Chapter 2 Unequal Treaties

Qin Suisui hesitated at the doorway, unsure of the motives of the person inside. Miu

"Miss Qin, if you don't go in, you'll be in trouble if the president loses his patience."

Xu Tao kindly reminded Qin Suisui. He knew his boss's temper all too well. He didn't like to be kept waiting.

—Forget it. Regardless of the motive, the most important thing is to protect the orphanage.

Qin Suisui thought to herself, gripping the doorknob, taking a deep breath, and pushing the door open.

The room was dark. The ten o'clock sun shone through the glass onto the wooden floor in front of the desk, creating patches of golden, dancing light, like little elves.

The person behind the desk sat in the shadows, silent.

Qin Suisui couldn't see his face clearly, so she took a few steps forward, standing in front of the desk, where the light flickered. Miu

"Hello. May I ask about the orphanage..."

"This is how you approach asking for help."

A deep, cold male voice echoed from the shadows. "Please spare the orphanage. Feel free to ask for anything."

Qin Suisui bowed slightly, her tone sincere.

She knew crying children get candy, but a child being strangled has no right to cry.

Huo Yan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the person before him. This was his second time seeing Qin Suisui. Last night, the neon lights were too bright, so he could only vaguely make out her outline. Her figure, clad in a tight skirt, stood out against the night sky.

Now, in the morning light, Qin Suisui's features were exceptionally clear. Her oval face shone with childishness, her ponytail swaying slightly as she moved. Her doe-like eyes, gazing at her, revealed an unexpectedly scholarly air.

"Sign it."

"What is this?"

Qin Suisui clutched the corner of her clothes, unable to understand why this man would bother a helpless girl like her.

Huo Yan knocked twice on the desk. He said nothing.

Qin Suisui picked up the contract from the desk and read the words on the cover. Shocked.

"Marriage agreement?" Miu

Born in an orphanage, she grew up in the rigors of life. The weight of debt weighed her down. Yet, she stubbornly clung to a small, infatuated heart—"In this life, I must find someone who truly loves me and won't abandon me."

Since childhood, she had longed for love from anyone other than the director. It was clear that the man before her didn't love her. Without even reading the agreement, Qin Suisui refused.

"I won't sign it. We don't even know each other, let alone have feelings for each other. How can we get married?"

Qin Suisui saw the figure in the shadows straighten up, revealing a pale, handsome face. A pair of deep brown eyes stared at her with contempt.

"Oh? Too little? Name your price?"

"What price?"

Qin Suisui looked at Huo Yan in confusion. Miu

"Pretending? Divorce after six months, and then another 5 million. Don't refuse a toast."

Heard that the divorce would be possible after six months. Qin Suisui opened the marriage agreement again.

Huo Yan chuckled softly and leaned back in his chair, as if everything was just as he'd expected.

Qin Suisui read the agreement.

1. If Party A needs blood drawn, Party B must donate unconditionally. Refusal is not permitted for any reason.

2. During the term of the agreement, Party B must not disclose her marriage to Party A under any circumstances.

3. Party B has no right to exploit the benefits afforded by her status as Party A's wife, including property, connections, or any other resources.

4. During the term of the agreement, Party A may file for divorce unconditionally. Party B may not assert any rights.

5. If Party A files for divorce, Party B must pay Party A a 1 million RMB liquidated damages and receive no divorce compensation.

6. After the divorce, Party B must not mention her marriage to Party A to anyone else for the rest of her life. Violators will be charged per word, 100,000 RMB per word.

7. Divorce is permitted six months after obtaining the marriage certificate. Compensate Party B 5 million yuan.

………

Qin Suisui looked at the densely packed list of 26 demands.

It seemed as if each one only benefited this man, while she herself was the one who suffered.

"Can the orphanage not be demolished?"

She couldn't afford to offend this man. As long as he agreed not to demolish the orphanage, she would sign.

She understood that in this world, those without support were like duckweed in the wind, easily manipulated. She had experienced this since childhood.

"It depends on your performance."

The voice remained cold, as if demolishing or not demolishing an orphanage was a commonplace matter to him. He had no regard for the homeless children.

How cold was this man before her? He made decisions that affected others' lives, based on his own likes and dislikes.

Without a clear answer, Qin Suisui was helpless. She could only grit her teeth and sign the contract.

Huo Yan took the signed agreement and put it in a drawer. He stood up and walked out of the room.

"Follow me."

"Oh."

Qin Suisui followed silently, furtively sizing up the tall, imposing man before him.

His muscular features were faintly visible beneath his simple white T-shirt, exuding a powerful, oppressive air. His gray slacks hung loosely around his waist, and he wore slippers. Though dressed casually, he somehow made people feel uneasy.

"Go shower and change."

Huo Yan tossed a white nightgown to Qin Suisui.

