Dongguo, Z City.
The July sun was relentless, scorching the earth.
Gu Family Villa.
"Dad, what did you just say? You want me to get married? Are you so desperate that you have to sell your daughter for fame? Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by everyone? Look into your conscience, doesn't it hurt?"
Gu Nuannuan had just finished her exams and returned home for the holidays when she was hit with what she considered a joke, though her father seemed dead serious.
She voiced her complaints, over and over again.
Married? Who in their right mind would want to marry her?
Mrs. Gu, overhearing her daughter's outburst, gently patted her on the shoulder. "Listen to yourself. We called you home to discuss this marriage with you."
Gu Nuannuan glanced at the gifts piled high on the ground. "Mom, you accepted all these betrothal gifts, and now you're telling me you want to *discuss* this with me?"
She was just an "ordinary" sophomore college student. Her summer vacation had only just begun, and before she could even relax, her mother urgently summoned her home, only to drop the bombshell that someone had proposed to her.
But who exactly?
It was none other than the Jiang family, an influential and powerful family from the north.
Hearing this, Gu Nuannuan was utterly stunned. She sank into the sofa, as if struck by lightning, unable to move.
Her parents exchanged worried glances, unsure of how to ease her shock.
"Tomorrow, both of our families will meet for dinner. You..." Mrs. Gu began.
"Mom, I need some time alone," Gu Nuannuan interrupted, mechanically rising from her seat and retreating to her room upstairs.
Dongguo was filled with families, some powerful, some not. But the Jiang family was different. Even the most reckless person would hesitate before crossing them.
The Jiang family was well-established in Z City, Dongguo. Their business had thrived for generations, making them a household name. When the Jiang family made a move, the entire economy of Dongguo trembled.
It was a family no one dared offend.
Gu Nuannuan pressed her hands against her face in despair. "What should I do? This so-called 'blessing' from heaven is going to crush me."
Should she feel grateful or devastated? Gu Nuannuan was lost in thought.
The next day arrived.
The two families gathered, and Gu Nuannuan attended the meeting, albeit begrudgingly.
Her youthful face was now marred by a series of red spots, densely spread across her skin.
When she spoke, her breath was unpleasant, and a gap had mysteriously appeared in her front teeth!
She had tied a bright yellow scarf around her head, clashing horribly with her outfit. Her lips were smeared with an obnoxious Barbie-pink lipstick, and her nails were painted in an assortment of garish colors – red, pink, purple – one for each finger.
It was not that Gu Nuannuan was naturally unattractive. In fact, she wasn't fat or ugly. But today, her appearance could only be described in one word: *disgusting*.
Gu Gu, trying to hide his discomfort, introduced her. "Mr. Jiang, this is our daughter, Nuannuan."
Was it really her?
Mr. Jiang eyed Gu Nuannuan suspiciously. He took out a photo and compared it to the girl sitting in front of him.
The girl in the photo had bright eyes, arched brows, and a sweet, charming smile. How had she turned into this person, with greasy hair, red acne, and an overall unpleasant appearance?
Luckily, his second son hadn't come today. Jiang Chenyu would have outright refused the marriage if he had seen this version of her.
"Why does she look so different from the photo?" Mr. Jiang muttered in disbelief.
Gu Nuannuan, doing her best to maintain her act, feigned shyness and spoke timidly, "The photo is heavily edited. This is my real face."
Gu Gu hesitated, unsure of what to say.
But Gu Nuannuan was secretly pleased, noticing Mr. Jiang's expression of doubt. She knew they would never accept her looking like this.
At that moment, Gu Gu and Mrs. Gu exchanged hopeful glances, silently agreeing that their daughter's plan might actually work.
The day the Jiang family had initially proposed, they had been forceful and domineering, leaving the Gu family with no room to refuse. Now, Gu Gu seized the opportunity to speak up first. "Mr. Jiang, we misled you with the photos. That was our fault. How about we cancel the marriage, and I'll return the betrothal gifts?"
To everyone's shock, Mr. Jiang responded, "No need. I like this girl Nuannuan very much."
"What?!"