Qi Zhen had been repeating the same dream ever since she was a little girl.

In the dream, a woman with a blurred face spoke to her with earnest urgency, reminding her over and over again.

“You were meant to live a wonderful life, to be loved and cherished by him. But now, you’re left scraping by with the scraps of kindness you once gave him in your youth.

He doesn’t love you. Not even a little. He only keeps you around because you once gave him a meal. To him, women are all the same. It doesn’t matter who stays.

If you had the chance to start over, remember— just treat him a little better. A man like him, even the tiniest bit of kindness will make him devotedly offer you everything.”

……

Every time Qi Zhen woke from the dream, she couldn’t understand it. But as the dream repeated again and again, she gradually took it to heart. She vaguely sensed that she needed to treat someone well, to use a few tricks to capture his heart.

That way, she could live a life of wealth and comfort, never having to worry about food or clothing.

The only problem was, she didn’t know who that person was. She didn’t even know his name or what he looked like.

Until just now, when she pulled her heavy suitcase behind her and, by chance, caught sight of someone approaching from across the street. That face was so breathtaking that her heart instantly sped up out of control.

A strange, indescribable feeling overtook her, making her body move faster than her mind could process.

“Wait a second.”

As the boy was about to pass by her, Qi Zhen quickly called out. But the boy didn’t seem to hear her at all. He didn’t even glance in her direction and walked past her indifferently.

Without thinking, Qi Zhen reached out and grabbed his wrist.

Jiang Lu hadn’t expected this complete stranger to suddenly reach out and grab him. The smooth sensation of skin-on-skin contact sent a sharp wave of nausea churning through his stomach. He immediately yanked his hand away from Qi Zhen’s grip with force.

He didn’t hold back and the strength of his movement was harsh. Qi Zhen, who had grown up pampered and treated like a princess, frowned at the rough treatment and looked at him with a touch of grievance. “Why are you so mean? I just wanted to say something to you.”

Jiang Lu wasn’t a patient person, especially not with unfamiliar women. He had nothing to say to her, and he didn’t care what she thought. He turned and walked away without a word.

Qi Zhen had originally wanted to ask if they had met somewhere before. He really did give her a strange sense of familiarity. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have stopped him so impulsively.

But seeing how cold and unyielding his attitude was, she felt a bit displeased. She had intended to let it go, but then a line surfaced in her mind, unbidden and clear.

‘If you had the chance to start over, remember to treat him a little better.’

Qi Zhen hesitated, watching Jiang Lu’s retreating back in confusion. That mysterious, inexplicable familiarity— could it be some kind of divine guidance?

Was it him? The person from her dreams, the one she had been warned time and time again to treat well? If she just showed him some kindness, would he fall in love with her and give her the life she had always longed for?

Qi Zhen silently studied Jiang Lu. He carried himself with quiet confidence. He definitely wasn’t a child from an ordinary family. A young master from a wealthy household, no doubt. And to be able to live in this place, his family background had to be unimaginably rich.

His clothes were understated and didn’t seem like any big-name brand, but she didn’t recognize every luxury label either. Maybe it was something high-end and exclusive.

Qi Zhen thought that if he really is the one, then he’s not a bad choice at all.

……

Qi An’an had gone a little crazy the moment she saw Qi Zhen grab Jiang Lu’s wrist. She dashed downstairs in excitement. Watching through the glass just wasn’t enough. She couldn’t even hear what they were saying.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Of course, she had to experience it fully.

But by the time she ran downstairs, the two had already separated.

Jiang Lu stood at the door, while Qi Zhen remained where she was, seemingly still watching him. Qi An’an felt a little disappointed. So they already finished talking? She didn’t hear anything at all. But she noticed that Jiang Lu didn’t look too well. His expression was a bit uncomfortable.

Having taken care of him so many times, Qi An’an instinctively asked, “Jiang Lu, are you okay? Is it your stomach?”

Much better. Jiang Lu loosened the hand clutching his stomach. The girl behind him had been staring at him nonstop, and it made his skin crawl.

But now that Qi An’an was there, everything was fine.

Jiang Lu looked into Qi An’an’s clear eyes. His own reflection was mirrored in them. Her voice was as sweet as always, and as soon as she spoke, it felt like the air around them turned clean and fresh.

“I’m fine.” Jiang Lu stiffly dropped his hand, though he was desperate to wash the wrist that had been grabbed.

Qi An’an relaxed, smiling as she looked between the two of them. “Did you two just meet?”

Jiang Lu froze for a second and glanced at Qi Zhen, who seemed equally surprised. Neither of them had expected to be heading to the same place.

Qi Zhen sized up Qi An’an. “You’re Qi An’an?”

“That’s me.” Qi An’an replied with a beaming smile. “I’ve been waiting for you! Let’s not stand around outside. Come in.”

Qi An’an ran over, intending to help Qi Zhen with her luggage. While doing so, Qi An’an snuck a glance at the girl. Wow, she thought. The female protagonist was really pretty. She had a mature and gentle vibe, with slightly upturned eyes that gave her a striking beauty. When she grew older, she’d be the stunning type.

