Chapter 43.1

Lu Yi blinked. The person in the mirror blinked as well. She was digesting the impact of that sentence.

The two stared at each other through the reflection.

For a moment, Lu Yi’s mind went blank.

It was as if a stone had been thrown into a still lake. The once calm surface began to ripple, spreading outward in endless circles that never reached the shore.

And that stone? It was just a few simple words.

“Now, I do.”

“And you know them.”

“……”

Lu Yi turned around, raising her gaze slightly, her emotions barely concealed.

From childhood until now, she’d been confessed to countless times. She’d heard every style imaginable—flamboyant declarations, earnest vows, direct statements. Yet none struck her as powerfully as these few words.

She felt puzzled, uncertain whether Lin Jinshen was capable of such things or entirely inept at them.

Lin Jinshen put down the hairdryer and stood in front of her. His legs brushed against her knees, and as he stepped closer, he leaned in, arms braced on either side of her body, creating a narrow, enclosed space.

“What do you think?” he asked.

Lu Yi looked into his eyes and, pretending to be serious, nodded. “I think you have excellent taste.”

Lin Jinshen chuckled softly as he leaned in to kiss her. The sound was low and joyful, like fireworks igniting right next to her ear. She closed her eyes and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to him without hesitation.

In that moment of abandon, as her back nearly touched the cold surface of the mirror, a hand intervened first, shielding her from the chill. He lifted her slightly, her arms still hooked around his neck, like a small pendant.

In the mirror, their reflections stood out vividly: his tailored black suit pants against her slender, pale legs—a stark and striking contrast.

When the kiss ended, both of them needed a moment to catch their breath.

Her hair, now fully dry thanks to Lin Jinshen’s meticulous attention, cascaded over her shoulders, dark as silk. It framed her small, delicate face, making it appear even more diminutive.

Her lips were a vivid shade of red, glistening with a dewy sheen, like a freshly bloomed flower waiting to be plucked.

Lin Jinshen unplugged the hairdryer and set it down at a safer distance.

That way, it wouldn’t get in the way of any future kisses.

As he bent down again, intending to kiss her once more, the sound of a faint rumble interrupted. It came from her stomach, its source unmistakable in the otherwise quiet room.

Lu Yi closed her eyes, her cheeks flushing crimson as she leaned her forehead against his shoulder in embarrassment.

At that moment, she truly wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole.

Lin Jinshen realized what had happened and chuckled lightly. “Hungry?”

“…Yeah,” she admitted.

Since last night, she had been eating minimally to ensure she looked her best for the wedding. In the morning, she had only half a croissant and a cup of black coffee. The day’s busy schedule had left her no time to notice her hunger, and at the banquet, she’d merely nibbled on a few dishes.

After returning to their room, she had focused on removing her makeup and taking a shower, leaving no time to address her appetite.

“Shall I have something brought to the room?” Lu Yi asked after the awkwardness passed, reaching for the hotel’s internal line.

Lin Jinshen stopped her. “I’ll take you out to eat.”

“No need. What if we run into someone? Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?” she asked hesitantly.

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. I know a place where we won’t be disturbed, and it even has an ocean view.” Lin Jinshen knelt to pick up the slipper she had dropped earlier, gently sliding it onto her foot.

Lu Yi, slightly swayed by the idea, nodded. “Alright. Wait for me to change clothes.”

“Okay.”

She hopped off the vanity table, pulled a white halter-neck dress from the closet, and changed into it. The ankle-length dress, chosen without much thought during packing, now seemed perfectly suited for the occasion.

“Let’s go,” she said as she emerged.

Their new home was a private villa, with two neighboring villas occupied by their parents. At this hour, the parents were likely still entertaining guests.

The place Lin Jinshen had in mind wasn’t nearby, requiring a short walk along the coast. To avoid running into others, they took a secluded path within the resort.

Flanked by dense foliage, the path was serene and filled with fresh air. The dim lighting gave it the feel of a quiet, fairy-tale-like escape.

Lin Jinshen held her hand, leading the way. He walked slightly ahead, and she followed, gazing at his broad back. It felt as though they were sharing a secret summer getaway.

As they strolled, Lu Yi could hear her heartbeat, blending indistinguishably with the rhythm of her breathing.

Years from now, she might forget the finer details of their wedding, but this moment, she was certain, would remain etched in her memory for years to come.

When they arrived at the restaurant, the staff, having been notified by Lin Jinshen in advance, were already in place, ready to serve only them for the evening.

Just as he had promised, the restaurant offered an uninterrupted view of the vast ocean, where the horizon met the night sky. A bright moon hung high, casting its soft glow over the waves.

The tide ebbed and flowed, endlessly repeating its cycle.

The dishes Lu Yi ordered were served one after another. Lin Jinshen didn’t eat much, instead dedicating himself to assisting her—cutting her steak and peeling shrimp for her.

She ate heartily, indulging herself for once, knowing there was no need to fit into a gown the next day.

Lin Jinshen, sipping sparkling wine, discussed the following day’s plans. After the wedding’s hectic schedule, they would rest for a day before returning to Beijing. Guests could decide their own arrangements.

Lu Yi had no objections to this plan.

With precision and care, Lin Jinshen removed the shrimp’s head, as if performing a surgical procedure. When the shell was cleanly peeled away, he placed the shrimp onto her plate.

