Chapter 17

Lu Yi continued, “Don’t worry. I know the boundaries. We agreed before getting married, work comes first, we respect each other’s jobs. I’ve always known what to expect.”
If not for that, she never would have been so sure about marrying Lin Jinshen.
Under those bold brows, Lin Jinshen’s dark gaze sharpened. “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely sure.”
Lu Yi leaned her arm on the window, nearly poking her head out to look him straight in the eye, her voice ironclad: “As Mrs. Lin, I support your work, no questions asked. Business trips, overtime, whatever. I get it, it’s not easy being you.”
She had her own difficulties, too!
So, please, don’t overthink things.
“Understood. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
But then Lin Jinshen switched gears, “If it’s not that, then you’re mad at me for something else?”
His eyes were asking: so what is it?
Lu Yi, already shaken out of her irritation, or maybe just too anxious to stay mad, lowered her eyes. “Not angry. It’s just, I just said goodbye to my mom.”
“I can’t help feeling a little down. Sorry if it gave you the wrong idea.”
Which, honestly, made sense.
Until she got married, Lu Yi had lived at home. Moving out, feeling a little homesick, that was normal.
Lin Jinshen nodded. “Once things settle down for me, I’ll take you back to visit.”
“…”
Her fist, which had just relaxed, clenched tight again, but Lu Yi kept her smile up with great effort. “Okay, sounds good.”
“It’s late, head inside.”
“Yeah. Drive safe.”
Lin Jinshen strode toward the building, his tall frame stepping out of the thick darkness and into the bright lobby lights, disappearing through the doors of the company headquarters.
Lu Yi withdrew her gaze, feeling like a survivor as she tapped “Start” on her GPS, and sped her little powerhouse Mini toward Chengxi Garden.
Once again, the problem lay with KS.
Huayu had put forth a sky-high offer to acquire KS. They'd tangled through countless rounds at the negotiating table, but finally, both sides shook hands on a $120 million deal.
But KS wasn't a local brand. With a cross-border acquisition, the core issues always boiled down to internal operations and organizational restructuring, too many moving parts, endless chances for tiny slip-ups that could tank the entire venture before it even began.
The domestic team worked hand in hand with the overseas team, burning the midnight oil until the first rays of dawn crept over the city.
Everyone on standby, and Lin Jinshen wasn't one to slack off. By the time he finished each night, it was so late that he camped out in a suite at one of the group's nearby hotels.
During breathers between meetings, he'd occasionally replay that conversation with Lu Yi from the other night.
They'd only been married a little over a month; it wasn't like they spent much time together, so the awkwardness made sense. He understood why some things were hard to say.
She'd said she understood and respected him. That was her being thoughtful, not an excuse for him to slack off as a husband.
After a pause, Lin Jinshen called in his assistant, Jiang Xun.
Jiang Xun handled all communications with Yixing for this project. Following his boss’s orders, he coordinated with the other side and even sent the exhibits over in advance, no wonder he was totally up to speed on the exhibition dates.
“President Lin, are you planning to go?”
Lin Jinshen glanced at the address and time. He didn’t confirm or deny, just said, “To be decided.”
Jiang Xun couldn’t read his boss’s mind. On his way out, he ran into Shen Hong, the executive assistant, and asked, “Any plans for the boss the day after tomorrow?”
“Isn’t that obvious? Have you ever seen the boss take a break these days?” If the boss was working overtime like a madman, the rest of them would feel the pain too.
Jiang Xun was genuinely curious: “But do you think he might actually show up at some exhibition just for the boss’s wife?”
“That art show?”
“Yep.”
Shen Hong shot him a look like he was an idiot. “Do you seriously not get what kind of man the boss is? Come on, he and the boss’s wife met, what, twice before they tied the knot? They signed the papers during a lunch break and went straight back to the office. Art exhibition? You think the boss even knows what ‘culture’ is?”
“Fair point.” That finally made sense to Jiang Xun.
Except for that minor hiccup with Xin Qi, the “Midummer Rhapsody” project wrapped up smoothly ahead of schedule.
The museum was thrilled, so much so that they hinted at wanting a long-term partnership.
