The CEO's Substitute Bride

Chapter 7: You shouldn't be moved

It was late at night. Su Qian was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, but Lu Chenyi's words just now kept echoing in her mind. That gentle voice seemed to still echo in her ears, making her heart start to waver involuntarily.

She knew that she couldn't be influenced by him. She was already married and was already Li Tingchuan's wife, at least in name. She couldn't think about those feelings that didn't belong to her anymore, especially in this marriage without love and warmth. She should stay awake and never let anyone enter her heart.

But when she closed her eyes, what came to her mind was Lu Chenyi's concerned eyes and his slightly frowned brows. At that moment, Su Qian couldn't help but feel a long-lost warmth. This kind of warmth was something she had never felt since she married into the Li family. She knew that although Li Tingchuan gave her everything materially, he had never given her real care and love.

And Lu Chenyi, he seemed to understand her loneliness and confusion, always lending a helping hand when she needed it most, even between words, with a tenderness that made it difficult for her to ignore.

However, all this seemed not to happen. She was already Li Tingchuan's wife, and she couldn't easily shake her promise to her husband. Although there was no love in the marriage, she still didn't forget the promise she made when she entered this family - to do her best to play the role of a wife no matter what, and to keep this seemingly empty but unavoidable relationship.

She forced her thoughts back to reality, closed her eyes, and stopped thinking about those complicated emotional entanglements. I just hope that in this loveless marriage, I can at least find a trace of peace.

The next day, Su Qian got up early and prepared breakfast. She knew that Li Tingchuan was busy with work and was mostly not at home in the morning, but she would still do her best to be a qualified wife. Although she understood that this effort didn't seem to have much meaning, she still couldn't give up this hope.

Just as she walked to the dining table with breakfast, the door was suddenly pushed open and Li Tingchuan walked in. Looking at his still cold face, Su Qian's heart moved slightly. She knew that although he seemed to care nothing about her, he was still her husband and her only support to enter this wealthy family.

"Good morning." Li Tingchuan's tone was still calm, but this time, she seemed to hear a hint of fatigue in it.

Su Qian nodded and responded softly: "Good morning, did you have a good rest?"

Li Tingchuan did not answer, but sat down silently and started to eat breakfast. She stood aside and saw his tired and indifferent face, and she couldn't help but feel distressed, but she didn't dare to say much. She knew that his world never allowed her to enter easily.

The atmosphere of breakfast was as cold as ever. Su Qian pursed her lips and wanted to say something, but she couldn't say it. She didn't dare to break this moment of tranquility, and she didn't even dare to look him in the eye. She knew that she would never be able to enter his heart, and he didn't seem to want to give her any chance.

After breakfast, Li Tingchuan stood up, picked up the briefcase on the table, and prepared to leave.

"I have an important meeting today, and I may be back very late." He glanced at her, his tone still concise and cold.

"Okay." Su Qian responded in a low voice, but she felt an inexplicable sense of loss in her heart.

"You can go and rest, don't stay at home all day." Li Tingchuan suddenly added, his eyes swept across her face, as if observing her reaction.

She was stunned for a moment, a little surprised. She knew that Li Tingchuan had never cared about her life, and today's words seemed to sound a little different. Although his tone was indifferent, it was not as commanding and tough as before.

"I know." She lowered her head slightly and answered very calmly.

Li Tingchuan said nothing more and turned and walked out of the house. Su Qian looked at his back, not knowing whether she should feel relieved or lost. She understood that his indifference had not changed, but sometimes he would show a subtle concern. This made her mood more complicated, and she could not sort out her inner feelings.

In the next few days, Su Qian still lived an ordinary life. She occasionally went out for a walk to relax, but more often, she stayed at home, sorting out some housework, reading, or daydreaming. She knew that she did not belong to this family, and this family did not belong to her. She could only wait silently in this empty marriage until one day, she could find her true place in it.

However, this process did not seem as simple as imagined. Some days, she would feel like an outsider, standing by and watching everything happen, unable to change anything. And sometimes, she would suddenly feel that she still had indescribable feelings for this family and Li Tingchuan.

That day, Su Qian went to the market as usual to buy some vegetables and prepare dinner. When she returned home, she was about to enter the door and suddenly saw a familiar face-Lu Chenyi standing in front of the door.

She was slightly stunned and asked in surprise: "Mr. Lu, why are you here?"

Lu Chenyi smiled faintly, his eyes were gentle, and he didn't seem to care about her surprise. "I passed by and saw you were alone at home, so I thought I should come to see you." He spoke in a relaxed tone, but there was a trace of concern in his eyes.

Su Qian was stunned for a moment, and her heart was complicated. She knew that such concern was not pure friendship, but Lu Chenyi's admiration for her. He had been paying attention to her, and her heart had begun to waver unconsciously.

"I... I just bought some vegetables and was going to cook dinner." She whispered, avoiding Lu Chenyi's gaze.

Lu Chenyi didn't say anything more, just smiled slightly and turned away. "Then you're busy, good night."

Su Qian watched his back disappear outside the door, feeling a little confused. She knew that she shouldn't let these emotions affect her anymore, but anyway, her heart had begun to unconsciously move closer to him.

However, this kind of emotional traction was obviously dangerous. She couldn't, and didn't dare to be moved. She understood that in this marriage, the most important thing was to stay sober and be a rational wife, even though that love and warmth were still out of reach.