The phone slipped from my hand and hit the carpet with a dull sound. Su Wanwan felt a chill all over. The bad news that her father had been taken away was intertwined with the threat of those ambiguous photos, almost suffocating her.
She mechanically picked up her mobile phone. Her mother was crying uncontrollably on the other end: "Wanwan, think of a way..." "Please, Mr. Lu, only he can save your father now..." "
"Mom, don't worry. I'll first get to know the situation." Su Wanwan forced herself to stay calm and end the call, but her fingers were trembling so much that she could hardly hold the phone.
The first person that came to her mind was Lu Tingchen. Glancing at the time, he should have gone to the company by now. Su Wanwan didn't have time to change her clothes and rushed towards the study in her pajamas.
She knocked on the door but got no answer. She pushed it open and found no one inside. On the desk, the documents I saw last night were still spread out, and beside them was an unfinished cup of coffee.
Su Wanwan hesitated for a moment and then dialed Lu Tingchen's number. The bell rang for a long time before it was picked up. From the other end came his calm voice: "What's up?"
"My father..." He was just taken away... Su Wanwan's voice trembled uncontrollably. "It's said to be suspected of economic crimes..."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, and then Lu Tingchen's voice remained steady: "I see." "
Just these three words? Su Wanwan's heart sank to the bottom: "Can you..." "
"I'm in a meeting. Let's talk later." " The call was hung up outright.
Su Wanwan froze on the spot, listening to the busy signal, feeling as if all her blood had turned icy cold. She should have known earlier. In his eyes, the trouble of the Su family was just an additional cost of the deal and not worth his extra effort.
Tears welled up uncontrollably and she slid down the carpet, burying her face in her knees. Helplessness and despair flooded her like a tide.
I don't know how much time had passed before my phone rang again. It's Su Qianqian.
Su Wanwan didn't want to answer, but the phone kept ringing stubbornly. She finally pressed the answer button, and immediately Su Qianqian's gloating voice came from the other end: "Have you heard?" Uncle Er has been caught! I just said the Su family was doomed! Can you still hold onto your position as Mrs. Lu?"
Su Wanwan took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. "If you called just to say this, then I'll hang up."
"Don't worry," Su Qianqian sneered. "I know a secret about why my second uncle was caught..." Would you like to listen?"
Su Wanwan clenched her phone tightly and asked, "What's the secret?"
"Please," Su Qianqian's voice was full of malice, "or..." In exchange for a cooperation opportunity from Mr. Lu? Sister Zhao Jing is really looking forward to collaborating with the Lu family."
So it's for this. Su Wanwan was heartbroken. Her family was in trouble, but her cousin was thinking about how to take the opportunity to make a profit.
"Impossible." She said coldly, "Even if Dad really made a mistake, he should be dealt with according to the law." "I won't make a deal with Lu Tingchen's interests." "
Su Qianqian sneered, "Stop pretending to be so aloof!" Don't forget, if it weren't for you marrying in, the Su family would have been ruined long ago! Now you're putting on AIRS?"
"Say whatever you like." Su Wanwan hung up the phone directly and blocked Su Qianqian's number.
For the next few hours, Su Wanwan paced around the suite like a walking corpse. She called familiar lawyers for consultation, but the responses she received were all not optimistic: if the evidence was conclusive, her father might face a severe sentence.
Outside the window, it began to rain at some point. The raindrops tapped on the glass, just like her chaotic heartbeat.
At three o 'clock in the afternoon, the doorbell rang. Su Wanwan opened the door in a daze and was surprised to see Qin Hao standing outside, holding a folder in his hand.
"Madam," Qin Hao nodded politely, "General Manager Lu asked me to deliver a document to you."
Su Wanwan took it blankly and asked, "What's this?" "
"Preliminary analysis report on your father's case and the response plan drafted by the Lu legal team." " Qin Hao said calmly, "General Manager Lu has already arranged for the best legal team in Jiangcheng to get involved in this matter. The initial judgment is that there is no major problem and it might just be cooperating with the investigation."
Su Wanwan opened the folder in disbelief. Inside were dense legal analyses and action plans, and she had even made an appointment with the person in charge of the relevant department.
