On the way back from the medical center, the atmosphere inside the car was a bit subtle. Su Wanwan was still digesting the impact of Lu Tingchen's illness, while he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts as well.
"Well..." Do you remember what the doctor said about taking medicine on time? Su Wanwan tentatively asked, breaking the silence.
Lu Tingchen glanced at her and said in a flat tone, "You don't need to worry about my affairs."
It's like this again. Whenever she tried to get close, he would immediately build a high wall. Su Wanwan looked out of the window dejectedly and said no more.
Back at the hotel, the front desk manager respectfully came up and said, "Mr. Lu, Madam, I have your package."
It was an exquisite gift box, and the sender's name was simply written as "Zhao". Su Wanwan's heart gave a jolt and she had an ominous premonition.
Back in the suite, she opened the gift box, which contained an extremely sexy red evening dress and a card: "Tomorrow night at the Zhao family dinner, looking forward to the presence of Mr. Lu and his wife." - Zhao Jing
Su Wanwan held the card tightly, her fingertips turning pale. This was clearly a warning shot. Zhao Jing was declaring war on her.
What's wrong? Lu Tingchen walked over and frowned slightly upon seeing the dress. "Was it from the Zhao family?"
Su Wanwan nodded. "Must we go to the banquet tomorrow night?"
The Zhao family is an important business partner. It wouldn't be appropriate not to go. Lu Tingchen picked up the dress and took a look, his tone slightly sarcastic, "The taste is still as vulgar as ever."
He casually threw the dress back into the box and said, "There's no need to wear this. I'll have someone prepare it again."
This sentence made Su Wanwan feel a little more at ease for no reason. At least, he didn't expect her to attend the banquet in that almost humiliating dress.
The next evening, Lu Tingchen's styling team came to visit again. This time, she prepared an elegant dark green long dress, which was neither too polite nor overly flamboyant, perfectly highlighting Su Wanwan's temperament.
It suits you very well. When Lu Tingchen saw her dressed up, he rarely praised her.
Su Wanwan blushed slightly: "Thank you." "
The Zhao family's banquet was held in their own mansion, and its grandeur was no less than that of previous commercial cocktail parties. As soon as she got off the vehicle, Su Wanwan felt countless gazes focused on her, with curiosity, scrutiny, and undisguised hostility.
Zhao Jing came forward, dressed in a fiery red long dress, looking strikingly beautiful. Seeing Su Wanwan's outfit, a trace of displeasure flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly concealed.
"Tingchen, Wanwan, it's so great that you guys could come." " She affectionately held onto Su Wanwan's arm, but the force was so strong that it hurt. "I'll take Wanwan to meet a few friends. Tingchen, do you mind?"
Lu Tingchen was just about to speak when he was surrounded by several business tycoons. He glanced at Su Wanwan and signaled her with his eyes to be careful.
Zhao Jing led Su Wanwan to a group of socialites, all of whom were Zhao Jing's best friends. Each of them was dressed in splendid clothes, but their eyes were as sharp as knives.
"Sisters, this is Tingchen's new wife, Su Mingwei." " Zhao Jing deliberately stressed the words "newlywed", which triggered a meaningful burst of laughter.
"Miss Su is really a brilliant move. She got Mr. Lu so quickly." " A woman in a golden dress sneered, "I heard you got married in a flash?" Could it be... "Got it?" "
Everyone covered their mouths and chuckled, their eyes lingering on Su Ningning's abdomen with ill intentions.
Su Wanwan kept smiling and said calmly, "Miss Li, you're joking." When it comes to matters of the heart, sometimes it's just predestined and has nothing to do with the length of time.
"Predestined?" Zhao Jing chuckled softly, "How did I hear that it was the Su family that urgently needed funds for turnover, so they hurriedly married their daughter here?" "
This sentence hit the nail on the head. Instantly, the surroundings fell silent, and everyone was waiting to see how Su Wanwan would respond.
Su Wanwan's heart was beating faster, but she remained calm on her face: "Miss Zhao is really well-informed." But aren't business alliances quite common in our circle? What matters is the result, not the process. What do you think?
She skillfully threw the question back, hinting that Zhao Jing had also been one of the candidates for the marriage alliance, but failed.
Zhao Jing's expression changed slightly. Just as she was about to retort, a gentle male voice chimed in: "Wanwan?" Is it really you?
