6 The truth of the contract and the broken starlight

The heavy door handle of the cloakroom was turned suddenly!

Su Wan sat slumped in the cold darkness, her heart beating wildly in her throat, almost bursting out! She covered her mouth tightly, even her breathing froze, and despair instantly drowned her like a cold tide. It's over! He found it!

The door was opened a crack, and the light from the corridor was like a cold blade, instantly piercing the darkness of the cloakroom, casting a tall and oppressive silhouette of Helian Cheng on the floor. Su Wan curled up in the shadow of the corner, like a butterfly nailed to a specimen board, forgetting even to tremble, leaving only her pupils shrinking sharply due to extreme fear.

Time seemed to freeze. Every second seemed as long as a century.

Helian Cheng stood at the door and did not come in immediately. His eyes were like a searchlight, slowly scanning the space filled with expensive clothes and filled with cold fragrance and wood. The light outlined his deep profile, and his expression could not be seen clearly. Only a quiet, suffocating pressure spread out.

Su Wan could feel the cold touch of that gaze, like a real chain, slowly sliding across the area where she was hiding. Her body was as stiff as a stone, and cold sweat slid down her spine madly, soaking her thin pajamas.

A few seconds of dead silence, so long that it was maddening.

Finally, Helian Cheng didn't seem to notice her curled up in the shadow corner. Or rather, he noticed it, but chose to ignore it. He didn't take a step forward, but just raised his hand and accurately took out a brand new, dark gray cashmere scarf from an open closet by the door. The movement was smooth and natural, as if he came in just to take this thing.

He took the scarf, turned around, and left the door of the cloakroom without any pause.

The heavy footsteps sounded again, walking towards the bedroom door. The door of the master bedroom was opened and gently closed.

"Click." The sound of the lock closing was like the sound of nature to Su Wan.

It was not until the footsteps completely disappeared at the end of the corridor and the whole villa fell into silence again that Su Wan's nerves, which were stretched to the limit, broke with a buzzing sound. She seemed to have all her bones taken out, and she collapsed on the cold carpet, gasping for breath. Her body trembled violently and uncontrollably because of fear and extreme tension, and cold sweat instantly soaked her whole body.

She survived. For now.

But the few seconds just now, which was like dancing on the edge of a knife, and Helian Cheng's cold and scrutinizing eyes, left an indelible mark of fear in her heart. What made her even more frightened was the fragments of the phone call on the terrace——

**Xingguang Island...development case...agreement...contract marriage...deal with it cleanly...**

These words were like poisoned ice cones, repeatedly chiseling her shaky reason. Contract marriage? He admitted it himself! And the agreement that needed to be "cleaned up"... the Xingguang Island development case... what was the connection between this and her being forcibly imprisoned here?

A terrible, yet extremely logical conjecture, like a cold venomous snake, entangled her heart: Could it be that she, Su Wan, was just a prop in a contract signed by Helian Cheng to obtain some huge benefits (such as the Xingguang Island development case) from beginning to end? A "wife" symbol used to meet certain terms and show to the outside world?

The chill brought by this thought made her feel more piercingly cold and overwhelmingly desperate than Helian Cheng's gaze. If this was true, then all her fears, struggles, humiliations, and even the "gifts" received by Lin Xiao's studio were just insignificant collateral damage in this cold transaction. Her value was only in the identity of "Mrs. He", nothing more.

A huge sorrow and a feeling of nausea that was completely objectified surged up, making her curl up in the darkness and retching silently, but she couldn't spit out anything, only bitter bile burning her throat.

She didn't know how long she had been paralyzed on the carpet. She struggled to get up until her body was numb from the cold and stiffness. She didn't turn on the light, and like a wandering soul, she staggered out of the cloakroom and returned to the cold and empty master bedroom. The huge bed was like the huge mouth of a monster, which made her daunted. She curled up in the single sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, shrank herself into a small ball, buried her face deeply in her knees, trying to absorb a little pitiful warmth.

Outside the window, the lights of Jingjiang City were still bright, like an eternal galaxy. But this grand light could no longer shine into the wasteland in her heart that was frozen by despair and cold truth.

That night, Su Wan opened her eyes until dawn in the endless cold and suspicion. Helian Cheng did not come back.

---

The next few days were like walking on a frozen lake, with every step carefully and full of unknown fear.

Helian Cheng seemed very busy, leaving early and returning late, sometimes even staying out all night. The villa was still filled with servants everywhere and a cold sense of order. Teacher Wu's "compulsory course" was carried out without fail, but the content had quietly changed. The stereotyped content about jewelry, clothing, and family pedigree was reduced, replaced by more precise guidance on how "Mrs. He" should respond appropriately in specific occasions and how to play the role of a perfect vase. Every look, every word, and even the arc of the corner of the mouth were required to be accurate to the millimeter.

