Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Thus, the couch descended into chaos, the two people entwined as one. His laptop fell onto the carpet, issuing a soft noise as the screen automatically went dark. Yet, no one noticed.

The couch seemed remarkably narrow at this moment. He was freshly bathed, the tips of his hair not fully dry, emitting a faint cedar-like fragrance. Lu Nian was enjoying herself, reaching around to caress the nape of his neck, her fingers playing with the ends of his damp hair. It felt nice, the strands smooth and cool to the touch. His low murmurs were quickly suppressed.

She nestled completely within his embrace, reminiscent of a fallen star or a fluttering wisp that was elusive and ungraspable.

"Next week, I'll have lots of new material to sketch!" Lu Nian exclaimed, tilting her head, her little feet casually extending and nudging, as she scrutinized the man beneath her with a professional gaze.

He was unaware of what she was drawing, nor did he understand the connection between her artwork and him.

He had known from early on that pursuing art was her dream.

A sweet torment.

...

Until finally, Lu Nian was content, rising from his form.

"I'll go get ready for bed now."

Qin Si, "…"

He swiftly glanced towards the bedroom, wondering how the sleeping arrangements would be sorted for the night, yet clearly, he chose not to voice it.

Lu Nian coughed lightly, "During the trial period, good behavior might earn an upgrade. Haven't we unlocked the ability to share a bed yet?"

She bowed her head, sketching and scribbling for a while, soon extending the tablet in front of the man, displaying her work.

The writing was cute and graceful, clearly delineated into three color-coded levels.

Living together.

Holding hands.

Embrace.

Kiss (I kiss you).

You can kiss me.

...

Intimacy.

Lastly, Marriage.

Seeing this, a flush of red tinged his ear tips.

He felt that the order of marriage and becoming intimate was reversed, but Lu Nian didn't seem to find anything amiss.

"Good behavior could earn an upgrade," Lu Nian explained, pointing at the drawing with hands behind her back. "On the flip side, poor behavior results in a downgrade."

"How to upgrade? Well, of course, I am the one scoring. Sweet words will earn you points," Lu Nian articulately echoed the tone he used that day, "'If you've become so desperate...' Mentioning this again, you know whether it's a point addition or subtraction, right?"

Qin Si, "..."

"Therefore, sharing a bed isn't on the cards for today; don't even think about any mischief."

"...I wasn't thinking about it," he somehow managed to retort stubbornly.

Quite impressive.

Lu Nian, "Alright then, I'm off to bed. Goodnight."

His clothing was somewhat wrinkled from the prior tussle on the couch, hints of red at the corners of his eyes. Below his collar, a large swath of fair skin was exposed.

"It's reversed," he suddenly stated, his voice somewhat hoarse.

Lu Nian, "?"

Avoiding her gaze, his lips tightened, "The order of marriage and intimacy, it's reversed."

Lu Nian, "..." was he actually this conservative?

She was now uncertain about marriage but was contemplating when to completely win him over, considering that appetites are a part of human nature too.

The conservatism Qin Si displayed towards these matters took Lu Nian somewhat by surprise. She suddenly remarked, "I assumed you were more worldly."

With eyes averted, he turned his face away, suddenly stating with indifference, "I am not worldly."

Understanding something doesn't necessitate participation.

Currently, these intimate moments were only shared with her, or rather, in his youth, only she could stir desires within him. During his younger years, all his curiosities, desires, and fantasies were exclusively reserved for her.

In reality, he was a person of restrained desires and pure thoughts.

Due to a complex childhood, he matured at an early age.

The things he witnessed during his childhood, the ghastly sight of entwined naked bodies, made him nauseous. Even as a little boy, his excessively pretty face had attracted trouble. Thus, he honed his skills in fighting, being ruthless not just to others but to himself as well.

Once, such experiences sickened and repulsed him, creating an instinctive aversion to intimate contact with anyone besides engaging in fights.

... And she says he's sensitive.

His lips twitched, perhaps only in her presence.

"Qin Si, before coming to my place, did you visit another family?" Lu Nian asked cautiously after mulling it over for a while, "Did something happen?"

