Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Lu Nian becomes particularly troublesome when she's drunk.

Although her mind was foggy, she indeed remembered that the original Qin Si had lived up to his words. Until the day he took his life on his twenty-ninth birthday, he had never been in a relationship, nor married, without anyone by his side.

"A lifetime, huh..." she muttered, adding, "There won't be anyone else?"

She lowered her eyes, slowly moving closer, her lips nearing his.

In the cramped room, the two of them were very close. Qin Si's body radiated a high temperature, making her feel very warm. She could hear his rapid heartbeat, impossible to mask.

His voice had become hoarse, "...Hmm."

She straightened up, kissing the beautiful faint red at the corner of his eye. She then looked on satisfied as the blush spread, his jawline tensing, and his Adam's apple moving visibly as he suppressed his reactions. Yet, he did not push her away or utter those infuriating words anymore.

There will be no one else but her.

He was like a tamed wolf.

Her lips curled into a smile, her head spinning, she nestled in his embrace, inhaling his scent. The drunkenness was getting to her, making her increasingly drowsy. The warm and broad embrace of a man felt so comfortable to sleep in.

Neither made a move to progress any further, nor did he push her away. Before long, her hand slackened and she gradually curled up, leaning into his embrace, and slowly fell asleep.

Like stars descending into one's embrace.

He held her loosely, doing nothing for a long, long time.

As more than half the night passed by, the screen of his mobile phone suddenly lit up.

A text message from an unidentified number appeared, bearing a succinct message: "We have a lead. Return immediately."

He fell silent, turning his gaze to the girl beside him.

Her cheeks were rosy and pale from sleep, serene and sweet, within his arm's reach, residing by his side.

His fingers gently grazed her cheek with a delicate touch. Lu Nian didn't resist in the slightest, even affectionately nudging her face closer to his direction.

A tingling sensation at his fingertips.

As he tried to pull his fingers away, she murmured in dissatisfaction in her sleep, nestling into his hand once more.

His heart nearly solidified, unable to harden further. In fact, he was contemplating settling like this, willing to lay beside her, devoid of any dignity, for a lifetime.

This had been the case since the early days of their childhood.

Ming Ge, hearing the commotion, stepped out, addressing him, "You're leaving now?"

In the dead of the night.

"Where's Nian Nian?"

He responded, "She's asleep."

"Get her something for the hangover tomorrow," he said. "As for her family, I've arranged for someone to cover for her. However, make sure you take her home before noon."

Ming Ge, "?"

"That's it?" he asked. "Aren't you leaving her any messages, urging her to hold onto some hope, to wait for you?"

Qin Si remained silent.

He felt he had no right to ask her to wait for him, to utter such luxurious and beautiful words.

He wasn't accustomed to making such promises.

Fortunately, nothing had begun between them.

Ming Ge inquired, "So you plan to say nothing? To pursue her upon your return? What if by then she has a boyfriend, what if she no longer harbors feelings for you?"

He, "..."

The hand gripping the luggage bag hesitated momentarily, the knuckles whitening a bit, "She's free to choose as she pleases, I won't intervene."

Ming Ge scoffed sarcastically, "Pah, not interfere? You think I don't know what kind of person you are? Can you really bear to see her with someone else?"

He had known Qin Si since childhood and understood well the kind of person he was.

Much like a young wolf, he would never let go of his prey once targeted, accustomed to lying in wait and enduring patiently, his possessiveness extreme and methods radical, ready to go to any length to achieve his goals.

This inherent nature seemed to have remained unchanged.

However, he had never employed these tactics with Lu Nian, nor had he ever revealed this side of him to her.

Only when it came to the matter of Lu Nian, Ming Ge couldn't understand why he was exhibiting such restraint.

"Why don't you take some time to come back and see her?" Ming Ge said, his voice softening, "I really don't understand why you won't clarify things with her, especially now, at this point."

"I fear that I might not be able to leave again," he said calmly.

"Or perhaps," he stated, "I fear that I might ruin her."

If they were to be together at this time, the pressure would be unimaginable. They might even have to keep their relationship a secret, enduring criticisms, and he does not yet have the ability to settle everything neatly.

