Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Lu Nian had never experienced kissing someone before. After initiating the kiss, she felt her mind go numb; his lips were softer and warmer than she imagined, the first time she perceived warmth from him since their encounter.

Lu Nian, neither knowing nor daring to proceed further, gradually began to regain some of her rationality, freezing in place, attempting to slowly withdraw from the embrace.

Yet, her waist was held firmly, and they maintained their current posture; before Lu Nian could react, she was pulled forcefully downwards.

This person truly didn't understand the concept of gentleness... her face was flushed and her ears were red, unable to move her waist even slightly.

Lu Nian's mind was in a chaotic state, yet she managed to allocate a small part of her focus to analyze the reason behind his actions.

Probably felt that he had lost face.

Since childhood, he had been proud, sensitive, and paranoid with an exceedingly high self-esteem. Likely feeling humiliated by her actions, he found it necessary to reciprocate.

In the room, there was only a narrow bed that seemed anything but sturdy, creaking at the slightest movement.

The two of them remained silent, as if neither was willing to yield to the other.

Despite engaging in such an intimate act, the atmosphere felt oddly peculiar.

Lu Nian found herself breathless, her mind a complete blank, beginning to regret her dalliance with Qin Si.

An indeterminate amount of time passed.

Upon separating, the previously tense and confrontational atmosphere had completely disappeared.

She sat dazed in his arms, her dark long hair a bit messy, falling beside her snow-white cheeks, her lips an especially vibrant red.

She felt as if she had been imbued with his essence from inside out, a thought that made her feel as warm and steaming as a freshly steamed bun.

She lifted her gaze slightly, noticing his moving Adam's apple, his lean and handsome jawline, and looking further up, the beautiful lips that she had left a shallow bite mark on, still visible.

His fingers finally released her waist, yet he said nothing.

Lu Nian didn't dare to observe his expression any longer. Summoning courage, she stuttered, "Are... are you satisfied now?"

With this leverage, he probably wouldn't tell Lu Zhichong anymore.

Qin Si, "..."

He didn't respond.

Lu Nian felt she had reached her limit; unable to say another word, she tried to sit up and leave his embrace.

Unexpectedly, her entire body felt limp, and she fell back down, weak and powerless.

The youth beneath her let out a muffled groan, quickly suppressed.

Black hair fell, obscuring his facial expressions. The once clear and bright phoenix eyes were now tinged red at the corners. He covered them with his hand, not wanting her to see, struggling to suppress all his reactions, the sound so faint it almost seemed like an illusion.

Lu Nian, "..."

She hurriedly got up once more, not caring about anything else, her limbs soft as she hastily jumped off the bed.

Qin Si didn't chase after her.

Oddly, Lu Nian felt somewhat like the heartless male characters portrayed in TV dramas, having forcibly kissed someone and then without any explanation, fleeing the scene.

"I, I, I'll be going first." She stuttered, not waiting for any response, she frantically closed the door and fled.

The door closed.

Her silhouette vanished completely.

Finally, he got up, closing his eyes. His face was flushed red, and the unbearable heat on his body hadn't subsided at all. The young man tightened his lips, cast aside the blanket covering him, and closed the bathroom door.

....

That was her first kiss, unexpectedly surrendered under such circumstances.

Much like their long history of being childhood friends, their daily quarrels and disputes led to various forms of separation; only this time, it happened in a different manner.

Nothing special.

With a flushed face, Lu Nian told herself.

She hadn't anticipated such a reaction from Qin Si at all.

The scenes from last night were excessively stimulating.

She had indescribable dreams all night, hardly sleeping a few hours, and woke up the next day with two prominent dark circles under her eyes.

Early the next morning, she got up to freshen up, seeing her listless reflection in the mirror.

Then she remembered that she had to meet Qiu Li today, and also visit the clinic to get her lower leg re-dressed.

Walking was still somewhat inconvenient for her, but the scheduled time to return to Feng He was approaching. While Zhao Ya was understanding, if she couldn't return as planned, she couldn't bear to think about the consequences from Lu Zhichong's side.

She packed her backpack, preparing to check out of her room.

Unexpectedly, just as she stepped out, the door next door also opened.

It was Qin Si.

He had changed his clothes into a rare white t-shirt and loose black trousers, looking more slender and handsome, giving off a refreshing vibe. Lu Nian seldom saw Qin Si wearing such light colors, which was a pleasant surprise.

He pursed his lips, not looking at her.

However, he seemed to lack the icy indifference that hung over him like a frosty veil when they met yesterday.

Lu Nian hurriedly turned around, going to find the proprietor.

She couldn't face him right now, her face would heat up at his sight, recalling her dreadful actions yesterday as if she had consumed fake alcohol.