"What do you want to do? That's not in the agreement."

Qin Suisui took a few steps back, warily eyeing the man before him.

Huo Yan observed Qin Suisui's panicked expression, like a little rabbit. He spoke contemptuously.

"I'm a germaphobe, you can rest assured. I wouldn't touch someone like you."

"What kind of person am I?"

Qin Suisui, not knowing where she found the courage, excitedly retorted. "Stop talking nonsense." Miu

Qin Suisui's eyes reddened slightly at Huo Yan's scolding. She walked into the bathroom Huo Yan pointed to.

Water from the showerhead poured down from above, masking the tears welling in Qin Suisui's eyes.

She was all too familiar with the feeling of being pressed like a fish on a chopping block. Ever since she could remember, harsh words and insults had been like a thorn in her flesh, gnawing at her dignity inch by inch.

Most of the time, she compromised and endured. But for some reason, she felt wronged just now.

Qin Suisui finished her shower and walked out of the bathroom, her long, wet hair dripping with water. The hem of her pure white pajamas reached her knees.

She wanted to find a hairdryer to dry her hair, but saw Huo Yan waiting for her at the door.

"Follow me!" Miu

Huo Yan turned and walked upstairs. Qin Suisui hurried after him.

She opened the door to the medical room. Gu Xizhou was already busy inside. Seeing Huo Yan and Qin Suisui come in, he put down what he was doing, pulled Huo Yan aside, and muttered softly.

"A Yan. Miss Qin's blood..."

Huo Yan pushed Gu Xizhou aside.

"The agreement is signed. Speak louder, let her know what's going on."

Huo Yan seemed unconcerned with Qin Suisui's thoughts.

Gu Xizhou smiled awkwardly at Qin Suisui.

"Miss Qin, don't mind. A Yan is just like that. This is the first time I'm using your blood for the antidote, so I might need to collect blood from several different places. Do you have..."

"She has no objections. Hurry up, I have a meeting this afternoon."

Huo Yan interrupted Huo Xizhou impatiently. He knew Gu Xizhou was a slow-moving person, always talking nonsense.

"Lie down on it."

Huo Yan said coldly, pointing to a medical bed and looking at Qin Suisui.

Qin Suisui tactfully lay down on the bed. Gu Xizhou gathered the necessary tools. Miu

"Ah Lin, we don't have a tourniquet. We need to buy some. The antidote might not be available until tonight."

"I'll hold her wrist as a tourniquet. Don't dawdle."

As he spoke, Huo Lin stepped forward and grabbed Qin Suisui's wrist. He applied so much force that it practically crushed her bones. Tears welled up in Qin Suisui's eyes.

"Huo...Mr. Huo, could you be gentler?"

Qin Suisui twitched her arm slightly, but Huo Lin increased his force.

"Don't move."

Seeing her plea go nowhere, Qin Suisui could only pray for the twitching to end quickly. To get her away from this terrifying man. Miu

Gu Xizhou finally gathered all the tools. He took out an alcohol swab and wiped Qin Suisui's elbow.

Qin Suisui moved subconsciously.

"You'd better cooperate," Huo Lin warned again, his voice cold. Qin Suisui said nothing, simply turned her head away. She didn't even look at the needle piercing her skin. The instant pain brought tears to her eyes, streaming from the corners of her eyes into her ears.

"Alright, Ah Lin, you can let go now. You really don't know how to be gentle with women."

Gu Xichuan pulled Huo Lin's hand away.

"I can do this myself, I don't need your help. Look at how bruised Suisui's wrist is."

Huo Lin glanced at Qin Suisui's slender, white wrist. The bruise was particularly glaring. He said nothing, simply sitting down in a nearby chair.

"Suisui, I need to draw blood from two more places for testing to see which one is most effective in detoxifying. Just bear with me."

Gu Xizhou gently comforted Qin Suisui. His attitude was a stark contrast to Huo Lin's.

Qin Suisui nodded.

Gu Xizhou's slender fingers gripped the needle, the cold tip of the needle pressing against the back of Qin Suisui's delicate hand. After completing the hand sampling, only one spot remained. Miu

"Ah-Lin. Come here. I need your help this time."

Huo Lu still leaned back in his chair, eyes closed. He ignored Gu Xizhou.

"Ah-Lin, I'm not kidding. I need to draw some blood from the neck. Sui Sui seems to be quite sensitive to pain. Please help me secure it. Don't move this spot."

At this moment, Qin Sui Sui felt like she was living a miserable life. Besides the pain from the needles and the fatigue from staying up late, what was even more tormenting was Huo Lu's attitude towards her.

When she signed the agreement, she hadn't expected this nominal husband to treat her well. But at least he wouldn't be as cold, disgusted, and disdainful as he was now.

"Trouble."

Huo Lu slowly raised his eyelids from his chair. Miu