Lu Nian knew that he would become tight-lipped when faced with questions touching upon his childhood and adolescence.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Lu Nian said.

Lowering his eyes, he surprisingly responded with a light tone, "The stay was unpleasant, so I left on my own."

He took the initiative?

Lu Nian was somewhat surprised; he had endured the days at the Lu residence, what then had he encountered at the previous household?

He shielded himself too rigidly, still instinctively rejecting their approach even now.

This wasn't something that could be resolved overnight, Lu Nian thought.

That night, they slept in separate beds, separated by a thin wall.

"Goodnight, probationary boyfriend." She sent Qin Si a message before sleep.

She attached a cute picture she had drawn herself – a goodnight bunny emoji.

Exclusively for the 'boyfriend', clicking on that collection would reveal the name.

Lu Nian couldn't help but imagine Qin Si's expression at that moment.

She snuggled into her blanket, her eyes curving in a smile.

What to do, she found herself increasingly fond of teasing him. She realized he was actually quite thin-skinned. Whenever she approached a bit closer, uttering slightly affectionate words, his reactions were rather exaggerated, yet he stubbornly tried to suppress them, not letting her notice.

It was... exceedingly enticing.

She couldn't help wanting to 'bully' him even more.

Lu Nian couldn't believe she harbored such malicious intentions.

She browsed the internet, casually scrolling through her sea rabbit account, and after some thought, uploaded a photo. It was a candid shot she had taken of Qin Si while he was working earlier.

A man's hands rested on the keyboard, a very handsome pair of hands, from the clean complexion to the distinct knuckles; just by looking at the hands, one could infer that the owner must be a rather refined young man.

The crucial point is, it's now the middle of the night.

The fans are exploding with excitement.

"Ahhhh, it's so late, and suddenly we're being fed with some late-night PDA!"

"For the first time in so many years! Has our lady finally ended her singlehood?"

"Has the lady gotten herself a boyfriend? Or is it a husband?"

"Those hands are incredibly stunning!"

"Who is this? Is this the one from before, the alleged prototype for Hei (a character's name)? Ohhh, just for those hands, momma approves already."

Lu Nian browses through continuously.

She responds to a comment about the "boyfriend".

——Still in the 'evaluation phase'.

Afterwards, she put away her phone with a satisfied smile.

However, in the comic, Hei and Bai (character names) haven't even held hands yet.

It's their own fault for being so introverted.

The next day, as Lu Nian was heading back to school, Lu Zhihong messaged her halfway, mentioning that he happened to be at An University and wanted her to come to see him.

Lu Zhihong had been quiet for quite a while recently. Lu Nian didn't know what kind of trouble he was planning to stir up this time, but she couldn't help feeling uneasy, so she decided to pay him a visit.

Inside the restaurant, Lu Zhihong tossed a stack of photos onto the table.

Lu Nian glanced at them, noting the various unique angles in which each photo featured Qiu Li.

Her pupils dilated slightly, "Dad, what's going on?"

Lu Zhihong knew about Lu Nian's memory loss, a situation he orchestrated himself. Therefore, it was normal for her not to remember Lu Zuo, possibly due to Zhao Yayuan's involvement.

Suppressing his excitement, Lu Zhihong asked calmly, "Who is this person?"

As expected, Lu Nian replied, "A friend, Yayuan's friend. We have a good relationship."

"I am aware."

"Dad, where did you get these photos? Why were you taking pictures of him?" Lu Nian inquired.

"The photos were given to me by someone else," Lu Zhihong observed Lu Nian's expression, "They mentioned having seen you staying over there at night before."

Lu Nian, "......"

She had been occupied with her painting, a venture from which she derived some income. This was something Lu Zhihong was not entirely aware of. Only a few of her closest and most trusted friends knew about her interactions with Qiu Li. Regarding the exact nature of her relationship with Qiu Li, it seemed that apart from the two of them, only Zhao Yayuan and Qin Si were privy to it.

She felt a tumult of emotions within her.

