In the photo, the man was wearing a white shirt, his eyelid low, his angular profile exuding a cold and noble aura.
Even his hand flipping through the documents was distinctively elegant, with well-defined knuckles, too handsome to be real.
Earlier, many netizens had been gloating. Su Ci was beautiful, came from a good family, but her taste in men wasn't great. She had been deceived—tricked into a relationship, swindled out of money, forced into a marriage, and now, unwed and pregnant. Many netizens had expressed their sympathy for her.
But now, with the photo posted by Su Ci, the internet exploded.
"Wow, is this Su Ci's boyfriend? So handsome, so handsome, so handsome, so handsome, so handsome, so handsome."
"Oh my god, this man's profile is unbeatable. What kind of divine beauty is this?"
Is this beauty real? Su Ci's boyfriend is so handsome; I need a full-face shot.
"Ahhhhh, men in white shirts are the best, especially when they're this handsome and have such a presence. Absolutely perfect, they're such a divine couple."
"My goodness, Su Ci's boyfriend is clearly so handsome. What's with all the comments on the trending topics saying she was tricked by an ugly, old man? If this is ugly and old, please send me a boyfriend like this."
"Ouch, those netizens who criticized Su Ci for being duped must have sore faces now. Her boyfriend is even more handsome than a celebrity, and they look so good together!"
"Someone else's boyfriend, I'm so jealous!"
This profile is killing me, boohoo, Su Ci's boyfriend is so handsome. Who was it that called him a marriage scammer? I'd love to be scammed into marriage by someone like him.
"I've met Su Ci's boyfriend. He's the heir to the Lu Family, yes, that Lu Family. I had the privilege of attending this young master Lu's birthday party. By the way, in the high society circles, the Su Family and the Lu Family are at the center."
"I heard from my family that this young master Lu was kidnapped when he was a child and was only recently found. The Lu Family not only acknowledged his identity but also handed over the Lu Group to him. He's definitely the future domineering CEO. He's very low-key, only officially making an appearance at the birthday party. Those who said he was poor and swindling money, the Su Family and the Lu Family are a power couple."
"I'm so jealous, it seems like fairies only date gods."
"Oh, he's from our school. I heard he has a terminal illness. Is his family really that powerful? So low-key!!"
...
Su Ci watched the comments on the trending topics. The netizens who had previously pitied her for being deceived and unwedly pregnant had all changed their tune, with many now drooling over the idea of marrying Lu Zhe.
She gave a light hum and continued scrolling.
She noticed one comment that read: "Am I the only one who noticed Su Ci's boyfriend's Adam's apple? It's killing me, looks so kissable."
Su Ci narrowed her eyes.
At that moment, there was a knock on her door.
Su Ci opened the door to find Su's Mother standing outside, "Mom."
Su's Mother looked anxious, "Ci Ci, is the news online true? Are you pregnant?"
"No, it's fake," Su Ci reassured her mother, "I'm not pregnant."
"Then what about the photo of you at the hospital?"
Su Ci certainly didn't dare tell her mother the truth, "I had a slight cold and went to the hospital. I didn't expect to be photographed."
Su's Mother breathed a sigh of relief, "I thought... I was going to be a grandmother." Hearing the news of her daughter's pregnancy had scared her, "Who would be so mean to spread such rumors about you?"
Su Ci shook her head, "Brother said he'll investigate for me."
"Once your brother finds out who's behind this, I won't let them off either," Su's Mother was most protective of Su Ci. She was determined to pursue the matter if her daughter was being slandered.
At that moment, the maid came up to report to Su's Mother and Su Ci: "Madam, Miss, Sir is back."
"Looks like your father also knows about this," Su's Mother patted her daughter's hand, "Let's go downstairs. Your father has always been unaware of your relationship with Lu Zhe. You should explain it to him properly."
Su Ci obediently agreed.
Su's Father had learned about his daughter's pregnancy from his subordinates. Originally, he had a contract signing with a client but canceled it immediately and rushed home.
He and his wife had always pampered their daughter like a treasure, in their eyes, she was still very young, and the thought of her getting married was far off.
Now, with the sudden news of her pregnancy, he felt like he had been hit hard, completely stunned.
At this moment, Su's Father was sitting on the sofa.
Little Su Ning and Little Tiancai were quietly sitting nearby, the two little mischief-makers sensing the unusual atmosphere and refraining from playing around.
Su's Father watched as his wife and daughter came downstairs. His stern face softened slightly.
Su's Mother sat down beside her husband.
Su Ci sat down on the opposite side, "Dad."
"Ci Ci, tell me, what's going on with the news online?" Su's Father couldn't bear to speak harshly to his daughter.
