The sound of high heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the office as Jiang Yiyi stepped inside. She was stunning—blonde hair styled in loose waves, red lips painted in a bold hue, and a figure-hugging white dress that screamed luxury. Her eyes swept over Su Wanwan with a mixture of disdain and amusement before settling on Lu Shiyan, her expression softening into something bordering on adoration.
"Shiyan," she said, her voice honeyed. "It's been too long. I heard you got married—congratulations. I just had to come see for myself."
Lu Shiyan's jaw was set in a tight line, his gaze cold as he looked at her. "Jiang Yiyi. What are you doing here?"
"Can't an old friend stop by to congratulate you?" she said, stepping closer to his desk. She ignored Su Wanwan entirely, her focus fixed on Lu Shiyan. "I just returned from Paris yesterday. I would have reached out sooner, but I wanted to surprise you."
"Surprise," Lu Shiyan repeated, his tone flat. "You've succeeded. Now, if you don't have any business with Lu Group, I suggest you leave. I'm busy."
Jiang Yiyi's smile faltered for a split second before she recovered, her eyes glinting with determination. "Actually, I do have business. I heard about your joint venture with Starlight Media. My father's company is interested in partnering with you—we have the resources to make the entertainment complex a global success." She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a purr. "And I thought we could discuss the details over dinner. Just like old times."
Su Wanwan felt a pang of jealousy in her chest, sharp and unexpected. She knew she had no right to feel that way—she was just a contract wife, after all—but seeing Jiang Yiyi's familiarity with Lu Shiyan, the way she looked at him like she owned him, made her blood boil. She stood up, straightening her blazer, and forced a calm smile. "I'm afraid Mr. Lu already has plans for dinner tonight," she said. "We're having dinner with his grandmother."
It was a lie—Lu Shiyan had no plans that evening—but she couldn't stand the thought of him alone with Jiang Yiyi.
Jiang Yiyi finally turned to look at her, her lips curling into a sneer. "And you are?"
"Su Wanwan," she replied, holding her head high. "Mrs. Lu."
Jiang Yiyi laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. "Mrs. Lu. How… quaint. I didn't realize Shiyan was into marrying ordinary girls now. No offense, of course—but you're not exactly his type. He used to prefer women with substance, with connections." She glanced at Lu Shiyan. "Remember, Shiyan? We used to talk about building an empire together. Not just settling for… this."
Su Wanwan's cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger. She wanted to lash out, to tell Jiang Yiyi that her relationship with Lu Shiyan was none of her business, but she held back. She was here to maintain the facade, not start a fight.
Lu Shiyan stood up, placing a hand on Su Wanwan's shoulder—a gesture that surprised both her and Jiang Yiyi. "My wife is exactly the type of woman I want," he said, his voice firm. "And as for the partnership—we'll consider it, but I'll have Lin Zhou handle the negotiations. I don't mix business with personal matters." He paused, his gaze cutting into Jiang Yiyi. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have work to do."
Jiang Yiyi's face turned red with anger, but she didn't argue. Instead, she gave Su Wanwan a final glare before turning to Lu Shiyan. "I'll be in touch, Shiyan. Don't forget—we have history. You can't just erase that." With that, she turned and walked out of the office, her heels clicking loudly as she left.
As soon as the door closed, Su Wanwan let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. The tension in the room was thick, and she could feel Lu Shiyan's gaze on her. She turned to him, her heart racing. "Thank you," she said. "For defending me."
He removed his hand from her shoulder, his expression hardening again. "I wasn't defending you," he said. "I was defending the contract. Jiang Yiyi's behavior was unprofessional, and it was damaging the facade."
Su Wanwan nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. Of course. It was always about the contract. She turned to leave, but he stopped her.
"Wait," he said. "Sit down. We need to talk."
She sat back down in the chair across from his desk, her hands resting nervously in her lap. "About what?"
"Jiang Yiyi," he said. "She's not going to give up easily. She's been trying to win me back since we ended the engagement three years ago."
Su Wanwan's curiosity got the better of her. "Why did you end it?"
He hesitated, his gaze flickering to the window before returning to her. "We wanted different things. She cared more about power and status than anything else. I didn't want a marriage based on business deals."
Ironically, that's exactly what he had with Su Wanwan. But she didn't say that—she just nodded. "So what do we do now? She's going to keep showing up, isn't she?"
"Yes," he said. "Which means we need to be more convincing. More affectionate in public. The more real our marriage looks, the sooner she'll back off." He paused. "And that means we'll have to spend more time together outside of work and family dinners. Dates. Public appearances. Things like that."
Su Wanwan's heart skipped a beat. Dates with Lu Shiyan? Even if they were fake, the thought made her nervous—and excited. "Okay," she said. "Whatever it takes to keep up the facade."
