Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The young boy was incredibly resilient. As Zhao Ming tended to him, he noticed some wounds had been festering for a while, an unsettling mosaic of new and old injuries lay before him, a sight so gruesome it was almost unbearable to witness. Despite Zhao Ming's own discomfort while treating him, the boy remained silent, not uttering a single sound.

While tending to the wounds on his face, Zhao Ming applied a band-aid and half-jokingly remarked, "Fortunately, your face was spared any serious injury. There won't be any scars, otherwise, the young ladies might not find you appealing in the future."

The little boy has a handsome face, with prominent brows and expressive eyes. When he grows up, he is expected to become a heartthrob for many young girls.

Yet, the child harbored no intentions of jesting with him.

Lacking the naïveté typically seen in children his age, Zhao Ming receives no response to his playful remarks, leaving him no choice but to retreat into awkward silence while administering the ointment on his hand.

After tending to everything, Zhao Ming picks up the medicine box to leave, only to hear Qin Si rise and say, "Thank you."

The boy only reaches up to his shoulder at the moment. Zhao Ming observes the boy's dark hair whorl, noticing his serious gaze, "I will repay this favor in the future."

Zhao Ming is somewhat surprised; having previously seen Qin Si acting bristly around Lu Nian, he had pegged him as merely a rebellious child. Now it seems, rather than rebellious, the boy exhibits a surprising level of maturity.

He waves his hand dismissively, "No need to repay anything. I'm simply fulfilling a request on someone else's behalf. If you want to thank someone, thank the person who asked me to come."

Hearing this, the boy's eyelashes flutter slightly, his lips tightening, ultimately remaining silent.

Outside, the wind howls fiercely.

Lu Nian caught a cold during the day, and after entering the house, she sneezed repeatedly. After taking medicine in the evening, she soon fell asleep, her frail body resting until the next day due to poor health.

The next day, after freshening up, she scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.

The little girl lacked even a hint of rosiness in her complexion, appearing a year or two younger than her actual age with slender arms and legs. She had a pair of beautifully shaped large eyes, a refined nose, and small, upturned lips. Her features somewhat resembled Lu Nian's when she was younger, only more delicate and even paler, undeniably a budding beauty.

However, a pervasive pallor of illness, visible at first glance, clung to her, impossible to shake off.

The Lu family certainly did not lack access to doctors and nourishments. Lu Nian's diet could be described as extremely rich, yet the precious supplements seemed to have no effect. The young mistress remained as pale and frail as a little flower withered by frost.

It seemed that for children of this age to be healthy, the first prerequisite was to spend more time outdoors, engaging in physical activities. Relying on supplements while staying indoors all year round only seemed to backfire.

Today, the sun graced the outdoors, offering a rare sunny day in the midst of winter. Lu Nian contemplated taking a walk outside, secretly wishing to check on Qin Si, wondering if he was still as non-cooperative with Doctor Zhao as he was the other day.

Unexpectedly, before she could finish preparing to head out, she heard footsteps approaching outside. Zhang Qiuping ascended the stairs with a beaming face, announcing, "Miss, the master has come to see you."

A flutter of nervousness seized Lu Nian's heart, and she hurried back to her room to seat herself properly.

It wasn't long before Lu Zhong entered, the man impeccably dressed, appearing no different than when he visited her in the hospital room that day. He scrutinized her from head to toe, commenting, "You're recovering nicely."

Lu Nian offered him a smile before noticing that there was a woman standing beside Lu Zhong.

The woman appeared to be in her mid-to-late twenties, possessing a certain beauty that was accentuated by high-end fashion and flawless makeup. However, her brows and eyes tapered sharply, hinting at an underlying harshness.

She seemed indifferent to Lu Nian throughout their interaction. Once Lu Zhong finished speaking, she glanced at Lu Nian, offering a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, remarking, "It's good that you're better. However, considering how long you've stayed home this time, how many times have you actually attended school this year?"

Lu Nian was momentarily lost for words, her mind echoing a silent, 'And you are...?'

Zhang Qiuping hurriedly chimed in, "The mistress has returned from her vacation as well."

The mistress...

Lu Nian pondered for a moment, realizing that the woman standing before her most likely was He Tian, the infamous stepmother of Lu Nian according to the rumors.

He Tian had been a part of the Lu family for several years now, initially enjoying a prominent status in the household. Everyone had anticipated her to bear Lu Zhong a child soon, yet sadly, even now, Lu Zhong only had Lu Nian as his sole offspring.

Whispers and speculations buzzed outside, and as time passed, He Tian's attitude towards Lu Nian grew increasingly ambiguous and passive-aggressive.