On opening day, way more visitors turned up than anyone expected.
Lu Yi and her colleagues were working nonstop at the venue. After hours on their feet, calves and ankles aching, not a single person complained. Every face was beaming, they were savoring the sweet victory of all those months of hard work.
Yu Qian had already sneakily peeked toward the entrance at least a dozen times. She nudged a colleague with her elbow, then mouthed, in an exaggerated whisper, “So hot.”
“Hottie? Where?” Her coworker was baffled.
“Keep it down, would you?” After all, they were staff. Yu Qian used her eyes to signal toward the door.
A very tall man had just walked in. Classic dark suit, crisp white shirt, zero frills. But he had broad shoulders, filling out the suit to perfection. Even just his profile, the sharp line of his nose, the cut of his jaw, was enough to make anyone sure the front view would be just as deadly.
“Who ordered the male model?” Her coworker was clearly a seasoned netizen, having seen too many stories about rich ladies and their playthings. Of course her first instinct was: who shows up to an art show with a male model in tow?
Seriously, who’s that lucky?
If she could, she’d like to ask about the rates herself.
She considered approaching him, but didn’t dare, he looked cold and so distant, totally unapproachable.
Yu Qian nearly laughed herself to tears. “What’s with you? The second you see a good-looking guy, he’s gotta be a model? I bet that outfit alone costs more than your monthly salary.”
“Isn’t that even more suspicious? Models make a living off their looks, of course they dress for the part.”
“He’s turning this way!”
“He looks even better straight on! How much would a guy like that cost?”
Honestly, you couldn’t blame the coworkers for thinking he was a male model. The guy clearly wasn’t here with anyone, he stalled at the door, scanning the crowd like he was looking for someone in particular.
A few more coworkers took notice. They started guessing his “rate”, someone this attractive, surely it’d be five digits at least.
“Lu Yi, come check out this male model. Top tier, seriously.” Yu Qian spotted Lu Yi walking over and motioned her over, lips pressed tight, trying and failing to act casual as she jerked her chin toward the entrance.
“Male model? What?” Lu Yi was lost, but she followed Yu Qian’s gaze.
And instantly, the smile on her face froze.
No model, just Lin Jinshen, appearing out of nowhere.
“Be cool, he’s looking over here!” Yu Qian quickly dropped her eyes, sure, the guy was hot, but you couldn’t just openly ogle like a creep.
Lin Jinshen’s gaze swept the floor, landing right where Lu Yi stood. He stopped, not coming any closer, as if calmly waiting for her to approach him.
“I’ll be right back,” Lu Yi told Yu Qian, making her way over.
Yu Qian instinctively reached for her hand, just brushing the warmth of Lu Yi’s skin before missing. “Wait, is this one yours?” she blurted, half-stunned.
Lu Yi was already heading toward him.
Yu Qian swapped looks with the other coworkers, all watching as she stopped in front of the “male model”, utterly bewildered. Friend, or... a model she hired? Honestly, they all suspected the latter.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, he hadn’t mentioned coming.
Lin Jinshen took a few steps closer, the picture of composure. “Had work nearby, remembered your show was around here, figured I’d drop in and see how it was going.”
He added, “Looks like it’s a real hit.”
“It’s going great, better than I’d hoped.” She didn’t need to look to know every coworker was staring. Lu Yi wasn’t the type to air her private life at work, but she didn’t want to sneak around either. They had nothing to be ashamed of.
“Want to meet my colleagues?” she asked.
He nodded. “Sure.”
Lu Yi turned, leading Lin Jinshen over to the group.
They’d all tried to act like they hadn’t noticed, but when the two headed their way, everyone straightened up, pasted on the friendliest smiles, and one even waved a little, hand at their chest.
“Yu Qian, Xixi, Xiao Jian…” Lu Yi introduced them, one by one. When she was done, she turned to Lin Jinshen and said, “This is Lin Jinshen, my husband.”
"Hello, everyone."
Lin Jinshen greeted them with an easy confidence, looking far more approachable than he had moments ago, at least the icy distance was gone.
"Hi, hi, nice to meet you!"
