Chapter 63

Chapter 63

The date for Lu Nian's signing event has been set for the 7th of next month.

She had been occupied lately, busy tending to a myriad of minor details, all while preparing hundreds of signed copies and conceptualizing several sketches she could draw during the signing event.

Recently, Hu Bian contacted her, informing her that an animation company wished to communicate through their channel. They were keen on adapting "Black and White" into an animation and inquired about the availability of the copyright and the timeline for completing the latter half of the storyline.

The copyright hasn't been sold yet.

The issue was that the second half of "Black and White" remained incomplete. Since reuniting with Qin Si, she had resumed serialization at a leisurely pace, unhindered by obligations due to its free distribution.

As they officially started dating and confessed their feelings, besides preparing for the signing event, all she wanted was to spend her days indulging in his affection.

Reflecting back, Lu Nian realized that her inclination to create the comic probably stemmed from her budding affection for Qin Si, a desire to be closer to him that she dared not express due to Lu Zhi Hong's presence.

Qin Si's aloof and restrained demeanor seemingly put him at an unreachable distance.

Their sporadic encounters usually ended in quarrels initiated by her frustrations with him.

She could never decipher his thoughts, and their interactions were scant at best. Thus, she poured all her longing and affection into her comics.

But now, he belonged to her.

Spending every day together, Lu Nian could kiss him, tease him, and allure him with all manner of intimate gestures, fulfilling any desire at any time.

Now that she had the real person by her side, the urge to illustrate the comics naturally diminished. Coupled with the wedding preparations occupying her time, she found herself further distanced from her artwork.

In reality, she needn't worry. As long as the time and place were set, and her expectations were communicated, Qin Si would handle all arrangements efficiently.

Yet, pinpointing the exact timing remained her primary concern.

She had been incessantly awaiting Qiu Li's call.

A week before the book signing event, Lu Nian finally received a call from Qiu Li. The voice on the other end was steady, "Ya Yuan and I are coming back together."

"How is he doing?"

Qiu Li responded, "He has significantly improved in terms of health."

"He has been investigating the raw material factory recently, but hasn't gathered sufficient evidence yet," Qiu Li added, "His family situation is quite chaotic at the moment."

"You must ensure he doesn't go back!"

"Yes, he has no intentions of returning to the Zhao's residence. For now, he is staying with me temporarily."

Lu Nian breathed a sigh of relief and reiterated, "Before clarifying the situation there, ask Ya Yuan to stay at your place or find another place to stay temporarily, and avoid returning to reside with Zhao Ting Yuan and the others."

Qiu Li affirmed, "Yes, that's what I told him."

"I missed too many classes recently," Qiu Li said with a gentle tone, "So I'll be attending makeup classes throughout this week. Nian Nian, are you available next week? Would you like to come over for a meal?"

"Sure," Lu Nian agreed instantly.

Both of them tacitly avoided bringing up the matter concerning Lu Zhi Hong.

After hanging up the phone, Lu Nian felt a release of tension in her shoulders.

In truth, the thought of meeting Qiu Li stirred some unease within her.

She could not recall anything at all.

The words spoken by Lu Zhi Hong that day constantly echoed in her mind. As someone who had traveled across time, she was unaware of the previous interactions between her original self and Qiu Li, and could not remember any of it. However, during those years, she genuinely regarded Qiu Li as a family member.

Hence, the anticipation of meeting Qiu Li now brought forth a natural resistance and avoidance, stemming from a fear of loss.

As for Zhao Ya Yuan, she understood that Qin Si still harbored unresolved issues, and was particularly sensitive to her interactions with Zhao Ya Yuan.

Although she was innocent, she still wanted to cater to his feelings. Therefore, she deliberately reduced the frequency of meetings with Zhao Ya Yuan, channeling assistance through Qiu Li instead.

...

Meanwhile.

In the top-level conference room at Ning Sheng's branch in Ancheng, Zhao Ya Yuan had just entered.

