Lin Wan-Ning stepped out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, clutching the crimson marriage certificate in her hand. For a moment, she couldn't tell whether this was reality or just a cruel nightmare.
Her fingers gently traced the three words printed beside her name—"Mrs. Shen." Her gaze was empty.
"Get in,"
The sudden voice from Shen Si-Han broke the silence. His voice was deep and magnetic, like an undercurrent from the deep sea—calm, yet impossible to ignore.
She snapped out of her daze to find the sleek, black Maybach parked right in front of her, its door already open.
"Where are we going?"
"Back to the Shen residence," he replied, his tone more like a command than an invitation.
She looked at him briefly, then stepped into the car.
The atmosphere inside was suffocating. The assistant sat silently in the front seat. After a long pause, Lin Wan-Ning finally spoke.
"Mr. Shen… or should I say, husband?"
Shen Si-Han didn't even look at her. "Suit yourself."
"Shouldn't we lay down a few ground rules?"
"Speak."
"I won't interfere in your personal life, and I ask that you respect my freedom in return. I don't care if you have other women, as long as we maintain boundaries."
He turned to look at her with a faint, unreadable smile. "You think I would touch you?"
Lin Wan-Ning bit her lip but said nothing.
His dark eyes seemed to evaluate her like a product on display.
"You're smart. I appreciate that. But I don't play with emotions. This marriage is a transaction—understand that clearly."
His cold words pierced her like blades, yet she somehow felt more at ease. At least this way, there would be no illusions.
The car drove into a gated villa district and stopped in front of a luxurious yet understated gray-and-white three-story mansion.
"Welcome home, Madam," the butler bowed respectfully at the door.
Lin Wan-Ning stood there in a brief daze.
She never imagined anyone would call her "Madam." Especially in a place like this—a true estate of the elite.
Inside, the decor was cold and minimalistic. Shades of gray, white, and black dominated, just like the man who owned it.
As she was changing her shoes, Shen Si-Han had already walked upstairs.
"That's your room. Mine is across the hall. Don't go into my study without permission."
"Alright." She nodded calmly.
The assistant brought over a supplementary agreement. Shen Si-Han signed it without even glancing through it and instructed flatly, "If you need anything, tell the butler directly."
With that, he shut the door behind him—clean, swift, as if severing all ties.
Lin Wan-Ning stood in the hallway, staring at the closed door, a strange wave of disappointment rising in her heart.
She knew she was just a tool to this man. A shield. She had no right to hope for anything more.
But it was exactly this distant, emotionless man that made her feel… endangered.
His silence, his indifference, his unpredictability—there was nowhere to run or hide.
That night, she couldn't sleep.
—
The next morning, after washing up, she headed downstairs. A lavish breakfast spread awaited her, looking like something out of a five-star hotel.
"All this?" She blinked.
"Mr. Shen's instructions," the maid replied respectfully.
She gave a wry smile and took a few bites. The food was exquisite, but tasteless in her mouth.
This life—it was too foreign to her.
She went back to her old apartment to pack her belongings. But the moment she opened the door, Xu Yao was already sitting on her couch, legs crossed.
"Wan-Ning, long time no see," Xu Yao greeted her with a smug smile.
Lin Wan-Ning's eyes turned cold. "How did you get in?"
"You always kept your key under the shoe rack. No need to be so tense—I just wanted to see how you were doing."
Her tone grew more biting. "Heard you got married? Who's the lucky man? That was fast, huh?"
Lin Wan-Ning remained quiet. "You're not welcome here. Leave."
"What, feeling guilty? Or afraid I'll find out your so-called husband is a penniless nobody?"
She got up and walked closer, voice dripping with mockery. "Do you know how much Zhi-Yuan loves me now? He said I'm the only woman he ever wanted to marry."
Smack!
Before she could finish, Lin Wan-Ning slapped her hard across the face.
Xu Yao stared, clutching her cheek. "Are you insane?!"
Lin Wan-Ning's voice turned ice-cold. "You'd better hope I have this much patience next time we meet."
She opened the door. "Now. Get out."
Just as Xu Yao stomped out, a familiar black Maybach pulled up downstairs.
Shen Si-Han stepped out, casting a sharp, icy glance at Xu Yao. It was so cold, she froze in place.
Lin Wan-Ning was surprised. "Why are you here?"
"Just passing by," he replied calmly, handing her a file folder. "There was an issue with your documents. I brought the updated version."
She took the folder. Just as she was about to thank him, he suddenly frowned and fixed his eyes on a red mark on her cheek.
"What happened to your face?"
She froze for a second, then touched it lightly. "Nothing. I just slapped someone too hard."
His expression darkened, and his voice turned cold. "Who?"
She didn't answer. "It's been handled."
He narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing more. Then he turned away—but a trace of murderous intent flashed across his usually emotionless eyes.