The low murmur of the café's patrons fades away as Jiang Yuxi's eyes flicker toward the door. Her breath hitches when she spots him. Gu Zeyan. His tall, imposing figure stands at the entrance, his eyes scanning the room with a piercing focus. The air feels heavier in an instant as if the temperature has dropped several degrees. His gaze locks onto Yuxi's, and she can feel the intensity of it from across the room.
A jolt of panic courses through her veins, and her fingers tighten around her cup. Why is he here? The question circles in her mind, but she doesn't have time to answer it before he starts walking toward her. Every step he takes seems deliberate, almost predatory, like he's hunting her in plain sight. Her heart races.
Lin Cheng, seated across from her, notices the sudden shift in athe tmosphere. His expression falters for a moment, and the air between him and Yuxi becomes thick with tension. Yuxi's pulse quickens, her stomach knotting in a mix of dread and frustration. She had hoped for a quiet afternoon—one that didn't involve the man who had already taken so much from her.
Her body tenses, the tension in the room almost suffocating. Her thoughts spiral. She knows Gu Zeyan won't tolerate her socializing with other men, especially someone like Lin Cheng, who has been a source of support for her.
She bites down on her lower lip, trying to force her emotions into check. She wants to be strong, to act unaffected, but it's hard when her life is so publicly entwined with his. Is she really allowed to have her own moments of freedom? Or does everything she do fall under his watchful eye, subject to his approval?
Gu Zeyan reaches their table, his presence so commanding that it's as though he's sucking the air from the room. There's an immediate shift in the energy—his influence palpable, making everyone around him subtly shift, whether in deference or discomfort. Even Lin Cheng, usually composed and calm, stiffens slightly as Gu Zeyan stops in front of their table.
"Lin Cheng," Gu Zeyan greets him coldly, his voice smooth but edged with something darker. Lin Cheng nods in return, his polite but stiff response betraying his discomfort.
Gu Zeyan's eyes shift to Yuxi, their silent exchange more intimate than anything spoken. She tries to hold his gaze, but the weight of it makes her falter. He stands just a bit too close to her, his gaze not just a look but a command. His body language is dominating, making it clear that this is not a mere coincidence.
"You're out in public with him," Gu Zeyan says, his voice quiet but sharp, just for Yuxi's ears. His words are not a question—they are an accusation. A possessive warning. His presence here isn't just a chance meeting; it's a calculated reminder of who she belongs to, even in her fleeting moments of independence.
Lin Cheng notices the subtle power play unfolding between them, his lips pressing into a thin line. He doesn't rise to the challenge, but his discomfort is visible. This is a conversation Gu Zeyan is dictating, and Yuxi feels it in her bones.
The undercurrent of threat is clear—any alliances she forms outside of him, especially with someone like Lin Cheng, are not only inappropriate but are being closely monitored. Gu Zeyan's words might be veiled in politeness, but they hold an unmistakable threat. A promise that the consequences of stepping out of line could be severe.
Yuxi feels small beneath his gaze, an object of his control, and she can't help but wonder: How much longer can she live under his thumb?
As Gu Zeyan and Lin Cheng exchange words, Yuxi's thoughts race. She watches them both carefully, noting every shift in body language, every subtle move. The control Gu Zeyan exudes is suffocating. He's used to being in command of every room he enters, and in this one, it's no different. His presence overshadows everything around him.
Her hands, which had been steady only moments ago, now tremble slightly, the cup in her hand feeling unnaturally heavy. She doesn't want to be caught in the middle of this. She didn't ask for this confrontation. She hadn't planned for it. But now, here she is—feeling torn between wanting to maintain some semblance of her independence and knowing the consequences if she continues to push against him.
Her anger rises as she watches Gu Zeyan subtly remind her of her place in his life. She doesn't belong to herself; she belongs to him. And even though they are technically in a contract marriage, his ownership of her feels more real than ever. His domineering attitude, and his silent authority, make it clear that any move she makes, even something as simple as sitting with another man, is unacceptable.
But beneath the anger, there is a sense of helplessness. She can feel the walls closing in on her. With every move he makes, with every glance he casts her way, it becomes more and more apparent that she has no real freedom. The life she once dreamed of—one where she could stand on her own two feet—feels increasingly out of reach.
As Yuxi's frustration boils over, she begins to question everything about her marriage. Is she rust a pawn in his game? A woman with no voice, no control, trapped by the man who supposedly "rescued" her? Or can she find a way to turn the tides, to break free from the invisible chains that bind her?
The longer she sits in silence, the more determined she becomes. She can't remain trapped forever. Something has to give.
The conversation winds down, but the tension between them doesn't dissipate. Gu Zeyan's final look at Yuxi is a silent warning. His gaze locks onto hers, and for a moment, the room feels like it's closing in around them. It's a look of authority, of control—a reminder that he's watching her, always watching.
She feels humiliated. She wants to speak up, to say something, anything, to make him understand that she's not his puppet, but the words stick in her throat. What can she say? Every word she might utter feels futile in the face of his dominance.
His eyes soften ever so slightly, and for a brief moment, Yuxi wonders if he might have feelings for her. But the moment quickly passes, replaced by the cold reality of their arrangement. This isn't love. This is control.
Yuxi's thoughts are a whirlwind of anger and confusion, but she doesn't let it show. She keeps her composure, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity, though the cracks are beginning to show.
As Gu Zeyan leaves, Yuxi exhales deeply, her body sagging with the weight of everything that just transpired. Lin Cheng watches her with a concerned expression, his brows furrowing as he speaks.
"You don't have to deal with this alone, Yuxi," Lin Cheng says gently, his tone sincere. "I've been thinking… If you want, I can help you get away from all of this. You don't need to stay in a marriage like that."
The offer is tempting—more tempting than Yuxi wants to admit. She could take Lin Cheng up on his offer. She could escape this suffocating existence and start anew. But then she thinks of her mother—her frail, unconscious mother—and a cold chill runs through her. What would she do if she left now?
Her mind is torn between the desire for freedom and the responsibility to her family. Can she abandon her mother? What would happen to her father's control over her life?
She looks at Lin Cheng, her eyes filled with conflict. "I can't just walk away from everything," she whispers, more to herself than to him. "I can't leave my mother."
As Yuxi ponders Lin Cheng's offer, her mind begins to drift back to Gu Zeyan's motives. Why does he want to keep her close? What is his true agenda?
Gu Zeyan's control over her life is suffocating, but it's not just about possession. There's something more. Is there something he's not telling her? She thinks back to the way he's handled every situation—every encounter—so carefully. His actions aren't random; they're part of a larger, more intricate plan.
Yuxi realizes that she's only scratching the surface of what's going on. Gu Zeyan is not just trying to control her for the sake of control—there's something deeper at play. And the more she tries to distance herself, the more she gets pulled into his web.
As Yuxi sits alone, brooding over her future, her phone rings. She looks at the screen, surprised to see an unfamiliar number flashing.
Tentatively, she answers.
"Yuxi," a voice says, low and reassuring, "I have a way for you to break free from everything. But you'll need to trust me."
Her heart skips a beat. Who is this? Is it an ally? Or someone with even more sinister intentions?