"Boss, I'd like to check out," Lu Nian said stiffly, pretending not to have seen him.

"Alrighty," the boss took the room card, proceeding with the checkout process.

"You young folks have good stamina," the boss remarked with a grin, "But be mindful, our bed isn't built for rough usage, take care not to break it."

Lu Nian stammered, "Yes, sorry, the bed should be intact, if it's broken, I can compensate for it."

Although she was young, her health wasn't the best.

However, she believed that even though they were somewhat noisy yesterday, they shouldn't have broken the landlord's bed. After all, it wasn't for a long period, and she wasn't heavy.

Qin Si remained silent, his ears turning deep red.

The hotel owner looked at him with a beaming smile, "Young man, are you checking out too?"

"Mm." He placed the room key on the counter and swiftly completed the check-out process.

The two of them exited the hotel, walking one behind the other.

The atmosphere was exceedingly awkward.

"I am visiting Granny Lan today," Lu Nian spoke hesitantly, "Aren't you going for community service?"

His gaze lowered, he remained silent.

"I'll be heading back today," Lu Nian said softly, biting her lower lip lightly, "Please, don't mention any of this to my father, alright?"

Finally, he spoke, "I have no interest in discussing it."

It was the first thing he had said to her since the incident yesterday.

A small weight seemed to lift from Lu Nian's chest.

Qin Si was a man of his word; essentially, he never deceived her. No matter how harsh his tone, he always fulfilled the promises he made.

She had many errands to run today; first, she planned to stop by the clinic to have the dressing on her leg changed, before heading to Lan Ah Po's house to see Qiu Li and Zhao Yayuan.

She limped along, finding the backpack on her shoulders increasingly heavy.

Qin Si maintained a distance from her, neither too near nor too far.

As Lu Nian struggled forward, she suddenly felt a burden lifted off her - her backpack was taken away.

His fingers were cool, yet slender and strong. A seemingly casual support from him made her journey much easier, alleviating the pain that emanated from her left leg, time and again.

Surprisingly, he didn't let go, accompanying her towards the direction of the clinic.

Lu Nian was startled, "Eh?"

It took her by surprise that Qin Si would actually assist her.

She had always believed that given Qin Si's stoic nature and indifference towards her, he probably wouldn't bat an eyelash even if she collapsed right in front of him.

Qin Si didn't look at her, his gaze fixed forward, lips slightly pursed, appearing somewhat rigid.

She didn't initiate further conversation with him, but her eyes seemed to curve gently, mirroring a smile.

For reasons unknown, she felt a peculiar flutter of happiness within her. The early morning in the town was incredibly pleasant, not the least bit stifling. Her heart felt like a billowing sail, light and sprightly.

Once at the clinic, the doctor changed her dressing.

"Young lady, try to minimize walking for the next few days," the doctor advised. "Our facilities here are limited. Once you get home, if possible, visit a larger hospital to see if you need to purchase some scar removal cream."

The wound itself wasn't really an issue.

Mainly, it was such a pity to see a scar on such a beautiful girl with slender, smooth legs, resembling jade. The blemish seemed like a flaw on a piece of exquisite jade, quite regrettable.

"Alright," Lu Nian responded, "Thank you, doctor."

"Your friend has already picked up the medicine," the doctor mentioned. "The roads here are quite steep and there are no vehicles in town. If you find it difficult to walk, you might want to ask your friend to carry you."

Lu Nian thought to herself, "...Nevermind." She suspected Qin Si wouldn't be willing, so she decided not to ask.

However, he had actually already sorted out her medicine and was waiting for her at the entrance.

Unable to hold back, Lu Nian asked, "Why have you suddenly become so kind towards me?"

She truly wanted to ask, feeling quite stifled by holding the question in.

The girl blinked her large eyes, expressing her genuine astonishment, "I feel like this isn't like you at all."

Qin Si, "..."

He looked somewhat flustered as he handed the things back to Lu Nian.

Lu Nian held the large bundle of medicines, her slender arms slightly weighed down by it.

She wondered, "?"

"Right, I'm sorry," Lu Nian said, "I shouldn't have said that. You've always been very kind, treating me well since we were kids..."

"...Enough," he interjected, taking the medicines back from her with a grit of his teeth.

Lu Nian, "Oh."

She obediently closed her mouth, following his command.

Qin Si accompanied her to Qiu's family courtyard but seemed to have no intention of going in with her, halting his steps outside.

As Lu Nian was about to knock, the yard door opened. Qiu Li had been waiting for her at the doorway, "Nian Nian."

His gaze drifted to her leg, his tone filled with worry and a hint of reprimand, "Why didn't you call me to accompany you to change the dressing this morning?"

