MY - 44

For the past few days, Ren Fei had been squatting downstairs at the company. He didn’t speak or look for anyone. The security guards told him to leave, but he wouldn’t.

The security guard was present when Ren Fei and Jiang Xi had a conflict last time and was worried that Ren Fei was still there to cause trouble. It was fine when Jiang Xi hadn’t come to the company in the past few days, but since she was at the company today, they would definitely run into each other when she left.

Jiang Xi took her eyes off Ren Fei outside and said to the security guard, “It’s fine.”

The security guard said, “How about I walk you to the parking lot?”

“No need, it’s nothing. Thank you.”

The security guard didn’t insist. “Then please be careful on your way.”

Jiang Xi: “Thank you, I’m leaving now.”

She walked outside, and as she left the company’s main entrance, Ren Fei, who was squatting by the flowerbed, seemed to sense her presence and looked up.

Seeing Jiang Xi, Ren Fei put out his cigarette in the flowerbed, stood up, and walked towards her with his hands in his pockets.

Jiang Xi stood still. Ren Fei walked up to her and stopped.

“Is there something you need?” Jiang Xi asked.

Ren Fei was frank. “I’m here to apologize.”

The person in front of her was not yet eighteen but was already taller than her.

Jiang Xi hadn’t expected Ren Fei to actually come and apologize, as boys his age were most concerned with their pride, and she hadn’t really expected an apology from him.

Apologies were never really useful.

Ren Fei said, “What happened before was my fault. I apologize.”

He paused for a moment and then said, “If I see Ren Shenghai again, I’ll make him come and apologize to you.”

Jiang Xi: “No need.” The best thing would be to never see Ren Shenghai again in this lifetime.

But Ren Fei said, “He did something wrong, so why shouldn’t he apologize?”

After a pause, he smiled. “He doesn’t deserve my mom at all. No wonder she hated him so much before she passed away.”

Jiang Xi didn’t say anything.

“Also,” Ren Fei looked up at her, “the person who came with me last time was my uncle. He caused you trouble, and I apologize on his behalf.”

Ren Fei’s uncle was probably dealt with pretty badly by Lu Nandu after he caused a scene.

Jiang Xi saw how sincere he was. “Okay, I understand.”

Ren Fei had nothing more to say.

Jiang Xi: “Alright, you can go back now.”

Ren Fei had skipped class to be there and had been skipping class for a few days straight. He didn’t know where Jiang Xi lived, so he could only wait for her downstairs at the company every day.

He had said that if it was his fault, he would apologize, and he wouldn’t go back on his word.

His main purpose in coming was to apologize to Jiang Xi. Now that he had finished, he had nothing else to say. “I’m leaving now.”

“Okay.”

After Ren Fei left, Jiang Xi went to the parking lot to get her car and drove home.

________________________________________

Lu Nandu had been on a business trip and returned from abroad today.

After coming out of the airport, he instructed Qin Jin, “Notify all department heads to have a meeting this afternoon.”

Qin Jin followed behind him. “Yes.”

The black Maybach sped down the highway towards the Lu family mansion.

The mansion was already bustling in the early morning. The servants were all at their posts. It had probably rained last night, and a wave of humidity hit Lu Nandu as he passed the garden.

When Lu Nandu entered the house, Liang Sirong was knitting a scarf on the living room sofa, so engrossed that she didn’t even notice he had come in.

An old servant who was always by Liang Sirong’s side reminded her, “Madam, the young master is back.”

Liang Sirong looked up and was surprised to see Lu Nandu. “You’re back from your business trip?”

Lu Nandu hummed.

He took off his overcoat, threw it on the sofa, and sat down next to Liang Sirong. “What are you knitting that you’re so engrossed in?”

Liang Sirong quickly showed it to him. “I’m knitting a scarf.”

It was a deep red cotton color. Lu Nandu leaned in to look at it. “Is it for me? So festive?”

Liang Sirong, who was showing him the scarf, paused for a moment.

Lu Nandu was very good at reading expressions since he was a child and guessed something was wrong.

