Chapter 78

Lin Jianxi stood outside the grand mansion, still dressed in his business suit with his name tag dangling from his neck.

He dragged his suitcase behind him, staring up at the villa and feeling a wry amusement bubble up inside.

This was his first day as part of the Fu Family.

That’s right—he had gotten married.

His family had secretly obtained the marriage certificate for him and tossed his luggage out onto the street.

Just three hours earlier, when Lin Jianxi learned about his marriage, he had been at a trade show, introducing the company’s products to a client.

He zoned out for a moment, staring at the cold message on his phone.

—Your marriage certificate with him has been processed. You’re part of the Fu Family now. Don’t come back.

Lin Jianxi frowned slightly. Then, he undid the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing smooth white skin and the faint outline of his collarbone. The client across from him stared, eyes wide.

Oblivious, Lin Jianxi propped his arm on the table, leaning forward to reread the message.

The Fu Family.

Marriage??

What the hell?

Wasn’t Fu Yanshen his younger brother’s fiancé? How had it suddenly become him…

Lin Jianxi blanked out for a second before it all clicked—

Fu Yanshen was disabled, and the Lin Family was a major clan. His brother was the cherished young master, doted on by all. Though the Fu Family was powerful and wealthy, no one would willingly marry into a family with a disabled groom for something as important as marriage.

So they’d torn up the agreement and pulled a switcheroo, shoving him in as a substitute bride.

“…”

Lin Jianxi let out a breathless laugh of pure exasperation.

He waved over his assistant and grabbed his phone to rush home. But the moment he arrived at the door, he saw the servants had already dumped his luggage outside. His brother watched from upstairs, a flicker of inexplicable admiration in his eyes that quickly vanished, replaced by his usual facade. He waved cheerfully, wishing Lin Jianxi “happiness.”

Lin Jianxi: “…”

Left with no choice, Lin Jianxi resigned himself to his fate.

And that was how he ended up here.

Dragging his suitcase, looking utterly disheveled outside the Fu Family mansion. His shirt buttons undone, name tag askew around his neck, exhaustion shimmering in his eyes beneath tousled hair.

All this just to avoid marrying a disabled man—and costing the Lin Family such a massive business partner in the process. What a lousy deal.

Lin Jianxi didn’t think a disability was a big deal.

It wasn’t Fu Yanshen’s fault, after all. He just felt sorry for the guy.

Rumors had it that Fu Yanshen was strikingly handsome. If that was true, there wasn’t much wrong with him at all. Yet his brother had shunned him… even willing to risk Fu Yanshen’s retaliation…

So, was his temper really that bad?

Did he get violent at home?

Lin Jianxi figured he could throw hands if it came to outright abuse, but if Fu Yanshen called in a bunch of servants to tie him up and beat him…

Lin Jianxi mentally prepared himself, running through the worst-case scenarios.

Now, it was time to go in.

Because walking through that door was his only option.

Lin Jianxi gazed at the mansion’s grand entrance and let out a soft sigh.

Going up against the entire Lin Family alone was a losing battle. He had no choice but to bow to their power.

They hadn’t even needed him present to get the marriage certificate… There was nothing they wouldn’t do.

