Chapter 65

Chapter 65

These past few days, Lu Nian had not left home, constantly being affectionate with him.

She planned to continue working on the sketches for "Black and White," at least draft them, and then outline the general plot for the future, preparing to discuss the adaptation with Xing Man.

Yet, Qin Si surprisingly stayed at home with her, showing affection both openly and covertly, without showing any signs of weariness.

This was vastly different from her initial impression of him. In her mind, Qin Si had always been a cool, self-controlled workaholic, who prioritized his career over relationships, always approaching matters with rationality far exceeding emotion, virtually devoid of sentiment.

How has one night with her led to him avoiding the company altogether?

That evening, after both had taken a bath, she was sketching in the living room, while Qin Si came out of the study, noticing her engrossed in her work, paying no attention to him.

He paced around the living room a few times, seeing that she remained oblivious to his presence, eventually, he couldn't resist and silently approached her.

Lu Nian finally couldn't curb her curiosity and asked in wonder, "Don't you need to go to the office?"

The man wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently kissing her ear, his voice deep and resonant, "I seldom went there before."

Initially, he rarely made appearances, preferring to make decisions remotely or via phone and video conferences, it wasn't necessary for him to be physically present at the office.

Previously, due to affairs concerning the Lu family, he had only made a few appearances at Ning Sheng.

Recently, he has merely reverted to his previous routine. Coupled with an unprecedented good mood, he was eager to swiftly wrap up all matters so he could be with her. Hence, achieving twice the results with half the effort, he, who already possessed high efficiency, managed to settle everything swiftly.

Recently, he had started working on another matter.

House hunting.

He plans to purchase a new villa with a garden, to serve as their marital home. He vividly recalls the house she used to live in, intending to design a spacious art studio for her in their new residence, with the garden and courtyard modeled after the previous Lu mansion.

Lu Nian had always adored wild roses since her childhood. He wishes to plant some in their garden. In his younger years, he would hide amongst the shadows of the trees, watching Lu Nian leisurely wander and exercise in the garden, meticulously memorizing her preferences, her likes and dislikes, planning to cater everything according to her tastes.

From behind, the man gently rested his chin on her shoulder, encircling her waist and gradually pulling her closer into his embrace.

It was a tender gesture, one that could be easily retracted if met with rejection. His nose was graced by the delicate warm fragrance swirling around the girl’s neck, and for once, his usually cold and handsome face revealed traces of languor and satisfaction that he couldn't suppress.

Seeing him like this, Lu Nian couldn't help but want to tease him.

She sat restlessly, moving slightly, both intentionally and unintentionally.

His body was highly sensitive, especially since he had recently experienced satisfaction; this made him even more susceptible.

Sure enough, his lips pursed and his eyes lowered, his ear tips turned a noticeable shade of red.

Despite craving the closeness they shared at the moment, the awkwardness urged him to distance himself, yet he couldn't bear to do so.

Lu Nian's almond eyes curved in a smile, unable to resist leaning in to plant a kiss on him, seeing him in this state.

His pair of deep, usually cold and clear phoenix eyes were now slightly glazed, the corners tinged with red. After the affectionate gesture ended, he did not let go, maintaining the posture. The collar of his clothing was loose, revealing a large swath of fair and clean skin, her usual favored spot for showering him with kisses and nips, now exposed for her indulgence.

It was a clear hint, a silent plea for affection.

"No." Distracted by the allure before her, Lu Nian snapped back to reality, realizing that she hadn’t fully recovered yet.

That previous encounter still left her with lingering apprehensions.

She felt that her body couldn’t possibly handle his persistent desires; she could only satisfy him in measured doses at set intervals.

Qin Si was a young man in his prime, frequently exercised, and maintained good health, while she had been somewhat frail since childhood. Despite growing up, her physical foundation remained weak, and it seemed unlikely to improve significantly.

After weighing her options, Lu Nian sincerely suggested, "Perhaps tonight, we shouldn't share the bed."

In doing so, he could spare himself some torment.

