Did he accidentally marry a lunatic?

Xia Yuqing took a deep breath, and twisted the handle. The door opened slowly, and a blinding light spilled through. She squinted her eyes, wondering who installed such unnecessarily dramatic lighting.

Was this an office or the gates of heaven?

She stepped inside as the door clicked shut behind her. Her eyes glanced around. The room was sleek and perfectly designed, but the atmosphere was cold and intimidating.The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.

Maybe it was the air conditioning—or maybe it was the human iceberg seated behind the massive mahogany desk.

He didn't look up, his focus locked onto the documents spread before him, pen gliding across the paper in sharp, decisive strokes.

Xia Yuqing hesitated, her palms sweating.

Was he ignoring her on purpose? Was this some kind of power move?

Because if it was, it was working.

This reminded her of her times standing in the royal study, facing the emperor's.... Once again, she quickly shook her head, wondering why she kept thinking of that man. She needed to forget this behavior and move on. 

She took another step forward. 

As if sensing her movement, the man paused, then slowly lifted his head. The moment their eyes met, time seemed to stop. 

Boom! Something exploded in her mind.

 Her breath hitched. She wasn't shocked because of his undeniably handsome looks, but because of the resemblance—the same strong jawline, high cheekbones, and most striking of all, his eyes. Dark and piercing, shaped like the wings of a phoenix.

It was him.... or was it?

"Em... emperor?" she whispered, voice barely audible.

Lu Jinchen frowned slightly. He studied the woman standing before him, taking in her delicate features, sleek black hair, expressive brown eyes, and full pink lips. His eyes moved over her face again, probably confirming that yes, this was indeed his contract wife.

Beautiful? Sure. But mentally stable? Questionable.

"Emperor?" he repeated, voice smooth but tinged with confusion. "Are you drunk?!" he asked, but then his gaze landed on her forehead. A wound along with the dried up blood. A bruise on her cheek. A clear imprint of fingers marking her skin.

His expression darkened instantly. Who had hurt her?

"Sit down," he gestured to the chair infront of him. "You are injured! I'll ask someone to get the first aid—"

"Have you crossed over too?" she interrupted, stepping closer.

His brows shot up. "Excuse me?"

Xia Yuqing didn't explain. She squinted at him suspiciously, her eyes looking for something—anything—that would confirm her suspicion. He looked like the emperor, but something felt... off. The aura was there, the arrogance undeniable, but that signature smiling gaze? Missing.

And he didn't seem to recognize her. What was going on?

In a fraction of seconds, doubts and theories flashed through her mind. Was he truly the emperor who has crossed over and didn't possess his memories? Or was he merely someone who looked like him? Or worse… was he testing her?

She needed to find out. And there was only one way.

The birthmark.

A unique mark only the emperor possessed.

Meanwhile, Lu Jinchen was having a crisis of his own. Was this woman insane? Why was she staring at him like that? Was she okay? Did he accidentally marry a lunatic?

"Miss, are you—"

Before he could finish, Xia Yuqing moved. One second, he was sitting in his chair, dignified and in control. The next, she had turned the chair sharply and leaped. She threw herself onto his lap, straddling him. 

Lu Jinchen's brain short-circuited, feeling her soft body pressing against his. 

"Y-you—" he stammered, his composure cracking for the first time in years.

"I apologize in advance," she announced, her voice calm and steady. 

"For wha—"

Too late. His hands were suddenly tied behind him. All of it happened in a blur. He couldn't react before he found himself bound with a power chord. From his own desk. "What the hell?!" He struggled to break free, but the cord was firm. Like an iron chain around his wrists. But it didn't end here.

No, this woman had the audacity to start unbuttoning his shirt.

His SHIRT.

No woman had ever treated in such a manner.

"Stay still," she commanded. 

His entire body tensed, and eyes narrowed with anger. His face burned with embarrassment and rage. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" he roared.

But she ignored him, her fingers tracing along his torso, gliding down his abs, her sharp eyes focused as she reached for his belt. Lu Jinchen sucked in a breath, horrified when he felt a very real and very unwanted reaction to her touch, making this embarrassing situation even worse. 

Damn it.

"GET OFF ME, YOU PERVERT!" he yelled, struggling wildly.

But to his absolute horror, she was stronger than she looked. She had him completely pinned. Her hands continued downward until they stopped. Right at his waist.

Her fingers lingered.

"You…" she whispered, her eyes staring at something he couldn't see. 

Feeling the certain part of his body getting harder and harder, Lu Jinchen couldn't bear it anymore. "You shameless woman! Get off me!" he exploded, feeling the heat crawl up his neck. His breathing came in rags. 

 Xia Yuqing remained still, her eyes dazed. But then, her gaze flicked up and... she smirked.

Lu Jinchen heart's skipped a beat. Before he could process it, she leaned in, her lips mere inches from his. His breathing hitched and pulse skyrocketed. His lips parted involuntarily.

Was she… going to kiss him?

Was he going to lose his first kiss in such an absurd manner? Like a woman being teased and tied by a ruffian?!

"Lustful? Pervert?" Her voice dripped with amusement. "Shouldn't I be saying that about you? After all… it's your body that's reacting."

Lu Jinchen snapped out of his daze, his embarrassement rishing higher. "GET OFF ME!"

And just when he thought she wouldn't, she did. In one swift motion, she jumped away, and rushed out of the room, disappearing from his office before he could even process what had happened.

He sat there, utterly stunned, staring at the empty space where she had been. 

Wait.

Huh?

She was... gone? Just like that?