The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken considerations and the weight of Qin Feng's audacious proposition. The rhythmic hammering from the construction site seemed to underscore the relentless beat of Lin Wei's heart, a frantic counterpoint to the cool logic of his offer. A contractual marriage. The very phrase felt ripped from the pages of a melodramatic historical drama, utterly incongruous with the sleek, technologically advanced reality of their lives.
Yet, the image of Mei Qin's gentle smile, the genuine warmth in her eyes as she had thanked Lin Wei, lingered in her mind. And then there was the unexpected vulnerability Qin Feng had displayed when speaking of his grandmother's wishes, a fleeting glimpse behind the carefully constructed wall of his CEO persona. It was that vulnerability, coupled with the unwelcome prickle of guilt over her own unresolved feelings about her parents' expectations, that chipped away at her initial vehement rejection.
"CEO Qin," Lin Wei began again, her voice softer this time, the sharp edges of her earlier dismissal slightly dulled by the internal conflict raging within her. "You understand that what you are asking is… significant. It's not a business deal to be entered into lightly."
Qin Feng's gaze remained steady, unwavering in its intensity. "I am fully aware of the gravity of my request, Ms. Lin Wei. I would not propose such an arrangement if I did not believe it to be a necessary, albeit temporary, solution to a deeply personal matter. And," he added, a subtle emphasis on the word, "if I did not believe that you, of all people, possessed the strength and pragmatism to navigate such an… unusual alliance."
His words, while still rooted in a certain cold logic, held a sliver of what might have been considered a compliment. He was acknowledging her strength, her resilience – qualities she had always prided herself on. The thought, however fleeting, offered a strange counterpoint to the inherent absurdity of the situation.
"And what assurances would I have in this… arrangement?" Lin Wei asked, her analytical mind kicking in, seeking the logical framework within this illogical proposal. "What guarantees that this would truly be temporary, and that there would be no… further expectations?"
Qin Feng inclined his head slightly, a gesture of acknowledgement. "A formal contract would be drawn up, outlining the terms precisely. A pre-determined duration, coinciding with my grandmother's well-being. Complete autonomy in our personal lives outside of the agreed-upon facade. And a significant financial compensation for your… cooperation."
The mention of financial compensation caused a flicker of distaste within Lin Wei. It felt transactional, reducing something deeply personal to a mere exchange of services. "I am not interested in your money, CEO Qin," she stated, her tone firm.
A hint of surprise crossed Qin Feng's features, quickly replaced by a thoughtful expression. "Understood. Then perhaps we can agree on a different form of… benefit. Increased resources for your projects within Stellaris Tech. Greater autonomy in your design initiatives. My full support for your vision regarding the Skybloom Residences and any future projects you undertake."
That was a different matter entirely. Professional advancement, the opportunity to fully realize her architectural ambitions – these were goals she had dedicated her life to achieving. The prospect of Qin Feng's considerable influence and resources being fully at her disposal was undeniably tempting. It was a strategic advantage she couldn't easily dismiss.
"And in return," Lin Wei pressed, her gaze unwavering, "I would expect the same level of professional respect and support, regardless of this… personal arrangement. No interference in my work, no leveraging this situation for your own professional gain beyond appeasing your grandmother."
"Agreed," Qin Feng replied without hesitation. "Your professional integrity and autonomy would remain paramount. This arrangement is solely for my grandmother's peace of mind, and to provide a… framework for our unavoidable interactions."
The weight of the decision pressed down on Lin Wei. It was a gamble, a leap into the unknown with a man who had been her rival for years, a man who now held considerable power over her professional life. Yet, the potential benefits – both for Qin Feng's grandmother and for her own career aspirations – were undeniable. And then there was that persistent, nagging feeling about her parents' wishes. This arrangement, a public declaration of commitment, even if a charade, would finally offer them some semblance of the future they had hoped for her. That thought, unexpectedly, held a significant weight in her consideration.
"There is one more condition, CEO Qin," Lin Wei said, her voice firm, a newfound resolve hardening her gaze. "This… arrangement, this public facade… it needs to be convincing. For my parents' sake, and for your grandmother's peace of mind, it cannot appear to be a reluctant or half-hearted affair. If we agree to this, there will be a public announcement. A formal engagement, leading to a… marriage. All over the media."
Qin Feng's expression remained impassive, but a flicker of something – perhaps surprise at her boldness, perhaps a strategic calculation of the implications – crossed his eyes. The idea of their unlikely union becoming public fodder was… a significant complication. Yet, he understood her reasoning. For her parents, a quiet, unacknowledged contract would hold little weight.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Qin Feng nodded slowly. "That… is a considerable request, Ms. Lin Wei. But I understand your reasoning. Very well. A public engagement and subsequent marriage. All over the media. We will present a united front, a picture of… commitment."
"No pretense of affection beyond what is necessary for that public image," Lin Wei clarified, her gaze unwavering. "A public facade of commitment for your families' sake, professional courtesy in our working lives, but absolutely no… intimacy. This must be a purely platonic arrangement."
A flicker of something – perhaps understanding, perhaps a hint of something unreadable – crossed Qin Feng's features. But he nodded slowly, his gaze meeting hers with a newfound level of… acceptance.
"Understood, Ms. Lin Wei. Those are acceptable terms."
A heavy silence descended once more, the weight of the tentative, and now very public, agreement settling between them. The roar of the construction drones seemed to soften, the sharp edges of the world around them blurring slightly. Lin Wei had just agreed to the most illogical proposition of her life, a contractual marriage with her childhood enemy, played out on the global stage, all for the sake of an elderly woman's peace and the potential advancement of her own ambitious dreams, while simultaneously appeasing the long-held wishes of her parents. The path ahead was fraught with potential complications and unforeseen emotions, amplified by the glare of public scrutiny. But for now, a fragile, very public truce had been declared, a bizarre alliance forged amidst the steel and concrete of a gravity-defying future. The question that lingered, unspoken yet potent, was whether this carefully constructed, very public facade could truly contain the volatile chemistry that had always simmered beneath the surface of their interactions, now magnified by the intense glare of the media spotlight.