The man was tall and slender, with a strikingly elegant demeanor.

His beautiful phoenix eyes exuded a cold aloofness, making him seem particularly unapproachable.

Hu Ruchu touched her chin, thinking he looked familiar.

“Isn’t he…?” Hu Ruchu’s eyes suddenly lit up, “The rumored inspiration for your character?”

Lu Nian, “…”

She was a bit dizzy from Hu Ruchu’s shaking.

When drawing, Lu Nian captured more of the spirit than the exact likeness.

Qin Si didn’t look exactly like the character in her manga “Black and White.”

Naturally, there were differences between a real person and a drawn character, especially since the series had a diverse setting and wasn’t entirely modern.

But the essence, she had captured almost perfectly.

Especially the stubborn and proud demeanor of his youth, which was still subtly visible in the man he had become.

So, Hu Ruchu could recognize it at a glance.

The emotions the artist felt for him were vividly and passionately conveyed in the artwork, filled with a youthful purity and shyness.

Only someone deeply in love could draw so many different versions of him.

And only someone deeply in love could capture his essence so faithfully.

Seeing that Qin Si had indeed gone into the study and closed the door, Lu Nian whispered to Hu Ruchu, “Yes, the inspiration for this series comes from our past.”

It was a love letter from her youth, spanning many long years.

So it was true…

Hu Ruchu felt like she had uncovered a big scoop.

There had long been rumors online that “Black and White” was based on real people, but Lu Nian was very low-key and rarely mentioned her personal life, never posting pictures.

As her fame grew, she became even more private.

After she became famous, Lu Nian deleted many of her old posts, and only the earliest fans had any idea.

Information from those early days had gradually disappeared from the internet, except for a few saved screenshots and snippets.

Now, about the origins of “Black and White,” a search would turn up fifty different versions, each telling a different story.

“So, about the significant change in ‘Black and White’s’ style later on…” Hu Ruchu began but realized she had said too much.

Lu Nian smiled softly, “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Although Qin Si still hadn’t fully explained what had happened during those three years, Lu Nian had a good idea and didn’t want to push him further.

Maybe when she could give him enough sense of security, he would tell her on his own.

“If there’s still time,” Lu Nian said softly, “I’m willing to hold the signing event.”

..

Summer seemed to stretch on slowly.

With long daylight hours, even at six or seven in the evening, the streets were still bustling, without a hint of sunset.

Su Qingyou sat by the window in a café, quietly waiting for someone.

The Zhao family had been in turmoil recently.

Zhao Quan had severely reprimanded Zhao Tingyuan, but since Su Qingyou was his wife and had just given birth to a grandson, he didn’t blame her too much.

However, the project to develop Nanqiao was halted.

Zhao Quan unceremoniously put a stop to Zhao Tingyuan’s involvement, saying they would wait for Yayuan’s health to improve before he could return and take over.

The issue with the raw material factory had also been uncovered, and Jiang Wenyin was furious.

“The good news is, our connection with Lu Zhihong is still unknown to mother,” Su Qingyou said to Zhao Tingyuan, her tone calm. “The bad news is, Lu Zhihong is now in Qin Si’s hands.”

Zhao Tingyuan looked haggard, with stubble and bloodshot eyes, like a cornered beast. “What do we do? Get rid of him?”

Su Qingyou sighed almost imperceptibly, “He’s constantly under Qin Si’s surveillance; it’s impossible to make a move.”

Zhao Tingyuan’s lips trembled.

He was filled with frustration.

That name again.

He couldn’t understand how that once penniless young man had climbed to such heights, making it impossible for them to act against him.

“Tingyuan, it’s up to you to decide this time,” Su Qingyou said calmly. “You have two choices: give up your ambitions now, and the Zhao family will take care of you. We have Xiuyi and can raise the child; a lifetime will pass quickly.”

“I can’t accept that,” Zhao Tingyuan growled softly.

“Or, we continue,” Su Qingyou said, looking far away, almost murmuring, “using other means.”

