The girl started crying suddenly, startling Lu Zhe.
Panic flickered across his dark eyes, and his chest felt as if someone had squeezed it tightly, both sour and painful.
He apologized to her directly, "I'm sorry."
Su Ci's eyes weren't just red; her naturally moist eyes were brimming with tears, teardrops hanging precariously in her eye sockets, looking utterly pitiful.
The rabbit spirit was breathtakingly beautiful, and when she cried, it tugged at one's heartstrings.
Not to brag, but Su Ci had specially trained in the art of crying. She knew exactly how to cry and which angle made her look most appealing yet pitiful.
Now, with reddened eyes, she gazed at Lu Zhe with tear-filled dark eyes, her red lips pressed together, not making a sound. This silent, pitiful crying was enough to drive anyone mad.
Lu Zhe had seen Su Ci act coquettish before, and he'd seen her being deliberately mischievous, but this was the first time he'd seen her cry.
Where was the young man's usual coolness now?
Lu Zhe anxiously reached out, wanting to wipe away the tears clinging to her eyelashes. His voice was deep, his tone nervous yet unconsciously gentle: "I was wrong, Tuantuan, don't cry."
Su Ci looked at him with red eyes. She was getting tired of standing, and even while crying, she didn't forget to be spoiled, "Hold me."
How could Lu Zhe refuse? He pulled her to a nearby chair, and as soon as he sat down, Su Ci naturally settled sideways on his lap.
Su Ci already had a cold, and now with crying, her nose was stuffed up and quite uncomfortable. She pitifully sniffled and asked Lu Zhe in a muffled voice, "What exactly did you do wrong?"
Lu Zhe held the girl's waist to keep her steady, and hearing her question, he said softly, "Everything."
Making her cry was his fault.
Su Ci let out a light hum, her usually clear and melodious voice now nasal, both pitiful and adorable. "Last night you said I was too delicate, and you didn't like that."
She had recorded all his words in her little notebook, and now it was time to settle accounts.
Lu Zhe met the girl's red eyes, looking at the pink and white rabbit ears drooping on her head - she looked like a pitiful rabbit spirit.
He paused before saying, "I lied to you."
Su Ci continued her accusations, "You also said you didn't like how I often hide my scheming nature."
Lu Zhe's dark eyes held a deep color, "I was lying about that too."
"You said you didn't like how I tease people, and you hate my narcissism," Su Ci stared at him with her red eyes, still angry.
Did she have no good points at all?
Lu Zhe's eyes darkened, and he sighed, leaning forward to rest his forehead against hers, "I'm sorry, those were all lies."
Su Ci's anger, which had been like a balloon in her chest, instantly deflated. With their eyes locked and sharing breaths, how could she stay angry?
She really had no backbone.
"I don't have much time left, I can't always be with you," Lu Zhe's rigid face softened, "You can find someone better."
The little balloon that had just deflated suddenly inflated again. Su Ci glared at him with her reddened eyes, "You want me to find someone better? So, you want me to kiss others like I kiss you? Or do you want me to be held by someone else like this..."
"Tuantuan!" Lu Zhe interrupted her, his dark eyes intense.
Just hearing her words made him sick with jealousy.
Su Ci huffed, softly nestling in Lu Zhe's embrace, her hand covering his chest, "Lu Zhe, does it hurt here?" Yesterday, after hearing his words, her chest had felt congested.
Lu Zhe rested his chin on her forehead, calling out weakly, "Tuantuan."
Ever since he learned about his terminal illness, he had been living day by day, thinking it wouldn't matter if he died when the disease took him.
But now, he selfishly hoped he could live longer, that the ugly symptoms would come later.
That he could stay by Su Ci's side longer.
Su Ci pressed her hand firmly against his chest, feeling his heart beating strongly underneath, "Lu Zhe, I promise, you won't die."
She looked up at him, "If you don't believe me, we can wait a year, two years, even three years, or even longer. You'll definitely live well. Didn't I tell you I'm your angel?"