As for himself, it doesn't matter much, but Lu Nian... he doesn't want her to bear that kind of pressure.

Or perhaps, it is a fear deep within him that he is unwilling to admit.

If Lu Nian truly ends up with him and eventually, realizes she was just seeking novelty, or cannot withstand the pressure from Lu Zhihong and desires a breakup, or perhaps, she discovers his unpalatable side and wants to leave,

He doesn't know what uncontrollable actions he might take at that time.

A light rain began to fall outside.

His figure disappeared into the distance.

Any trace of sleepiness vanished from Ming Ge.

He grabbed a can of beer from the fridge, opened it, and gulped it down in one swig.

"A madman," he murmured as he gazed at the rain outside, "paired with a fool."

The next day, Lu Nian was awakened by a phone call. She checked the time; it was ten in the morning, and it was Ming Ge calling.

Her memory gradually returned.

She glanced around; her clothes were neat and tidy, the blanket properly in place, nothing untoward had occurred.

Lu Nian sat there, stunned.

"Where is Qin Si?" she asked.

She recalled the events of the previous night, her head throbbed sporadically, yet her memory was not completely blank.

She still remembered the question she had asked Qin Si, and his response.

"He's gone," Ming Ge said, steeling himself.

To be honest, he was somewhat afraid that Lu Nian might not be able to handle this reality, that she might start crying or causing a scene.

But Lu Nian just nodded calmly, without saying a word.

She wasn't sure what to make of yesterday's events.

Could it be considered a confession?

However, they hadn't uttered a word to each other, not even sharing a single kiss.

An unusual sense of tranquillity resided in Lu Nian's heart.

After finishing the breakfast prepared by Ming Ge, she asked, "Will he come back?"

Ming Ge nodded vigorously, "Absolutely."

He wanted to add more, but found himself at a loss for words, fearing that Lu Nian might ask when Qin Si would return.

However, Lu Nian didn't ask anything further.

She finished her breakfast, thanked Ming Ge, and left calmly,

Everything seemed to follow a natural progression.

Lu Zhihong filled out Lu Nian's university preferences, with the first few choices being economics-related programs; in the end, Lu Nian casually added a literature program to the list.

Unexpectedly, due to her exam scores, she was not admitted to her first choice and ended up in the literature program that she had added as a safety net.

Lu Zhihong was quite upset about this development at first.

However, being in high spirits lately and gearing up for new ventures with great enthusiasm, he didn't dwell too much on this, merely instructing Lu Nian to take a minor in a second field of study.

Anyway, he didn't really expect Lu Nian to excel academically and take over the family business; he was just accustomed to arranging things for her.

Zhao Yayuan was admitted to An Gong University, a fairly reputable engineering school adjacent to An University. He frequently visited her on An University's campus.

Lu Nian thought that, considering Zhao Yayuan's previously mediocre performance, his improvement to this level within a year could be considered nothing short of a miracle.

Not long after the semester began, Zhao Yayuan called her, "Grandma has agreed to come over."

Lu Nian was aware of this matter; he had been working on it for a while now.

Lu Nian's eyes lit up, "That's great news! What about Xiao Qiu?"

Zhao Yayuan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Qiu Li... you probably don't know yet... he should be your classmate now."

Lu Nian, "Huh?"

She was so startled that the phone almost slipped from her grasp.

Wasn't Qiu Li strongly opposed to coming to An City? How come he chose to enroll at a university in An City?

"Qiu Li has always been an excellent student," Zhao Yayuan explained, "He also wanted to be with Grandma, so he had no choice but to come here."

Since Qiu Lan required long-term treatment and Qiu Li couldn't put his mind at ease, he decided to join her in An City, with the assurance from Zhao Yayuan that his family would cover all her treatment expenses.

Lu Zhihong has almost entirely come to terms with the death of Lu Zuo now.

No longer seeking.

After all, people change greatly from their childhood appearance; even if Lu Zuo stood before Lu Zhihong, he might not recognize him.

So, Zhao Yayuan felt there was no need to worry excessively.

