The following days were filled with an uneasy calm. Though Lu Cheng's family had not made any further direct moves to sabotage their relationship, Su Nian could feel the subtle pressure growing. His grandparents had all but disappeared from her life, but the tension remained in every glance his family gave her when they crossed paths. There was an unspoken belief that she didn't belong in their world, that she would eventually be the one to crumble under the weight of their expectations.
But she refused to back down. Lu Cheng had made it clear he was committed to her, and she wouldn't let the actions of others steal her happiness.
It was late afternoon when she received a message from Lu Cheng. It was brief and to the point:
"Meet me at the private terrace at the penthouse. I need to talk to you about something important."
Her heart skipped a beat. Lu Cheng had been distant lately, consumed by the ongoing battle with his family. Su Nian had been trying to give him space, to allow him to focus on the storm surrounding them, but she missed him—more than she was willing to admit. She quickly changed into something more casual and grabbed her purse, knowing this meeting could be the turning point in their fight for love.
When she arrived at the penthouse, she was immediately greeted by the soft glow of candlelight and the scent of roses. It was nothing like the tense, formal atmosphere of the Lu family estate. Here, in their private world, it was just the two of them—no pressures, no expectations.
She stepped out onto the terrace, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the view of the city below. The skyline was bathed in golden light, the setting sun casting long shadows across the buildings. But what truly captivated her was Lu Cheng, standing at the edge of the terrace, his silhouette framed by the warm glow of the evening.
He turned as she approached, and for a moment, they just looked at each other. There was so much unspoken between them—so much longing, so much passion—and yet the weight of their situation hung over them like a dark cloud.
"NianNian," he murmured softly, his voice a mixture of relief and something deeper. "I've been thinking about you nonstop. About us."
Su Nian felt her heart stir at the rawness in his voice. She took a step closer to him, her eyes never leaving his. "I've been thinking about you too, Cheng. About everything. I don't want to lose you, not over something we can't control."
His eyes darkened with a depth of emotion, and he reached out, gently pulling her into his arms. She melted against him, her face buried in the warmth of his chest. For a moment, there was no family pressure, no conflict—only the two of them, together.
"Neither do I," he whispered. "But my family won't stop. They'll do anything to tear us apart, to make me choose them over you."
She pulled back slightly, looking up at him, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "Then let's make them understand, Cheng. Let's show them that we're not giving up, no matter what."
His expression softened, but there was a faint hint of sadness in his eyes. "I'm afraid it's not that simple, NianNian. My family… they don't care about what we want. They care about power, about control."
"I don't care about power or control," Su Nian said fiercely, her voice unwavering. "I care about you. And if we have to fight for that, then I'll fight with you."
Lu Cheng looked at her for a long moment, as if weighing her words, before he finally nodded. "I love you, NianNian. And I want you by my side, no matter what."
She smiled, a soft, tender expression that spoke volumes about her feelings. She had never been more certain of anything in her life. She didn't need his family's approval. She just needed him.
As the evening wore on, the conversation shifted, becoming more intimate. Lu Cheng spoke about his fears, about the pressure from his grandparents, and the looming expectation that he would marry someone from a powerful family to secure the future of the Lu business empire. But for all the talk of duty and legacy, Su Nian could feel the quiet desperation in his voice—the need to break free from the shackles that bound him.
"You don't have to choose between us, Cheng," Su Nian said, her voice barely a whisper. "If your family doesn't understand, then we'll build our own future. Just you and me."
He pulled her close again, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was filled with all the emotion they had been holding back. There was no hesitation this time, no holding back. The kiss deepened, fueled by their longing, their frustration, their desire to finally claim each other.
Su Nian's heart raced as she pressed herself closer to him, feeling the heat of his body, the strength in his arms as he held her. She could feel the tension in his muscles, the way his breath became ragged as he deepened the kiss, his hands sliding down to her waist.
She didn't want to stop. Not now. Not when it felt like they were finally surrendering to everything they had been holding inside.
But just as their kiss grew more urgent, Lu Cheng pulled back, his breathing heavy. He looked at her with intensity, his eyes searching hers. "We can't let this be about just passion, NianNian," he murmured, his voice hoarse. "This is bigger than that. This is about our future."
Su Nian's lips tingled from his touch, but she nodded, understanding the weight of his words. "I know. But… this is part of it too, Cheng. We can't ignore what we feel."
He closed his eyes for a moment, fighting the inner conflict between his desires and his sense of responsibility. But then, with a quiet sigh, he leaned in to kiss her again, this time slower, more deliberate. Every movement was a promise, a silent vow that they were in this together, no matter the consequences.
As the night wore on, the air around them seemed to hum with a quiet electricity, their bodies magnetized by an undeniable force. Lu Cheng's kisses became more heated, more desperate, as if he was trying to burn away the doubts, the worries, the fear that had been plaguing him. His hands roamed over her body, tracing the curves of her form with a reverence that made her shiver.
Su Nian's own desire flared, a response that came from the depths of her soul. She had never felt more alive than she did in this moment, in the arms of the man she loved. The connection between them was undeniable, and she wanted to surrender to it fully, to forget the world outside and just lose herself in him.
But as the intensity of their passion grew, there was a moment of clarity. Su Nian pulled back slightly, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Cheng," she whispered, her voice trembling, "I don't want this to be a mistake. I want it to mean something. I want us to build something together."
He stopped, his forehead resting against hers. The intensity in his eyes never wavered, but his touch softened. "We will, NianNian. I promise. No matter what happens, we'll do it together."
And in that moment, as their breaths mingled and their hearts beat in sync, Su Nian knew that she was willing to fight for this love. No matter what it cost her, she would never let go of Lu Cheng.