Though, rather than being an angel, she'd prefer to be his little demon.
"Tuantuan." Lu Zhe felt his chest burning where she touched it.
"Let me ask you again, do you like me?" Su Ci looked at him seriously.
The girl's eyes were still red-rimmed, like touches of peach blossoms, and her rabbit ears drooped helplessly on her head, looking both cute and pitiful.
Lu Zhe pressed his lips together, his throat dry. He thought about his promise to her mother yesterday, about how she had silently cried earlier. His eyes darkened, "Mm."
Su Ci's eyes brightened, though her voice remained dissatisfied, "What does 'mm' mean? I don't understand."
Lu Zhe pressed his thin lips against her pink and white rabbit ear, both tender and helpless, "I like you."
This time, it was the truth.
Su Ci felt the heart beneath her palm beating frantically, and her eyes curved into a smile. She knew Lu Zhe couldn't resist her charm.
"Lu Zhe, did you fall for me the first time you saw me?" Su Ci couldn't help but become smug.
Lu Zhe chuckled, "The first time I saw you, you were by the garbage bin, a dirty little bundle."
Su Ci: ......
That was when Lu Zhe had found her.
Not giving up, she continued asking, "Were you stunned by me the first time I transformed into human form?"
The girl was persistent, and Lu Zhe had no resistance, "No."
He didn't know exactly when he had fallen for her.
Su Ci gave him an annoyed glare. He had made her cry, couldn't he at least say something nice to comfort her?
Lu Zhe seemed not to notice the girl's reproachful look. He tightened his hold on her waist and said softly, "What I said last night was all lies, but it's true that I can't be with you."
Su Ci looked at him unhappily.
Lu Zhe gently stroked the girl's soft hair and continued, "Maybe I have a year, or maybe two years. Tuantuan, knowing this, do you still want to be with me?"
"Yes!" Of course she wanted to be with him.
Hearing the girl's definitive answer, Lu Zhe's lips curved slightly, his dark eyes brightening.
He held her tighter, his thin lips dry, "I'll stay by your side, but we won't make it public. If in the future, you find someone you like more... I'll leave on my own." This was his last bottom line.
Su Ci lifted her chin and bit his Adam's apple.
The girl's bite wasn't painful, but the stimulating sensation of having his vital point in the girl's mouth made Lu Zhe lose control, "Tuantuan."
Su Ci released her bite and looked at the young man's handsome features, asking, "Are you proposing to be my secret lover?"
Lu Zhe lowered his eyes.
"Whatever you want," Su Ci agreed. As long as they could be together.
In Su Ci's view, no matter how much she argued that Lu Zhe wouldn't die, no one would believe her now. She could only quickly gather more golden cotton candy to cure Lu Zhe.
Since Lu Zhe wanted to keep their relationship private, and Su's Mother didn't approve of their relationship, having a secret romance seemed quite suitable.
Besides, she had never been in a relationship before, and she was quite excited about such a thrilling secret affair.
Thinking this way, Su Ci wasn't angry anymore.
She nestled softly against Lu Zhe's chest, sniffled, and said in a muffled voice, "Lu Zhe, I'm hungry."
Lu Zhe touched the bowl on the dining table, it was still warm, "Want some breakfast?"
"Feed me. You made me sick with worry, and now my whole body is weak. You need to take good care of me." Su Ci, who could cry and recover just as quickly, had returned to being a little minx.
Lu Zhe had no resistance, "I've never fed anyone before."
The girl in his arms laughed, "That's okay, I've never been fed by anyone either. It'll be the first time for both of us."
Lu Zhe's dark eyes sparkled with amusement.
Su Ci noticed that after Lu Zhe ate the golden cotton candy, not only did his walking improve, but his previously rigid face had regained much of its color. Though his expression was still cool, his features, which had been frozen before, seemed to come alive, making him even more handsome and otherworldly.
