Chapter 56

Chapter 56

The weather was getting hotter day by day, with waves of cicada chirps filling the air.

Not long after the Zhao family wedding, Su Qingyao could no longer conceal her growing belly. She finally admitted that her family had a history of premature births, causing the entire Zhao family to be on high alert.

Many baby clothes and items were already prepared at home, everyone standing by ready for the imminent arrival. As expected, Su Qingyao went into labor earlier than the anticipated due date.

That day, the atmosphere in the Zhao residence was exceptionally tense. Only the housemaids and servants remained at home, while everyone else accompanied them to the hospital. In the delivery room, the first cry of the child was heard, and only when the doctors confirmed that both the child and the mother were fine did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

At last, a successful birth, with both mother and child safe and sound.

It was the generation of the Zhao family to receive names with the character "Xiu", and the young master was named Zhao Xiuyi by Zhao Quan personally.

The baby had a clear and handsome appearance but was born with a frail constitution, arriving before full term. Consequently, Zhao Xiuyi stayed at the hospital, looked after in an incubator, unable to return home with them.

Su Qingyao recovered quickly. She did not breastfeed, entrusting the child to the care of nurses, nannies, and a host of eager elders from the Zhao family. Her current status at home had risen to the top echelon, being treated as a meritorious figure in the family.

Zhao Yayuan also visited the hospital, observing the baby's wrinkled little face with complex emotions.

He harbored no affection for Su Qingyao, but this child was, after all, his biological nephew, sharing the bloodline of the Zhao family.

He initially thought that he would despise children, but seeing the baby now, it wasn't as distasteful as he had imagined.

Zhao Yayuan had rushed back from Haicheng. Recently, he had been constantly on the move, seldom staying in Ancheng.

During Su Qingyao's pregnancy, Zhao Tingyuan had always been at home accompanying her, doing nothing else, whereas Zhao Yayuan, after graduating from university, did not pursue further studies but joined the family business. Starting from the ground up, he worked diligently without complaints of hardship or fatigue.

Zhao Yayuan exhibited the temperaments and habits of a young master; when out and about, one could easily identify him as a noble and wealthy young man. However, he was a peculiar type who lacked the typical arrogance of a young master. He was straightforward, efficient in handling matters, and rarely discriminated against others based on social status, making him a likable figure to many.

Zhao Tingyuan, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Though he didn't display the arrogance of a young master, he rarely managed to truly integrate and interact with ordinary people.

He had been negotiating a project recently, the tourism development project in Nanqiao.

A few years ago, Zhao Yayuan assisted in the renovation of Nanqiao station. Over the recent years, that project was completed entirely, making the transportation in Nanqiao more developed than before. Having spent many years in Nanqiao, he was familiar with the locale and trusted by the local residents. This understanding of the circumstances, coupled with past collaboration experiences, worked to his advantage.

Therefore, this collaborative project was going smoothly, the contract had been signed early on, and the development was proceeding without a hitch.

Many people were very optimistic about its prospects, given Nanqiao's verdant hills and distinctive folklore.

Zhao Yayuan cared for this place, focusing on high-quality tourism instead of massive, destructive developments and flashy promotions.

"Yayuan has made significant progress recently," even Zhao Quan praised him.

Now that he even held his grandson in his arms, he felt that if he could arrange a satisfying marriage for Zhao Yayuan next, his life would be completely without regrets.

"Yayuan indeed did a great job with that project," Su Qingyou commented, "I'm also very optimistic about it."

Zhao Tingyuan wasn't very receptive to such words, and thus fell silent, not responding.

Observing his expression, Su Qingyou said, "Don't worry, after all, Grandpa still prefers Xiuyi, and since Xiuyi is the first grandson of our generation, the family will certainly prioritize him."

Zhao Tingyuan frowned, "In the future, assuming Yayuan takes charge, can he truly let us off? If he figures out the truth behind the matter with Lu Nian, he might detest us, not to mention our involvement in exposing his friend's identity to Lu Zhihong."

