“But if he really is Lu Zhuo and has such a good relationship with Yayuan and Lu Nian, why hasn’t he returned to the Lu family? A simple paternity test could solve everything.”

The Qiao family’s financial situation didn’t seem great.

Qiao Li lived a simple life and even worked part-time at school.

If he really was Lu Zhuo, returning to the Lu family would make him a wealthy young master.

Why would he choose to live such a hard life?

Why would Lu Zhuo put himself through that?

“Who knows what they’re thinking?” Su Qingyou said dismissively.

Su Qingyou continued, “A few years ago, Uncle Lu hadn’t given up hope and was still looking for his son.”

“So?” Zhao Tingyuan was still confused.

Su Qingyou sighed slightly.

Zhao Tingyuan really didn’t understand, so she had to explain everything.

“If he could find his son and confirm it’s him, do you think Uncle Lu would be content with his current situation?”

A family business naturally wants to keep things within the family.

If he only had a daughter who lacked ambition and talent, Lu Zhihong might reluctantly settle for giving it to his son-in-law.

But if he knew his son was still alive and an outstanding individual…

Zhao Tingyuan finally understood. “But Lu Zhihong has been sidelined and doesn’t have much power anymore.”

Su Qingyou said, “Even a camel that’s lost weight is still bigger than a horse. Besides, he just needs to help occasionally.”

She gently covered Zhao Tingyuan’s hand with hers. “Honey, let’s invite both of them to our wedding.”

Nowadays, a paternity test only requires a single hair.

“If Qiao Li doesn’t want to come,” she smiled, “that’s okay. We can maintain a good relationship with Uncle Lu. Once we hint at our suspicions, he’ll find a way to confirm it himself.”

The wedding day was getting closer.

Qiao Li shared an amusing story with Lu Nian.

As Zhao Yayuan’s friend, he had been invited to the wedding, though only verbally.

He asked Lu Nian if she wanted to go together.

“Xiao Ya directly declined for me,” Qiao Li laughed.

Zhao Yayuan himself was reluctant to go, so he wouldn’t invite Qiao Li to join him.

Lu Nian naturally didn’t receive an invitation either.

Recently, there seemed to be many auspicious days, and Huang Mao’s wedding with his girlfriend was scheduled for the same time.

Even if she were invited to the other wedding, she would still go to Huang Mao’s.

Lu Nian had already prepared a gift in advance.

After all, she had known Huang Mao for many years, and he had always taken care of her.

Now that he was finally getting married, she was genuinely happy for him.

Over the past few days, Lu Nian focused on finishing her drafts.

Just before the deadline, she submitted all the chapters of “Black and White,” and now she just had to wait for it to be published.

She returned to school to submit a paper. As she walked out with Ding Ying, they passed a café.

Ding Ying’s eyes widened when she saw someone sitting by the window and pulled Lu Nian’s sleeve. “Look, isn’t that…”

Lu Nian followed her gaze.

Sitting at the table, typing intently on a laptop, was none other than Fang Deng.

She had been looking for Fang Deng to resolve some issues, so she immediately opened the door and walked in.

“Did you help him install that tracking software on my phone?” she asked, smiling slightly.

Fang Deng, hiding behind his computer, shivered. “I-I had no choice…”

“Is there anything else you installed besides that?” Lu Nian asked.

“No, I swear, nothing else,” Fang Deng almost raised his hands to promise.

Fang Deng pleaded, “I’m really sorry.”

Lu Nian rarely got angry, but the way she looked at him so gently, asking questions with a smile, was even more terrifying than anger.

Calmly, Lu Nian asked, “Senior, when did you and Qin Si meet?”

“A long time ago,” Fang Deng confessed honestly. “We met in Ancheng. The boss saved me in an internet café, and then…”

“So, all those times you appeared so frequently and helped me with so many things,” Lu Nian said slowly, suddenly connecting many dots.

These were things Qin Si didn’t want him to talk about.

Fang Deng, timid and loyal, stubbornly refused to say anything.

Even under pressure, he wouldn’t speak.

Lu Nian frowned slightly. Her phone rang, and she answered it.

A man’s cold, indifferent voice came through, “Where are you?”

Today was Huang Mao’s wedding banquet.

Lu Nian didn’t notice Fang Deng slipping away with his laptop.

By the time she realized it, he was already gone.