Lu Nian replied, "I wanted to let you sleep in a bit longer; it's okay even if you didn't come."

Zhao Yayuan had informed her that Qiu Li wasn't in good health either, having been frail since childhood, and required ample rest.

"I wanted to accompany you," Qiu Li said gently, "After all, you're leaving today."

Cherishing every moment they could spend together, as they were unsure when the next meeting would be.

The warm sensation of being cared for by a loved one...

It had been an incredibly long time since Lu Nian last experienced this.

As Qiu Li ushered her inside, Lu Nian paused at the doorstep, looking back at the not-so-distant figure, "Uhm..."

Qiu Li's gaze naturally followed her line of sight.

The tall and slender young man stood out distinctly, lingering under the maple tree by the gate, his expression cold, seemingly having no intention of coming over to greet them.

"Who is he?" Qiu Li, recalling a brief encounter with him at the inn yesterday, quietly asked Lu Nian, "Nian Nian, is he your friend?"

Lu Nian, "...Yes."

It seemed... that could be considered the case, yes.

Initially, she had no idea how to describe her relationship with Qin Si to others. After the events of last night, she felt that the complexity of their relationship had intensified twofold.

"Is he willing to come in with us?" Qiu Li asked.

Zhao Yayuan appeared to have just woken up, yawning as he stepped out from the courtyard. Upon seeing Qin Si, his eyes widened in a hint of surprise.

Qin Si had noticed him too, yet his expression remained unfazed.

"You guys go ahead," Zhao Yayuan said to Qiu Li, "I know him, he's here to see me."

Lu Nian, "?"

Qiu Li nodded and asked Lu Nian, "I have prepared breakfast, would you like to join us?"

"Go on," Zhao Yayuan urged her with a raised eyebrow.

He then closed the courtyard gate with a backward swing of his hand.

In the early morning, there were not many pedestrians in the small town, and sparrows chirped cheerfully as they flew by.

Zhao Yayuan raised an eyebrow, "How did you find your way here?"

Qin Si replied indifferently, "Social practice."

"Oh?" Zhao Yayuan chuckled, "Undertaking a 'social practice' at the Lu residence?"

Qin Si remained unflappable, stating, "It was a social practice trip to Feng He."

Zhao Yayuan fell silent.

He said, "Alright then, what do you want?"

Qin Si responded succinctly, "Let her return."

Zhao Yayuan retorted, "Even if you hadn't said anything, Nian Nian was supposed to return today."

Qin Si queried, "Afterwards, she will continue to tour and enjoy Feng He with you? Are you certain her leg can withstand it?"

Zhao Yayuan, "..."

"I will take her back to meet Lu Zhihong," he said calmly, "considering it as a coincidence meeting in Feng He."

Was this a request for them to maintain secrecy?

Zhao Yayuan was unsure where the breach occurred, allowing Qin Si to learn about their trip to Nan Qiao. Only Lu Nian would believe such a flimsy excuse as a "social practice".

However, as it stands now, he most likely wasn't sent by Lu Zhihong.

It seemed more plausible that he was attempting to gain favor, using Lu Nian's situation to make a positive impression on Lu Zhihong.

Zhao Yayuan pondered silently for a moment.

He had only been here for two days, and Qiu Lan wished for him to stay a little longer. Zhao Yayuan rarely declined his grandmother's requests since childhood. Moreover, there had just been a promising discussion regarding the reconstruction of the Nan Qiao station.

Initially, owing to Lu Nian's situation, he had no choice but to leave today.

Now, it seems like a fortuitous coincidence.

"I happen to have some matters to attend to, requiring me to stay here," Zhao Yayuan said. "You will take her back alone, from Nan Bin to Feng He, then catch a direct flight back to Ancheng. Given her leg injury, please keep a watchful eye on her during the journey, lend a helping hand where possible..."

Qin Si, noticeably irritated, retorted coldly, "I am not a nanny; I can't manage such matters."

Zhao Yayuan shrugged, "Alright then, as you wish."

It was unfortunate that the young girl, in her nascent stage of romance, had fallen for someone with such a steely disposition,

However, this might be a blessing in disguise, saving him from future worries.

Qiu Li's culinary skills were indeed top-notch, featuring breakfast with his homemade millet porridge, a selection of tangy and delicious pickles, and a steamer of buns crafted into adorable bunny shapes - delightful and scrumptious bites that one couldn't help but devour.

Qiu Li watched her eat quietly, occasionally offering to refill her plate.

The atmosphere was exceptionally pleasant.

However... after this meal, it would almost be time for her to leave.

There would be numerous tasks awaiting her upon her return. She intended to delve into the past, to unravel the truth about what happened back then, and to discern if Qiu Li's real identity matched her speculations. Why had Lu Zhihong chosen to conceal it?

