In November, Beijing was already steeped in a biting chill. The autumn wind swept the fallen leaves along the streets, and at 8 a.m., the city was caught in the chaos of rush hour, with traffic backed up in every direction.

Separated by a glass wall, the bridal boutique felt spacious and tranquil. The warmth from the heating system created a light layer of perspiration on her palms.

Yu Xi rubbed her hands together and glanced at her reflection in the dressing mirror.

The person in the mirror gazed back at her.

She had willow-shaped eyebrows, an oval face, almond-shaped eyes, and her neatly combed hair was pulled back to reveal a smooth forehead and jade-like ears.

Her face was naturally soft and gentle, with a balanced bone structure that conveyed docility. Even when she wasn’t in a good mood, there wasn’t a hint of gloom or sharpness in her expression. She seemed equally suited to happiness or coyness, perfectly embodying the ideal of a harmonious and family-oriented woman.

It was precisely this face that caught the eye of the Shen family patriarch. He didn’t even mind that she couldn’t speak, claiming that a girl like her would bring prosperity to the family. The Shen family quickly decided on her and rejected Yu Qing.

That night, an enraged Yu Qing kicked open her door and slapped her, creating such a commotion that it even alarmed Yu Chen and Shen Huajuan in the main house.

The outcome? Yu Qing ended up receiving two slaps from Yu Chen herself.

Of course, this didn’t mean that Yu Chen was siding with her. Yu Xi understood very well that Yu Chen was merely protecting the alliance between the Yu and Shen families.

The Yu and Shen families were both prominent aristocratic clans in the capital, and their longstanding friendship had led to a marriage agreement generations ago. The groom-to-be was Shen Huaishan’s second son, Shen Shu—the legendary figure who, despite just crossing his thirties, had made waves in the financial world and commanded respect in the business realm.

For Yu Chen, who had three daughters, the choice was clear. The eldest, Yu Yue, was already a thirty-six-year-old powerhouse in the business world, married with children. That left only the third daughter, Yu Qing, and the youngest daughter, Yu Xi, as potential candidates.

No one believed this marriage would be a good match.

When her mother, Yang Jilan, learned about it, she didn’t show even a trace of joy. Her face darkened, and after a long silence, she finally muttered, “It’s a mismatch of status.”

Ever since Yu Xi graduated, her mother had been pressuring her to go on blind dates.

In her mother Yang Jilan’s eyes, Yu Xi was a soft and obedient daughter, but she couldn’t speak. Yang Jilan believed that her daughter’s future would be challenging, even when it came to basic necessities like eating. Her greatest hope was for Yu Xi to find a kind and dependable husband. Until her daughter was married and had someone to rely on, Yang Jilan’s heart would always be on edge. That was why she tirelessly arranged one blind date after another.

Yu Xi could somewhat understand her mother’s concern.

Although she wanted to tell her mother that she was fully capable of taking care of herself, she knew deep down that her mother wouldn’t believe her. Even if she did, it wouldn’t ease her worries.

“Madam Shen, your styling is complete. Please follow me to select a suitable necklace,” Manager Liang said as she approached with two assistants. She placed her hands by her sides and bowed respectfully.

Her attitude was humble and polite, without a hint of negligence.

Yu Xi nodded slightly, stood up, and followed her to the jewelry room.

The corridor was silent. Today, Yu Xi wore 12-centimeter stiletto heels. With each step, the pressure on her feet made her arch ache with a dull pain.

She walked slowly, her face revealing her discomfort.

Manager Liang noticed and lifted the hem of Yu Xi’s gown to inspect her feet. Her expression shifted slightly as she scolded one of the assistants, “Where are the spare shoes? How could you be so careless?”

The assistants, faces flushed with embarrassment, quickly went to fetch the shoes.

Manager Liang bowed and apologized again, but Yu Xi shook her head to stop her. Her heart felt heavy.

Manager Liang’s deference wasn’t directed at her personally but at her well-known husband and the prominent Shen family.

Yu Xi was an ordinary person. She had grown up living with her mother Yang Jilan and stepfather Zhou Hai. In her 22 years of life, her days were filled with studying and working. Her routine was no different from the countless people who worked tirelessly each day.

