The emergency board meeting convened at dawn, the conference room bathed in the cold blue light of early morning. Su Wanwan sat beside Lu Shiyan, her hands folded tightly in her lap, as the board members filed in—their faces grim, their eyes sharp with accusation. Mr. Zhang took the lead, slamming a folder onto the table so hard the papers inside rustled like agitated birds.
"Lu Shiyan," he began, his voice cutting through the silence, "do you realize what you've done? Jiang Enterprises has not only withdrawn their bid but is threatening legal action. Their allegations of mismanagement are already circulating in the financial press—our stock dropped three points overnight. This is a disaster."
Lu Shiyan leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but his jaw set. "The allegations are baseless," he said, his voice steady. "Jiang Yiyi's father is acting out of retaliation, not principle. We have full documentation proving our financial practices are above board."
"Documentation won't matter if the public believes otherwise!" snapped Mr. Li, a younger board member with a penchant for panic. "This is all because of your… entanglement with Ms. Su. Jiang Yiyi made it clear—her father would reconsider if you ended the marriage. You're putting personal feelings above the company's survival."
Su Wanwan felt a flush of anger rise to her cheeks. "That's not fair," she said, speaking up for the first time. All eyes turned to her, sharp and skeptical. "This isn't about me. It's about Jiang Yiyi's inability to accept that her engagement to Mr. Lu ended three years ago. Her father is using the company as a weapon to pressure him into choosing her."
Mr. Zhang scoffed. "What would you know about business, Ms. Su? You're a design student with no stake in this company—no idea what's at risk. We have shareholders to answer to, employees whose jobs hang in the balance. And you're here, dragging our CEO into your personal drama."
"Enough," Lu Shiyan said, his voice low and dangerous. "Su Wanwan is my wife, and she has every right to speak. Furthermore, her 'personal drama' is my drama. I made a choice—to stand by her, to be honest about our relationship—and I'd make it again. The Jiangs' tactics are unethical. We don't want partners who resort to blackmail and lies."
"But what about the cost?" Mr. Zhang pressed, leaning forward. "The joint venture with Jiang Enterprises was worth millions. We'll have to scramble to find a replacement, and in the meantime, our reputation is in tatters. You're letting love blind you, Shiyan. This isn't a fairy tale—it's a business."
Lu Shiyan opened the folder in front of him, sliding a stack of papers across the table. "I've already secured a meeting with Chen Group," he said. "They're interested in the joint venture—their offer is slightly lower, but their terms are more favorable in the long run. As for our reputation, Lin Zhou is drafting a press release addressing the allegations, with statements from our auditors confirming our financial integrity. We'll weather this."
The board members exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering across their faces. Mr. Zhang picked up the papers, flipping through them slowly. "Chen Group?" he said doubtfully. "They're a good company, but they're smaller than Jiang Enterprises. This is a risk."
"All business is a risk," Lu Shiyan replied. "But I'd rather take a risk with a company that values integrity than partner with one that uses threats to get what they want. And let's be clear—I won't end my marriage to Su Wanwan. Not for Jiang Enterprises, not for anyone. She's not a liability—she's an asset. Her perspective has already improved our projects, and her courage… it's reminded me what's worth fighting for."
Su Wanwan's heart swelled as she listened to him. He was defending her, defending their love, even when it meant risking his own company. She reached under the table, squeezing his hand, and he squeezed back—their silent communication a lifeline in the storm of arguments.
The meeting dragged on for hours, the board members grilling Lu Shiyan on his plans, questioning his judgment, and urging him to reconsider. But he remained steadfast, his arguments logical, his resolve unshakable. When it finally adjourned, most of the board members left with still-furrowed brows, but Mr. Zhang lingered, stopping beside Lu Shiyan's chair.
"I hope you know what you're doing," he said, his voice softer than before. "I've watched you build this company from the ground up—you're the smartest leader this group has ever had. But love… it's a dangerous thing. Don't let it destroy everything you've worked for."
"I won't," Lu Shiyan said. "But I also won't live my life in a cage—marrying someone I don't love, pretending to be someone I'm not. That's not the kind of leader I am, and it's not the kind of company I want Lu Group to be."
