The billionaire’s fake fiancée

Shanghai never truly slept.

Even before dawn painted the horizon with pale shades of blue, streams of headlights flowed through the city's towering streets like rivers of light. Skyscrapers pierced the clouds, while glowing billboards reflected against the Huangpu River, reminding everyone that dreams were built here—and just as easily destroyed.

On the thirty-second floor of Huaxin Law Firm, however, only one office still had its lights on.

Lin Xinyue leaned over a conference table covered with documents, contracts, and financial reports. A half-finished cup of coffee had long gone cold beside her, forgotten hours ago.

She rubbed her temples before turning another page.

"...Transfer records don't match..."

She circled a line with her pen.

"Then where did the money really go?"

The quiet click of the office clock answered her.

It was 5:17 a.m.

She smiled faintly.

Another sleepless night.

For most people, exhaustion would have been a reason to stop.

For Lin Xinyue, it was simply part of the job.

Justice wasn't won during courtroom speeches.

It was built through countless lonely nights like this.

A soft knock came from the open office door.

"Still here?"

Lin looked up.

Her assistant, Xiao Chen, stood outside holding two paper bags.

"I guessed you skipped dinner again."

Lin laughed quietly.

"I didn't skip it."

"You forgot it."

"...That's also possible."

Xiao Chen walked in and placed a warm steamed bun and soy milk on the table.

"If Auntie Meiling finds out you're surviving on coffee again, she'll blame the entire firm."

Lin smiled more genuinely this time.

"My mother already thinks lawyers don't know how to take care of themselves."

"She's not wrong."

Both of them laughed.

For a brief moment, the mountain of case files didn't seem so intimidating.

Xiao Chen glanced at the documents.

"The Zhao case?"

Lin nodded.

"It goes to trial today."

"You've been working on it for almost three months."

"I know."

"Are you nervous?"

Lin closed the folder carefully.

"Nervous means you're afraid of losing."

"And?"

"I'm more afraid of failing someone who trusted me."

Xiao Chen watched her for a moment before shaking his head with admiration.

"No wonder everyone says you're the most honest lawyer in Shanghai."

Lin looked out through the glass wall overlooking the waking city.

"I didn't become a lawyer to become famous."

"I became one because someone has to stand beside people when no one else will."

The words were simple.

But she meant every one of them.

---

An hour later, sunlight finally reached the city.

Employees began arriving one after another.

The once-silent office transformed into its usual rhythm of ringing phones, hurried footsteps, and quiet discussions.

As Lin walked through the hallway carrying a stack of files, greetings followed her from every direction.

"Morning, Attorney Lin."

"Good luck today."

"You'll win another one."

She smiled politely at each colleague.

Not everyone admired her.

Some envied her rapid rise despite her age.

Others whispered that she was too idealistic for the legal profession.

But even those who disliked her admitted one thing.

Lin Xinyue prepared more thoroughly than anyone else.

She earned every victory.

As she entered the litigation department, a tall man stepped out of the elevator.

His tailored gray suit fit him perfectly.

His handsome face wore an easy smile that immediately drew attention.

"Morning, Xinyue."

Lin stopped walking.

"Morning, Senior Han."

Han Zixuan had been her mentor during her first year at the firm.

He was brilliant.

Charismatic.

Confident.

To everyone else, he was the firm's golden lawyer.

To Lin...

He was also the man she had once imagined spending the rest of her life with.

That dream had quietly ended six months ago.

Neither of them ever spoke about the breakup.

Instead, they buried themselves in work.

"You stayed overnight again."

Han noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes.

"I wanted to review the financial statements one last time."

"You always push yourself too hard."

"I like being prepared."

He smiled.

"That's what makes you different."

There was no bitterness in his voice.

No sign of resentment.

Only calm professionalism.

Anyone watching them would never guess they had once shared countless dinners, whispered promises, and plans for a future together.

"Ready for today's trial?" he asked.

Lin nodded.

"I believe my client is innocent."

Han studied her expression for a second.

"You've always believed in people."

"Shouldn't a lawyer?"

He gave a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Sometimes the truth is more complicated."

Before Lin could respond, another lawyer called Han's name from down the hallway.

"I'll see you after court," he said.

"Good luck."

"You too."

He walked away.

Lin watched him disappear around the corner before continuing toward her office.

She never noticed him glance back.

Nor the unreadable look that crossed his face.

---

At exactly eight o'clock, Lin finally left the firm.

Instead of heading straight to court, she made one stop.

A quiet neighborhood tucked away from Shanghai's busy business district.

The scent of freshly steamed buns drifted through the morning air.

Street vendors greeted familiar customers.

Children in school uniforms hurried past with backpacks bouncing against their shoulders.

It was a completely different world from the polished skyscrapers where billion-yuan deals were made.

Lin climbed the stairs of an aging apartment building carrying breakfast.

Before she could knock, the door opened.

"I knew you'd come."

Lin smiled.

"Good morning, Mom."

Lin Meiling stood there wearing a simple cream-colored cardigan, her long dark hair neatly tied back despite a few silver strands beginning to appear. Her gentle smile carried the same warmth it always had.

"You worked all night again."

"I brought breakfast."

"So that's a yes."

Mother and daughter exchanged amused looks before walking inside together.

The apartment was modest but spotless.

Family photographs lined one wall.

A sewing machine rested near the window, surrounded by neatly folded fabric samples.

Although her textile company had struggled in recent years, Lin Meiling still refused to give up.

She believed every difficult season would eventually pass.

"You have your biggest trial today," she said while pouring tea.

"I know."

"Do your best."

"I always do."

Her mother reached across the table and gently squeezed her hand.

"No."

She smiled softly.

"Do what lets you sleep peacefully tonight."

Lin looked at her mother's warm eyes and nodded.

"I will."

Outside the apartment, the city continued rushing toward another busy day.

Neither of them knew that by tomorrow, the life they had carefully built would begin to crack.