"Moreover, with Qin Si currently overseeing the Lu family, it's not exactly legitimate," Zhao Tingyuan noted, "Lu Zhihong founded the Lu family business; now that it has grown and expanded, it cannot simply be handed over to an outsider."

"That's the idea," Su Qingyou said gently.

She had just returned from a walk outside. Su Qingyou had gained some weight after childbirth and had been strictly controlling her intake recently, "It's almost settled. Uncle Lu is willing to help us, but he has a request. He hopes we can provide him with a paternity test for Qiu Li, to confirm his identity as Lu Zuo."

"Where are we going to get his hair from?"

"Invite him to our home," Su Qingyou suggested, "There's no rush. If at any point Yayuan... needs it, he will surely come to visit."

Zhao Tingyuan looked at his wife; Su Qingyou was smiling, gently pulling his hand.

Not long after their marriage, the young bride Huang Mao found herself pregnant. Huang Mao has been bustling about enthusiastically, enjoying the double joy of the happy occasions around him. He has been contemplating opening another restaurant to supplement the household income. In his words, the business he's in is inherently unstable, and with a wife and child to consider, he wants to provide a better environment for them in the future. Hence, he feels the need to strive harder at this moment.

Riding on Huang Mao's wave of enthusiasm, Ming Ge seized the opportunity to initiate a new chain for his own bar.

His bar has garnered a decent reputation in Ancheng, bringing in an impressive income. Each outlet is managed by dedicated and hardworking managers. Due to their strenuous efforts, Ming Ge, the owner, has found himself feeling a bit lonely and empty, with some free time on his hands.

Ming Ge, now in his thirties, is an orphan, unmarried and without children.

Nowadays, there are quite a number of women willing to be with him given his wealth, yet Ming Ge remains unmarried.

Reflecting upon his journey from once owning a shady internet café and a potentially failing roadside bar to his current success, he can't help but feel moved, especially seeing the lively renovations of the new outlet.

Lu Nian gifted him a painting she created, titled "Bar Maiden", which embraces a touch of post-modernism. Ming Ge thought it was quite attractive and cultured with a mysterious vibe, and he praised it, intending to hang it prominently at the entrance of the new bar.

With a light course load in graduate school, Lu Nian now has the time to assist with the design work at Mingge's bar whenever she can.

Her aesthetic sense is superior, and she's adept in various art styles. The new venture of Mingge, although still in its infancy and not yet fully constructed, already emanates a vastly different ambiance compared to its predecessors. In Huang Mao's words, it has transformed from a dowdy place to a trendy haven.

Mingge is thoroughly pleased and insists on compensating her for the design work. However, Lu Nian graciously declines, stating, "Mingge, it's already a great privilege for me to have the freedom to create here. There's no need for any payment."

Mingge disagrees, emphasizing, "Your creations are beautiful, far from a mere doodle."

Qin Si just arrived from the office, and upon entering, he notices the two immersed in a discussion about wall designs. Standing unnoticed in the shadows, he observes them for a while.

Eventually, he steps forward. Mingge, gesturing animatedly, and Lu Nian, nodding in agreement, seem to be having a harmonious conversation, yet neither of them acknowledges him.

Qin Si, "..."

"Qin brother is here," Little Qu, who was carrying a case of alcohol from the neighboring room, is the first to notice Qin Si standing in the hall.

Only then does Lu Nian realize his presence, having been engrossed in considering the design proposals for Mingge.

"You're here quite early today," she remarks.

Mingge adds, "Yeah, what brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be at your company?"

Scanning the surroundings, Qin Si inquires, "Have the renovations finished? Are you working on the designs here now?"

"Not quite, but it's alright to get a head start on the designs. Hey, you just need to finance it when the time comes. You wouldn't understand these matters. Let sister Nian handle it," Mingge jests, gesturing grandly before resuming his joyful conversation with Lu Nian.

Wanting to finalize the design discussion with Mingge, Lu Nian tells Qin Si, "Hold on, let me finish discussing this plan first, then I'll keep you company."