A cup of coffee had gone cold.

Finally, the person Su Qingyou had been waiting for arrived.

A man appeared at the door, seemingly just leaving his office.

He wore a white shirt and trousers but no tie.

His expression was indifferent and cold.

“Tingyuan wants to give up,” Su Qingyou said.

The man’s thin lips curled into a cold smile, “Isn’t it a bit late for that?”

“Many times, there’s no right or wrong, just a matter of perspective,” Su Qingyou said. “Leaving room for maneuver, Mr. Qin, you’re smart enough to understand this principle, aren’t you?”

“I don’t follow that principle,” he replied coldly.

His methods were always ruthless; his philosophy was that if he acted, he would ensure the problem was completely eradicated.

Checking the time and seeing that she still hadn’t gotten to the point, he grew impatient. “What’s happened to Zhao Yayuan?”

By now, Lu Nian should be home, and he wanted to go and be with her.

“I love Zhao Tingyuan, and you love Lu Nian. This time, maybe you won,” Su Qingyou said. “But I want to remind you, your relationship is unhealthy.”

“You’re extreme and paranoid. If Lu Nian ever shows signs of being tired of you or reveals that she never truly loved you, you would destroy both her and yourself.”

She spoke calmly, exuding a graceful and virtuous demeanor.

“You’ve been infatuated with her for many years, haven’t you?” Su Qingyou’s expression was serene. “How pitiful, doing so much for her but never daring to speak up.”

“You’re afraid of not being reciprocated, right?” she said. “Because of your fragile pride.”

He was the proudest man she had ever met, pride ingrained in his bones.

He would never bow his head, was independent and mature, relying on no one, having come this far on his own.

Except for his love and longing for Lu Nian, he seemed to need nothing and desire nothing.

Long ago, Su Qingyou hadn’t even tried to get close to him because she knew it would be useless.

Qin Si disliked people like her the most, and he could distinguish genuine from fake feelings.

Essentially, they were the same kind of people, naturally repelling each other.

After saying all this, the man’s expression didn’t change at all.

He coldly asked, “Are you done?”

“Can you honestly say Lu Nian loves you?” Su Qingyou stood up as well.

“Whether she loves me or not is her business. As long as she’s willing to have me by her side, I love her, and that’s enough,” he said indifferently. “Telling me all this is pointless.”

Su Qingyou’s face turned pale.

She hadn’t expected that he would willingly place himself in such a humble position.

She had assumed that with Qin Si’s personality, if Lu Nian didn’t reciprocate equally, he would eventually reach a breaking point and do something crazy.

Their relationship seemed incredibly fragile, like a house of cards—one side caring too much, giving too much, while the other remained oblivious.

If she ever realized the depth and intensity of his feelings, she might be frightened and want to withdraw.

That was the outcome Su Qingyou hoped for.

The man’s eyelashes lowered slightly. “Mind your own business.”

He smiled coldly, his last words carrying a hint of hidden menace. “If I find out you’ve said this to her…”

The café doorbell jingled as it closed.

Su Qingyou sat down, her face ashen, her hands clenched tightly under her sleeves.

Was this her last gamble?

She felt a little lost.

Was she wrong?

---

Today, Lu Nian had a lot of classes.

The school hosted a seminar on ancient literature, and an old professor who liked her insisted she attend.

So, along with a few doctoral seniors from the same department, she attended the meeting until the evening.

Her mentor had always been lenient, so her graduate studies had been relatively easy, allowing her to balance her art perfectly.

Lu Nian didn’t expect the seminar to run so late and had to text Qin Si, saying she wouldn’t be home for dinner and would be back very late.

She had originally planned to be home after her afternoon classes to spend time with him.

He only replied with “Mm.”

His company had been busy, and with her preparing for the signing event and dealing with school, they had been spending less time together, unlike before when they could be together all the time.

Lu Nian knew, even though he didn’t say it, that he liked having her around.

Unexpectedly, she had to cancel on him again today.

Finally, around ten o’clock, the seminar ended.