"Are you really not coming back with me?" Lu Nian asked one last time, hesitating slightly before adding, "Dad would certainly be happy to see you..."

Qiu Li gently shook his head, "Grandma is still here; I need to be by her side. This is my home."

Lu Nian bit her lip, her heart filled with an ineffable sadness.

"Did we live here together when we were young?" she finally inquired.

Under the morning light, the young man's features were bathed in a gentle glow as he shook his head, "The past is behind us. I am leading a good life now, and I enjoy the lifestyle here."

Zhao Yayuan had advised her earlier to respect Qiu Li's wishes, and Lu Nian couldn't bring herself to forcibly take him away.

It seemed he had no desire to return to the Lu family, preferring a tranquil life here instead.

Indeed, comparing the gloomy and oppressive environment of the Lu household with the free and easy life in Nan Qiao, it was hard to tell which was better.

Although Lu Nian genuinely wished for him to come back and share a life with her.

"Take good care of yourself," he said to her.

Lu Nian couldn't help the tears welling up again, but she lowered her eyes, holding back the tears, and took a sip of porridge, saying brightly, "I will."

After silently watching her for a while, Qiu Li finally voiced his question, "Nian Nian, will you come back?"

"I will visit you together with Yayuan," Lu Nian said. "You're always welcome in Ancheng. Whenever you want to reach out, feel free to call or message me."

Qiu Li smiled gently, "The same goes for you. If you ever feel down, you can rely on me wholeheartedly. Share everything with me."

Since childhood, he has always longed for this, hoping to be a shoulder for his sister to lean on and be close to.

After saying this, Qiu Li realized that she doesn't remember anything from their past, and during the long years of growing up, they were separated by distance. Their current relationship might not be much stronger than that of newly acquainted friends.

He had grown accustomed to rejection.

The young man pursed his lips slightly, his warm, dark eyes gazing at her, "Of course, if it's inconvenient for you, you don't have to..."

Lu Nian looked at him, noting the similarity in their features, and said, "It's convenient."

The young man paused, momentarily startled.

Over the years, she had changed immensely, but Qiu Li didn't want to delve deeper.

The way things are now is quite good.

He harbored no lofty expectations for more.

In fact, he too harbored a secret desire to live with her.

...

"Have you guys finished chatting?" Lu Nian leaned halfway out and spotted the two boys under the tree, "Come in for breakfast. The breakfast Xiao Qiu made is really delicious."

"Agreed." Zhao Yayuan settled down on a chair, casually mentioning, "Nian Nian, you go back to Ancheng with him. I have some matters to attend to here and might delay my departure by a couple of days."

Lu Nian was taken aback momentarily as she turned to look at Qin Si.

Qin Si didn't seem to object, but his expression remained cool and indifferent. He hadn't uttered a single word since entering the yard.

"You can make a transfer at Feng He on your way back to Ancheng," Zhao Yayuan suggested. "When the time comes, just tell your father that you accidentally hurt your leg in Feng He and happened to run into him there, which is why you decided to return together a bit earlier."

Feng He was a metropolis with a substantial crowd, encountering a familiar face or two there wouldn't be considered unusual.

Lu Nian contemplated for a moment and felt that this plan was indeed feasible.

As long as the flight tickets were from Feng He to Ancheng, it would suffice to appease Lu Yang.

Lu Zhihong has been swamped with work recently, usually leaving her under Lu Yang's supervision, who then reports to Lu Zhihong. Compared to Lu Zhihong, deceiving Lu Yang should be considerably easier due to his lesser savvy nature.

She was simply curious as to how Zhao Yayuan managed to persuade Qin Si to help.

...

Finally, the time to depart arrived.

In the afternoon, Zhao Yayuan had some errands to run, needing to meet with the local traffic authorities in town, leaving Qiu Li alone at home.

Qiu Li wanted to accompany her, offering, "I can go with you."

Lu Nian firmly declined, insisting, "It's better if you just rest at home."

"My leg has improved significantly," she gestured towards Qin Si not far away, "and there's someone here to assist me, don't worry."

It was clear that Qiu Li was not at ease.

He found that individual rather inscrutable, instinctively feeling a slight aversion towards him. However, Lu Nian was adamant, and he couldn't persuade her otherwise. He accompanied her to the crossroads, where Lu Nian firmly stopped him from following her any further.

"I'll come to see you again!" she called, waving at him from a distance.

Qin Si remained silent, observing their farewell.

Nanqiao town was actually built leaning against a small hill. The town itself had many flat roads, but there was a significant uphill stretch towards the station.

Lu Nian mustered some courage, planning to ascend the slope in one go.

Her leg was still aching, throbbing with each step.