Suddenly, she remembered an odd incident. Zhao Yayuan called Qiu Li to complain, remarking about how, for some unknown reason, they had invited Lu Zhihong to the wedding, making the situation extremely awkward. Qiu Li found it both funny and frustrating, and shared this peculiar story with Lu Nian. At the time, Lu Nian also found it strange, as she hadn't received an invitation, yet inexplicably, Lu Zhihong was invited.

Now, she had an unsettling premonition.

"At some point, why not invite him over for a meal at our place?" Lu Zhihong suggested with a pleasant expression. "You have visited him before, haven't you? It could serve as a way to express gratitude."

He was currently both nervous and excited, uncertain if this boy named Qiu Li was indeed A Zuo.

If it turned out to be true, the Lu family would have a successor. Then he could focus his life on striving to reclaim everything, to pass it onto A Zuo, to find him a powerful ally for a spouse, to bear grandchildren, and to secure his old age.

It had been a long time since Lu Zhihong meddled in her affairs, mainly because he was preoccupied with his own problems. This sudden development caught him somewhat off guard.

Lu Nian didn't know what to say, her mind in a turmoil. She brushed off Lu Zhihong with a few noncommittal remarks, claiming she felt unwell and needed to use the restroom. In the restroom, she sent a message to Qiu Li, "Xiao Qiu, Dad has somehow found out about you. He is not aware that I already know about your situation."

Qiu Li responded quickly, "Nian Nian, don't let him find out. I don't want to return to the Lu family, nor do I want to see him."

This stance was completely consistent with Qiu Li's previous position. He genuinely detested Lu Zhihong and held no affection for him whatsoever. Lu Zhihong had never taken care of him even for a day during his childhood. The reason for his unwillingness to have another child over the years had been revealed by his already divorced ex, He Tian, becoming a simmering rumor within the high circles of Ancheng.

Both Qiu Li and Lu Nian were no fools and began to piece together the truth, especially after getting confirmation from Zhao Yayuan.

This made them fully understand why Lu Zhihong's attitude towards them had undergone a drastic change, causing Qiu Li to feel even more disillusioned.

He was unwilling to return and become a puppet for Lu Zhihong. He even contemplated taking Lu Nian with him.

"I won't tell him," Lu Nian typed hurriedly, "Xiao Qiu, be careful these days. Be vigilant of any suspicious individuals when you go out. Otherwise, perhaps stay at Yayuan's place?"

She quickly recalled Lu Zhihong's strange behavior and the bizarre wedding invitation. She immediately retracted her previous message, "No, also be wary of the Zhao family. I suspect that Dad's sudden change is due to someone informing him about something during that wedding at the Zhao's residence."

Qiu Li responded, "Alright."

He continued, "I don't have classes these days. I will stay home."

Not stepping out of the house.

As Lu Nian stepped out, Lu Zhihong was still waiting outside. Under his scrutinizing gaze, Lu Nian called Qiu Li. After a brief conversation, she said, "Dad, actually, I'm not that close to him. If you want to meet him, why not ask Yayuan directly?"

Lu Zhihong didn't seem as disappointed as she had anticipated, merely smiling, "Alright, I will visit him personally at some point."

Lu Nian remained silent, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease under his smiling gaze.

"How have things been with Xiao Qin recently?" he asked again.

Assuming that he was pressuring her into marriage again, she was reluctant to elaborate, offering a nonchalant, "It's going alright."

"Don't overthink it. If you're not interested, just reject him," Lu Zhihong advised.

Lu Nian remained silent, not offering any response.

"He is after our family's company," Lu Zhihong stated. "I never mentioned this to you before, but now I am considering giving it another shot to find you a more suitable marriage partner. There is no need to lower oneself and comply with his intentions."

Lu Nian could only respond with a laugh of disbelief.

The speed of his change in attitude was even faster than the face-changing technique in Sichuan opera. His ability to spin tales with a straight face had certainly reached a masterful level.

Lu Nian calmly said, "I understand him better than you do. And Dad, surely you don't still believe that he needs to get close to me to establish a foothold in the Lu family business?"

Lu Zhihong looked somewhat disheveled.

"I have absolutely no interest in your company," Lu Nian declared, "I only want to do what I enjoy."

