Sweet and Savage: Taming the Ruthless Tycoon

The Lu household was buzzing with excitement today. From early morning, the Qin family had arrived to pick up the bride, and laughter echoed throughout the estate. Except for one room—deep in the farthest corner on the third floor, locked from the outside. This room was the most secluded part of the house. One had to climb all three floors and take a detour just to reach it. Lu Mingyu had lived here for ten years. Her room was tiny, barely enough to fit a bed and a desk. A sketchboard stood propped in the corner. There wasn’t room for an extra chair—she either sat on the bed or stood while painting. Right now, she was painting. In the stillness, the only sound was the brush sliding across paper. Just one closed door apart, and it was like two different worlds. By noon, the wedding send-off began. In a flurry of cheers and blessings, the bride, Lu Qian, was carried into the wedding car by the groom, Qin Lian, and taken to the groom’s family home. Lu Qian was Lu Mingyu’s older cousin—the eldest daughter of the Lu family, and today, she was marrying the first son of the prestigious Qin family of Xizi City. It was a high-profile marriage. Once the ruckus had completely faded away— A click was heard outside the narrow room's door. Lu Mingyu quickly flipped the drawing paper over, fixed it in place, switched the pen to her other hand, and scribbled a few strokes casually. Click— The door opened. The butler, Wang Qi, spoke respectfully, “Second Miss Lu, please come down for lunch.” Lu Mingyu set down her pen and headed downstairs. She ate lunch alone. The rest of the Lu family were either at the groom’s home or busy decorating the hotel banquet hall. Everyone had something to do. Everyone except her—and her grandmother. Lu Mingyu sat at the long dining table by herself, in the last seat at the far end. Even when dining alone, that was the only place she was allowed to sit. Butler Wang Qi stood beside the table, dutifully serving and clearing the dishes. He was meticulous and emotionless, doing the same tasks year after year, day after day. Like a robot. No emotion. No weakness. Lu Mingyu ate in silence. Once done, she got up and headed toward the backyard. But the door was locked. Wang Qi appeared behind her. “Second Miss, you are not allowed in the backyard.” Lu Mingyu said, “Butler Wang, I just want to take a walk… look at the ginkgo tree.” Wang Qi smiled and repeated, “Second Miss, you are not allowed in the backyard.” Lu Mingyu paused. “Got it.” She returned to her room. Set up the sketchboard again. And continued painting. Evening. In the bustling hotel lobby, Duan Xiuming ran into Zhan Xiang, who was dressed to the nines. He stopped and tilted his head slightly, signaling a silent question. Zhan Xiang explained, “Some distant relative's wedding. Wanna come and catch some of the good luck, Ming-ge?” Duan Xiuming: “Sure.” Zhan Xiang: “Cool, let me take you to change real quick—” Duan Xiuming: “Change what?” “Uh… Ming-ge, are you… wearing a bathrobe to a wedding?” Duan Xiuming: “Why not?” Zhan Xiang glanced down at his feet—the hotel slippers—and his expression turned complicated. “I mean… sure…” Who in their right mind would dare question what Duan Xiuming wore? But the bathrobe + slippers combo was just too outrageous. With his tall, imposing frame and naturally intimidating aura— He looked like he’d come to crash the wedding. Zhan Xiang chickened out at the entrance. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he said, “Ming-ge! How about heading to a private room on the second floor? You can still see the ceremony from there! There’s food, drinks… even a terrace for smoking, haha…” Duan Xiuming looked at him blankly—impossible to tell if he was amused or annoyed. Zhan Xiang’s face crumpled. “Bro! We’re in a different city! If you make a scene like this, I’m scared!” Duan Xiuming raised an eyebrow. “Private room it is.” Zhan Xiang: “Thank god!” Duan Xiuming went up to the second floor, found an empty VIP suite, opened a bottle of wine, and leaned on the railing overlooking the banquet hall below. He had zero interest in weddings, but couldn’t say no to soaking in some “lucky vibes.” The ceremony had already started. The host was full of enthusiasm. The lights were dazzling. Duan Xiuming scanned the room lazily—until his gaze paused at one corner. There, a young woman stood alone. Apparently, she had no seat? She wore a pearly white qipao. Her black hair was tied up neatly. The dress didn’t fit quite right—too loose, almost like a uniform from the banquet’s hospitality team… But she was beautiful. Not just “pretty,” but a natural, breathtaking beauty that made the rest of the room fade into background noise. People around her were all staring—some even stood up to get a better look. She was drawing more attention than the bride and groom. Soon, a bridesmaid walked over and whispered something to her. The woman followed her and left. Duan Xiuming lost interest. He swept his gaze around again. Nothing caught his eye. He grabbed the bottle and headed for the terrace. What a boring wedding. This private room had a terrace that connected to both the suite and the outside. One side overlooked the hall below, the other opened into the fresh air. Duan Xiuming stepped outside with the wine, sat down, and pulled the curtain halfway closed behind him to block out the banquet’s bright lights. The hotel was built within a wetland preserve—absolutely stunning natural scenery. It was Duan Xiuming’s first time in Xizi City, and the lush green urban forest outside deeply impressed him. Towering trees, ancient and eternal. Just as he was admiring one of the massive ginkgo trees in the distance— Creak— The suite door swung open. A cold voice followed. “I heard you can draw. Paint me the wedding.” Click. The door shut again. Duan Xiuming turned his head, brows lifting slightly as he looked toward—