He nodded, returning to his work. "Good. Lin Zhou will arrange a few events for us next week. In the meantime, try not to let Jiang Yiyi get to you. She's just trying to rattle you."
But it was too late—Jiang Yiyi had already rattled her. All afternoon, Su Wanwan couldn't focus on her work. She kept thinking about Jiang Yiyi's words—you're not exactly his type—and wondering if they were true. Lu Shiyan had never shown any interest in her beyond the contract, never given any indication that he found her attractive or interesting. She was just a placeholder, a way to get his grandmother off his back and the board off his case.
That evening, they drove back to the mansion in silence. Su Wanwan stared out the window, her mind racing. She knew she shouldn't be feeling this way—jealousy, insecurity, hope—but she couldn't help it. Every day, Lu Shiyan showed her a new side of himself: the way he defended her, the way he asked for her opinion, the way he'd held her hand in the kitchen the night before. It was impossible not to fall for him, even if she knew it was a mistake.
When they arrived at the mansion, Su Wanwan went straight to her bedroom. She changed into comfortable clothes and sat on the bed, staring at the marriage certificate on her nightstand. The red booklet felt heavy in her hands, a reminder of the lie she was living. She thought about her mother's medical bills, the reason she'd signed the contract in the first place. She couldn't afford to get emotionally involved—she needed to keep her focus on the money.
But as she lay in bed that night, she couldn't stop thinking about Lu Shiyan. She thought about the way he'd looked at her when she'd worn the emerald gown, the way he'd defended her against Chen Minghao, the way he'd hesitated when talking about his past with Jiang Yiyi. She wondered if there was a part of him that wanted something real, something more than a contract.
The next morning, Su Wanwan woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. It was her mother's nurse, calling to update her on her mother's condition. "Ms. Su," the nurse said. "Your mother's condition has worsened. She's developed a fever, and her breathing is shallow. The doctor says we need to run some tests, but they're expensive. I thought you should know."
Su Wanwan's heart dropped. "How much do the tests cost?"
"About fifty thousand yuan," the nurse said. "I'm sorry to burden you with this, but the doctor says it's necessary."
Fifty thousand yuan. It was more money than Su Wanwan had ever had in her life. She'd already used the advance Lu Shiyan had given her to pay off the previous medical bills. She had no way to come up with the money on her own.
She hung up the phone, her hands shaking. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't ask Lu Shiyan for more money—their contract was clear: he'd pay her two million yuan at the end of three months, plus cover her mother's medical bills. But this was an unexpected expense, and she didn't know if he'd agree to pay for it.
She got dressed and headed downstairs, her mind racing. When she entered the dining room, Lu Shiyan was already seated, eating breakfast. He looked up at her, noticing her pale face. "Are you okay?" he asked.
She hesitated, then sat down across from him. "My mother's condition has worsened," she said, her voice trembling. "She needs tests that cost fifty thousand yuan. I don't have the money to pay for them."
Lu Shiyan's expression softened slightly. "I'll take care of it," he said.
Su Wanwan's eyes widened. "Really? You will?"
He nodded. "I said I'd cover her medical bills. This is part of that. I'll have Lin Zhou transfer the money to the hospital this morning."
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. She was so grateful, so relieved, that she didn't know what to say. "Thank you," she whispered. "I don't know how to repay you."
"You don't have to," he said. "It's part of the contract."
Again, the contract. It was always the contract. But this time, his words didn't sting as much. He was still helping her, even if it was just part of their agreement.
After breakfast, Lu Shiyan called Lin Zhou and instructed him to transfer the money. Su Wanwan watched him, her heart filled with a mix of gratitude and something else—something deeper. She knew she was falling for him, and she was terrified. But she couldn't help it. He was kind, even if he didn't want to admit it. He was thoughtful, even if he tried to hide it. He was everything she'd never thought she'd find in a man like him.
That afternoon, Jiang Yiyi showed up again—this time at the lobby of Lu Group. She was waiting for them when they exited the elevator, a bouquet of red roses in her hand. "Shiyan," she said, holding out the roses. "I thought these might brighten your day. And I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was out of line."
Lu Shiyan didn't take the roses. "Save your apologies," he said. "And your roses. I'm married." He took Su Wanwan's hand, lacing his fingers through hers. "Come on, Wanwan. We have a meeting to attend."
As they walked past Jiang Yiyi, Su Wanwan felt a surge of pride. Lu Shiyan was choosing her—even if it was just for show. But when they reached the door, Jiang Yiyi called out to her.
"Mrs. Lu!" she said. "A word?"
Su Wanwan hesitated, then turned around. Lu Shiyan stopped beside her, his hand still in hers. "What do you want?"
