Chapter 1 - The Cold Wife at Home

"Sob... Yu Han, this is all your fault! Why did you tell me to come back? You didn't even tell me that they had found me a bride! Since the marriage has now been registered, how am I supposed to marry you in the future?"

A young man in his mid-twenties could be seen standing by the street with a cellphone in his hands. While he talked on the phone, he attempted to hold back his tears, only to burst into tears soon after. However, why did his face have such a miserable expression?

Although he wasn't exceptionally handsome, with thick and neat brows, he didn't look bad at all. However, if the reason behind his desperate expression was due to some petty theft he had experienced, then perhaps his appearance would only make a few people turn their heads.

Yet, at this moment, he had garnered the attention of everyone.

Tsk, tsk… A grown man bawling his eyes out in public…...

"Call me auntie!"

A woman's voice resounded from within the phone. Despite her sternness in her tone, she was unable to hide the hint of concern in her voice. 

"No! I want to call you Yu Han! Qin Yu Han, it's all your fault! How are you planning to compensate me?"

The man whined.

"How is this my fault? Isn't getting married a good thing?"

"How is this a good thing?"

"Is she not pretty?"

"She is pretty… To be honest, she's very pretty!"

"Then, what's wrong?"

"She's always so indifferent to me... Despite being married for three days, we have not once held hands? I don't even know if she's my bride or my ancestor!"

As soon as he brought this up, the distress on his face turned into anger.

"Umm... Just take things slow, where's your patience?"

The woman advised, offering some consolation. 

"I was a player overseas, but as soon as I return, I become a married man. A wife and a ****, how could they be the same?"

"What's so different, don't they both offer the same things?"

"I..."

The young man was speechless. His aunt seemed to be even more straightforward than he was.

"Don't worry, just be patient. You'll benefit from going home this time… perhaps you'll obtain a big company? With the power of the Li Family and you as the direct heir to the business, they'll surely give you something."

"Sh*t! I shouldn't have returned. So what if it's a big family? I don't want any of it! Do you know what they've said since I had returned? They accused me of being thick-skinned! Da*n it! If it wasn't for my dying grandfather, I wouldn't have even come back!"

"Mind your profanity!"

The woman scolded angrily.

Upon hearing this, the young man's expression abruptly changed.

"Yu Han, I was wrong. Tell me where you are. I'll sneak out and find you, okay? I really can't stand being here any longer! You told me that my grandfather was on the verge of death but he still arranged a marriage for me? Do you even know what it's like to live here? It's like an ice cave where you're constantly in the presence of an iceberg when within the house."

"Stop thinking so much, there's nothing you can do so just stay at home. Hopefully, by next year, you'll have a child so I can go back and babysit for you. "

"Yu Han, don't say that. It was you who persuaded me to rush back, remember? Look at me now... No friends, no income, if you don't help me, I'll have no choice but to wander the streets!"

"No matter what, you're still the Li family's heir, they won't leave you out on the streets." 

"Heir my a**...."

"No profanities!"

"Okay, okay, I'll stop. However, you don't even know what the people in the Li family had done. They merely gave me a small company worth a few million dollars which had been suffering huge financial losses..."

"Just sell it off for a few million dollars."

"But I didn't ask for it… What kind of person would want such a lousy company?"

"Okay, okay. I'll transfer another five hundred thousand into your bank account. This should suffice, just have some conscience when you spend it. I have other things to attend to so I need to hang up now."

"Hello…...? Hello...?"

The guy continued to speak into the phone but to no avail. 

Have some conscience… She spoke as if he had just come out of jail.

This young man was Li Tian, and he had turned 24 this year. He was also the heir to one of the most powerful families in Beijing, the Li family. However, Li Tian did not possess any status whatsoever.

Ever since he was young, his aunt, Qin Yu Han, had taken him under her wing and brought him overseas. As such, the wealth and riches of the Li family technically had nothing to do with him. After his grandfather's death, he had been given a company with a budget deficit despite not asking for it.

However, what made him feel even worse was the fact that his grandfather had arranged a marriage for him before he passed away. The moment he had returned, he had to go collect his marriage certificate.

Although there hadn't been a wedding ceremony yet, he was already a married man. Immediately following his grandfather's funeral, he had to move into a villa that his bride had bought in Jiangdu. 

As he walked, Li Tian felt extremely reluctant to return to the house.

In his opinion, his bride, Lin Yi, was a gorgeous woman who caused even Li Tian to become dumbstruck at first sight.

