Chapter 15

Three simple sentences, each logically sound, delivered like a precision strike.

Lu Yi wanted to argue back against the last one. Did she not put in any effort? Her raspy, sore throat wasn’t proof enough? Just because she was lying down, did her contributions deserve to be ignored?

She refrained from responding with that. If she delved further into this debate, their chat log would end up with an eighty percent explicit content rating.

In the end, she settled on a simple thank you, expressing gratitude for his help with the exhibition pieces.

Pioneer: “You’re welcome.”

Placing her phone screen down at the corner of her desk, Lu Yi returned her gaze to the computer screen and continued her work.

“Mr. Lin.”

The assistant knocked on the office door. Lin Jinshen looked up, set his phone aside, and stood. “All set?”

“Yes, sir.”

The acquisition of KS was nearly complete. All the paperwork had been approved. A project that the entire group had deemed unpromising had been pushed through by Lin Jinshen against opposition. He overhauled the internal operations decisively. Within the company, opinions remained divided—some optimistic, some doubtful. After all, KS’s market position differed greatly from their traditional niche. Venturing into lower-tier markets could potentially dilute their brand image.

Work would only increase moving forward.

Lin Jinshen wasn’t sure how many days he’d be able to spend at home in the future.

But they’d clarified everything upfront. Lu Yi should understand.

This was one of the reasons he was content with their marriage. It met his expectations—maybe there were a few surprises, but nothing significant enough to matter.

Lin Jinshen’s business trip was relayed to Lu Yi through his assistant, Jiang Xun.

Because of the urgency, Jiang Xun asked her to pack a few sets of clothes for him. He would pick them up at Chengxi Garden before rushing to the airport to meet Lin Jinshen for an afternoon flight to Shenzhen.

Lu Yi went to the walk-in closet to grab his clothes. Almost all of Lin Jinshen’s attire was similar in style. She only selected ties to match the dark suits according to her aesthetic preferences.

“Sorry to trouble you, ma’am.”

Jiang Xun waited in the living room and took the bag of clothes from her hands.

“It’s no trouble.”

“How long will the trip last?” she asked.

“Not too long—probably two or three days before Mr. Lin returns.”

“Oh.” Lu Yi sounded disappointed. But when Jiang Xun’s clear and earnest gaze fell on her, she quickly adjusted her tone: “That’s great.”

“Yes, it is! Well, I’ll take my leave now, ma’am.”

“Goodbye.”

After seeing Jiang Xun out, Lu Yi turned her attention to Puff, the cat. Crouching down, she rubbed its soft belly with both hands. “Someone’s away, and you couldn’t be happier, could you?”

Puff meowed, oblivious to her words but cooperative nonetheless.

“It’s just the two of us in this house now. You can jump around all you like; no one’s here to stop you!”

The more she thought about it, the happier she felt. Why couldn’t Lin Jinshen take an extended business trip? Something like six months to a year. She’d still glance at his photos occasionally, as a professional courtesy, to remind herself she still had a husband.

Lu Yi didn’t have much free time in the coming days either. The two moms sent her a shortlist of wedding themes to pick from: romantic French island, dreamy fairytale castle… every style imaginable.

She chose the simplest French theme.

Neither mom objected and finalized the choice. Up next was the wedding dress fitting, for which she was asked to clear her schedule.

When the topic came up, Mrs. Qin felt the need to voice her complaints. Lin Jinshen had been so busy lately that he didn’t have time to try on his suit. He told them to choose one for him instead.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. How can he be so casual about it?” Mrs. Qin saw this as an attitude problem.

Mrs. Xu intervened to smooth things over. “The child’s busy; let him focus on work for now. The suit can be tried on later.”

Taking a lesson from Lin Jinshen’s example, Lu Yi displayed full cooperation. She assured them that she’d head over right after work.

Both moms were present at the bridal boutique.

The custom-made dresses were too late to order, but several designer pieces had already been selected and shipped from overseas. Once she tried them on, they’d be tailored to fit.

“Mom.”

Lu Yi greeted both moms as she walked in.

Mrs. Qin handed her a glass of water. “You look radiant lately, Lu Yi. How are things at home? Are you getting along well with each other?”

“Yes, we are.”

Her radiant complexion these days was due to Lin Jinshen’s frequent absences. Even when he was back, he was often out early and home late. Their limited waking hours together were mostly spent in bed. Physically, they were becoming increasingly compatible. Afterward, she’d collapse into a deep sleep, utterly spent.

No insomnia. A smooth work life. A wealthy, busy husband who wasn’t home much.

It was everything she’d hoped for in married life.

Mrs. Xu adjusted her daughter’s hair. Having not seen Lu Yi for several days since she moved into Chengxi Garden, she had been worried. Now, she felt relieved.

Her daughter seemed to be doing just fine.

The staff approached, announcing that the dresses were ready.

Lu Yi set down her bag. “Alright, Moms, I’ll head in now.”

