Chapter 676   - Substitute Husband (3)

Zhang Jiren wasn't sure if he had heard this woman right. Of course this wasn't the first time he received a marriage proposal from a woman, considering how many women had tried to tie him down in marriage in the past.

But for Li Meili to propose such a deal with him. What she was up to? Wait. Did she just say she wanted him to be her husband for two years?

Was she really that desperate to propose such a deal to him? Didn't she just insult him a few nights ago just because he was a Zhang?

Zhang Jiren gently placed his cup on the coffee table before crossing his legs, regarding Li Meili as if she was another business associate. She was proposing a marriage. A marriage of convenience between them. Zhang Jiren was surprised to see that she had swallowed her own pride to lay her terms in front of him.

Like his twin sister, Zhang Jiren knew how prideful the Black Nightingale was. She would never allow anyone to bully her or her loved ones, that was why she had never turned her back on Tang Moyu, even when the world was against the fallen empress.

"You want me to become your substitute husband? Li Meili, have you given this a good thought? You shouldn't mistake me for Tang Beixuan. Although he's technically my cousin and my subordinate, it's improper for you to propose a marriage like this."

Li Meili knew that, but her brother's words kept playing in her mind repeatedly. She must be really going insane for considering to marry Zhang Jiren, but if he was able to give her child a proper identity, not only her family would be spared but her child would also be safe from Zhang Wuying's wicked plans.

"I know." She nodded. "That's why I'm only asking you to act as my husband for two years."

"And after that?" Zhang Jiren continued to probe her.

"As per our agreement, we will divorce, giving each other absolute freedom from each other."? The Black Nightingale said with finality.

"And I should marry you because?" He asked with a serious face, reminding Li Meili of her best friend. Something about the way Zhang Jiren looked made him look familiar to the Black Nightingale.

"Of course you would get something in return once we've divorced. I'll give you the shares I have for Li Group of Companies. Those shares are worth fifty million. If you have anything else in mind, you tell me and I will reconsider." Li Meili replied. She wasn't sure why her heart was painfully beating inside her c.h.e.s.t.

What would Tang Beixuan think if he knew she was proposing such a dangerous and ridiculous deal with Zhang Jiren? If his mother wasn't posing a huge threat to their child, Li Meili certainly wouldn't consider marriage with Zhang Jiren. She would raise her child alone if she had to, not caring what her parents or the public think.

Zhang Jiren didn't respond to her, only giving her a look that made Li Meili more nervous than she already was. She couldn't predict what this man was thinking.

"There are other men out there who would be suited to play the part as your husband. Why me, Miss Li? Wasn't it only a few nights ago when you looked down on me just because I bear the Zhang family name? What made you think that I wasn't like the rest of my family now?" He said after a long silence between them.

Li Meili's lips quivered, her hand unconsciously tightening on her handbag.

"Because I trust Beixuan's judgement." She said with determination flashing in her eyes. "Ever since he started working with you, he had never once complained about you or said bad things about you."

Zhang Jiren opened his mouth to say something but realized he had no words to say at all. He hadn't expected that Tang Beixuan's perception of him had changed so much over the weeks they had worked together.

"So you are saying that you want me to take responsibility for your child so that any doubts that it is Tang Beixuan's child wouldn't reach the Zhang family?" He asked, hitting the bull's eye easily.

Li Meili wouldn't have sought him like this if she wasn't desperate to protect her child. Didn't the doctor say she needed to be on bed rest for a few weeks?

"Yes. I know this is unfair to you." Li Meili admitted. "But I don't have many choices right now."

Soon, she wouldn't be able to hide her baby bump and she wasn't as brave as the empress to run away from the country to live in a foreign place with no one to help her.

Zhang Jiren hummed and gave her a nod before rising to his feet, adjusting the lapel of his coat.

"I need time to think about it. I hope you don't mind." He said with all honesty.

Zhang Jiren had never considered marriage until now. In fact, it was the last thing on his priority list. He was swamped with too much work that he had barely any time for himself.

"Yes. Sure, no problem. Take your time." Li Meili followed his lead and stood up. "You know how to reach me if you have decided."

Zhang Jiren nodded before pulling one of his call cards with his private number on it. He slipped it on Li Meili's left hand, stopping her midway as she turned around, ready to leave.

"Li Meili, if there's a time when you feel like you've been abandoned by everyone and feel alone, you definitely should stay alive. No matter how tough your life is right now, it would get better eventually."

Li Meili wasn't sure why he was telling her this, but her eyes turned misty upon hearing his words.