Lu Nian didn’t have such a ruthless heart.

After slapping him, seeing him like this again, she softened.

After all, she had watched him for so many years, childhood to growing up together.

Over the years, the feelings and care she had given were not fake.

This house was very new, a duplex, with the dining room, living room, and study on the first floor, and the bedroom on the second floor.

There were basically no traces of anyone living there, cleaned spotlessly, exuding the fresh smell of a new home.

It seemed that after buying this house, he hadn’t stayed here much either.

There were basically no daily necessities in the house.

Although there were kitchen utensils, the refrigerator was empty.

Lu Nian couldn’t cook, so she could only call for food delivery.

Fortunately, she had taken care of him before, so she was familiar with it.

Lu Nian took the medicine. “Get up, it’s time to take your medicine.”

He was quite obedient now.

He sat up straight from the sofa, his black hair a bit messy from sleep, covering his expression.

Only his somewhat pale and cold fingers could be seen taking the medicine from her and obediently swallowing it.

“Food,” Lu Nian said.

Then she watched him finish his meal as well.

The period when his stomach ache was most severe seemed to have passed.

Qin Si’s face had a bit of color now, and his symptoms had eased, but he still looked a bit weak.

Lu Nian said, “I’ve placed the medicine here. Take it three times a day, on time.”

Finally, she added, “Remember to eat well normally.”

She placed the purchased medicine on the coffee table, categorizing them and telling him when to take them.

Qin Si didn’t speak, quietly listening.

Lu Nian knew how good his memory was.

There was no need to repeat the instructions, he would remember them all, so there was nothing else to explain.

“I’m leaving,” Lu Nian said.

She still had to go back to Qiao Li to find Zhao Yayuan and explain this matter.

Before she could leave, he stood up from the sofa, his tall figure looming over her.

Frowning, Lu Nian asked, “What do you want?”

He pursed his lips and didn’t repeat what he said before.

After a while, he finally said hoarsely, “… The Lu family’s house has been sealed.”

“I have a place to stay outside, I don’t necessarily have to go back to the Lu family,” Lu Nian replied.

He lowered his eyes, his voice still hoarse, “This place is close, it’s close to the school and the hospital.”

Indeed, the geographical location of his house was better, closer to Anda and the hospital.

Lu Nian said, “I have money for a taxi, and I’m not that busy right now.”

She wanted to bypass him and leave.

He didn’t speak, blocking her way, lowering his eyes.

He was tall and much taller than her. Lu Nian couldn’t force her way past.

“What do you want to do?” Lu Nian asked.

He was forced to do so.

With no blood on his lips, he finally hoarsely said a few words, “… Stay here.”

He wanted her to stay.

He wanted to be with her, to see her every day.

The young man’s face was still pale, his jaw slim, and the dark circles under his eyes were still visible.

This kind of battered appearance, Qin Si, in her impression, even at his lowest, was still proud, stubborn, and aloof.

When had he ever been so humble and begged someone like this?

She remembered what he had said to her before, begging her to stay.

No matter what the reason was.

In the end, her heart softened.

She told herself that when he recovered, and Lu Zhihong was discharged from the hospital, she would leave.

Just a temporary stay for a few days.

“I have to go now,” Lu Nian softened her tone, “I have to go find Yayuan, and I have to get my things.”

She had to explain to Zhao Yayuan.

After all, for this marriage contract, no matter how the Zhao family acted, Zhao Yayuan had always tried his best.

At the mention of this name, a shadow passed over his eyes, quickly hidden.

Qin Si was very clever.

He matured early, and in order to survive in this society, the first skill he learned was to observe others’ words and expressions.

He was just slow and inexperienced in front of her.

He caught a glimmer of hope in her words.

Lu Nian finally managed to leave, but unexpectedly, footsteps came from behind her, and he followed.

Qin Si didn’t look at her, his gaze fixed ahead. “… I’ll take you.”

“Aren’t you feeling unwell?” Lu Nian asked.

He shook his head. “I’m fine.”

Lu Nian, “…”

She realized that if she didn’t let him come along, she probably wouldn’t be able to go back.

Is she afraid she won’t come back if she goes? She wouldn’t play such tricks to tease a child.

Before getting into the car, she tried calling Zhao Yayuan, but the call couldn’t go through.

After hanging up, Lu Nian felt uneasy.

