The afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Lu mansion, casting long golden rays across the polished floor. Lin Yuexi sat quietly on the edge of the sofa, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She had been waiting for nearly an hour, her nerves building with each tick of the clock.
Lu Chenxuan had summoned her to the study, his voice calm but firm: "We need to set a few things straight."
Finally, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. He entered, carrying a stack of papers and a tablet under one arm. His tie was loosened, but he still radiated the composed aura of a man who was always in control.
"Sit," he said, motioning to the armchair across from his desk.
Yuexi obeyed, her back straight, her hands trembling slightly though she tried to hide it.
He placed the tablet down, then leaned back in his chair. "You signed the contract willingly. But marriage—contractual or not—requires clarity. Boundaries, expectations, rules."
Her throat tightened. She already knew where this was going, but she forced herself to ask, "What kind of rules?"
He slid the papers toward her. "Read them."
She scanned the neatly typed list. Some rules were expected: no revealing personal matters to the media, no unapproved spending of household funds, attend events as a united front. Others were colder: no interfering with each other's private lives, no asking personal questions, no crossing physical boundaries without consent.
Her heart sank with every line. "So… we're not even allowed to ask personal questions?" she murmured.
Chenxuan's gaze was steady, unreadable. "Curiosity leads to complications. I don't want complications."
The words stung more than she wanted to admit. She pressed her lips together, nodding slowly. "I understand."
He studied her for a long moment, as though trying to decide whether she truly did. Then he leaned forward, his tone dropping. "This marriage will last one year. Do your part, and at the end, you'll walk away with enough security to rebuild your life. Until then, keep your distance."
Her fingers tightened on the paper. Keep your distance. The phrase echoed in her mind, heavier than it should have been.
That evening, Yuexi sat in her new room, staring at the rules again. The words blurred, her chest tight. She had agreed to this. She had no right to feel disappointed. Yet somewhere deep inside, a tiny part of her had foolishly hoped—hoped for kindness, for warmth, maybe even for a chance to truly connect.
She shook the thought away. Fairy tales were for other people.
The next day, Chenxuan's assistant, a sharp-eyed woman named Liu Mei, arrived to take her shopping. They moved swiftly through luxury boutiques, attendants fawning over her once they realized she was "Mrs. Lu."
Every gown she tried on was exquisite, but Yuexi couldn't ignore the whispers behind her back. "She doesn't look like his type.""Why her?""Maybe it's just business."
She forced a polite smile, pretending not to hear.
By the time they returned, Chenxuan was already home, sitting on the couch with his laptop. He glanced up briefly, his eyes sweeping over the shopping bags. "Good. You'll wear the silver gown tomorrow night. It photographs well."
Yuexi hesitated. "You don't want to… see it first?"
"No need," he replied, his attention back on the screen. "I trust Mei's judgment."
Her lips parted, but no words came. Once again, she was reminded—she wasn't truly his wife. She was an accessory. A role to play.
Later that night, unable to sleep, Yuexi wandered into the balcony for air. The city lights sparkled in the distance, mocking her with their brightness.
"Can't sleep?"
The deep voice startled her. She turned to find Chenxuan leaning against the doorframe, his tie undone, a glass of whiskey in hand. For once, he looked less like the untouchable CEO and more like a man carrying invisible weight.
"I didn't mean to wake you," she said softly.
He took a sip of whiskey, his eyes fixed on the skyline. "You didn't."
Silence stretched between them. The night breeze carried the faint scent of rain, cool against her skin.
Gathering courage, Yuexi spoke. "Mr. Lu… why a one-year contract? Why not longer?"
His jaw tightened slightly, though his expression remained calm. "Because one year is all I need."
"Need for what?" she asked gently.
He looked at her then, his eyes shadowed with something she couldn't quite read. "For the board. For appearances. For peace."
Her lips parted, questions bubbling in her chest, but she stopped herself. The rules. No personal questions.
She lowered her gaze. "I see."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Chenxuan's voice softened, almost imperceptibly. "Go back to sleep, Yuexi. Tomorrow will be long."
Before she could reply, he turned and disappeared into the dark hallway.
Yuexi stood on the balcony, the cool wind brushing against her skin, her heart heavier than before. The rules were clear. Boundaries unshakable.
And yet… she couldn't stop wondering what pain hid behind his carefully constructed walls.