C15 There Were People Who Looked at Her in a Different Light

Half an hour later, Lu Xing finally managed to coax Leh Jiu and Si Nanzhi downstairs.

The previously somber mood had lifted, and Si Nanzhi was now radiating joy and contentment.

One glance at Leh Jiu's alluring red lips and shimmering eyes was enough for Lu Xing to surmise how she had managed to charm the young master, assuming he wasn't blind.

Lu Xing shot her an admiring look. "You're really something."

Leh Jiu thought to herself that she wasn't particularly impressive; it was the young master's own resilience that allowed him to console himself.

She harbored a sense of injustice.

Being forcibly kissed was one thing, but to unwittingly fall for his charm and have Si Nanzhi pilfer all the candy from her pocket was quite another.

What a loss!

She would need to eat several more bowls of rice to compensate.

No sooner had she sat down than the servants began to bring out dish after dish.

Leh Jiu had just picked up her chopsticks when Si Nanzhi's voice whispered in her ear, "Feed me."

Her inner voice protested, 'Don't you have hands?'

Although she was inwardly irate, her actions were decidedly practical.

One pair of chopsticks served them both.

Leh Jiu wasn't fussy about cleanliness, but Si Nanzhi was known to be.

Lu Xing watched in amazement. Normally, Si Nanzhi would have incinerated his clothes at the slightest touch from women trying to ingratiate themselves with him.

But now...

Lu Xing couldn't help but see Leh Jiu in a new light.

After lunch, Lu Xing inquired, "Young Master, my father called. He's wondering when we'll be heading over."

Si Nanzhi made it a point to visit the matriarch at the Lu Residence every week.

Checking his watch, which read two in the afternoon, Si Nanzhi instructed, "Prepare the car."

"Understood."

Si Nanzhi returned to his room to change. Emerging dressed anew, he saw Leh Jiu cradling a fruit platter. Approaching her, he tilted her chin up and pressed his lips to hers, stealing the half-eaten strawberry from her mouth.

Leh Jiu stared him down with the intensity of someone demanding repayment.

Si Nanzhi stood up and affectionately ruffled her hair like one would pet a dog. He flashed a smile and said, "Stay home and be good, alright?"

...

Meanwhile, in a villa district of the Imperial Capital.

Qiao Lan stormed into her home, seething with rage.

Mrs. Qiao, surprised by her daughter's sudden return, inquired, "Why have you come back? Isn't today the day Nanzhi visits the old lady?"

Observing Qiao Lan's discomfort, Mrs. Qiao hesitated before probing further, "What happened?"

"Mom, Si brought a woman home," Qiao Lan said, her voice tinged with hurt and envy.

Mrs. Qiao casually lifted her teacup and sipped her floral tea, responding nonchalantly, "Is that all? And it's got you this upset?"

Despite being in her forties, Mrs. Qiao's meticulous self-care made her appear a decade younger.

"For a man of Nanzhi's caliber, isn't it normal to have a woman by his side?"

The saying goes that wealth corrupts men, and for a man like Si Nanzhi, who reigned over the Imperial Capital, it would be odd if he didn't have female companionship.

Qiao Lan was no stranger to women who sought to elevate their status.

But she remained unfazed because Si Nanzhi showed no interest in them.

Yet, with Leh Jiu, it was different. Qiao Lan had detected a look of possessiveness in Si Nanzhi's eyes—a look reserved for a man's desire for a woman.

"Si spoils her and pays her a lot of attention," she said through clenched teeth, her eyes darkening with resentment.

Mrs. Qiao gently tapped Qiao Lan's hand, reassuring her, "My dear, no matter how lovely the wildflowers are, they'll never make it into the home; they're kept outside. Nanzhi values the old lady above all else. Just keep the old lady happy, and the title of Mrs. Si will inevitably be yours."

"You had your fun when you were younger. After marriage, you learned to settle down. A woman of no consequence can be dealt with effortlessly. Is she really worth your fury?"

Qiao Lan was about to respond when her phone abruptly rang.

A servant from the Lu family called to inform her that Si Nanzhi had arrived.

Qiao Lan's brow quirked as she steadied her emotions and inquired softly, "Is Si alone?"

The servant replied, "No, the young master and Lu Xing returned together."

After ending the call, Qiao Lan cast off her sullen mood and lifted her head with renewed pride.

What was there to worry about?

How could Si Nanzhi possibly consider introducing a disreputable woman to his grandmother?

Since she was an obstacle, there was nothing to be done.

...

There's a saying: when the tiger's away, the monkeys will play.

Having eaten her fill and with nothing to occupy her, Leh Jiu's mind began to wander.

For the three years she could remember, Leh Jiu had been confined to a laboratory, subjected to relentless experimentation.

Unfamiliar with the world outside, she didn't know her location, her age, or even the current year.

Despite this, Leh Jiu had no intention of remaining with Si Nanzhi.

Already captive for three years, she refused to endure another imprisonment.

To her, Si Nanzhi was no different from the mad scientists in the lab—alternating between kindness and cruelty.

He was as unpredictable as a chameleon, changing his demeanor without warning.

She also feared that Si Nanzhi might discover her immunity to poisons and, in a sudden shift, treat her like a lab specimen.

So, escape was imperative!

But to make her getaway, Leh Jiu needed to understand the outside world.

Thus, she turned her attention to Ms. Chen.

"Ms. Chen, where are you headed?"

Ms. Chen responded cheerfully, "Miss, I'm off to run some errands. If there's anything you need, just let me know and I'll pick it up for you."

Leh Jiu's smile was innocent and sincere as she expressed her wish, "Ms. Chen, may I join you?"

At this, Ms. Chen hesitated.

Leh Jiu pleaded cutely, "I promise not to wander off. I'm just so bored at home, and since I don't know anyone here, I thought it would be nice to get out for a bit."

Beautiful things have a way of capturing hearts, and Leh Jiu's adorable and well-behaved demeanor was no exception. Even Ms. Chen found herself wanting to dote on her. Eventually, worn down by Leh Jiu's persistent cajoling, Ms. Chen relented with a soft heart.