Sure enough, Liang Sirong said the next second, “This is for Xiao Di. He likes red.”

“You have one too. I was going to give it to you all as a New Year’s gift, and I’ve already finished knitting it,” she said as she immediately got up. “I’ll go get it for you to see.”

Lu Nandu stopped her, reaching out to hold her arm. “Didn’t you say you’d give it to us for New Year’s? Then you can show it to me for New Year’s.”

Because of Lu Endi, Lu Nandu had always felt guilty towards Liang Sirong.

He said, “Continue knitting for Xiao Di. He should really like it.”

Liang Sirong saw him like this and comforted him. “A-Du, what happened back then wasn’t your fault.”

Lu Nandu just hummed softly, not sure if he really believed it wasn’t his fault, or if he was just humming to make Liang Sirong feel better.

He quickly changed the subject. “Auntie, I’m hungry.”

Liang Sirong immediately became anxious. “You haven’t had breakfast?”

Lu Nandu smiled, revealing two faint canine teeth. “No, I’m starving.”

Liang Sirong had always doted on him and immediately instructed the servant beside her, “Go to the kitchen and prepare something for the young master to eat. First, bring him a cup of hot water to warm him up.”

Lu Nandu watched from the side and asked, “Auntie, why are you so good to me?”

Ever since he was taken back to the Lu family, Liang Sirong had always been very good to him and never treated him with a cold shoulder because of his identity.

“There’s no reason,” Liang Sirong smiled. “Who wouldn’t feel bad for our A-Du?”

“There are,” he said, sounding very open and indifferent. “My mom, for one.”

Lu Nandu had experienced a lot of domestic violence as a child. Liang Sirong knew all of this. She patted Lu Nandu’s hand. “That’s all in the past. It won’t happen again.”

Lu Nandu nodded in agreement and smiled. “I think you’re right.”

Liang Sirong saw his mischievous look and laughed. “You’re a character.”

The servant quickly brought a cup of hot water, and Lu Nandu took it.

Liang Sirong thought of something and said to him, “You didn’t go see your grandpa last time you came back. Go see him after you’ve eaten.”

Lu Nandu took a sip of hot water. “The old man can’t wait for me to stop showing up.”

Liang Sirong laughed. “That’s not true. Your grandpa talks about you all the time. He was even asking about you after you left that day.”

“I know, I was just joking,” he finished the water in the cup in one gulp, put the cup down, and said, “I’ll go see him after I eat.”

Lu Nandu ate quickly, taking less than ten minutes.

After eating, he wandered upstairs.

The old man had a study with thousands of books on the shelves and paintings on the white walls.

When Lu Nandu went in, Grandpa Lu was playing chess alone. He leaned against the door, watching the old man move a black piece and then a white one.

Lu Nandu called out to him. “Old man.”

Grandpa Lu acted as if he hadn’t heard him. He picked up a black piece, looked at the board, and made his move.

Lu Nandu was used to it. He straightened up and walked in.

He sat cross-legged on a cushion opposite Grandpa Lu.

Grandpa Lu acted as if he hadn’t seen him at all.

There was a book next to the chessboard. Lu Nandu picked it up and looked at it. It was a classical text.

Although the Lu family had shifted to business starting from Grandpa Lu’s generation, they had always been a family of scholars. Lu Jinghong was interested in culture even after going into business, and his son Lu Kaidong and grandson Lu Endi were also cultured people.

Except for Lu Nandu.

Lu Nandu got a headache just by looking at the obscure and difficult sentences inside. He closed the book and threw it back on the table.

Never mind, I’ll just watch him play chess.

He propped his chin up with one hand and watched Grandpa Lu play chess in boredom.

Grandpa Lu still ignored him. Lu Nandu didn’t mind.

After a few more moves, Grandpa Lu was about to pick up a black piece, but a hand with long, distinct fingers appeared in front of him and pressed a black piece down.

Grandpa Lu finally looked up at his grandson.

Lu Nandu propped his chin up with one hand, wiggled his leg a few times, and said carelessly, “Old man, it’s boring playing chess by yourself.”

