Chapter 08

Under Lin Jinshen’s pressing gaze, Lu Yi maintained a timely silence.

The interior of the Bentley was undoubtedly top-tier—straight-grain walnut wood gleamed with polish, and the two-tone imperial blue and linen-white leather upholstery was flawless in both design and texture.

“…Not really,” Lu Yi finally said.

Her bright almond-shaped eyes, however, seemed to silently ask—So, are you capable?

Lin Jinshen’s expression darkened.

His fingers tapped twice on the steering wheel. His gaze lingered on Lu Yi’s innocent and frank face for too long before he looked away. Staring at the road ahead, the sharp line of his brow furrowed deeply.

His voice, low and taut, broke the silence: “I have no intention of entering into a sham marriage with you.”

“Oh.”

The response sounded unconvincing.

Lin Jinshen’s jaw tightened further. “I can assure you,” he said, his voice dropping a notch, “there’s nothing wrong with me physically or emotionally.”

The last part was muttered so low that he didn’t know how else to explain further.

Lu Yi, half-doubting, replied, “I believe you.”

“…”

Lin Jinshen held back a retort as the car in front began moving. A 500-meter stretch of road had been jammed for fifteen minutes, but after passing through, the rest of the route cleared up, allowing them to arrive in time for dinner.

Lu Yi suddenly remembered the gift she had left in her car. “I forgot to bring the gift—it’s still in my car.”

“It’s in the trunk. I prepared it for you,” Lin Jinshen replied, his expression softening slightly.

Lu Yi let out a breath of relief. “That’s a big help, thank you.”

“No trouble. My assistant prepared it,” he clarified.

As the navigation system prompted a left turn at the next green light, Lin Jinshen smoothly steered into another main road.

Lu Yi had almost forgotten—someone like him naturally wouldn’t handle such matters personally.

“Still, thank you,” she said politely. “Should I calculate the cost and transfer it to you?” The price wasn’t something she couldn’t manage.

Through the rearview mirror, Lin Jinshen glanced at her earnest expression. “There’s no need to be so precise between us.”

“After all, it’s all yours in the end.”

He said it without any particular emotion, as if stating a simple fact rather than trying to please her with sweet talk.

Lu Yi didn’t press the matter. She leaned back in her seat and gazed out the window.

Beijing was known for its “rich in the east, noble in the west” layout. The Lin family resided in the western second ring district. The closer they got, the quieter and more private the surroundings became. The unique architectural style of the community they entered was understated compared to its exorbitant price.

Before getting out of the car, Lu Yi smoothed her skirt, mentally preparing herself along the way.

“Nervous?” Lin Jinshen asked, catching a glimpse of her through his peripheral vision.

Lu Yi bit her lip, letting out a quiet “Mhm.”

Meeting his family—it was hard not to be nervous.

Walking alongside her, Lin Jinshen lowered his head slightly and said, “There’s no need to be nervous.”

After a moment, he added, “My mother likes you. You’ll have things to talk about.”

“Let’s hope so.”

To Lu Yi’s surprise, the meeting went smoothly. She greeted his parents with a poised and natural demeanor, exceeding her own expectations. Before arriving, she had worried that his entire family might share Lin Jinshen’s stoic personality. But in reality, Lin Zheng and Qin Ruyun were warm and personable, chatting with her kindly without any airs.

Qin Ruyun, who had only seen photos of Lu Yi before, couldn’t stop praising her after meeting her in person, calling her beautiful and elegant—far beyond what their family deserved.

“I also have a younger daughter studying in the UK who hasn’t returned yet. She specifically called and mentioned wanting to greet you. If I’m not mistaken, didn’t you also study in the UK before, Lu Yi?”

Lu Yi nodded politely. “Yes, Auntie. Which university is she attending?”

“…”

The more Qin Ruyun chatted, the more she liked her. After dinner, she asked, “When are you two planning to get married?”

Lu Yi didn’t know how to answer and turned to Lin Jinshen.

Meeting her gaze, Lin Jinshen replied calmly, “It hasn’t been decided yet.”

“…No rush,” Lu Yi added quickly.

“There’s definitely a rush. How can there not be?” Qin Ruyun countered. She turned to Lin Zheng and told him to arrange a meeting with Lu Yi’s father soon, to finalize everything without delay—just to avoid any unexpected changes.

Lu Yi felt overwhelmed by the Lin family’s enthusiasm and grew even more restrained.

