Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Lu Nian was truly stunned upon hearing him say that.

Qin Si, on the other hand, seemed to have calmed down, "That Lin guy, he has deceived many."

Lin Junrun seems quite honest at a glance, but in reality, his moral character is extremely flawed. Coming from a decent family and blessed with features that were well-defined, coupled with the halo of being a student at an affiliated school, he easily deceives people outside.

He started dating since middle school, frequently two-timing. Lin Junrun often targeted young girls outside of the school, but he cut off all those connections once he had the opportunity to get close to Lu Nian.

But breaking off ties doesn't mean the traces of the past can be wiped away.

However, all these have nothing to do with Qin Si. He never cared about others' private lives and wasn't the kind of person keen on meddling in these matters.

Only now... he couldn't help but interfere.

Lu Nian, "…You actually care about such matters concerning me."

It was somewhat unexpected for her to see the true face behind Lin Junrun's seemingly honest facade, but it wasn't overly surprising. However, the fact that Qin Si cared about this and even went out of his way to tell her was even more shocking.

Was he afraid she would be deceived?

Since when did Qin Si become so conscientious?

The young man's ear tips were still red as he coldly said, "If you don't believe it, then forget it."

"But, he's really quite nice..." Lu Nian sneaked a peek at his expression, "He's great at holding a conversation, and our last dinner together was very enjoyable."

The warmth gradually faded from the young man's face, his thin lips pressed tightly together, becoming slightly pale.

Shortly after, without uttering another word, he turned and walked away.

Lu Nian, "..." Was this joke a bit too much?

"I was just joking!!" she hurriedly chased after him, "Qin Si, thank you for telling me all of this."

She dared not tease him any further.

Although it was really quite fun... it had lifted her spirits more than before.

The young man paused momentarily in his steps but didn't stop, continuing forward.

Oh no, had he genuinely become angry?

She caught up with him and grabbed his sleeve, "Do me a favor, and I won't paint him anymore, nor will I meet him again."

The young man removed her hand from his sleeve, yet this time, he stopped in his tracks.

Inspiration struck swiftly at this moment, her eyes shimmering brightly as she gazed at the young man before her, almost within arm's reach.

For such a long time, she had seldom had the chance to scrutinize Qin Si this closely.

He was incredibly handsome, precisely fitting Lu Nian's aesthetic preference for males. His figure was slender but not frail, displaying just the right amount of strength. Since childhood, Lu Nian thought his eyes were very attractive - a pair of stunning yet aloof phoenix eyes, deep and dark, with high brow bones and more pronounced contours than most.

He wasn't the stereotypical handsome guy, but the combination of his features created an unforgettable visage, hinting at the potential to evolve into the template of a cold and detached bad boy in the future.

Lu Nian could almost visualize the adult version of Qin Si from the original story.

They didn't meet often in normal circumstances, and Lu Nian was always worried that he might develop some undesirable traits unknown to her.

She had to expend considerable effort to keep up with his recent developments.

If she could arrange for him to come over regularly to show himself to her...

The girl's gaze was a bit... peculiar, making him feel uncomfortable from head to toe. He stiffened and pursed his lips, "I should leave if there's nothing else."

Lu Nian's eyes sparkled, "I want to paint, and I want you to come over and be my model."

Qin Si hadn't expected this request at all, his footsteps freezing on the spot.

To let her paint him...

Hearing this request, he almost immediately refused, "If you want to paint, I can find someone else for you."

The mere thought of her staring at him intently while she painted was a kind of unspeakable torture for him.

Lu Nian muttered unhappily, "I don't want to paint someone else..."

Qin Si retorted, "There are so many people out there, you can choose anyone to paint."

Lu Nian exclaimed, "I got it! You think there are too many people in the studio, right?"

Qin Si has always been reluctant to be seen together with her by others, let alone, he had disliked crowded places since childhood.

Qin Si, "..."

Lu Nian, "I understand you don't want others to see. We can avoid the place we were at earlier and opt for a separate, secluded studio instead."

The facilities at the secondary school are excellent. There are several studios; the largest one is commonly used, while a few smaller ones are available for private rental for a limited time. Moreover, there is a room in the Lu residence specifically dedicated for her to paint in, which is very quiet.

