The car was sleek, black, and more expensive than anything Su Nian had ever touched, let alone sat in. The leather seats felt cold under her palms, and the city outside blurred by as the vehicle glided through traffic like a ghost. She sat stiffly in the back seat, hands gripping her backpack, containing everything she owned—three changes of clothes, a sketchbook, a second hand tablet, and her newly issued marriage certificate.
Lu Cheng sat beside her, perfectly composed, like this was a normal Tuesday.
To him, maybe it was. To Su Nian, it felt like her life had been upended.
She snuck a glance at him. The sharp line of his jaw, the way his suit clung to his tall frame, the quiet power in how he sat.
He didn't speak the entire ride. Neither did her.
When the car finally turned through an ornate wrought-iron gate, Su Nian blinked at the sight before her.
The Lu Mansion.
No. Lu Manor would be a better term. It wasn't a house. It was an estate. Three stories of pale stone, with cascading balconies, trimmed hedges, and a mi fountain in the center courtyard bigger than her old apartment.
"This is… your home?" she whispered.
Lu Cheng glanced out the window with mild disinterest. "One of them."
Of course.
She followed him as he stepped out. The front door was already opening, and a line of servants stood in perfect formation, heads bowed.
"Welcome home, Young Master Cheng."
Their eyes shifted to her, some with curiosity, and others with subtle judgment.
No one said welcome to her.
"This is Su Nian," Lu Cheng said coolly. "My wife."
Gasps were barely audible, but Su Nian felt them like pinpricks on her skin.
"We registered privately. Inform the family if needed. She will stay in the south wing guest suite. Prepare everything she needs."
"Yes, sir."
He turned to her. "Come."
She followed him up marble stairs, through glittering hallways lined with ancient vases, paintings, and chandeliers. Her shoes tapped too loudly. She felt like a stain in a gallery.
Finally, they stopped at a double door.
"This will be your room."
The doors opened to reveal a spacious suite—pastel cream walls, plush rugs, a queen-sized bed, and floor-to-ceiling windows that opened onto a private terrace. The view overlooked the garden maze and the distant mountains.
"This is… mine?"
"For now." He turned to leave but paused.
"You'll have full access to the house except my study and private bedroom. If you need anything, speak to Aunt Lin, the housekeeper. I have business early tomorrow, so I won't be around in the morning."
"Wait."
He looked back at her.
She hesitated, then pulled out the folded envelope from her bag.
"This is the medical report. Of my mother."
He took it with a nod. "The transfer will be done by tonight. Your mother will be moved to the private wing of Jing Hai Medical."
Her lips parted. "Thank you."
"I told you. This is a transaction." His voice was impassive. "Don't mistake it for kindness."
But when he turned away, he didn't see the tears that spilled quietly down her cheeks.
The Next morning.
Su Nian sat at the vanity table, staring at her reflection. A soft pink dress had been laid out for her—modest, elegant, and clearly expensive.
Aunt Lin knocked gently. "Miss Su… ah, Madam Lu, breakfast is ready downstairs."
She blushed. That title still didn't feel real.
Downstairs, a long dining table stretched the width of the room. Silver cutlery, imported porcelain, crystal glasses. She hesitated at the entrance.
"Come, sit," Aunt Lin said kindly.
There were only two place settings. Lu Cheng wasn't here.
"Sir left early for a meeting," Aunt Lin explained. "But he left instructions. You're to visit your mother after breakfast. He's arranged a driver and escort."
Su Nian's heart lifted.
Hospital VIP Wing.
Madam Shen looked like a different person. Her bed was larger, the walls quieter, and she was no longer connected to noisy machines.
"Su Nian!" she gasped as she sat up. "What… What is this place?"
Su Nian rushed to her side. "You're okay, Mama. The surgery is being scheduled. You're under the best care now."
Her mother frowned. "How did you afford this?"
Su Nian hesitated. Then whispered, "I… got help."
The older woman studied her. "You didn't do anything foolish, did you?"
"No," Su Nian said gently, brushing her hand. "I just… found someone who was willing to help me. Just focus on getting better."
Madam Shen didn't press, but Su Nian knew the lie wouldn't last forever.
Evening – Lu Mansion.
She found herself wandering the vast garden, sketchpad in hand. She sat on a marble bench and opened to a blank page.
For the first time in weeks, she let her pencil move.
A dress. Flowing, light, with lines inspired by the peonies she passed on the way in. She lost track of time. So much that she didn't notice him watching her. From the terrace above, Lu Cheng stood, a glass of whiskey in hand, eyes locked on the girl below.
He had expected a girl desperate for money, easy to manage, grateful and silent. Instead, he got… this.
A girl who stayed up all night by her sick mother's bed. Who carried herself with quiet dignity. Who didn't ask for anything more than what was promised. And now… sketching dresses in his garden like she belonged to another world.
He didn't know why his chest felt tight.
Later that night.
Su Nian sat in her new room, brushing her hair. She turned off the light and slid under the silk sheets, still foreign under her skin.
A knock.
She turned around.The door creaked open.
Lu Cheng stood in the doorway, dressed down for the first time—just black slacks and a gray shirt. Still intimidating. Still beautiful in the kind of way that hurt to look at.
She sat up quickly. "Is everything okay?"
He stepped inside, a box in his hand. "Your mother's surgery is scheduled for the 10th. Here are the documents."
She took the file, hands trembling. "I… I don't know how to thank you."
He stared at her, and for a second, something flickered in his eyes.
"You already have," he said, voice low.
Then turned around and left.
Leaving her staring at the closed door, heart pounding, unsure what he meant.
In his bedroom, Lu Cheng sat at his desk, fingers under his chin. He was used to women throwing themselves at him. Wanting his money, his name, his empire.
But Su Nian?
She looked at him like she didn't know how to look at him at all. Like she still didn't believe this was her life.
And for the first time, he wondered—
What would happen if she didn't want to leave after three months?
Worse…
What if he didn't want her to?