Lu Nian added, "Who I like and who I associate with has nothing to do with you. I hope you will stop infringing upon my personal freedom."

She stood up, clearly indicating that the meeting was over.

Lu Zhihong followed her out, accusing, "Has your confidence grown so much that you no longer listen to your father?"

Lu Nian attempted to shake off his grasp. They were at the university, surrounded by people coming and going. Fang Deng, who was carrying his laptop to class, noticed them from a distance and shouted, "Hey, what's going on over there?"

Lu Zhihong, being a person who cared about his public image, felt embarrassed to pursue further.

Lu Nian, with her head lowered, gently rubbed her wrist, marked from Lu Zhihong's grip.

Fang Deng looked at her and quietly asked, "What happened?"

"It's nothing," Lu Nian shook her head, suddenly adding, "Don't tell Qin Si, okay?"

After all, this matter was a family affair involving Qiu Li's feelings and intentions. She didn't want to drag Qin Si into it too deeply.

She wanted to have a face-to-face talk with Qiu Li, but hesitated to approach him, fearing that Lu Zhihong might discover some traces of their meeting.

Fang Deng hesitated, eventually saying, "If he doesn't ask, I won't mention it."

...

In reality, Lu Zhihong's recent bizarre behavior was noticeable without anyone pointing it out.

He started to covertly manipulate some affairs within the company, attempting to curry favor with some individuals, particularly those veteran employees without Ning Sheng backgrounds.

"Young Boss, what's gotten into your father-in-law all of a sudden?" Ming Hong couldn't help but find the situation somewhat amusing.

Did he think they were all fools?

"I don't understand. The old man only has one daughter, and now as he ages and his health declines, once Nian marries you, won't everyone be one big family? Things were fine before, so why this sudden change?"

The young boss definitely wasn't coveting anything from their family; in the end, everything would still belong to the Lu family, only now enriched by a son-in-law with remarkable talents. He really couldn't comprehend Lu Zhihong's current mindset.

Fang Deng hesitated but ultimately chose not to mention the incident he witnessed at the doorway the other day.

The young man looked down at the documents, offering Fang Deng a quiet glance. Fang Deng cleared his throat awkwardly, trying his best to avoid the young man's gaze.

He replied indifferently, "I don't care who ends up owning the company."

Indeed, given the current stature of Ning Sheng, the declining Lu family could only serve as a foil, and might even drag Ning Sheng down. He had the confidence to voice such sentiment.

"What should we do then?" Ming Hong inquired, "Just let him continue like this?"

He shook his head, "Don't take any action against him for now."

"Ok, anyway, he can't cause any significant waves," Qiu Fan said.

"About the company's affairs," Qiu Fan began with a hint of reluctance, "Should we just leave things hanging? It’s also a waste of our resources, Miss Nian has clearly stated that she doesn't want to get involved, so what do we do moving forward?"

Qin Si responded, "I have someone in mind."

Qiu Li had been home alone for the past few days. After receiving that call from Lu Nian, he felt a kind of suffocation that he couldn't put into words. He truly never wanted to see Lu Zhihong again in his life.

This time, when he saw the unfamiliar number flashing on the caller ID again, he recognized the ending digits and hesitated for a moment.

Picking up the call, Qiu Li was somewhat tense, mainly on guard. He didn't know what the other person intended to do. From the first time he saw Qin Si, who was then a youth with gloomy eyes, he had instinctively been on his guard.

Qin Si, always a man of few words, got straight to the point, "Do you want to take over your family's company?"

The young man's voice wasn't cold as expected; it traveled through the phone line, leaving Qiu Li stunned.

He said, "Lu Nian will marry me in the future."

"She doesn't want to deal with the company's affairs. If you're willing, you can take over."

Qiu Li, "..."

Qin Si continued, "During this time, she won't be staying at your place anymore. She will live with me."

Qiu Li's fingers twitched slightly.

He gave a bitter smile, "Are you implying that I should exchange my sister for the company? What do I need this company for?"

To become a puppet once more?

The young man's voice was icy cold, yet had a deep magnetic texture, "I didn't mean it that way, I just think this proposal is very beneficial for you."