She couldn't help but reach out to touch the handsome young man's face, saying candidly, "Lu Zhe, I really want to kiss you, but I have a cold right now, so I'll let you off for now." She didn't want to infect him with the virus.
Aww, she was so considerate.
Lu Zhe lowered his head and, to the girl's surprise, took the initiative to kiss her lips. "Let's have breakfast."
Throughout breakfast, not only did Su Ci sit on Lu Zhe's lap, but he also hand-fed her. Su Ci was very satisfied with the meal.
After taking cold medicine, Su Ci felt sleepy.
"There are two rooms here. Is one of them prepared for me?" Su Ci asked Lu Zhe.
"Yes." Even though he knew she now had the Su family, he still prepared a room for her.
The girl smiled and opened the door to find the room already furnished.
The curtains were apricot yellow with delicate floral patterns, tied back on both sides, allowing bright light to stream in from the small balcony, illuminating the entire room.
A large bed sat in the middle, covered with light pink sheets and bedding. The room's furnishings were simple yet cozy and comfortable.
Su Ci stepped onto the pure white shag carpet and noticed several small green potted plants on the windowsill. Clearly, Lu Zhe had put a lot of thought into decorating the room for her.
Su Ci walked to the wardrobe and opened it, surprised to find it filled with all her clothes from City D. "You brought all my clothes here?"
"Yes." He didn't want any of her belongings left elsewhere.
Su Ci pulled open a drawer to find neatly folded underwear inside. The corner of her eyes curved mischievously as she looked at Lu Zhe. "You brought my underwear too? And even folded them?"
Lu Zhe turned his gaze away. "Yes."
Su Ci noticed the young man's reddening ears and smiled triumphantly, her dark eyes sparkling. "Lu Zhe, just how much do you like me?"
Her smugness was on full display.
Now lying in bed, she demanded Lu Zhe sleep beside her, and not just that – she wanted him to tell her a story.
Lu Zhe chuckled softly. "I only know the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Want to hear it?"
Su Ci glanced at him. "Then sing for me instead." His voice was pleasant, so his singing must be nice too.
Lu Zhe: "I only know the national anthem."
Su Ci sniffled and buried her head in his chest, mumbling, "Never mind then, I'm going to sleep. Hold me tighter."
"Alright."
The girl in his arms gradually settled down.
After some time, her soft breathing indicated she had fallen asleep.
Lu Zhe lowered his head and stroked her drooping, pink and soft bunny ears.
He would have to break his promise to Su's Mother – he wanted to stay with Su Ci for another year.
Having stolen the Su family's treasure, such a selfish and despicable person like him would probably go to hell after death.
By evening, Su Ci's bunny ears still hadn't retracted, so she could only call home to tell Su's Mother that she was feeling down and needed to go out for two days to clear her mind.
Su's Mother thought it was because she had prevented her daughter from liking Lu Zhe that made her unhappy. Though her heart ached for her daughter, she still wouldn't change her stance. Her daughter was still young; when she encountered more choices in the future, she would gradually get over Lu Zhe.
After hanging up, Su's Mother worried that her daughter might not have enough money in her card, so she transferred a large sum to her.
The next day, Lu Zhe woke up early to prepare breakfast, left a note on the dining table, and went out.
The previous venue matter had been disrupted by He Ermeng, and he and Boss Fang hadn't found a suitable location yet. Today they had arranged to meet with a real estate agent to look at other office spaces.
"Little Zhe, I see your energy is good today," Boss Fang said, still carrying Little Kuaile. It was summer vacation, and the kindergarten wasn't in session yet, so he didn't feel comfortable leaving his son home alone and had to bring him along.
Lu Zhe smiled.
The morning sunlight was gentle, and occasional breezes made the green trees along the road sway their branches.
This time, the venue Lu Zhe and Boss Fang were considering was a bit far from the city center, but the building was newly constructed with a nice environment. To attract tenants, the rent was considerably cheaper.
