Every major news outlet was ablaze with the same headline:
"A Grand Union Between the Prestigious Lu Family of Lianzhou and the Influential Lin Family ."
The story had spread like wildfire across every media platform, accompanied by carefully staged photos of the smiling face of the bride , diamond rings, and glittering venues. To the public, it looked like a perfect wedding though there was not a single photo of the groom.
But beneath the dazzle of gold and the sweetly worded congratulations, something felt off.
The most worrying part of it all was the silence—the Lu family's silence.
No statement, no press release, not even a polite acknowledgment of the news dominating the front pages. It was as though one half of the supposed couple didn't exist at all in the conversation.
During an exclusive interview, the so-called bride-to-be, Lin Jai Li , had smiled sweetly at the flashing cameras, her makeup flawless, her words smoother than honey.
"Mr. Lu doesn't like to make his private affairs public," she said with a graceful laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "He's a very low-profile man. I'm sure everyone will understand once the wedding day arrives."
Her tone was light, teasing even, but to those who watched closely—the way her eyes darted ever so slightly to the camera, the faint tightness in her smile—it was clear she was performing a part she wasn't entirely confident in.
And still, the internet exploded with speculation.
"Is the Lu family really staying silent?"
"Could the engagement be fake?"
"Why hasn't Mr. Lu appeared publicly?"
The Lin family, on the other hand, basked in the spotlight. Mr. Lin's business soared, his influence doubled overnight.
Somewhere in City T, soft rays of morning light filtered through tall glass windows, spilling across the grand staircase of the Mo residence.
A young lady in her early twenties descended the steps slowly, barefoot, her silk pajamas rustling lightly with each lazy movement. Her long hair, slightly tousled from sleep, framed a face too delicate to belong to someone ordinary. Her half-lidded eyes shimmered faintly with drowsiness as she covered another yawn with the back of her hand.
A maid hurried toward her, holding a cup of warm water. But as the girl approached, the maid froze, utterly mesmerized. The sleepy beauty's casual grace, her natural allure even without makeup, made her forget her duties for a moment.
Mo Hye Ji tilted her head slightly, noticing the girl's dazed expression. "Are you planning to hand that cup to the air?" she teased softly, her voice still laced with sleepiness.
The maid blinked, startled back to her senses. "Ah! I—I'm sorry, Miss Hye Ji!" She quickly handed over the water, her cheeks turning crimson before she scurried away in embarrassment.
Watching her retreat, Mo Hye Ji chuckled—a low, melodic sound. "That little one still hasn't grown out of her fascination," she murmured amusedly, sipping from her cup.
When she entered the sitting room, the sight that greeted her was as familiar as it was endearing. Ah May, her aunt, sat sprawled on the couch in an unapologetically relaxed posture—right leg resting on the table, left leg bent carelessly on the chair, a steaming cup of tea in her hand.
"Morning, Ah May," Mo Hye Ji greeted with a small smile. She had once found the informal name strange on her tongue, but now it rolled off naturally. Everyone in the Mo family called her that. Only in front of outsiders was she addressed as Miss Mo.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Ah May replied with a mischievous grin, setting her cup down. "Were you teasing little You again?"
Hye Ji shook her head, a glint of humor in her eyes. "Do I really need to tease her? She gets flustered all on her own."
"True enough," Ah May chuckled, leaning back. Then her gaze flickered toward the television, where a news broadcast blared the latest headlines. "Tell me, what do you think about this ridiculous trending topic?"
On the screen flashed bold words:
'The Glorious Union Between the Prestigious Lu Family of Lianzhou and the daughter of the Lin Family .'
Mo Hye Ji's expression darkened faintly, her lips curving into a cold smile. "I think Lu Tingkai isn't stupid enough to marry that porcelain vase from the Lin family."
"Exactly my thoughts," Ah May said with a sharp laugh. "It's so obvious the Lin family is trying to use public pressure to trap the Lu family into acknowledging the engagement. Your father is truly shameless."
"Extremely," Hye Ji muttered, setting her empty cup down with quiet firmness.
"By the way," Ah May continued, glancing at her niece with concern softening her tone, "when are you heading to Lianzhou?"
"A day before the grand wedding," Hye Ji replied coolly, a small sneer tugging at her lips.
Ah May sighed. "You should rest more before then. The operation took a lot out of you."
Hye Ji stifled another yawn and stretched her arms lazily. "Okay, Aunt. I'll sleep a little longer."
"Good girl," Ah May said with a faint smile, watching her leave.
As Mo Hye Ji's silhouette disappeared up the stairs, the television continued flashing images of glittering jewels and smiling faces of the bride.