Finding a place where they won't be disturbed is quite straightforward.

The key issue was choosing the wrong location initially.

The young man wanted to continue to refuse.

"Please?" The girl's voice was soft and pleading, her big eyes gazing pitifully at him, as she reached out to tug at his sleeve.

Lu Nian stepped forward, her small hand braced against the wall, tilting her head with a smile at him, "Please? Just once! Truly, just this once."

Her eyes held the same expression as when they were children.

Qin Si has always resented his inability to assert himself in front of her.

He knew it was impossible, wanting to cut off such thoughts, to cease his fanciful ideas.

But faced with her frowns and smiles, as long as she gave him that kind of smile, his mind would go blank, and his heartbeat would race, almost ready to agree to anything.

He asked stiffly, his voice somewhat hoarse, "Specific times, how long each time, and how many sessions in total?"

Lu Nian, "..."

It was still the same Qin Si, indeed.

His speech was always logically clear, straight to the point, ruthless yet calm.

Lu Nian, "I haven't decided yet, and it doesn't necessarily have to be right now. It won't take too long... You can change the time whenever you have other commitments... I promise to complete it within...four or five sessions, is that alright?"

Seeing his expression, Lu Nian could only hastily add more conditions.

She said, "I will compensate you!"

In fact, she seldom had the opportunity to paint boys of this age, mainly because not many people were willing to model for the studio, and many of them were older. Finding male models of this age group was the hardest.

Moreover, he was exceptionally handsome... it was indeed a great deal for her.

The young man's voice was indifferent, "No need."

He pushed her away, "If you want to paint, call me in advance."

"Okay!"

Lu Nian returned to the studio, her mood exceptionally lightened, as if the gloom of several days had been swept away.

Tian Yue nudged Lu Nian and whispered, "Nian Nian, who was that handsome guy just now? How come I've never seen him before?"

Lu Nian replied, somewhat perplexed, "He isn't even in our grade."

Tian Yue chimed in, "So he's a senior... Does little brother have a significant other?"

Lu Nian hesitated before saying, "...I don't think so... perhaps?"

She wondered if Qin Si would ever pursue a romantic relationship.

According to the original storyline, he remained alone till his death, his love life depicted as a blank canvas, seemingly disdainful of letting anyone too close to him.

However, observing the current Qin Si, it appeared that his character development had diverged somewhat from the original narrative. Although he had left the Lu family, he had not attended the thirteenth school nor endured those harrowing years, thus preventing any significant warping of his personality.

Everything seemed to be gravitating back towards a righteous path.

From this perspective, her efforts seemed to bear fruit. Lu Nian harbored the hope that he would continue on this path.

The Ming's Bar buzzed with activity in the evening. As the Lunar New Year approached, patronage soared. Following Qin Si's advice, Ming expanded the establishment by annexing the neighboring space, creating a seamless, larger venue and hiring additional attractive waitresses, which buoyed the business considerably.

Ming could barely contain his joy as he counted the money, his grin practically splitting his face.

The bar closed its doors for the evening, reserving the space exclusively for an internal celebration and an end-of-year summary meeting.

Normally, Qin Si abstained from attending these celebratory feasts. However, the day's good fortune warranted an exception. Additionally, his financial acumen was vital for sorting out the establishment's accounts, a task Ming found utterly baffling.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, the celebratory banquet commenced.

Ming slapped down a card magnanimously, announcing, "Your extra bonuses for this year are all on this card, and rest assured, your salaries and dividends will be distributed as usual!"

Cheers erupted, "Boss is killing it!"

Joyous proclamations filled the room, "We've struck it rich this year!"

"Drink up, drink up! Tonight, everyone can drink to their heart's content—put it on my tab."

A chorus of raucous shouts rang through the room.

The table was adorned with ready-mixed whiskey and rum, and most of it had already been consumed.

Only the young man at one end hadn't touched his glass. He was engrossed in a book, his eyelashes casting a delicate shadow over his downcast eyes. His slender hand, holding a pen, was writing down a series of numbers on a paper. Under the dim light, his skin emitted a cool, pale glow, accentuating his clear-cut, pronounced features.

