Su Wanwan sat motionless on the massive bed, large enough to hold ten people, in the penthouse suite of Jiangcheng's most luxurious seven-star hotel. The million-dollar wedding gown felt heavy on her shoulders.
Just hours ago, she had married Lu Tingchen, the wealthiest man in Jiangcheng.
It had been a wedding without a groom.
"Miss Su, Mr. Lu had an urgent meeting come up suddenly. He might not return tonight. Please rest first," the steward announced, his face expressionless, not a hint of apology in his tone.
Wanwan nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.
She wasn't ready to face a complete stranger as her husband, especially not a man as powerful and formidable as Lu Tingchen.
This marriage was purely a transaction—the Su family needed the Lu family's funds to survive a crisis, while the Lus needed a "wife" to fulfill the last wish of the ailing Patriarch Lu.
And she, Su Wanwan, was merely the Su family's least favored second daughter, pushed forward as a tool to complete the task.
Removing the heavy headpiece, Wanwan retreated into the bathroom, sinking into a comfortably hot bath. Since the groom wasn't coming back, she might as well enjoy the peace.
Wrapped in a plush bathrobe later, she hummed a tune and picked a bottle of red wine from the cabinet that caught her eye, pouring herself a generous glass.
"Mmm, the rich really know how to live. This tastes amazing," she murmured, smacking her lips slightly as she twirled barefoot on the soft carpet, completely missing the moment the bedroom door silently opened behind her.
"Who told you to touch that wine?"
An icy male voice cut through the air from behind her. Wanwan jumped, her hand trembling and spilling half the dark red liquid onto her pristine white robe.
She spun around to see a tall, imposing man standing in the doorway.
He wore an exquisitely tailored black suit, his tie slightly loosened. Exhaustion tinged his brow, but his deep-set eyes were sharp and hawk-like, fixed on her coldly.
Wanwan instantly recognized him—Lu Tingchen, her new husband, a regular feature on financial magazines.
Pictures failed to capture the man's sheer presence. He was even taller than she imagined, with sharp, cold features and an aura of undeniable authority that demanded respect.
"S-sorry, I didn't know..." Wanwan stammered an apology, her voice fading.
Lu Tingchen stepped closer, his gaze sweeping over the stain on her robe, his frown deepening. "A 1945 Romanée-Conti. A collector's item I won at auction for half a million dollars. Wasted by you."
Wanwan gasped, staring at the remaining wine in her glass, her hand beginning to shake uncontrollably.
Half a million dollars? For one bottle? That was more than she could earn in years!
"I... I'll pay you back..." she whispered.
Lu Tingchen let out a derisive laugh, as if hearing the world's greatest joke. "Pay me back? With the Su family's money? Or with my money?"
He closed the distance, looking down at her. The bathrobe was slightly loose, revealing her delicate collarbone and a patch of fair skin. Her damp hair cascaded over her shoulders, making her small face appear even more pitifully beautiful.
"The Su family certainly picked well. Chose the daughter most equipped to tempt a man," he sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Wanwan's face flushed crimson. "Mr. Lu, please show some respect!"
"Respect?" Lu Tingchen reached out, lifting her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Su Mingwei, didn't your father tell you what marrying into the Lu family entails?"
Wanwan's heart nearly stopped.
He had called her Su Mingwei—her older sister's name.
Of course. This arranged marriage was originally meant for her sister, Su Mingwei, and Lu Tingchen. But just a week ago, Mingwei had eloped overseas with her first love, vanishing without a trace.
To prevent the alliance from collapsing and losing the Lu family's crucial financial lifeline, the Su parents had no choice but to substitute their younger daughter, who bore a slight resemblance to Mingwei.
After all, Lu Tingchen had never met Su Mingwei in person, only glimpsed her in a few photographs.
"I..." Wanwan opened her mouth, but ultimately lacked the courage to confess her true identity.
Lu Tingchen released her chin, his tone indifferent. "Whatever scheme the Su family is playing, remember this: First, do not touch my things. Second, do not interfere in my affairs. Third, play the role of Mrs. Lu perfectly in front of the old master."
He turned towards the walk-in closet, retrieving sleepwear. "Other than that, we leave each other alone. The bedroom is yours. I'll sleep in the study."
Wanwan stood frozen, watching him head towards the bathroom. Suddenly, she mustered a shred of courage. "Then... what do I need to do?"
