"Yeah, you gotta show off the happiness every now and then!" Flower Lianxi flipped her long hair and winked casually, like she was just kidding, but deep down she felt all warm and fuzzy, almost melting into their intense love.
"But based on my 'inspection,' you're not exactly the type who can just flaunt happiness all willy-nilly, are you?" Kong Chengyi said with a charming smirk, taking a graceful sip of his red wine.
Even after all the hugs and kisses, he could still sense her naivety and how shy she was in public, like a mimosa plant that folds up scared at the slightest touch.
"You..." Flower Lianxi gripped her knife and fork, wanting to argue, but when she looked up, she saw her clear reflection in his bright eyes, making her feel like a little girl being teased, even with a hint of innocent romance in the air.
Suddenly, he grabbed her chin, his lips close to her face. "Reporters outside!" Kong Chengyi murmured softly.
Flower Lianxi's hands holding the cutlery didn't even twitch, especially after being told about the media watching. She just let Kong Chengyi do his thing.
"Slow down eating!" he pressed her lips gently with his finger, smiling as he leaned back and continued his elegant meal.
Simon soon spotted the paparazzi too. He wasn't exactly against it, but he didn't like his private life being public, so he finished his meal with Kong Chengyi and left with his wife first.
Suddenly, it was just the two of them. Flower Lianxi's breathing got tight, like Simon and his wife had taken all the air with them. The atmosphere instantly became awkward and strange. She looked up and saw Kong Chengyi casually swirling his clear red wine with his left hand, while his right index finger tapped lightly on the table, like he was keeping time with some elegant piano music.
Pretending to be calm, Flower Lianxi dabbed her lips and finished her meal, wondering if she should just leave instead of giving the paparazzi outside a live broadcast.
Watching Flower Lianxi wipe her mouth, Kong Chengyi raised an eyebrow, put his wine back on the table, and stopped his tapping. He suddenly stood up, and before Flower Lianxi could even look up in confusion, he quickly leaned down, his fragrant lips pressing tightly against hers. "Flower Lianxi, remember who you are. We're taking the paparazzi on a tour of City Mall!" With that, his warm lips left hers, and he pulled her up, their fingers locking together as they walked out of the restaurant.
Taking small steps to keep up with him, her long dress swirled with each movement, creating a striking scene. Flower Lianxi looked down at their long fingers intertwined, a smile playing on her lips, like they were in the middle of some romantic fairytale.
Located in the heart of the city, famous for being near high-end office buildings, City Mall only had three floors, but it housed luxury brands from all over the world. Stepping inside felt like being in romantic Paris or the dazzling America.
"Flower Lianxi, this place can make any woman's dreams come true. Now, pick what you want. Once you choose it, it's yours!" Kong Chengyi kissed the back of her hand, stopping in front of a luxury store and casually glancing at the expensive bags on display.
Her flowing skirt settled as they stopped, gently brushing against her calf. Flower Lianxi looked up at the bright, almost blinding display cases and said in a low voice, "Mr. Kong, your 'custom-made' package was already quite expensive, and these aren't things I should be getting. I think I should still..."
She could fulfill his custom-made requests according to their contract, play the loving wife anytime, and act like the good wife he wanted at home. All of this was just because she provided the "custom-made image" and received a considerable payment in return. She didn't have any desire for anything else.
Their intertwined fingers suddenly tightened. Kong Chengyi pulled her a little closer, his warm lips near her earlobe, whispering softly, "Aren't you doing this for the money? If so, you can exchange these for money later, maybe even more than what I paid for your 'custom' service!"
Even though his warm lips were close and his chest could offer warmth, Flower Lianxi felt cold all over. Her tightly held fingers felt like they were caught in a vise, yet she felt no pain.
"Choose carefully, don't make me lose face!" Kong Chengyi straightened up, put his arm around her waist, and led her into the kingdom of luxury.
Closing her eyes tightly, Flower Lianxi reopened them and forced a sweet, happy smile as she looked at the bright display cases. She pouted her pink lips and gave Kong Chengyi a quick kiss on the chin. "Thank you for your generosity! I was just worried about not having a limited edition classic!"
Instantly adopting the air of Kong Chengyi's wife, she didn't disappoint. Following his lead, she swept through most of the stores, picking out not only the latest season's bags, shoes, and clothes, but also watches and necklaces. Every time he paid generously, she flashed a sweet smile and gave him a loving kiss on the cheek.
The paparazzi, who had been secretly filming from the beginning, started shooting openly as the two became more and more blatant with their public displays of affection. They stood not far from them, snapping photos and recording videos without any restraint.
