Ye Qing did her best to hide her anger. It was killing her to have to smile as she said, "Aunty, thank you. That's okay."

"No need to be polite with aunty. You're the same size as Qingqing, and I custom ordered these dresses with Qingqing's measurements. You can definitely wear these. Go on, pick one. If you don't pick one, you'll disappoint aunty.

These words made it hard for anyone to refuse.

For lack of a better option, Ye Qing chose a mermaid wedding dress. "That one."

"That one is quite nice. Once Qingqing come out, you can go over there to try it on."

There was an embarrassed smile on Ye Qing's face as she nodded.

Soon, Ye Zhen came out of the room. Unable to avoid Mother Lu's task, Ye Qing could only go into the room and change into a wedding dress.

The professional watched as the other sister entered the room with a stony expression that warned others from approaching her. She was completely different from her sister, who had seemed gentle and soft. These two sisters were as different as heaven and hell. The professional was surprised that two identical twins would have such different personalities.

Not daring to joke around with her, the professional swiftly helped her put on the wedding dress.

Ye Qing looked at herself in the mirror. Although this mermaid wedding dress fit her body perfectly, it still lost to the stunningly beautiful wedding dress that Ye Zhen had worn.

She would either accept the best or refuse something completely if she couldn’t have that.

Ye Qing would never let herself be wronged by settling for ssecond best.

She forced herself to liven up her spirits and show a glittering smile as she leisurely walked out.

Mother Lu and Ye Zhen were sitting on the couch and chatting. When Mother Lu saw Ye Qing coming out, she looked at her from top to bottom. "This one is good too. It look quite suitable for you. Qingqing, what do you think?"

Ye Zhen glanced at Ye Qing and honestly praised, "It looks very good."

Ye Qing looked at Lu Beichuan. Even if she was "Ye Zhen" right now, she still hoped that Lu Beichuan would look at her and be mesmerized.

But, from start to end, Lu Beichuan didn't look at her.

Ye Qing could clearly see that Lu Beichuan's gaze was always on Ye Zhen.

"Zhenzhen, what do you think of this dress?"

Ye Qing tightly grasped the dress so that the sequins on the dress would dig into her palms and cause her pain. The pain would remind her that she had to keep her emotions under control and not reveal her true feelings.

"It's good."

"Since you like it, we'll take this one too." After saying that, Mother Lu said to the professional, "We'll take these two."

"Sure, Mrs. Lu, I'll process the order."

Mother Lu gently patted the back of Ye Zhen's hand. "We should change how Qingqing is addressed too. On the day of the wedding, I'll have Beichuan formally introduce you to everyone as the Lu family's daughter-in-law."

Ye Zhen inwardly sighed a bit. The role of the Lu family's daughter-in-law wasn't an enviable one.

In the novel, "Ye Zhen" hadn't been liked by anyone. In the end, she was implicated by Lu Beichuan's deeds and sent to prison. It was simply suffering on top of more suffering.

Ye Zhen faintly smiled and stayed silent.

Seeing this exchange, Ye Qing couldn't bear it any longer. She turned around and returned to the changing room. The professional that was helping her change out of the dress was shocked by her vicious expression. The professional couldn't help but feel frightened.

This woman put on the facade of being gentle and beguiling in front of the Lu family. But, in front of someone that she thought was below her, she showed such a malevolent side. The professional didn't know what this woman was thinking about, but it was really scary to see how she was able to switch between two very different personalities.

Ye Qing glared at the professional. "What are you looking at? Hurry up! Help me out of this dress!"

The professional quickly went forward and did as she ordered.

In the living room, Mother Lu was unhappy that Lu Beichuan had been on a call ever since his wife's wedding dress had been decided on. "Beichuan, what are you so busy with? Why don't you have time to help me look at the possible wedding venues?"

Holding the cell phone in his hand, Lu Beichuan had a somewhat grave expression. After hearing Mother Lu's words, he immediately put the cell phone down. "It's nothing."

"Even if it's a serious matter, it's not as important as Qingqing and your wedding." Seeing his furrowed brow, Mother Lu assumed that he was bothered by something troublesome. She sighed and said, "Fine, you go do you work. Mom will take care of the wedding matters for you. But, you have to pay attention to your health. You've only recently recovered."