“Go ahead.”

Even someone like Lu Yi, who had no expectations for marriage, couldn’t help but feel her heart soften at the sight of the wedding dresses.

The first was a strapless gown with a voluminous satin skirt, adorned with intricate floral embroidery and lustrous pearls. The second was a lace mermaid gown, cinched at the waist, featuring luxurious, elaborate stitching…

The first gown was a hassle to put on. Her waist was so slender that clips were needed to cinch it. After a quick hair fix, she carefully lifted the hem and stepped out of the fitting room.

Both moms simultaneously covered their mouths.

Mrs. Xu’s eyes reddened as she stared at her daughter. She nodded repeatedly, saying, “It’s truly beautiful.”

Lu Yi laughed. “Beautiful enough to make you cry?”

Mrs. Xu dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a tissue. “Shameless. So vain.”

Mrs. Qin took out her phone, saying she had to take pictures to share in the family group chat. Lu Yi posed stiffly, her face plastered with a businesslike smile.

“It’s stunning. You look absolutely gorgeous,” the moms gushed.

After several more photos, they urged her to try on the next one. Judging by their excitement, Lu Yi felt like an NPC in a dress-up game.

One gown caught her eye. It was a minimalist piece from the British brand Vivienne Westwood, known for its dreamy elegance. The delicate layering of sheer silk created a structured yet flowing silhouette, its folds perfectly balanced.

She managed most of the dressing herself, but halfway through zipping it up, she couldn’t reach the back. Turning slightly, she called for assistance.

A moment later, the fitting room curtain opened.

Assuming it was a staff member, she said, “Could you zip me up? Thanks.”

The zipper didn’t move right away. From her shoulders down to just above her hips, her back was exposed—a swath of creamy white skin, warm to the touch, like polished jade.

The person hesitated before stepping closer. A firm hand settled on her narrow waist, while another grasped the zipper. The fit was snug, requiring careful effort to pull it up.

The sound of the zipper sliding upward filled the small space.

The moment the hand touched her waist, Lu Yi knew something was off. She glanced down.

The hand wasn’t feminine. It was distinctly masculine, with long fingers, prominent knuckles, and faint veins visible beneath the skin. The person wore a wedding ring.

The warmth from his palm seeped into her skin, sending waves of heat throughout her body.

She recognized it immediately.

It was Lin Jinshen’s.

Instinctively, her back and waist tensed. She swallowed hard. Lately, she’d become even more sensitive. Any hint of closeness or suggestive tension brought vivid memories to mind.

The zipper reached the top, snugly enclosing her in the fabric. She could barely breathe.

It had only been a few days since she last saw him, yet she felt an odd sense of unfamiliarity with her husband.

Without turning around, she straightened her posture in the gown and asked, “What are you doing here? Didn’t you say you were too busy to come?”

“Previously, no. I rescheduled some work,” Lin Jinshen replied, his deep voice resonating softly as he withdrew his hand from her waist.

Their voices were low, but in the narrow fitting room, it felt like whispers exchanged intimately.

“…”

One of the reasons Lu Yi had willingly come was because Lin Jinshen wasn’t supposed to be here.

Holding the hem of her dress, she turned slightly to face him. Their proximity was so close that if she tilted her head up just a bit, their lips might touch.

Lin Jinshen’s lips were pressed into a firm line, his expression as stoic and proper as ever, exuding an air of detachment.

Her cheeks were flushed, partly due to the tightness of the dress constricting her breathing. This gown suited her perfectly, accentuating her impeccable waist-to-hip ratio. Simple yet elegant, it showcased her slender neck and delicate collarbones beautifully.

“You look stunning,” he said, voicing his first impression.

“Thank you,” she replied.

“You’re welcome.”

Their brief exchange ended, and Lin Jinshen turned around to draw open the fitting room curtain with a sharp swish, letting in a burst of light.

Lu Yi followed him out. Together, they were a vision of beauty and sophistication, a perfect couple. Their mothers couldn’t hide the delighted smiles on their faces. Qin Zhishi quickly snapped a photo, exchanging a knowing glance with Mrs. Xu.

Lin Jinshen hadn’t been here long when Lu Yi had called for help. Xu Zhishi instinctively moved to assist but was held back by Mrs. Qin, who gestured to the man beside her.

With a husband present, there was no need for them to intervene. It was a deliberate attempt to create opportunities for the couple to bond.

Judging by the results, it seemed to have worked.

Qin Zhishi seized the moment to ask Lin Jinshen, “Jinshen, what do you think of this dress on Lu Yi?”

“It’s beautiful,” he replied, his face still blank, squeezing out the words succinctly.

Qin Zhishi pressed further. “Compared to the other ones in the group chat, which do you think suits her best?”

“They all look good,” Lin Jinshen said without much thought.

To him, the dress was secondary. It was the person that mattered. As long as the person remained the same, what difference did it make which dress she wore?

