The Contract Bride Of The Cold CEO

Chapter 3 An Unprecedented Exception, Protection Through the Rainy Night

The surgery on her father was a complete success. When the doctor spoke the words, “The operation went smoothly; the patient is temporarily out of danger,” the heavy weight that had lingered in Su Wan’s heart for so long finally lifted completely. Tears streamed down her face once more—this time, tears of joy.

She stayed by her father’s side at the hospital for an entire day. It was not until evening, when he regained consciousness and his condition improved, that she left the hospital in relief and returned to the Lu family mansion.

The moment she stepped inside the villa, light rain began to fall, drizzling down and carrying a faint chill in the air. A servant quickly handed her a towel.“Madam, you have returned. Please dry yourself quickly before you catch a cold. Master is home already, working in his study.”

Su Wan took the towel and whispered a soft “thank you”. She wiped the rainwater from her face and intended to head straight to her room to rest. As she passed the study door, it suddenly swung open, and Lu Shiyan stepped out.

He still wore his tailored suit, only his tie loosened slightly, with faint traces of weariness etched between his brows. At the sight of Su Wan, his eyes remained impassive, and he asked in a calm tone:“How did your father’s surgery go?”

Su Wan was caught off guard. She had never expected him to ask voluntarily. She nodded hastily, her voice laced with sincere gratitude.“It went perfectly. Thank you, Mr. Lu. None of this would have been possible without you.”

Lu Shiyan uttered a low hum of acknowledgment and asked no further questions. He turned to head downstairs, yet his gaze suddenly fell on her damp hair, rain-spattered clothes, pale complexion, and the slight trembling of her frame.

He halted in his steps, his brows furrowing slightly, his voice turning unconsciously sharper with hidden concern.“Why haven’t you dried your hair? You got caught in the rain. Are you not afraid of falling ill?”

Su Wan was stunned by this unexpected show of care, momentarily at a loss for words. She spoke softly.“I will dry it right away. I’m sorry for troubling you.”

Watching her overly cautious, timid manner, an inexplicable flicker of irritation stirred in his chest. Even so, he instructed the servant without hesitation:“Fetch another dry towel, and make a bowl of ginger soup.”

“Yes, Master.”

Su Wan stood rooted in place, staring at his retreating figure, a strange stirring awakening in her heart. This cold, distant man had drawn every possible boundary with their frigid contract, yet in small, unguarded moments, he revealed faint traces of kindness.

She shook her head, forcefully suppressing the strange emotion. She told herself it was merely a fleeting impulse on his part—he simply did not want her falling sick and hindering the terms of their agreement. She must not overthink, and must not grow attached.

Upon returning to her room, she had barely finished drying her hair when the servant arrived with the ginger soup. Warm and steaming, it carried a delicate aroma of ginger.“Madam, Master had this prepared for you. He said it will warm your body and keep you from catching a cold.”

Su Wan took the bowl, warmth seeping from her fingertips straight into her heart. She held it gently and sipped slowly. The subtle spiciness lingered on her tongue, yet it tasted not unpleasant at all; instead, it brought an extraordinary sense of warmth throughout her body.

Once she finished the soup, her body gradually thawed. Weariness washed over her, and she drifted off into sleep before she knew it.

Late into the night, the rain intensified dramatically. Fierce wind howled outside, rattling the windows violently. Su Wan’s sleep grew restless, and she jolted awake, a surge of fear gripping her. She had been afraid of darkness since childhood, and dreaded violent stormy nights most of all.

She curled up tightly beneath the covers, trembling all over, unable to fall back asleep. Just then, there came a soft knock on her door. Lu Shiyan’s voice carried through, holding a faint, nearly imperceptible gentleness.“Su Wan, are you awake?”

Caught by surprise, she replied hastily.“I… I am awake.”

Lu Shiyan pushed the door open and stepped inside, holding a soft-glowing table lamp. Its gentle light dispelled the darkness and chill filling the room. His gaze fell on her huddled form, pale face, and frightened eyes, and his brows furrowed.“Are you afraid of thunder?”

Su Wan nodded faintly, her voice small and fragile.“Yes, a little.”

He said nothing more. He set the lamp down on the nightstand, then picked up a light blanket from the side and draped it softly over her shoulders. His tone remained calm.“Do not be afraid. You will come to no harm with me here. I am in the outer lounge. Call for me if you need anything.”

He turned to leave, but Su Wan instinctively reached out and clutched the hem of his suit. Her voice trembled slightly.“Mr. Lu… could you… could you stay with me a little longer?”

The moment the words left her lips, regret washed over her. She released her grip at once, hung her head, and spoke apologetically.“I’m sorry. I had no right to trouble you. Please go and rest.”

A faint, nearly invisible softness flickered across Lu Shiyan’s eyes as he stared at her flushed ears. He did not refuse. Instead, he pulled over a chair, sat down beside her bed, and remained quietly by her side in silence.

With him nearby, her fear gradually faded away. Watching his sharp, chiseled profile and listening to the rain tapping outside the window, she drifted back into sleep once more, deeper and more peaceful than before.

Lu Shiyan gazed at her sleeping face. A faint, fleeting smile tugged at the corner of his lips, gone almost before it could be noticed. He stayed seated by the bed, watching over her in silence, until the first light of dawn broke and the rain gradually subsided.

This was the first time he had set aside all his cold detachment and defenses to sit quietly beside a woman. Even he himself failed to notice that something deep within his heart was quietly beginning to change.