Chapter 35

Chapter 35

In June, the weather grew hotter by the day, and the oppressive summer heat began to permeate Ancheng, heralding the onset of a scorching summer.

Shortly after the college entrance examinations ended, the second-year students resumed their classes.

Lu Nian's final exam results this year were less than satisfactory. Although there was an improvement from before, her scores still fell short of Lu Zhihong's expectations.

The Lu family's study room.

Lu Zhihong was scrutinizing Lu Nian's report card, remaining silent for a long time. Meanwhile, Lu Nian sat opposite him, her hands properly placed on her knees, eyes downcast, not uttering a word.

"You know the Su family's daughter, don't you?" Lu Zhihong broke the silence, posing a seemingly unrelated question.

Unaware of his intentions, Lu Nian honestly answered, "Yes, I do."

She was a senior one grade above her, and had been progressing steadily in the affiliated high school.

"She is taking the college entrance exams this year," Lu Zhihong said slowly. "You two are about the same age."

Su Qingyou enjoyed a good reputation outside, following the path of a knowledgeable, graceful, and elegant young lady.

Lu Nian was aware of the competitive relationship between the Lu and Su families, but she never expected that Lu Zhihong would even use this matter as a point of comparison.

"You had health issues when you were young, which affected your foundation," Lu Zhihong acknowledged. "I know that and I'm sorry. But thinking about your future, you still need to work hard."

The Lu family was somewhat of a scholarly lineage, boasting respectable educational backgrounds in the current generation. Lu Nian's cousins had all attended prestigious universities, including Lu Zhihong himself, who had an excellent academic record in his time.

"You'll be in your final year after the summer break," Lu Zhihong noted, "Looking at your recent monthly exam scores, if they don't improve, you might consider studying abroad."

Lu Zhihong expected her to be at least within the top hundred of her grade. The affiliated high school was not just any prominent school; being in the top hundred carried significant merit.

Lu Nian felt helpless.

She had been exerting great effort in her studies. Yet, despite her hard work, there was no significant breakthrough in her grades. Conversely, her innate talent was apparent in art. She had received praises from her teacher during her first painting class, and her casual art posts on Haitu attracted a steadily increasing follower count.

Lu Nian's grades were somewhat unbalanced. Math was clearly her Achilles' heel. Despite her significant investments in this subject, there had been little improvement. In contrast, her English grades, which she had been tutored in, had improved substantially.

Talent is a cruel thing – some possess it, while others do not. Despite her best efforts, she felt she might never meet Lu Zhihong's expectations, possibly leaving her with no option but to study abroad.

Lu Nian's eighteenth birthday was fast approaching, and the Lu family had already begun preparations for the celebration. However, she didn't feel much like celebrating. Her days were spent at home, reading books, attending tutoring sessions, and occasionally stealing moments to sketch.

July.

Ancheng was engulfed in a stifling and oppressive heat. Given Lu Nian's frail constitution, she hardly ventured outdoors.

Her skin was delicate, easily succumbing to the relentless sun, developing rashes and reddening even with brief exposure.

As days went by, on the day the college entrance exam scores were released, Lu Nian received a call from Tian Yue while at home.

"Nian Nian, you can check the scores now."

Lu Nian, who had been languidly lounging and enjoying some ice, suddenly sat up, "I thought it was tomorrow…"

She had mistakenly noted the wrong date.

This meant that Qin Si could have already checked his scores, yet there was no news from his end. A sudden apprehension gripped her as she feared the worst possible outcome.

"This year's top scorer in the city is from our school," Tian Yue's voice soared with excitement, "And you know this person!"

Lu Nian's heartbeat quickened, she repeated incredulously, "I know them?"

Tian Yue amplified her excitement, "It's senior Qin!"

She remarked with awe, "He truly is remarkable, surpassing the second place by a large margin. Considering how many classes he missed, and being handsome on top of having such a brilliant mind, he's simply perfect…"

Lu Nian found herself enjoying this shower of praise for Qin Si, despite it not being directed at her.

And he claimed to have performed averagely!

Was this what he called average? Indeed, a prodigy remains a prodigy, excelling in every aspect with high intelligence. She had always found Qin Si to be intelligent, seemingly adept at everything.

After hanging up, Lu Nian couldn't help but wear a smile that seemed to have no end.

She wondered if Qin Si was aware... had he checked his scores yet?

The downtrodden spirit she harbored these past few days finally showed signs of reviving.

She contemplated whether she should celebrate this achievement with him.

