The Gu mansion was quiet that morning.
Sunlight spread across the large dining hall where Feng's family had gathered for breakfast.
Mengmeng sat politely beside Feng, her posture calm as she drank her tea.
Across the table, Feng's grandmother suddenly spoke.
"You two should move here."
Feng paused.
"…Move here?"
"Yes," she said firmly.
"This mansion is too big for old people like us. And you're married now. It's only natural that you live with the family."
Feng's mother nodded happily.
"It would be nice to have the house feel lively again."
His sister grinned.
"And I'd finally have someone interesting to talk to."
Everyone looked at Feng and Mengmeng.
Waiting.
Feng glanced at Mengmeng.
"What do you think?"
Mengmeng remained quiet for a moment.
Living here meant being around Feng all the time.
Something she had been carefully avoiding.
But refusing directly would look strange.
"…Alright," she said calmly.
Feng blinked in surprise.
"You're okay with it?"
"It's your family's house," she replied.
His grandmother clapped her hands happily.
"Wonderful! It's decided."
But the next two days felt strange.
Very strange.
Mengmeng avoided Feng whenever possible.
At breakfast she spoke politely but briefly.
During the day she stayed busy with her "work."
And at night…
She slept on the couch.
Even though the room had a huge bed.
On the second night Feng finally sighed in frustration.
"Mengmeng."
She looked up from her phone.
"Yes?"
"You can sleep on the bed."
"I'm fine here."
"You said that yesterday too."
She simply pulled the blanket over herself.
"Goodnight."
Feng stared at the ceiling in disbelief.
This is ridiculous
Two days later…
Night had fallen again over the Gu mansion.
The large bedroom was quiet.
Mengmeng was sitting near the window with her laptop open.
Feng stood near the door watching her.
He couldn't ignore it anymore.
"Mengmeng."
She looked up.
"Yes?"
"Why are you avoiding me?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Feng continued.
"You barely talk to me."
"You sleep on the couch."
"And you act like I'm some stranger."
The room fell silent.
Mengmeng slowly closed her laptop.
Then she stood up.
Her expression wasn't soft anymore.
It was calm.
Serious.
"You want to know the reason?"
Feng nodded.
"Yes."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Because I know who you are now."
"…What?"
"You're the CEO of Gu Corporation."
Feng blinked.
"Yes… I told you that already."
Mengmeng crossed her arms.
"And do you know who I am?"
"You work in a company," he replied carefully.
She let out a quiet breath.
"No."
Feng frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Mengmeng's voice was calm when she spoke.
"I'm the CEO of Lin Group."
For a moment Feng didn't react.
Then his eyes widened.
"…Wait."
Lin Group.
The company he had competed against for years.
The company he disliked the most in the business world.
The company that constantly challenged Gu Corporation.
"You're joking," he said slowly.
"I'm not."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Feng ran a hand through his hair.
"…You're serious."
"Yes."
"So the reason you've been acting cold is because—"
"We're rivals," she finished.
Her voice was steady.
"It's not exactly comfortable knowing the person sleeping next to you is your biggest competitor."
Feng leaned against the wall, trying to process everything.
"So this entire time…"
"You thought I was just a small employee."
Mengmeng gave a faint smile.
"I never said I was."
Feng let out a quiet laugh.
"This marriage keeps getting more complicated."
Mengmeng looked toward the couch again.
"That's exactly why I'm sleeping there."
Feng shook his head.
"Because we're business rivals?"
"Yes."
"It's just business," he said.
"Maybe for you."
The room became quiet again.
Feng finally understood.
This wasn't just about secrets.
To Mengmeng…
Their relationship had suddenly become a conflict.
Two powerful CEOs.
Living in the same room.
Under the same roof.
Mengmeng picked up her blanket again and walked toward the couch.
Feng watched her silently.
He finally had his answer.
But somehow…
It didn't make things easier.
Because even knowing she was his biggest rival…
The strange feeling in his chest still hadn't disappeared.