His movements were so neat and efficient that he could easily earn an award for this skill—certainly a top-three contender.

“Though there won’t be a honeymoon for now,” he said, glancing at her.

The wedding preparations had already taken up much of his time, and he had plenty of work waiting for him upon their return.

“That’s fine. Work comes first,” Lu Yi said, popping a grilled shrimp into her mouth. The smoky, spiced flavor was fresh and springy. After swallowing, she continued, “I’ll be busy too. I’m going to start at my father’s company.”

It was a new field for her, with much to learn.

“Do you know what you want to do yet?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Not yet. I’ll figure it out after I join the company and see what interests me.”

He nodded, having seen her focus and dedication at work before. He was confident she’d handle it well.

After dinner, they retraced their steps back to their room.

Lin Jinshen went to take a shower first, leaving Lu Yi to idly sort through the gifts from the wedding. Jade bangles and diamond necklaces covered a small section of the table. She spread them out carefully, admiring them.

Marriage, it seemed, had certainly padded her wallet nicely.

The bathroom door opened. As Lin Jinshen walked out, towel in hand, drying his hair, Lu Yi had her treasures laid out like a stall at the market. Hearing the sound, she looked up and gave him a satisfied, cheerful smile.

It was as though she was proudly showing off, saying: Look, all of this is mine.

An adorable miser.

“I feel like I’ve struck it rich overnight. I’m so wealthy now—I’m officially a proper rich lady.” Lu Yi began carefully putting her gifts back into their boxes.

Lin Jinshen sat down at the edge of the bed, wearing matching red pajamas. Fresh out of the shower, he looked clean and refreshed, his lips redder, his teeth whiter, and a faint fragrance lingering around him.

He tugged at the corner of his lips and said, “Congratulations, rich lady.”

The words “rich lady” rolled off his tongue awkwardly, clearly not something he was used to saying.

As she was midway through tidying up her gifts, Lu Yi glanced up at him, her curiosity suddenly piqued. “How much do you earn in a day?”

“?” Lin Jinshen seemed confused by the question.

“Actually, that’s probably not the right way to put it. With someone like you, it’s hard to calculate,” Lu Yi said, giving up on guessing. Instead, she asked directly, “How much would it cost to book you for a day?”

“To book me?” Lin Jinshen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He lowered his lashes thoughtfully before replying, “What do you think?”

Lu Yi pondered for a moment. “Would a million be enough?”

“…Enough.”

Lu Yi picked up her phone and showed him the time. Midnight had already passed; it was officially a new day. She declared grandly, “I’m spending a million to book you for today.”

Her tone was extravagant, as though she had endless wealth to toss around.

“…”

Lin Jinshen replied, “You don’t need to spend anything. I’m yours tomorrow regardless.”

“That’s different. This is about paid service.”

Lu Yi stared at his face—perfectly symmetrical, cold when expressionless, carrying an intimidating air when he looked at people. Yet, what would he be like if she could completely control him, commanding him at her will?

The thought was dangerous. She realized it bordered on madness and quickly shifted her focus. “If I book you, does that count as ‘going to the sea’?”

“Going to the sea?” Lin Jinshen was entirely lost.

Perhaps emboldened by the extravagant dinner earlier, Lu Yi bit her lip and grinned. “Becoming a… gigolo!”

Lin Jinshen: “…”

Lu Yi watched his expression darken visibly, as though he were about to launch into a lecture like a stern school dean. Before he could respond, she quickly transferred the money to him, denying him any chance to object.

“It’s done,” she said, holding up her phone to show the record.

Feeling a wicked sense of glee, Lu Yi tugged at his collar and planted a swift peck on his lips, like marking her territory.

“Now, help me put all the gifts away,” she said, exuding the authority of someone who had paid for a service. Manual labor was not her responsibility; that was now his job.

Lin Jinshen cast her a sidelong glance but didn’t argue. He began collecting the gifts as instructed.

Lu Yi patted the bed beside her, issuing another command in a tone that brooked no refusal. “Sit.”

Though he didn’t entirely understand her intentions, he respected them. Supporting himself with one arm, he sat beside her. She smiled brightly, her lips curving in a way that had been testing his patience all evening. The moment he leaned closer, catching her scent, he kissed her without hesitation.

He captured her commanding lips, tasting their sweetness.

Lu Yi’s eyes widened. She had spent the money—he should be the one following her orders, bending to her every whim. Yet now the tables had turned. Somehow, she had become the one at his mercy.

This was not what she had paid for.

She tried to pull away, but as soon as their lips parted, he drew her back in. Not only that, he grabbed her hand, his advances extending beyond her lips. She retreated slightly, but he followed relentlessly. When she backed too far, he simply scooped her up as though she were weightless.

Lu Yi felt like she was melting under his touch, her whole being caught in an inescapable tug-of-war.

It was like dry grass set ablaze by the smallest spark, igniting into an unquenchable inferno.

Fortunately, Lu Yi hadn’t completely lost herself to the fire. She remembered the million she had spent and pushed against his shoulders, firmly declaring, “That’s enough for today. I don’t need any additional services.”

Her voice wavered, betraying her lack of conviction. Slowly, she edged away, attempting to escape the scorching heat he exuded.