Early spring, Qing City.
The weather at the end of February was still chilly, with the ice and snow melting yet the cold lingering.
When Song Song was brought into an ancient building that resembled something from the Middle Ages, she was still wearing a pale yellow down jacket, and as soon as she entered, she was enveloped by warmth.
Following the words of the old butler, she removed her old and shabby clothes that she had worn for years, changed into slippers, and then followed the old butler upstairs.
The corridor was long and empty, she walked with her head down, until there were no footsteps to be heard, she looked up at the other party, her eyes clear as water, with a small round face, fair and delicate skin, and a quiet demeanor that appeared very obedient and sensible.
The old butler nodded, his demeanor was serious and respectful, "Our master is inside, please, Miss Song."
Song Song glanced sideways at the tightly closed door, red wood with vermilion paint, carved with beautiful patterns. She didn't know who she was about to meet, but judging from everything inside the house, it was clear that whoever it was, they weren't from her world.
They were too wealthy, and she was too poor.
Before Song Song could react, a hoarse voice came from inside, "Everyone's here, why are you still standing at the door?"
The old butler's expression grew slightly serious upon hearing this, "Miss Song, please go in. Our master has little patience and doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Song Song hesitated a bit, but still reached out to open the door.
Upon entering, Song Song smelled a faint fragrance of tea and saw a white-haired old man sitting on the sofa, leaning on a cane.
The old man looked at the girl at the door, as delicate as a porcelain doll, his eyes sharp, and after a while, he said, "Come sit over here."
Feeling a bit uneasy under the scrutiny and unclear about the man's intentions, Song Song walked slowly towards the sofa and sat down as instructed.
At this moment, the old man took out some documents from the side, placing them on the tea table in front, and straightforwardly said, "These are the materials of my grandson, Miss Song can take a look."
Song Song didn't look at the materials and instead asked timidly, "You know my surname is Song, but I don't know you, and what's the purpose of showing me your grandson's information?"
A mischievous gleam flashed in the old man's eyes, "Because my grandson is about to become your husband, is that reason enough?"
"What, what do you mean?" Song Song's eyes were full of confusion.
The old man said calmly, "I know Miss Song's mother is seriously ill and currently in Qingcheng City First People's Hospital, needing two hundred thousand yuan for surgery. If Miss Song agrees to marry my grandson, this money will be quickly transferred to your personal account."
Song Song had never expected that the reason for him suddenly contacting her was this; she was stunned and rose from the sofa, "I'm sorry, I can't..."
"Miss Song, don't be in such a hurry to refuse." The old man interrupted her, "My grandson has no disabilities, no bad habits, and isn't considered ugly. Maybe in your young people's eyes, he might even be considered handsome. You can take a look at the photo first."
Song Song was slightly taken aback, thinking what kind of grandfather would promote his grandson in this manner?
Yet instinctively, she lowered her eyes to glance at the photo on the table, which was by no means ugly; it was a face whose brilliance eclipsed all else, so dignified and bright.
Her heart seemed to be bewitched, and she woodenly said, "Alright..."
The old man seemed very satisfied with her response, his previously stern face broke into a smile, "Very good, then remember to bring your household registration book and ID to the Civil Affairs Bureau by nine o'clock tomorrow."
"This seems too fast." A moment ago she had abruptly agreed, only because the man in the photo was not entirely unfamiliar to her, because she knew of him.
Xiao Jinghuai, Qing City's hot single bachelor, a legendary figure, also the uncle of her best friend, now truly, how could women be so scarce that even men of such status need to settle marriage through such means?
Song Song thought for a while, earnestly saying, "Actually, I'm not a stranger to your grandson. I have a classmate named Shang Tao who calls your grandson uncle, do you know her?"
Could this be the reason he approached her because of Taozi?
"I don't know." The old man said, "The Xiao Family's relationships are very complicated, and I haven't heard of the Shang Tao you're talking about. However, since you know my grandson, this matter becomes easier to handle. I don't have many demands, the only requirement is that after marriage, you must make him fall in love with you."
"This, this might be difficult for me to achieve." Song Song's face, white as jade, turned crimson, "But I will do my best to be an obedient wife."
The old man's gaze was stern; he nodded, saying, "That will suffice, he likes obedient girls."
"..."
Immediately, Song Song felt a little awkward, she had just inexplicably sold herself out like that, despite having sworn to her mother that she wouldn't be rash or impulsive about marriage.
However, the two hundred thousand yuan for surgery was indeed urgent.
The doctor had said the surgery needed to be done as soon as possible, otherwise the best treatment time would be missed.
