The CEO's Substitute Bride

Chapter 6: Silent Guardian in the Late Night

After Su Qian returned home, she still felt deeply exhausted. Everything at the dinner party seemed to still echo in her mind, and it was difficult to dissipate. Especially Li Tingchuan's cold eyes and his strong warning to Lu Chenyi made her feel as if she had become a person in the game, and she could not escape this invisible net no matter what.

She took off her high heels and walked into the bedroom. The bed was still so tidy and empty, as if no one had ever stopped. Since marrying into the Li family, she has spent almost every day alone. Except for occasional conversations and getting along, more often, she feels only silence and loneliness.

Tonight, Li Tingchuan still didn't come back. Su Qian sighed helplessly. This kind of day has lasted for a long time. His indifference made her almost forget what the warmth of "family" is, and she was used to this kind of marriage without love but with responsibility.

She sat on the edge of the bed and opened the book that was casually placed on the bedside, but she couldn't concentrate. The words on the pages of the book had no appeal to her, and her thoughts were still moved by the scene at the dinner party. Lu Chenyi's gentle concern, Li Tingchuan's unquestionable control, all of which made her feel that she was gradually lost in this marriage.

Just as she was lost in thought, there was a slight sound of footsteps outside the door. She was startled and subconsciously raised her head. Her intuition told her that Li Tingchuan was back.

She quickly closed the book, put it on the bedside, and stood up to open the door. However, before the door was fully opened, a cold hand had reached out and pushed the door open.

Li Tingchuan stood at the door, wearing a dark suit, with a frown on his face, as if the fatigue of the whole day made him more silent. His eyes swept across the room and finally fixed on Su Qian.

"You haven't slept yet?" His voice was low, as if with a hint of imperceptible fatigue.

"No." Su Qian shook her head slightly and replied softly, "Wait for you to come back."

Li Tingchuan did not respond immediately, but walked into the room slowly and threw his suit jacket on the sofa. Then he walked to the bed, stood there, and looked down at her. At that moment, Su Qian felt an inexplicable sense of oppression. She knew that he had too many emotions hidden in his heart, but he had never revealed them to her.

"Did you have a good chat with Lu Chenyi at the banquet tonight?" Li Tingchuan's eyes were deep and his tone was still cold.

Su Qian was slightly startled, knowing that he was beginning to pay attention to the relationship between her and Lu Chenyi again. She coughed lightly and replied softly: "Mr. Lu just exchanged pleasantries with me, and there was nothing special."

Li Tingchuan's eyes did not leave her, and a trace of imperceptible tension flashed in his eyes. He seemed to be suppressing his inner anger, but the sense of oppression remained. He walked a few steps closer, leaned over, his eyes fell on her shoulder, and whispered: "You know, I don't like him to get close to you."

Su Qian's heart trembled suddenly, but she still did not bow her head. She slowly said, "I know, I have tried my best to avoid contact with him."

Li Tingchuan did not say anything else, his eyes were still deep, as if he was observing her every move. Suddenly, he reached out and gently stroked her hair. The action was not tender, but rather carried a silent sense of control.

"Don't have any friendship with him anymore." He whispered, with a hint of unquestionable threat in his tone.

Su Qian did not respond, but just stood there quietly, feeling heavy in her heart. She understood that Li Tingchuan's desire for control was getting stronger, and her position in this marriage was no longer a simple wife, but a tightly bound existence.

"You should rest first." Li Tingchuan's voice sounded again, and his tone was no longer as harsh as before, but a little more tired. He turned and walked towards the closet, ready to change clothes.

Su Qian did not speak again, but just walked back to the bed silently and sat down. She did not expect him to give her any warmth, but understood more clearly that this marriage was just a transaction, an empty shell without feelings.

However, just as she was about to lie down, she suddenly heard the phone ringing on the bedside table.

She frowned slightly, picked up the phone and saw that it was a call from Lu Chenyi.

"Mr. Lu?" Su Qian whispered to herself, feeling confused.

She didn't want to have too much friendship with him, but she also understood that Lu Chenyi's concern was different from Li Tingchuan's indifference. She hesitated for a moment, but still answered the phone.

"Su Qian, it's me." Lu Chenyi's voice came from the other end of the phone, still so gentle, "I know you are very tired tonight, but I hope you can understand that I don't want you to bear too much."

Su Qian's heart moved slightly, and she couldn't help asking: "What do you mean?"

"Tonight's banquet is not just an ordinary social occasion." Lu Chenyi's tone suddenly became serious, "You are being pushed too hard by Li Tingchuan, maybe you should know that you have a better choice."

Su Qian was stunned, her mind was blank. She didn't expect Lu Chenyi to give her such a reminder at this time. She understood that his concern for her was far beyond the level of ordinary friends, but she also knew that she did not belong to his world.

She responded in a low voice: "I know, thank you."

Lu Chenyi on the other end of the phone didn't say anything more, and seemed to be aware of her hesitation and confusion. "If you need any help, remember to find me."

"Okay." Su Qian replied softly and hung up the phone.

She looked up at the night sky outside the window, her heart full of doubts and complicated emotions. She understood that she was no longer that simple woman, but was caught in an unfathomable vortex and could not escape.

It was late at night, and the room was quiet. Only her lonely figure was still silently guarding her loneliness and hope in this endless night.