He, "..."

The room is somewhat cluttered at the moment. Little Qu hurries over to sit with him, finding a cleaner corner to settle in.

"Qin brother, Huang Mao's wife is pregnant," Little Qu informs him, "He just accompanied her to the hospital for a check-up and everything is well. The due date is next spring."

"Mingge mentioned that we should all visit his home in a few years," adds Little Qu, "Will you have the time to join, Qin brother?"

"I'm free next Friday."

Little Qu is delighted, acknowledging that Qin Si has been increasingly busy lately and they haven't gathered together in a long time.

Over there, Mingge finally finishes his conversation with Lu Nian. As he approaches, he overhears Little Qu discussing Huang Mao's wife's pregnancy.

Mingge glances at the couple sitting opposite him and playfully inquires, "So, when do you two plan to start having one of your own?"

Lu Nian, "...", nearly spurts out her juice as she just sat down.

They are miles away from even considering marriage, let alone discussing having children now!

The thought of pregnancy, with its accompanying pains and discomforts, let alone the potential changes to her physique, daunts her. Given her fragile health, she fears she might not be able to withstand the risks associated with pregnancy.

"Well, you never know. Perhaps one day you'll forget to take precautions and find yourselves expecting," Mingge says with a cheeky grin, "By then, this place will be bustling with little ones running around everywhere."

He is nearing the age where he might start liking the idea of having children.

Qin Si, "..." He remained exceptionally silent, especially from the moment Ming Ge brought up this topic, and even more so when Lu Nian was earnestly engaging in the discussion with him.

At some point, Lu Nian excused herself for a while. He lifted his lashes and said to Ming Ge, "There won't be a pregnancy, stop discussing it."

Ming Ge said, "Why can't there be? An unexpected pregnancy wouldn't be bad, you guys can get married immediately..."

"There won't be any unexpected occurrences."

"How can you be sure there won't be any unexpected occurrences? You young folks are living together, a passionate combination," Ming Ge questioned, suddenly contemplating something, "Could it be that you are...incapable?"

Qin Si, "…?"

His gaze was rather intimidating.

An insight struck Ming Ge, and he blurted out, "Damn, don't tell me you're still a virgin?"

Qin Si put down the cup in his hand and coldly stared at Ming Ge, "Do you still want the money or not? If not, make it clear now."

Ming Ge quickly raised both hands in surrender, "Alright, alright, I won't mention it anymore."

This was truly miserable.

Why was this happening?

Ming Ge wondered if Lu Nian was unwilling? Observing her attitude during the conversation, she seemed to be quite an open-minded girl. Living together yet remaining physically distant, he couldn't help but ponder if they shared a bed at night. If so, that would be truly pitiful.

He started to feel sympathy for the "young bunny".

However, remembering Qin Si's past inconsiderate behavior, Ming Ge felt a sense of consolation.

It had been a while since Lu Nian and Qin Si had visited. Ming Ge didn't want them to stay too long at the construction site, so they returned to the original bar that Ming Ge first opened. It was now evening, and many customers were present. Ming Ge generously announced, "Fifty percent off for everyone today! Celebrating my brother's wife's pregnancy."

"The boss is so generous today!" Several regular customers exclaimed with smiles.

"Well, of course, it's my brother's joyous occasion," Ming Ge stated, casting a glance towards Qin Si and Lu Nian not far away, "If there's another happy event like this, drinks will be on the house for everyone."

A few people at a nearby table, who were drinking and playing poker, joined in the teasing, "Boss, do you have any other brothers? Need wives? I can arrange that."

Ming Ge replied, "No, no need. Don't try to disrupt their relationship."

Lu Nian, having been the gentle and obedient girl for many years, rarely had the opportunity to visit bars, except on a few occasions due to Qin Si.

Now, with him by her side, she felt more at ease and looked around with curiosity.

Like a curious kitten, she frequently asked about this and that.

"Shall we play poker tonight?" Lu Nian asked excitedly, "Are we betting money? I just learned the rules."

