A week later, Chiyo and Lucian’s wedding was held with the utmost luxury and grandeur. A great number of Lucian's associates and friends were among the distinguished guests.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Chiyo and Mr. Lucian," Emi said, offering her good wishes before pulling Chiyo into a hug.

Chiyo smiled warmly at her. Moments later, his grandfather offered his congratulations as well, though he felt a little tense. The suddenness of the event and the presence of so many strangers made him subtly uncomfortable.

Just then, Ren approached and stood before them. "Finally! You two are married. Congratulations on the wedding, by the way!"

Both Chiyo and Lucian smiled at him.

But internally, Chiyo felt a profound sense of relief. He was now free from Chen's grip. He knew Chen would not bother him again, as news of this high-profile wedding must have spread like wildfire across the entire country. Chen undoubtedly knew of the marriage now, and knowing that Lucian was the successor to the powerful Han Group, Chiyo was certain Chen would no longer be able to act against him.

As Chiyo was lost in these thoughts, he failed to notice that Lucian’s entire attention was fixed solely on him. Lucian remained silent, simply observing him.

After the ceremony, this was Chiyo's first time arriving at Lucian’s residence.

When they both stepped out of the car, Chiyo’s eyes widened in astonishment. What stood before him was not a single mansion, but an estate comprising several bungalows. Beyond the vast property lay a dense forest. Lucian’s home was breathtakingly large, luxurious, and beautiful.

Completely mesmerized by the architecture, Chiyo stood rooted to the spot, gazing at the house, until he heard a voice.

"Aren't you coming in?" Lucian asked. He was already standing by the main entrance, holding the door open.

"Yes, I am coming," Chiyo replied, moving toward Lucian.

They both stepped inside the house. The interior was just as immense. Chiyo glanced around, taking in the scale, then turned to Lucian, smiling faintly.

"Do you really live in this entire big house all by yourself?" Chiyo's words were tinged with surprise, but he kept his smile in place.

Seeing that smile, Lucian’s heart began to race—so fast, he felt he could hear his own heartbeat. "You are right," Lucian replied, his eyes never leaving Chiyo's face. "I live alone."

"Wow! I’ve always wanted to live alone in a house—not this big, though. But because I'm scared of ghosts, I never actually tried. I didn't even sign up for a university dorm, fearing I wouldn't get a roommate and would have to live alone," Chiyo said, pouting sadly.

"What's there to be afraid of?" Lucian asked. His voice was cold, and his tone sounded almost as if he were mocking Chiyo.

Chiyo immediately bristled; his smile disappeared in a second. "Nothing. Forget what I just said," he mumbled under his breath.

"Okay. Come, let me show you to your room," Lucian said, his demeanor changing back to neutral.

Chiyo nodded and followed Lucian. They arrived at Chiyo’s room. It was beautiful: large and spacious, furnished with a king size bed, sofa and TV area.

Compared to his bedroom back home, this room was vast. Chiyo was initially in disbelief, but then something clicked.

"Is this my room, not ours?" Chiyo asked. "So, we are not sleeping together?"

"Of course not," Lucian confirmed. "This is purely a business arrangement, a sort of arranged marriage."

Chiyo glanced around. "Yes, I know it's a business marriage. I was just asking," he replied quickly.

He then looked down at the floor, instinctively not wanting to sit on the bed in front of Lucian. But strangely, he wasn't feeling uncomfortable anymore. Even though everything was new—he was in a strange house, with a dominant Alpha, Lucian, who he had only met the once—and he wasn't afraid.

He felt a surprising sense of comfort around Lucian, but he knew he couldn't show it, especially when he hadn't even spent a full day in the house yet.

Chiyo looked up at Lucian, who had not yet left the room. When their eyes met, Chiyo saw that Lucian was already staring at him. Chiyo quickly glanced down at himself, wondering why Lucian was looking at him that way.

"Do you happen to have something to say?" Chiyo asked, prompting him, since Lucian was just standing there silently.

"Yes," Lucian finally replied, looking up toward the ceiling. "If you need anything, just look around and find it yourself. Don't come asking about every little thing."

Chiyo's facial expression immediately hardened.

"You know, you're being very rude," Chiyo retorted. "Just because it's your house, you're treating me like I'm a mere guest here. And if you don't tell me anything, how am I supposed to know anything in the first place?"

"What?!" Lucian asked, genuinely shocked by the outburst.

But Chiyo merely shook his head, feigning innocence as if he hadn't said anything at all. He stood perfectly still, looking like an innocent person and refusing to meet Lucian’s eyes.

"Alright then, I am going to my room," Lucian stated. "Don't come into my room without my permission."

Chiyo rolled his eyes. "I don't have any interest in coming into your room, so you can leave," he shot back.

Lucian nodded and turned to walk toward the door. Just as he reached it, he paused and looked back at Chiyo. "Make yourself at home, by the way," Lucian said, his voice calmer. "Since it will only be the two of us living here from now on, there's no need to feel nervous."

Chiyo was surprised to hear this; he hadn't expected Lucian to say anything so kind. Just yesterday, he had been nervous, worrying that Lucian might treat him poorly, or refuse to talk to him altogether.

He was also still troubled by the argument they’d had on the beach during Lucian’s own birthday party. But as it turned out, all his worries had been for nothing. Nothing like what he feared had actually happened.

As Lucian finally left the room, Chiyo immediately locked the door from the inside.

He glanced around the room one last time and then approached the bed, sitting down gently on it. The mattress was so incredibly soft that he couldn't help but immediately lie down.