The silent thunderclap planned by Lu Tingchen had a subsequent impact like a huge rock thrown into the lake, with ripples spreading layer upon layer and lasting for a considerable period of time.
The global finance sector has been flooded with news for several consecutive days that the share prices of P.P. Foundation's affiliated companies have plummeted and they are under investigation. Some authoritative experts in certain fields lost their reputation overnight and quietly vanished from the public eye. Several countries even experienced minor political upheavals as a result.
But at the center of the vortex, the Lu family presented a strange kind of tranquility. Lu Tingchen quickly quelled the turmoil in the Lu Group caused by the impact on some of its businesses with an iron-fisted approach. He did not hesitate to make cuts when necessary and was resolute in cutting off his own wrist when needed. His coldness and efficiency once again demonstrated the terrifying strength of this young helmsman to the outside world.
Su Wanwan no longer pays attention to those disturbing news. She knew that he could handle it well. She devoted more energy to her design studio and family.
That tiny USB flash drive, like a bomb with its fuse removed, was never lifted again. The storm it brought has been led by Lu Tingchen to the outside world and quelled, while the blood, tears and truth it carried have transformed into a heavy, unspoken consensus, buried deep in the hearts of the couple. Revenge is not the end; living well is the best consolation for the deceased.
Life seems to have truly entered a brand-new and stable stage.
The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, awakening the bedroom.
Su Wanwan woke up first and turned sideways to look at Lu Tingchen, who was still fast asleep beside her. The morning light softened his usually cold and hard profile. His long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under his eyes. He slept like an unprepared big boy. Only the arm resting at her waist still carried an unquestionable air of possession.
She gently took his hand away and was about to get up to see her son. As soon as she moved, that arm tightened and pulled her back into its arms.
"Sleep a little longer." " He closed his eyes, his voice hoarse and lazy as if he had just woken up, and his chin rubbed against the top of her hair.
"I'm going to see Chenchen..." " Su Wanwan whispered.
The nanny is watching. She just checked the surveillance footage and is sleeping soundly. He still wouldn't let go. Instead, he went even further, burying his face in the crevice of her neck and taking a deep breath of her faint fragrance. "Stay with me."
Su Wanwan felt helpless but sweet in her heart, so she peacefully curled up in his arms. This tender feeling of waking up together in the early morning was a luxury she had never dared to imagine before.
After staying in bed for another half an hour, the two of them got up together.
In the nursery, Little Lu Chen was indeed awake. He was holding a baby bottle by himself, drinking sweetly with a gulping sound. As soon as he saw his parents come in, he immediately let go of the bottle, waved his little hands, revealing two newly emerged baby teeth, and made cooing sounds.
Lu Tingchen walked over, skillfully picked up his son, held him high, and made the little one giggle. Su Wanwan picked up a warm towel and carefully wiped the milk stain from her son's mouth corner.
The scene of a family of three enjoying themselves together is as warm and cozy as the most perfect poster.
After breakfast, Lu Tingchen went to the company. Before leaving, as usual, he kissed Su Wanwan and rubbed his son's little head.
"There's a party I can't turn down tonight. Would you like to go with me?" " He fastened his cufflinks and asked casually.
Su Wanwan was a little hesitant. After going through so much, she instinctively felt a bit repulsed by those occasions where people were toasting and drinking.
"Don't worry," Lu Tingchen noticed her concern and added, "It's a small-scale golf charity dinner, very relaxing." You should also go out more often, Mrs. Lu." His tone carried a hint of teasing and encouragement.
Su Wanwan thought for a moment and nodded: "OK." "
She really can't stay in the fortress forever. She is Lu Tingchen's wife and needs to gradually learn to stand by his side and face the outside world.
Su Wanwan spent the entire day preparing for the dinner party. Choosing a dress and doing the styling, I felt a long-lost excitement and a little nervousness.
In the evening, Lu Tingchen came back on time to pick her up.
When he saw Su Wanwan dressed up in her finery, amazement flashed across his eyes without reservation. She chose a champagne-colored floor-length dress. The style was simple and elegant, yet it perfectly complemented her temperament. Her makeup was light yet delicate, and she looked as if she were shining.