Mr. Zhang nodded, a faint flicker of respect in his eyes. "Very well. I'll support your decision—for now. But if things go south… don't say I didn't warn you."
With that, he left, and Su Wanwan let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "That was intense," she said, massaging her temples. "Do you think they'll really support us?"
Lu Shiyan stood up, pulling her to her feet and wrapping his arms around her. "Some of them will," he said. "The rest… we'll win them over. But even if we don't, I'm not changing my mind. You're worth more than any business deal, any board approval."
She buried her face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent—cedar and citrus, a comfort in the chaos. "I'm so sorry this is happening," she whispered. "If I hadn't agreed to the contract… if we hadn't crossed that line…"
"Don't," he said, pulling back to look at her. "I don't regret a single moment. The contract brought us together, but what we have now—it's real. And real love is worth fighting for. Even if it means burning a few bridges."
Just then, Lin Zhou hurried into the room, his face pale. "Mr. Lu, Ms. Su—we have a problem. Jiang Yiyi is holding a press conference downtown. She's promising to 'expose the truth' about your marriage. Our PR team is scrambling, but if she has something damaging…."
Lu Shiyan's jaw tightened. "What could she possibly have? We've been honest about our relationship now."
"I don't know," Lin Zhou said, his voice urgent. "But she's been talking to former employees—people who worked with you three years ago, when you were engaged to her. She's digging up old dirt, trying to paint you as a liar, as someone who manipulates people for personal gain."
Su Wanwan felt a chill run down her spine. "What old dirt?" she asked.
Lu Shiyan's expression darkened. "Three years ago, when Jiang Yiyi and I were engaged, her father asked me to approve a questionable land deal—one that would have made the Jiangs a fortune but would have displaced hundreds of families. I refused. We fought, and that's when the engagement ended. She's probably going to twist that story—say I ended the engagement because I wanted to pursue a better business opportunity, not because of ethics."
"That's not true," Su Wanwan said.
"I know," he said. "But the press loves a scandal. If she frames it as a power play, it will reinforce the board's fears that I'm putting my own interests above the company."
"We have to stop her," Su Wanwan said. "We can't let her lie about you like that."
Lu Shiyan nodded. "Lin Zhou, arrange a car. We're going to that press conference."
"Sir, are you sure?" Lin Zhou said. "Confronting her there could make things worse. It might look like we're trying to silence her."
"Not if we tell the truth," Lu Shiyan said. "The public deserves to know what really happened—why the engagement ended, why Jiang Yiyi is so determined to destroy us. We're not hiding anymore."
Su Wanwan squeezed his hand. "I'm with you," she said.
They arrived at the press conference venue—an upscale hotel ballroom—twenty minutes later. The room was packed, cameras flashing, reporters shouting questions as Jiang Yiyi stood at the podium, her face composed but her eyes blazing with anger. She was wearing a white dress, her hair styled in soft waves, looking every inch the wronged fiancée.
"…and that's when I knew," she was saying, her voice trembling with feigned emotion, "that Lu Shiyan never loved me. He used our engagement to gain access to my father's business connections, then dumped me when he no longer needed me. Now he's married to Su Wanwan—a woman he barely knows—just to spite me. But what he doesn't realize is that the truth always comes out. I have proof—emails, text messages—that show he was planning to end our engagement long before he met Su Wanwan. He's a liar, a manipulator, and he's unfit to lead Lu Group."
The reporters erupted in questions, and Jiang Yiyi smiled, looking pleased with herself. That's when Lu Shiyan and Su Wanwan walked in, hand in hand, their presence silencing the room. All eyes turned to them—shock, curiosity, anticipation written on every face.
Jiang Yiyi's smile faltered when she saw them, but she quickly regained her composure. "Well, look who decided to show up," she said, her voice sharp. "Come to defend your lies, Lu Shiyan? Or are you here to drag Su Wanwan further into your mess?"
Lu Shiyan ignored her, stepping forward to the podium as a reporter handed him a microphone. Su Wanwan stood beside him, her back straight, her expression calm but resolute.