She seemed to harbor a distinct aversion to children. In the original story, not only did she detest Lu Nian, but she was also one of the instigators behind the mistreatment of Qin Si.

Lu Nian could only feel a headache brewing, wondering why the dynamics in her family had to be so complicated.

"It would be good if you could recover fully and return to school sooner," Lu Zhong commented, casting a glance at He Tian before clearing his throat subtly, "You could just make it in time for the end-of-term exams."

Lu Zhihong has always harbored high expectations for Lu Nian's studies, yet unfortunately, she proves to be disobedient, frequently complaining about various ailments, leaving him unable to discipline her harshly.

"This won't do, Nian Nian." Lu Zhihong remarks as they step out, "I cannot entrust such a vast enterprise to her in the future. I won't be at peace."

"It's fine," He Tian replies casually while fiddling with her nails, "The boy you adopted is quite intelligent, isn't he? In the future, just have Nian Nian take him in as her husband. That way, she won't need to worry about the family business."

Lu Zhihong responds, "What are you talking about?"

He Tian retorts defiantly, "When you brought him home from the orphanage back then, wasn't that your intention?"

"Otherwise, why go through all the trouble to choose a boy not far in age, handsome and clever? Isn't it to serve your daughter in the future? With no one else at home, he can be easily manipulated to your advantage, right?"

Lu Zhichong stopped in his tracks, "Now I only have Nian Nian as my daughter. Am I insane to marry her off to someone picked up from an orphanage with no parents? You're idle at home all the time, going out for beauty treatments, shopping, and hanging out with your friends. Don't interfere in Nian Nian's matters unnecessarily."

Seeing that he was genuinely angered, He Tian pursed her lips, choosing not to say anything further.

Ancheng Attached High School is the best school in Ancheng, encompassing both a high school and an elementary school. The students there either come from wealthy families or are high-achieving individuals from ordinary families who managed to get admitted through their own merits.

Lu Nian is currently enrolled at Ancheng Primary School, attending fourth grade. However, her frequent absences have resulted in a disastrous academic performance.

Miss Lu hardly spends more than two months in school throughout the year, attending only when she feels like it. Given her precarious mental state and unpredictable temper, coupled with a few suicide attempts, everyone knows about her influential family background. As a result, the teachers dare not discipline her, indulging her every whim instead.

This time, to everyone's great surprise and delight, Lu Nian expressed a willingness to attend school.

The day of her return to school finally arrived. Fearing the cold, Lu Nian allowed Zhang Qiuping to bundle her up into a little furball in the morning. The previous Lu Nian, who had a penchant for looking glamorous, would have staunchly refused this. But now, all Lu Nian cared about was keeping warm, resigning herself to wear as many layers as necessary.

Round and bundled, she stepped outside, with the Lu family's car ready to drop her at the school entrance.

A multitude of chauffeurs and nannies insisted on accompanying her inside. Seeing other students, some much younger than her, walking in alone, Lu Nian felt somewhat embarrassed. After much persuasion, she managed to send the group of nannies back.

Alone, she carried her backpack and followed her faint memories towards her classroom.

Given that the primary and junior high sections were combined into one and being the most renowned private institution in Ancheng, the campus of Ancheng High School was vast. Lu Nian, with her poor sense of direction and vague recollections of the school, found herself stopping every few steps.

The distant sound of the morning study bell was already ringing, yet the nearest teaching building seemed to be at the horizon.

Lu Nian, "....."

Now, she somewhat regretted dismissing the crowd that had followed her, realizing that they could have at least escorted her to the classroom for today.

She didn't want to be late and quickened her pace. In her haste to find her way, she failed to watch her step. Her foot found nothing but air, and she stumbled, falling directly into a ditch at the side of the path.

Fortunately, there was no water in the ditch, only hard ground. The fall left her buttocks aching terribly. Lu Nian tried several times to climb out, but the thick clothing hindered her movements, and her slender arms and legs lacked the strength to pull herself up.

Classes had already begun, leaving the school path practically deserted.

Lu Nian cradled her face, sitting in the ditch and blankly gazing at the sky, seriously contemplating whether to start shedding layers of clothes to rescue herself or to sit in the ditch and wait for the class period to end and everyone to leave the class.

Qin Si noticed the fluffy white ball at the end of his sight suddenly disappear.

How can there be someone as foolish as this?

Can't even walk properly; such a shallow ditch, yet unable to climb out.

The little boy, standing at a head's height taller than her, stood by the roadside. Despite the winter, he was thinly dressed, his pair of black eyes coldly observing her.

It's Qin Si.

How did he end up here? Lu Nian was somewhat surprised, suddenly recalling that Qin Si seems to be attending school here too.

