Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Walking down the street, Lu Nian's phone in her pocket was buzzing non-stop. She answered the call, it was Zhao Yayuan.

"My family's car will pick me up shortly," Lu Nian stated, "No need for you to come."

Zhao Yayuan retorted, "Weren't you supposed to come over for dinner? And now you are getting picked up by your family's car on the main street? Have you lost your mind?"

Lu Nian, "..."

She was at a loss for words.

Perhaps due to her uplifted mood, her IQ seemed to have temporarily plummeted.

"I'm at 45 West Maple Avenue," she relayed her location, "right in front of the cake shop."

The car arrived quickly.

Sitting in the back seat with his legs stretched out, Zhao Yayuan had a teasing smile on his face as he sized up Lu Nian, "In a good mood, aren't we?"

Lu Nian patted her own cheek, "So-so."

"Yet you can't stop grinning like an idiot."

Lu Nian, "..."

As the car glided smoothly down the street, Zhao Yayuan seemingly nonchalant, asked languidly, "So, who did you meet up with this time?"

Lu Nian replied curtly, "Personal matter, none of your business."

Zhao Yayuan responded in a lazy tone, "Alright, none of my business. But remember, you promised to do me a favor in return for my help this time."

He was chewing bubble gum, blowing a bubble leisurely.

Lu Nian sat up straight, "What do you want me to help you with?"

Indeed, Zhao Yayuan had been a great help to her recently. As long as it was within her capabilities, she was willing to repay the favor.

"How about becoming my girlfriend?"

There was a faint twinkle of amusement in his radiant eyes as he propped up his chin, gazing at her sideways. Thanks to his handsome features, his proposition, which seemed like a half-joke, didn't come off as disrespectful at all.

Lu Nian was stunned for a second.

She pointed to her own head, "Did you hit your head or something?"

Zhao Yayuan leaned back lazily into the seat, "So, is that a no?"

Lu Nian was utterly incredulous, "..."

How could this possibly work?

She rejected without the slightest hesitation. The fact that Zhao Yayuan did not seem the least bit discouraged only reinforced Lu Nian's belief that this was nothing but a frivolous joke.

She decided to put on her earphones.

Glancing at her strikingly beautiful profile, Zhao Yayuan seemed to be murmuring to himself in a hushed tone, "This might complicate things in the future..."

The Zhao family's car gradually arrived at the Lu residence.

Just as Lu Nian entered, she saw Zhang Qiuping emerging joyfully, "Miss, both the master and the lady are at home today; they have asked for you in the living room."

A chill suddenly crept over Lu Nian.

In the spacious living room of the Lu house, He Tian was lying on a lounge chair, leisurely chatting with Lu Zhihong while applying a facial mask.

Lu Zhihong, wearing glasses, was engrossed in a financial newspaper.

Including her, they constituted a picture-perfect family of three.

"Were you at the Zhao's just now?" Lu Zhihong asked, his demeanor calm, putting down the newspaper, "Come, sit here."

Lu Nian sat down, softly replying, "Yes."

Lu Zhihong inquired, "Was it Yuan who brought you back or was it Yayuan?"

Lu Nian responded truthfully, "It was Yayuan."

Lu Zhihong nodded, "As expected, those of similar ages do find more common ground for conversation."

Lu Nian remained silent, as was her habit in Lu Zhihong's presence; just listening to his directives was sufficient.

"It's a pity... that young boy who stayed with us for a while back then, you never seemed to warm up to him," Lu Zhihong mused with a hint of nostalgia, "It seems that there indeed exists a natural affinity or lack thereof between individuals."

Cold sweat threatened to break out on Lu Nian's back, she stiffened, merely uttering, "Mhm."

Fortunately, Lu Zhihong did not pursue the topic further. It was just a casual mention, and the conversation swiftly circled back to the Zhao family siblings.

He queried, "What is your opinion of the Zhao family's son?"

Lu Nian, with downcast eyes, said, "They are both very good."