Recently, Qin Si had been assisting Ming Ge with his work, continuing to work elsewhere during the summer break and managing Ming Ge's bar in the evenings.

Ming Ge was utterly inept at keeping accounts, frightfully generous to a fault. Sometimes, in high spirits and engrossed in pleasant conversations, he would disregard the costs, waiving the bills for others.

In the few months Qin Si was away for the exams, the bar had descended into chaos, with the accounts being an utter mess.

He had spent a significant amount of time there, only managing to tidy things up somewhat by mid-July.

Therefore, on the day the results were released, he allowed himself the rare luxury of sleeping in a bit.

Yet, news about the college entrance examinations always seemed to spread extraordinarily fast.

The city's score inquiry hotlines were inundated with calls. Soon, every nook and cranny in town, every household with a relative or child who took the exams this year, were glued to the updates.

Fengyu Media was a well-known local digital media outlet in Ancheng, covering all kinds of stories as long as they attracted attention. Naturally, the front page headlines this month were all related to the college entrance exams.

It was still early in the morning, but messages in the work group chat were springing up one after another.

"This year's top scorer is from Ancheng Affiliated High School," the editor-in-chief mentioned, "Moreover, it seems the family background is somewhat unique. Dig into it, find a good angle, and we might get a viral article."

Feng Congli eagerly volunteered, "Chief editor, I'd like to apply to conduct the interview."

He had recently joined the company and hadn't yet conducted an interview on his own, but his enthusiasm for the job was high. He was brimming with energy, eager to land a sensational story.

"The top scorer is my brother's classmate," Feng Congli said, "I'm also a graduate of Ancheng Affiliated High, and I know his class teacher. I've just obtained his home address from the teacher."

The editor-in-chief responded, "Well then, hurry over and get the scoop."

Feng Congli quickly stood up, "I'm on my way now."

Setting down his phone, he hailed a taxi and headed straight for Xifeng Road.

He had already gathered quite a bit of information about this Qin Si, a young man who seemingly preferred solitude. After asking his cousin and having him inquire amongst a circle of people, not a single person seemed closely acquainted with Qin Si or had much to say about him.

The feedback he received mentioned that Qin Si was often unpredictable, frequently absent from evening self-study sessions at school, and generally appeared aloof and reserved.

Feng Congli had also picked up some interesting tidbits from his cousin, which only heightened his curiosity.

Qin Si's home was on Xifeng Road. As Feng Congli sought it out, he was mentally framing the questions for the interview.

He arrived at the doorstep, pressing the doorbell, yet the other side remained eerily quiet.

After a prolonged wait, the door finally opened.

It was around ten in the morning.

A strikingly handsome young man opened the door, a sight that instantly captured one's attention.

Feng Congli quickly surveyed him from head to toe.

Flashing a professional smile, he greeted, "Hello, you must be Qin, right? I'm Feng Congli, a journalist from Fengyu Media. I'm here to interview you regarding the college entrance exams. Oh, and I was referred by your class teacher."

He presented his business card.

The young man neither accepted the card nor moved.

It was rare for him to sleep in this late, and being abruptly awakened by a visitor had soured his mood immensely.

In Feng Congli's pocket, a voice recorder was actively recording. He was mentally prepared and thus not too surprised by the cold reception. Hastily, he stepped forward, strategically positioning himself at the doorway. "Are you living alone now?" he asked, attempting to steal a glance at the interior furnishings with the corner of his eye.

"I remember, you were raised in a children's welfare institution when you were little," Feng Congli inquired, "Were you adopted and then moved to Ancheng?"

The young man blocked his view, resting slender fingers on the doorframe. His dark, icy eyes met Feng Congli's, his expression remaining unfluctuating as he responded, "Yes."

Contrary to Feng Congli's expectations, the youth seemed indifferent, displaying no aversion to discussing his past. His aloof demeanor remained, with no discernible change in tone as he spoke.

Feng Congli paused, caught slightly off guard, before hastily probing further, "So have you been living alone all this time? It must be really tough, right? You receive assistance from others frequently, don't you?"

The young man's beautiful yet cold eyes revealed no signs of anger. Unable to gauge his thoughts, Feng Congli pressed on courageously, firing off a rapid succession of questions, "I have also heard some remarks mentioning that you have received financial aid."

The sponsor was the Lu family. Rumors were rife that he had once been adopted by the Lu family before being expelled, severing all ties, yet continuing to receive financial support from them.

