Chapter 3: The First Appearance
The dress was custom Dior.
The heels were Jimmy Choo.
But none of it felt real to Lin Chaoxi as she stepped out of the black Rolls-Royce and faced the sea of flashing cameras.
Her hand was locked tightly in Shen Muyan's.
She smiled on cue.
He didn't.
"Look this way! CEO Shen! Is that your wife?"
"Lin Chaoxi, are you officially married now?"
"Was this sudden? A flash wedding?"
The reporters were relentless, but Shen Muyan didn't flinch. He raised their joined hands slightly, letting the diamond ring on her finger catch the light.
"This is my wife. That's all you need to know."
Just one sentence—and the media exploded.
Chaoxi's heart pounded. She had attended red carpets before, but tonight, standing beside Shen Muyan, she wasn't a rising actress. She was Mrs. Shen.
At least, that's what the world was meant to believe.
Once inside the venue, she leaned toward him slightly. "Do you always handle scandals with a single line?"
"I don't give them more than what they need."
She gave a tight smile. "And what about me? Do I get more than one line?"
He glanced down at her. "You already got a contract. Don't get greedy."
His voice was cold, but he gently pulled her closer as they passed a crowd of executives.
She noticed how naturally his hand settled on her lower back—how easily he played the part of a devoted husband.
Too easily.
As the evening wore on, she stayed by his side, smiled when needed, nodded when spoken to. Her acting training came in handy. But deep inside, she felt like a dressed-up doll.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out.
"Chaoxi?"
She turned, heart stopping.
It was Xue Zeyu—her ex-boyfriend, the one who started the rumors that ruined her career.
He froze too, seeing her hand in Shen Muyan's.
Then he laughed awkwardly. "Wow. You really did upgrade, huh?"
Before she could reply, Shen Muyan stepped forward, shielding her slightly.
His voice was ice.
"Speak to my wife like that again, and I'll make sure you never get another film deal in this country."
The room fell silent around them.
Even Xue Zeyu's smirk vanished.
Chaoxi stared at Shen Muyan, stunned.
Not because he defended her—but because in that moment, she almost believed he meant it.