The moment the office doors closed behind them, the noise of the outside world disappeared.
Ye Chenyan's office was exactly what Li Xinyue expected—minimalistic, sharp, and cold. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, while dark shelves lined one side of the room. Everything was neat to the point of obsession.
It suited him.
Ye Chenyan walked past her and loosened the cuffs of his shirt before sitting behind his desk. "Sit."
Xinyue sat across from him gracefully, crossing one leg over the other
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
It wasn't awkward.
Just silent
Like two people silently calculating each other.
Finally, Ye Chenyan leaned back slightly. "Let's make one thing clear first. I don't care about the gossip online. I don't care about the headlines either. But I do care about unnecessary trouble."
Xinyue nodded once. "Understandable."
"You proposed to me in front of half the upper-class circle in Beijing."
"And you accepted."
His eyes narrowed slightly studying her expression.
But
She remained calm.
Ye Chenyan suddenly let out a quiet scoff. "You're very different from the rumors."
"And what do the rumors say?"
"That Li Xinyue is elegant, obedient, and hopelessly devoted to her fiancé."
A faint shadow crossed her expression before disappearing.
"Rumors are usually written by people who don't know me."
His gaze lingered on her face for a second longer than necessary.
Then he asked bluntly, "Do you actually want to marry me?"
Straight to the point.
Just like Ye Chenyan.
Xinyue looked at him steadily. "Marriage has never been at the top of my priorities."
"Yet you proposed."
"I needed a way out."
His fingers tapped lightly against the desk. "So I was convenient."
"You were effective."
That earned a low laugh from him.
Not warm.
Not mocking either.
"You really don't know how to soften your words, do you?"
"You prefer lies?"
"I prefer honesty, with strategy."
Xinyue tilted her head slightly. "Then we're compatible after all."
For the first time since she'd entered the building, Ye Chenyan looked genuinely amused.
It transformed his face more than she expected.
Dangerously so.
He stood and walked toward the window again, one hand slipping into his pocket.
"The internet thinks this is revenge against Shen Yichen."
Xinyue's expression cooled at the mention of her yet to be ex-fiancé.
"And what do you think?" she asked.
Ye Chenyan turned slightly. "I think a woman like you wouldn't publicly destroy a seven-year relationship over one stupid game."
Her eyes sharpened.
He noticed everything.
Smiles.
"Then what would a woman like me do?" she asked quietly.
"You endured something for a very long time," he said. "Last night was simply the moment you stopped enduring it."
Silence filled the office.
Heavy.
Precise.
Xinyue looked away first.
That annoyed her more than it should have.
Ye Chenyan watched her carefully before speaking again. "So let's discuss the real issue."
"And what's that?"
"If we're continuing this engagement, people will assume the wedding is real."
"It will be."
His brows lifted slightly.
Xinyue met his gaze calmly. "I don't like doing things halfway."
For the first time, Ye Chenyan was caught completely off guard.
A dangerous silence settled between them.
Then he slowly walked back toward the desk.
"Li Xinyue," he said evenly, "are you asking for a business arrangement… or an actual marriage?"
She looked up at him without flinching.
"I'm asking whether you're capable of telling the difference."