"Moreover, are you currently in a romantic relationship with the daughter of your sponsor?" As the door remained ajar, Feng Congli threw caution to the wind, attempting to squeeze further into the room while firing off this bombshell question, "Or have you dated before? I've come across discussions suggesting that you secured substantial financial aid due to your girlfriend. Or perhaps, the relationship blossomed because of the sponsorship?"

"...What is your opinion on these statements?" Feng Congli asked.

It was really just a routine inquiry; regardless of Qin Si's response, he had enough material to craft a sensational article that would create a buzz.

"No comments," the young man replied coldly.

Leaning against the doorframe with a sardonic smile, he said, "Mr. Feng, are you sure that this kind of interview is appropriate?"

"It's just a routine interview," Feng Congli realized his misstep but continued stubbornly, "Just a friendly conversation. If you are uncomfortable, I won't publish it."

"Oh?" The youth's phoenix eyes lifted slightly.

A sudden chill enveloped Feng Congli as he instinctively reached for his pocket.

To his horror, the voice recorder that had been in his pocket was now missing.

It was now held between the clean and slender fingers of the young man, who played with the small device, his eyes lowered, "Why not make it public? I don't mind."

During his time on the streets, he had picked up various skills, including a number of petty tricks. Unexpectedly, they proved to be useful at times like this.

Cold sweat began to bead on Feng Congli's forehead.

Naturally, he was fully aware that if the raw recording of this interview was made public, his career as a journalist would most likely come to an abrupt end.

"Get lost," the young man said impassively, "Come and get your recorder at your company's entrance tomorrow."

The door had been shut, nearly hitting his nose in the process. Feng Congli stood stunned at the doorway, unable to utter a single word.

...

Inside the study, Fang Deng was seated with legs crossed on a chair, fingers tapping rhythmically on the keyboard.

The posts that had been deleted were now retrieved and displayed line by line on the screen.

Fang Deng read it through and slapped his thigh, exclaiming, "Boss, this is explosive, isn't it? You are stirring things up, and I had no clue."

Qin Si didn't respond, his attention focused on the dates mentioned in the messages.

It seemed to have happened a few months before his college entrance exams, precisely on the day of the oath-taking ceremony.

He recalled the strange demeanor of Lu Nian that day, how she suddenly came to find him on the rooftop, her eyes inexplicably reddened from crying.

Probably, it was on that day that she saw all this trash talk.

Being forcibly linked to him, these groundless rumors and slanders began to circulate.

He pursed his lips slightly.

"These rumors are quite disgusting," Fang Deng remarked, "Boss, they are fabricating stories about you like this. Aren't you going to take any action?"

"How could you possibly be interested in the young miss from that family?" Fang Deng said with a sneer.

Having known Qin Si for several years, he was aware of his pure and austere nature. Not even a female mosquito had ever hovered around him. Fang Deng always believed that Qin Si would eventually choose a career-oriented path, possibly marrying just to fulfill physiological needs, or maybe choosing not to marry at all.

The young man remained silent for a long while, offering no rebuttal.

The Pocky stick that Fang Deng was holding in his mouth almost fell out.

Being well-acquainted with Qin Si's character, Fang Deng realized that this silence was akin to an affirmation.

He stammered, "....Is it really true?"

The young man, with his long eyelashes lowered, silently glanced at the screen.

Fundamentally, a part of those rumors was not wrong. He indeed harbored improper thoughts towards her. It started at some point he couldn't pinpoint, and now, it had become a deeply ingrained obsession in his bones.

A single smile from her was enough to send him into raptures, willing to do anything for her.

It was he who had been indulging in fantasies about Lu Nian.

Fang Deng was stunned.

Wisely choosing to remain silent, he licked his lips, grabbed a bag of milk from the refrigerator, tore open the packaging, and continued to watch the screen while sipping on the milk.

"Qin bro, it's not like you are not worthy of her," he changed his tone, "As a man, you have to look at the long-term development. Who will be better than you in the future?"

Fang Deng noted, "It seems the Lu family instructed to have these messages deleted."

"All of these have been permanently deleted," Fang Deng said, cradling his head, "That journalist must have shut up by now. Don't worry, no one will spread these rumors anymore."

"Moreover, the identity of the first person who leaked this information is quite intriguing," Fang Deng remarked, "Just as you suspected."

He was a young hacker with top-notch skills, having dropped out of school a while ago. Since meeting Qin Si, their collaboration had been very enjoyable, working together on legitimate projects and earning money steadily.

However, he hadn't completely abandoned his hacking skills from the past.

