The Chill Supporting Character on the CEO's Mind

Chapter One: Meeting Again

"Miss Shen, the reporters are already outside. Should we arrange for you to attend?" The secretary knocked on the door, asking cautiously.

I was lying on the sofa, leisurely sipping my tea, and didn’t even bother to lift my eyelids at her words. Reporters again—just here to chase after the gossip between Lu Ciyuan and Lin Ruolan. They acted like I was deeply invested in their love life. Too bad I’m the zen supporting character here, with not a shred of curiosity about their drama.

"Let them be. I’m not joining the commotion," I waved my hand, signaling the secretary to drop the subject.

Truth be told, ever since I got transported into this ridiculous novel titled The CEO’s Beloved Darling, I found myself repeating the same mantra every day: "I don’t care." While other transmigrators busied themselves playing the original character or stealing the heroine’s spotlight, I, Shen Zhiyou, just wanted to lie low and stay far away from the chaos. Ironically, the more I avoided the drama, the more it inexplicably pulled me in.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the caller ID—Lu Ciyuan.

I stared at the name for a few seconds, sighed deeply, and hesitated. Should I answer? Finally, I relented and took the call.

"Where are you?" Lu Ciyuan’s low voice came through the phone, commanding and unyielding.

"At the office," I replied evenly, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"There’s a banquet tonight. Seven o’clock. I’ll pick you up."

"I don’t—" I instinctively started to refuse, but before I could finish, the call ended abruptly.

I let out a cold laugh and silently cursed. Typical domineering CEO behavior—no respect for personal wishes.

At 6:30 PM, before I even had a chance to change clothes, my phone rang again. This time, it wasn’t Lu Ciyuan but Lin Ruolan.

"Zhiyou, are you going to the banquet tonight? I heard Lu is attending too." Her voice was sweet, with a hint of nervousness.

What’s that supposed to mean? Worried I’ll compete with her for Lu Ciyuan? Don’t flatter yourself. I’d be delighted if the two of you could hurry up and be together so I could retire from this drama and enjoy my zen life.

"Yeah, I guess I’ll go," I replied casually.

Lin Ruolan audibly exhaled in relief. "That’s great! I’m so glad I’ll get to see you. We can chat."

"Sure," I said, hanging up the call. I had a feeling tonight wasn’t going to be simple.

7:00 PM, at the Banquet Hall

As soon as I stepped into the banquet hall, I was hit by an overwhelming sense of extravagance. Crystal chandeliers sparkled from the ceiling, and the golden, opulent decor framed the guests, who moved with elegance, each person seemingly a walking advertisement for high society.

I scanned the crowd, relieved not to spot Lu Ciyuan. Hopefully, he’d arrive late or not at all. All I wanted was to lay low, complete my "mission," and leave this war zone as soon as possible.

Just as I was about to find a quiet corner to hide in, a tall figure appeared in my line of sight. Lu Ciyuan. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, he strode into the room. His arrival seemed to hush the lively atmosphere slightly.

I froze. His gaze landed on me almost immediately, his piercing eyes carrying a hint of something that unsettled me.

"Shen Zhiyou," he said, his voice low and magnetic as he approached.

"Hm?" I feigned calmness, responding nonchalantly.

He didn’t say much else, grabbing my arm and leading me toward the crowd. I struggled for a moment but quickly gave up—arguing with him was a waste of energy.

At the heart of the banquet, Lin Ruolan stood surrounded by wealthy businessmen and socialites, like a flower in full bloom. When she saw us approaching, her face lit up with a sweet smile, though her gaze flickered nervously between me and Lu Ciyuan.

"Lu, Zhiyou, you’re here," she said softly, her tone laced with undisguised delight.

I raised an eyebrow, amused. You want to put on a show? Count me out. Smiling lightly, I nodded. "Yes, we’re here."

Lu Ciyuan cast her a brief glance, his expression indifferent, showing no interest in engaging with her. This caused a fleeting stiffness in her smile, though she quickly regained her composure.

"Zhiyou, could you join me for a walk in the garden?" Lin Ruolan asked, her eyes brimming with anticipation.

My heart sank, and I instinctively glanced at Lu Ciyuan. His face remained impassive, as though this was none of his business.

"Sure, let’s go," I said with an easy smile. Whatever she wanted, it didn’t matter—I was just here to make an appearance anyway.

I followed Lin Ruolan out to the garden, where the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the cool night breeze rustled the trees.

"Zhiyou, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about," Lin Ruolan’s voice softened.

I immediately grew wary. "Oh? What is it?"

"It’s about Lu..." she began, her eyes carrying a mix of innocence and helplessness.