Qin Si walked beside her, watching her slow pace, and with a pursed lip, reached over to grab her with one hand.

Before Lu Nian could grasp what was happening, she was hoisted onto his back.

"We'll miss the train otherwise," he explained, his tone detached.

His back was broad and defined, with jet-black hair reaching the nape of his neck, neat and clean.

It seemed he had recently washed his hair, emanating a pleasant fragrance, cool and subtle, pervading his clothes and hair, possibly from the shampoo.

Her heartbeat accelerated, abruptly recalling that night.

During the kiss, it seemed especially pronounced.

Unlike when she was carried by Qiu Li, Lu Nian wasn't worried about Qin Si getting tired. However, she now harbored different concerns, feeling somewhat uneasy. After muttering a quiet "thank you," she dared not move recklessly.

After that unexpected kiss that day, they maintained an unspoken understanding, with neither bringing it up again, as if it had never occurred.

They boarded the train successfully and subsequently caught the flight to Fenghe.

Sitting side by side, Lu Nian slept soundly, unconsciously leaning towards him as the blanket slipped slightly.

Her pinkish-white cheeks were complemented by her luscious red lips.

He lowered his gaze.

The sensation from that night, compared to this stolen kiss, was indeed different.

Even if it was only a result of her acting out in a huff.

He carefully covered her with the blanket. After a long hesitation, she leaned towards him, the blanket slid down again, revealing her increasingly delicate and slender collarbone, her skin as white as snow...

Truly fallen asleep.

Utilizing the act of adjusting the blanket as an excuse, he turned towards her, their cheeks perilously close.

As if inadvertently, he grazed gently across her lips,

He sensed that intoxicating and rich fragrance that bewitched him.

His heartbeat accelerated, adrenaline surged, and he suspected his ear tips were flushing red again. Whenever he was near her, he despised these uncontrollable reactions of his body, yet found them hard to rein in.

A despicable scheme.

Much like quenching thirst with poison.

Once back at Fenghe, transportation became significantly more convenient. Qin Si hailed a car, and they boarded, ready to catch a flight to Ancheng again.

Due to a restless night and the continual journey by car and plane, Lu Nian eventually became so tired she couldn't keep her eyes open.

Qin Si silently arranged tickets for her, overseeing all the logistics including afternoon and evening meals, and even beverages, single-handedly.

With her eyes closed, in a drowsy state, she called out, "Qin Si."

Sensing he was still beside her, she felt reassured and continued to sleep, casually snacking whenever food was offered, then dozing off again.

Despite her petulant demeanor, he endured it all, resisting the urge to smear her face in jest.

As Qin Si stepped away to collect the tickets, Lu Nian finally woke briefly. Seated on a cafe chair with a blanket draped over her, she rubbed her eyes, noticing the food and a cup of coffee on the table.

"Your boyfriend went to get your tickets," a young lady nearby commented with envy, "He bought all these things for you."

Lu Nian glanced at her phone and saw a brief message from Qin Si, "Back in 20 minutes, don't wander around if you wake up."

She replied with a, "Okay! QvQ"

"Your boyfriend is really great," the young lady remarked, "So handsome and caring."

Initially, it was his good looks that caught her eye in the crowd, she even planned to ask for his contact details, only to find out he already had a girlfriend and was utterly devoted to her.

It's truly rare to find a boy who is both handsome and dotes on his girlfriend so much nowadays. Initially, she perceived him as a cool and aloof handsome guy. However, throughout, it was evident that his attention was entirely focused on his girlfriend, showing indifference to others.

Lu Nian stealthily glanced around, noticing Qin Si was nowhere in sight.

Thus, she didn't refute, accepting the misconception with a slightly guilty conscience, "Yes, he is wonderful."

Such a pity.

The only downside is, he isn't her boyfriend.

She pondered in silence.

Upon arriving in Ancheng, Lu Nian was almost bowled over by the sweltering heat wave that greeted her.

Lu Yang had already received a call and drove to the airport to pick up Lu Nian.

Qin Si exited alongside her.

"What happened?" Lu Yang asked, frowning.

"I was participating in social practice in Fenghe," Qin Si explained calmly, "I just happened to run into her after she had injured her leg, and decided to accompany her back."

Lu Yang was aware of the incident and queried, "Where is Zhao Ya Yuan? Why didn't he escort Nian Nian back?"

Fearing that the affair with Nan Qiao might be exposed, Lu Nian hurriedly said, "I asked him not to come back with me. After all, it's my leg that's hurt, not his. Besides, it worked out since someone could accompany me back."

Lu Yang seemed somewhat dissatisfied with this explanation.

If it had been Zhao Ting Yuan, he would have undoubtedly accompanied her home, ensuring her safety throughout the journey.

