Zhao Mei woke to a silence so gentle it felt unreal.
No shouting. No cold wind slapping her awake. No thin mattress digging into her spine.
Just warmth.
She blinked slowly. The East Wing room glowed with soft winter sunlight. Her fingers clutched the blanket, half expecting it to disappear if she let go.
I'm still here.
Her face flushed so hard she pressed both palms against her cheeks.
A knock came. Soft. Polite.
"Good morning, Miss Zhao," Qiao Qiao called gently through the door. "I brought fresh clothing for you. If you need anything, you may ring the service bell."
She stepped inside and bowed slightly, placing neatly folded clothes on a chair.
Zhao Mei stood awkwardly, still clutching the blanket around herself.
"Qiao Qiao," she whispered, embarrassed. "Could you show me how to use the bathroom? I had a cold bath yesterday because I didn't know how anything worked. Everything here is so complicated."
Qiao Qiao's eyes widened briefly, then softened into a warm, reassuring smile.
"Of course, Miss Zhao. Please don't feel shy."
The bathroom felt like stepping into a dream.
Golden fixtures. Glass walls. A tub deep enough to sink into. Warm light reflecting off marble.
Zhao Mei swallowed hard.
"I don't know how to use anything here," she admitted, her voice tiny.
Qiao Qiao didn't laugh. Didn't judge.
She simply showed her, patient and kind.
"This controls hot water. Here is the pressure. This fills the bathtub. And these are shampoo and body wash."
Zhao Mei nodded, her cheeks burning.
"I'm sorry. I used to bathe behind our house, mostly with cold water every morning."
Qiao Qiao bowed again. "There is no need to apologize, Miss Zhao. You will get used to this. Take your time."
She placed a silver bell on the counter. "If you need me, ring this."
Then she left quietly.
Zhao Mei turned the gold knob. Hot water rushed into the tub, steam curling around her face.
She stepped in slowly.
And her entire body melted.
A soft gasp escaped her lips. Her muscles loosened. Her bones warmed. Her back sank into comfort she had never felt in her life.
So this is what a real bath feels like.
She washed her hair slowly, fingers trembling as expensive soap slid down her skin. Her heartbeat settled. Her breathing softened.
For the first time since everything fell apart, she felt safe. Alive. Human.
Outside the door, Zhang Wei stood with his arms crossed, his expression tight.
She hadn't come out of the East Wing yet.
Something tightened in his chest.
He knocked once. No response.
Again. Still nothing.
Concern flickered across his face. He opened the door.
The room was empty, but the sound of running water drifted from the bathroom.
She's bathing.
He turned to leave, just as the bathroom door opened.
Zhao Mei stepped out.
Naked. Wet. Steam clinging to her skin.
She froze.
He froze.
Time stopped.
Then she screamed. A tiny, startled sound, cut off instantly when she slapped a hand over her own mouth.
Zhang Wei spun around so fast he nearly stumbled.
"I apologize," he said, his voice strained. "I knocked. You didn't answer. I shouldn't have entered."
Zhao Mei grabbed a towel, nearly tripping, her entire face red.
"I'm sorry. I forgot. I didn't think. I was too relaxed."
Her voice shook.
She wrapped the towel tightly around herself, mortified.
He kept his back turned, trying and failing to erase the image from his mind.
"It's my fault," he said quietly. "I'll leave."
He stepped toward the door.
"Wait."
Her voice was soft. Shaky.
"Did you come to check on me?"
He froze. A long pause.
"Yes."
Her breath caught. She clutched the towel a little tighter.
Zhang Wei composed himself, then turned his head slightly, looking at her reflection in the glass instead of directly at her.
"I also came to remind you about the contract. Change into something formal. We will finalize the marriage contract today. Qiao Qiao will prepare your clothes."
"Oh," barely audible she was too stunned to speak
He left without another word, shutting the door gently behind him.
Zhao Mei pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heartbeat.
Why does he make the air feel different?
Qiao Qiao returned minutes later, bowing.
"Miss Zhao, may I help you dress?"
She held a cream knit dress, warm stockings, and soft indoor shoes.
Zhao Mei let her dress her carefully. Her hands still trembled.
When she looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself.
Soft. Alive.
Not a girl from a slum courtyard. A woman standing at the edge of a new world.
As she walked down the East Wing corridor, staff whispered quietly.
"She looks different today."
"Is she the one marrying Young Master?"
"She seems so soft."
"She doesn't look like someone who belongs here."
"But Young Master supports her."
"That makes her dangerous."
Butler Li silenced them with a stern look. Qiao Qiao followed closely behind Zhao Mei like a guardian.
Zhang Wei stood waiting at the base of the stairs.
Black sweater. Hands in pockets. Expression unreadable.
When she stepped down, their eyes met.
Heat sparked between them. Unexpected.Breath stealing.
Zhao Mei looked away instantly.
"Follow me," he said softly.
Her heart flipped.
He led her into a private office.
Warm wood. Tall windows. A long table with papers neatly arranged.
Lawyer Chen stood waiting, bowing respectfully.
"Good morning, Miss Zhao," he said kindly. "These are the marriage contract terms. Please review them once more before signing."
He laid out the documents.
One year duration. Full protection under Zhang family status. No physical expectations. Annulment option. Confidentiality clause. Financial and legal support.
Zhao Mei swallowed. Her hands trembled.
Zhang Wei watched her quietly.
"Before you sign," he said, his voice low, "I need to ask you something."
She looked up nervously.
"Why were you at the hotel that night?"
Her breath caught. She looked down, twisting her fingers.
"I don't want to talk about it."
His tone softened. "You don't have to. But the truth will help me protect you."
Her throat tightened.
Slowly, painfully, she opened up.
"Chen Rong." Her voice cracked. "My ex boyfriend. He invited me out. I wanted to leave the house for a little while. I felt trapped."
Her eyes shimmered with tears.
"He offered me a drink. After that, everything became blurry. He said we should get fresh air, then he handed me to a bellboy, and I don't remember anything else."
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
"I didn't go there willingly. I didn't go there for anything shameful. I didn't…"
"I know," Zhang Wei said quietly.
Her breath shook.
"You just solved one of my biggest puzzles."
She blinked through tears, confused.
Lawyer Chen cleared his throat gently. "Miss Zhao, when you're ready."
She nodded.
Hands trembling, she signed her name.
Zhang Wei signed next.
The seal pressed down with a firm, echoing click.
A contract binding two strangers into a fate neither expected.