Su Wanwan turned her head and froze instantly when she saw the person coming - Shen Zhe, her senior from university and the one she had once had a crush on.
More importantly, Shen Zhe got to know the real Su Mingwei.
"Senior Shen?" " She forced herself to stay calm. "What a coincidence! You're here too."
Shen Zhe's eyes were filled with surprise and confusion: "Mingwei?" Didn't you study art in France? When did you come back? And..."
He still had no idea that "Su Mingwei" was married, nor did he know that the person in front of him was not Su Mingwei at all.
Zhao Jing keenly sensed something was amiss and narrowed her eyes slightly: "Does Young Master Shen know Wanwan?" "
"We were college classmates," Shen Zhe explained, still looking at Su Wanwan in confusion. "Mingwei, what on earth is going on?" How did you become Mrs. Lu?
Su Wanwan's mind was racing. She had to get out of this situation as soon as possible: "It's a long story, senior. Let's talk another day. My husband is waiting for me." "
She deliberately emphasized the word "husband", hoping that Shen Zhe would back off in the face of difficulties.
However, Zhao Jing was not going to let this opportunity slip away: "Since we are all old friends, why wait another day?" Let's just chat now. I'm also very curious about how Mingwei got to know Mr. Lu."
Shen Zhe nodded in agreement: "Yes, I've never heard you mention it at all." The last time we got in touch, you were still complaining that the coffee in Paris wasn't good to drink.
Su Wanwan broke out in a cold sweat on her back. She has no idea at all about the details of Su Mingwei's life in France!
Just as she was at a loss, Lu Tingchen's voice rang out like a celestial melody: "Wanwan, so you're here." "
He walked up to her naturally, put his arm around her waist and swept his gaze over Shen Zhe: "Who is this?" "
This is Shen Zhe, my senior from university. Su Wanwan hurriedly introduced and secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
Lu Tingchen shook hands with Shen Zhe, his attitude polite but distant: "I often hear Wanwan mention you, saying that you took good care of her in college." "
Su Wanwan looked at Lu Tingchen in surprise. How could he know Shen Zhe? And you even helped her smooth things over?
Shen Zhe seemed convinced and smiled, saying, "So that's it." Mingwei often mentions me, doesn't she? What an honor!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lu Tingchen made an excuse to take Su Wanwan to meet other guests, thus rescuing her from her predicament.
When she reached a place where no one was around, Su Wanwan whispered her thanks, "Thank you just now."
Lu Tingchen looked down at her, his gaze profound: "You never mentioned having a senior from university." "
Su Wanwan's heart tightened and she didn't know how to explain.
Just then, her phone vibrated and she received a text message from an unknown number: "I know you're not Su Mingwei." See you in the garden after the banquet. Otherwise, everyone will know tomorrow that Mrs. Lu is a fake. -- Shen Zhe
Su Wanwan's face turned pale instantly and she almost dropped her phone.
What's wrong? Lu Tingchen keenly sensed her abnormality.
"Nothing, nothing," she hurriedly put away her phone. "It might be spam."
Lu Tingchen clearly didn't believe it, but he didn't ask any further questions.
For the rest of the time, Su Wanwan felt extremely uneasy. Shen Zhe's gaze followed him like a shadow, and Zhao Jing would also cast inquiring glances from time to time. She felt like a flying insect trapped in a spider web, and struggling would only make the restraint tighter.
Halfway through the banquet, Su Wanwan made an excuse to touch up her makeup and walked nervously towards the garden.
Shen Zhe was already waiting there, his expression serious: "You're not Mingwei, are you?" Who on earth are you?
At this point, Su Wanwan knew she couldn't hide it any longer and said with a wry smile, "I'm Su Wanwan, Mingwei's younger sister."
Shen Zhe's eyes widened in shock: "What on earth is going on here?" Where's Mingwei?"
"She..." She didn't want to accept a family marriage alliance, so she ran away from it. Su Wanwan explained in a low voice, "For the sake of the family, I can only take her place and marry here." Senior Shen, please don't tell anyone. Otherwise, both the Su family and the Lu family will..."
Shen Zhe looked at her with a complicated expression: "Do you know how dangerous it is to do this?" Who is Lu Tingchen? If he finds out...
"I know," Su Wanwan interrupted him, "but there was no other choice at that time." "Senior, considering the past friendship, please keep this secret." "
Shen Zhe was silent for a long time and finally sighed, "Wanwan, you haven't changed at all. You're still that silly girl who would sacrifice herself for her family."