Qin Si was extremely busy; when not working, he could invariably be found immersed in books. He was soon to be a senior high school student, with the all-important college entrance examinations looming. Mingge understood the gravity of these exams for him.

A woman nearby chuckled flirtatiously, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons as she teased, "Not even having a drink at this time? Still grappling with exam papers, huh? Who would have thought, you're quite the model student, aren't you?"

She made a casual move to drape an arm over the young man's shoulder.

Qin Si evaded her touch, his voice tinged with frost, "I can't drink."

He didn't even divert his gaze from the physics problem he was solving.

Bai Xi felt somewhat embarrassed. She was the most beautiful among the waitresses hired by Mingge this year, and also the best performer in terms of business, considering herself the star of the place, basked in everyone's adoration.

"Have a drink, it's New Year's," Mingge hurriedly mediated, whispering to Qin Si, "The matter of your house has been settled. Just a bit of refurbishment needed, and you can move in after your exams next year. Such a joyous occasion warrants at least a celebratory drink, don't you think? Do it for me, please."

The money was Qin Si's own. Mingge had little insight into his financial status, but given Qin Si's financial acumen, he evidently didn't require assistance. Apart from the earnings and profits from the bar, Qin Si also managed a small internet café, and seemingly, business was flourishing there as well.

He appeared to be involved in investments, experiencing both gains and losses. However, the profits clearly outweighed the losses in the later stages. Mingge was aware of these undertakings as Qin Si, being underage, often used Mingge's identification for various transactions.

Mingge had utmost trust in him, fully aware of what mattered to Qin Si.

Sure enough, the young man paused his writing, lifting the glass of alcohol beside him to clink with Mingge before downing it in one gulp.

His silhouette cast a graceful shadow on the wall; his head slightly tilted upwards revealed a refined profile, and the contours of his throat, accentuated during the swallow, were distinctly attractive.

He had a high tolerance for alcohol, showing no signs of intoxication as he resumed working on his paper.

"Alright, alright, even Xiao Qin has had a drink now; it's time for a toast from everyone!" the bartender Le Qiu interjected, attempting to ease the tension. "Bai Sister, come, let's toast!"

Bai Xi still harbored some resentment, her eyes fixed on Qin Si. When she first met him, she assumed he was another waitress hired by Mingge to attract customers, only to find that he had nothing to do with these affairs and was rarely seen around.

She had inquired about him and knew that the young man had a close relationship with the boss. Only tonight did she realize that the person responsible for management and accounting was him, and he certainly didn't mince words.

"You'll see, one day..." she thought bitterly.

Bai Xi kept her gaze fixed on the young man's retreating figure.

The winter in Ancheng was bitterly cold, yet indoors, it was as warm as spring. The air conditioning operated silently, and everyone inside remained quiet and composed.

Seated at the head of the table was Lu Zhihong.

"...This year, we have seen a steady rise in all aspects of our performance. Coupled with changes in the broader environment, the financial downturn has passed. The prospects for our development next year are even brighter," Lu Zhihong said. "Clearly, our clients have full confidence in us. Lu's reputation among our client base is unprecedentedly positive. As long as everyone continues to work hard next year, setting new records is within our reach."

A round of applause echoed through the room.

Subsequently, it was time for the senior data analyst to speak. Lu Zhihong returned to his original seat, letting out a low cough before he retrieved a small medicine bottle from his pocket and took a pill.

Lu Zhihong's personal secretary, Zhang Hua, had been standing behind him all along. Witnessing his current state, he stealthily approached to discreetly assist him in exiting the conference room.

In a hushed tone, Zhang Hua asked, "Mr. Lu, would you like to go for another check-up later?"

Lu Zhihong exhaled deeply, remarking, "It's the old ailment acting up."

Unperturbed, he inquired to Zhang Hua, "How's the matter I entrusted to Xiao Yang some time ago coming along?"

Zhang Hua paused, "..."

Meeting Lu Zhihong's gaze, he braced himself and said, "Xiao Yang is still young; he'll improve with more experience..."

"No more needs to be said," Lu Zhihong closed his eyes momentarily.

Lu Yang is clearly not up to the task, a realization that has dawned on him. Besides, separated by such a distant familial relation, at the end of the day, people are inherently selfish. Lu Zhihong only intends to hand over the company to someone within his close circle.

