The news of their engagement had thrown Lin Wei's life into a surreal state of flux. Her colleagues' polite congratulations felt laced with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. The digital feeds on her comm were a constant stream of speculation, dissecting every available image and tidbit of information about the unlikely pairing of the fiercely independent architect and the powerful CEO. The carefully constructed narrative of their blossoming romance, so eloquently spun by Qin Feng's PR team, felt increasingly flimsy against the backdrop of their strictly professional interactions.
The impending arrival of her parents loomed like a deadline, adding another layer of anxiety to the already precarious situation. Their genuine excitement, so evident in their comm calls, was a stark contrast to the contractual arrangement she had entered into. The thought of maintaining the charade under their loving, albeit sometimes scrutinizing, gaze filled her with a sense of dread.
The following morning, as agreed, Lin Wei found herself across the polished expanse of Qin Feng's desk once more, the marriage contract displayed before them. As they meticulously reviewed the clauses, the starkly legal language felt increasingly detached from the emotional minefield they were about to navigate. The pre-determined timeframe, the financial compensation she had declined in favor of professional autonomy, the explicit disavowal of any expectation of intimacy – it was all laid out in cold, unambiguous terms. Yet, the human element, the unpredictable nature of emotions and expectations, remained conspicuously absent from the document.
"The PR team has scheduled a brief joint interview for tomorrow evening," Qin Feng stated, his tone as impersonal as if he were discussing quarterly earnings. "It will be broadcast across all major digital channels. We will need to present a united front."
Lin Wei nodded, the thought of facing the cameras alongside Qin Feng, perpetuating their fabricated romance, filling her with a sense of performative dread. "What… what will we say?"
"We will reiterate the narrative," Qin Feng replied, his gaze direct. "The shared vision, the mutual respect that evolved into something deeper. We will need to appear… compatible."
The word hung in the air between them, laden with irony. Compatible was hardly the term she would use to describe their history of intellectual sparring and professional rivalry.
Later that day, Qin Feng informed Lin Wei that his grandmother wished to have another private audience with her. This time, the setting was a quiet corner of the Stellaris Tech executive lounge, overlooking the sprawling cityscape. Mei Qin sat in a comfortable armchair, a cup of herbal tea resting on the small table beside her. Her demeanor was less overtly warm than their previous meeting, her sharp eyes holding a thoughtful, almost assessing quality.
"Lin Wei, my dear," she began, her voice softer but carrying a distinct undercurrent of seriousness. "My grandson… he is a complex man. He carries the weight of a great deal on his shoulders."
"I am beginning to understand that, Madam Mei," Lin Wei replied carefully, sensing a shift in the conversation.
Mei Qin's gaze intensified. "His parents' passing… it left a deep wound. He has built this empire, this incredible company, but he has done so largely on his own. My greatest wish has always been for him to find someone genuine, someone who sees beyond the CEO persona."
Lin Wei remained silent, unsure how to respond to such a personal observation.
"Your story… it was a lovely one," Mei Qin continued, her eyes searching Lin Wei's face. "The quiet blossoming amidst busy careers. But… is it the whole truth, my dear?"
Lin Wei's heart skipped a beat. Mei Qin's perceptiveness was unnerving. Could she sense the artificiality beneath their carefully crafted tale?
"We… we have a deep respect for each other, Madam Mei," Lin Wei offered cautiously, choosing her words carefully. "And a shared understanding of the demands of our careers."
Mei Qin's gaze didn't waver. "Respect is important, child. But marriage… it requires something more. A genuine affection, a true connection of the heart." She paused, her eyes filled with a poignant sadness. "My time is drawing short, Lin Wei. I only want to know that Feng'er will be in good hands, that his happiness is real."
The weight of Mei Qin's unspoken plea pressed down on Lin Wei. The charade, initially conceived as a temporary measure, was now impacting someone she genuinely respected. The thought of causing this kind woman any further worry was deeply unsettling.
Just then, Qin Feng approached, a glass of water in his hand. "Nai Nai, are you feeling alright? Perhaps you should rest."
Mei Qin waved a dismissive hand. "I am quite alright, Feng'er. I was just having a… heartfelt conversation with Lin Wei." Her gaze returned to Lin Wei, a silent question hanging in the air.
Lin Wei met her gaze, a sudden resolve hardening her features. She couldn't lie to this woman, not entirely. "Madam Mei," she began, her voice sincere, "CEO Qin and I… our relationship is… unconventional. But we both care deeply for your well-being, and we both hope to bring you peace." It was a carefully worded truth, skirting the specifics of their contract but acknowledging the genuine motivation behind their actions.
Mei Qin studied her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips. "Unconventional, you say? Well, love often finds its own path, doesn't it?"
The arrival of Lin Wei's parents in Neo-Shanghai two days later threw the carefully constructed facade into immediate high gear. Their genuine excitement was both heartwarming and terrifying. They peppered Lin Wei with questions about her "romance" with Qin Feng, their eyes shining with pride and happiness. Maintaining the charade under their loving scrutiny was a constant tightrope walk, every shared glance with Qin Feng, every carefully chosen word, feeling like a performance under a spotlight.
Qin Feng, to his credit, played his part with a surprising degree of charm and attentiveness, impressing Lin Wei's parents with his intelligence, his success, and his seemingly genuine affection for their daughter. He was the epitome of the successful, devoted fiancé, a far cry from the aloof CEO she usually encountered.
As they all shared a formal dinner in Qin Feng's penthouse, the city lights twinkling below, Lin Wei couldn't shake the feeling of living a meticulously crafted lie. Her parents' beaming faces, Mei Qin's watchful gaze, Qin Feng's practiced charm – it was a spectacle built on a foundation of a contract and a shared desire to appease those they cared for. The performance was convincing, but the private unease within Lin Wei lingered, a quiet whisper reminding her that the truth, however unconventional, remained buried beneath the carefully constructed surface of their public pact. The approaching spectacle of their wedding loomed, a daunting testament to the grand deception they had so reluctantly embraced.