These past few days, Lu Nian hadn’t left the house, spending all her time at home, clinging to him in various ways.

She planned to continue working on the sketches for “Black and White,” at least to draft them, and then set out the general plot so she could discuss the adaptation with Star Comics.

But Qin Si unexpectedly stayed at home with her, openly and subtly showing affection, without any signs of boredom.

This was completely contrary to her impression of him.

In her mind, Qin Si had always been a cold, self-contained workaholic, prioritizing his career over everything else.

He handled everything with rationality far exceeding his emotions, almost devoid of any emotions.

How come he was now skipping work after sleeping with her just once?

One evening, after they had both showered, she was in the living room working on her sketches while Qin Si came out from the study.

Seeing her busy, he didn’t interrupt.

He walked around the living room for a while, noticing that she hadn’t paid any attention to him. Unable to resist, he silently approached her.

Lu Nian finally couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you supposed to be at the company?”

He embraced her from behind, gently kissing her ear, his voice deep, “I rarely went to the office before.”

Originally, he rarely appeared in person, only making remote decisions or attending video conferences.

He only visited Ning Sheng a few times because of the Lu family matter.

Recently, it was just a return to his usual routine.

Plus, his mood was unusually good, wanting to finish everything quickly and then be with her.

So, with his already high efficiency, he naturally finished everything quickly.

He was also working on another matter recently.

House hunting.

Preparing to buy a new villa with a garden as their new home after marriage, he remembered the house she used to live in.

He wanted to create a spacious studio for her in the new house, designing the garden and courtyard according to the layout of the Lu family’s estate.

Lu Nian had always loved wild roses since she was a child, and he wanted to plant some for her.

He remembered her preferences very clearly from watching her exercise and wander in the garden in her childhood.

Everything would be tailored to her tastes.

He leaned his chin on her shoulder from behind, wrapped his arms around her waist, gently pulling her into his embrace.

It was an affectionate gesture, ready to be withdrawn after being rejected, his nose lingering with the faint warm fragrance of her neck.

The coldness between his usually clear and handsome brows finally gave way to a hint of laziness and satisfaction.

Seeing him like this, Lu Nian wanted to tease him.

She couldn’t sit still, moving lightly, deliberately or unintentionally.

He was very sensitive, especially after being satisfied not long ago, having experienced it, especially so.

Sure enough, he pressed his lips tightly, still looking down, his ears reddening.

But he still couldn’t help but desire her closeness, embarrassed to move away but reluctant to stay.

Lu Nian smiled with her almond-shaped eyes, unable to resist leaning up to kiss him on the cheek.

His usually dark and cold eyes now had a hint of confusion, with redness at the corners, and after it was over, he didn’t let go.

He maintained this posture, and the neckline of his shirt was loose, revealing large areas of fair and clean skin, the places she usually liked to kiss and bite him, now fully exposed.

It was a clear hint, a silent request for intimacy.

“No.” Distracted by beauty, Lu Nian suddenly woke up, not fully recovered yet from the last time.

It had left her somewhat traumatized.

She felt that her body couldn’t handle his demands, so she could only satisfy him periodically and in moderation.

Qin Si was a young man in his prime, often exercising, and had always been in good health.

In contrast, she had been sickly since childhood, and now that she was older, her physical foundation was still weak.

After much thought, Lu Nian sincerely said, “Tonight, maybe we shouldn’t sleep together.”

Like this, he could avoid a bit of torture.

His body stiffened for a moment as he quickly wondered if after being intimate with him, Lu Nian didn’t want to play with him anymore, feeling bored.

The man pursed his lips, the lazy satisfaction he had just shown in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows vanished in an instant.

He stood up silently and said in a low voice, “Hmm.”

These days, they slept together, and he had quickly grown accustomed to and cherished it.

First, they would talk for a while.

Mostly he listened to her.

Then, when Lu Nian fell asleep, he would gently hold her in his arms, settle her in, and when Lu Nian dreamt, feeling it was him, she would cuddle closer.

That subconscious action gave him an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Gently kissing her cheeks, lips, eyebrows, and hair… He could kiss for a long time, look for a long time, without feeling tired.

Confirming that she was indeed lying in his arms.

Seeing him like this.

Lu Nian couldn’t bear to leave first, standing up, “Come back.”

She asked, “Qin Si, I’ve always wanted to ask, why is it that whenever I call you to come, you never do, but whenever I ask you to leave, you leave so quickly?”

Qin Si remained silent.

When he was young, he couldn’t control his own destiny at all, being tossed around like an object, so he developed a habit of not depending on anyone or anything.

