Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Zhao Residence.

Jiang Wenyin was finally persuaded to return home. The door at the end of the hall was tightly shut. Zhao Tingyuan accompanied Zhao Rulan as they walked out, the latter’s brow furrowed deeply.

The Zhao family was currently in turmoil. As they walked along, there was hardly anyone conversing, creating a dreadfully stifled atmosphere. The reason being none other than the issues surrounding the youngest and most favored son of the Zhao family.

Zhao Quan had always lived a healthy lifestyle, spending an hour every morning practicing Tai Chi in the garden. Afterwards, he would return to enjoy a pot of tea and listen to music, a routine he had maintained for thirty years without change.

After finishing his practice, he returned to his room, where Zhao Rulan stood respectfully before him, saying, “Father.”

Zhao Quan glanced at him, “Still refusing to eat?”

“Mm,” Zhao Rulan nodded, hesitating before saying, “Father, if Yayuan truly likes the girl from the Lu family, perhaps we should just let it be.”

Zhao Quan snorted disdainfully, “Let it be? This is a matter of a lifetime. He is just naive and doesn't understand the gravity of the situation now. He will definitely regret and blame us later. What's wrong with the girl from the Xu family? We're just asking him to meet her, not to risk his life.”

Zhao Rulan remained silent.

Zhao Quan had been stubborn for most of his life; Rulan was used to it. He just couldn't help but feel sympathy for his equally stubborn younger brother.

Zhao Tingyuan said, “Grandfather is right. Yayuan is just too young, spoiled too much by mother. He will eventually mature, and all of this is for his own good.”

Zhao Quan sighed in relief, “You're only two years older than Yayuan, yet he seems to be far less sensible compared to you.”

He then said to Zhao Tingyuan, “You will be in charge of the deal being discussed with Mingheng next week.”

A hint of joy flashed in Zhao Tingyuan's eyes.

“Also, regarding your wedding,” Zhao Quan inquired, “How is Qingyou doing now?”

“I accompanied her to the hospital just yesterday,” Zhao Tingyuan replied, “Everything is normal.”

“It would be good to get married and have children soon,” Zhao Quan remarked, “So you won’t have to worry about these matters while focusing on your career in the future.”

Before leaving, Zhao Quan still called Zhao Tingyuan back, “Go and persuade your brother.”

The old man of the Zhao family had been stubborn his whole life, but now he was truly at a loss regarding his youngest grandson, “If the girl from the Xu family isn’t suitable, then so be it. Let him meet whoever he wishes to see. Just ask him to stop behaving this way, it's turning the whole family upside down, it’s disgraceful.”

A smile crept across Zhao Rulan’s face, and Zhao Tingyuan said, “Alright, I’ll go tell him right away.”

Zhao Quan cursed under his breath, “That damned fool.”

At the eastern end of the Zhao house, there was a small room, with a tightly closed door. There was only one window in the room, and the interior housed nothing but a bed and a chair, the simplicity verging on barrenness, a stark contrast to the rest of the Zhao residence.

Zhao Tingyuan asked the servant guarding the door, “Is Yayuan still refusing to eat anything?”

The servant nodded, “He refuses to speak as well, and does nothing all day.”

Zhao Yayuan had always been frail since childhood, unable to withstand such turmoil. Jiang Wenyin had cried several times in the past few days, the entire Zhao household was in a state of chaos.

That day, it was Zhao Quan who personally brought Zhao Yayuan back from the Lu family, instructing him to meet with the young Miss Xu family.

The grandfather and grandson had the fieriest argument in history. Zhao Quan was so angered that he almost had a cardiac event. Eventually, he ordered for Zhao Yayuan to be confined in the small room, prohibiting him from attending school until he reflected on his actions and showed remorse.

Zhao Tingyuan opened the door.

The light inside the room was very dim, and as expected, Zhao Yayuan was asleep.

That beautiful face had thinned considerably, pale in appearance. He squinted to shield from the light, looking coldly at Zhao Tingyuan.

Zhao Tingyuan pulled over a chair and sat opposite him, "Yayuan, I just met with Grandfather, and your behavior has deeply saddened him."