“Come on, I’ll play with you.”

Grandpa Lu said to him, “You’re not sitting properly.”

“This isn’t the first day you’ve met me,” Lu Nandu said and then added, “Do you want me to straighten my back? See if you’re satisfied?”

Grandpa Lu was finally amused by this unruly grandson and snorted. “You’re good at everything that’s not serious.”

Seeing that Grandpa Lu wasn’t so grumpy anymore, Lu Nandu smiled. “Of course.”

Grandpa Lu placed a piece on the board. “Did you solve the problem in the UK?”

Lu Nandu picked up a black piece and placed it on the board without hesitation. “You’re really well-informed.”

Grandpa Lu didn’t look up at him and said coldly, “It’s good that you know. Since you know I’m watching, you should stop having those useless thoughts.”

Lu Nandu knew what Grandpa Lu was referring to as “useless thoughts.”

He said, “I’m in a hurry to find you a granddaughter-in-law. I’m already this old. If I don’t find someone, I’ll be thirty in a few years. What if your granddaughter-in-law runs away?”

Grandpa Lu glanced at him, still speaking in his usual manner. “You don’t need to worry about things like love.”

Lu Nandu finally dropped his careless attitude and looked up.

Grandpa Lu was still playing chess leisurely with his eyes lowered. “The right person will find you.”

Lu Nandu frowned slightly.

He said coldly, “Who I want to date is my own business. Don’t think about setting me up with anyone.”

Grandpa Lu looked up at him. “Do you remember what you promised me back then? Now that you’re grown up, have you forgotten everything you said before?”

Lu Nandu looked directly at him. “Back then was back then. I never said it would be the same eight years later.”

Grandpa Lu frowned slightly.

After a long pause, he didn’t say anything else. He put the white pieces back into the chess bowl. “Go back.”

Grandpa Lu had always had a good temper and rarely got angry. Lu Nandu and he had rarely had conflicts since Lu Nandu entered the Lu family eight years ago.

Even though Grandpa Lu was angry now, he didn’t scold him.

Lu Nandu didn’t back down on this issue either. He propped his arm on the table and got up.

He went back to his room to take a shower. His suits were neatly hung in the closet in the walk-in closet, and his watches were in a row.

Lu Nandu stood in front of the mirror, changing clothes. His white shirt was neatly ironed.

The man in the mirror had a prominent brow bone and deep eyes, a completely different person from the one who was just being playful half an hour ago.

He buttoned his cufflinks and listened to Qin Jin report on work on his phone.

The content of the report didn’t seem to be very pleasant, and a sense of frustration was pressed between Lu Nandu’s eyebrows.

Lu Nandu usually didn’t say much when listening to reports. Qin Jin knew his habit and finished speaking in one breath.

Lu Nandu’s voice was not very friendly when he was interrupted.

“Does this department not have a single person with a brain?”

Qin Jin heard the unhappiness in his voice. Lu Nandu paused for a moment. “Continue.”

“Yes.”

...

A few minutes later, Lu Nandu came downstairs.

Liang Sirong either hadn’t left the living room or had just sat down.

Seeing him come down, she asked, “Are you going to the company?”

Lu Nandu hummed. “There are still things to deal with.”

Since Liang Sirong was there, he didn’t leave immediately. He walked over and sat down beside her to keep her company for a while.

Liang Sirong asked him, “I went to the study to bring your grandpa some snacks just now. Did you make him angry again?”

Lu Nandu said grumpily, “He’s the one who gets angry for no reason. What can I do?”

“He’s your grandpa, and everything he says to you is for your own good,” Liang Sirong said. “Don’t take anything he says to heart. Your grandpa is getting old, and your dad passed away early. You should be more filial to him.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to be filial to him,” Lu Nandu said. “Even if he makes me mad enough to die, I’ll still take care of him until the end.”

Liang Sirong was amused by his sharp tongue and said, “Don’t be mad at him. Your grandpa doesn’t have any ill intentions.”

“Auntie,” Lu Nandu said. “My grandpa won’t let me pursue a girl.”

