to be tarnished."

"If you have any needs in your daily life, contact my second assistant or third secretary. They will fulfill all your financial requirements."

Gu Jingchi was surprisingly accommodating.

But Song Yuan began to panic.

If they couldn't even meet, how was he supposed to propose ending the agreement?

"Any other questions?" Gu Jingchi asked. "If not, you may leave. We won't need to meet again until the agreement concludes."

Song Yuan was timid, but his survival instinct compelled him to try. "Yes, there is."

Gu Jingchi waited for him to state his request.

Song Yuan took a deep breath. "Can we... not follow the Three Rules?"

Gu Jingchi lowered his eyes, gazing at him calmly and slowly. Behind him was an eternal night, and his gaze was even darker and more profound than the night itself. "Reason."

"You may try to convince me."

"Because I *need* to see you."

Only by meeting could he have a chance to propose divorce.

"We don't live far apart. Is it really impossible for me to see you sometimes?"

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