Stepdaughter of a wealthy family? The little darling of a Beijing tycoon

Dinner at Banshanlu was quiet and peaceful.

There was no unnecessary small talk or deliberate attempt to make conversation. The two ate quietly, the atmosphere relaxed yet carrying a subtle, unspoken understanding.

Lu Jingxing was meticulous and considerate throughout, quietly adding tea and serving dishes for her, handling the situation perfectly without overstepping any boundaries.

After the meal, night completely enveloped the entire city.

The black luxury car came to a smooth stop on the quiet side of the road behind the back gate of Peking University. The shadows of the trees along the roadside swayed gently, and the streetlights cast soft, dappled light.

After thanking her, Shen Jingshu reached out to unbuckle her seatbelt and turned to the side to get out of the car.

But when you lightly press the door switch with your fingertip, the door doesn't budge.

The vehicle is locked.

She paused slightly, instinctively glancing at the car door button, then turning to look at Lu Jingxing beside her. His clear eyes held a hint of doubt, his gaze unmistakably conveying a silent message: Open the door.

Lu Jingxing seemed oblivious, his fingertips lightly resting on the steering wheel, his profile sharp and clean, his deep eyes fixed on her, watching her quietly without making a move.

The air inside the car suddenly became quiet, and the atmosphere quietly froze.

Shen Jingshu had no choice but to speak first, asking softly, "Mr. Lu, is there anything else?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Jingxing slowly turned around, his tall figure leaning slightly forward, instantly closing the distance between the two.

A deep, magnetic male voice slowly filled the small, quiet carriage, each word clear and distinct:

"You promised me before that you would pretend to be my boyfriend."

Shen Jingshu was taken aback, then nodded in agreement: "It's a collaborative impersonation, that's right."

The next second, Lu Jingxing parted his thin lips slightly and uttered a sentence that caught her completely off guard:

"Grandpa has been pressuring us a lot lately to get married."

"ah?!"

Shen Jingshu's pupils widened slightly, her face filled with astonishment, and she was instantly stunned.

She quickly corrected him, her tone slightly flustered: "Mr. Lu, we're just pretending to be a couple! It's just acting, how did it get into marriage?"

Lu Jingxing's gaze was deep, fixed on her flustered little face, his tone serious and firm, without a trace of joking:

"Cooperation can also lead to marriage."

He leaned forward slightly, his refined and understated aura gently enveloping her, his deep, seductive voice conveying his utmost sincerity:

"Get married to me."

"Whatever conditions you want, just name them, and I'll grant them all."

Shen Jingshu was completely stunned, her mind went blank for a moment, and she almost thought she had misheard.

She stared intently at Lu Jingxing, who was standing close to her. The man's eyes were deep and dark, without a trace of mockery, but full of seriousness and solemnity, not at all like a casual joke.

She quickly sat up straight, her brows furrowed with a mixture of helplessness and determination, and earnestly clarified their relationship: "Mr. Lu, we agreed that we were just pretending to be a couple to appease our family elders. It was a purely business relationship, nothing more."

"Cooperation is cooperation, marriage is a different matter. Marriage cannot be treated as a transaction, and I cannot agree to this condition."

Her tone was cold and firm, leaving no room for compromise.

Since her rebirth, she has focused on cultivating virtue, living a peaceful life, and completing her studies. She never thought of getting involved in the entanglements of a wealthy family marriage, let alone binding herself to anyone for life. Pretending to be a couple was just a temporary measure to help him appease his elders and to build a good relationship. But getting a marriage certificate was simply too outrageous.

Lu Jingxing looked at her resistant expression, a faint trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes, but he still did not back down.

He pursed his thin lips slightly, his voice low and gentle, yet carrying an undeniable force: "I know what you're worried about. You think we're just acting, just working together. But for me, it's never been that."

As soon as those words were spoken, the small carriage fell into complete silence.

The evening breeze drifted in through the slightly open car window, dispersing some of the heat, but it couldn't dispel the ambiguity and stagnation that had suddenly risen in temperature inside the car.

Shen Jingshu's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at him.

Lu Jingxing's gaze was deep, fixed on her eyes and brows, and he spoke sincerely, "It started as a collaboration, but it didn't last."

"Jing Shu, I'm not joking about marriage. If you register your marriage with me, you won't have to bear any responsibilities of a wealthy family, and you won't be forced to change your life. You can go to school as usual, do your live streams, and do everything you want to do. No one will dare to restrict you."

The terms he offered were extremely tempting.

"You have full access to all the resources, connections, and assets of the Lu family. I can find all the magical artifacts, cinnabar, yellow paper, antique stones, and raw stones you need for your cultivation, as long as you want them."

"I will pave the way for you, protect your safety, and shield you from all troubles and storms."

Shen Jingshu paused slightly, forced to admit that the bargaining chip Lu Jingxing offered was something countless people dreamed of.

Having the backing of the prestigious Lu family would be entirely beneficial for her cultivation, accumulating merit, and resolving future mystical tribulations. Moreover, the top-tier purple aura surrounding Lu Jingxing was the purest form of fortune in the world, and its long-term companionship would greatly enhance her destiny.

But pros and cons are one thing, and one's true intentions are another.

She gently shook her head, her tone softening yet still firm: "Mr. Lu, thank you for your high regard. But I'm not used to a relationship that's too restrictive, nor do I need to use marriage to gain convenience."

"I can continue our partnership of pretending to be a couple and help you deal with Grandpa Lu and all your relatives. But marriage, I cannot agree to."

Looking into her clear, unwavering eyes, unmoved by fame or fortune, Lu Jingxing was deeply moved.

There are countless people in the world who are opportunistic and greedy for wealth and status, but the young girl in front of me, who possesses extraordinary abilities, remains clear-headed and self-disciplined, with a pure heart, which is truly admirable.

He didn't force her; he simply slowly pulled back his leaning body, the forcefulness in his eyes fading, leaving only gentle indulgence.

"Okay, I won't force you."

He relented, then added with lingering patience and certainty: "But my words always stand. Whenever you've figured it out, whenever you're willing, I'm always ready to answer you."

"The cooperation will continue; I'll wait until the day you're willing to cooperate."

After speaking, he raised his hand and gently unlocked the car door.

The confined space suddenly relaxed.

Shen Jingshu felt a slight sense of relief, and softly said, "Thank you, President Lu," before opening the car door to get out.

Just as she stepped out of the train car, a deep, gentle voice came from behind her: "It's late. Go back to your dorm and get some rest. Be careful. I'll pick you up for dinner tomorrow night."

Shen Jingshu paused, but didn't turn around. She simply replied softly, "No need to trouble yourself."

After saying that, she quickly walked into the night on campus, her slender figure soon disappearing into the depths of the trees.

Inside the car, Lu Jingxing sat alone, gazing in the direction the girl had left. In his deep eyes, there was a tender obsession with getting what he wanted.

The cooperation was a pretense; the attraction was real.

He had plenty of patience, waiting for her to see his true feelings.