The entrance of Luchen Tech was unusually crowded that morning. A sea of people pushed against makeshift barricades, craning their necks to glimpse whatever spectacle was unfolding beyond. Known for dominating nearly half of China's tech industry, the company had its hands in everything — home appliances, cars, TVs, gaming, electronics. If it plugged in or turned on, Luchen probably made it — and made it better.
But today, the sleek, glass-and-steel empire had turned into a glorified open market. Beneath a canopy near the front plaza stood a folding table and a cheap banner, surrounded by a stampede of hopefuls. It looked more like a fan-signing event than anything else.
Guards struggled to enforce some kind of order — two lines, they begged. It worked. Half the time.
At the front of the crowd, a flamboyantly dressed young man leaned forward, flashing a confident smile at the stone-faced interviewer.
"Are you sure he's not into men?" he asked, batting his lashes and flashing his most charming smile.
The interviewer didn't even blink. "Are you capable of giving birth?", he asked dryly.
The silence was deafening. Before the man could formulate an answer, the interviewer barked.
"Next!" as he was yanked away by two guards.
A disheveled woman, maybe in her 50s, stepped forward. "If you just write my name down, I promise I'll never—". She didn't get to finish her sentence. Two guards dragged her aside mid-plea.
"Next!"
Another woman, seemingly in her thirties, stepped up quickly.
"Hi! Write my name. I'm Qinqin. I'm 31 and—"
"You're too old!" the interviewer shouted, waving her off.
The whole thing was chaos. Rejection after rejection, people dragged away for disqualifications, some were escorted politely, most weren't. No one understood until they read the banner hanging behind the table:
"Seeking a Permanent Bride for the Lu Family's Sole Heir"
Well, that explained the hysteria.
The Lu family wasn't just wealthy — they were legendary. Whoever married the heir to Luchen Tech would inherit billions, not to mention the man himself, who was annoyingly and unfairly handsome.
So yeah. It was a buy-one-get-one-free deal: 'A Hot Man and Hotter Money'.
"How is Mrs. Lu so sure this method will work?" one interviewer asked as the crowd surged again.
"With a grandson like Young Master Lu, I'd be worried too," the other replied, shaking their head.
The rules were plastered on every clipboard:
No men.
No one over 27.
Background doesn't matter.
No cocky individuals.
No parents selling their kids like produce.
Basically? They were asking for the impossible. With such brutal filtering criteria, it was almost as though they didn't want to find anyone suitable. And in truth, that was part of the plan.
Inside a cozy café just across the street from the madness, two elderly figures sat watching quietly. Mrs. Lu, a commanding presence with sharp eyes and an iron will, sipped tea with barely concealed frustration.
And then, it happened.
Amid the chaos, a young woman walked past the crowd. A lunchbox in one hand.
Graceful in a simple white dress. Headphones on, eyes glued to her phone, she was the only person not interested in the commotion. She didn't stop. Didn't glance over. Just walked straight through the madness as if it didn't exist. Unbothered.
Everyone else either stopped to stare, laugh, or gossip.
Mrs. Lu's eyes narrowed. She stood up abruptly, slammed her hand on the table, startling her husband.
"Old man, stand up! I think I just found our granddaughter-in-law!"
She grabbed her husband by the arm and power-walked across the street, him trailing behind with her purse.
"Excuse me!" she called out.
"Excuse me, young lady!" she called again, this time tapping her shoulder.
The girl paused, pulled down her headphones, and politely told her friend on the line, "I'll call you back."
Then she turned and looked at the elderly couple. "Good afternoon," she said politely, eyeing the couple warily. "How may I help you?".
The couple studied her like they were appraising art. She looked about five feet eight inches. Her long silk black hair was packed in a ponytail. Her hazel eyes are strikingly beautiful especially under the sun. She looked gentle and delicate complimenting her neat appearance.
"She's perfect," Mrs. Lu muttered, jabbing her husband in the ribs. He nodded in agreement.
"Please, help me!" Mrs. Lu said, almost desperate. "Just spare us a moment."
The young woman nodded and followed them back to the café.
Mr. Lu took out his phone and made a call.
"The search is over. Pack up."
Minutes later, the interviewers made the announcement. The crowd exploded.
"What do you mean it's over?"
"Someone's already been selected?"
"What a waste of time!"
The storm of voices faded as the area cleared, angry and disappointed.
Back inside the café, returning to their seats. The girl sat across from them, setting her lunchbox down neatly. A heavy silence sat between the trio. The girl sat calmly, a neutral expression on her face. The couple sat across from her, watching, deciding.
Finally, she broke the silence.
"Umm... So, why am I here?"
"My dear," Mrs. Lu said without hesitation, "Please marry my grandson", the lady blinked. Her curiosity dropped instantly into concern.
"No, no — let's back up. What's your name? And how old are you?" Mr. Lu cut in, covering his wife's mouth.
"Shen Ziyu. I am twenty-two years old" she answered.
Mrs. Lu peeled his hand off. "I'll do anything — just marry him and tame my grandson!"
"…Who exactly is your grandson?" Ziyu asked slowly.
Mrs. Lu turned and pointed dramatically toward the Luchen Tech building. "He's the only son of the owner."
'So we're proposing marriage to strangers on the street now?' Ziyu thought, stunned.
'Have I been in the States too long?'
"You said you'd do anything, right?" she asked.
Mrs. Lu nodded eagerly.
"Alright then. You can't go back on that promise. I'll hold you to it later."
Mr. Lu leaned forward. "So you'll marry him?"
Ziyu nodded.
The couple broke into joyful laughter, practically bouncing in their seats.
"But," she added, raising a hand, "I have a condition."
They stopped laughing and nodded, holding their breath.
"I'm allowed to treat him however I want." She paused. "But I promise not to kill him."
The couple nodded again, a little too quickly. Their smiles were now… tight. Nervous. They could only hope what she said was nothing but a 'Joke'.
'Marriage can't be that bad,' Ziyu thought to herself. 'But if it weren't for what I need to do… I'd reject this without blinking. Ahh… what have I gotten myself into? All in the name of desperation.'
She sighed — loud, tired, resigned.