"He..." Isn't he in a meeting? She murmured.
Qin Hao smiled slightly and said, "As soon as Mr. Lu received your call, he ended the meeting and began to arrange these matters." He is currently communicating the situation at the procuratorate. Let me inform you of the progress first so that you won't worry."
Su Wanwan's tears welled up again, but this time it was because of being moved and feeling guilty. She wrongly blamed him.
"Mr. Lu also asked me to tell you," Qin Hao continued, "he already knows about those photos and asked you not to worry. He will handle it." "
How did he know... Su Wanwan looked up in surprise.
"Mr. Lu rarely knows something," Qin Hao said meaningfully, "especially when it comes to you."
After seeing Qin Hao off, Su Wanwan held the document in her arms, feeling it weighed a thousand pounds. She sat on the sofa, reading page by page carefully, becoming more and more alarmed as she read. Lu Tingchen not only understood the situation but also formulated such a detailed response plan within just a few hours, and even predicted the possible development direction of the case.
As evening fell, the rain grew heavier and heavier. Su Wanwan stood by the window, gazing at the city blurred by the rain, her heart filled with a mixture of emotions.
Suddenly, a black car broke through the rain curtain, sped up and came to a steady stop at the hotel entrance. The car door opened and Lu Tingchen stepped out. His assistant hurriedly held an umbrella for him, but he waved his hand in refusal.
He strode into the hotel and his figure vanished from Su Wanwan's sight. A few minutes later, the door of the suite was pushed open.
Lu Tingchen stood at the door. His suit was soaked by the rain, his hair was disheveled and he looked unusually disheveled, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.
"Tingchen..." " Su Wanwan quickly stepped forward and said, "You're wet..."
"Your father should be able to come home tonight," he got straight to the point, his voice slightly hoarse from the rain. "It's not a big deal. It's mainly due to the company's financial irregularities. Paying the back taxes and fines can solve it." "
Su Wanwan froze on the spot, unable to believe her ears: "Really?" But Mom said..."
It's normal for her to be flustered as she doesn't know the situation. Lu Tingchen took off his soaked coat and said, "I've already arranged for someone to pick up your father. We'll be home soon."
Tears once again blurred Su Wanwan's vision, but this time they were tears of joy: "Thank you..." Thank you so much..."
Lu Tingchen looked at her, his eyes complex: "Why didn't you just come to me directly?" But sitting at home crying?"
Su Wanwan lowered her head: "I thought..." You don't care."
He sighed, took a step forward and gently lifted her chin: "Su Wanwan, listen." Our marriage might have started as a transaction, but since you are already Mrs. Lu, I will fulfill my duties as a husband. No matter what happens, I will always stand by your side. Understand?"
This was the first time he called her by her real name.
Su Wanwan opened her eyes wide in shock: "You..." When will you..."
"From the very beginning," Lu Tingchen raised the corners of his lips slightly, "did you think that botched dowry scene could deceive me?"
Su Wanwan's face turned red instantly: "Then why do you..."
"Why not say it out?" " He took over the conversation, "Because what interests me is you, not Su Mingwei."
This sentence exploded in Su Wanwan's heart like a bolt from the blue. She stared at him blankly, not knowing how to respond for a moment.
Lu Tingchen seemed to have realized what he had said as well. He cleared his throat and changed the subject: "Those photos were taken by someone sent by Zhao Jing. I've dealt with them." She won't cause you any more trouble.
It was only then that Su Wanwan recalled those ambiguous photos and asked, "How did you handle it?" "
I told her that if she targeted you again, all cooperation between the Zhao family and the Lu family would be immediately terminated. Lu Tingchen's tone was flat, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.
This means that for her sake, he was not reluctant to threaten important business partners. A warm current welled up in Su Wanwan's heart.
"Hurry up and change into dry clothes," she said softly, "or you'll catch a cold."
Lu Tingchen raised his eyebrows and said, "Mrs. Lu, are you caring about me?"
Su Wanwan blushed even more, but bravely met his gaze: "Yes, I'm caring about my husband. Can't I?" "
This sentence made the atmosphere between the two suddenly become ambiguous. Lu Tingchen looked at her deeply, his eyes flashing with an emotion that Su Wanwan couldn't understand.
