The abandoned daughter of the Lu family turns around and marries a celibate tycoon.

Physiological needs?

This may be the most superficial explanation, but it is also an undeniable fact—Lu Xiran has a fatal attraction for him. From the day she tried on the dress, a deep-seated desire spread like wildfire, burning his reason day and night.

What angered him even more was why she always wanted to avoid the other person in front of him during moments that were just between the two of them.

"Don't mention her!" The low growl carried a pain and embarrassment he himself was unaware of, and the strength with which he gripped her wrist betrayed the panic in his heart. He didn't want to hear any other person's name in this situation; it would make all his efforts to mend things seem ridiculous.

However, these words took on a completely different meaning when they reached Lu Xiran's ears.

It turns out that she didn't even have the right to mention the "real person".

—Whether or not someone is a stand-in, they should be aware of their role and should not have any personal emotions or questions.

A sharp pain shot through her wrist, but it was nothing compared to the agony in her heart. With all her might, she tilted her head back, her red, tear-filled eyes a mixture of despair and anguish: "I don't want to! Gu Yanshen, I don't want to! Let me go!"

What she didn't want was to exist merely as a shadow; what she resisted was having to doubt herself as a substitute for someone else after giving herself to them, body and soul.

The resolute rejection in her eyes pierced Gu Yanshen's gaze, bringing a sharp sense of panic. The helplessness of being forced to the edge of a cliff gave rise to even more hurtful words.

He twitched the corners of his mouth, curving them into a cold, emotionless smile. His thumb roughly wiped away the tears from her cheek, the gesture carrying an ambiguous intimacy, but his eyes were as cold and hard as iron: "Lu Xiran, don't forget, you were the one who took the initiative to ask to marry me."

"Look at me," he commanded, his voice hoarse and trembling, revealing the cracks beneath his tough exterior. He no longer tried to argue with pale words, but lowered his head in near despair, wanting to touch her in a more direct and primal way, to confirm her existence, and to cover up the wounds he had inflicted himself.

He loathed his own reckless words, and hated the powerlessness that pushed the situation even worse. Yet, a strong possessiveness mixed with the fear of losing everything intertwined into an even more obsessive impulse.

"I beg you..." Lu Xiran's voice was broken and trembling slightly, "Don't do this to me..." The last bit of stubborn pride made her unable to accept any intimacy with him under such misunderstanding and humiliation.

She loved him, and that's why she couldn't stand the presence of other women in his life.

Gu Yanshen's body suddenly stiffened, and all the force receded like the tide.

Finally, he released her from his grasp, as if he had exhausted all his strength. He straightened up abruptly, turned around almost in a disheveled state, and fled the room.

For the next three days, Lu Xiran devoted all her energy to the enormous mess at the West City Shopping Mall. The terrible state of affairs she and her assistant uncovered made her see reality more clearly.

Around 6 PM, Gu Yanshen's car appeared outside the mall on time. Dinner at the Gu family's old residence was a pre-arranged itinerary.

The meal was a typical family gathering, with exquisite dishes and cheerful laughter. But now, Lu Xiran could clearly read the undisguised mockery in Su Lanzhi's eyes, and she also understood the occasional meaningful glances cast at her by other clansmen. How could the deliberate "mutual respect" and undisguised awkwardness between her and Gu Yanshen hide from these eyes that had been immersed in the ways of the world for so many years?

After the meal, Lu Xiran went to keep Bai Fang company as usual.

"Ranran," Bai Fang took her hand, her wrinkled hand warm and dry, her gaze kind yet insightful, "Tell Grandma, what's wrong?"

"No, I just miss Grandma." Lu Xiran forced a smile and leaned affectionately on the old woman's shoulder. "I just... can't be with you every day, and I feel a little empty inside."

"Silly child," Bai Fang gently stroked her hair, her voice full of tenderness, "Grandma is happier than if she drank any tonic soup because of your thoughtfulness. Now, if I don't video chat with you for a day and hear your voice, I really don't feel at ease."

Aunt Yun, who was standing nearby, chimed in with a smile, "That's right, the old lady is just waiting for your call and soup now, it's more effective than anything else."

"I knew Grandma loved me the most." Lu Xiran buried her face in Bai Fang's shoulder, her nose tingling. For a moment, she almost wanted to pour out all her grievances and doubts, but looking at the old woman's concerned face, she forced back her tears and words. She couldn't let Grandma worry about her anymore.

"Grandma, you should rest early. I'll come to see you again next time." She got up and tucked Bai Fang in.

After Lu Xiran left, Bai Fang's smile faded, replaced by worry: "Tell me honestly, has Song Zhihe caused trouble again?"

Aunt Yun sighed: "On the day of the wedding, someone saw Miss Song... near the penthouse suite."

Bai Fang frowned, her tone unusually angry: "What exactly does she want? Does she think our Gu family's children have to revolve around her?" She held Aunt Yun's hand and whispered, "Ranran is genuinely good to Yan Shen. I can see that, and even that blockhead Yan Shen cares about her a lot. It's not easy to find someone who understands us; we can't let those old grievances ruin everything."

The car was filled with a suffocating silence on the way back. Lu Xiran gazed at the rapidly receding lights outside the window, her profile quiet and aloof.

Gu Yanshen tried several times to start a conversation, but the responses he received were always brief and polite, tinged with obvious fatigue and absent-mindedness. It was as if there was an invisible, hard pane of glass between the two of them.

Gu Yanshen gripped the steering wheel, his fingers unconsciously tightening. He regretted his two near-out-of-control attempts to get closer; his clumsy and forceful approach had not only failed to close the distance but had instead pushed her further away.

Every night, he would pause for a moment at the door of the master bedroom, listening to the faint sounds inside. He would raise his hand, only to let it fall limply before touching the door. In the end, he would always turn away silently and return to his empty, cold bedroom, using the mountain of work to numb his restless and unsettled heart.

Inside the door, Lu Xiran also stared at the ceiling with her eyes open, seemingly still able to hear the heavy footsteps of his departure. The emptiness in her heart was filled with the howling of a cold wind.

The next day, Lu Xiran was busy at the West City Shopping Mall until late as usual. The complex data, the thorny issues with the merchants, the space plans that needed to be redesigned... these real problems temporarily overshadowed her emotional torment, but they also exhausted her energy.

When she dragged her weary body back to that so-called "home," it was nearly midnight. She habitually expected to be faced with a cold, dark room, just like the past few days.

However, the moment my fingertips touched the cool fingerprint lock, the door opened softly.

——The house is brightly lit.