Last night's 'unfinished kiss' and the TV drama had left a heavy atmosphere at the dining table this morning. Anya quietly placed black coffee and oats in front of Zain. Both avoided making eye contact with each other.
Anya: (in a soft voice) "Your interview is today… all the best."
Zain took a sip of his coffee, his eyes still fixed on his files. "Hmm. Fully prepared."
Anya watched him closely. Zain wore his dark navy blue suit, looking as always 'perfect' and 'dangerous'. But Anya could clearly see the lingering nervousness from last night beneath his stern expression.
Anya, Huan Jing, and Zia were standing in a corner, observing the preparations. Anya's body was present, but her mind was still stuck on that incomplete conversation from the morning.
Zia: "Anya! Aren't you excited? It's the boss's international interview today!" She nudged Anya.
Anya gave only a faint smile. She knew that to the whole world, Zain Yan was the 'unmarried most eligible bachelor', since their marriage had been kept a secret agreement.
Scene: Press Conference and the Shocking Revelation
The camera flashes blazed as Zain Yan entered the stage in his signature black suit. His expression was as stern and emotionless as ever. Reporters jostled for position.
Reporter 1 (Forbes): "Mr. Yan, in the past two months you've grown your fashion empire by 40%. Is there someone special behind this success? Or are you still enjoying your 'single and workaholic' life?"
The entire hall fell silent. Anya held her breath, certain that Zain would ignore the personal question as usual.
Zain: (adjusting the mic, voice cold yet deep) "Your information is slightly outdated. I am not single. I have been married for two months."
A stunned silence engulfed the hall, followed by whispers. Huan Jing and Zia's eyes widened. Anya's heart pounded so hard, she feared anyone nearby could hear it.
Reporter's Next Question (English Interview)
A foreign female reporter (BBC) took the mic and began asking in English:
Reporter:
(Mr. Yan, this is explosive! The world thought you would never be tied down. Can you tell us more about your wife? Who is she? Is she a business tycoon or a supermodel?)
Zain's eyes met Anya's hiding in the crowd. She lowered her eyelids in fear.
Zain: "I prefer to keep her identity secret. She is a little… complicated. But if you're asking about her personality..."
He paused slightly. A rare, sly smile appeared on his face—a deep grin that hardly anyone had ever seen.
Zain: "To be honest, she is a hardcore K-drama lover. Her world revolves around fictional heroes, and she is a massive Jungkook fan. She lives in the world of subtitles and slow-motion romance, while living with a man she calls a 'villain'—who happens to be my greatest strength."
A ripple of laughter spread across the hall. Reporters thought Zain was joking, but Anya's face had turned bright red with embarrassment. She couldn't tell whether Zain was mocking her or showing a strange form of affection.
Zain's Intention: He did not intend to humiliate her. He was warning the world that this girl belonged to him, while also letting Anya know he knew everything about her—from her preferences to her dreams.
Silence After the Conference
As Zain descended from the stage, the applause echoed, but a hush fell in Anya's ears. Her palms were sweaty, and her heart thrashed against her chest.
Huan Jing shook Anya. "Anya! Did you see? The boss's wife is a Jungkook fan! Just like you! Isn't that a coincidence?"
Anya: (stammering) "Y-yes… very strange coincidence." She tried to stabilize her voice, but her entire body trembled. She didn't know whether to be angry at Zain or proud. Zain had acknowledged her in front of the whole world, albeit in a puzzle-like way, but he had claimed her as a part of his life.
Anya's Thoughts: What is this man? One moment he destroys my world, and the next he shares it as a secret on international TV. Is he a 'villain' or my protector? I should feel embarrassed hearing Jungkook's name from his lips, but why is my heart racing so fast?
Just then, Zain passed by with his team. His stride carried that same regal air. As he neared Anya, he slowed slightly and leaned down, whispering in a soft, velvety voice:
Zain: "I just mentioned your 'hero' on international TV. At least stop mourning on your face, and remember… in the real world, no subtitle will save you. Only I will."
The sharp scent of his cologne enveloped Anya. Zain moved forward without looking back. Anya remained frozen, her gaze locked on his broad back.
Ending Hook
Anya clenched her fists. She realized Zain Yan had not just conducted an interview—he had drawn an invisible circle around her. She thought to herself, "You have claimed me, Mr. Zain, but will you maintain this 'villain' role till the end? Or is this the beginning of your hatred unraveling?"
As the door of the house opened, Zain expected Anya to shout. And indeed she did. Seeing her and Zain trending on Twitter and Weibo, her temper reached the skies. #JungkookVsZain made her feel like she could burst Zain's head open immediately.