Boss Fang was very satisfied with what he saw. For the same price as before, they could rent an entire floor here. He immediately asked the agent when they could sign the contract, hoping to secure the venue quickly so they could proceed with subsequent matters.
"If you're willing, I can go back to the office right now to print out the contract, and we can sign it today," the agent hadn't expected the client to be in such a hurry.
"Today it is then." After what happened last time, Boss Fang had learned his lesson. To avoid any complications, it was better to sign quickly.
Lu Zhe had no objections.
At this moment, the agent suddenly received a phone call.
Boss Fang watched as the agent responded timidly to the person on the other end, and he had an inexplicable bad feeling.
After hanging up, the agent said to Boss Fang and Lu Zhe, "I'm very sorry, gentlemen. My boss just called to say this floor has already been rented out. I made a mistake. I'm sorry."
Sure enough, it was bad news. Boss Fang frowned, "How could you make such a mistake? We've been discussing for so long, almost ready to sign the contract, and only now you tell us it was a mistake?"
The agent seemed indifferent, "I'm very sorry."
Boss Fang gritted his teeth, "Then show us the floor above now."
The agent had mentioned earlier that the seventh and eighth floors hadn't been rented out. Boss Fang was somewhat particular about feng shui, and with "seven up, eight down," he had chosen the seventh floor.
Now that the seventh floor was taken, they could only look at the eighth floor.
Agent: "I'm sorry, the eighth floor has also been rented out."
"What is your company playing at? Just moments ago, you said both the seventh and eighth floors were vacant, and now suddenly you're telling me they're both rented? Is your company trying to make fools of us?" Boss Fang sternly questioned.
Anyone would be angry when an agreed-upon deal was suddenly reversed.
Lu Zhe's thin lips tightened as something occurred to him.
The next second, someone walked in through the opening glass door.
"Yes, we are making fools of you. What can you do about it?" The speaker was He Ermeng. He had long since had people monitoring Boss Fang and Lu Zhe, and whenever they found a potential venue, someone would report to him.
He was determined to destroy Lu Zhe. A nobody with a short life span, yet daring to try entrepreneurship?
He Ermeng's features were filled with malice and arrogance. "I told you, whether it's the He family's property or anywhere else, you won't be able to rent anything."
Boss Fang was exasperated: "You..."
"What? Want to hit me?" He Ermeng met Lu Zhe's cold gaze and smirked. Outside, two bodyguards in black suits walked in and stood straight behind He Ermeng.
Last time he had underestimated this short-lived wretch's fighting skills and suffered a bit, but this time he came prepared. The bodyguards behind him were top-notch fighters.
"Little Zhe, let's go. Don't waste time here." Boss Fang looked at the two bodyguards behind He Ermeng; they couldn't confront He Ermeng directly.
With that, Boss Fang carried Little Kuaile with one arm and pushed Lu Zhe away with the other. A wise man knows when to retreat.
Seeing Boss Fang and Lu Zhe about to leave, He Ermeng raised an eyebrow and said, "In a while, it will be Ci Ci's birthday. I'll be attending her birthday banquet as her dance partner, while you, a short-lived wretch, won't even qualify to enter the Su family's house, let alone attend the banquet."
He had seen many such presumptuous people trying to reach beyond their station.
Lu Zhe's footsteps halted, his eyes turning cold.
"Little Zhe, ignore him. Let him say what he wants. You know who Little Ci really likes, and that's enough." Boss Fang was genuinely worried Lu Zhe might lose control and fight with He Ermeng, especially with those two tall bodyguards behind him.
They were common citizens; when faced with such bullying from wealthy young masters, what could they do besides endure? Fighting back for pride would be like an egg hitting a stone – they would only hurt themselves.
Boss Fang was a practical man who knew when to bend and when to stand firm. He pushed Lu Zhe hard to leave.
Coming out of the building, Boss Fang put his son down from his single-armed hold.
