The Lu family’s house has two floors and three study rooms: one is a private study for Lu Zhihong to work in, one is a large shared study, and the other is a small study that Lu Nian usually uses for herself.

In the past, when she was studying, Lu Nian always used the shared study.

Qin Si walked a step behind her.

This time, for some unknown reason, as she walked, she inexplicably took a turn and changed direction.

The August sun was just right.

The shadows of the osmanthus flowers in the courtyard of the Lu family fell delicately on the corridor outside, emitting a faint fragrance.

Occasionally, a cool breeze blew by, carrying the moisture from the small pond in the Lu family’s courtyard.

Qin Si followed her silently, his gaze returning from outside the window.

A place familiar yet strange to him.

How long had it been since he last left and returned this time?

He remembered his conversation with Lu Zhihong.

He had always been restrained, able to endure.

Lu Zhihong didn’t notice anything, and he smoothly obtained a promise, a promise of entry into the Lu family.

But, it was just a promise.

Neither of them spoke again until they reached the end of the corridor.

Lu Nian grasped the handle of the study door and said blandly, “We’re here.”

She opened the door.

Bright sunlight flooded in.

Lu Nian often sat alone in this study, with bookshelves on both sides filled with neatly stacked books.

In one corner was her easel, paintbox, and brushes, various tools for painting.

There was also a light beige grid fabric sofa and a rattan table.

Occasionally, she would have afternoon tea there.

In the center of the room was a desk.

The room was decorated very warmly, emitting a faint fragrance unique to a girl’s room, a mixture of floral and refreshing bookish scents, with a small dog plush toy lying on the floor.

She closed the door behind her.

The morning was quiet, and the sound of the door locking was particularly crisp and clear.

There were only the two of them left in the room.

Lu Nian was in no mood for study at all, her mind full of question marks, wishing she could pin him against the wall and force him to spill everything.

“Aren’t you supposed to stay in Ancheng?” She calmed herself down and chose an angle to speak, “Why, changed your mind? You were so firm about it before.”

The young man replied coldly, “I came to tutor you.”

Meaning, his private matters had nothing to do with her, right?

Lu Nian almost laughed out loud.

They were considered childhood sweethearts, knowing each other for so many years, even a wooden person should have developed feelings by now.

They had argued so fiercely last time, almost breaking off their friendship.

And now, he appeared at her house inexplicably, without any explanation.

“Tutor?” Lu Nian sat down on the small sofa, resting her chin on her hand. “Then I’d like to know more about the senior’s level. Is that not allowed?”

She blinked, “If I don’t understand, how do I know if you’re capable?”

At home, it was another scorching day, and she was dressed very casually, with her thin gauze sleeve slipping down, revealing a smooth wrist.

The space was enclosed, with only the two of them.

The young man lowered his eyelashes, his thin lips tightly pressed together.

From Lu Nian’s angle, she could see his delicate and angular jawline.

He didn’t answer her question, as if he hadn’t heard it.

He took out a book, his expression still indifferent, only his knuckles were clearly visible, tightly gripping the spine of the book.

“Try it and you’ll know if it works.” He said.

His tone was cold, without any change in expression.

Lu Nian was very angry, so angry that she wanted to bite him to vent her anger.

She forcibly held back, telling herself not to be angry, to stay calm.

If he was so indifferent to her, she could just treat him the same way.

The desk was large enough to accommodate the books of two people, but there was only one chair in front of the desk, presumably the one Lu Nian usually sat on, with a soft cushion, aside from the fabric sofa.

Lu Nian took out her textbooks from her bag, seeming to feel that nothing was wrong.

The young man remained standing, with a hint of a thin back, but very upright. “Chair.”

Lu Nian didn’t turn around. “Hmm?”

The girl bent slightly, revealing a white and smooth nape.

She tied up her hair today, and the black, fluffy hair fluttered on that nape.

He had to say, “There’s only one chair.”

Lu Nian seemed to have just noticed. She found the book, hugged it, and straightened up. “Oh, usually it’s just me.”

There was an internal phone in the study. She dialed Miao Miao’s number. “Miao Miao, the small study, can you please send a chair over?”

Miao Miao was a bit surprised when she came.

Because she knew that usually, Lu Nian used this study alone, sometimes spending the whole night in it, and no one else was allowed in.

She couldn’t help but take another look at the young man.

His features seemed familiar, but Miao Miao couldn’t remember where she had seen him before.

But, he was very handsome.

She thought, Nian Nian would like someone like him.

Miao Miao took another look at them, smiling, “Then I’ll have someone bring tea over later.”

“Thank you.” Lu Nian saw her off at the door.

Finally, they began.

He took Lu Nian’s math book and flipped to the table of contents. “Where do you not understand?”

The girl rested her chin on her hand, her big eyes clear and innocent. “I don’t understand any of it.”

He pursed his lips. “Bring out the last final exam paper.”

Although Lu Nian had a very mild temper, all the teachers who had tutored her before spoke gently, afraid of displeasing her.

She took out the test paper. For some reason, on the 150-point test paper, Lu Nian felt that the 91 points on it were particularly glaring, and her cheeks were a little hot.

Fortunately, Qin Si didn’t say anything.

He quickly glanced through the test paper and had a rough idea in his mind.

He estimated the areas where she lost the most points and turned to the end, starting from the major questions in that section.

Qin Si surprisingly explained it very clearly.

His thinking was very clear and logical, and he took into account her level.

Lu Nian realized that he understood her situation very well.

Some parts that he could obviously solve in one step, he broke down into several detailed steps.

He hardly needed any rough work, most of it he could do in his head, with an accuracy rate of almost 100%.

Lu Nian suddenly remembered.

When they were kids, they used to do homework together in that attic. It seemed that he had already shown this talent back then.