In the past, it was because of the fragile pride of youth.

When she told him to leave, he would just smirk and leave as far as possible.

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

So, not wanting her to feel bored with him, if she asked him to leave, he naturally had to leave.

“I’m afraid you’ll be uncomfortable,” Lu Nian said, pulling him closer.

He quickly understood the implication in her words.

“It’s okay.” He gently brushed her lips.

With his long and thick eyelashes, he looked even better when he let go of his aloofness.

He was actually quite handsome, but because of his cold and proud nature, there was a sense of distance in his eyes and eyebrows.

And now, his thin lips, because they had been moisturized a lot and bitten by her countless times, were much redder than before.

Although it was subtle, it felt unfamiliar, but he was actively trying to please her.

He wanted to sleep with her, even if they didn’t do anything.

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

Lu Nian sighed.

She felt itchy seeing him like this, but there was nothing she could do, with her heart willing but her strength insufficient.

Of course, they still slept together at night, causing a ruckus.

Lu Nian thoroughly teased him that night, finally getting back at him.

Then, a few days later, Lu Nian discovered a serious problem.

She was rushing to meet deadlines, and having multiple unsatisfied men around her was seriously affecting her efficiency.

“You go out, whether for work or play, don’t come back today,” Lu Nian said.

She pushed him out the door and locked it firmly.

The person locked outside murmured.

In these few days, Ming Ge’s bar hadn’t been doing well.

Now that the chain store had opened, the location that Qin Si had asked him to buy years ago had appreciated more than ten times with the rising real estate prices in Ancheng.

As the big boss, he was just sitting at home collecting money.

With no parents or wife, he could only go to Huang Mao’s house and envy other people’s children.

Huang Mao asked him why he didn’t find a woman to marry and have children with.

Ming Ge found it troublesome, “I’m not that kind of person.”

He knew himself well, so he didn’t harm others.

Regularly finding women to fulfill needs, both parties consenting, then living a happy bachelor life.

“It’s indeed rare for Brother Qin,” Huang Mao couldn’t understand either.

Everyone came from the streets, knowing everything and not being restrained by anyone.

With Qin Si’s appearance, if he wanted, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had already bedded someone before reaching adulthood.

For so long, Ming Ge’s loose relationships hadn’t influenced him at all.

As they chatted, the door suddenly moved.

A slender figure entered.

“Damn, speak of the devil.” He said, “What’s up today, Mr. Qin? Why are you so free to visit our little dive bar?”

The man sat at the counter, stretching out his long legs, his expression indifferent, ignoring him.

Seemingly not very pleased.

Ming Ge clicked his tongue, “Probably had a rough time again.”

“What were you guys just talking about?”

“Mentioning Mr. Qin, still in his twenties, but already…” Ming Ge was originally shuffling cards, with cards scattered on the table.

The man across from him, with clean and slender fingers, made a move.

A spade ace flew over like an arrow, nearly slicing Ming Ge’s mouth.

He flicked away the card, toying with the glass in his hand, his tone casual, “Who said I am.”

“Holy shit.” Ming Ge’s eyes widened like copper bells.

This was even harder than climbing the Great Wall. With one step at a time, he finally waited for spring.

Ming Ge chased after him, “So, when are you two getting married?”

This question hit a nerve.

Although Lu Nian had verbally agreed, she had been busy with her comics lately, so they hadn’t set a wedding date.

He had been keeping this in mind.

Even though they had reached this stage, he still felt that marriage would provide the most security.

“You should plan a romantic proposal.”

“Even if women don’t say it, they definitely care about these things,” Ming Ge said, “Otherwise, how can you show her you love her? You have to express it well, not just in your heart.”

“And it’s about time.” Ming Ge suddenly smirked, “Why are you running over here? Shouldn’t you be with your girl Lu Nian?” It wasn’t long since they left the bed; women definitely hoped their men would stay by their side more.

Qin Si remained silent.

He had been kicked out, after all.

But of course, he wouldn’t mention such things.

“After proposing, you still have to prepare for the wedding,” Ming Ge said, “Look at how Lu Nian was at Huang Mao’s wedding last time, how much she liked it. Of course, you can’t skimp on the wedding. With your current abilities, you can organize as big a wedding as you want.”

The man stared straight ahead at the bar, his tone calm, “I have no parents, and the situation at home is known to all.”

Both the proposal and the wedding couldn’t be lacking.

But with no parents, a humble background, the awkward relationship with the Lu family in the past, and the subsequent entanglements between Ning Sheng and the Lu family, quite a few people knew about these things.

For Lu Nian to marry him might not be such a glorious thing; in fact, it would be unfair to her.