The CEO's Substitute Bride

Chapter 3: The Humiliation of a Substitute

Su Qian is no longer the simple and kind girl in her heart. Since she married into Li Tingchuan's family, she deeply felt her position in this family - just a substitute. She is not his true love, but just a substitute for the missing sister, Su Ran.

Although she tried her best to adapt herself to this life, she still felt humiliated every time she saw Li Tingchuan's cold attitude towards her. She was just a woman who replaced others in marriage, and this role of a substitute made her feel like insignificant air every day.

What hurt Su Qian the most was Bai Xiner's return. When Bai Xiner appeared that day, it brought her great pressure. She knew that Li Tingchuan still had deep feelings for this woman. And in Li Tingchuan's heart, she was always a substitute and could not reach the position of that woman in his heart.

She began to work harder to adapt to this life. In the villa, she took the initiative to take on some housework and tried to make her presence less conspicuous. She no longer easily asked Li Tingchuan for anything, and gradually learned how to hide the pain in her heart.

However, Li Tingchuan's indifference still made her unable to let go. Whenever he came home, his eyes never stayed on her, as if her existence was as transparent to him as air. She would sometimes look at him in the corner, and her cold face and authoritative aura made her dare not have any excessive expectations. She knew that the distance between her and him was not only physical, but also a spiritual gap.

Despite this, Su Qian was still unwilling to succumb to this fate. She always believed that she should not live just for a man's indifferent marriage. So she began to work harder to pursue her career, meet some new friends, and try to get herself out of this seemingly unbreakable marriage framework.

One night, Su Qian attended a dinner party, which was lively and luxurious. She wore a simple evening dress, stood alone in the corner, holding a glass of red wine in her hand, thinking about her future. She knew that such a dinner party was glamorous, but for her, it was still full of loneliness. She was Li Tingchuan's wife, but she was always left out, as if he had never really paid attention to her existence.

However, it was at this dinner that she met Lu Chenyi. Lu Chenyi was Li Tingchuan's business rival and the only person in Su Qian's life who lent a hand when she was most vulnerable. Unlike Li Tingchuan's indifference, every look and word of Lu Chenyi was full of concern and warmth. Although their identities were very different, Su Qian knew that Lu Chenyi was the only one who could understand her mood.

"You look a little lonely." Lu Chenyi walked gently to her side, saying softly, "Do you want to walk with me?"

Su Qian was stunned and looked up into his eyes. She never thought that she would have such close contact with Lu Chenyi on such an occasion. However, Lu Chenyi's concern made her feel a little warm in her heart. She nodded and walked out of the hall with him silently.

The two walked into the garden, the night breeze blew gently, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air. Lu Chenyi slowly spoke: "I know you have endured a lot in this marriage." He said it bluntly, but without the slightest pity, "I will do my best to make your life better."

Su Qian was slightly shocked and felt a surge in her heart. Every word of Lu Chenyi seemed to touch the softest part of her heart. She looked at him, with a hint of complex emotions in her eyes, but she still chose to remain silent.

However, she still knew in her heart that the relationship between her and Lu Chenyi was destined to be not simple. She was Li Tingchuan's wife, and Lu Chenyi was his business competitor. Any intimacy between the two would cause unnecessary trouble. She didn't dare to touch that sensitive string easily.

However, the conversation that night still left a deep impression in her heart. Lu Chenyi's care and warmth made her feel a little comforted. She began to realize that perhaps in this loveless marriage, she could also find her own persistence and courage.

However, after returning to the villa, Su Qian still did not get Li Tingchuan's attention. He was still the cold man, and she was still the ignored substitute.

She stood in front of the window, staring at the night sky in the distance, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that this marriage was destined to be difficult, but she was still unwilling to give up. In this cold mansion, she would continue to stick to her beliefs, even though those beliefs sometimes seemed so slim.