Yingyao opened the rear - door of the car.
The black Rolls - Royce stood out conspicuously. The man got into the car with an effortless grace, every movement exuding an air of nobility.
Jasmine found herself entranced by his demeanor. After he got in, she followed suit.
Instinctively, she put some distance between them, edging closer to the window.
Yiqin Chu's eyes grew colder.
Jasmine touched her chest. Her heart was pounding irregularly, thumping rapidly. She was still holding the contract in her hand, the one for the land on West Hill.
"Um... Why did you ask me to sign the contract?"
This was the question that had been nagging at her the most. "And what was that deal you mentioned?"
His cold voice still echoed in her ears.
"Do you have your documents with you?"
"What?" Jasmine almost thought she'd misheard. "What documents?"
Weren't they talking about the deal? Why was he suddenly bringing up documents?
"Your ID, household registration booklet..." The man leaned in closer. His cold aura enveloped Jasmine, making her instinctively want to shrink back. But he grabbed her wrist. His warm, dry palm was in stark contrast to his frosty demeanor.
It was a sudden realization that he, too, was warm - blooded.
A faint blush colored Jasmine's cheeks. "What for?" He was getting even closer.
He leaned in so close that his warm breath fanned the side of her ear.
The powerful masculine presence completely surrounded her, making Jasmine's heart race. She put her hands against the man's chest.
Under her palms, she could feel his strong heartbeat.
What was he doing...
His handsome face was as cold as ever. His nose was just inches from hers, and he was still closing the gap.
"Ah!"
Jasmine let out a startled cry. But things weren't as she'd expected. The man simply reached over her shoulder and pulled out the handbag behind her.
The contents of the bag spilled out, and among them were the documents he was looking for.
Jasmine's household registration was not under Zhenguo Qin's name but followed Manni Yin's in the Yin family.
"What... What on earth are you up to?"
Jasmine licked her lips, her throat parched.
"Let's get married."
The man's eyes lifted slightly. His deep eyes shimmered with an unreadable light. His words were solemn, a mix of focus, earnestness, and an unmistakable command.
The statement left Jasmine rigid, her pupils constricting in shock.
What?
Get married?
"Yiqin Chu, are you out of your mind?"
The thought slipped out before she could stop herself. Seeing the man's face darken, Jasmine quickly covered her mouth, wishing she could bite her own tongue off.
"I mean, are you joking? We get married? You're so... well - off, and I..." Jasmine trailed off as she noticed the man's expression hadn't changed at all. She fell silent, feeling awkward.
Jasmine took a deep breath. "Do you even know who I am? I'm the disgraced eldest daughter of the Qin family. I got pregnant out of wedlock five years ago. I don't have a good reputation in Jiangcheng."
She laid bare her wounds for him to see.
"So what? Your bad reputation can be used to ward off unwanted suitors. If I don't care, why should you?" Even in this negotiation, the man's voice remained indifferent. "There's no such thing as a free lunch."
So, during the auction, this man had already made up his mind.
"A one - year agreement. Five hundred million. You'll pay off the debt with yourself."
Jasmine clutched the fabric of her dress with both hands. Her beautiful eyes met Yiqin Chu's.
She had no choice.
"You have ten minutes to think it over."
"No need. I agree, but I have one condition."