Lu Tingchen's words, "If the sky were to fall, I would hold it up," were like a huge rock thrown into the lake of her heart, stirring up continuous tempestuous waves in Su Wanwan's heart.
For several consecutive days, she was in a daze. That cold, noble man who always controlled everything would actually say such words to her that were almost like a promise. This made her heart, which was already gradually indulging, draw even closer to him uncontrollably, yet she felt frightened and uneasy because of this sudden approach.
She tried to find more evidence from his every move, but he returned to his usual self, busy with work and not saying much. Only the occasional glances he cast seemed to carry more indescribable meaning than before. That attitude of being both close and distant made her heart flutter up and down, as if floating in the clouds, yet she had no idea when it would fall.
That afternoon, Lu Tingchen, rarely, didn't go to the study but was dealing with emails on the sofa in the living room. Su Wanwan sat on the single sofa beside her, holding a design magazine, but couldn't focus on a single word. Her eyes would always involuntarily drift towards him.
Sunlight filtered through the gauze curtain, casting soft shadows on his well-defined side face. He stared intently at the screen, his fingers occasionally tapping on the keyboard. His sleeves were slightly rolled up, revealing his strong wrists and expensive wristwatch.
Su Wanwan was lost in thought as she watched.
Suddenly, Lu Tingchen seemed to sense her gaze, raised his head and precisely caught her gaze that he had not had time to dodge.
What's wrong? He asked, with a hint of barely perceptible gentleness in his voice.
Su Wanwan seemed like a child caught for doing something bad. Her face turned hot and she hurriedly lowered her head, frantically flipping through the magazine: "No..." Nothing."
Lu Tingchen looked at her slightly red ear tips, a faint smile flashing in his eyes. He closed the computer, got up and sat down on the armrest of the sofa beside her. The distance was instantly shortened, and a refreshing aura enveloped him.
"Bored?" " He lowered his eyes to look at the whorls at the top of her hair.
"A little." Su Wanwan replied in a low voice, her heart beating uncontrollably again.
"Come with me for a trip." Lu Tingchen suddenly said.
"Where to?" "
"Get there and you'll know." "
He didn't say much and directly instructed the driver to get the car ready. The car did not head for the commercial area or the banquet venue, but instead drove along a tree-lined road that Su Wanwan had never been to before, and finally stopped in front of a quiet cemetery.
Su Wanwan was stunned and looked at Lu Tingchen in puzzlement.
Lu Tingchen's expression had changed a bit. It was less cold and stern than usual and more solemn and composed. He got out of the car, took out a bunch of white lilies from the trunk, and then naturally held Su Wanwan's hand.
"Take you to meet someone." " He whispered.
Su Wanwan's heart trembled slightly, as if she had guessed something. She let him lead her through rows of quiet tombstones and finally stopped in front of a very tidy tomb.
The photo on the tombstone shows a gentle and beautiful woman. Her eyebrows and eyes bear some resemblance to Lu Tingchen's, and her smile is tender. The inscription on the stele reads: "The Tomb of Loving Mother Lin Wanru."
It was indeed his mother.
Lu Tingchen gently placed the lily in front of the tomb and stood silently for a while. Standing beside him, Su Wanwan could sense the profound and hard-to-show grief emanating from all over him.
Recalling the rumors about his mother's early death from the outside world and the possible hidden pain beneath his cold and tough personality, a fine and dense pain welled up in her heart.
Suddenly, Lu Tingchen spoke up, his voice deep and calm: "Mom, this is Wanwan." " He paused for a moment and added, "My wife."
Without flowery words or excessive introductions, it was just a simple "My wife", but it seemed like the most solemn recognition, hitting Su Wanwan's heart heavily.
He... Did you bring her to see his mother? Still introducing her in such a capacity?
A huge shock and an indescribable warm, sour current swept over Su Wanwan, and her eyes instantly became moist. She held his hand tightly back, as if she wanted to convey some strength and comfort to him through the clasped palms.
Lu Tingchen felt her strong grip and turned his head to glance at her. Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, his gaze flickered slightly, and the force he held her hand tightened a little.
The two stood quietly in front of the tomb for a long time. The sunlight stretched out their shadows, interweaving them as if they were one.