Lu Beichuan slightly nodded.

With his mother here, he could go to the study with a peace of mind.

Looking at Lu Beichua's departing figure, Ye Zhen made a guess about what he had gone off to do. In the novel, around this time, Lu Beichuan would send his father to prison as well as seizing full control of the Lu family in one fell swoop. In the next five years, under his management, the Lu family's business would become an unrivaled conglomerate that would touch upon all major industries. During this five year period, Lu Beichuan would also offend many business people.

Of course, those events were just foreshadowing. Foreshadowing for when these business people would work together with Lin Zhan to destroy Lu Beichuan.

The fierce retaliation that he would experience later would match how thoroughly he had originally offended these parties. Even though Lu Beichuan had thoroughly prepared for a counterattack, he would be utterly defeated by them.

***

However, strangely, Lu Shaoren and Lin Zhan didn't return home that night.

Right now, Mother Lu was wholeheartedly focused on her son's wedding. Towards her husband, who had multiple affairs, she wasn't the least concerned about his absence. Actually, she would be thrilled if he never came back.

Ye Qing was at the end of her patience. Mother Lu had kept Ye Zhen by her side the entire day, and there was nothing she could do about it. She had uneasily watched as day turned into night, and she was still "Ye Zhen". What made her feel the worst was that she had been listening to Mother Lu's detailed planning for the wedding. Clearly, it was her wedding, and she was going to be the bride. But right now, she could only be a bystander that couldn't express her opinions.

After a busy day of planning, Mother Lu felt exhausted "Alright, working on the wedding planning for the whole day is quite tiring. There's no need to hurry. There'll be plenty of time to work out the details later. We can slowly research options later. Go upstairs to take a shower and rest for now."

Ye Zhen agreed with a smile. As they were walking upstairs, Ye Qing thought they had the perfect opportunity to switch back. But, before they could reach the second floor's landing, the sight of Lu Beichuan put an end to that idea.

Under his sharp gaze, it felt as if everything was within his grasp, no matter how big or small. It felt as if all her secrets were laid bare before him, and he had seen through her deceptions.

Under a cloud of guilt and lack of confidence, Ye Qing retreated to the guest room.

Lu Beichuan scrutinized Ye Zhen before quietly saying, "It's been a tiring day. You should go back to the room to rest."

Ye Zhen didn't know if she was just imagining things, but it seemed as if Lu Beichuan's gaze had faintly swept over her lower abdomen. Her brows shot upwards. Then, she said with a smile, "CEO Lu, you've been so busy today. You didn't even have time to eat. How about we go back to the room to rest together?"

Lu Beichuan's eyes slightly narrowed.

CEO Lu?

"Okay."

Ye Zhen raised her foot and continuing going upstairs. Lu Beichuan pensively watched her from the back as he followed her.

Inside the bedroom, Ye Zhen sat down on the couch. She calmly looked at Lu Beichuan and sweetly smiled. "CEO Lu, stop pretending. Let's have a good chat."

After the past two days of observation, she would have to be blind to not have figured out that Lu Beichuan was putting on an act.

However, you had to be very careful when your opponent was Lu Beichuan.

"What do you want to discuss?"

Ye Zhen didn't dare to underestimate the enemy, much less have a moment of remiss. She was fully prepared for the upcoming battle of words as she seriously said, "The stuff that you know about."

Although Lu Beichuan idly stood there, he was probably even more cautious than Ye Zhen. He maintained a casual demeanor as if this was only a simple chat.

"What do I know?"

"CEO Lu, I'm not blind. I can see what's going on. Stop pretending.”

Lu Beichuan continued to pretend that he had no idea what she was saying, "What is that you see?"

He played dumb and advanced by retreating. This Taiji was truly fought extremely well.

"CEO Lu, when did you really regain consciousness?"

"Don't you already know?"

Ye Zhen slightly furrowed her brow. "CEO Lu, let's speak honestly. I returned home on October 4th and you sent the older butler to bring me back. He said that you had just woken up. CEO Lu, is that really the first day you woke up?"

Lu Beichuan seriously considered his answer for a while. He looked at her from top-to-bottom.

Lu Beichuan was standing, and she was sitting, so he was overlooking her and she was looking up at him. Thus, before they had even started talking, she had already lost the high ground to him. And, looking at Lu Beichuan's expression, it felt like he was just toying with her.