Holding a globally limited edition little black clutch, Flower Lianxi kept posing in front of the full-length mirror, sometimes frowning, sometimes beaming. Finally, she walked gracefully towards Kong Chengyi and asked, "Honey, does it look good? Does it go with the dress I just bought?"
Lounging on the sofa, Kong Chengyi was flipping through the latest magazine. He looked up at Flower Lianxi with a doting gaze. "It matches. You look good carrying it!"
"Really? Honey's not lying to me?!" Flower Lianxi leaned down, wrapped her arms around Kong Chengyi's neck, and pouted, wanting his confirmation.
Putting down the magazine, his long fingers tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her small earlobe. "Yeah, if you like it, buy it! But, a moment in spring is worth a thousand gold pieces, shouldn't we be heading back?"
Without lowering his voice, Kong Chengyi's pleasant, hearty laughter came from his chest. Then he looked up at the ever-professional sales assistant and instructed, "We'll take this one too. Check out!"
Shyly burying her face in his chest, Flower Lianxi narrowed her eyes. Suddenly, she felt disgusted by his familiar scent, wishing she could run away as far as possible.
She had signed a marriage certificate, sold her services, and become his custom-made wife, acting out loving scenes with him. But how had she gradually sold her self-respect? Becoming the gold-digger he seemed to despise?
Having lost the "unmarried" label, she realized she had also lost herself, losing the right to defend her dignity.
The car window went up, blocking all the gossipy lenses and prying eyes, also creating a distance between the two of them.
Leaning back lifelessly in her seat, Flower Lianxi didn't even have the energy to look at the bustling street scene anymore. She slowly closed her eyes, sinking into her own boundless darkness.
Turning his head to watch the fleeting street scenes, Kong Chengyi felt a surge of annoyance in his chest. It was as if the vibrant city outside the window was something dirty, and he wished he had the power to destroy it, turning the colorful metropolis into black and white in an instant.
As soon as the car stopped, Kong Chengyi got out first, then quickly grabbed her wrist, his dark eyes fixed on her without blinking.
She had just registered that the car had stopped, and not even ten seconds later, her wrist was seized with great force. Opening her eyes, she unexpectedly met a pair of angry eyes.
Silent and still, Flower Lianxi moved her tired legs and got out of the car. Then she forced a smile, tiptoed slightly, and pressed her forehead against his. "Mr. Kong, the paparazzi are still filming!"
Veins popped on his forehead, but Kong Chengyi didn't say a word. The large hand gripping her wrist tightened, feeling the pulse of her blood. After a moment, he changed his grip to her waist, pulling her close as they entered Xiaoyue Residence together.
With a loud "bang," Kong Chengyi slammed the door shut and went straight to his own room without looking back.
Standing in the entryway, Flower Lianxi glanced at the scattered luxury shopping bags on the floor. She slowly took off her high heels, then bent down and picked up each bag, carrying them barefoot to her own room.
These all belonged to her, didn't they? A self-deprecating smile lifted the corners of her lips, a bitter expression on her face.
A series of "knock, knock, knock" came from the door. Flower Lianxi blinked and turned her head to look at the window. Soft sunlight streamed in through the curtains. It was already dawn.
Yesterday had finally passed, and opening her eyes meant a brand new day.
"Flower Lianxi, come out in ten minutes!" His deep voice came through the thick wooden door, steady and cold, like a colorless recording.
After a quick wash, Flower Lianxi changed into loose-fitting home clothes and stood opposite Kong Chengyi, her face bare of makeup.
Warm water swirled in Kong Chengyi's mouth. He had one hand in his pocket and held a water glass in the other. His newly awakened, clear eyes fixed on her small features. Without the mask of makeup, she seemed even more delicate and petite, yet at this moment, her smallness held a hint of resilience, meeting his gaze fearlessly.
Swallowing the warm water, Kong Chengyi took out a checkbook from his suit pocket. The tip of his sharp nose moved swiftly across the check, and with a soft "shh" sound, he said calmly, "Five million. Start making breakfast tomorrow. Western style!"
Standing straight, Flower Lianxi suddenly laughed, her pretty eyebrows curving slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering. "Thank you, Mr. Kong!" She reached out and took the check, examining it carefully.
Finishing the water in his glass, Kong Chengyi put away the checkbook. "Someone will deliver pajamas later. I want to see my wife cooking Western breakfast in them!"
Giving the check an exaggerated "mwah" kiss, Flower Lianxi promised in a clear voice, "It will definitely be the most perfect image Mr. Kong has ever customized!"
Before noon, Flower Lianxi received seven different styles of pajamas. There were pink and light yellow ones, as well as striped ones. Surprisingly, each set had cute cartoon or funny patterns, which Flower Lianxi hadn't expected at all.