Lu Zhihong nodded approvingly, "Then, maintain a good relationship with them, communicate more often."

Seeing Lu Nian nod obediently, he glanced at the time and advised, "It's getting late, you should go and prepare for bed. Don't stay up too late."

Feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders, Lu Nian hastily retreated.

For a moment, only Lu Zhihong and He Tian were left in the spacious living room. The surrounding servants replaced their tea, then withdrew silently, leaving the room engulfed in quietude.

At last, Lu Zhihong allowed himself to relax slightly, removing his glasses and closing his eyes to rejuvenate.

It seemed as though he was speaking to He Tian, yet also murmuring to himself, "The eldest son of the Zhao family is indeed commendable, a young man of gentleness and stability. I met him once before; he resembles his father greatly, possessing a tender and considerate nature."

He continued, "The younger Zhao has even more promising looks and shares a closer bond with Nian Nian. Unfortunately, his personality falls a bit short, and besides, it seems he is half a year younger than Nian Nian?"

He Tian peeled the facial mask off her face, chuckling sardonically, "You really are thinking far ahead, aren't you?"

"There's also the matter of Nian Nian studying abroad," he mentioned, "I have already contacted my former mentor."

He proposed, "If she can't attend top institutions domestically, it would be better to pursue education abroad."

Stretching languidly, He Tian remarked with a hint of sarcasm, "Aren't you micromanaging a bit too much? Do you really think your daughter appreciates such a level of control?"

A young girl of seventeen or eighteen, constantly supervised in her daily life, from the people she meets to the school she attends, all orchestrated by family; could Lu Nian truly be willing?

A weary Lu Zhihong retorted, "She's all I have. No matter what, I cannot allow her to become a second Ah Zuo, can I?"

His health had been declining rapidly lately. Lu Yang was not up to the task, necessitating him to meticulously plan everything for his daughter in advance.

As long as Lu Nian follows the path he has carefully outlined, she will have everything she needs.

Lu Nian returned to her bedroom.

She realized she was covered in a thin layer of sweat; the window was ajar, curtains fluttering gently with the breeze.

She removed all her clothing.

The young girl's back was smooth, glistening with a fine layer of sweat.

Entering the bathroom, she cleansed herself, her skin and hair dotted with water droplets. Through the misty reflection in the mirror, she glimpsed the graceful contours of the young girl's silhouette.

She wiped the water droplets from the mirror, leaning in for a clearer view.

...

Smirking at her reflection, a sudden sense of embarrassment overcame her as an unknown thought crossed her mind, promptly shaking her head to dispel the budding idea.

How shameless!

"Miao Miao!" Having changed into fresh clothes, Lu Nian returned to her bedroom with damp hair.

Miao Miao knew she had been showering and had prepared early, ready to assist her in blow-drying and straightening her hair as she entered.

The girl's long black hair, untouched by dye or perm, was well taken care of, cascading over her frail, pale shoulders. It possessed a bewitching beauty, at once innocently pure and startlingly seductive.

The night breeze in May was exceptionally comforting, with the window half-open, the white curtains billowing gently. A refreshing night wind blew in, carrying the fragrance of the flora in the garden.

She lay on the bed, playfully kicking her pale little feet, and eventually couldn't resist reaching for her mobile phone.

He navigated to that particular name in his contacts list.

After staring at it for a few seconds, she couldn't hold back anymore.

"Are you asleep?"

There was no response from the other end.

Lu Nian, "..."

She threw her phone to the side, only to pick it up again, her cheeks slightly flushed and a sudden surge of irritation coming over her.

The phone that she had cast aside rang with a sudden "ding" noise.

The girl's brows relaxed, and she retrieved her phone.

A simple two-word message greeted her: "Asleep now."

"You need to rest more and sleep earlier," she replied, her toes wiggling as she typed swiftly. "Look, it's so late and yet you responded so quickly."

There was really no need. After all, she wasn't in a hurry.

She paused, realizing that she might not have given him much space to continue the conversation.