"You have shown interest in corporate management and even took relevant courses; the operations of the Lu family's business are within your area of expertise," he stated matter-of-factly, "Lu Zhihong will trouble you soon. If you don't want to end up in a passive position, accept my proposal."

"I know, you are not resistant to the idea of managing the company."

"It's just the idea of being controlled by Lu Zhihong that you are resisting," he said calmly, "No one here will dictate you, and if you agree, Ning Sheng will gradually divest and withdraw."

Qiu Li, "..."

Qiu Li realized why he disliked interacting with him.

He was overpoweringly dominant, always dissecting situations with crystal clear analysis. When Qin Si negotiated matters with others, he never played the emotional card. Instead, he calmly delineated the pros and cons, employing coercion and enticements with an array of tactics to achieve his desired outcome - like an emotionless machine governed solely by logic.

Qiu Li, "...was it my sister who told you?"

The young man’s expression remained calm, "No."

A wave of relief washed over Qiu Li.

"Have you been in contact with Zhao Ya Yuan recently?" he inquired further, "If you are considering helping him in the future, accepting my proposal would be in your best interest."

Zhao Ting Yuan was weaving a web, intending to entangle them all in it.

Qiu Li responded, "...not in the past few days." But he found this to be normal; during busy periods, it was not unusual for them to go a week without calling each other. Male friendships were not as clingy as female friendships, after all.

"Advise him to be careful," Qin Si advised.

At first, Qiu Li thought this was a veiled threat, but upon further reflection, it didn't seem to be.

Qin Si had always demonstrated maturity in handling affairs and maintained a consistent sense of pride. Qiu Li believed he wasn't someone who would stoop to making petty threats. When he said to be careful, he probably meant it sincerely.

Returning to the conference room.

Fang Deng queried, "Boss, what should we do about the Zhao family? Keep a close eye on them?"

"Keep tabs on Zhao Ya Yuan."

"Zhao Ya Yuan?"

He wondered why Qin Si, who had always disliked Zhao Ya Yuan, would suddenly mention this.

"Someone in the Zhao family is planning to stir up trouble."

Su Qingyou and Zhao Ting Yuan were merely looking to exploit the remaining influence Lu Zhihong held in the Lu family to cause further disturbances, something he didn't particularly concern himself with. Currently, Zhao Ya Yuan seemed to be the one in a precarious position.

Having listened to the entire conversation.

Fang Deng couldn't help but click his tongue, "That woman is truly vicious. After all, Zhao Ya Yuan is her husband's younger brother. Is she planning to take the initiative to completely ruin him?"

Ming Hong, "..." It wasn't likely to go to such extremes.

"The matter regarding Lu Zhuo was also leaked by them," the young man reclined in his chair, stretching his long legs out with a somewhat languid demeanor.

Ming Hong was puzzled, "What does this have to do with Lu Zhuo?"

Fang Deng, however, seemed to grasp the underlying implications.

Qin Si didn't elaborate much, simply stating, "Regarding Zhao Ya Yuan, have someone keep a watch on him."

After concluding the meeting.

"Boss, you're going to teach at An University?" Fang Deng asked, somewhat incredulous. He was also an alumnus of An University, currently holding the title of a graduate student, though he scarcely spent any days on campus, attending classes as he pleased.

"Keeping someone company."

In reality, he was going to accompany Lu Nian. On a sudden whim, she asked if he was free in the afternoon, suggesting they could visit An University together, attend a class, and then head home side by side.

Staring at the word "home" on the screen for a prolonged moment, he eventually typed a single word in response: "Yes."

Lu Nian had already purchased two cups of coffee and was waiting for him by the roadside. It was a spontaneous decision, she had merely sent Qin Si a brief message, inviting him to join her for a class.

Spotting him from afar, she waved energetically in his direction.

In fact, neither of them was particularly old. Lu Nian, of course, blended seamlessly into the campus scenery. Today, Qin Si was dressed in a plain hoodie and trousers, appearing youthful and somewhat aloof when not in formal attire, his exceptional demeanor was clearly visible.