She understood. No matter what she said, if Lu Beichuan didn't want to talk or take her seriously, there was nothing she could about it.

In addition, Lu Beichuan held all the cards while she remained in the dark about what was going on. There was no way to the sweet taste of success in this type of situation.

"Alright, fine, it seems that CEO Lu doesn't want to talk about that. Let's move on to the next topic. CEO Lu, what do you think about the wedding that will take place next month on the 10th?"

"There's enough time. It's not a rush."

"Do you have an opinion on your bride?"

Looking at her, Lu Beichuan commented, "Snowy white skin, beautiful figure. I'm very satisfied."

"So CEO Lu is the same as all men. A visual animal that's spurred on by physical appearance?"

Lu Beichuan nodded. "Everyone loves beauty."

Ye Zhen insincerely smiled and said, "CEO Lu, if you like beautiful women, then you should have a favorable impression of Ye family's other daughter."

"Which Ye daughter are you referring to?"

The smile on Ye Zhen's face stiffened. These words cut off what she wanted to say next.

If it was Ye Qing sitting in front of Lu Beichuan, then the one in the guest room should be Ye Zhen. Otherwise, it could only be the other way around.

Lu Beichuan said, "You're the one that wanted to talk to me. You should at least show me some sincerity."

In Ye Zhen's view, he wasn't willing to concede even an inch.

In Lu Beichuan's view, for the so-called sincerity, he merely wanted Ye Zhen to admit that the person in the guest room was Ye Qing and not herself.

"Is that important? We're identical twins, and you haven't known me for a long time. The feelings that CEO Lu has for me or her, there shouldn't be any difference."

Lu Beichuan raised his eyebrows. "You don't seem like you want to have an honest discussion with me."

After saying this, he turned around to leave.

Ye Zhen was miffed. She knew that Lu Beichuan was used to being a strong position, but she hadn't expected that he would be so obstinate!

"I'm Ye Zhen."

Lu Beichuan halted. Ye Zhen couldn't see it, but his lips had curved into a small smile.

Now that she had admitted her identity, Lu Beichuan seemed to gain interest in this conversation. He strolled back, sat down, and leaned back on the couch. "En, I figured that out a long time ago."

Ye Zhen blankly stared at him. "You... You already knew? W-when?"

Lu Beichuan silently looked at her. After thinking it over, he answered, "I found out on the day that you slapped me."

"... So you woke up a while ago? When exactly?"

"When you confessed to me that you took your older sister's place."

"..." She hadn't guessed incorrectly.

Ye Zhen remained silent for a long time before she quietly said, "Since our discussion has already reached this point, I won't keep hiding stuff from you." Ye Zhen sighed and quietly said, "Yes, I'm Ye Zhen. I took my older sister's place in marrying you so that your family would help my family's business."

"I overheard Lin Zhan and my older sister's conversation when they were in the bathroom yesterday. That's when I found out that my older sister has been taking credit for all the things I've done in the past for Lin Zhan." Ye Zhen's mood seemed low, and her voice sounded as if she was choked up and about to cry.

"All those love letters I wrote to Lin Zhan had become letters that my older sister wrote to him. I worked at a restaurant to spend time with him, but he thought she's the one that was with him during those times. I took care of Lin Zhan's mom at the hospital, but in the end, my older sister took the credit for all my hard work. Because of Lin Zhan's misunderstanding, he's always been by her side. But, I feel that the person he truly loves is the me that was always by his side back when we were younger!"

Lu Beichuan nodded. "And so?"

"I've liked Lin Zhan since high school, but I thought he liked my older sister, so I've never dared to confess my true feelings to him using my own name. But, I've thought things through since then. If I had only bravely told him my feelings back then, perhaps, I would be the person by Lin Zhan's side right now."

Ye Zhen looked at Lu Beichuan with unshed tears in her eyes, "CEO Lu, I told you before that I'm in love with Lin Zhan and I'm willing to give up everything for him. As for me and you, there's no emotional foundation between us. There's no future for us. Besides, CEO Lu, your wife's name is Ye Qing not Ye Zhen. If you have me take my older sister's place and stay in the Lu family, what will happen to my older sister?"