He started to play the victim. “You see, it’s a new era now, and he still wants to arrange my marriage.”

Liang Sirong didn’t know what to do when she heard that. “This...”

She looked at Lu Nandu. “Then A-Du, do you really like that girl that much?”

“What else?” Lu Nandu smiled helplessly. “Did you ever see me like any other girl before?”

When Lu Nandu was first taken back to the Lu family, Liang Sirong had heard many people say that he was unruly and a playboy. But after he was brought back to the Lu family, she never saw him with a girlfriend, or even a companion to pass the time with.

This was the first time he had frequently mentioned a girl he liked in front of her.

Moreover, he was genuinely happy when he received the girl’s phone call that day.

Liang Sirong was at a loss. For scions of these families, most marriages were indeed arranged. They were a good match in terms of family background, and each had their own needs.

But she still doted on Lu Nandu. She hesitated and said, “How about Auntie talks to your grandpa when she has time? Your grandpa isn’t an unreasonable person. Maybe he’ll agree when he sees how much you like her.”

Lu Nandu sneered to himself, thinking that Grandpa Lu being reasonable was a lie.

Ever since his son, Lu Kaidong, passed away at an early age, and Lu Endi also died young, Grandpa Lu had been very good to his daughter-in-law, Liang Sirong, and would listen to her opinions.

So even though Lu Nandu knew that with Grandpa Lu’s personality, even if Liang Sirong talked to him, it would likely have little effect.

But it was better than him talking to him.

Lu Nandu: “Auntie, you’re the best.”

Liang Sirong smiled. “Go to the company. Come home and stay more often. Your own apartment is too lonely for one person.”

“Okay, I’ll come home tonight.”

“Then Auntie will wait for you for dinner. Come back early.”

“Okay.”

________________________________________

Lu Nandu had a lot of work to deal with after he returned and only had some free time the day after tomorrow.

Shen Zexiao called him to go out for a drink.

After dealing with Jiang Xi’s and then the company’s matters, Lu Nandu hadn’t hung out with Shen Zexiao and the others for a long time.

Since he was free today, Lu Nandu had his driver take him to the club.

Shen Zexiao didn’t invite too many people, just a few familiar rich kids, all with their dates.

Lu Nandu pushed open the door and entered the private room. The light was dim and hazy.

Shen Zexiao saw him come in. “You’re here.”

Lu Nandu walked over, took off his suit jacket, draped it over the armrest, and sat down on the sofa. “Zhuo Pei didn’t come?”

Shen Zexiao handed him a drink. “He’ll be here later. He’s probably coming with Yanran.”

Lu Nandu took the glass from Shen Zexiao. “Is she coming too?”

Shen Zexiao laughed. “That girl hasn’t seen Zhuo Pei in a month. She just came back, so of course she’s sticking to him. I was going to pick her up on the way, but she said she wanted to find Zhuo Pei first and then come with him. She really won’t let go of him for a second.”

A while ago, Xu Yanran went abroad to attend an event in the fashion world. Plus, she had many other engagements, so her schedule was packed. She only had time to come back yesterday.

Lu Nandu also laughed.

Xu Yanran was indeed like that. No matter how cold Zhuo Pei was to her, she would pretend not to see it and follow him around every day.

Shen Zexiao had a new female companion, a different type from the last one.

Shen Zexiao was always like this, changing girlfriends as easily as he changed clothes, with the longest relationship not exceeding two weeks. The last one was surprisingly more than a month, and everyone thought Shen Zexiao was finally ready to settle down.

But a few days later, Shen Zexiao changed his partner.

Shen Zexiao had a typical charming face that was very likable, but he was seemingly emotional yet ruthless.

Someone asked him why he changed girlfriends again.

He just laughed. “I got bored.”

Lu Nandu was used to this. He was even too lazy to ask when he saw him change girlfriends. This guy had never settled down for any woman.

He slowly drank his wine while playing with his phone.

Shen Zexiao saw him constantly looking at his phone and probably guessed what Lu Nandu was doing. He said, “Mr. Lu, you’re still looking at your phone when you’re out having fun. You’re a bit boring. No wonder that girl doesn’t want you.”

