Xinyi stood by the doorway, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of her sleeve.
Lu Yichen didn't even look up when she entered—his eyes stayed fixed on the documents spread across the table.
Only his voice acknowledged her.
"Sit."
Not a request.
An order.
She sat, stiff and unsure.
After a long minute, he finally closed the file and looked at her.
His expression was unreadable.
"I need your cooperation," he said flatly.
Xinyi blinked.
"C-cooperation?"
Yichen leaned back in his chair.
"There will be an official announcement soon.
Investors want to see 'Mrs. Lu.'
He said it without emotion—as if talking about a job position, not a wife.
Xinyi's stomach tightened.
"Then… use your real bride," she muttered.
Her voice was small but stubborn.
Yichen's jaw clenched for the first time.
"I would, if she hadn't disappeared."
Xinyi flinched but didn't back down.
"I'm not replacing anyone."
"I'm not stepping into a life that isn't mine."
"I don't want trouble."
Yichen tapped his fingers on the table.
His patience was thin.
"Whether you want trouble or not, it already came to you the moment you stepped into my house."
Xinyi looked away, breathing unevenly.
Right then, the door opened.
Madam Lu entered.
Her eyes moved from Xinyi's tense shoulders to Yichen's cold expression.
She understood everything in one glance.
Without saying a word, she walked to Xinyi, pulled up a chair, and sat beside her.
Not beside her son—beside Xinyi.
"You're scared," Madam Lu said quietly.
"Good. You should be. This family is not easy."
Xinyi swallowed hard.
Madam Lu continued, softer but firm:
"But sometimes life offers you a chance disguised as fear."
She turned her head slightly toward Yichen.
"My son may be cold, but he does not choose people carelessly."
Xinyi shook her head instantly.
"Auntie… I can't handle this world. I don't even understand it."
Madam Lu placed a warm hand over Xinyi's trembling ones.
"No one understands a new world on the first day."
Yichen watched silently, his expression unreadable—but he didn't stop his mother.
Finally, after a long silence filled with tension and fear and uncertainty, Xinyi whispered:
"…What exactly do you want me to do?"
Yichen's eyes sharpened.
That was not agreement.
It was surrender to curiosity.
But it was enough for him to continue.
Yichen folded his hands on the table, his voice calm—but cold enough to make Xinyi straighten her back.
"You will pretend to be my wife."
Xinyi's breath caught.
Her fingers curled tightly.
"Pretend…?"
Yichen nodded once.
"Only until I find the real bride."
The words hit her like ice water.
So she would be a temporary shadow, a placeholder, a cover.
Her heart stung in a way she didn't expect.
Before she could answer, the door knocked sharply.
Secretary Wen entered, carrying a folder thick with documents.
His face was serious, like someone bringing a weapon to the table.
He bowed slightly.
"President Lu. Madam Lu. Miss Lin."
Xinyi swallowed.
He knew her name now.
Her identity was becoming tangled with theirs even more.
Secretary Wen placed the folder in front of Yichen.
"The agreement, sir."
Xinyi's eyes widened.
Agreement?
Yichen slid the contract toward her.
"Read it."
His tone was cool—professional.
Like she was a business deal.
Her hands shook slightly as she opened the document.
Clause 1:
Miss Lin Xinyi will temporarily act as Mrs. Lu Yichen in all public appearances.
Clause 2:
She will not reveal the truth to any outsider.
Clause 3:
She will stay in the Lu residence until further notice.
Clause 4:
Any violation will result in legal action and compensation.
Clause 5:
When the real bride is found, the contract ends immediately.
Xinyi stared at the words.
Her chest tightened painfully.
They were making her look like a…
…substitute.
A replacement.
A mistake they wanted to hide.
She closed the folder slowly, her voice trembling.
"You're asking me to lie to the whole world."
Yichen didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Xinyi looked down.
"And when you find your actual wife, you'll throw me out?"
Yichen didn't hesitate.
"The contract will end."
The honesty was brutal.
Secretary Wen stepped forward respectfully.
"Miss Lin… I understand your hesitation. But without you, the Lu family will face a scandal. Investors will panic. Reporters will attack your reputation too, assuming you ran away from the ceremony."
Xinyi stiffened.
So even if she walked out…
the world would still blame her.
Madam Lu, who had been silent, finally spoke—her voice gentle but firm.
"Child… we are not asking you to sacrifice yourself.
Just help us for now.
Help Yichen."
Xinyi looked from the contract…
to Madam Lu…
to Yichen's steady, unreadable eyes.
Her heart was pounding.
This was not simple.
Not easy.
Not something she wanted.
But…
She lifted her chin slightly, a spark of determination appearing.
"I have conditions."