Ah, of course. Everything leads back to Lu Ciyuan. I sighed internally. "Ruolan, you know my engagement with Lu Ciyuan is just a business arrangement. There’s no emotional connection. You don’t need to worry—I don’t care about him."

Lin Ruolan blinked, surprised by my bluntness. "But...he’s still your fiancé. I don’t want to ruin things between you two."

"Ruin? Ha," I laughed. "You’re overestimating how much I value this engagement. Honestly, I’d be thrilled if you two got together."

Lin Ruolan was stunned, her expression becoming complicated as though struggling with something unsaid.

Just then, my phone buzzed again. It was a message from Chu Xiao.

Chu Xiao: Miss Shen, are you free tonight? I’d like to invite you for coffee.

Not him again. Ever since we were paired together for a business negotiation, he had taken too much interest in me. And all I felt toward him was—trouble.

I ignored the message and put my phone away.

"Zhiyou, about Chu Xiao..." Lin Ruolan started again, hesitant.

I raised an eyebrow. "There’s nothing to say about him. He’s just Lu Ciyuan’s rival and is only interested in me because of my connection to Lu."

"Oh..." she nodded, looking puzzled as if she couldn’t quite grasp my indifference.

Before our conversation could go further, a low voice interrupted us.

"What are you two talking about?" Lu Ciyuan’s cold voice came from behind, startling us. When had he gotten here?

I turned to face him. His expression was as calm and distant as always, but his eyes carried a dangerous edge. Instinctively, I stepped back, feeling the sudden pressure in the air.

"Nothing important, just chatting," I said casually.

He didn’t respond, his gaze sharp and unwavering. Then he turned to Lin Ruolan. "The banquet’s ending. You should head back."

Lin Ruolan looked surprised by his abrupt dismissal, her face briefly shadowed by disappointment. But she quickly nodded and walked away.

Left alone, I was already thinking of excuses to leave when Lu Ciyuan suddenly grabbed my wrist—not harshly, but firmly, with a strength that left no room for refusal.

"Come with me," he commanded, dragging me toward another part of the garden.

I rolled my eyes but didn’t resist.

We walked in silence until we reached a gazebo at the edge of the garden. There, he finally let go of my wrist, turning to face me with eyes so intense they seemed to pierce through me.

"What did you and Lin Ruolan talk about?" he demanded, his tone cold.

I was speechless. "Lu Ciyuan, could you stop being so paranoid? We were just talking about you two."

"Me and her?" His brows furrowed, clearly displeased.

"Yes," I said with exasperation. "She likes you. I know that, and I have no intention of competing. Relax. I’m not going to get in your way."

His gaze turned icy, his expression tightening as if my words had provoked him. Suddenly, he took a step closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "Shen Zhiyou, what are you really thinking?"

"What am I thinking? Nothing. I just want to end this engagement as soon as possible and stay far away from you all." I dropped the pretense, my tone turning cold.

He stared at me for a moment, his eyes flickering with a complex emotion I couldn’t decipher.

"You really don’t care?" he asked quietly.

"I don’t," I said firmly.

For a moment, he stood there silently. Then, suddenly, he laughed—a cold, unsettling sound. "If that’s the case, let’s see how far you can go."

I frowned, confused by his cryptic words. But before I could respond, he turned and walked away.

Watching his retreating figure, a mix of frustration and unease settled in my chest. Just what kind of person was Lu Ciyuan? Was his relationship with Lin Ruolan really as straightforward as it seemed? And was there more to this engagement than I’d been led to believe?

I had thought I could remain detached, watching from the sidelines. But now, I was beginning to sense that things were far more complicated than I had imagined.

Chapter Two: An Unexpected Collaboration

A few afternoons later, I was at home enjoying a rare moment of peace. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, and I curled up on the sofa with a novel in hand, completely relaxed.

Then my phone buzzed again. Too lazy to get up, I reached for it, only to see it was Chu Xiao.

"Miss Shen, are you free tonight? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you," his text read. As succinct as ever, but I knew there was no way it would be a simple matter.

I frowned, mentally weighing my options. Ever since my unexpected collaboration with Chu Xiao during a business negotiation, he had been reaching out to me more frequently. What I knew about him was limited: he was Lu Ciyuan’s business rival, a man of unrestrained personality but ruthless tactics in the business world. Even Lu Ciyuan steered clear of him.

Instinctively, I didn’t want to get involved with these people. But on second thought, perhaps Chu Xiao’s intentions could help me break free from this engagement faster. So, I decided to meet him.

