After Time Traveling, I was Forced to Marry a Wealthy Family

The scene was set with the gentle flicker of starlight on the glass, the warm yellow candlelight on the table, and a faint aroma of incense in the air. Aside from these, the dinner appeared to be no different from the norm.

The table featured the same exquisite dishes as always. Fresh ingredients flown in on the same day had been artfully arranged on exquisite plates by the hands of a five-star private chef. Each dish was visually appealing and had exceptional flavors.

Beside Mu Ci was a glass of red wine, a somewhat unusual addition since Gu Huai had never allowed him to drink wine before.

The crimson liquid in the goblet piqued Mu Ci’s curiosity. Like a kitten encountering an unfamiliar food, he picked up the glass and sniffed it gently before taking a sip. The taste was slightly bitter, with a lingering fragrance, but it was enough.

Mu Ci’s eyes sparkled, and he took several more sips.

Gu Huai couldn’t help but watch him with a smile. “Is it to your liking?”

Mu Ci nodded. “It’s very good, different from the wine I’ve had before.”

“As long as you like it, you can have a little every day. It’s good for your health.”

Mu Ci couldn’t resist joking. “Are you trying to fatten me up and then sell me as meat?”

“No, your meat is too expensive, and I’d lose money no matter how much I sold it for,” Gu Huai said matter-of-factly. “I never engage in loss-making businesses. If I need to make up the difference, I’ll find other ways.”

“I’ll work hard!” Mu Ci responded earnestly. “Don’t sell me off.”

Gu Huai chuckled. “Why would I do that? Have you just realized that you can crack a joke?”

His faint smile made him even more handsome, and the atmosphere between the two became unusually jovial. Gu Huai playfully shook the wine glass in his hand and made some harmless remarks, drawing a smile from Mu Ci.

This man’s smile was also elegant, much like a gently blossoming gardenia. He didn’t burst into laughter like Bai Ling, but instead, his smile had a refined quality to it.

With the backdrop of the twinkling starlight and the lights outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the warm yellow candlelight cast a deeper smile on Mu Ci’s face. Gu Huai observed it with fascination, taking his time to look away and take a sip of wine.

“In reality, Mu Ci, I’ve had a difficult life for over 20 years.”

Mu Ci was momentarily taken aback. “Why do you say that? I think you’re quite remarkable.”

Gu Huai had welcomed a stranger with an unknown background into his life, believed his fantastical stories, personally taught him numerous things, and, despite the unspoken pressures on Gu Huai, Mu Ci regarded him as a good person based on these actions alone.

“So, you think I’m a good person,” Gu Huai sighed.

“Let’s put business matters aside for now and talk about my personal life. The truth is, I can’t seem to settle down at all. You see, I’m twenty-eight, and people at your age have already tied the knot. Have you ever seen a 28-year-old who isn’t married?”

Mu Ci nodded with sincerity. “In our place, 28-year-olds are considered quite old for marriage unless there are specific reasons.”

He looked at Gu Huai with a probing gaze, wondering if there was something more to the story.

Caught off guard, Gu Huai quickly affirmed his own health. “There’s nothing wrong with me at all. I’m in excellent health!”

Mu Ci simply said, “Oh,” before taking another sip of wine, feeling the need to clarify, “I didn’t say there was anything wrong with you.”

A somewhat teasing smile played on Gu Huai’s lips. “You’re very thorough, Mu Ci.”

Mu Ci responded, “I’m a quick learner.”

“But why haven’t you settled down yet?” Mu Ci inquired further.

“Because I haven’t met the right person.” Gu Huai’s smile held a hint of mockery.

“To be honest, I’ve had several lovers in the past, both male and female, but none of them made me truly fall in love. They were all passing interests.”

“But now you’re getting married.” Mu Ci nodded in understanding. “Marriage allows you to settle down and start a family.”

Gu Huai repeated, “Yes, we’re getting married soon.”

As he uttered those words, he noticed something amiss in Mu Ci’s eyes. Just when Mu Ci began to speak, Gu Huai abruptly stood up and knelt on one knee in front of him, producing a small, delicate box from his pocket.

Upon opening the box, the wedding ring Gu Huai had chosen glistened under the candlelight, with its simple and exquisite diamond setting.

“Mu Ci, will you marry me?”

Mu Ci’s initial response was to hastily push back his chair and stand, a look of horror on his face.

His expression revealed no joy, no emotion, only stark terror.

“Gu Huai, I…”

Inwardly, Gu Huai sighed. Mu Ci’s reaction was just as he had expected. He stood up and, with a fair amount of strength, gently but firmly pushed Mu Ci back into his chair.

With great strength, Mu Ci struggled nervously, but soon realized that it was in vain.

Gu Huai squatted down in front of him, looking deep into Mu Ci’s eyes, his tone sincere and profound.

“I understand that this has taken you by surprise, and it might have scared you. But I assure you, this is no whim. I’ve given this a great deal of thought, and I have genuinely liked you.”

As he said the last words, his face grew paler, as if his confession wasn’t from the heart, but more like a eulogy from an executioner before the execution.

With a softened tone, Gu Huai added, “Of course, I’m not asking you to marry me right now. Let’s try building our relationship first, and we can discuss the rest when things progress.”

Mu Ci looked at him nervously, his hands tightly clenched on his knees.

Gu Huai’s handsome face slowly blurred in his vision, and a memory from his past, when he was nineteen years old, flooded his thoughts. Ji Yunshu, who resembled Gu Huai in appearance, had appeared before him as his new personal bodyguard. He had put his trust in him, wholeheartedly thinking they shared mutual affection.

But the dream was shattered when he found a dragon robe in his room, and Ji Yunshu claimed that he had always been the eldest prince’s person. Mu Ci’s once fervent love turned to agony as his heart was broken.

Returning to the present, Mu Ci saw Gu Huai’s face, which so closely resembled Ji Yunshu’s. It triggered an abrupt reaction in his gut. He stood up abruptly, nearly toppling over the chair.

“I’m sorry, I can’t… I can’t promise you.” Mu Ci stammered as he hastily moved toward the exit. However, Gu Huai swiftly grasped his arm.

Gu Huai’s grip was strong, causing Mu Ci pain, and he turned back in surprise. Gu Huai’s demeanor had returned to normal. He even smiled and put the wedding ring away, saying, “Don’t go. We may not be lovers, but we can still be friends.”

Mu Ci hesitated briefly, sensing that it wasn’t entirely a good situation, but his understanding of modern social dynamics was limited.

Gu Huai was adept at seizing opportunities, and when he took hold of one, the other party was often trapped. Capitalizing on Mu Ci’s moment of hesitation, he guided him back into his seat, producing a bottle of rum from under the table.

Pouring a generous measure of high-proof rum into a glass, Gu Huai replaced the red wine glass and said with a wry smile, “Come, have a drink with me. My heart is shattered in love today. As a friend, you can’t just let me drown my sorrows alone, can you?”

Mu Ci hesitated, feeling a sense of regret, but he reluctantly picked up the glass and took a cautious sip.

The strong liquor surged down his throat like a wild beast, causing Mu Ci to silently prepare himself and drink carefully.