Morning in Beijing arrived slowly behind a veil of gray clouds. From the thirty-eighth floor of Gu Jing Yu's penthouse, the city looked distant and unreal, like a painting of glass towers and endless motion.
Fan Xiao Ying stood in the kitchen staring at the coffee machine.
She had been awake for nearly an hour, but she still felt like she was dreaming.
Yesterday she had been a diner waitress worrying about tips and grocery money.
Today she was the wife of one of the richest men in Beijing.
"Wife" .
Even thinking about the word made her uncomfortable.
She rubbed her temples.
One year.
Just survive one year.
The elevator doors opened behind her with a soft chime.
Jing Yu walked into the room already dressed for work. Dark suit. Silver watch. Hair perfectly styled. He looked like a man carved from calm authority.
Xiao Ying noticed something about him immediately.
He looked tired.
"You didn't sleep?" she asked without thinking.
Jing Yu paused slightly.
"Why do you ask?"
"You have dark circles."
He looked mildly offended.
"I don't."
She shrugged and poured herself a cup of coffee.
"Suit yourself."
Jing Yu walked past her toward the refrigerator.
"You have plans today," he said.
"Do I?"
"Yes."
He placed a small black box on the kitchen counter.
Xiao Ying looked at it cautiously.
"What is that?"
"Open it."
She hesitated before lifting the lid.
Inside rested a necklace.
A breathtaking diamond necklace.
The stones caught the morning light and scattered it across the room like tiny stars.
Her jaw dropped.
"That looks… expensive."
"It is."
She closed the box quickly.
"I can't wear that."
"You will tonight."
"Tonight?"
"There's a charity gala this evening. My father expects us to attend."
Xiao Ying groaned quietly.
"Another family event already?"
"This one involves business partners, investors, and the media."
She froze.
"The media?"
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
She shook her head quickly.
"I'm not going to some billionaire party where everyone stares at me."
Jing Yu leaned casually against the counter.
"You don't have a choice."
"Excuse me?"
"You're my wife. Public appearances are part of the contract."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You're enjoying this."
"I'm being practical."
She pointed at the necklace.
"That thing probably costs more than my entire apartment building."
"Then you should wear it carefully."
Xiao Ying stared at him for several seconds.
Then she sighed.
"Fine."
Jing Yu nodded once.
"A stylist will arrive this afternoon."
Her eyes widened.
"A what?"
"A stylist."
"You hired someone to dress me?"
"Yes."
Her face turned red with embarrassment.
"I know how to dress myself."
"Not for this event."
She wanted to argue again.
But something about the calm certainty in his voice stopped her.
Instead she muttered under her breath and walked out of the kitchen.
Jing Yu watched her leave.
For a brief moment, something almost like amusement flickered in his eyes.
Three hours later
The penthouse living room had turned into a fashion studio.
Three stylists surrounded Xiao Ying with dresses, makeup kits, and hair tools.
She sat stiffly on the sofa while one woman examined her face carefully.
"You have very beautiful skin," the stylist said.
Xiao Ying blinked.
"Thank you?"
Another woman held up a dark red gown.
"This one will be perfect."
Xiao Ying stared at the dress.
It was elegant. Sleek. Far more sophisticated than anything she had ever worn.
"I'll look ridiculous."
The stylist laughed softly.
"No, Mrs. Gu. You'll look unforgettable."
Meanwhile
Jing Yu sat in his home office reviewing business reports.
But his attention kept drifting toward the living room.
Voices. Laughter. The soft rustling of fabric.
Finally the door opened.
The stylist stepped in.
"Mr. Gu," she said. "Your wife is ready."
He closed the file on his desk.
"Thank you."
When he stepped into the living room, time seemed to slow.
Fan Xiao Ying stood near the window.
The red dress fit her perfectly.
It hugged her waist and flowed down like liquid silk. Her long black hair had been styled into soft waves, and the diamond necklace rested against her collarbone like a crown of light.
For a moment, Jing Yu forgot how to breathe.
She looked completely different.
No.
Not different.
The same girl.
But now the world could see what he had already noticed.
She was beautiful.
Xiao Ying shifted awkwardly.
"Why are you staring?"
Jing Yu cleared his throat.
"You look… acceptable."
She rolled her eyes immediately.
"Wow. High praise."
But she still looked slightly pleased.
The gala took place in a luxury hotel overlooking the central district of Beijing.
As their car pulled up to the entrance, flashes of cameras filled the night air.