And over the years, they had both grown up.

Lu Nian suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

“Do you understand?”

Lu Nian actually listened very attentively and understood.

She was about to nod, but then remembered their previous quarrel.

A strange resentment surged in her heart, and she changed her mind, “I don’t understand.”

“I’m very silly,” Lu Nian blinked, “one time is definitely not enough.”

She wanted to provoke him.

The young man’s thin lips tightened, his expression unchanged.

He picked up the pen, actually wanting to repeat it again.

Lu Nian, “…”

“I understand.” She said impatiently.

She took the pen from his hand, “No need to explain.”

The girl’s fingers were very soft, with warm fingertips. Touching his cold and slender fingers, Lu Nian didn’t feel anything.

She lowered her head to continue solving the problem.

His ears were burning.

They couldn’t touch each other anymore… It had come to this.

A strand of her tied-up long hair slipped down, obstructing her view.

Lu Nian casually tucked the strand behind her ear, revealing her cheeks as white and flawless as porcelain.

He closed his eyes, somewhat desperate, and looked away, trying not to look at her.

In this enclosed space, there were only the two of them. He gradually realized that coming here like this was a mistake, a mistake filled with torment.

“I’ve got it.” Lu Nian was excited.

She got angry quickly, but also calmed down quickly. Apart from occasionally getting angry at him, most of the time, she had a very gentle personality.

Seeing that he seemed a bit unusual, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer.

The morning passed quickly, and Lu Nian felt a bit hungry.

She checked the time and found that they had studied for three hours already, without any breaks.

So she said, “Is it almost time?”

Usually, tutoring sessions lasted for three hours.

The young man said, “One day.”

Lu Nian, “?”

“It’s a day of tutoring, from morning to afternoon.”

Lu Nian was surprised, “A day? So does that mean we’ll continue in the evening?” When would this end?

The young man’s slender jaw tightened, “…Not including the evening.”

That was alright then.

After careful thought, Lu Zhihong had mentioned ten days.

Considering the longer hours each day, it seemed normal.

But, to come voluntarily and stay with her for so long just to earn money, he really had it tough.

Lu Nian suddenly felt a bit soft-hearted.

Thinking of their last quarrel, she still felt a bit uncomfortable, so before, she just wanted to say something to provoke him for no reason.

But, on second thought, there were only ten days left.

After that, he would leave Ancheng quickly, go to college outside, and they might never see each other again.

Thinking of this, she felt sorry for him.

He was probably enduring it all silently, forced to live with someone he disliked just to earn a little money, and he had to endure her harassment.

After this morning, she was still angry, but her hardened heart had softened again.

Lu Nian softened her tone, “Are you hungry? Let’s go eat.”

With her anger dissipating, her voice returned to normal, soft, sweet, and crisp.

As the two walked out of the room, Miao Miao was already waiting outside.

“Mr. Qin has gone to the company,” Miao Miao glanced at Qin Si and whispered to Lu Nian, “And, Master Lu Yang came today.”

Lu Zhihong wasn’t there.

Lu Nian’s eyes lit up.

But then Lu Yang came.

She suddenly felt deflated.

“Nian Nian.” Footsteps echoed in the corridor. Lu Yang’s steps were brisk, with a smile on his face.

When he saw the tall and cold-faced young man standing next to Lu Nian, he looked as if he had seen a ghost.

His smile quickly stiffened, melting away like snow.

His face turned ugly, and he blurted out, “What are you doing here? Who invited you?”

“Mr. Lu invited him,” Miao Miao said, “to come and tutor Miss Nian Nian.”

Lu Nian didn’t like the tone Lu Yang used to speak to Qin Si.

Her voice was colder than usual, “Why can’t he come? This is my home.”

Qin Si just looked quietly at Lu Yang, not saying anything.

Lu Yang’s eyes turned red with anger.

Lu Zhihong invited him to come?

He remembered hinting so many times in front of his uncle, even saying that he might be dating Lu Nian, but why could he still come in so brazenly?

Could it be?

Could it be that Uncle wanted…

A terrible thought rose in Lu Yang’s mind.

He immediately shook his head, dispelling the terrifying and absurd thought, telling himself it was impossible.

The three of them ate together.

Lu Yang sat next to Lu Nian, particularly attentive. “Nian Nian, have some soup. It’s hot in the summer.”

As he watched her eat and drink, he felt somewhat triumphant, glancing at the young man across from him.

To his surprise, Qin Si was very silent, quietly eating his own food without any attempt to get close to her.

The two of them didn’t seem close at all.

He remembered what Qin Si had said before.

A man who would go to such lengths for a woman, escorting her when she was in danger, coming to her when she was upset, even willing to hide his name and not ask for any reward.

If there were no ulterior motives, Lu Yang himself wouldn’t believe it.

Both men, who was deceiving whom?

Qin Si had also admitted himself that he was willing to do anything for her.

Lu Yang still couldn’t understand now, was that statement deliberately said to provoke him, or was it a slip of Qin Si’s true feelings?

What game was this guy playing?

But he also knew that Qin Si had been admitted to A University, and he would soon leave Ancheng to go to school.

Looking at the current trend, no matter what, he couldn’t cling to Nian Nian for long.

Afterwards, looking at the current trend, Nian Nian would definitely go abroad.

What could happen across a vast ocean?

After entering university, with a broadened horizon and meeting more new friends, she would naturally forget about him.

After finishing the meal, the afternoon tutoring continued.

While working on the problems, Lu Nian felt tired.

Her health was not good, and she basically had to take a nap every day, or else she couldn’t keep up with her energy in the afternoon, especially prone to drowsiness in the summer.

However, seeing that Qin Si didn’t seem to feel tired at all, she felt embarrassed to mention it.

As she wrote, her pen dropped, landing on the paper, making a faint sound.