1. Alliance through Marriage

“An older man tends to be more composed than your peers, won’t neglect you materially or in daily life, and most importantly, he genuinely likes you.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Mi, who had been staring out the car window at the rushing scenery, turned his face around. His soft hair, falling over his forehead, swayed gently and brushed against his eyelids, tickling him enough to make him blink involuntarily. His fingers resting on his knee curled slightly.

Seeing him remain silent, the middle-aged man sitting beside Lu Mi sighed, “I know it’s tough to ask you to marry before you even graduate from university. It wasn’t supposed to be you who was to be married off, but—”

“Dad, I’ve already agreed. I won’t go back on my word,” Lu Mi lifted his eyelids. His amber eyes reflected a flash of surprise from Lu Nande. Lu Mi’s lips curled slightly; the pale hue of his lips and his naturally fair skin made his smile fragile yet beautiful.

Even Lu Nande, who had raised him for nineteen years, was momentarily dazzled by Lu Mi’s smile. After a few seconds, he returned a loving smile. “That’s not what I meant. I’m just worried you won’t adapt.”

“I won’t,” Lu Mi replied quickly, his voice gentle but tinged with a slight tremor. Lu Nande, who rarely paid much attention to his youngest son, didn’t notice.

Knowing Lu Mi wouldn’t lie to him, Lu Nande patted his shoulder comfortingly and said no more.

At last, the silence settled. Lu Mi turned his gaze back to the window as the car sped toward the agreed-upon restaurant. The towering buildings outside flickered in and out of sight—each one seeming alike yet subtly different.

Lu Mi lowered his eyes, his fingertips rubbing against each other.

This was his habitual sign of nervousness.

No one could remain calm when heading toward an unknown marriage, especially since Lu Mi had never even met the person he was supposed to marry. All he knew came from overhearing a conversation between Lu Nande and his stepmother just yesterday.

Two months ago, the Lu family business failed, and the company was facing severe financial difficulties. To keep it afloat, Lu Nande had traveled extensively. Just two days ago, he attended a banquet hosted by the Shen family. Upon returning, he summoned Lu Mi from school and asked if he was willing to enter this arranged marriage—with the partner being from the Shen family.

The Shen family was a truly prestigious and long-established clan with vast industrial interests. Lu Mi rarely concerned himself with such matters; he only knew the current head of the Shen family was Shen Tan, a name he had seen only in public speeches at school.

A person whose mere introduction was enough to intimidate.

Someone Lu Nande himself dared not approach.

The arranged marriage was likely with a lesser branch of the Shen family, but even so, if the other party agreed, it would solve the Lu family’s urgent financial crisis.

And now, the company had indeed returned to normal operations.

But Lu Mi wasn’t the only son in the Lu family. He had two older brothers—one a university graduate now working in the family business, the other a year ahead of Lu Mi in school.

By all logic, if a marriage alliance were to happen, it wouldn’t involve the youngest son.

Seeing Lu Mi’s bewildered expression, Lu Nande informed him that the other party had chosen him willingly.

Lu Mi didn’t need Lu Nande to explain why.

Among the three Lu sons, Lu Mi was the most handsome.

Though “handsome” was an odd word for a boy, it suited Lu Mi perfectly. His delicate features were unforgettable—his face no bigger than a palm, skin fair and smooth, lips full and beautiful, yet not effeminate.

From the moment Lu Nande brought up the matter, Lu Mi had no option to refuse.

He held no real say in the Lu household; he did as Lu Nande commanded and hid away alone in his cramped room when not needed.

Yesterday, while staying home unexpectedly due to the arranged marriage, Lu Mi had overheard an argument between Lu Nande and his stepmother in the study.

The stepmother accused Lu Nande of acting without considering consequences—what if the other party preferred the eldest or second son instead?

Of the three sons, only Lu Mi was the biological child of Lu Nande’s original wife. The other two were the stepmother’s own.

Such worries were natural for her.

***

Today, though same-sex marriage was legal, few prominent families chose such alliances. Especially a family like the Shen clan—should they marry into the Lu family, the only one to suffer would be the poor sacrifice sent over from the Lu household.

