Chapter 58

Chapter 58

The room was serene, bathed in the luminous glow of the moon. The window curtains fluttered gently as the cool night breeze swept in, providing a soothing touch on the feverish skin.

With a hoarse voice, he asked, "...where did you get this from?"

Lu Nian said, "I picked it up from a convenience store."

Because she had been contemplating that perhaps they might naturally progress to this stage someday soon. Judging by Qin Si's previous demeanor, he certainly wouldn't have prepared in advance, so of course, it was up to her to be ready.

He remained silent, the corners of his eyes tinged red, looking extraordinarily beautiful. Lu Nian couldn't help but lean closer, showering kisses upon him, becoming increasingly affectionate. She felt him stiffen slightly, his breath becoming more rapid.

She found his whole reactive demeanor incredibly enticing, a strong desire to cherish him from head to toe engulfed her. Since their youthful days, she has enjoyed being close to him. Now, witnessing the previously cold and aloof young man display such fervent and passionate demeanor was something she particularly cherished.

She heard him ask softly, "Do you...buy these often?"

During the years they were apart, back when she was still engaged to Zhao Ya Yuan.

Merely the thought of it was enough to make him exceedingly uncomfortable.

Lu Nian casually replied, "No, why would I frequently buy these?"

She opened the box and took one out, holding it curiously to inspect it closely, "Just a small packet like this?" It seemed somewhat similar to the disposable shower gel packets she had bought from a supermarket a long time ago.

"It's the first time," she said, "that I've bought this for someone."

She had no experience and had never used such a thing before. However, being in her twenties, she had naturally heard bits and pieces about it.

Lu Nian definitely did not want to get pregnant, hence the necessary preparations. During her last visit to the convenience store, she had noticed these for sale on the shelves. Recognizing the brand from hearsay, she casually added a box to her purchase.

"Here." Not exactly knowing how to use it, she handed it directly to Qin Si. Men should be more knowledgeable about it, shouldn't they?

He glanced at the object, his fingers stiffening for a moment, "....."

He turned his face away, refusing to take it.

"What's the matter?" Lu Nian couldn't understand his reluctance, "Is something wrong?"

His face flushed crimson, he lowered his gaze, offering no explanation.

Lu Nian frowned, ".....Don't you want to do it with me?"

They had come this far, continuing seemed the natural course. Though inexperienced, she had a basic understanding of how the process should be.

"It can't be used," his ears tinged red, he said quickly with a raspy voice, as if having no other choice.

Using emergency contraception the next day would be harmful to her health.

"Why can't it be used? I see everyone buying this brand," Lu Nian said, slightly upset, "Are you some kind of exception?"

Qin Si, "......"

Lu Nian felt her enthusiasm wane significantly. The atmosphere had been so good just a moment ago; she could feel his response, everything seemed to be falling naturally into place. Yet, now they were at this juncture.

The room fell into a hushed stillness.

The man pursed his lips before suddenly asking, "…Do you want to marry me?"

Lu Nian fell silent. She was still relatively young and felt that maintaining their current relationship was quite satisfactory, allowing them more time to adapt to and understand each other.

She couldn't fathom why Qin Si was insistent on getting married now. He wanted to take over the Lu family business, and at the moment, he didn't need her help at all. Moreover, she had no desire to have children. Was there any benefit to marrying her?

She asked, "Are you in a hurry to have children?"

He seemed quite taken aback, "Do you?"

He had absolutely no interest in children.

"Not at all," Lu Nian said.

She stated earnestly, "You know my health isn't great. If you're thinking of having a successor in the future, it might be better to find someone else to marry…"

"I don't want to," he interrupted her.

"Then why bring it up?" Lu Nian asked, "If we don't want children, why marry? If you decide to leave someday, it would be easier without the formalities of divorce."

Qin Si, "…."

He lowered his gaze, his voice husky, "I won't leave again."

He wouldn't leave for the rest of his life, unless she asked him to.

Lu Nian didn't believe him at all, growing increasingly upset as she pondered their past and the evening's events. She felt even more uneasy.

He too was distressed, aroused with no means of relief for the time being. During his lengthy adolescence, he had acquired many strategies for such situations, but now, he was at a loss.

