The Lu Corporation headquarters towered into the sky like a flawless blade, reflecting the early morning sun.
Inside, every corner breathed discipline—cold, brilliant, and efficient.
Just like its master.
Lu Yichen stepped into the lobby with the quiet confidence of a man who owned every inch of the world he walked on. Employees straightened instantly, lowering their voices as he passed.
But something in Yichen's mind wasn't as calm as usual.
Last night's words still lingered like a whisper he couldn't shake off.
"I want to find my groom."
His jaw tightened.
He brushed the thought away and entered the elevator—only to stop for half a second.
Someone was already inside.
A young man… not more than his early twenties.
New uniform. Fresh ID card.
Clutching a file like a lifeline.
He looked up, startled.
"G-good morning, President Lu."
Yichen merely gave a curt nod, but his eyes scanned the reflective elevator wall.
A habit.
A reflex.
The name on the tag:
Zhen Yu
Transfer Department – New Hire
He didn't recall the face.
Didn't know the name.
Yet… something tickled his memory.
A faint familiarity he couldn't place.
"You're new," Yichen said coolly.
"Yes, sir. Transferred from the East District branch."
His voice shook.
Not unusual around Yichen.
But the fear in this one felt different—too tightly contained, too sincere.
The elevator rose.
Ding.
Ding.
Zhen Yu shrank further each time the sound echoed, as if wishing he could fade into the metal walls.
When they reached the executive floor, Yichen stepped out first.
Before the doors closed, he turned—just slightly.
"I expect diligence from everyone under my roof."
Zhen Yu nodded rapidly.
"I—I will work hard, President Lu."
Then the doors sealed him away.
Yichen stood still for a moment.
Zhen Yu…
Why does that name… feel familiar?
He ignored the thought and walked to his office.
But fate had already tied the knot.
A few minutes later, a sharp knock broke the silence.
"Come in."
Secretary Wen hurried inside, holding a thick folder. His expression was unusually stiff.
"President Lu… I found him."
Yichen looked up slowly.
"Found who?"
"Miss Xinyi's husband. The man she was meant to marry."
The pen slipped from Yichen's fingers, landing soundlessly on the desk.
"Show me."
Wen opened the file. A photograph slid forward—a passport-style image of a young man with neat hair and a nervous smile.
Yichen picked it up.
And froze.
That face.
Those eyes.
The elevator.
The world sharpened dangerously.
Secretary Wen continued, unaware:
"The man's name is Zhen Yu, twenty-three years old. No criminal record, average family, works at—"
"Repeat the name," Yichen said, voice low and calm.
"Zhen Yu."
A pulse hit Yichen's chest.
A memory surfaced—
Xinyi, sitting quietly, fingers tangled nervously.
"I think… his name was Zhen Yu," she whispered.
"I don't remember clearly but… I think that was it."
Back then, Yichen hadn't cared.
Now—
He cared too much.
"He's in this company," Yichen said.
"On my floor. I saw him today."
Secretary Wen's eyes widened.
"Zhen Yu works here?!"
Yichen placed the photo down with a soft, deliberate tap.
"Observe him," he ordered.
"Do not reveal anything to Miss Xinyi."
Wen hesitated.
"But… why hide it from her, President Lu? Isn't this good news for her?"
For a moment, the office felt colder.
Yichen's gaze dropped to the photo again—expression unreadable.
"Whether it's good news," he said quietly, "depends entirely on the kind of man he is."
Wen swallowed and bowed.
"Yes, President Lu."
When he left, silence swallowed the room.
Yichen leaned back slowly, staring at Zhen Yu's picture. The man destiny had paired with Xinyi… was young. Ordinary. Nervous.
Was this really the person Xinyi belonged to?
Was this the man who could protect her… keep her safe?
A cold smile touched Yichen's lips.
"Interesting."
He placed the photograph face-down.
Almost like he was claiming something.
Or preparing for a war no one else saw coming.
Yichen's shadow towered over Zhen Yu's desk.
His voice was already cold, but suddenly… it dipped even lower.
After grilling him about the late report, Yichen leaned close—too close.
Their faces only inches apart.
Zhen Yu swallowed.
"Sir… did I do something wrong?"
Yichen stared at him, eyes burning with something Zhen Yu couldn't name.
Then—
"Don't look that innocent in my company,"
Yichen said sharply.
Zhen Yu blinked, confused.
"…S-Sir?"
Yichen's jaw tightened.
He hadn't meant to say that.
It slipped out—pure jealousy, pure frustration, pure instinct.
Zhen Yu stammered,
"I—I don't understand…"
Yichen's eyes hardened instantly, covering his slip.
"You don't need to understand," he snapped.
"Just follow my instructions."
Zhen Yu's heart hammered.
Why would the CEO say something like that?
Why did he care how Zhen Yu looked?
Why did his tone sound… personal?
Yichen straightened his suit, expression cold again.
"Remember what I said," he murmured.
"I'll be watching you."
Zhen Yu didn't dare breathe.
Yichen walked away—but his mind was in chaos.
Why did he say that?
Why couldn't he control his mouth?
Because that innocence…
That timid, gentle expression…
It was exactly the kind of face Xinyi would protect.
And Yichen hated it.