He had to play the substitute bride.

~~~

As he approached the door, someone opened it for him.

Lin Jianxi stepped inside, backlight silhouetting his figure as he entered the mansion.

No sooner had his foot crossed the threshold than the servant turned and left.

For a moment, the vast foyer held only him.

“Leave the delivery at the door.”

The voice belonged to a teenager. It came from nearby, and Lin Jianxi looked up to see a boy in his mid-teens, lollipop stick between his teeth, lounging against the staircase railing while glued to his game.

…Probably Fu Yanshen’s younger brother.

Lin Jianxi closed the door and walked to the base of the stairs. He looked up and asked, “Hello, I’m looking for Mr. Fu Yanshen. Is he in?”

The boy’s thumbs paused on his game. He glanced up.

His eyes held a coldness beyond his years, laced with mockery—and for a fleeting moment, a hint of unexpected admiration. But it twisted quickly into something malicious.

“If you can’t stand the Fu Family, don’t make promises. What kind of trash did they send over?”

“…”

Lin Jianxi had dealt with picky clients for years; even barbed words like these couldn’t ruffle his composure. He waited calmly for the boy’s answer.

The boy scoffed. “He’s in the study right now. If you’re not scared of dying—”

His tone shifted abruptly, lips curling. “In the study. Upstairs, turn left, all the way to the end.”

With that, he descended the stairs and jerked his chin at Lin Jianxi. “Go on up.”

Lin Jianxi sensed something off, but it was a confrontation he couldn’t avoid forever. Better to rip off the bandage—cowering wouldn’t solve anything.

He set his suitcase aside and climbed the stairs alone.

Down below, the boy snickered into his voice chat, gloating to his friends.

“Holy shit, that Lin Family bastard showed up. Looks like a total idiot.”

“…His face? It’s decent, I guess.” The boy paused, then added, “Pretty good, actually. Not ugly. Mid-to-upper tier.”

“You’ve seen him? Yeah, face is solid.”

“Gonna have some fun messing with him these next few days, haha.”

Lin Jianxi heard every word as he ascended.

Probably said on purpose for his benefit.

He gripped the handrail tighter, closed his eyes briefly, then steeled himself and made it to the second floor. He turned left and headed to the room at the very end.

His husband was inside.

The thought made Lin Jianxi chuckle again.

How bizarre.

An inexplicable husband, just like that.

What would he be like?

Lin Jianxi had never cared much for elite society gossip, and his job didn’t put him in contact with that world. Everything he knew about Fu Yanshen’s looks or personality came from hearsay and his own speculation.

What would the reality be?

Curiosity piqued, Lin Jianxi pushed open the door—

The study was spacious but dimly lit.

Behind the massive desk loomed a shadowy figure in a wheelchair.

That had to be Fu Yanshen.

He lurked in the gloom, his gaze cool and detached as it fixed on Lin Jianxi.

Lin Jianxi shut the door behind him, sealing off the outside world. He didn’t approach—his heart raced a little despite himself. He simply stood in the doorway and called out, “Mr. Fu.”

Fu Yanshen didn’t reply right away.

His stare felt almost tangible, slowly, oppressively raking over Lin Jianxi from head to toe—from his hair to his eyes, lingering finally on his slender, articulated hands.

It fit perfectly with the stereotypical image Lin Jianxi had of Fu Yanshen.

Disabled. Gloomy.

Lin Jianxi sighed inwardly. He’d heard that Fu Yanshen had been crippled in a car accident—acquired disabilities like that often left deep psychological scars. Did he live his days like this in the study, shrouded in gloom without even bothering to turn on the lights…?

Fu Yanshen watched him.

Then Fu Yanshen stood up, emerging from the shadows and striding toward him with those long legs.

Lin Jianxi: “…………”

???

He stood up?!

It had been ages since Lin Jianxi had been so startled. He backed away on instinct until his shoulders hit the door, watching as the other’s face swam into sharper focus—

Handsome, indeed.

But cold. Utterly cold—from the chill in his eyes to the sharp lines of his features to the impassive set of his expression. It was as if a frost clung to him.

Fu Yanshen offered no reply. He came to a halt right in front of Lin Jianxi, his gaze drifting downward once more until it fixed on the round burn scar at the base of his right thumb. He lingered there for a beat, then did something utterly baffling.

He fished a cigarette from his pocket, placed it against Lin Jianxi’s lips, and asked, “May I call you Jianxi?”

“…”

Lin Jianxi clamped down on the cigarette, frowning before arching a brow. At last, he let out a bemused chuckle. “Sure.”

He caught the faintest upward twitch at the corner of Fu Yanshen’s mouth. Then came the lighter—with a sharp click, flame bloomed to life, casting the man’s face in even clearer relief.

In Fu Yanshen’s eyes, Lin Jianxi glimpsed the flicker of fire…and his own reflection.

He lowered his gaze, adopting the absolute posture of a superior as Fu Yanshen lit the cigarette for him. Yet he was still dressed in his work clothes from the venue, ID badge dangling from his neck.

The whole bizarre sequence left Lin Jianxi questioning if he was dreaming. Dazed, cigarette dangling unlit from his lips, he peered up at Fu Yanshen.

Fu Yanshen leaned in abruptly—

Lin Jianxi’s eyes drifted half-shut, assailed by the man’s imposing presence and the crisp scent of shower gel wafting from him.

A soft click sounded by his ear.

The room flooded with light.

Lin Jianxi blinked, bewildered.

Fu Yanshen let out a soft chuckle. “I was dozing off earlier. Forgot to turn on the light.”

“…”

