The sunrise painted the sky in soft shades of orange.
But inside the room, the air remained heavy.
Silent.
Dense.
As if something irreversible had just taken place.
Lin Xiyue and Gu Beichen stood facing each other.
Two strangers—
Bound by a single night… and an even more absurd decision.
Marriage.
In her previous life—
Xiyue would have panicked.
She would have hesitated.
She would have retreated.
But now?
She simply observed the man in front of her calmly.
Coldly.
Calculating.
Gu Beichen was not an ordinary man.
That much was obvious.
His posture… his gaze… the way he occupied space—everything about him screamed authority, discipline, and danger.
And more importantly—
He was not a fool.
Unlike the other one.
A faint glint flashed through Xiyue's eyes.
Good.
That made things easier.
"You won't regret this," she said suddenly.
Her firm voice cut through the silence.
Beichen raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Confident."
"Realistic."
She didn't hesitate.
Her eyes met his—fearless.
Unsubmissive.
That—
Was rare.
Very rare.
Especially for someone who had just gone through what she had.
He stepped closer.
The distance between them shrank.
"Do you know what you're getting into?"
The question wasn't light.
It was a warning.
A test.
But Xiyue only tilted her head slightly.
"A military officer," she said. "Someone with status. Influence. And… the trouble that comes with it."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"And someone who doesn't tolerate being used."
Beichen's eyes narrowed.
"And you still want to marry me?"
A faint smile touched her lips.
"I don't like being used either."
That—
Almost made him smile.
A silent understanding.
An unspoken agreement.
"Good," he said. "Then we're even."
A few minutes later—
The atmosphere in the room had completely shifted.
More practical.
More direct.
As if they had both simply… accepted it.
"We'll register the marriage today," Beichen said, picking up his coat.
Straightforward.
No ceremony.
Xiyue nodded.
"The sooner, the better."
She had no intention of giving anyone time to interfere.
Especially…
Lin Meiqing.
The name sent a chill through her chest.
But this time—
Her eyes only darkened.
No pain.
No weakness.
Only intent.
"Do you have somewhere to go?" Beichen asked.
She thought for a moment.
Her adoptive family's house?
No.
She wouldn't step foot there the same way again.
Not as someone submissive.
"I do," she said at last. "But I won't stay there for long."
He didn't ask further.
He simply nodded.
Respecting it—
Or perhaps observing.
When they stepped outside—
The world felt… too normal.
People walking.
Bicycles passing.
Casual conversations.
As if nothing had changed.
But for Lin Xiyue—
Everything had.
The air felt different.
Lighter.
Freer.
She took a deep breath.
And for the first time in a long while—
She didn't feel like she was suffocating.
Beside her, Gu Beichen walked with steady steps, his presence naturally drawing attention.
A few curious glances appeared—
Especially when people noticed
a woman by his side.
But no one dared approach.
"They're afraid of you," Xiyue remarked casually.
"Good."
Simple answer.
She let out a soft laugh.
"That'll be useful."
He glanced at her.
"You plan to use it?"
"I plan to use everything."
No shame.
No pretense.
Something shifted in his gaze again.
Approval.
Subtle—
But there.
The registration office was simple.
Old.
With furniture worn by time.
Nothing glamorous.
Nothing special.
But—
To Xiyue—
It meant everything.
In her previous life, her marriage had been a trap.
Humiliation.
Shame.
This time?
It was a choice.
Even if strategic.
Even if sudden.
Still—
A choice.
"Names," the clerk said, bored.
"Gu Beichen."
"Lin Xiyue."
The man glanced up briefly—
Surprised.
But said nothing.
He simply continued.
Stamps.
Paperwork.
Signatures.
Just like that.
No ceremony.
No witnesses.
No blessings.
And yet—
Far more real.
When the pen touched the paper—
Xiyue felt something inside her settle.
As if she wasn't just sealing a marriage…
But a new life.
She finished signing.
Pushed the document forward slightly.
And looked at Beichen.
He signed right after.
No hesitation.
No pause.
As if he had already decided the moment he spoke those words.
"Done," the clerk said.
And that was it.
No applause.
No music.
Nothing.
But in that moment—
Lin Xiyue officially became—
Gu Beichen's wife.
Outside—
The sun had risen higher.
The city alive.
Noisy.
Indifferent.
Xiyue held the small document in her hands.
Simple.
But heavy.
Meaningful.
"So…" she said, glancing at him. "Husband."
The word came naturally.
No shyness.
No embarrassment.
Beichen stopped.
Slowly, he turned toward her.
His gaze lowered slightly—
As if reassessing something.
"Wife," he replied.
His voice was low.
Softer than before.
For a brief second—
The world seemed to slow.
But Xiyue broke it first.
"We have work to do."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Already?"
"Always."
She crossed her arms lightly.
"My 'sister' should be looking for me right now."
Beichen's gaze turned cold.
"The one who did this to you?"
"Yes."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
Sharp.
"And she still thinks I'm the same as before."
Silence.
Then—
He stepped closer.
His presence enveloping.
Protective.
Dangerous.
"Do you want me to handle it?"
Direct.
Simple.
Lethal.
Xiyue looked at him for a moment.
Then—
She shook her head.
"No."
Her eyes gleamed.
"I'll handle it myself."
A pause.
Then, quieter—
"But you can watch."
That—
Awakened something in Gu Beichen.
Something dangerous.
Interested.
"Then let's see," he murmured.
Meanwhile—
On the other side of the city—
Lin Meiqing smiled.
Confident.
Certain everything was under control.
"She should be ruined by now…" she murmured, sipping her tea.
Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"As always."
But she didn't know.
Not yet.
That this time—
The prey had become the hunter.
And the game—
Had completely changed.