Lin Yue stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection for the fifth time.
The dress she was wearing was elegant but simple. The house staff had insisted she wear something "appropriate for the Li family dinner."
To Lin Yue, it just meant expensive and slightly uncomfortable.
She adjusted the sleeve again.
"This feels like a job interview," she muttered.
A soft knock came from the door.
"Come in," she said.
The door opened and Li Wei Chen walked in.
He was dressed in a dark suit, as usual looking calm and perfectly composed.
His eyes briefly scanned her appearance.
"You look fine."
Lin Yue turned toward him.
"Fine?"
"Yes."
She crossed her arms.
"That's the best compliment you have?"
"We're pretending to be married, not attending a fashion show."
Lin Yue rolled her eyes slightly.
"Your family is going to analyze me like a microscope."
"Probably," he replied calmly.
"Very comforting."
Li Wei Chen glanced at his watch.
"They're expecting us."
Lin Yue took a deep breath.
"Alright."
She grabbed her small bag and walked toward the door with him.
—
The Li family mansion was even larger than Li Wei Chen's house.
Bright lights filled the garden and several luxury cars were parked outside.
Lin Yue immediately felt nervous.
"This is your family home?"
"Yes."
"And you said my apartment was small," she murmured.
Li Wei Chen glanced at her.
"Stay close to me."
They walked inside together.
The dining room was already full.
Li Jian Guo sat at the head of the table, reading something on his tablet. Zhao Mei Ling was beside him, calm and elegant.
Across the table sat Li Hao Chen.
And next to him was Li Xiao Ran, who immediately stood up when she saw them.
"Brother!"
Then she noticed Lin Yue.
Her eyes widened dramatically.
"So this is my sister-in-law?"
Lin Yue froze slightly.
Sister-in-law already?
Li Wei Chen spoke calmly.
"This is Lin Yue."
Everyone in the room looked at her.
For a moment Lin Yue felt like she was standing on stage.
Then Madam Li Yu Lan entered slowly from the other side of the room.
The entire atmosphere changed instantly.
The old woman looked at Lin Yue carefully.
"So," she said slowly.
"This is the woman my grandson decided to marry."
Lin Yue straightened slightly.
"Yes… Madam Li."
The old woman walked closer.
Her sharp eyes studied Lin Yue from head to toe.
Then she turned to Li Wei Chen.
"You married her already?"
"We registered this morning," he replied.
That was technically part of the contract arrangement.
But hearing it said out loud made Lin Yue feel strange.
Madam Li looked back at Lin Yue.
"What does your family do?"
Lin Yue answered honestly.
"My father used to run a small company."
"Used to?" the old woman asked.
"It closed a few years ago."
The room went quiet.
Li Hao Chen smirked slightly.
"So our CEO married someone with no business background?"
Li Wei Chen's voice became slightly colder.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion."
Li Hao Chen shrugged.
Lin Yue felt awkward standing there.
But suddenly Zhao Mei Ling smiled gently.
"Come sit, Lin Yue."
Lin Yue sat beside Li Wei Chen at the table.
Dinner soon began.
For a while everyone ate quietly.
Then Li Xiao Ran leaned closer to Lin Yue with curiosity.
"So how did you and my brother meet?"
Lin Yue almost choked on her drink.
That was a good question.
She glanced at Li Wei Chen.
He answered smoothly.
"We met through work."
Li Xiao Ran looked suspicious.
"That sounds boring."
Lin Yue forced a small smile.
"It wasn't exactly romantic."
Li Xiao Ran laughed.
"I can imagine."
Meanwhile Madam Li continued watching them carefully.
Finally she spoke again.
"Lin Yue."
Lin Yue looked up.
"Yes?"
"Marriage into this family is not simple."
Her tone was calm but serious.
"You represent the Li family now."
Lin Yue nodded slightly.
"I understand."
Madam Li studied her face for a moment.
Then she said something unexpected.
"Good."
Lin Yue blinked.
Good?
The old woman turned back to her food.
Li Xiao Ran whispered quietly to Lin Yue.
"That means grandmother approves of you."
Lin Yue stared in surprise.
"That was approval?"
"From her… yes."
Lin Yue slowly exhaled.
This night had gone better than she expected.
But across the table, Li Hao Chen watched the two of them silently.
His expression was far from friendly.
And Lin Yue had a feeling this fake marriage was about to become much more complicated.