He had lost considerable weight, and a deeper shadow lurked in his eyes as he looked at the man opposite him.

His face was expressionless, displaying a cold demeanor reminiscent of his teenage years.

"You asked me to refrain from seeking Lu Nian and to seek you out instead," Zhao Ya Yuan stated arrogantly, "So, what assistance can you offer?"

The man's handsome face partially concealed in the shadows, he hooked up the corners of his lips without a trace of warmth in his icy tone, "You better understand one thing, at this point, you are not in a position to negotiate terms with me."

He had always been unyielding and prideful, never bowing down even when he had nothing. Especially now, there was no way he would tolerate being spoken to with such an attitude by Zhao Ya Yuan.

A surge of anger welled up in Zhao Ya Yuan's chest, threatening to burst forth, but rationality suppressed it. His voice remained steady, "Retract my statement? What plans do you have?"

"Go find Zhao Ting Yuan and start with him," Qin Si rose to his feet, his tone indifferent.

"You can't overpower that woman, but Zhao Ting Yuan isn't very intelligent, after all, he is still your brother."

Zhao Ya Yuan, "…"

In truth, he didn't wish to meddle in the affairs of the Zhao family any further, it was all for the sake of Lu Nian.

Zhao Ya Yuan was not a fool, it's just that during that period, he was blindsided, both mentally and physically drained, almost on the verge of giving up himself. Therefore, a little reminder and some convenience provided would suffice.

He said, "Seek out Fang Deng; the evidence of Lu Zhi Hong's connections with that factory is with him."

"Lu Zhi Hong is in Hai Cheng, and it seems your brother has plans to visit him soon."

"Have you arranged for someone to keep an eye on him?" Zhao Ya Yuan inquired, "After all, he is Nian Nian's father. If something were to happen to him..."

Before he could finish, he met the icy and seemingly mocking gaze of the man across from him. A hot flush spread across his face, feeling foolish, he choked back the rest of his words.

Qin Si lost interest in prolonging the conversation, "You may leave now."

Everything he intended to say had been said.

Zhao Ya Yuan stood up but hesitated to leave immediately. Standing at the entrance of the conference room, he suddenly asked, "Do you truly love her?"

A complex emotion flickered in the man's eyes, his tone sharp, "Long before you even knew her."

They were childhood friends.

He was the first friend Lu Nian ever knew.

Zhao Ya Yuan merely took advantage of a vacancy, seeking to replace him by Lu Nian's side, and he nearly succeeded. If he had not returned, he didn't want to ponder what might have happened further.

The hostility was unmasked.

His tone was icy, "I hope you keep a distance from her."

He even wished that, together with Qiu Li, they could vanish from Lu Nian's life.

It would be enough for Lu Nian to have only him.

Just like him, where in his heart, his eyes, his thoughts, his desires, she was the only one.

This pathological, manic adoration and possessiveness, suppressed for many years, had been suddenly and unexpectedly awakened by recent sweetness, like something out of a dream, now fully fermented.

The day of Lu Nian's book signing finally arrived.

The venue chosen was the Ancheng Cultural Center, where the hall was booked for the entire day.

Lu Nian was quite nervous the night before, querying him, "What if nobody shows up tomorrow?"

"What if I make a fool of myself tomorrow?"

He remained silent, allowing her to fuss in his embrace. Gently touching her cheek as a gesture of reassurance, he suggested softly, "Perhaps, we should call it off?"

"That's not an option!" Lu Nian exclaimed, "It must go on, of course."

Seeing her so anxious...

The man's serene and handsome face was up close, his slightly furrowed brows and lashes giving him an exceptionally clean and fresh appearance.

Perhaps due to her constant declarations of love and affection, he had recently begun to let his guard down considerably, gradually shedding his prickly demeanor at a cautious pace, finally willing to reveal more of his true self in her presence.

His lips were beautiful, tempting one to bestow a kiss upon them.