They simply lay down together.

Lu Nian seemed intent on tormenting him, snuggling closely, their skin tightly pressed against each other. The sweet scent of the girl was within arm's reach, emanating with each gentle breath, her body soft and delicate.

She made him especially disheveled.

In reality, she didn't have much experience and harbored fewer distracting thoughts, not nearly as sensitive as him. She found their position quite comfortable and before long, lulled by the scent of his skin and hair, her breath steadied, and she fell into a deep, sweet slumber.

Despite still feeling somewhat upset.

Qin Si barely closed his eyes the entire night.

Early the next morning, when Lu Nian woke up, she found the bed beside her empty, a space vacated.

Qiu Li had already prepared breakfast.

After freshening up, Lu Nian sat down at the dining table and noticed Qin Si coming downstairs, freshly dressed with a hint of moisture lingering on him, the tips of his dark hair still damp. She pretended not to see him, concentrating on her own bread.

The atmosphere was notably strange. Qin Si, usually a man of few words, remained quiet, leaving Qiu Li to occasionally strike up a conversation with Lu Nian.

After finishing their meal.

"Thank you for your hospitality during this time, I truly appreciate it," Qiu Li said, "I will be taking my leave now."

Naturally, his words were directed at Qin Si.

"I'll walk you out," Lu Nian stood up promptly.

"You don't need to," she said with an even tone, addressing the man behind her.

Qiu Li, "…"

The siblings left together, and as expected, Qin Si didn't follow.

Carefully choosing his words, Qiu Li asked, "Nian Nian, did you and Mr. Qin have a disagreement yesterday?"

Otherwise, she wouldn't have spoken heatedly about having him sleep on the couch, a statement born of frustration. Judging from their demeanor today, it seemed the argument had not yet subsided.

"Yes," Lu Nian replied, her head bowed as she kicked at small stones beneath her feet, "Over something trivial - about me staying up late."

But arguments were quite routine now; having quarreled since their childhood, they were somewhat accustomed to it.

"You really shouldn't stay up late, especially with your fragile health," Qiu Li advised, "Mr. Qin would certainly worry."

Lu Nian paused for a moment.

"He may not express himself well, but he genuinely cares for you," Qiu Li added.

During his time living with them, he had noticed this subtle yet profound concern - a focus that never seemed to leave her, a keen attention to every word she spoke and every reaction she displayed, despite Qin Si's typically aloof demeanor.

He pressed his lips together before finally articulating, "Back when we were in Nan Qiao, at our first meeting, I sensed that he cared deeply for you."

Lu Nian was momentarily stunned.

Of course, she remembered Nan Qiao - the dilapidated little inn and the sweltering summer, the setting of their first kiss.

That encounter was less a kiss and more a battle of wills, a confrontation where neither was willing to yield.

And then… he left.

"Mr. Qin has quite a complex background," Qiu Li said softly, "To some extent, I feel I can understand him."

They were both individuals abandoned by their families.

However, Qiu Li had experienced the tender love and care of Qiu Lan, the companionship of Zhao Ya Yuan, and now, the return of his sister. He found comfort in both familial and emotional bonds, which granted him a sense of peace.

Qin Si, on the other hand, had nothing growing up.

Devoid of parental love, enduring hunger and cold in his childhood, he was treated like an object - transferred from the orphanage to foster homes, only to be sent back when no longer wanted, stripped of dignity, with no one considering his feelings.

Even upon joining the Lu family, he faced disdain and bullying due to his young age and low status.

This shaped him into an extremely cautious and defensive individual, with a significant lack of security when it comes to emotions and relationships.

Moreover, the more he cares, the more he fears losing it, becoming caught in a cycle of anxious attachment.

"Sister, he must have had a fondness for you when he was young, didn't he?" Qiu Li remarked.

Lu Nian shook her head, "No, every time we met back then, we would end up arguing. There was a period when he was particularly hostile towards me."

Now, things have significantly improved.

Qiu Li offered a gentle smile, "That doesn't necessarily mean he didn't harbor feelings for you."