Noticing her discomfort, Qin Ruyun softened her approach, smiling as she said, “Lu Yi, Jinshen’s personality can be a bit dull. He tends to keep a straight face and doesn’t talk much. You may need to be patient with him. If you ever encounter any issues, feel free to communicate with us. Uncle and Auntie will always stand by your side.”

“No worries, Auntie,” Lu Yi said. Meeting Lin Jinshen’s deep, emotionless gaze, she mustered the courage to add, “A steady man has his charm.”

“…”

Lin Jinshen’s dark eyes seemed to say that such flattery was unnecessary.

Lu Yi forced a polite smile but inwardly felt like collapsing.

Small talk was easy, but delivering it in front of the person in question—especially someone as unapproachable as Lin Jinshen—was excruciating. He seemed immune to such remarks and even observed her with a detached superiority, as if watching her perform.

“Thank you, Auntie and Uncle,” Lu Yi said.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Lin Jinshen sitting upright and expressionless, resembling a knight in armor standing guard in an ancient castle.

The comparison, strangely enough, felt apt.

Lu Yi glanced down and chuckled softly.

Noticing this, Lin Jinshen turned his head slightly. “What’s funny?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she replied, pressing her lips together to suppress a smile.

After dinner and some light conversation, Lu Yi declined Qin Ruyun’s invitation to stay the night. Her car was still parked at her office. Lin Jinshen took his keys and drove her to retrieve it.

As they got back in the car, she buckled her seatbelt and remarked, “Auntie seems a bit eager.”

“Mm.”

Lin Jinshen replied, “Maybe she’s worried.”

“Worried about what?”

“That you’ll run away.”

“…”

Lu Yi’s feelings were complicated. If not for the fact that Lin Jinshen was sitting intact beside her, she would have started wondering if he had some hidden defect and was desperate to lock someone down.

Well, maybe he did have a defect.

A lack of interest in women…

After mulling over it, Lu Yi couldn’t help but ask, “Has anyone run away before?”

From what she had heard, no one had.

“If you run now,” Lin Jinshen said, “you’d be the first.”

“?”

A Lin Jinshen-brand joke?

The temperature in the car seemed to drop ten degrees. Lu Yi adjusted her clothes.

Whatever the case, the evening was finally over.

When they arrived near her office, Lin Jinshen parked the car and got out with her. “It’s late,” he said. “I’ll walk you to the parking lot.”

“No need—it’s just a few minutes away.”

But Lin Jinshen was already walking beside her, his gaze lowered. “In reality, there are far too many cases of women being stalked or harmed while walking alone at night.”

“…”

She hadn’t thought much of it before, but now fear crept in. She said, “Thank you.”

Lin Jinshen’s gaze was complicated as he looked at her. The way she addressed him—it wasn’t something she could change easily in a short time.

When they reached the parking lot and stopped by Lu Yi’s compact Mini, she was about to thank him again when she noticed his faintly furrowed brows as he glanced at her car. It seemed as though he were looking at a toy.

“Should I drive you up?” Lu Yi asked.

“No need.”

Lin Jinshen declined, adhering to his usual old-fashioned stance: “Remember to message me when you’re home safe.”

“…Alright. Goodbye, Mr. Lin.”

“Mm.”

After fastening her seatbelt, Lu Yi glanced up and caught a glimpse of his retreating figure. Judging by the length of those legs, she quickly deduced that the cramped passenger seat of her car would indeed have been less than ideal for him.

—

The meeting between their parents was set for the weekend. Lin Zheng and Lu Kangcheng already knew each other, and the two mothers had met a few times—not exactly close, but familiar enough to avoid awkwardness.

Over a cordial meal, the wedding date was decided.

Although organizing a proper wedding would take time, they couldn’t delay obtaining the marriage certificate. It was decided they would move into a shared residence in the meantime, giving the young couple space to cultivate their relationship.

Meeting the parents, the engagement, and the registration all happened in what felt like fast-forward. Before Lu Yi could even process it all, everything was already set in motion.

The day they registered their marriage was remarkably ordinary. It was a weekday, and both had work commitments. He had a meeting, while she was at an exhibition. Her schedule was more flexible, so they agreed to connect after his obligations were complete.

As Lu Yi was getting ready to leave, wearing a crisp white blouse and jeans—clean and efficient—her colleague Yu Qian joked, “What’s the rush? Off to get married or something?”

Since Lu Yi’s last blind date, marriage had become a recurring punchline among her friends.

