After a cold shower, Fu Liangmu stepped into the study, only to find the butler standing there with a gentle smile, holding a glass of milk.
"Young Master, you must be exhausted."
Fu Liangmu settled into the sofa, took the glass, and sipped lightly. His tone was indifferent."Uncle Zhang, is the old madam satisfied?"
"Very much so—immensely, in fact. She even sighed with relief, saying the heavy stone on her heart had finally been lifted."
Fu Liangmu let out a faint sigh."Well, as long as she's happy."
"Young Master, the old madam is getting on in years. It's only natural for her thoughts to run wild. Besides, ever since that fire, there hasn't been another woman by your side. The old madam has been quite worried."
The butler, Uncle Zhang, offered a gentle explanation. Fu Liangmu's gaze drifted to a folder that had sat on the desk all day. He picked it up and began flipping through it.
"So she hastily shoved a recently heartbroken woman at me in her anxiety."
"Only the Su family, with their calculating business sense, could orchestrate such a seamless handoff between sisters just to chase a profit."
Attached to the file was a four-inch photo of Su Wanwan. The brief introduction beneath mentioned only her past relationship with Ye Nan.
Something felt amiss.
"Where's the information from before she turned eighteen?" Fu Liangmu asked.
Uncle Zhang, who had long memorized the contents, replied readily."Before she turned eighteen, Madam lived with her grandmother in the countryside. Four years ago, when the elderly woman passed away, she was finally brought back by Master Su."
He sighed."She's had a hard life—no mother, a distant father, and years of hardship."
Fu Liangmu rarely showed interest in such matters, but he asked further:"She wasn't born of Song Hui?"
"No," Uncle Zhang replied. "Her mother and Master Su were deeply in love, but shortly after they married, there was a tragic car accident..."
"Master Su searched for her for a long time, but no trace was ever found."
"Later, he married Song Hui, and they had the second daughter, Su Nian."
"Unfortunately, once the Su family's vast business empire was handed over to their son-in-law, its decline became inevitable. It never recovered its former glory."
Back then, Su Wanwan's mother had been a renowned socialite in Xicheng and held a top position in the company. Many suitors had courted her, but she had chosen a penniless young man instead.
Fu Liangmu's slender fingers gently rubbed the edge of the photograph, his eyes dark and unreadable.
Uncle Zhang exhaled deeply."Who knows what the Su family is scheming. The original arrangement was with the second daughter, Su Nian, and yet..."
"But rest assured, Young Master—once you're properly married, the old madam will no longer pester you."
Fu Liangmu gave a soft "hmm."
After a pause, the butler continued:"By the way, Young Master, regarding the woman you asked me to investigate…"
He hesitated, visibly troubled."The hotel you stayed at places great emphasis on privacy. Surveillance footage is reviewed at noon each day and deleted unless something unusual occurs."
"By the time I got there, the footage from that night had already been wiped."
"So... I fear it will be difficult to identify the woman who entered your room."
Fu Liangmu closed the folder. His tone remained calm."Don't bother investigating further."
"Huh?"
"I've already found her."
His voice was steady and serene.
Uncle Zhang was visibly stunned and confused, his voice tinged with urgency."You found her? Who is she? Did she see your real face?"
A faint smile curved Fu Liangmu's lips. He seemed to be in a good mood."Uncle Zhang, you may go."
The butler opened his mouth to say more, but ultimately bowed and left."Yes, Young Master."
Once alone, Fu Liangmu walked over to the mirror. His slender, jade-like fingers reached toward his left ear and carefully peeled off a layer of synthetic skin.
Instantly, a strikingly handsome face was revealed—flawless, unmarred, and identical on both sides.
…
That night, Su Wanwan didn't sleep well.
First, she couldn't find a single piece of women's clothing in the room. After showering, she had no choice but to wrap herself in a bathrobe and go to bed.
Second, she feared Fu Liangmu might return, see her in that state, and lose control.
Third, she simply wasn't used to sleeping in unfamiliar places.
She woke up almost every half hour.
But the moment her eyes opened the next morning, she was greeted by a face of such startling beauty that she sobered instantly.
"Mr. Fu?! What are you doing here?"
Fu Liangmu's gaze swept over her panicked expression, then slowly trailed downward with mild amusement.
Flustered, Su Wanwan pulled the blanket up in a rush, awkwardly shielding herself.
"The maids called you three times," he said coolly.
She was dumbfounded. She hadn't heard a thing…
The last time she had looked at the clock, it was around 4 a.m. And now—
"Ten o'clock?!"
She sat up at once, smoothing out her bedhead."I'm sorry—I overslept. I'll wash up right away."
Fu Liangmu gave a slight nod and remained seated, making no move to leave.
Su Wanwan frowned."Aren't you going out?"
"Are you planning to have breakfast dressed like this?" he asked, expressionless.
"There aren't any clothes here that fit me." She shrugged helplessly.
Looking into her wide, innocent eyes, Fu Liangmu felt a strange pang of guilt.
Before she entered his life, he hadn't known that this girl was the same woman from that night.
Back then, he had only agreed to placate the old madam. He hadn't prepared anything, not even the ceremony, let alone gifts or clothing for his bride.
Uncle Zhang had collected her information the moment Su family requested the bride change, but Fu Liangmu hadn't bothered to look at it.
Now, he picked up a bag by the bed and handed it to her."I wasn't sure of your size, so I had something simple bought. After breakfast, you can go out and get whatever else you need."
"Oh. Thank you."
Su Wanwan took the bag and slipped into the bathroom.
Moments later, she emerged.
She wasn't used to wearing that kind of outfit and walked out hesitantly.
Fu Liangmu glanced at the floral dress and felt it matched her fresh, clean aura.
"Let's go. Grandmother has been waiting a while."
He stepped out as he spoke.
Su Wanwan grabbed his arm."Grandmother?"
"My grandmother," he replied, glancing down.
Her hand, warm and soft, seared through the thin fabric of his sleeve.
Su Wanwan dug her nails into her palm."Terrible... I've already made a bad impression on day one."
Fu Liangmu didn't hear her muttering, but he tightened his grip on her hand.
Startled, she instinctively tried to pull away—then stopped.
This man was her husband now, in name if not in affection. He was the one she would live with, day in and day out.
Since fate had taken this turn, perhaps acceptance was wiser than resistance.
After all... Fu Liangmu hadn't left her with a bad impression.