Lu Nandu kicked him.

“Go away.”

Shen Zexiao didn’t dodge and laughed. “I’m giving you some advice. Listen to me, and you’ll be able to win over any girl.”

Lu Nandu gave him a cold glance.

Shen Zexiao: “You don’t believe me?”

He clicked his tongue and snatched Lu Nandu’s phone. “Girls, after you’re enthusiastic for a few days, you need to string them along. Don’t rush to reply to their messages. They’ll come looking for you themselves in a few days.”

Lu Nandu knew this, of course.

But he couldn’t bear to do that to Jiang Xi. He took his phone back from Shen Zexiao’s hand. “Get lost.”

Shen Zexiao laughed. “Look at you, all grown up. Let’s see how long it takes for you to win her over.”

Lu Nandu was too lazy to talk to him and continued to look at his phone.

He had sent Jiang Xi a text message two minutes ago, and she hadn’t replied yet.

Their relationship had gotten much better, but Jiang Xi had no intention of adding him on WeChat. He looked at his phone again. Jiang Xi still hadn’t replied to his text message.

He just threw his phone aside and started drinking.

The door to the private room was pushed open. Lu Nandu looked up and saw Xu Yanran.

She pushed the door open and came in. Shen Zexiao saw that she was alone and asked, “Where’s Zhuo Pei?”

Xu Yanran shrugged, not at all unhappy about it. “He said he had something to do and didn’t come to see me. He told me to come on my own first.”

Shen Zexiao frowned slightly, thinking of something.

But then he thought it was impossible and didn’t say anything.

Xu Yanran sat down between Shen Zexiao and Lu Nandu. As soon as she sat down, she reached for a drink.

Shen Zexiao reminded her, “Drink less. You can’t handle your alcohol.”

Xu Yanran said, “It’s fine. If I get drunk, Zhuo Pei can take me home.”

Shen Zexiao laughed. “You’ve got a good plan there. Alright, I approve. You can drink. I’ll have Zhuo Pei take you home later.”

In the private room, Xu Yanran was only familiar with Shen Zexiao and Lu Nandu. But Shen Zexiao had his girlfriend with him, and Lu Nandu didn’t talk to her much. Xu Yanran was a little bored.

She leaned over and asked Lu Nandu, “Aren’t you close with Sister Jiang Xi? Why don’t you invite her over?”

Lu Nandu, who was drinking, glanced at her when he heard that.

After they stared at each other for a while, Lu Nandu said, “You call her.”

Xu Yanran: “...”

A few seconds later, she said softly, “You won’t win over Sister Jiang Xi like this. You’re still being arrogant while you’re pursuing her?”

Lu Nandu: “...”

Shen Zexiao heard their conversation and laughed. He said to Xu Yanran, “Your brother Nandu isn’t being arrogant. He’s too direct and scares people away.”

Lu Nandu: “Get lost.”

Of course, she wanted to call Jiang Xi and have her come over, but if she called her over this time and Jiang Xi agreed, then Jiang Xi would have paid him back for his favor.

Xu Yanran and Shen Zexiao, of course, didn’t know this.

Xu Yanran said, “Then I’ll call her?”

Shen Zexiao said, “Go ahead. Take pity on your brother Nandu.”

Lu Nandu: “...”

He had sent Jiang Xi a text message more than ten minutes ago, and she hadn’t replied yet. He guessed that Xu Yanran probably wouldn’t get through.

Xu Yanran called Jiang Xi, and after a few seconds, it connected.

Xu Yanran: “Sister Jiang Xi.”

Lu Nandu, who was bringing a glass of wine to his lips, paused.

His phone next to him hadn’t lit up. Jiang Xi hadn’t replied to his text message.

She must have seen his message, but she hadn’t replied. Lu Nandu lowered his eyes without changing his expression and continued to drink.

Xu Yanran was still on the phone with Jiang Xi.

“Sister Jiang Xi,” Xu Yanran called out to her. “Do you want to come and hang out with us?”

