Qin Bai, a third-year university student, discovered months ago that he was the illegitimate son of the wealthy Qin family, brought back to serve as a marriage pawn. During an arranged meeting with Shen Muyu, the second young mistress of the Shen Corporation, she presented an extravagant dowry list—8.88 million in cash, a villa, a Rolls-Royce, and gold. After reading the overwhelming list, Qin Bai learned that his “father,” Qin Yi, had already promised to accept any conditions from the Shen family, as their business empire was in dire need of the alliance. Shen Muyu also revealed that her dowry would be doubled, which shocked Qin Yi.However, Qin Bai was not naive. He knew the cold and beautiful Shen Muyu was beyond his reach, and he suspected hidden motives behind her eagerness. His only true concern was his mother, Cheng Jing, who suffered from chronic heart disease and lay in a hospital bed. Qin Bai had spent years working odd jobs to afford her treatment, but the overwhelming medical costs had pushed him to the brink. The Qin family’s financial support was his only lifeline for her survival. He saw his role as a paid employee: he would secure the marriage alliance, and in return, the Qins would cover his mother’s expenses.Back at the Qin villa, Qin Bai encountered his half-brother, Qin Boyan, a jealous and arrogant playboy who constantly mocked him. When Qin Boyan cruelly insulted Cheng Jing’s illness and the purpose of Qin Bai’s presence, Qin Bai snapped. He had endured insults all his life, but his mother was his only boundary. After a tense verbal exchange, Qin Boyan threw a punch. Qin Bai, fit from constant workouts, blocked the attack and delivered a fierce slap and kick, sending his brother sprawling. The servants intervened, but Qin Bai walked away with satisfaction, knowing he had defended his mother.Later, Qin Yi summoned him to the study. Instead of punishing him for the fight, the old fox praised him for securing the marriage and revealed that Shen Muyu wanted them to “get to know each other.” Qin Bai immediately sensed a trap. Qin Yi reinforced the transaction by upgrading Cheng Jing’s hospital ward to the top-tier SVIP, a clear threat: stay valuable, or lose the support. Qin Bai understood the cold family logic perfectly.That night, Qin Bai returned to his dormitory. His roommate, Wan Zhou, was working out with dumbbells. While relaxing, Qin Bai received a phone call from Feng Yaoyao, his university instructor and a self-proclaimed rival of Shen Muyu. Feng Yaoyao, a seductive and calculating woman, had been watching his every move. During the coffee date, she had hidden nearby, observing him. Now, she called to lure him to her apartment, using flimsy excuses (a broken water heater) and the bait of a “Nomination for Outstanding Student.” Qin Bai knew she was a schemer, but he needed the political capital to protect his mother. He reluctantly accepted the invitation.Before leaving, Qin Bai glimpsed a commotion in the courtyard—a girl surrounded by candlelight and a crowd, likely a dramatic confession. He ignored it and headed out. On the subway, he researched the Shen family, seeking leverage. He knew Feng Yaoyao’s family was powerful and that her animosity towards Shen Muyu ran deep. If he could play them against each other, he might secure his mother’s future. He exited the subway and arrived at another wealthy district, sighing at the irony of visiting two rich enclaves in one day. His stomach churned with bitterness, but he walked forward, determined to survive the game. His ultimate goal remained the same: keep his mother alive, whatever the cost.