Zhao Yayuan responded coldly, "I too have been deeply hurt by all of you. Why don't you mention that?"

"Why are you all interfering so much in my life?" Zhao Yayuan questioned, "Is this the Qing Dynasty, or the 21st century?"

Zhao Tingyuan said, "Yayuan, think for yourself. Growing up in the Zhao family, have you not benefited from the family's grace? The family provided for your necessities, granting you anything you desired and offering you the best conditions for anything you wanted to pursue. Your parents have spoiled you so much, why are you causing such a fuss with the family over a woman?"

He didn't believe that Zhao Yayuan was that in love with Lu Nian.

"We are all doing this for your own good," Zhao Tingyuan said, "Stop being so rebellious. Go and meet with Xu Cuo, have a good talk. She is not any less than Lu Nian..."

Zhao Yayuan's expression had matured considerably. He gave a faint smile, his lips curving up slightly, "Brother, are you truly looking out for my best interest?"

Under the dim light, his smile carried a sense of unfamiliarity.

Zhao Tingyuan suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

Zhao Tingyuan had no choice but to say, "Grandfather said you can go out now, Yayuan, please stop causing trouble."

Zhao Yayuan got up from the bed, with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "Oh, causing trouble? You think I'm causing trouble?"

"Don't expect to control me," he said.

...

Back in his own room, Zhao Tingyuan felt extremely frustrated.

Soon, a servant came to open the door, "Miss Su has arrived."

"Still grappling with Yayuan's issue?" Su Qingyou, who was approximately two months pregnant, appeared slightly fuller, embodying a gentle and virtuous demeanor. She sat beside Zhao Tingyuan and asked softly.

"Yes," Zhao Tingyuan replied, "The entire family has spoiled him, making him utterly unmanageable."

"Is Yayuan really so fond of Lu Nian?" Su Qingyou was clearly a bit surprised.

Zhao Tingyuan said, "I know Yayuan well. He's just throwing a tantrum with the family, using the matter with Lu Nian as an excuse to vent his excessive temper."

"There's nothing more to say." He clearly did not want to discuss the matter any further.

Su Qingyou laced her arm through his, "Lu Yang plans to visit Lu Zhichong and Lu Nian at the hospital tomorrow. Xiao Ran will accompany him."

Feng Xiao Ran is Lu Yang's fiancée.

"Hmm."

Once Lu Zhichong is completely beyond redemption, and Lu Yang takes over the control of the Lu family, they can continue to foster their collaborative relationship. Simultaneously, with the support of the Lu family, it will greatly benefit his next moves.

Su Qingyou's family doesn't really bring much to the table.

In reality, if Lu Nian had agreed to marry her back then, choosing the Lu family would have been a better option compared to the Su family.

Then, Lu Zhichong wouldn't have had to face this kind of turmoil.

"Has Lu Yang told you what the new shareholder named Qiu Fan intends to do?" Zhao Tingyuan asked, "He has a Ning Sheng background, doesn't he? Why is he so interested in Lu Zhichong?"

Ming Hong, the boss of Ning Sheng, has no familial or personal ties with them, and bears no grudges or grievances. He doesn't even have a personal relationship with Lu Zhichong. No matter how hard he tries, Zhao Tingyuan really can't figure out why Qiu Fan has chosen to oppose them at this time.

Su Qingyou said, "Let's leave it to Lu Yang to handle for now. We'll meet again next week to discuss further."

As she kissed the man's lips, Zhao Tingyuan embraced her.

Everything was going according to plan, but now, the sudden intrusion of Ning Sheng has left him extremely irritated.

Noticing his reaction was not as vivid as usual, Su Qingyou's eyebrows furrowed slightly. She said nothing more, her right hand gently caressing her abdomen.

The brief hand-holding didn't last long.

Qin Si's hand was cold to the touch, with distinct knuckles and a thin layer of calluses on his fingertips; capable of entirely enveloping her hand, it instilled an unusual sense of security.

Lu Nian suddenly found something rather amusing.

