The morning after the engagement dinner was supposed to be calm, but Jiang Yuxi had no such luck. As soon as she opened her phone, she was met with a barrage of notifications—news articles, gossip forums, and private messages all dissecting her sudden engagement to Gu Zeyan.
Public reaction was a mixture of admiration and scorn. Some comments praised her for being elegant and beautiful, saying she was a fitting match for the CEO of Gu Corporation. Others were far less kind, accusing her of being a gold-digger, a social climber who seduced Gu Zeyan for his wealth and power.
"Did you see how she looked at him? She's obviously obsessed!""A woman like her doesn't belong in high society.""She's from a declining family. Marrying Gu Zeyan? It's like reaching for the stars!"
Yuxi clenched her phone, suppressing the bitterness rising in her chest. It wasn't as if she had chosen this engagement. But in the eyes of the public, she was already being painted as an opportunist.
She barely had time to process the headlines before she heard the sharp click of heels outside her bedroom door. Yang Meilin entered, followed by Jiang Roulan, both wearing smug expressions.
The dining room was lavish as always, but the air inside was suffocating.
Yang Meilin sipped her tea leisurely. "You must be thrilled, Yuxi," she said in a falsely sweet tone. "Overnight, you went from being an abandoned daughter to the fiancée of the most powerful man in the city. What a miracle."
Jiang Roulan let out a soft laugh. "But really, Yuxi, don't get too comfortable. Marrying into the Gu family doesn't mean you belong. High society can smell desperation, and you reek of it."
Yuxi calmly set down her chopsticks. "Funny. I don't recall needing your advice, Jiang Roulan."
Roulan's smile tightened. "You might think this engagement makes you special, but we both know Gu Zeyan doesn't love you. You're just a convenient pawn in his game."
Yuxi refused to let them see her waver. She knew their words were meant to unsettle her.
"I don't need love from Gu Zeyan," she replied. "As long as I achieve my goals, this marriage serves its purpose."
Yang Meilin leaned back, her eyes narrowing. "So you're not even denying it? You really are shameless."
Yuxi met her stepmother's gaze without hesitation. "Call it what you want. At least I'm not wasting my time hoping for a man to give me value."
That earned her a cold glare, but before either woman could retaliate, Jiang Haotian entered the room.
"You will not embarrass me," he said, his voice sharp. "You are marrying Gu Zeyan, but if you step out of line, I will personally ensure you lose everything."
Yuxi felt a chill crawl down her spine. She had no delusions about her father's affection—this was purely a business transaction to him.
"And if you cause trouble for the Gu family," he added, "I will stop paying your mother's hospital bills. Consider that before you act recklessly."
Her fingers curled into fists under the table. That was the real threat.
Later that morning, Yuxi received a message from Gu Zeyan, telling her to meet him at a private lounge.
When she arrived, he was already waiting, seated on a sleek leather couch with a glass of whiskey in his hand. His expression was unreadable as always.
"We need to set some ground rules," he said, getting straight to the point.
She folded her arms. "Go ahead."
His tone was cold, detached. "This is a contract marriage. I won't interfere in your life, and you won't interfere in mine. Don't expect affection. We simply play our roles in public."
She expected as much. "And in return?"
"You will maintain your image. No scandals, no foolish mistakes. If anyone questions our engagement, you will act as a perfect fiancée."
His words were cutting, but Yuxi refused to let them intimidate her. "Fine. But if I'm expected to act like your loving partner in public, then you will do the same. No ignoring me, no treating me like a stranger in front of others."
His eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he nodded. "Agreed."
With that, their terms were set.
After their meeting, Yuxi made a trip to a luxury boutique, needing an outfit for an upcoming charity gala. As she browsed through dresses, a familiar voice reached her ears.
"Interesting choice," Qin Ruo said smoothly. "Trying a little too hard, aren't you?"
Yuxi turned to face her. Qin Ruo stood there, dressed impeccably, her expression a mixture of amusement and contempt.
"Not at all," Yuxi said coolly. "Why? Afraid I might outshine you?"
Qin Ruo let out a soft chuckle. "Please. You could never. You don't belong in our world, Jiang Yuxi. No matter how much you pretend."
Yuxi smirked. "Strange, considering I'm the one wearing the Gu family's ring, not you."
Qin Ruo's expression hardened for a split second before she masked it with a condescending smile.
"We'll see how long that lasts," she said before walking away.
Yuxi exhaled, gripping the fabric of the dress in her hands. Qin Ruo wasn't backing down anytime soon.
The charity gala was the first time Yuxi and Gu Zeyan attended an event together as an engaged couple.
The ballroom was filled with the city's elite, all eyes discreetly watching as the two of them arrived.
Yuxi held her head high, her arm lightly resting in Gu Zeyan's. He was the picture of elegance and power, his presence alone commanding attention.
But whispers surrounded them.
"She's pretty, but she's no match for Qin Ruo.""Gu Zeyan doesn't even look at her. It's all just a show.""How long before he loses interest?"
Yuxi ignored them, moving with practiced grace.
Then, as if on cue, Zhao Liying approached with an exaggerated smile.
"My, my, Yuxi, what a lovely dress," she said, her tone dripping with false praise. "Though I must say, you seem… uncomfortable. The pressure must be overwhelming."
Before Yuxi could respond, Gu Zeyan's voice cut through the air.
"Yuxi is my fiancée," he said smoothly, his gaze sharp. "If you have any concerns about her place here, feel free to take them up with me."
Zhao Liying's expression stiffened as a hush fell over the surrounding guests.
Yuxi turned to Gu Zeyan in mild surprise. He had just publicly defended her—something she hadn't expected.
He met her gaze briefly before looking away, his face unreadable.
For the first time, Yuxi wondered: Was Gu Zeyan protecting her for appearances, or was there something more beneath his cold exterior?
By the time they returned home, exhaustion weighed on Yuxi's shoulders.
As she slipped off her heels, she felt Gu Zeyan's gaze on her. When she looked up, he quickly averted his eyes, his expression as composed as ever.
"Get some rest," he said simply before walking away.
Yuxi stared at his retreating figure.
This marriage was nothing more than a contract, yet tonight, for the briefest moment, it had almost felt real.
She traced the engagement ring on her finger, a quiet sigh escaping her lips.
No matter what, she had to remember—this was all just an act.
Or at least, that's what she kept telling herself.