But compared to Jiang Lu, Qi Zhen was still a little less dazzling. Then again, in the novel, Jiang Lu was always described as the peak of beauty. Even the female protagonist couldn’t compare to him.

Qi An’an went straight for the biggest and heaviest suitcase. Dressed casually in a short skirt and slippers, her exposed arms and legs looked soft and delicate. Her slender ankles seemed like they’d snap with a touch.

Jiang Lu frowned at the sight and quickly walked over to stop her. “Let me carry that.”

His voice was low and restrained. After mentally preparing himself for a second, he grabbed the handle of the pink suitcase.

He didn’t know what the relationship between Qi An’an and the other girl was, but seeing how happy and enthusiastic Qi An’an was, he forced himself to tamp down the disgust he felt inside.

Qi Zhen didn’t object. She snuck a glance at Jiang Lu and modestly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. He hadn’t looked her in the eye before, but now, they finally made real eye contact. So he wasn’t so cold-hearted after all, she thought. Look, now he’s even offering to help with her luggage.

Qi Zhen lowered her head and smiled faintly. She had always known she was pretty. And this boy— he was just her type. Whether or not he was the one from her dreams, having someone like him pursue her would be quite flattering.

Qi An’an led Qi Zhen into the house, and as soon as they stepped inside, Qi Zhen couldn’t help but glance around.

This house had been decorated according to Qi Hong’s tastes. But he never moved in and ended up giving it to Qi An’an. At first glance, the decor was lavish, but it leaned toward tacky.

Butler Chen and a few maids were waiting at the door. When Qi Zhen entered, they all greeted her with a polite, “Miss Qi.”

Qi Zhen gave a casual nod, already wandering toward the living room and curiously reaching out to touch a framed painting on the wall.

Jiang Lu set down the suitcase by the entrance and leaned toward Qi An’an, speaking in a low voice, “You have a guest. Why did you ask me to come over?”

Hehe, to give you two a chance to meet, of course.

Qi An’an knew that to bring two people together, the worst thing you could do was force an introduction. That would ruin the fun. They needed to interact on their own and discover each other’s good points.

Let time work its magic. That was the sweetest way.

But she couldn’t exactly say that aloud, so she just whispered, “Having a guest doesn’t mean you can’t come too.”

Her tone was casual and natural. Jiang Lu felt a warmth spread in his chest and his lips couldn’t help but curl slightly.

Just then, a sudden “Meow” startled them. Qi An’an looked down. Dashun was rubbing affectionately against her ankle.

“Good boy, Dashun.” She cooed, patting its head and scooping it into her arms. Facing Jiang Lu, she added, “Say hi to your big brother.”

Dashun shot Jiang Lu a proud, narrowed glare. Its expression was full of dissatisfaction.

Tch, so it was this person. It remembered him. He was the one who had abandoned it. This cold and heartless human.

Dashun nestled lazily in Qi An’an’s arms, staying completely still and pretending to be dead.

Huh? It’s usually bouncing around full of energy. Why was it pulling a face now that it had seen its old owner? Qi An’an wondered in confusion, gently stroking its fur. “Jiang Lu, do you want to hold him for a bit?”

Dashun looked utterly disgusted and refused outright. It shamelessly rolled around in Qi An’an’s arms and rubbed against her slender, fair arm with an expression of pure enjoyment.

Jiang Lu found the sight unpleasant and had absolutely no interest in holding the cat.

“No, I don’t like cats.”

Feeling discomfort in his hand, Jiang Lu bent down and said in a low voice, “I’d like to use the restroom.”

“Oh, over there.” Qi An’an pointed. “Just go straight ahead.”

After Jiang Lu left, Qi An’an eagerly ran over to see her precious girl. “Don’t just stand there, come sit! Can I call you Ah Zhen?” Given their situation, calling her ‘sister’ didn’t seem right. Besides, Qi An’an genuinely wanted to be friends with Qi Zhen, so using her name felt more fitting.

“Of course, you can call me whatever you like.” Qi Zhen found it a bit odd. She had expected Qi An’an to be hostile, maybe even scold or cry. But instead, she looked genuinely cheerful.

This Qi An’an was not simple. Qi Zhen made a mental note.

Qi An’an rested her chin in her hand and smiled at Qi Zhen. “Ah Zhen, you’re so pretty! Come have some fruit.”

A large plate of fruit sat on the coffee table with washed strawberries and glistening cherries, all dotted with tiny beads of water. Qi Zhen picked one and slowly chewed it. The sweet and sour flavor spread through her mouth. After a pause, she smiled and said, “An’an, I know my presence is awkward. You probably don’t feel comfortable having me here. But Dad insisted, and I had no choice. Don’t worry, I won’t disturb you. Once the holidays are over and high school starts, I’ll move into the dorm.”

“You don’t have to overthink it. You’re not disturbing me.” Qi An’an replied with a smile, pushing the fruit closer to Qi Zhen. “Just settle in and make yourself at home. If you need anything— food, supplies— just let me know. Or tell Uncle Chen directly, that’s fine too.”