He stiffened, thinking swiftly - did Lu Nian not want to continue with him after they had slept together, having grown tired of him?

The man pursed his lips. The lazy satisfaction lingering at the corners of his eyes and mouth just moments ago was now entirely hidden away.

He stood up in silence, uttering softly, "Mhm."

These past couple of days, they had been sleeping together, a habit he was quickly growing accustomed to and becoming infatuated with.

First, they would chat for a while.

Mostly, he would listen to her speak.

Then, once Lu Nian had fallen asleep, he would gently cradle her in his arms, settling her comfortably. During her dreams, if she sensed his presence, she would snuggle closer instinctively.

That unconscious action could bring him unspeakable satisfaction.

Gently kissing her cheeks, lips, brows, and hair, over and over... he could kiss and observe her for a long time, without ever tiring.

Confirming that she was indeed lying in his embrace.

Seeing his expression...

Lu Nian couldn't bear it herself already, and stood up. "Come back."

She asked, "Qin Si, I've always wondered - from very early on, why is it that when I call you to come, you never do, yet when I tell you to leave, you slip away so quickly every time?"

Qin Si, "... "

As a child, he had no control over his own destiny, being tossed around like an object, which cultivated in him a habit of not becoming attached to any person, thing, or place.

Before, due to a fragile young ego, when she asked him to leave, he would only respond with a cold smile, distancing himself as far as possible.

But now, he wants to be with her, just to be by her side.

Therefore, he didn't want her to find him bothersome. If she asked him to leave, he would naturally have to depart.

"I am just worried it might be uncomfortable for you," Lu Nian said, holding onto him.

He quickly grasped the subtle hint in her words.

"It's alright." He brushed her lips gently, his long, lush eyelashes casting shadows, enhancing his good looks as they shielded the piercing gaze. Although his facial features were inherently beautiful, the cold and proud demeanor added a touch of melancholy to his eyes, always maintaining a certain distance from others.

Now, his thin lips, which had been moistened abundantly and bitten by her countless times, were richer in color compared to the previous pale hue.

Subtly, and extraordinarily unfamiliar, yet he was actively trying to please her.

He wanted to sleep with her, even if nothing else happened.

As long as she was willing to be close to him, he was immensely satisfied.

Lu Nian sighed.

She felt a teasing itch in her heart seeing him like this, yet she was helplessly constrained by her inability to fulfill her desires.

In the evening, they naturally shared a bed once more, engaging in ludicrous antics. Lu Nian teased and tormented him extensively, seemingly settling the score from the previous night.

A few days later, Lu Nian encountered a significant issue. As she desperately raced against the clock to meet her manuscript deadline, the presence of an insatiable and entrancing man beside her severely hindered her productivity.

"You should go out, be it for work or leisure, or anything else. You are not allowed to return today," Lu Nian commanded.

She pushed him out of the door, locking it firmly behind him.

The person locked outside remained silent, "..."

Business at Ming Ge's bar had been slow recently. The franchise had expanded, and the property Qin Si had advised him to buy years ago had appreciated in value by over tenfold due to the rising real estate index in Ancheng. Now, he sat back as the big boss, effortlessly reaping the financial rewards.

Having no parents or wife to keep him company, he could only visit Huang Mao's place often, where he doted on the children incessantly.

Huang Mao questioned why he hadn't found a woman to marry and start a family with.

Ming Ge found the idea troublesome, stating, "I'm not one of those hopeless romantics, am I?"

Understanding his own limitations, he decided not to burden others with his presence. Instead, he engaged in casual relationships to satisfy his needs, happily embracing his bachelorhood.

"Brother Qin indeed rarely involves himself in such matters," Huang Mao noted, clearly puzzled.

Being products of the streets themselves, they understood the intricacies of life well. No one restrained them. Given Qin Si's attractiveness, he could have easily been involved in intimate relationships even before reaching adulthood if he wished.

Surprisingly, Qin Si remained unaffected by Ming Ge's liberal views on relationships all these years.

