Lu Nian had never kissed anyone before, so after that one kiss, her mind went blank.

His lips were softer and warmer than she had imagined, and it was the first time she felt his warmth since they had met.

Lu Nian didn’t know what to do and didn’t dare to continue.

She had begun to regain some of her senses and tried to withdraw slowly.

But her waist was tightly held, and before she could react, she was pulled down forcefully.

Lu Nian hadn’t realized it yet, but she couldn’t move at all.

This person really didn’t know what gentleness meant…

Her face was red, and she couldn’t move her waist.

Her mind was in chaos, but she managed to analyze why he did this.

He must feel embarrassed.

He had always been proud, sensitive, and suspicious, with a very high sense of self-esteem.

He probably felt very embarrassed to be pinned down like this by her, so he had to return it.

There was only one bed in the room, small and seemingly not very sturdy.

Even a slight movement would cause it to creak.

Both of them were silent, seemingly unwilling to give in to each other.

Even though they were doing something intimate, the atmosphere was strangely peculiar.

Lu Nian was out of breath, her mind blank. She started to regret provoking Qin Si.

She didn’t know how long it had been.

When they separated, the tense atmosphere from before had completely disappeared.

She sat there blankly, still in his arms, her dark hair a little messy, falling beside her snow-white cheeks, her lips unusually red.

She felt like she had been enveloped in his scent from head to toe, and the thought made her feel like a freshly steamed bun, emitting steam all over.

She lifted her gaze slightly and saw his Adam’s apple moving, his slender and handsome jawline.

Looking up further, she saw his beautiful lips with a faint tooth mark on them that hadn’t faded yet.

Finally, he released her waist with his fingers, but he didn’t say anything.

Lu Nian didn’t dare to look at him again. She plucked up the courage to say, “Are you satisfied now?”

With this leverage, he shouldn’t tell Lu Zhihong anymore.

Qin Si remained silent.

Lu Nian had reached her limit.

She couldn’t say anything more and wanted to sit up and leave his embrace.

But to her surprise, her whole body was weak, and she fell back down.

There was a low grunt from the boy beneath her, quickly suppressed.

His black hair fell over his face, hiding his expression.

His once clear phoenix eyes were tinged with red, and he covered them with his fingers, trying not to let her see.

He tried his best to control all his reactions, and the sound was so light that she almost thought it was an illusion.

Lu Nian didn’t say anything.

She got up again, too flustered to say anything else, and jumped off the bed in a hurry.

Qin Si didn’t come after her.

Lu Nian felt like one of those unfaithful men in TV dramas, who kissed someone and then left without explanation.

“I-I-I’ll leave first,” she stammered, not waiting for him to say anything, and hastily closed the door and ran away.

The door was closed.

Her figure disappeared completely.

He finally got up, closed his eyes, his face already flushed, the heat on his body still unbearable, the boy pursed his lips, threw off the blanket covering him, and closed the bathroom door.

…

That was her first kiss, given in such a situation.

Like in their long years of childhood, they would quarrel and part ways in various ways, but this time, it was just a different way.

Nothing special.

With her face red, Lu Nian told herself.

She never expected Qin Si’s reaction to be like this.

Last night’s scene was too stimulating.

She had spent the whole night having indescribable dreams and had hardly slept a few hours.

When she woke up the next day, she had two big dark circles under her eyes.

Early the next morning, she got up to wash, looking at her lackluster appearance in the mirror.

Then she remembered that she still had to go find Qiu Li, and she also had to go to the clinic to change the medicine for her calf.

She still had some difficulty walking, but the time to return to Fenghe was approaching.

Zhao Yayuan was fine, but if she couldn’t go back according to the scheduled time, the consequences with Lu Zhihong would be unimaginable.

She packed her bag and prepared to check out.

Just as Lu Nian stepped out, the door next to hers also opened.

It was Qin Si.

He had changed his clothes, wearing a rare white T-shirt and loose black pants, tall and handsome, looking even more refreshing.

Lu Nian rarely saw Qin Si in such light colors, and it gave her a refreshing feeling.