8:00 PM, at a Café

"Miss Shen, as punctual as ever," Chu Xiao’s lazy voice greeted me from a corner as soon as I stepped in. He was sitting by the window, resting his chin on one hand, his eyes sparkling with amusement as if he’d known I would come.

"Cut the nonsense. What do you want?" I walked over and sat down, not in the mood for pleasantries.

He chuckled softly. "You’re different from the others. Straightforward."

I rolled my eyes. Flattery wasn’t going to work on me. "Get to the point."

"I want to collaborate with you," Chu Xiao said, his tone turning serious.

"Collaborate? On what?" I frowned, wary of whatever he was planning.

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as though sharing a secret. "I know you want to cut ties with Lu Ciyuan. And coincidentally, I want to see him face some setbacks in the business world."

I raised an eyebrow. While I wasn’t keen on staying entangled with Lu Ciyuan, that didn’t mean I was eager to conspire with his enemy.

"I’m not interested in business matters," I said flatly, rising to leave.

"Don’t be so quick to reject me," Chu Xiao said, his confidence unwavering as he leaned back in his chair. "Lu Ciyuan is watching your every move. If you keep going like this, he won’t let you go easily. On the other hand, if we work together, you could break free faster."

His words gave me pause. There was an undeniable logic to what he was saying. I had witnessed Lu Ciyuan’s controlling tendencies firsthand. If I kept up this passive, zen-like avoidance, he might really cling to me indefinitely.

"What’s the plan?" I asked, suppressing my doubts for now.

"It’s simple," Chu Xiao said with a sly smile. "You help me obtain some key information on a major project of Lu Ciyuan’s. I’ll use it at the right time to deal a blow to him. In return, I’ll help you leave the Lu family."

"You want me to betray Lu Ciyuan?" I sneered. This man had some nerve.

"You could also see it as a win-win," Chu Xiao said, his tone light.

"I’m not that kind of person." I rejected him without hesitation and stood up to leave.

But as I turned, his voice turned cold behind me. "Shen Zhiyou, do you really think you can stay on the sidelines forever? Lu Ciyuan is already watching you. Leaving him won’t be as easy as you think."

I stopped in my tracks and turned back to face him. His eyes were sharp now, carrying a hint of menace.

"If you help me, you’ll be free sooner. If you don’t, you might sink even deeper," he warned, his tone devoid of its earlier warmth.

I narrowed my eyes, feeling a twinge of uncertainty. "I’ll think about it," I said before walking out of the café.

The night breeze was chilly as I walked home, pulling my coat tighter around me. Chu Xiao’s words echoed in my mind. He was right—I couldn’t stay zen forever. Sooner or later, I’d get dragged into even bigger trouble. But helping him take down Lu Ciyuan? That was far too dangerous a path.

A Few Days Later, at Lu Ciyuan’s Office

I thought I could coast through the next few days quietly, but Lu Ciyuan suddenly summoned me.

"You’ve been spending a lot of time with Chu Xiao lately," he said coldly as soon as I entered, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing.

I froze, alarm bells ringing in my head. Of course, this man had noticed my interactions with Chu Xiao.

"I just happened to run into him," I said calmly, feigning indifference.

Lu Ciyuan didn’t press further, but his deep, penetrating eyes remained fixed on me, as though trying to uncover some hidden truth.

"Shen Zhiyou," he suddenly stepped closer, his voice dropping to a cold whisper, "if you betray me, you won’t be able to bear the consequences."

I lifted my head to meet his gaze, a chill running through me. His tone was calm, but the threat in his words was unmistakable.

"What do you think I care about, Lu Ciyuan? All I want is to leave you," I snapped, unable to hold back.

His expression darkened, and for the first time, his anger seemed barely contained. Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist, his grip tighter than ever, making me wince in pain.

"Do you really think leaving me will be that easy?" His voice was low, simmering with suppressed rage.

I stared up at him, a resolve hardening in my chest. I couldn’t keep being so passive. If Chu Xiao was right, I’d soon find myself caught in an even deeper whirlpool. The only solution was to take control.

"Lu Ciyuan, ours is just a business marriage. Why are you so obsessed? I couldn’t care less about you and Lin Ruolan," I said, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

He was silent for a few seconds before letting go of my wrist. Turning away, his back to me, he seemed to be restraining some hidden emotion.

"You’ll never understand what I’m thinking," he said coldly, his voice low and final.

I watched his back with a sense of helplessness. What was this man’s problem? Why were his emotions always so hard to read? No matter what, I had to break free from this tangled mess.

One Month Later, at a Business Banquet

Time flew, and a month had passed. Chu Xiao’s messages became more frequent, and under Lu Ciyuan’s arrangements, I attended various business events.

