Stepdaughter of a wealthy family? The little darling of a Beijing tycoon

The old man remained calm, took Shen Jingshu's hand, and affectionately led her to a seat in the living room. He deliberately kept Lu Jingxing at bay throughout, and softly inquired about her well-being: "Was school tiring this week? Did anyone bully you? Did that brat upset you again?"

Shen Jingshu gently shook her head: "I'm fine. No one bullied me, and President Lu didn't make things difficult for me either."

These words made Lu Jingxing, who was standing to the side, feel even more depressed.

Without making things difficult, all intimate boundaries were completely drawn.

The old man sighed inwardly, but still smiled on the surface. He turned to Lu Jingxing and ordered, "What are you standing there for? Go and get that jar of fine tea I treasure in the study. Also, go to the kitchen and have them bring up the stewed desserts and pastries."

Lu Jingxing silently responded and turned to leave.

Once everyone had gone far away, the old man lowered his voice and spoke earnestly to Shen Jingshu: "Girl, I've lived most of my life. Jingxing is a cold-hearted and resilient child. Everything has gone smoothly for him since he was a child, and he has never cared about anyone."

"Only you are truly on my mind."

"He doesn't understand romance, he's clumsy and awkward, and he doesn't know how to please girls. If he offends you or makes you uncomfortable, please be understanding and don't hold a grudge against him. Don't deliberately avoid him."

Shen Jingshu's fingertips stiffened slightly, her heart filled with conflicting emotions, and she could only softly reply, "Grandpa, I'm not angry."

"You're just too sensible." The old man saw through her but didn't say anything, and patted the back of her hand with a smile. "Grandpa doesn't ask for anything else, he just hopes that you two get along well. This child has had a hard life, she was weak and sickly in her early years, and after so many years, it's finally a pleasure to see someone she cares about. Grandpa is so gratified to see that."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Jingxing returned slowly, carrying a tea set.

He stood tall and straight, silently brewing and pouring tea with elegant and steady movements, yet he remained quiet and reserved, his gaze occasionally falling on Shen Jingshu with a barely perceptible glint of caution.

Seeing this, the old man struck while the iron was hot and made arrangements: "Jing Shu, have lunch at the old house. In the afternoon, Jing Xing will take you for a walk in the courtyard. The courtyard scenery, rockery and lotus pond of our old house are all carefully maintained. It's a rare opportunity to come here, so take a good look around."

Shen Jingshu was about to politely decline when she met the old man's earnest and kind gaze, and the words of refusal stuck in her throat.

He could only nod slightly: "Okay."

A glimmer of light instantly lit up Lu Jingxing's lowered eyes, and a sense of relief and warmth finally crept into his heavy heart.

Even if she is deliberately distant and cold now, as long as there is still a chance to get along, he is patient, waiting slowly and gradually, and one day he will be able to melt away all her defenses and aloofness.

The luncheon was a warm and harmonious affair.

Grandpa Lu kept helping out throughout, every word he said was meant to bring the two together, occasionally teasing his dull grandson, and always trying to ease the tension for Lu Jingxing. Out of respect for her elders, Shen Jingshu responded gently throughout, and the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.

After the meal, the old man deliberately left the two of them some alone time. He made an excuse that he was tired and needed to take a nap, and went straight back to the inner courtyard. Before leaving, he gave Lu Jingxing a meaningful look, silently urging him to make the most of the opportunity.

The huge old house courtyard instantly fell silent.

In early summer, a gentle breeze blows, branches and leaves sway under the eaves, the lotus pond is clear and shallow, and koi carp chase each other, creating a serene and elegant scene.

The two walked side by side on the cobblestone path, without saying a word.

Shen Jingshu stood with her hands hanging at her sides, her gaze fixed straight ahead, her expression calm and aloof, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far, without the slightest hint of relaxation.

Lu Jingxing slowed down, matching her pace. His sharp and cold demeanor from the business world faded away, leaving only a rare calm and gentle demeanor.

The stifling feeling of being deliberately distanced from him for days, and the disappointment of seeing her constantly on guard, weighed heavily on his mind, making it impossible for him to remain silent any longer.

Reaching the carved stone railing by the lotus pond, he stopped first, turning to look at the girl beside him. His deep voice, unusually hoarse and earnest, asked, "What are you avoiding me for?"

Shen Jingshu paused, looked up at him, her eyes clear and calm: "Mr. Lu, you're overthinking it. I'm not avoiding you."

"You weren't avoiding me?" Lu Jingxing repeated softly, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "A week of deliberately not contacting me, deliberately avoiding each other, speaking coldly when we met, drawing clear lines in everything—doesn't that count as avoiding me?"

He was completely honest and straightforward, without any forceful coercion, only showing utter weakness.

"My proposal in the car last week was too abrupt."

This was the first time he had taken the initiative to admit his mistake.

Having led the Lu family for many years, he had never yielded or apologized to anyone, remaining aloof and fawned over. Only when facing Shen Jingshu was he willing to set aside all his pride and arrogance.

"I was too hasty and didn't consider your feelings. I scared you. I apologize."

Shen Jingshu looked at the sincere apology in his eyes, her heart skipped a beat, and she didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Lu Jingxing's gaze was deep and fixed on her eyes, as he slowly and deliberately spoke the words that had been weighing on his heart for so long:

"I used to be physically weak, and my fortune told me I wouldn't live past thirty. I've long since become indifferent to life and death, and I have no feelings for love or attachments."

"The first twenty years of my life were bleak and lifeless, without expectation or desire."

"Until you appeared."

His voice was gentle yet solemn, each word carried on the wind, exceptionally sincere:

"You saved my life, changed my destiny, and dispelled the gloom of my life. To me, you are not just a simple business partner, nor are you just a passing fancy."

"Shen Jingshu, you are my salvation."

These few words carry a weight heavier than a thousand pounds.

"I want to marry you, not on a whim, not to appease my elders, but because I truly want to keep you by my side and protect you from all worries."

"I can wait, wait for you to let go of all your worries, wait for you to be willing to accept me. But please don't deliberately distance yourself from me anymore, don't keep creating distance between us, okay?"

A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling the girl's hair.

As Shen Jingshu gazed quietly at the extremely gentle and sincere man before her, a crack quietly appeared in the strong defenses she had built in her heart.

She had to admit that Lu Jingxing had truly given her his whole heart and had no reservations.

However, the bloody battles in her previous life in a wealthy family, Shen Xinyi's obsessive madness, and the unfathomable power struggles within the Lu family are still things she cannot overcome, things she fears and worries about.

She spoke softly, her tone still firm, but less cold than before: "Mr. Lu, I understand your feelings. But right now, I really have no plans to date or get married."

"Let's just maintain our original cooperative relationship."

A faint trace of melancholy flashed across Lu Jingxing's eyes, but he did not force the issue, only nodding slightly.

"it is good."

I won't force you.

"But I won't give up."

His gaze was persistent yet gentle, unwavering as ever: "I can wait until the day you are willing to accept me."

A gentle breeze wafts across the lotus pond, and the sunlight falls softly.

One pursues, the other retreats; one holds, the other evades.

This entanglement, which begins with redemption and is mired in deep affection, has only just begun its long journey.