Jiang Yiyi smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "I just wanted to tell you something. Shiyan and I were engaged for three years. We shared everything—dreams, secrets, a life. You're just a temporary replacement. A placeholder until he realizes what he's lost." She paused, her gaze sharp. "Enjoy your little fantasy while it lasts. It won't be long before he comes back to me."
Su Wanwan's heart felt like it had been pierced by a knife. She wanted to believe that Jiang Yiyi was lying, but there was a part of her that feared she was right. She looked up at Lu Shiyan, searching his eyes for reassurance, but he was staring at Jiang Yiyi, his expression livid.
"Get out of here," he said, his voice dangerous. "And if you ever speak to my wife like that again, I'll make sure you never set foot in this building—or any other building associated with Lu Group—ever again."
Jiang Yiyi's face turned white, but she didn't back down. She gave Su Wanwan one final glare before turning and walking away.
As soon as she was gone, Su Wanwan pulled her hand out of Lu Shiyan's. "I need to go to my office," she said, her voice trembling.
She walked away before he could say anything, hurrying to her small office and closing the door behind her. She leaned against the door, tears streaming down her face. Jiang Yiyi's words had hit too close to home. She was a placeholder. A temporary replacement. And when the three months were up, she'd have to leave, and Lu Shiyan would go back to his old life—maybe even to Jiang Yiyi.
A knock on the door made her jump. "Su Wanwan," Lu Shiyan said. "Can I come in?"
She wiped her tears and composed herself before opening the door. He stepped inside, his expression soft with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded, but her voice betrayed her. "I'm fine."
He didn't believe her. He walked closer to her, his eyes searching hers. "Don't listen to her," he said. "She's lying. She's just trying to get to you."
"Is she?" Su Wanwan asked, her voice breaking. "Were you really engaged for three years? Did you share everything? Am I just a placeholder?"
Lu Shiyan hesitated, then sighed. "Yes, we were engaged for three years. And yes, we shared a lot. But that's in the past. I ended the engagement because I didn't want to marry her. I chose you—even if it's a contract, I chose you."
"But why?" she asked. "Why me? There are so many other women who could have played this role. Why a poor design student with no connections, no status?"
He looked at her, his gaze intense. "Because you're honest. Because you're not after my money or my status. Because when you look at me, you don't see Lu Shiyan, CEO of Lu Group—you see a man. A man who's just trying to get through the day without losing his mind." He paused. "And because… when I bandaged your hand that night, I saw something in you. Something real. Something I haven't seen in anyone else in a long time."
Su Wanwan's heart raced. His words were everything she'd wanted to hear, but she was scared to believe them. "What are you saying?" she asked.
"I'm saying that this contract… it's not just a contract anymore," he said. "At least, not to me."
Before she could respond, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. She stiffened at first, then relaxed, wrapping her arms around his waist. She could feel his heartbeat against her chest, hear his steady breathing in her ear. The scent of his sandalwood cologne surrounded her, and for a moment, everything else faded away—Jiang Yiyi, the contract, the lies. It was just the two of them, standing in her small office, holding each other like their lives depended on it.
He pulled back slightly, his hands resting on her shoulders. His dark eyes locked with hers, and she could see the raw emotion in them—vulnerability, hope, something that looked a lot like love. "I don't know what this means," he said, his voice low. "I don't know where this is going. But I do know that I don't want to pretend anymore. I don't want to be just your contract husband. I want to be your husband—for real."
Su Wanwan's eyes filled with tears. She'd dreamed of this moment, but she'd never thought it would come true. "Lu Shiyan," she said, her voice trembling. "I… I want that too."
He smiled, a real, genuine smile that lit up his face. Then, he leaned down and kissed her. It was soft at first, tentative, but then it deepened, becoming more passionate, more urgent. His lips moved against hers, and she kissed him back, pouring all of her emotions into the kiss—gratitude, hope, love.
When they finally pulled apart, they were both breathing heavily. Lu Shiyan rested his forehead against hers, his hands cupping her face. "I'm sorry it took me so long to admit it," he said. "I was scared. Scared of getting hurt, scared of losing control."
"I'm scared too," she said. "Scared that this is too good to be true, scared that you'll change your mind."
"I won't," he said. "I promise."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Mr. Lu, Ms. Su," Lin Zhou said. "The board meeting is starting in five minutes."
They pulled apart, their faces flushed. Lu Shiyan cleared his throat, straightening his blazer. "We'll be right there," he said.
Lin Zhou walked away, and Su Wanwan looked up at Lu Shiyan, a smile tugging at her lips. "We should go," she said.
He nodded, taking her hand. "Together," he said.
As they walked toward the conference room, hand in hand, Su Wanwan felt a sense of peace. The contract was no longer just a contract. Their marriage was no longer just a facade. It was real—messy, complicated, but real.