Chapter 463: Yanhui Peak
Ning Li lowered her head slightly and did not speak.
She had not expected Lu Huaiyu to say this.
Ning Haizhou had been in prison for ten years, while she and her grandmother had lived together for those same ten years.
During those years, Ning Haizhou had almost been a taboo subject that could not be mentioned in the family.
That drunken accident that had led to the death of someone was like a nightmare that had haunted them for years, and they could not get rid of it.
She played with Lu Huaiyu’s hands.
They were long and slender, with distinct knuckles.
This man had been born cold and noble. The heavens seemed to favor him especially, that even his hands were so good-looking.
He was like the bright moon in the clouds, hard to reach.
Now, however, he had said that he would go to see Ning Haizhou with her.
Ning Li could barely imagine it.
Her lips moved, wanting to refuse.
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she could not bring herself to say it.
In fact, he had seen her while she was at her most pathetic.
However, he was still here, hugging her and coaxing her gently and patiently.
When the moon came for her, she could not reject him.
After a long time, she leaned against his neck and gently rubbed herself against it.
“Okay.”
This action made Lu Huaiyu think of the time when she had been drunk, and her whole body had been soft and delicate.
He could not help but smile.
“Okay.”
…
The next day, Gu Tinglan was the one who drove.
He had traveled to and from Lincheng several times and stayed here for a long time. Compared to Gu Siyang, he knew this place better.
The small group had strolled around the city for almost the whole day.
It was not until five o’clock in the evening that they slowly made their return.
Gu Siyang sat in the passenger seat and looked in the rearview mirror from time to time. He kept sighing silently.
Lu Huaiyu naturally noticed it, but he was not bothered.
From the beginning to the end, his attitude remained calm and composed, as if Gu Siyang was not a person at all.
Gu Siyang felt so stifled that he could only open the window and look outside.
Seeing a mountain peak at the edge of the city in the distance, he asked casually, “Ning Li, that’s Yanhui Peak, right?”
Hearing this, Lu Huaiyu raised his eyelids slightly, his eyes deep.
Gu Tinglan’s hand that was holding the steering wheel also paused slightly.
Ning Li did not notice it. She followed Gu Siyang’s line of sight and nodded.
“Yes.”
Lincheng was a small city. At the edge of the city, there were a few small hills that rose and fell.
Yanhui Peak was actually not far from Xiaosong Hill.
Xiaosong Hill was quite famous. The rich second generation of the surrounding cities liked to come here to play at underground racing. There were even some people who came from other places because of its fame.
Gu Siyang had been one of the first people here in the past.
However, before Xiaosong Hill, Yanhui Peak had been even more famous.
Its mountain was steeper than Xiaosong Hill, and the road was more rugged, with only a narrow winding mountain road.
“I’ve heard that many people used to go to Yanhui Peak to play in the past?”
Gu Siyang asked curiously,
“Why did they all go to Xiaosong Hill after that?”
Ning Li explained plainly,?“There were a few car accidents at Yanhui Peak. Later, the mountain was closed and no one was allowed to go up.”
Gu Siyang understood.
“How about this… I’ve heard from them that Yanhui Peak is quite exciting to run. Have you been there?”
Ning Li paused.
“I’ve been there once.”
Lu Huaiyu narrowed his eyes. His emotions could not be seen clearly.
Gu Siyang, on the other hand, was very curious. He could not help but turn around to look at her.
“Really? Then, how did you feel about it?”
He still wanted to know how Ning Li felt after running a lap over there.
Ning Li’s expression was calm.
“Average.”
She did not seem to be interested in talking about this matter. Her expression remained distant and calm.
Gu Siyang noticed it and lowered his voice a little.
“Ah? How so?”
Ning Li paused for a moment before saying,?“Actually, there’s not much difference between that place and Xiaosong Hill.”
Seeing that she was indeed unwilling to talk about it, Gu Siyang merely responded with an “oh.” He then tactfully turned back and muttered,?“I was thinking of going to take a look when I had the time. In that case, there’s no need to go…”
Gu Tinglan said expressionlessly.
“With your skill, you’re capable of driving into a ditch even on flat ground, yet you still want to go up the mountain?”
Gu Siyang was exposed and immediately bristled.
“Uncle, what are you talking about? How am I that bad?!”
Gu Tinglan glanced at him.
–Didn’t you crash into that car previously?
Gu Siyang thought of this and immediately quieted down.
“… wasn’t that just an accident…?”
His voice sounded a lot more guilty.
Gu Tinglan could not be bothered with him.
The car was quiet again.
Ning Li looked towards Yanhui Peak.
The setting sun’s afterglow covered the steep mountain peak, casting a layer of golden light on it.
