Chapter 12: Custom-made.

Hua Lianxi didn't echo Lin Xiao's dissatisfaction, standing quietly to the side, her gaze fixed on the numbers of the ascending floors.

Studying Lin Xiao's face intently, Fang Xiufang concluded to herself, "Lin Xiao, are you going through menopause lately? You seem so agitated. You should eat more bird's nest, it's good for nourishing and clearing heat!"

"I..." Having felt stifled all morning, Lin Xiao wanted to retort but swallowed it down, deciding it was better to keep quiet and not argue with the elderly woman.

Her phone pinged, and she quickly looked down to swipe at it, seeing a WeChat message from her son, Kong Chengyi.

"Mom, Chengyi is still in a meeting. He said he can't make it for lunch, but he'll have Lianxi bring him food later!" As she spoke, she held the phone up for Fang Xiufang to see Kong Chengyi's message.

"Alright, then Lianxi can pack lunch for Chengyi later!" Squinting at the message, Fang Xiufang squeezed Hua Lianxi's hand. "Sweetheart, go to the company and assert your ownership! Let all those flies and butterflies scatter when they see you!"

"Grandma, you're such a jokester!" Hua Lianxi chuckled, amused by the old woman's humor. She had never expected the woman who could keep Kong Chengyi in check to be so funny. She had always assumed Kong Chengyi submitted to her strict authority.

The three of them finished lunch close to one in the afternoon. The driver took Hua Lianxi to Ascend Group first before taking Fang Xiufang and Lin Xiao back to the Kong family mansion.

Standing at the entrance of Ascend Group, Hua Lianxi held the delicate lunchbox in one hand and scrolled through her phone with the other. She found Kong Chengyi's number and quickly sent a text, briefly telling him she was downstairs. In truth, she didn't know which floor his office was on, or if she should even go directly into his company.

After sending the text, Hua Lianxi opened Weibo, thinking of scrolling through it while waiting for his reply. However, her screen was filled with news about Kong Chengyi's secret marriage. Even major media outlets that usually didn't report much gossip were detailing the events of the previous night's birthday banquet. All the accompanying pictures were sweet shots of them embracing and kissing. The articles were full of speculation about the identity of the woman who had married Kong Chengyi.

The level of attention and sensation Kong Chengyi generated in the city was beyond her imagination. The image of Cai Meiren asking for an interview and her satisfied expression when taking photos flashed through her mind. Hua Lianxi took out Cai Meiren's business card and looked at her contact information again carefully.

Hurrying out of the elevator, Kong Chengyi's special assistant, Ke Jie, spotted Hua Lianxi outside the company building with a sharp eye. He jogged over. "Madam! Young Master Kong asked me to take you up!"

"Thank you!" Putting the business card back in her bag, Hua Lianxi nodded and smiled at Ke Jie, taking a few deep breaths before stepping into Ascend Group with elegant strides.

"This is the President's wife. From now on, when she comes, let her go directly to the President's office!" Ke Jie said to the front desk as he led Hua Lianxi forward, wanting to avoid a situation where Hua Lianxi would be left standing outside the company again.

The front desk lady froze upon hearing the President's special assistant's words. Her mouth hung open, unable to utter a proper greeting. She simply couldn't imagine that the woman in the simple dress with light makeup was the President's wife who had dominated all the media headlines overnight!

Giving the front desk beauty a slight smile, Hua Lianxi straightened her posture and entered Kong Chengyi's private elevator.

The 28th floor, Kong Chengyi's exclusive kingdom.

The thick carpet absorbed the sound of footsteps, making it feel like walking on cotton, a bit unreal and dizzying. As Hua Lianxi followed Ke Jie, she increasingly felt the serious atmosphere.

Ke Jie knocked lightly and efficiently on the heavy mahogany door, pushing it open as he reported, "President, Madam has arrived!"

"Come in!" A cool voice came from inside. Ke Jie gestured for Hua Lianxi to enter.

The heavy wooden door closed, and the enormous office felt so quiet that it seemed only she was left. Hua Lianxi narrowed her phoenix eyes, seeing Kong Chengyi still looking down and reviewing documents.

"Grandma asked me to bring lunch over!" Standing still at the door, not going forward, she directly explained her arrival.

His fingers parted, and the pen in his hand fell casually onto the desk. Kong Chengyi leaned back in his chair, adjusting to a more comfortable position.

A simple goose-yellow knee-length dress, white small leather shoes on her feet, a takeout bag in her slender hand, she stood there quietly, her gaze indifferent, seemingly reserved yet even more like the gentle and proper demeanor of a well-bred lady. Her delicate features bloomed lightly, and her voice was clear: "Is President Kong satisfied with what he sees?"

Her gaze was cool, and Hua Lianxi's eyes also carefully scanned the person in the chair.

Neat, dark black short hair was slicked back with a layer of wet hair wax, all strands neatly combed backward, with slightly thicker sideburns remaining near his ears. Beneath thick, dark eyebrows were large, shell-like eyes. His nose was straight and handsome, and faint stubble dotted his thin lips, which were slightly upturned, as if in a half-smile.

"Are you clear on your role?" Avoiding Hua Lianxi's question, Kong Chengyi stood up, walked around the wide desk, and stopped in front of her, his gaze sweeping down her legs again.