Su Wan was like a robot with a precise program input, executing numbly. Her eyes were empty and her expression was alienated. Only when Teacher Wu occasionally mentioned the place name "Xingguang Island", would a very subtle and elusive fluctuation pass through the deep pool of eyes, like an undercurrent under the ice. She no longer tried to resist, at least on the surface. Lin Xiao's safety was like a sword hanging over her head, so she dared not overstep the line. She also carefully concealed her exploration of "Xingguang Island" and "contract marriage".

She became quieter and more obedient. When Helian Cheng came back occasionally, she always lowered her eyes, like a delicate doll, and greeted him softly in accordance with the "perfect wife" standard taught by Teacher Wu, and handed him the coat he took off. Her movements were impeccable, but with a suffocating alienation and coldness. She no longer tried to make eye contact with him, and she would not reveal any extra emotions.

Helian Cheng seemed very satisfied with her "progress". He no longer scrutinized her, but when she completed a "task" perfectly, he would glance at her lowered face with a controlling, playful look, and sometimes even extend his fingers to casually brush her meticulously combed hair. The cold touch always made Su Wan's body tense instantly, like a frightened hedgehog, but she forced herself to stay still.

This superficial calmness, like a thin layer of ice, covered the turbulent undercurrent, and broke at the touch.

What broke this strange calm was a beautifully designed dark blue velvet gift box.

That afternoon, Su Wan had just finished Teacher Wu's simulated exercise on "how to respond appropriately to tricky questions from the media" and returned to the master bedroom. Xiaoling followed silently, holding the gift box in her hand and placed it on the huge dressing table.

"Madam, this is sent by Miss Bai Weiwei, saying it's... a wedding gift for you." Xiaoling's voice was still calm.

Bai Weiwei? Gift?

Su Wan's heart suddenly sank, and a strong sense of uneasiness instantly seized her. She walked to the dressing table and looked at the dark blue gift box, which had no card on it. She hesitated for a moment, but still reached out and carefully opened the lid of the box.

A necklace lay quietly inside.

The necklace itself was not exaggerated, with a slender platinum chain. But the pendant was extremely eye-catching - a perfectly cut dark blue star sapphire (Star Sapphire) the size of a thumbnail. The gem refracted a mysterious and deep blue light under the light, like a solidified deep sea, and inside the gem, as the angle changed, a white light band like a star was clearly visible, dazzling, with a cold and arrogant beauty.

Sapphire... Star Sapphire... Starlight...

Su Wan's pupils suddenly contracted! Bai Weiwei! She definitely did it on purpose! This necklace, the name of this gem and the dazzling starlight inside it all pointed nakedly to the deepest taboo and fear in her heart - Starlight Island!

This is not a gift at all! This is a naked provocation! It is a mockery! It is a reminder to her that no matter how perfect she is as "Mrs. He" at the moment, it cannot change the fact that she is just a prop being used, a pathetic symbol of the contract that revolves around the core interests of "Xingguang Island"!

A cold anger mixed with the huge humiliation of being seen through instantly rushed to the top of Su Wan's head! She almost wanted to grab the necklace and throw it to the ground! But the remaining rationality held her tightly. She couldn't. Bai Weiwei just wanted to see her lose control, wanted to see her make a fool of herself, and wanted to prove in front of Helian Cheng how unqualified she was as "Mrs. He" and how unworthy of that position!

She clenched her fists tightly, her nails deeply embedded in her palms, leaving a sharp sting. She forced herself to take a deep and slow breath, and then exhale, trying to suppress the emotions churning in her chest. She reached out her hand, and her fingertips trembled imperceptibly, and gently touched the cold sapphire. The smooth and cold touch of the gemstone was like Bai Weiwei's poisonous eyes.

"Got it." She heard her hoarse voice, with a calm after trying hard to suppress it, "Put it there."

Xiao Ling bowed slightly and retreated silently.

Only Su Wan was left in the room, and the cursed deep blue starlight on the dressing table. She stared at it intently, and the bright starlight pierced her eyes like a needle, and also pierced the huge wound in her heart about "contract marriage" and "Starlight Island".

Just then, the bedroom door was pushed open.

Helian Cheng came back much earlier than usual. He seemed to have just finished an important meeting. He was still wearing a crisp dark suit. There was a trace of imperceptible fatigue between his eyebrows, but his eyes were still as sharp as a falcon.

His eyes habitually scanned the room, accurately capturing Su Wan's back standing stiffly in front of the dressing table, and the dark blue gift box in front of her that was open and contained a dazzling sapphire necklace.

He paused for a moment, then stepped forward with his long legs and walked over slowly.

Su Wan's body tensed instantly. She could even feel the cold and cold fragrance and strong sense of oppression brought by his approach. She didn't look back, but stared at the mirror, staring at her pale face in the mirror that was trying to maintain calmness.

