Chapter 28: Consider It Payment for Last Night’s Treatment

Su Yiren’s face flushed crimson, and she dryly retorted,

“How, how do you know?”

“I noticed it when I took your pulse.” He casually replied.

Su Yiren gently pulled the blanket over, covering most of her face.

It was extremely awkward for two people about to divorce to be discussing menstrual cramps.

“If you trust me, you can come to me for acupuncture before each period. It can alleviate the pain.”

He took off his glasses, reverting back to the cold and stern Lu Yunting.

Su Yiren’s lips pursed slightly. Although the needles were pricking her skin, her heart ached inexplicably. After a moment of silence, she said,

“Thank you for your help earlier. But it’s not necessary.”

Lu Yunting looked down at her, finally nodding. Without a word, he turned around, putting away his acupuncture kit.

He suddenly felt uncomfortable, restless, and couldn’t explain why.

After turning off the light, he lay back on the bed, turned over, and closed his eyes, facing away from Su Yiren.

They lay back-to-back, with enough space between them for another person to fit.

But neither of them wanted to turn around.

It was like in the years past, each sleeping their own way.

Su Yiren kept her eyes open, unable to fall asleep for a long time. All she could think about was his calm and composed demeanor earlier, and the hint of tenderness in his eyes.

She felt like she was beyond saving.

With no choice, she put on her headphones and played some sleep music. She didn’t know how long it took before she finally drifted off to sleep.

Hearing the long, steady breathing beside her, Lu Yunting gently turned over, his eyes filled with confusion as he looked at Su Yiren’s back. He stared for a long time.

From the moment he saw her wearing that red dress, he felt a sense of familiarity.

It was as if, long ago, he had known someone like her, someone who wore red with such boldness.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember.

Lu Yunting pinched the bridge of his nose, utterly perplexed.

—

When Su Yiren went down for breakfast, she didn’t see Lu Yunting.

It wasn’t until everyone had finished eating that she saw him slowly descending the stairs, his whole body radiating a chilling aura.

Su Yiren secretly scoffed: Last night he was so pleasant, but as soon as he put on his suit, he became a stranger again.

Lu Yunting walked to the restaurant door and said,

“I’m not eating.” He glanced at Su Yiren, as if remembering something, his eyes flickered, and his expression became slightly unnatural.

“Come out for a moment.”

Su Yiren was confused, but she wiped her hands and followed him out.

Jiang Jinyun watched them both, secretly suspicious:

“Weren’t they getting along so well last night? Why are they giving each other the cold shoulder this morning?”

She turned to Liu Shen and said, “Ask your old man sometime, see how they’re getting along at the villa.”

Liu Shen sighed, “I’ve asked many times, but my old man is tight-lipped, won’t tell me a word.”

Jiang Jinyun felt a headache coming on.

Liu Shen and Liu Bo were a couple, both having served the old man since they were young, watching Lu Yunting grow up.

Ever since Lu Yunting moved out to live on his own, the old man had sent Liu Bo to the villa with him, while Liu Shen stayed at the old mansion.

Over the years, Liu Bo had taken care of Lu Yunting with the utmost devotion, practically raising him as his own son.

But he never told anyone else about his affairs, not even his wife.

There were very few servants at the villa, and they all kept their mouths shut, so even now, Jiang Jinyun didn’t know how the two of them were getting along at home.

Su Yiren followed Lu Yunting to the entrance hall and stopped.

Lu Yunting said,

“There’s a charity auction tomorrow. You’re coming with me.”

“Why?”

Su Yiren thought that since they were already getting divorced, she didn’t need to accompany him to any more events.

But Lu Yunting calmly replied,

“Consider it payment for last night’s treatment.”

Su Yiren looked at him incredulously, “You want payment for treatment?”

Lu Yunting raised an eyebrow and asked back,

“Don’t you pay when you go to the hospital?”

His words silenced Su Yiren’s remaining objections.

She was so annoyed, but she heard him say smugly,

“You should feel honored. After all, those who want to ask me to give acupuncture need to make an appointment long in advance, and it also depends on my mood.”

Cut it out.

Su Yiren was speechless, muttering under her breath,

“He really thinks he’s something special.”

“What did you say?” The dangerous voice came from above, forcing Su Yiren to comply.

“Fine, I’ll go.” She didn’t want to owe him any favors.

“I’ll have someone send a dress over this afternoon.”

Lu Yunting was about to leave, but then he added,

“Oh, and the auction requires everyone to bring a personal item for auction. Get ready beforehand.”

—

Su Yiren spent the morning dealing with some company matters online. After she finished, she accompanied Jiang Jinyun to the small garden to prune the branches.

Su Yiren held a large pair of shears, unsure where to start. Jiang Jinyun directed her,

“Branches that are growing crooked need to be cut off.”

“But there are flower buds on them. It’s such a pity.” Su Yiren took a step back and looked at the flower pot carefully.

“It wouldn’t hurt to leave them, would it?”

“You’re wrong,” Jiang Jinyun said slowly.

“Pruning is like disciplining a man. If you’re kind to him, he’ll be cruel to you.”

Su Yiren was startled and looked up at her.

Jiang Jinyun took the large shears from her hand, her gaze dimming slightly.

“This flower pot is like a family. Only when they’re all together will they be full of flowers and lush foliage. If there’s a branch that doesn’t follow the rules, not only is it growing crooked, but it’s also blooming and bearing fruit outside. Then, for the sake of the whole family, it has to be cut off.”

As she spoke, she made a snip, ruthlessly cutting off the branch with the flower buds.

“Otherwise, there will be dire consequences.”

Su Yiren seemed to understand what she meant, but she couldn’t help but smile wryly.

She understood the logic, but in reality, she was the branch that Lu Yunting wanted to cut off.

Even if she bloomed brilliantly, he would still discard her mercilessly.

“You’re just too kind-hearted.” Jiang Jinyun sighed.

“I can’t interfere too much in a couple’s affairs. You have to grasp your own happiness.”

Su Yiren perfunctorily hummed in response, not saying anything more.

Jiang Jinyun had hinted at this before, but at the time, she had naively believed that she could move Lu Yunting，that she could exchange her sincerity for his love.

But she never expected him to be such a devoted and cold-hearted man.

He was devoted to Ouyang Shasha, but cold-blooded towards her.

Su Yiren sighed inwardly. She had figured it out and didn’t intend to waste any more time thinking about it.

As long as those stray branches didn’t actively provoke her before the divorce, she would let them be, do whatever they wanted.