Chapter 57: She’s My Wife

Yu Minglian entered the office after a brief knock, but the moment she stepped inside, she froze.

Her eyes darted between the two figures in the room.

Lillie Bai stood by the window, radiating an aura of quiet authority, while Ethan Li—the Ethan Li—sat slumped in the guest seat, looking utterly dejected, as if the weight of the world had just crashed down on him.

Yu Minglian swallowed hard. What on earth happened here?

Ethan Li was always composed, always in control. Yet here he was, exuding an almost comical air of grievance, while Lillie Bai—cool, unreadable, and as intimidating as ever—seemed entirely unaffected.

Lillie shifted her gaze toward the door. "Hm?"

"M-Miss Bai, greetings." Yu Minglian barely managed to steady her voice, forcing herself to remain professional despite the intense pressure in the room.

She had heard the rumors. She had seen glimpses of Lillie Bai's influence. But standing before her now, she realized—none of them did her justice.

And yet, unbeknownst to Yu Minglian, from the moment she stepped inside, Lillie had already been assessing her.

If she knew, she'd probably crumble on the spot.

It's like being called to recite an essay in front of the whole class… without your notes.

Lillie tapped her fingers against her arm, a small thought crossing her mind. Hmm… so my future husband has a preference for aloof and poised women.

If Ethan could read minds, he would've choked on air.

"My wife, give me some credit! It's purely coincidence! Who wouldn't appreciate competent employees? And you're the only aloof and poised woman I love!"

Yu Minglian quickly gathered herself. "Mr. Song and Mr. Tang have left the premises," she reported, keeping her voice steady. She hoped to wrap this up quickly—her legs were seconds away from giving out.

It was surreal, standing face to face with the very woman she had admired since she was a teenager.

They were close in age, yet the difference between them felt like heaven and earth. While Yu Minglian had spent her younger years singing karaoke, shopping, and indulging in carefree fun, Lillie Bai had already stepped into the corporate world—managing White Phoenix Empire as its acting CEO.

Lillie Bai wasn't just powerful. She was the standard.

The media had it all wrong. They painted her as a mysterious, reclusive figure, perhaps even plain-looking, unwilling to step into the spotlight.

But in reality…

She was the kind of woman who could bring ruin to both men and women alike.

If Yu Minglian were a man, she would've already put a ring on Lillie's slender fingers.

God must've carved her with the rarest materials, bestowing her with an almost unfair level of perfection.

No wonder people envied her.

Lillie tilted her head slightly, breaking the silence. "She is…?"

Yu Minglian stiffened. She had been daydreaming.

Realizing her mistake, she straightened immediately. "I'm Mr. Li's secretary, Yu Minglian . It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bai."

Internally, she cheered. No stuttering! Success!

Lillie studied her for a moment before nodding. "Ah, yes. I remember you. You called Elliot regarding the collaboration."

Yu Minglian blinked. "I did, yes… But I don't recall us ever having a formal discussion."

Lillie's response was casual. "We talked it all over at home."

At… home?

Yu Minglian felt a sudden disconnect, as if she had misheard. "H-home?"

Ethan leaned back, completely at ease now. "Lillie and I live together. She's my wife, after all."

What?!

Her brain practically short-circuited.

Lillie shot Ethan a warning look. "Please rephrase that, Mr. Li. We are not husband and wife yet."

Ethan smirked. "Oh, right. Let me correct myself." He cleared his throat dramatically.

"Lillie and I live together. She's my future wife, after all. Better?"

Lillie gave a small hum of approval.

No, it's NOT!

Yu Minglian gripped her clipboard tightly, trying to process what she had just heard.

Lillie Bai and Ethan Li… living together?

Future wife?

Her world had just been shaken.