The days that followed were filled with uncertainty. Li Wei knew she had agreed to a marriage of convenience, but she hadn't fully realized the weight of the decision until now. Each time she passed by Zhang Yichen's imposing figure in the vast mansion, a sense of unease crept up on her.
Her role as his "wife" seemed to be more of a formality than anything else. She had her own space in the mansion, a beautifully decorated room, and the freedom to come and go as she pleased. However, there was always the underlying feeling that she didn't truly belong in this world. She wasn't part of the circle that Yichen so effortlessly navigated.
One day, Yichen came into the living room where Li Wei was sitting, her eyes buried in a book she had borrowed from the mansion's library.
"Li Wei," he said, his voice commanding. "I need you to attend a business dinner with me this evening. It's a formal occasion, and I expect you to behave accordingly."
Li Wei looked up, surprised by his sudden demand. She had assumed that their arrangement was strictly professional, with no personal obligations.
"I understand," she replied, her voice neutral. "What do you expect of me?"
"Just be by my side," he said, his tone impersonal. "Smile, make small talk, and don't attract attention. You're my wife, after all, and appearances matter."
Li Wei nodded, though she couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. She had hoped that, over time, she would be able to carve out a space for herself, but it seemed that her role was always to be an accessory to his life, never an equal.
That evening, dressed in an elegant black gown, she followed him to the gala, trying to remain composed despite the overwhelming sense of being out of place. She had attended events before, but nothing compared to the grandeur of this one. The dinner was filled with business moguls and celebrities, all mingling with ease, while she stood silently by Yichen's side.
He didn't speak to her much, as expected, but he made sure to keep up the pretense of their marriage. Occasionally, he would introduce her to important guests, mentioning her as his "wife" without any further elaboration. Li Wei smiled and nodded, doing her best to fit in, though she couldn't shake the feeling that she was playing a part in a game she didn't understand.
As the night came to a close, Yichen gave her a curt nod, signaling that it was time to leave. He didn't offer any praise for her behavior, nor did he make any further remarks about the event. It was as though their interaction had been nothing more than a transaction—one that neither of them had the intention of complicating.