~~~

Everything was nothing like he’d expected.

Lin Jianxi found himself settled in a chair while Fu Yanshen fetched an ashtray and took the seat across from him.

“From now on, we’re husband and wife, Mr. Lin. Everything here is mine—and therefore yours too. Make yourself at home.” With that, Fu Yanshen set his phone on the table and slid it across with one finger.

A QR code glowed on the screen.

Fu Yanshen: “Mind if we exchange contacts?”

Lin Jianxi plucked the cigarette from his mouth. “Hold on, this is all a bit…”

“Strange, huh?” Fu Yanshen’s lips curved faintly. “No sense hiding it from you. I was hurt once, yeah—spent some time in a wheelchair. But I’m good now. Aches on rainy days now and then, but otherwise no different from anyone else. Our life together won’t suffer for it.”

Lin Jianxi: “…”

No need to spell it out quite so bluntly.

Fu Yanshen: “Word hasn’t gotten out, though. It suits my purposes that way.”

“Suits you how?” Lin Jianxi didn’t buy it.

The marriage alone proved how badly the disability had damaged his standing.

The thought had barely formed when Fu Yanshen spoke again, fixing him with those pitch-black eyes—profoundly deep, harboring emotions Lin Jianxi couldn’t fathom.

“Marrying you is my stroke of luck.” Fu Yanshen’s voice was steady. “I’m even grateful for that car crash years back. It gave me this chance today—to sit here with you.”

Lin Jianxi: “…”

Over the top.

That did it—Lin Jianxi dropped the formalities. Fu Yanshen was bending over backward to bridge the gap, spinning tales if he had to; playing hard to get now would just be rude.

After scanning the code to add his contact, Lin Jianxi crossed his legs, leaned forward with a playful smile, and murmured, “Guess that means your bed needs an extra pillow from now on, Mr. Fu.”

And just like that, Fu Yanshen “fully” accepted him.

Lin Jianxi was still a little dazed, but he decided to roll with it.

Fu Yanshen faking a disability had to tie into some family feud or cutthroat business rivalry. No need to dig.

He was bound to Fu Yanshen for life anyway. Better to take it slow—let affection grow with time.

Lin Jianxi stood by the bed, smoking a full cigarette down to the filter. Fu Yanshen watched his every move from behind. He stubbed it out and turned—to find Fu Yanshen right there, not even ten centimeters away.

Lin Jianxi shifted uncomfortably.

Fu Yanshen’s expression never wavered. “I’ll grab your luggage.”

Before he could protest, hands settled on his waist. In a blink, Fu Yanshen had swept him into his arms.

The man’s body heat seeped through his shirt, warming Lin Jianxi to the core.

He frowned—he wasn’t used to this, wanted to squirm free. But then he remembered: he was the wife now. What right did he have to refuse? A full-on French kiss right here, and he’d have no comeback.

Lin Jianxi sighed.

He went limp, ceasing his struggles, and said, “I’m a grown man. I can handle my own bags.”