"Let's set the record straight," Lu Shiyan said, his voice booming over the crowd. "Three years ago, I ended my engagement to Jiang Yiyi because her father asked me to approve a land deal that would have displaced 500 families in a low-income neighborhood. The deal was unethical—it ignored environmental regulations, it exploited vulnerable people, and it went against everything I believe in. When I refused, Jiang Yiyi accused me of choosing business over her. She said I was 'too idealistic'—that 'business is about making money, not saving people.' That's when I knew we were never right for each other."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "As for the emails and text messages she's talking about—yes, I did consider ending the engagement before that. Because I realized that Jiang Yiyi and I had fundamentally different values. She cared about power, about status, about money. I cared about building a company that did good—one that treated its employees fairly, that gave back to the community. Our engagement was a mistake, and I should have ended it sooner."
Jiang Yiyi's face turned red with anger. "That's a lie!" she shouted. "You're making this up to paint yourself as a hero! You ended the engagement because you wanted to take over my father's company—because you're greedy!"
"Is that why you're here today?" Lu Shiyan asked, his voice cold. "Because you can't accept that I chose integrity over you? Because you're angry that I found someone who shares my values—someone who sees the best in me, not just what I can give her?"
He turned to Su Wanwan, his eyes softening. "Su Wanwan is not a consolation prize. She's not a way to spite anyone. She's the kindest, bravest, most genuine person I've ever met. When I was at my lowest—when I was questioning whether running Lu Group was worth sacrificing my happiness—she showed up. She challenged me, she supported me, she loved me for who I am, not for my title or my money."
Su Wanwan felt tears prick at her eyes as he spoke. He was laying bare his soul, his vulnerabilities, in front of hundreds of strangers—all to defend her, to defend their love.
"And as for the land deal," Lu Shiyan continued, pulling a folder from his pocket and holding it up, "I have the documentation right here. Emails from Jiang Yiyi's father pressuring me to approve it, text messages from Jiang Yiyi urging me to 'stop being so moralistic.' I also have evidence that Jiang Enterprises went ahead with the deal anyway—they found another partner, and those 500 families were displaced. That's the kind of company we're dealing with. That's the kind of person Jiang Yiyi is."
The room erupted in chaos—reporters shouting questions, cameras flashing wildly. Jiang Yiyi stared at Lu Shiyan, her face ashen, her hands trembling. "You… you can't do this," she whispered.
"I can," Lu Shiyan said. "Because the truth matters. And I'm tired of letting you and your family manipulate the narrative. Su Wanwan and I are married—for real. We're not perfect, and our relationship didn't start in the most conventional way. But we love each other, and we're not going to let anyone—you, the board, the press—tear us apart."
He turned to Su Wanwan, taking her hand in his. "Ready to go?" he asked, his voice soft.
She nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "More than ready."
They walked out of the ballroom, ignoring the reporters' shouts, their hands clasped tightly. When they reached the car, Lin Zhou was waiting, a relieved smile on his face. "That was brilliant, sir. The PR team is already drafting a follow-up with the documentation—this should put an end to the rumors once and for all."
Lu Shiyan nodded, opening the car door for Su Wanwan. "Good. And what about Jiang Enterprises? Any word on the lawsuit?"
"Jiang Yiyi's father issued a statement saying he's 'reconsidering' the legal action," Lin Zhou said. "I think your press conference caught them off guard. They didn't expect you to fight back so publicly."
"Good," Lu Shiyan said, sliding into the car beside Su Wanwan. "Let them reconsider. I'm not afraid of them."
The drive back to the mansion was quiet, but this time, the tension was replaced by a sense of calm. Su Wanwan leaned her head on Lu Shiyan's shoulder, watching the city pass by. "Do you think it's over?" she asked. "The rumors, the threats?"
Lu Shiyan wrapped his arm around her. "No," he said honestly. "Jiang Yiyi won't give up easily. And the board—some of them will still be skeptical. But we made a statement today. We showed the world that we're not hiding, that our love is real. That's a start."