"Then grant me a kiss, and I won't be nervous anymore," Lu Nian's voice held a charming tone as she sat in his lap, tilting her little face up to look at him.

His ear tips turned a hint of red, yet he cooperated, leaning in slightly.

Consequently, Lu Nian indulged in lavishing affection on his beautiful lips.

After their playful interaction, she finally felt her nerves settling down.

The man behind her radiated a warmth from his solid chest.

He was her man, soon to be her husband, her lifetime companion.

Like a drifting duckweed finally finding its roots, after spending so long in this world, she would no longer have to endure days filled with fear and loneliness.

The next day, the book signing event.

Lu Nian felt a twinge of nervousness as she waited backstage, listening to the enthusiastic introduction from the host.

A lengthy list of accolades followed, noting her status as a promising cartoonist, the popularity of "Black and White" during its online serialization, and its plethora of positive reviews – all somewhat hollow titles.

Qin Si had mentioned that he would come over today.

Lu Nian told him there was no need to arrive too early; he should first attend to his business at the company and then come over if he felt like it.

She had it all planned out.

When the time came, during that specific segment, Qin Si would arrive, just in time to witness it.

Beforehand, she would engage in some preparatory activities, signing autographs for readers and accepting interviews.

Finally, she heard the host announcing her pen name.

With her heart pounding in her chest, Lu Nian stepped out from the backstage.

The publishers, being financially robust, had rented out an entire venue for the signing event. Inside, various display boards were set up, and the turnout was significantly higher than anticipated, astonishingly so. She even spotted individuals cosplaying characters from the comic.

Over the years, "Black and White" had garnered a fanatic fan base, far surpassing her initial expectations.

She took a deep breath, cooperated with the host's interview, and gifted the audience with a warm smile, aiming to present her best self to everyone gathered.

When Qin Si arrived...

He was greeted by a tumultuous wave of applause reverberating throughout the venue.

"Ms. Yu Lu looks so stunning!"

"I can't even! Not only is she beautiful, but her artwork is also incredible. Why do people like her exist?"

"www I have been a fan of hers for many years."

The center of everyone's attention.

He couldn't help but fixate on the stage, where the girl showcased a beautiful smile, natural demeanor, and gracious responses. As she attentively addressed the host's questions, her profile highlighted her long, curling eyelashes, adding to her serene and exceptionally charming presence.

Many were taking photographs.

In a place he was unaware of, she too was shining, attracting a multitude of people with her warm and radiant glow.

He found himself somewhat averse to the idea of sharing her with everyone present.

Yet, involuntarily, he found his gaze firmly fixed on her captivating presence.

"Excuse me, are you cosplaying as Hei?" A young girl nearby had been glancing in his direction, and suddenly asked with twinkling eyes, "You really resemble him, may I take a photo?"

Qin Si's brow furrowed. He was naturally aloof, but remembering that the attendees were likely Lu Nian's fans, he responded tersely, "No."

He chose not to linger there and prepared to find Lu Nian.

The girl continued to gaze at his retreating figure, finding his slender waist and long legs, even his silhouette, extraordinarily attractive.

The more she looked, the more convinced she became of the resemblance.

Being a devoted fan of "Black and White", especially fond of the character Hei, she had a vivid memory of his customary outfit, which had appeared in the comic, an ensemble donned by Hei.

Furthermore, the likeness extended to his demeanor, expressions, and aura – all impeccably replicated.

"Wuwuwu, he even spoke to me! The tone of his voice just now was also such an accurate representation."

"Ms. Yu Lu is also exceptionally beautiful," Xiaoya typed hurriedly, "This signing event is totally worth it!"

This was a large group chat for "Black and White" fans, where she often engaged in conversations. Everyone knew she was attending Yu Lu's signing event today.

"Did you manage to take a photo?"

"I can't! He's so aloof and handsome," she said. "The moment he looked at me, I found myself at a loss for words."