Then he inquired, "What about the situation at Nan Qiao?"

Zhang Hua shook his head, whispering, "It remains the same as before."

Fruitless.

Centering on Nan Qiao, a carpet-style search has been conducted annually for the past several years, with Lu Zhihong allocating a significant budget each time. Regrettably, it has consistently proved to be fruitless.

It seems as if Lu Zhuo has vanished from the face of the earth.

The mountain ranges around Nan Qiao are too vast, continuous, dangerous, and profound, with many areas beyond the reach of human effort.

In truth, both Zhang Hua and Lu Zhihong have answers in their hearts.

Perhaps he has already turned into a patch of yellow earth, a skeleton buried beneath the green hills, transformed into an unidentified tiny corpse.

All this is just to retain a semblance of hope.

Lu Zhihong announced, "I will go home tonight to have dinner with Nian Nian. Inform her, will you?"

"Yes," Zhang Hua responded promptly, "The young miss will certainly be delighted to have dinner with you."

The Lu residence.

Knowing that Lu Zhihong would be coming home for dinner, the house was brightly lit, with servants and chefs bustling around.

The official lady of the house, He Tian, wasn't in a rush at all. Upon receiving the call, she still reclined leisurely in her chair, instructing the young girl next to her, "Continue."

Sitting opposite was a woman of roughly the same age, in her thirties, dressed extravagantly. She questioned, "Your husband is coming home for dinner tonight, and you are still here continuing with your manicure?"

"What does his return to dine with his sickly daughter have to do with me?" She retorted.

Qiu Min cast a glance at her abdomen, remarking regretfully, "He truly loves his daughter, hasn't even allowed you to conceive once throughout these years."

He Tian sneered, "Do you really think it's because he doesn't want to? He desires it fervently."

Qiu Min's eyes widened, "Really?"

He Tian giggled, "He's willing but unable."

Stunned by this newly revealed secret of the wealthy family, Qiu Min immediately pressed further, "Is it an issue with his capability, or something else?"

He Tian replied nonchalantly, "The latter. Severe oligospermia. He can't produce anymore."

How absurd.

What was even more absurd was that upon discovering this flaw in himself, Lu Zhihong's first reaction was to immediately take Lu Nian to the hospital for a paternity test, to confirm his lineage.

However, it seems he can no longer stumble upon the fortune he once had. Not only did he father children, but it happened to be a set of fraternal twins on the first try.

Lu Zhihong and Cheng Mingying did not harbor deep feelings for each other; their marriage was merely a union of families for mutual benefits at that time. Their relationship even reached a freezing point at one stage, resulting in a separation soon after the birth of Lu Nian and Lu Zuo.

In his youth, filled with boundless ambition, he didn't fret over having one or two children. He believed he could have as many as he wished in the future, devoting all his energy to his career instead.

Now, He Tian couldn't help but let out a mocking smile.

So many years have passed; Lu Zuo has long been missing, presumed dead, and any regrets now are in vain.

His daughter was no saint either; who knows what kind of role she played in Lu Zuo's disappearance back then.

He Tian married Lu Zhihong when the twins were six. If one could say Lu Zuo might have invoked a bit of pity, then Lu Nian... She had never encountered such a kind of little girl before.

The father and daughter of the Lu family were enjoying a quiet dinner together.

Lu Zhihong inquired about her daily life, to which Lu Nian dutifully responded.

Lu Zhihong mentioned further, "Xiao Yang mentioned that you got along well last time. Next time, try to invite the Zhao family's son over more often. He is a good boy, worth befriending."

Lu Nian nodded silently.

"Your current grades are not sufficient. I will hire some tutors to help you catch up later," Lu Zhihong continued, "If it doesn't work out, you can skip the college entrance examination and go abroad. I can find someone to write a recommendation letter for you."

Lu Zhihong had majored in finance during his undergraduate years and pursued an MBA at a renowned university in the USA. He even had a brief stint as a visiting scholar, during which he established connections with many influential figures.

Lowering her head, Lu Nian uttered a soft, "Mm."

She had zero interest in studying finance, and mathematics was her weak point.