It would be her, Qin Si, Ming Ge, and Xiao Qu; four of them in total, which should be enough for a game.

"Do you know how to play?" Lu Nian asked Qin Si.

He responded, "A little."

Xiao Qu remained silent, "..."

Knowing that he could play, Lu Nian didn't bother to ask him for his opinion anymore. She knew he tended to indulge her in these small matters, so she turned to Ming Ge and Xiao Qu with eager anticipation, "Shall we?"

Xiao Qu hurriedly backed off, "Um... I'll pass."

Lu Nian looked a bit disappointed, "Why? Is it because I just learned and my skills aren't up to par?"

"No, it's because I can't compete with this guy," Ming Ge gestured towards Qin Si, "If you play cards with him, you might end up losing your shorts. He remembers every card clearly; playing against him is futile."

Lu Nian didn't know how to respond, "..."

Back when Ming Ge had just met Qin Si, there were many card players at the bar. Despite his young age, Qin Si had a fantastic memory and was precocious, often catching people off guard with his mature strategies, proving to be more challenging to face than most adults.

"His dice throwing technique is also quite elusive," Ming Ge recalled fondly, "In any case, he has a knack for everything."

He was adept at all these street hustles.

Society is a big melting pot, and growing up immersed in it allowed him to experience all sorts of things.

Lu Nian was listening intently, her almond-shaped eyes twinkling with curiosity, "Tell me more, Ming Ge."

She lost interest in playing cards; now, she only wanted to hear more about these old stories. She was very curious about how Qin Si spent his time before becoming a part of the Lu family.

The young man had an impassive expression on his face, feeling a bit embarrassed internally. He pursed his lips, "…There's not much to tell."

"But I find it interesting, and I want to know more about you," Lu Nian insisted, clinging to him, "Ming Ge mentioned your dice throwing skills. Can you show me? Just once, please."

She pleaded pitifully, showing her adeptness at acting coquettishly.

He remained silent.

The dice were held between the man's slender fingers, rotating effortlessly. His long fingers, appearing cold and delicate against the pale hue, looked exceptionally attractive. Holding two dice seemingly casually in his hand, he asked, "What number do you want?"

"Four," Lu Nian said enthusiastically, "A combination of two twos."

The dice were thrown, rolling and landing with the two upward faces showing a two on each, just as Lu Nian wished. Her eyes widened in awe, wishing she could applaud him, "That was amazing! How did you do it?"

"It doesn't work every time," he said, "It's just a small trick, nothing worth mentioning."

Lu Nian fell silent, "..." Perhaps due to her limited exposure, she had no understanding of this skill.

Ming Ge interjected, "He is indeed quite skilled."

"Back in the day, when he played at my bar, eventually no one wanted to play with him anymore," Ming Ge revealed Qin Si's old exploits.

"Eh," Lu Nian sighed, "I had no idea you were involved in all these things outside..."

"I did everything," the young man said, his long lashes lowered, "as long as it could make money."

"Later, with some capital, I could venture into many other things."

"Those were all gambits, low and vulgar, there's nothing to admire really." For someone who has struggled on the streets, the range of things he had learned back then was quite mixed. In order to survive, was there anything he hadn't done?

Lu Nian felt a deep ache in her heart, "Back then, you didn't accept my money."

She recalled many events, throughout her adolescent years, it was always her chasing after Qin Si's footsteps, trying all means to make his life a bit better. But from the pair of cashmere gloves to the later tuition fees, he was always so stubborn and distant, utterly refusing to accept her kindness.

"No," he said under the night wind that brushed past, his fingers tightened, finally verbalizing it, his voice somewhat hoarse, "...I did take it."

At that time, Lu Nian insisted on sending him money every month. He returned every penny later, but indeed, during his most difficult days, he accepted her help, used that money. Although the amount was small and he paid it back immediately, the proud young man at that time felt nothing but humiliation, devoid of all dignity.

Although Lu Nian didn't know about these events, she never used her favors to manipulate him in any way.