Hence, she hastily added another message, "I am really tired, going to sleep soon. You don't need to reply, goodnight."

As expected, there was no further response from his end.

Lu Nian, "..."

Frustrated, she hurled the pillow she was holding across the room, her cheeks puffing out in annoyance.

Yet, the phone suddenly rang once more.

Lu Nian quickly picked it up, seeing a three-word message from him: "Understood."

She glanced at the set of keys that she had tucked away in the innermost part of the drawer, a smile curling on her lips that she couldn't suppress as she pulled the duvet up to her chin.

She was accustomed to his sarcastic remarks, yet this was the first time she encountered such a compliant version of him.

Lu Nian pondered why she found him, who seemed weaker after the illness, even more adorable than usual.

It's just a pity she couldn't see him.

Imagining the way he looked while sending that message, she turned over, a smile lingering on her lips as she finally drifted into a peaceful slumber.

The fever had completely subsided. When Qin Si took his temperature again, it was back to normal, and his stomach no longer ached with persistent cramps.

Huang Mao noticed him keeping his gaze down, seemingly engrossed in reading a message.

Under the dim lights of the bar, the young man's aloof yet striking profile was highlighted, revealing almost perfect lines and shadows.

It was unclear what he found so fascinating, as he was so utterly engrossed in it.

After observing surreptitiously for a moment, Huang Mao suddenly realized, nudged Xiao Qu, and whispered, "It must be a message from sister Nian Nian."

Xiao Qu joined him in the secretive speculation, murmuring in agreement, "Absolutely."

Qin Si was hardly the kind to indulge in casual texting conversations during his leisure time. Apart from work necessities, he seldom socialized, let alone had the time and energy to engage in such activities.

The young man had already put away his phone.

Seeing that he seemed to be in a rather good mood, Huang Mao gathered the courage to ask, "Brother Qin, when is sister Nian Nian coming over for dinner again?"

The young girl was not only beautiful and pitiable, but her personality was also adorable and pleasing. They all truly cherished Lu Nian, treating her with the affection reserved for a younger sister.

Qin Si remained silent.

Just when Huang Mao and Xiao Qu thought he wouldn't respond,

He said, "In a few days."

Huang Mao exclaimed in surprise, "Did you invite her?"

However, Qin Si offered no further response, picking up his backpack that lay beside him and slinging it over one shoulder.

The young man was lean and tall, with a straight back, standing out even amidst the noisy crowd in the bar, drawing attention yet maintaining a distance that discouraged others from approaching recklessly.

He said to Ming Ge, "I am leaving."

His gaze lowered, he spoke softly, "I won't come back before the college entrance exam."

"Everything has been arranged for you," he said in his usual indifferent tone, "just follow the plan, and even a fool won't mess it up."

"Who are you calling a fool? I'm quite the smart one," Ming Ge, who had just been drinking with guests, couldn't help but give the young man, resembling a graceful orchid, a hearty pat on the back, teasing, "Little bastard."

It was a nickname that had been abandoned for a long time.

When Qin Si and Ming Ge first met, he was just over ten, a waif in tattered clothes, battered and bruised, with nothing but a pair of large, dark, striking eyes that stood out.

Clearly still a child, yet his words and actions were unsettlingly mature, his wariness frighteningly pronounced. In their early acquaintance, he had tricked Ming Ge quite a few times, earning him numerous scoldings from Ming Ge, who openly and covertly called him a little bastard.

And now he had grown up so much.

"You really do worry too much," he looked at Qin Si, "Try to think about yourself more when you have the time."

The young man pressed his pale, thin lips together, "Just take good care of yourself."

"I'm managing myself quite well," Ming Ge declared, thumping his chest confidently.

"You should go back, focus on your studies, excel in your exams, and then earnestly woo Nian Nian back," Ming Ge said with a cheery smile, "Leave everything here to us."

Time marched forward day by day, with June arriving belatedly this year.

As the temperature rebounded in May, June had already started to showcase the onset of the harsh summer heat.