After just a few exchanges, Qi Zhen couldn’t quite figure Qi An’an out. Why hadn’t she shown any hostility? She obviously knew that Qi Zhen was now sharing their father’s affection. A normal girl should be angry or at least upset, right? But Qi An’an hadn’t even given Qi Zhen a cold look.

If Qi An’an was faking it, then her acting was way too convincing. But what could Qi An’an possibly want from her? Qi Zhen discreetly observed Qi An’an.

Qi An’an had delicate, pretty features— like a harmless porcelain doll. She has round eyes and a dainty chin, soft and smooth without a trace of sharpness.

But beneath that sweet, transparent appearance, Qi Zhen could sense a deep and unfathomable heart.

Qi Zhen couldn’t help but raise her guard completely.

……

Butler Chen knew the boy who came today was his young lady’s close friend. But he’d been in the bathroom for quite a while now, so he decided to check on him.

The door was ajar, and Jiang Lu was standing at the sink washing his hands. His back faced the door. Butler Chen asked with concern, “Are you alright, young man?”

“I’m fine.” Jiang Lu replied quietly.

He turned off the faucet and pulled out a tissue to dry his hands. Butler Chen immediately noticed that the boy’s left wrist had turned red.

“Oh dear, how did that happen? Did you twist it?”

Butler Chen rushed forward, trying to grab Jiang Lu’s wrist for a better look. After all, this was the first time their young lady had invited a friend over. The boy must be someone very dear to her.

He naturally extended that affection. Plus, considering there was someone inside making him frustrated, Jiang Lu seemed more pleasing in comparison.

Jiang Lu instinctively stepped back, avoiding the man’s touch. “I didn’t twist it. Don’t worry.” He knew Butler Chen meant well, but he still wasn’t used to being touched.

“Good, good.” Butler Chen smiled kindly at him. “Our young lady has mentioned you before. You’re a very impressive kid. Now that it’s the holidays, come visit her often. If you like anything, just tell Uncle Chen.”

Jiang Lu nodded slightly. Seeing how fond and proud Butler Chen looked, he could almost imagine how Qi An’an must have talked about him— probably praised him to the skies.

The tension in his eyes and brows slowly melted. His wrist, burning hot, finally began to feel a little better.

Butler Chen continued to chatter warmly, “Good boy, if you and your classmates have gatherings or anything, remember to invite our young lady too. That child, no one loves her— neither her dad nor her mom. She always looks so cheerful and never complains, but she’s so sensible it breaks your heart. Don’t leave her out, alright?”

Jiang Lu frowned. “What do you mean?”

He had always assumed that Qi An’an came from a warm and loving home. Her sunshine-like personality just gave off that vibe.

But now, the truth seemed completely different.

Butler Chen hesitated, knowing children had their pride. He couldn’t say too much, so he simply sighed. “Anyway, just look out for our young lady when you can. You’re her good friend, so you must know that she’s so well-behaved for her age and never throws tantrums. She’s just such a lovable girl.”

Realizing Butler Chen didn’t want to say more, Jiang Lu nodded and walked out of the bathroom. Earlier, out of politeness, he hadn’t really looked around the house. But now that he paid attention, he noticed how cold and stifling it felt, despite its luxurious decor. It didn’t match Qi An’an’s bright and lively personality at all.

The house felt like a showroom— full of uniform, impersonal objects. There was no trace of a man or woman’s presence.

His heart clenched little by little, and his steps grew heavy.

As he walked down the corridor, the voices of Qi An’an and Qi Zhen chatting in the living room grew clearer.

“By the way, An’an, that boy from earlier….. is he your friend?” Qi Zhen teased, “Or is he your boyfriend?”

Jiang Lu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He leaned against the wall, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Calm and rational as he was, even though he already knew the answer, he still stopped to listen.

He closed his eyes and heard Qi An’an deny it clearly, “Of course not. He’s my classmate, someone I met after transferring. He’s a really good friend.”

The two girls were so engrossed in their conversation that neither noticed Jiang Lu had reached the corner.

Qi An’an was focused entirely on the appearance of her other cub. Her heart was all in, and her eyes couldn’t get enough of her precious girl. Meanwhile, Qi Zhen grew increasingly convinced that Qi An’an was deeply calculating. She scrutinized every word and every sentence Qi An’an said, trying to find the hidden meanings.

The more they talked, the more Qi Zhen felt Qi An’an’s acting was impeccable. Her joy looked completely natural. Remaining wary, Qi Zhen asked casually, “Oh…… what’s his name?”

Qi An’an had seen the two talking downstairs but it seemed they hadn’t exchanged names yet. This was the perfect chance to help her precious boy make a good impression!

Qi An’an cleared her throat and began the introduction, cramming in as much praise as she could, “His name is Jiang Lu— ‘Jiang’ as in river, and ‘Lu’ as in land. He’s super smart and a top student. He ranks first in every exam and it’s insane how good he is. He’s like a legend at our school! And he’s kind, gentle, and full of compassion. Plus, he’s really good-looking. Honestly, he’s just perfect in every way. Totally amazing.”