Madam Lu held Xinyi's hand gently, guiding her toward the sofa as if she were precious porcelain.
"Sit, child. You must still be shaken."
Xinyi blinked, unsure how to react to such unexpected warmth.
She lowered herself gracefully, keeping her hands folded on her lap.
Madam Lu's eyes softened as she took in the girl's delicate demeanor—
the shy gaze, the soft voice, the innocence untouched by greed.
So different from An Ruo.
So much better.
Madam Lu almost sighed with relief.
"Yichen," she said firmly, turning to her son,
"This girl… she looks kind. Pure. The kind of daughter-in-law I always wished for."
Xinyi's eyes widened in surprise.
Yichen glanced at his mother, then at Xinyi.
He didn't contradict her.
Madam Lu continued, her tone lowering as if sharing a secret:
"That other girl… An Ruo…"
Her expression tightened with obvious distaste.
"I never liked her attitude. She was sharp-tongued. Arrogant. Too… calculating."
Xinyi looked down, feeling awkward.
She didn't want to speak badly of anyone.
Madam Lu misunderstood her silence as timidity and squeezed her hand.
"Don't worry, child. You don't need to explain anything."
She smiled warmly.
"To me, you are already a far better match for my son."
Xinyi's breath caught.
Far better match?
Her heart raced.
She wasn't supposed to be here.
She wasn't supposed to be anyone's bride.
She opened her mouth hesitantly—
"Aunty, I think… maybe there has been a mis—"
Yichen's voice cut her off, calm but firm.
"Mother. Let her rest first."
Xinyi looked up at him, startled.
Yichen met her eyes briefly—
not possessive, not angry—
but respectful, quietly protective.
Madam Lu nodded.
"Yes, yes. You must be tired."
Then she smiled sweetly, tucking a strand of hair behind Xinyi's ear like she was already family.
"My dear, no matter how you came here…
I feel fate must have brought you."
Xinyi's chest tightened.
Fate?
She didn't know if this was fate or a mistake so big it could destroy her life.
But Madam Lu—
for the first time in a long while—
looked genuinely happy.
And Yichen…
Yichen didn't look like he planned to correct his mother anytime soon.
From the staircase, a bodyguard watched silently.
He knew the truth.
He knew this was the wrong bride.
But after seeing Madam Lu's expression…
he swallowed his words.
Because correcting this "mistake" now
would create a bigger disaster.
And somewhere across the city—
another woman was pretending to be a wife she never was.
While Madam Lu fussed over Xinyi in the living room,
Lu Yichen stepped aside as his secretary hurried in, tablet in hand and worry on his face.
"President Lu," Secretary Wen whispered urgently,
"There's… a problem."
Yichen adjusted his cuffs calmly.
"What now?"
Wen took a deep breath.
"Sir, the news of your wedding leaked early this morning. Reporters, business partners, and half of the city's elite are waiting online for the first official photo of Mrs. Lu."
Yichen's eyes darkened.
Wen continued, voice shaking slightly:
"And… rumours have begun."
A muscle in Yichen's jaw twitched.
"What kind of rumours?"
The secretary hesitated, then forced himself to say it:
"People are saying the bride refused to show her face…
that maybe she fought with you…
or worse, that she ran away."
Yichen's expression froze into ice.
Wen lowered his voice further:
"Sir, if the public doesn't see your wife today,
it will affect the Lu family reputation…
and your shareholders are already asking questions."
Yichen exhaled slowly.
He hated chaos.
He hated being questioned.
And this situation…
was a threat.
Secretary Wen swallowed.
"With all due respect, Sir… you must present Mrs. Lu to the world.
If there is no wedding portrait, no appearance, no statement—
outsiders will assume the worst."
Yichen's eyes lifted slightly, cutting through him like a blade.
"There was a mix-up," he said flatly.
"The wrong bride was brought to the ceremony."
Wen's breath caught.
Wrong… bride?
"But sir," he whispered carefully, "the public doesn't know that.
And if we tell them… the media will explode.
An Ruo's family will cause trouble.
Your rivals will attack the company."
Yichen's silence was heavy, dangerous.
Wen continued:
"Only one safe solution remains…"
Yichen arched an eyebrow.
"Speak."
The secretary said the words carefully, almost trembling:
"You need to introduce Miss Lin Xinyi…
as Mrs. Lu."
Yichen's eyes narrowed.
"That woman is not my wife."
"I understand, Sir… but right now, she is the only bride the world saw enter your house."
Yichen's jaw clenched.
Wen added softly:
"If she stays hidden… the world will assume something is wrong.
But if she stands beside you, even briefly…
your reputation stays flawless."
Yichen looked toward the living room.
He could hear Madam Lu's gentle voice,
Xinyi's soft replies,
the calm harmony that An Ruo never gave this home.
His eyes darkened, thoughtful.
Finally, he spoke—
low, controlled, powerful:
"Call the PR team," he said.
"And prepare a statement."
Wen blinked. "Sir—so you've decided—?"
Yichen didn't look back.
"We will introduce someone as Mrs. Lu."
His gaze flickered toward the living room—
toward the girl with gentle eyes
who had walked into his life by mistake.
"But this time," he added softly,
"I will handle it myself."