Lu Nian felt sore from sitting for so long.

Outside, it had started to rain.

The summer night rain came quickly, the raindrops like a waterfall, splashing on the ground in the pitch-black night.

Perhaps it was because autumn was approaching, but the rain carried a hint of chill.

The sudden downpour brought a refreshing coolness.

Lu Nian had an umbrella, but she was a girl, and her home was far.

Ding Xueying suggested, “Lu Nian, why don’t you let one of the senior brothers take you home?”

“My boyfriend is coming to pick me up,” Lu Nian said, glancing at her phone and smiling. “No need.”

He should be arriving soon.

He had said he would come to pick her up.

A group of people stood under the eaves of the teaching building, waiting.

Not far away, headlights pierced through the rainy night.

He didn’t bring a driver; he came himself.

In the pouring rain, the man who got out of the car was tall and slender, holding a black umbrella.

Ding Xueying, seeing him for the first time, was a bit stunned.

She whispered to Lu Nian, “A new boyfriend?”

She had always thought there was something between Lu Nian and Zhao Yayuan.

Rumors repeated often enough tend to be believed.

Lu Nian was a bit surprised, “No, just him. We’re each other’s first love.”

“Let’s go,” she said, bidding farewell to the group.

Ding Xueying remained rooted to the spot, watching as the man’s beautiful, dark eyes gave her a brief, cold glance, as if they had been dipped in ice water.

“It’s very late today,” Lu Nian murmured. “I didn’t expect it to be so late.”

He held the umbrella, his fingers long and clean around the handle.

The faint blue veins on the back of his hand were visible.

Lu Nian sensed something was off, that he seemed unhappy.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

It couldn’t be that he was upset about her coming home late.

He wasn’t that petty.

Had something happened?

The rain was loud, and there were few pedestrians around.

The entire Andu campus seemed to be in a state of stillness.

He said nothing.

The only sound in the quiet night was the rain.

Lu Nian moved to open the passenger door, but he suddenly stopped and opened the back door instead.

Before she could react, she felt herself being kissed.

Outside, the rain blurred everything, turning the world into a dark, indistinct blur.

The car’s headlights were off.

Without caring about anything else, he kissed her, as if trying to prove something.

Lu Nian’s small hands wrapped around his waist, her fingers running over his straight back, trying to soothe him. “What’s wrong?”

She wasn’t used to this side of him and didn’t know what had brought it on today, but occasionally seeing this side of him was interesting.

In the darkness, his expression was unclear.

He lowered his eyes and, after a long time, said, “Do they all know Zhao Yayuan?”

Lu Nian recalled Ding Xueying’s words and decided to be honest. “His university was close to Andu, so he often came to visit me during those years. They probably know him.”

His fingers tightened as he remembered what Su Qingyou had said earlier in the evening.

He said nothing more and didn’t move.

Since he was a child, he had taught himself not to expect too much.

At home, not seeing her, he had thought a lot.

Finally, he realized he could never return to his previous state of mind and emotions.

“But why does it matter if they know him? I only like you,” Lu Nian blinked. “I’ve never liked anyone else.”

He couldn’t bear to hear her say that. Usually, he didn’t receive direct declarations of her affection.

Hearing this now made him feel both ashamed and secretly pleased.

“So proactive today?” Lu Nian smiled.

At some point, they had switched positions.

Lu Nian, familiar with the situation, held him and teased, “Do you prefer kissing in places like this?”

Before, in the hotel, he didn’t make a sound because he was shy and afraid of being heard outside.

But here, in the middle of the street, he wasn’t afraid of being seen kissing her.

Suddenly, realizing their situation, his ears turned red, his body stiffened, and his long eyelashes lowered as he quickly pulled away from her.

“If you want to kiss, wait until we get home,” Lu Nian whispered in his ear, finally stopping.

Qin Si was too thin-skinned and often uncooperative, leaving her with few opportunities for intimacy.

So she took the chance to sign a humiliating treaty, kissed him on the corner of his eye, and finally let him go.