Chapter 5: The Contract is Signed

The pen felt heavy in my hand.

I stared down at the signature line on the marriage contract, my name typed neatly below it: Lin Xia. All I had to do was sign, and my life would change forever. One year as Shen Yichen's contracted wife. One year of pretending, performing, lying to everyone I knew.

"Miss Lin?" The lawyer's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Do you have any questions before signing?"

I had a million questions. But none that could be answered by a lawyer.

"No," I said quietly. "No questions."

I signed my name in smooth, careful strokes. The pen scratched against the paper, sealing my fate. When I finished, I set the pen down and looked up to find Shen Yichen watching me with those unreadable dark eyes.

He picked up his own pen and signed without hesitation, his signature bold and confident. Of course he didn't hesitate. This was just another business deal to him. Another contract among thousands.

"Congratulations," Madam Shen said warmly, clapping her hands together. "You're officially engaged! Oh, I'm so happy I could cry."

Engaged. The word felt strange. I had never imagined getting engaged like this in a conference room, surrounded by lawyers, signing legal documents instead of receiving a romantic proposal.

"We'll file the marriage registration next week," Chen Hao said efficiently, making notes. "After the ceremony, of course, to maintain proper tradition. In the meantime, Miss Lin, we'll need to prepare you for your new role."

"Prepare me?" I echoed.

"You'll be moving into President Shen's residence this weekend," Chen Hao explained. "You'll also need appropriate clothing for public appearances, etiquette training for high society events, and a complete background story that explains your relationship with President Shen."

My head spun. "Etiquette training?"

"The Shen family moves in very exclusive circles," one of the lawyers explained. "There are certain expectations for behavior at charity galas, business dinners, and society functions. You'll need to be prepared."

"I can behave appropriately at formal events," I said, feeling slightly defensive. "I'm not completely uncultured."

"Of course not, dear," Madam Shen said kindly. "But there are specific protocols. Which fork to use when. How to address certain dignitaries. Small details that matter in our world. Chen Hao will arrange everything."

Our world. As if I was about to enter a completely different universe. Which, I supposed, I was.

"Miss Lin will also need a new wardrobe," Madam Shen continued, her eyes brightening with excitement. "Suitable clothing for a woman of her new position. Oh, this will be such fun! We can go shopping together. Bond as future family."

Shopping with Shen Yichen's grandmother sounded terrifying. But I forced a smile. "That would be lovely, Madam Shen."

"Wonderful! How about tomorrow afternoon? Chen Hao, clear my schedule."

"Grandmother, you have a doctor's appointment tomorrow," Shen Yichen interjected gently.

Her face fell. "Oh, that's right. Well, the day after then. We have so much to do before the wedding." She turned to me with a warm smile. "I hope you don't mind, dear, but I've taken the liberty of contacting a wedding planner. Someone discreet who can arrange everything quickly."

"I don't mind at all," I said. In fact, I was relieved. The idea of planning a fake wedding myself was overwhelming.

"Good, good." Madam Shen stood up slowly, leaning on an ornate cane I hadn't noticed before. Shen Yichen immediately moved to her side, offering his arm. The gesture was so natural, so gentle, that it surprised me.

So the Ice Prince did have a soft spot. At least for his grandmother.

"I should go rest," Madam Shen said. "All this excitement has tired me out. But I'm so happy, Yichen. So very happy." She reached up and patted his cheek affectionately. "Finally, you'll have someone to take care of you."

Something flickered in Shen Yichen's eyes guilt, perhaps? Or sadness? It vanished before I could be sure.

"Let me walk you to your car, Grandmother."

"Always such a gentleman." She turned to me. "Lin Xia, dear, I'll see you soon. Welcome to the family."

After they left, I sat alone with the lawyers and Chen Hao, staring at the signed contracts on the table. This was real. I had actually done it.

"There's one more matter to discuss," Chen Hao said, pushing another document toward me. "Your employment at Shen Corporation."

I looked up sharply. "What about it?"

"You'll need to resign from your current position. It would look inappropriate for President Shen's wife to work as a regular employee in the marketing department."

My stomach sank. "But I like my job. I worked hard to get where I am."

"You'll receive your full salary as part of the marriage allowance," one of the lawyers said. "Plus additional compensation. Financially, you won't lose anything."

But it wasn't about the money. It was about my independence. My identity. The one thing in my life that was truly mine.

"What if I want to keep working?" I asked.

Chen Hao's expression remained neutral. "That's not possible, Miss Lin. The optics would be problematic. However, after the marriage ends, you'll have excellent references and connections to pursue any career path you choose."

After the marriage ends. One year from now. When I would be divorced, wealthy, and back to being just Lin Xia. Not Mrs. Shen. Not anyone's wife.

