Wrong Flirt, Right Trouble: His Uncle Pulls Me Close

Nina Scott bounced back quickly. The next day, she started a new round of blind dates.

This time, her blind date was at a restaurant.

This man seemed relatively normal. His family background was ordinary, but he was still a decent catch, and at least he didn’t come with any messy complications.

Nina Scott felt quite comfortable talking to him.

He, too, was being hounded by his family to get married and was eager to tie the knot as soon as possible.

Nina Scott asked, "So, would you be open to a contract marriage? We won’t interfere with each other after we’re married. We won’t meddle in each other’s lives, no matter what. We won’t be responsible for each other’s physical or psychological needs. The contract will be for one year, and when it’s up, we divorce and go our separate ways."

The man nodded. "Of course. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. However, you’ll need to take care of my mother. Her standards are quite high, and she might not be satisfied with someone like you."

Nina couldn’t care less if his mother was satisfied or not—it was all fake, anyway. She was thrilled. "That’s fantastic! When are you free? We can go get the license?"

The man said, "Anytime. I’m free whenever."

"Great! Sometime soon, then!" Nina was just waiting to sneak her household register out, and then they could go get their license.

Having finally settled a major weight on her mind, Nina was quite happy.

’He’s a bit average-looking, but at least he’s a good person.’

As the two of them were eating and chatting, a voice suddenly called out from behind, "My dear granddaughter-in-law, you’re here too!"

Nina was surprised. "Grandpa? Miles Mercer?"

"Granddaughter-in-law?" Her date latched onto the old man’s term of address.

"That’s right! You must be Nina’s friend. Hasn’t she told you? My grandson is her boyfriend!"

The man stared at Nina, stunned and surprised. "You already have a boyfriend, and you’re out on a blind date?"

Nina facepalmed. "..."

The old man was also surprised. "A blind date? Nina, what’s going on?"

"Grandpa, it’s not something I can explain in just a few words. I..."

Before Nina could finish, her grandfather started gasping for air, looking as if his heart was acting up.

Miles Mercer quickly supported him. "Grandpa!"

Genuinely afraid that something might happen to the old man, Nina quickly said, "Grandpa, it’s a misunderstanding! I’m not here on a blind date. I... I’m here for my sister."

Her blind date stared at her. Nina quickly pulled him aside. "I am so sorry about this. Let’s reschedule for another time!"

The man said angrily, "There won’t be a next time!"

’I finally found someone who was barely acceptable, and now that’s ruined too,’ she thought.

Nina went back to the grandfather, looking helplessly at Miles Mercer. She didn’t know what to do.

She and Miles Mercer were only fake boyfriend and girlfriend to begin with. Now, it seemed the lie was spiraling out of control.

Miles Mercer said, "Grandpa, it’s not what you think."

"Oh, good. You scared me to death! I thought I was about to lose my granddaughter-in-law. Nina, come have lunch with Grandpa."

Nina had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree. During the meal, the old man was exceptionally kind to her, which made Nina feel even more guilty.

After lunch, Nina and Miles Mercer took the old man home.

Nina tugged on Miles Mercer’s sleeve, signaling for him to go downstairs with her.

"Grandpa, I’ll walk her downstairs."

The old man was, of course, pleased. "Good, good. Remember to see Nina home safely."

Once they were downstairs together, Nina said, "You really can’t blame me for this. I didn’t know you and Grandpa would be at that restaurant. It was a complete coincidence."

"Besides, this can’t go on forever. Why don’t we just tell Grandpa we broke up?"

Miles Mercer frowned deeply. "No."

He knew his grandfather’s temperament and personality all too well. The elderly often just want to see their descendants find happiness, to watch them start families and build their own lives.

If he found out Nina was marrying someone else, he would definitely get worked up and angry.

The old man’s health was already poor. He’d been in and out of the hospital frequently, and his condition had been very critical.

It was only after they found his younger sister that his condition improved significantly.

Before they found his sister, the doctors had said his grandfather’s health was failing and that he might not have much time left, urging them to make the most of it.

"You know my situation," Nina said. "I have to get married quickly. Otherwise, the Scott Family will arrange a marriage for me. It’s better if I pick someone myself first."

"A contract marriage for one year. No interfering in each other’s lives, no responsibility for each other’s physical or psychological needs, and an immediate stop to anything the other party is unwilling to do. After one year, we divorce and go our separate ways."

Hearing Miles Mercer’s words, Nina was stunned. "You were eavesdropping on me!"

"I wasn’t eavesdropping."

"Then what do you mean by that?" Nina didn’t understand.

Miles Mercer said, "Those are my terms."

"Huh?" Nina blinked, not processing what he had said for a moment.

’His terms?’

’Does he mean...’

Nina hardly dared to believe it, wondering if he meant what she thought he meant.

"Are you saying... you and I..."

"Yes," Miles Mercer said. "Since Grandpa already misunderstands, we might as well see it through to the end. I can marry you, but it has to be with a contract. I can give you a share of the assets when we divorce, but you’re not allowed to pester me. One year. When the time is up, we divorce."

"Who would pester you? You’re overthinking things. I’m more worried about you pestering me!"

"So you don’t agree?"

"I agree!" Nina’s answer was exceptionally crisp. "Don’t worry, I absolutely will not pester you. We’ll get divorced whenever you say."

Miles Mercer’s frown deepened. ’Why does it seem like this woman is happier talking about divorce than she is about marrying me?’

"After we get married, Grandpa will inevitably start pressuring us to have kids and things like that. We might have to put on an act in front of him, stay in the same room, that sort of thing. You’d better be able to control yourself around me."

"Don’t worry, you’re not my type."

’Miles Mercer looks so scrawny,’ she thought. ’I prefer men with eight-pack abs and perfect bodies.’

"What did you say?"

"Uh... I mean, whatever you say goes!"

Miles Mercer said, "Do you have any other conditions?"

"No conditions. I don’t have any." ’He already listed all of mine,’ she thought. ’I know this narcissist will be even more eager for the divorce than I am.’

’As soon as the year is up, I’ll be single again.’

She had never considered marrying him, despite going on so many blind dates.

She had thought getting together with Miles Mercer was impossible, so she never expected him to be the one to propose it.

’Actually, Miles Mercer is a great choice,’ she mused. ’At least I know what I’m getting into. And a guy with a supposed fear of women definitely won’t be clingy. It’s killing two birds with one stone!’

"So, when do we get the license?" Nina asked. She wanted it to be as soon as possible. Delays could bring complications—what if Miles Mercer changed his mind tomorrow?

Miles Mercer said, "Whenever."

Nina said, "Then you have to do me a favor. You need to help me sneak out my household register."

Miles Mercer: "..."