The sleek, autonomous vehicle glided silently into the private docking bay of the Stellaris Tech penthouse, the residence Qin Feng had meticulously designed for his grandmother, Mei Qin, and now, reluctantly, his own temporary abode to fulfill her heartfelt wish. The city lights, once a dazzling backdrop to their public spectacle, now cast long, cool shadows across the opulent interior as they entered. The spacious living area, a blend of minimalist modernity and Mei Qin's cherished traditional touches, felt charged with an unspoken tension.
Lin Wei felt a knot of apprehension tighten in her chest. The whirlwind of the wedding was over, the cameras were gone, and the weight of their contractual reality settled heavily upon them within this space so intimately connected to Qin Feng's grandmother. The unspoken question of the sleeping arrangements hung in the air, a silent boundary yet to be drawn, not just between them, but under Mei Qin's roof.
Qin Feng, ever the pragmatist, gestured towards the guest suite down the hall. "The guest quarters are prepared for you tonight, Ms. Lin Wei." His tone was neutral, efficient.
Before Lin Wei could voice her relief, the automated doors to the main living area slid open, and Mei Qin entered, leaning on her intricately carved walking stick, a mischievous glint in her sharp eyes. "Ah, you're both finally here!" she announced, her voice carrying a playful lilt. "I was wondering when my newly married grandchildren would grace my humble abode."
Qin Feng's usual composed demeanor flickered with a hint of exasperation. "Nai Nai, it's late. You should be resting."
Mei Qin waved a dismissive hand. "Rest is for the weary, Feng'er. And you two should be… well, you know." Her gaze flickered between Lin Wei and Qin Feng, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Starting your new life together."
Lin Wei's face flushed slightly. The thought of correcting Mei Qin, of explaining the contractual and decidedly unromantic nature of their union, felt impossible in this moment.
Qin Feng cleared his throat. "Nai Nai, Lin Wei is likely tired after the… festivities. She will be staying in the guest suite tonight."
Mei Qin's eyebrows rose in mock surprise. "The guest suite? On your wedding night? Oh, Feng'er, you always were a considerate grandson… perhaps a little too considerate?" She chuckled softly, a knowing look directed at Lin Wei. "Don't let him be shy, child. A new marriage should be… celebrated."
The implication hung heavy in the air. Lin Wei felt a surge of awkwardness. She glanced at Qin Feng, who looked distinctly uncomfortable.
"Nai Nai," Qin Feng said, his voice firm but respectful, "our arrangement is… somewhat unconventional."
"Unconventional?" Mei Qin echoed, her smile widening. "All the best love stories are, my dear. Now, Feng'er, be a good husband and see your wife to your… our room. I'm sure you both need some privacy after such a long day." She gave Lin Wei a conspiratorial wink. "Don't worry, child. He may seem a little stiff, but he has a good heart."
Qin Feng's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He looked at Lin Wei, a silent plea in his eyes. Lin Wei understood the predicament. Explaining the truth to Mei Qin, especially in her current jovial mood, would likely cause her unnecessary distress.
With a sigh that was barely audible, Qin Feng turned to Lin Wei. "Ms. Lin Wei… perhaps the main suite would be… more convenient for the night. The guest quarters… the climate controls can be a little temperamental." It was a flimsy excuse, but it was the best he could come up with under his grandmother's watchful gaze.
Lin Wei felt a wave of reluctant agreement wash over her. It was a temporary concession, a way to appease Mei Qin and avoid an awkward explanation. "Yes, CEO Qin," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "That sounds… practical."
Mei Qin clapped her hands together softly. "Wonderful! See, Feng'er? I knew you'd do the right thing. Now, off you go, you two. This old woman needs her rest, but I'll be expecting to hear all about your… first night as a married couple in the morning!" She turned and slowly made her way towards her own suite, a satisfied smile on her face.
Qin Feng turned to Lin Wei, his expression a mixture of resignation and mild annoyance. "Ms. Lin Wei," he said, his voice low, "this is… not how I intended things to proceed."
Lin Wei met his gaze, a hint of defiance in her own. "Nor I, CEO Qin. But it seems we have been… outmaneuvered by your grandmother's… enthusiasm."
The unspoken agreement hung in the air. They would share his room for the night, maintaining a strict physical and emotional distance for Mei Qin's sake. The sofa treaty would have to wait. As Qin Feng gestured towards his bedroom, Lin Wei followed, a sense of weary resignation settling over her. The carefully constructed boundaries of their contractual marriage had already been breached, not by their own desires, but by the well-meaning interference of the woman who so earnestly wished for their happiness. The shared threshold of Qin Feng's bedroom felt less like a marital sanctuary and more like another stage in their ongoing, complicated performance.