Formulating rules
The days began to move forward at a strange and rigid pace.
Lin Tingyue began living with Chi Zhuo.
It's more like cohabitation than living together; they're like roommates under the same roof, divided into distinct groups, and the kind of roommates who are extremely unequal and could be evicted by the landlord at any time.
Chi Zhuo seems to be very busy, leaving early and returning late is the norm for him.
But no matter how late it is, he always returns to this apartment.
Lin Tingyue could even trace his route home in her mind by the sound of the door opening, footsteps, and the opening and closing of the study door.
He strictly adhered to the rules he set for himself.
His master bedroom and study were absolutely forbidden areas, and Lin Tingyue had never set foot there.
In public areas, he always brought a somber atmosphere, while she tried to minimize her presence and avoid him whenever possible.
Communication is limited to necessary and concise instructions.
"Wait for the driver downstairs at 7 a.m. tomorrow."
"I have a business dinner tonight, I won't be home for dinner."
"Prepare for the family gathering this weekend."
It has no name, no warmth, and is like an AI voice assistant.
Lin Tingyue tried to resist this omnipresent control.
For example, she refused the driver he arranged and tried to take a taxi to and from get off work by herself.
The next day, Chi Zhuo had her driver park the car right in front of her company building, attracting even more attention.
She had no choice but to sheepishly continue riding in his car.
She also had a strong preference for certain foods.
He had the nanny prepare breakfast, which she sometimes deliberately refused to eat.
That very evening, a cake from her favorite dessert shop would appear on the table, placed in the most prominent position, next to a cold, impersonal note that read: "Finished."
He seemed to have a million ways to make all her resistance seem childish and ridiculous, and ultimately make her act according to his wishes.
This feeling of powerlessness made her feel extremely frustrated.
But occasionally, there are some unexpected twists and turns.
For example, one rainy night, Lin Tingyue was awakened by thunder. Feeling thirsty, she went to the kitchen to get some water in the dark. As she passed through the living room, she noticed a figure standing in front of the French windows.
It is a pond.
He didn't turn on the light, just stood there quietly in his bathrobe, gazing at the city night view blurred by the rain outside the window.
A cigarette was held between his fingers, its crimson glow flickering in the darkness. His profile appeared exceptionally lonely in the dim light, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness.
At that moment, he was no longer the ruthless and powerful business tycoon he was during the day, but more like an ordinary man burdened by some heavy responsibility.
Lin Tingyue instinctively stopped in her tracks, held her breath, and dared not disturb him.
But he seemed to sense it and slowly turned his head. In the darkness, his gaze precisely captured her, as deep and unfathomable as a bottomless, icy pool.
The two stared at each other silently for a few seconds across the dimly lit living room.
The thunder rolled in again.
Chi Zhuo looked away first, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray next to him, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Can't sleep?"
"...I'm thirsty, get some water," Lin Tingyue replied softly.
"Hmm." He responded faintly, said nothing more, turned and walked towards his bedroom, closing the door behind him.
It was as if the slightly lonely figure she had just seen was just her illusion.
For example, one weekend.
Lin Tingyue was curled up on the sofa reading a boring fashion magazine, while Chi Zhuo was on another sofa dealing with emails.
The atmosphere was one of almost frozen silence.
She was getting sleepy while reading, and the magazine slipped from her hands and fell onto the carpet.
She was too lazy to pick it up and tilted her head, almost falling asleep.
In a daze, I felt someone approaching.
She opened her eyes with a start and saw that Chi Zhuo had walked over at some point and was bending down to pick up her magazine. His tall figure loomed over her, exuding a strong presence.
Lin Tingyue was instantly wide awake and looked at him nervously.
Chi Zhuo glanced at the colorful models on the magazine cover, and frowned almost imperceptibly, seemingly expressing his disdain for such boring content.
But he didn't say anything, he just gently placed the magazine back on the sofa next to her, his movements were even...gentle?