"Fine," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. "I'll submit my resignation."

"Actually, we've already drafted a resignation letter for you." Chen Hao produced yet another document. "To ensure the proper tone. You'll cite personal reasons and express gratitude for your time at the company."

Of course they had. They had thought of everything. I was just a chess piece being moved around their board.

I signed the resignation letter without reading it. What was one more signature at this point?

"Excellent," Chen Hao said, gathering the documents. "Now, let's discuss your move to President Shen's residence. We'll send a team to pack your belongings this Saturday. You'll move in Sunday afternoon."

"This Saturday?" That was only four days away. "I need more time than that."

"The engagement has been announced internally," Chen Hao explained. "News will spread quickly. It's important that you and President Shen are seen living together as soon as possible to maintain the authenticity of your relationship."

Authenticity. What a joke.

The door opened, and Shen Yichen returned. He looked at the documents on the table, then at me.

"Everything settled?" he asked.

"Yes, President Shen," Chen Hao confirmed. "Miss Lin will move in this Sunday. I'll arrange everything."

"Good." Shen Yichen turned to me. "Miss Lin, do you have plans for lunch?"

I blinked, surprised by the question. "No. Why?"

"We should have lunch together. Be seen in public. Start establishing our relationship in people's minds." He checked his watch. "There's a restaurant nearby that's popular with business associates. We'll likely run into people who know me."

Of course. This wasn't a friendly invitation. It was a strategic move. Another piece of the performance.

"Alright," I agreed. "When?"

"Now." He gestured toward the door. "Chen Hao, please have the car brought around."

Ten minutes later, I found myself sitting in the back of a sleek black Mercedes beside Shen Yichen. The leather seats were soft and luxurious, and the car smelled faintly of expensive cologne. A privacy screen separated us from the driver.

We sat in silence as the car pulled into traffic. I stared out the window, watching the city pass by, acutely aware of Shen Yichen's presence beside me. He was so close I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, smell that cedar scent I remembered from the balcony.

"Nervous?" he asked suddenly.

"A little," I admitted. "I've never been good at lying."

"You won't need to lie. Just follow my lead." He was quiet for a moment. "At the restaurant, I'll hold your hand. Put my arm around you. Act affectionate. You should respond naturally. Smile. Lean into me. Make it believable."

The idea of him touching me made my stomach flutter with anxiety. "How affectionate are we talking about?"

"Nothing inappropriate. Just enough to convince people we're in a relationship." His tone was businesslike, as if discussing a presentation strategy. "Think of it as acting. You're playing a role."

"The role of a woman in love with you," I said.

"Yes."

"And what role are you playing?"

He turned to look at me, his dark eyes meeting mine. "A man who's falling for someone unexpected."

Something in his gaze made my breath catch. For just a moment, I wondered if he was still talking about acting. But then his expression shuttered again, becoming that familiar cold mask.

The car pulled up in front of an elegant restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and a discreet gold sign. I recognized the name this was one of the most expensive restaurants in Shanghai. The kind of place where reservations were booked months in advance.

"Ready?" Shen Yichen asked.

"Not really."

The corner of his mouth twitched almost a smile. "Good. Neither am I. That makes us even."

Before I could respond, the driver opened my door. Shen Yichen stepped out first, then offered me his hand. His palm was warm and dry when I took it, his fingers closing firmly around mine.

"Remember," he murmured as we walked toward the entrance. "We're in love. Smile."

I smiled. It felt forced and fake, but Shen Yichen squeezed my hand gently, as if encouraging me.

The restaurant host's eyes widened when he saw us. "President Shen! What an honor. Your usual table?"

"Please."

As we followed the host through the restaurant, I felt dozens of eyes turning toward us. Whispers rippled through the dining room. I recognized several faces executives from other companies, society wives, business journalists.

They were all staring at our joined hands.

"That's her," I heard someone whisper. "The one from the video."

"President Shen is actually holding her hand. In public!"

"Maybe it's serious after all."

Shen Yichen's grip on my hand never faltered. He led me to a private table near the window with a view of the river. When we sat down, he didn't let go immediately. Instead, he lifted my hand and pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles.

The gesture was so unexpected, so intimate, that I gasped softly.

"For the audience," he murmured, his lips barely moving. "Look surprised but pleased."

I didn't have to act. I was genuinely surprised. And against all logic, a small part of me was pleased too.

What was wrong with me?

This was all fake. A performance. A business arrangement.

But as Shen Yichen finally released my hand and smiled at me actually smiled, showing a glimpse of perfect white teeth, I realized something terrifying.

Pretending to be in love with Shen Yichen might be easier than I thought.

End of Chapter 5

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