The announcement came on a Monday morning.
"All students in the Advanced Fashion Program will attend a week-long Design Retreat in the nearby lake district," the instructor said. "We'll be staying in dorm-style villas, working on our mid-term concept collections. Mandatory attendance."
Su Nian blinked.
A trip? For a week?
She bit her lip. How was she going to explain this to Lu Cheng?
At Night – Lu Mansion.
"You're not going." Lu Cheng's response came the moment she told him.
Su Nian crossed her arms. "It's part of the curriculum."
"I'll talk to the school."
"That'll draw more attention than me going," she argued. "You said yourself—no one can know we're married. So I go as a student. Just a student."
He was silent for a long moment. Then he leaned back in the armchair, eyes narrowing. "Fine."
Her shoulders relaxed—until he added: "I'll come with you."
She choked. "What?!"
"I'll stay nearby. In a private villa. My presence won't be known."
"That's… ridiculous!"
He stood, walked toward her, and gently tilted her chin up with two fingers.
"Maybe. But I've been ridiculous ever since a certain someone smiled at another man."
Her cheeks went red instantly.
"Besides," he added, lowering his hand, "I have business in that area anyway."
She knew he was lying.
And maybe, she didn't mind.
Three days later…
Lake Minghua. The resort-style campus at Lake Minghua was breathtaking.
Pine trees framed a mirror-still lake, and sleek white villas lined the edge of the woods. Students rushed around, carrying fabric samples and sketch pads, giddy about a week of creativity and relaxation.
Su Nian checked into her shared room with Xiaoyu and two other girls, grateful for the change of scenery.
Ji Chen appeared not long after.
"Room check?" he grinned, tapping the doorframe. "Want to explore the lake before the design brief?"
Xiaoyu gave her a teasing look. "Go on, your 'classmate' is waiting."
Su Nian rolled her eyes but followed Ji Chen out.
By the Lake…
They sat under a tree, sketching silently. Ji Chen glanced at her and said, "So… you and that guy. The one from the banquet. Lu Cheng, right?"
Her pencil paused.
She'd been photographed at the charity banquet, even though she'd kept a low profile. Social media had blurred her face in most photos, but Ji Chen had sharp eyes.
"I'm just… helping him with a project," she said vaguely.
He studied her. "You don't talk about yourself much."
"I guess there's not much to say."
"I think there's a lot," he said softly.
And for some reason, that made her heart ache.
But before she could answer, she felt an intense gaze. Like fire on her skin.
She turned—and saw Lu Cheng across the lake.
Dressed casually in a white shirt, sleeves rolled up, sunglasses on. He stood under a canopy by his private villa, pretending to scroll through his phone… but his body was rigid.
And she knew.
He was watching her.
Late that evening…
Su Nian slipped out of her villa after dinner. She didn't know why.
No—she knew. She walked down the stone path, around the bend of trees… and found him.
Lu Cheng stood under a small pagoda, alone.
She approached cautiously. "You're really here."
He didn't look at her. "You said it was a school trip."
"It is."
He turned slowly, meeting her eyes. "That boy—Ji Chen. Are you interested in him?"
She froze. "Why are you asking me that?"
He took a step forward. "Because I don't like it."
Another step. "Because when he's around, you smile."
Another. "And when you smile for someone else, it makes me want to do things."
She backed into the wooden railing. "Like what?"
He leaned in, one hand resting beside her on the post.
"Like this."
And then— His lips were on hers again. Softer this time and slower.
But it set her heart pounding like a war drum. Her fingers clutched his shirt as he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer until no space remained between them.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was hoarse. "You're mine, Su Nian. Whether you realize it or not."
She stared up at him, dazed.
"You said not to fall in love with you," she whispered.
His jaw tensed.
"I did," he murmured. "But I didn't say I wouldn't."
The Next Morning – Trouble brew.
Word started to spread. Someone had spotted Su Nian and Lu Cheng late at night by the pagoda.
No photos. Just whispers.
Back in the girls' villa, Xiaoyu stared at her, eyes wide. "Su Nian. You have to tell me."
Su Nian sighed. "There's nothing to tell."
"Girl, I know a jealous CEO when I see one."
Su Nian buried her face in a pillow. And yet… she smiled.
In a high-rise suite across the lake, Lu Cheng stood by the window, phone in hand.
On the screen: A simple text was sent to Bai Ming.
"Do a background check on Ji Chen discreetly."
And so the rules began to bend and break.