One Hour Before Rejecting the Marriage - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I immediately pulled my hand back.

“Let go.”

Gu Xubai complied readily enough, though the look in his eyes grew even more intense.

“You felt it too,” he said.

“It’s a physiological aversion.”

“Aversion makes your ears turn red?”

“Gu Xubai.”

“Hmm?”

“You’re being a real prick today.”

He seemed to be in a good mood. “That just means I guessed right.”

I cut straight to the point. “What are we doing about this life?”

“We can’t refuse the marriage on stage.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

As soon as I said that, we both paused.

How rare. We actually agreed on something for once.

Gu Xubai continued, “The original sample will be delivered to the harbor warehouse at 8:15 tonight. If we refuse the marriage like we did in our previous life, everyone’s attention will be focused on the fallout between the Gu and Shao families. No one will be watching where the sample goes.”

“So this time, we do the opposite.”

“Exactly.”

“Agree to the union on the surface, then follow it in secret.”

“Right.”

I nodded. This was the safest path.

But his next sentence still managed to infuriate me.

“Also, you have to move in with me after tonight.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you sick in the head?”

“Someone is watching us.”

“That doesn’t mean I have to live at your place.”

“It does.”

“On what grounds?”

Gu Xubai looked at me, his tone terrifyingly calm.

“Because your body already has a memory of my pheromones.”

I almost laughed out of sheer anger. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Then explain it.” He took another step closer. “Why does the back of your neck heat up every time I get near you?”

I was about to snap back, but my body gave him the answer first.

The back of my neck really was burning.

My expression darkened.

Gu Xubai watched me, a faint, suppressed smile flickering in the depths of his eyes.

“Shao Jianxing.”

“Shut up.”

“Did you not take your suppression shot today?”

“I did.”

“What time?”

“Noon.”

“The effects are wearing off.”

I wanted to curse him out, but he suddenly lowered his voice.

“When we go up on stage in a moment, don’t look at me for too long.”

“Why?”

“Because the way you’re looking at me right now doesn’t look like someone who wants to refuse a marriage.”

When the engagement ceremony began, the entire audience was focused on us.

The Haicheng upper crust never lacked people looking for a show, and they especially loved a show involving Gu Xubai and me.

Everyone knew we didn’t get along. Everyone was waiting for a major disaster to strike today.

As the emcee read the vows, I didn’t take in a single word. I only stared at the people below the stage.

Gu Mingxiu. Zhou Qinian. Song Wenli.

I had seen all three of their faces before I died in my previous life.

“Miss Shao Jianxing, do you take Mr. Gu Xubai to be your one and only partner for the future?”

The microphone was held out to me.

The room fell silent.

I smiled. “I do.”

Applause erupted instantly.

Gu Xubai took the microphone, his voice cool and steady. “I do.”

At that, the elders all breathed a sigh of relief. But the expressions of the three men below the stage changed simultaneously.

As expected. Plan B was in motion.

While we were exchanging rings, Gu Xubai’s fingertip lightly brushed against my palm. It was a warning.

Following his subtle hint, I spotted an unfamiliar waiter approaching us with a tray of champagne from the rear left.

“Don’t drink it,” Gu Xubai whispered.

“Poison?”

“Inducer.”

My heart sank. That kind of thing was specifically designed for high-level ABO individuals. At best, one would lose control in public; at worst, their gland would collapse.

My loss of control at the harbor in my previous life was likely caused by this.

Without changing my expression, I picked up a different glass from nearby, swapped it with the one in the waiter’s hand, and then handed it to Zhou Qinian.

“Secretary Zhou, thank you for your hard work.”

His face paled.

“What’s wrong? Afraid to drink it?”

With so many people watching, he could only brace himself and take a sip.

Two minutes later, he clutched the back of his neck and stumbled back, his face ghostly white and his forehead drenched in sweat.

The scene immediately fell into chaos.

Song Wenli rushed forward, immediately claiming it was low blood sugar.

I stepped in his way.

“Director Song can diagnose low blood sugar with just one glance?”

Song Wenli’s smile stiffened. “What do you mean by that, Director Shao?”

“I mean that today, no one is leaving.”

Gu Xubai had already pulled out his phone.

“Seal the hall.”

After he spoke, he rested his hand against the small of my back. The movement was light-both a protective gesture and a reminder.

Because that sweet scent in the air had already begun to drift.