Xinyi woke to a soft knock on her door.
For a moment, she forgot where she was.
The silk sheets, the quiet air, the huge room…
None of it felt like her world.
Then she remembered.
The contract.
The mansion.
The title she was still afraid to say in her mind.
Mrs. Lu.
She sat up quickly as Madam Lu entered with a warm smile.
"Good morning, child," she said. "Eat well. You have a big night ahead."
Xinyi blinked. "T-Tonight?"
Madam Lu nodded gently.
"Yichen will introduce you publicly. People need to know you are part of this family now."
Xinyi's heart stumbled in her chest.
Publicly?
Already?
Madam Lu placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You'll be fine. I'm here."
The warmth in her voice steadied Xinyi a little.
Before she could speak, there was another knock on the door.
This one was firmer.
Yichen.
He stepped inside without hesitation, dressed in a crisp black suit that made him look impossibly composed.
His eyes swept over her—
messy hair, nervous expression, oversized sleepwear—
and something softened in his gaze before he could stop it.
"Secretary Wen will take you for styling," he said.
Xinyi nodded quickly.
"O-Okay."
"And," he added, "don't leave the room alone until he arrives."
His tone wasn't harsh.
Just protective.
Unshakeable.
Xinyi lowered her eyes. "I understand."
He left without another word, but his presence lingered long after the door closed.
By afternoon, three stylists arrived at her room, bowing respectfully.
"Madam Lu has chosen your look," the lead stylist said.
Xinyi's ears burned at the title again.
They worked quietly—
hair, light makeup, a soft gown with delicate pearl embroidery.
Nothing loud.
Nothing flashy.
Just elegance.
When they finished, Xinyi barely recognized herself.
She looked…
gentle.
Graceful.
A little fragile.
Like someone who didn't belong in the world she was about to step into.
She touched the necklace on her neck—
except…
the clasp wouldn't lock.
She struggled with it, fingers shaking.
The door clicked open.
Xinyi froze.
Yichen stood there.
His eyes moved to her reflection in the mirror.
He didn't speak for a second.
Didn't blink.
Then he walked toward her.
"Turn around," he said quietly.
She obeyed without breathing.
He lifted the chain, his fingers brushing the back of her neck.
The touch was light—barely there—
but it sent a shiver down her spine.
His voice was low.
"Don't fidget. You'll drop it."
"I-I'm sorry," she whispered.
He fastened the clasp effortlessly.
When he stepped back, Xinyi felt her heartbeat in her ears.
Yichen looked at her fully this time—
not as a burden,
not as a substitute,
but as a woman standing beside him tonight.
"You look appropriate," he said.
It wasn't a compliment.
But his tone held something she couldn't name.
Respect?
Approval?
A flicker of something warmer?
She didn't know.
"Secretary Wen will escort you downstairs," he added.
She nodded nervously. "Yes… President Lu."
He paused.
His eyes held hers.
"You're not alone tonight," he said quietly.
Those four words steadied her more than she expected.
The Lu family ballroom glowed with warm lights and crystal chandeliers.
Business giants, politicians, heirs, celebrities—
everyone was there.
And every pair of eyes turned when Xinyi entered with Secretary Wen.
Whispers spread like sparks.
"Who is she?"
"She looks… gentle."
"Why did Lu Yichen choose her?"
Xinyi's steps faltered.
Then she felt it—
before she saw him.
Yichen walked up beside her, calm and confident, his presence cutting through the noise around them.
He didn't touch her.
He didn't have to.
He stood close enough that she felt shielded.
"You walk with me," he said quietly.
She nodded, her hands trembling slightly at her sides.
Together, they walked through the crowd.
People moved aside instantly.
Some bowed.
Some whispered.
Some stared with thinly veiled jealousy.
Madam Lu smiled proudly from across the room.
After some time, Secretary Wen tapped Yichen's arm.
"President Lu, everything is ready."
Yichen nodded once.
He stepped onto the small platform and took the microphone.
The entire hall fell silent.
Xinyi stood below, heart pounding out of rhythm.
Yichen didn't speak much.
He didn't need to.
His voice carried effortlessly through the hall.
"Thank you all for coming."
He waited a beat.
Then his eyes shifted to Xinyi.
"Tonight, I wish to introduce someone."
Murmurs rose, but he continued calmly:
"This is Xinyi."
A pause.
"My legally wedded wife."
The hall exploded with gasps.
Shock.
Confusion.
Jealous admiration.
Thinly hidden envy.
Yichen's next words cut through everything:
"Her identity is not to be questioned.
Anyone who has doubts—
should speak to me directly."
The warning was clear.
Cold.
Final.
Xinyi felt her breath catch.
Not because of the title.
Not because the whole city now knew her.
But because, for the first time since the wedding mix-up—
Yichen's gaze held something new.
Something she had never seen before.
Something that made her heart skip—
A faint, silent promise:
You're safe.