Originally, Xia Xiaowan thought that as long as she didn’t agree to get married, Gu Nianbin could do nothing about her.

However, she never expected that after a few days, Gu Nianbin would actually publish the news in the newspaper that they were going to get married! They would get married directly without declaring an engagement. The phone at her home rang from morning to night that day as friends and relatives called to congratulate her family.

Her parents were beaming with joy as they began to prepare for their marriage. Xia Xiaowan suffered in silence. She quarreled with her mother twice. Madam Xia only thought that Xia Xiaowan was angry because of the marriage proposal, so she said that she had already called and ragged on Gu Nianbin. Madam Xia told Xia Xiaowan not to take it to heart and then ignored her daughter.

During this period, Gu Nianbin also went to the Xia family frequently. When he came, he behaved himself and chatted with Xia Xiaowan’s parents. Sometimes, he also saw her in her room. She still hoped that she could persuade him. But Gu Nianbin was determined. Instead, he advised her not to put up useless resistance.

This time, Xia Xiaowan truly experienced the helplessness of being caught in her own trap. It was rare for her to have a conscience and want to mend her ways, but she didn’t have any opportunity. It was clearly for Gu Nianbin’s own good, but Gu Nianbin did not appreciate it. Her family also spoke up for Gu Nianbin, thinking that she was insensible. Later on, someone said that she had a phobia before marriage. Then everyone became more and more tolerant of her and ignored her nonsense. Mrs. Xia and Mrs. Gu took turns to enlighten her. Even Gu Shanshan called her every day, trying to ease the anxiety in her heart.

Xia Xiaowan felt that the invisible rope tying up her body was getting tighter and tighter. It was so tight that she almost couldn’t breathe. She also rarely went out. She stayed in her room every day to watch TV or play games. Xia Nanze was afraid that she might feel depressed alone. He asked Han Xiaoxue to accompany her in his home.

The two of them sat on the windowsill, basking in the sunlight and drinking coffee.

Han Xiaoxue asked, “Does your Brother Nianbin come every day?”

Xia Xiaowan leaned lazily against the cushion and looked out the window at a tall magnolia. “He hasn’t been here for the past few days.”

Han Xiaoxue sighed. “Maybe he doesn’t have time. Recently, he has been very busy.”

Xia Xiaowan frowned. “How did you know?”

“Everyone knows this.” Han Xiaoxue looked at her strangely. “What? You don’t know? The Jiang Group has unleashed heavy punches to attack the Gu Group these past few days. The Gu Group has already liquidated two subsidiaries. Moreover, it has to pay liquidated damages, which is an astronomical amount. If you want to marry him at this time, you have to think about it clearly.”

“Didn’t they say that the Jiang Group stayed put? Why did it…” Xia Xiaowan asked in surprise, “When did this happen?”

“It has happened just these few days. Don’t you read the newspaper or surf the Internet at home? The Internet is full of news about the two groups.” Han Xiaoxue said, “I thought you knew about this!”

Xia Xiaowan quickly jumped off the windowsill and took out her cell phone to read the news. As Han Xiaoxue had said, the Gu Group had been in dire straits recently. The court had already declared that the Gu group violated the contract of the Ecological Park project and was ordered to compensate the Jiang Group with a large number of liquidated damages. Moreover, Jiang Kaiwei had already bought 11 percent of the Gu Group’s shares from Liu Huajie, the third largest shareholder of the Gu Group. With these shares and the chips he had obtained from the stock market a few days ago, Jiang Kaiwei said that he already had 15 percent of the Gu Group’s shares in his hand. He also put harsh words out that he would continue to fight and take down the Gu Group in one fell swoop.

Contrary to the high-profile Jiang Group, the Gu Group appeared to be very low-key. However, some people found out that to deal with a series of shortages of funds, the Gu Group had terminated its two subsidiaries outside G city to gather all their funds to fight to the death against the Jiang Group. A few months elapsed, and this battle finally reached the most critical moment.

Xia Xiaowan couldn’t sit still any longer. She rushed out as she put on her coat. Han Xiaoxue chased after her and asked, “Where are you going?”

“I’ll go to see my brother.”

“Do you want me to accompany you?”

“Whatever. You can go with me if you want.”

Han Xiaoxue chased after Xia Xiaowan and walked down the steps. She said breathlessly, “Then I, I will go with you.”

As she spoke, Xia Xiaowan had already entered the car. Han Xiaoxue was afraid that Xia Xiaowan would leave her behind, so she quickly opened the car door and got in.

Xia Xiaowan thought that no wonder Gu Nianbin was so desperate to force her to marry him. It turned out that there was a reason for this. She always thought that Gu Nianbin was different from others. Now it seemed that he was not different. When it really came to the life-and-death moment, no matter how unforgettable the love was, he could leave it behind.

Xia Xiaowan was born into a wealthy family. So she understood that a man who did great things should be like this. She just didn’t understand why Xia Nanze didn’t help him. The Gu and Xia families were going to be related by marriage. How could he just stand by when Gu Nianbin was under attack?

When Xia Xiaowan arrived at the Xia Group, Xia Nanze’s secretary told her that the president was in a meeting. Xia Xiaowan had to wait in his office. Compared with anxious Xia Xiaowan, Han Xiaoxue was very happy. It was the first time she had come to Xia Nanze’s office. She looked around with interest.

“Xiaowan, why is there no photo frame in your brother’s office?” Han Xiaoxue looked around and walked over, saying, “I saw a lot of photos in the office of the bosses on TV dramas, photos of their own, their family, and girlfriends…”

Xia Xiaowan looked at her and suddenly laughed. “Why don’t you just ask if my brother has a girlfriend? Why are you beating around the bush?”