Lu Nian met Qiu Li in the hospital room.

The young man was wearing a loose white sweater, with somewhat slender shoulders. He sat on a chair, quietly peeling an apple beside Qiu Lan's hospital bed.

The glow of late autumn cast upon his profile, highlighting a gentle and clean contour.

Lu Nian carefully closed the door behind her, trying her best not to make any unnecessary noise.

"Xiao Qiu, Xiao Qiu, Xiao Qiu," the elderly woman on the bed seemed to be caught in a nightmare, her frail hands waving in the air, her voice trembling, "Come to Grandma quickly."

Lu Nian's steps halted, startled by this eerie scene to the point where her hairs stood on end.

The young man put down the peeled apple, took her hand with familiar ease, and softly said, "Grandma, I am here."

After a few minutes, the turmoil finally subsided.

Lu Nian set down the fruit basket, her lips tightly pressed together, "...No wonder, you insisted on coming here to accompany Grandma."

"She wasn't calling for me just now," Qiu Li said with a gentle smile.

Lu Nian was dumbfounded.

A very long time ago, the elderly woman had a grandson, whose name was also Qiu Li.

"I am his substitute," Qiu Li said, "This name doesn't belong to me."

It was merely a statement, yet Lu Nian felt a sudden tightness in her heart.

Until now, she still didn't know Qiu Li's real name, the name that had been completely erased.

"A Zuo," he said, "Back then, that's what everyone called me."

"A Zuo..." Lu Nian murmured.

It's been countless years since she had last heard this form of address. Hearing it from her mouth now, there was a sense of wonder.

"You can continue to call me Xiao Qiu," the young man said with a slight smile, "It sounds more familiar."

Unsure of what to say, she took a seat beside him.

"Nian Nian, may I hold you?" he asked softly.

Lu Nian nodded.

Qiu Li enveloped her in his arms, his head bowed, his forehead nestled in the nape of her neck. His hair was soft, carrying a faint medicinal fragrance. Lu Nian felt the warmth emanating from him, "Do you have a fever?"

"No," he replied, eyes closed, "just very tired."

Lu Nian brushed through his black hair, "I feel I might be older than you."

Qiu Li smiled, his eyes curving, "Nian Nian."

"...You should call me sister," said Lu Nian.

"I don't like the Lu family," stated Qiu Li, "I don't want to return there."

"Nian Nian," he said, "in the future, you can come back to Nan Qiao with me, or we could go somewhere else together..."

His voice trailed off, growing softer...

Soon, he had fallen soundly asleep.

After chatting with the doctor, Zhao Yayuan pushed the door open to witness this scene.

Qiu Li was already asleep, his long eyelashes cast down, revealing a particularly soft profile. Lu Nian allowed him to rest his head on her lap as she read a book.

"Tsk," remarked Zhao Yayuan.

Indeed, his initial clingy nature was something learned from Qiu Li.

"He has been really exhausted recently," Zhao Yayuan mentioned.

Having escorted Qiu Lan all the way here and handling the hospital admission procedures, even though Zhao Yayuan could assist and had arranged for a nurse, ultimately, Qiu Li had to attend to the details himself.

Since leaving Nan Qiao, Qiu Lan's mental state hadn't been very stable, requiring someone to comfort her constantly.

Qiu Li was incredibly patient. Apart from managing these matters, he also had to attend classes at the school. Fortunately, Qiu Li was very capable of taking care of himself, managing to cope.

The mental strain on him was also quite substantial, Zhao Yayuan knew, even though he never voiced it to others.

Lu Nian said, "I will visit more frequently from now on."

She remained still, gently stroking his hair.

She felt a desire to treat Qiu Li well, to make up for everything she lacked in the past.

Now, he was the only family she had left.

After Lu Nian left, Zhao Yayuan lingered for a while. Closing the hospital room door, he asked, "Are you not planning to talk about what happened in the past?"

Qiu Li replied, "Knowing now wouldn't serve any purpose."

"Technically, I wasn't supposed to live for very long," Qiu Li said, "But it was because of Nan Qiao, I managed to survive until now."