Then, without saying anything, he turned around and went back to his seat to continue processing emails.
It was as if he had just done a trivial little thing on the spur of the moment.
Lin Tingyue held the magazine, but her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.
The slightly disgusted yet helpless expression on his face as he looked at the magazine created a strange contrast with his usual cold and hard demeanor.
These subtle, accidental moments, like pebbles thrown into a frozen lake, created barely perceptible ripples, involuntarily mixing a complex curiosity into Lin Tingyue's fear and resistance.
What kind of person is he, really?
Of course, more often than not, it's friction and collision.
Chi Zhuo has an extremely strong desire for control and almost harsh rules.
Items must be placed in fixed locations, quietness is a must, and a high degree of tidiness is required.
Lin Tingyue, on the other hand, was spoiled growing up and has a casual and even slightly sloppy lifestyle.
She often accidentally throws her cushion at an angle, forgets to put her water cup back on the coaster, or can't help but laugh out loud while watching variety shows.
Whenever this happens, Chi Zhuo won't scold her loudly, but he will look at her with a cold, disapproving gaze, or directly "correct" her with his actions.
Once, after finishing her snacks, Lin Tingyue casually placed the wrappers on the coffee table and forgot to throw them away immediately.
After Chi Zhuo returned home, his gaze lingered on the coffee table for a second.
Then, he walked over, picked up the bag with two fingers, and threw it precisely into the trash can as if it were something dirty.
The entire process was silent, yet filled with extreme disgust and oppression.
Lin Tingyue blushed immediately, both from anger and embarrassment.
"Are you serious?" she couldn't help but mutter under her breath.
Chi Zhuo raised his eyes and looked at her calmly: "My place has my rules. Remember them."
“This is my home too!” Lin Tingyue blurted out, and then she was stunned for a moment after saying it.
Chi Zhuo seemed to pause for a moment, then looked at her intently, his expression complex and unreadable, before finally saying, "Then follow the rules."
Then he turned and left.
Lin Tingyue was furious, but there was nothing she could do.
That evening, she took a long, angry bath in the bathroom, trying to dispel the pent-up frustration in her heart with hot water.
After showering, she came out wearing fluffy pajamas, her hair dripping wet. Too lazy to blow-dry it, she curled up in the corner of the living room sofa with her tablet and watched a show, deliberately turning the volume up very loud.
Chi Zhuo came out of the study to get water and saw this scene.
The girl was curled up on the sofa, small and delicate, her wet hair clinging to the side of her fair neck, her lips red from the bath, her eyes fixed on the screen, deliberately avoiding his gaze, yet radiating an aura of "I'm unhappy."
He paused, then went to pour some water. When he returned, he had a dry towel in his hand.
He didn't say anything, but walked up to her and put the towel over her still dripping head.
Lin Tingyue was startled by the sudden darkness. She pulled back the towel and stared at him with wide eyes.
"Noisy." Chi Zhuo commented succinctly on the show on her tablet, his gaze falling on her wet hair. "Also, dry your hair. It'll be troublesome if you catch a cold."
His tone was still not very pleasant, even a little impatient.
She stared blankly at his retreating figure as he turned and left again, clutching the towel in her hand, which seemed to still retain the warmth of his fingertips and that familiar, cool, woody scent.
She eventually turned the volume down and resignedly picked up the hairdryer to dry her hair.
Amidst the buzzing sound, she looked at her face in the mirror, which was flushed with an unnatural redness, and her mind was in complete turmoil.
Do you hate him?
Of course I hate it.
However, she couldn't completely define him as a purely "bad person".
This contradictory feeling left her even more bewildered than simple hatred.
Inside the master bedroom, Chi Zhuo leaned against the door, listening to the faint buzzing of the hairdryer outside, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples.
That's really troublesome.
It was more complicated than any merger or acquisition he had ever handled.