How could he not have cherished and craved affection from the sole person who bestowed love and warmth upon him without reservation at that time?

However, given his precarious situation at the time, the vast disparity in their social standings, and his daily struggle for survival, it was nearly impossible for a proud and sensitive young man to voice such feelings. Hence, he only drew his emotions closer, shielding them with utmost caution.

Qiu Li could fully comprehend this.

Lu Nian, "…"

She too fell silent, a cascade of memories suddenly flooding her mind.

Whether due to the hardships he faced during his youth or his intrinsic nature, Qin Si seldom reveals his emotions, let alone expresses his feelings.

Often, he would silently do so much for you, yet expressing even a fraction of that effort outwardly seemed to be an uphill battle for him.

Their relationship always seemed to follow this pattern. Lu Nian recalled her youth, when he saved her but chose to remain silent about it, only admitting to it when she eventually found out.

A newfound softness began to manifest in Lu Nian's heart.

"He wishes to marry me," she whispered.

Qiu Li inquired, "Are you hesitant?"

He felt this might be a positive development. If Qin Si truly wished to marry Lu Nian now, it would indeed elevate his respect for him, demonstrating that he is a responsible man, not seeking a frivolous relationship.

Lu Nian voiced her uncertainty, "I don't know."

She felt a twinge of fear.

After living more than a decade in a gilded cage, she had finally tasted freedom.

Marriage... especially, marriage to Qin Si.

He hadn't yet provided her with an explanation regarding those three years. If similar events were to occur post-marriage, what would she do? With his capabilities, he could vanish without a trace, leaving her unable to find him.

Dating was acceptable, and their current intimacy stemmed from mutual affection. However, when it came to marriage, she still harbored reservations.

"Make the decision yourself," Qiu Li sighed softly, "In matters like these, others can hardly offer sound advice."

"Are you heading to Ya Yuan's place?" Lu Nian changed the topic, "Shall I accompany you?"

Qiu Li fell silent for a moment, "It seems to be a minor surgery."

"Will Mr. Qin be aware of your visit to Ya Yuan?" he asked.

Lu Nian grasped his underlying concern, "I will inform him," she assured.

He felt jealousy even towards Qiu Li, let alone Zhao Ya Yuan.

The siblings bid farewell, and Lu Nian returned home.

Qin Si hadn't left yet. Once again, they were the only two people in the house. He shut down his computer, watching her swap her shoes at the entrance. Before she could notice, he quickly averted his gaze.

Now, only the two of them remained, casting an unusual tranquillity within the room.

Lu Nian addressed him, "I am considering visiting Ya Yuan."

The man seemed to maintain a calm demeanor, seemingly lost in his thoughts since the incident last night.

An unspoken understanding lingered between them, neither bringing up the recent events.

In truth, Lu Nian was tangled in her emotions.

Zhao Ya Yuan had been her friend for many years, offering assistance during her times of crisis on numerous occasions. Now, as Ya Yuan fell ill and faced peril, her reluctance to visit seemed almost heartless.

Frankly, sending Qiu Li alone didn't sit well with her either. The mere thought of Ya Yuan's potential fate brought a subtle ache to her heart, nurturing a hope that somehow, she could alter the course of events.

Now, with Qin Si as her boyfriend, and knowing his persistent disdain towards Ya Yuan, going to visit without informing him would only exacerbate the situation.

"I plan to go with Qiu Li," Lu Nian said, "just to assess the situation."

"Hmm."

Lu Nian asked forthrightly, "Does it bother you?"

His eyes were restrained, voice nonchalant, giving no indication of distress, "If you wish to visit, then go."

Lu Nian responded, "Alright, I'll go this afternoon."

She happened to be free from classes in the afternoon.

Qin Si, "…"

He realized that prohibiting her from any normal social interactions was not only impossible but also unhealthy. However, a habitual jealousy still lurked, resenting the significant place others occupied in her heart.

"When will you return?" he finally asked, lips pressed tightly together.

Her brother had been here for a few days, significantly reducing their time together. Now, with Qiu Li gone and her planning to visit Ya Yuan, he couldn't bear the thought of her spending an extended period there.

"Does it matter to you a great deal?" Lu Nian inquired deliberately.