Just like in the comics, Hei only showed a slightly gentler side in the later parts. Earlier on, he radiated an indifferently cold aura. Some scenes angered the readers as they found his remarks too harsh and his demeanor too cold.

The host began with a series of standard questions. Inquiries about "Black and White", the ones everyone wanted to know, were reserved for the segment following the signing session.

A long queue of fans had already formed.

"We didn't manage to snag a signed copy." A young fan, seemingly around fourteen or fifteen years old, lamented at the front of the line. "Madam, I've always adored your comics, but the signed copies sold out instantly. Fortunately, I live in Ancheng, so I could attend your signing event."

She appeared to be a young girl who had just started high school.

Lu Nian was unsure about the situation, but unscrewed the pen cap to sign first, "How about I create another signature drawing for you?"

The young fan's eyes lit up with excitement, "Yes, thank you, madam!"

"Which character would you like?"

"Hei! Is that possible?" the young fan stuttered excitedly, "Sister, I want Hei."

As expected, that was the answer.

Lu Nian picked up the marker. Drawing Hei, a character she had illustrated countless times before, was second nature to her. With a few strokes, the youth's refined and aloof profile came to life on the paper.

It was evident that the young fan was ecstatic, her cheeks flushed with joy. Holding the comic book with Lu Nian's hand-drawn illustration, she kept expressing her gratitude, "Thank you, sister. I will cherish this forever."

"He resembles the boy I have a crush on," she whispered to Lu Nian before leaving.

"Good luck," Lu Nian replied with a warm smile.

Surprisingly, more than one fan came forward to complain about not being able to secure one of the 500 signed copies.

During the intermission.

"How could they all be gone?" Lu Nian wondered aloud, asking Hu Bian, "What happened? Was there a mistake?"

"It seems like they were all bought by a single person," Hu Bian was also perplexed, "But aren't your fans mostly young girls? How could one of them afford so many?"

Lu Nian, "…" That's enough.

The intermission came to an end, and the latter half of the event began, focusing on an exclusive interview about "Black and White."

The host asked, "Mrs. Yu Lu, could you share a bit about the inspiration behind 'Black and White'?"

Lu Nian took a deep breath, "It probably started around the time when I was fourteen, in the ninth grade."

"At first, I was drawing a friend of mine, someone I knew since childhood."

"Later on, I found myself illustrating the boy I had a secret crush on," her eyes crinkled slightly at the corners, "Due to family circumstances, we couldn't interact much. Therefore, I could only express my feelings through my art."

Low gasps of surprise could already be heard from the audience.

The host then asked a probing question, "May I ask, was the significant change in the artistic style of 'Black and White' also related to this friend of yours?"

The man stood in the shadows, his lips pressed tightly together, watching her intently.

"Yes," Lu Nian replied with a calm composure, "However, in truth, we never really were together before we parted."

"So now, with the reboot of 'Black and White', it has something to do with him, meaning, you two have

mended the fractured mirror

and found your happily ever after?" the host joked, "From what we can see, the atmosphere in this next installment seems to be much lighter."

"Also, you just mentioned a friend, a boy you had a crush on. Rumor has it, you have a boyfriend now?" the host inquired, "Could it be that they are both the prototypes for the character, Hei?"

"They are one and the same person," Lu Nian said softly, her tone laced with both lightness and a hint of sweetness, "He's actually my fiancé now."

Shrill screams erupted from the audience, one after another.

"Is your fiancé here at the venue?" the host's voice nearly drowned amidst the escalating noise.

Lu Nian blinked, "He is here, in the audience."

Her phone displayed a message received, "I have arrived." It was sent half an hour ago.

A smile curved Lu Nian's lips, "Everything is because of him. This character came to be, because of him."

At that very moment, a promotional clip began to play on the screen, showcasing specially crafted original artworks from "Black and White", with the date of creation prominently displayed in the bottom left corner.

Capturing their entire youthful era.