Back then, he couldn't face his own feelings head-on, he could only maintain his tiny bit of pitiful self-respect by distancing and being cold towards her.

Lu Nian mumbled and grumbled, obviously not paying attention and not admitting, "Where? You didn't take any, alright? You returned it all to me, I am not a loan shark, even coming to check on time."

Qin Si, "..."

The past, always a knot in his heart.

Walking side by side, Lu Nian held his hand, her fingers soft, under the moon's bright light.

He was so cold back then, especially towards her.

And now, the closeness between them seemed almost unbelievable to Lu Nian.

Moreover, hearing Ming Ge talk about some past events today, she realized how hard he had struggled at that time.

He felt somewhat embarrassed that she knew about those times, "I wasn't that pitiful back then."

Ming Ge just likes to exaggerate. Back then, he had a place to stay, food to eat, and sufficient clothes to wear. Although it was a bit hard, he was free and happy, those were already pretty good days.

But all that is in the past now.

The two returned home.

Nowadays, they usually sleep in separate beds. Occasionally, when Lu Nian is in the mood, she would tease him, keeping him awake all night.

Lu Nian believes that when the time comes, things on the bed would naturally happen. Qin Si feels that without a formal commitment of marriage, he wouldn't engage in such activities.

Their philosophies don't align, so even though they are close, they haven't crossed certain boundaries yet.

"By the way, Xiao Qiu will come over for dinner tomorrow," Lu Nian mentioned.

Qin Si didn't want her to visit Qiu Li, he only wished to have her stay with him.

Therefore, Lu Nian had no choice but to pamper her boyfriend a little, making sure to return on the same day whenever she visited Qiu Li. Due to the issue with Lu Zhihong, she was always somewhat apprehensive about Qiu Li.

Since that day, surprisingly, Lu Zhihong hadn't gone to harass Qiu Li anymore. This unusual calmness unsettled Lu Nian, prompting her to want to check on Qiu Li frequently.

Eventually, Qiu Li himself realized her discomfort with the back and forth travels and suggested it might be easier if he came over instead.

Qin Si remained silent, but he didn't object.

Qiu Li was Lu Nian's brother, a fraternal twin to be precise. The bond and unique closeness between them were apparent even after many years of separation, a form of intimacy that outsiders could not intrude upon.

Due to the issues with Lu Zhihong, revealing their relationship publicly became impossible, a sight that often left him feeling somewhat uncomfortable whenever he witnessed it.

When all is said and done, it was his insecurity that was acting up.

He had always felt insignificant in her life, fearing that Lu Nian could leave him at any moment.

The siblings hadn't seen each other for a long time, and Lu Nian was in high spirits, even going ahead to order dishes in advance.

He inquired about their dinner plans, asking if they should dine out.

"No worries, Xiao Qiu said he'll come over to cook," Lu Nian said with a smile. "He's become quite skilled in the kitchen."

He pursed his lips and nodded to acknowledge, then retreated to the study to work.

As expected, Qiu Li arrived on time. Being in someone else's home, and primarily there to visit Lu Nian, he maintained a gentle and restrained demeanor, treating Qin Si with respect and courtesy.

"I heard that the young grandson of the Zhao family has been born?" Lu Nian asked curiously,

While chatting with Qiu Li, he would sometimes mention the Zhao family, which naturally brought this piece of gossip to Lu Nian's mind.

"Yes, it's been a little while," Qiu Li nodded, hesitated, then glanced at Qin Si. Seeing no reaction from him, he continued, "Ya Yuan has been quite troubled lately."

"The tourism development project in Nan Qiao that Zhao's family is collaborating on was initially handled by Ya Yuan. However, recently, after Su Qingyou gave birth, Zhao Tingyuan expressed the desire to take over the project, replacing Ya Yuan."

Lu Nian frowned, holding her chopsticks, "Why? Ya Yuan has already done half the work, and it's in Nan Qiao. Does Zhao Tingyuan understand the nuances of Nan Qiao?"

