---
The morning sun filtered through the expansive windows of the Liang estate, casting a warm glow over the polished marble floors.
The polished marble floor of the Liang estate gleamed under the soft morning light, but the atmosphere was anything but warm.
As Liang Yexuan descended the stairs with his usual composed elegance, his sharp eyes quickly scanned the living room.
Old Master Liang and Old Master Su sat opposite each other, engrossed in a game of chess.
Their eyes, sharp as their wrinkled hands moved the carved ivory pieces with practiced precision.
Old man Liang, dressed in a pale gray tunic, leaned forward, placing a chess piece with precision.
Old man Su, smiled with the grace of a seasoned strategist moved his piece too.
"Your knight is vulnerable," Old Master Liang remarked, moving his bishop with precision.
Old Master Su chuckled, "A calculated risk. Sometimes, sacrifice leads to greater gain."
"Just ensure it's not a blunder," Old Master Liang retorted, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Behind them, Su Meilin's parents sat sipping tea in silence. Her father glanced awkwardly toward Liang Yexuan's parents—Liang Jianyu sat with a fashion magazine open, barely flipping the pages, while Madam Liang was deep in conversation on her phone, her polished fingers twirling her pearl earring.
The four adults barely exchanged glances, the air around them stiff with unspoken thoughts.
Only Su Meilin sat with an expectant smile on the edge of her lips, her peach-pink dress flowing delicately around her knees.
The silence was broken by the soft footsteps of Liang Yexuan descending the staircase.
Dressed impeccably in a black turtleneck and a gray tailored suit, he exuded an air of authority and detachment. His gaze swept over the room, acknowledging the gathering with a polite nod.
"Good morning," he greeted, his voice calm and even.
Su Meilin looked up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Yexuan, good morning."
He barely glanced her way. "Mm," he replied, nodding, his tone devoid of emotion.
As he turned to leave, Old Master Liang's voice halted him.
"Yexuan, stay a moment."
Liang Yexuan paused.
"Su Meilin and her parents are here to discuss your engagement. It's about time we set a formal date. The world already knows you're engaged, yet there've been no proper formalities. Don't you think it's time to make it official?"
Liang Yexuan's gaze swept the room lazily. "She can decide."
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Su Meilin's heart clenched. She bit her lip and lowered her eyes, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her dress.
That same cold indifference... even on their engagement day, he didn't care.
She forced a gentle smile and stood. "Yexuan," she said softly, "I know you're busy. Why don't we talk over the details together later? I'll come to the company and keep you company."
Old Man Liang beamed. "See? Look at how considerate she is."
Liang Yexuan's gaze remained flat. "Do what you want."
---
Outside, his bodyguards opened the sleek black car door. Jin Shu stood nearby, already holding the day's documents. "Young Master, today's schedule and reports."
Liang Yexuan accepted them without a word and got into the car.
---
Back inside, Old man Liang gritted his teeth and turned toward Old man Su with a forced chuckle. "The boy is... dedicated to work. You know how it is."
Old man Su laughed awkwardly. "As long as they're happy, everything else is secondary."
The conversation drifted back to chess, though the elders couldn't ignore the faint bitterness in the air.
Meanwhile, the parents began to discuss the engagement ceremony.
Madam Liang finally hung up and sighed. "Let's move ahead with preparations. We'll need a hotel, a proper designer, invitations…"
Su Meilin's mother nodded eagerly. "We can book the Phoenix Court. It's the best venue this season."
"I think it suits the children," Madam Liang agreed.
She then asked Su Meilin what kind of banquet she wanted.
"Peonies," Su Meilin said with a soft smile. "They're said to bring prosperity and good luck."
Su Meilin sat quietly through it all, her thoughts far from the talk.
He hadn't even looked at her.
Her chest tightened.
She stood suddenly, her smile forced. "I'll go to the company and keep Yexuan company."
Old Master Liang looked pleased. "That's how a wife should be. A woman holds the home together. Go ahead, child."
The others agreed with smiles.
Su Meilin left, her heels clicking softly as she exited. Her face, though serene, masked a growing ache.
Why was he always like this?
"To the Liang Conglomerate," she instructed the driver.
---
In a quiet corner of the city, Lin Yue was finishing up her simple morning routine. She stood in front of the mirror, brushing her long black hair.
Her outfit was modest yet elegant; a knee-length beige dress with delicate floral embroidery at the hem, paired with a soft cream cardigan.
She chose some flats.
A faint pink gloss coated her lips, and her usual light makeup gave her face a fresh glow.
She adjusted the strap of her handbag and took one last glance in the mirror.
Her heart was slightly restless.
"You can do this," she whispered to her reflection.
Her hands felt cold. Her heart beating fast.
She took a deep breath, grabbed her scarf, and walked into the kitchen.
The scent of warm dumplings filled the space. She quickly finished her breakfast, a small bowl of dumplings, warm milk, and sliced apples.
After packing a lunchbox and a small container of fruit, she left the house.
The estate she lived in was quiet, lined with wide roads and modest beautiful houses.
She walked to the only bus stop at the edge, her steps slow but determined.
Her thoughts drifted.
I really need to get a car. This walking and bus routine... it won't work forever. It's tiring.
---
The bus arrived. She climbed aboard and sat quietly by the window, watching the city unfold as they neared the heart of business district.
As the bus pulled up near the towering skyscraper that housed Liang Conglomerate, Lin Yue stepped out. Her breath caught slightly as she tilted her head up to gaze at the towering building.
The shining glass exterior reflected the sun like a blade of light. The entrance was lined with luxury cars. People in suits walked briskly in and out, confident and purposeful.
We're really worlds apart, she thought bitterly.
Lin Yue stared at it with wide eyes. Her chest tightened.
This is his world…
She glanced down at her sensible heels, at the small creases on her skirt. Suddenly, she felt very small.
Her feet wavered.
Maybe I should just go back… Raise the baby alone… It's not like he needs to know…
But just as she turned slightly, a fleet of sleek black cars pulled into the company's front.
She turned around to look curiously.
A sleek convoy of black cars rolled up to the entrance.
The tires barely made a sound on the polished driveway.
A tall bodyguard got out and opened the rear door.
A long, polished shoe stepped onto the ground, followed by the unmistakable figure of Liang Yexuan.
Liang Yexuan stepped out.
He was breathtaking.
In his tailored gray suit and black turtleneck, his features looked sharper under the morning sun.
His deep eyes were unreadable.
That signature mole beneath his lower lip made him look both dangerous and seductive—like a man who could walk out of dreams and into nightmares.
His presence was otherworldly.
So handsome...
---