Since that night's family dinner, Su Wanwan always felt that Lu Tingchen was a bit different.
He still didn't talk much. When handling official business, there was the usual cold and stern look in his eyes, but the occasional gaze he cast at her carried a deeper meaning that was hard to put into words. Sometimes when she woke up in the early morning, she would find that he, who should have been in the study, was leaning against the sofa in the bedroom to take a nap, as if just to be closer to her. The sweetness of that fruit candy seemed to linger on her tongue for a long time and also in her heart, stirring up ripples of ambiguity.
This kind of ambiguous closeness made Su Wanwan feel flustered and uneasy. She kept reminding herself that this was just a deal and that he was only kind to her out of responsibility and to save "Mrs. Lu's" face, but her heart would always betray her reason without her even realizing it.
That afternoon, Su Wanwan was arranging flowers when Lu Tingchen's mobile phone vibrated on the coffee table. He was in the study, seemingly going to get a document. Su Wanwan subconsciously glanced at the screen. The name "Qin Hao" was dancing on it, along with an automatically previewed message:
It has been confirmed from Macau that Miss Su Mingwei owes a huge amount of money. The creditor has lost patience and threatened that if the money is not seen within three days, she will be taken away...
The words that followed were gone, but the words "Su Mingwei", "Macao", "Debt", and "creditor" pierced Su Wanwan's eyes like ice cones!
The flower scissors in her hand dropped to the ground with a clang, and her face turned deathly pale in an instant.
Sister! My elder sister had an accident in Macau! Still owes a huge debt!
A huge panic seized her in an instant. Why is my elder sister in Macau? How much money is owed? What will those creditors do to her? And Lu Tingchen... Did he know it long ago? He was just talking about this with Qin Hao in the study. Why did he keep it from her?
Countless questions and fears crushed her sanity.
Just then, Lu Tingchen came out of the study and happened to see the scissors that had fallen on the ground and her pale face. He frowned and walked over quickly, "What's wrong?"
His mobile phone was still vibrating.
Su Wanwan suddenly raised her head, her eyes red-rimmed, and her voice trembled with fear and shock: "My sister..." Mingwei... What's wrong with her in Macau? You knew it long ago, didn't you? Are you going to help her?
Lu Tingchen paused in his steps, his gaze sweeping over the vibrating phone, and he instantly understood. His expression quieted down. Instead of answering directly, he first waved his hand at the servants who had come over upon hearing the sound, indicating that they should leave.
Only the two of them were left in the living room.
You saw the message. He stated, his tone revealing no emotion.
"Answer me!" Su Wanwan was almost pleading, her voice tinged with tears, "Is she in danger?"
Lu Tingchen watched her panic-stricken and so fragile that she seemed to shatter at the slightest touch, and fell silent for a moment. He had no intention of letting her know, not wanting her to get involved in these annoying matters, and was even more afraid that she might act irrationally in a fit of impulse.
But now, it can't be concealed any longer.
"Yes." " He finally spoke, his voice deep, "She's in Macau. She's got into some trouble and owes some money." Qin Hao is already dealing with it."
How much is it? Is it very dangerous? What will those creditors do to her? Su Wanwan pressed anxiously and stepped forward to grab his sleeve, as if grasping the only lifeline.
Lu Tingchen held her cold and trembling hand with his opposite hand, sensing her fear and frowning even tighter: "Qin Hao is following up on the specific details." Don't worry. I'll handle it. Nothing will happen to her.
His promise was very definite, carrying a comforting power. Ke Su Wanwan was completely overwhelmed by her concern for her elder sister at this moment. There was only one thought in her mind: That was her elder sister, a relative who had grown up with her since childhood. Despite her capricious behavior, she was closely connected by blood!
"I'm going to Macau!" I'm going right now!" She suddenly became excited and turned to rush out, "I have to go and help her!" I can't leave her there alone..."
