“Step over it, spring isn’t far off. I never want to lose the feeling of budding.”

It had just rained, and the scent of roses mingled with the crisp post-rain wind. Wu Chunhe closed his book and looked towards the courtyard, where movers were carrying furniture out of the villa.

His family’s fortunes had declined, and the home he’d lived in for eighteen years was about to become an empty house.

He was about to be married off to save the Wu family.

Wu Chunhe lowered his gaze to the swaying roses in the courtyard, silent for a long time.

The butler, having finished packing, saw this scene.

The young man sat in a chair in front of the house, holding a book but gazing into the courtyard.

He wore only a thin shirt, making him appear even more slender and frail. His long, black hair was stirred by the breeze, revealing a delicate and beautiful, yet melancholically pale, Eastern face. Only his light blue eyes hinted at the foreign noble blood in his veins.

The butler frowned, quickly grabbing a shawl and hurrying over to drape it around him. “Young Master, why are you sitting here? Be careful, you’ll catch a cold. Come back inside.”

Feeling the weight on his shoulders, Wu Chunhe came to his senses. He looked at the butler, whose temples were flecked with gray, his face etched with age. Seeing the butler’s worried expression, the young man forced a pale smile. “Wang Shu, I just wanted to look at these flowers one last time. After all, I’ve taken care of them for so long.”

The butler turned to look at the flowerbeds in the courtyard. The flowers, watered by the rain, were lush and vibrant, well-cared for.

The courtyard was filled with various flowers and plants, which Wu Chunhe loved, so the courtyard was planted full of them. The style of the courtyard and villa had been redesigned to Wu Chunhe’s liking; his parents had indulged and spoiled him greatly. But now, they were moving, and the young man was about to marry a man ten years his senior. The world was unpredictable.

The butler sighed inwardly. He had practically watched the young man grow up, and his heart ached. “Young Master, I’ll go make you a bowl of ginger soup.”

“But… the people from the Lu family will be here soon to pick you up.” The butler’s sadness was evident. He looked at the young man’s loose hair. “Young Master, let me tie your hair up.”

Wu Chunhe gathered the shawl around him, offering no opinion. His light blue eyes curved into a reassuring smile. “Alright, thank you for your trouble, Wang Shu.”

But after the butler finished tying his hair and left, Wu Chunhe’s eyes gradually lost focus. He had never imagined he would be arranged into a marriage.

But the world was unpredictable. With the family’s misfortune, when a branch of the family suggested a marriage to save them, Wu Chunhe didn’t hide behind his parents any longer. He supported the proposal. Having enjoyed his parents’ love and affection for all these years, it was time he did something for them.

The Wu family’s situation had been poor since the times changed. Their business couldn’t keep up with modern development, their financial situation worsening. A marriage was a good option, but few families were willing to help a declining family like theirs, except for the Lu Group, a rapidly rising company that had caught the wave of the times.

The Wu Group was in decline, but the legacy and reputation of the Wu family, a hundred-year-old lineage, remained. This reputation, these empty titles, had become the last lifeline for the Wu family.

A wry smile touched Wu Chunhe’s pale face.

A gust of wind blew, and Wu Chunhe coughed lightly. Just then, the butler came with the ginger soup.

He quickly urged the young man to return to his room. Wu Chunhe’s throat was itchy; he knew how fragile his body was. Without a word, the young man obediently followed the butler back inside.

The warm room eased Wu Chunhe’s chilled body, but even a short time at the doorway made him feel unwell, reminding him once again of his frailty.

“Young Master, drink the ginger soup to warm yourself up. Don’t get sick again,” the butler offered a steaming bowl.

Wu Chunhe’s pale hands held the bowl, sipping spoonful by spoonful. His body finally felt more comfortable.

Seeing that the young man’s cheeks remained pale even after finishing the soup, the butler’s worry was uncontainable. He’d heard that the marriage partner was from a humble background and was self-willed. The butler had met many tycoons and “nouveau riche,” all crude and incapable of caring for others. With the young master’s delicate health, wouldn’t he suffer greatly in this marriage?

The butler’s worry was too obvious. Seeing this, Wu Chunhe lowered his eyes, his long lashes casting a shadow.

He knew, of course, that his parents and the butler disapproved of this marriage—the family background and age difference were unsuitable. They worried about him, but the Wu family wasn’t what it used to be. His parents were still struggling to save the family, and the Wu family had no choice. He didn’t want to watch his family fall into ruin.

Besides, weren’t all business marriages like this?

Wu Chunhe tried to console himself.

The young man put down the bowl. As he did, a car horn sounded outside the villa.

The Lu family had arrived.

…

A Bentley stopped outside the mansion, and a young man stood at the gate.

When Wu Chunhe emerged, Xu Zilin was stunned. The young man had a graceful posture and refined bearing, his hair tied in a simple low ponytail. His light blue eyes, tinged with melancholy, met Xu Zilin’s gaze. Walking from the elegant and refined mansion, he looked like a prince from a medieval fairytale, noble and elegant.

“Master Wu.” Xu Zilin quickly recovered from his surprise, stepping forward to greet him and taking the luggage from the butler.

“I’m Xu Zilin, Mr. Lu’s assistant. I’m here to take you.”

Xu Zilin wore glasses and had a gentle smile and demeanor. Wu Chunhe, who had been somewhat nervous, felt slightly relieved. After exchanging greetings, Xu Zilin put the luggage in the trunk, and Wu Chunhe turned to the butler.

Unshed sadness filled the butler’s eyes, but in front of the assistant, he only gave the young man some standard advice. “Young Master, you’re not in good health. The early spring weather is changeable, so pay attention to the temperature. If you feel the slightest discomfort, take precautions.”

Wu Chunhe could only nod repeatedly.

After saying goodbye, Wu Chunhe sat in the car, watching the receding scenery. He realized this was the first time he had truly left home; he hadn’t even seen his new home yet.

Xu Zilin answered a phone call. After hanging up, he glanced at the young man through the rearview mirror and apologized. “Master Wu, our boss is returning from a business trip, but his flight is delayed. When you arrive, you’ll have to wait a little… We need to discuss some matters regarding cohabitation.”

“It’s fine,” Wu Chunhe replied instinctively, then realized the implication. The marriage, besides the exchange of interests, meant something else. It meant he was going to a completely unfamiliar environment, to live with a stranger he had never met.

The newly adult Wu Chunhe felt a tingling sensation in his hands and feet, his ears burning.

Sunlight streamed in through the car window, making the young man’s light blue eyes even clearer in the golden light. The anxiety in his eyes was unmistakable.

A business marriage… it shouldn’t involve… those things…

Wu Chunhe’s eyelashes trembled as he thought uncertainly.

The Lu Group was a relatively young company, but it had grown rapidly, riding the wave of the times. The car drove up to the hilltop villa area in City A, a haven for the wealthy.