Because in Nan Qiao, amidst the pristine mountains and rivers and a life devoid of burdens, he miraculously managed to reach the age of eighteen.

"Furthermore, I am no longer Lu Zhuo," he said, "Lu Zhuo has long been dead."

"The situation in the Lu family is now quite complex," Zhao Yayuan said, "If Lu Zhihong finds out about you, he will definitely insist on your return, without a doubt."

Qiu Li responded, "Then let me keep this identity indefinitely."

Lu Zhuo was now a deceased individual, not just in a legal sense but also practically, having vanished from nearly everyone's memory. As the years went by, people no longer remembered him, nor would anyone bring up his name in conversations.

Zhao Yayuan asserted, "With me, you will always be Qiu Li."

The two walked side by side down the corridor, bathed in the early autumn sunlight filtering through.

He suddenly remarked, "Sometimes, I wonder if I should be thankful for that accident."

Zhao Yayuan halted, "Have you lost your mind?"

Qiu Li shook his head, "It liberated me from the Lu family, introduced me to you, and now, to my sister as well."

He cherished the prospect of a normal life in the future, preferring it to a lifetime confined within a golden cage.

Zhao Yayuan said, "I can't comprehend your thoughts, but as you wish, manage your affairs as you deem fit."

Suddenly, he asked, "Xiao Qiu, what do you think about me becoming your brother-in-law in the future?"

Qiu Li, "..."

Zhao Yayuan shrugged, "I'm not joking, I genuinely aspire to be your brother-in-law."

Qiu Li smiled faintly, "Do you care for Nian Nian regularly? Can you cook, and tend to others? How are your studies and career progressing? Have you curtailed that unruly temperament from your youth? Are you sure you won't treat Nian Nian in that manner?"

Zhao Yayuan, "..."

Overprotective sibling; steer clear.

Lu Nian's college life unfolded calmly, after all, it was the same city, just a relocation from one place to another.

However, there were occasionally some odd individuals around.

In the second semester of her freshman year, Lu Nian's computer broke down late at night, seemingly infected with a virus. She had an urgent term paper to write, so she hastily ordered a repair service using her phone.

Initially, she assumed no one would accept the order at that hour. However, to her surprise, her request was quickly accepted, with the delivery location being right below their dormitory building.

After a moment of hesitation, Lu Nian decided to go downstairs with her computer in tow.

Unexpectedly, the person waiting for her below the dormitory was not a technician as she anticipated, but a young man who seemed to be about her age.

He was carrying a laptop bag, had a youthful face that made determining his age difficult, with dark, bright eyes, and somewhat long hair that looked incredibly soft and fluffy, albeit slightly messy.

"At your service," he said, taking the computer from her.

The two settled down in a 24-hour coffee shop near the school. As Lu Nian watched him skillfully handle her computer, she couldn't help but say, "I assumed your services would be closed at this hour... it must be tough for you."

Seeing him, seemingly her age, working outdoors at this late hour, she considered giving a larger service tip.

Fang Deng successfully removed the virus and even optimized her computer thoroughly, stating, "24-hour service, at your beck and call."

Lu Nian exclaimed, "Huh?"

"I'm Fang Deng, a student from the Computer Science department, a year senior to you, which makes me your senior," the young man closed the laptop and extended a hand towards her, seemingly intending for a handshake. But before Lu Nian could respond, he quickly withdrew it.

He flashed her a smile, revealing sharp little canines that made his youthful face appear even more adorable. "Feel free to reach out if you need help with any issues—be it mobile phones, computers, software installation, or even surveillance..."

Lu Nian was taken aback, "?"

Fang Deng quickly shut his mouth.

"It's true," Fang Deng assured, "I am at your service, ready to follow orders at any time, for any task."

Now, the boss's company was running smoothly, and Fang Deng was thriving as well, increasingly feeling that he made the right choice in allegiance.

Yet, he had another vital task: to keep a close eye on her while at school and report any incidents to his boss.

Although Lu Nian seldom required assistance, Fang Deng found that he rarely had an opportunity to be of use.

As for other matters, Qin Si did not provide any instructions.