Lu Beichuan didn't seemed swayed at all by Ye Zhen's tearful visage and helpless tone. "Good job on the tearful performance, but you've already said this before. There's no need for you to put on this act again. "

When she thought about it carefully, she remembered what Lu Beichuan was referring to.

Ye Zhen calmly wiped away the fake tears and continued with her attempt at persuading him. "My parents raised me into adulthood, so I couldn't stand to the side and do nothing. I willingly married you to help my parents. I have self-awareness. I know that the Lu family only wanted the marriage between our families in hopes that a marriage would bring you good luck, and I also know that my family isn't good enough to be in-laws with your family under normal circumstances. If you hadn't gotten into a car accident, I would have never gotten the opportunity to marry you. Once you woke up, I planned on leaving so that you can find a woman that you truly love to be your wife. I'm not going to try to use devious tricks to force you to stay married to me."

"Are you saying that after trying out a wedding dress I suggested for you and confirming the wedding date, you want to leave and pretend as if nothing has happened?"

Ye Zhen really wanted to say yes, that's exactly it.

But, she didn't dare to say that in front of Lu Beichuan. It would be the same as digging her own grave.

"CEO Lu, do you think a loveless marriage will last?" Ye Zhen's gaze was heavy as she looked at him. "Excuse me for speaking disrespectfully, but your mother's life has been difficult in the past years because she's been trapped in a loveless marriage where her husband doesn't love her. Since there aren't any feelings between us, why bother with forcing us together?"

Lu Beichuan looked at her with a burning gaze. "Feelings can develop over time. Besides...." His gaze drifted down to Ye Zhen's lower abdomen. "Besides, you're pregnant with my child."

Ye Zhen instinctively covered her belly. "You know?!"

In an instant, everything became clear to Ye Zhen.

The numerous sex dreams, the motley red marks on her body, the pointed fingers and gossip, all of these things remained vivid in her mind.

The gossiping hadn't bothered her. She wasn't the type of person to value a stranger's opinion. She just didn't like how Lu Beichuan had been toying with her. She had strutted around when she thought he was still in a coma and foolishly thought of herself as a clever person.

Right now, she felt that the past her was a total idiot!

At that moment, the anger over being deceived and embarrassed rushed to the forefront and drowned out her rational side. "So you and William have been secretly working together? You had William give those drugs to the butler to put into my milk? You drugged me!"

Seeing that she was too stirred up, Lu Beichuan lowly said, "I did it for your own good. You had insomnia at night, and you worked so hard during the day. Your body wouldn't be able to stand continued sleepless nights."

"That doesn't mean you can..." Ye Zhen couldn't say out the rest of the sentence.

"We're husband and wife. What's wrong with fulfilling the obligations that's between a husband and wife? Besides, you came onto me to the first time."

"I... I came onto you?"

"Don't tell me that you forgot because you were drunk."

Ye Zhen choked. She was speechless.

On the first night that she transmigrated here, she had drunk her troubles away. In that intoxicated state, it was true... it seemed...

"I... I thought..."

"Are you going to say that you thought you were dreaming as an excuse?"

Ye Zhen was once again speechless.

Sometimes, it was one thing to guess, but it was a completely different thing to have your guess confirmed.

When Ye Zhen had been guessing, she still harbored the idea that perhaps it was just an unexplained accident somehow. She had subconsciously leaned away from the truth. She had prefered in believing in the other possibilities rather than believing that everything had been due to Lu Beichuan's scheming,

Ye Zhen clenched her fists to stop herself from punching Lu Beichuan in the face.

"Why did you pretend you were still in a coma after you woke up?"

"I have my own plans. You'll understand in the future. But, for now, I can't tell you."

"No need! I don't want to know!" Ye Zhen abruptly stood up. "I don't care what you're planning to do. Your wife's name is Ye Qing, and my name is Ye Zhen, so I have nothing to do with you!"

There was suddenly the sound of knocking from the other side of the door.

The old butler opened the door without waiting for permission, and they saw his worried expression. He anxiously said to Lu Beichuan, "Young Master, Master has been arrested!"

Shocked, Ye Zhen instinctively looked towards Lu Beichuan.

Sure enough, there was no surprise on Lu Beichuan's face.

"When did this happen?"