Without hiding it, Lu Yi replied while adjusting her makeup in the mirror, “Yes, actually.”

“?”

Yu Qian’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious? Married? To who? That stingy guy from your last blind date?”

Lu Yi merely smiled, waved goodbye, and left.

Yu Qian stood there in shock, unable to fathom why Lu Yi, who had turned down a promising suitor like Li Chengming, would opt for a blind-date match and leap into marriage so quickly.

Lu Yi wasn’t someone who acted impulsively.

Could there be something exceptional about this person?

—

Lu Yi arrived at the civil affairs bureau on time. Walking in alongside Lin Jinshen, they found it relatively quiet in the afternoon, and the process went smoothly.

She signed her name carefully, but an odd feeling lingered. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lin Jinshen signing his name with bold, authoritative strokes.

“That’s it.”

The staff handed them two brand-new red booklets.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

Each took their own copy.

The staff member observed them for a moment and, after offering congratulations, added, “You two look a bit unfamiliar with each other—interesting dynamic.”

In her years working there, she’d never seen a couple so distant while registering their marriage. Not a single touch, and barely any eye contact. They were more polite with each other than the staff themselves.

“…”

Lu Yi froze, unsure how to respond.

Lin Jinshen rose smoothly and said, “We’ll become familiar over time.”

Lu Yi was once again at a loss for words. Avoiding the staff member’s expression, she muttered a quick thank you and hurried out.

Familiar over time?

Lu Yi wasn’t so sure about that.

After leaving the bureau, they went their separate ways—each returning to work as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

As she turned to leave, Lin Jinshen stopped her. “Do you have time tonight?”

Lu Yi hesitated, thinking he might suggest a celebration, though it didn’t seem like his style. “Is there something planned?”

The afternoon light dimmed, casting a soft glow over him. His blazer, removed for the photos, was still draped over his arm. In his crisp white shirt with the top button undone, exposing a sliver of neck, he looked effortlessly striking.

“I’d like us to visit the Chengxi Garden apartment. You haven’t seen it yet. It’d be good for you to familiarize yourself with the place before you move in.”

He had previously sent her details about the property, but at the time, she’d dismissed it, saying there was no rush.

Just a few days ago, after completing some notarization paperwork (without her needing to be present), the apartment had already been transferred to her name.

The freshly-issued red marriage booklet pressed lightly into her palm, its edges firm against her skin.

“Alright,” she agreed.

Chengxi Garden was her choice. Located in the eastern district, it wasn’t a standalone villa but a spacious duplex apartment. Its floor-to-ceiling windows offered panoramic city views, with bustling nightlife right at its doorstep—a convenient distance from her workplace.

They met downstairs and rode the elevator up together.

The apartment had originally been designed for Lin Jinshen himself, but after its completion, he never moved in, preferring the familiarity of the family estate. If not for the marriage, the place might have remained vacant indefinitely.

Before entering, he registered her fingerprints.

Lin Jinshen turned on the lights, revealing the full layout of the apartment.

The first impression was openness—a seamless, expansive design.

With over 500 square meters split across two levels, the design sacrificed practicality for grandeur, as per Lin Jinshen’s request. Non-load-bearing walls had been removed entirely. The kitchen was open-concept, and the wall near the staircase was a built-in bookshelf filled to capacity.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offered an unbroken 360-degree view.

At sunset, the scene would likely be breathtaking.

The apartment was spotless, like a showroom rather than a home.

“The bedroom is upstairs,” Lin Jinshen reminded her.

Lu Yi climbed the stairs, noting the upper level’s layout. It was entirely open, save for two rooms—a massive master bedroom and a study, with no guest bedrooms.

The master bedroom matched her tastes: minimalist, yet thoughtfully detailed. It also featured an impressively spacious walk-in closet. The bathroom was adorned with a gold-accented tub—large enough to comfortably accommodate two people.

In truth, she couldn’t find anything to complain about.

Leaving the study, she nearly bumped into Lin Jinshen, who leaned casually against the banister. His tall figure seemed to fill the once-roomy space.

Standing straight, he towered over her, his gaze carrying a faint air of authority as he looked down.

“Only one bedroom?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“I thought you wouldn’t mind sharing a room or a bed in the future,” he replied.

Before she could recover from her shock, he added, almost indifferently, “After all, I’m incapable.”

“…”

Lu Yi was speechless, feeling the sting of her earlier remarks boomerang back at her.

Lin Jinshen then asked calmly, “So, when do you plan to move in?”