Yu Qian latched onto the key phrase, my husband.
She stared wide-eyed at Lu Yi, blurting out the old nickname she'd once used: "The stingy guy?"
Lu Yi cleared her throat gently.
Yu Qian realized what she'd just said. After making two awkward noises, she tried to cover up: "Guy... rare to meet the real deal, Lu Yi talks about you all the time."
Lin Jinshen only caught her last sentence and asked, "Oh? What does she say about me?"
"..."
Lu Yi stiffly turned her head toward Yu Qian, silently begging her to make something up and just move on.
Yu Qian had no clue he'd actually ask for details. Panicking, she improvised wildly: "She says you’re such a good person. Super gentle with her, totally considerate, and really family-oriented."
"Yeah, she thinks you’re basically the husband of the century. We’re all crazy jealous."
Lu Yi looked like she'd seen a ghost. She had no idea how Yu Qian managed to get every one of Lin Jinshen’s characteristics exactly backwards.
"Is that so?"
Lin Jinshen’s tone was unreadable.
Yu Qian kept nodding, adding, "Seeing you in person, you two really are a perfect match, beauty and brains. Seriously, you look amazing together."
"I’ll show you around," Lu Yi interrupted quickly. The more they talked, the deeper the hole got. Introductions done, move along.
"Yes, yes, Xiao Yi, take your husband around! The artwork here’s actually pretty good, if you see anything you like, maybe take one home!"
"Thanks," Lin Jinshen replied with a polite but distant smile, lips pressed in a line.
Lu Yi was used to their odd dynamic. She gestured, "This way."
Honestly, did couples really need to be this formal?
Any outsider would think their conversation was perfectly normal for friends viewing an exhibit, but as husband and wife, it felt stiff and a bit odd.
Yu Qian, knowing more about Lu Yi’s situation than most, added, "They met on a blind date and got married after just a few days. So, it’s a little awkward still."
Everyone got it now, no wonder.
Unlike last time, when it was just the two of them at the art exhibit, this time there were people everywhere, and coworkers, no less. Introducing him made her weirdly nervous. After a rushed explanation of a few pieces, she excused herself with the classic line, "Everyone’s life experience is different, so we all get something different from art. I’ll let you enjoy them your own way."
Lin Jinshen didn't push for more commentary. He silently took in the paintings. Whenever his face was impassive, the air around him seemed to freeze, pressure dropping sharply, making everyone nearby tense for no reason.
Just then, someone noticed that Lu Yi worked there and came over to ask for help.
Lu Yi gestured for them to wait, turning to Lin Jinshen with a polite apology: "I might get pretty busy today, I’m afraid I can’t look after you."
A pretty gentle way to tell someone to move along. It was a work event, after all, and she should get back to her job.
"It’s fine. Do what you need to do," Lin Jinshen said, meeting her gaze, unbothered.
"Alright."
Lu Yi turned away, suddenly able to breathe again as she walked toward the visitors.
Lin Jinshen pulled his attention back to the art. He’d carved out two hours for this, rare for him, who usually scheduled his life down to the minute. Spending two hours at an art show was, frankly, a deliberate waste of time in his book.
He recognized this painting, it was by Lu Yi’s favorite artist. In fact, he was the one who’d bought it for her.
Lu Yi had said the painting was an "unreal dream beneath the moonlight", but he could never see any of that. To him, it just felt upside-down, chaotic, and untethered from reality.
If he’d seen this work anywhere else, he would never have paid for it.
Lin Jinshen just wasn’t interested in art.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Lu Yi weaving through the crowd. She wore a pale blue sleeveless blouse and a form-fitting skirt. Her dark hair was pinned up, showing off small, delicate ears. Whenever she leaned in to listen, her profile was serene and lovely; when she spoke, her gentle voice and calm, patient smile seemed tailor-made for this setting.
She drew every gaze, center of the crowd, impossible to miss.
Lu Yi barely paused all afternoon, too busy to even notice Lin Jinshen. She thought of him twice, scanning the gallery for his tall, impressive figure as he stood before the art.