As the two were engrossed in their conversation, the door suddenly swung open.

A tall figure entered.

"Damn, speak of the devil and he shall appear," he exclaimed, "Mr. Qin, what brings you to our humble bar today?"

The man seated himself at the counter, stretching his long legs out and regarded him with indifferent eyes, too lethargic to respond.

He seemed rather displeased.

Ming Ge clucked his tongue sympathetically, "Must've been on the receiving end of some grievances, I suppose."

"What were you discussing just now?"

"Discussing how Mr. Qin, even in his twenties, remains a vir..." Ming Ge was interrupted as he shuffled a deck of cards, scattering them across the table. With an almost unseen motion, the tall man sent a spade ace card flying towards him, narrowly missing Ming Ge's mouth.

He flicked the card away nonchalantly, swirling the glass in his hand, his tone indifferent, "Who said I am?"

"Holy shit," Ming Ge's eyes widened, larger than dinner bells.

This revelation seemed more difficult to believe than scaling the Great Wall; step by step, it appeared he had finally witnessed the arrival of spring.

Ming Ge pressed on eagerly, "When do you two plan to get married?"

This question struck a nerve, touching on a sore point for him.

Although Lu Nian verbally agreed, she had become busy with her comics recently, and thus the wedding date had not yet been set.

He had always kept this matter in mind.

Even though it had come to this point, he still believed that marriage would provide the most security.

"Why don't you plan a romantic proposal?"

"Even if they don't voice it, women do care about these gestures," Ming Ge stated. "Otherwise, how will she recognize your love for her? You need to demonstrate your affection, not just keep it in your heart."

"Besides, at this critical moment," Ming Ge suddenly smirked, "why are you here instead of spending time with Nian Nian? You've just been intimate; surely she expects you to stay by her side a bit longer?"

Qin Si remained silent, "..."

He was the one who had been kicked out.

However, this was not something he would admit to.

"After the proposal, you must prepare for the wedding," Ming Ge continued, "Remember how happy Nian Nian looked at Huang Mao's wedding? You can't deprive her of a celebration. Given your current capabilities, host the grandest event you can."

The man stared straight ahead, his tone remarkably even, "I don't have parents, and everyone knows about my family background."

Neither a proposal nor a wedding could be omitted.

But being orphaned and coming from humble beginnings, coupled with the previously awkward relationship with the Lu family and subsequent disputes between Ning Sheng and the Lu’s, many were aware of these matters.

Marrying him might not be seen as an honourable move for Lu Nian; in fact, it might be perceived as a compromise on her part.

If Lu Nian wishes for a grand, public ceremony, he would spare no effort to make it top-notch.

If she prefers a small-scale celebration with friends, he would be completely cooperative.

Ming Ge understood his concerns, knowing his sensitive and meticulous nature, especially regarding Lu Nian. He truly prioritized her, considering every minute detail to prevent her from experiencing any discomfort.

However, the situation was a foregone conclusion, immutable.

Outside, enveloped in darkness, he stepped out of the bar's entrance, a faint scent of alcohol clinging to him as he answered a call in the night breeze.

It was Qiu Li.

"Mr. Qin," Qiu Li's voice carried a restrained tone, "regarding the matter of the Lu Corporation, are you truly planning to proceed this way? Mr. Qiu visited me today, handed over the company seal, account details, and other documents. I..."

Qin Si responded, "As for the affairs of the Lu Corporation, proceed as you see fit in the coming days."

"If there's anything you don't understand, consult Ming Hong or come to me."

Qiu Li still found it somewhat unbelievable. With Ning Sheng's comprehensive assistance, the Lu Corporation was showing signs of revival. Was Qin Si really willing to relinquish all power and hand over the corporation to him at such a juncture?

Qin Si's external persona and reputation were that of a cold, calculating, and ruthless individual. Qiu Li found it difficult to fully trust his words.

There had to be some hidden motive or underlying reason for this move.

"I am about to get married soon." Over the phone, the familiar cool voice of the man resonated.