However, the final investigation results matched Qin Si's earlier predictions perfectly, further cementing Ming Ge's admiration for Qin Si's capabilities.

"I'm leaving," Qin Si got up to leave.

He probably had already figured out what to do in his mind, getting up to leave.

Fang Deng removed his hands from the keyboard, "Leaving so soon?"

Fang Deng's room was a mess, resembling a dog's kennel. Despite the cleaner's regular visits, it reverted back to this state in just a few days. He knew Qin Si couldn't stay for long.

"So, top scorer, where are you planning to attend university?" Fang Deng cheerfully escorted him to the door, "Why don't you just skip it? After all, educational qualifications aren't everything these days. You might as well continue working with me."

The young man opened an umbrella and responded nonchalantly, "Mm."

"Or perhaps you'd consider staying at An University?" Fang Deng suggested again, "I think An University isn't too bad. They even wanted to recruit me into their computer science department at one point, praising their strengths during a promotion at my place. It seemed pretty good."

"Just go somewhere and get it over with," Fang Deng stretched lazily, "Look at me, I dropped out, but I'm still a little genius, aren't I?"

The weather took a sudden turn that evening.

A damp and chilly rain was falling outside.

At home, Lu Nian felt a certain restlessness for reasons she couldn't pinpoint.

After the scores were released, the next step was to fill out her university preferences.

She had no recollection of where Qin Si was supposed to attend university, she wasn't even sure if he had attended university at all.

The descriptions of this period in his life in the book were extremely vague. From his time at the Thirteenth Middle School to adulthood, by the time he returned to Ancheng, he had transformed into a cold, ruthless, and fierce devil.

Through her efforts, this timeline seemed to have diverged from the original.

She hoped he could continue down this altered path.

As for her, there was a high likelihood that she would be taken abroad by Lu Zhichong.

Their lives might never intersect again.

Should she meet him one more time before he leaves? This dilemma plagued Lu Nian.

She hadn't contacted Qin Si yet.

Ming Ge was in high spirits today.

"I'm going to offer free drinks to everyone today," he rolled up his sleeves, elated, "The little brat has really made something of himself, he's going to be a cultured person in the future."

Qin Si rolled up his shirt sleeves to the elbows, exposing a stretch of clean forearm, the skin a cold pale hue. He tossed an empty glass into the sink, remarking coldly, "You should check this month's income and expenses."

Brother Ming, "..."

He said dejectedly, "Half price then."

It seems that being the boss... doesn't grant any autonomy anymore.

Brother Ming closed the shop early, declaring it to be a staff gathering, though it was just him, Qin Si, Huang Mao, and Xiao Qu.

Bai Xi left early, Lan Yin and a few others went out for a date.

The moment the front door closed, Brother Ming opened a bottle of red wine, enjoying it heartily.

However, their celebration was somewhat unusual. Brother Ming was drinking wine, Huang Mao was clamouring about being hungry and ordered a pizza for delivery, sharing it with Xiao Qu. Qin Si unusually joined in for a drink, albeit just one glass.

Brother Ming asked, "Have you decided where you're applying for college?"

Huang Mao was eating pizza, his mouth stuffed full, "Of course, I'm aiming for the best one out there."

Xiao Qu cradled his bottle of wine and adjusted his glasses, "Heading to the capital, huh? It'll be a long time before you come back, and the tickets are expensive too."

"Lack of ambition," Brother Ming scolded with a smile, giving him a hearty pat on the head, "As if you can't afford the ticket."

Huang Mao suggested, "Before leaving, we should hold a farewell party for Brother Qin."

The young man didn't look up, "No need for a farewell."

Brother Ming, "... What do you mean?"

He spoke in a calm and nonchalant tone, "I'm not planning to leave."

A moment of silence.

Huang Mao's mouth hung open, the hand holding the pizza trembling slightly, causing the seafood on the pizza to fall back into the box.

After a brief pause, Brother Ming suddenly stood up, his face pale, "Stay here? Have you lost your damn mind?"

Qin Si's reasoning was clear, "What university I attend isn't that important to me."

Brother Ming nearly crushed the glass in his hand, "Then what the hell is important to you?"

Qin Si looked up, "My home is here. If I leave, who will look after your business?"

The network of people he knew, including Brother Ming's bar, his home, were all here.

Starting over in a new place would mean rebuilding the newly established business from scratch, and considering the vastly different conditions in two places, the changes would be substantial. His considerations when choosing a school were naturally different from other students.

He stated, "I've already chosen my major."

