City A.

A grand wedding, that has attracted the attention of thousands, is underway.

Thousands of candles twinkle like stars, illuminating the walkway made up of white roses, making it look exceptionally magnificent.

Guests are chatting and laughing, their fervent gazes filled with blessings, admiration, envy, or even jealousy, all directed towards the couple at the center of the hall.

Despite the host's praise, the groom, Leng Mingxuan, doesn't show a trace of happiness. He doesn't even glance at the bride beside him. His handsome face, usually gentle and refined, seems as if it's covered with a layer of frost.

Standing next to him, Ke Ruyan feels as if she's next to an iceberg, so cold she wants to shiver.

"At this joyous moment, may the groom and bride walk down the love aisle together and dance in the middle of the dance floor!" The excited voice of the wedding host incited rousing applause from the guests. However, Leng Mingxuan, the main character of today's feast, does not move a bit.

As the applause subsides, people start to whisper, starting hushed conversations, some even pointing at Ke Ruyan.

Tilting her head slightly, Ke Ruyan glances at the ice sculpture-like Leng Mingxuan. Seeing that he still doesn't move, she lets out a small sigh. She had anticipated this. This was a marriage that was devoid of blessings from the start.

Quietly extending her slender hand, Ke Ruyan subtly tugs at the hem of Leng Mingxuan's suit. Barely opening her red lips, she says in a barely audible whisper, "Even if you don't want to, you should put on an act. Otherwise, it's not just my face getting lost, it's the face of your Leng family as well."

Her voice is small, but it's obviously heard by Leng Mingxuan. He glances at Ke Ruyan without any expression and walks towards the rose walkway in front of him, completely ignoring whether Ke Ruyan, wearing ten-centimeter heels, can keep up with his pace.

Holding up her heavy wedding dress, Ke Ruyan follows quickly behind Leng Mingxuan, maintaining a constant distance.

When the two start to dance in the middle of the glittering dance floor, the guest area erupts with waves of applause. Taking advantage of the covering of applause and cheers, Leng Mingxuan leans his head close to Ke Ruyan's ear and coldly asks, "Are you satisfied now?"

Ke Ruyan pauses for a moment, then quickly follows Leng Mingxuan's steps. She hadn't expected him to speak to her.

Pulling up the corner of her mouth, flashing a good-looking smile, Ke Ruyan looks straight into Leng Mingxuan's eyes and says, "Satisfied, why wouldn't I be?"

What entered Leng Mingxuan's sight, wasn't Ke Ruyan's stunningly delicate face, but her sparkling eyes that curled like crescent moons.

He was taken aback. Honestly, he had never imagined that this woman would have such beautiful eyes, clear and vivacious, as though they could peer into his soul.

"Hmph!" A moment later, the returned-to-reality Leng Mingxuan inwardly berated himself for daydreaming because of this woman. With a cold huff, he turned away, refusing to meet eyes with Ke Ruyan again.

"Today's wedding ceremony is nothing more than a transaction, you should be well aware of that! You, Ke Ruyan, are nothing more than a commodity to me!" Leng Mingxuan, taking advantage of his height, look down at Ke Ruyan, slipping these words through clenched teeth.

Despite her mental preparedness, Ke Ruyan was still slightly shaken when she heard these words.

She bit down on her lip until it bled, only then did she manage to suppress her anger.

"Yes, I obviously understand this marriage for what it is. However, shouldn't I be glad to have such high value? Moreover, no matter what, didn't I also claim the title of a CEO's wife?" Ke Ruyan's blood-tainted lips parted slightly, glowing even more brightly.

"You!" Leng Mingxuan never expected this woman to say such things. The hand on Ke Ruyan’s waist tightened, gaining absolute control of her slender figure.

"Ah--" Ke Ruyan didn't expect Leng Mingxuan, who didn't win the verbal confrontation, would actually resort to physical action. She inadvertently fell into his trap.

"A gentleman uses words, not fists. I never thought the renowned CEO Leng would be a petty man!" Ke Ruyan took deep breaths to manage the pain, yet her dancing steps didn’t falter.

Leng Mingxuan found it amusing to see her obviously in pain, but still trying to come off as strong verbally. She looked so gentle and gracious, yet didn't hold back with her words!

He then loosened the grip on her waist, replacing the stern look with his usual gentlemanly smile, "Petty? Besides you, no one has ever described me that way. Alright then, in the future, let's have you witness the real 'petty' me."

Ke Ruyan fell silent. She knew, if she went on, she would definitely be the loser.

With his opponent silenced, Leng Mingxuan’s face donned a triumphant smile, “Trying to compete with me, you’re still far from it…”

…

A grand and magnificent wedding was indeed a completely dignified affair, but it was also very complicated. After enduring every tedious heap of red tape, Ke Ruyan was tired to the point where she could no longer muster a shred of energy.

In the newlywed's room.

Ke Ruyan was flopped onto the bed, as limp and lifeless as a puddle of mud, unwilling to move even an inch.

Leng Mingxuan glanced coldly in the direction of the bed, aggressively yanked off the big red boutonnière from his chest, and flung it onto the floor with resolute force. The characters for "groom" still quivered on it.

"Ke Ruyan, congratulations on willingly becoming a member of the Leng Family," he said tersely. "However, understand this -- I will never love you in this lifetime! Of course, even the festivities of tonight's bridal suite are meant for you and you alone. Carry your title as the madam of a CEO, and prepare to grow old in solitude!"

With that said, he was no longer willing to linger in the room and stepped out.

Ke Ruyan continued laying without a movement. She found even the effort to open her eyes too trouble-worthy. She hadn't truly expected much from the outset, so there was no room for disappointment.

Her wedding night was spent alone, with no romantic affection, no sweet nothings, no tender gestures, and no inseparable attachment. Ke Ruyan’s wedding night was characterized by solitude.

And this was merely the beginning.

Indeed, this was her conscious choice. She willingly accepted the exchange.

She staked her youth, burying her fantasies of love and offering her hopes for happiness. Amid the envy, jealousy, and resentment of many, she wore the title of the CEO's wife of World's Best Department Store. She also received the wedding night without shared toasts, without consummation, and with the groom's deep discontent and intense distaste.

However, it was all worth it, right…

The corners of Ke Ruyan’s mouth drew upwards, her long eyelashes trembled non-stop, and from the corner of her tightly closed eyes, crystal clear tears trickled down…