She had visited high-end stores and luxury venues before, but she was usually on the receiving end of condescension.

Even though her current status had shifted, she couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of unease. Her face burned with embarrassment.

The jewelry room was spacious, with dazzling displays on the shelves and velvet cases showcasing treasures. Many of the pieces were exclusive imports from overseas.

Yu Xi didn’t understand jewelry, but it was clear that each piece was extraordinarily valuable.

She couldn’t decide which one to choose.

Manager Liang, mistaking her hesitation for dissatisfaction, broke into a nervous sweat. “There’s a rare piece that just arrived from Christie’s auction house yesterday. It was flown in this morning. Please wait a moment while I retrieve it.”

Before Yu Xi could stop her, Manager Liang had already left.

While waiting, Yu Xi wanted to use the restroom, but her intricate wedding dress made movement difficult. She looked helplessly at the female assistant nearby.

Understanding her silent plea, the assistant asked, “Do you need help with something?”

Blushing, Yu Xi pulled out her phone and typed: I need to use the restroom.

The assistant quickly drew the curtain and helped her remove the wedding dress.

The dress required two people to take off. The laces at the back were inexplicably tangled, and the assistant struggled, her face turning red from the effort. Yu Xi also felt discomfort from the tugging.

Biting her lip, she debated whether to stop the assistant altogether.

“I’ll do it,” a deep and pleasant voice suddenly sounded from behind her.

Before Yu Xi could react, a pair of hands gently steadied her waist. The touch was firm yet considerate, urging her to stand upright.

The wedding dress had a backless design, with only a thin layer of lace separating her skin from the outside world. The warmth of the man’s fingertips grazed her back, sending a ripple of goosebumps across her skin.

Thankfully, his touch was brief. With a quick motion, he untangled the laces and released her from the dress.

Yu Xi turned around, her cheeks flushed, one hand clutching her chest. She found herself face-to-face with Shen Shu’s smiling expression.

The man before her was tall and composed. Without a jacket, he wore a simple white shirt under a fitted vest, paired with impeccably tailored trousers. He exuded an air of elegance.

Though his demeanor was gentle, his sharp, almond-shaped eyes gave off an imposing presence. Especially when he wasn’t smiling, his striking features carried a reserved intensity, almost bordering on coldness.

However, when he did smile, those same eyes radiated a charm that was hard to ignore.

Yet, Yu Xi couldn’t help but feel intimidated by him.

She sensed a similarity between Shen Shu and her father Yu Chen. Although Shen Shu didn’t carry the same stern demeanor, his natural aura of confidence and authority was overwhelming. Simply standing near him made it hard for her to breathe.

Shen Shu’s gaze swept over her from head to toe, seemingly evaluating the fit of her wedding dress.

Yu Xi felt uneasy under his scrutiny.

Fortunately, his gaze quickly shifted away. He didn’t linger on her for long.

When Manager Liang returned with the necklace, Shen Shu personally picked it up from the box and put it on her. His voice was calm as he said, “Let’s go.”

His large, slender hand gently touched her back.

Although the touch was restrained, Yu Xi’s back tensed up immediately.

She had never been in such close proximity to a man, let alone someone so mature, exuding an air of dominance and pressure.

After all, they had only met three times.

As she thought about their plan to register their marriage that afternoon, her heart swelled with confusion and unease.

As they passed the display room, Yu Xi overheard two young women chatting. Their voices were unusually clear in the quiet corridor.

“Madam Shen is so beautiful, but she doesn’t seem very talkative. She ignored everything I said earlier. How arrogant,” one of them remarked.

The other replied mockingly, “Arrogant? Do you know why she doesn’t talk? She’s mute.”

A strange silence followed.

The first voice returned, incredulous. “Really?”

“Why would I lie? She’s from the Yu family, and they say she’s an illegitimate daughter…”

Yu Xi’s face turned pale. Her fingers instinctively curled.

However, Manager Liang’s face was even paler. She quickly wiped the sweat from her forehead and stammered, “Mr. Shen, I… I’ll handle this immediately…”

Shen Shu raised a hand to stop her. “I don’t want to see these two individuals in any Zhongheng Jewelry stores again.”

“Yes, of course, I understand!”

With just a few words, he effortlessly decided the fate of others’ careers.

