Warm morning light slipped quietly through the curtains.
Xinyi blinked awake, still foggy from last night's storm. She rubbed her eyes, turned to the side—
And froze.
The chair beside her bed was empty.
Lu Yichen… was gone.
No footsteps. No sound. Only the faint smell of breakfast drifting from the dining area.
Confused, she got up. The sight stopped her:
A neatly arranged breakfast on the table, perfectly warm, still covered.
And beside it, a small note in sharp, clean handwriting:
"Eat properly. Take care. —Yichen"
Xinyi stared at it for five seconds.
…What is wrong with this man?
Last night, he was gentle, reassuring, comforting her during the thunder. Now he made breakfast for her? Without a word?
Her ears warmed. This cold, calculating CEO… suddenly acting like this?
She poked the food with her chopsticks, dazed.
"This is strange… so strange," she muttered.
Not romantic. Just confusing. Complicated. Like he switched between two versions of himself: calm, distant, then thoughtful, tender.
She sighed softly. "Lu Yichen… what exactly are you trying to do?"
The apartment was silent. Only her heartbeat answered.
As she finished breakfast, her phone buzzed.
Nancy: Boss, an agent from Shinhwa Group is coming today with a new collaboration project. Should I let her come?
Xinyi lifted an eyebrow. Shinhwa Group projects weren't small.
She thought, then typed: Yes. Arrange the meeting.
She stood, stretched, and prepared herself. Today, she needed to be Designer Xinyi, not Contract Wife Xinyi.
Mask on, hair tied, files ready—she picked up her phone again.
Finally, she sent a message to Yichen: I'm going to my work.
Minutes later, in his office, Yichen's phone buzzed. He read her message, narrowing his eyes.
Work?
He typed: Office? Which office? What work?
Xinyi froze. Oh no—he doesn't know I actually have an office.
Three seconds of panic. Then she typed the first thing that came to mind:
GG Group.
Instant reply: GG Group? The design company?
"Yes… technically true," she whispered.
She texted: Yes. I'm an employee there.
A small laugh escaped her. Hmm… not a simple employee. An extraordinary designer—the one they depend on for their biggest projects.
She slipped the phone into her bag and left confidently. Two identities. One secret he must never discover.
Afternoon sunlight filtered into GG Group's office.
Nancy appeared at the door.
"Miss Xinyi, the agent from Shinhwa Group is here."
"Let her in."
Xinyi looked up from her files. The door opened.
A young woman entered—graceful, composed, in a beige suit.
An Ruo.
But not the cruel girl who had changed Xinyi's life. Not the bride-swapper.
Just a professional agent with a calm, polite smile.
She stepped forward, extending her hand.
"Hello, I'm An Ruo from Shinhwa Group. Nice to meet you."
Xinyi shook it gently.
"Welcome to GG Group," she said, her voice steady, distant.
Neither showed recognition. Neither knew the other's past.
An Ruo opened her project file.
"I've gone through your proposal. Your design team seems very skilled."
"We work hard," Xinyi replied.
The agent glanced at Xinyi's mask, said nothing, and continued professionally:
"I hope we can collaborate smoothly. I'm confident this project will benefit both our companies."
Xinyi observed her quietly. The woman seemed familiar, but… fleeting.
She ignored the feeling and opened her design presentation.
The meeting went on. Calm. Polite. Business-like.
Yet beneath the surface, an invisible storm waited, silent and sharp.
No one knew. No one noticed.