A faint scent of smoke approached her nose. Hua Lianxi took a small step back, her back against the door, and raised her left hand, shaking it slightly. "Wearing your diamond ring, of course I'm your wife, of course we're very much in love!"

Staring at her light makeup for a few seconds, Kong Chengyi looked away, letting out a low "hmm" from his nose.

"President Kong, please rest assured. Adhering to the principle of 'dreamlike personalized customization,' I am now your custom-made wife. I will play the perfect wife role according to all your needs. Your money won't be wasted!"

Forcing a smile, Hua Lianxi steadied her breathing and continued to explain the company's principle with quick wit, "If our collaboration is successful, please introduce our customized service to your good friends. We'll definitely give your friends a discount."

Rubbing his temples with his thumb, Kong Chengyi's cheek muscles twitched. He suddenly felt irritable. He quickly grabbed her chin with one hand and warned in a low voice, "Remember, you are a wife customized entirely according to my needs. To put it bluntly, you are just a wife I hired. Our relationship will only last for six months, perfectly in line with the current trend of 'flash marriage and flash divorce.' Keep anything beyond the scope of my needs to yourself and don't go around noisily publicizing it."

Kong Chengyi's implication was that Hua Lianxi had to shut up and simply play the role of a mute wife. That was enough. Discounted rates and repeatedly mentioning his ridiculous customized wife were infuriating.

Her chin stung, and the smile on Hua Lianxi's face froze. She finally closed her mouth tightly, but secretly muttered in her heart, "A thirty-one-year-old single workaholic with hormonal imbalance and irritability – these are signs of early menopause."

Staring at her suddenly quiet face for a moment, Kong Chengyi seemed to realize his agitation. His thumb gradually loosened its grip but still lingered on her smooth skin. He took a step forward, pressing her more tightly against the door, their posture quite intimate. "Was Grandma happy shopping?"

"Happy, but she bought all dresses and jewelry for me as gifts, and they're quite valuable!" Hua Lianxi turned her head slightly, wanting to create some distance between them.

Raising a handsome eyebrow, Kong Chengyi was displeased by her slight evasive movement. He withdrew his hand and went straight back to his desk, picking up his pen and continuing to review documents without looking up. "As long as you can please her, accept whatever she gives you. I won't ask you to return it. You can do whatever you want with it. Leave the lunch and you can go back first!"

"Thank you, President Kong. Your compensation is truly generous!" Straightening her back, Hua Lianxi placed the lunchbox on the mahogany coffee table in the reception area, slightly adjusted the muscles in her cheeks, offered a small smile, and left.

Taking Kong Chengyi's private elevator back down to the lobby, Hua Lianxi saw Ke Jie waiting by the elevator doors as she stepped out.

"Madam, the President has arranged a driver to take you back to Xiaoyue Residence. The Old Madam has also sent your dresses and jewelry over. Additionally, the President has prepared a dress for you. The Ascend Group's tenth-anniversary celebration is the night after tomorrow, and you will need to accompany the President." Ke Jie quickly explained the situation as he led Hua Lianxi to the car.

"Okay, I understand!" Getting into the car elegantly, Hua Lianxi nodded goodbye to Ke Jie and leaned back in the seat, closing her eyes and sinking into her own darkness.

Hua Lianxi returned to Xiaoyue Residence, where she lived alone with Kong Chengyi, in just twenty minutes. Opening the walk-in closet, she wasn't surprised to see the newly purchased dresses hanging neatly alongside Kong Chengyi's suits. The dazzling jewelry was also displayed shimmering in the glass jewelry cabinet. The silence in the room shone with understated value.

Her slender fingers brushed over the row of dresses, then paused on the unseen black cocktail dress. Remembering the repeatedly emphasized Ascend Group's tenth-anniversary celebration, Hua Lianxi picked up the dress and held it up against herself, not trying it on, having complete faith in Kong Chengyi's taste.

Closing the closet door, she turned and went back to her own room, throwing herself onto the bed as if all her strength had left her, and pulling the blanket over her face.

The biggest advantage of living alone was that when Kong Chengyi was busy at the company, Hua Lianxi had absolute freedom, unlike being in the Kong family mansion where she had to be reserved around Lin Xiao. She could casually tie her hair into a ponytail, wear loose and comfortable cotton pajamas, and freely prepare her favorite food in the kitchen. Such a peaceful and comfortable life felt like the greatest happiness she could have.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. When Hua Lianxi stepped out of Xiaoyue Residence again, she was the image of the Kong family's young madam, dressed in a cocktail dress and adorned with valuable jewelry.

A slightly cool breeze gently caressed her smooth skin, and the air carried a scent of tranquility. Hua Lianxi raised her face, gazing at the sky filled with blood-red evening clouds. Her graceful figure appeared even more slender and delicate in the dim light.

After reading the last page of the contract, Kong Chengyi handed it to Ke Jie in the passenger seat, leaning back lazily. He raised his eyes and looked out the car window, catching sight of Hua Lianxi with her face tilted up, gazing at the sky. In the dim light, it seemed like a faint smile played on her lips. Her whole being was bathed in the light, as if she herself emanated a warm glow.