It was somewhat comical that she found security in a man who was inherently cold-natured and capable of abruptly leaving her for years, wasn't it? Was this a mockery or her own sadness?

The two returned home together, and Lu Nian felt considerably more at ease.

There are still many things she needs to undertake now, she had become fearful, afraid to immerse herself too deeply.

She feared that he might, once again, suddenly leave for many years; despite her prolonged advances, this was the outcome.

She felt that this man was as unpredictable as the wind, and as elusive as a thin, cold cloud, masking his heart from view.

"Regarding the matters of the Lu family, you don't need to consider my feelings," Lu Nian softly spoke, "Just do what needs to be done."

Qin Si doesn't owe her anything, after all.

That previous impulsive kiss, in retrospect, was initiated by her; Qin Si never promised her anything from the beginning to the end.

Now, their positions have reversed; in their youth, Lu Nian took the initiative to approach him without any reservations, but now, she couldn't help but overthink.

Initially, he thought there had been some progress, as she seemed willing to let him touch her.

Lu Nian might not realize it, but the simple act of holding her hand openly and intimately, just the thought of it, slightly intoxicated him.

Lu Zhihong had already agreed, but given Lu Nian's current attitude, it seemed inappropriate to bring up the matter of marriage again.

Hearing her words now, he came to his senses.

He probably realized that his approach was somewhat flawed, but he had never been in love before and didn't know how to pursue someone who had been on his mind for so long.

"I need to get up early tomorrow," said Lu Nian, "So I'll head to bed now. Don't stay up too late, and remember to take your medicine on time."

He rarely ventured into the area where Lu Nian's bedroom was located.

She neither allowed him in nor to get too close. Over these days, their most intimate contact was probably that brief hand-holding.

At night, after settling company matters, he found Lu Nian already asleep, her bedroom door firmly shut.

He glanced at Huang Mao's message, changed his clothes, quietly closed the door, and left home.

It had been quite a while since he had met Huang Mao and Xiao Qu. They hadn't changed much, and seemed to be living even more comfortably than before. Huang Mao even had a girlfriend now, finally shedding his perennial bachelor status, and was planning to have a wedding banquet this year.

"Yo, Brother Qin, long time no see!" greeted Huang Mao upon seeing him, "Man, you've become even more handsome, haven't you?"

He was already quite handsome during his youth. Now, with the youthful awkwardness gone from his features, he appeared even more striking, albeit with a hint of a rakish charm.

"I heard from Ming that you're living with Nian now? Things are progressing fast, huh? Why didn't she come with you tonight?"

Qin Si replied, "She's asleep."

"So, it's true that you two are living together?"

He paused for a long moment before responding, "Hmm."

Thinking about the previous unfulfilled engagement between Zhao Yayuan and Lu Nian left a feeling of discomfort in his heart.

He wanted to propose marriage directly to her, but judging by Lu Nian's current demeanor, he wasn't sure how to broach the subject.

"You're planning to propose to Sister Nian," said Huang Mao, "You aren't her father, you should start with courting her first."

Huang Mao continued, "Let me tell you, now that you're living together, you have plenty of opportunities. Look at me and Lanlan; we met through a shared rental, and now she's my girlfriend."

"How did you woo her?" he finally asked.

Ming, who was mixing drinks, turned around and sarcastically remarked, "I never thought I'd live to see the day when you'd become enlightened!"

The prospect of guiding Qin Si excited Huang Mao, who straightened up and cleared his throat, "First and foremost, be kind to her. That's the most important thing."

"Next, shower her with sweet words," Huang Mao advised, "You need to let her know you love her. At any rate, a confession is necessary; you can't keep it bottled up."

Huang Mao (Yellow Hair) pulled out his chat logs to show off to everyone.

"Sweetheart, are you up?"

"Baby, have you gone to bed now?"

"Just an hour apart, and I miss you again. How will I manage without you in the future?"

...

The young man's attractive eyebrows twitched imperceptibly, and he threw the phone back.

Xiao Qu explained on his behalf, "Brother Qin finds it nauseating."

"What's there to find nauseating?" Huang Mao retorted, "Bro, you obviously haven't been in love before. Isn't love all about being clingy? Wanting to be together all the time and uttering all sorts of mushy words?"