Lu Nian was a literature major, attending a class titled "Poetry and Songs from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties." It was an elective she chose, primarily because it was an easy-going class with a lenient professor, and usually, only a handful of students were present, leaving the classroom somewhat sparse.

The two sat next to each other, but not too closely, exchanging neither lingering glances nor many words, resembling two classmates who weren't particularly acquainted.

Lu Nian had brought a notebook. Just as she prepared to take notes, she suddenly found amusement in nudging the notebook towards him, gesturing with a tilt of her chin.

Since they were there to attend a class, they might as well enjoy the full experience.

Needless to say, her eyes twinkled playfully as she tilted her head, offering him a soft smile before quickly resuming a formal posture, pretending to be strangers once again.

He had caught onto her game.

The young man silently took the notebook, continuing the notes from where she left off in the previous class.

Unexpectedly, halfway through the class, the teacher picked him to answer a question.

"Young man, we were just discussing the characteristics of Yuan Hao Wen's poetic style. Could you share your insights on this topic?"

Lu Nian struggled to suppress her laughter. To her, Qin Si was a pure science student with no apparent knowledge of ancient literature. Yet, seated there, he resembled an exquisite painting, elegant yet reticent.

Lu Nian recalled how he had always been ahead of his peers academically, even attending a top domestic university. His studious demeanor probably prompted the teacher to question him.

Lu Nian anticipated a moment of embarrassment on his part.

Standing up, the young man spoke succinctly with a cool and detached tone, demonstrating surprisingly insightful remarks, nearly mirroring the teacher's previous points.

"Very well answered," the teacher praised, satisfied. "I haven't seen you around before, are you from the Literature department?"

Lu Nian thought, "...?" How did he resemble a literature student? Literary students surely would have a more eloquent way of speaking, not irking others with each uttered word. At least they could mimic the love letters written by great authors, it wouldn't be this bad.

"No, I am from a different department, just auditing the class," he replied.

The teacher seemed quite moved, encouraging, "You seem to have a good grasp of the material. If interested, you might consider taking more courses from our literature department in the future."

Lu Nian was puzzled, wondering how their conversation had evolved to this point.

Then it dawned on her that Qin Si had an excellent memory, capable of retaining information at a single glance. She wondered how she had forgotten about this trait of his over time.

The class extended through the afternoon with a short break in the middle. Despite the brief ten-minute reprieve, aside from those who left to refill their water bottles, everyone remained in their seats, engrossed in their books.

When Qin Si settled back into his seat, Lu Nian tilted her head to observe his profile, and impulsively picked up a pen to gently poke his hand. Feeling the nudge, he turned his face slightly to glance at her, his gaze serene.

Not stopping there, Lu Nian stealthily shifted closer to him, her toes playfully nudging his leg under the table, and then tenderly rubbed against it.

His eyelashes fluttered, his face betraying no signs of the playful exchange, although the tips of his ears had turned a noticeable red.

She was rather fond of witnessing his earnest, aloof, and indifferent demeanor.

It became even more interesting when contrasted with his usual behavior in their private moments.

"Excuse me," a female student from the next seat couldn't hold back any longer. Qin Si was quite eye-catching, especially in the Faculty of Literature, where male students were a rare sight. She had been noticing him for a while and now couldn't bear seeing Lu Nian's teasing antics. "You're disturbing this student's concentration in class."

With a mischievous smile, Lu Nian asked, "He actually enjoys it, don't you think?"

The girl exhibited an extraordinary blend of a gentle smile and playful tone against her fair complexion, embodying a distinctive charm that somehow harmonized what should have been conflicting traits.

Qin Si, "…"

His silence signified tacit indulgence.

"I apologize for the interruption. I'll have a word with him later," Lu Nian said solemnly.

The girl felt rather embarrassed, not expecting them to actually be a couple; they didn't seem to match at all.

The notes he had taken for her were neat and clear, the handwriting distinctly elegant.

As the pair exited the academic building, the setting sun cast a warm glow that bathed the surroundings in golden hues.

"How have your years at A University been?" Lu Nian suddenly inquired.