It seemed like they were all in on it together.

There was nothing she could do.

She sat silently in the car, lost in thought.

The man beside her glanced at her, sitting quietly, saying nothing.

The car drove smoothly and soon arrived at the wedding venue.

Huang Mao had made some money in recent years by opening a shop.

He wore a white suit, and beside him was his bride, Lanlan.

He hadn’t invited many friends, mostly close ones.

Huang Mao, being an orphan, had no family, so the family table was filled with the bride’s relatives.

Feeling awkward about it, Huang Mao finally decided to mix things up and put Brother Ming there to act as a ‘relative.’

Some of the bride’s family felt dissatisfied, thinking their daughter was marrying a lowlife.

However, at the friends’ table…

Qin Si was seated there.

The man, with his narrow waist and long legs, wore formal attire today, looking even more refined and sharp.

He spoke little but commanded the atmosphere with his presence.

“Is he Huang Shengyi’s friend?” someone asked in a low voice.

“Yeah.” Xiao Qu, the best man, overheard and loudly said, “A close buddy.”

He toasted Qin Si from a distance.

Qin Si noticed, raised his glass, and drank his own drink.

….

Lu Nian was nearby, talking with Huang Mao.

“You look so handsome today! And the bride is beautiful!” Lu Nian genuinely praised.

She was truly happy for Huang Mao.

He had drunk a bit, his face red, and he just laughed.

Today, she wore a dark grey-blue chiffon dress.

Despite dressing low-key, her natural elegance and beauty couldn’t be hidden.

After being a young lady for so many years, her charm was undeniable.

“You must be Nian Nian?” The bride smiled, “Shengyi often talks about you, saying you’re like their little sister.”

Seeing her now, the bride thought she was indeed beautiful.

“Don’t flatter me,” Huang Mao quickly interjected.

Lu Nian’s status as a true young lady made Huang Mao, who came from nothing, feel unworthy.

But Lu Nian cheerfully responded, “In the future, if you need any help, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

Qin Si quietly listened to their conversation from a distance.

After congratulating them, Lu Nian returned to her seat.

He seemed lost in thought, his side profile cold and clear.

His slender fingers played with the glass, his skin looking as cold and pure as jade.

The emcee on stage announced the ring exchange for the newlyweds.

Lu Nian, resting her chin on her hand, suddenly said, “If our engagement hadn’t been canceled, wouldn’t it be about time for me to go up there?”

“I even picked out a wedding dress back then.” She looked at him and smiled, her eyes sparkling.

The man pursed his lips and lifted his glass, intending to finish the remaining wine.

Lu Nian, without turning her head, said, “Do you want to ruin your stomach?”

Qin Si had a high tolerance for alcohol and usually didn’t get drunk easily, nor did he enjoy drinking much.

Lu Nian knew this, but she also knew about his stomach issues.

He had experienced flare-ups in front of her twice before, so she kept a close eye on him, preventing him from drinking more.

Qin Si hesitated for a moment before setting down his glass.

Lu Nian glanced at him and then picked up the glass, finishing the remaining drink herself.

Then, she continued to watch the wedding ceremony on stage.

He stiffened slightly, his gaze lingering on her rosy lips, delicate and soft.

He knew they tasted sweet.

They had shared kisses, but they had always been brief.

She never took it further, always stopping before things went too far.

Even now, it wasn’t as intimate as that time in Nanqiao when they were younger.

He remembered her words, “I used to like you.”

Perhaps it was because there was still some lingering affection for him back then that she was willing to accept him.

He gripped the empty glass tightly, his long fingers showing signs of strain.

Lu Nian sat there, attracting attention with her presence.

Many single men at the wedding couldn’t help but glance in her direction.

At first, no one approached because Qin Si was sitting beside her, but as they observed their interactions, which seemed distant and lacking in intimacy, some began to feel emboldened.

“Your boyfriend?” Lu Nian sipped her drink, raising an eyebrow at the man who came to chat with her, then glanced at Qin Si. “I don’t have one.”

“Then, can I have your contact information?” The man’s eyes lit up.

Qin Si’s face darkened, and he gave the man a cold glance. “What do you want her contact information for?”

As if he didn’t exist?

The man was taken aback, looking at Lu Nian.

She had clearly said she didn’t have a boyfriend.

Lu Nian responded pointedly, “That’s right, you’re not my boyfriend.”