"Moreover, when pursuing a girl, you need to take the initiative," Huang Mao continued, "Say all the sweet words you can think of."

"When I was courting my girlfriend, I bought her breakfast for a whole month, waiting for her every day outside her office, picking her up and dropping her off morning and evening," Huang Mao boasted proudly, "On Valentine's Day, I bought her 99 roses and even wrote her a letter..."

Xiao Qu interjected, "Skip the cheesy love lines teaching, will you?"

"But, Brother Qin, I believe you need to exhibit a more proactive attitude," Xiao Qu suggested, "Give Nian Nian a sense of security, let her know what you truly feel in your heart."

Ming Ge commented with a tone of disdain, "With his way of speaking, better if he keeps it to a minimum. As long as he doesn't infuriate sister Nian Nian to death, it's good enough."

"Maybe being mute would actually lead to a faster success rate."

He fell silent.

After the gathering ended, he returned home to a pitch-dark interior.

Lu Nian was sleeping soundly.

He lingered at the entrance of her bedroom for a long time, suddenly recalling the absurd things he did during his youth, and couldn't stand there a moment longer.

Returning to his room, he found himself unable to sleep until very late that night.

Lu Nian rose very early the next day.

Surprisingly, Qin Si had not yet awakened. Not wishing to bother him further, she left the house on her own.

She planned to visit Lu Zhihong at the hospital and then head to the school in the afternoon.

Unexpectedly, before she could enter, she encountered a familiar face outside the patient's room.

It was Lu Yang, accompanied by a woman with a tall, voluptuous figure and a fair complexion, albeit with fine eyebrows and delicate features, her makeup was flawless.

Since the incident with Lu Zhihong, Lu Yang had disappeared for a long time. Lu Nian had never initiated contact with him either. She couldn't figure out why he would appear here today.

"Nian Nian." Lu Yang spotted her too.

Is this Lu Nian?

Feng Xiaorang cast her a glance.

She had heard about Lu Nian before, and now seeing her in person, she indeed was beautiful, the kind of beauty capable of beguiling men.

But, a phoenix that has fallen is no better than a chicken.

She maliciously thought that with such beauty, if she intends to maintain her previous pampered lifestyle, she'd probably end up being manipulated by men eventually.

Lu Nian didn’t want to converse with them further; she nodded slightly, planning to enter the sickroom.

"Nian Nian, I am truly sorry about your uncle," Lu Yang said, "I have been too busy lately, overwhelmed with company matters and haven't had the time to visit you. I am doing my best to find ways to assist your uncle."

Lu Yang had had a turbulent time recently, with the affairs of the Lu family seemingly spiraling out of control. Qiu Fan, clearly aligning with Lu Zhihong, opposed him at every turn. Behind Qiu Fan stood Ning Sheng, effectively hampering Lu Yang's efforts and causing frustration at every juncture.

Despite having no personal grudges with Qiu Fan, Lu Yang had subtly hinted at a potential collaboration before.

Qiu Fan merely shrugged, his expression a blend of amusement and seriousness, "The boss personally ordered it, Mr. Lu, I'm afraid it's quite regrettable."

He suspected that the 'boss' mentioned wasn't Ming Hong, but rather the mastermind behind Ning Sheng pulling the strings.

However, Lu Yang had absolutely no clue about the identity of this individual.

The person had never appeared publicly, nor was there any information available - age, background, everything remained a mystery.

Finding himself at a dead end, Lu Yang had researched extensively before finally considering approaching Lu Nian.

"Nian Nian, has anyone approached you recently?" Lu Yang asked cautiously, "Have you heard of Ning Sheng Capital?"

Lu Nian, "……"

Her hand still on the doorknob, she responded with an icy demeanor, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Feng Xiaorang was displeased with her attitude.

Initially a wealthy heiress, now reduced to exploiting her own beauty.

The secretive boss behind Ning Sheng was reportedly a lecherous old man. There was nothing enviable about becoming a mistress or being kept by someone like that.

