It had been four days since the rumor storm, and while things had settled on the surface, the air around Su Nian remained fragile. Whispers still trailed her like shadows. Eyes lingered longer than they should. Even with Lu Cheng's public declaration, not everyone was willing to accept her place by his side.
But she was done hiding. She had a dream and no one would take that from her.
At the academy.
The head of the fashion department, Professor Li Ming, summoned her to his office.
"You've caused quite a stir, Su Nian," he said without judgment. "But talent speaks louder than gossip."
He handed her an envelope.
Inside was a letter.
From Aube Blanc, one of the most prestigious design institutes in Paris.
"You've been selected for their elite workshop activity," he said. "Their elite workshop is famous throughout the industry. It will be held for six weeks. All expenses are covered."
Her hands trembled. "Professor…"
"You earned it. Not your name nor through your marriage. You."
Tears stung her eyes. "Thank you."
"But there's one catch." His expression turned serious. "They don't take married students."
Her heart stopped.
"I haven't reported it," he said. "But if you want to go… you'd need to pretend you're still single."
That evening, Lu Cheng's office.
Su Nian sat across from him in his office, the letter clutched in her hand.
He read it carefully, then leaned back in his chair, silent for a long time.
"I don't care about titles," she said softly. "But I care about my dream. And this… this is everything I've worked for."
He looked at her. "You'd be in Paris. For six weeks."
She nodded. "Can I… pretend I'm single?"
Lu Cheng's jaw tightened.
"You're asking your husband to let you go across the world and act like he doesn't exist?"
Her eyes glistened. "Just for a little while."
A beat, then another.
Finally, he stood, walked around the desk, and cupped her face gently.
"I want you to fly," he whispered. "Even if it means I have to watch from the ground."
She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. "Thank you…"
"But," he added, tilting her chin up with a teasing smirk, "when you come back, you'll make up for every second we're apart."
The next day.
Before she could even process the Paris trip, another bomb dropped.
Lu Cheng's grandmother, Old Madam Lu, had sent a formal invitation.
Family Dinner. No excuses.
"She wants to meet you properly," Lu Cheng said as he handed her a sleek gold-embossed envelope. "Apparently, 'claiming you in public' doesn't count as proper etiquette."
Su Nian blinked. "Your entire family…?"
"Everyone."
She paled. "Oh god."
He grinned. "You'll be fine."
"You say that now!"
At Night the Lu Family Mansion.
The Lu estate was more like a palace, an ancient, sprawling compound with courtyards, koi ponds, and guards in black suits.
As Su Nian stepped out of the car in a soft cream dress Lu Cheng had picked out for her, she felt like she was walking into another world.
Lu Cheng offered his arm. "You're not alone."
Inside, the dining hall was filled with polished wood, glowing chandeliers, and too many beautiful, elegant people.
His grandparents. Parents. Two younger brothers, both tall and sharp-eyed. His little sister, Lu Yue, who was seventeen and eyeing Su Nian curiously.
But what struck her cold was the woman seated beside Old Madam Lu.
Tall. Elegant. Wearing diamond earrings that caught the light.
Qin Yueran.
Lu Cheng's former fiancée.
The Dinner began.
"Su Nian, is it?" Old Madam Lu said with mild interest. "A student?"
"Yes, madam."
"Hm. We've never had a student in the family before."
"She's more than a student," Lu Cheng said calmly, his hand resting protectively over hers beneath the table.
Across the table, Qin Yueran smiled with perfect poise.
"You're quite lucky, Su Nian," she said sweetly. "Cheng and I were engaged once, you know. Our families go way back."
Su Nian blinked. "Oh…"
Lu Cheng cut in. "That was years ago. We've all moved on."
"Of course," Qin Yueran replied. "It's just… sometimes old connections still matter. Especially when marriage is… new."
Old Madam Lu cleared her throat. "I agree. Young love is fragile and femporary. But family legacy…"
"With all due respect," Lu Cheng interrupted, "this marriage is not temporary. And Su Nian is my wife. That's final."
Su Nian's eyes widened. He had never raised his voice to his family before. Everyone went silent. Even Qin Yueran.
Old Madam Lu finally sighed. "As long as you understand what you're giving up, Cheng."
"I'm not giving up anything," he said. "I'm building something new."
And with that, he stood and offered his hand to Su Nian.
"We'll be leaving early."
That night in the car neither of them spoke for a while.
Then Su Nian said softly, "She was beautiful."
"You're more beautiful."
"She was confident."
"You're stronger."
She hesitated. "You… loved her once?"
He didn't answer for a second.
"Yes," he said. "But not the way I love you."
Her breath caught. He reached over and laced his fingers through hers.
"You're the first person I ever wanted to protect at the cost of my name. You're the first person I've ever been afraid to lose."
Her heart swelled. And with that, her fear of Paris slowly began to fade.