A silent love letter that traversed time and space.

The man's features were striking, as if carved from a painting. He stood silently in the audience, his gaze fixated unwaveringly on the screen, and on her on the stage.

Time seemed to flow both swiftly and incredibly slowly all at once.

He remembered clearly, each frame of those moments, every scene they had shared, repeatedly reliving them in his memories and dreams. He thought those were fragments of recollections unique to him alone, figments of a solitary fantasy.

Yet, he had never anticipated that she would remember them too.

……

As the signing event drew to a close, evening was fast approaching.

She exited through a special passage, finally evading the overly enthusiastic fans. Qin Si was already waiting for her at the exit.

They got into the car to head home.

Lu Nian held his hand and, with a mischievous glint in her eye, blinked at him before playfully asking, "So, what do you think?"

She felt a bit weary, no longer wanting to sit like this. She leaned comfortably into his embrace, rubbing gently against him, "Haven't you always felt that I don't like you enough?"

He, "..."

"And prone to unwarranted jealousy."

Outside, darkness had fallen, and the car lights were also off, regrettably concealing his facial expressions.

She really wished to witness his reaction upon discovering all of this. Given his shy nature, he probably kept it all bottled up, unable to articulate his feelings, yet capable of conceding to her every outrageous request.

Lu Nian was preparing to tease him a little more, but unexpectedly, her lips were sealed with a sudden kiss.

He kissed her eagerly, remarkably proactive in his approach.

Although it was just a kiss, the fervent initiative displayed by him seemed quite distinct from their usual playful banters. She felt a slight ache in her waist from his tight hold, and furthermore... this was lasting quite a long time, wasn't it? He just wouldn't let her go. She hadn't anticipated this level of ardency and initiative from Qin Si.

The kiss left her feeling somewhat light-headed due to a lack of oxygen. She wanted to push him away, but found her fingers feeling soft and powerless, unable to muster any strength. He seemed to have no intention of stopping.

Until she could bear no more, she gently bit his earlobe, whispering in a volume only they could hear, "Do you want me to... right here?"

Only then did he return to his senses, his dark eyes still hazy and unfocused. Flushed to his ears, he retreated back to his original position.

Lu Nian finally took a deep, relieving breath.

The rear car lights remained off, offering them obscurity, and the driver up front continued his task, never looking back, as inconspicuous as air.

They must have really been repressed, huh.

That Qin Si, he could even seek kisses from her in the presence of others now.

"Earlier, your very first apartment on Qiu Feng Road, shall we go there today?" Lu Nian asked him softly, "I feel like living there again."

Many memories resurfaced for her today.

The man's voice was very low, "To Qiu Feng Road."

The driver silently changed direction, steering towards Qiu Feng Road.

The property had never been fully abandoned; he had arranged for regular cleaning, keeping it ready for occupancy at any time.

It was the first house Qin Si bought during his youth, a place where she had stayed before, with a room exclusively for her.

Upon opening the door, the furnishings remained exactly the same as before,

Lu Nian wandered around, enveloped in nostalgia. She visited her old bedroom and unexpectedly found a box on the floor by the wall.

She scampered out with a patter of feet to ask Qin Si, "Look, I found something. What is this?"

He said, "... It was something I wanted to give you on your eighteenth birthday."

He didn't continue.

But now, Lu Nian had understood.

Because at that time, they had another quarrel.

A particularly fierce dispute had erupted over Qin Si's university choices, nearly tearing them apart. Consequently, he hadn't appeared for her eighteenth birthday. Lu Nian assumed he had forgotten entirely, never anticipating the existence of such a gift.

It was a set of art supplies from Germany, encased within a cool-to-the-touch wooden box, encompassing watercolors, a palette knife, paintbrushes, and a canvas. She took out each item one by one.

A long time ago, the image of Lu Nian with a canvas on her back, engrossed in her oil painting in the studio, had etched deeply in his memory. From afar, he could only admire her in silence, painstakingly selecting this gift, yet never finding the right moment to present it, allowing it to gather dust as time passed by.