Although it isn't top-ranked, An University is certainly not bad; it's a well-recognized institution nationally. The major he intended to pursue is a strong program at An University. He discovered that An University offers a special program where he could complete the course credits in two years, facilitating an earlier graduation.

In line with Qin Si's usual meticulous planning style, everything was arranged with utmost precision, leaving no room for error.

But Ming Ge was absolutely infuriated.

"What the hell are you blabbering about?" he roared, "How can it be the same? You only get to attend college once in your lifetime, why wouldn't you go for the best if you have the opportunity? You're just eighteen, not eighty unable to fend for yourself, why are you in such a rush to earn money?"

Huang Mao and Xiao Qu were shivering in fright.

Qin Si remained unaffected by his fury, stating, "It's the same."

Qin Si had always been stubborn since childhood, not changing his course until he hit a wall, rarely letting anyone persuade him to alter his mindset.

Ming Ge was so infuriated he wanted to punch him.

However, the young man had grown to be a head taller than him, with broad shoulders and long legs, making it impossible for Ming Ge to beat him.

His eyes turned red with anger, all he wanted to do was kick the table.

It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, why had this brat suddenly become so unreasonable, and moreover, completely uncommunicative.

What kind of charm did An City possess to compel him to stay?

At the peak of his anger, a sudden thought flashed across Ming Ge's mind, calming him down, "Tell me, are you planning to stay here to be with Lu Nian?"

The youth looked up coldly, "What does she have to do with it?"

Seeing that he finally showed some reaction, Ming Ge felt like he had hit the mark.

"Has the Lu family drugged you or something?" Ming Ge asked, "Are they treating you really well? Or did Lu Nian confess her feelings for you, asking you to stay and be her man?"

The young man's hand, which was holding the glass, slowly tightened, with the bluish veins becoming faintly visible against his pale skin.

"What right do you have?" Ming Ge shouted indiscriminately, "You are simply deluding yourself. Does she want you to stay? What are you to her?"

Qin Si slowly rose to his feet, his tall shadow cast on the ground. Being taller than Ming Ge by a head, he repeated, "As I said, it has nothing to do with her."

Ming Ge found himself at a loss for words, staring into those deep black phoenix eyes.

He was utterly incorrigible. For the first time, Ming Ge truly realized how challenging it was to deal with his stubbornness.

In the middle of the night, he slammed the wine bottle to the ground and stormed out in a fury.

"Bro, Ming Ge!" A frightened Huang Mao hurried after him.

Ming Ge rushed out the door. The cool breeze outside sobered him up a bit, clearing his mind slightly as he promptly took out his phone to dial Lu Nian's number.

"Bro, are you alright?" Huang Mao trailed from a distance.

"What the hell could be wrong with me?" Ming Ge yelled, "The one with issues is that damned kid."

It was already eleven at night. When the call connected, a sleepy voice came from the other end, "Ming Ge?"

Hearing the soft and gentle voice of the young girl, the rage burning within Ming Ge extinguished considerably, even though it felt like a fierce fire moments ago.

After all, this matter was entirely unrelated to Lu Nian, and he couldn't imagine that Lu Nian would suggest Qin Si stay in An City; what he had said before was purely out of anger.

He had no concrete evidence to claim that Qin Si wanted to stay solely for Lu Nian; after all, the arguments Qin Si made were not entirely without merit.

He moderated his tone, "Nian Nian, dear, it seems like Qin has lost his mind in the middle of the night. Could you possibly come and reason with him?"

Lu Nian, who had been asleep, was startled awake by the call. Still in her pajamas with hair cascading over her shoulders, her sleepiness vanished instantly upon hearing his words.

"He is filling out his college preferences tomorrow," Ming Ge said, "Could you visit him tomorrow? Otherwise, his exam scores will go to waste."

He succinctly explained the situation, perhaps exaggerating a bit, stating that Qin Si had gone completely insane, adamantly refusing to leave and intending to attend a lesser-known local university.

A chill settled in Lu Nian's heart.

Hanging up the phone, she climbed out of bed in the middle of the night, changed her clothes, and combed her hair.

Fortunately, Lu Zhihong wasn't home tonight.

She couldn't wait until tomorrow.

"Miao Miao," Lu Nian ran out of her room and knocked on the neighboring door, pleading, "I have a very important matter to attend to tonight. Could you possibly give me a ride?"

She definitely couldn't use a car from the Lu family.

Miao Miao's boyfriend lived nearby and had a car.

Miao Miao was about to fall asleep, chatting with her boyfriend before bed.

