The soft hum of the restaurant around them seemed distant to Su Nian as she sat across from Lu Cheng, her heart pounding in her chest. His usual confident demeanor was softened, a vulnerability flickering behind his eyes. For the first time since they'd met, Lu Cheng looked like a man burdened by secrets.
He took a deep breath, running a hand through his dark hair. "NianNian, there's a lot you don't know. About me, about my family, about why I agreed to marry you."
Su Nian's gaze stayed locked on his. "I want to know everything, Cheng. No more secrets."
He nodded. "Good. Because if we're going to make this work… you deserve the truth."
Lu Cheng's voice lowered, his tone steady but heavy. "My family… they've built an empire over generations. From the outside, it looks perfect — powerful, respected. But behind the scenes, it's full of rules, expectations, and obligations. I was groomed since I was a child to lead. Marry someone who benefits the family. Love? That was never part of the equation."
Su Nian's throat tightened. She knew the pressure must be enormous, but hearing it so plainly was still shocking.
He continued, "Lily was chosen for me. She's from a family that strengthens our ties. But when I met you… everything changed. I never wanted to marry her. But my grandparents, especially Grandfather Lu, insisted on the arrangement. When they saw your photos… they wanted me to marry you instead, to appease the family's expectations in a different way."
Su Nian blinked, her heart hammering. "They chose me?"
Lu Cheng nodded slowly. "I picked you because I thought it would make them happy — and maybe because, somewhere deep down, I hoped to find something real."
He reached across the table, taking her hand gently. "But I didn't know how much I'd fall for you. You're not just a name on paper, NianNian. You're the only person who's ever made me want to break the mold."
Su Nian's eyes glistened, tears threatening to spill. "Cheng… I was so scared you didn't love me."
He shook his head firmly. "I do. More than I can say."
For a moment, they simply sat there, their hands entwined — the weight of past pain shared between them.
Suddenly, Lu Cheng's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and his face darkened. "It's my grandfather. We need to leave."
Su Nian squeezed his hand. "We'll face them together."
Lu Cheng smiled, a rare softness in his eyes. "Together."