CIATB Chapter 157 The tall figure sank heavily into the soft sofa, and closed his eyes.
Chapter 157 The tall figure sank heavily into the soft sofa, and closed his eyes.
"Wanwan..."
He called out softly again, his voice so gentle it was almost unbelievable, and the pleading in his eyes became even more pronounced.
"You like me, don't you?"
"Don't you understand your own heart even now?"
"Lu Chenyuan...I, I..."
Su Wan opened her mouth, her voice soft and trembling, her heart filled with panic and helplessness.
Actually, she had already made up her mind the moment she saw Qiqi and Chen Ye get back together, but she still wanted to calm down for one night and sort out her thoughts.
It was probably because he had been clinging to her so tightly these past few days that she had developed a misconception.
Or perhaps she truly never let go of him, but simply deceived herself into believing she had moved on.
She bit her lip, her lips turning slightly white from the bite, and looked up at Lu Chenyuan, her eyes full of pleading.
"Could you give me just one day? Just one day, only one day?"
"I'll give you my answer after tonight, tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, okay?"
"Before that, could you... please not force me?"
Lu Chenyuan looked at the pleading and confusion in her eyes, and at her slightly trembling fingertips, and fell silent.
After a long while, he slowly nodded, the bitterness in his eyes gradually replaced by gentleness, his tone firm and solemn.
"Okay, I'll give you one day. I won't pressure you or rush you."
"Take your time to think it over, I'll wait for you."
He also needs to process his elder brother Lu Chenzhou's matter properly and needs time to sort out his thoughts.
Since Su Wan also needs time, he will wait.
He'll take her upstairs today, give her a day to think it over tomorrow, and then ask her for her final answer the day after tomorrow.
He believed that Su Wan would not let him down.
Thinking of this, he opened the car door and got out, and Su Wan followed him out of the car.
Lu Chenyuan subconsciously wanted to take her hand and escort her upstairs, but Su Wan gently avoided him as soon as he took a step.
"Lu Chenyuan, I promise you, this time I will definitely consider it carefully and I will not give you a perfunctory answer."
Su Wan looked at him, her eyes full of seriousness, her tone firm.
"I will tell you my answer as soon as I have thought it through."
"If I choose to be with you, from now on, I will never make you so sad again, and I will never push you away again."
Su Wan's words were like a reassuring pill, hitting Lu Chenyuan hard in the heart, instantly dispelling all his unease and bitterness, leaving only warmth and anticipation.
Although he was very reluctant to part with her and wished he could hold her in his arms and stay by her side immediately.
He nodded, respecting her decision.
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
Before going upstairs, Lu Chenyuan couldn't resist and pulled her into his arms, kissing her fiercely once again.
This kiss lacked the haste and domineering tone of the one in the parking lot. It was filled with tenderness and affection, brimming with anticipation and unwavering devotion. The kiss was both cautious and tender, as if pouring all tenderness and love into it.
After an unknown amount of time, Su Wan, breathless, gently pushed him away, and he slowly released her.
His fingertips gently caressed her lips, his eyes filled with doting affection.
"Go upstairs and get some rest."
Su Wan blushed, nodded slightly, turned around, and quickly walked inside.
I didn't look back until I reached the elevator.
He still stood there, tall and straight, looking particularly lonely in the night.
His gaze was fixed on her, filled with reluctance.
Su Wan's heart skipped a beat as she stepped into the elevator, breathing heavily.
My cheeks were still burning hot, and my heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.
Lu Chenyuan watched as the light in her window came on before slowly turning his gaze away.
He took out a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket and lit one.
Amidst the swirling smoke, he leaned against the car, a cigarette between his fingers, taking one puff after another.
The taste of nicotine slid down his throat, but it did nothing to alleviate the desire and longing in his heart.
He smoked one cigarette after another until the pack was empty, then he took out his phone and dialed Xiao Li's number.
"Captain Lu?"
Xiao Li answered the phone quickly, speaking respectfully.