He felt that Zhao Ya Yuan was not dependable.

"This afternoon, I'll take you to our family hospital for a check-up," said Lu Yang. "In a few days, Uncle Zhao and his family will be visiting us, so you need to prepare well in advance."

"Where is dad?"

"Uncle is currently abroad negotiating a contract," Lu Yang explained. "He will return in a few days, just in time to assist you with college application procedures."

Yes, indeed... It seemed the college entrance examination results would be released soon.

The thought of this made Lu Nian's heart sink.

She had pondered much, realizing that the key to the autumn dew matter rested primarily with Lu Zhihong. In the Lu family, newer employees like Miaomiao had no knowledge of past events, and older members like Xu Ruohai and Zhang Qiuping maintained tight-lipped discretion, revealing nothing that Lu Zhihong wished to keep secret.

She couldn't rush things, Lu Nian told herself, it needed to be approached gradually.

"Alright, let's move," said Lu Yang, unaware of her whirlpool of thoughts.

Qin Si had already turned to leave.

As if awakening from a dream, Lu Nian hurried after him, saying, "Thank you for looking after me during the journey."

He stopped in his tracks, his face expressionless as he replied, "It was on my way. There's no need for thanks."

Lu Nian covertly glanced at Lu Yang and, seeing that he wasn't paying attention, whispered, "I also need to apologize for what happened that night. It was mainly my fault, so please don't take it to heart. Even though later you also..."

"..."

The fragile calm he had been maintaining shattered abruptly under the weight of her few words.

Unable to endure any further, he turned and walked away swiftly, his retreating figure betraying a hint of awkwardness and distress.

Lu Nian, "......"

Is he angry again? He truly won't forgive her?

But she had only recounted the original scene without any exaggeration or embellishment.

Lu Nian was quite distressed.

Over these few days at home, Lu Nian visited Cheng Mingying's room once again.

Yet, she found no clues whatsoever.

When she searched for information about Nanqiao online, the majority of the results were experiences shared by tourists who visited Nanqiao, but she couldn't find anything specific or noteworthy.

The main issue was, she had no clear direction, unsure of what aspect she should be investigating.

Moreover... she pondered sullenly, was Qiu Li truly willing to let her probe this deeply?

On Qin Si's end... there had been no news at all.

Lu Nian was unsure whether he was genuinely upset or not, and she didn't know how long he planned to stay in Ancheng over the summer vacation.

The days gradually passed by.

While at home, Lu Nian suddenly received a text message from Ming Ge,

【Ming Ge】: "Little sister Nian Nian, are you back? I still owe you a meal, when will you come to collect it?"

Lu Nian quickly typed a response: "I'm available these days!"

Her leg had improved significantly. While the skin injury seemed severe at first, it healed quickly. The doctor from the Lu family tended to her with great care, and Miao Miao took utmost care of her in these past days. Being at home, Lu Nian felt a bit rusty.

Ming Ge replied, "Alright then, hurry up! We'll get things ready for you early."

These days, with Lu Zhihong absent and her just having finished her college entrance exams, life had been blissfully free and leisurely.

Apart from drafting some drawings, she basically had nothing else to do.

Perhaps due to sleeping too much during the day, she often found herself unable to sleep at night, a time when she would frequently recall that kiss.

The mere thought of it would make her blush.

...She hadn't expected him to be like that.

She had never kissed any other boy before, but she wasn't sure whether Qin Si had kissed other girls before.

Engulfed in her wild thoughts, she always felt he seemed to understand more than her.

...She thought again of the woman in the bar, pulled her quilt a bit, and upon seeing the barren message thread between them, she couldn't help but curse him in her heart.

Disgusting Qin Si, absolutely shameless.

Although she told him to forget, could he really act as if nothing had happened?

She felt too embarrassed to text Qin Si, who, in turn, never took the initiative to message her either.

Just like that, they lost contact.

Lu Nian thought, as she went to have a meal at Ming Ge's place, she wasn't sure if Qin Si would be there.

During his time in Ancheng, aside from staying at his home, he primarily visited Ming Ge, she presumed.

With this in mind, she harbored a slight anticipation in her heart, taking extra care to groom herself.

She chose a knee-length chiffon skirt. Her fair and slender complexion made it easy for her to pull off the light blue sheer fabric. The skirt highlighted her waist nicely, but due to the unhealed scar on her leg, that part looked rather unsightly.

Left with no choice, she wore a pair of mid-calf socks to reluctantly conceal the scar.

That day, she went to Ming Ge's shop,

"Nian Nian!" Xiao Qu and Huang Mao were both present, instantly coming over to greet her.

"We're eating next door," Huang Mao rubbed his hands together, "Our performance last year was good, we made some money, so we're treating little sister Nian Nian to something nice."

