The Gu mansion didn't feel any less oppressive the second time.
If anything—
It felt worse.
Chen Yuxi walked in beside Lin Guo, her steps steady, her expression calm.
But her mind was sharp.
They didn't call us back for nothing.
"Sit."
Chairman Gu's voice cut through the room immediately.
No greetings.
No pleasantries.
Yuxi sat.
Lin Guo remained standing.
Interesting.
"You caused quite a scene yesterday," Chairman Gu said, his gaze fixed on Yuxi.
"Did I?" she replied lightly.
A pause.
Then—
A faint smile from the older man.
"Sharp tongue."
Before she could respond—
He continued:
"The Gu family does not tolerate instability."
There it was.
Yuxi leaned back slightly.
"Then perhaps you should reconsider who you invite into your house."
Silence.
Yue Xinyan's lips curved in satisfaction.
Finally… she's gone too far.
But—
Lin Guo spoke.
"She's not the problem."
All eyes shifted to him.
Chairman Gu's gaze sharpened.
"Then what is?"
A beat.
Then—
"You are," Lin Guo said calmly.
The room froze.
Even Yuxi blinked.
He really just said that?
But Lin Guo didn't stop.
"If you're worried about instability," he continued, "then forcing a marriage I don't want is the biggest risk."
Xinyan's expression cracked.
"Lin Guo!" she snapped. "You agreed—"
"I agreed to consider it," he cut in coldly.
Silence.
Heavy. Dangerous.
Chairman Gu leaned forward slightly.
"Then let's stop wasting time."
His gaze moved between them.
Calculating.
Decisive.
"You want freedom?" he said to Lin Guo.
"Fine."
Then—
His eyes landed on Yuxi.
"Marry her."
Everything stopped.
Yuxi's heart skipped.
What?
"Make it official," Chairman Gu continued calmly. "Prove she's not a liability. Prove she's worth standing beside you."
Xinyan stood up instantly.
"This is ridiculous!"
But no one listened.
Because all attention was now on Lin Guo.
A decision.
A declaration.
A line that couldn't be taken back.
Yuxi didn't look at him.
Didn't speak.
But her thoughts—
Don't agree.
Don't drag me into this.
Don't—
"I accept."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Her head snapped toward him.
He WHAT?
Lin Guo didn't look at her.
Didn't explain.
Didn't hesitate.
"I'll marry her," he said calmly.
Xinyan's face went pale.
Chairman Gu leaned back, satisfied.
"Good."
Just like that—
It was decided.
Yuxi stood abruptly.
"No."
All eyes turned to her.
"I didn't agree to this," she said, voice sharp.
Lin Guo finally looked at her.
And for a moment—
Something dangerous flickered in his gaze.
"You will," he said quietly.
Her eyes narrowed.
The audacity…
"Don't be so sure," she replied.
The tension between them—
Immediate.
Explosive.
Then—
He stepped closer.
Lowered his voice.
Just for her.
"You want answers," he murmured.
Her heart skipped.
"This marriage," he continued softly,
"…might be the only way you get them."
Silence.
Her thoughts froze.
He's using this… as leverage.
But worse—
A small part of her…
Didn't immediately reject it.