Yu Xi’s face turned pale as she quietly left with her head lowered, saying nothing.

Shen Shu seemed to notice her discomfort and offered a rare explanation, “Gossiping about clients behind their backs is strictly forbidden. Even if it wasn’t you today, those two employees couldn’t stay. This decision is for the sake of the brand’s reputation.”

Yu Xi nodded to show her understanding.

It was for better management, and she understood that. However, it was difficult for her to adapt to the stark reality of how a single word from someone in power could determine the fate of others so ruthlessly.

She understood the methods people like him used to handle matters, but it was hard for her to fully agree with them. After all, who in this world doesn’t make mistakes?

At one in the afternoon, Yu Xi and Shen Shu collected their marriage certificate at the civil affairs bureau.

The process was straightforward—routine questioning, taking a photo, signing the documents, and receiving a red booklet each.

On the way back, Yu Xi curled up in the back seat of the car.

The short days of winter meant it was already dark by five in the evening. The sky was overcast, heavy clouds hung low, and it seemed like rain might fall again soon.

She lowered her head, quietly huddled in a corner. Occasionally, the roar of a passing vehicle startled her, prompting her to glance curiously out the window.

She remained so quiet that she seemed almost invisible.

The car, a long-wheelbase Maybach, had an expansive backseat. The two of them sat in opposite corners, keeping their distance.

From the corner of her eye, Yu Xi could see Shen Shu sitting in a relaxed posture against the seatback. His eyes were half-closed, and his long legs were casually crossed. His trousers were sharply creased, their lines almost aggressive in their precision.

Shen Shu was strikingly handsome, but his looks carried a sharp, intimidating edge. When the calm veneer was stripped away, his commanding demeanor was enough to make people feel apprehensive.

She had come to understand that a man could be both dashing and beautiful, with a restrained yet undeniable aura that made his presence impossible to ignore.

Yu Xi knew all too well that he wasn’t as gentle as he appeared.

She had seen him in company meetings, where he coldly mocked and scolded others, his sharp words laced with sarcasm, often delivered in a slow, deliberate Beijing accent. Each remark hit its mark, leaving no dignity intact.

The high-ranking executives, who usually carried themselves with arrogance, turned meek in front of him, barely daring to breathe.

Anyone who had witnessed his reprimands wouldn’t harbor any romantic illusions about him.

The next time she saw him was much later, at Yu Chen’s place.

That day, Yu Chen had arranged a blind date for her with a young master from the Xiao family. The man, however, was two hours late and still didn’t show up.

The reception room was deathly quiet. The two cups of tea on the table had long since gone cold, their fragrance faded.

Yu Chen stood by the window, smoking with a grim expression.

Yu Shijing, standing nearby, hesitated before carefully suggesting, “Maybe he was delayed. Should I call and check—”

“Check what? Tell Xiao Zhen that my daughter is not desperate to get married! This is over. I’ll find someone else for her!”

Yu Shijing awkwardly pocketed his phone.

Yu Xi, on the other hand, silently let out a sigh of relief, thanking her lucky stars.

She had no interest in the Xiao family’s pampered playboy, notorious for his scandals and shallow lifestyle.

Just then, someone knocked on the door and entered. When she looked up, it was Shen Shu.

The moment he stepped in, his gaze quickly took in the room’s situation before he called out respectfully, “Uncle Yu.”

Yu Chen’s expression eased upon seeing him, and he gestured for him to sit at the table.

The table wasn’t very large, and Shen Shu’s tall, broad-shouldered frame made the space feel cramped as he sat down.

Yu Xi subtly scooted away, careful not to let her hand brush against his. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed his hands resting on the table—large palms with long, slender fingers, slightly curled into a natural fist. His posture was impeccable, the sleeves of his suit without a single crease, and a crisp white shirt peeked out from beneath his bent arm.

Though seated properly, his demeanor was relaxed. He lacked the stiffness young men usually displayed around Yu Chen, carrying himself with an ease and confidence that felt effortless.

This man must come from an extraordinary background. Otherwise, he wouldn’t possess such composure.

As she listened absentmindedly to their conversation, Yu Xi rubbed her hands together, feeling a little parched.