The senior students at Ancheng High School were about to graduate. Only three days remained before the college entrance exams, marking their last day in school. After a two-day break, they would directly face the examinations.

In the evening, numerous activities were organized to pray for good luck in the exams. Students could either stay at home or come to school to participate, and finally bid farewell to their teachers and classmates.

Lu Nian sent him a message, "Are you coming to school tonight?"

After all, this might be Qin Si's last visit to the school.

Lu Nian was still in her second year, planning to spend another year here. Since the high school was one of the major exam centers in Ancheng, they had all been dismissed to go home, and she had been at home for two days already.

Every day, she would take out her phone, contemplating sending him a message, but she always managed to restrain herself.

After all, time was of the essence now, and Qin Si probably didn't have the leisure to engage in aimless chitchat with her.

However, when she sent this message, she didn't harbor much hope, knowing Qin Si's personality would likely prevent him from participating in such events.

His reply came, "I'll be there."

Lu Nian doubted her eyes for a moment but chose not to inquire further, "That works out then, I'm going to school to pick up some books tonight."

A brief encounter would suffice.

With a smile tugging at her lips, she hopped off the bed, eager to ascertain his condition and whether he had fully recovered.

The school was lax in its monitoring that night, allowing many students from other schools to enter freely. Lu Nian, being a legitimate student of the high school, faced no obstacles and quickly reached the central fountain square of the school.

"I'm at the square," she texted Qin Si, her head bowed.

Unexpectedly, just after she sent the message, she lifted her head and spotted him.

He stood not far away, under a wisteria trellis, dressed in a simple school uniform shirt. His tall, slender frame looked especially good in the simple attire.

Lu Nian hurried over.

It felt like a long time since their last meeting, and she hadn't seen Qin Si for what felt like ages.

She tilted her head, scrutinizing him carefully with a beaming smile, "You seem to have recovered quite well during this time."

He looked much better than before, at least his complexion wasn't as pallid.

Every time she observed him like this, he would feel somewhat uneasy.

Especially when she leans in closer to converse with him.

The boy's lean jawline seemed somewhat tense, his elongated phoenix eyes cast downward, not meeting hers.

Fortunately, the darkness of the night concealed his expressions from her view.

"You all are graduating, huh," Lu Nian remarked as they walked through the campus together, murmuring, "I still have to stay here for another year."

"By the way, Qin Si, did I ask you before?" Lu Nian suddenly remembered, her voice becoming softer, "Where are you planning to apply for college?"

Qin Si replied, "Haven't decided yet."

Lu Nian said, "You said the same thing last time. But you'll definitely choose to go to a university in another city, won't you?"

Although Ancheng has a thriving economy, its educational sector hasn't kept pace. Given Qin Si's current grades, even the best university in Ancheng would not be a match for his scores.

Every year, the best students from An Fu High School would spread their wings like dandelions, leaving their hometown as per an unwritten tradition.

He didn't respond.

He had an excellent memory, still remembering her mention of potentially going abroad after high school graduation.

Lu Nian persisted in her inquiry, "You'll choose a university in another city, right?"

His voice seemed to have cooled slightly, "It doesn't matter where I go."

Lu Nian agreed, "True."

Upon reflection, it made sense. Qin Si had no parents or relatives, and seemed to have only a few friends; there wasn't anything holding him back.

It was perhaps for the best, saving her the trouble. She had initially thought that she might have to console him, persuading him not to be saddened by the departure. Now, it seemed he had already come to terms with it.

Lu Nian too fell silent.

The night breeze carried a hint of dryness as they walked side by side in the vast campus. No words were exchanged, yet the atmosphere was strangely devoid of awkwardness.

Not far away, students were writing prayer notes, fervently jotting down their names and desired universities before reverently affixing the slips to the rumored highly efficacious wishing wall.

The campus of Fu Zhong was expansive, with street lights placed at intervals, leaving large patches engulfed in darkness, rendering faces unrecognizable amidst the crowd, making it nearly impossible to distinguish one individual from another.

