The conference room on the top floor of Chen Group's headquarters was silent.
Li Wei Chen sat at the head of the long glass table, his expression calm but distant. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights of Shanghai stretched endlessly into the night.
Across from him sat the Li family.
His father looked impatient. His mother quietly observed everyone in the room. His older brother leaned back in his chair with folded arms.
But the person who mattered most was seated at the center.
Madam Li Yu Lan.
The old woman's sharp eyes rested on Li Wei Chen as if she could see straight through him.
"Wei Chen," she said slowly, "you are twenty-nine."
Li Wei Chen didn't react.
"Yes, grandmother."
"And you are the CEO of Chen Group. A man with responsibility."
He gave a small nod.
"That is correct."
The old woman tapped her cane lightly against the floor.
"Then explain to me why you still refuse to marry."
The room grew even quieter.
Li Wei Chen leaned back in his chair slightly. His posture was relaxed, but his voice carried a firm tone.
"Because marriage isn't necessary for running a company."
His father immediately frowned.
"This isn't about the company," Li Jian Guo said sharply. "This is about the family's reputation."
His older brother, Li Hao Chen, smirked slightly.
"Or maybe our CEO just doesn't believe in love."
Li Wei Chen ignored him.
Madam Li Yu Lan's voice cut through the tension.
"You will marry within one month."
The words were simple.
But they carried absolute authority.
Even Li Jian Guo stayed silent after hearing them.
Li Wei Chen's expression finally changed, though only slightly.
"One month?" he repeated.
"Yes."
Madam Li leaned forward a little.
"If you fail to do so, I will transfer temporary control of Chen Group to Hao Chen."
The room went completely still.
Li Hao Chen's smirk widened.
Li Wei Chen slowly clasped his hands together on the table.
His grandmother knew exactly where to strike.
Chen Group was everything he had worked for.
Giving it up was not an option.
"You're threatening your own grandson," he said calmly.
"I'm motivating him," Madam Li replied.
Silence followed.
After a few seconds, Li Wei Chen stood up.
"Fine."
Everyone looked at him.
"I'll get married."
His father's expression relaxed slightly.
His mother looked surprised.
But Madam Li Yu Lan only nodded once, as if she had expected this answer all along.
"There will be many suitable daughters from wealthy families," she said. "I can arrange introductions."
"That won't be necessary," Li Wei Chen replied.
The room paused again.
"I'll find someone myself."
Without waiting for another response, he walked toward the door.
Just before leaving, his younger sister Li Xiao Ran called out behind him.
"Brother!"
He stopped but didn't turn around.
"You're really going to marry someone in one month?"
Her tone was half shocked and half excited.
Li Wei Chen finally glanced back at the room.
His expression had already returned to its usual calm.
"It's just a marriage."
Then he walked out.
—
Twenty minutes later, Li Wei Chen entered his private office.
The moment the door closed, a cheerful voice echoed from the sofa.
"Boss, how did the family meeting go?"
Zhang Ming jumped to his feet, holding a tablet in one hand.
Li Wei Chen loosened his tie slightly.
"They want me to marry."
Zhang Ming froze.
Then his eyes widened dramatically.
"Marry?"
He leaned forward immediately.
"To who? A mysterious rich heiress? A celebrity? Or—"
"No one yet," Li Wei Chen interrupted.
Zhang Ming blinked.
"You mean you haven't chosen your future wife?"
Li Wei Chen walked to the large window behind his desk.
The city below buzzed with life.
After a moment he spoke again.
"I don't need a wife."
Zhang Ming tilted his head.
"Then how are you planning to get married?"
Li Wei Chen turned around.
His voice was calm.
"I'll find someone who needs money."
Zhang Ming almost dropped his tablet.
"You're… hiring a wife?"
"Not hiring," Li Wei Chen corrected.
"A contract marriage."
Zhang Ming stared at him in disbelief.
"Boss… that sounds illegal."
Li Wei Chen ignored the comment and picked up a file from his desk.
"Find someone suitable."
Zhang Ming still looked stunned.
"You want me to search for a fake wife?"
Li Wei Chen's tone remained completely serious.
"Yes."
He paused for a moment.
"One who understands it's only business."
Neither of them knew that somewhere else in the city…
A woman named Lin Yue had just discovered that the man she loved had been cheating on her.
And by morning, their lives would collide in a way neither of them expected.