The next morning, Su Wanwan was awakened by a series of urgent ringtones of her mobile phone.
She drowsily reached for her phone. The two characters "Mom" on the screen instantly woke her up. When I picked up the phone, I immediately heard Su's mother's anxious voice on the other end:
"Wanwan, how are you?" Has Mr. Lu agreed to invest? Your father didn't sleep at all last night. The company's accounts are completely empty and there's no more capital injection. It's going to declare bankruptcy next week!
Su Wanwan sat up and rubbed her temples. "Mom, I've only been married for a day. How could I bring up such a thing right away..."
"One day?" Isn't one day enough? Su's mother's voice suddenly rose, "Su Wanwan, don't forget what you're going to do!" If it weren't for Mingwei leaving, would such a good thing be your turn? Now the fate of the entire family is in your hands. Is this your attitude?
"Good thing?" " Su Wanwan couldn't help but smile wryly. In her view, this was more like a transactional imprisonment.
"I don't care what you think. I must bring up the matter of capital injection with Mr. Lu today!" " Mother Su spoke in a firm tone, "Otherwise, you'll just be waiting to see your father go to prison!" "
The call was abruptly hung up. Su Wanwan held the mobile phone, feeling a wave of weakness. She knew she had no choice.
After washing up, she hesitated about how to speak to Lu Tingchen. However, at breakfast time, the butler informed Mr. Lu that he had gone to the company early in the morning for an important meeting.
After having breakfast alone, Su Wanwan decided to go to the Lu Group to look for him. For such matters, it's hard to explain them over the phone. It's better to talk to them face to face.
She asked the hotel to arrange a vehicle. Half an hour later, she stood in front of the headquarters building of the Lu Group. Looking up, the towering glass curtain wall sparkles in the sunlight, presenting a magnificent and imposing scene, just like its owner.
Entering the revolving door, the interior decoration is extremely luxurious. The marble floor is so shiny that it reflects people. On the wall behind the front desk, the four gilded characters "Lu's Group" are extremely imposing.
Hello, I'm looking for Mr. Lu Tingchen. Su Wanwan walked to the front desk, trying her best to look calm and composed.
The receptionist raised her head and smiled professionally, "May I ask if you have a reservation?"
"No, but I am..." Su Wanwan paused for a moment, not sure what identity to introduce herself to. "I'm his family member. I have something urgent."
The receptionist sized up her slightly simple outfit, a barely perceptible trace of contempt flashing in her eyes: "Sorry, I can't see Mr. Lu without an appointment." You can leave your name and contact information and I'll help you make an appointment.
Just as Su Wanwan was at a loss, a familiar voice came from behind her: "Madam?" Why are you here?
She turned around and saw Qin Hao walking over with a stack of documents in his hand, his face showing just the right amount of surprise.
"Assistant Qin," the receptionist hurriedly stood up, "This lady said she is a family member of Mr. Lu..."
"This is Mr. Lu's wife," Qin Hao introduced to the front desk, his tone flat but with an unshakable authority. "From now on, when the wife comes, just ask her to go up to the top floor. No appointment is needed." "
The receptionist's face turned deathly pale at once and she kept apologizing, "I'm sorry, madam. I didn't know it was you..."
"It doesn't matter. You're also following the rules." " Su Wanwan smiled gently and didn't want to make things difficult for her.
Qin Hao led Su Wanwan to the exclusive elevator. After swiping the card, he pressed the top floor button: "Mr. Lu is in a meeting. It will end in about half an hour." You can wait for a moment in his office.
The elevator rose at a constant speed. Su Wanwan couldn't help but look at Qin Hao beside her. He was in his early thirties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and looking refined and capable. He was Lu Tingchen's most reliable assistant.
"Madam, have you come today for any special reason?" " Qin Hao asked casually.
Su Wanwan hesitated for a moment and decided to tell the truth: "Regarding the matter of the Su family's investment..." The family is in a hurry."
Qin Hao nodded and asked no more questions, but there was a hint of understanding in his eyes.
When the elevator reaches the top floor and the door opens, a luxurious office area comparable to that of a five-star hotel comes into view. The spacious area is decorated with modern art, and the panoramic floor-to-ceiling Windows offer a breathtaking skyline of the riverside city.
When several secretaries saw Qin Hao appear with a strange woman, they all cast curious glances.
"This is Mr. Lu's wife," Qin Hao introduced. "She will come often in the future."
The secretaries immediately stood up to greet them, their attitudes respectful, but Su Wanwan could sense their scrutinizing gazes, as if they were assessing the weight of this suddenly emerging "Mrs. Lu".
Qin Hao led Su Wanwan into Lu Tingchen's office. The style here is in line with that of the outer room, simple yet luxurious. Documents and a laptop are neatly placed on the huge desk. The entire wall on the side is bookshelf, and on the other side is the invincible city view.
"Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink?" " Qin Hao asked.
"Don't bother. Thank you." " Su Wanwan sat down on the sofa in the reception area, looking a bit reserved.
After Qin Hao left the office, she looked around the space all by herself. Here, everywhere exudes the air of Lu Tingchen - rigorous, efficient and inviolable. She could almost imagine him sitting here, making strategic plans.
The waiting time was longer than imagined. Su Wanwan didn't dare to move around and could only sit upright. Her eyes happened to catch a glimpse of a photo frame on the desk, inside which was the young Mr. Lu and a handsome young man - it should be the young Lu Tingchen. In the photo, he is smiling brightly, a completely different person from his current stern appearance.
What has turned a once smiling teenager into a now indifferent business tycoon? Su Wanwan couldn't help but be curious.
Just as she was lost in thought, the office door was suddenly pushed open. Lu Tingchen strode in, followed by Qin Hao and several senior executives, seemingly still discussing something.
The moment he saw Su Wanwan, he suddenly stopped and frowned: "Why are you here?" "
Several senior executives looked at each other in bewilderment and tactfully withdrew. Qin Hao gently closed the door, leaving only the two of them inside.
Su Wanwan stood up, clutching the corner of her dress a little nervously: "Sorry to disturb your work, but I have something urgent..." "
Lu Tingchen walked to the back of the desk and sat down, rubbing his temples and looking a bit tired. "If it's about the Su family's investment, I don't have time to discuss it now."
"But..." Su Wanwan rushed forward urgently, "My father's company really can't hold on. If we can't inject capital in time, he will go bankrupt and might even face criminal responsibility!"
Lu Tingchen raised his eyes to look at her, his gaze calm and almost cruel: "So?" What does this have to do with me?
Su Wanwan froze on the spot, not expecting him to reject her so directly: "But we're married..." I thought...
"Think that a marriage alliance means unconditional financial support?" " Lu Tingchen sneered, "Miss Su, do you have any misunderstanding about business marriages?" "
He stood up and walked up to her, looking down from above: "Marriage is a transaction, but a transaction requires chips." What did the Su family give me? A temporary substitute bride? Have you calculated how much this investment is worth?"
His words were like a slap in the face, making Su Wanwan's face burn hot. Although this was the truth, being said so straightforwardly still made her extremely embarrassed.
"I..." " She opened her mouth but had no way to refute it.
Just then, Lu Tingchen's expression suddenly changed. He clutched his chest and staggered a step, his breathing becoming rapid.
What's wrong with you? Su Wanwan hurriedly stepped forward to support him, "Where is the medicine?" "
Lu Tingchen pointed at the drawer of his desk. Su Wanwan quickly found the medicine bottle, poured out two pills and handed them to him, then filled it with a glass of water.
After swallowing the medicine, Lu Tingchen leaned against the table, panting, with fine cold sweat oozing from his forehead. Su Wanwan helped him sit down on the sofa and asked worriedly, "Should we call a doctor?"
"No need..." He closed his eyes and rested for a while. His expression gradually returned to normal. "It's an old problem."
Looking at his weak appearance, Su Wanwan suddenly realized that this seemingly all-powerful man actually had a vulnerable side as well. And at this moment, he allowed her to see this side.
The room fell silent. After a long while, Lu Tingchen suddenly spoke up, "I've already had someone investigate the financial situation of the Su Group."
Su Wanwan looked at him in surprise.
"It's even worse than you know," he continued. "Not only has the capital chain broken, but there are also a large amount of hidden debts and illegal guarantees." Simple capital injection is just throwing money into a bottomless pit."
Su Wanwan's heart sank to the bottom. So, is the Su family really beyond saving?
"But," Lu Tingchen changed the subject, "Considering what you just said... For the sake of being sensible, I can consider offering help."
Hope was reignited. Su Wanwan asked anxiously, "Really?" What conditions?"
Lu Tingchen stood up and resumed his usual calm posture: "First, the Su family must undergo a comprehensive audit and reorganization by the Lu family." Second, when the management rights are transferred, your father can only retain his honorary position and has no real power. Third..."
He paused for a moment and looked at her sharply, "You must do your duty as Mrs. Lu, especially in front of the old man." If there is another case of acting without authorization like last night, the agreement will be null and void.
This condition is harsh, but it is already the only lifeline for the Su family. Su Wanwan had no choice but to say, "I agree."
Lu Tingchen seemed satisfied with her answer and pressed the internal call: "Qin Hao, prepare the reorganization plan for the Su family. I want to see the first draft this afternoon." "
After hanging up the phone, he looked at Su Wanwan and said, "Now, you can go back."