Fu Yanshen didn’t let go.

Lin Jianxi couldn’t shake the feeling that the man was treating him like some shiny new toy he couldn’t bear to set down.

Warm breath ghosted his neck. After a pause, Fu Yanshen murmured, “Jianxi, you smell incredible.”

Sniffing him like a cat…

If they knew each other better, would he be nuzzling all over?

This was the gloomy, twisted Fu Yanshen from the rumors??

Somehow, he doubted it…

Lin Jianxi offered a polite smile. “We’ll shower together from now on. We’ll smell the same, sir.”

“Shower together?” Fu Yanshen considered it. “Sounds good.”

As if there was another option—one bedroom, two bathrooms?

Lin Jianxi nudged him. “Sir, I need to get my luggage. Still got work to wrap up.”

“I’ll come with.”

Fu Yanshen released him, then pulled something bright and colorful from the cabinet beneath the desk and offered it over.

Lin Jianxi took it, his fingertips grazing Fu Yanshen’s hand. The man tensed for a split second. Oblivious, Lin Jianxi examined the item.

It took a good long moment to register: a lollipop.

“…”

“Do you like it?” Fu Yanshen paused after speaking, a barely perceptible hint of probing in his tone. “I don’t know what you like to eat—”

“I like it.”

Lin Jianxi tried to tear open the packaging, rustling for a long time without success. He smiled helplessly at Fu Yanshen.

Fu Yanshen tore it open for him. Lin Jianxi reached for it, but the other man placed the candy directly at his lips.

Lin Jianxi glanced at him, bit down on the candy, and mumbled unclearly, “Thank you.”

It was delicious.

He’d been busy at the exhibition all day without a chance to eat and was feeling hungry.

Savoring the candy’s sweet-and-sour taste, Lin Jianxi hesitated for a moment before leaning in to hug Fu Yanshen.

He eyed the other’s body, thinking that hugging his waist—or a little higher—felt like an odd position somehow.

Lollipop in his mouth, under Fu Yanshen’s puzzled “What’s wrong?”, he raised a hand to gently loop around the other’s neck. His chin rested at the crook of Fu Yanshen’s neck, his soft hair brushing the man’s jawline.

Fu Yanshen’s breathing hitched.

This position’s good. This is how we’ll do it from now on, Lin Jianxi thought.

He reconsidered; just hugging like this felt a bit stiff, not very couple-like, so he added, “Thank you…”

He paused for a second before saying the intimate term: “Thank you, hubby.”

Much more comfortable without holding back.

Feeling relaxed in body and mind after saying it, Lin Jianxi repeated, “Hubby, what are we having tonight? I’m starving.”

“…”

?

Why no response?

Lin Jianxi tilted his head slightly to look. Fu Yanshen seemed to be dodging something and turned his face away the next second, covering his mouth to cough.

“Tell the chef whatever you want to eat,” Fu Yanshen said, still not looking at him. “If we’re short on ingredients, have the kid downstairs go buy them.”

“He’s your brother?”

“Mm.”

“Like that… he probably won’t listen to me yet. Let’s take it step by step—don’t want to upset the kid.”

At that, Fu Yanshen’s “gentle” and “considerate” tone vanished, replaced by the cold aloofness and hint of aggression from Lin Jianxi’s preconceptions: “He dares?”

“…”

“…He wouldn’t dare.” Fu Yanshen softened his tone again. “You’re the elder.”

“…”

Lin Jianxi said nothing more.

He just felt like laughing.

This Fu Yanshen wasn’t just the complete opposite of the rumors—he was, well, not just a little good as a husband… very good.

Had his brother botched the investigation? No way—someone of his brother’s status would’ve had direct dealings with Fu Yanshen.

Lin Jianxi watched as Fu Yanshen pushed open the study door for him and even stood aside to let him go first. The doubts in his heart grew heavier.

So what’s the real story?

Strange.

~~~