The Li family mansion stood like a palace at the edge of the city, its high walls hiding centuries of wealth, power, and secrets. Every corner whispered discipline and tradition. Yet inside, the quiet was almost sacred — because the heir, Li Wei (李威), hated noise.
At twenty-seven, Li Wei was the kind of man who made hearts pause. Sharp jaw, deep, commanding eyes, tall frame — yet tragedy had stolen his legs in a car accident that claimed both his parents. Now confined to a wheelchair, he carried a cold, distant aura that kept everyone at arm's length. Greetings, questions, even conversations were handled by his loyal assistant, Chen Bo (陈博). Few dared to approach him directly.
Yet everything was about to change.
---
Across the city, in a modest but cozy apartment, lived Xiao Mei (萧美). At twenty-two, she had a presence that could light up a room — bright eyes, lively gestures, and a voice that never seemed to stop. Some at her office adored her energy; others found her overwhelming. But Xiao Mei didn't mind. Life was too short to whisper when it could be sung.
Her grandmother, who had raised her, often told her one thing before she passed away:
> "Mei'er, when I'm gone, you won't be alone. My best friend promised her grandson would marry you. That family will protect you when I no longer can."
Xiao Mei had laughed softly, thinking it an old-fashioned fairy tale. Arranged marriages were relics of the past… weren't they?
---
But that evening, everything changed. The Li family matriarch, Grandma Li (李奶奶), summoned her. In her grand chair, framed by priceless paintings and warm candlelight, the old woman's eyes glistened with tears.
> Grandma Li: "Your grandmother was my soul sister. We promised each other that when the time came, our families would be joined. Mei'er… would you honor her last wish and become my Wei'er's wife?"
Marriage. To Li Wei — the distant, untouchable heir everyone whispered about. Xiao Mei froze, unsure whether to nod or run. Yet when she looked into Grandma Li's eyes — so full of hope and quiet desperation — she felt something stir deep in her heart.
> Xiao Mei (softly): "If it will make Grandma smile… I'll do it. I'll marry him."
Grandma Li grasped her hands, relief washing over her wrinkled face.
> Grandma Li: "Child… you don't know how much this means… to both of us."
---
The wedding was private — no reporters, no grand celebration. Only family attended.
Li Wei sat in his wheelchair at the altar, emotion carefully hidden behind a calm, unreadable face. He didn't reach for her hand. He didn't speak. And yet, when Xiao Mei stood beside him, her smile as bright as the morning sun, something shifted inside him — a small, unexpected flicker.
> Xiao Mei (whispering, with a tiny smile): "Don't worry. I don't mind. Whether you stand or sit… you're my husband now. And I talk enough for both of us."
For the first time in months, Li Wei's lips twitched. A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared — small, but real.
---
After the ceremony, they were alone in the mansion's private garden, moonlight spilling over the cobblestones. Xiao Mei laughed at the way the wind tangled her hair, unaware that Li Wei was watching, a shadow of warmth crossing his guarded expression.
> Xiao Mei: "I've always loved gardens. They feel… alive. Don't you think, Wei'er?"
He remained silent, studying her. Then, quietly:
> Li Wei: "You… have a way of turning silence into chaos."
She giggled, not offended but delighted. That moment — brief, innocent — was the first crack in the walls around his heart. And for her, the first glimpse that this cold, untouchable man could feel something… for her.
Outside, the city slept, but in the mansion, a storm of laughter, emotion, and the unspoken promise of love had begun.
---
✨ End of Episodes 1