"Your husband seriously doesn’t look like ‘the stingy guy.’ He’s got ‘rich guy’ written all over him." Yu Qian sidled over, watching.
Yu Qian didn’t know much about luxury brands, but that watch on Lin Jinshen’s wrist looked familiar, her boyfriend had once joked about wanting one for his birthday. Supposedly it cost as much as an apartment. She’d told him to get lost; both of them together would never make that much money in their lives.
She hadn’t gotten a good look, it was just a glimpse during the handshake.
But judging by his manner and presence, as with Lu Yi, this was not the vibe of an ordinary family’s son.
"He’s not secretly some billionaire, right, Xiao Yi? Don’t tell us you married into a fortune and just forgot to mention it!" Yu Qian teased, only half-joking.
Lu Yi had considered this possibility the moment Lin Jinshen showed up.
So she replied, "His family does run a business."
"Big boss?"
Lu Yi hedged, "Not really. Small business. They care a lot about appearances."
Yu Qian nodded in understanding. Of course, if you’re out making deals, you have to keep up impressions. Still, with Lu Yi’s well-off family background, no way she’d settle for a broke guy.
Good match, everyone agreed, it just made sense.
Especially since he was incredibly handsome, and the two of them together looked stunning.
As the exhibit wound down, colleagues took the chance to invite Lu Yi and Lin Jinshen to dinner. Lu Yi declined, claiming she had other plans. Some pressed more, but another coworker pulled them back.
"They’re newlyweds, let them go have their romantic evening! Isn’t it enough to eat with the rest of us?"
"Totally forgot, my bad. I’m an idiot."
"..."
With laughter and good-natured teasing, the group left for dinner.
"Let’s go," Lu Yi said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
Lin Jinshen suggested, "You could have dinner with them if you want. I’ll head back to the office soon."
"It’s fine. I never really like those big dinners." With Lin Jinshen not home, she always got back early, no one telling her what to do, no one to care. Honestly, it was a great feeling.
She could curl up with Puff on the sofa, watch movies until midnight, with no one calling her name or lecturing her about the hour. She could eat all the "unhealthy" foods he side-eyed her for. No need to check off the “dutiful wife” box by force. It was pretty sweet, even if she couldn’t act too happy about it, since they weren’t close enough yet for her to drop the act…
Even Puff was noticeably more cheerful these days.
The car was parked nearby, but from the showroom to the roadside, it was a five-minute walk.
Those brief five minutes seemed to stretch into eternity in the weighty silence between them.
Lu Yi was already planning her evening: once she sent Lin Jinshen on his way, she’d message Aunt Fang the menu early, get dinner ready before Aunt Fang’s shift ended, keep it warm, and then she could eat as soon as she got home.
As she debated what to eat, Lin Jinshen suddenly grabbed her arm, a delivery scooter zoomed past, stirring a gust of hot wind in its wake.
Lu Yi stiffened, startled by the suddenness of it all.
Lin Jinshen let go immediately.
The place his hand had held her still tingled, not too hard, not too soft. She whispered, “Thanks.”
“Don’t zone out while you’re walking. Pay more attention,” Lin Jinshen’s voice was low, steady, almost like a stern uncle warning a kid not to play on their phone while crossing the street.
Lu Yi frowned, chastened, and nodded sullenly.
They reached the parking spot.
Lin Jinshen gestured for Lu Yi to get in first, then slid into the Bentley parked at the curb. As soon as he closed the door, Shen Hong started updating him on the upcoming schedule. Lin Jinshen glanced out the window, watched the Mini drive away, then turned back. “Alright, go on.”
When Lu Yi got home, Aunt Fang was just taking off her apron. They greeted each other warmly.
“Come see if this is what you wanted,” Aunt Fang called.
Lu Yi had ordered spicy hotpot, oil-red, fragrant, mouthwateringly spicy. Aunt Fang, thinking spicy food wasn’t great for young women, had also made a pot of soothing pear soup to balance it out.
“Thanks, Aunt Fang, it looks delicious.” Lu Yi headed to wash her hands first.
“Is Mr. Lin coming home tonight? I made plenty of pear soup. If he’s back, there’s enough for him to have some, too.”