Jiang Xi probably asked her what she was doing.

“We’re drinking,” Xu Yanran said. “They’re all guys, and I’m a bit bored. I was wondering if you wanted to come over?”

It was a bit noisy in the private room. The people next to them couldn’t hear what the person on the phone was saying.

Lu Nandu didn’t even hear Jiang Xi’s voice.

Jiang Xi probably declined. Xu Yanran looked a little disappointed. “Okay, then I’ll see you next time.”

They talked for a few more sentences. After Xu Yanran said goodbye to Jiang Xi, she hung up.

Shen Zexiao, who was holding his date, asked, “She’s not coming?”

Xu Yanran shook her head and then said to Lu Nandu, “Sister Jiang Xi said she’s out eating with someone.”

Lu Nandu hummed.

Xu Yanran was about to say something else when the door to the private room was pushed open.

They had been drinking for a while, so the person coming at this time was clearly late. The people in the private room subconsciously looked over.

When Xu Yanran saw Zhuo Pei, her face lit up. “Zhuo Pei.”

As soon as she spoke, her expression turned a little blank when she saw the woman following behind Zhuo Pei.

Shen Zexiao also saw her and frowned slightly.

Zhuo Pei waited for the woman to come in before closing the door. He walked towards Shen Zexiao with the woman.

The woman had a gentle and refined look, with the气质 of a young lady from a good family. Zhuo Pei said, “Let me introduce you. This is Zhou Li.”

After saying that, he introduced the rest of them to Zhou Li.

Zhou Li seemed a little shy. She greeted them timidly. “Hello.”

Shen Zexiao nodded slightly.

Xu Yanran was a little stunned at first, but now she had come to her senses.

Zhuo Pei rarely had girls around him, but tonight, he had a girl with him.

And an hour ago, she had called Zhuo Pei and said she was going to find him, but Zhuo Pei told her he was busy and to come on her own.

She looked at Zhuo Pei. “Zhuo Pei, what were you doing tonight?”

Zhuo Pei looked up at her.

Shen Zexiao saw that the atmosphere was wrong and was about to intervene.

But Zhuo Pei spoke first. “Eating.”

Xu Yanran was usually carefree, but when she felt wronged, her eyes would turn red. She stared at Zhuo Pei intensely. “Eating what?”

Zhuo Pei looked at her. “A blind date.”

When he said that, the people around him fell silent. Zhou Li also sensed that the atmosphere was not right.

The moment Zhuo Pei said that, Xu Yanran’s eyes turned even redder. She didn’t say anything else, got up, and walked out.

Shen Zexiao, the peacemaker, frowned slightly and looked at Zhuo Pei. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Zhuo Pei: “What’s wrong? I’m trying to find a girlfriend.”

Shen Zexiao said to him, “Aren’t you going after her?”

Seeing that Zhuo Pei had no intention of moving, Lu Nandu said lightly, “She’s been drinking.”

When he said that, Zhuo Pei frowned slightly.

In the end, Zhuo Pei went out.

Shen Zexiao was going to party all night in the private room, so the task of taking Zhou Li home fell on Lu Nandu.

Zhuo Pei and Zhou Li weren’t very close. They had just been on a blind date and had dinner together.

Lu Nandu had his driver take Zhou Li home. He didn’t go back to his own apartment but had the driver drive to Jiang Xi’s community.

He got out and told the driver to go back.

Lu Nandu had been drinking, and his head was a little dizzy. He squatted down under a tree nearby.

The man was tall with long legs. He had one arm draped over his knee, and his fingertips were hanging lazily.

A few meters away, a phone rang. Lu Nandu, who was looking down, looked up when he heard it.

Jiang Xi was about to answer but saw Lu Nandu under the streetlight and walked straight over to him. “Why are you here?”

Lu Nandu saw her coming, took the phone away from his ear, and cut the call off awkwardly.

He stood up from the ground.

Jiang Xi walked up to him and asked, “Is there something you need?”

Lu Nandu looked at her, and after a long silence, he said, “Big sister.”

“Why didn’t you reply to my text message?”