Fang Deng, however, was proactive, keen on gathering gossip from all corners—through official channels, he emphasized.

Indeed, Lu Nian had not been seeking a boyfriend.

He happily thought that the boss would soon graduate, the company was prospering, and even the developments with Lu Zhihong were progressing well.

Eventually, once everything was settled, it would be perfect.

Lu Nian observed his fluctuating expressions, "..."

She thought he was quite a decent person, albeit a bit odd.

Over the past couple of years, Lu Nian had been continuously taking on illustration commissions. An University offered rich educational resources, and her skills improved considerably through lessons at a nearby art studio.

Currently, her collaboration with "Star Strike" had essentially stabilized.

Balancing her studies with illustration work, Lu Nian managed to secure an average monthly income of around ten to twenty thousand. Although she had been nurtured as a young lady for a long time, her expenditures were modest. Aside from not sparing expenses for art supplies, she held little interest in luxury items, instead, opting to spend a bit more on outings with friends to find good food.

As her roommates got to know her better, those aware of her background proclaimed her to be the most down-to-earth heiress they had ever met.

Hence, supporting herself was no issue at all, and over the years, she had even accumulated a tidy sum of savings.

Her secret personal treasury was becoming increasingly substantial.

Post-entry to university, her life became somewhat more liberal, especially after advancing to her sophomore year,

These days, she rarely saw Lu Zhihong at home. Sometimes, she would hear him making frantic phone calls as he walked down the corridor, not bothering to moderate the volume of his voice or mask his impatience.

A turning point seemed to be nearing.

Lu Nian remembered that in the decline of the Lu family, there was a critical juncture which also constituted a crucial point in the original novel where Qin Si finally seized control of the Lu family.

After all this time, her original memory had grown blurry, unable to pinpoint the exact timeline.

She only recalled that amidst the crisis faced by the Lu family, it took him less than a year to firmly grasp the reins of power within the family.

He managed to pull the Lu family back from the brink of bankruptcy, not only restoring but even expanding its former glory. Back then, even the united forces of Su Qingyou and Zhao Tingyuan, who had gotten married, couldn't manipulate Qin Si.

However, it was his sudden and unexpected death at the end that led to the ultimate collapse of the Lu family.

The cause of his death remained unclear, only speculated to be a probable suicide.

She was utterly clueless about how things would unfold this time around.

She basically had no contact with Qin Si now and had no idea what he was up to. According to Ming Ge and others, he hadn't returned to Ancheng for the past two years.

Yet sometimes, in the still of the night, she would dream of him as he was in his youth. They walked home together at night, passing through a small path swarming with fireflies.

"Nian Nian, Brother Zhao is here looking for you," Ding Ying whispered to Lu Nian as she came up from downstairs.

"Brother Zhao has been pursuing you for quite a while now, hasn't he?" Xu Mengyao asked.

"Brother Zhao is handsome, gentle, and comes from a good family," Ding Ying commented, "Nian Nian, why don't you just agree?"

As expected, it was Zhao Tingyuan. Lu Nian glanced at the text message on her phone, feeling rather helpless.

She couldn't decipher Zhao Tingyuan's intentions.

Lately, the frequency of his attempts to reach out had decreased significantly. There was a time when he would try to contact her almost every other day.

But supposing his intentions were indeed what she suspected, since Zhao Tingyuan had never openly declared his feelings, wouldn't it be somewhat presumptuous of her to reject him outright?

She could only try to maintain a degree of aloofness.

Even so, she had to maintain a certain restraint, especially considering the need to save face for Zhao Yayuan.

After all, they were biological brothers.

Moreover, Lu Yang kept praising Zhao Tingyuan incessantly and, from time to time, invited him over for dinner at the Lu family home, which made Lu Nian quite uncomfortable.

After all, it was her home, not Lu Yang's.

Lu Yang had now formally joined the Lu Corporation, holding a seemingly significant position. With Lu Zhihong being busy lately, he increasingly acted like the master of the Lu family.

As expected, Zhao Tingyuan was waiting downstairs and asked her, "Nian Nian, I don't have classes tonight, and looking at your timetable, you seem free as well. How about we go out for dinner? I have already booked a restaurant."

