"Excellent. We’ll be down shortly."

Ah Ling bowed and departed, leaving Lu Yuze to close the door and return to the bedroom proper. He laid out the suit carefully, the burgundy fabric was rich and sophisticated, exactly right for the kind of event they’d be attending. He’d chosen it specifically because the deep wine color would complement Shuyin’s jade green beautifully without overshadowing her.

First, though, he needed to finish his own preparations. He applied body oil, working it into his skin with practiced efficiency. The morning’s activities had left him with a few marks of his own, scratches on his shoulders, faint bruising on his collarbone, but nothing that wouldn’t be covered by his shirt and jacket.

He dressed methodically, starting with tailored black trousers and a crisp white dress shirt. The burgundy suit jacket came next, fitting perfectly across his shoulders. Black leather shoes, polished to a mirror shine. His watch was an expensive but understated piece. His wedding ring, the simple platinum band that marked him as Shuyin’s husband.

Lu Yuze added a light spritz of cologne, something woody and masculine, warm like cedar and vetiver, but never overpowering.

He stepped in front of the mirror, running a quick hand through his damp hair. A touch of product, a few strokes with the comb, and it settled perfectly into place, effortlessly neat.

Just then, Shuyin emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a soft white towel. Steam still clung to her flushed skin, and her damp hair cascaded over her shoulders in loose, glossy waves.

She paused, inhaling deeply. "Mmm... you smell incredible," she said, her voice warm with appreciation.

Lu Yuze turned, and the moment his eyes landed on her, his faint smile deepened into something softer, more intimate. He looked sharp in his tailored clothes, poised and confident, the subtle scent of his cologne wrapping around the room like an invitation.

Shuyin stepped closer without thinking, sliding her arms around him from behind. She pressed her face against his back, breathing him in. The woody notes filled her senses, rich and comforting, making her want to stay right there.

"Do you want some?" he asked softly, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Definitely," she whispered, her hands splaying across his chest as she leaned into him. "You look amazing. Seriously... everything about you tonight is perfect."

He chuckled lowly and turned in her arms to face her. His hands settled on her waist, drawing her flush against him. "Thank you, wifie," he murmured, before leaning down to capture her lips in a gentle, lingering kiss.

His palms traced slow, warm paths along the bare skin of her back, the thin towel the only barrier between them. As he kissed her, his gaze drifted to the faint marks he’d left on her neck and shoulders the night before, delicate bruises and hickeys blooming like secret signatures. His brow furrowed slightly.

"You’ll need to cover these up," he said quietly against her lips, his thumb brushing tenderly over one of the marks. "We can’t have anyone seeing... all of this."

"I will," she replied with a playful little smile, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes. "The makeup artist will work their magic. Don’t worry."

Her gaze drifted toward the bed, where he had already laid out her outfit with care: the sleek pants, the edgy biker shorts, and the strapless bra. The thoughtful gesture made her chest warm.

Lu Yuze reached up and gently ruffled her long, wavy hair, his fingers lingering affectionately. "You’re beautiful like this," he said, his voice dropping to a low, intimate whisper. "Fresh out of the shower, wrapped in nothing but a towel... my beautiful wife."

Shuyin shivered at the tenderness in his tone, a soft flush creeping up her neck. She leaned into his touch, eyes half-lidded. "Keep talking like that and we might not make it out the door."

"All right, I’ll get ready now. You can leave," Shuyin said, her gaze already fixed on the elegant jade-green dress laid out on the bed.

Lu Yuze didn’t move. Instead, he sat casually on the edge of the bed, watching her with calm amusement. "Why should I leave?"

Before she could protest, he reached out and gave the towel a light, playful tug. The fabric loosened instantly. Shuyin let out a small gasp as she lost her balance and tumbled forward, landing against his chest.

"You are mine, Shuyin..." he murmured near her ear, his voice low, warm, and undeniably possessive. His breath brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Geez..." she muttered, shooting him a half-hearted glare as she steadied herself and stood up straight. "How about we just skip the event tonight?"

She reached for her body oil, pouring a small amount into her palms and smoothing it over her skin with slow, deliberate strokes. Lu Yuze’s eyes followed every movement, dark and intent.

Once finished, she slipped into her underlayers efficiently, then tossed the strapless bra onto his lap with a teasing smirk. "You can assist me with this."

"Of course, wifie," he replied, a hint of a smile in his voice as he stood. He moved behind her, his presence warm and close. His fingers were steady yet unhurried as he helped her into the bra, his touch lingering just enough to make her acutely aware of him, the heat of his body, the gentle brush of his knuckles against her skin.

"You’re beautiful," he said quietly, almost reverently.

She didn’t respond, but the brief pause in her breathing betrayed how much his words affected her.

Next, she stepped into the silk dress, a rich, deep jade green that perfectly complemented her eyes. The cut was elegant and refined, modest enough to hide the faint marks he had left on her neck and shoulders, yet still subtly accentuating her figure. Lu Yuze moved behind her again, his fingers brushing lightly against her bare skin as he fastened the delicate zipper and hooks.

When she turned toward the mirror, the dress fit like it had been made for her. Elegant. Composed. Striking.

Lu Yuze picked up her perfume and sprayed a light, elegant mist around her. The soft, feminine scent blended beautifully with his woody cologne, creating something uniquely theirs.

Then he crouched down, gently guiding her foot into one heel, then the other. With the same careful attention, he fastened a delicate jade anklet around her ankle. The small stone caught the light with every subtle movement.

"You look good," he said, standing back to admire her, his gaze slow and appreciative. "Just hair and makeup left."

Shuyin glanced down at her hand, her expression shifting. "Honey... can you remove this band?" she asked, lifting it slightly. "I don’t like how it feels."

Lu Yuze stood slowly, a faint, knowing smile on his lips. "Why remove it? You are a married woman."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of jewelry, a stunning blue diamond set on a thin, elegant band. The deep, vivid color sparkled brilliantly in the light.

Without a word, he took her hand and slid the ring into place, aligning it perfectly over the simple band she couldn’t remove. It settled against her skin as if it belonged there.

Shuyin’s eyes widened. "I’ve never seen anything like this..."

She moved her hand, testing the ring. It didn’t shift at all.

"What’s the magic behind this?" she asked, curiosity lacing her voice.

"Nothing," he said simply, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "Now it looks complete. You are my wife. You deserve the best."

She hesitated, biting her lip. "But no one knows we’re married. I wanted to keep it that way... for now."

Lu Yuze’s smile didn’t waver. "I welcome the drama," he replied calmly, his tone steady and confident. "What others fear, I don’t avoid."

Before she could respond, a soft knock echoed through the room.

"Master," Ting Fei’s steady voice carried from the other side of the door. "The makeup artist has arrived. She is waiting in the sitting room."

Lu Yuze’s gaze flicked to Shuyin for a brief moment, then returned to the door. "We’re coming."

He opened the door with calm authority. Ting Fei stood outside, posture impeccable, expression professionally neutral. His eyes briefly acknowledged Shuyin with quiet respect before settling back on Lu Yuze.

"The stylist is fully prepared," Ting Fei added. "All tools and arrangements are in place."