He pursed his lips and didn’t look at her.

But it seemed that there was no longer the icy coldness from when they had met yesterday.

Lu Nian quickly turned around to find the owner.

She couldn’t bear to see him now; her face would flush, remembering her reprehensible behavior after drinking fake alcohol yesterday.

“Boss, I’m checking out,” Lu Nian said, pretending not to see him.

“Okay,” the boss took the room key and processed her check-out.

“You young people have good health,” the boss said with a smile. “But, our bed can’t withstand too much tossing around. Be careful not to damage it.”

Lu Nian replied, “Yes, I’m sorry. The bed should be fine. If it’s damaged, I can compensate.”

Although she was young, her health was not good.

But she thought, although there was a bit of a commotion yesterday, she shouldn’t have damaged the boss’s bed.

After all, it didn’t last long, and she wasn’t heavy.

Qin Si remained silent, his ears turning red.

The boss looked at him with a smile, “Young man, are you checking out too?”

“Yeah,” he placed the room key on the counter and quickly completed the procedure.

The two of them walked out of the hotel, one in front and one behind.

The atmosphere was incredibly awkward.

“I’m going to Grandma Lan’s house today,” Lu Nian said awkwardly. “Aren’t you going for your social practice?”

He kept his eyes down and didn’t say anything.

“I’m going back today,” Lu Nian bit her lip lightly. “Please don’t tell my dad about these things, okay?”

He finally spoke, “I’m not interested in telling him.”

This was the first thing he had said to her since yesterday’s incident.

Lu Nian felt a little relieved.

Qin Si’s words were trustworthy. Basically, he had never lied to her, and whatever promises he made, no matter how harsh his tone, he would eventually fulfill them.

She still had a lot to do today. She wanted to go to the clinic first to change the medicine for her leg, then go to Grandma Lan’s house to find Qiu Li and Zhao Yayuan.

She hobbled along, carrying her backpack, feeling incredibly heavy.

Qin Si walked not too far from her.

Lu Nian was struggling to walk when suddenly, her backpack was taken away.

His fingers were cold but strong. He casually supported her, and she felt much lighter and less pain in her left leg.

He didn’t let go, and they walked together towards the clinic.

Lu Nian was surprised, “Huh?”

She was very surprised that Qin Si would help her.

She always thought that with Qin Si’s heart of stone and indifference towards her, even if she collapsed in front of him, he might not even bat an eyelid.

Qin Si didn’t look at her, keeping his eyes ahead, his lips slightly pursed, his expression somewhat stiff.

She didn’t say anything else to him, but her eyes curved slightly.

For some reason, she felt a little inexplicable joy in her heart.

The morning in the town was exceptionally comfortable, not too hot.

Her heart felt like a sail being filled with wind, light and cheerful.

They arrived at the clinic, and the doctor changed her medicine.

“Little girl, try to walk less for the next few days,” the doctor said. “We have poor conditions here. When you go back home, see if you can go to a big hospital to see if you need scar removal cream.”

Actually, the wound was not a big problem.

The main issue was that she was such a beautiful girl, with slender and smooth legs like jade.

If she left behind ugly scars, it would be regrettable, like a piece of jade with flaws, making people feel sorry.

“Okay,” Lu Nian said, “Thank you, doctor.”

“Your friend has already taken the medicine,” the doctor said. “We have many slopes here, and there are no cars in town. If you can’t walk, ask your friend to carry you.”

Lu Nian hesitated.

Qin Si probably wouldn’t want to do it, so she didn’t bring it up.

But surprisingly, he had already sorted out the medicine for her and was waiting for her at the door.

Lu Nian couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?”

She really wanted to ask, feeling very anxious.

Blinking her big eyes, she said seriously, “I even feel like you’re not yourself.”

Qin Si, looking somewhat embarrassed, took back the medicine.

Lu Nian, holding the bag of medicine, felt her slender arms pressed down.

She asked, “?”

“I’m sorry,” Lu Nian said, “I shouldn’t have said that. You’ve always been super nice! You’ve been good to me since we were kids…”

“…Stop talking,” he gritted his teeth, taking the medicine back.