She scrutinized him from head to toe, her long lashes fluttering once, bright eyes instantly curving in excitement.

Qin Si was indifferent, thinking that her joy was futile; he had no intention of helping her, merely coming over to witness her embarrassing state.

Yet, Lu Nian blinked her large eyes, grinning with a radiant smile.

Seeing her sitting in the ditch as composed and smiling as if she were in her own living room, Qin Si found no difference.

"Your wounds have healed," noticing the carefully treated wounds on his face and hands, she felt a great sense of relief, finding comfort even while squatting in the ditch.

Qin Si, "...."

The icy early winter breeze was bone-piercing, yet Lu Nian showed no signs of seeking his help. As Qin Si turned to leave, it felt like his feet were nailed to the ground, unable to break free.

He felt exceptionally irritable.

Lu Nian saw that figure disappearing without any surprise, continued to look up at the sky, and suddenly, the shadow folded back.

Qin Si held his lips tightly, yanking her out of the ditch with a simple and brute force. Lu Nian then realized his surprising strength.

He didn't touch her, just pulled her up through the layers of clothing. Once she stood firm, Qin Si immediately let go, maintaining a considerable distance, as if unwilling to approach, much like dealing with a ferocious beast.

However, Lu Nian was quite surprised. She had assumed not only would Qin Si refuse to help her, but he might even toss a few stones into the ditch to aggravate her.

"Thank you," the young girl said, her voice as sweet and moist as cotton fluff in the wind.

Without uttering a word, Qin Si walked ahead of her. The boy appeared frail, yet stood tall, still only wearing a thin hoodie under his school uniform, seeming very cold. The tips of his ears that peeped out looked like they were turned red by the cold wind, distinctly visible against his pale skin.

Lu Nian was conflicted; she knew Qin Si disliked conversing with her, showing annoyance at her sight, but she genuinely wanted to ask him for directions to her classroom.

The two walked, one behind the other, when a figure suddenly ran towards them from the end of the tree-lined path.

Upon seeing Lu Nian, Lu Yang immediately halted, "Nian Nian!"

He rushed over, making sure that Lu Nian was uninjured, he sighed in relief. Lu Yang pulled her closer, noticing the mud on the hem of her clothes, "Nian Nian, what are you doing here? What happened? We were frantically looking for you."

The nanny claimed to have seen her enter the school, but she was nowhere to be found in the classroom.

Lu Nian said softly, "I accidentally took a fall." She glanced at Qin Si, feeling that he probably wanted nothing more to do with her.

Lu Yang asked, "Did it hurt when you fell? Do you want big brother to carry you to the classroom, or should I call uncle to take you home?"

Currently, Lu Yang is in the eighth grade and attends Ancheng Secondary School. His family had repeatedly instructed him to keep an eye on Lu Nian while at school.

Lu Yang and Lu Nian's grandfather were brothers, so technically their blood relation was somewhat distant by their generation, but since the Lu family branch represented by Lu Zhihong was the most prosperous, they were naturally considered close relatives.

The moment he heard that Lu Nian hadn't arrived in the classroom, he immediately ran out to search for her.

Due to the previous incident with Qin Si, Lu Nian really couldn't muster any affection for Lu Yang. She shrugged off his hand, shaking her head, "No need, I can walk by myself."

It was only then that Lu Yang noticed Qin Si standing ahead.

Since the day of the "jumping off the building" incident, Lu Yang hadn't seen Qin Si again. That day, his attempt to frame Qin Si had been ruined by Lu Nian's words. Naturally, Lu Yang didn't think it was Lu Nian's fault and blamed Qin Si entirely for making him lose face in front of Uncle Lu.

Now, he found Qin Si even more distasteful.

Lu Yang forcibly pulled Lu Nian closer, "Big brother will take you to the classroom."

At fourteen, Lu Yang was several years older than Lu Nian, and she was physically weaker. Unable to break free, she had no choice but to let him lead her.

As Lu Nian was pulled farther away from Qin Si, she cast a final glance at him, only to see his indifferent gaze, not even sparing her a look, portraying an utter lack of interest.

As she suspected, Qin Si still detested her. Probably in his eyes, she was no different from Lu Yang.

As Lu Yang led Lu Nian away, he felt a chill down his spine. Turning around, he saw Qin Si standing at a distance, watching their retreating figures. He realized that the young boy had dark, haunting eyes that seemed more terrifying than before, quietly observing him, his thoughts inscrutable.

Like a young wolf that had something snatched away from it.

After all, he was just a penniless little bastard, what could he do to him? Lu Yang thought contemptuously.

Author's note: The stepmother brings the prophecy (applause) (applause) (applause)