Agreement Reached

Seeing Nie Ruoyun trying to negotiate the terms of their agreement, Shen Yingnian almost burst out laughing.

She was essentially haggling over the specifics of her own… well, what amounted to being served up on a platter.

However, her attempt to negotiate meant she had essentially accepted the compromise.

This was perfectly normal and reflected the weakness of human nature.

As the saying goes, choose the lesser of two evils.

Since what was going to happen had already happened (even if it technically hadn't yet), no matter how much Nie Ruoyun resisted, she had little choice but to accept her fate.

Moreover, Shen Yingnian's earlier threats had shattered any illusions of escape.

Faced with such a bleak outlook, almost anyone would have accepted his compromise.

After all, as Shen Yingnian had pointed out, the plan was genuinely beneficial to Nie Ruoyun.

However, she felt the "price" was too high.

She wanted to minimize the cost, like suggesting they only hold hands, a gesture that was practically meaningless.

Faced with such a transparent tactic, Shen Yingnian wasn't about to give in. "Miss Nie," he said, "I've already shown considerable sincerity. If you were negotiating a reasonable reduction, I might sympathize. But this… this is like trying to bargain with a dragon-slaying sword."

"I told you, this is my bottom line!" Nie Ruoyun insisted, trying to maintain a tough stance, even though she clearly wasn't in a position to be demanding.

Shen Yingnian didn't believe in bottom lines.

In his view, everyone had a price.

If money couldn't buy someone's loyalty or virtue, it just meant the offer wasn't high enough.

Before today, Nie Ruoyun had despised Shen Yingnian. But now, tempted by the prospect of 100 billion yuan, she was negotiating the terms of her… acquiescence.

"If this is your bottom line, then I'm afraid I'll have to reconsider my offer. After all, sincerity is a two-way street," Shen Yingnian said, adopting a similarly tough stance and taking another puff of his e-cigarette.

Nie Ruoyun hesitated.

The two were locked in a silent battle of wills.

But Nie Ruoyun was clearly at a disadvantage.

Seeing Shen Yingnian's unwavering expression, she struggled internally before slightly lowering her demands. "Fine," she conceded. "This year, besides holding hands… I can accept some physical contact. But… nothing excessive!"

"What constitutes 'not excessive'?" Shen Yingnian asked, feigning confusion.

Nie Ruoyun was mortified. She wished she could disappear. "Just… like hugging," she mumbled.

"Then you might as well not give in at all," Shen Yingnian scoffed. "It's barely a compromise. I won't be able to… express my feelings. I'll have to find someone else."

"How dare you?!" Nie Ruoyun immediately snapped, her face turning frosty.

Shen Yingnian was delighted. "Miss Nie is already getting into character," he said with a smirk. "So possessive."

"Who's possessive! I wish you were dead!" Nie Ruoyun retorted. "You said it yourself. We each have our obligations. Does that mean yours is to… stray?"

"Obligations are equal," Shen Yingnian replied. "If you restrict me, does that mean I can only… use one hand this year?"

Nie Ruoyun was beyond words. How could he be so shameless and justify it so casually?

But she knew he wouldn't actually restrain himself for a year. After a long pause, she finally gave in. "Fine," she said. "I'll compromise one last time. As long as you fulfill half of your promise, I'll… I'll agree. But on one condition: you can't fool around with other women. If you fulfill your promise, I don't want my future husband to be a playboy. I'm also worried about… you know… catching something and… and giving it to me!"

Seemingly afraid he would try to negotiate further, she added, "This is my absolute final bottom line!"

"What's the difference between sooner or later?" Shen Yingnian countered.

Nie Ruoyun's face flushed with anger and shame. "How dare you!" she exclaimed. "After what you've done, is this too much to ask?" She glanced at the bloodstain on the quilt, her eyes welling up again.

Shen Yingnian raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay," he said. "I agree."

Inwardly, he was ecstatic.

With this agreement, Nie Ruoyun was practically his. Once he regained his cultivation, he could… well, he could do whatever he wanted.

"A deal then!"

"Agreed!"

With the agreement in place, Nie Ruoyun seemed deflated, her earlier resolve gone.

She didn't feel relieved. Instead, she was overwhelmed with grief and regret.

How could she have made such a ridiculous deal with this scoundrel?

It was like selling her body and soul.

How could she have stooped so low?

But she had no choice.

She wasn't afraid of death, but she wanted her death to mean something, not to bring ruin to her mother and loved ones.

Fine, she thought. I'll play along for now. We'll see what happens later.

"I'm going to get dressed," Nie Ruoyun said suddenly. "Turn around."

Shen Yingnian smiled wryly. "I've already seen everything," he said. "What's the point?"

"Turn around!" she insisted.

He looked at her for a moment, then turned his back.

He heard the rustling of clothes, then hurried footsteps, and finally, the slam of the door.

When he turned around, she was gone, leaving only her lingering fragrance.

Shen Yingnian smiled.

A genuine smile.

He had not only escaped a potentially disastrous situation but also successfully secured the heroine of the novel. A complete victory.

Even if the methods were… questionable.

Guilt?

Not a chance.

He hadn't been a bad person in his previous life.

But after dying once, he understood the fickleness of human nature.

Even if he had let Nie Ruoyun and Xiao Chen go, they would never have shown him mercy.

When Xiao Chen grew stronger, he would be nothing more than an insect to be crushed.

So, he had to strike first.

Only by seizing all of the protagonist's opportunities and luck would he have a chance to defeat him and live a peaceful life.

As for Nie Ruoyun, she would eventually realize that the longest road she had traveled was the one that led her to him.