Mr. Lu, Mr. Su is being coquettish again!

Now, he believes he has accomplished enough over such a long period of time.

Su Nanqin, however, told him in the most tactful yet most hurtful way that he was not worthy...

Just as those people at those elite schools mocked his incompatibility, he could ignore them.

But Su Nanqin is different; Su Nanqin is not one of those people.

Su Nanqin's back was pressed tightly against Lu Fang's chest, and Lu Fang hugged him tightly but remained silent.

Neither of them could fall asleep. The bedroom was very quiet, and Su Nanqin could even hear Lu Fang's heartbeat with each breath.

He wanted to turn around and say something, but his hands, hanging taut at his sides, remained still.

No matter how much you say, it's useless; the fact is he won't go with Lu Fang.

It was another long night, and the next morning no one mentioned what had happened the day before.

As usual, Lu Fang prepared a meal and sent Su Nanqin to work.

The banquet was on the second day, and Su Nanqin arranged to meet with Ruan Chenzhou that evening to discuss plans for attending the banquet and the marriage alliance.

I originally planned to tell Lu Fang last night, but now the car is already downstairs at the company.

Su Nanqin couldn't speak. He looked at Lu Fang, who hadn't said much since last night, and although everything seemed the same as usual this morning.

But only Su Nanqin knew that Lu Fang was angry, or perhaps he had other complicated emotions.

She didn't want to argue with Su Nanqin, didn't want to break up, didn't want to talk to Su Nanqin, and didn't want to continue last night's topic.

Su Nanqin felt a little nervous and uneasy. He fidgeted with the hem of his pants at his side before mustering his courage: "Um... I have plans tonight, so you don't need to pick me up..."

Hesitantly, Su Nanqin didn't even know how she said those words, and she didn't even dare to look at Lu Fang.

Lu Fang, who had been silent the whole way, finally turned to look at him after hearing this, and his gaze lingered on Su Nanqin for a long time.

The hand gripping the steering wheel tightened suddenly, making a scraping sound as it was rubbed against the wheel.

Su Nanqin felt uneasy. Lu Fang never restrained his temper, and he was prepared for the other party to fly into a rage.

Lu Fang frowned deeply, as if he was forcibly suppressing something.

Su Nanqin said there was an appointment; in the past, even if the other party didn't need to pick him up, they would only say it was for social obligations.

Heaven knows that just one word difference was enough to ignite an overwhelming surge of jealousy in Lu Xin's heart.

After a long while, Lu Fang finally let go, seemingly deflated. Without even looking at Su Nanqin, he asked in a low voice, "Is it him?"

"Huh?" Su Nanqin didn't quite hear.

"Is it him, the one who brought you back last time?" Lu Fang's eyes held an unreadable emotion.

Su Nanqin was a little hesitant, but he had indeed made an appointment with Ruan Chenzhou, and lying would only make Lu Fang angrier, so he could only say, "Okay."

Lu Fang's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he was suppressing something, and then he spoke in a low, hoarse, and emotionless voice: "I understand."

Su Nanqin was stunned again. He thought Lu Fang would say something, like being jealous or questioning him.

But the other party didn't say anything, which was too unusual. So unusual that Su Nanqin felt a little empty inside, as if something was slipping away.

Su Nanqin looked at Lu Fang, who was still gripping the steering wheel tightly and not looking at him again. His previous emotionless "We're here" now sounded like a urging.

Su Nanqin paused, lowered his eyes, and forced out a sentence, "Then I'm leaving."

They would have said something like that before, but today it seemed to carry a different meaning, as if the distance between them would widen again once they got off the bus.

Su Nanqin tried to get out of the car, but for a moment his feet seemed to be nailed to the ground, and he couldn't move anymore.

With his gaze falling on the Su Group Building, Su Nanqin didn't linger and got out of the car.

No wonder he was stunned for a moment. In the past, Lu Fang would always drive for him, then take his hand and walk him to the door while watching him go in.

As soon as Su Nanqin got out of the car, the black G-Class behind him sped off in the opposite direction at an unprecedented speed.

Su Nanqin could still see Lu Fang's two ostentatious G-Wagons gradually driving away, eventually disappearing into the traffic and out of sight.

The area in front of the building was empty, and Su Nanqin's heart felt empty too, like a kitten that had been abandoned and couldn't find its way.

Lu Fang remained as flamboyant and dashing as ever, as if Su Nanqin could return to that time of walking alone whenever the other party wished.

It was a sunny winter day. Su Nanqin looked up and saw that the sunlight was a bit dazzling.

"I have to face it again..." Su Nanqin murmured, but her eyes showed a hint of determination as she walked toward the building.

On the Lu family's side, Wei Chi was so busy he couldn't keep up.

The company's small group chat got lively because Mr. Lu, who is known as a workaholic, didn't come to work today, and everyone was guessing whether he was held up by his "little wife" at home.

Lu Fang did not go to work today. He went to Yunyinfang and somehow drove his car here.

He remembered that this seemed to be owned by Wenqi, and it was also Su Nanqin's favorite bar.

