Yuxi woke up to the soft glow of morning light streaming through her curtains, but there was no warmth in the day ahead. She had barely slept the night before, her mind filled with restless thoughts about what she was about to do. Every moment leading up to this day had felt surreal, yet now, with the reality of marriage looming over her, there was no room for hesitation.
She lay in bed for a long moment, staring at the ceiling, trying to gather her courage. The air in her small apartment was still, heavy with an unsettling silence. Today was the day she would bind herself to a man she barely knew, a man who seemed indifferent at best and cold at worst.
She had no choice.
Her mother's coma, the hospital bills piling up, the weight of her stepmother's cruel taunts—all of it pushed her forward. Jiang Haotian had made himself clear: either she married Gu Zeyan, or he would cut her off completely, leaving her mother to fend for herself.
With a deep breath, Yuxi swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her fingers trembled slightly as she brushed her hair back and rose to get ready.
Standing in front of her small wardrobe, she debated what to wear. A part of her wanted to choose something that would remind her of herself, something comfortable and familiar. But she knew that would not do. This wasn't about her anymore—this was about survival.
She selected a simple yet elegant dress, one that was modest but refined, a pale ivory color that felt appropriate for the solemnity of the occasion. As she dressed, her reflection in the mirror felt like that of a stranger. Gone was the carefree young woman she had once been. In her place stood someone hardened by necessity, someone forced into a role she never wanted.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Just get through today," she whispered to herself. "One step at a time."
By the time Yuxi arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, she was composed, her face carefully schooled into neutrality.
Gu Zeyan was already there, standing near the entrance with his hands in his pockets. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, effortlessly commanding attention. His expression was unreadable, his sharp gaze flicking toward her as she approached.
There were no greetings exchanged, no words of comfort or acknowledgment. They were two strangers meeting for a transaction, nothing more.
Yuxi met his gaze with quiet determination. If he was cold, she would be colder.
"Let's get this over with," Gu Zeyan said, his tone indifferent.
Without another word, they stepped inside.
The Civil Affairs Bureau was efficient, almost clinical in how it processed their paperwork. The officer in charge barely looked at them as he prepared the necessary documents.
"Sign here," he instructed, sliding the marriage certificate toward them.
Yuxi hesitated for only a second before picking up the pen. She forced her hand to remain steady as she signed her name—Jiang Yuxi—one last time as an unmarried woman.
When she placed the pen down, she felt a strange sense of finality settle over her.
Gu Zeyan signed without hesitation, his signature swift and decisive.
The officer stamped the papers, the sound echoing in the quiet room.
"Congratulations," the man said without emotion, handing them their marriage certificates.
Yuxi accepted hers, staring at the red booklet in her hands. She had expected to feel something—relief, dread, regret—but all she felt was numb.
Gu Zeyan barely glanced at his before tucking it into his suit pocket. "Let's go."
Outside, a sleek black car was waiting for them. A driver stepped forward to open the door, but Gu Zeyan didn't look at her as he motioned for her to get in.
Yuxi hesitated, gripping the strap of her purse.
She had just married this man, but they had exchanged no words beyond the necessary.
Would their entire marriage be like this? Silent, distant, emotionless?
Swallowing hard, she slid into the car. Gu Zeyan followed, the door shutting behind him with a soft but decisive click.
The air inside was thick with unspoken words.
As the car pulled away from the Bureau, Yuxi stared out the window, watching the city blur past.
This was it. There was no turning back now.
The car ride was silent and tense. Yuxi didn't know what to expect as they pulled up to the Gu estate.
When the gates opened, revealing the vast expanse of the Gu family mansion, her breath caught in her throat. She had known Gu Zeyan was wealthy, but seeing his world up close was overwhelming.
The estate was massive, surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and towering walls that spoke of exclusivity. The main house was grand, a stunning display of old money and power.
She suddenly felt small.
The car stopped, and before she could gather her thoughts, the driver opened the door.
Gu Zeyan stepped out first, not sparing her a glance before walking toward the entrance.
Yuxi followed, forcing her legs to move.
As soon as she stepped inside, she was met with cold, assessing gazes.
Gu Hongwei, Gu Zeyan's grandfather, sat at the head of the grand hall, his sharp eyes scanning her with silent judgment. His presence was commanding, his expression unreadable.
Beside him, Madam Gu sat poised, her gaze colder than ice.
"Well," Madam Gu finally said, her voice smooth but edged with disdain. "So this is the woman you chose?"
Yuxi stiffened but remained quiet.
"She is my wife now," Gu Zeyan said, his tone flat. "That's all that matters."
The words were final. In front of his family, he acknowledged their marriage—not out of love, but as a fact.
Madam Gu's lips curled into a thin smile, but there was no warmth behind it.
"I hope you understand what it means to be part of this family," she said, her voice deceptively gentle.
Yuxi met her gaze head-on. "I do."
The older woman hummed, unimpressed.
Gu Hongwei simply nodded. "As long as you know your place."
As soon as Gu Zeyan left to speak with his grandfather privately, Madam Gu seized the moment.
She stepped closer, her voice dropping into a whisper.
"You may have married into this family, but don't think for a second that you belong here," she said, her tone sharp like a blade.
Yuxi clenched her fists.
"You will never be good enough for my son," Madam Gu continued, her gaze full of quiet warning. "And once this marriage ends, you'll be nothing."
Before Yuxi could respond, Jiang Roulan, her stepsister, suddenly appeared, looking smug.
"Congratulations, sister," Roulan said sweetly, though the mockery was evident. "I never thought you'd manage to marry someone like Gu Zeyan. It's quite… amusing."
Yuxi's chest tightened, but she refused to let them see her falter.
She lifted her chin slightly, her voice calm.
"Then I suppose you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the show."
That night, Yuxi was led to Gu Zeyan's residence within the estate.
She expected them to sleep separately, but Gu Zeyan's voice was firm when he said, "For appearances, we will share a room. But don't overthink it."
Yuxi simply nodded, hiding her exhaustion.
As she settled into her new space, she took a deep breath.
This was just the beginning.
No matter what, she had to endure.