His eyelashes lowered, fingers tightening.

Lu Nian sighed inwardly, "I will try my best to return early," she assured.

A simple wish for her to return early, why was it so hard to express?

This man.

"Why don't you take a shower and get to bed early? I'll keep you company as soon as I return," she said, endeavoring to sound more cheerful.

There was no underlying meaning to her words.

However, he blushed, possibly contemplating something before he stood up, "Go ahead."

At last, he seemed to be placated on this end.

After informing him, Lu Nian and Qiu Li hurried towards the central hospital in the afternoon.

"I've informed him," Lu Nian told Qiu Li.

"Did Mr. Qin have any remarks?"

"No, nothing much," Lu Nian shared, "I assured him of my timely return and urged him to wait for me at home, then he relented."

She realized that she was gradually grasping the knack of getting along with Qin Si - a little more affection and attention would always earn a positive and agreeable response from him.

He was easy to appease, definitely someone who responded better to a gentle approach, especially in her presence.

Qiu Li found this somewhat surprising.

After a brief silence, he said, "He truly adores you."

This feeling had intensified during the time he lived with them, altering his initial impression of Qin Si considerably.

"I suppose he had his unavoidable reasons during those years he was away," Qiu Li reasoned.

He spoke earnestly, "If you fear being abruptly abandoned again, perhaps you should have a heart-to-heart with him and voice your concerns."

Above all, Qiu Li wished for her happiness. During his stay at their place, his keen observation revealed Lu Nian's affection for him. If he could provide a reasonable explanation, discussing it sooner rather than later would be beneficial for everyone.

Finally, Lu Nian nodded, "Hmm."

His personality wasn't conducive to a lack of communication or interaction; this couldn't go on indefinitely.

She yearned for a reason, awaiting his verbal confirmation.

Zhao Ya Yuan should still be admitted to the central hospital, as he mentioned during a phone call with Qiu Li some time ago.

Attempts to reach Zhao Ya Yuan by phone were unsuccessful.

Fortunately, Lu Nian had the foresight to ask Fang Deng to help locate Zhao Ya Yuan's room number. Seeing the continuous failed attempts to connect, she said to Qiu Li, "Let's just go directly, no need to call anymore. If he's sleeping, we can revisit another day."

"Mr. Zhao has already been discharged," said the nurse after checking, quite unexpectedly.

The two exchanged puzzled glances.

Consequently, they rushed to the Zhao residence.

The road to the Zhao family's old mansion was not unfamiliar to Lu Nian. During her youthful years, she often sought refuge here to escape Lu Zhihong's surveillance. However, since the incident that led to a long period of awkwardness, she hadn't revisited this estate for a long while.

The courtyard gate was firmly shut. Lu Nian pressed the intercom at the entrance. Soon, a somewhat aged voice answered from within, seemingly belonging to an elderly person, "Hello? May I know who is this?"

Lu Nian responded, "Hello, my name is Lu Nian. We are friends of Zhao Ya Yuan. We heard he was unwell and wanted to visit him."

It must be the Zhao family's butler.

The butler paused before saying, "The young master is not feeling well and is not in a condition to receive visitors at the moment."

Unable to hold back, Qiu Li chimed in from the side, "I had contacted Xiao Ya not long ago and we had fixed a time for this visit. Why is he suddenly unavailable within just a few days?"

"Who is this?"

"My name is Qiu Li, a friend of Xiao Ya from our childhood days in Nan Qiao. We had arranged this time for the visit," Qiu Li said, querying further, "Hasn't he recovered and been discharged?"

The butler, having been instructed earlier, remained resolutely tight-lipped.

Just as the standoff seemed to continue.

A gentle feminine voice suddenly resonated nearby, "Mr. Qiu?"

Recognizing Su Qingyu, the butler nodded hastily, covering the mouthpiece to lower his voice, "They claim to be Qiu Li and old friends of Young Master Ya Yuan."

"Yes, that's correct. Please let them in," Su Qingyu spoke in a soft and amicable tone.

Eventually, the front gate slowly opened. Both Lu Nian and Qiu Li were left bewildered by the unfolding events, with Qiu Li visibly tense and Lu Nian's vigilance escalating to its peak.

