As night fell and the street lamps came on, In front of the city's most prestigious art center, the red carpet is laid out, the spotlight is flashing, and celebrities gather. A highly anticipated contemporary art exhibition is about to hold its opening reception here.
The extended Lincoln came to a smooth stop at the starting point of the red carpet. Outside the car door, there were countless media reporters and onlookers eagerly awaiting, and a faint commotion could be heard.
Su Wanwan took a deep breath and subconsciously clenched her skirt hem with her fingers. She was wearing the latest haute couture dress that Lu Tingchen had sent over urgently in the afternoon. It was a champagne-colored fringed long dress that was both elegant and had just the right amount of sparkle. The blue diamond necklace, still symbolizing the "Deep blue heart", was worn around the neck, shining with a low-key yet luxurious luster in the dim light inside the car.
She knew that this was no simple art exhibition. This was a battle, a battlefield chosen by Lu Tingchen for her to confront the rumors head-on. And she must not be stage-frightened.
Are you ready? Lu Tingchen beside him asked in a low voice. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, exuding a cold and noble air, as if all the tempestuous waves outside had nothing to do with him.
Su Wanwan turned her head to look at him. Seeing the calm affirmation in his eyes, the unease in her heart miraculously eased a lot. She nodded and placed her hand in his outstretched arm: "Mm-hmm."
The car door opened, and in an instant, an even more surging sound and blinding flashes of spotlight almost blinded the eyes rushed towards you. Countless cameras were focused on them, and the journalists' questions came in like bullets:
"Mr. Lu!" What's your response to the news about Mrs. Lu's gambling in Macau?"
"Miss Su, is the rumor of debt true?" "
"Did both of you show up at the same time to dispel rumors?" "
Lu Tingchen remained calm and composed, as if he hadn't heard those sharp questions at all. He slightly turned his body, carefully straightened out the non-existent pleat of Su Wanwan's skirt, then tightly held her hand and protected her beside him. With an absolute protective posture, he stepped onto the red carpet.
His steps were steady and resolute, without the slightest hesitation. Facing the constantly approaching microphone and camera, he would occasionally stop, but not answer questions. Instead, he would turn his head and whisper a word or two to Su Wanwan, or introduce a friend who was coming towards her, completely keeping the chaos around him out.
His composure as if no one else was around and his unreserved defense itself became the most powerful response.
Su Wanwan tried hard to maintain a proper smile and snuggled up to him. She could feel the warmth and strength coming from his palm, as well as the inquisitive, envious or jealous glances cast upon her. But strangely enough, after the initial nervousness, she gradually adapted to this situation.
Because he is right beside me, like an unshakable mountain.
Entering the interior of the exhibition hall, the atmosphere became much quieter. The fragrance of clothes and the shadows of hair, as well as the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts. Their appearance immediately became the focus of the entire venue.
Lu Tingchen calmly led her to chat with the organizers, several renowned artists and business friends. Every time he introduced himself to others, "This is my wife, Su Wanwan," his tone was natural and resolute, as if the three characters "Su Wanwan" had always been the legitimate Mrs. Lu.
Quite a few people came forward and, in their words, either openly or implicitly, inquired about the news.
"Mr. Lu and his wife are really in love. Those boring tabloids would just write nonsense about them." "
"Miss Su, this necklace is truly stunning. Mr. Lu has a good eye." "
"I heard that the scenery in Macau is nice. Has Miss Su been there recently?" "
Facing these temptations, Su Wanwan didn't need to speak at all. Lu Tingchen quickly repelled them with a little effort.
My wife prefers quietness and doesn't like the hustle and bustle.
"The necklace suits her, so I bought it." "
"Macao? I've been busy recently and have no time. If Mr. Li is interested, he can go and have a look.
His tone was flat, yet he exuded an undeniable aura that made the questioner feel they had made a slip of the tongue and leave in embarrassment.
After a round of social engagements, Su Wanwan's heels felt a bit sore. Lu Tingchen keenly sensed this and led her to a relatively quiet terrace to rest.
The evening breeze caressed the face, slightly dispelling the stuffiness and hustle and bustle inside the hall.
"Are you okay?" " He handed her a glass of champagne (which was actually apple juice), and his gaze fell on her slightly tired face.
"Not bad." Su Wanwan took the cup and asked softly, "We do this..." Is it really useful?" Will those rumors really subside just because of their high-profile appearance?
Lu Tingchen leaned against the railing, gazing at the city's night view. His profile was cold and stiff: "Whether it's useful or not doesn't matter." What matters is the attitude."