Lu Nian shook her head, "I have a group discussion tonight."

Zhao Tingyuan proposed, "Then, how about tomorrow?"

"Brother Tingyuan," Lu Nian said with a bite of her lip, "I don't really have any free time these days,"

Zhao Tingyuan's smile remained intact, "I know the lower grades get busy towards the end of the term. How about we postpone it until after your finals?"

Lu Nian remained silent.

She felt her intentions had already been made quite clear.

Zhao Tingyuan said gently, "I can give you time, but I hope you can give me a chance too, right from the time we met." He gave a helpless smile, "You seem to have been inexplicably avoiding me."

Lu Nian shook her head, "...No."

Zhao Tingyuan slowly said, "Or are you planning to go to Yayuan? I heard you guys bought a place outside?"

Actually, that was the house where Qiu Li currently lived. Since he had to take care of Qiu Lan in Ancheng for a long period, Lu Nian and Zhao Yayuan often visited when they had time.

Lu Nian's expression darkened, "Did you have someone investigate me?"

Zhao Tingyuan replied, "Yayuan is my younger brother. Naturally, I need to fulfill my responsibilities as an elder brother."

He continued, "If you truly have feelings for Yayuan, that's fine, I will step back."

"I have heard some internal news; the Lu family is not experiencing a peaceful period recently," Zhao Tingyuan said slowly, with profound implications, "If you really want to be with Yayuan, it would be best to act sooner rather than later."

These words thoroughly irritated Lu Nian.

"I am not interested in dating at the moment," Lu Nian said with a cold laugh, "And please, spare your concerns for the affairs of the Lu family. Yayuan and I are good friends, and even though you are his brother, I hope you refrain from spreading rumors and slandering our relationship in public."

This conversation was extremely unpleasant, almost to the point of a fallout.

Surprisingly, Lu Zhihong returned home that evening with a somber face, asking Lu Nian, "Did you have a fight with Tingyuan?"

Lu Nian was startled at how quickly he had found out, especially about such a matter.

"Our collaboration with the Zhao family," Lu Zhihong said impatiently, "is at a critical juncture now. What were you arguing with Tingyuan about?"

His face was clouded with anger, "I'll just be straightforward with you. In the future, you are to marry into the Zhao family, be it the elder brother or the younger, you can choose. However, since you've fallen out with Tingyuan now, it seems it will have to be Yayuan."

Lu Nian could hardly believe her ears, "Dad, marriage is a lifetime commitment. Yayuan might not even like me, and my feelings for him aren't of that nature either. Can we really just marry off because of the business collaboration between our families?"

"As long as you don't despise each other, that would suffice," Lu Zhihong remarked, "Affection can be nurtured over time."

He said irritably, "I've already given you plenty of time to get to know each other."

"Even when you were in high school, every time you visited the Zhao's, it was with my permission," Lu Zhihong said, "You're not a child anymore, you need to start thinking maturely and share your parents' worries. Besides, what's wrong with Yayuan? Stop speaking like a child."

Lu Nian was utterly unable to digest this revelation; her worldview had been shattered.

She began recalling numerous past incidents, the special treatment they received at the Zhao's, the visits from the Zhao parents, the expensive gifts during the festivals, and Tingyuan's regular visits.

Was it all for this? Did both Tingyuan and Yayuan know about this arrangement? Was she the only one kept in the dark, being fooled like an idiot?

Lu Zhihong had completely lost his patience, he instructed the maid regardless of the consequences, "Miaomiao, keep an eye on the young lady, have her stay here and think things through."

Miaomiao stiffened but managed to reply, "Yes."

The night seemed exceptionally long.

Lu Nian's phone had been taken away. She curled up blankly in her room, her mind a chaotic mess.

Lu Zhihong left the house.

What she hadn't expected, however, was to be awoken in the middle of the night by the blaring sound of police sirens.

The Lu residence's courtyard was filled with police cars for the first time.

