Lu Xiangyang listened to her words, and a trace of emotion flashed through his deep eyes. A gentle smile curled at the corners of his lips.
He slowly raised his right hand, hooking his index finger slightly, bending the knuckle, and lightly tapped the bridge of her nose.
“What nonsense are you talking about? My Lu family has been upright for generations—how could I ruin my own future? Don’t worry, all the money I, Lu Xiangyang, have is clean!”
With his reassurance, Shen Nanzhi quietly let out a sigh of relief, convinced that his extra income must have come from business.
“Nanzhi, stop pressing. My legs have long lost all sensation—they won’t get better.”
Lu Xiangyang’s voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of barely noticeable helplessness and resignation.
Shen Nanzhi stopped what she was doing and looked up at him, then slowly stood.
After squatting for so long, her legs had gone numb. She staggered and almost fell.
Taking advantage of the moment, she stepped back.
“Ah!” she cried out, her face full of panic.
But from the corner of her eye, she glanced at Lu Xiangyang, as if saying: Catch me!
She counted silently in her heart: one, two…
Before she reached three, her waist suddenly tightened.
Those familiar large hands silently wrapped around her waist and pulled her in.
She instantly lost her balance and fell into that familiar embrace.
In that moment, time seemed to freeze.
Shen Nanzhi was no longer cautious or reserved like before.
Her arms naturally wrapped around Lu Xiangyang’s neck, like a clingy little kitten, pressing herself against him. Her soft, sweet lips brushed against his jaw.
Lu Xiangyang froze at her sudden move. His eyes trembled slightly, and a trace of subtle desire flickered within.
His heart pounded wildly, like a startled deer, leaving him flustered.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed with difficulty.
His clenched hands tightened again and again, trying to suppress the urge to kiss her.
In a hoarse voice, he said, “Nanzhi, get up first.”
Shen Nanzhi lifted her head and met his deep gaze. A hint of confusion and puzzlement flashed in her eyes. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”
“I can’t feel anything,” Lu Xiangyang said, his voice trembling slightly. “Get up first.”
No feeling?
Shen Nanzhi’s pupils widened.
Lu Xiangyang… really can’t?
She froze completely.
Was she going to live a lifetime as a widow in marriage?
But even that was better than marrying that scumbag Jiang Feng.
Besides, no one would ever treat her better than Lu Xiangyang.
Shen Nanzhi would never despise him.
Her bright eyes shimmered with affection, tender and captivating.
Under the warm light, her fair skin glowed with a jade-like softness.
Lu Xiangyang felt as if his entire body was engulfed in flames, heat surging through him.
His breathing grew heavy and rapid, his eyes burning as if they could consume the woman before him at any moment.
“Get up!”
His voice was low and husky, laced with desire.
Seeing the emotions churning in his eyes, Shen Nanzhi finally understood, her face instantly flushing red.
She quickly got off his lap.
“I’ll go make something cold to drink.”
With that, she hurried out of the room.
Once outside, seeing no one in the hall, she let out a big sigh of relief.
She patted her chest, afraid Aunt Wang might misunderstand if she saw her flushed face.
Entering the kitchen, she splashed cold water on her face at the sink, trying to calm herself.
Then she walked to the water vat, pulled out a large watermelon, bought three packs of jelly powder from the system store, and called Wang Dashan to buy some soda.
Hearing the noise, Aunt Wang came in from the yard.
Seeing Shen Nanzhi cutting watermelon, she frowned. “Nanzhi, we just finished dinner. Why are you cutting watermelon already?”
“Making drinks,” Shen Nanzhi replied without looking up. “Perfect timing—help me remove the seeds.”
With Zhou Wenxuan’s overseas Chinese identity as cover, Shen Nanzhi could take out unfamiliar ingredients without raising suspicion.
By past eight in the evening, the night had deepened.
Shen Nanzhi carefully carried two cups of freshly made watermelon jelly drink and stood at Lu Xiangyang’s door.
She knocked.
“Come in!” his deep, magnetic voice came from inside.
She pushed the door open.
Lu Xiangyang was seated at his desk, focused on paperwork, a hint of fatigue between his brows.
She walked softly to the desk, set the drinks down, and said gently, “Xiangyang, I made this watermelon jelly drink myself. Try it—see if it tastes good?”
Lu Xiangyang looked at her, then at the cups, frowning slightly.
He never liked sweets.
Just as he was about to refuse, Shen Nanzhi said excitedly, “Thanks to Zhou Wenxuan, I got these ingredients. I’ll make him one tomorrow too.”
Lu Xiangyang frowned deeply and said domineeringly, “No!”
The image of Shen Nanzhi chatting and laughing with Zhou Wenxuan, holding cold drinks, flashed through his mind.
He couldn’t quite describe what he felt.
Jealousy, anger, loss.
As if something he cherished was being coveted.
Without thinking, he grabbed one cup and took a big gulp.
The icy sensation spread instantly through his mouth. The sweetness of watermelon and the smooth texture of the jelly blended perfectly.
He had to admit—it was delicious. Just the right level of sweetness, refreshing and pleasant.
“Well? Good, right?” Shen Nanzhi blinked and smiled. “Since I’m so skilled, hurry up and push our marriage application—best if we can get it tomorrow.”
Cough, cough!
Lu Xiangyang choked immediately.
He knew that drink wouldn’t come so easily.
So this was her real intention!
“Nanzhi, I’m really busy right now,” he tried to change the subject. “I have several urgent documents to handle—no time to discuss this.”
“Dashan! Dashan!” he called loudly, as if that could cover up his lie.
Shen Nanzhi looked at him, disappointment flashing in her eyes.
She knew the “urgent work” was just an excuse.
She stood up angrily and left.
“So annoying! So annoying!”
Back in her room, Shen Nanzhi sat at the table, fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Her face flushed red with anger as frustration churned inside her.
She couldn’t understand why the marriage application still hadn’t been approved.
Was it Grandpa Jiang who hadn’t submitted it, or was Lu Xiangyang deliberately blocking it?
Wanting answers, she went to the study—but it was empty.
Aunt Wang said Lu Xiangyang had gone out on business.
Her anger only grew stronger. She decided she would confront him when he returned.
But even by midnight, he hadn’t come back.
Staring at the night outside, her disappointment and anger burned like twin flames.
The next morning, loud knocking woke her from sleep.
Half-awake, she heard Jiang Feng’s excited voice from outside.
“Zhizhi, get up—we’re going to register our marriage this morning!”
In that instant, all her drowsiness vanished, replaced by anger.
She couldn’t tolerate Jiang Feng’s harassment any longer.
She immediately got up, bought a long electric baton from the system store, and went to open the door.