After Li Xinglang left at a glance from Lu Tingyan, the hospital room was left with only Lu Tingyan and Xie Ning, along with Song Ziyan, who was sleeping soundly.
It was a large ward with eight beds, empty and quiet, making the rustling sound of Xie Ning opening the plastic bag seem particularly loud.
The lunchbox, heated in the microwave, was scalding hot. Xie Ning touched the edge and felt the heat, instinctively touching her earlobe.
Setting the lunchbox aside, she first unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and took a few sips.
Water droplets from the bottle wet her fingers, a few trickling down her palm. Xie Ning wiped her hands together, then looked at Lu Tingyan. "Go ahead."
Earlier at the hotel, he had said he wanted to "discuss something else," but she hadn’t given him the time.
Now that he had followed her here, she couldn’t avoid listening any longer.
Lu Tingyan had been leaning against the windowsill. Seeing Xie Ning flinch from the heat of the lunchbox, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He then stepped forward and opened the lunchbox.
His fingertips turned red from the heat, but he seemed completely unaware, his expression unchanged.
The aroma of fried pork cutlets instantly filled the air, soothing Xie Ning’s hunger and inexplicably lifting her mood a little.
Looking up, she saw Lu Tingyan’s sharp, defined jawline, his thin lips pressed together, his eyes lowered, exuding an air of casual indifference yet revealing a sense of noble arrogance.
Lu Tingyan spoke slowly. "Just to inform you, from now on, you’ll live with me at Shengshi Jindu."
Xie Ning was taken aback. "Live together?"
Lu Tingyan glanced at her. "I’ll have someone prepare a guest room for you."
Xie Ning inexplicably read in his eyes the meaning of "if you think you’ll share a bed with me, you’re delusional."
Swallowing a piece of pork cutlet, Xie Ning looked at Lu Tingyan with confusion. "Wait, Third Young Master Lu, don’t you hate me? Didn’t you marry me to torment me? Shouldn’t you keep me out of sight, out of mind? If I’m under your nose every day, won’t that annoy you?"
Lu Tingyan scoffed lightly. "What? Afraid living with me will deprive you of chances to find other men? Xie Ning, regardless of the motive, we are married now. Know your place and don’t stir up any scandals."
"It’s not that I’m afraid of that," Xie Ning replied, as if oblivious to the sarcasm in Lu Tingyan’s tone. "As the old saying goes, if there’s no opportunity, create one. If I want to find someone, the world will make way for me."
Lu Tingyan’s eyes suddenly darkened. His long, elegant hand slammed onto the table with a "thud," and he leaned down, his entire presence pressing over her.
The woody scent of his cologne, combined with the oppressive aura he exuded, seemed to form a small space that completely enveloped Xie Ning, making it difficult for her to even breathe.
His other hand rested on Xie Ning’s shoulder, pressing lightly, yet he smiled. "Xie Ning, if you’re tired of living and insist on provoking me, go ahead and try."
Xie Ning glanced sideways. Lu Tingyan’s handsome dark eyes were now inches away. She could clearly see his thick eyelashes, deep brown irises, and her own reflection in his eyes.
Never having been this close to him before, Xie Ning’s breathing momentarily grew erratic, and her heart began to beat uncontrollably faster.
Her entire body stiffened slightly, her senses filled with the pleasant scent emanating from him, as if they were the most intimate two people in the world.
But the reality was harsh. There stood distance between them, along with grudges, prejudices, and hatred that could not be bridged.
Xie Ning was not someone who could be threatened. Even if the other party was Lu Tingyan, it still wouldn’t work.
She was like a hedgehog—the more she was provoked, the harder her spines became, and the more she knew exactly where to strike.
"Third Young Master Lu," Xie Ning tilted her head, leaning close to Lu Tingyan’s ear. "You’re making me think you’re jealous."
As she spoke, her faint breath lingered around his ear, like soft feathers brushing against him, tickling his heart.
With a sidelong glance, he saw her bright smile and teasing eyes, carrying a hint of certainty that seemed to see through everything.
Lu Tingyan’s hand moved from her shoulder to her chin, gripping it as he pushed her away.
"Take a look at yourself in the mirror and see if you’re worthy," Lu Tingyan’s eyes flashed with mockery. "I just don’t want my private life to become gossip for others. The decisions I make have nothing to do with you."
"Then why cause such a scene at the wedding? Isn’t that just putting yourself in the spotlight?"
Lu Tingyan looked down at her disdainfully. "I said, my decisions have nothing to do with you."
Xie Ning: "…"
Okay, fine. As long as you’re happy.
Just as Lu Tingyan was about to say more, the hospital room door was suddenly pushed open. His driver, Xiao Yang, waved at him with a troubled expression.
After Lu Tingyan stepped out, Xie Ning also walked to the door, gently opening it a crack to eavesdrop on his conversation with Xiao Yang.
"Madam has returned," Xiao Yang said anxiously. "She’ll land in half an hour. You should go to the airport to pick her up."
"She’s coming back today?" Lu Tingyan’s tone was deep.
"Yes. I asked around—she heard about your marriage to… to Miss Xie today and immediately decided to return. They say Madam is in a very bad mood. Third Young Master, you should think about how to explain this to her later. After all, she’s always had such strong prejudices against Miss Xie." Xiao Yang’s voice grew increasingly urgent.
"I understand," Lu Tingyan replied calmly. "I’ll go to the airport now."
Hearing this, Xie Ning closed the door and returned to sit by the hospital bed, continuing to eat her meal.
Within minutes, Lu Tingyan reappeared. "Remember what I told you earlier. From now on, you’ll live at Shengshi Jindu. When you arrive at the entrance, the security guard will show you the way. Move in tomorrow—don’t make me remind you again."
Without waiting for Xie Ning’s response, he left.
At the airport, he saw his mother, Jiang Yuan, and his sister, Lu Mengdie, already waiting.
Jiang Yuan wore a long cheongsam, her hair meticulously pinned up at the back. A pearl necklace adorned her neck and shoulders, and a translucent jade bracelet circled her wrist. Her slender, delicate face was slightly raised, exuding an air of haughty superiority.
The door of the limousine slowly opened, and Jiang Yuan and Lu Mengdie elegantly stepped inside.
"Mom," Lu Tingyan looked at Jiang Yuan. "I didn’t expect the plane to land early. I’m late—sorry to keep you waiting."
Jiang Yuan didn’t respond to Lu Tingyan’s words. Instead, she stared at him expressionlessly.
After a moment, she raised her hand and—smack—a crisp slap landed on his face.
In over twenty years, he had never been slapped. Yet today, within just a few hours, he had been slapped twice.
Lu Mengdie grabbed Jiang Yuan's wrist, exclaiming, "Mom! Why are you hitting my brother?"
"Lu Tingyan, are you trying to drive me to my grave?" Jiang Yuan glared coldly at her son, her voice strained from shouting. "Have all the women in the world died out, that you would marry that wretched woman?
That wretched woman caused your elder brother's death, and now you're actually marrying her! How can you face your elder brother, how can you face us? Are you deliberately trying to disturb your brother's peace even after his death?
How could I have given birth to such a heartless creature? Why didn't you die in your brother's place!"