"Several senior executives of Lu Corporation are suspected of financial crimes and have been arrested," a tall police officer displayed his ID and continued, "As the legal representative, Lu Zhihong also needs to come with us to assist in the investigation."

Everyone in the Lu house had been awakened by the commotion.

Lu Zhihong's face was ashen, but he tried to maintain a semblance of dignity as he was escorted into the police car.

The next day, the news spread, and the stocks of Lu Corporation plummeted.

The credit card Lu Zhihong had given her, which had no spending limit, along with all the bank accounts under Lu Zhihong's name, were frozen. Even the bank account where he frequently transferred money to Lu Nian was temporarily frozen.

Had the day finally arrived?

Lu Nian was still in a state of shock, unable to fully grasp the situation.

With the savings from her painting sales, she could sustain herself, but what about Xiaoqiu... His health was fragile, and Lu Nian always feared something might happen to him. She had plans to take him away from the Lu family and had been working hard to save money.

She hadn't anticipated that everything would happen so fast.

It seemed everything was unfolding just as it had in the original story plot.

The next day, Lu Zhihong did not return.

He Tian had already rushed back to her maternal home at the first opportunity, taking all her valuable jewelry and accessories with her.

The entire Lu family was in chaos. When Lu Nian saw the news about her family online and read the abusive comments below, her mind became increasingly muddled.

She remembered that in the original book, it was Qin Si who took over the Lu family in order to seek revenge at this time, eventually helping them sail smoothly through the crisis.

But now, as for Qin Si, she didn't even know where he had gone or what he was doing at the moment.

It seemed like he had completely vanished from the face of the earth. His college classmates mentioned that he had already graduated early after completing his credits ahead of time.

Given their previously thin relationship, that confession which could hardly be considered a confession, and an accidental kiss, would Qin Si be willing to come back to help her?

On the third day, Lu Zhihong finally returned from the police station. Subsequently, he suffered a heart attack and was rushed directly to the hospital, without even returning home.

Lu Nian went to the hospital as well, witnessing the haggard and pallid face of Lu Zhihong.

She loathed Lu Zhihong, ardently wishing to escape his control. However, given the current developments, she found that she couldn't muster any happiness at all.

She dared not spread word of these events, especially to Qiu Li. She was extremely torn.

Lu Zhihong moved his lips faintly, “Get in touch with the Zhao family... Ya Yuan…”

His breath was fleeting, and Lu Nian could barely make out his words, feeling exceptionally pained in her heart.

Given the current situation, what grounds did she have to approach the Zhao family?

Her phone rang at that moment, and Lu Nian saw the name displayed.

Zhao Ya Yuan.

Holding her phone, Lu Nian was at a loss whether to answer or not. She recalled the words Lu Zhihong had uttered three days ago, instructing her to marry Zhao Ya Yuan, to exploit their family’s wealth and power, aiming to leverage this to tide the Lu family through the crisis.

Even now, he hadn't abandoned this plan.

She didn't know how to discuss such matters with Zhao Ya Yuan.

She answered the call.

A familiar voice came from the other end, asking succinctly, “How is your father now?”

Lu Nian replied, "Not good... He is still overly concerned about the company affairs, only wanting to return, but the doctor said he must be hospitalized for at least a month, and the investigation hasn't concluded yet..."

Tears welled up in her eyes but refused to fall.

She didn’t know why Zhao Ya Yuan chose this particular moment to call. Finally, she said, "Ya Yuan, if my dad approaches you or your family in the next few days with some strange requests, please don't take them seriously. Feel free to reject them."

Zhao Ya Yuan furrowed his brows.

"Are you talking about the engagement?" he asked, cutting straight to the point.

Lu Nian was stunned.

"It has nothing to do with my family," Zhao Yayuan said, "I have always been quite fond of you."

Lu Nian, with tears still welled up in her eyes, was completely taken aback.

Zhao Yayuan had always been throwing around some casual remarks to her. Knowing his personality, Lu Nian eventually took them all as jokes.

Zhao Yayuan continued, “Assuming we get together, we wouldn’t have to worry about family issues in the future. My parents, your father, Xiao Qiu, they would certainly all support it, and our personalities mesh pretty well.”