"At the wedding, you should attend as a member of her family," he said.

Now, Lu Zhihong is utterly ineffective.

The word outside is that the Lu family has fallen under his control.

As the girl is to be wed, he doesn't want Lu Nian to feel slighted or to give outsiders a chance to gossip. Entrusting the Lu Corporation to Qiu Li is, in essence, a return to Lu Nian. Having a wealthy brother would prevent her from appearing too vulnerable in the eyes of the world, and he, too, might find a greater sense of security.

Qiu Li seemed to be catching on.

He didn't know what to say, and after a moment, he uttered, "I will do my best."

"Thank you for being so kind to Nian Nian," he said, "We will always remember this."

Qin Si disliked hearing him speak this way.

He was her man, her future husband, and should naturally be the closest person to her in this world. Qiu Li's tone made it sound like a given, almost as if he was thanking him on Lu Nian's behalf.

It felt as if a line had been drawn, placing him, Zhao Ya Yuan, and Lu Nian on one side, and isolating him on the other.

By what right?

He felt uneasy inside.

Qin Si rarely tolerated others' emotional disturbances. When someone made him uncomfortable, he wouldn't hesitate to reciprocate. His voice turned even colder, "Make it clear, we are getting married. In the future, she is my wife first, then your sister."

Qiu Li fell silent too.

To be honest, although he had admitted to Lu Nian that Qin Si treated her well and genuinely liked her,

When it really came down to this moment, his emotions were exceptionally complex.

She was about to be snatched away by another man, away from him and Ya Yuan.

Qin Si returned to the bar.

"Who was it?"

Seeing that he didn't seem keen on sharing, "No one."

Ming Ge had no choice but to drop the subject. Huang Mao had already left, and Daddy was back home tending to his child, with no time to linger and drink more outside.

"After you get married and Nian Nian completes her master's, are you guys planning to have a child?" Ming Ge inquired.

He had taken great delight in playing with Huang Mao's child lately and felt that a little daughter was what was missing. A child resembling both Bunny and Sister Nian Nian would undoubtedly be adorable, adding joy and warmth to the environment.

Qin Si responded, "Not planning to."

He genuinely disliked children. Moreover, her health was fragile, and bearing a child might constitute another ordeal.

Ming Ge chuckled mischievously, "Alright, I understand you."

Young and newly liberated, his desires are surely peaking, ten months of waiting would be unbearable, to say the least.

"I don't want any, ever."

Ming Ge, "?"

He slowly straightened up, examining the man's expressions and the look in his eyes; it seemed he wasn't jesting.

"I would advise you to discuss this with Sister Nian Nian first," Ming Ge suggested.

He recalled a conversation he had with Lu Nian about children in the past.

They had agreed, if they wanted children, they'd have them; if not, then not.

"She must truly love you," Ming Ge commented, "You know, this essentially strips a woman of her potential right to motherhood quite casually. Just because you don't want it, how can you be sure she doesn't want to experience a normal family life?"

Qin Si fell silent, not uttering a word for a long while.

He glanced at the time; it was already the moment.

The earliest time Lu Nian had permitted him to return home had arrived, and he didn't want to linger here any longer.

"Young boss, something seems to have happened at the Zhao's," he received another call from Ming Hong on the road.

"What?"

To be honest, the matters of the Zhao family didn't bear much relation to them now, but because of Zhao Ya Yuan and Qiu Li, Lu Nian had kept a lingering concern.

"Zhao's wife, that woman named Su something, seems to have left alone for Hai City in recent days, presumably to seek Lu Zhihong again," he relayed.

"But what can Lu Zhihong do for them now? It's not like that old man isn't aware," Ming Hong added.

On the other end of the call, the man's handsome brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed quickly, a faint scornful smile fluttering across his features.

Ming Hong, "I was thinking the same."

The Zhao family had been in quite a turmoil lately.

Zhao Ya Yuan returned home and met with Zhao Ting Yuan. His demeanor was much calmer than anticipated, silencing all of Zhao Ting Yuan's prepared justifications with a single sentence, "Brother, I don't blame you."