Doubts started creeping in her mind, wondering if the plot had accelerated unexpectedly, pondering if Zhao Ya Yuan was confined in a secluded villa in the mountains, thereby explaining their persistent attempts to prevent the meeting.

Su Qingyu and Zhao Tingyuan were the ones to greet them.

Having regained her pre-pregnancy figure, she emanated a gentle grace that now encompassed the nurturing aura of a wife and mother. "Thank you for your concern for Ya Yuan," she expressed with grace.

"What happened to him?" Lu Nian couldn't help but inquire.

Meeting Su Qingyu and Zhao Tingyuan now only amplified the awkwardness she felt. After all, she had been constantly cautious around them, even rejecting Zhao Tingyuan's proposal in the past. Though no overt confrontations had occurred, the atmosphere remained somewhat uneasy.

"Oh, so you still care about your former fiancé?" Zhao Tingyuan remarked, his expression somewhat grim.

Lu Nian remained silent, unable to retort. She felt a lingering guilt towards Zhao Ya Yuan regarding that matter, making it difficult to argue whenever it was brought up.

Qiu Li maintained his composure, responding courteously, "I apologize for the misunderstanding. Nian Nian came as a friend, accompanying me to visit Xiao Ya. We had already arranged this visit with him. May we know where he is currently?"

"Ya Yuan doesn't want to see you," Zhao Ting Yuan declared, then turned towards Qiu Li, adding, "You, however, may see him if you wish."

Since entering the mansion, Lu Nian had not recognized a single servant.

In her younger years when she frequented the Zhao residence, the butlers and servants all knew her and she recognized many of them. Now, it seemed, all familiar faces had been replaced by strangers.

Qiu Li was in a dilemma.

At present, they couldn't get in touch with Zhao Ya Yuan, and without the Zhao family’s cooperation, they couldn’t forcibly push their way to see him, yet they were unwilling to let Lu Nian meet him.

He looked at Lu Nian.

After a moment of hesitation, Lu Nian made a decisive decision, "You should go."

Regardless, Qin Si knew that she had come to the Zhao residence, and she had full faith in him. If anything untoward happened to her and Qiu Li, he wouldn't let the matter rest. He was not easily deceived in the public eye.

It was imperative now to see Zhao Ya Yuan.

Consequently, a servant of the Zhao family led Qiu Li deeper into the mansion, with Su Qing You also taking her leave.

Only Zhao Ting Yuan remained, accompanying her in the living room.

The atmosphere was exceedingly heavy; the tea table bore a pot of black tea, its fragrance wafting subtly in the air, but no one reached for it.

Suddenly, Zhao Ting Yuan inquired, "Are you planning to marry Qin Si?"

Lu Nian bit her lip, offering no denial,

With a sarcastic smile, Zhao Ting Yuan remarked, "Marrying someone who deliberately seeks to take over your family's company? What do you call this, losing both the lady and the soldiers?"

Lu Nian replied, composed and dignified, "The issues with our company were internal. The instigator has been identified. He was merely assisting, and as of now, the company has not been acquired."

From that point on, regardless of what Zhao Ting Yuan said, she chose to remain silent.

Meanwhile, Qiu Li followed a servant through the extensive corridor.

Seldom visiting the Zhao residence, he found himself unfamiliar with the sprawling estate. It seemed excessively large and eerily quiet due to the scarce presence of people.

As he walked along the corridor, he suddenly collided with someone coming from the opposite direction.

It was a young maid, perhaps newly employed at the Zhao residence. Holding a tray with a glass cup, she might have hurried without watching her step. She stumbled, colliding with him. Qiu Li, not particularly sturdy, found himself knocked to the ground.

Following was the sound of shattering glass.

He felt a stinging pain in the palm of his hand.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry," the young maid, who appeared to be barely eighteen, was nearly in tears as she saw the blood on the floor.

Frantically, she attempted to clean up the broken glass on the floor, to which Qiu Li managed a wry smile, "It's alright, no need to clean up."

