Su Wanwan sat in the spacious extended Lincoln, her fingers unconsciously twisting around the corner of her coat. Lu Tingchen beside her was intently looking at the stock market information on the tablet, completely acting as if she didn't exist.
It takes forty minutes to drive from the hotel to the Lu family's old residence. These forty minutes are simply torture for her.
She stole a glance at Lu Tingchen. Today, he changed into a dark grey haute couture suit, which made his figure look even more upright. The sickness of last night was nowhere to be seen, and he regained the cold and stern aura of a business emperor as before.
"Enough?" " Lu Tingchen suddenly spoke up, his eyes still fixed on the screen.
Su Wanwan was startled and hurriedly looked away: "I'm sorry..." "
"Remember," he finally put down his tablet, turned his head to look at her, his gaze sharp, "In the old house, you are Su Mingwei, the daughter of the Su family, my fiancee who fell in love with me at first sight." Don't give yourself away."
"I know what to do." " Su Wanwan straightened her back and tried to make herself look more confident.
Lu Tingchen snorted softly, seemingly not holding much hope for her promise: "Although the old man is ill, his eyes are very sharp." Speak less and smile more. If you can't answer a question, just look at me.
While they were talking, the car had already driven into a tree-lined avenue, at the end of which was a huge iron gate. The door slowly opened, and before her eyes came a vast manor that combined Chinese and Western styles, even more luxurious and magnificent than Su Wanwan had imagined.
She took a deep breath and felt like a little person who had intruded into the land of giants.
The car stopped in front of the main house, and the butler had been waiting for a long time. A vigorous old man with silvery hair came forward and respectfully opened the car door, saying, "Young Master, Young Madam, Master has been waiting for you."
Lu Tingchen got out of the car first and then unexpectedly reached out his hand to Su Wanwan. She was stunned for a moment before realizing that she was putting on a show for others. She quickly placed her hand in his palm.
His palm was wide and warm, completely enveloping her slightly cool fingers, giving her a strange sense of security. Su Wanwan's face felt slightly warm, forcing herself not to think too much.
Entering the hall, an elderly man in a wheelchair immediately caught Su Wanwan's attention. Although the illness made him look emaciated and weak, his eyes remained clear and sharp, just like Lu Tingchen's.
"Grandpa, here we come." Lu Tingchen's voice was unusually softer.
Old Master Lu nodded with a smile, his gaze falling on Su Wanwan: "This must be Mingwei, right?" It's even more beautiful than in the photo. Come over and let Grandpa have a good look."
Su Wanwan nervously stepped forward and, following the information she had already memorized, obediently called out, "Hello, Grandpa. I'm Mingwei." " But my heart was extremely empty.
The old man held her hand and examined her face carefully: "All right, good child." Tingchen, with his cold and indifferent nature, hasn't wronged you, has he?"
"Of course not, Tingchen..." "Very kind to me." " Su Wanwan forced herself to lie, feeling as if Lu Tingchen's gaze was pricking her back like a needle.
"That's good. If he dares to bully you, tell Grandpa and I'll teach him a lesson for you." The old man patted her hand and suddenly changed the subject, "I heard that you studied art in college?" Which school do you like best?"
Su Wanwan's heart gave a jolt. Su Mingwei did study art history abroad, but she herself knows nothing about it! She quickly searched her mind for the knowledge she had been catching up on temporarily, just as she was about to speak
"Grandpa," Lu Tingchen suddenly interjected, naturally walking over to Su Wanwan and putting his arm around her waist. "Mingwei was exhausted all day yesterday. Please don't test her." Besides, the topic of art never ends. You should take a break.
Su Wanwan's body stiffened slightly. She wasn't used to such intimate contact, but she had to lean towards him in cooperation, forcing a shy smile onto her face.
The old man burst into laughter: "So it's protected?" All right, all right. Grandpa won't ask anymore. It seems that my grandson has come to his senses."
Just then, a shrill voice came from the direction of the stairs: "Oh, this is the newly married wife?" Let's all take a good look."
Su Wanwan looked up and saw a middle-aged woman in splendid clothes coming down the stairs, followed by a young man and a young woman. She immediately recognized that this was Lu Tingchen's aunt, Lu Meilin, and her children. According to the records, this family has always been eyeing the Lu family greedily.
"Aunt." Lu Tingchen greeted her indifferently, but his arm was still protecting Su Wanwan's waist.
