Asked by Lu Yan like this, the frown on Ning Anmiao's face, which had just relaxed, tightened again. "I haven't decided yet."
If there's anything that can truly leave an impression, it must be a handmade gift.
Such gifts are always the most heartfelt.
However, there were so many guests to be invited to the wedding. If every gift was handmade by the two of them, they'd probably be exhausted.
Moreover, there were still a great many wedding - related matters to prepare. With only three months left until the wedding, they not only lacked the energy but also the time.
As a result, this idea was quickly dismissed.
Ning Anmiao sat at the table, munching on lunch while deep in thought. "It has to be heartfelt, not cheap; presentable and memorable..."
Lu Yan listened to her muttering and lowered his eyes slightly.
This little girl didn't have much experience, but she sure had a lot of ideas.
Ning Anmiao thought seriously for a long time but still had no clue. She even lost her appetite for lunch and propped her chin up, looking utterly distressed.
Lu Yan reached out and poked her cheek, then pinched it. It felt so nice. "Since that's the case, how about giving perfume as a gift?"
Ning Anmiao thought it was inappropriate and was about to decline.
"Xinghe has a light - luxury perfume brand called ONLY. Their signature is story - inspired perfumes. Each perfume has its own story."
Lu Yan paused for a moment. Seeing a strand of hair fall by her ear, he carefully tucked it behind. "We can take some time to create a perfume of our own."
It sounded quite romantic.
Ning Anmiao stroked her chin. "It's a good idea, but I've never learned how to make perfume."
But she was quite interested.
Lu Yan noticed the spark of interest in her eyes and smiled with pursed lips. "It's okay. We can learn."
The top - notch perfumers under his company were not idle people.
Ning Anmiao loved trying new things. Coupled with the special story and meaning that Lu Yan mentioned they could give to the perfume, she became even more eager. "When shall we go?"
"If you want, anytime." Lu Yan held her small hand gently and spoke in a soft voice. "I'm free tomorrow and the day after. We can go to the perfume - making studio and have some fun."
"Great!" Ning Anmiao beamed and kissed him on the cheek.
Every time she was in a good mood, she would reward him like this, just like a little kid.
Lu Yan was clearly not satisfied with this gentle kiss. He wrapped his arm around her waist and was about to have a more intimate exchange with her, seeking other rewards, when the phone on the coffee table vibrated.
It was Ning Anmiao's.
"Don't move. My phone is ringing." Ning Anmiao sensed the man's intention and quickly slipped away. Making a face, she went to get her phone.
Originally, Lu Yan was just acting on a whim. Seeing the little girl gloating, he also smiled faintly. The thought that had just arisen had to be abandoned.
Ning Anmiao walked over, picked up the phone, unlocked it, and opened the incoming message.
There was a smile on her face at first, but when she saw the content, the smile quickly faded away, replaced by shock and disbelief in her eyes.
The change in her expression caught Lu Yan's attention. His smile also disappeared. "What's wrong? Who sent the message?"
"It's Zhou Si." Ning Anmiao looked up blankly with a dazed look in her eyes. "Zhou Si said he's taking Jiang Xixi to have an abortion now and asked if I have time to go and take care of her."
Hearing this, Lu Yan pursed his lips. He wasn't too surprised.
In other words, he seemed to have anticipated this possibility.
It was true that Jiang Xixi was in love with Lin Chuluo, but after all, she came from a noble family. After being repeatedly oppressed by Lin Chuluo, her innate pride and stubbornness wouldn't allow it.
This choice was just right for her.
Ning Anmiao was preoccupied. Lu Yan drove her directly to the hospital.
When the car was almost at the hospital, Ning Anmiao called Zhou Si to ask about the situation.
The call was quickly answered.
"The operation has just started. Jiang Xixi has already gone in."
Zhou Si's voice was calm and his tone a bit perfunctory. "The doctor said it would be quick. Come to the gynecology department to pick her up. I have to go somewhere else."
Since he was already here, he might as well visit an old acquaintance.
Ning Anmiao held the phone and exchanged a look with Lu Yan. Then the two quickly headed towards the gynecology department.
---
This was a general hospital with a vast area and a wide range of treatment areas.
Zhou Si glanced at the directions and easily found the inpatient department of the rehabilitation and physiotherapy department.
Ming Qiao was here.
Looking calm, he stuffed his hands into his pockets. He first asked the nurse at the nurse station for Ming Qiao's room number, then walked leisurely towards her room.
After so many years, he wondered what expression she would have when she saw him.
Shock? Anger? Surprise? Or regret?
He was excited.
He stopped at the door.
This was a special - care ward. In the large space, only Ming Qiao lived there.
She could only move her upper body and had been paralyzed in bed for years. Coupled with vocal - cord damage, she basically stayed here all the time.
Doctors would take her downstairs for a walk at fixed times.
When Zhou Si arrived, the ward was empty. The nurse must have taken her out for a stroll.
Seeing Ming Qiao wasn't there, he clicked his tongue in regret, shrugged indifferently, and sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for her to return.
About ten minutes later, his phone rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, Zhou Si deliberately waited for a while before slowly answering the call.
It was Lin Chuluo's anxious voice, and upon closer listening, there was even a hint of gritted - teeth anger. "Zhou Si, where did you take Jiang Xixi?"
Zhou Si raised his eyebrows slightly. "If you're so worried about her, why didn't you take good care of her yourself?"
"Zhou Si! I'm asking you, where the hell is she now!" He almost roared.
When Lin Chuluo walked out of the study and saw the empty downstairs with no sign of Jiang Xixi, his first reaction wasn't anger but panic.
He didn't even realize that the moment he found Jiang Xixi was gone, he was actually worried about her safety.
Zhou Si curled his lips, walked to the window, and looked down at the lawn outside.
It was afternoon. The autumn sun in the afternoon was rare. It was cool yet still radiated warmth, making people feel cozy all over.
But such sunlight would be seen less and less.
Until the cold winter arrived.
"Lin Chuluo, did I forget to tell you?" Zhou Si lowered his head, his eyes fixed on the woman in the wheelchair.
Just by seeing her profile, he knew he hadn't mistaken her.
"You're a piece of trash, a complete piece of trash." He sneered. "Trash should stay in the trash can, just like your aborted child."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Chuluo's mind went blank. It was as if he had lost all his ability to think in an instant.
The child... was aborted?