Taking a deep breath, he patted Lu Zhe's shoulder, "It's okay. If this deal doesn't work out, we'll find another place. I was already prepared for this. Starting a business is always difficult at first. Besides, the He family can't control everything in City B. I don't believe he can keep watching us forever."
Lu Zhe: "I'm the one he's targeting."
"That Young Master He is like a mad dog. We should ignore him. If he wasn't born lucky into a wealthy family, he'd probably be nothing," Boss Fang complained. "Besides his good looks and family wealth, what else does he have? Such young men probably only know how to deceive innocent girls. Don't worry, Su Ci has good judgment; she definitely won't be interested in him."
Lu Zhe thought of Su Ci waiting at home, and his rigid expression softened. "Mm."
"Let's head back. It seems today isn't working out. We'll look again tomorrow," Boss Fang held Little Kuaile's hand. "Son, when we get home, daddy will cook something delicious for you, okay?"
Little Kuaile nodded obediently, responding in his childish voice: "Okay."
Just as Lu Zhe and Boss Fang were about to leave, an imposing black luxury car stopped in front of them.
Such a luxurious car was rare even to see online. Boss Fang couldn't help but take a second look, thinking to himself that City B truly had many wealthy people.
At that moment, the car window lowered, revealing a man's refined profile.
The man looked out toward them.
Boss Fang glanced at the man, then instinctively looked at Lu Zhe beside him. He was shocked to discover that Lu Zhe actually bore a striking resemblance to the man in the car.
Heavens!
Inside the car, Lu Chen observed the young man outside, noting that just like in the photos, his features strongly resembled his own.
Lu Chen opened the car door and stepped out, wearing a custom-made royal blue suit that made him look both handsome and slightly flamboyant. Standing before Lu Zhe, he looked at him with half-lidded phoenix eyes, "Lu Zhe?"
After seeing the information provided by Su's Father yesterday, he had immediately ordered an investigation and obtained some of the young man's background information. He knew this youth came from an orphanage.
If this wasn't some scheme by Su's Father, this young man could very well be his son.
He didn't trust the paternity test report Su's Father had provided, so he wanted to take this young man to do another test personally.
"As you can see, you must know you look very similar to me," Lu Chen noticed that although this young man's features resembled his own, their temperaments were completely different - the youth actually reminded him somewhat of the old master.
Boss Fang was stunned. What was going on? Could it be that Lu Zhe's family had found him?
Lu Zhe looked at him coldly, "What do you want?"
"Of course I want something. You're an orphan, and I lost a son. Come, let's do a paternity test," Lu Chen said straightforwardly. Though still uncertain, Lu Chen had an inexplicable feeling that this young man before him was indeed his offspring.
Lu Zhe gave him a look and flatly refused: "No. I have no family."
"Do you know who I am?" Lu Chen raised his phoenix eyes, still captivating even in his forties. "I'm the head of the Lu family. If you're my son, you know what that means."
Beside them, Boss Fang was experiencing wave after wave of shock. The Lu family?
When he had previously researched Su Ci's family background, he had also looked up the Lu family online. Both families were top-tier aristocratic households in the country, and the He family couldn't even compare to them.
Just earlier, he had been lamenting about how He Ermeng, that spoiled rich young master, relied on his privileged birth to bully others. Now, in a major twist, Lu Zhe might actually be the son of the Lu family patriarch?
Boss Fang felt his brain couldn't process this anymore.
Such a dramatic turn of events was too shocking.
"The Lu family has nothing to do with me," Lu Zhe said coldly.
Lu Chen looked at the young man before him with surprise, noting that he truly had some of the old man's proud and aloof manner.
"Whether it has anything to do with you or not, I'm taking you for a paternity test," Lu Chen became more convinced the longer he looked - after all, it was impossible for anyone else in the world to have a son who looked so similar to him.
"I won't do it," Lu Zhe said to Boss Fang beside him, "Uncle Fang, let's go."