Lu Meilin walked up close and sized up Su Wanwan from top to bottom without any hesitation: "The daughter of the Su family is indeed charming and lively." I heard that you two got married in a flash? How long did you know each other before you got together?"
This question has a distinct provocative tone. Su Wanwan sensed that Lu Tingchen was about to speak and quietly pinched his hand to indicate that she could handle it.
She raised her head and gave a just-right shy smile: "Hello, Auntie." In fact, although Tingchen and I don't meet often, we have been in a spiritual connection for a long time. Some people, even after knowing each other for a lifetime, never develop a spark, while others, upon meeting just once, you know they are the right person.
She turned her head and gave Lu Tingchen a tender look, then continued, "When Tingchen proposed to me, I was also surprised, but more so, I felt happy." I believe Grandpa and Aunt can understand this predestined feeling, right?"
A few words not only explained the reason for the flash marriage but also ingeniously praised the old man's love in the past, leaving Lu Meilin unable to refute it for a moment.
The old man nodded in satisfaction as expected: "That's right!" Back then, Grandma Tingchen and I fell in love at first sight and have been together for a lifetime. "Great! It seems that our Lu family is about to produce another pair of immortal lovers." "
Lu Tingchen looked down at Su Wanwan, a barely perceptible trace of surprise flashing in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected her to handle the situation so appropriately.
At lunchtime, the whole family sat around a long table. The dishes were exquisite and diverse, but Su Wanwan ate with great care, always paying attention to table manners, fearing to disgrace Lu Tingchen.
"Mingwei, try this shrimp," Lu Meilin suddenly enthusiastically picked up a big shrimp and placed it on her plate. "This is Tingchen's favorite. You must know that too, right?" "
Su Wanwan's heart sank. She has no idea at all what Lu Tingchen likes to eat! It's not written in such detail in the materials!
She glanced at Lu Tingchen and saw that he was talking to his cousin. It seemed that he didn't notice the crisis here. Just as she was about to force herself to deal with it vaguely, she suddenly noticed the plate in front of Lu Tingchen - he did take a few shrimps, but didn't eat any of them. Instead, he finished the asparagus in the side dish.
In a flash of inspiration, Su Wanwan smiled and placed the shrimp on Lu Tingchen's plate: "Yes, so of course the best should be reserved for Tingchen." He has been working hard recently and it's time for him to catch up on his health.
Then she picked up a chopstick of asparagus herself and said, "I prefer this one. It's crispy and refreshing."
The table fell silent for a few seconds in an instant. Lu Meilin's expression turned a bit ugly, while the old man smiled with relief.
Lu Tingchen lowered his head to look at the shrimp on the plate, his eyes complex. Then, to everyone's surprise, he actually picked it up and ate it: "Thank you, Madam."
At this moment, Su Wanwan could clearly sense that his hand around her waist had tightened a little. It was no longer just a pure act, but seemed to have gained a bit more genuine warmth.
After lunch, the old man needed to rest and instructed Lu Tingchen to show Su Wan around the garden. The two walked side by side along the garden path, speechless for a moment.
"Just now..." Thank you very much." Su Wanwan broke the silence first, "If it weren't for your cooperation, I would have been exposed."
Lu Tingchen stopped and turned to face her, "How do you know I don't like eating shrimp?"
Su Wanwan blinked her eyes and said, "I observed it." You took the asparagus from your plate but didn't eat it. Instead, you finished it all. I guess you might prefer asparagus to shrimp?
He gazed at her, his eyes carrying a hint of re-examination: "The Su family has indeed taught you quite a few useful skills." "
Su Wanwan could only smile and remain silent, not knowing whether this was a compliment or a criticism.
As she was walking, she was suddenly attracted by a sea of blue flowers: "Is this blue snowflake?" This season is actually blooming so well!"
"Do you know flowers?" Lu Tingchen was somewhat surprised. According to his investigation, Su Mingwei is an urban girl who knows nothing about gardening.
Su Wanwan suddenly realized that she had spoken out of the blue. It is she herself who likes plants, not her elder sister Mingwei. She hurriedly made up for it: "Ah, I just happened to see it in a magazine..." It's just very beautiful."
Lu Tingchen didn't press any further, but there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes.
After visiting the garden and returning to the main house, the old man had already woken up and called Su Wanwan alone to the study for a talk. Lu Tingchen wanted to follow in, but was stopped by the old man: "Let's have a heart-to-heart talk. You wait outside." "
The study door closed, and Su Wanwan's heart leapt into her throat.