Qin Si’s gaze turned colder, and the two of them faced off.

“Sorry.” The man slinked away, feeling embarrassed.

Apparently, they were involving bystanders in their lover’s quarrel, making them collateral damage.

Qin Si didn’t want to escalate any conflict with her.

Seeing the man leave, he didn’t say anything further. Lu Nian, however, was so frustrated that she downed another glass of drink.

She had no way to deal with him.

Huang Mao and his bride, Lanlan, were indeed well-suited for each other.

Although the wedding wasn’t extravagant, it was sweet and romantic.

It was Lu Nian’s first time attending such a wedding, and she felt genuinely happy for them, seeing their happiness radiate from their faces.

It made her somewhat envious, lost in her own thoughts as she propped up her chin.

With this man like this, it seemed like she might never get married smoothly in her lifetime.

Let alone a proposal, even confessing her feelings would be as difficult as climbing a mountain.

The girl watched the wedding ceremony attentively, her open admiration and longing evident.

He lowered his gaze.

Recalling her words earlier, about how if their engagement hadn’t been canceled, she might already be marrying someone while wearing a wedding dress.

Filled with regret and longing.

This realization made him extremely uncomfortable every time he thought about it.

So what if she said she didn’t like Zhao Yayuan? Didn’t she still agree to his proposal?

She was just a little liar.

He didn’t believe anything she said.

“I’m going back.” Lu Nian stayed until the end of the wedding ceremony, and most of the guests had left.

She bid farewell to Ming Ge and the others, who were busy accompanying Huang Mao to his new home, and they didn’t have much time to entertain her.

They simply said they would meet up again and talk if she had anything to say.

Lu Nian nodded. “You guys go ahead.” After all, today was Huang Mao’s big day.

Most people had left, leaving only a few who had chatted with her before.

Lu Nian wasn’t in a good mood, so she casually talked to them about the wedding.

Seeing that she was willing to chat with them, those few people became very enthusiastic, and the conversation flowed smoothly.

Qin Si didn’t leave either, and Lu Nian sensed his presence not far away.

She didn’t say much, pretending not to notice him.

She was about to leave, footsteps echoing behind her.

Walking down the corridor, it was quiet and deserted, and the long shadow behind her was getting closer.

“What’s up?” Lu Nian’s voice sounded a bit weary. “I can go back by myself. You don’t need to follow me.”

The man followed behind her.

The weather was hot, and he took off his coat, leaving his white shirt collar slightly open, revealing his delicate collarbones under the sunset.

His eyes were calm and beautiful.

“I’m not married yet.” Standing about a meter away from her, he suddenly said.

Lu Nian was puzzled. “?”

He approached a little. “And I’m at an age where I can get married.”

With lowered lashes, the sunset seemed to cast a soft shadow on the tips of his eyelashes.

His voice was cold. “If you just want to experience what it’s like to be married, you don’t have to be so indiscriminate.”

Lu Nian stood still, her brain working overtime to decipher his cryptic words.

She couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

So, was he reluctantly offering to accompany her in experiencing marriage?

There was no confession, nothing else, just straight to the idea of marriage? And with such a harsh tone.

“Did I agree?” Lu Nian chuckled.

Even now, he was beating around the bush like this.

And saying she was indiscriminate? Was this something a person would say?

“You don’t like me,” he said flatly, his eyes downcast, as if stating a fact. “I won’t force you to like me either.”

Lu Nian was puzzled. “?”

Then what was he saying? Did he want to argue with her again?

“If you’re willing to adapt slowly,” he clenched his lips tightly, his breath hot, each word seemed difficult for him to say,

“I’ll try my best to satisfy you.”

In the dim light, she felt her back against the cool wall, feeling a bit sore.

He didn’t hold back his strength, and she felt like her waist was about to break.

It was a proposal from a man who had been suppressed for a long time, full of jealousy.

Lu Nian didn’t know how to describe it, or even if she could call it a miraculous proposal.

“Then tell me, how can I be satisfied?” She was almost amused by him, moving closer and asking directly.

Her body felt soft, from her waist to her arms, all so soft, emitting a floral fragrance.

The man’s Adam’s apple rolled, his eyes downcast, his voice hoarse, “Life, work, and in bed.”

He found her lips, pressing them tightly, his voice husky, “I’ll do my best to satisfy you in all aspects.”