She nodded, snuggling closer. "I'm so proud of you," she said. "For standing up for what's right, for defending us."
He kissed the top of her head. "I couldn't have done it without you. You gave me the courage to be honest—to stop pretending that business was the only thing that mattered."
When they arrived home, the sun was high in the sky, warming the mansion's marble floors. They walked hand in hand into the living room, and Lu Shiyan pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. It was a kiss full of passion, of relief, of promise—a kiss that said we survived, we're together, we're home.
When they pulled apart, Su Wanwan smiled up at him. "What now?" she asked.
"Now," he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face, "we celebrate. And then we get back to work—proving to the board, to the company, to everyone, that love and business can coexist. That choosing what's right doesn't have to mean losing everything."
He led her to the kitchen, where their housekeeper had prepared a picnic lunch—fresh fruit, sandwiches, a bottle of champagne. They sat on the patio, overlooking the garden, and ate in silence, savoring the peace, the warmth of the sun, the presence of each other.
As they finished eating, Lu Shiyan took Su Wanwan's hand. "I have something to ask you," he said, his voice serious. "Not as your contract husband, not as the CEO of Lu Group—just as Lu Shiyan, the man who loves you."
She nodded, her heart racing. "What is it?"
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. He opened it, revealing a simple gold ring—no diamonds, no frills, just a smooth band. "When we got married, it was for show," he said. "We had rings, but they didn't mean anything. This… this is real. Su Wanwan, will you marry me—for real? No contracts, no pretense, just us. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Will you be my wife, forever?"
Tears streamed down Su Wanwan's face as she looked at him—at the man who had gone from a stranger to her rock, from a contract partner to the love of her life. She nodded, her voice trembling. "Yes," she said. "Yes, I will."
He slipped the ring onto her finger, and it fit perfectly—warm, solid, a symbol of their commitment. He pulled her into his arms, kissing her again, and this time, there was no doubt, no fear, no chaos—just love, pure and simple.
As they held each other, the phone rang. Lu Shiyan answered it, his expression softening as he listened. "Yes, Mr. Zhang," he said. "I understand. Thank you for the support. I'll see you at the meeting tomorrow."
He hung up, smiling at Su Wanwan. "That was Mr. Zhang. He said the board has reviewed the documentation from the press conference, and they'refully on board with the Chen Group partnership. They're impressed by how we handled the press conference—said it showed transparency and backbone, two things shareholders value more than a quick profit."
Su Wanwan's eyes lit up, a weight lifting from her shoulders. "That's amazing," she breathed, running her thumb over the simple gold ring on her finger. It still felt surreal—this ring, this proposal, this man who had fought for her when the world seemed against them. "I can't believe it. After everything, they're actually supporting us?"
"After everything," Lu Shiyan echoed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "they finally saw what I've known all along. Integrity isn't a liability—it's the foundation of any company that wants to last. And you… you're the reason I remembered that." He pressed a kiss to her knuckles, his gaze warm and unwavering. "But we're not out of the woods yet. Zhang mentioned Jiang Enterprises released a statement an hour ago—they're denying the land deal allegations, calling our documentation 'forged.' They're trying to spin this as a smear campaign to ruin their reputation."
Su Wanwan's smile faded. "Do they really think anyone will believe them? You showed the emails, the text messages—how can they deny it?"
"Desperation makes people do irrational things," Lu Shiyan said, his jaw tightening slightly. "Jiang Yiyi's father has too much pride to admit he's wrong. He'll likely double down, maybe try to dig up more irrelevant dirt or even file a countersuit for defamation. But it won't work. Our auditors have verified every piece of evidence, and several of the displaced families have reached out to the press, confirming the land deal destroyed their homes. The public is on our side now."
Just as he finished speaking, Lin Zhou's name popped up on Lu Shiyan's phone. He answered it quickly, his expression turning serious as he listened. "Slow down, Lin Zhou. What do you mean she's at the mansion gates?"
Su Wanwan's heart skipped a beat. "Who?" she mouthed.
