My family was on the verge of bankruptcy, and I was being forced into an arranged marriage to save it. As soon as I was dropped off at the Sterling mansion, I heard shouting from inside: "I don't care how pretty she is! I just heard her asking someone if their parents were dead! With that kind of attitude—" I silently pushed open the door, fully prepared to be rejected. The next second, the young master inside turned beet red and gasped: "Miss Hale is not only beautiful but also deeply caring. I knew my father had excellent taste. I will follow your arrangements completely." His father: "?" Me: "?" 1 My family was facing bankruptcy, so I was packed up and sent to the Sterling estate in the middle of the night. Before I even stepped through the door, I heard a furious roar: "You old man, you control everything! Don't you know marriage is about freedom now?! "I'm only twenty-three! I won't marry some strange older woman! "Even if I get hit by a car the moment I step outside, I won't agree to this ridiculous demand! "What did you say? She's pretty? How superficial can you be! "What use is being pretty?! That girl outside is her, right? "I passed by her earlier and heard her asking someone if their parents were dead! With that kind of attitude, even a dog wouldn't marry her!" I froze. He seemed to be talking about me. When I got out of the car, a street vendor splashed mud all over me with his cart. I was about to say something, but he immediately yelled that I was blind for not watching where I was going. We got into an argument, and he ended up asking if my parents were dead since I had no manners. So I replied, "Your parents are the ones who are dead." Did Julian Sterling just walk past me? Well, he must have selective hearing, because he only heard me cursing, not the guy cursing me. The argument inside grew louder, accompanied by the sound of things smashing. I closed my eyes in despair. This marriage alliance was probably dead in the water. Rumor had it that Julian was the only son born to Mr. Sterling in his old age, spoiled rotten and arrogant beyond belief. And for something as big as an arranged marriage, even if the old man liked me, his son's opinion mattered more. I sighed. Forget it. For the sake of decency, I had to at least greet Mr. Sterling. I was already here. Might as well get it over with today instead of dragging it out. Leaving my luggage at the door, I hesitated for a moment before pushing it open. "If you force me, old man, I'll bash my head in right now!" Julian was facing the wall, head tilted back, looking fully prepared to knock himself out. I carefully extended a hand. "Um, you don't need to kill yourself. We can just call off the engagement." If he actually died, I'd be implicated. The thought made my scalp tingle, and I shivered. Two pairs of eyes inside the room landed on me simultaneously. "Scarlett, why are you here so early?" Old Mr. Sterling looked surprised, glancing at his crazy son with hesitation. "Scarlett, as you can see, this marriage... your father and I discussed it, but—" "Ouch!" Before Mr. Sterling could finish, Julian suddenly collapsed to the floor. He proped himself up halfway, banged his head against the wall a few times, and stared straight at me. "Miss Hale, please excuse me. When my headaches act up, banging my head helps. But I'm perfectly healthy otherwise. If you don't believe me, we can do a pre-marital health check." His father: "?" Me: "?" 2 Perhaps it was the supreme confidence of being in his own home. Julian showed zero embarrassment. He picked himself up from the floor and turned to me with a polite smile. "Miss Hale, you came over first thing in the morning. Did you sleep well? Would you like to catch up on some rest here?" Me: "..." "I think I heard Miss Hale showing concern for someone outside earlier. Miss Hale is truly beautiful and kind-hearted, isn't she, Father?" His father: "..." If I hadn't heard what he was screaming just moments before, I might have been fooled by his handsome exterior. I looked up at him. He truly lived up to the title of a young master born with a silver spoon. Tall and broad-shouldered, yet he had a pair of puppy-dog eyes that added a touch of dopey charm to his sharp, aloof features. When Julian met my gaze, his face turned crimson, and he hurriedly looked away. His comment reminded me of what he said before I entered—that I had bad manners. If his current politeness was just for show, and we broke off the engagement, I could still marry someone else. But if he went around telling everyone in our circle that I had bad manners, my reputation would be ruined, and my backup plans would be gone. Thinking of my family's