It was rare for Lu Nian to implore her like this.

Just this once, she promised to return immediately, and Miao Miao eventually agreed.

Having looked after Lu Nian from a young age, after so many years, she regarded her almost like a younger sister.

The inhabitants of the Lu residence were asleep, marking an ordinary night.

Outside, a light drizzle was falling, gently peppering the car windows as they slanted downward.

After ending the call, Ming Ge took a stroll outside to clear his head before returning to the bar.

Qin Si asked, "Where have you been just now?"

"Needed some fresh air," Ming Ge responded gruffly, "You're trying to anger me to death, won't even let me step out for a breather?"

Qin Si didn't avert his gaze.

Ming Ge stiffened, and the two found themselves in a standoff.

"Your phone," he said.

"What do you want with my phone?" Ming Ge guarded his pocket defensively, "It contains my privacy, don't you realize?"

Huang Mao stepped forward to mediate, "We've all had a bit too much to drink tonight. How about we stop drinking and head back to our rooms to get some good sleep?"

Xiao Qu also hurriedly chimed in, "Everyone is drunk, what we say now doesn't count. Let's discuss it properly when we wake up tomorrow."

Qin Si usually abstained from alcohol, but now, all the bottles that were previously lined up were empty, leaving Xiao Qu hesitant to persuade him further.

Suddenly, a faint knocking sound emanated from outside the bar.

A silence fell upon the group.

Huang Mao leaped down from his stool, announcing, "They're here, they're here." He hurried to open the door.

A frail silhouette of a girl appeared at the entrance of the bar.

The look in Qin Si's eyes towards him was practically murderous.

Cold sweat began to form on Ming Ge; after his anger subsided, he hadn't anticipated that Lu Nian would rush over in the middle of the night, braving the rain.

Huang Mao and Xiao Qu continued to play their role diligently, pretending to be deaf and mute, serving as mere background figures.

Lu Nian had rushed out in such a hurry that she hadn't even had time to comb her hair; it cascaded loosely over her shoulders, making her appear even more fragile.

"Let's go, let's go," Ming Ge whispered, pulling Huang Mao and Xiao Qu away with him.

Leaving the space for the two of them.

The time Lu Nian had was limited; she and Miao Miao had agreed upon half an hour before an immediate return.

Lu Nian asked, filled with urgent distress, "Ming Ge said you want to stay in An City?"

The young man avoided her gaze, "...No."

Seeing his demeanor, Lu Nian felt even more certain about it.

She felt a bit dizzy, her head spinning, "Why? Wouldn't this be a complete waste of your scores?"

Giving up a top-tier university to attend a local third-tier one?

She began to suspect that Qin Si was treading a misguided path in places unknown to her, otherwise, why would he suddenly make such an absurd decision?

These thoughts plagued her mind all the way, leaving it in a chaotic mess, as if filled with a large tuft of cotton.

Qin Si responded, "It won't make much of a difference."

He had grown accustomed to pessimism.

Human connections are fragile; sometimes, just a period of separation can create a gulf of distance, let alone years of inability to see each other. Moreover, she presently harbored no such feelings for him.

During their past pursuit of further studies, it was always her who willingly chased after him; this time, it was a decision he made after rational and careful deliberation.

Outside, the rain kept drumming down, patter patter.

Can one really say there's not much difference between attending a top university and a third-tier one?

Lu Nian felt he was deliberately trying to provoke her.

"Say that again." Lu Nian realized her head was spinning with anger.

Qin Si showed absolutely no signs of wavering.

In her anger, she spoke without thinking, "Then I will go abroad. I won't stay here, and you can attend whatever you want."

Out of sight, out of mind.

She recalled her conversation with Lu Zhihong.

If her senior year scores couldn't improve, going abroad had almost become a foregone conclusion. If she didn't resist Lu Zhihong, she would remain his puppet, strings attached.

"You can go," he said indifferently, "Go and enjoy yourself with your boyfriend, won't you be happy?"

What boyfriend?

Lu Nian was completely clueless about where this 'boyfriend' had sprung up from.

Suddenly, a flicker of realization crossed her mind, bringing to recollection the woman at the bar that day.

Could it be, he decided to stay behind for that woman, even considering enrolling in a third-tier college?

She remembered that Bai Xi seemed to be studying at a night school of some third-tier college, a secret divulged to her by Xiao Qu.

Truly a fall from grace.

Recalling Bai Xi's words, coupled with the outrageous statement Qin Si just made, Lu Nian was so furious that even her fingers were trembling. "What do I care whether or not I have a boyfriend!"