Su Ci quickly denied, "I'm not pregnant, it's all a rumor."
Su Shengguo was completely opposite to Lu Chen in terms of looks. When he was young, his appearance was more refined, gentle, and elegant, but also cunning.
Lu Chen was a sly fox, while Su Shengguo was a smiling tiger, both equally difficult to deal with.
Hearing his daughter's denial, Su's Father felt relieved but still asked, "Who is the man in the photo?"
It seemed he had been too busy and hadn't noticed that some rascal had his eyes on his daughter.
Su Ci now felt a bit uneasy. She pursed her lips and directly told her father, "It's Lu Zhe, Dad. I like Lu Zhe, we're dating."
Since she had gone public online, she had no intention of hiding it from anyone anymore.
Keeping their relationship secret had been exciting, but it was because Lu Zhe had thought his illness was incurable and wanted to give her an out that they hadn't gone public. Now that Lu Zhe knew his illness could be cured and he wouldn't die, there was no need for them to hide anymore.
Su's Father was truly shocked this time. His daughter and Lu Zhe?
Su's Father managed to keep his composure and looked at his wife, wanting to ask if she knew about their daughter's relationship with Lu Zhe.
Unlike her restless husband, Su's Mother remained calm, "I couldn't persuade her."
A long time ago, she had talked to Lu Zhe, and the young man had distanced himself, but she couldn't persuade their daughter. There was nothing she could do, and Lu Zhe was also a benefactor to the Su Family; she couldn't repay kindness with harm.
Hearing his wife's words, Su's Father was slightly startled, "You knew about Su Ci and Lu Zhe being together?"
Next to them, Little Su Ning, who had been quietly watching cartoons, heard his father mention Lu Zhe's name. The little rascal quietly asked Su Ci, "Sister, I haven't seen Brother-in-law in a long time."
Little Tiancai, like a little adult, quickly covered Little Su Ning's mouth, telling him, "You're so silly, you can't call him Brother-in-law anymore."
Little Su Ning thought that since he was asking his sister secretly, his dad and mom definitely couldn't hear him.
Su Ci met her father's gaze, and even with her thick skin, she felt a bit hot.
"Even they know about you and Lu Zhe?" Su's Father asked his daughter.
Su Ci obediently nodded.
At that moment, Su ZhiYuan came back from outside. As soon as he entered the living room, he heard his father asking his sister such a question, assuming his father was scolding her.
Su ZhiYuan stepped in to help, "Dad, Su Ci is already in college, it's normal for her to be dating."
Su's Father turned to ask his eldest son, "You knew she was dating Lu Zhe?"
Su ZhiYuan nodded. He had known since he saw his sister with Lu Zhe at the concert. His sister hadn't denied it.
At this point, Su's Father wasn't just shocked; he was utterly devastated.
During dinner, Su's Father went back to his room, not even touching the food. The Su Family's precious treasure had been taken away, and even the two little ones knew about it, yet he was the only one in the dark.
Su's Father couldn't bring himself to be angry with his wife and daughter, so he decided to call Lu Chen and take out his frustration on the sly fox.
Obviously, Lu Chen was also aware of the news online. When he received Su's Father's call, he wasn't surprised at all, and he could imagine the other man's fury and frustration.
Lu Chen leaned lazily against the chair, his peach blossom eyes sparkling, smiling, "What brings you to call me for a chat?"
Su's father heard the pride in Lu Chen's tone and snapped, "You've raised a good son."
Lu Chen was used to being shameless. Hearing the anger in Su's Father's voice, he didn't care at all, "Of course, my son is good. Your daughter is also well-raised. It's perfect that they're a match."
Su's Father snorted heavily, clearly understanding the hidden meaning in Lu Chen's words. "Dream on, you sly fox. Do you really think I would agree to let my daughter, Su Ci, be with your son?"
Lu Chen, who had known about his son's relationship with Su Ci long before anyone else, wasn't worried at all. The two young lovers were as sweet as honey mixed with sugar.
"Listen, Old Su, don't be the villain who tries to break them up," Lu Chen said.
Su's Father's gaze was steady. "You sly fox, I won't deny that I'm grateful to your son, but you know very well what condition his body is in. I only have one precious daughter."
Lu Chen's tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, and a dark gleam flashed in his peach blossom-like eyes. "Then you can try to break them up."
His words were like a knife, piercing straight into Su's Father's heart. Even Su's Mother had given up trying to persuade their daughter to stay away from Lu Zhe.
How could he bear to do anything that would make his daughter unhappy?