“What does it have to do with me whether your brother has a girlfriend or not? I just think…”

“If it’s none of your business, why are you blushing?”

Han Xiaoxue gave her a cold sneer, but her hand subconsciously touched her face. “Who is blushing?”

“Why are you touching your face if you’re not blushing?”

“I… I didn’t…” Han Xiaoxue was an honest girl and didn’t know how to answer her.

“That’s enough. If you continue to explain, it will only reveal what you are trying to hide.” Xia Xiaowan said slowly, “I have to remind you that you are unable to tame my brother. If you really have that idea, you should give it up as soon as possible.”

Han Xiaoxue shouted at her, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“I don’t mean anything else, Xiaoxue,” Xia Xiaowan said seriously, “Because you are my friend, I don’t want you to get hurt. It’s unlikely that you don’t know about my brother’s love affairs. Didn’t the entertainment headlines a few days ago still report his scandals with Lin Weiyin?”

Han Xiaoxue said angrily, “There is no such a thing. You’re just spouting nonsense. I’m leaving.”

When she walked to the door and opened it, she saw Xia Nanze standing outside. Her face turned red, and she looked like a child who had done something bad. She was at a loss. “Brother, Brother Nanze, you, I…”

Xia Nanze smiled. “Why are you leaving when I come? Don’t leave. I’ll treat you to a meal later.”

Han Xiaoxue glanced sideways at Xia Xiaowan. The latter had a sly smile on her face. Han Xiaoxue was so angry that she stomped her feet and wanted to leave again. Xia Nanze held her back and pointed at his head. “Alright, there’s something wrong with Xia Xiaowan’s mind. Don’t lower yourself to her level.”

Han Xiaoxue laughed out loud. Xia Xiaowan’s expression suddenly changed. She picked up a folder on the table and threw it at Xia Nanze. Xia Nanze smiled and turned to catch it. He even made a handsome pose and teased his sister, “You usually don’t even come out when I beg you to. How could you be willing to come here today?”

Xia Xiaowan ignored him and said to Han Xiaoxue, “Xiaoxue, wait for me outside. I want to talk to my brother alone.”

Han Xiaoxue knew that Xia Xiaowan wanted to talk about Gu Nianbin, so she tactfully said, “I have some business to do, so I’ll leave first.”

“What business can you have to do?” Xia Nanze said, “I said I would treat you to a meal!”

“You’re welcome, Brother Nanze,” Han Xiaoxue smiled and said, “There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.” As she spoke, she waved at them and walked out the door.

When the door was closed by Han Xiaoxue, Xia Xiaowan said, “Brother, now that Brother Nianbin has been bullied like that by Jiang Kaiwei, why don’t you help him? Didn’t you agree that as long as we get married, you will give him the shares of the Jiang Group?”

“That’s right.” Xia Nanze sat down on the chair opposite her. “The premise is that you get married to him. Isn’t it that you are still not married? What if he removes the current trouble and then regrets it again after I give it to him?”

“How could that be?” Xia Xiaowan said, “Brother Nianbin is not that kind of person. You know it!”

Xia Nanze snorted. “Isn’t he in such a hurry to get married just for the shares in my hands?”

“Even if this is true, it is understandable. If it were you, you would do the same!”

Xia Nanze took out a lighter and lit a cigarette. “I’m still a little worried. Whether you can marry Gu Nianbin as you wish or not depends on this bit of shares. What if it goes down the drain? There are too many variables in this world now.”

“What if I don’t want to marry him?” Xia Xiaowan asked tentatively.

“If you don’t marry him, then I won’t give the shares to him. What right does he have?” Xia Nanze looked at her suspiciously. “Are you going to tell me that you really don’t want to marry him? The wedding is about to hold, and you don’t look happy at all.”

“I,” Xia Xiaowan faltered. “Don’t I have a phobia before marriage?”

“Really?” Xia Nanze suddenly smiled. “Do you think your brother is a fool? I haven’t talked with you about this because I wanted you to take the initiative to tell me. Since you mentioned it, tell me, what do you want? You don’t want to marry Gu Nianbin again, do you?”

“Is this the reason why you kept the shares in your hands and refused to give them to Brother Nianbin?”

“You’ve already changed your mind. Why do I still give those shares to him?” Xia Nanze flicked the cigarette ash into the ashtray. “Sister, I am a businessman, not a philanthropist. In the business world, profit is the most important. Besides, it is not a little amount that can be given to others as I like. Instead, it involves over one hundred million yuan! If I casually give this amount to others, I will be called squandering!”

“I didn’t change my mind.” A firm expression appeared on Xia Xiaowan’s face. “I just feel a little sorry for Brother Nianbin. After all, it was because of me that Brother Nianbin got into this trouble, so… but I will definitely marry him.”

“Are you sure?” Xia Nanze still had some doubts.

“I’m sure.” Xia Xiaowan nodded seriously.

“Alright. Hurry up and hold your wedding and announce it to the public. Then I’ll give him the shares.”

“The time is so tight right now. How can we make it in time? He can’t run away. At this critical juncture, you should help him first. If he goes bankrupt, how can I marry him?”

“Don’t worry. At most, Gu Nianbin suffered some serious losses. He won’t collapse. Why don’t you register your marriage first? As long as you become legal husband and wife, I will also accept it.”

Xia Xiaowan pondered for a moment and said, “Sure, no problem. I will arrange a time to do it with Brother Nianbin.”