The old man looked at the girl in front, who appeared a bit uneasy, and said, "Alright, you may leave now. Remember, bring your documents and appear at the Civil Affairs Bureau by nine o'clock tomorrow."
"Okay." Song Song had not yet fully recovered, and she instinctively rose from the sofa, "Then goodbye, Grandpa Xiao."
The elderly man was slightly taken aback, "What did you just call me?"
"Grandpa Xiao!" Song Song said confusedly. Her grandson's surname was Xiao, so naturally, he was also Xiao. Wasn't it right to call him Grandpa Xiao?
The elderly man's eyes briefly showed a gentle warmth, he waved his hand, "Leave."
"Oh." At this moment, Song Song realized the butler's words; this elder indeed had little patience.
After Song Song left, the elderly man also rose from the sofa, walked to the study desk, and picked up the phone.
The elderly man's tone was full of command, "According to the bet, you must appear at the civil affairs bureau entrance at nine tomorrow."
"Is that so?" The other party's voice was deep, the tone meaningful, "Grandpa, you should understand my character, are you sure you want to do this?"
The elderly man leaned on his cane, his expression calm, "As long as you agree to this matter, I will no longer interfere with your affairs in the future."
"In that case, it's a deal."
Upon hearing the other party agree, the elderly man's solemn expression relaxed quite a bit. He hung up the phone, tightened his grip on the cane, and sighed heavily, "I hope that girl can withstand it."
Meanwhile, in the parking lot of the International Building, a distinguished man in a clean and simple formal shirt had his sleeves rolled to the elbows, showing his strong and robust arms.
Standing there, he seemed like an ethereal painting, especially paired with that handsome and gentle face, amplifying the feeling, his slight exhalation of smoke inexplicably carried an air of asceticism.
Xing Quan stood beside his boss, instinctively swallowing; he knew the call just now was from Old Master Xiao.
Also his boss's grandfather, evidently his boss was in a bad mood now; otherwise, he wouldn't be smoking by the car.
Xiao Jinghuai slightly tilted his head, his side profile appeared both cold and gentle, he held the cigarette between his thin lips, raised his hand, and unbuttoned the first button of his shirt, revealing a beautiful collarbone, "Tomorrow, bring the household registration and ID cards to the civil affairs bureau with me."
Xing Quan was stunned at the words, "Xiao, President Xiao. I already have a girlfriend; I can't do anything to betray her, and a matter like marriage must go through my parents' approval. President Xiao, I can assist you with anything else, but marriage…"
Before finishing his sentence, Xing Quan received a piercing glare, making him immediately stop and not dare to continue.
Could it be that it wasn't about him marrying in his stead? If not, why did he ask him to bring the household registration and ID cards?
"Mine." The man elegantly provided an answer.
Xing Quan felt a bit awkward, he raised his hand to adjust the gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, "President Xiao, are you really going to marry the woman the chairman arranged for you?"
This was completely not his style!
"A bet's a bet." The man flicked the cigarette ash, his deep eyes calm and unaffected, "Lose and win back later."
Xing Quan looked at his boss in front of him, inexplicably feeling a chill rise up his back; he suddenly felt a bit sympathetic for the woman about to become the young madam of the Xiao Family.
"President Xiao, are you truly decided on this?"
The man's eyebrows slightly raised, the curve of his lips could only be described as a celestial gift of attractiveness, he said, "Arrange a house for that woman first."
Xing Quan answered respectfully but also puzzled, could it be to prepare for a kept beauty in a golden house?
But if they were really getting married, she would be the main wife, not a concubine.
...
Upon returning to her modest rented room, Song Song received a call from the hospital informing her that the hospitalization deposit was running low, urging her to make a payment quickly.
Her mind was initially still hazy, feeling as if she had made a monumental mistake.
After receiving the call, she suddenly felt her decision seemed right, the most crucial issue now was her mother's surgery and medication fees, which were now partially resolved.
She hoped everything would go smoothly tomorrow!
Thinking of this, the doubts in Song Song's heart grew heavier; she wondered if this marriage was solely Grandpa Xiao's idea, his grandson probably wouldn't be willing, right?
Whether he would appear at the civil affairs bureau tomorrow was still a question.
Moreover, she truly didn't expect to have such an entanglement with Xiao Jinghuai; she couldn't quite describe her feelings.
Before, through Shang Tao's connections, she had a few encounters, but they never spoke. Her impression of him was rather cold and distant, seeming like a very difficult person to get along with.
And the next day, Xiao Jinghuai indeed did not appear, the marriage process was handled by his assistant Xing Quan instead.
Just married, and already sent to the cold palace.