As the head of the Su Family, a man who inspired both awe and eagerness to curry favor among outsiders, his wife and daughter were his greatest weaknesses.
Su's Father snorted again. "Don't get too smug. Just because my daughter is dating your son doesn't mean anything. Young people are always chasing novelty."
Lu Chen laughed, no longer trying to provoke Su's Father. "Is that so? Then you can wait and see the day they break up."
Su's Father hung up the phone without another word.
Meanwhile, at the Lu Family residence.
Wen Ya had also seen the news online. Like Su's Mother, she was in a state of panic.
She asked Lu Zhe, "Son, am I going to be a grandmother?"
Wen Ya's expression was a mix of joy and nervousness.
Lu Zhe had just returned from the company. He was stopped at the door by his mother, who threw a perplexing question at him.
There are rumors online that Su Ci is pregnant. Is it true?" Wen Ya pulled out her phone and showed it to her son. "Ah, the trending search is gone. It must be the Su Family's doing."
Hearing his mother's words, Lu Zhe realized that someone must have taken photos of him accompanying Su Ci to the hospital and spread malicious rumors.
"It's not true," Lu Zhe frowned. "Mom, I'll go check who started the rumors."
With that, he strode away.
The next day, Lu Zhe went directly to the Su Family's residence to visit Su's Father and Su's Mother. With his relationship with Su Ci exposed, he felt it was his duty to face the two elders, regardless of their opinions about him.
Su Ci knew Lu Zhe was coming, so she ran to the front gate to meet him.
"Why are you dressed so thinly?" Lu Zhe saw the girl's attire and instinctively frowned.
Su Ci was wearing only a thin, off-white knitted long dress, paired with a loose outer jacket. The hem of the dress revealed a small section of her slender legs, and she was wearing a pair of fluffy slippers. She had run out like this.
Lu Zhe couldn't help but pinch her soft, squishy cheeks. "Is it really that important to be beautiful?"
Su Ci nodded. She'd rather be a cold beauty than look unattractive.
Worried that the girl would catch a cold, Lu Zhe took her hand and quickened their pace into the house.
Su's Father hadn't gone to the company today. At this moment, he was sitting in the living room, his expression dark as he watched his daughter holding Lu Zhe's hand.
"Uncle Su, Auntie Su," Lu Zhe greeted the two respectfully.
"Lu Zhe is here," Su's Mother said, her attitude towards Lu Zhe much more amicable now that she had given up on separating her daughter and him. "Please, have a seat."
Lu Zhe sat down on the sofa across from them.
Su Ci sat unreservedly beside him. After all, her parents already knew about her relationship with Lu Zhe, so there was no need to hide it anymore.
Seeing this, Su's Father could only sigh inwardly.
He and his wife were well aware of their daughter's personality. She had been pampered since childhood, and she was proud. If she didn't like something, she wouldn't even bother with it.
From the moment they entered hand in hand, to now still clinging to Lu Zhe, it was clear that Su Ci truly liked him.
Su's Mother had been right last night. If they opposed the relationship, it would only make their daughter unhappy.
Lu Zhe sat upright, his posture proper, and his expression was extremely serious. "Uncle Su, Auntie Su, I'm very sorry for keeping my relationship with Su Ci a secret from you."
"Dad, Mom, it was my idea to keep it a secret. I was worried you would oppose it," Su Ci quickly defended Lu Zhe.
Seeing his daughter so eager to protect Lu Zhe, Su's Father felt a pang of heartache. Despite his reluctance, he had to admit that the Su Family's precious little princess had been stolen away.
Su's Father stood up, his expression dark and unreadable. He glanced at his daughter and said to Lu Zhe, "Come with me. We'll talk in the study."
Seeing Su Ci about to say something, Su's Father felt another pang of heartache. "Sit down, Su Ci. Do you think I'm going to beat Lu Zhe up or something?"
"Of course not," Su Ci smiled sweetly to appease her father. "You two go ahead and talk, Dad. I'll make tea for you."
Su's Father, who doted on his daughter greatly, said, "Such a small matter, let someone else do it."
Su's Father led Lu Zhe upstairs. Su Ci got up and followed, watching the two men ascend the stairs. She took out her phone and snapped a photo, then logged into her account to post a message: "My parents found out about my relationship with my boyfriend. Now he's being called to talk by my dad [praying]."
Below the message, she attached the photo she had just taken of her father and Lu Zhe walking upstairs.
Last night, netizens had been busy digging up information about Su Ci and Lu Zhe's relationship. Many had even gone to find Lu Zhe's frontal photo. It was unclear who had released a photo of Lu Zhe taken surreptitiously at school, but the netizens were going wild over how handsome he was.