"What's with the high and mighty attitude?" Feng Xiaorang snapped, "Is this how you speak to your brother and sister-in-law? Didn't your parents teach you how to speak properly?"

Although Lu Yang remained silent, he did not restrain Feng Xiaorang.

Lu Nian stood there, stunned.

Having a gentle and pure nature since childhood, she rarely engaged in conflicts. Especially facing a brash woman like Feng Xiaorang, she found herself blushing furiously, at a loss for words.

Feng Xiaorang didn't finish her sentence.

A series of footsteps resounded from behind.

A tall young man appeared at the end of the corridor, shielding Lu Nian behind him, he looked at her indifferently, "Who are you to lecture others here?"

Lu Nian didn't know why he came at this time, stumbling upon this scene felt like their family scandal had been exposed, leaving her feeling both embarrassed and ashamed momentarily.

Feng Xiaorang was momentarily at a loss for words, initially stunned by his good looks, but his words quickly reignited her anger. She was about to throw a tantrum, but Lu Yang stopped her with a stern look.

It had been a long time since Lu Yang saw Qin Si.

He didn't know what Qin Si was doing nowadays, but instinctively felt a bit wary.

"Long time no see," Lu Yang managed a forced smile, "When did you return to Ancheng? Where are you working now?"

Qin Si didn't respond.

"You have the time to come here," he remarked with a smirk, though there was no mirth in his eyes, "Is Li Wenjun not keeping you busy enough, or have you already taken care of Qiu Fan's matters, giving you time to create a ruckus here?"

Li Wenjun was indeed the focal point of the troubles Qiu Fan had been causing him these days.

Lu Yang's lips quivered, his face turning pale, "What... what is your relationship with Ning Sheng?"

Remembering Qin Si's previous attitude towards Lu Nian, everything seemed to connect. The truth was almost surfacing, though it was so absurd that he barely dared to believe it.

The young man's eyes were narrowed, his voice serene yet indifferent, "Whatever you think the relationship is, it is."

Lu Yang looked grim, and Feng Xiaorang was also rooted to the spot in shock.

The young man, dressed in a black coat, stood tall and elegant. His demeanor as tranquil as a snowy pine, making his ethereal beauty even more pronounced. His aloof and proud aura was extraordinarily distinct, yet his dark eyes were like frozen lakes, betraying no emotions.

Feng Xiaorang's mind was a whirlpool of confusion.

From their conversation, could it be that this young man was the rumored boss behind Ning Sheng?

Wasn't he supposed to be a greasy old man with a mind full of vulgar thoughts according to the rumors?

Moreover, judging by his behavior towards Lu Nian, it didn't resemble a sugar daddy relationship at all. On the contrary, it seemed reversed - she was the superior, he the subordinate.

Lu Nian had already fallen from grace, why could she still receive such treatment from him?

Lu Yang pulled Feng Xiaorang over, "Apologize to Nian Nian."

Grinding her teeth, Feng Xiaorang reluctantly muttered a low, "Sorry."

Lu Nian pursed her lips, uncertain of what to say.

"Can't even apologize properly?" The young man's voice was icy, "Didn't your parents teach you how to speak decently?"

Feng Xiaorang's face alternated between shades of green and white.

Qin Si had a venomous tongue; when he turned cold, he could be truly terrifying.

"Let it be." Lu Nian finally regained her composure, she whispered, reaching over to lightly grasp his hand.

But after all, this was a public place; she didn't want to stoop to Feng Xiaorang's level by engaging in a petty argument with someone like her.

The girl's fingertips were soft.

The harsh aura surrounding him dissipated, and as he reached to hold her hand tentatively, finding no resistance, he gently brought it closer, warming it in his palm.

Lu Yang hastily left with Feng Xiaorang, practically fleeing in disarray.

Qin Si's identity had not been made public, even Lu Yang was unaware, which somewhat surprised her. It seemed casual to reveal such a secret here, considering its importance.

"I didn't see the necessity before," Qin Si remarked, "There wasn't anything specifically unspeakable."

Over those years, he had lived incognito, and had grown accustomed to it, finding it somewhat more convenient in the outside world.

