The following week was a whirlwind of emotions. Su Nian tried her best to focus on her studies, but the weight of everything happening with Lu Cheng's family hung over her like a dark cloud. Every glance from the few people in his life who still doubted her, every whisper behind her back, was a reminder that she wasn't welcome in the world she now shared with him.
But what hurt more than the cold stares was the strain on Lu Cheng. He was still the same attentive, caring man she had fallen for, but the pressure from his family was starting to show. His smiles came less frequently, his temper a little shorter, and Su Nian couldn't help but feel guilty for being the cause of his internal battle.
It was late in the evening when Lu Cheng called her. His voice on the other end was taut, a sense of urgency in his words.
"NianNian, I need you to meet me tonight. Something's come up."
She didn't ask any questions—she simply agreed and rushed out the door, her heart pounding in her chest. The last time he sounded like this was when he'd been caught in an impossible situation with his family.
Su Nian arrived at the luxurious penthouse, her thoughts racing. Lu Cheng was waiting for her at the same terrace where they had shared such an intimate moment not long ago. But tonight, there was a sense of unease in the air, the soft glow of candles doing little to mask the tension in his posture.
As she stepped outside, Lu Cheng turned to face her, his gaze sharp, but tired.
"I'm sorry to drag you out here," he said, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "But something's happened—someone's making moves, and I need you to be careful."
Su Nian raised an eyebrow, the concern in her heart swelling. "What do you mean? Who's making moves?"
Lu Cheng's jaw tightened. "There's a person from my family—someone close to my grandfather—who's been quietly working behind the scenes. They don't want me to marry you, NianNian. They're using everything at their disposal to break us apart."
Her heart skipped a beat. "Who is it? What do they want?"
He hesitated before answering, his eyes narrowing. "It's my cousin, Lu Wei. He's been trying to undermine my position in the family for years, but now, he's using you against me."
Su Nian felt a chill run down her spine. "But what could he possibly do? He's not in control of the family's business decisions."
Lu Cheng's face darkened. "It's not just about the business. He's been spreading rumors, manipulating others, and creating distrust between us. He's even gone as far as to suggest I'm not capable of leading the family's empire. And now, he's using your past against us."
Su Nian felt the ground beneath her tremble, the sudden realization hitting her like a tidal wave. "My past? What do you mean?"
Lu Cheng walked closer, his voice low but urgent. "He's digging into your background, trying to find something—anything—that can be used to discredit you. He's not going to stop until he tears us apart."
Su Nian felt her breath hitch. The idea that her own history could be weaponized against her in this way was terrifying. But the fear didn't consume her. Instead, it fueled her determination.
"I won't let him destroy us," she said, her voice resolute. "If he's trying to use my past, then we'll confront it head-on. We have nothing to hide."
Lu Cheng looked at her with admiration, his eyes softening as he stepped closer, his hand reaching for hers. "You're incredible, you know that? But I won't let you face this alone. We'll fight this together. I won't let anyone hurt you, NianNian."
She squeezed his hand, feeling the warmth of his resolve. But as much as she wanted to believe they could handle this together, she couldn't shake the feeling that there were darker forces at play, forces more dangerous than anything they had encountered so far.
In the days that followed, the subtle tactics Lu Wei employed grew more insidious. Su Nian found herself suddenly facing public scrutiny, as rumors about her past and her relationship with Lu Cheng began circulating. It was all false, of course—fabrications designed to paint her as someone unworthy of him. But no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, the whispers seemed to follow her everywhere.
One evening, as she walked out of a local boutique where she'd been shopping, she spotted a familiar face—a reporter from one of the country's biggest gossip magazines. The camera in his hand was unmistakable, and she immediately understood that she was being targeted. She quickened her pace, but the reporter was already moving toward her.
"Su Nian!" he called out, his voice sharp. "How does it feel to be the latest controversy in the Lu family? We've heard rumors about your relationship with Lu Cheng, and we've got some very interesting information about your past. Care to comment?"
Su Nian's heart pounded as she turned to face him, her mind racing. She knew exactly what this was—another attempt to publicly humiliate her. But this time, she refused to run.
"I have nothing to say," she said, her voice firm and unwavering. "What matters is that I'm with Lu Cheng because I love him. The rest doesn't concern anyone."
The reporter, sensing that he wouldn't get much from her, snapped a few pictures and then retreated, leaving Su Nian standing in the street, her heart racing with a mix of fear and anger. She hated that this was happening, but even more than that, she hated that Lu Cheng was being dragged into it.
When she got home later that evening, the first thing she did was text him.
"Cheng, it's happening. They're coming after me, and I don't know what to do."
His reply came almost instantly.
"I'm on my way. Don't worry, NianNian. We'll take care of this. You don't have to face this alone."
She felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, but she also knew that the battle ahead would only get harder. The closer Lu Wei got to his goal, the more dangerous this game would become.
That night, as Su Nian waited for Lu Cheng, she received another unexpected message. This one wasn't from Lu Cheng, but from an anonymous number.
"If you want to keep your relationship with Lu Cheng intact, you'd better stop getting involved with him. We know about your history. We know your secrets."
A cold shiver ran down her spine. This wasn't just a warning—it was a threat. A threat that promised to expose her past, to strip away everything she had worked so hard for. But more than that, it was a sign that Lu Wei wasn't just trying to ruin her reputation—he was playing for keeps.
When Lu Cheng arrived, his expression was grim. He had clearly already heard about the incident with the reporter. "NianNian, we have to be careful," he said, his voice low. "This isn't just about rumors anymore. There are people willing to go to extreme lengths to destroy us."
Su Nian nodded, feeling the weight of the situation settle heavily on her shoulders. "I won't back down," she said firmly. "But we need a plan. We need to stop Lu Wei before he goes too far."
Lu Cheng's eyes hardened, and for the first time, she saw the fire of determination in them. "We will, NianNian. I swear, I will do whatever it takes to protect you."
But as the night wore on, Su Nian couldn't shake the feeling that the danger was closer than they thought. Someone was watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike. And no matter how strong their love was, it was becoming clear that the battle was only just beginning.