Tonight’s banquet was hosted by a major business tycoon, drawing nearly all the top figures in the industry. The grand hall was brightly lit, filled with elegantly dressed guests clinking glasses.

I stood in a corner with a glass of champagne, observing the scene. Lu Ciyuan was not far away, deep in conversation with a group of business elites. Chu Xiao, on the other hand, was across the room, occasionally glancing my way.

Just as I wondered how to navigate tonight, a familiar voice sounded beside me.

"Miss Shen, you don’t seem to be in a great mood tonight."

I turned to see Chu Xiao standing next to me, holding a glass of wine and looking amused.

"Do you need something?" I asked, frowning, not wanting to draw attention.

He smiled. "Don’t be so tense. I’m just here to give you a little heads-up. Tonight might be... eventful."

"What do you mean?" I asked, suddenly on guard.

He didn’t answer directly but clinked his glass against mine lightly. "You’ll see soon enough."

A sense of foreboding gripped me. Before I could press him further, a commotion erupted in the crowd.

I turned to see Lu Ciyuan standing among a group of business moguls, his face dark as thunder. Several reporters suddenly rushed in, cameras flashing wildly, as if they had stumbled upon a major scoop.

My heart sank. Something was definitely wrong.

Chu Xiao leaned in and whispered, "One of Lu Ciyuan’s key projects hit a snag. Tonight’s banquet might get interesting. You can choose to stand by him or... walk away."

I turned to glare at him, realizing this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. He had orchestrated everything to strike at Lu Ciyuan tonight. And I was caught in the middle of the storm.

As my heart raced, I knew I had to make a choice. If I stayed zen, I might emerge unscathed. But if I stood by Lu Ciyuan, I risked being dragged even deeper into chaos...

At that moment, Lu Ciyuan turned to look at me. In his deep eyes, there was a trace of vulnerability I had never seen before.

My heart clenched, and suddenly, the choice before me didn’t seem so simple anymore.

Chapter Three: The Cost of Choice

Standing amidst the bustling crowd at the banquet, my breathing grew uneven. The dazzling lights stung my eyes, while the reporters' camera flashes flickered incessantly. All the attention was fixed squarely on Lu Ciyuan. His face was as dark as a storm, his eyes sharp like blades piercing through the chaos, landing directly on me.

A sense of unease crept over me, as if no matter what choice I made, the outcome would not be favorable.

"Miss Shen, what are you hesitating for?" Chu Xiao’s voice whispered in my ear again. He stood beside me, his tone light but carrying an undeniable pressure.

I tightened my grip on the champagne glass, my mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts. Following Chu Xiao’s suggestion and using tonight as a chance to walk away seemed like the most in line with my zen nature. Yet, in Lu Ciyuan’s restrained gaze, I glimpsed a rare vulnerability. He wasn’t as invincible as I’d imagined.

"Shen Zhiyou." Chu Xiao spoke again, this time with a faint warning in his tone.

I knew his patience was wearing thin.

Shifting my gaze from Lu Ciyuan’s face, I looked at Chu Xiao. His expression remained composed, as though everything was unfolding precisely as he’d planned. Meanwhile, I was caught in the crossfire, a mere pawn without the power to sway the game or the means to escape it.

Just then, Lu Ciyuan began to walk toward me.

His steps were steady, deliberate, exuding an unyielding authority. The crowd and even the reporters seemed subdued by his icy presence, the noise gradually fading. I stood rooted to the spot, my heartbeat quickening.

"Shen Zhiyou." He stopped before me, his voice low and tinged with suppressed anger, but also with a vulnerability I’d never seen before. "Did you come with Chu Xiao tonight?"

"What do you think?" I countered, masking my inner turmoil with a cold indifference.

"Don’t play games with me," his gaze turned dangerously cold. "Do you even know what you’re doing?"

I hesitated for a few seconds, my mind a tangle of thoughts. Finally, I took a deep breath and met his eyes.

"Lu Ciyuan, I’ve never had any intention of betraying you or participating in any schemes against you. You know I couldn’t care less about these things," I said, enunciating every word.

He stared at me intently, as if trying to discern the truth in my words.

"But I want to leave you," I added firmly, my voice carrying a hint of weariness.

His expression hardened instantly, his jaw tightening and his fists clenching slightly. The tension in the air was almost palpable, making my heart race faster.

"Leave?" He suddenly let out a low, chilling laugh. "Do you think it’ll be that easy?"

"I’ve tried my best," I met his gaze, unwavering. "I’ve never sought to challenge you, nor interfered with your relationship with Lin Ruolan. But this marriage... to me, it’s a cage."