Lu Nian felt slightly uncomfortable and quickly released her hand, which Qin Si did not pursue further.

With downcast eyes, he observed her, quickly replaying their earlier conversation in his mind.

He feared that some careless remark might have upset her.

She was almost entirely unfamiliar with the dealings of the business world and had no idea to what extent Qin Si had progressed in his career.

Yet suddenly, she remembered the heights he had reached in the world they originally inhabited, and felt that all of this was not at all surprising.

"Thank you, for earlier," Lu Nian said.

"You don't need to concern yourself too much with me," she added, "to the point where it affects the operation of the company."

She didn't want to owe him too many favors.

"Lu Yang needed to be dealt with a long time ago," he said, lips pursed, "It's not just for your sake, Ning Sheng has shares in Lu Corporation too."

This man, it seemed, would never learn how to say sweet nothings.

Rational, icy, akin to the blade of a knife.

It was still that familiar scent.

Lu Nian curved her lips, an emerging smile somewhat ironic.

She hadn't smiled like this in a long time. He stared into her eyes, finding them filled with laughter, reminiscent of the moon. It was the smile that had haunted his dreams since his youth.

"What's the matter?" asked Lu Nian.

His ears tinged a subtle red as he averted his gaze, remaining silent.

Lu Zhihong is in good condition.

Lu Nian returned to the school in the afternoon and came back to Qingfeng Court in the evening.

Initially, she thought Qin Si wouldn't be there, until she saw him in the living room.

She found it odd, wondering why he had so much free time.

Shouldn't Qin Si be quite busy nowadays?

After attending classes all afternoon, she felt very tired.

Her health was already not at its best; these days, both her physical and mental burdens had become too great due to overexertion.

During dinner, seeing her somewhat pale complexion, he finally spoke, "You should rest early."

Lu Nian shook her head, "I have to work on the drafts tonight."

He fell silent.

Now he could take care of her, having the ability to protect her fully, but would she accept it?

Suddenly, he understood a bit of the feelings she must have experienced back when they were young, when the gifts she offered him were met with cold rejection.

Lu Nian didn't eat much for dinner.

She forced herself to polish the previous draft a bit.

She couldn't hold on any longer, feeling her head heavy and dizzy, with her stomach also being quite uncomfortable, she could only finish washing up and head to bed.

In the middle of the night, she woke up abruptly, feeling the sweat on her forehead, she coughed a couple of times, got up to grab a thermometer and checked, indeed she had a fever, thankfully the temperature wasn't too high.

She had felt a bit cold during the day, probably catching a chill from wearing too few clothes while sitting in the classroom.

She got up, intending to go to the living room for a cup of hot water.

The door to the study opened, and there he stood at the doorway, the light from within the room casting a gentle glow upon her.

Lu Nian, "..."

"It's nothing," she said, a bit embarrassed, "I just got up to have some water."

Before she could finish speaking, she coughed again.

"..."

He saw her flushed cheeks and the sweat on her forehead.

He pursed his lips and turned on the overhead light, "What's the temperature?"

Lu Nian could only report a number, "It's nothing, just a low fever."

Each time the seasons change, she finds herself catching a cold. She's grown accustomed to it, but now, without Miaomiao by her side, her ability to look after herself has waned considerably, given her upbringing as a young lady.

"We have fever reducers at home," he said.

"You didn't eat much at dinner," he noted, "this medicine is irritating to the stomach, you can't take it on an empty stomach."

In a low voice, Lu Nian remarked, "...I feel like having some porridge, I can't stomach anything else."

Dinner was delivered to the doorstep, and it was delicious, yet, she really didn't have any appetite.

But now, it was late into the night, already midnight.

Lu Nian had no skills in cooking. She stood at the kitchen entrance, watching him roll up his shirt sleeves, getting busy with the ingredients.

Although she knew well in advance that Qin Si could cook, every time she witnessed it, it seemed nearly unbelievable.

She often felt as though there was nothing he couldn't do.

"You should rest first," he said, somewhat stiffly.

Being observed by her wide-eyed gaze like that, no matter how many times, would always make him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Mhm," Lu Nian responded, holding the cup, her steps floating as she returned to her room.