Lu Nian obediently closed her mouth.

Qin Si didn’t seem to intend to accompany her inside Autumn’s house; he stopped outside.

Just as Lu Nian was about to knock on the door, the courtyard door opened.

Qiu Li was already waiting for her at the door. “Nian Nian.”

He looked at her leg with concern and reproach in his tone, “You went to change your medicine this morning. Why didn’t you call me to go with you?”

Lu Nian said, “I wanted you to sleep a little longer. It’s okay if you don’t go.”

Lu Nian told her that Qiuli was also in poor health, always being frail since childhood, and needed plenty of rest.

“I want to accompany you,” Qiuli said gently. “After all, you’re leaving today.”

Being cared for by loved ones felt warm.

Lu Nian couldn’t remember the last time she experienced this feeling.

As Qiu Li led her inside, Lu Nian stopped at the door and looked back not far away.

A tall and slender young man stood under the maple tree at the entrance of the courtyard, with a cold expression, seeming to have no intention of coming over to greet them.

“Who is he?” Qiuli remembered seeing him briefly at the hotel yesterday and asked Lu Nian in a low voice, “Nian Nian, is he your friend?”

Lu Nian hesitated, “Yes.”

Well… sort of.

She didn’t know how to describe the relationship between herself and Qin Si to others.

After last night’s incident, she felt that the complexity of their relationship had multiplied.

“Does he want to come in?” Qiuli asked.

Zhao Yayuan had probably just woken up and yawned as he came out of the yard.

He also saw Qin Si and his eyes widened in surprise.

Qin Si also saw him but showed no reaction.

“You two go in first,” Zhao Yayuan said to Qiuli. “I know him; he’s here to see me.”

Lu Nian was puzzled.

Qiuli nodded and asked Lu Nian, “I’ve prepared breakfast. Shall we eat together?”

“Go ahead,” Zhao Yayuan said, raising his eyebrows.

He closed the courtyard door behind them.

There weren’t many pedestrians in the small town in the early morning, and sparrows chirped as they flew by.

Zhao Yayuan raised his eyebrows. “How did you end up here?”

Qin Si replied casually, “Social practice.”

“Oh?” Zhao Yayuan chuckled. “At the Lu’s social practice?”

Qin Si remained unmoved. “I’m going to Fēnghé for social practice.”

Zhao Yayuan fell silent.

He said, “So, what do you want?”

Qin Si replied briefly, “Let her go back.”

“You don’t have to say it; Nian Nian should go back today anyway,” Zhao Yayuan said.

“After all, from South Bin to Fēnghé, and then directly to Ancheng, her leg is injured. Remember to take care of her on the way,” Zhao Yayuan said.

Qin Si’s tone became impatient. “I’m not a babysitter. I can’t handle this kind of thing.”

Zhao Yayuan shrugged. “Fine, it’s up to you.”

It’s always difficult when a young girl falls for someone like him, but it’s for the best; it saves him a lot of trouble in the future.

Qiuli was an excellent cook.

Breakfast included millet porridge he cooked himself, sour and delicious side dishes, and a bamboo basket of buns shaped like cute little rabbits, which were particularly tasty when eaten one by one.

Qiuli quietly watched her eat, occasionally adding more dishes for her.

The atmosphere was exceptionally pleasant.

But… after finishing this meal, she would almost have to leave.

After returning, there were many things she wanted to investigate: what exactly happened back then, Qiuli’s true identity, and whether it was as she imagined.

Why did her father, Lu Zhihong, keep it a secret?

“Are you really not coming back with me?” Lu Nian asked one last time, hesitating for a moment. “My dad would be really happy to see you…”

Qiuli shook his head gently. “My grandma is still here, and I want to stay with her. This is my home.”

Lu Nian bit her lip, feeling a somewhat indescribable sadness in her heart.

“Did we live here together when we were kids?” she finally asked.

In the morning light, the young man’s features appeared especially gentle.

He shook his head. “The past is in the past. I’m doing well now and I like the life here.”