He turned his head and looked at her with deep eyes: "The attitude of the Lu family, my attitude." Let everyone see that I stand by your side, and no storm can shake your position. That's enough."
His words, as always, were concise, yet carried a weight of a thousand pounds. Su Wanwan's chest felt as if it were stuffed full by something, warm and swollen.
Just then, a slightly sharp female voice chimed in: "Hey, aren't these Mr. Lu and Mrs. Lu?" What a great mood! It's so noisy outside. How could you still be in the mood to enjoy the night view here?
Su Wanwan turned around and saw Zhao Jing and several female companions walking over. Their faces were wearing fake smiles, but their eyes were full of provocation. It was obvious that she was deliberately looking for trouble.
Lu Tingchen's expression instantly turned cold.
Zhao Jing, however, seemed not to have noticed. Her gaze fell on Su Wanwan's necklace, and she exclaimed in an exaggerated way, "Oh dear, isn't this the necklace that failed to sell at the last auction?" It is said that it was due to insufficient purity. I never expected that Mr. Lu would find a flaw. Really... "Be good at managing your life." " She deliberately misinterpreted it, and her tone was full of sarcasm.
A few female companions around me chuckled softly in unison.
Su Wanwan's face turned slightly pale, and her fingers holding the wine glass tightened.
Lu Tingchen placed the wine glass in his hand on the table beside him, making a crisp sound. He stepped forward and completely blocked Su Wanwan behind him, his gaze sweeping towards Zhao Jing like an ice blade.
"Miss Zhao." He spoke, his voice not loud, but it instantly sent the air around him to freezing point. "Your messages always seem to be a step behind and outrageously wrong."
He curled his lips slightly, but the smile did not reach his eyes; instead, it appeared even colder. "This' Deep Blue Heart 'was purchased by me from a collector who preferred to remain anonymous at a price three times higher than the pre-auction estimate." If you question its authenticity, I don't mind having my legal team contact your father to provide a complete appraisal certificate and transaction records, and at the same time discuss why the recent project of the Zhao family has not met the capital injection standards of the Lu family for a long time.
Zhao Jing's face turned deathly pale in an instant, her lips trembling, and she couldn't utter a word. The several female companions by her side were also too scared to speak up.
Lu Tingchen, however, no longer looked at her, as if she were just some annoying speck of dust. He turned around and when facing Su Wanwan, the coldness in his eyes instantly faded away, transforming into a kind of almost gentle helplessness.
He raised his hand and, in a very natural way, pinned a strand of hair that had been tamed by the wind behind her ear. His fingertip casually brushed past her earlobe, bringing a faint current.
There are always some irrelevant people bothering you. His voice was deep, carrying a faint yet audible tenderness that everyone around could hear clearly. "It seems I'll have to hide you even tighter from now on." "
The tenderness and protection in these words embarrassed Zhao Jing more than any harsh scolding. Her face was a mixture of pale and blue. She could no longer stay and, in a sorry state, led the people away in a hurry.
The terrace fell silent.
Su Wanwan looked up at Lu Tingchen, her heart beating rapidly. The way he defended her just now, the warmth of his fingertips, the tone of his whisper... Everything made her dizzy.
Lu Tingchen also lowered his head to look at her. The moonlight and the light interwoved in her clear eyes, casting tiny glimmers of light, as if they were filled with stars. Her slightly raised face was delicate and smooth. The look that forced composure yet couldn't help but reveal dependence had an indescribable charm.
There was a subtle and ambiguous atmosphere in the air.
Suddenly, Lu Tingchen lowered his head and, without any warning, a gentle kiss landed on Su Wanwan's forehead.
Warm, soft, and separable at the slightest touch.
But it was like a bolt of thunder, suddenly exploding in Su Wanwan's mind! Her eyes widened in an instant, and it seemed as if all the blood in her body rushed to her cheeks, leaving her at a loss.
Lu Tingchen seemed to be stunned for a moment as well, somewhat surprised by his sudden move. He looked at her cheeks that had instantly turned red and her dazed appearance. His Adam's apple moved slightly and his eyes darkened a little.
He raised his hand and gently rubbed her burning cheek with his knuckles, his voice hoarse a little.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it." "
Having said that, he turned around first and walked back to the exhibition hall, leaving Su Wanwan standing alone in the same spot, clutching her forehead which still seemed to retain the warmth and touch of his lips. Her heart was pounding like a drum, and the whole world was so quiet that only her own deafening heartbeat remained.
Love... Can't help it?
He just said... Can't help it?