"Because Ya Yuan hasn't been in the best health recently..."

Lu Nian was startled, "What happened to him?"

Qiu Li explained, "He had acute appendicitis not long ago. It was just a minor surgery, but given his frail constitution, he has been recuperating in the hospital for quite some time."

"I had no idea," Lu Nian murmured, feeling a surge of guilt.

"Ya Yuan is currently recovering at home."

"Xiao Qiu, why don't you invite Ya Yuan to stay with you?" suggested Lu Nian, "Staying at home at this time seems too unsafe."

The thought of Ya Yuan's original unfortunate fate came back to her, making her feel increasingly uneasy.

"I've arranged to visit Zhao's place to see him on Friday," Qiu Li said. "If he's willing, I'll invite him to stay over."

He glanced at Qin Si.

Qiu Li remembered, he had previously mentioned that Qin Si should keep a close eye on Zhao Yayuan.

Qiu Li found the situation very challenging. With so many business affairs to handle and numerous personnel matters involving cunning manipulations, he felt weary. Having grown up in Nan Qiao, where days passed like a gentle, transparent breeze, the current state of affairs was incredibly exhausting.

Wondering how Qin Si managed it all, Qiu Li lifted his eyes to meet those of the man across from him.

Qin Si maintained a subdued expression, being a man of few words. His silence deepened during the conversation between the Lu siblings.

Qin Si suggested that he take over the Lu family business... but he truly felt inadequate for such a responsibility at the moment.

After dinner, Qiu Li asked sincerely, "Mr. Qin, may I impose on your hospitality for a few more days? I would like to consult you on some issues I've encountered recently."

Lu Nian hurried to respond on his behalf, "Xiao Qiu, feel free to stay for a few more days."

Not one to impose, Qiu Li hastily added, observing Qin Si's expression, "I won't stay for more than four days. As soon as I have the answers I need, I'll leave. Moreover, I will help with the household chores."

After all, he was her dearly cherished younger brother.

"As you wish," he replied, his expression indifferent.

In reality, Qin Si possessed a strong sense of territoriality and wasn't fond of the feeling brought about by an extra person in the household. However, he had no choice but to reluctantly allow Qiu Li to stay temporarily.

Qiu Li's intention to stay was genuinely to learn and understand more about the affairs of the Lu family.

Usually quiet and diligent, he wouldn't cause any inconvenience in their daily lives, and he clearly stated it would only be for a few days.

However...

Emerging silently from his study, he saw the living room illuminated by the floor lamp, with Lu Nian engrossed in her work.

Qiu Li was conversing with Lu Nian, both seated together on the couch.

Qiu Li was reviewing some materials, and amidst shimmering eyes and something he said, Lu Nian encouraged him habitually. The two of them shared laughter and tender glances, displaying a fond affection for one another.

They had a myriad of topics to converse about, demonstrating a natural rapport and seamless harmony.

For a moment, he felt like an outsider in the situation.

He had always been monitoring the matters concerning the Zhao family, waiting for the right moment to act.

However, he didn't wish to foster Qiu Li into a helpless individual; growth comes through trials. For tasks that Qiu Li needed to undertake personally, he wouldn't intervene unnecessarily.

In this matter, what he needed to be vigilant about was ensuring that Lu Nian remained unharmed emotionally.

The man closed the door to the study, standing silently in the room.

In the past when it was just the two of them, the atmosphere at home was relaxed. At least when they were at home, apart from her engagement with her comics, she could spare him some attention. She enjoyed teasing him and engaging in some couple's activities.

Now... all of that is gone.

Even with her delayed realization, Lu Nian noticed that something has been off with Qin Si these past few days.

When Qiu Li asked him questions, he would answer, his tone and demeanor were much like they always were.

Her conversations with him were the same; the tone was cold, and the words were few.

Although this has always been his personality and it hasn't changed much from before, Lu Nian couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.

That afternoon, as Qiu Li retreated to his room for a nap and Lu Nian just finished her drafts, feeling a strain on her eyes, she rubbed them and decided that it was time to have a talk with him.