The old man motioned for her to sit down. His kind smile remained the same, but his gaze became sharp: "Mingwei, it's just the two of us here. Tell Grandpa the truth - are you really willing for this marriage?" "
Su Wanwan's fingers trembled slightly. She forced herself to calm down and said, "Of course I'm willing. Why did Grandpa ask like this?"
The old man let out a long sigh and said, "Although I'm old, I'm not confused." That kid Tingchen, because of some past events, is very resistant to love and marriage. It's not unusual for you to suddenly propose a marriage alliance with someone you've never met before."
He looked straight into Su Wanwan's eyes and said, "Tell me, is there something hidden?" Did he force you? Or... Did the Su family force you?"
Su Wanwan felt a cold sweat break out on her back. The old man is indeed not as easy to deceive as he seems on the surface. She took a deep breath and decided to deal with it half-heartedly.
"Grandpa, you're overthinking it." " She lowered her eyelids and pretended to be shy. "Actually..." In fact, it was I who developed a favorable impression of Tingchen first. At a business dinner party, I saw him from a distance and... Later, I heard that the Lu family was considering a marriage alliance, so I took the initiative to ask my father that I was willing to marry into them.
She raised her head and tried to make her eyes look sincere: "I know Tingchen may not have fully accepted me yet, but I believe that sincerity can move even the hardest of hearts." Grandpa, please give me time and also give us a chance."
The old man stared at her for a long time and finally nodded slowly, "Alright, since you say so, Grandpa will believe you." Tingchen, that child, has suffered too much and needs a sincere person to warm him up. I can tell that you are a good kid.
He took out a brocade box from the drawer. When he opened it, he found a pair of crystal-clear jade bracelets. "This was left by Grandma Tingchen. She said she would pass it on to her granddaughter-in-law." Today, Grandpa will hand it over to you."
Su Wanwan hurriedly declined, "This is too expensive. I can't..."
"Take it," the old man insisted. "I just hope you remember what you said today and never let Tingchen down."
A wave of guilt welled up in Su Wanwan's heart. The old man's sincerity and expectations made her feel extremely ashamed. She solemnly took the bracelet, feeling it weighed a thousand pounds.
When she walked out of the study, her mood was extremely complicated. Lu Tingchen was waiting outside the door. Seeing the bracelet in her hand, his eyes flicker slightly: "Did Grandpa give it to you?"
Su Wanyan nodded, not knowing what to say.
On the way back, the two of them were silent all the way. Su Wanwan gazed out of the window at the fleeting scenery, lost in thought of the old man's instructions and her own deceptive behavior, her mind in a complete mess.
Just as they were approaching the hotel, Lu Tingchen suddenly spoke up, "You did well today."
This was his first positive evaluation of her. Su Wanwan turned her head to look at him in surprise.
"However," his tone turned cold, "remember this is just a deal." "Keep Grandpa's gift for now. You'll take it back when we get divorced." "
This sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, instantly awakening Su Wanwan.
Yes, what is she daydreaming about? This is just a show. When the show ends, people will part ways. She's just an extra and shouldn't get too deeply involved in the role.
"I know." " She responded in a low voice, carefully putting away the bracelet and also putting away that little unnecessary fluttering.
The car stopped in front of the hotel when Lu Tingchen's mobile phone suddenly rang. He picked up the phone, his expression suddenly turning solemn: "When did it happen?" ... Ok. I'll be there right away.
After hanging up the phone, he said to Su Wanwan, "I have something urgent to deal with. You go up by yourself." Having said that, he instructed the driver to turn around and leave.
Su Wanwan stood alone in front of the hotel, looking at the receding taillights of cars, and suddenly felt an indescribable sense of loss.
Back in the top-floor suite, the empty room was particularly desolate. She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the bustling night view of the river city, and unconsciously gently stroked the bracelet that did not exist on her wrist.
At this moment, she clearly realized that the longer she stayed in this golden cage, the more complicated things would become. The most dangerous thing was that she seemed to start caring about the man who was supposed to be just a contractual husband.
The phone vibrated. It was another text message from my mother: "Wanwan, has Mr. Lu agreed to invest?" The company is on the verge of collapse. You should step up your efforts!
Su Wanwan closed her eyes and felt an unprecedented exhaustion.
She must keep on performing this play until the day of her curtain call. It was just that she wasn't sure if she could still get out unscathed by then.
Outside the window, the night of Jiangcheng was ablaze with lights, yet it failed to illuminate the confusion in her heart.
(To be continued...)"