"Very beautiful." " He stepped forward, took her hand and kissed the back of it, his gaze tender and affectionate.
Su Wanwan blushed slightly and took his arm.
The cocktail party was held in the banquet hall of a top golf club on the outskirts of the city. Sure enough, as Lu Tingchen said, the scale was not large and the atmosphere was relatively relaxed. Most of the visitors were business celebrities and their families. Their conversations were mostly about leisure and charity.
Lu Tingchen has always kept Su Wanwan by his side, considerately introducing her to several important business partners and elders. His attitude is natural and affectionate, and he makes no attempt to hide his respect and affection for her. Su Wanwan gradually relaxed as well, behaving appropriately and speaking gracefully, earning many admiring glances.
It seems that she has gradually regained some of the composure she had as the daughter of the Su family in the past, but has also developed a more composed demeanor after experiencing the storms.
Everything is going smoothly.
Until --
Halfway through the cocktail party, when Su Wanwan went to get her drink alone, a slightly hesitant voice rang out behind her.
"Excuse me..." Is that Miss Su Wanwan?
Su Wanwan turned around and saw a very young girl in a waiter's uniform looking at her nervously.
"I am. What's the matter?" Su Wanwan asked gently.
The girl quickly looked left and right to make sure no one was paying attention to this side. Then she took a step forward and extremely fast stuffed a folded small piece of paper into Su Wanwan's hand, her voice extremely low.
Someone asked me to give this to you. He said... You'll understand when you see it."
Having said that, without waiting for Su Wanwan to react, the girl lowered her head and walked away quickly, vanishing into the crowd in no time.
Su Wanwan was stunned, holding the note that had been suddenly stuffed in, feeling it like a hot potato.
Who is it? On such an occasion, pass the note in this way?
Her heart involuntarily rose, and she subconsciously looked at Lu Tingchen not far away. He was talking to someone and seemed not to have noticed the little incident here.
Su Wanwan composed herself, held the note in her hand, and nonchalantly walked towards the adjacent rest area, finding a quiet corner to sit down.
She took a deep breath and unfolded the note.
There is only one line of printed text above, without any signature:
Have you seen everything on the USB drive? Don't forget, there are more than one backup. Be careful of the people around you.
Su Wanwan's blood instantly turned icy cold!
"Usb flash drive!" Backup! People around me!
These three words were like three cold needles, piercing her heart fiercely!
The other party not only knows the existence of the USB flash drive, but might even know more! And he hinted to her that what Lu Tingchen had given her might not be all of it? Or... Was it a reminder to her that Lu Tingchen himself couldn't be fully trusted? !
A huge shock and fear seized her, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. The mood that had just relaxed vanished completely, replaced by a deeper sense of confusion and chill.
She suddenly raised her head, her eyes eagerly searching for Lu Tingchen's figure.
He happened to look over as well, met her gaze, and seemed to notice her odd behavior. He frowned slightly and asked her with his eyes what was wrong.
Su Wanwan looked into his concerned eyes. At that moment, her heart was torn between heaven and earth.
Is it to show him the note right away? Or... Hide first?
The words "Be careful of those around you" echoed in her mind like a curse.
She looked at Lu Tingchen who was walking towards her. Consciously, she tightly clutched the note in her palm and hid it in the interlayer of her dinner bag.
On his face, he forced a nonchalant smile.
"Nothing much," she said softly as he approached, her voice a little hoarse. "Maybe I'm a little tired."
Lu Tingchen carefully examined her complexion and reached out to stroke her forehead, saying, "Your complexion doesn't look very good." If we don't feel well, we'll go back first."
"Ok." " Su Wanwan nodded obediently and snuggled into his arms to hide her slightly trembling hands.
On the way home, she leaned against the car window, gazing at the dazzling night view outside, her heart in a complete mess.
That past event, which was thought to have been settled with the thunder, seems... It's far from over.
Even deeper mysteries and dangers are quietly surfacing.
And the complete trust she had just established in the people around her, because of that line of words, developed a subtle yet hard-to-ignore crack.
The night was deep and the car drove smoothly towards home.
But Su Wanwan knew that some things had changed.
(To be continued...)"