She had long brunette hair, wavy bangs, and a captivating appearance on top of a glamorous body. Upon closer inspection, it was evident that the ratio of her physical attributes was perfect. 

Yet, she was far too apathetic in regards to him. During the three days that they had lived together in Jiangdu, they had yet to exchange more than 5 words.

All journeys must come to an end, and thus, after half an hour of walking, Li Tian found himself unknowingly standing in front of the villa.

"Sir, welcome back."

"I'm back, Wang Ma."

Wang Ma was Lin Yi's maid and had been by her side for more than a decade.

Lin Yi was the president of her own company. Despite not knowing the specifics, Li Tian knew that Lin Yi was considered a successful woman in the industry.

As Li Tian entered the villa, Lin Yi could be seen sitting on the sofa reading magazines. Although Li Tian was clueless about what she did for a living, he had occasionally heard her talk about some fashion brands. Even the magazines she was currently reading were also fashion magazines. 

"Not working today?"

Li Tian asked as soon as he returned.

Truth to be told, Li Tian had wanted to improve their relationship as husband and wife as Lin Yi had no shortcomings or whatsoever. Moreover, she was his ideal type. It was just her indifference that Li Tian wished to overcome.

"Yeah."

Lin Yi hadn't even turned her head towards him even slightly.

"Umm... Honey, I've been running short of cash recently, can you help me out?"

Li Tian pleaded as softly as possible. He was ashamed as he would never have imagined that he would be asking a girl for money. Qin Yu Han? Could she even be considered a girl? 

However, he had no one else to turn to. Only a dollar remained in his pockets after Qin Yu Han had hoodwinked him into returning home. This entire time, she had always been in charge of his finances and he'd used up his allowance since he got back.

The heir of the prestigious Li family was claiming that he had no money.

Lin Yi was amused upon hearing his plea. 

She had sacrificed herself and had gotten married to this heir of the Li family to satisfy her parents' wishes. Who would've imagined that he would be asking for her for money? 

"You've been living under my roof, eating the food that I had paid for, and now you're even asking for money? I don't have even a single cent for you! If you want money, get a job and work for it!"

Lin Yi placed the magazine down and made her way upstairs.

Li Tian was filled with embarrassment upon hearing Lin Yi's words, but also felt a sense of frustration in regards to the fact that he had been disdained by a woman.

"Qin Yu Han, this is all your fault! I'll get my payback the next time we meet!"

Being disdained was one thing, and Li Tian was already used to it. But quarreling with Lin Yi? Her ice-cold expressions could easily win any fight. 

"I just have to look for a job, right? There must be the right job for me out there!"

Li Tian said, facing the stairs. He then turned around and walked towards the door.

"Sir, lunch is ready, why not have some before you leave."

"I'm not in the mood for lunch, so she can't say that she's been paying for my meals and shelter. I won't come back until I find a job!"

...

Lin Yi stood by the window as she watched Li Tian's disappearing silhouette. Things quieted down.

Why was her husband acting this way? How was he any different to a gangster? He behaved and spoke rudely; she was just too good for him. 

At this moment, Lin Yi could've easily thought of all Li Tian's flaws.

In the same vein as what happens to one's brain upon disliking someone, Li Tian's shortcomings had been magnified by tenfold in the eyes of Lin Yi.

After a short period, Wang Ma's voice echoed from downstairs. 

"Miss, it's time to eat."

...

The food had already been prepared and was scattered across the dining table. Wang Ma glanced at Lin Yi, who still wore an icy cold expression. 

"Miss… Actually, Sir..."

"Wang Ma, just be honest with me. You've been by my side for so many years, you don't have to be so hesitant when talking with me."

Lin Yi said, without even turning her head.

"Miss, in all honesty, Sir is a decent person. Two days ago, while you were at work, he helped me tidy up the rooms and told me to let him do all the heavy work. As much as I wish for you to find a husband who could help you in your business, my biggest wish is for you to find someone who can protect you and genuinely care for you. I've seen how hard you've been working over the past years, but the only thing I could do for you is help you with the housework. Since you're both married now, why don't you try getting along? Sir has a good personality, and he is also very thoughtful of others…"

"That's enough. Let's eat. Don't talk about this matter ever again."

Lin Yi interrupted, preventing Wang Ma from finishing her sentence.

So what if Li Tian had a good personality? He was Lin Yi's husband, and thus, he was expected to be an extraordinary, multi-talented person. She could care less about his other qualities!