But he was never afraid of trouble.
-
A week later, an exquisitely designed invitation arrived at the apartment, specifically inviting Mr. Chi Zhuo and his wife to a charity dinner hosted by a well-known foundation.
Lin Tingyue looked at the two names side by side on the invitation and felt particularly annoyed.
She had no desire to appear in that kind of setting as "Madam Chi" and be subject to public scrutiny and discussion.
She placed the invitation on the coffee table, pretending not to see it.
When Chi Zhuo returned in the evening, he picked up the invitation, glanced at it, and said in an unquestionable tone, "The driver will pick you up at 7 p.m. tomorrow to go to the styling studio."
"I don't want to go," Lin Tingyue tried to make a final stand.
Chi Zhuo looked up, his gaze sweeping over her face, which was filled with resistance: "Reason?"
"I...I'm not feeling well," she offered a lame excuse.
"Where do you feel unwell?" He put down the invitation, looking at her with a leisurely air, as if she were a child lying. "Should I call the family doctor?"
Lin Tingyue: "...I feel psychologically uncomfortable."
Chi Zhuo smiled faintly, with a hint of sarcasm: "Endure it. It's one of your duties as Mrs. Chi."
"Another obligation!" Lin Tingyue turned her head away angrily and ignored him.
The following evening, she was still forced to stay in the styling studio.
A professional team surrounded her, doing her hair, makeup, and helping her try on dresses.
She was like a soulless doll, completely at everyone's mercy.
When everything was finally ready, she looked in the mirror at herself, wearing a flowing silver dress, with exquisite makeup and her hair styled in an elegant updo, and felt a moment of unfamiliarity.
It's beautiful, but so beautiful that it looks like a carefully wrapped gift, about to be sent to a glamorous exhibition booth.
Chi Zhuo's car arrived downstairs on time; he had come in person.
He was wearing a classic black tuxedo suit, a white shirt, and a perfectly tied bow tie today.
He had lost some of his usual business acumen and gained a more refined gentlemanly air, but his eyes remained deep and cold, and his aura was still powerful.
When he saw her come out, his gaze lingered on her for a few seconds, deep and unfathomable, but he didn't say anything. He just nodded slightly, gesturing for her to get in the car.
They remained silent the entire way.
The banquet was held in the ballroom of a six-star hotel, where the atmosphere was lively and elegant, bringing together celebrities and dignitaries from northern Beijing.
When Chi Zhuo appeared with Lin Tingyue, they instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Both Chi Zhuo's own influence and their sudden, high-profile marriage are enough to make them the focus of attention.
Chi Zhuo remained calm and composed as he greeted the people who came forward to exchange pleasantries. However, his arm gently encircled Lin Tingyue's waist with an undeniable force. It seemed intimate, but in reality, it was a show of control, preventing her from running away at the last minute.
Lin Tingyue tried her best to maintain a polite smile, but her face felt like it was about to freeze.
She could hear the whispers around her and feel the probing, envious, and even hostile gazes directed at her.
"Mr. Chi, Mrs. Chi, you are a perfect match, a match made in heaven!" A balding middle-aged man flattered with a smile.
Chi Zhuo nodded slightly, without saying anything more.
Another glamorous, wealthy woman held Lin Tingyue's hand, seemingly affectionate but actually probing: "Mrs. Chi is so lucky. I wonder how you managed to win over our CEO, this iceberg? Share your secrets with us!"
Lin Tingyue smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
Chi Zhuo calmly took over the conversation, his tone distant: "Mrs. Wang is joking." He easily got her out of the awkward situation, but his attitude clearly indicated that he refused to delve deeper into the topic.
Lin Tingyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief and subconsciously moved closer to him.
In this completely unfamiliar environment, the man she feared most became her only lifeline.
This feeling is absurd.
Midway through, Chi Zhuo was entangled in conversation by several important business partners.