"This brand is really expensive, costing tens of thousands." Lu Nian remarked, "How could you afford it at that time? Why buy something so costly?"

Back then, Qin Si had just started university, with limited financial resources. Acquiring such pricey art supplies for her would have necessitated extensive saving. And after purchasing it, he hadn't even mentioned it, letting it languish here all this time.

"I wanted to buy it for you," he stated, his voice calm yet stubborn.

Indeed, it was costly, and his financial situation wasn't generous back then. He had scrimped and saved for a considerable period before being able to afford it.

In truth, he always believed that she deserved nothing but the best.

Which is why he constantly felt unworthy of her.

During the years they were apart, he felt utterly incapable, unable to provide her with the finest life had to offer. He didn't want Lu Nian to endure hardships alongside him; she deserved a life of pampering and adoration.

"But never mind, it has remained sealed all this while, it should still be usable," Lu Nian said.

"Thank you," she said joyously, placing the box down and wrapping her arms around his waist, "I really love it."

The two of them snuggled close.

Lu Nian's phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Hu Bian, "Nian Nian, I checked. Those five hundred signed books were all ordered by the same person."

Lu Nian, "..."

After ending the call, she turned towards the man beside her with a stern expression, "What is going on?"

He, "..."

She genuinely hadn't expected Qin Si to resort to such absurd measures.

She pinched him on his waist, "Quickly take them all back! Return them to the readers."

Asking her to sign another five hundred books would be like asking her to break her hand.

He appeared somewhat unhappy, pursing his lips and turning his face away, "No."

He had witnessed the time and effort she had devoted to signing those books. Now that they were in his possession, he couldn't bear to part with them.

Lu Nian, "..."

The extent of this man's jealousy and possessiveness was simply incomprehensible. She was physically there with him, yet he insisted on having those signed books too.

"Why are you so prone to jealousy?" She nestled within his embrace, fidgety and teasing him incessantly, "Return them quickly."

"It was Fang Deng who bought them," he managed to say amidst her teasing, his ears glowing red, refusing to back down.

Still putting on a stubborn front.

Would he really allow Fang Deng to take away her books?

Lu Nian burst into laughter.

"When did you start liking me exactly?" she asked, sitting in his lap and continuing to playfully tease him.

His face turned completely red, he covered his eyes, conceding in a tone mixed with embarrassment and surrender, "A very, very long time ago."

A time span that she might find hard to even fathom.

Lu Nian was utterly charmed by his current demeanor.

She tilted her face upwards, planting a kiss on his lips.

"Alright, they are all yours," she conceded, "If you want, I'll write another five hundred for you when we get back."

"What do you need to feel secure?" she asked with a cocked head, "I love you this much already."

"You saw Hei today, were you very moved?" Lu Nian asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling, "He is extremely popular, you see how impressive I am? Without making a fuss, I've accumulated so many fans for you."

"Oh, the organizers gave me a set of clothing similar to what Hei wears today, the reproduction is incredibly accurate, right down to the finest details," Lu Nian rambled on, suddenly becoming excited, "How about you try them on for me some time?"

After all, Hei was designed based on him.

A mischievous idea suddenly popped into her mind, filling her with excitement. She leaned in close to his ear, whispering her idea, "... okay?"

"Not willing?"

He remained silent, his eyes tinged with redness, avoiding her gaze so as not to let her scrutinize him like that anymore.

Engaging with her in that manner would mean embodying a character from her comics, not being himself.

"You don't want to?"

Lu Nian sensed his discomfort, "Don't force yourself."

"..." His ears turned crimson as he gently pulled her hand away.

She watched as he retreated to the bathroom.

Lu Nian couldn't stop giggling, practically dizzy with laughter as she collapsed onto the sofa.

A note from the author:

A little temptress... (ahem, referring to someone in particular).