Lu Shiyan's eyes darkened. "Tell security not to let her in. I don't care what she says—she's not welcome here." He paused, jaw set. "Fine. Give her ten minutes. But I'm not meeting her alone." He hung up, sighing heavily. "Jiang Yiyi. She showed up at the front gate, screaming about wanting to 'talk'—though I suspect it's less talking and more throwing a tantrum."
"I'll come with you," Su Wanwan said immediately, standing up. She wasn't going to let Lu Shiyan face that woman alone—not after everything they'd been through. "If she's going to yell and lie, I want to be there to set the record straight. Together."
Lu Shiyan nodded, his hand squeezing hers tightly. "Together," he agreed.
They walked down the grand staircase, the marble cool beneath their feet, and toward the front entrance. Through the tall glass doors, Su Wanwan could see Jiang Yiyi pacing on the driveway, her white dress now wrinkled, her hair disheveled—far from the polished "wronged fiancée" she'd been at the press conference. When she spotted them, her face contorted with rage.
"You!" she shrieked, lunging toward the doors as the security guard stepped in front of her. "Lu Shiyan! You liar! You ruined my life! My father's company is in shambles—investors are pulling out, the press is hounding us, all because of you!"
Lu Shiyan pushed the door open, his expression cold. "You and your father did this to yourselves," he said, his voice steady. "You chose greed over ethics, blackmail over integrity. I merely told the truth."
"You stole him from me!" Jiang Yiyi screamed, her eyes locking onto Su Wanwan. "This is your fault! You're a gold digger, a homewrecker—you tricked Lu Shiyan into marrying you with your fake innocence!"
Su Wanwan stepped forward, her back straight, her voice calm but firm. "I never tricked anyone. Lu Shiyan chose me because we share the same values—values you and your family clearly don't understand. He chose honesty over pretense, kindness over cruelty, love over power. And I chose him too—because he's a good man, something you never appreciated when you had the chance."
"You don't know anything about us!" Jiang Yiyi cried, tears streaming down her face—angry tears, not sad ones. "He promised to marry me! He promised to build a life with me! And then he threw it all away for you—a nobody design student with no connections, no wealth, nothing!"
"Nothing but his love," Su Wanwan said softly. "Which is more than you ever had. You loved his title, his money, his influence. I love him—for who he is, not what he has. That's the difference between us."
Lu Shiyan pulled Su Wanwan closer to his side, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist. "That's enough, Jiang Yiyi," he said, his voice dangerous. "You've said your piece. Now leave. If you don't, I'll have security escort you off the property—and file a restraining order if you ever come near us again."
Jiang Yiyi stared at them, her chest heaving. For a moment, Su Wanwan saw a flash of vulnerability in her eyes—regret, maybe, or grief for the life she'd never have. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by bitter anger.
"You'll regret this," she spat. "Both of you. Love doesn't last—not in the real world. When the novelty wears off, when the company faces another crisis, he'll leave you. Just like he left me."
Lu Shiyan shook his head. "I never left you, Jiang Yiyi. You left me the moment you chose your father's unethical deal over what was right. You left me when you accused me of being 'too idealistic' for caring about people. Su Wanwan would never do that. She's my partner—in every sense of the word. We face things together, not alone."
He turned to Su Wanwan, his gaze softening. "Shall we go inside?"
She nodded, squeezing his hand. As they turned to leave, Jiang Yiyi let out a broken sob. "I loved you," she whispered, so quietly only they could hear. "I really did."
Lu Shiyan paused, his back still to her. "I know," he said, his voice quieter than before. "But love isn't enough if you don't respect each other. Goodbye, Jiang Yiyi."
They walked back into the mansion, closing the door behind them, shutting out Jiang Yiyi's cries and the last of the chaos she'd brought into their lives. The silence inside was peaceful, a stark contrast to the noise outside.
Su Wanwan leaned against the door, letting out a shaky breath. "That was… exhausting," she said.
Lu Shiyan wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "But it's over," he said. "She won't bother us again. I promise."
She nodded, burying her face in his chest. "Do you think she meant what she said? That love doesn't last?"