Su Wanwan nodded, turned and walked towards the door, but then stopped and said softly, "That..." Take care of yourself and don't overwork yourself.
Having said that, she quickly left the office, not noticing the complex emotions that flashed in Lu Tingchen's eyes behind her.
When taking the elevator downstairs, Su Wanwan was in a complicated mood. The matter of the capital injection finally made some progress, but Lu Tingchen's attitude made her realize that in his eyes, she was just a commodity, and perhaps even worse than Su Mingwei - at least Su Mingwei was a legitimate marriage partner.
Stepping out of the Lu Family Building, the sunlight stung her eyes. She raised her hand to shield herself from the sun, but failed to notice that across the road, a man wearing a baseball cap was pointing a telephoto lens at her and pressing the shutter continuously.
On the way back to the hotel, Su Wanwan was constantly restless. Lu Tingchen's illness seems more serious than imagined, and his attitude towards his own health is even more worrying.
Although he was cold and harsh to herself, Su Wanwan couldn't turn a blind eye to the pain of others. This is what my mother often says about her shortcoming - she is too soft-hearted and prone to empathy, even towards those who are not worth it.
Back in the top-floor suite, Su Wanwan unexpectedly found several more gift boxes in the living room. The butler respectfully explained, "Madam, these are the clothes and accessories that General Manager Lu ordered to be sent here. He said they are for you to purchase."
Open the box and you'll find the latest luxury brand clothing, shoes, bags and jewelry of the season, all of which are quite valuable. Attached was a simple card with printed words on it: "Mrs. Lu should have the corresponding outfit."
What's this? Slap me and give me a sweet jujube? Or is it merely to maintain a superficial glamour?
Su Wanwan gave a wry smile and pushed the box aside. These splendid clothes and fine accessories do not belong to her, just as this identity does not belong to her.
The phone rang again. It was still my mother. Su Wanwan took a deep breath and picked up the phone: "Mom, there's progress on the capital injection matter, but the Lu family has the conditions..." "
She briefly explained Lu Tingchen's request. There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, and then came the voice of her father picking up the phone: "Wanwan, agree to him!" I'll agree to any condition! The company is saved!"
Father's voice trembled with excitement, completely different from the previous despair. Su Wanwan felt no joy at all in her heart, only deep exhaustion.
After hanging up the phone, she walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down at the city beneath her feet. At this height, everything seems insignificant and unreal.
She recalled her childhood when her father had not yet expanded the company. The family lived in an ordinary apartment, which was not rich but warm and happy. Since when have money and status become the only important things? Even at the cost of sacrificing her daughter's happiness?
The corners of her eyes were a little moist. Su Wanwan quickly wiped away those uncooperative tears.
Since you have chosen this path, there is no turning back. The only thing she could do was to hold onto her true self in this transaction and not be swallowed up by this flashy world.
In the evening, Lu Tingchen came back unexpectedly. Seeing the untouched gift box, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Not satisfied?"
"No," Su Wanwan shook her head. "It's too expensive. I don't think it's necessary..."
"It's necessary," he interrupted her. "There's a business cocktail party tomorrow night. As Mrs. Lu, you must attend." These are necessary equipment."
A cocktail party? Su Wanwan's heart tightened. This means that she will make her first public appearance as Mrs. Lu and be subject to everyone's scrutiny.
What's wrong? Lu Tingchen sensed her unease. "The daughter of the Su family can't have never even attended such an occasion, can she?" "
"Of course I did," Su Wanwan said hurriedly, "but..." I'm a little nervous."
Lu Tingchen took a few steps closer, lifted her chin and examined her face: "Remember, from now on, you are Su Mingwei, Lu Tingchen's wife." Don't let me down.
His fingertips were warm, but the touch made Su Wanwan shiver.
"I know what to do." " She replied softly, trying hard not to let her voice tremble.
Lu Tingchen seemed satisfied and let go of his hand, saying, "I'll come back to pick you up at six tomorrow evening." Get ready."
He turned and walked towards the study, but then stopped, with his back to her and said, "By the way, the old man might be there."
The door closed gently, leaving Su Wanwan standing alone in the center of the living room, feeling as if the carpet beneath her feet had turned into thin ice.
Tomorrow's cocktail party is not merely a social event; it is also her first public assessment of the role of Mrs. Lu. And the audience will be the upper class of the entire Jiangcheng, as well as Mr. Lu, who is most concerned about this marriage.
She walked up to the gift box, gently stroking the exquisite clothes, a trace of determination flashing in her eyes.
Since there is no other choice, we can only rise to the challenge. Su Wanwan, no. From tonight on, she will be Su Mingwei.
At least in front of outsiders, it must be so.
(To be continued...)"