precarious business, I couldn't help but speak up, whispering an explanation. "I didn't ask if someone's parents were dead. That vendor cursed me first." Julian paused slightly. Then he panicked. "I wasn't badmouthing you! Miss Hale, you misunderstood!" He scratched his head, looked at Mr. Sterling, and his eyes lit up. He turned and shouted: "Dad, why aren't you dead yet? When am I getting the inheritance?" Then he grinned at me: "I know Miss Hale meant to show concern. I often show concern for my dad like this at home too." ...What a filial son. I curved my lips slightly, not daring to make a sound. The next second. Slap! Mr. Sterling slapped Julian across the face, furious. "You unfilial brat!" Being humiliated by his own father made Julian lose face. It also seemed to slap him awake. The look he gave me suddenly became distant. Julian swallowed hard and lifted his chin. "I was talking in my sleep just now. Haven't woken up yet. Don't take it seriously. You're only average-looking anyway." Slap! Another slap landed on Julian's face. "That's not why I'm mad! Bastard! How did I raise such a bastard!" Mr. Sterling rolled his eyes so hard I thought they'd get stuck. The scene was chaotic. I spoke up weakly. "Maybe we should just call off the wedding." I felt like this young master had a few screws loose. Sure enough. The sleep-talking fairy opened his mouth: "Fine, then I'll reluctantly agree to marry you." "..." 3 Julian had just ordered the driver to take me home. In the afternoon, he showed up at my door with bags of gifts, rushing like he was on fire. "I'm reluctantly visiting your home. You don't mind, do you?" Looking at Julian, dressed in a black suit encrusted with rhinestones, hair styled perfectly, preening like a peacock. This is what he calls "reluctantly"? I was confused, but played along: "I don't mind. Wear whatever you want." Julian's smug smile froze. He muttered something about leaving something in the car and told me to go inside first. When he came back in. My little sister dived into my arms, crying loudly that a dragon fruit monster was outside. I looked up. Julian's black rhinestone suit had been swapped for a hot pink rhinestone suit. It was blinding. But he didn't care, looking up arrogantly: "That one was too formal. This one feels more... reluctant." "..." During dinner. My mom signaled me to put food in Julian's bowl. I picked up a shrimp for him. The next second. He shoved the shrimp, shell and all, into his mouth, mumbling: "Since my fiancée served it, I'll reluctantly eat it." "..." He chewed up the shell and swallowed it. A moment later. He nudged my shoulder, looking shifty-eyed again. "Can you give me some more food? I feel like the food tastes better when you serve it." 4 I didn't understand, but I complied. I served food. He didn't spit out shells. I poured water. He drank from the bowl. "Reluctantly doing this." "Reluctantly doing that." "I'll reluctantly do this again!" After drinking an unknown number of cups of water I poured. My little sister, who had finally overcome her fear of the dragon fruit monster, slowly crept to my side. She carefully extended a pinky finger, pointing at the monster. Her round eyes widened, full of innocence. "Sister, is that a water buffalo?" The water buffalo himself froze mid-sip. Was it my imagination, or did Julian sound a bit choked up? "I'm going to the restroom." A moment later. My sister, who had run off to play, sneakily ran back, pointing towards the bathroom. "Sister, I think the water buffalo is crying in there. Going 'moo moo'." "..." This marriage partner, Julian Sterling. It seems like he had a very high fever as a child. Every move he makes is baffling. After an afternoon of "reluctance," I finally saw him off. Just as he reached the door, Julian seemed to remember something and whipped around. "Miss Hale, I forgot to introduce myself." Does he need an introduction? The Sterlings are famous. "I am currently technically 23, virtually 24, swaying on 25, almost 26, immediately 27, soon to be 28, approaching 29, nearly 30! "I am much older than you!" What a way to calculate age. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Julian looked inexplicably nervous. Oh. I remembered. Before entering his house this morning, he seemingly said he wouldn't marry a woman older than him. I didn't expect him to explain it so tactfully. My face felt hot, and my heart skipped a beat. But fate didn't seem to want to give him a chance to explain further. Maybe his vow not to marry me was too sincere. On our wedding day. While "reluctantly" on his way to pick me up. Julian actually got hit by a car.
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