Jiang Nanshu looked up at him, but did not respond.
Liang Ciqiu did not mind and started chatting with Father Lu, asking about his health.
Father Lu was rather fond of his illegitimate son, and with someone to divert the topic, he became much more amiable.
Lu Mother kept a cold face throughout. Logically, she should be happy that her son was so outstanding, but she couldn’t feel this emotion. All she wanted was for Lu Qingyan to support her family, who at least cared about her, even though the company’s development was not going well and they did not blame her.
But her son did not think the same way, leaving the Shang Family’s business empty and on the brink of collapse if Lu Qingyan withdrew his investment.
Thus, the Shang Family’s survival now depended entirely on the whims of Lu Qingyan.
She looked at Lu Qingyan, who was asking Jiang Nanshu how he was with warmth and suppressed the urge to send Jiang Nanshu away.
The family banquet passed in silence and awkwardness.
Jiang Nanshu enjoyed his meal, seemingly unaffected.
Lu Qingyan stood up and whispered to Jiang Nanshu, “Wait for me here, I’m going to the study with Grandpa.”
Jiang Nanshu, eating watermelon and messing with his hair, replied, “Go ahead.”
With affection shimmering in his peach blossom eyes, Lu Qingyan thought Jiang Nanshu was truly adorable and wanted to kiss him.
But there were too many people around now.
He simply ruffled Jiang Nanshu’s hair gently and walked away.
Lu Mother watched the two of them for a moment, then chose to follow Lu Qingyan.
Father Lu scoffed softly, his attitude towards Jiang Nanshu fairly moderate, and he briefly inquired about Mr. Jiang’s condition.
Jiang Nanshu knew nothing and did not care, dismissive and unaware, he sent Father Lu away.
As Father Lu left, his face subtly turned a steel shade of blue.
Jiang Nanshu felt quite innocent, as these were indeed her blind spots.
Only she and Liang Ciqiu were left in the living room.
He pulled up a chair next to Jiang Nanshu, rested his chin on his hand, and smiled at her.
Jiang Nanshu’s expression was indifferent, and she did not even glance at him.
“Can you believe you’re actually going to have a wedding with him? Have you seen the state Chu Muxi is in? She is so pitiful,” Liang Ciqiu said with a laugh in his voice, talking into Jiang Nanshu’s ear.
As Jiang Nanshu continued to ignore him, he grew more excited, “Jiang Nanshu, he is practically a lunatic, prone to random outbursts. Aren’t you afraid to be with someone like that? Do you dare to sleep at night? Aren’t you afraid he’ll chain you up? You’re still so young, you could have any man you want, why live in fear by his side?”
Jiang Nanshu stared at the porcelain cup in her hand, wondering how much force it would take to shut this noisy character up without endangering his life.
“Jiang Nanshu, I have a face that’s a fifty-percent match to Lu Qingyan’s and I’m emotionally stable. Take a good look at me,” Liang Ciqiu’s voice was enchanting.
Jiang Nanshu gave him a sidelong glance: “Don’t disgust me, you look nothing like Lu Qingyan.”
Liang Ciqiu snorted coldly, not the least bit annoyed: “Didn’t you pay to keep me around before just because I resembled Lu Qingyan? Whatever he can give you, I can too, but without the hurt.”
Jiang Nanshu watched him quietly, with a smile that was not quite a smile, “Weren’t you head over heels in love with Su Ran? What’s with this sudden act, have you actually fallen for me?”
Liang Ci Qiu’s expression stiffened, his gaze landed on Jiang Nanshu who looked as delicate and sumptuous as a rose, yet her thorns kept people at a distance.
In the past, her mocking demeanor had made him feel insulted, Jiang Nanshu didn’t mince words, and when upset, she was quick to throw a punch.
He had once stood up for Su Ran, only to be slapped by Jiang several times.
And to be called a groveling dog.
But now looking back,
Jiang Nanshu was too real.
Her likes and dislikes were expressed in no uncertain terms.
Liang Ci Qiu found himself inexplicably embarrassed under Jiang Nanshu’s gaze, he sneered, “Can’t I like you? Are you going to control other people’s feelings too?”
Jiang Nanshu picked up another slice of watermelon, her lips curled in a smile, “Being liked by someone like you really makes me want to vomit. You really think I took you in because I fancied you? I was just using you to piss off Lu Qingyan.”
Back then, she was racking up Disgust Value. She was bound to act recklessly.
Yet here was Liang Ci Qiu, once unable to live without Su Ran, now pledging his loyalty to her.
She chuckled, “It’s hard to say whether it was Su Ran’s encounter with you that turned her into this, or if you were one of the people who turned her life tragic.”
Just hearing Su Ran’s name made Liang Ci Qiu feel disgusted.
Initially, he had been coaxed by her to drug Lu Qingyan so she could marry him, but when their plans fell through and he was driven out, that was tolerable. As long as Su Ran was willing to live a simple life with him, even if it was poor or tough, he could have taken good care of her. But she should never have deceived him by claiming the child in her womb was his. If it weren’t for his downfall, and accidentally hearing Su Ran’s phone call with a stranger, he might have been kept in the dark forever.
Liang Ci Qiu laughed twice, “Every step she took was calculated. Su Ran is different from you; her abilities can’t support her ambitions, but you are different, Jiang Nanshu, you are calm enough not to fall easily. Actually, I’m quite curious, if Lu Qingyan really commits a crime in the end, will you cover for him or become an accomplice with him?”
“That day will never come,” Jiang Nanshu left behind those words and stood up.
Because Lu Qingyan had arrived.
From a distance, he saw Liang Ci Qiu standing too close to his wife. His gaze was icy as he watched Liang Ci Qiu, who, far from intimidated, met his eyes with a provocative smile.
Lu Qingyan’s attention then shifted to Jiang Nanshu. His fingers caressed the wedding ring on his ring finger as he smiled warmly at Jiang, “Sorry for the wait, let’s go home.”
He picked up Jiang Nanshu’s bag and carefully adjusted her hair and the wrinkles on her dress.
He didn’t spare Liang Ci Qiu a glance; in his eyes, this man posed no threat. The only purpose Liang Ci Qiu served was to occasionally disgust him. But his ties to his kin were weak.
Even if Father Lu had more illegitimate children, he wouldn’t feel a thing, because the Lu Family could only belong to him. Although Liang Ci Qiu was related to him by blood, his abilities were inferior.
After they turned and walked away, Liang Ci Qiu sighed, “Jiang Nanshu, I think I should return the money you gave me when you took me in. I don’t want your money.”
Lu Qingyan’s stride halted, his expression had not even had time to change when Jiang Nanshu burst out like a firecracker.
She hurled a cup at Liang Ci Qiu’s forehead, followed by a slap and a kick for good measure.
“I’ve been tolerating you for a long time. Who do you think you are, acting like there’s something between us? You’re not even worth a finger of Ah Yan’s. Don’t let me see you again, or I’ll kill you.”
Liang Ci Qiu, along with his chair, tumbled to the ground.
Clutching his forehead, his playful look turned to one of icy coldness.
He glared at Jiang Nanshu with venomous eyes.