Lu Tingchen paused, glancing back at her, a sarcastic curve lifting the corner of his mouth. "Play your part as Mrs. Lu. Enjoy the life of luxury. Don't cause me trouble. Isn't that what you Su women excel at?"
The bathroom door slammed shut, leaving Wanwan alone, still holding the immensely valuable glass of wine.
She slowly set the glass down and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at Jiangcheng's glittering nightscape.
In that moment, she realized with stark clarity—she was just a songbird trapped in a gilded cage, and worse, living under someone else's name.
"Su Wanwan, oh Su Wanwan, how did you end up like this..." she whispered mockingly to herself.
Before the sound of the shower stopped, Wanwan quickly changed into conservative pajamas and burrowed under the covers, pretending to be asleep.
Lu Tingchen emerged from the bathroom. Seeing her curled up on one side of the enormous bed, occupying only a tiny fraction of the space as if afraid to take up more, he paused briefly in drying his hair. He looked at her for a moment with a complex expression, then finally picked up a pillow and a duvet, quietly leaving the bedroom.
The moment the door closed, Wanwan opened her eyes and let out a long, relieved sigh.
The first hurdle was finally over.
She fished her phone from under the pillow. The screen lit up, showing over a dozen unread messages, all from her mother:
"Wanwan, how did it go? Is Mr. Lu satisfied with you?"
"Don't forget your father's company is counting on you!"
"With Mingwei gone, you are the Su family's only hope. You must capture Mr. Lu's heart!"
"Reply when you see this!"
Annoyed, Wanwan tossed the phone aside and pulled the covers over her head.
At that moment, she missed terribly the creaky single bed in her small apartment—at least that space had been completely her own.
Not like this opulent, icy prison.
Sometime later, Wanwan finally drifted into a fitful sleep.
In the middle of the night, she woke up thirsty and, still half-asleep, stumbled out to find water.
Forgetting where she was, she followed her instincts and was passing by the study when she heard suppressed coughing from within.
Almost as if guided by some unseen force, she gently pushed the door open a crack.
Only a desk lamp was on in the study. Lu Tingchen was slumped on the sofa, his face frighteningly pale, his forehead beaded with cold sweat. One hand was pressed tightly against his chest, while the other trembled, trying to pour pills from a medicine bottle on the coffee table.
Wanwan jolted fully awake and pushed the door open. "What's wrong?"
Lu Tingchen's head snapped up, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Who said you could come in? Get out!"
But his weakened state robbed the command of its power.
Ignoring him, Wanwan hurried over, helped him tip out two pills, and fetched a glass of water for him.
Lu Tingchen hesitated for a split second before finally taking the medicine and swallowing it, leaning back against the sofa with his eyes closed, breathing heavily.
A few minutes later, his color gradually returned, and his breathing steadied.
Wanwan noticed the label on the medicine bottle—specialized cardiac medication.
She was stunned. There had never been any rumors about Lu Tingchen having heart problems.
"If word of what you saw tonight gets out..." Lu Tingchen's eyes opened suddenly. His voice was still weak, but carried an undeniable threat.
"I won't tell anyone," Wanwan interrupted softly. "Are you feeling better? Should I call a doctor?"
Lu Tingchen studied her, seemingly searching for any trace of pretense on her face, but ultimately just shook his head. "No need. You may go."
Wanwan nodded and turned to leave, but paused again. "Do you... does this happen often?"
"That's none of your concern," Lu Tingchen answered coldly.
"But—"
"Su Mingwei," he said, correctly naming her—or rather, who she was supposed to be—for the first time, the name laced with a cold warning, "Remember our agreement: we do not interfere in each other's lives. Now, please leave."
Wanwan pressed her lips together, silently exited the study, and gently closed the door behind her.
Back in the bedroom, sleep was impossible. Her mind was filled with the image of Lu Tingchen's pale face and that bottle of heart medicine.
This commercial emperor, who seemed omnipotent in the eyes of outsiders, apparently hid secrets unknown to the public.
And herself? Wasn't she also a fraud wearing a mask?
The next morning, Wanwan was awakened by a knock on the door.
The steward stood outside with two maids, announcing respectfully, "Madam, breakfast is ready. Mr. Lu instructed that you prepare yourself after the meal. We are to return to the old mansion this afternoon to see the Old Master."
Wanwan's heart tightened.
The real test was about to begin.
(To be continued...)