Zhao Yayuan had already told her to respect Qiuli’s wishes, so Lu Nian couldn’t force him to leave.

It seemed that he had no intention of returning to the Lu family.

Living here in peace was preferable to the oppressive atmosphere of the Lu family, compared to the free and easy life in Nanqiao.

Although Lu Nian really wanted him to come back and live with her.

“Take care of yourself,” he said to her.

Lu Nian’s eyes reddened again, but she held back her tears, took a sip of porridge, and cheerfully replied, “I will.”

Qiuli had been quietly watching her, and finally asked, “Nian Nian, will you come back again?”

“I’ll come with Yayuan to see you,” Lu Nian said. “If you want to come to Ancheng, you can come anytime. If you have anything, you can call or text me anytime.”

Qiuli smiled softly. “The same goes for you. If you’re unhappy, you can rely on me and tell me everything.”

He had always longed to be relied upon and close to his sister.

After saying this, Qiuli realized that Lu Nian didn’t remember anything, and during their long period of separation and growth, their current relationship might not be much better than that of strangers who had just met.

He was used to rejection.

The young man pursed his lips and looked at her with warm black eyes. “If it’s inconvenient for you, of course, you don’t have to…”

Lu Nian looked at his eyes, so similar to hers. “It’s convenient.”

The young man was taken aback.

Over the years, she had changed so much, but Qiuli didn’t want to delve into it.

This was fine as it was.

He didn’t expect more.

In fact, he also wished he could live with her.

…

“Are you done talking?” Lu Nian leaned out halfway and saw the two boys under the tree. “Come in for breakfast. Xiaoqiu’s breakfast is delicious.”

“We agreed,” Zhao Yayuan said casually as he sat down on a chair. “Nian Nian, you and him will go back to Ancheng together. I have something to do here, so I might leave a couple of days later.”

Lu Nian was startled and looked at Qin Si.

Qin Si seemed to have no objection, just a cold look in his eyes. He didn’t say a word after entering the courtyard.

“We’ll pass through Fēnghé on the way back to Ancheng,” Zhao Yayuan said. “When the time comes, just tell your dad that you hurt your leg in Fēnghé and met him there, so you decided to go back together early.”

Fēnghé was a big city with a large flow of people. It wouldn’t be strange to meet one or two acquaintances there.

Lu Nian thought for a moment and felt that it was indeed feasible.

As long as the plane ticket was from Fēnghé to Ancheng, it could easily deceive Lu Yang.

Lu Zhihong had been busy with work recently.

It was usually Lu Yang who looked after her, then reported back to Lu Zhihong. Lu Yang’s city sophistication was incomparable to Lu Zhihong’s, so it would be much easier to keep it from him.

She was curious about how Zhao Yayuan persuaded Qin Si to help.

…

Finally, it was time to leave.

Zhao Yayuan had something to do in the afternoon and had to meet with the town’s traffic manager, so only Qiuli was left at home.

Qiuli wanted to accompany her. “I’ll come to see you off.”

Lu Nian firmly refused. “You stay home and rest.”

“My leg is much better,” she pointed not far away to Qin Si, “and I have someone to help me. Don’t worry.”

Qiuli obviously wasn’t reassured.

He felt that the man was inscrutable and instinctively somewhat repelled by him.

However, Lu Nian was too determined, and he couldn’t persuade her.

He accompanied her to the crossroads and Lu Nian firmly refused his further company.

“I’ll check on you again!” she waved to him from a distance.

Qin Si had remained silent the whole time, watching them say goodbye.

Nanqiao Town was actually built against a small hill, with mostly flat roads in the town, but there was a steep uphill section near the station.

Lu Nian gathered her courage and decided to climb it in one go.

Her leg still hurt, throbbing with every step.

Qin Si walked beside her, watching her slow progress.

He pursed his lips and pulled her over with one hand.

Before Lu Nian could understand what was happening, he had already lifted her up.

“We’ll miss the bus,” he explained coldly.

He had a broad, straight back, and his black hair reached down to the nape of his neck, glossy and clean.