Xiao Ying froze.
"Are those paparazzi?"
"Yes."
"I hate this already."
Jing Yu stepped out of the car first before offering his hand.
"Smile."
"I don't feel like smiling."
"Do it anyway."
She took his hand reluctantly.
The moment they stepped onto the red carpet, cameras exploded with light.
"Mr. Gu!"
"Over here!"
"Is this your new wife?"
Xiao Ying felt dizzy.
Jing Yu's hand tightened slightly around hers.
"Stay close," he murmured.
Inside the ballroom, everything glittered.
Crystal chandeliers. Marble floors. Women in designer gowns and men in tailored suits.
The air smelled like expensive perfume and champagne.
Xiao Ying suddenly felt very small again.
"Relax," Jing Yu said quietly.
"Easy for you to say."
He guided her through the crowd with calm confidence.
People stared openly.
Whispers followed them everywhere.
Then a familiar voice spoke behind them.
"Jing Yu."
They turned.
A tall elegant woman approached.
Her black dress shimmered under the lights, and her makeup was flawless.
Her smile was beautiful.
But her eyes were cold.
"Lin Fang," Jing Yu said calmly.
Xiao Ying felt the tension instantly.
The woman looked at her slowly.
"So, this is the famous wife."
Xiao Ying offered a polite smile.
"Nice to meet you."
Lin Fang's gaze moved across her dress, her necklace, her hair.
Evaluating.
Judging.
"Interesting choice," she said softly.
Jing Yu's expression hardened slightly.
"Lin Fang."
The warning in his voice was subtle but clear.
Lin Fang ignored it.
"I heard you used to work in a diner," she continued.
Xiao Ying kept her smile steady.
"I did."
"How charming."
The insult hung in the air.
Jing Yu stepped slightly closer to Xiao Ying.
"Is there a reason you came over, Lin Fang?"
The woman's smile widened slightly.
"I just wanted to see the woman who captured Beijing's most eligible bachelor."
Her gaze returned to Xiao Ying.
"You must be very talented."
Xiao Ying finally spoke.
"I make excellent coffee."
Lin Fang blinked.
For a moment she seemed unsure how to respond.
Then she laughed lightly.
"Well… enjoy the evening."
She walked away gracefully.
Xiao Ying exhaled slowly.
"Your friends are terrifying."
"She's not my friend."
"That's comforting."
Later that evening
The ballroom buzzed with music and conversation.
Jing Yu had been pulled into several business discussions, leaving Xiao Ying alone near the balcony.
She finally stepped outside for fresh air.
The night breeze felt wonderful after the crowded ballroom.
"You handled Lin Fang well."
Xiao Ying turned.
Gu Cheng Ze leaned casually against the balcony railing.
"You again," she said.
He smiled.
"I like observing interesting people."
"Am I interesting?"
"Very."
His gaze drifted toward the ballroom doors.
"My brother rarely brings women to public events."
Xiao Ying shrugged.
"It's a marriage."
"Yes."
He studied her face carefully.
"But something tells me things are becoming complicated."
She frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Cheng Ze just smiled mysteriously.
"You'll figure it out."
Inside the ballroom, Jing Yu watched the scene through the glass doors.
His jaw tightened slightly.
For reasons he couldn't explain, seeing Cheng Ze talking to Xiao Ying irritated him.
More than it should have.
Much more.
Across the room, Lin Fang watched everything with quiet anger.
Her fingers tightened around her champagne glass.
"So that's the girl," she whispered.
A man beside her nodded.
"Yes."
Lin Fang's lips curved slowly.
"This should be entertaining."
Back on the balcony
Xiao Ying leaned against the railing.
"I should go back inside."
Cheng Ze nodded.
"You probably should."
She walked toward the doors.
But before she could reach them, someone grabbed her wrist.
She turned quickly.
Jing Yu stood there.
His expression was unreadable.
"You disappeared," he said.
"I needed air."
His eyes drifted toward Cheng Ze behind her.
Then back to her.
"Stay near me," he said quietly.
She tilted her head.
"Jealous?"
His expression didn't change.
"Not even slightly."
But his hand didn't release her wrist for several seconds.
Inside the ballroom
The mysterious man from across the street stood near the bar.
Watching.
Always watching.
He spoke quietly into his phone again.
"Yes," he said.
"They're already getting closer."
A pause.
Then his voice turned cold.
"Good."
He hung up.
And smiled.