"Drive my car to Su Wan's apartment building as soon as possible."
Lu Chenyuan's voice was extremely hoarse, filled with deep exhaustion.
"Alright, Captain Lu, I'm on my way!"
Less than ten minutes later, Xiao Li arrived in his Mercedes-Benz G-Class and stopped in front of him.
He got out of the car and respectfully handed the car keys to Lu Chenyuan.
"Captain Lu, the car is back for you."
Lu Chenyuan waved his hand, his tone weary and his eyes filled with weariness.
"No need, I'm not feeling well today. I didn't sleep at all last night. You can drive and take me home."
Xiao Li's heart skipped a beat, and his pupils contracted slightly.
Didn't sleep all night?
How intense must have been between Captain Lu and that Miss Su last night?
He couldn't help but secretly imagine it in his mind, but he didn't dare to show the slightest abnormality on his face, and could only nod hurriedly.
"Alright, Captain Lu, please get in the car and rest. I'll make sure you get home safely."
Lu Chenyuan sat in the passenger seat, closed his eyes, and frowned deeply. Almost instantly, he guessed what Xiao Li was thinking.
He pressed his temples, spoke with a slightly weary tone, and his voice carried a barely perceptible gentleness.
"Don't overthink it, nothing of the sort. I'm just... a little tired."
After saying those few words, he closed his eyes completely and stopped talking.
His aura grew increasingly low, filled with an inescapable weariness and fatigue.
Looking at his appearance, Xiao Li secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.
This is incredible! This is a truly earth-shattering discovery!
Having known Captain Lu for so long, I've always seen him as decisive, resolute, and always full of energy and seemingly invincible. I've never seen him so exhausted, openly admitting that he's tired.
It seems that this Miss Su is truly remarkable, having stirred up the mind and spirit of their cold and aloof Captain Lu, causing him to rise and fall, and even softening his inherent coldness.
Xiao Li dared not think any further or ask any more questions. He gently started the car, slowed down, and tried not to disturb Lu Chenyuan, who was resting with his eyes closed.
The car drove steadily through the night, and soon arrived at the apartment building of Lu Chenyuan.
Xiao Li parked the car and handed the keys to Lu Chenyuan.
"Captain Lu, we're home."
Lu Chenyuan slowly opened his eyes, his weariness deepening.
He took the keys, whispered "Thank you for your hard work," then pushed open the car door and got out, walking unsteadily into the building.
He went upstairs alone, without even changing his shoes, and went straight to the living room.
His tall frame sank heavily into the soft sofa, and he closed his eyes.
Two things kept churning in my mind.
One of them is the choice made by the eldest brother, Lu Chenzhou.
The tug-of-war between family ties, military discipline, and family reputation began to trouble him again after he left Su Wan.
The other thing was what Su Wan had just said, the confusion and pleading in her eyes, her words "Give me a day," and her promise to give him an answer, which filled him with both anticipation and unease.
An unprecedented wave of drowsiness washed over him, along with his exhaustion and confusion.
He could no longer hold on, and lay down on the sofa fully clothed, falling into a deep sleep.
The room was dark, with no lights on.
Night slowly seeped in through the balcony's floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing with it the coolness and stillness of the deep night.
There are no stars or moon tonight, only the distant neon lights of the city, hazy and with an ambiguous glow.
The light, fine and faint, filtered through the glass and spilled onto the floor, casting dappled shadows.
The light and shadow fell on the figure on the sofa, outlining his tall yet lonely silhouette.
His brows were still slightly furrowed, his face showing lingering fatigue and unease, and his jawline was taut, even in his sleep, there was still a subtle tension.
The large living room was empty, with only his breathing and the occasional sound of cars coming from afar outside the window, making it seem particularly desolate.
That profound loneliness, ingrained in the very marrow of the body, was amplified infinitely in the pitch-black night.
Even the air around me seemed to be tinged with a faint sense of loneliness.