The roar of the construction drones and the rhythmic clang of metal echoed across the vast expanse of the Azure Spire site. Lin Wei, her neural interface connected to the site's AI, navigated the skeletal framework of the gravity-defying tower. Holographic blueprints overlaid the raw steel and composite materials, guiding her analysis of the structural integrity and the proposed integration points for the aerial gardens. The scale of the project was breathtaking, a testament to human ambition and engineering prowess. She moved with focused efficiency, her portable analysis tablet displaying real-time stress simulations and material diagnostics. The challenge of the Azure Spire, with its unique architectural demands, had fully captured her attention, a welcome distraction from the lingering thoughts of Qin Feng and his unexpectedly warm interaction with his grandmother.
Meanwhile, back in the sterile quiet of his executive suite, Qin Feng was finding it difficult to fully immerse himself in the day's reports. His grandmother's words, her frail hand clasped in his, echoed in his mind. "My greatest wish… is to see you settled." The sentiment, so simple yet so profound, tugged at a part of him he usually kept tightly locked away. His parents' sudden and tragic passing years ago had left a void filled only by Mei Qin's unwavering love and support. Her happiness was paramount, her peace of mind his unspoken priority. The thought of her "last breath" hung in the air, a stark reminder of time's relentless march.
He swiveled his chair, the panoramic view of the city offering no solace. Finding someone… for what? For himself? The idea felt foreign, almost intrusive. His life was meticulously structured, his focus laser-sharp on Stellaris Tech. Love, companionship – these felt like luxuries he couldn't afford, distractions from his relentless pursuit of innovation and success. Yet, the image of his Nai Nai's hopeful eyes persisted.
A thought, cold and calculating, began to form in the recesses of his mind. A solution, not for his own sake, but for hers. A temporary arrangement, a strategic alliance to grant his grandmother peace in her final days. His gaze drifted to the holographic display on his desk, the employee profiles flickering across its surface. His fingers instinctively paused on one name: Lin Wei.
The memory of their shared history, the undeniable spark of their interactions, the unexpected glimpse of her kindness towards his grandmother – these fragmented pieces coalesced into a startlingly audacious idea. A contracted wife. A temporary partner to appease his Nai Nai. Someone strong, someone familiar, someone who wouldn't expect genuine affection or a lasting commitment. His childhood nemesis. The irony was almost… appealing.
With a decisive movement, Qin Feng stood up. He needed to see his grandmother, ensure she was resting comfortably. He instructed Xiao Li to reschedule his afternoon meetings and headed towards the private elevator that led to his personal residence atop the Stellaris Tech tower.
He found Mei Qin resting in the sun-drenched living room of his penthouse apartment, a serene expression on her face. After ensuring she was comfortable and had everything she needed, he informed her of his need to visit the Azure Spire construction site.
"Work calls, Nai Nai," he said softly, brushing a stray strand of silver hair from her forehead. "But I will return later."
Mei Qin's eyes fluttered open, a knowing glint in them. "Be careful, Feng'er. And… keep your eyes open."
Qin Feng offered a wry smile, the double entendre not lost on him. He knew his grandmother's subtle prodding wouldn't cease.
As his autonomous vehicle sped towards the construction site, his thoughts were a whirlwind of calculations. Lin Wei. It was a bold, perhaps even reckless, proposition. But it offered a clean, logical solution to his current predicament. She was independent, driven, and likely wouldn't be seeking a genuine emotional connection any more than he was. Their history, while fraught with rivalry, also meant a level of understanding, a lack of illusions.
The vehicle arrived at the bustling site, depositing him near the central command center. He spotted Lin Wei amidst the skeletal structure, her movements precise and purposeful. He watched her for a moment, a detached assessment in his gaze. Her intelligence was undeniable, her resilience evident in her focused demeanor.
He approached her, his presence immediately drawing her attention. She turned, a flicker of surprise in her eyes at seeing him on the site.
"CEO Qin," she said, her tone professional. "Is there an issue?"
Qin Feng's gaze was direct, unwavering. The usual polite formalities were absent. "Lin Wei, I have a proposition for you."
Lin Wei's brow furrowed, a hint of suspicion entering her eyes. "A proposition?"
"Yes," he stated, his voice low and serious, cutting through the surrounding noise of the construction site. "A contractual agreement. A temporary marriage."
Lin Wei stared at him, her analytical mind struggling to process the sheer audacity of his words. The clang of metal and the drone of machinery faded into a distant hum. The gravity-defying ambition of the Azure Spire suddenly felt less significant than the gravity of the proposition hanging between them.
"A… a temporary marriage?" she repeated, the words feeling foreign and surreal on her tongue.
"For my grandmother," Qin Feng clarified, his gaze holding hers with an intensity that brooked no argument. "Her dying wish is to see me settled. A temporary arrangement, with clear terms and mutual benefits. Until…" he paused, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air, "until she is no longer with us."
Lin Wei was speechless, her mind reeling. Her childhood enemy, the powerful CEO, was proposing a contractual marriage? The sheer absurdity of it was almost comical, yet the desperation in his eyes, the echo of his grandmother's "last breath," lent a disturbing weight to his words.
Qin Feng continued, his voice leaving no room for misinterpretation. "I want you, Lin Wei, to be my contracted wife."
Lin Wei sighed, the audacity of his proposal stealing her breath. "See... I don't want to marry, especially a contractual marriage just for a drama... No. And never!"
Qin Feng leaned in, his breath tickling Lin Wei's ear. He whispered, "Don't forget... that your parents also wanted you to marry." Lin Wei's face flushed at his words.
Just then, Mr. Cheng came around the corner, seeing Lin Wei and Qin Feng in close proximity. "Oh... I should leave... sorry to interrupt, hehe." Both Lin Wei and Qin Feng visibly stiffened, a wave of embarrassment washing over them.
The question hung in the air: Would Lin Wei accept his offer, a union born of convenience but potentially capable of helping them both? Could their paths, once defined by rivalry, intertwine for the best, or would this calculated proposition lead to unforeseen complications?