“He’s not coming back, too busy with work.”
After washing her hands, Lu Yi grabbed a towel and wiped them dry. She then went to give her little shadow Puff a rub on the head, like always.
Hearing that she didn’t sound the least bit upset, Aunt Fang couldn’t help but speak her mind. “Mr. Lin hasn’t come home in ages. You two just got married, you know. This really isn’t good.”
Lu Yi replied offhand, “Work comes first.”
“Work matters, sure, but so does your relationship. If you want, I could make Mr. Lin’s favorite dishes this weekend, and you could bring them to him at work,” Aunt Fang said seriously. “That way he’ll know you care about him, too.”
Lu Yi quickly shut that idea down. “No need, Aunt Fang. Enjoy your weekend, he’ll come back when he’s done with work.”
“Alright then, I’ll head out now.”
“Take care on your way home, Aunt Fang.”
Once Aunt Fang left, the house was all hers and Puff’s. The two locked eyes; she tossed Puff’s favorite, already dented cat ball, and Puff darted after it, nimble as ever.
Such a free spirit, this cat.
Whenever Lin Jinshen was home, Puff was honestly too scared to run wild.
Lu Yi perched herself on a bar stool, sipping her pear soup at a leisurely pace, feeling utterly at ease.
As usual, her quiet night included a suspense movie. By the time it finished, it was already midnight. Puff had long given in to sleep. Tired, Lu Yi headed upstairs, collapsed in the middle of the double bed, and sprawled out luxuriously.
But her sleep was troubled, thanks to the movie, she was plagued by dreams. Darkness all around, trees thrashing in the wind. She was out on the terrace, her nightdress whipping around her, clutching a baseball bat while sweat slicked her palms. In the shadows, someone was watching her, fiercely, relentlessly.
Then a sudden squeak as the door opened. She shot awake and nearly collided with a figure in black coming in.
The line between dream and reality blurred. She was about to scream when a low, familiar voice beat her to it.
“It’s me.”
Lin Jinshen’s voice.
Lu Yi realized she wasn’t facing a midnight intruder, her limbs went limp, a cold sweat beading her brow. Groggy, her voice muffled, she asked, “Why are you back?”
“Needed to grab some files. I’ll be staying home tonight.”
What kind of files needed his personal attention? Sensitive documents he didn’t trust anyone else to touch? As her heart rate slowed, Lu Yi checked the time, already three a.m., way past his usual sleep schedule.
“You get some rest. I’ll shower first.”
“Okay.”
By the time Lu Yi realized he hadn’t even turned the lights on, Lin Jinshen had already collected his pajamas and headed to the en suite. The bathroom light washed through the glass into the bedroom, a warm, gentle glow.
She was nearly asleep already, too tired to care about his sudden return. As she settled in again, she flicked on the bedside lamp.
The sound of running water faded into the background, and Lu Yi drifted off.
When Lin Jinshen finished showering and came out in clean pajamas, he switched off the bathroom light. He was about to pull out his phone for a flashlight when he noticed the bedside lamp was on, a soft, mellow yellow that circled the entire bed, casting warmth everywhere.
The figure in bed was bundled under the covers, completely at peace.
He watched for a moment, then circled to the other side, lifting the blanket. But as he was about to get in, he paused.
Lu Yi had her hands folded tightly over her chest, her breathing uneven.
Sleeping with your arms tight over your heart isn’t healthy, it puts pressure on the heart and can trigger nightmares and palpitations.
Lin Jinshen frowned, hesitated for half a minute, then leaned over and gently unwound her arms, compulsively placing them flat at her sides.
Just as he was about to pull his hands away, the figure beneath him opened her eyes.
In the half-light, her eyes looked dark and bright at once.
Lu Yi had only just fallen asleep. The moment he leaned in, his freshly-showered scent drifted over, and the hand clasping her wrist had yanked her right back to wakefulness.
Now that he’d splayed out her arms, she gave up pretending to sleep and opened her eyes.
Given what happened that last time he woke her up at five in the morning, Lu Yi’s mind went straight for the gutter. Her brows drew tight together, her voice scratchy: “You want to do this now?”
“?”