His eyes darkened at my words, as though they’d provoked him. In the next second, he stepped forward abruptly, grabbing my wrist with a grip so tight that it made me wince.

"You’ll never understand the significance of this marriage," he growled, his voice thick with suppressed anger.

I opened my mouth to retort but closed it again, realizing there was no point. This man—this cold, unfathomable man—was someone I had never truly understood. Our relationship had always been distorted and distant.

"Shen Zhiyou, if you dare betray me, you’ll regret it." His voice was so low it was almost inaudible, but the chilling threat was clear.

I looked up at him, my emotions a tumultuous mix of anger, confusion, and resignation. Perhaps he harbored some unspoken feelings for me, or maybe he simply saw me as a pawn. Either way, I couldn’t let myself remain under his control.

"You can’t control me forever," I said quietly, my tone resolute.

His expression shifted subtly, as though my words had struck a nerve. He let go of my wrist but continued to glare at me with a knife-like intensity.

"Don’t forget, everything you have now is because of me," he warned coldly.

"Is that so? What if I don’t want any of it?" I shot back, trying to maintain a calm front against his threat.

He didn’t respond immediately, his gaze locked on mine as though weighing my resolve. The atmosphere around us was suffocatingly tense, every eye in the room seemingly fixed on us.

Just as the tension reached its peak, Chu Xiao’s voice rang out behind me.

"President Lu, it seems you’ve stolen the spotlight tonight," he said with a smile, strolling over nonchalantly, unaffected by the heavy atmosphere.

I glanced at Chu Xiao, a wave of irritation washing over me. This man had been exploiting the animosity between us to his advantage, and I had unwittingly become a pawn in his game.

Lu Ciyuan cast him a frosty glance, said nothing, and turned to walk back into the crowd. His retreating figure held a trace of loneliness, but I had no time to dwell on its meaning.

"He’s starting to lose patience with you," Chu Xiao whispered beside me, his tone tinged with smugness.

I frowned, feeling a surge of disgust. Both these men seemed to see me as a tool, something to be controlled and manipulated for their own ends.

"Chu Xiao, I don’t need your advice," I said icily before turning and walking away from him.

A Few Days Later, at My Apartment

Back home, the suffocating weight of the past few days bore down on me. It seemed like every moment was filled with conflict and indecision. I knew I couldn’t continue like this, but escaping the entanglements of Chu Xiao and Lu Ciyuan was proving more difficult than I’d anticipated.

Just as I sat down to rest, the doorbell rang.

I walked over and opened the door, only to freeze in shock.

It was Lin Ruolan.

Dressed in a simple white dress, she stood in the doorway with an air of nervousness and unease.

"Zhiyou, can I come in?" she asked softly, her tone cautious.

I stared at her for a moment before stepping aside and letting her in.

She entered, standing awkwardly in the living room.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked bluntly, unsure of her intentions.

She bit her lip, as though summoning her courage, and finally spoke. "Zhiyou, I... I want to talk to you about Lu Ciyuan."

An unexpected tension tightened my chest.

"Lu Ciyuan? There’s nothing to discuss," I said coldly, unwilling to entertain the topic.

She hesitated, her expression conflicted. "Zhiyou, I know you don’t care about him, but I do..."

Her voice trailed off into a whisper, barely audible.

I sighed, finally understanding her purpose. She was here to confront me, seeking confirmation about where I stood in this tangled web, or rather, whether I would continue to hold any claim on Lu Ciyuan’s heart.

"Lin Ruolan, you don’t need to worry. I’ve never thought of competing with you for Lu Ciyuan," I said flatly.

She looked up, surprise and doubt flickering in her eyes. "But... he seems to feel differently about you."

I chuckled softly. "His engagement to me is purely business. Beyond that, there’s nothing. He’ll choose you eventually."

Her gaze grew more conflicted, as though my words had unsettled her.

"But if he really chooses you, what will I do?" she murmured, her voice trembling with barely contained fear.

I suddenly felt exhausted. This emotional entanglement between her and Lu Ciyuan had veered so far from my own life, yet I kept getting dragged into their mess.

"Do you truly love him?" I asked suddenly, fixing her with a direct gaze.

She froze, caught off guard by the abrupt question.

"I... I don’t know," she stammered, her voice shaky and uncertain.

"If you’re unsure, don’t rush into a fight," I sighed. "Love isn’t something simple. Take the time to figure out what you truly want."

Lin Ruolan bit her lip, seemingly lost in thought.

As I watched her, a strange sense of relief washed over me.

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