The Cage

Ye Sangning,

a refined and gracious beauty of the capital,

was unexpectedly caught up in the case surrounding her fiancé's death.

While praying for blessings at Yunding Temple, she happened to meet Xie Mingyu, the newly appointed deputy minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

One was deliberately concealing her abilities; the other was deliberately playing along.

Just as she suspected, he had come for her that day on purpose.

But to uncover the truth and keep their relationship strictly business, she had no choice but to agree to his request that they investigate the case together.

"Once the case is solved, we go our separate ways."

He agreed readily, and they even drew up a contract.

But when Ye Sangning saw Xie Mingyu waving the contract in front of her long after the case had been solved, she rubbed her forehead.

"Fine. This is actually pretty nice."

Xie Mingyu,

a victorious general who had never lost a battle,

for some reason left his hometown and came to the capital to serve as deputy minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

On his way to take up the post, he couldn't say what prompted him to meet the suspect in the case he was taking over.

As they played chess, he became interested in her when he saw how recklessly she played, as if she didn't care whether she lived or died.

Later, her name was cleared, but the case still needed her help. After he pressured and enticed her, she finally agreed.

To put her at ease, he even thoughtfully prepared a contract.

And he used that piece of paper as an excuse to linger by her side for a long time.

Later,

Ye Sangning's supposedly gentle and demure facade was thoroughly exposed,

and Xie Mingyu's outwardly refined and courteous mask was ripped away completely.

One day,

when she saw Xie Mingyu sidling up to her as usual,

for reasons she couldn't explain, she grabbed his collar and kissed him.

Xie Mingyu froze for a moment, then chuckled. "Are you taking responsibility this time, Miss Ye?"

"I am."

At Ye Sangning's words, Xie Mingyu pressed a hand to the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

Later on,

the contract became a marriage certificate,

and he really did stay by her side for the rest of his life.

Theme: Be brave enough to be yourself