On the way back, the carriage was very quiet, yet it was filled with a kind of tacit understanding and warmth that needed no words. Su Wanwan gazed out of the window at the fleeting scenery, her heart filled with a rich yet poignant emotion. It seems that she... I got a little closer to him and saw an unknown soft corner beneath his tough exterior.
However, this brief moment of tranquility and warmth was soon ruthlessly shattered by reality.
As soon as he returned to the apartment, Qin Hao came up to him with a solemn expression, holding a tablet computer in his hand.
"Mr. Lu, Madam." Qin Hao's voice carried an unusually tense tone, "Something has happened."
He handed over the tablet computer. On the screen were the front pages of several of the most influential entertainment and financial media outlets, accompanied by the same set of crystal-clear photos
The real Su Mingwei was in the VIP room of a Macau casino, holding chips with an excited expression. Another one shows her surrounded by several men with unfriendly expressions, her face pale and pale, clearly in a difficult situation.
And the most dazzling are those sensational headlines:
[ Shocking! Mrs. Su Mingwei, the wife of the president of the Lu family, made a huge gamble in Macau and accumulated a huge gambling debt! ]
[ Substitute Marriage Mystery? Unveiling the True Face of Mrs. Lu, Su Mingwei! ]
The Lu family's stock price plunged at the opening due to being implicated. The mystery of the huge debt behind the marriage of a wealthy family!
The report is extremely detailed. It not only describes how "Su Mingwei" spent a fortune and owed a huge sum of money, but also implicitly implies that her actions might involve the Lu family, and even insinuates that there might be some shady deals behind this marriage!
Looking at those words and photos, Su Wanwan felt her blood freeze instantly, her hands and feet go cold, and even her breathing stops!
It's over... It's really over...
The identity of the elder sister, the huge debt she owed, the truth about the substitute marriage... All the things that were most afraid of being exposed were now laid bare before the whole world in the most unbearable and sensational way!
Her vision went black for a moment and she could hardly stand steadily.
Lu Tingchen quickly reached out to support her. His face was terrifyingly gloomy, and a terrifying chill emanated from his entire body. He quickly swept through those reports, his eyes as sharp as a knife.
When did it come out? He asked Qin Hao, his voice so cold it could freeze.
Half an hour ago, almost simultaneously, multiple mainstream media outlets released the news, which was clearly a premeditated concentrated exposure. Now a large number of journalists have gathered downstairs!" Qin Hao spoke very fast, "The company's phone is already ringing non-stop, and the board of directors is also inquiring about the situation."
Lu Tingchen pursed his thin lips tightly and his jawline was taut. He glanced at Su Wanwan in his arms, whose face was deathly pale and who was shaking all over, and held her even tighter.
"Don't be afraid." He whispered to her, his tone more composed than ever before, carrying a force that could calm one's mind, "I'm here."
He helped her sit on the sofa and ordered Qin Hao: "First, immediately activate the highest-level crisis public relations response, deny all false reports, send lawyer's letters to all publishing media, and pursue legal responsibility!" Second, stabilize the board of directors. I will explain in person. Third, check! I want to know who released the message. Within five minutes, I need to see the IP source and the person behind it!"
"Yes!" " Qin Hao immediately accepted the order and left.
Lu Tingchen took out his mobile phone and began to make calls one after another. His tone was resolute and calm, and he arranged everything in an orderly manner, as if the world's upheaval was under his control.
Su Wanwan stared blankly at his composed profile, and her panicked heart was miraculously soothed bit by bit. But a huge sense of guilt and fear still haunted her.
"Sorry..." "Sorry..." " She choked up, her tears finally bursting out. "It's all because of me..." It was I who deceived you, deceived everyone... It has brought trouble to the company...
Lu Tingchen finished a call, put down his phone and turned around. He didn't blame her. Instead, he took a tissue and clumsily wiped away her tears.
Now is not the time to talk about this. He looked into her eyes, his gaze deep and resolute. "Listen, Su Wanwan. No matter what happens, you just need to remember one thing -"
You are my legally legitimate wife, Lu Tingchen. This point, no one can change.
His words carried a force of a thousand pounds and struck her heart heavily.
Just then, Lu Tingchen's personal mobile phone rang, and the words "Grandpa" were jumping on the screen.
What was destined to come has finally arrived.
The greatest storm has already arrived.