The charity gala was the kind of event where reputations were built and destroyed within a single evening. The grand ballroom of the Imperial Hotel glittered under crystal chandeliers, with walls draped in velvet and gold. Journalists hovered near the entrance, cameras flashing relentlessly as each guest arrived in gowns and tuxedos worth more than a year's salary for most people.
Lin Yuexi stood in front of the mirror in the Lu mansion, her hands smoothing the silver gown that shimmered like moonlight. The fabric hugged her figure perfectly, the slit at her leg daring but elegant. Liu Mei had chosen diamond earrings and a delicate necklace, completing the look of someone who belonged in the spotlight.
But Yuexi didn't feel like she belonged. Her chest tightened with nerves, and her palms grew clammy.
A knock on the door drew her back. Lu Chenxuan entered, wearing a tailored black tuxedo that made him look as though he had stepped straight out of a fashion magazine. His gaze swept over her, cool and appraising.
"You'll do," he said simply.
She blinked. "That's all?"
His lips curved into something that was almost a smirk. "Would you prefer flattery?"
Her heart stuttered, though she quickly masked it with a small laugh. "No… I suppose not."
"Good." He offered his arm. "Let's go. We'll be late."
The moment they stepped out of the black limousine, the night erupted in flashes. Reporters called their names, shouting questions, desperate to capture the first official public appearance of the newlyweds.
"Mr. Lu, is this a love match or a business arrangement?""Mrs. Lu, how does it feel to marry the city's most powerful man?""Can we expect a Lu heir soon?"
Yuexi stiffened under the barrage, but Chenxuan's grip on her hand tightened, steady and firm. He leaned closer, his voice low and controlled. "Smile."
She lifted her chin, forcing a serene smile as his arm wrapped around her waist. He pulled her close—closer than they had ever been before. To the cameras, they looked like the perfect couple: glamorous, confident, untouchable.
But Yuexi could feel the tension in his body, the practiced precision of every gesture. This wasn't affection. It was performance.
Inside the ballroom, they were greeted by applause and polite congratulations. Business tycoons, politicians, and celebrities approached, each eager to curry favor with Lu Chenxuan. Yuexi stood beside him, nodding, smiling, playing the role of devoted wife.
"Your wife is stunning, President Lu," one executive remarked, his tone half admiring, half probing.
Chenxuan's arm tightened around her waist, his expression cool. "Of course. I wouldn't accept anything less."
The words made her flush—both at the arrogance and at the strange sense of possession they implied.
As the evening wore on, Yuexi began to feel the weight of countless eyes on her. Whispers followed wherever she went. Some were envious, others scornful.
At one point, she excused herself to the balcony for air. The cool night breeze was a relief against her flushed skin. She leaned against the railing, letting herself breathe.
"You look overwhelmed," a smooth voice said behind her.
She turned to see a man in a dark blue suit, his features striking, his smile charming. "I'm sorry," she said politely, "do we know each other?"
He extended a hand. "Gu Yichen. Actor. We met briefly at a Lin family event years ago."
Recognition flickered. He had been rising fast in the entertainment industry, a favorite among fans.
"You married into quite the storm," he added lightly. "People can be cruel when they don't understand. Don't take it to heart."
Yuexi smiled faintly. "Thank you."
But before the conversation could continue, a shadow fell over them. Chenxuan had appeared, his eyes sharp as steel.
"Yuexi," he said, his voice clipped. "The next round of introductions is about to begin."
Gu Yichen chuckled, unfazed. "Of course. Don't let me keep you. Mrs. Lu, it was a pleasure."
As they walked back inside, Yuexi noticed the way Chenxuan's hand pressed firmly against her back, guiding her as though reclaiming territory.
"You seem… displeased," she said softly.
His jaw tightened. "Men like him don't approach without reason. Be careful."
Her brow furrowed. "He was just being kind."
"Kindness," Chenxuan muttered, his tone edged with disdain, "is rarely free."
Later that night, after endless small talk, speeches, and toasts, the couple finally returned to the mansion. Yuexi slipped off her heels, wincing at the ache in her feet.
Chenxuan loosened his tie, his expression unreadable. "You handled yourself well tonight."
It almost sounded like praise.
"Thank you," she said softly. "Though I'm not sure I'll ever get used to so many eyes watching."
His gaze lingered on her for a moment, then shifted away. "You'll have to. You're Mrs. Lu now. That title comes with weight."
She hesitated, then asked, "And what does it come with… for you?"
His eyes met hers, dark and unreadable. For a heartbeat, she thought he might answer. But then he turned away, his voice flat once more. "Nothing I can't carry."
Yuexi watched him disappear into his study, her chest tightening with questions left unspoken.
The world saw a flawless couple. But beneath the surface, their marriage was nothing more than an elaborate performance.
And yet… why did her heart tremble every time he touched her hand?