The days since Lu Cheng and Su Nian had uncovered Lu Wei's treachery had been nothing short of intense. Their every move was now critical, and the danger was closer than ever. What had started as subtle manipulations had escalated into a full-blown battle for control of the Lu family empire—and for their love.
Su Nian sat on the terrace of the penthouse, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her coffee cup as she gazed out over the city. The weight of the situation was pressing on her chest, but she couldn't bring herself to look away from the view. It was a quiet moment, a rare moment of peace in the chaos that had become her life.
Behind her, the door slid open, and she heard the familiar footsteps of Lu Cheng. He didn't say anything at first, but she knew he was there, his presence a constant source of both strength and tension. His gaze was intense, but when he spoke, his voice was gentle.
"NianNian," he said, sitting next to her. "We need to make our move. Lu Wei is getting too comfortable. He's not going to stop until he thinks he's won."
Su Nian turned her head to look at him, her heart swelling with a mixture of love and anxiety. "I know. But I'm scared, Cheng. What if he's already too far ahead of us?"
Lu Cheng's jaw tightened, but his eyes softened as he reached for her hand. "You don't need to be scared, NianNian. We've been through so much together already. We're stronger than this."
She nodded, squeezing his hand. His confidence was infectious, but deep down, she knew this wasn't going to be easy. Lu Wei had proven to be a formidable enemy, and the fight ahead could cost them everything.
Later that afternoon, Lu Cheng called a meeting with his closest allies. Su Nian was at his side, as always, her presence a reminder of everything they were fighting for. The group convened in the luxurious boardroom of the Lu family's private office, the weight of their upcoming strategy pressing down on everyone.
"Here's what we know," Lu Cheng said, his voice cutting through the tension in the room. "Lu Wei has been quietly working with several people in high positions, pulling strings behind the scenes. He's trying to force my hand by creating chaos in the family business, and he's been using NianNian as a pawn in his game."
One of Lu Cheng's trusted allies, a sharp-eyed woman named Xia Ling, spoke up. "We've traced some of the financial transactions. Lu Wei has been funneling money to a company in Hong Kong—someone close to him. We suspect it's part of a larger plot to destabilize the Lu family's business empire."
Su Nian's heart sank. "He's been using my name as leverage to cover his own backdoor deals?"
"Exactly," Lu Cheng said, his voice laced with fury. "He wants to control the family business. And if he thinks he can discredit NianNian to do that, he's underestimating us."
Su Nian clenched her fists, her jaw set. "We can't let him get away with this. He's not just going after me—he's going after everything we've worked for."
Lu Cheng looked at her, his eyes softening with a quiet affection. "We'll stop him, NianNian. Together."
The room went quiet as the team began to discuss their next steps. But in Su Nian's heart, there was no room for doubt. They would fight back, no matter the cost. She wouldn't allow Lu Wei—or anyone else—to take away what she and Lu Cheng had built together.
The next few days were filled with intense planning. Lu Cheng's team worked tirelessly to gather more information, and Su Nian was by his side, offering support in whatever way she could. But just when they thought they were ready to expose Lu Wei's schemes, an unexpected twist threw them off course.
One evening, as Su Nian and Lu Cheng were reviewing their final plans, a message arrived on Su Nian's phone. It was an unknown number, and when she opened it, her heart nearly stopped.
"If you continue down this path, NianNian, you'll regret it. Your past isn't as buried as you think. There are people who know your secrets—and they're waiting for the right moment to destroy you."
Her fingers shook as she read the message, the blood draining from her face. Lu Cheng, noticing her reaction, stepped closer.
"NianNian, what is it?" he asked, his voice low and worried.
She turned the phone toward him, watching as his eyes flicked over the message. His expression darkened.
"Lu Wei," he muttered under his breath. "He's playing dirty again."
But this time, it wasn't just about business. It wasn't just about Lu Cheng's family or the Lu family empire. It was personal.
Su Nian's mind raced as she tried to process what was happening. Who could have sent this message? What secrets from her past were being threatened? She had worked so hard to keep her history buried, but the fear of it being exposed again was gnawing at her.
"I can't keep running from my past," she said quietly, more to herself than to Lu Cheng. "I've tried to bury it, but I can't hide from it forever. If it's going to come out, I'll face it head-on."
Lu Cheng's gaze softened, his voice gentle. "You don't have to face it alone, NianNian. Whatever comes, I'm with you. We'll handle this together."
But Su Nian's heart was heavy. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face what was coming. Her past, the things she had worked so hard to leave behind, were about to catch up with her.
The next morning, Lu Cheng made his move. With the evidence they had gathered, he decided it was time to confront Lu Wei directly. They couldn't allow him to keep manipulating the situation, not when it was affecting everything they cared about.
Su Nian stood by his side as they entered the Lu family's ancestral mansion, the air thick with tension. Lu Cheng's grandfather, the patriarch of the family, was already seated at the head of the table. The rest of the family—Lu Cheng's parents, his younger brothers, and even his little sister—were all there, looking curious and uneasy.
When Lu Cheng and Su Nian entered, the room fell silent. It was clear that everyone knew something big was about to happen.
"Grandfather," Lu Cheng began, his voice steady. "It's time to reveal the truth. Lu Wei has been orchestrating this entire mess from the shadows, using my name and NianNian's to manipulate the family business. He's been colluding with competitors and spreading false rumors."
Lu Wei, sitting across from his grandfather, scoffed. "What are you talking about, Cheng? You've lost your mind. You're just grasping at straws because you're afraid of losing control."
But Lu Cheng wasn't backing down. "We have the evidence, Lu Wei. It's over."
He slid a folder across the table, filled with documentation of Lu Wei's dealings. The room was stunned into silence as they processed the information.
Lu Wei's face turned pale, his arrogant facade cracking. "This is a lie," he spat, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him.
Su Nian's heart raced as the confrontation reached its peak. This was it—the moment they had been working toward. But as the truth unfolded before them, she couldn't help but wonder: was this the end of the battle, or was there more to come?