She felt she had let Zhao Yayuan down.

Was Zhao Yayuan angry too? Is that why he’s not answering her calls now?

He saw her disappointed look in the rearview mirror, lips tightly pursed, fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly, but he still didn’t say anything.

He drove her to Qiao Li.

The man waited outside the house, and Lu Nian went in, but Zhao Yayuan was indeed not there.

Qiao Li was in the study and came out to greet her.

“Xiaoqiu, where’s Yayuan?”

“Yayuan went back to the Zhao family,” Qiuli said. “His family came to take him back.”

Qiuli said in a low voice, “He said, after a few days, let him calm down first before meeting you.”

Lu Nian didn’t know how to start. Her mind was in a mess. “Then, about the engagement…”

“Yayuan said he didn’t handle it well, the engagement thing, and he told you not to worry about it anymore,” Qiao Li said. “Just pretend it never happened.”

In fact, it was Mr. Zhao who personally came to take Zhao Yayuan away and told him in person that the engagement was canceled.

So, the engagement banquet was canceled like this?

Lu Nian still felt a bit unreal.

But she actually knew this much and didn’t doubt that Qin Si was manipulating behind the scenes.

After all, she was now a hot potato, and it was expected that the Zhao family wouldn’t agree.

Qiao Li’s voice was very gentle. “I don’t really agree with this. Canceling the engagement in this situation is better for everyone. When Yayuan comes back, you can talk properly.”

The girl’s shoulders were slender, and there were some redness in the corners of her eyes.

Qiao Li comforted her gently, “Don’t mind, it’s not your fault.”

What he didn’t say was that even if Lu Zhihong didn’t back out halfway, this engagement probably wouldn’t have happened.

“I will apologize to Yayuan,” Lu Nian sniffed, “and I will do my best to compensate him for whatever he wants.”

Qiao Li smiled gently, “Yeah, wait a few days. When he comes back, I’ll let you know.”

Lu Nian sniffed, “Okay.”

“Xiaoqiao, I might have to move out for a few days,” Lu Nian said. “Dad is being transferred to another hospital, and it’s a bit far from here.”

Lu Zhihong’s condition was not optimistic now, and Lu Nian still had to go to the hospital to see him on time.

After all, Lu Zhihong had raised her for so many years.

If she ran away sweetly now, the family would fall apart, and only she, the daughter, would be left.

At this time, if she disregarded Lu Zhihong, she would basically be forcing him onto a dead end.

Lu Nian wasn’t someone who held grudges.

She was soft-hearted, and most of the time, she acted according to her conscience.

When she was good to Qin Si when they were young, and he was so rude, she wasn’t hurt, and she didn’t mind.

She still foolishly went to find him time and time again.

For so many years, Lu Zhihong had been like this to her.

Lu Nian naturally had no good feelings for him, but she couldn’t just walk away at this time and leave Lu Zhihong alone.

Qiao Li’s expression was very complicated.

The man leaned against the door frame, his features delicate and faint, casting a long shadow on the ground.

His features were more mature, but you could still see traces of his youth.

Qiao Li knew him.

“Niannian, be careful,” Qiuli said softly. “Take care of yourself.”

That man wasn’t a gentleman.

Qiao Li was afraid Lu Nian would suffer.

Lu Nian nodded. “It’s okay, just temporary. I can’t stay at the Lu family’s house anymore. After my dad gets better, I’ll come back here to live.”

Qin Si waited quietly for them to finish.

Lu Nian packed some luggage casually, and he followed her all the time.

Seeing Qin Si like this, she couldn’t harden her heart against him and followed him back as agreed.

The engagement with the Zhao family was canceled.

However, Lu Nian didn’t mention a word about the engagement that she had agreed to with him, and he didn’t ask.

In front of Lu Zhihong, he was clear-headed, saying he wanted her straightforwardly.

He even threatened her, and there were no fluctuations in his tone.

But in her presence, he couldn’t use that set at all.

He couldn’t even say a word.

Lu Nian didn’t bring up the engagement again.

She just suddenly said, “I will decide who to marry.”

“I will only marry someone I like.”

“When my dad gets better, I will leave the Lu family,” Lu Nian said. “In the future, I will have nothing to do with the Lu family.”

If Qin Si wanted to manipulate the Lu family through the engagement, he could give up early.

