Chapter 6
Lin Xiaoyu found out what real pressure felt like when Zhou Yanchen's assistant showed up at the law firm the next morning.
Not a phone call.
Not a message.
A person.
In a black suit.
Standing at the reception desk.
"Mrs. Zhou," the assistant said politely, ignoring every shocked glance around them, "Chairman Zhou requests your presence at noon."
Requests.
That word was doing a lot of work.
Xiaoyu nodded stiffly, grabbed her bag, and walked out under a dozen burning stares.
Inside the car, she finally spoke.
"So this is how it starts," she said. "Public appearances."
Zhou Yanchen sat beside her, scrolling through documents on his tablet.
"Yes."
"Let me guess," she continued. "Smile. Hold hands. Pretend we're in love."
He looked up. "You don't have to pretend love."
She frowned. "Then what?"
"Stability."
She laughed once. "That's worse."
The venue was a charity luncheon hosted by the Shanghai Business Association. The kind of event filled with polite applause, expensive wine, and sharp-eyed reporters pretending not to watch.
The moment they stepped out of the car, cameras flashed.
Xiaoyu froze.
A hand wrapped around hers.
Warm. Firm.
"Relax," Zhou Yanchen said quietly, lips barely moving. "Walk."
She swallowed and stepped forward.
Flashes exploded.
"Chairman Zhou!"
"Is this your wife?"
"When did you get married?"
"Is the marriage real?"
Xiaoyu kept her smile steady, heart racing.
Zhou Yanchen stopped, turned slightly toward her.
And tightened his grip.
"This is my wife, Lin Xiaoyu," he said calmly. "We value our privacy."
He looked down at her.
The gaze was soft.
Convincing.
Too convincing.
Xiaoyu felt her breath catch.
For a terrifying second, she forgot the cameras existed.
Inside the venue, the noise softened into polite murmurs.
Every table turned their way.
"So this is Mrs. Zhou," someone whispered.
"She doesn't look like the type."
Xiaoyu smiled through it all.
Then she saw Su Man.
Standing near the window, dressed in white, elegant as ever.
Watching.
Xiaoyu's fingers tightened unconsciously around Zhou Yanchen's hand.
He noticed.
"You okay?" he murmured.
"Your ex is here," she replied without looking.
His expression didn't change. "Ignore her."
Easy for him to say.
During the speeches, Xiaoyu sat beside him, posture perfect, expression composed.
Inside, she was screaming.
At one point, Zhou Yanchen leaned in.
"You're doing well," he said quietly.
She whispered back, "I feel like I'm performing in someone else's life."
His hand shifted—thumb brushing lightly against her knuckle.
"Get used to it," he said.
That small touch sent an unexpected shiver through her.
After the event, as they moved toward the exit, Su Man intercepted them.
"Yanchen," she said warmly. "You look well."
"Su Man," he replied coolly.
Her gaze slid to Xiaoyu.
"You were impressive," she said. "Not everyone can stay calm under that much scrutiny."
"Occupational training," Xiaoyu answered politely.
Su Man smiled. "Enjoy it while it lasts."
Xiaoyu didn't respond.
But Zhou Yanchen did.
"That's enough," he said.
Su Man paused, clearly surprised.
Then she nodded. "I see."
As she walked away, Xiaoyu finally exhaled.
In the car ride back, silence settled between them again—but it was different now.
He broke it first.
"You didn't have to grip my hand that tightly."
She flushed. "I didn't realize I was."
He glanced at her. "You were nervous."
She looked out the window. "I don't like being watched."
Neither do I, he almost said.
But he didn't.
That night, Xiaoyu checked her phone.
Messages flooded in.
[You're married?!]
Since when?
Is it real or PR?
Then one message stood out.
From her mother.
Xiaoyu, why didn't you tell us? Come home this weekend.
Her heart sank.
She stared at the screen for a long time.
Across the living room, Zhou Yanchen was on a call.
"Yes… I understand… No, she doesn't know yet."
She looked up.
"Know what?" she asked.
He ended the call slowly.
"The board wants us to attend a family banquet," he said.
Her stomach dropped. "Your family?"
"No," he said.
He met her eyes.Yours.