The living room was silent, and as expected, the study door was slightly ajar.

The young man was in the study, his back upright as he worked on a document.

Lu Nian tiptoed over, intending to startle him, but he noticed her approach quite early on. He turned around, his dark eyes gazing at her calmly, "Yes?"

Surprisingly, she came to seek him out voluntarily.

Lu Nian leaned on the back of his chair, looking up at him, "Are you upset?"

The young man's features slightly contracted, his expression light, "No."

Lu Nian, "..."

It seemed like the conversation wasn't progressing.

"You should go back," he said, turning away again, his voice somewhat cold, "Qiu Li should be waking up soon."

Lu Nian, "?"

"Qiu Li isn't a five-year-old child who needs someone to attend to him upon waking," she said, almost bursting into laughter. "He has his own things to do, he doesn't need me to accompany him all the time."

The young man’s thin lips twitched slightly, he remarked lightly, "If both of you are happy, what's the issue?"

Lu Nian, "..."

She pondered carefully on their conversation.

Lu Nian asked, "...Are you jealous?"

Could it be that he was unhappy because he felt she had spent too much time with Qiu Li lately and neglected him? She hadn't noticed this at all, especially since he knew the whole situation. Not to mention Zhao Yayuan, but Qiu Li was her biological brother, so Lu Nian hadn't considered this possibility before.

"Why would I be jealous?" the young man said coldly.

Lu Nian, "..."

"You and him are not the same," Lu Nian stated, "You are my boyfriend, while Qiu Li is my relative."

He said calmly, "Boyfriends can break up, but family cannot be separated."

"It's great that you and him can be family for life, never parting."

Lu Nian was stunned for a moment before she detected the sarcasm in his words, "Are you considering breaking up?"

Of course, he didn't want to break up.

The young man's face was pale, his lips pressed tightly together, remaining silent.

He stood up, shut down the computer, turned around intending to leave, wanting to end this conversation.

Being obstinate again...

Lu Nian was thoroughly frustrated with his temper, but she knew the way to console him, "Come back."

The man halted in his steps but still remained indifferent, not like how he usually was.

Upon reflection, Lu Nian realized that these past few days were indeed different from before.

When they were alone at home, the atmosphere used to be warm and affectionate. She enjoyed teasing him, and their affectionate gestures were exceptionally frequent during their idle moments. Although Qin Si didn't verbalize it, his reactions were always genuine; he liked her closeness.

But now, it seemed like he was deliberately setting boundaries, silently signaling that he didn't need that level of intimacy with her.

"How can it be the same," Lu Nian said.

Lu Nian wouldn't let him leave, she closed the door, pinning him against it. Standing on tiptoes, she sighed softly, "Would I act the same way with him?"

She pecked his lips lightly, her arm curling around his neck, holding him gently. She played with the ends of his hair, her delicate fingers lingering at the nape of his neck, caressing softly behind his ear. Hearing his low moan, she was well aware of his sensitive zones. She always loved twirling his dark hair when they were together.

As expected, he had become much more compliant.

He looked down, his eyes tinged with red, making his lips appear especially alluring and lush.

She felt an urge to kiss him, and having thought so, Lu Nian was ready to act on it.

She paused for a moment of reflection, realizing her own faults, and apologized sincerely, "I'm sorry, I haven't been doing well these days."

She showered him with kisses, whispering, "I love you, it's different from how I love Qiu Li."

She felt him stiffen slightly.

Then... her fervent response left her slightly breathless.

...

Perhaps they had really been holding back these past few days.

During Qiu Li's stay, Qin Si had been particularly difficult to deal with, adopting a prideful and cold demeanor, not initiating any contact with her, and insisting on her making the first move. If she didn't, he would stubbornly restrain himself.

However, it just needs a little fine-tuning and it would be perfect.

Observing his hand that involuntarily tightened around her slender waist, Lu Nian thought to herself.

"Someone's clearly jealous," she said with a playful smile, intentionally loud enough for him to hear.