The man’s side profile looked particularly exquisite, with long eyelashes that hid the overly cold color of his eyes.

He didn’t say anything.

The engagement, which was also made in an emergency, could be canceled with Zhao Yayuan, but not with him.

What Zhao Yayuan could do now, he could also do.

He restrained himself, and didn’t force her anymore.

Pretending not to have heard, Lu Nian also didn’t continue.

The two returned to Qingfeng Garden.

“I’ll be back after my dad is discharged,” Lu Nian said.

“I’ll pay you rent for this period,” Lu Nian said politely. “Don’t come into my bedroom. We’ll keep our things separate, and I hope the distance between us can always be maintained at a safe social distance of over 1 meter.”

Strictly according to the standard of male and female roommates with ordinary relationships.

“If you can do that, then we’ll have a pleasant cooperation,” Lu Nian looked at him.

He remained silent, did not refute, and nodded.

There were three bedrooms on the second floor, arranged in an “L” shape.

Lu Nian lived in the leftmost one on the longer side, and the remaining two bedrooms were one far away at the other end and one next to her bedroom.

After a moment of silence, he went into the one farthest from her. “I’ll live there.”

Lu Nian relaxed her shoulders, not knowing what she felt.

Just treat it as roommates in a normal co-rental situation.

She really couldn’t rest assured with Qin Si’s previous demeanor.

Just live for a few days.

After all, they were not really strangers, but childhood sweethearts who grew up together. There was no need to be so guarded.

The bedroom layout was quite similar to her own, and the furnishings were all new and washed.

Lu Nian put away her belongings.

The bedding in the room was obviously quite expensive.

She hesitated for a moment, but still went out to tell Qin Si, “And, don’t worry, when I move out, I will take all my personal belongings with me. I will wash all these bedding. If you don’t want them anymore, I will compensate you according to the price.”

He said flatly, “No need.”

However, even if the bedrooms were separated, there were still common living areas.

It was impossible to completely avoid interaction.

They spent their first night under the same roof.

At night, the meeting originally scheduled for Ning Sheng’s four people was changed to a video meeting.

Qiu Fan and Ming Hong were a little surprised.

After all, Qin Si is a workaholic.

Fang Deng knew about it and smiled, revealing two sharp little tiger teeth. “Congratulations, boss.”

Ming Hong asked, “Congratulations on what?”

But Fang Deng didn’t say anything else. “Let’s continue the meeting. Aren’t we supposed to talk about the Lu family’s matters?”

Ming Hong nodded. “Right.”

Qiu Fan said, “Let the young boss come up with a specific plan.”

The study was spacious, although it lacked vitality.

The indoor heating was sufficient.

He took off his coat, leaving only a black shirt, with the sleeves slightly rolled up, showing clean and neat elbow lines.

“Let’s start with handling Lu Yang,” he said. “Leave Zhao Tingyuan alone for now.”

Ming Hong agreed with a nod. “That’s a good idea.”

After all, Lu Yang hasn’t become a big deal yet, and Zhao Tingyuan has the Zhao family as a backing.

Qiu Fan asked, “Won’t this alert the enemy? If Zhao Tingyuan finds out, he might try to support Lu Yang.”

“Their relationship isn’t good enough for that,” the young man said lightly. “If Lu Yang falls, it won’t have such a big impact on Zhao Tingyuan.”

“Lu Yang has been promoted in recent years by climbing up through his relationship with Lu Zhihong,” Ming Hong said. “His actual achievements are not that great, and the foundation of the company is not stable.”

He now holds the title of a director of the Lu family, but people in the company know his background, so he can still be talked to normally and has some understanding of the Lu family.

Fang Deng nodded. “When the time comes, if we catch Lu Yang’s thread and bring him down, all his scheming over the years will be in vain.”

Qin Si’s thin lips raised slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes. “Just bring him down?”

There was a hint of a cold smile on his face, his phoenix eyes narrowing, making him look even colder.

“Lu Yang’s financial situation,” he lightly tapped the tabletop with his long fingertips, “you go investigate, especially the merger and acquisition case he was responsible for at the end of last year, and his financial transactions with this person.” He mentioned a name.

Fang Deng hurriedly said, “Leave it to me.”

“Is he planning to get married recently?” The young man’s tone was flat, but it was chilling, “What date is the wedding?”