As soon as the words fell, the car suddenly pulled over to the side of the road. Lu Yan turned his head and stared at her intently.
Miaomiao, who was looking at him.
Ning Anmiao's eyes were exceptionally clear, like a clear spring, so gentle that one couldn't take their eyes off.
For no reason, Lu Yan, who was always taciturn, suddenly had an urge to pour out his heart.
"Miaomiao, I don't think I'm worthy."
There was a touch of desolation in his tone. "My mother was a mistress looked down upon by others, and my existence is that of an illegitimate child subjected to much abuse."
"You've been born into a world of love and glory since childhood, while I'm a monster who crawled out of the mud."
He lowered his eyes and looked at Ning Anmiao, his Adam's apple rolling a few times. "If you're with me, it will drag you down."
"They'll mock you for finding such an unseemly and unwanted man."
A look of helpless pallor showed on his usually cold expression.
"I've gotten used to it over the years, but I don't want them to talk about you, and I don't want it to affect your life."
Somehow, the rain outside had stopped. Maybe the atmosphere in the car was too oppressive. Lu Yan opened the door and got out, walking to the front of the car.
Out of habit, he reached into his pocket for a cigarette.
Seeing this, Ning Anmiao quickly got out of the car too and looked up at him.
The scars all over his body from climbing out of the abyss and struggling formed his current calmness, composure, and maturity.
His figure was tall and straight as he stood in front of Ning Anmiao.
For some reason, even though his shoulders were so broad, she felt an indescribable sense of loneliness from him.
He seemed to have always been like this.
Like a powerful but lonely beast.
Ning Anmiao immediately ran over, hugged his arm, and pulled it closer to her. Her voice was soft and delicate. "No, you're the one I'm most proud to show off to others."
"You're so handsome, capable, and considerate. You know how to take care of people... Not every man has these qualities."
She coquettishly coaxed him. "Besides, now you're the boss of Galaxy Capital and the largest shareholder of the Lu Group. Who would dare to look down on you?"
Her voice was so sweet that it could almost melt a person.
"Whoever dares to look down on you, you just throw money at them until they shut up." Ning Anmiao comforted Lu Yan seriously. "We're rich and powerful. Who would dare to look down on us?"
Hearing this, Lu Yan couldn't help but smile.
He lowered his head, raised his eyebrows playfully, and pretended to be serious. "Oh? Did you fall for me just because I'm rich?"
Seeing that he was deliberately teasing her, Ning Anmiao deliberately puffed out her cheeks. "Of course not all because of that. Also... you're handsome."
Lu Yan laughed. "Then I really have to thank my genes for catching your eye."
As he said that, he put his arm around her waist and hugged her. Only then did he notice that her skin was a bit cold.
"Are you cold?" he asked in a deep voice.
Although it was summer now, after such a heavy rain, the temperature had dropped a lot. Ning Anmiao was only wearing a black dress, so she was indeed a bit cold.
"A little." She looked up at Lu Yan and gave him a gentle smile. "Let's go back. I'm a bit tired."
Lu Yan looked at her, his eyes full of doting.
"Okay."
...
After they got home, Lu Yan received a phone call. It seemed to be an urgent work matter, so he went straight into the study.
Ning Anmiao tidied herself up, sat on the sofa, and took out her phone.
She found that there was a missed call from Jiang Zhou.
Looking at the time, it was almost during Grandpa Lu's funeral. She had the phone on silent, so she didn't hear it.
After hesitating for a few seconds, Ning Anmiao still called back.
The call was quickly answered. Ning Anmiao spoke first. "Brother Jiang Zhou, I was a bit busy just now and didn't answer your call. What did you want to talk to me about?"
Jiang Zhou's gentle voice came from the receiver. "I see. Actually, it's nothing much. I just wanted to apologize to you on behalf of Xixi."
Hearing this, Ning Anmiao couldn't help but be stunned.
There was a hint of apology in Jiang Zhou's tone. "Last time, it was our Jiang family's fault for not educating her well. She acted on impulse and did something stupid that hurt you. I sincerely apologize to you."
Ning Anmiao thought for a few seconds, then calmly said, "Jiang Xixi was really wrong about this. If Lu Yan hadn't arrived in time, I might not be able to answer your call now."
It was obvious that Ning Anmiao was still angry.
It couldn't be blamed on her for being so fussy. If it were just a minor matter, it would be okay, but this was a matter that almost cost her life.
She wouldn't forgive Jiang Xixi.
Jiang Zhou's heart tightened, and his tone became even gentler. "I know, Miaomiao. I know our Jiang family is sorry for you. Not long ago, I also went to apologize to Uncle Ning."
Ning Anmiao didn't say a word.
Some mistakes couldn't be erased just by an apology.
"Miaomiao, are you free recently? Brother Jiang Zhou wants to invite you to dinner." Jiang Zhou didn't want to have a big rift with Ning Anmiao because of this and wanted to ease the relationship with her.
Ning Anmiao was silent for a long time before she refused. "No, thank you. Recently, Lu Yan's grandfather passed away. I've been busy with the funeral these days, and I need to accompany him."
Jiang Zhou was suddenly at a loss for words.
"... I see. Please accept my condolences." Jiang Zhou also felt a bit awkward. He knew that this call wasn't well - timed. "Then we'll talk about it when we have a chance in the future."
"Okay." Mentioning the previous incident, Ning Anmiao felt a bit annoyed. She perfunctorily said a few words and wanted to end the conversation. "Goodbye, brother."
"Goodbye."
Ning Anmiao hung up the phone and heaved a sigh of relief.
For some reason, she always felt that there was something strange about Jiang Zhou's call, as if he had something unsaid and there was a sense of oppression.
Just then, Lu Yan walked out. Hearing the last few sentences, he raised his eyebrows. "Who were you calling brother?"
"... You heard wrong." Ning Anmiao immediately retorted and pretended to be innocent. "I didn't say anything about a brother."
Hearing this, Lu Yan slightly lifted his chin and squinted his eyes dangerously. "Miaomiao, lying children will be punished."
As soon as the words fell, Lu Yan sat directly beside her and pulled her into his arms.
The sudden closeness made Ning Anmiao smell his refreshing scent, and her heart couldn't help but start to race.
Blushing, she confessed. "Just now, Jiang Zhou called me and said he was apologizing to me on behalf of Jiang Xixi."
Lu Yan said indifferently, "And then? Did he say anything else?"
"Nothing else." Ning Anmiao shook her head and murmured to herself. "He invited me out for dinner. It seemed like he had something to say to me, but I refused."
Lu Yan's eyes were deep and unfathomable. His tone was still calm and casual. "You're so good. You still remember what I told you."
Ning Anmiao looked into his eyes.
"Don't get close to any man other than me, or you'll be unlucky."
Ning Anmiao: "..."