Yuxi stood in the center of the extravagant bedroom, her eyes slowly sweeping over the space that was now supposed to be hers. The air carried a faint scent of expensive perfume and freshly polished wood. The massive bed, adorned with silk sheets, looked untouched and pristine—almost too perfect, too foreign. The crystal chandelier above cast a warm golden glow, but despite the lavishness surrounding her, Yuxi couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of loneliness.
This wasn't her home.
She took a hesitant step forward, her fingers brushing against the edge of the elegant vanity table. Every piece of furniture, every decoration, was designed with wealth and power in mind. It was a world she didn't belong to—a world she had been forced into.
Yuxi clenched her fists. She had no choice. This was for her mother.
With a deep breath, she slowly began to unpack the small suitcase she had brought with her. Compared to the luxury surrounding her, her belongings looked pitiful. A few sets of clothes, a worn-out notebook, and a picture of her mother, still lying unconscious in the hospital.
As she carefully placed the photo on the bedside table, she whispered, "I'll make this work, Mom. I have to."
A knock at the door startled her. Before she could answer, a maid stepped in, bowing slightly. "Madam Gu, the master and madam have arranged a welcome dinner for you. Please come down."
Yuxi stiffened at the title. Madam Gu. It sounded foreign. It wasn't her name, and it wasn't her identity.
But for now, she had to wear the mask.
She nodded wordlessly and followed the maid out of the room.
As she entered the dining hall, Yuxi immediately felt the weight of several gazes on her. The long dining table was already set, and seated at the head was Gu Hongwei, Gu Zeyan's father. To his right was Madam Gu, whose sharp eyes studied Yuxi as if she were a mere inconvenience.
Several other relatives and family friends had been invited, turning the dinner into a social event rather than an intimate gathering. At the far end of the table, Gu Zeyan sat, his expression unreadable as he swirled the wine in his glass lazily.
"Ah, Yuxi, come in," Gu Hongwei's deep voice commanded.
She stepped forward, keeping her back straight and her expression neutral. A servant pulled out a chair beside Gu Zeyan, signaling for her to sit.
"I trust the room is to your liking?" Madam Gu asked, her tone laced with feigned politeness.
"Yes, it's very… grand," Yuxi answered carefully.
A small, mocking smile played on Madam Gu's lips. "Yes, quite different from what you're used to, I imagine."
A few quiet chuckles echoed around the table. Yuxi gripped her dress under the table but refused to let the insult get to her.
Gu Hongwei cleared his throat. "Now that you are married into the Gu family, Yuxi, I expect you to behave appropriately. We have an image to uphold."
"I understand, Chairman Gu," she replied, keeping her voice steady.
One of the guests, a wealthy woman with an air of arrogance, leaned forward. "It must be quite the adjustment for a girl like you, suddenly being part of high society. I do wonder if you can handle it."
Yuxi met her gaze directly. "We all adjust in our own ways. I'm certain I'll learn quickly."
Her calm response silenced the murmurs.
Gu Zeyan, who had remained quiet throughout, suddenly spoke. "As long as she remembers her place, there won't be a problem."
His words cut deep, but Yuxi refused to flinch. If this was his way of reminding her that this marriage was nothing but a contract, she already knew.
The rest of the dinner was filled with meaningless conversation and subtle jabs at her expense. Yuxi endured it, knowing this was only the beginning.
The moment they returned to their shared bedroom, an awkward silence settled between them.
Yuxi turned to face Gu Zeyan. "You could have at least said something to stop them."
He loosened his tie, not bothering to look at her. "Why should I?"
"Because I'm your wife, even if only on paper," she said firmly. "Isn't it in both of our interests to at least appear united?"
Gu Zeyan scoffed. "You don't need my protection. You handled yourself just fine."
Yuxi bit her lip. He wasn't wrong, but his indifference was frustrating. "So this is how it's going to be? I'll be attacked at every gathering, and you'll just sit there and watch?"
"You wanted this marriage, Jiang Yuxi," he said, finally looking at her. "Don't expect anything from me."
She took a deep breath, pushing down the sting of his words. "Fine. I won't."
For a moment, something flickered in his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. He turned away, unbuttoning his cufflinks as if the conversation had never happened.
Realizing there was no point in continuing, Yuxi stepped towards the bed. "I'll sleep on the couch," she muttered.
"Do what you want," he said flatly, walking into the bathroom.
She settled onto the couch, pulling the blanket over her, but sleep wouldn't come.
The room was silent, save for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Yuxi lay curled up on the couch, staring at the ceiling.
Her mind wandered back to the hospital, to her mother lying motionless in that cold, sterile room. She thought of Jiang Haotian's harsh words, Yang Meilin's sneers, and Jiang Roulan's cruelty.
She had no one on her side.
A deep exhale came from the bed. She turned slightly, catching sight of Gu Zeyan's silhouette against the dim moonlight. He was awake too.
For a brief moment, she wondered what he was thinking. Did he regret this marriage as much as she did? Or was he merely indifferent?
She shook her head. It didn't matter.
She had signed up for this, and she would endure it.
Morning arrived too soon.
Yuxi rose early, knowing she couldn't afford to appear weak. She dressed carefully, choosing an elegant but simple outfit. Today was another battle, and she needed to be prepared.
As she stepped out of the room, Madam Gu was already waiting in the hallway, her expression as sharp as ever.
"I hope you're ready for today," Madam Gu said, eyeing her critically. "A Gu family wife should know how to present herself properly."
Yuxi met her gaze evenly. "I'll do what's expected of me, Madam Gu."
Madam Gu gave a small, unimpressed smile. "See that you do."
As Yuxi walked down the grand staircase, she realized that surviving in the Gu family would be just as difficult as facing her own.
But she wasn't going to back down.
This was just the beginning.