"Good," Lu Yuze replied with a curt nod.

He turned toward Shuyin, his usually sharp eyes softening almost imperceptibly as they landed on her. "Ready?"

Shuyin drew in a quiet breath and glanced once more at her reflection. The deep jade-green silk dress draped elegantly over her figure, the heels gave her graceful height, and the blue diamond on her finger sparkled with every subtle movement. The marks he had left on her skin were now perfectly concealed. She looked poised, composed, and every bit the woman who belonged at his side.

"Yes," she answered softly.

Lu Yuze extended his hand.

She looked at it for a heartbeat before placing her fingers in his. His grip closed around hers, warm, firm, and instinctive, as though this simple act had always been theirs.

Together, they stepped out of the bedroom and into the hushed hallway. The earlier chaos of the mansion had given way to perfect order. Staff members stood at a respectful distance, lowering their heads as the couple passed. No one dared to stare.

They walked in sync, unhurried and controlled. Lu Yuze’s presence beside her felt solid, protective, and quietly possessive.

As they approached the sitting room, the stylist was already visible inside, tools meticulously arranged on the table. The moment she saw them, she rose gracefully to her feet.

"Mr. Lu. Mrs. Lu," she greeted with polite professionalism, offering a small, respectful bow.

Lu Yuze gave a slight nod and guided Shuyin forward, his hand resting lightly but possessively at the small of her back, a subtle anchor.

"I’ll leave her in your care," he said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Keep it elegant. Nothing excessive."

"Of course, sir. I understand," the stylist replied smoothly. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Shuyin settled into the chair in front of the large mirror. As the stylist began organizing her brushes and palettes, Shuyin’s eyes lifted to meet Lu Yuze’s reflection behind her.

He didn’t leave immediately.

Instead, he stepped closer, his fingers gently adjusting a tiny detail on the shoulder of her dress, something only he would notice. The touch was brief, tender, and intimate.

"Call me when you’re done," he murmured, his voice low and meant only for her.

Shuyin nodded, a faint smile curving her lips. "I will."

Their eyes held for a lingering second, heavy with quiet affection and unspoken promises. Then Lu Yuze straightened, gave her one final look, and turned to leave. Ting Fei followed silently in his wake.

The door clicked shut with a soft, final sound.

Inside the sitting room, the stylist began her work with calm efficiency. Shuyin exhaled slowly, letting her shoulders relax as she watched her reflection begin to transform under skilled hands. She knew the world outside this room was already perfectly managed.

And that Lu Yuze would be waiting for her the moment she emerged, steady, patient, and undeniably hers.

The door clicked shut, leaving the sitting room wrapped in soft silence broken only by the gentle clink of brushes and palettes.

Shuyin sat straight in the velvet chair, eyes fixed on her reflection as the stylist worked with quiet precision. The woman’s hands moved confidently, blending, dusting, highlighting, transforming her face with elegant restraint, just as Lu Yuze had requested.

But Shuyin’s mind was elsewhere.

She could still feel the warmth of his hand around hers, the firm, possessive way his fingers had closed over her own. The memory of his low voice near her ear earlier, "You are mine, Shuyin..." sent a faint shiver through her, even now. Her skin remembered the lingering brush of his knuckles against her back when he’d fastened her dress, the deliberate slowness of his touch that promised so much more once they were alone again.

A small, private smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Married.

The word still felt new, almost daring. No one outside this mansion knew. She had wanted to keep it that way for now, to move through the world without the weight of expectations or whispers. Yet Lu Yuze had slid that stunning blue diamond onto her finger without hesitation, aligning it perfectly over the simple band she couldn’t remove. "I welcome the drama," he had said, so calm, so certain.

Her gaze dropped to her hand resting in her lap. The blue diamond caught the light beautifully, deep and vivid, impossible to ignore. It felt heavy in the best way, a quiet declaration. A claim.

She wondered how long it would take for people to notice tonight. How long before the questions started. The thought should have made her nervous, but instead a quiet thrill ran through her. Lu Yuze wasn’t afraid of the eyes that would turn their way. And strangely, sitting here in this perfect dress, with his scent still clinging faintly to her skin, she found she wasn’t afraid either.

"You have lovely skin," the stylist said softly, breaking the silence as she applied a soft glow to Shuyin’s cheekbones. "The jade dress brings out your eyes perfectly."

"Thank you," Shuyin murmured, her voice calm and polite. She met her own reflection again, composed, elegant, the faint marks of last night’s passion expertly concealed. On the surface, she looked every bit the refined Mrs. Lu.

Inside, though, she felt the pull of something far more primal.

She remembered the way he had tugged her towel loose earlier, the effortless strength as she had tumbled into his chest. The low murmur against her ear. The way his hands had moved over her skin when helping with the bra and dress, slow, careful, teasing without ever crossing the line into distraction. He knew exactly how to keep her aware of him, even when he was being "helpful."

Heat crept up her neck at the memory.

How about we don’t go? she had muttered then. Part of her had meant it.

The stylist moved to her hair now, gathering the long waves with gentle fingers, twisting and pinning them into an elegant updo that left a few soft strands framing her face. Each careful movement reminded Shuyin of Lu Yuze’s fingers ruffling her damp hair earlier, the tenderness in his voice when he called her beautiful.

She exhaled slowly, letting herself relax deeper into the chair.

He was waiting for her somewhere in this vast mansion, probably reviewing details with Ting Fei, issuing quiet commands, preparing for the evening ahead. Yet she knew, with absolute certainty, that the moment she stepped out of this room, his eyes would find her first. That steady, intense gaze that made her feel seen, wanted, claimed.

And later, when the event was over and the doors closed behind them again...

Shuyin’s fingers brushed lightly over the blue diamond on her ring finger. A soft, secret smile curved her lips.

She couldn’t wait to see what happened when they were finally alone once more.

— — — — —

"Master, you don’t have to attend," Ting Fei said quietly, standing beside Lu Yuze in the sunlit parking lot.

Golden afternoon light stretched across the mansion grounds. A row of sleek cars gleamed under the careful attention of the staff. Not far away, Ah Ling was personally overseeing the final preparations for their vehicle, ensuring the invitation card was securely placed and every detail flawless.

Lu Yuze stood with one hand casually in his pocket, posture relaxed yet undeniably commanding. His gaze remained fixed on the mansion’s main entrance.

Ting Fei continued, voice even and practical. "You’ve never liked these kinds of gatherings. There’s no real need for you to involve yourself tonight."

Lu Yuze didn’t answer right away. He simply waited, eyes steady on the doors.

The Orchid Charity event was carefully segmented. The women would gather in one elegantly appointed section, sipping wine, discussing causes, while subtly weighing status and alliances. The men occupied their own space, where conversations flowed into business, partnerships, and quiet power plays. Influence moved beneath polished surfaces.

Still, Ting Fei pressed gently. "Your presence isn’t required. Everything can be handled smoothly without you."

Lu Yuze finally shifted his gaze, just slightly. "Why not?"

His tone was calm, but there was steel beneath it.

Ting Fei paused. "Because these events demand unnecessary social performance, and nothing there truly requires your direct attention."

Lu Yuze’s expression remained unchanged, yet his thoughts were crystal clear.

"For Shuyin, I can tolerate it," he said simply. There was no hesitation, no need for explanation.

Ting Fei inclined his head in quiet understanding. "Understood, Master."