He added, “Look at me, I’m not exactly unattractive, right? Maybe my personality is a bit lacking, but I can work on that in the future.”

Lu Nian’s mind grew even more chaotic, “Yayuan...”

"If I want to help you, we can only get engaged first," Zhao Yayuan stated, "Otherwise, my parents won't agree, as not all of my family's company assets are under my control at the moment."

Even now, the engagement was something he would have to fight for.

The situation in the Lu family was truly perilous. As Zhao Yayuan saw it, even if his family extended their assistance, it would be limited and essentially too late to turn the tide.

Marriages amongst affluent families usually lacked true affection. It was just the harsh reality. Once the mutual benefits ceased, everyone would instantly become strangers.

However, his parents were not completely heartless. As long as Lu Nian agreed, there was still room for maneuver in this situation.

Even if the Lu family fell, he could still ensure Lu Nian’s well-being.

Lu Nian bit her lip.

"It's alright, you don't have to force yourself. It's just an engagement after all," Zhao Yayuan reassured her, "I am not some lecher who would take advantage of someone's distress."

Hearing his tone, the gloom that had enveloped Lu Nian for so long finally began to loosen.

She said, "Please don't tell Xiao Qiu about this for now."

"I might move in with him in the next few days," she said hesitantly.

Zhao Yayuan responded, "Ok, is there anything else you'd like to instruct?"

Finally, Lu Nian said, "...Thank you."

"Let's skip the formalities," Zhao Yayuan said, "About the engagement, have you agreed to it?"

Lu Nian bit her lip, "Once my father wakes up, could you visit him in person and have a chat with him?"

Zhao Yayuan’s voice carried a smile, "Of course, what's stopping me from meeting my future father-in-law?"

Lu Nian remained silent, "..."

"If you need anything in the coming days, feel free to call me," Zhao Yayuan said.

Chaos had completely engulfed the Lu residence.

The master of the house lay unconscious in the hospital, the lady had left overnight, and the servants and the butler had started to take leaves one after another.

She was only a junior in college, unexpectedly thrust into this turmoil, utterly overwhelmed. However, she was now the only one capable of handling the situation.

Only Miaomiao remained. She didn't know how to console Lu Nian, finally offering, “It's just an investigation, and the master is only implicated, not convicted. I believe he wouldn’t have done such things.”

Against all odds, Lu Nian found her mind to be extraordinarily clear, “We will wait for the results.”

She continued, “No one will be staying in this house for now, Miaomiao. I need to temporarily dismiss all the remaining cooks and maids at home. In a few days, people will come to gather evidence.”

She had another place outside, capable of accommodating her and Xiao Qiu.

That was a property purchased with her savings and Qiu Li's continuous financial contributions, conveniently located near the hospital. Unanticipatedly, it had now become their last refuge.

Lu Nian had always hoped to escape the constraints of the Lu family. She foresaw a looming catastrophe for the Lu family in the future but never imagined she would be engulfed in such sentiments when it actually transpired.

The affairs of the Lu family became explosive news in Ancheng.

In affluent circles and within the industry, it was the topic of discussion on everyone's lips.

The Lu family’s courtyard was tightly sealed off.

A black sedan silently pulled up at the front gate.

"No entry allowed here." The gate was manned by a middle-aged

Uncle

The courtyard had evidently begun to show signs of decay and neglect.

The bespectacled man had no inclination to engage in a dialogue; he succinctly handed over a bundle of cash, prompting the gatekeeper to swiftly open the gate.

Thunder echoed intermittently, the estate remained silent, the drizzling rain accentuating an indescribable sense of desolation and decline.

A young man stepped out of the car, holding a black umbrella, standing silently within the courtyard.

His hand, gripping the umbrella, revealed distinct knuckles. He slightly tilted his head upward, casting his gaze towards the main house of the Lu family, now steeped in melancholy darkness, with every window draped and no sign of life or light within.

Beneath the umbrella, half of a handsome face was revealed, featuring pale red, thin lips. His collar-length black hair had been dampened by the rain, imbuing him with a hint of moisture and an aura of piercing coldness.