"Huh?" Boss Fang came back to his senses. They're just leaving like this? They look so alike, they might really be father and son!
Boss Fang wanted to persuade Lu Zhe to take the paternity test, but this was Lu Zhe's business, and he couldn't interfere too much.
"Sir, should we follow them?" the driver stood beside Lu Chen, unable to contain his excitement.
He had been with the Lu family for many years. Since the young master's disappearance over a decade ago, it had remained an unhealed wound for everyone - the master, madam, and old master Lu.
And now, the young man who had just left could very well be the Lu family's young master.
"Of course we'll follow," Lu Chen thought about how his wife had banished him to the study again last night. He stroked his chin and said, "Old Cao, doesn't that child look just like me?"
Driver Old Cao nodded eagerly, "Yes, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth - they're identical."
"Alright, follow them in the car. If he won't take the test willingly, we'll force him," Lu Chen smiled.
"Sir, perhaps the young master is just shocked and needs time to process this. Please don't frighten him away," Old Cao knew well Lu Chen's casual nature - only his wife could control him, not even the old master could manage him.
Lu Chen raised an eyebrow, "The paternity test hasn't even been done, and you're already calling him young master?"
Old Cao's face was full of joy, "It must be him."
The distance to the residential complex wasn't far, so Lu Zhe and Boss Fang walked back.
The car kept slowly following behind Lu Zhe and Boss Fang. Boss Fang resisted the urge to look back, "Xiao Zhe, that car has been following us."
Lu Zhe: "Ignore it."
Boss Fang asked him, "Xiao Zhe, why won't you agree to take the paternity test with that Lu family member? If he really is your father..."
Lu Zhe interrupted Boss Fang, "Uncle Fang, when I learned about my condition, I had already given up on finding my family."
Boss Fang was shocked into silence. He opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound. What could he say?
Even if Lu Zhe was his son, and they reunited, Lu Zhe only had a few years left to live. If they reconnected now, wouldn't it just make his family suffer the pain of losing him again?
It might be better not knowing where their child was, at least they could imagine he was living happily.
Boss Fang, at his age, felt his eyes growing wet with sympathy for Lu Zhe. If only this child could be a bit more selfish.
The car followed Lu Zhe to the residential complex. Lu Chen got out and frowned at the surroundings.
Seeing Lu Zhe enter the building, he continued to follow.
Su Ci woke up around ten o'clock. Her cold hadn't completely cleared up, and the rabbit ears on top of her head hadn't retracted yet.
She saw the note Lu Zhe had left, knowing he had gone out on business, so she obediently ate the breakfast he had made and waited for his return.
Just as she was getting bored enough to consider calling him, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Was Lu Zhe back?
No, Lu Zhe had keys; he wouldn't ring the doorbell.
Was someone looking for Lu Zhe?
Su Ci went back to her room to put on a hat, making sure her rabbit ears were hidden, before going to open the door.
When the door opened and she saw the tall young man standing outside, Su Ci happily rushed forward and threw herself into his arms, "Lu Zhe, you're back! I've been waiting forever for you, you need to kiss me to make up for it."
"Tuantuan." Lu Zhe caught her, showing some discomfort: "Stand properly."
Su Ci was about to protest against Lu Zhe's steadying hand on her waist when she accidentally met a pair of smiling phoenix eyes outside the door.
There was someone else here?
Lu Chen stroked his chin, hiding his surprise, "Su Shengguo's daughter?"
Su's Father often boasted to Lu Chen about his daughter, so of course Lu Chen recognized Su Ci. Throughout the country, how many could match the beauty of the Su family's treasure? Su's Father had good reason to brag about his daughter.
And now, Su Shengguo's daughter seemed to be involved with this son of his who wasn't yet confirmed?
Strangely, Lu Chen imagined Su's Father's furious reaction when he learned of this.
He gave his son an approving look - truly worthy of being his offspring.
