Jiang Nanshu had never been foolish, and now she gradually realized what was happening.
She pushed Lu Qingyan away, her eyebrows slightly furrowing, “Are you locking me up?”
Lu Qingyan’s expression remained unchanged, his smile gentle, “Why would I do that? I’m worried about you. If you got sick, I would go insane.”
Jiang Nanshu choked up.
He embraced her again, “Can we not fight, please? I really regret not answering your last call. I’ll never do that again. Forgive me, I was wrong.”
Jiang Nanshu silently looked at him.
This year, Lu Qingyan was already twenty-seven, and time had left profound marks on him. Compared to his previous sunny demeanor, he had become mature and composed. The suit he wore added an indescribable charm. His handsome features and sincere eyes when he was honest made Jiang Nanshu’s heart soften.
The decision had been hers. If it weren’t for their cold war, she might have stayed for a month, and the outcome wouldn’t have changed.
“I won’t argue with you, but you better not lie to me.” Jiang Nanshu wasn’t going to let anyone lock her up.
Then she would rest for a few more days.
When her gaze landed on the Buddha Beads on his left wrist, Jiang Nanshu asked, “Where did you get this? Since when did you believe in such things?”
Lu Qingyan glanced at it too; the wooden Buddha Beads gleamed. He smiled slightly, “It’s just something to cover up ugly scars. It’s not important.”
That’s when Jiang Nanshu remembered, he had attempted suicide that night.
Guilt flooded her like a tide, and she lowered her head, “I’m sorry, Lu Qingyan.”
She should have said these words to him long ago.
She should have apologized for her past behavior long ago.
Lu Qingyan was stunned, then his eyes brightened with a smile, “It’s not your fault, it’s all mine. I didn’t call off the engagement at first because I could hear your heart, my motives were impure, I wanted to see how things would unfold, I knew you were playing me, yet I still wanted to be the successful bystander, I was attracted to you first but still coveted your proactive affection.”
He raised his hand to feel the beating of Jiang Nanshu’s heart and smiled contentedly, “I’m glad you came back. We will never be apart again.”
Jiang Nanshu’s physical condition had always been good; she was much better after about three days of rest.
Lu Qingyan went to the office every day. Jiang Nanshu watched his car drive out of the estate discreetly. The large gate, thick and broad like a high wall, opened only for those moments; only then could Jiang Nanshu see the outside world. But within seconds, the gate would shut heavily again.
Trapped in this villa, Jiang Nanshu spent her days idly. The domestic staff, as if trained, dared not speak a word to her. Whenever she asked about what was happening outside, they would shake their heads as if they were mute.
As she changed her clothes intending to take a walk around the estate, the servants neatly blocked her way, “Madam, the gentleman said you shouldn’t go out these days. It’s cold outside; you should stay in.”
It was March, and Jiang Nanshu wore a thick sweater, not feeling cold at all.
“Move aside, I want some fresh air.”
Jiang Nanshu wanted to explore the villa. Since she had moved in, this was the fourth day, and she wanted to see what it was enclosed by.
Living like a prisoner!
A few servants looked troubled, “Madam, please, if you go out, the gentleman won’t be pleased. We will lose our jobs.”
Jiang Nanshu saw their pleading looks; surely they couldn’t get fired just because she had run out?
But she didn’t want to take the risk. They were all working people, why make it hard for them?
So, she went back to her room.
She didn’t even have a cell phone. The only thing in the house that could connect to the internet was the surveillance system. Jiang Nanshu stared at the surveillance in disbelief then turned and walked away.
At six in the evening.
Lu Qingyan would come back at exactly this time.
Jiang Nanshu stood on the balcony watching his car return.
A man in a suit got out of the front passenger seat and respectfully went to open the back door.
Lu Qingyan, dressed in a dark overcoat, had a detached expression and an aura that screamed, “keep away from me.”
Jiang Nanshu noticed the tall and thin man next to him, probably his secretary.
Ye Yuan looked up to meet Jiang Nanshu’s gaze, but he quickly looked down within a second.
He guessed in his heart that this must be Mrs. Lu, who had been in a vegetative state for five years and had recently awakened.
Lu Qingyan seemed to sense something and looked up to see Jiang Nanshu.
His usually indifferent eyes thawed like ice and snow, hiding countless gentleness.
Ye Yuan was completely astonished.
Was this the same President Lu who considered even smiling a luxury?
Since working by his side, he had always maintained a cold expression, never showing a smile to anyone.
The only time he had seen him smile was when he accidentally witnessed Lu Qingyan drunk, holding a photo and crying.
The girl in the photo was indistinguishable from the person before him now.
“President Lu, the Jiang Family has visited many times already. President Jiang said to give you a piece of land, he wants to meet… the lady.”
Lu Qingyan withdrew his smiling gaze, his tone especially cold, “What are they to me, just a piece of land. Tell Jiang Yisen to keep them away from my wife, I can afford it.”
Ye Yuan wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
He really wanted to tell Lu Qingyan that the Jiang Family was essentially his in-laws.
His wife was the Miss of the Jiang Family.
But with Lu Qingyan’s indifferent attitude, he didn’t dare cross him. It was well known in the circle that he despised the Jiang Family, so he could only repeatedly agree.
Jiang Nanshu waited for him downstairs and quickly approached him as he entered, “Lu Qingyan, when can I go see Xixi?”
Lu Qingyan took off his overcoat, slowly unbuttoning his suit, wearing only a white shirt.
“Is wife hungry? Let’s have dinner first.”
He held Jiang Nanshu’s hand, leading her to the dining table.
Jiang Nanshu had already been able to eat normal food.
As long as it wasn’t too greasy.
The delicately flavored dishes on the table were all prepared for Jiang Nanshu.
But Jiang Nanshu didn’t feel like eating and continued, “When can I go out?”
“This blanched shrimp is good, tender and springy, you should like it.” Lu Qingyan peeled shrimp for her.
The tender shrimp was placed in her bowl.
Jiang Nanshu, restraining her frustration, said, “Lu Qingyan! Are you even listening to me?”
He scooped some fresh soup for her, “Have some.”
Jiang Nanshu pushed his hand away, and the bowl fell to the ground, the soup spilling all over.
Lu Qingyan looked down at it.
Jiang Nanshu thought he would be angry, her fingers curling, “I…”
He looked up, his eyes still gentle, he took Jiang Nanshu’s hand to check carefully, “Did you get burned?”
He gently blew on the spot where her fingertips were reddened.
Soon the servants cleaned up the broken porcelain.
“Don’t be mad at me, it’s all my fault, let’s eat first?”
He continued peeling shrimp for Jiang Nanshu.
Jiang Nanshu watched Lu Qingyan with a complex gaze.
There was definitely something wrong with his state, but Jiang Nanshu didn’t know what the issue was.