** Beneath the Heart of Ice**

chapter : Eyes around them

Li Yan had spent the past few months adjusting to life as both a newlywed and a fresh graduate. Balancing her role at Zhen Corporation with the strange new reality of being Lu Zhen’s wife was nothing short of overwhelming. The tension between them had become a strange mix of professional and personal, especially since her internship began at his company. The entire office buzzed with rumors about their relationship, though they remained discreet—or tried to.

As she entered the office that morning, the usual whispers followed her. She ignored them, her head held high, trying to focus on her work. Lu Zhen had already introduced her to the entire staff on her first day, but that didn't stop the curious glances, especially when she was called to his office. Today was no different.

"Li Yan," Lu Zhen's voice crackled through the intercom on her desk, causing her to jolt. "Come to my office, please."

Her heart raced as she stood up. The ever-present tension between them hadn't lessened, and their interactions, both inside and outside of work, were a constant reminder of their complicated relationship.

As she entered his office, she could feel the eyes of her colleagues sneaking peeks from their desks. She pushed the door closed behind her, and before she could even speak, Lu Zhen swiftly moved, locking the door.

He wasted no time. In one smooth motion, he scooped her up, placing her on his lap. His hands rested on her waist, pulling her closer as his lips met hers. For a moment, the world outside disappeared. All the stress, the whispers, the expectations melted away in the heat of the moment.

But then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of movement just outside the glass partition. Their colleagues—some of them clearly watching.

Breaking the kiss, Li Yan pushed away slightly, her cheeks flushed. "Lu Zhen, they're watching us," she whispered urgently.

He glanced toward the glass, his expression shifting into a playful smirk. "Let them," he said in a low voice. "They can wonder all they want. You're mine."

Li Yan shot him a glare, though she couldn't help the flutter of excitement in her chest. "Be serious. I need to go."

Reluctantly, he released her, and she stood, smoothing down her skirt. She headed for the door, and as soon as she stepped outside, the office atmosphere shifted dramatically. Everyone hurriedly looked busy, avoiding her gaze as if nothing had happened.

The rest of the day was a blur. Despite her best efforts to remain focused, her mind kept drifting back to that moment in his office. The lines between their personal and professional lives were blurring more with each passing day, and she wasn't sure how much longer they could keep up the charade.

By the end of the day, as she packed up her things, she found herself wondering what the future held. Her marriage to Lu Zhen had started as a practical arrangement, but now it was something else entirely. Every kiss, every stolen moment between them, only deepened the connection they shared. Yet, the weight of their professional roles hung heavily between them.

As she stepped out of the office and into the cool evening air, she took a deep breath, steadying herself. One thing was clear—no matter how complicated things became, she was in too deep to turn back now.