When she was younger, she used to do homework with Qin Si. He could calculate figures mentally, while she might make careless errors even when using a structured method to work them out.

Actually...

The prospect of pursuing a career in the arts enticed her greatly. Given her academic performance and the solid foundation in art she has built over the years, Lu Nian's art teacher had even suggested that she could potentially aim for the top art academies in the country if she truly wished to walk down this path.

But Lu Nian dared not confide in Lu Zhihong.

Because he would never consent to it.

The middle-aged man had a refined face, yet his gaze harbored an indescribable grimness.

"Some time ago, Zhang Qiuping called me," Lu Zhihong mentioned seemingly casually.

A cold sweat was about to break on Lu Nian; she continued to eat in silence, her body stiffening.

"Nanqiao doesn't have much to offer in terms of amusement," Lu Zhihong remarked nonchalantly, "Once daddy is done with his work, I'll take you skiing in Switzerland, or maybe to Finland to witness the Northern Lights."

"Have you been having nightmares recently?" Lu Zhihong asked further, "I heard you've not been sleeping well. Daddy knows a psychotherapist..."

"No!" Lu Nian's voice trembled slightly before she quickly subdued it, "No nightmares, daddy, I'm doing fine."

"That's good to hear," Lu Zhihong responded.

"Listen to daddy," his hand gently stroked her hair, murmuring softly, "Daddy will arrange everything for the best."

Lu Nian shivered slightly, biting her lip and giving a nod.

The next day, she arrived at school with prominent dark circles under her eyes.

"Nian Nian, what happened to you?" her desk mate Tian Yue inquired, "Didn't sleep well last night?"

Forcing a smile, Lu Nian shook her head.

Indeed, she hadn't slept well, pondering all night about ways she could leave the Lu family and earn a living on her own. Despite ruminating on it extensively, she found no viable solutions.

She still had two years left of high school. Would she really have a chance to leave the Lu family then?

"... Nian Nian?" Tian Yue's voice reached her ears.

Snapping back to reality, Lu Nian responded, "Huh?"

"... They say their relationship is pretty good," Tian Yue told Lu Nian, "I guess they will end up together in the future, maybe some kind of affluent family alliance?" The phrase itself made her giggle.

Lu Nian wore a blank expression, "Who?"

Tian Yue replied, "Zhao Tingyuan and Su Qingyou!"

Lu Nian nodded, "Hmm."

It would be normal for them to be together; after all, that was the plotline in the original story.

In this lifetime, it seemed that the business status of the Lu family hadn't deteriorated significantly, and there were also considerable changes concerning Qin Si compared to his previous life.

It seems she won't be able to break them apart, after all.

According to the original story, Lu Nian had died. Recalling last night's events, Lu Nian thought of that oppressive family environment and Lu Nian's years of depression and suicidal thoughts - it was no wonder.

After class, Lu Nian wandered out of the classroom absentmindedly. Suddenly, someone came up behind her and tapped her shoulder.

Lu Nian jumped in fright, her little face gone pale when she turned around.

It turned out to be Zhao Yaoyuan, who was also startled by Lu Nian's intense reaction.

"What are you doing?"

Recognizing him, Lu Nian felt inexplicably embarrassed.

Zhao Yayuan followed behind her, engaging her in casual conversation, he asked, "Are you older than me?"

Lu Nian responded, "We should be about the same age, I guess. My birthday is in the summer. When is yours?"

With his hands clasped behind his head, Zhao Yayuan replied languidly, "I was born at the tail end of winter, so I'm younger than you."

Lu Nian, "..."

Zhao Yayuan teased, "In that case, should I, perhaps, call you... big sister?"

The boy had beautiful eyes, but hearing this nickname caused Lu Nian to feel an inexplicable shiver... She quickened her pace, responding vaguely to move past the moment.

Zhao Yayuan caught up again, continuing to walk beside her, "Have you heard the rumor about my brother and that Su person?"

Lu Nian, "Eh?"

"I remember your family and the Su family have always been at odds," Zhao Yayuan remarked, "If my brother really ends up with Su Qingyou, wouldn't that put you in a passive position?"

The young man discussed this with her in all seriousness, leaving Lu Nian somewhat astonished.