This provided her the justification to walk alongside Qin Si in the campus unimpeded.

Lu Nian fetched a prayer note for him, and thus they had no other activities to partake in.

They passed the teaching building, plunging into even deeper darkness.

Lu Nian could vaguely discern, in a not too distant corner, two shadows that seemed to be standing very close to each other.

Were they... conversing?

Due to her recent indulgence in painting, her eyesight had deteriorated slightly. Lu Nian rubbed her eyes, and at that moment, a previously dimmed street light nearby flickered back to life, casting a still dim illumination.

Lu Nian finally managed to discern one of the figures, facing towards her.

With long hair cascading to her waist and a countenance of graceful composure... wasn't that Su Qingyou?

And the one facing her appeared to be a male? Standing a head taller than Su Qingyou, even his silhouette seemed strikingly familiar.

It seemed they hadn't noticed her and Qin Si.

As Lu Nian hesitated, contemplating taking a detour, she noticed Su Qingyou suddenly smile, whispering something inaudible as she gracefully tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and leaned closer to the male figure, and then...

Her vision plunged into darkness.

Her eyes were suddenly covered.

The male's fingers were slender and cold as he grasped her, forcibly pulling her away from that corner.

"Mmm..."

In an instant, his overwhelming presence enveloped her, the stark contrast between their physiques becoming evidently pronounced. Lu Nian realized just how small and compact she seemed, nestled within his embrace.

It was a sensation she hadn't experienced during her accidental fall at his house the other time.

Unfortunately, this wasn't a tender embrace. The youth had briskly released her after pulling her away from the corner.

Suddenly irritated, she puffed up and queried, "What was that all about just now?"

Meeting her limpid gaze, her skin as white as snow, and raven hair seemed pure and untarnished, evoking the pristine quality of snow.

Her skin was extremely delicate. He hadn't been mindful of his strength just now, and she was subconsciously rubbing her left wrist, where faint marks were beginning to manifest.

Marks he had left.

The boy's ears tinged red, he stiffly retorted, "There was nothing worth seeing."

"I wasn't planning to watch anything," Lu Nian retorted, "I was about to leave, and besides, aren't they just like us, simply strolling around here... Your reaction seems quite overblown."

She even began to suspect if Qin Si was harboring a secret crush on Su Qingyou, otherwise, why would he react so vehemently?

It's not the same.

It might never be the same.

He thought.

When she was displeased, her lips would curl slightly, appearing rosy and moist, exuding an aura of purity and softness.

He forced himself to avert his gaze.

For the umpteenth time, he suppressed those profane thoughts that should never have surfaced.

The evening breeze carried a hint of dryness.

Owing to their inexplicable encounter just moments ago, the atmosphere between them seemed to have grown somewhat peculiar.

Qin Si was a man of few words to begin with, and even more so now. For some reason, Lu Nian also no longer felt the desire to speak.

The hour was getting late.

However, having met him this time and assured that all was well, Lu Nian had no further regrets.

Having circled around extensively, Lu Nian checked the time, realizing it was the moment the Lu family agreed to come pick her up.

"Good luck with your exams," she uttered, one last time.

She said, "My family is here."

The youth remained silent. In the evening breeze, the girl's long black hair fluttered as she turned, a moment of graceful beauty, almost surreal.

She smiled at him, a gentle curve on her lips, crossed the road, and boarded the Lu family's car.

In the evening breeze, the youth's elongated shadow stretched far and long,

He remained stationary, silently watching as the car disappeared into the distance at the other end of the road.

Author's note:

Finally, the college entrance exams are here! Let's celebrate that Si Si has finally graduated.

The current Si Si: Harboring thoughts that should not exist.

Many years later:

Nian Nian: Tell me, are you not a liar? Your thoughts are quite impure, huh.

Si Si: ... (Cornered by her teasing)

And then, unable to restrain himself any longer: (details omitted)

In reality, Nian Nian has only encountered a familiar part of Si Si so far, he still has many facets of his personality yet to reveal.