When he was in college, he knew that Su Wanwan was in a difficult situation at home and always silently took on everything.
"I'll keep it a secret for you," he said at last, "but not unconditionally."
Su Wanwan's heart tightened again: "What conditions?" "
"I want to know where Mingwei is," Shen Zhe's eyes softened. "I've always..." I care about her very much."
Su Wanwan suddenly understood. It turned out that Shen Zhe had always liked Su Mingwei. No wonder he recognized himself as a fake so quickly.
"She's fine, with someone she loves," Su Wanwan said softly. "I can't tell you exactly where. This is my promise to my elder sister." "
Disappointment flashed in Shen Zhe's eyes, but he nodded: "I understand." As long as she is happy, that's all that matters.
Just then, Zhao Jing's voice came from not far away: "Hey, aren't these Young Master Shen and Mrs. Lu?" How can I chat alone here?"
Both of them were startled. Zhao Jing walked over gracefully, with a seemingly friendly but actually dangerous smile on her face: "Is there any whisper I can't listen to?" "
Su Wanwan was at a loss as to how to respond when Lu Tingchen's voice rang out coldly, "So you two are here."
He walked over, his gaze sweeping over Shen Zhe like a knife, and finally landed on Su Wanwan: "It's time to go back." "
Zhao Jingjiao smiled and said, "Tingchen, don't misunderstand. I just happened to see Wanwan and Young Master Shen chatting happily here and came to say hello." "
This statement is clearly hinting at something. Lu Tingchen's expression turned even colder. He directly took Su Wanwan's hand and said, "Farewell." "
On the way back, the atmosphere dropped to freezing point. Lu Tingchen remained silent, his profile tense.
Su Wanwan was very uneasy, not knowing whether he had heard something or how much.
"Well..." Shen Zhe is just..." She tried to explain but didn't know where to start.
"No need to explain," Lu Tingchen interrupted coldly. "We are just in a transactional relationship. It's your freedom to associate with anyone, as long as it doesn't damage the reputation of the Lu family."
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over my heart. Su Wanwan bit her lip and said no more.
Yes, it's just a transactional relationship. So what is she expecting?
Back at the hotel, Lu Tingchen walked straight to the study but stopped at the door, turning his back to her and saying, "Zhao Jing is not a good person. Stay away from her."
The door closed gently, leaving Su Wanwan standing alone in the living room, her heart filled with a mixture of emotions.
That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Shen Zhe's discovery was like a time bomb, and Lu Tingchen's indifference made her heart even colder.
In the early hours of the morning, she got up thirsty to drink water. As she passed through the study, she noticed a light seeping through the crack of the door.
By some strange twist of fate, she gently pushed the door open. Lu Tingchen was fast asleep on his desk, his computer screen still on, with an empty coffee cup and a medicine bottle placed beside him.
He looked tired and vulnerable, his brows still furrowed tightly even in his sleep.
Su Wanwan approached softly, picked up the blanket beside her and carefully covered him with it. Just then, she noticed that on the computer screen was a financial analysis report of the Su Group, with various revision suggestions densely marked on it.
Has he been busy with the Su family's affairs all along?
Su Wanwan's heart suddenly softened. This man always pretends to be indifferent, but inadvertently reveals his tenderness.
She quietly withdrew from the study, not noticing a complex emotion flashing in Lu Tingchen's slowly opened eyes behind her.
The next morning, Su Wanwan was woken up by the doorbell. The butler didn't deliver breakfast but an anonymous express delivery.
Opening the package, there was a stack of photos inside - all of them were scenes of her and Shen Zhe chatting in the garden last night. The angles were tricky and looked very ambiguous.
There is a line of words written on the back of the last photo:
Leave Lu Tingchen away, or these photos will appear in all the media. - A kind-hearted person
Su Wanwan's hands began to tremble. Is it Zhao Jing? Still Su Qianqian? Or someone else?
Just then, her mobile phone rang, and the word "mother" was jumping on the screen.
Picking up the phone, a crying voice came from the other end: "Wanwan, something's wrong!" Your father has been taken away! It is said to be suspected of economic crimes! What should I do..."
Su Wanwan's vision went black. She held onto the wall to avoid falling down.
Crises are coming from all directions. And she had nowhere to run.
(To be continued...)"