The evening air in Shanghai was thick with the scent of freshly fallen rain, a quiet serenity that seemed to mock the tension building inside the dimly lit restaurant. High above the bustling city streets, Qin Lan sat across from Lu Yan, the man she would soon call her husband. The view from the private dining room was breathtaking—towering skyscrapers illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights, cars whizzing by below, and the distant murmur of life moving on without them.

But none of that registered in Qin Lan's mind. Her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced at the sleek, expressionless man sitting opposite her. This wasn't a date. This wasn't love. It was a deal.

Lu Yan, the heir to the Lu Corporation, had eyes as cold as the black suit he wore. He barely looked at her, as though she were a nuisance he had to deal with rather than a person. To him, she was just another cog in the grand machine of his life. An inconvenience he was forced to marry in order to satisfy his family's demands.

And Qin Lan? She was simply desperate.

Her fingers tightened around the contract that lay on the table between them. A single sheet of paper that would bind her to this man for the next two years. The terms were clear: no emotional involvement, no public affection, and most importantly, no love. This was strictly a business arrangement. In exchange for her role as his wife, Lu Yan would cover her father's medical bills and ensure that her family's debt was erased.

Qin Lan's father had always been her anchor, the one steady person in her life, but a stroke had left him bedridden. The mounting medical bills had crushed what little hope she had left. The offer Lu Yan presented was cold, but she couldn't afford to be sentimental. She needed the money, and this was her only option.

"Do you understand the terms?" Lu Yan's voice broke through the silence, cold and emotionless.

Qin Lan looked up, meeting his gaze. His eyes were sharp, like shards of glass, unreadable. There was no warmth there, no compassion—only a businesslike indifference. She swallowed hard, her throat dry, and nodded.

"Yes, I understand."

Lu Yan leaned back in his chair, the faintest flicker of satisfaction passing over his face. He reached for the pen on the table, signing his name with practiced ease, as though this was nothing more than another business contract for him. For a moment, Qin Lan hesitated, her hand hovering over the paper. This was it. Once she signed, her life would no longer be her own.

She exhaled slowly and signed her name.

The deal was done.

Lu Yan barely looked at her as he stood up from the table, buttoning his jacket with swift precision. "I'll arrange for the marriage license to be processed. Our wedding will take place at the end of the month. You will receive the money for your father's treatment by tomorrow morning."

His words were so clinical, so detached, that it felt like a dagger in her chest. But what had she expected? Romance? Affection? This man didn't care about her—he never would. She was just a means to an end. As he turned to leave, she found her voice, small and trembling.

"Is that all?"

Lu Yan paused for a moment, his back to her. Without turning around, he spoke in a low voice, "I'll send you details about the wedding later. You'll need to play the part in front of my family. Don't expect anything more."

With that, he walked out, leaving Qin Lan alone in the empty restaurant.

---

One Month Later

The day of the wedding arrived, and Qin Lan stood in front of a full-length mirror, staring at the woman she barely recognized. The silk wedding dress clung to her slender figure, its delicate lace trailing behind her like a whisper of elegance. Her makeup was flawless, her hair styled into a perfect chignon. But none of it felt real. This wasn't a fairy tale—this wasn't the kind of wedding she had dreamed of as a little girl. There were no tears of joy, no trembling excitement. Only the heavy weight of duty.

She glanced around the luxurious suite, where stylists buzzed about, adjusting her veil and touching up her lipstick. It was all a show. An elaborate charade for the benefit of Lu Yan's family and their elite circle of business acquaintances.

"Qin Lan," a soft voice called out.

Qin Lan turned to see Li Min, Lu Yan's personal assistant, standing at the door. Li Min was always calm, always collected, a woman of few words but efficient in her work. She approached Qin Lan with a slight bow.

"Mr. Lu is waiting for you."

Of course he was. This wasn't about her—it was about Lu Yan and his family's expectations. Taking one last look in the mirror, Qin Lan straightened her back and followed Li Min out of the room. The corridor was silent, save for the soft click of their heels on the marble floor. Qin Lan's heart pounded in her chest as they neared the grand hall where the ceremony would take place.

When she entered, the sight took her breath away. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a golden glow over the room. The aisle was lined with white roses, leading up to an altar draped in silks. Lu Yan stood at the far end, his figure tall and imposing in a tailored suit. He didn't smile as she approached—he didn't even look at her. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his expression as cold and indifferent as ever.

As Qin Lan took her place beside him, her hand brushed against his, but he didn't react. His touch was ice-cold, just like his heart.

The ceremony was brief, a formality more than a celebration. The officiant's words passed in a blur, and before Qin Lan knew it, she had said the vows, exchanged rings, and was now officially Mrs. Lu.

For the rest of the night, she played the role of the perfect wife—smiling at guests, accepting congratulations, and posing for photos. But the entire time, she couldn't shake the hollow feeling inside her. This wasn't a marriage—it was a transaction.

As the night wore on, Qin Lan found herself standing alone on the balcony, the cool night air washing over her skin. From here, she could see the city stretching out below, a sea of lights twinkling in the distance. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the weight of the evening press down on her.

"Cold?"

The deep voice startled her, and she turned to see Lu Yan standing behind her, his hands in his pockets. He had changed out of his wedding suit, now dressed in a crisp white shirt, the top buttons undone. He looked as calm and collected as ever, as if the day's events hadn't affected him at all.

Qin Lan didn't answer. She wasn't cold—but she wasn't warm either. She was numb.

Lu Yan stepped closer, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Remember, this is a business arrangement. I expect you to fulfill your part of the deal. We'll live together for appearances, but don't expect anything more."

Qin Lan's throat tightened, but she nodded. "I understand."

He gave a curt nod before turning to leave, disappearing back into the bustling crowd inside. Once again, she was left alone, standing in the shadow of a man who would never love her.

---

End of Chapter 1

---