The CEO's Substitute Bride

Chapter 4: A Night of Tenderness

That night, Su Qian fell into a state of confusion. Her conversation with Lu Chenyi was like a warm spring, instantly diluting the coldness and loneliness in her heart. She understood that she could not continue to live like this, and could not always live in a marriage without love and warmth. However, there was still a trace of struggle in her heart, and reason told her that she could not easily give up everything she had, especially the dignity that had not been completely eliminated.

But fate did not seem to want to give her too many choices. After returning to the villa, Su Qian was still the lonely woman, wandering in the corner of the mansion. Li Tingchuan returned home with an indifferent attitude as usual. Tonight's dinner made her extremely tired, but she still decided to keep a persistence for herself, not to cater to his indifference, but to be herself.

However, when she walked into the restaurant, she saw a scene that she could not expect. Li Tingchuan was sitting at the dining table with a gloomy face, and it was obvious that something made him irritable. He looked up and saw her coming in, a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, but he did not blame her, just softly ordered: "Sit down and eat."

Su Qian took a deep breath and sat down opposite him silently. She tried not to notice his indifference, nor to look at his unhappy face. She decided not to let herself be affected by this emotion again.

But just as she lowered her head to prepare for dinner, Li Tingchuan suddenly said: "Where did you go today?"

The voice was calm, but with a sense of oppression that could not be ignored. Su Qian was stunned and looked up at him. His deep eyes revealed a sharpness she had never seen before. She knew that he didn't really care where she went, but simply wanted to know her whereabouts.

"I went to a dinner party." Su Qian answered in a low voice, trying to make herself look less nervous.

Li Tingchuan's eyes became colder, "Dinner?" He raised his eyebrows, seeming to be a little disdainful, "You actually went to attend with Lu Chenyi?"

"He was also at that dinner." Su Qian nodded gently. She knew that he would definitely be dissatisfied with this, but she didn't intend to hide it.

Li Tingchuan's face became even gloomier. After a moment of silence, he said coldly: "Do you have any other intentions between you and him?"

Su Qian was hurt by this sentence. She looked at him, a trace of complex emotions flashed in her eyes, and slowly said: "Do you really think I will have anything to do with him?" Her words were calm, but it was difficult to hide the anger and helplessness in them.

Li Tingchuan's eyes did not change at all, and he still looked indifferent. "You are not worth my time to ask these questions." After he finished speaking, he put down his chopsticks coldly, got up and left the restaurant.

Su Qian lowered her head and ate the food on the plate silently, but there was an indescribable loss in her heart. She didn't want to have too much friendship with Lu Chenyi, but she also knew that she was indeed neglected in this marriage. Li Tingchuan never really cared about her. She was just a substitute, the one he used to fill the gap.

However, just as she was thinking about this, a sudden burst of hurried footsteps interrupted her thoughts. She turned her head and saw that it was Li Tingchuan. His expression was no longer indifferent, but with a hint of anxiety that was difficult to conceal.

"Where have you been?" Li Tingchuan's voice was low, with a sense of command that could not be refused.

Su Qian was flustered. She knew that she had done nothing wrong, but for some reason, facing his sudden inquiry, she felt a little guilty.

"I... I went for a walk." She answered carefully, trying to hide her inner uneasiness.

Li Tingchuan's eyes were sharp, as if he wanted to find something out of her. However, he did not ask any more questions in the end, but whispered: "Don't meet Lu Chenyi again."

His words were short and straightforward, but full of threats. Su Qian was slightly stunned, but laughed secretly in her heart. She just had a simple conversation with Lu Chenyi at the dinner, but he warned her so harshly. She knew that this was not because of any improper relationship between her and Lu Chenyi, but because Li Tingchuan's desire to control her was getting stronger and stronger.

"I know." Su Qian did not say anything more, but just replied softly.

As Li Tingchuan left, Su Qian couldn't help but fall into deep thought. She realized that she was trapped in this marriage not only because of the pressure from the family, but also because of Li Tingchuan's coldness and control. She originally hoped to find a little warmth in this marriage, but reality disappointed her again and again.

That night, Su Qian lay on the bed, tossing and turning, with a lot of thoughts. She knew that her life would no longer be as peaceful as before. The cracks in this marriage have begun to spread quietly.