Marriages often go through ups and downs; it’s perfectly normal.
Especially during the “seven-year itch” phase.
Su He and Lu Yanbei’s marriage had always been met with skepticism. Many predicted it wouldn't last, expecting the powerful CEO to divorce once his initial infatuation faded. Online forums even featured a trending thread titled "#HasYoungMasterYanDivorcedTodayYet?", which garnered hundreds of thousands of replies.
This clearly indicated a widespread belief that their union was unlikely to be permanent.
Yet, not only did they not divorce, but they also kept having children, one after another. This led to new rumors: Lu Yanbei allegedly stayed married because Su He’s horoscope was exceptionally fortunate for his career and she was fertile. For the sake of the Lu family’s legacy, he supposedly endured the marriage. They were portrayed as a loving couple only for appearances, with Lu Yanbei secretly maintaining numerous affairs, which simply hadn't been exposed.
Su He found these accusations so ridiculous they made her laugh.
What business was it of anyone else’s how their relationship was? Furthermore, she wondered if the media outlets fabricating stories about Lu Yanbei having mistresses could provide any evidence. Were they unaware that defamation was a crime?
Those within their circle were best positioned to comment on the state of Su He and Lu Yanbei’s relationship.
“They’re constantly gifting each other entire buildings and diamonds, and people still doubt Brother Yan and Sister-in-law’s relationship?”
“Are these people blind? With their pace of having three children in five years, how can anyone believe they sleep in separate beds?”
“I saw hickeys on Brother Yan’s neck yesterday. Madam is truly bold!”
“What lover? The person in the car yesterday was clearly Brother Yan and Sister-in-law! It was my birthday party, how could I not know?”
“These unethical media outlets should be regulated! They just love to stir up trouble!”
Upon seeing the trending news, Gu Yuheng and his friends immediately logged into their accounts to defend their good friend. They also shared a few candid photos from private gatherings. In the pictures, Lu Yanbei gazed affectionately at his wife, his smile radiating tenderness.
One photo, taken secretly from a corner, captured the man shielding his child’s eyes with one hand while his other arm was around his wife’s slender waist, lost in a passionate kiss.
Was this the behavior of a couple pretending to be happy?
After the photos were released, netizens were overwhelmed with sweetness.
“So sweet, so sweet! What breakup rumors? Their relationship is clearly thriving!”
“Who pretends to be in love while secretly apart? I ask those haters, doesn’t your face hurt?”
“I knew the news was fake. Unethical media, get on your knees and apologize!”
“The CEO’s eyes are practically glued to my princess. To spread rumors of discord between them, they must have run out of other excuses to criticize them.”
With the overwhelming support of their followers, the controversy subsided without Su He needing to say a word. The couple even managed to gain a large following of "couple fans" and "appearance fans," outshining even celebrity couples in the entertainment industry.
Although Su He rarely appeared in public, her presence was always noted at significant events.
For instance, the Lu Corporation’s annual gala.
And various banquets frequented by the elite.
Her status as Mrs. Lu was undeniable.
Lu Yanbei, aware of the distress Su He had endured, immediately filed lawsuits against the media outlets responsible. In recent years, he had been so preoccupied with work and family that he rarely bothered with such matters. However, this did not mean he would tolerate slander indefinitely.
If a tiger doesn’t show its claws, does it mean it's made of mud?
Lu Yanbei’s formidable tactics were usually reserved for the business world. Those who had never experienced them were emboldened to spread rumors without fear. Upon receiving the court summons, they realized they had crossed a line and provoked the wrong person.
Consequently, they scrambled to pull strings and sought ways to have Lu Yanbei withdraw the lawsuits.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
***
By the time Lu Yanbei returned from work, Su He had already lulled the children to sleep.
Despite having three children, she remained youthful and beautiful, her skin exceptionally radiant, and her figure uncompromised. She looked just as she had when they first married, constantly captivating Lu Yanbei’s gaze.
Just like at this moment, Su He was practicing yoga in the living room. Her graceful form stretched and flowed with the soothing music, her alluring curves a sight to behold.
Having borne several children, her physique had only improved. She was voluptuous where it mattered and slender where it counted. Shedding the youthful awkwardness of her girlhood, she exuded the captivating allure of a mature woman.
Lu Yanbei leaned against the sofa, quietly admiring her.
“Honey, you’re back!” Su He noticed his gaze and, smiling, rose from her yoga mat.
In the next moment, she leaped into his arms.
Lu Yanbei caught her steadily, lifting her effortlessly by the waist. As the height difference between them diminished, he lowered his head to kiss her full lips.
Seven years into their marriage, they remained as deeply in love as ever, their affection akin to that of a first romance.
After their passionate embrace, Lu Yanbei finally released her.
Su He, her heart pounding, asked if he had eaten dinner. Lu Yanbei removed his suit jacket and casually tossed it onto the sofa. “Company dinner tonight, I’ve eaten.”
“Are the children asleep?” he asked, glancing upstairs.
“They had a wild day at Grandpa’s today and fell asleep in the car on the way back,” Su He replied with a smile. “Grandpa was so happy to see them; he even had two extra bowls of soup at lunch!”
Old Master Lu’s health had deteriorated to its limit, and he had spent the past year mostly confined to his bed. Despite all entreaties, the old man refused to stay in the hospital, insisting he would die at home. Reluctantly, Lu Yanbei had him brought back, hiring a private doctor for constant care.
The latest medical report had been vague, but the gist was that the elder had lived longer than expected given his age and multiple chronic conditions. His condition was worsening, and he could lose consciousness at any moment, so they were advised to be prepared.
They had received critical illness notices before, but this time it was truly dire.
Lu Yanbei felt a pang of sorrow watching his grandfather grow thinner each day.
However, he was too busy with work to be constantly by his side. Therefore, Su He often took the children to visit and fulfill their filial duties. They had even moved back to the old house recently.
The elder, fearing he might pass on his illness to his beloved great-grandchildren, had insisted they return. It was then that Su He began visiting him frequently, keeping him company in this way.
“You’ve worked hard,” Lu Yanbei said, holding Su He tightly, the woman he loved with all his heart.
He was busy building his empire, leaving him little time to manage domestic affairs. It was Su He who held their family together, contributing silently behind the scenes. She tirelessly cared for the elderly and raised the children. Even her beloved painting studio, her passion, had been neglected, effectively sacrificing her career.
Others only saw her title as Mrs. Lu, assuming she lived a carefree life of luxury, with wealth beyond a hundred billion, without lifting a finger.
Only he knew the extent of her sacrifices for him and for their family. Her energy was devoted entirely to him and their children, with only the quiet hours of the night offering her a sliver of personal time.
Su He returned his embrace with a warm smile.
What were these small hardships?
As long as she was with him, she willingly did anything.