Chapter 4: Only a Dog Would Go Back on Their Word

Gu Yining shook her head with a sincere smile. "I'm not sure about getting back in tomorrow, but maybe I can make you come looking for me instead."

"Oh? And what gives you that confidence?" Fu Hanyan sneered, a hint of disdain in his voice. Though this woman had been testing his patience, her confidence bordered on the absurd.

"First, I could hack into the Fu Corporation's systems and give everyone an unexpected day off. Next, I might arrange for you to be exposed in tomorrow's fragrance competition, revealing to the media that you've lost your sense of smell. And finally…"

Before she could finish, Fu Hanyan sprang from his seat with lightning speed, pinning her against the wall. His strong hand wrapped around her throat, squeezing hard enough to cut off her air supply. She gasped, her face turning from white to red, then purple.

"You're really playing with fire." His cold gaze was filled with rage, his voice as sharp as ice. Yet, despite her perilous position, Gu Yining looked up at him and smiled defiantly. She neither struggled nor pleaded for mercy; there was not an ounce of fear in her eyes. He held her tight, but as he sensed she was close to passing out, he released her, tossing her aside like a discarded rag, then sat back down.

"Get lost. I don't want to see you again."

This was about as lenient as he could be. Anyone else would have been reported to the police by now. But Gu Yining rubbed her neck, her face lighting up with a mischievous grin. "I just have one last thing to say, and then I'll leave—promise."

He sighed, exasperated. This woman was relentless. "Fine. Speak."

"I'm planning on paying your grandfather a visit. Maybe he'll take a liking to me," she replied confidently, as if this was the final move in a carefully plotted game.

Fu Hanyan felt a headache coming on. Today had been full of annoyances, and now this woman was practically forcing him into a corner. The first two threats were inconsequential; he had more than enough resources to counter those. But the last one was a different story.

Most people didn't know how eagerly his grandfather sought to find him a wife. As long as the candidate was breathing and female, the old man would approve. The prospect of Gu Yining charming his grandfather was a real threat. If she managed to win his favor, the old man would never relent until Fu Hanyan agreed to marry her. Yet, as troublesome as she was, her timing couldn't have been better. The Fu family elders had been trying to pick a wife for him, sparking all sorts of internal conflicts and schemes. She could serve as a perfect shield.

Agreeing to marry her wasn't a concession—it was a necessity. He needed a strong, competent partner to silence the family's disputes and buy him some peace.

"Did you bring your ID and household registration documents?" he asked, leaning against the chair by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The afternoon sunlight cast sharp shadows across his face, giving him a regal, yet cold appearance.

She flashed her papers at him, beaming with a grin. "Got them right here. And don't worry, marrying me is no burden. I've got you covered. I'll protect you from the wilds of the Fu family."

He rolled his eyes, unimpressed by her self-confidence. It was almost as if she thought he needed a protector.

They reached the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, and Fu Hanyan paused, eyeing her skeptically. "You're sure you won't back out?"

Gu Yining slapped a hand on her chest. "I'm more worried that you'll be the one to back out. But if I, Gu Yining, were to go back on my word, I'd be a dog."

She couldn't help but feel a thrill of victory. After all, Fu Hanyan was a catch most women would dream of. Why would she have any second thoughts?

He smirked, his lips curling into a sardonic smile. "Fine. Remember those words."

One day, he mused, she would come to regret this choice. He couldn't help but look forward to the day when she'd be forced to live up to that promise.