"Su Wanwan!" " Lu Tingchen shouted sternly to stop her and pulled her back to his side. His arms wrapped around her like iron pliers, preventing her from having meaningless impulses. What can you do if you go? "Deliver it to the door and let those creditors take it all at once?" "
"That's my sister!" " She struggled in his arms, and tears finally fell, hitting the back of his hand, scalding hot. "I can't just stand by and watch her get into trouble!" "Let me go!"
"Calm down!" " Lu Tingchen held her tighter, his tone firm yet not without a hint of barely perceptible helplessness. "I've already sent someone over. Money is not an issue. Ensuring her safety is the top priority." If you run there now, it will only cause trouble and put yourself in danger. It's of no use at all!
His words were like cold water poured over her head. Su Wanwan stopped struggling, leaned feebly in his arms and began to SOB softly. She knew he was right, but she couldn't control her anxiety and fear.
Feeling the softness in his arms and a slight tremor, Lu Tingchen's cold and hard heart felt as if it had been struck by something. He sighed, his tone slowing down a little, with a soothing tone that he himself had not even noticed: "Trust me, okay?" I promise I'll bring her back safely."
Su Wanwan raised her teary face and looked at him, "Really?"
I never break my word. He raised his hand and, somewhat awkwardly, wiped away the tears from her cheek. The rough touch of the fingertip brushed across the skin, causing a subtle shiver.
At this moment, a sense of dependence and some strange sentiment quietly sprouted amid panic. She found that she had no other choice but to trust him.
"But..." Why are you hiding it from me?" She asked, choking up.
Lu Tingchen's eyes flickered slightly. He couldn't say he was afraid that she would cause trouble or add to his worries. In the end, he just said indifferently, "I don't want you to worry." You just need to focus on being your Mrs. Lu.
This still sounded like an attempt to maintain a superficial peace, but Su Wanwan felt a strange pang of bitterness in her heart.
For the next two days, Su Wanwan felt as if each day was an eternity. Lu Tingchen didn't reveal any further progress, but she could sense the tension in the atmosphere. The light in his study always stayed on very late, and his phone calls with Qin Hao became frequent but brief.
She didn't dare to ask any more questions and could only force herself to stay calm, but the worry in her eyes couldn't be concealed.
The next night, Lu Tingchen told her, "It's almost over. Mingwei is safe and the debts have been settled." But she can't return to her home country for the time being and needs to take shelter. I'll arrange for her to stay abroad for a while.
Su Wanwan finally let out a long sigh of relief, and a huge sense of exhaustion came over her: "Thank you..." Thank you, Tingchen."
This was the first time she called out his name so naturally, with a sense of dependence and gratitude as if she had survived a disaster.
Lu Tingchen gave her a deep look and said, "Mm."
However, just when Su Wanwan thought the crisis was over, the real storm had just begun.
On the third day, as soon as Lu Tingchen left the door, an unexpected guest came straight to his door - Su Mingwei's mother, Su Wanwan's aunt, Wang Meijuan.
It was obvious that she had received the news from Su Mingwei that she was safe and went straight to the Lu family.
"Wanwan!" It's so late! This time, it's really all thanks to you and Tingchen! As soon as Wang Meijuan entered the door, she grabbed Su Wanwan's hand and cried sincerely, "If it weren't for you two, Mingwei would..." She's done for! That damned girl just doesn't give people any peace of mind!
Su Wanwan struggled to cope, but her heart was ringing with alarm bells. Aunt's words seemed to suggest that she had long known the truth about the substitute marriage and believed that it was only natural for the Lu family to offer help.
"Auntie, please don't get too excited. As long as my sister is fine..." " She tried to withdraw her hand.
Wang Meijuan, however, held her hand even tighter, lowered her voice, and her eyes flickered: "Wanwan, we are one family. Auntie won't talk about two families." This time the money... The Lu family did offer a great help, but the subsequent settlement of Mingwei still requires a considerable amount of expenses... Look..."
Su Wanwan's heart sank completely. This is here to ask for more money! And judging from this tone, it seems as if the Lu family has been treated as an endless cash machine, as if all of this is owed to them!
"Auntie, Tingchen has already taken care of it. He will arrange it for your elder sister." " She tried to decline politely.