Ming Ge complimented her, "You're becoming more and more beautiful. I wonder which lucky guy will benefit in the future."

Lu Nian smiled, her lips pursed together.

The place they chose to treat her was indeed upscale—a western restaurant with private rooms offering a tranquil ambiance.

Huang Mao handed her the menu, boasting proudly, "Not bad, right? I told you, since sister Nian Nian is accustomed to fine dining, we should pick a place like this to host her."

"It's really not necessary," Lu Nian said with a smile, her lips still pursed.

She couldn't resist, and seemingly casually asked, "Is it just us?"

"That rascal went to a friend's place, said something about work," Ming Ge remarked, "He's been holing up in his room all day, who knows what kind of job he's talking about."

Lu Nian, "..."

She wanted to ask if that 'friend' was a male or a female, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to voice the question.

"He will be heading back to the capital soon," Xiao Qu noted.

Huang Mao queried, "Sister Nian Nian, your results are coming out soon, right?"

"Yeah, where are you planning to apply? If you're considering University A, ask that rascal to look out for you."

Lu Nian smiled, "I won't be able to go there."

She didn't want to elaborate further on this topic.

Huang Mao remarked, "It must be nice to go to university. Back in my days, I missed it by just a few hundred points. Otherwise, I could have at least had a girlfriend during university, and wouldn't be this lonely now."

Ming Ge interjected, "Universities don't assign girlfriends, you know."

Xiao Qu speculated, "I suppose Brother Qin doesn't have a girlfriend either."

Lu Nian's hand, which was holding the knife and fork, paused momentarily before she continued eating.

Ming Ge opined, "With that nasty temper of his, if he doesn't change, he'll never find a girlfriend in his lifetime."

Without a second thought, Huang Mao countered, "How is that possible? Brother Qin is clearly popular with the ladies. Remember last time, that girl who, well...”

He actually had many good qualities and his looks were beyond reproach. It was just his personality that was somewhat lacking. But strangely enough, many were drawn to his aloof demeanor, finding a special sense of achievement in conquering a man of his nature.

"Cough cough." Xiao Qu suddenly started coughing vehemently, the sound echoing throughout the room, "Cough cough cough..."

Concerned, Lu Nian hurriedly handed him some water and tissues, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Xiao Qu smiled.

Ming Ge gave Huang Mao a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. Feeling uneasy, Huang Mao corrected himself, "He really can't find one, with such a terrible temper. Apart from gentle girls like sister Nian Nian, who else could tolerate him?"

"Sister Nian Nian, since no one else wants him, why don't you..."

Lu Nian was left in the dark.

Before the sentence could be completed, the door swung open.

Huang Mao instantly fell silent, as if a mute button had been activated.

"Weren't you not coming?" Ming Ge poured himself a drink, "Why did you show up again? We didn't order any food for you, guess you'll just have to sit there and enjoy the air."

Lu Nian glanced back, then continued to maintain her indifferent expression.

He came directly after finishing his work.

Unexpectedly, there was a traffic jam on the road.

Quickly, Xiao Qu called for an additional set of cutlery, "I thought you weren't coming..."

Qin Si took a seat opposite her. Lu Nian kept her head down, eating silently, as if she hadn't noticed his arrival.

In reality, she knew she was being unreasonable. She just felt aggrieved, wondering why he seemed to vanish off the face of the earth when she didn't reach out to him. It seemed unfair, given their limited time together before they would part ways once the school term began and he would be leaving again.

Ming Ge sensed the tension.

He thought to himself that they were having another tiff, but this time, it seemed somewhat different from their usual quarrels.

Upon hearing his voice, Lu Nian asked, "Your leg is better now, allowing you to wander around like this?"

Lu Nian responded, "...completely healed."

Her tone was evidently dismissive.

The other three held their breath.

With pursed lips, he rose to his feet.

"What are you doing?" He grasped her arm, leading her out of the private dining room and opening the door to the adjoining room.

After closing the door, he flipped on the light, leaving just the two of them in the room.

"What has upset you?" he inquired.

Lu Nian widened her eyes, retorting, "It seems like you're the one throwing a tantrum, isn't it?"

Not contacting her for such a long time, despite clearly being in Ancheng, not even a brief call or a message, always keeping her guessing about his whereabouts.

"Your leg," he seemed unwilling to engage in this discussion any further, "has it healed?"

She sat on a chair, her feelings of grievance amplifying the more she pondered, "It's not like you were the one who injured it, whether it's healed or not shouldn't matter, it has nothing to do with you."

Nothing to do with him? Then who was involved?

Zhao Ya Yuan, or the stranger who was hugging and holding her that day?

