The next morning, Su Wanwan woke up on the sofa, covered with a soft blanket. Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, and there seemed to still be a hint of the cedar fragrance that Lu Tingchen often used lingering in the air.
She sat up, recalling last night's conversation and that almost kissing moment, and her face couldn't help but heat up. All of this is so beautiful that it doesn't seem real.
The bedroom door opened gently. Lu Tingchen was already dressed neatly and looked energetic, showing no sign of his disheveled appearance from the rain last night.
"Awake?" " His voice was calm, as if the person who had been chatting gently last night wasn't him. "We'll set off for the Su family in an hour."
Su Wanwan felt a bit down, but quickly pulled herself together: "OK, I'll get ready right away." "
An hour later, they set off on time. In the car, Lu Tingchen was concentrating on the files on his tablet, while Su Wanwan looked out of the window, feeling uneasy. This was the first time she had returned to her parents' home as "Mrs. Lu", and it was with her nominal husband.
When they arrived at the Su family's villa, Su's parents had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Lu Tingchen, Su's father excitedly stepped forward and held his hand, saying, "Mr. Lu, thank you so much this time!" Without you, I really don't know what would happen...
Mother Su also echoed her agreement repeatedly, her attitude almost fawning. Su Wanwan stood aside, feeling rather uncomfortable. She understood that her parents' gratitude was sincere, but this humble attitude made her feel bad.
Lu Tingchen's reaction, however, was unexpectedly appropriate: "Uncle, you were too harsh. It was just a small favor." Wanwan is very worried about you all. Of course, I will do what I can.
He naturally put his arm around Su Wanwan's shoulder, his movements intimate and natural. Su Wanwan looked up in surprise and saw a flash of a smile in his eyes.
At lunch, Su's parents did their utmost to please Lu Tingchen, constantly hinting that they hoped the Lu family would further support the Su family. Su Wanwan was on pins and needles. Several times she wanted to interrupt her parents, but was stopped by Lu Tingchen with his eyes.
"Uncle and Aunt, don't worry," Lu Tingchen said calmly. "Since we are family, Lu will naturally take care of Su appropriately." However, the company's operation still needs to be standardized; otherwise, similar situations may occur again.
This statement not only gave a promise but also briefly reminded Su's father of his previous mistake, with the right balance struck.
After lunch, Su's mother pulled Su Wanwan to the kitchen to help out, but in fact, it was just to talk alone.
"Wanwan, it seems that Mr. Lu is quite nice to you?" " Mother Su asked in a low voice, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Su Wanwan mumbled, "Yes, it's okay." "
"That's good, that's good," Su's mother patted her hand with relief. "You must win Mr. Lu's heart. It would be best if you had a child as soon as possible. Then your position will be stable..."
"Mom!" " Su Wanwan interrupted awkwardly, "What are you talking about!" "
"Mom is doing this for your own good," said Su's mother in a low voice. "I heard that the daughter of the Zhao family hasn't given up yet. You can't be careless."
When she returned to the living room, Su Wanwan still had a blush of embarrassment on her face. Lu Tingchen gave her a thoughtful look but said nothing.
After saying goodbye to Su's parents, as soon as the car drove out of the villa area, Lu Tingchen suddenly spoke up, "Stop for a moment."
The driver stopped the car as he was told. Lu Tingchen turned to Su Wanwan and said, "It's a bit boring. Shall we go for a walk?"
Su Wanwan nodded in surprise. The two strolled along the tree-lined avenue, with the driver driving slowly behind them.
"Did your parents put pressure on you?" Lu Tingchen suddenly asked.
Su Wanwan was taken aback: "Why do you ask like this?"
Your expression hasn't been quite right since you came back from the kitchen. He said indifferently.
Su Wanwan didn't expect him to observe so meticulously and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Lu Tingchen stopped and looked at her seriously, "Su Wanwan, remember, you don't need to sacrifice anything for the Su family." Our marriage should not be a burden to you.
This sentence struck the softest part of Su Wanwan's heart. She stared at him blankly, her eyes slightly warm: "Why..." Why are you so kind to me?
Lu Tingchen didn't answer directly. Instead, he looked up at the sunlight filtering through the treetops and said, "When I was a child, my mother always said that marriage is not a transaction, but the courage of two people to face the world together."
He seldom mentioned his mother, and Su Wanwan held her breath to listen.
