The CEO's Substitute Bride

Chapter 11: Return of the Old Love

The next day, Su Qian was still in the aftermath of last night's dinner. Although she tried to focus on the trivialities of daily life, the loneliness and oppression always lingered in her heart. Whenever she looked at Li Tingchuan, the invisible sense of distance was like an unbridgeable gap, making her feel powerless and helpless.

She didn't understand why she was trapped in such an unsolvable situation. Everything could be as simple as a contract, but why was her heart always restless? Perhaps it was because her identity was false from the beginning, with neither love support nor real emotional connection. She was just Li Tingchuan's "substitute", a nominal wife.

However, fate always seemed to like to play jokes.

"Ms. Su Qian." The voice of assistant Lin Mo interrupted her thoughts.

Su Qian raised her head and looked at Lin Mo standing at the door. He was as calm as ever, with a professional temperament between his eyebrows. "Mr. Li asked you to go to the company." He said.

"Okay." Su Qian stood up and walked to the door. She knew that although there was a gap between her and Li Tingchuan, as his wife, she still needed to appear in his world and take on the role of "wife".

After entering the company, Su Qian followed Lin Mo all the way to Li Tingchuan's office. In the corridor, she suddenly felt an invisible sense of oppression, as if the air became heavier, and every step reminded her that she did not belong here. She knew that this discomfort came from her identity here-she was Li Tingchuan's wife, but she had never really entered his life.

The door of the office was gently pushed open, and Li Tingchuan sat behind his desk, concentrating on processing documents. When his eyes raised, Su Qian's heart trembled. His eyes were still indifferent, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

"Sit down." Li Tingchuan said briefly, motioning her to sit down.

Su Qian nodded and walked to the chair opposite and sat down. Although she was used to his cold attitude, every time she was alone with him, the sense of distance always made her feel uneasy.

"What do you want to see me today?" She asked tentatively.

Li Tingchuan paused, as if thinking about something, "There is an important banquet tonight, you have to go."

"Banquet?" Su Qian was stunned for a moment and frowned, "Can I not go?"

"You are my wife." Li Tingchuan's tone was flat, but with an unquestionable command, "Whether you like it or not, you must attend this occasion."

Su Qian sighed in her heart. She knew that she was just his tool, and all the decisions were not made by her.

"Okay, I know." She agreed in a low voice.

However, at this moment, there was a gentle knock on the door. A familiar figure appeared at the door. It was Bai Xiner, Li Tingchuan's first love.

Su Qian's heart stopped for a moment. Her eyes couldn't help but stare at Bai Xiner, and an unspeakable uneasiness rose in her heart. Bai Xiner walked into the office, and when she saw her, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a smile.

"Tingchuan, what a coincidence, I can see you today." Bai Xiner's voice was gentle but full of temptation.

Li Tingchuan's eyes were still indifferent, and he nodded slightly, "Miss Bai, what's the matter?"

Bai Xiner approached him and glanced at Su Qian who was sitting beside him, with a hint of provocation in her eyes. "Just came to see you, and also said hello to Miss Su Qian." Her words were frivolous, with a hint of unintentional mockery.

Su Qian's mood became complicated in an instant. She knew that Bai Xiner's appearance was not simple. She was Li Tingchuan's past lover and once occupied an important position in his life. Although she had left long ago, her reappearance today was obviously not accidental.

"You guys chat." Li Tingchuan didn't seem to want to say anything more at this time. He stood up and walked to the window and looked out the window.

Su Qian's mood became more and more complicated. She knew that her relationship with Bai Xiner was destined to be complicated, especially her nominal marriage with Li Tingchuan at this moment, which seemed to be an opportunity for Bai Xiner to appear in his life again.

Bai Xiner did not speak immediately, but stood aside, looking at Su Qian, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She said slowly: "Miss Su Qian, I heard that you married Tingchuan, congratulations."

Su Qian nodded, but did not speak. She knew that there was a deep meaning behind every word of Bai Xiner, and she did not intend to let herself be swayed by such words.

Bai Xiner seemed to notice her silence, and a sneer rose at the corner of her mouth, "However, marriage is only a nominal existence, right? What real feelings can there be between you and Tingchuan?"

This sentence was like a heavy hammer, hitting Su Qian's heart hard. She raised her head and stared at Bai Xiner's smiling face, and suddenly an inexplicable anger surged in her heart. She knew that she had never had a place in Li Tingchuan's heart, and Bai Xiner was the one she could not surpass.

"What do you want to say?" Su Qian finally couldn't help but speak, her tone was calm, but she couldn't hide her inner fluctuations.

Bai Xiner smiled lightly, and didn't seem to be in a hurry to answer, but looked at Li Tingchuan standing beside her. She walked gently to his side, stretched out her hand and patted him on the shoulder, "Tingchuan, have you forgotten the feelings between us?"

Su Qian's heart tightened again. She knew that this conversation was just the beginning, and the situation would be more complicated. Bai Xiner's return was not only the past between her and Li Tingchuan, but also a threat that could not be ignored in the future.

"You can go." Li Tingchuan's voice sounded again, with a cold sense of command.

Bai Xiner didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave. Instead, she smiled calmly, "In that case, I won't bother you anymore."

She turned and left, sweeping Su Qian with a hint of provocation, as if to say, "You are just a substitute, destined not to occupy any important position in Li Tingchuan's life."

Su Qian felt even more depressed. She knew that she not only had to face Li Tingchuan's indifference, but also the challenge brought by Bai Xiner, her old love. This marriage was really destined to be an endless mystery as she expected.