Although it's called a bar, it's actually a comprehensive entertainment venue, with upscale restaurants, entertainment, and hotels that are part of a chain, but it's commonly known as a bar.

Lu Fang parked the car, leaned against it and smoked several cigarettes before getting up and walking towards Yunyinfang.

Ji Yang was still on duty. When he saw Lu Fang, Ji Yang was obviously surprised, but he quickly composed himself and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

They arrived in the morning, and hadn't brought Su Nanqin with them yet.

It seems there's been a rift between them, or perhaps it's just some insignificant nobody.

Lu Fang chose a semi-private room and sat there drinking all day. He hadn't let himself go like that in a long time.

Is Su Nanqin serious about emptying his mind and letting emotions surge?

They feel he's not presentable enough, or at least they feel he's not good enough for them in some ways. If that's how people think now, if that's really the case...

So, how is Su Nanqin's thinking any different from those of wealthy young men who keep mistresses?

What's the point of continuing? Lu Fang never dwells on things that don't bring rewards, nor does he care about empty fame.

He should have left after understanding what the other person meant, but he didn't want to. He preferred to accept this unequal, almost hidden feeling rather than say those words.

Alcohol can numb the nerves, and Lu Fang drank tirelessly. Perhaps because he looked too fierce and exuded a low-pressure aura, no one around him dared to come over and chat with him.

Su Nanqin and Ruan Chenzhou also arranged to meet at Yunyinfang.

"You're planning to ask me to marry you?" Ruan Chenzhou asked, somewhat surprised.

It's too fast. He had thought about being with Su Nanqin, but this isn't how it is.

At least it's not a marriage devoid of emotion, a mere performance for the benefit of both parties.

"Brother Chenzhou, I've thought it over. This is a win-win collaboration." Su Nanqin sat up a little straighter.

"At most six months. After six months, whether it works out or not, I will get a divorce. You don't need to worry about the contract. You only need a marriage in name only. I will draft the contract with your interests in mind."

"No, Nan Qin. You know I wouldn't refuse. But isn't this too hasty for you?" Ruan Chenzhou looked at him seriously.

Su Nanqin took a sip of red wine. "No, I've thought it over carefully. Of all the people, you are the most suitable and the one I trust the most."

Ruan Chenzhou leaned back slightly, his gaze falling on the other person's lips, which were slightly stained with red wine.

He was about to speak when he paused, as if he had thought of something, and then asked, "Where is he?"

It was a question, and also a seemingly unintentional attempt.

To test whether Lu Fang was not good enough or too important in Su Nanqin's heart.

"Who?" Su Nanqin looked up, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.

Ruan Chenzhou couldn't take his eyes off her. "That guy at the villa last time, if I remember correctly, his surname was Lu, right?"

"There's no need to drag him into this." Su Nanqin took another sip of wine. "It's my job to clean up the Su family business, completely eliminate Su Xiangming, and expose the forces behind him."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Chenzhou understood.

His grip on the wine glass tightened suddenly. Ruan Chenzhou was filled with mixed emotions, but his expression remained calm and composed. "Is he worth protecting like this?"

"Brother Chenzhou," Su Nanqin suddenly became serious and reminded him.

Ruan Chenzhou finally understood Su Nanqin's attitude; the other party was serious about Lu Fang.

Su Nanqin, who had never asked anyone for anything before, even came to him with conditions, but he was unwilling to push people out as live targets.

"Is marriage really the only option?" Ruan Chenzhou gave him one last chance. "You've never been so subservient to old folks before."

"It's not just him. I've held power in the Su family for too long. The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind. Someone needs to subtly divide the power, to reassure those restless forces, and to make them reveal their true colors."

"And marriage is the best way to reorganize forces. Surely Brother Chenzhou understands this?" Su Nanqin leaned back slightly and looked at him.

"Are you sure you've thought it through?" Ruan Chenzhou leaned forward slightly and raised his hand to touch the other person's lips, covering the wine stain.

Su Nanqin paused in her gentle swirling of the wine glass, remaining motionless as she looked at him.

Ruan Chenzhou suddenly laughed, leaning over to look at him. "Nan Qin, I don't think you can't tell what I mean to you, right?"

Su Nanqin's face showed a moment of surprise, but he quickly tidied himself up again. "Now I see."

"So you're not afraid? If you're not afraid, I won't let you go?" Ruan Chenzhou's smile deepened as he leaned back in his seat.

Su Nanqin took a sip of her drink and smiled, her eyes crinkling as she looked at the other man, a mixture of probing and confirmation in her expression. "So, can you do it, Brother Chenzhou?"

"Does he know how good you are at manipulating people?" Ruan Chenzhou took a sip of red wine and said noncommittally, "He won't hurt Su Nanqin."

"I don't know." Su Nanqin replied almost without thinking.

Ruan Chenzhou seemed to have thought of something. Having only met him once, he remembered that the man had quite a temper and was very possessive. He retorted, "Aren't you afraid he'll get angry? Won't he mess things up? Or cause a breakup?"

"We were originally planning to break up anyway." Su Nanqin thought about yesterday, how it was just a prelude, but it was already very painful. "If you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way."