He looked down at Lin Tingyue and said, "I'm going over there for a bit. Grab some food for yourself and don't wander off."
The tone was like that of someone admonishing a naive child.
Lin Tingyue felt like she had been granted a pardon. She quickly nodded, watched him leave, and then quietly slipped into the relatively quiet food court. She grabbed a glass of juice, hid in a slightly secluded corner, and let out a long sigh of relief.
However, after only a few minutes of peace and quiet, a slightly frivolous male voice rang out behind her: "Oh, isn't this Miss Lin? Oh no, now you should call her Mrs. Chi."
Lin Tingyue turned around and saw a somewhat familiar man, a playboy who had pursued her before but was explicitly rejected by her. At this moment, he had a malicious smile on his face.
"Young Master Li, is there something you need?" Lin Tingyue didn't want to talk to him, her tone was indifferent.
"It's nothing, I just came to congratulate Miss Lin... oh no, Mrs. Chi."
Li Shao swirled his wine glass, his gaze lingering on her, his tone laced with sarcasm, "Such impressive skills, managing to climb the social ladder of the Chi family without a sound. What, you looked down on me back then because you thought I wasn't as rich and powerful as President Chi?"
Lin Tingyue's face darkened: "Please show some respect."
"Respect?" Young Master Li scoffed, leaning closer, his voice low but full of malice. "What are you pretending to be so high and mighty for? Everyone knows your Lin family was almost finished not long ago. If you hadn't 'sold yourself' to Chi Zhuo, would you still be standing here? How about it, that iceberg, President Chi, isn't it hard to serve him? Can he satisfy you?"
The vulgar words made Lin Tingyue's blood boil instantly, feeling disgusted and angry: "Shut up!"
"What? Did I hit the nail on the head?" Seeing her angry, Li Shao became even more smug. "If President Chi can't satisfy you, you can come to me. I don't mind picking up..."
Before he could finish speaking, a large, bony hand suddenly reached out from the side and grabbed his wrist, which was holding the wine glass. The force was so great that Li Shao cried out in pain, and the wine glass almost fell to the ground.
Lin Tingyue turned her head in surprise and saw that Chi Zhuo had returned at some point and was standing beside her.
His face was terrifyingly grim, and the icy aura emanating from him could almost freeze a person. His eyes were sharp as knives, shooting straight at the young master Li, his voice low and cold, carrying a terrifying sense of oppression: "What did you just say?"
Li Shao winced in pain, his face deathly pale. Meeting Chi Zhuo's gaze, he was terrified: "Mr. Chi... I... I was just joking..."
"A joke?" Chi Zhuo's thin lips curled into a cold smile, and he tightened his grip. "My wife, is she someone you can joke about?"
"I'm...I'm sorry! President Chi! I was wrong! I was foul-mouthed! I talked nonsense!" Young Master Li was in so much pain that he was sweating profusely and apologized repeatedly. His previous arrogance had completely vanished.
The commotion has already attracted the attention of those around.
Chi Zhuo coldly shook off his hand, as if he had touched something dirty, and took out a handkerchief from his suit pocket, slowly wiping his hands.
"Get out." He uttered only one word.
Li Shao felt as if he had been granted a pardon and ran away as fast as he could, not daring to look back.
Chi Zhuo then turned his gaze to Lin Tingyue. She seemed to have been frightened by what had just happened; her face was pale, and she stared at him blankly.
He frowned slightly, reached out, and very naturally tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His fingertips brushed against her earlobe, sending a subtle shiver down her spine.
"It's alright." His voice was still not loud, but it seemed a little softer than before.
Lin Tingyue's heart was still pounding, not because of fear, but because of... how he had defended her just now.
So powerful, so cold, even somewhat cruel, yet at that moment, he made her feel a sense of security she had never felt before.
"Thank you..." she lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
Chi Zhuo didn't say anything, but his gaze fell on her empty wine glass: "Was the juice good?"