“But surely, there must be one that stands out,” Qin Zhishi persisted.

“Whatever Lu Yi likes,” he replied, evading a definitive answer.

Xu Zhishi stepped in to mediate. “It’s getting late. Jinshen, why don’t you go try on your suit? Afterward, if there’s time, we can have dinner together.”

“Alright, Mom,” he nodded. As he passed Lu Yi on his way into the fitting room, he added, “If you’re feeling uncomfortable in that dress, don’t push yourself. Change out of it early.”

Just as Lu Yi was about to commend him for his attentiveness, he followed up with, “Don’t faint in it.”

“…”

She was tempted to faint on the spot just to spite him.

After trying on her dresses, Lu Yi discussed the options with her mothers and settled on the first and last ones. The last dress, being more understated, would serve well as a reception outfit.

Midway through the discussion, Mrs. Qin stepped out to take a call, leaving Lu Yi and Xu Zhishi alone in the lounge.

With no one else around, Mrs. Xu’s dissatisfaction with Lin Jinshen became evident. His earlier lackluster attitude had not escaped her notice, and she wasn’t happy about it.

“Be honest with me,” she asked, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her lap. “Are you two struggling to get along?”

Sipping water slowly, Lu Yi shook her head. “Not at all. We get along just fine.”

Mrs. Xu didn’t buy it. “Don’t try to fool me. I can see it. He couldn’t even spare the time to try on his suit properly, and when he does show up, he can’t offer any useful opinions.”

Lu Yi thought for a moment, then decided to speak up for Lin Jinshen. “He really has been busy lately. And as for opinions… Mom, what sort of advice do you think he could give?”

It wasn’t that she looked down on his taste, but the man who avoided decision-making by sticking to the same brand of clothing wasn’t exactly brimming with fashion insight.

“You’re just making excuses for him. I’m saying this because I care about you. Marriage isn’t just for a day—it’s for years, decades, possibly a lifetime,” Mrs. Xu said earnestly.

“I understand, Mom.” Lu Yi reached out to hold her mother’s hand, adding a touch of playfulness to her tone. “But, you know, he recently bought me a painting. It’s from one of my favorite artists and not easy to acquire. He went through a lot of trouble to get it.”

“Really?” Mrs. Xu’s skepticism softened slightly.

Lu Yi raised her hand, her face serious. “I wouldn’t dare lie to you.”

Their conversation was interrupted as Lin Jinshen emerged from the fitting room. He was wearing the same suit he had entered with, explaining curtly, “The size fits. It’ll do.”

Mrs. Xu’s barely eased expression tightened again. Even his suit for the wedding had to be a matter of convenience—how could someone this careless be good to her daughter?

Dinner had been reserved in advance in a private room adorned with traditional Chinese decor, complete with a carved crane screen at the entrance.

The server led the two mothers inside first, while Lu Yi lingered behind, walking next to Lin Jinshen. She tugged lightly at his sleeve, but he didn’t notice until she gave a firmer pull.

He stopped and turned, his deep eyes meeting hers with mild confusion. “What is it?”

“There’s something I need your help with,” she said.

“What kind of help?”

“Just follow my lead,” she whispered, glancing at the others to ensure they couldn’t hear. “Pretend we’ve been getting along really well lately so moms won’t worry.”

Lin Jinshen frowned slightly. “Why pretend?”

Did he think it wasn’t pretending? Had their relationship truly improved to the point where they were now inseparable lovers?

With no time to argue semantics, Lu Yi explained, “I’ll explain later. Just play along for now, alright?”

“Lu Yi, why aren’t you coming in?” Mrs. Xu called out from inside.

“Coming! Just checking with the server about the menu,” Lu Yi replied smoothly. Then, lowering her voice again, she asked, “Can you do it?”

She still had a light grip on his sleeve, her gaze shimmering under the warm light like scattered stars.

Lin Jinshen averted his eyes. “Fine.”

They entered one after the other, sitting next to each other.

As the mothers discussed the menu, Mrs. Xu smiled warmly at them. “Jinshen, how has it been living with Lu Yi? She’s been spoiled since she was little, and she has quite a few bad habits.”

“Not at all. She’s great,” he answered in his usual detached tone.

The response sounded mechanical, and Lu Yi could see the faint downturn of her mother’s lips. To salvage the situation, she leaned closer to him, adopting a warm expression. “Could you pour me some water? I’m really thirsty.”

Then she added, through gritted teeth, “Husband.”

Lin Jinshen turned to her, startled, his eyes betraying a moment of disbelief.

She maintained her serene smile and asked again gently, “Would you mind, husband?”

“…Of course.” His expression remained stiff.

Rejecting the server’s offer to pour the water, he picked up the blue-and-white teapot himself. As he poured the water into her cup, his gaze briefly met hers. The muscles in his jaw tightened, then relaxed, before he finally forced out the words.

“…Wife.”