The morning sunlight spilled across the polished marble floor of the penthouse, reflecting off the glass walls like shards of gold. Beijing was already awake below them. Endless traffic moved like flowing ribbons of steel and color, the city alive with ambition.
Fan Xiao Ying stood near the wide living room window, clutching the strap of her small bag. Everything about this place made her feel small. The ceilings were too high. The furniture looked too expensive to even touch. Even the silence carried a strange weight, like the building itself was judging her.
One year, she reminded herself.
Just one year.
Five million dollars.
Then she could walk away and finally build the life she dreamed of.
Behind her, footsteps approached.
Gu Jing Yu moved across the room with calm confidence, dressed in a perfectly fitted dark suit. His hair was still slightly damp from the shower, and the faint scent of cologne lingered in the air around him.
Xiao Ying turned when she sensed him nearby. For a moment their eyes met, and she quickly looked away.
Why was it so hard to look at him?
Maybe it was the way he carried himself. Cold. Controlled. Like a man who had never once lost a battle in his life.
"Breakfast is ready," he said.
She blinked in surprise.
"You cook?" she asked.
His expression didn't change.
"No."
He gestured toward the dining table.
A neatly arranged spread of food sat waiting. Fresh fruit. Toast. Eggs. Coffee.
"Chef delivered it," he added.
Of course he had a private chef.
Xiao Ying quietly sat across from him at the long dining table. The distance between them felt enormous even though they were only a few feet apart.
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
Finally she cleared her throat.
"So… about the rules."
Jing Yu took a slow sip of coffee before answering.
"Yes."
His voice carried the calm authority of someone who was used to being obeyed.
"The contract you signed yesterday outlines the basic conditions," he said. "But there are additional expectations."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Additional?"
"Yes."
He placed a folder on the table and slid it toward her.
"Public behavior guidelines."
Xiao Ying stared at the folder.
"Are you serious?"
"Completely."
She opened it.
Inside were several pages of neatly printed instructions.
Attend family functions when required.
Maintain appropriate appearance in public.
Avoid scandals or media attention.
Act like a loving wife in front of my father.
She almost laughed.
"You're really treating this like a corporate project."
"It is," Jing Yu replied calmly.
She looked up at him.
"And what about private life?"
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"We keep our distance."
"Meaning?"
"Separate bedrooms."
Xiao Ying relaxed slightly.
"Good."
His eyes narrowed a fraction.
"You sound disappointed."
She almost choked on her coffee.
"Excuse me?"
He didn't smile, but there was a flicker of amusement in his gaze.
"You accepted five million dollars to marry a stranger. Forgive me if I question your expectations."
Her face warmed instantly.
"You really think I'm that kind of woman?"
"I think you accepted the contract very quickly."
She set her coffee cup down with a soft clink.
"And you think that means I'm a gold digger."
"It means you're practical."
"That's a polite way of saying greedy."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Jing Yu spoke again.
"I don't care about your motivations," he said calmly. "Just remember the boundaries."
Xiao Ying crossed her arms.
"Oh, don't worry. Crossing lines with you is the last thing on my mind."
For the first time, a small smile appeared on his lips.
And somehow that smile made her heart beat faster.
Later that afternoon
The Gu family mansion stood on the outskirts of Beijing like something pulled from an old painting. Tall gates. Carefully trimmed gardens. Marble statues lining the long driveway.
Xiao Ying stared out the car window as the black sedan rolled through the gates.
"So this is where your father lives?"
"Yes."
The car stopped in front of the main entrance.
A line of servants stood waiting.
Xiao Ying swallowed nervously.
"I suddenly feel underdressed."
Jing Yu glanced at her.
"You look fine."
She was wearing a simple cream-colored dress and low heels. Compared to the luxury around her, it still felt painfully ordinary.
A tall elderly man stepped out of the house just as they approached the door.
Xiao Ying's eyes widened.
"Mr. Gu?"
The man smiled warmly.
"My dear Xiao Ying."
Her mind spun.
The regular customer from the diner.
The kind old man who always tipped generously.
He was… this Mr. Gu?
Gu Jing Yu's father.
She looked at Jing Yu in disbelief.
"You knew?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"It wasn't necessary."
Xiao Ying stared at him.
Unbelievable.
Mr. Gu chuckled softly.
"Don't scold my son too much," he said gently. "He's not very good with people."
Jing Yu sighed quietly.
"Father."
But Xiao Ying was still processing the situation.
"So you're the one who wanted us to get married?"
Mr. Gu nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
His eyes softened.
"Because you're kind."
She blinked.
"That's it?"
He chuckled again.
"My son has lived his entire life surrounded by ambitious people. People who want his money. His power."
His gaze shifted briefly toward Jing Yu.
"I wanted someone honest beside him."
Jing Yu looked away slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation.
Xiao Ying felt something twist gently in her chest.
Mr. Gu took her hand kindly.
"Take care of him, Xiao Ying."
She glanced at Jing Yu.
The cold billionaire looked completely unimpressed.
"I'm not a stray dog that needs rescuing," he muttered.
Mr. Gu laughed loudly.
"You see what I mean?"
That evening
The family dinner was… intense.
Gu Jing Yu's stepbrother, Gu Cheng Ze, arrived halfway through the meal.
He was handsome in a different way from Jing Yu. More relaxed. Charming.
But his eyes were sharp.
"So this is the famous wife," Cheng Ze said, studying Xiao Ying openly.
His smile was friendly.
Too friendly.
Xiao Ying gave a polite nod.
"Nice to meet you."
Cheng Ze leaned back in his chair.
"You work at a diner, right?"
"Yes."
"That's quite a promotion."
Jing Yu's fork paused.
"Cheng Ze."
But the younger man continued.
"Marrying into the Gu family overnight must feel like winning the lottery."
Xiao Ying felt the insult immediately.
Before she could respond, Jing Yu spoke calmly.
"If you're finished embarrassing yourself, we can continue dinner."
Cheng Ze raised his hands in mock surrender.
"I'm just curious."
His eyes flicked back to Xiao Ying.
"After all, my brother has never shown interest in ordinary women before."
The tension in the room thickened.
But Xiao Ying surprised everyone.
She smiled.
"Well, I've never been interested in arrogant billionaires either," she said sweetly.
Cheng Ze blinked.
Then he laughed.
Loudly.
"I like her," he said.
Jing Yu didn't look amused.
Late night
Back at the penthouse, Xiao Ying kicked off her heels with a tired sigh.
"That dinner was exhausting."
Jing Yu loosened his tie slightly.
"You handled Cheng Ze well."
She looked at him suspiciously.
"Was that a compliment?"
"Yes."
"Wow. I should mark this date on the calendar."
For a moment, silence settled comfortably between them.
Then Jing Yu spoke again.
"My father likes you."
"I noticed."
"He rarely trusts people."
Xiao Ying shrugged.
"I didn't do anything special."
"Exactly."
She turned to face him.
For a brief moment their eyes locked.
And the air shifted.
Something warm.
Something dangerous.
Jing Yu stepped closer.
Too close.
Xiao Ying's breath caught.
"Remember the rules," she said softly.
His gaze moved slowly across her face.
"I do."
"Then why are you standing so close?"
He paused.
Then took one step back.
"Goodnight, Mrs. Gu."
Her heart was still racing as she watched him walk away.
But neither of them noticed the figure standing across the street outside the building.
A man watched the penthouse windows carefully.
He spoke quietly into his phone.
"Yes," he said.
"The marriage is real."
A pause.
Then a cold smile spread across his face.