The Contract Bride Of The Cold CEO

Chapter 4 Summoned by the Family, First Clash

The following afternoon, Lu Shiyan took Su Wan to the main residence of the Lu clan.

Far more grand and imposing than their suburban mansion, the main house featured ancient, elegant architecture, sprawling courtyards, and countless servants scattered throughout—every corner exuded the solemn authority and icy prestige of a top-tier wealthy clan. Walking closely behind Lu Shiyan, Su Wan’s heart was tangled with nervousness. She knew this was her first official encounter with the Lu family, an unavoidable confrontation she had to face.

In the living room, Old Madam Lu sat upon the main seat. Her expression was stern, her gaze sharp and piercing as she fixed intently on Su Wan, her voice brimming with undisguised disdain and displeasure. Beside her sat Lu Shiyan’s second uncle, second aunt, and several collateral relatives. Their eyes all fell upon Su Wan, filled with curiosity, contempt, and envy. The barrage of conflicting gazes made her utterly ill at ease.

“So you are Su Wan,” Old Madam Lu spoke first, her voice cold and overpoweringly oppressive. “A girl of humble birth, with no family background or influence, not even graduated from a prestigious university. What right do you have to marry Shiyan? What right do you have to be the young mistress of the Lu family?”

Su Wan lowered her eyes slightly, her hands folded calmly in front of her. She spoke in a steady, poised tone, neither meek nor arrogant.“Madam, Mr. Lu and I are lawfully married. I will fulfill all duties expected of Mrs. Lu, bring no shame to the Lu family, and lay no claim to any of their possessions.”

“Fulfill the duties of Mrs. Lu?” Old Madam Lu let out a cold sneer, her words growing even more harsh. “What could a girl from an ordinary family possibly know about the responsibilities of being the Lu family’s young mistress? I see right through you. You chased after our family’s wealth and this prestigious title on purpose, scheming to ensnare Shiyan, is that not so?”

“I did no such thing,” Su Wan lifted her head, her gaze resolute. “The bond between Mr. Lu and me is a fair agreement. I have never manipulated him, nor coveted anything belonging to the Lu family. I am merely honoring my side of the bargain.”

“An agreement?” Old Madam Lu’s face darkened. She slammed her hand hard on the table. “Since when has marriage in the Lu family become some mere transaction? Su Wan, let me make this clear. I will never acknowledge you as Shiyan’s wife. You had better know your place, leave him of your own accord, take some money, and get out of the Lu household for good!”

Su Wan’s complexion paled slightly, yet she did not back down an inch. She knew retreat was not an option. If she yielded, her father’s subsequent rehabilitation fees would vanish, and their contract would crumble completely.

At that moment, Lu Shiyan stepped forward and shielded Su Wan behind him. An overwhelming icy aura radiated from his frame. He fixed his gaze on Old Madam Lu and spoke in a frigid voice.“Grandmother. She is the wife I married, the rightfully wedded young mistress of the Lu family. You will acknowledge her.”

“Shiyan!” Old Madam Lu stared at him in utter disbelief. “Do you know what you are saying? This girl comes from nothing. She is unworthy of you, unworthy of our family! I have already selected suitable brides for you—distinguished noble ladies, a hundred times better than her!”

“I want none of them,” Lu Shiyan replied without the slightest hesitation, his tone firm. “Who I marry is my own affair, none of anyone else’s business. No one has the right to meddle in matters between Su Wan and me. As long as she remains under this roof, she is mine. No one may mistreat her, and no one has the authority to drive her away.”

A dead silence fell over the entire room. Everyone present was stunned. All knew Lu Shiyan was always deeply filial, obedient to Old Madam Lu in everything. Yet today, he had openly defied her for a girl of ordinary birth—a completely unprecedented turn of events.

Old Madam Lu trembled with rage. She pointed at him, unable to utter a single coherent word.“You… you are driving me to my grave!”

“Grandmother, I apologize,” Lu Shiyan maintained his calm tone, yet his resolve left no room for argument. “I know you act with my best interests at heart, but my decision is final and unchangeable. Su Wan is my wife, and I will protect her.”

He turned his head toward Su Wan behind him. The usual coldness in his eyes faded, replaced by a faint, gentle softness.“Do not be afraid. I am here.”

Standing behind him, Su Wan stared at his broad, solid back. Her heart stirred sharply, and her eyes grew faintly misty. In this alien, hostile Lu household, this once-cold man had become her only shelter.

Watching the two of them, Old Madam Lu burned with greater fury, yet she had no recourse. She knew Lu Shiyan’s temperament well—once he made a choice, he never wavered, and no amount of persuasion would alter his mind.

“Very well, splendid!” she sneered bitterly. “Since you insist on shielding her, I will not stand in your way. But mark my words. If she ever brings disgrace upon the Lu family or betrays you in any way, I will be the first to hold her accountable.”

“I will not,” Su Wan spoke softly yet firmly. “I will abide by our agreement, uphold my duties as Mrs. Lu, bring no shame to your family, and never fail Mr. Lu.”

Old Madam Lu said no more. She merely shot her one final frigid glare, then rose from her seat and left the living room. The other relatives, taking the hint, departed one after another, leaving only Lu Shiyan and Su Wan alone.

“Thank you, Mr. Lu,” Su Wan murmured, her voice brimming with sincere gratitude. Without his intervention, she would have been utterly humiliated by Old Madam Lu’s harassment.

Lu Shiyan turned to face her. His tone instantly reverted to its customary cold detachment, as if the man who had defended her moments before had been nothing but her illusion.“I was not helping you. I was merely upholding the dignity of the Lu family’s young mistress, and preventing our household from becoming a laughingstock to outsiders. Remember this. It is merely part of our contract. Do not overthink it.”

Su Wan nodded faintly, suppressing the quiet disappointment stirring in her heart.“I understand, Mr. Lu. I will not.”

She knew full well that his kindness and protection were nothing more than contractual obligations, done solely to preserve the Lu family’s reputation. She dared not harbor any foolish, misplaced hopes.

Little did she know, the moment Lu Shiyan turned his back, a complex emotion flickered deep in his eyes—guilt, helplessness, and a faint trace of care he himself had yet to recognize.