"Attending classes, going out for internships," he replied. "Mostly, I cycle to and from the campus."

Always in a hurry.

Courses like the one Lu Nian had today were not in his schedule, which was meticulously planned to accumulate graduation credits as quickly as possible. He scarcely had time to appreciate the scenic campus, always rushing against time.

Willing to share glimpses of those years represented progress, thought Lu Nian.

At home, he truly enjoyed the lively and warm atmosphere. While he worked, Lu Nian would be sketching nearby, occasionally offering comments.

Recently, Lu Nian seemed to have started treating the apartment in Qingfeng Court as her own home, bringing in numerous personal items. The reed flower oil painting she had crafted, now hanging prominently in the living room, exhibited grace and allure.

Their belongings were increasingly intermingled, mirroring the genuine coupling of two people growing closer.

Returning home in the evening, Lu Nian felt an inexplicable surge of excitement. She lounged on the sofa, her delicate feet playfully dangling, and suddenly queried,

"Do you remember the time you tutored me in a subject?"

He shifted his focus from the screen, "Yes." He remembered clearly, it was during the summer following his high school graduation.

Lu Nian murmured, "I know that back then, you wanted to please Lu Zhihong and sought an internship at Lu's company, that's why you came to tutor me."

He fell silent; indeed, he had said those words.

"You even said something like..." Lu Nian reminisced, imitating the aloof and arrogant tone of the young man, "'Do you think I want to tutor you? I am only here because your family offers a high salary'."

The more Lu Nian recalled, the angrier she became, "When did you start liking me? Was it after spending a few years away, suddenly experiencing a crisis of conscience?"

Your attitude was so terrible back then, and you suddenly left, only to return and suddenly be so kind.

Qin Si pursed his lips, "...Times have changed, and naturally, thoughts change as well."

Lu Nian, "..."

This was not the answer she was hoping to hear.

"So, Qin, have you completed the homework assigned today?" She tossed her paintbrush aside, and her identity flipped instantly, "If not, Teacher Lu will give you a lesson, free of charge."

"You are quite enticing today," she said with a twinkling smile, "The beautiful girl next to you glanced at you quite a few times and even came to ask me for your contact information later."

Suddenly, there was a warm and fragrant person nestled in his arms. He swallowed hard, "I didn't notice."

Indeed, he hadn't noticed at all; he was focused on the lecture, taking notes, and attentively watching her on the side.

"Do you like it?" She teased him with her tiptoes.

Her feet were snowy white and delicately petite, and she didn't have much strength. This gentle nudge didn't hurt at all.

Qin Si, "..."

"I don't," he admitted, somewhat flustered.

Lu Nian tilted her head, "Don't like it?"

"Pretending to be prim and proper," she whispered as she sat on his lap, "I see you... you're clearly very comfortable."

He doesn't admit it verbally, but his body is quite honest.

Only then did he realize that her line of thinking had taken a massive leap; the "liking" she was inquiring about now was not the same as before.

"If you can't teach, I'm leaving," Lu Nian attempted to stand up.

His jaw tensed, fingers gripping tightly as he pulled her back, his voice was husky and low, he uttered two words, "I do."

He has liked her for many years, cherishing everything she has given him.

His erstwhile arrogance had disappeared, his heart and eyes were filled only with her, willingly and wholeheartedly for her.

Lu Nian, with a beaming smile, propped herself up and threw herself into his arms, snuggling comfortably against him. The girl was soft and petite, emanating a gentle, fragrant warmth, "I like you a lot too," she whispered.

……

Everything felt like a dream, a dream that stretched on for so long, beginning from their youthful days, filled with subtle yet unspeakable fantasies and long-repressed desires.

If she was merely toying with him, and he had to retract all of this, he thought, even if it meant plummeting into irrevocable ruin, he would take her along with him.

Author's note:

After the wedding.

Nian Nian laughed with a mischievous and unrestrained charm, "… like this, is it comfortable?"

Four-four kiddo, "."

In reality, judging by the reactions would be okay, his body is excessively honest, but Nian Nian insisted on making him verbalize it, hehe.

A sinister taste in fun.

Training progress bar: 50%