"You are my brother," Zhao Ya Yuan stated, "You raised me since I was a child, always protecting and cherishing me. Our Zhao family does not have a tradition of fratricide; everyone in the family knows this."

His expression was serene, his statements well-reasoned and structured.

"Brother, there's one more thing, do you know?" Zhao Ya Yuan continued, "The young maid who came to our house last year, her real name is Su Xiaoqin."

Zhao Ting Yuan stood there, stunned.

"I already know everything," Zhao Ya Yuan revealed.

Fang Deng provided him with comprehensive information — details about Su Xiaoqin, the connection between Lu Zhihong and Su Qingyou, and the ties with the raw material factory — everything was handed over to him.

"How many of such people do we have in our family?" he asked, "When did our family start having these peculiarities?"

"I won't discuss this with mom and dad." He had lost a significant amount of weight, his eyes showing a newfound depth and solemnity. "I hope, brother, you can also be clear-headed and make a decision on your own."

That night, the light in Zhao Tingyuan's bedroom stayed on until late.

With the pressure and anger, the man's once handsome and gentle facade was nowhere to be seen, revealing the fierce and grim expression beneath.

The door was slammed shut forcefully.

Su Qingyou went to the nursery; her face was also pale, illuminated faintly by the dim light.

"Xiuyi." She gently kissed the infant's cheek. Sensing the presence of his mother, Zhao Xiuyi cracked a smile, his cheeks rosy and his large, grape-like eyes twinkling.

He was her and Zhao Tingyuan's son.

She slowly straightened up, shadows casting over her gentle face.

As long as that person ceased to exist, all of this could temporarily come to an end.

Qin Si arrived home at just the right time.

Along the way, he pondered over many things.

However, even the marriage hadn't been finalized yet.

He no longer wanted to think about the matter of having children.

Returning home, he found that Lu Nian had already freshened up. She cheerfully said, "I've finished all the drawings! I knew my efficiency would skyrocket as soon as you left."

She leaped into his arms, hugging him tightly and planting a kiss on him in the flow of the moment, to which he responded quite cooperatively.

The two were intimately close; he emerged from the shower with wet black hair, and Lu Nian snuggled into the crook of his neck, inhaling a faint, pleasant fragrance that resembled the scent of shower gel, yet slightly different.

"Tomorrow, we've arranged to have dinner with Qiu Li," Lu Nian mentioned, "Let's go to bed early tonight."

He paused for a moment, his thin lips habitually pursing together. He responded casually, "If you want to go, then go."

He wouldn't interfere too much.

Doing so might annoy her.

He was constantly considering what he could do to make her like him a bit more.

Since childhood, winning people over had never been his forte. He had never imagined that one day he would discard all dignity, sparing no effort to win over someone's affection, even just a little bit more.

If she grew fonder of him,

She wouldn't abandon him again, and would agree to his marriage proposal, committing to spend a lifetime with him.

"What do you mean?" Lu Nian asked as she lay on top of him, pinching his waist, "Aren't you going?"

Could he really go?

With a composed countenance, the handsome man's eyes and eyebrows gracefully eased, "I will."

"Behave yourself when you go," Lu Nian teased him, using her little feet to play with him, "Don't get unnecessarily jealous."

She thought that Ya Yuan would probably join them too, and she feared that a fuss might arise again.

He captured her fidgeting feet, seemingly unable to tolerate further, while Lu Nian played gleefully, "Understood?"

His long eyelashes fluttered suddenly, "…"

"Do you like it this way?"

"Not responding won't do, you know."

"…Say you like it, that you desire it." The girl's voice was soft and low, somewhat coaxing and somewhat enticing, melodiously pleasing to the ear, flirting yet seemingly innocent.

With a pull of the curtains, they were alone in the room. With the beauty by his side, her fair and delicate face, Lu Nian felt time was too short, as if she could never have enough, never sufficiently behold him in this state.