His complexion darkened significantly.

She continued relentlessly, "In the future, just stop worrying about me. I won't concern myself with you either, we'll each go our own way..."

Lu Nian felt a sudden chill on her calf, "You..."

He had already partially removed her knee sock, bunching it at her ankle and exposing the wound.

His fingers, well-defined and masculine, carried a slight coolness. She found herself unable to speak, only feeling a tingling sensation in the calf he touched.

He squatted down in front of her, attentively examining the wound. His lashes hung down, long and dense, somehow enhancing the attractiveness of his facial contours, his lips slightly pursed.

Observing him, he seemed very kissable... indeed, utterly kissable.

Lu Nian thought to herself that she must be going insane, to be harboring such thoughts.

"Don't put it back on," he said succinctly, "covering the wound slows the healing process."

"But it's ugly," Lu Nian sniffled, her voice now soft and regaining its usual tone, "It doesn't look good."

She had wanted to dress up nicely for their meeting.

He wanted to say, that he didn't mind.

Yet upon closer reflection, she found herself exceedingly foolish. Why would he assume that she dressed up just to impress him?

It's a simple and universally understood principle that women dress nicely to please those they admire. He had no idea who that person might be for her, and he didn't want to ponder further.

For a moment, both were engulfed in silence.

Until Lu Nian hesitantly inquired, "...Is this somewhat inappropriate?"

"You're a man, and I'm a woman. Moreover, you're not a doctor," Lu Nian propped her cheek on her hand, her almond eyes brimming with mischief, "Your actions seem very practiced, though."

"Have you perhaps removed many other girls' socks before?"

She felt a surge of displeasure in her heart, yet her mind remained clear, asking her questions slowly yet logically.

Qin Si, "..."

His fingers froze abruptly, suddenly conscious of his actions. A warm flush crept up behind his ears and his fingers hastily retreated.

Lu Nian felt a bit triumphant, sensing that recently she seemed to be getting the upper hand in their exchanges more often than before.

"Why is it just us few today?" Lu Nian inquired further, "What about the lady called Bai Xi who was at Ming's bar? Why didn't she come? I assumed you would invite her along."

This question was utterly perplexing.

The young man pursed his lips, offering no response.

He wasn't clear about the nature of his relationship with Bai Xi.

Lu Nian queried, "Isn't she your friend?"

He responded stiffly, "Not close."

Not close yet acting like that? No wonder then, he could kiss her even though they were not close either.

"I had someone clean your place," said Lu Nian, "If it would be inconvenient for your girlfriend to visit, I can hand the keys back to you."

"I don't have a girlfriend," he said, eyes downcast, "And no one comes over to my place."

"Except for you," he straightened up, his face obscured by the cast shadow, making it hard to decipher his expression.

His words were always meticulous and precise, and although he knew that this statement was merely an addendum - a generally understood fact without any deeper implications - he was not someone prone to making such remarks.

Despite this, Lu Nian's face reddened.

Except for you.

Only you.

And the fact that these words came from Qin Si's mouth made her heart race exceedingly fast.

......

"The food is getting cold, hurry up." Ming-ge urged, without asking what they had been up to.

"Will you come again tomorrow?" Huang Mao asked, "The three of us can treat you to a meal, one meal per person."

"I can't make it tomorrow," Lu Nian shook her head.

"My father is returning tomorrow," Lu Nian explained, "We will have guests at our home, so I don't think I can avoid attending."

"Who are these distinguished guests?" Huang Mao inquired.

"An uncle and aunt from Haicheng," Lu Nian shared, "They are close with my father and also the parents of one of my classmates."

The Zhao Rulan family.

Qin Si's expression remained impassive, his slender, phoenix-like eyes betraying no emotion. The hue of his irises was profound, a stark contrast to Zhao Ya's amber eyes, giving him a seemingly cold and indifferent demeanor most of the time.

Unaware of the nuances, Ming-ge suggested, "Alright, let's postpone it to the day after tomorrow then."

Lu Nian nodded, "Okay."

He quietly finished a glass of wine. Ming-ge admonished, "Have your meal first instead of drinking."

"It's fine," he responded, his gaze lowered. His defined fingers toyed with the empty glass, his face wearing an indifferent expression.

The author has something to say:

Si-Si is actually quite theoretically experienced, having mingled outside since a young age and witnessed much. However, he lacks practical experience, cherishing Nian-Nian dearly, behaving toward her with a purity of heart and showing genuine reluctance and shyness.

Nian-Nian, on the other hand, is devoid of both theoretical and practical experience. Yet, she is bold and has a thick skin!

Thus, Si-Si would eventually be thoroughly "trained" by her, especially after realizing that he is just a tsundere who is shy and doesn't speak his heart.