Jiang Yuxi sat by the window of the Gu family mansion, her gaze fixed on the distant skyline. The golden morning light cast long shadows on the floor, but despite the warmth of the sun, a chill ran through her. The weight of debt—both financial and emotional—pressed heavily on her chest.
Her hands clenched into fists as she thought about the money Gu Zeyan had given her. She hated accepting it, hated feeling like a woman who relied on a man's wealth to survive. She had fought so hard for independence before, struggling through jobs to pay for her mother's medical bills, only to end up in this situation—a contract wife with no freedom of her own.
She couldn't continue like this. If she wanted to hold onto her dignity, she had to find a way to earn her own money.
As she was lost in thought, she heard voices approaching. The last thing she wanted right now was an encounter with the people who relished seeing her at her lowest.
Yang Meilin and Jiang Roulan entered the living room with their usual air of superiority. They hadn't expected to see Yuxi sitting there, but once they did, cruel amusement flickered across their faces.
"Oh? Elder Sister, you look troubled," Jiang Roulan said in a falsely sweet voice. "Could it be that being the wife of the great Gu Zeyan isn't as glamorous as you expected?"
Yuxi didn't respond, unwilling to take the bait.
Yang Meilin, however, smirked as she settled onto the luxurious couch. "Well, what do you expect? A woman with no background, no support, and no real qualifications—without Gu Zeyan, you'd be nothing."
Jiang Roulan giggled. "Maybe that's why she clings so desperately to this marriage. After all, if she didn't have him, she wouldn't even be able to afford to pay for her mother's hospital bills." She sighed dramatically. "I can't imagine how shameful that must feel."
Yuxi's nails dug into her palm, but she refused to let them see her anger. She had learned long ago that people like Yang Meilin and Jiang Roulan fed off reactions. The more she fought back, the more delighted they would be.
Instead, she stood up gracefully and smiled. "You're right, Jiang Roulan. I do rely on my husband." Her voice was steady, unreadable. "And I should really go thank him for everything he's done for me."
With that, she walked away, leaving the two women blinking in surprise. It wasn't the reaction they had expected, and that alone felt like a small victory.
But inside, Yuxi's frustration burned. She had to get out of this suffocating house.
Later that afternoon, she sat in her room, flipping through her phone. She still had connections from when she used to work, and if she could find something suitable, she wouldn't have to rely on Gu Zeyan's money.
She drafted an application and sent it off, hoping that no one would connect her name to the Gu family. If she could land a job, even something small, it would be her first step toward regaining her independence.
But what she didn't realize was that her movements were being monitored.
Xu Chen, Gu Zeyan's assistant, noticed her activity. He hesitated before making the call.
"Sir, Madam Jiang has been searching for jobs," he reported. "She just sent an application."
There was a pause on the other end. Then, Gu Zeyan's cold voice came through.
"Find out which company it is."
That evening, Yuxi barely had time to breathe before she heard a knock on her door. When she opened it, she found Gu Zeyan standing there, his expression unreadable.
"Why are you looking for a job?" His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it.
Yuxi tensed. "Because I need to stand on my own. I can't just sit here and do nothing while—"
"You're my wife," he interrupted. "Do you think it would look good for my wife to be working some low-paying job?"
Yuxi's patience snapped. "Oh, I see. You don't actually care about me. You just care about appearances."
Gu Zeyan's eyes darkened. "Don't twist my words."
"I'm not twisting anything. You expect me to live like a doll in this house, dependent on your money, while my stepmother and sister mock me at every turn."
For a moment, he didn't respond. Then, he exhaled, his frustration evident. "Yuxi, I'm not stopping you from doing what you want. But I don't want you to act recklessly."
Yuxi felt her heart tighten at his words. He wasn't forbidding her—just cautioning her. Still, she didn't know if she could trust that.
"I can take care of myself," she said quietly.
Gu Zeyan studied her before stepping back. "Do what you want. But don't make me regret letting you."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Yuxi standing there, confused by the odd sense of disappointment that lingered in her chest.
Determined to push past her frustration, Yuxi decided to reach out to Lin Cheng. They met at a quiet café, away from prying eyes.
Lin Cheng immediately noticed the exhaustion on her face. "What happened?"
She hesitated before explaining her argument with Gu Zeyan. Lin Cheng frowned. "You shouldn't have to ask for permission to work, Yuxi. If you want a job, I can help—"
"No," she interrupted quickly. "I can't rely on you either."
He looked at her, his expression softening. "Then at least let me be here for you."
Before she could respond, a strange feeling prickled at the back of her neck. She turned slightly, her gaze sweeping over the café.
Was someone watching them?
Back at the office, Gu Zeyan sat in silence after receiving the latest report.
"She met Lin Cheng again," Xu Chen reported cautiously.
Gu Zeyan didn't react immediately, but something about the information irritated him.
He had told himself he didn't care who Yuxi spoke to. Their marriage was a contract, nothing more.
But knowing she had gone to Lin Cheng… It left a bad taste in his mouth.
He set down his pen. "I want every detail about their meeting."
That night, Yuxi was summoned by Madam Gu.
"There is a charity event next week," Madam Gu said, looking down at her with clear disapproval. "You will attend with Zeyan."
Yuxi knew what this meant. The high society women would be waiting for her to fail, eager to see if she was an unworthy match for Gu Zeyan.
She expected Gu Zeyan to refuse, but instead, he simply said, "Behave yourself."
Yuxi held back the frustration rising in her chest.
She didn't want to be part of their world, but if they were going to look down on her, then she would make sure they never had the chance again.
She straightened her back, determination burning in her gaze.
If she had to stand beside Gu Zeyan, then she would do it with pride.