"I didn't believe this before," he continued, his voice deep, "but now, I want to try to believe it."
Su Wanwan's heart was beating faster. This was the closest confession she had ever heard.
Just then, her phone rang. It was a call from Shen Zhe. Su Wanwan subconsciously glanced at Lu Tingchen, and his expression instantly turned cold.
"Take it." " His tone was flat as he turned and walked towards the car.
Su Wanwan hesitated for a moment but still picked up the phone: "Hello, senior?" "
"Wanwan, are you okay?" Shen Zhe's voice was filled with concern. "I heard that something happened to Uncle Su..."
It's been solved. Thank you for your concern. Su Wanwan gave a brief reply, her gaze following Lu Tingchen's retreating figure.
"That's good," Shen Zhe paused for a moment. "Actually, I called to say..." I've found Mingwei's contact information."
Su Wanwan was taken aback: "What?" How could you...
"I have my way," Shen Zhe said softly. "It seems she's running into some trouble in France and needs help." I think you should know."
Su Wanwan's heart tightened. Is your elder sister in trouble? Why didn't you contact her?
After the call ended, she returned to the car worriedly. Lu Tingchen closed his eyes to rest, as if he didn't care about anything, but the tightly pursed corners of his lips revealed his displeasure.
We returned to the hotel in silence all the way. Su Wanwan was so absorbed in her sister's affairs that she didn't notice Lu Tingchen's increasingly cold expression.
It was not until he entered the suite that he suddenly spoke up, "It seems that Shen Zhe cares about you a lot."
It was only then that Su Wanwan realized he was angry and hurriedly explained, "He was just telling my sister the news. My sister might be in trouble in France..."
Lu Tingchen turned around, his eyes sharp: "So you're still in contact with him?" Even though I've already warned you?
"No," Su Wanwan hurriedly said, "It was he who called me on his own initiative, and he was talking about something serious..."
"Serious business?" " Lu Tingchen sneered, "What serious matter does it take to contact a married woman privately?" "
These words pricked Su Wanwan. She raised her head, her eyes filled with grievance: "So you're still doubting me?" Were all those words I said yesterday, "Willing to stand by my side," false?
Lu Tingchen was silent for a moment and his tone softened slightly: "I just don't want you to be taken advantage of." "
"I know the limits," Su Wanwan said seriously, "but my sister might really be in trouble. I can't just stand by and do nothing."
Lu Tingchen stared at her and finally sighed, "Do you need any help?"
This transformation left Su Wanwan stunned: "You..." Would you like to help my sister?"
"She is your family," he said indifferently, "and you are my wife."
This sentence made a warm current well up in Su Wanwan's heart. She gathered her courage, stepped forward and grabbed his sleeve, saying, "Thank you, Tingchen."
This intimate gesture left both of them stunned. Lu Tingchen looked at her hand, his eyes deep and profound.
Just then, his mobile phone rang. After hanging up the phone, his expression was solemn: "There's an urgent matter at the company. I need to deal with it immediately." "
Su Wanwan nodded hurriedly, "You'd better go quickly."
Lu Tingchen walked to the door, then stopped and looked back at her, saying, "Wait for me to have dinner tonight."
This is not an inquiry but a statement. Su Wanwan's heart skipped a beat. She nodded gently, "OK."
After Lu Tingchen left, Su Wanwan immediately tried to contact Su Mingwei, but the phone couldn't get through. She became more and more worried, but there was nothing she could do.
In the afternoon, she received a package, which was a carefully packaged photography collection - French Street Scenes, with a card attached: "I remember you said you like photography. I hope you do." Shen Zhe
This gift came so coincidentally that Su Wanwan couldn't help frowning. She was just about to put it away when the doorbell rang.
Lu Tingchen was standing outside the door. He came back earlier than expected. His gaze fell upon the photo album in her hand, and his expression instantly darkened.
It seems that Young Master Shen's concern was very timely. He said coldly.
Su Wanwan hurriedly explained, "No, I had no idea he would send this..." "
But Lu Tingchen had already turned and walked towards the study: "Dinner is cancelled. I still have work to do."
The study door was gently closed, but that faint click was like a heavy hammer hitting Su Wanwan's heart.
She stood still, looking at the photo album in her hand, and suddenly realized that this might not be a coincidence.
