The Cold Reality

The tension in the air was palpable as Li Wei stood in front of Zhao Ming in the spacious living room of the penthouse. It had been two days since she moved in, and while she had done her best to acclimate to the luxurious surroundings, Zhao Ming's distant and cold demeanor made the place feel more like a gilded cage than a home.

Zhao Ming was impeccably dressed, as always, his tailored suit emphasizing his tall frame. His expression was unreadable, eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her stomach tighten. He had called her here this morning, and now they stood face to face, the silence between them thick and uncomfortable.

"Are you adjusting well?" Zhao Ming finally asked, his voice even, though his tone lacked warmth.

Li Wei nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yes, everything is fine. The penthouse is… beautiful."

He glanced around briefly before his gaze returned to her. "That's good. You'll need to get used to public appearances soon. We have a charity gala in three days. You'll be expected to attend as my wife."

The word "wife" hung in the air like an accusation, reminding her of the contract that bound them. Li Wei swallowed the lump in her throat. "Of course. I'll be ready."

Zhao Ming's sharp eyes assessed her for a moment, and then, without any further acknowledgment, he turned on his heel to leave. As he reached the door, Li Wei felt an unexpected surge of frustration. She couldn't bear the cold detachment any longer.

"Is this how it's going to be?" she blurted out before she could stop herself.

Zhao Ming paused but didn't turn around. His voice was icy when he spoke. "What do you mean?"

Li Wei clenched her fists, summoning the courage to continue. "We're supposed to be married. Even if it's just a contract, you could at least try to act like we're not complete strangers."

Zhao Ming turned then, his expression unreadable but his eyes flashing with something akin to irritation. "You and I both know this marriage isn't real. It's a business arrangement, nothing more. I have no intention of pretending otherwise."

His words cut deep, but Li Wei refused to back down. "I understand that, but I'm not asking for pretense. I'm asking for basic human decency. We don't have to like each other, but at least acknowledge that we're in this together."

Zhao Ming's gaze softened for a fraction of a second, but it was gone just as quickly. "You're right. This is a partnership. I'll make sure to remember that."

Without another word, he left, leaving Li Wei standing alone in the vast, empty room. The sound of the door clicking shut echoed in the silence, and she let out a shaky breath. She had stood up to him, but at what cost?

The following days passed in a blur of preparations for the gala. Zhang Mei had helped Li Wei pick out an elegant evening gown, and everything was set for her debut as Zhao Ming's wife. The looming event felt like a storm on the horizon, growing closer with each passing moment.

On the day of the gala, Li Wei stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the delicate straps of her gown. The deep red silk clung to her frame, accentuating her figure while still maintaining an air of sophistication. Her hair was swept into a sleek bun, and the diamond earrings she wore sparkled under the light.

She barely recognized herself.

As she stared at her reflection, there was a knock at the door. When she opened it, Chen Yu stood there, dressed in a sharp suit and wearing his usual easygoing smile. His eyes widened slightly as he took in her appearance.

"You look… incredible," he said, his voice tinged with admiration.

Li Wei blushed, not used to the attention. "Thank you. I didn't realize you were attending the gala as well."

"Of course," Chen Yu replied with a chuckle. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

They walked to the car waiting for them downstairs, and as they made their way to the gala, Chen Yu's presence was a welcome distraction from the anxiety bubbling inside her. He kept the conversation light, teasing her about the formalities of these types of events, making her laugh despite herself.

As they pulled up to the grand venue, the flashes of cameras greeted them. The media was out in full force, eager to capture the new Mrs. Zhao in her debut appearance. Li Wei's heart raced as the driver opened the door, and she stepped out into the sea of flashing lights and murmured voices.

Zhao Ming was waiting for her at the entrance, his expression unreadable as always. His eyes flicked briefly to Chen Yu, then back to Li Wei. He offered his arm, and she took it, feeling the stiffness in his posture as they walked together into the grand ballroom.

The night passed in a blur of introductions, forced smiles, and hollow conversations. Zhao Ming played his role perfectly, maintaining his cool exterior, while Li Wei tried her best to keep up appearances. Yet, every now and then, she caught him glancing at her with something she couldn't quite place—curiosity, maybe, or something deeper.

But just as she began to think she could survive the night, a familiar face appeared across the room. Zhou Lan, Zhao Ming's ex-fiancée, and the white moonlight of his life, walked toward them with a predatory smile on her lips.

Li Wei's heart dropped.

Next chapter will reveal the confrontation with Zhou Lan and how her presence stirs old wounds, creating new tensions between Li Wei and Zhao Ming.

"Stay tuned for the next chapter" 🙂