Anya: (from the kitchen, shouting) "Mr. Zain Yan! What is this spectacle? Why did you say all that about me in the interview? The whole world is laughing at me!"
Zain calmly took a sip from his wine glass, looking her over from head to toe.
Zain: "Laughing? I just spoke the truth—that you are my 'strength'. Is speaking the truth a crime now?"
Part 2: Jungkook Insulted?
Anya: (approaching, hands trembling with anger) "You made me look like a girl who watches K-dramas all day and dreams about Jungkook! Which CEO publicly talks about his wife like this? People are writing that to win Zain Yan, one must be a Jungkook fan! Do you even realize what's happening to my dignity?"
For the first time, Zain saw a strange innocence in Anya's anger. Suppressing laughter became difficult.
Part 3: Zain's 'Flex' and Laughter
Zain leaned back slightly, smirking like a victor: "So what's wrong? At least the world now knows how 'peculiar' Zain Yan's wife is. And anyway, what's so special about that Jungkook that I don't have? I'm real, I'm here, and I'm way richer and more handsome than that poster boy."
Anya: "You… you're comparing yourself to Jungkook?" Her eyes widened. "He's an international star!"
Zain: "And I'm the undisputed king of Shenzhen," he said proudly, flexing. For the first time, Zain's face did not carry the 'beast' expression, but the mischievous sparkle of a playful boy. He enjoyed his wine while teasing Anya.
Part 4: An Untold Moment
Anya slammed her phone on the sofa, annoyed. "You are so selfish! You did all this just to boost your image."
As Anya turned to leave, Zain's voice stopped her.
Zain: "Anya…"
She paused, but did not turn.
Zain: "Let them write what they want. At least now, no one will dare point fingers at you using the Lu family's name. I locked you in that dark room… this interview was my way to compensate."
Part 5: Silence and Solace
Anya froze. She turned and saw Zain looking at his wine glass, loneliness returning to his eyes. She realized that perhaps Zain had done all this not in jest, but to protect her from the world's harshness.
She exhaled deeply and pulled over a chair to sit.
Anya: "Next time you mention Jungkook… I'll spill soup on all your expensive suits."
Zain's light chuckle echoed through the dining hall. For the first time, the walls of the house heard Zain's real laughter.
In a lavish Paris mansion, with a clear view of the Eiffel Tower from the window, a girl held a red wine glass and stared at the TV screen. Zain Yan's interview played, the one where he had called Anya his 'strength'.
A mysterious, cold smile appeared on her face. She set the glass on the table and touched Zain's face on the screen.
Girl: "Oh Zain… so you finally revealed your marriage to the world? But do you really think you can be happy with that ordinary girl?"
Chapter: Paris Conspiracy and Lu Kang's Fear
Part 1: Lu Kang's Call
Her phone rang. The screen showed the name—Lu Kang. Her expression stiffened. She answered.
Girl: "Hello, Uncle Lu?"
Lu Kang's heavy, hateful voice came from the other side. "Mei Wei, did you see what Zain is doing? He is getting close to Anya. That girl is my niece, and I know her well. She is naive, and she is falling into Zain's 'icy trap'."
Part 2: Alliance of Hatred
Teeth clenched, Lu Kang continued, "Zain Yan is calling the bloodline of the Lu family his 'strength'—the same one he wants to erase? Impossible! He must be planning something big. Separate Anya and Zain, Mei Wei. Keep my niece safe before Zain either destroys her completely or… or changes her."
Mei Wei: She pursed her red lipstick-covered lips. "Uncle, you don't need to worry. Zain is only mine. Anya Lu is just a pawn, used by Zain to take revenge on the Lu family. I'm coming back."
Part 3: New Fire of Old Enmity
Lu Kang's true intention was not to save Anya, but to weaken Zain. He feared that if Anya and Zain truly united, the Lu family's dark secrets could fall into Zain's hands.
"They must be separated," Lu Kang whispered. "Bring back Anya, even if it means destroying Zain."
Part 4: Mei Wei's Return Begins
That evening in Paris, Mei Wei began packing. She tore a photo of Zain and Anya in half.
Mei Wei: "Anya Lu… you dream about Jungkook, right? Let's see which drama you watch when Zain's real face appears before you."
Meanwhile, in Shenzhen, Anya and Zain remained unaware of the massive storm approaching from Paris. Lu Kang was preparing to use his niece as a pawn to attack Zain's empire.