His wife's pregnancy bump disappeared, and Mr. Huo was going crazy missing her.

Qiao Mian turned her back to him and looked out the window. "I will not marry my fiancé."

Huo Yanbei's fingers paused slightly. "Why?"

Her eyes welled up slightly. "He's not mine."

"Then am I yours?"

Huo Yanbei hugged her tightly from behind, his voice incredibly gentle.

Qiao Mian gently pushed him away with her small hands. "Yes."

"Then marry me."

He whispered the most tender and affectionate words in the world into her ear.

Qiao Mian's heart felt as if it were being soaked in warm water, soothed and softened. She felt something on her ring finger, and when she looked up, she saw a ring with a rose-shaped pink diamond.

Qiao Mian stared at the pink rose diamond ring, her heart aching inexplicably. Gradually, the pain intensified. She looked up at Huo Yanbei's cold and handsome face under the soft light, and a tear suddenly fell.

He gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Qiao Mian, I can give you money, status, and fame."

"I don't want any of that from you."

Although, these are what she needs most right now...

"What do you want?" Huo Yanbei gently asked, running his fingers through her long hair at her temples.

A hint of sadness flashed across Qiao Mian's eyes. Forcibly suppressing the faint pain in her chest, she stroked the diamond ring with her fingertips, then took it off. "I'm sorry."

Huo Yanbei's eyes darkened slightly. He grasped her hand, preventing her from taking it off. "You don't need to answer me so quickly."

"I will not marry you."

She didn't know what her future held, nor was she sure if he would marry her because he liked her. Most importantly, she didn't want to kill anyone else.

……

the next day.

Newspapers and media outlets widely reported on the decadent lifestyle of former popular actress Gu Huilan abroad and her huge gambling debts.

The hospital where Gu Huilan was staying was swarmed by reporters. That night, Qiao Mian secretly transferred Gu Huilan to another private hospital to escape the harassment from the reporters.

Gu Huilan was nearly ruined, and attempted suicide several times. Qiao Mian stayed by her side in the hospital, taking care of her every step of the way. Gu Huilan vented all her anger on Qiao Mian, refusing to cooperate with treatment or take her medicine, and even splashing water on her, saying, "Have you forgotten how Huahua died? You killed Huahua! You said you would protect me, why didn't you go to Young Master Huo?"

"I won't let anything happen to you," Qiao Mian said calmly.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you? Now I have nothing left, are you happy? Huahua is dead, and I'm dead too, so you're completely free, and you won't feel guilty anymore, right? Let me tell you, even if I go to the underworld, I'll tell Huahua what you did."

"I told you, I won't let anything happen to you," Qiao Mian said, frowning.

"How can you save me if you have no money? Why don't you go sell yourself? What's the use of having a pretty face?" Gu Huilan shook Qiao Mian's arm hysterically.

Qiao Mian stared blankly at the nearly frantic Gu Huilan. "If I were Huahua, your daughter, would you still say that?"

Gu Huilan closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her face.

……

night.

Qiao Mian appeared at the door of Huo Yanbei's bedroom. Huo Yanbei seemed to know she would come, and his face showed no surprise, his emotions were indifferent to the point of being cold.

"Qiao Mian, you have no other choice."

The door closed.

Qiao Mian put her hands behind her back.

The clothes cascaded down the woman's exquisite and alluring figure, reflecting the snow-white light.

Huo Yanbei gently held her waist and picked her up.

His dark eyes gazed silently at her, stubborn yet vulnerable, handing over all the initiative to her and waiting for her to yield.

Yes, she had no other choice.

Qiao Mian's cascading hair covered her soft, porcelain-like back as she nestled delicately in his arms, her eyes glistening with star-like tears.

"Huo Yanbei, give me 270 million."

She ultimately sold herself.

It was sold to Huo Yanbei.

The man's deep voice lingered in her ear, "Qiao Mian, I will be good to you."

……

three days later.

In the villa's living room, two uniformed staff members respectfully placed two marriage agreements in front of Qiao Mian and Huo Yanbei. "Once you sign, you will be legally husband and wife."

Huo Yanbei took out a gold Parker pen from his suit jacket pocket and, without hesitation, wrote his elegant name, Huo Yanbei, in the lower right corner.

Qiao Mian glanced at the staff member sitting opposite her, then at Huo Yanbei.

The fact that he can bring the Civil Affairs Bureau into his home shows that he is no ordinary person.

She hesitated.

Huo Yanbei said calmly, "I won't force you. If you regret it, you are still free."

A full minute later, Qiao Mian finally made up her mind to sign. She had no choice but to rely on Huo Yanbei to ensure Gu Huilan's safety.

Uncle Fu is right. She needs to find a backer or a powerful family background to establish herself in Yucheng. Huo Yanbei is a mysterious and unassuming person. After getting to know him for so long, she is not sure if such a person will bring her disaster. However, she is certain that he is rich, powerful, and has a good reputation. More importantly, she is certain that he needs her.

As for what is needed...

It seems that all we need right now is her...

Just as he was about to reach for the pen on the table, Huo Yanbei handed him a Parker fountain pen: "Use this one."

Qiao Mian took the Parker pen and stared at it for a few seconds.

It's not a particularly expensive Parker pen, but it's a custom-made one. Some of the gold foil on the cap has fallen off, indicating that it's quite old and must be used frequently.

When her knuckles touched some uneven surfaces, she subconsciously took a closer look and discovered that the pen was engraved with two characters: Yan'er.

I remember seeing the name Yan'er in some of the books he lent her before.

and so……

This fountain pen was a gift from that girl named Yan'er...

Qiao Mian couldn't describe how she felt at that moment. She only felt a tightness in her chest, a faint sourness filling her heart, and even a slight pain.

She looked up and met Huo Yanbei's dark and bright eyes.

Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that the gaze was somewhat cold, even carrying a hint of indescribable aloofness.

Qiao Mian was a little intimidated, so she pushed the fountain pen aside and stubbornly picked up the ballpoint pen to neatly sign her name.

Huo Yanbei glanced intently at the discarded Parker pen, his lips slightly pursed. After she finished signing, he dismissed everyone in the living room, took out a check, and placed it in front of her. "This is what you deserve."

"Mr. Huo is indeed a man of his word. I will comply with any requests you may have in the future."

Qiao Mian felt a strange pang in her heart, and an urge to cry washed over her. The deal was now complete.

He was the buyer, and she was the seller.

Huo Yanbei gazed at the woman's fair and clean face, reached out and pinched it, "All I need is for you to be a qualified Mrs. Huo."

Mrs. Huo...

She seemed a little uncomfortable with the way she was addressed, and managed a weak smile. "I'll do whatever Mr. Huo says."