Jiang Nanshu didn’t lift her head, continuing to fiddle with her tablet as she absently responded, “Mhmm, you go ahead.”
Lu Qingyan glanced at her, took a box of condoms from the bottom layer of the closet, and hid them in his clothes before taking them into the bathroom.
He punctured each one with a needle, replaced them, and then began to shower.
He loved Jiang Nanshu.
But he didn’t know if she would leave again.
He couldn’t keep her, so what about having children?
She didn’t want him, but surely she wouldn’t abandon her children.
When he came out, he saw Jiang Nanshu sitting cross-legged on the bed, looking down and logging into a dating app, although he didn’t know how she had registered an account.
Lu Qingyan stuffed the items back where they belonged, feeling somewhat guilty.
Seeing that Jiang Nanshu wasn’t paying attention to him, he let out a slight sigh of relief.
As soon as Lu Qingyan came out, Jiang Nanshu turned off the tablet and handed it to him, yawning, “I’m so sleepy, I’m going to sleep now.”
Lu Qingyan opened the tablet, glanced at the sleepy Jiang Nanshu, and set the tablet aside.
Ever since Jiang Nanshu had returned, he, who usually went to sleep at one or two in the morning, could now go to bed on time at ten.
Jiang Nanshu was really impressed by how his mental resilience had improved.
In the afternoon he could be fiercely arguing, preferring she hated him.
At night, he was clingy, hugging and kissing her incessantly.
She had been back in this world for almost half a month now.
Besides him, she hadn’t met anyone familiar.
A sudden pain on her collarbone made Jiang Nanshu hiss, “Why did you bite me?”
“What were you thinking about?”
Jiang Nanshu pushed his head away, “I was thinking about when you’ll let me go out. I don’t want to get physical with you.”
Lu Qingyan: “…”
“Don’t wait until I have to slap you to realize.”
“…”
Jiang Nanshu turned her back to him.
Lu Qingyan moved closer; he knew he couldn’t confine Jiang Nanshu.
He just wanted her to spend a bit more time with him.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have run down from the third floor and dodged through heavy security to hide in that place.
He sighed with a headache and kissed her smooth earlobe, “I can let you out, but you must be home by five in the afternoon.”
Jiang Nanshu hadn’t even started to rejoice before Lu Qingyan’s conditions completely dampened her spirit.
She widened her eyes in disbelief, “Why five in the afternoon? That’s so early; what will I even do when I come back?”
Lu Qingyan glanced at her indifferently, “Then don’t go out at all.”
Jiang Nanshu: “…”
Fine, fine, fine.
Threatening her.
But since Lu Qingyan had loosened up, she thought it over and agreed.
As long as she could go out, it was fine.
“So, can I?” Lu Qingyan looked at her.
Jiang Nanshu felt a bit shy and coughed lightly, “Okay.”
Usually it was Lu Qingyan who took the initiative, but this time, because she was in a good mood, she took the initiative a lot too, truly reaching a state of physical and mental pleasure.
The next morning.
Jiang Nanshu woke up early.
Lu Qingyan was still asleep.
His bare, muscular arms held her and the blanket together.
Jiang Nanshu sat up, moved his arm away, and got out of bed.
This slight movement woke up the still-dreaming man.
He half-opened his eyes and only saw the back of Jiang Nanshu dressing.
It was not even seven in the morning yet.
He gradually woke up, frowning slightly, “Why are you up so early?”
Jiang Nanshu had dressed and was fiddling with her hair, succinctly stating, “I’m going out.”
Lu Qingyan, “…”
They had only gone to sleep around two in the morning yesterday. After they were done, Jiang Nanshu was so tired that she muttered “no more” and fell asleep. Unexpectedly, she was ready to get up and leave early in the morning; it seemed she still had energy.
He pulled Jiang Nanshu back into bed. “Since you’re not tired, let’s go again.”
Jiang Nanshu, “…”
This time, Jiang Nanshu truly slept until noon.