"As for you, I hope you go as far away as possible. I don't want to see you ever again," she threatened fiercely, "If you decide to stay here, don't ever think about seeing me again."

His face stung from her harsh words. The young man pressed his thin lips together tightly, forcing a cold smile. "You think I want to see you? That I stayed for you? That not seeing you would change my mind?"

Lu Nian's small face was flushed red from holding back.

Seeing her like this, he was already filled with regret.

After Ming Ge left, more than half of the bottles on the bar counter had been emptied. He broke his abstinence, silently finishing off the rest, only to realize now that he was also drunk, his mind bereft of clarity.

In the sounds of the late-night rain, the girl's face appeared pale under her long, flowing black hair, making her seem exceptionally fragile, her small face beet red from suppressed emotions.

Overwhelmed by drunkenness, his usual restraint finally broke down.

He wanted to step forward and embrace her, to hold her in his arms and soothe her rising temper.

In the darkness, just a moment before his fingertips could touch her.

"You keep it," Lu Nian spoke, her voice tinged with a trace of fatigue, "Let's not meet again."

She left without looking back.

The sound of the rain continued to patter, intensifying steadily. It drummed against the window frames, producing a rushing sound. The night was dark and deep, accompanied by an endless, pouring rain.

The Lu family’s only daughter’s eighteenth birthday party was a bustling affair, attended by the majority of the prominent figures in Ancheng.

The eighteen-year-old young lady had blossomed into a graceful figure, possessing a delicate and slender beauty, with raven-black hair and porcelain skin, captivating the attention of virtually everyone present.

Naturally, the Zhao family brothers were among the invited guests.

After socializing outside for a while, Lu Nian returned to her private lounge, feeling as if her body wasn't her own.

The faint sound of footsteps echoed from behind her.

Someone appeared behind her.

Lu Nian suddenly turned around, meeting the peach blossom eyes of the young man, reminiscent of a kitten’s.

"Who let you in?" Lu Nian’s voice was tinged with faint irritation, "Can you please be more mindful?"

What if she had been changing clothes in the room?

"I'm still a minor, you know," Zhao Yayuan flashed a smirk, leaning languidly against the sofa armrest, "Congratulations on coming of age, sister."

Lu Nian barely had the energy to speak, "...Thank you."

She hadn’t been feeling well for a while now.

Especially after that rainy night, when she returned from the bar and finally managed to calm her frantic breath, she was met with a splitting headache.

She had regrets.

She felt she shouldn't have spoken to Qin Si in that manner; she should have sat down and had a calm, comprehensive discussion with him, understanding each other's perspectives without the harsh tone.

Whatever Qin Si did, he must have had his reasons. She should have trusted him more, trusted the Qin Si she knew.

Instead of always speculating that he would go astray, influenced by the original plot of the book.

But there's no such thing as a pill for regret in this world.

"My parents brought some gifts for you. I didn't check them, just brought them straight to you," Zhao Yayuan mentioned, "You can open them later."

"Thank you," Lu Nian replied.

"But those are from my parents, I have my own gift," he continued, laying there languidly.

"You can choose anything you want from my gifts," Zhao Yayuan offered, "CDs, game discs, headphones, take whatever you fancy."

"...No need," Lu Nian declined, "Thank you though."

However, with Zhao Yayuan's little disturbance,

Her heavy mood seemed to lighten slightly, yet she still felt languorous, devoid of any energy.

She wasn't sure if it was the recent oppressive heat or her sour mood, but her physical well-being had been rather lackluster lately.

West Maple Street.

Just past the break of dawn.

After a cold shower of rain, the sweltering temperature finally took a downturn.

The young man opened a drawer, pushing a box deep into its recesses, in the room once occupied by Lu Nian, buried in the very depths of the drawer.

The gifts that were not given out might now never find their intended recipients.

Presumably, she might never set foot here again.

He turned his gaze in the direction of the Lu residence.

A grand banquet was soon to take place there, an event unrelated to him.

They belonged to two disparate worlds.

Lu Nian's eighteenth birthday had passed, yet the summer vacation had not yet concluded.

Lu Zhihong summoned her to his study.

Lu Nian had been lacking vitality lately.

Following the vehement dispute that erupted that day, she hadn't contacted Qin Si ever again.

She even intentionally avoided all news related to the college entrance exam, leading her days in an orderly yet mundane routine, as calm as still water.

"Haven't been resting well lately?" Lu Zhihong asked, noticing her state.