That night, Lu Tingchen really didn't come out for dinner. Su Wanwan sat alone at the dining table, losing her appetite.
Late at night, she couldn't hold back any longer. She boiled a cup of milk and knocked on the study door.
There was no response. She gently pushed the door open and found Lu Tingchen lying on the table, his face pale and his breathing rapid.
"Tingchen!" " Su Wanwan rushed over and found that the medicine bottle beside him was empty.
She immediately called the emergency number and then, following the first aid knowledge she had learned before, helped him adjust his posture and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.
"Hold on! The ambulance is coming soon..." She held his hand, her voice trembling.
Lu Tingchen slightly opened his eyes, looked at her vaguely, and a weak smile appeared on his lips: "This time..." It's not acting anymore..."
Su Wanwan's tears welled up in her eyes. "Don't talk. Save your energy."
On the way to the hospital, she held his hand all the time and had never been so afraid of losing someone.
Outside the emergency room, Su Wanwan was waiting anxiously. Qin Hao hurried over and asked, "Madam, how is Mr. Lu?" "
"Still being treated," Su Wanwan's voice was hoarse. "The doctor said it might be due to overwork and emotional fluctuations..."
Qin Hao looked at her with a complicated expression and said, "Mr. Lu had originally cancelled all the meetings today and wanted to come back early to have dinner with you." But after seeing that photo album, he went back to the company and worked for the whole afternoon.
Su Wanwan's heart tightened violently. It turned out that he had come back early for her, and her behavior had hurt him.
An hour later, the doctor walked out of the emergency room: "The patient is out of danger, but requires absolute rest." Who among you is his family member?
"I'm his wife." Su Wanwan said without hesitation.
The doctor nodded. "OK. Please follow me to handle the formalities."
When Su Wanwan was going through the hospitalization procedures, she unexpectedly ran into a familiar figure - Zhao Jing. How could she be here?
Zhao Jing also saw Su Wanwan. Surprise flashed in her eyes, but then turned into sarcasm: "Hey, isn't this Mrs. Lu?" What? Mr. Lu was admitted to the hospital so soon? What a bad life you have..."
Su Wanwan had no mood to pester her and walked straight past. But Zhao Jing's words pierced her heart like a thorn.
After settling Lu Tingchen down, Su Wanwan stayed by his hospital bed, looking at his pale sleeping face, her heart filled with self-reproach.
At dawn, Lu Tingchen slowly woke up. Seeing Su Wanwan sleeping by the bedside, he was slightly stunned.
As if sensing a commotion, Su Wanwan immediately woke up with a start: "You're awake!" How do you feel? Should we call a doctor?"
Her eager look softened Lu Tingchen's eyes: "It's okay now." "
Su Wanwan lowered her head, her voice choking: "I'm sorry. It's all my fault..." "
Lu Tingchen gently held her hand and said, "It's none of your business. It's just an old problem."
But if it weren't for me making you angry...
"Su Wanwan," he interrupted her, speaking seriously, "I'm not angry because Shen Zhe gave you a gift."
She looked up in surprise.
I'm angry because... He paused for a moment, seemingly choosing his words, "I care."
These three words made Su Wanwan's heart flutter more than any sweet words. She looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes.
Lu Tingchen gently wiped away her tears and raised the corners of his lips slightly: "Don't cry, Mrs. Lu." In this way, others will think I'm bullying you."
Su Wanwan stopped crying and smiled, "You just bullied me." "
The atmosphere became warm and ambiguous. Just then, Su Wanwan's phone rang again - it was Shen Zhe once more.
Lu Tingchen's expression instantly darkened. Su Wanwan hung up the phone directly and then blocked Shen Zhe's number in front of Lu Tingchen.
"I don't need any other man's concern," she said seriously, looking into his eyes. "Because my husband's concern is enough."
Lu Tingchen was stunned for a moment, and then a genuine smile appeared in his eyes. He reached out and drew her closer, gently pressing his forehead against hers. "Remember what you said, Mrs. Lu."
At this moment, Su Wanwan clearly felt that something had completely changed between them.
Outside the ward, a dark figure quietly left. On the screen of the mobile phone in his hand was a photo of the two of them snuggling closely together.
The storm has never truly receded; it is merely waiting for the next opportunity.
But for Su Wanwan at this moment, as long as she had this man's trust and protection by her side, she had the courage to face everything.
(To be continued...)"