She hurriedly pulled a napkin from her pocket, clumsily trying to staunch the bleeding. However, the cut on his finger was quite severe, a deep and narrow wound that profusely bled, rendering her efforts to stop the bleeding futile.

On the other end, Su Qingyou heard the commotion and rushed over, sternly reprimanding the young maid.

She apologized to Qiu Li, saying, "She is quite new here, not yet accustomed to handling things carefully. Here, let's get you bandaged up, we have a doctor in the house."

Thinking of Lu Nian waiting outside and realizing that if he didn't meet Zhao Yayuan this time, he might not have another chance, he remained wary of the Zhao family. He said, "There's no need for a doctor, I can bandage it up myself."

Su Qingyou then instructed someone to fetch the first-aid kit that was kept in the house.

Qiu Li disinfected the wound and bandaged it himself with gauze. Soon enough, the bleeding had stopped.

Su Qingyou ordered someone to lead him to see Zhao Yayuan.

Zhao Tingyuan couldn't sit still any longer with Lu Nian; he was feeling very irritated. He left the living room and headed towards his bedroom, bumping into Su Qingyou on the way.

"We have the blood sample," Su Qingyou mentioned.

Zhao Tingyuan's brow relaxed slightly, "Let's proceed with the identification as soon as possible then."

"With this identification," he suddenly said, "it won't be so easy for that Qin fellow to fully acquire the company, right? If Lu Zuo returns, he could inherit Lu Zhihong's assets, couldn't he?"

"Since it was done covertly, this paternity test has no legal validity," Su Qingyou explained, "Therefore, it won't work. We can only show it to Lu Zhihong as proof and let him handle it himself."

"How can it not be valid?" Zhao Tingyuan argued discontentedly.

Su Qingyou could only calmly explain, "Because a formal paternity test with legal force requires both parties to bring identification to the testing center and apply voluntarily. Qiu Li would not cooperate."

Zhao Tingyuan paced back and forth irritably, "Why is it so troublesome."

Su Qingyou patted him gently on the back of his hand, "Don't worry, everything will go smoothly."

"It will be quite a spectacle once Lu Zhihong finds out," she said with a faint smile.

At last, Qiu Li met Zhao Yayuan.

He appeared exceptionally frail, lying on the bed having lost a lot of weight, his complexion pallid, his breaths seemingly faint, to the extent that he didn't notice when someone entered the room.

Qiu Li felt a pang in his heart, suddenly recalling their very first encounter in Nan Qiao, how sickly and frail Zhao Yayuan looked, how slender and fragile he appeared.

"Xiao Ya," he softly called out.

The person lying on the bed slowly opened his eyes, upon seeing Qiu Li, his voice hoarse, he uttered, "Qiu Li?"

"It's me," Qiuli said with distress, "You told me it was just a minor appendicitis surgery and that you had already been discharged. How did you end up like this?"

Had he known the severity of the situation, he would have visited him much sooner, not waiting until now.

His amber eyes remained serene, "It's nothing serious, probably just accumulated stress and exhaustion bursting forth all at once."

"I can't find any answers," he said calmly, "perhaps, like my younger years, when the time comes, it's simply my time to leave. I've perhaps stolen an extra twenty years to cling to life."

Qiu Li couldn't bear to hear this, his heart aching intensely. He asked, "What about your parents?"

"They're abroad."

"They left the country at a time like this?"

"Our largest raw material supplier in Southeast Asia suddenly wants to terminate our contract. They had to go there to handle this matter," Zhao Yayuan's voice was hoarse, "otherwise, everything would be ruined."

The Zhao family mainly runs a physical industry; the supply of raw materials is critically important.

Qiu Li was momentarily silent, then after exchanging a few words, he mentioned, "Nian Nian came along too."

"Should I ask her to come in?"

"There's no need for her to come over," Zhao Yayuan said with a bitter smile, pulling a wry smile, "I fear my current state might frighten her."

"Indeed, I yearn to return to Nanqiao," he said with his eyes closed, "The days spent abroad are far from comfortable."

"What do you do at home nowadays?" Qiu Li forced a smile, "Are your video games sufficient, or should I buy some new ones for you?"