The bed next to her was cold; Lu Qingyan must have gone to the company early.
She woke up and started cursing.
After coming downstairs, she realized something was off in the atmosphere below.
Lu Qingyan was still at home, and sitting right in the center was the stern-faced Old Sir Lu.
To her surprise, she found her Fifth Brother Jiang Yunchuan and the long-unseen Yan Yidan also present.
It seemed some disagreement had arisen.
Old Sir Lu looked visibly upset.
Jiang Yunchuan seemed to be grinding his teeth in frustration.
Yan Yidan, on the other hand, was much calmer, but her clenched fists still evidenced her urge to hit someone.
Lu Qingyan sat with a cold expression, saying nothing.
“Grandpa Lu, Fifth Brother, Sister Yan… why are you all here?”
Suddenly, Jiang Nanshu’s voice was heard.
Jiang Yunchuan and Yan Yidan quickly turned their heads.
“Nannan!”
Both stood up.
Yan Yidan moved faster, walking over and giving Jiang Nanshu a tight hug. “You finally woke up.”
After five years, Yan Yidan’s formerly ear-length bob had grown long, yet she still wore her favorite modern-traditional Chinese clothing. Compared to the bob, her long hair made her look even more gentle.
Jiang Nanshu embraced Yan Yidan nostalgically. “Sister Yan, long time no see.”
Yan Yidan let her go, somewhat annoyed. “If you dare to run off to the beach again and worry us, I… I… won’t deal with you anymore, Xixi is still upset.”
Xu Xi was her best friend.
Jiang Nanshu didn’t know what Xu Xi must have thought after receiving her last phone call before her death.
At that time, she just wanted to say a proper goodbye; now, thinking back, she felt a bit guilty.
At that moment, she had been stubborn and had failed to consider many things, inevitably upsetting the people who truly cared about her.
She pressed her lips together: “I’m sorry.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a large hand grasped her arm and pulled her to his side. Lu Qingyan hugged Jiang Nanshu tightly, his gaze cold as he looked at everyone present.
“Ah Yan!” Old Sir Lu slammed his cane on the ground and scolded sharply. “What exactly are you trying to do! Since Nannan woke up, it’s been hard for us even to see her. If I hadn’t forced my way in, would you have kept hiding her forever?”
Lu Qingyan glanced around indifferently, holding Jiang Nanshu even tighter, and scoffed. “Why not? My wife only needs to be with me.”
Seeing the situation becoming tenser, Jiang Nanshu couldn’t help but speak up for Lu Qingyan. “Grandpa Lu, Ah Yan is just worried about my health. I’ll be allowed out once I’m better.”
Because Lu Qingyan had already promised her yesterday.
She could go out, but she had to return by five in the afternoon.
She was somewhat unhappy about it – why did she need to come back so early?
But now, Lu Qingyan was mentally unwell.
She wanted to show him through her actions.
She really wouldn’t leave again.
“Hmph, then why doesn’t he let your friends visit you?” Old Sir Lu looked at Half Mountain Villa. “My fine villa has been turned into this by you, you really deserve a beating.”
Old Sir Lu was beside himself with anger.
He had to bring a host of bodyguards just to see his granddaughter-in-law, which in itself was rather a sad story.
Lu Qingyan glanced apathetically at Yan Yidan and spoke indifferently. “She’s neither kin nor kith to my wife. Why does she have to come and visit?”
Yan Yidan retorted fiercely, swinging her eyes around before coldly pulling Jiang Yunchuan towards her. “I am now Nannan’s prospective sister-in-law. Do I qualify to visit now?”
“Ah?” Jiang Yunchuan was stunned.
It was only when he felt a pain in his arm that he nodded. “Yes, yes, yes, Yan Yidan is Nannan’s prospective sister-in-law, I’m Nannan’s real brother, is that suitable now?”
Lu Qingyan sneered, “You’re not worthy.”
Jiang Yunchuan, “…”