In the late night, within the largest financial conglomerate's residence in Jiang City, the Huo family, guests were still being seen out.
On the second floor, in the bridal suite, Ye Jia sat uneasily on the bed, still in her wedding gown.
After what seemed like an eternity, there came a sound at the door. Tensed, Ye Jia turned towards the sound, catching sight of the figure of a man entering her room in a wheelchair.
She barely made out the man's appearance when the lights in her room were switched off.
In the darkness, sounds became amplified. The noise of the man's wheelchair moving was particularly distinct.
Licking her lips nervously, Ye Jia addressed the unsettling shadowy figure, "Can we have the light on? I can't see."
"It's late. I need to bathe," Huo Tingchen replied with an icy tone, reminiscent of a man living in a frozen cellar. His voice alone was enough to send chills down one's spine.
A man with disability, who barely went out and lived in darkness always, calling him a man from an icy cellar was quite the understatement.
Upon hearing Huo Tingchen's suggestions, Ye Jia hesitated. There was only the two of them in the room, with him being incapable to walk, it seemed evident he wanted her, his wife to help him bathe. Even though she hadn't accepted him as her husband...
Noticing Ye Jia's inaction, he spoke again, "Come, help me."
His commanding tone was indisputable, chillingly cold.
Just an hour ago, the Huo family had already warned her. If Huo Tingchen was even the slightest bit displeased, the Ye Family would not receive a single cent.
She was married into the Huo family for money...
Caught in her thoughts, Ye Jia hesitantly got to her feet, "My wedding gown isn't off yet. It will be inconvenient. Who used to help you bathe? I can call them."
She wanted to pause as her mind was a scrambled mess at the moment. So, she decided to buy some time with him, using whatever clarity she had left.
"Did anyone ever tell you about my intentions when I chose to marry you?" The remaining patience in him was wearing thin, and he pushed his wheelchair closer to her.
Indeed, no one told her. She had been busy with the wedding all day. Until she was sent back to this room, she had assumed her husband would be the second young master from the Huo family – Huo Tingyu.
All that the Huo family had told her was a few simple threats, warning her not to upset Huo Tingchen.
Her mother thought that being married into the Huo family was a falling pie from the sky, a blessing in disguise. She got to be the madam of a wealthy household and their family business would benefit from the support from the Huos, helping them through tough times.
However, they never expected that she would be married to Huo Tingchen, who was wheelchair-bound.
His approach made her felt a chill coursing through her.
She could deny this wedding. After all, the Huo family tricked her into it! She could leave the Huo family now!
Having made up her mind, Ye Jia stopped trembling, mustered up her courage to speak, "I had no idea that it was you who I would be marrying…"
"If you want to leave, just hurry up and go!" His voice was cold and laced with impatience.
This wife wasn't someone he intended to marry in the first place.
Ye Jia, who originally had the option to walk away, felt as though her feet were glued to the ground, unable to move. She chose to marry into the Huo family for her mother and Ye family's business. If she left now, everything would be ruined.
What should she do? Spend her life with a wheelchair-bound man or watch the downfall of the Ye family and her tear-streaked mother?
In a moment of contemplation, she slowly advanced towards Huo Tingchen, her voice quiet but seemingly resigned, "I will help you to wash."
The room was dimly lit. Huo Tingchen’s wheelchair was heading towards the direction of the bathroom. Unable to see him, Ye Jia removed her wedding gown and put on a nightdress.
Assisting someone in bathing was a first for Ye Jia. However, she often helped bathe her dog at home. Therefore, when she decided to help Huo Tingchen bathe, she planned to follow the same steps, starting by filling up the bathtub with water.
The bathroom light went out, leaving only the weak led light that was embedded in the wall.