"Huh? It's...it's alright."
“Let’s go,” he said, putting his arm around her waist again, this time with a lighter touch, “I’ll introduce you to some people.”
For the first time ever, Chi Zhuo kept her by his side.
Whether he was exchanging pleasantries with someone or giving an interview, he always kept her within his sight. When necessary, he would even briefly introduce her to the other person, occasionally listening to her whispered questions and offering brief answers.
Although they weren't exactly close, the way she was under his wing made those who were eyeing her much more restrained.
Lin Tingyue's feelings became incredibly complicated. She hated his control, yet she also craved the protection he offered in this moment.
She was afraid of his coldness, yet her heart raced because of his unintentional act of protecting her just now.
This man is like a glass of strong liquor; you know it's poisonous, but you still get lost in the dizziness and become addicted.
As the banquet drew to a close, Lin Tingyue went to the restroom to touch up her makeup.
As I was leaving, I accidentally bumped into a waiter at the corner of the corridor.
Some of the champagne on the tray spilled out and splashed onto Chi Zhuo's suit jacket and shirt collar.
The waiter turned pale with fright and apologized repeatedly.
Lin Tingyue was also startled.
Chi Zhuo frowned, looked at the wine stains on his clothes, then at the panicked Lin Tingyue and the waiter, and finally just waved his hand and said to the waiter, "It's okay, you can go back to work."
Then, he looked at Lin Tingyue and said, "I'll go to the lounge to take care of this."
He turned and walked toward the men's lounge, and Lin Tingyue followed him as if possessed.
The lounge was empty. Chi Zhuo took off his suit jacket, hung it on a hanger, and then tried to wipe the wine stains off his shirt collar and tie in front of the mirror.
But those dark wine stains are not easy to clean.
Lin Tingyue stood at the door, watching his somewhat clumsy movements. After hesitating for a moment, she whispered, "Um... tie, take it off, wet it slightly with water, and then wipe it. That might help..."
Chi Zhuo paused, looking at her in the mirror.
Lin Tingyue felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and added, "I...I once accidentally dirtied my dad's tie, and that's what my aunt taught me..."
Chi Zhuo was silent for a few seconds, then turned around to face her and suddenly said, "Come here."
"Huh?" Lin Tingyue was stunned.
"Don't you know how to handle this?" He looked at her, his eyes deep. "Help me untie it."
His tone was calm, yet it carried an air of undeniable authority.
Lin Tingyue's heart skipped a beat. Help him loosen his tie? This action... was far too intimate.
But looking into his deep eyes, her feet seemed to move on their own, and she slowly walked over.
The distance between them instantly closed. She could smell the strong, cool scent of alcohol mixed with a faint hint of tobacco on him.
His height gave her a great sense of intimidation; she had to tilt her head back slightly to touch his tie.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she carefully found the knot in her tie and tried to untie it.
But because of nervousness, his fingers were particularly clumsy, and he couldn't untangle it even after several attempts.
Chi Zhuo looked down at her, at her slightly flushed cheeks, her trembling eyelashes, and her slender, white hands that were busy on his chest.
His breathing seemed to deepen, and his eyes grew increasingly dark.
The surroundings were so quiet that only the soft sounds of their breathing and the rustling of her fingers against the fabric could be heard.
Finally, the tie knot came undone.
Lin Tingyue gently pulled the tie off his neck, breathed a sigh of relief, and noticed a fine layer of sweat on her forehead.
"And then?" Chi Zhuo's voice suddenly rang out, lower and hoarser than usual.
"Huh? Oh... use, use water..." Lin Tingyue held the tie and looked at the sink next to her, somewhat at a loss.
Chi Zhuo didn't move, still staring at her intently, and suddenly asked, "Lin Tingyue, are you still afraid of me now?"
Lin Tingyue looked up abruptly, meeting his unfathomable eyes, her heart pounding like a drum.
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