She dozed off for a short while.

Her phone buzzed with a message, "Can I come in?"

Right, Lu Nian remembered, she had laid out rules for him: not to enter her bedroom, not to touch her, and to maintain a distance of over 1 meter at all times.

...

She bit her lip, responding with a, "Mhm."

The door swung open.

Still lying in her bed, she slightly propped herself up. Her voluminous long hair cascaded over her left shoulder, a few strands resting on her collarbone.

The young man half-kneeled beside her bed, placing the water and medicine to one side.

"Didn't have time to cook it for long," he said, eyes cast downward, "make do with a bit."

Despite what he said, it looked rather appetizing, even accompanied by a couple of dishes to whet the appetite.

When one is ill, they tend to be exceptionally frail.

Lu Nian obediently got out of bed to eat. Her fingers were somewhat feeble, grasping the porcelain spoon, her skin as white as snow, it was unclear which appeared more delicate.

Her lips parted slightly, the fever-dried lips now regained a lush, rosy moisture.

He took the empty bowl from her, setting it aside before handing over the warm water and medicine.

Lu Nian currently didn't have much strength, docilely letting him take care of her.

Her reliance on him stirred a somewhat pathological sense of satisfaction within him.

He was more than willing.

Just hoping it could be like this for a lifetime.

"Didn't you say in the past that you don't provide services?" Lu Nian suddenly remarked, her tone leisurely, "Told me to seek others, love whoever I want."

In his younger years, Qin Si used to infuriate her to no end on a daily basis. His words were venomous, his demeanor cold as unmeltable ice. For a long time, she genuinely felt that Qin Si despised her. So, for several years, she didn't even muster the courage to approach him.

He kept his eyes cast downward, remaining silent.

Lu Nian gazed at the ceiling, "Now, why the change?"

Qin Si remained silent, "......"

"Could it be that you've cultivated this trait?" she seemed to mutter to herself, "Or were all the things you said before not to be taken at face value? Were you just deceiving me... trying to hide something?"

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his lean jaw clenched tightly, his cheeks flushed uncontrollably.

She leaned in closer, her voice tinged with laughter, "Is it?"

The collar of her loose pajamas slipped slightly, revealing almost the entire snowy white collarbone, emanating a faint, youthful sweetness, her almond eyes gleaming enticingly.

It felt like a continuation of the events that happened in the nebulous dreams, where in a small inn, she pinned him beneath her, extending into the dream's aftermath.

His body tensed, eyes still cast downwards, unable to utter a single word.

A version of Qin Si that vastly differed from his usual demeanor, only visible when they were alone together.

Having just eaten and taken her medication, her symptoms, which were not severe to begin with and mainly due to exhaustion, seemed to have mostly alleviated, leaving her feeling quite rejuvenated.

She had always been fond of this side of Qin Si, but he hid it too well. She couldn't quite figure out the precise way to hit his weak spot, a puzzle she had been trying to solve since her teenage years. Sadly, in their arguments, Lu Nian never managed to win.

She wondered if the current him had undergone any changes.

However, before she could further appreciate the moment, the world suddenly plunged into darkness.

He raised his hand to switch off the light, leaving only a dim night lamp glowing, the room instantly bathed in a deep shadow, obscuring everything from view.

"What are you trying to do?" Lu Nian sounded slightly displeased.

Just now, it seemed she had briefly reclaimed some of the sensations from their youth, the feelings that accompanied their time spent together.

Now, she could only see a vague silhouette.

The sweat on her face from the fever was slowly wiped away by a warm wet towel, his fingers long and cold, his presence enveloping her.

His voice was low and raspy, "...to serve you."

In the dim light, Lu Nian couldn't discern his expression, only feeling as if she herself had turned into a bright red lobster.

The author has something to say:

Si Si Zai is really too shy, with a stubborn mouth that can't let loose.

Only when the lights are turned off does he dare to flirt a little (well, he's actually just speaking the truth).

Tsundere, tsundere, behind the arrogance is a tender side, just wait for Nian Nian to train him slowly, hehe.