He pulled back, tilting her chin up so she looked into his eyes. "No," he said firmly. "Not the kind of love we have. Ours isn't based on convenience or status or promises we can't keep. It's based on truth—about who we are, what we want, what we're willing to fight for. It's based on choosing each other, every single day, even when it's hard. That kind of love lasts forever."
He kissed her gently, his lips warm against hers, and she melted into him. In that moment, all the stress, all the fear, all the uncertainty faded away. All that mattered was him—his arms around her, his heart beating against hers, the promise of forever in the ring on her finger.
When they pulled apart, Lu Shiyan smiled down at her. "Ready to celebrate for real this time?" he asked.
She laughed, wiping away a stray tear. "More than ready."
That night, they didn't throw a big party or invite any guests. Instead, they stayed in, cooking dinner together in the kitchen—burning the pasta a little, laughing as they spilled wine, enjoying the simple, ordinary moment they'd fought so hard for. After dinner, they sat on the patio, watching the stars come out, their fingers intertwined.
"I never thought I'd have this," Lu Shiyan said softly, looking at her. "A life that's not just about work, about the company, about meeting everyone else's expectations. A life that's mine. A life with you."
Su Wanwan leaned her head on his shoulder. "I never thought I'd have this either," she admitted. "When I signed that contract, I thought it was just a way to pay my tuition, to get out of a tough spot. I never imagined I'd fall in love with you. I never imagined you'd fight for me like you did."
He turned to her, his eyes shining. "You're worth fighting for. Always."
As the night wore on, they talked about the future—about the Chen Group partnership, about her finishing design school, about building a life together that was both meaningful and happy. There were still challenges ahead, of course—business deals to negotiate, shareholders to satisfy, the occasional reminder of the chaos they'd left behind. But for the first time, neither of them was afraid. Because they knew they'd face it together.
The next morning, Lu Shiyan went to the office for the board meeting, and Su Wanwan went with him—this time, not as his "contract wife" or his plus-one, but as his partner. When they walked into the conference room, the board members greeted them with smiles—genuine ones, not the skeptical frowns of the day before. Mr. Zhang stood up, extending his hand to Su Wanwan.
"Ms. Su," he said, his voice warm. "I owe you an apology. I judged you too quickly, assumed you were a distraction. But after seeing how you stood by Mr. Lu, how you spoke up for what's right—you're exactly the kind of partner he needs. And exactly the kind of influence this company can benefit from."
Su Wanwan shook his hand, smiling. "Thank you, Mr. Zhang. I appreciate that."
The meeting was short and productive. The board officially approved the Chen Group partnership, and they discussed plans to launch a community outreach program—supporting the families displaced by Jiang Enterprises' land deal, as a way to turn the crisis into something positive. Lu Shiyan led the discussion, but he kept looking at Su Wanwan, asking for her input, valuing her perspective—a small gesture that spoke volumes about how much their relationship had changed, how much she meant to him.
When the meeting ended, Lu Shiyan took Su Wanwan's hand, leading her out of the conference room and into his office. He closed the door behind them, pulling her into his arms.
"We did it," he said, his voice filled with pride.
"We did," she agreed, kissing him.
Just then, his phone rang. It was Lin Zhou, with one final update. "Sir, Jiang Enterprises has officially dropped the lawsuit. And according to their press release, Mr. Jiang is stepping down as CEO. Jiang Yiyi has left the country—apparently, she's moving to Europe to 'start fresh.'"
Lu Shiyan smiled. "Good. Let them start fresh. We're already moving forward."
He hung up the phone, turning back to Su Wanwan. "So," he said, grinning. "What do you say we take a vacation? Somewhere quiet, somewhere we can just be us—no board meetings, no press conferences, no Jiangs."
Su Wanwan laughed, throwing her arms around his neck. "I say that sounds perfect."
As they embraced, the sun streamed through the office windows, warming the room—warmth that felt like hope, like happiness, like forever. They'd burned bridges to get here, yes—but in doing so, they'd built something far stronger: a love based on truth, a partnership based on respect, a future based on choosing each other, no matter what.
And that, they both knew, was worth every single bridge burned.