Her eyes drifted to the teapot sitting about a meter away. If she wanted tea, she’d have to stand up and get it—something she found too embarrassing to do.

But she was so thirsty…

An internal struggle played out in her mind as though two little figures were fighting.

Before she could decide, Shen Shu rose from his seat, walked over to the teapot, and poured tea for both Yu Chen and her.

Startled, Yu Xi looked up to meet his deep, captivating phoenix eyes, which reflected her flustered expression.

He chuckled softly and returned to his seat.

Lost in thought, Yu Xi was jolted by a sudden swerve as a large truck appeared from the side. The driver sharply turned the wheel, causing her to lurch sideways.

Shen Shu reacted quickly, steadying her with his hand.

Instinctively, she grabbed his arm.

Though Shen Shu appeared lean, his forearm was firm and muscular.

Even through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could feel the defined muscles, radiating heat into her palm.

Yu Xi quickly pulled her hand back as if burned, her face flushing bright red.

The atmosphere turned awkward.

After a brief silence, Shen Shu cleared his throat and broke the tension with a smile. “You have too many things. You probably won’t be able to move them all tonight. I’ll hire a moving company for you. Can we move them tomorrow?”

Yu Xi was more than happy to have someone help her arrange such trivial matters, and his arrangement was quite reasonable, so she nodded.

“Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something first? The restaurant is still a while away.” he asked.

Yu Xi nodded again, then worried she seemed impolite and glanced up at him hesitantly.

Her misty, almond-shaped eyes carried a fragile, endearing quality.

Shen Shu smiled, his thoughts drifting to the first time he saw her at a courtyard house near Shichahai.

That evening, Yu Chen had called him to discuss a potential marriage alliance between their families, leaving the decision to him.

The weather was gloomy, with a fine drizzle that felt like silk threads weaving through the chilly evening air.

The courtyard was said to be a siheyuan, but its design was more reminiscent of the classical gardens found in Suzhou. The rear yard featured elegant pavilions, winding corridors, and tranquil water pavilions, exuding a serene and graceful charm.

A long stone bridge stretched across a clear pond, connecting the two shores. At the center of the lake stood a four-cornered pavilion with flying eaves.

Inside the pavilion, a quiet and graceful figure sat with her side facing him—it was Yu Xi.

The sound of rain mingled with the murmur of water circulating in the artificial lake. Amid this noisy yet soothing backdrop, she seemed unaffected, sitting quietly in the pavilion and reading a book.

She appeared delicate, with a slender neck and smooth black hair cascading over her slim shoulders. Her face was pale and translucent, faintly showing the bluish veins beneath her skin. Her features were refined and fragile, exuding a sense of elegance.

Yet her jet-black, glossy hair and vivid red lips created a striking contrast, giving her a lively and indescribable allure.

Her eyes were as gentle as rippling water, and her brows resembled soft brushstrokes of distant mountains.

She was like a daffodil standing gracefully in the misty rain or a serene painting mirrored on the calm surface of a lake.

Shen Shu was strangely aware of a rising heat in his body. Arching an eyebrow in curiosity, he suddenly understood why Yu Chen had kept this daughter so well hidden.

The public safety in Beijing was adequate but not perfect.

It was a pity she couldn’t speak.

Otherwise, one could imagine how many young men in the capital would bend over backward to win her favor.

Sensing a strong gaze on her, Yu Xi appeared slightly uneasy and turned to look in his direction.

By then, Shen Shu had already averted his eyes, his expression returning to its usual indifference.

“My dear ancestor, why are you out in the rain?” Qiu Zhiyun called out from the other end of the bridge, rushing over with an umbrella.

“Uncle Qiu, don’t be so dramatic. I’m not some frail young girl who’ll fall ill from a bit of rain,” Shen Shu replied with a laugh. His steps were quick and steady, splashing raindrops beneath his feet.

He still had plans later that evening.

Qiu Zhiyun followed closely behind, nagging, “Your grandfather asked me to keep an eye on you. Young people shouldn’t take their health lightly.”

That fleeting moment slipped his mind amidst his busy schedule, preoccupied with work and errands. Yet, when the night turned quiet, the scene resurfaced vividly in his thoughts, like the lingering effect of alcohol, growing clearer bit by bit.