"Oh dear, how could a man understand these details?" Wang Meijuan didn't think much of it. Her voice dropped a little more, with a hint of self-evident calculation. "Wanwan, you're now Mrs. Lu. Even a tiny leak between your fingers is enough to make Mingwei flower." Don't forget, you have achieved what you have today, but it's all thanks to Mingwei back then... I'm leaving. This place for Mrs. Lu should have been hers..."
These words were like a sharp knife, piercing Su Wanwan's most sensitive and vulnerable nerve! Her face instantly turned as pale as paper.
It turns out... In the eyes of her aunt, she came here to enjoy the wealth and honor, helped the Su family out of trouble, and now she is helping Su Mingwei clean up the mess. Is it all her duty? Even... Is it she who owes them?
A huge sense of grievance and embarrassment welled up in her heart, leaving her almost breathless.
And Wang Meijuan continued: "..." So, this little favor is nothing. Find an opportunity to talk to Tingchen and get some more..."
"Auntie!" Su Wanwan suddenly withdrew her hand, her voice trembling with excitement. "Please stop in time!" Tingchen owes nothing to the Su family, let alone his elder sister! He has done his utmost to help this time!"
Wang Meijuan didn't expect her usually gentle niece to retort. She was stunned for a moment, then her face darkened: "Wanwan, what are you saying?" Now that she has become Mrs. Lu, does she no longer recognize her parents' family? If it weren't for us...
"Enough!" "
A voice extremely cold came from the door.
Su Wanwan and Wang Meijuan turned their heads at the same time and saw that Lu Tingchen had returned at some point and was standing at the entrance hall, his face so gloomy that it could drip water. He clearly heard most of the conversation.
Wang Meijuan immediately panicked and an embarrassed smile spread across her face: "Ting, Tingchen, you're back..." "
Lu Tingchen didn't look at her at all. His gaze fell directly on Su Wanwan's pale and aggrieved face, and his eyes instantly turned a little colder. He strode over and naturally shielded Su Wanwan behind him, blocking Wang Meijuan's view.
"Mrs. Su," he began, his voice devoid of any warmth, distant and oppressive, "The matter has been settled. Please go back." If there's anything in the future, please contact my assistant Qin Hao directly.
He directly gave the order to leave and didn't even bother to exchange pleasantries.
Wang Meijuan's face turned red and then pale. She still wanted to say something, but under Lu Tingchen's cold gaze, she finally closed her mouth sullenly and slunk away.
The moment the door closed, only two people remained in the living room.
Su Wanwan was still lost in the embarrassment and grievance she had just felt, her head lowered and her shoulders trembling slightly.
Lu Tingchen turned around, looking at her like this, his brows knitted tightly. He raised his hand as if he wanted to touch her, but in the end, he just asked in a deep voice, "Does she often look for you like this?"
Su Wanwan bit her lip, shook her head, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Seeing her shed tears, Lu Tingchen felt an inexplicable surge of anger in his heart, not knowing whether it was towards the increasingly demanding Su family or towards himself who had made her suffer.
He no longer hesitated. He reached out and gently pulled her into his arms. His movements were somewhat stiff, but carried an unquestionable protective tone.
"Don't cry." He comforted in a stiff voice, "This won't happen again in the future."
Su Wanwan's face pressed against his solid chest, sensing the reassuring aura on him and the protective words in his voice. All the strength she had forced herself to hold on crumped in an instant. She reached out her hand, tightly grasping the clothes at his waist, like a drowning person grasping driftwood, and began to cry silently.
Lu Tingchen's body stiffened slightly, but then he relaxed, allowing her to hold him. With one hand, he clumsily patted her back up and down.
At this moment, all the contracts, all the substitutions, all the transactions seemed to have quietly blurred their boundaries in her tears and his embrace.
And none of them knew that the resentful and reluctant look in Wang Meijuan's eyes when she left indicated that the controversy caused by the "substitute marriage" was far from subsiding. The real Su Mingwei, even when she is not in China, remains a time bomb capable of detonating their lives.