Helian Cheng stood behind her, his tall figure completely covering her. He didn't look at Su Wan, his eyes fell on the glittering star sapphire in the velvet box. There was no emotional fluctuation in his deep eyes, only a deep calm.

He stretched out his hand, and his bony fingers gently picked up the necklace with a natural control gesture. The platinum chain fell from his fingertips, and the deep sapphire reflected an unpredictable light under the light, and the stars inside were bright and cold.

"Bai Weiwei gave it to me?" His low voice sounded above Su Wan's head, his tone was flat, and no joy or anger could be heard.

Su Wan's heart was in her throat. She forced herself to turn around, lowered her eyelids, and dared not look at him. Her voice was calm and distant, trying hard to maintain: "Yes. It's said to be... a wedding gift."

Helian Cheng seemed to chuckle, and the laughter was very light, with a hint of cold mockery. He didn't ask Su Wan's opinion again, as if it didn't matter whether she liked it or accepted it. He just held the necklace and leaned forward slightly.

A strong and irresistible breath instantly enveloped Su Wan. She stood stiffly in place, feeling his warm breath brushing against the back of her neck, causing a fine shudder. The cold platinum chain touched the skin of her neck, carrying the chill of Bai Weiwei's malicious provocation. The heavy, cursed starlight sapphire pendant, with its cold weight, slowly fell between her slender and fragile collarbones.

Helian Cheng's fingers deftly buckled the buckle behind her neck. The action seemed gentle, but his fingertips inevitably brushed across the sensitive skin of her neck, bringing a heart-pounding tingling and a deeper sense of humiliation.

"It suits you very well." His low voice sounded close to her ear, with a certainty of control over everything and a hint of... imperceptible, cold playfulness.

Su Wan was stiff all over, like a stone statue forcibly wearing shackles. Her hands hanging by her side were clenched into fists, her nails deeply dug into her palms, almost pinching them to bleed. The cold sapphire between her collarbones, like Bai Weiwei's mocking eyes, and like the brand of "Mrs. He" that Helian Cheng imposed on her, was so heavy that she could hardly breathe. Her figure was reflected in the mirror - pale face, empty eyes, and the deep blue gem on her neck reflecting the cold starlight, like a carefully dressed sacrifice waiting to be displayed.

Helian Cheng stepped back and his eyes fell on her neck, as if admiring his "masterpiece". There was no joy of appreciating beauty in his eyes, only a kind of indifferent control after perfectly modifying the belongings.

"There is a charity auction dinner in the evening." He spoke, breaking the silence, and his voice returned to the usual cold command, "You accompany me."

Su Wan's heart sank to the bottom. Dinner... facing those scrutinizing, curious, and purposeful eyes again, under the gaze of Bai Weiwei's "gift", in the shadow of Helian Cheng's absolute control...

A strong feeling of nausea suddenly surged up!

"Ugh!"

She couldn't stand it anymore, she covered her mouth suddenly, not caring that Helian Cheng was still there, and staggered to the bathroom connected to it! She fell beside the clean sink and retched violently! This time was more fierce than the last time, her stomach was churning, but she still couldn't vomit anything, only sour bile and the bitterness of burning throat, accompanied by violent spasms, making her tremble all over and her eyes went black.

Humiliation, fear, disgusting feeling of being objectified, rejection of the unknown dinner, and hatred of the cold sapphire around her neck... All emotions intertwined and turned into violent physiological reactions, which completely defeated her.

She knelt limply on the cold tile floor, her back against the cold bathtub, panting violently, tears mixed with cold sweat rolling down crazily, in a mess.

Helian Cheng had stood at the door of the bathroom without knowing when.

He didn't come in, but leaned against the door frame. His tall figure cast a heavy shadow, completely covering Su Wan who was lying on the ground. He put his hands in his trouser pockets, with a condescending and lazy posture, and looked at her embarrassing posture of collapse and vomiting with unfathomable eyes, watching her thin back wrapped in delicate fabrics, which was violently up and down due to the violent reaction, and the starlight sapphire on her neck, which was shaking slightly with her trembling and reflecting the cold light.

There was no expression on his face, no anger, no impatience, and no pity. There was only a deep calmness, and a trace of... cold interest deep in his eyes, like appreciating the struggle of a trapped beast.

Until Su Wan's retching gradually subsided, leaving only weak panting and silent tears.

Helian Cheng slowly stood up and walked in. The expensive leather shoes stepped on the cold tiles, making a crisp sound like a death knell.

He stopped in front of Su Wan and looked down at her.

Su Wan raised her head weakly, and through her tearful eyes, she met his deep, calm eyes. His eyes were as cold as an icy pond, reflecting her miserable state at the moment.

He slowly squatted down, his eyes level with hers.

His cold fingertips, with a creepy touch, gently brushed across her hot cheeks, which were wet from vomiting and stained with tears.

"Why are you crying?" He said in a low voice.