Now that Su Ci had posted the message, it immediately sparked a lot of interest.
"So even a wealthy heiress like you gets nervous about her parents finding out about her relationship. I feel better now."
"My goodness, you and Lu Zhe are both godlike in looks, and your families are well-matched. Do you really think your parents wouldn't approve?"
"I hereby declare on behalf of your father: I approve of this match."
"I raise both my feet in approval of this match."
"I'm crying. Your boyfriend is so handsome even from behind."
"Ahhh, Lu Zhe's back view is killing me. His legs are so long!"
"I'm so jealous again. If your dad opposes and you decide to dump your boyfriend, let me know. I'll be waiting to pick him up."
"Sister above, I'll join you in waiting. I'll be ready to pick up the boyfriend if Su Ci dumps him."
"Count me in for picking up the boyfriend."
"Oh, heavens, have mercy on me and let me pick up such a handsome boyfriend."
"Enough talking. I'm already driving to the Su Family's gate. I'm begging Su's Father to throw out Su Ci's boyfriend."
"Sister, take me with you."
...
Su Ci didn't expect the comments to be filled with netizens clamoring to "pick up" Lu Zhe.
She huffed softly and replied in the comments: "Wake up, everyone. Lu Zhe is mine."
Su Ci's reply was like a double dose of sweetness, leaving the netizens feeling envious.
Su Ci sat restlessly with her mother, drinking tea. She had no idea how long it had been, but finally, her father and Lu Zhe came downstairs.
She stealthily observed her father's expression but found nothing unusual. Her gaze then moved to Lu Zhe, whose expression was calm and unreadable.
Su Ci was very curious about what the two had talked about.
"Lu Zhe, stay for lunch," Su's Mother said.
Since she couldn't separate her daughter and Lu Zhe, she had no choice but to accept the situation. The future would have to be dealt with as it came.
"Thank you, Auntie," Lu Zhe replied politely.
Apart from Lu Zhe's illness, this young man was excellent in every other aspect. Su's Mother couldn't find any fault with him. "You two can chat. I'll go instruct the kitchen on today's menu."
Su's Father asked Lu Zhe, "Do you play chess?"
"I've learned a bit," Lu Zhe replied. When he was young, he had no playmates. In the Zhao Family neighborhood, many old grandfathers liked to play chess under the trees. When he wasn't busy with work, he would watch them play as a form of entertainment.
Children are usually restless and lack patience, but Lu Zhe was different. He would quietly sit with his little head propped up, watching intently. The old grandfathers liked him a lot and sometimes even taught him.
Su's Father had the chessboard prepared, and he began a game with Lu Zhe.
Playing chess reveals a person's character.
As he made his moves, Su's Father observed Lu Zhe.
It was clear that Lu Zhe was very different from his father in personality. He was earnest and patient.
Su Ci, though she found chess boring, was secretly delighted to see her father and Lu Zhe getting along well.
This must mean they weren't opposed to the relationship anymore.
At noon, the atmosphere was pleasant. Once Su's Father and Su's Mother accepted Lu Zhe and stopped focusing on his illness, the more they interacted with him, the more they admired this young man.
Su's Father even tested Lu Zhe's drinking etiquette, which he also found satisfactory.
If it weren't for his wife's intervention, Su's Father might have ended up challenging Lu Zhe to a drinking contest.
After lunch, Su's Mother accompanied Su's Father to rest, as he had drunk some alcohol and needed to let the alcohol dissipate.
Su Ci seized the opportunity to take Lu Zhe upstairs.
Su Ci handed a wet towel to Lu Zhe to wipe his face. "What did you talk about with my father in the study?"
"I asked him to agree to let us be together," Lu Zhe replied. The towel was soaked in hot water, still carrying warmth. After wiping his face, his cold, sharp features softened, and his eyes became even darker and brighter.
"Is that all?" Su Ci was slightly surprised. Was it really that simple for her father to agree?
"Yes, that's all," Lu Zhe said. He didn't tell Su Ci that he had made a solemn vow to Su's Father, promising to cherish her forever. If he broke that promise, he would die a terrible death and the Su Family could deal with him as they wished.
As for his illness, if it really couldn't be cured, on the day it flared up, he would disappear and hide far away.
Her father loved her dearly, and he loved her too.
Their common goal was to ensure Su Ci's happiness.
Su Ci didn't press further. She sat down beside Lu Zhe and asked him, "Do you want to rest in bed for a while?"
Lu Zhe wasn't sleepy.
Just as he was about to decline, he heard the girl teasingly say, "You've never slept in my bed before, have you? Don't you want to try if my bed is comfortable?"
