Chapter One: A Marriage for Hire?

Scorching sunlight blazed overhead.

“Sir, are you serious? Temporary marriage?”

At the corner of the park, Lin Ye raised his brows in astonishment. Standing before him was a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, gray streaks at his temples. Though his face bore a kindly smile, his every gesture radiated an unmistakable air of authority—clearly a man accustomed to command.

“Yes, I saw your sign there—it says you take all kinds of temporary jobs, doesn’t it?” The man pointed at the handwritten placard in front of Lin Ye, smiling slightly.

“Well… As long as the price is right, it isn’t impossible!” Lin Ye replied, uncertain. If this man hadn’t looked so obviously wealthy, he would have thought it was a joke.

He’d had little choice. Fresh out of university, he’d just secured a stable job when disaster struck: news arrived from home that his mother’s long-delayed lipoma had worsened, and his father was frantically scraping together money for surgery. They were still short by a hundred thousand yuan.

So he needed money—desperately.

With that in mind, Lin Ye took a deep breath and asked, “Sir, could you tell me what’s actually going on? Why the sudden marriage?”

A temporary marriage must hide some unspoken trouble. Since he was taking the job, it was best to understand beforehand.

“Oh, it’s like this—I want to find a temporary husband for my, um… elder sister.” The man hesitated, then spoke.

Elder sister?

Lin Ye’s eyes widened in disbelief. This man looked at least fifty—yet he called her elder sister. That meant she was probably sixty!

So he was being asked to be a temporary boyfriend for someone older than his own mother? He was only twenty-three!

Do rich people all like them this young?

“If you’re not willing, that’s fine,” the man sighed, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes as he turned to leave.

“Wait…” Lin Ye reached out to stop him.

Under the man’s puzzled gaze, Lin Ye gritted his teeth. “Sir, it’s alright… I’ll take the job!”

He had no other choice—he needed the money. Besides, during university, he’d done some work as a temporary boyfriend; the age gap was just a bit bigger this time.

No matter!

“Really? To tell you the truth, my sister has a rare illness—she doesn’t have much time left…” As he finished, the man’s eyes grew red, his voice heavy with sorrow.

But Lin Ye understood now—it was for the traditional practice of bringing joy to ward off misfortune.

He’d heard of such customs before, but never imagined someone would seek him out. Rumor had it that those who played this role often lost a bit of their lifespan. He was still young, with plenty of years ahead.

Under such circumstances…

He’d have to ask for more money!

For a day’s work, at least…

---

Lin Ye pondered for a while, then held up five fingers. “No problem, but I want this much.”

“Five hundred thousand? Done! As long as you agree, money won’t be an issue.” The man was practically trembling with excitement, as if afraid Lin Ye might change his mind.

How much?

Five hundred thousand?

Wait, he meant five thousand!

So he’d underquoted?

“Sir, you’re sure it’s just a marriage ceremony with your sister—nothing else, right?” Lin Ye asked again, half-expecting a trick.

“Of course not. If you’re getting married, you need to register. But don’t worry about the process—just bring your ID and household register, I’ll handle everything else.”

Registering?

Lin Ye hesitated—so the five hundred thousand wouldn’t come easy.

Still, by the man’s account, his sister was critically ill, unlikely to live long.

So he wouldn’t lose much—just a marriage record, with a deceased spouse.

When he met someone he loved in the future, he could just explain. Surely such a reasonable story would be believed.

If not, so be it.

Five hundred thousand! How many years would he have to work to earn that?

More importantly, his mother needed a hundred thousand for surgery. With five hundred thousand, he could pay for her operation and repay all their debts.

“Sir, one last question—though it’s a bit rude… What if, after marriage, your sister’s health improves and she recovers?”

Lin Ye smiled awkwardly.

The joy-bringing ritual sounded unscientific, but miracles did happen.

If she survived, he couldn’t be tied to her forever.

The man paused, then gave a wry smile. “Young man, I understand what you’re worried about. If the ritual succeeds, don’t worry—it won’t hinder your happiness. Whenever you wish, you can divorce. And I’ll give you an additional three million!”

“How much?”

At the mention of three million, Lin Ye’s heart skipped a beat.

“Yes, you heard right—three million. If my sister recovers, even if she lives just three more months, I’ll pay you.”

Three million!

Lin Ye’s breath quickened. Raised in the mountains, even after university he’d dreamed of making something of himself—but he’d never seen so much money.

“Alright! I accept!”

“Excellent!” The man nodded, tears glimmering in his eyes.

With the agreement reached, Lin Ye went back to his rented room for his ID and household register. They arranged to meet at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Two hours later, Civil Affairs Bureau.

---

“Young man, you’ll have to take wedding photos—are you really wearing that?”

The middle-aged man was already waiting, but frowned when he saw Lin Ye’s faded, threadbare tracksuit.

“Sorry, sir…” Lin Ye scratched his head, about to explain he had no suitable clothing.

The man picked up his phone. “Hello, Xiao Liu? Prepare a suit—the measurements I’ll send in a minute. And hurry, bring it to the Civil Affairs Bureau entrance.”

Half an hour later.

A luxurious Bentley rolled up. The driver, bowing respectfully, delivered a pristine, bespoke suit, tie, white shirt, leather shoes—everything complete.

So this kindly-looking uncle was truly wealthy.

But it made sense—someone who could casually offer five hundred thousand or three million, driving a Bentley was perfectly natural.

Especially the suit—Lin Ye didn’t know much about luxury brands, but just touching it he could feel its quality.

“Sir, how much is this suit? Deduct it from the five hundred thousand.”

Lin Ye wasn’t being polite—he knew rich people had their quirks. Clothes he wore, they’d never want back.

Business was business—he never took advantage beyond the agreed price.

“No need to be so formal—preparing these was my responsibility,” the man waved off.

Lin Ye nodded, not insisting, and went to the restroom to change.

He had to admit—clothes make the man.

Wearing the tailored suit, Lin Ye’s entire demeanor transformed.

So much so that the man paused when he saw Lin Ye, his tone complex. “Youth really is wonderful.”

Lin Ye wasn’t sure how to reply, feeling a bit awkward. “Sir, is this alright?”

“Heh! Very handsome!”

“No need to be so distant. My name is Li Dehua. Since you’re marrying my sister, we’re family now,” Li Dehua said, waving a hand.

No more ‘sir’—but what should he call him? He was marrying Li Dehua’s sister, so he couldn’t call him ‘little brother.’

Lin Ye could only nod awkwardly. “Alright, Uncle Li.”

There were procedures for registering the marriage, but the bride’s condition prevented her from attending. However, after a trip upstairs, Uncle Li returned with two bright red booklets.

Lin Ye took one, still a bit stunned.

So… it was done?

It felt rushed—almost unreal.

Opening the booklet, his own information was fine—he looked as handsome as ever.

But when he glanced at the bride’s section, Lin Ye froze on the spot.