In the end, he just nodded and said, "OK, I'll go change my clothes."
When he came out after taking a bath and changing his clothes, Su Wanwan had already made hot tea. The rain outside the window gradually subsided, and the room was warm and peaceful.
The two sat on the sofa, speechless for a moment. Su Wanwan secretly eyed Lu Tingchen beside her. He was dressed in a grey casual gown, less sharp than usual and more gentle.
"Why?" She suddenly asked.
Lu Tingchen turned his head to look at her and asked, "What? Why?"
"Why help me?" "Clearly, I could have used this to demand more benefits or simply ignored the mess of the Su family." " Su Wanwan looked straight into his eyes. "This isn't pure commercial behavior, is it?" "
Lu Tingchen was silent for a moment and then said slowly, "What if I say yes?"
Then I would thank you too, but not... Su Wanwan bit her lip and didn't continue.
"Nothing?" " He pressed on, his voice deep and low.
I won't have expectations of you that I shouldn't have. She said softly.
Lu Tingchen's gaze became profound. He reached out his hand and gently stroked her cheek. "Su Wanwan, are you always so straightforward?"
"I just don't want to deceive myself." " She felt the warmth of his fingertips and her heart raced.
"Then remember what I said today," he gazed into her eyes. "I'll stand by your side, not for a deal, but because I'm willing."
This sentence touched Su Wanwan's heart more than any other sweet words. Looking at his face that was so close at hand, she involuntarily leaned forward...
Just then, her mobile phone rang inappropriately. It was a video call request sent by my mother.
Su Wanwan hurriedly stepped back and connected the video. The mother's delighted face appeared on the screen: "Wanwan!" Your father is back! I'm really back! Thanks to Mr. Lu, you must thank him on our behalf!"
The camera pans and the father appears in the frame, looking slightly tired but unharmed: "Wanwan, thank you." Also... Thank you, Mr. Lu, too."
Su Wanwan smiled with relief, "It's good that you're fine."
After chatting for a few more words and ending the call, she noticed that Lu Tingchen was quietly looking at her.
They are very grateful to you. She said softly.
Lu Tingchen didn't take it seriously: "It's my duty." "
Outside the window, the rain has completely stopped. The night sky is as clear as if it had been washed, and a few stars are exceptionally bright.
Su Wanwan looked at the man beside her and suddenly felt a sense of security she had never experienced before. Perhaps, this marriage that began with a transaction is quietly transforming into something else.
And this time, she is willing to believe that this transformation is real.
"Tingchen," she called softly, "Will you come with me to visit my parents tomorrow?" They want to thank you in person.
Lu Tingchen was slightly surprised, but quickly nodded: "OK." "
A simple word, yet it made a warm flower bloom in Su Wanwan's heart.
It was late at night, but Lu Tingchen didn't go back to his study to work as usual. Instead, he continued sitting on the sofa, chatting with Su Wanwan in a desulfated manner.
They talked a lot, ranging from childhood anecdotes to college experiences, and even their vague visions for the future. Su Wanwan discovered that, stripped of the guise of a business emperor, Lu Tingchen actually had a sharp sense of humor and unique insights.
Lu Tingchen was also astonished by Su Wanwan's intelligence and agility. Unlike those socialites and rich girls he knew who only knew how to dress up and enjoy themselves, she had her own thoughts and pursuits about life.
The clock on the wall pointed to midnight. Su Wanwan leaned against the armrest of the sofa and fell asleep unconsciously. Lu Tingchen gently covered her with the blanket, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face, with a tenderness in his eyes that he himself had not even noticed.
He took out his mobile phone and dialed a number: "Qin Hao, I want all of Su Wanwan's information, from her birth until now..." Especially her relationship with Shen Zhe."
After hanging up the phone, his gaze once again fell on the sleeping Su Wanwan, and he muttered to himself softly, "No matter who you are, since you have come into my life, don't think about leaving easily."
The night after the rain is exceptionally peaceful, and the seeds of certain emotions are quietly taking root and sprouting in this tranquility.
(To be continued...)"