But indeed, this was the direction the original story took. One of the key steps in Su Qingyou's revival of the Su family was marrying Zhao Tingyuan.

Lu Nian lamented, "...Well, there's nothing I can do about that."

Zhao Tingyuan wasn't interested in her, but was attracted to Su Qingyou. She couldn't just interfere and try to break them up forcefully.

Moreover, even if Su Qingyou did marry Zhao Tingyuan later, they might not necessarily have been able to deal with the Lu family if not for the sudden and unexpected suicide of Qin Si.

Zhao Yayuan stated, "My brother won't do."

Under the sunlight, the boy's eyes gleamed like amber as he continued, "But, there's another son in our family."

Lu Nian, "?" She felt a bit slow to catch on.

The young man revealed a small canine tooth as he smiled, seemingly bewitching, "There's still me."

Lu Nian, "??"

He chuckled, saying, "I wouldn't mind if you build a good relationship with me in advance."

"Besides, my health isn't great," Zhao Yayuan went on, "If you marry me hypothetically and I die in a few days, you can remarry someone you like swiftly and, incidentally, inherit my fortune."

Lu Nian, "???" She was too stunned to utter a word.

Zhao Yayuan said nonchalantly, "Just kidding."

"Just plotting a potentially feasible plan for you," he added.

Lu Nian, "..."

In the original story, Lu Nian and Zhao Yayuan didn't cross paths. Lu Nian didn't even live to become an adult, let alone entertain the prospect of marriage.

If things truly transpired this way, could her future circumstances alter? As she grows older, wouldn't her fate already be predetermined, bound to marry someone arranged by Lu Zhihong and live a life orchestrated by him, akin to a marionette on strings?

Her only consolation is her youth, granting her time and a final opportunity to resist.

Zhao Yayuan cannot be trusted.

She recalled "Nan Qiao", that enigmatic place name.

Zhao Yayuan must know something. Yet, to reveal or conceal, the initiative rested entirely in Zhao Yayuan's hands.

The Lu family had kept her in the dark meticulously.

Moreover, recalling Lu Zhihong's face and his profound statement, "…I have found a psychologist for you," still sent chills down her spine.

Her spirits plummeted into a trough.

"The next lesson is in the multimedia classroom, a joint session for both our classes," Zhao Yayuan reminded.

Lu Nian nodded, "Mm."

Zhao Yayuan and Lu Nian entered the classroom together, taking seats in their respective class sections.

Tian Yue looked intrigued, "Does he have a crush on you? The Lu family is certainly a match for the Zhao family, and both of you are quite attractive, a fairly compatible pair."

Lu Nian shook her head, "No."

She didn't wish to continue this conversation.

During this Chinese literature class, Lu Nian doodled figures on the draft paper, feeling a tangled mess inside her heart.

She suddenly remembered Qin Si, their planned drawing session, which was set for tonight, the first time.

Qin Si was only a year older than her, but he already lived a life of freedom and ease.

Lu Nian found herself suddenly envying him.

...She truly longed to see Qin Si at this moment.

The phone hidden in her desk vibrated suddenly, startling Lu Nian. Fortunately, the teacher didn't notice her distracted state, or the fact that she had forgotten to switch off her phone.

Surprisingly, the incoming message was from Qin Si.

Lu Nian glanced around before stealthily unlocking her phone.

A message in Qin Si's typical style appeared, "Where at?"

Right... She had only informed him of the time, forgetting to specify the location.

Lu Nian bit her lip in thought, "Would you like to come to my place?"

Author's Note:

Today is quite a fruitful day~ The next chapter should be rather sweet, teehee.

A somewhat unhealthy fantasy.

Many years later, they confirmed their relationship.

Nian Nian: want to Si Si BLABALALAA (cough, that kind of model)

Si Si Zai blushed upon hearing this (coldly): Don't even think about it.

Nian Nian (feeling wronged): But I just want to! And besides, you will have to give it to me sooner or later...

Si Si Zai: ... (turns and walks away)

However, Nian Nian can force Si Si now (snickers), in any case, no matter how embarrassing or unbearable it becomes, Si Si Zai would agree in the end, wouldn't he? (misleading)