Zhao Yayuan also smiled, "No need, Xiu Yi is quite adorable." He said, "When I feel a bit better, I often play with the little guy. In a short while, he should start speaking."

Thinking about Zhao Xiu Yi's parents, Qiu Li found it hard to harbor any goodwill.

His phone vibrated; Qiu Li looked at it and saw a message from Lu Nian.

"Zhao Tingyuan has left. Have you seen Yayuan?"

He glanced at Zhao Yayuan before replying, "His condition has deteriorated significantly. He wouldn't say why when asked."

The circumstances were pervasively eerie.

Lu Nian responded quickly, "How bad is it?"

Qiu Li looked at Zhao Yayuan, making sure he didn't see the message, "He can barely walk, almost like when we first met when he was a child."

"Zhao family's parents are abroad."

Uttering such words, she couldn't help but envision Zhao Yayuan's impending fate.

Lu Nian felt a slight perspiration on her palms; she finally made up her mind, typing hurriedly, "This won't do, we need to take Yayuan away."

"Is he willing to return to Nanqiao, or perhaps go somewhere else?"

Given the current state of the Zhao family, if Zhao Yayuan stays any longer, he might truly be unable to avoid his previous fate.

Lu Nian said, "Let him recuperate first, then he can come back."

Qiu Li had already vaguely harbored such thoughts, but hearing Lu Nian state it so explicitly, the image in his mind suddenly became crystal clear.

Qiu Li conveyed her message entirely, "Yayuan, are you willing to leave? We can go back to Nanqiao, or someplace else, to seek medical treatment."

Zhao Yayuan barely pulled a smile, "Can I even escape?"

"Don't worry about that, we are here," Qiu Li whispered, "Do you want to leave?"

Zhao Yayuan's lips twitched slightly again, "Leave? What good would that do?"

In his current physical state, it seemed it would make no difference where he went.

"Don't think about that now," Qiu Li whispered gently, "Xiao Ya, do you want to leave?"

"Not in the next couple of days," Zhao Yayuan said, his voice somewhat hoarse, "If we were to leave, it could only be..."

Qiu Li listened to him speak.

He insisted repeatedly, "Xiao Ya, you must be cautious these days, avoid any contact with your brother and the others."

Zhao Yayuan felt he was being overly concerned, he managed a slight smile, "I'm just sick, they wouldn't dare do anything to me openly, grandfather is watching."

Still uneasy, Qiu Li handed a mobile phone to Zhao Yayuan, instructing softly, "There's a tracking app installed, keep it with you at all times over the next few days."

Lu Nian had changed her phone a while ago, yet insisted he bring this old one in. At that time, Qiu Li didn't understand why she had done so, but now it made sense.

Everything was settled.

There was a knock from outside, signaling that time was up.

Qiu Li and Lu Nian left the Zhao residence together.

In the setting sun, the aged mansion cast long, lingering shadows.

...

Inside the conference room.

"An old subordinate of Lu Zhong?" The man's handsome face was partially obscured by shadows as he asked with a seemingly mocking smile, "It seems you've been reminiscing quite a bit these past few days."

Xiao Honghe's face was ashen.

He had initially resolved to remain silent, yet, meeting the actual person behind Ning Sheng for the first time, he found that the young man with handsome features and a terrifyingly imposing aura truly lived up to the rumors.

Qin Si didn't engage in further conversation. Qiu Fan and Ming Hong silently stood behind him, one on each side, cloaking themselves in the shadows, not uttering a single word.

"How much did Lu Zhong offer you?" His voice bore a cold texture, his tone indifferent.

Xiao Honghe, who was prepared to fight tooth and nail, was stunned momentarily.

"We'll offer you five times that amount."

"The words I speak still hold weight, don't they?" The man's thin lips curved into a faint smile as he changed the subject, "Besides, does your wife know about your affair with Su Xiaoqin?"

His voice was gentle, and with his pair of narrow yet beautiful phoenix eyes, he looked down at him, seemingly tinged with a subtle mockery.

Xiao Honghe was completely mentally shattered.

He didn't know how they found out about the affair with Su Xiaoqin; his many years of career, family, and reputation were on the brink of collapse.

"What do you want me to do?" His lips trembled as he spoke.