Yet from his stepmother, Lu Mi learned that the man Lu Nande described as “older than you, steady, and kind” was actually over fifty and a notorious disgrace within the Shen family.

Lu Nande’s attendance at the banquet had left the stepmother terrified all day, fearing her biological son would be sold to such a man.

Even now, knowing this fate had fallen upon Lu Mi, she still could not shake her dread.

But Lu Nande said he had only shown the man a photo of Lu Mi.

He had gone to that banquet fully aware of the other party’s preferences, purposely to sell Lu Mi.

Thinking of this, Lu Mi clenched his fingers tightly. His pale lips quivered, stained faintly red, and tears welled in his eyes but never fell.

The car soon stopped outside a luxurious restaurant. Lu Nande grasped Lu Mi’s hand tightly, his voice heavy with reluctance. “Behave well when you meet him. I’ll wait outside. It’s just a meal—don’t be nervous.”

Lu Mi looked down at Lu Nande’s warm, broad hand holding his.

This seemed the first time since he could remember that Lu Nande had acted so affectionately.

“Okay,” Lu Mi whispered, gently withdrawing his hand without hesitation. He stepped from the car and walked toward the restaurant’s entrance without looking back.

Two waiters standing at the door seemed to recognize him. As Lu Mi approached, they immediately greeted him.

“Hello, are you Master Lu Mi?” one waiter smiled with just the right warmth.

Lu Mi had to stop. The courage he had barely mustered waned by half with this interruption. His fingers rubbed together nervously as he raised his chin and forced a slight smile, controlling the tremble in his voice. “Yes.”

Though they had seen his photo before, the waiters were still momentarily stunned by Lu Mi’s smile before regaining composure. “Mr. Shen is already waiting inside.”

Mr. Shen.

The forced smile stiffened and his heart raced faster.

Even without knowing this Mr. Shen, Lu Mi understood what a notorious man over fifty meant.

In their circle, many rich men with poor reputations indulged recklessly. Usually, people ignored them as mere entertainment—unless their behavior was excessively vile or outrageous.

By stepping through this restaurant door and agreeing to this marriage, Lu Mi’s life was effectively doomed.

At nineteen, he had never been in love nor fulfilled any of his dreams.

Though he knew one day this would come.

After all, he was Lu Nande’s youngest son.

“Master Lu Mi?” The waiter’s voice was laced with concern at Lu Mi’s long silence.

Snapping back to reality, Lu Mi shook his head slightly. “Please show me the way. Thank you.”

His figure disappeared inside. Only then did Lu Nande, who had sat motionless in the car, relax and withdraw his gaze. “Go back.”

The driver hesitated. “But young master—”

“He won’t be coming home today,” Lu Nande said casually, the faint kindness he had just shown Lu Mi vanished.

Having sold Lu Mi to the Shen family, all arrangements were settled, and the money was in hand. Once Lu Mi entered that restaurant, he belonged to the Shen family. Whether he lived or died no longer concerned the Lu family.

***

The driver shivered but swallowed his concerns.

Having served the Lu family over a decade, he knew how Lu Mi had been treated.

Though the biological son of the original wife, after his mother’s death, all her property fell to Lu Nande, and Lu Mi was suppressed by the stepmother who had just entered the household. The two older brothers, both sons of the stepmother, were also Lu Nande’s biological children.

And now, Lu Mi was being sold.

The so-called arranged marriage was a mere pretense. The man from the Shen family was from a minor branch, infamous for his debauchery and fondness for young, handsome boys—often ruining them.

“Drive,” Lu Nande said without another glance at the restaurant.

Inside the restaurant, Lu Mi cautiously surveyed his surroundings.

The lights weren’t fully on, casting a dim ambiance. No other guests were visible. Whether it was due to the hour or because the restaurant was reserved, the place was hushed except for gentle piano music.

Lu Mi’s heart refused to settle.

He was led to a seat in the center of the room. Above him, the ornate yet muted lighting cast the silhouette of a man seated there.

The man sat with his back to Lu Mi, broad shoulders and a straight posture, black hair cut just above the ears.

The figure seemed somewhat young—surely not the infamous Mr. Shen.

Lu Mi hesitated a few seconds before the waiter who had brought him suddenly called out, “Mr. Shen, Master LuI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.