Lu Nian's fair complexion made it particularly evident when she hadn't rested well.

Lu Nian shook her head, "It's nothing, just had a nightmare last night."

Lu Zhihong nodded, "Be mindful of your regular routines, don't overexert yourself."

He continued at a measured pace, "Previously, I mentioned finding a new tutor for you to strengthen your weak areas. Now, a suitable candidate has been found."

Without any surprise, Lu Nian nodded perfunctorily, signaling her acceptance of Lu Zhihong's arrangement.

Lu Zhihong spoke, "He arrived today, you should have a chat with him first."

Lu Nian responded absentmindedly, "Mhm."

Following the opening of the study door...

What caught her eye first were the boy's straight, long legs.

As her gaze traveled upwards, Lu Nian's expression slowly froze on her face.

Lu Zhihong continued, "You remember him, don't you? You must have met when you were little. Although he hasn't been around our house for a while, I remember asking you about him several times and you said you weren't familiar."

"He was the top scorer in the college entrance exams in Ancheng this year and has been accepted into the finance program at A University," Lu Zhihong informed her, "Think of him as your senior. Don't regard this as tutoring, but more like a senior helping a junior catch up with her studies."

Lu Zhihong has always had a fondness for intelligent and talented youngsters.

Years ago, when Qin Si left the Lu family on his own accord, taking everything with him and severing all legal ties with the family, his departure was duly reported to Lu Zhihong.

At that time, Lu Zhihong didn't pay much attention.

Having said he would let Qin Si forge his path in the outside world, Lu Zhihong indeed withdrew his involvement; happy to see him succeed on his own, yet unwilling to extend further assistance if he failed to thrive.

What he hadn't anticipated was the extent to which the boy, who once was a castaway of the Lu family, could grow and mature through the hardships he faced outside.

Even more unexpectedly, when seeking a tutor for Lu Nian, this young man would volunteer for the position.

He asked for no compensation, offering his help as a friend and hoping for the opportunity to intern at the Lu corporation in the future, due to the relevance of his field of study.

After having a conversation with Qin Si, Lu Zhihong found himself quite impressed by the young man's thinking and articulation.

It seemed his judgement back then was not mistaken; this youngster truly was brilliant, possessing an eidetic memory and a reserved, mature demeanor that greatly pleased Lu Zhihong.

Coupled with his nearly perfect scores in the college entrance exams, Lu Zhihong was more than happy to have Qin Si tutor Nian Nian.

Lu Nian felt herself unraveling.

She stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to utter a single word.

The young man wore a black shirt, his face handsome and stance erect, reminiscent of a graceful orchid or an exquisite tree, yet his demeanor was indifferent, as if he didn't recognize her at all.

In Lu Zhihong's presence, she dared not reveal any signs of recognition.

"Let's start today," Lu Zhihong proposed, "Get to know each other first. Qin knows your weak subjects very well. After all, there isn't much time left. He'll help you catch up over the next ten days, before he heads off to university."

Exiting the study, they walked one after another along the corridor, Qin Si remained as silent as ever.

She held onto Lu Zhihong's words in her memory.

University A.

Why has he changed his mind again?

And then he just shows up at her home, inexplicably offering to tutor her.

Lu Nian didn't dare to raise her voice, yet her small face turned beet red with suppressed anger. Unable to contain herself any longer, she asked in a low voice, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Was Qin Si the type to offer tutoring sessions to others? She never recalled him explaining problems to anyone before.

Not to mention at her home, the Lu family household which he despised to his core.

Just a while ago, they had a fierce argument, almost breaking all pretenses of cordiality. She said those words to him, thinking that Qin Si would never bother with her again in this lifetime.

The young man maintained a purely professional demeanor, his voice cold and detached.

"I'm in need of money and I'm here to work. Your family pays well," he said, "Is there an issue with that?"

The young man's profile was strikingly handsome, with distinct brow bones and a sharp, slender jawline. The black color suited his complexion well, with his shirt collar slightly loose, revealing a clean, small patch of skin that slightly indented above the collarbone.

Along with his indifferent expression, it made him appear even more alluring and unattainable.

Lu Nian was livid.

Pretending not to recognize her, huh?

Acting indifferent, huh?

The author has something to say:

Pretending not to know her.

Nian Nian (smirking): I usually study in my bedroom, you know. I enjoy lying on my bed and reading.

Si Si Zai: (speechless)

In reality, it was Si Si who willingly walked into the trap, presenting himself to be teased.