Yet Qin Si stood up, turning to the man on his left, "You stay."

Ming Hong, perceptive as always, stepped forward, "I will inform you about the next steps, you just need to respond."

...

As he left the company, the sky had darkened, nearing twilight.

He glanced at the time; it was the hour when Lu Nian promised to return home.

Normally, he would not personally deal with someone of Xiao Honghe's stature, but this involved Lu Zhihong.

He planned to settle this matter, hand over the Lu family to Qiu Li, and ultimately drive Lu Zhihong completely out of their lives.

The plan was clear and was proceeding step by step, steadily and as scheduled.

When he arrived home, the house was eerily quiet.

He sat quietly in the living room, glancing at the time now and then.

At a quarter past seven, the door opened.

Lu Nian entered and her eyes met his; slightly out of breath but relieved, she exclaimed, "I'm not late!"

They had agreed she would be back by half-past seven, and she hadn't breached the time.

"Have you been waiting long?" She asked as she changed her shoes.

He stood up and walked to the door to greet her, "Not long, I just arrived."

After dinner, Lu Nian took a bath, and once cleaned up, she felt as if the frustrations of the day had been washed away.

He was still in the living room, on the couch, seemingly also fresh and clean, waiting for her.

He pretended to be reading a document, but the moment she appeared, his gaze immediately shifted away.

He still remembered what she had said earlier.

Lu Nian too leaned in, sitting next to him, resting her head on his shoulder, inhaling the faint scent of the bath lotion – it seemed like sea salt, the one she bought for him last time. Her delicate fingers played in his dark hair, twirling the ends tenderly.

His ears turned slightly red, but he did not avoid her, quietly allowing her to caress his hair this way.

Without Qiu Li, now only the two of them were left in the house.

Just like the old times.

Before he could say anything, Lu Nian suddenly remarked, "I might have to leave in a few days."

Yet Lu Nian seemed distracted, harboring some thoughts in her mind. He was sensitive to the emotions of others and could sense it, but chose not to comment.

Not until she finally initiated, "Yayuan hasn't been feeling well recently."

She continued, "Xiaoqiu and I plan to take him back to Nanqiao for a temporary stay."

"So I'll be accompanying him there in a few days, and I might stay in Nanqiao for a while, returning a bit later than expected."

His eyes were lowered; the subtle joy and satisfaction that adorned his eyes and brows when she caressed him earlier seemed to have vanished.

He knew she had always been more concerned about Zhao Yayuan than him.

"Once I'm back, I'll be with you every day," Lu Nian said softly, "then, we can have a proper conversation to clear everything up."

She thought Qiu Li's words today made sense; they should have had a heart-to-heart talk a long time ago.

But now wasn't the right time.

She couldn't bear to witness Zhao Yayuan meeting his fate from the original story without intervening. To accomplish her plan to send him away, preparations were needed. She couldn't spare the energy to tackle another significant issue at the moment.

Although the situation hadn't deteriorated to the extent depicted in the original ending, where Zhao Yayuan was continually frail and ultimately whisked away secretly to be confined in a secluded villa, it was after Zhao Quan's death and Su Qingyou fully seized power. Looking at Zhao's family's current situation, it wouldn't go to that extent since his parents were still around, and Zhao Quan wouldn't stand idly by witnessing Zhao Yayuan being imprisoned.

She dared not reveal to others her ability to foresee the future; it was a secret known only to her.

The neglected individual had been waiting silently, but this waiting seemed to have no end in sight.

At last, he wrapped his arms around her slender waist, gently biting her lips without any warning. As Lu Nian looked up, she met the man's piercing and elongated phoenix eyes. After that bite, he turned his face away, his lips tightly pursed.

As if to remind her that this moment belonged to him.

Seeing him like this, Lu Nian's suppressed emotions finally alleviated somewhat. A slight smile graced her lips, and she took a bit of initiative. Unable to resist this, he indeed fluttered his long eyelashes, quickly reciprocating her advances.

Author's note:

Nian Nian: Why aren't you using the one I bought? (angry face)

Si Si: ... (dot)

Nian Nian lacks understanding of her man.