From afar, it looked like a huge beast that was prostrating itself.
Her lips pursed slightly.
She had indeed only been to Yanhui Peak once, but it was also that time that something had happened.
After her grandmother had found out about it, even she, who had always been kind to Ning Li, had gotten angry.
Ning Haizhou had been imprisoned because of drunk driving. Ning Li’s grandmother had not expected Ning Li to have also started to secretly play with cars. What’s more, she had even been involved in an underground race where she had risked her life.
How could she not be angry?
From then on, Ning Li had never touched the steering wheel again. At most, she would receive a job from Null to repair a car and earn some pocket money.
No matter who had tried to persuade her, she had never relented, and she never went to all the car races again.
Until… she had been reborn.
That time at Xiaosong Hill had happened years later. After having faced a life-and-death experience, she once again sat in the driver’s seat.
At that time, she had many things that she could not get over. Now that she thought about it again, her mentality was different.
Lu Huaiyu looked at her.
The setting sun shone on her face. Her fair and clear skin seemed to be covered with a faint layer of warmth. Even the fine hairs on her face could be seen clearly.
She looked at Yanhui Peak, lost in thought.
Lu Huaiyu withdrew his gaze, leaned against the back of the chair, and closed his eyes.
He held her hand. It was soft and delicate, and the unique sweet scent of her body teased the tip of his nose.
The crazy rush of feelings in his chest was forcefully suppressed before gradually returning to peace.
…
Ning Li and Lu Huaiyu stayed in Lincheng for two days. On the morning of the third day, Gu Siyang drove the three of them back to Yunzhou.
It seemed that Gu Tinglan still had some matters to attend to, so he continued to stay there.
Gu Siyang sent the pair back to Yunding Fenghua. He could not help but stick his head out of the car window and called out, “Ning Li, don’t forget to send me the contract!”
Previously, Ning Li had said that she wanted to amend the two terms, but she had been in Lincheng for the past two days and she had not made any further move yet.
Now that she was back, Gu Siyang could not help but urge her.
Ning Li nodded.
“I know.”
Only then did Gu Siyang happily start the car and leave.
Ning Li returned to her room, turned on her computer, and reviewed the contract once again. After confirming that it was correct, she sent it to Gu Siyang.
…
Gu Siyang received the contract that Ning Li had sent, and without thinking, he forwarded it to LY’s legal department.
[ Just do as she says! ]
Fifteen minutes later, Gu Siyang received a call from the legal department.
The person on the other end sounded hesitant.
“… Young Master Gu, have you read the contract?”
“No.” Gu Siyang had just parked the car and closed the door. “What’s wrong?”
“… Why don’t you take a look first and then decide whether to sign it or not?”
Gu Siyang stopped in his tracks..
Chapter 464: Acceptance Letter
Ning Li sent out the contract. Half an hour later, she received a phone call from Gu Siyang.
His tone was incredulous.
“Ning Li, are you serious about changing that contract in that way?”
Ning Li had long expected his reaction. She replied with an “Mmm”.
Gu Siyang’s heart ached.
“Why don’t we… discuss it again?”
Ning Li said bluntly.
“If you don’t think it’s suitable, you can choose not to sign it as well.”
Gu Siyang, “…”
He gritted his teeth.
“I’ll sign it!”
He had finally managed to get Ning Li to agree. If all his efforts were to go down the drain at this moment, he really would not be able to accept it!
Ning Li smiled slightly.
“Happy working together, Young Master Gu.”
…
In the blink of an eye, Friday had arrived.
Ning Li received the admission letter from Xijing University.
The Astronomy Department from the Institute of Physics.
Included with the letter, was also an introduction manual for the Astronomy Department from the Institute of Physics.
It was a very special gift because all the pictures printed on the introduction manual had been hand-drawn.
They included the teaching building of the Astronomy Department, the Internal Observatory of Xijing University, the only domestic astronomical telescope in the country, and so on.
The strokes were exquisite, and the colors were gentle.
It was a little like a cartoon book.
It could be seen that the person who had drawn these pictures had very deep drawing skills.
It was just that on this page, he had not focused on showing off his skills. Instead, there was sincerity and joy everywhere.
The last page was a nebula map.
Ning Li flipped through it a few times and felt that she liked it very much.
In her previous life, she had not entered the Astronomy Department of Xijing University, so she had not known that their admission notice would include a small gift like this.
When Lu Huaiyu returned, he saw Ning Li curled up on the sofa, flipping through the manual with a familiar admission notice in front of her.
He walked over.
Ning Li heard the voice and turned around.
“Second Brother.”
Lu Huaiyu had gone for a rare meeting at HG today.
He was about to return to the Capital, so the affairs here were basically being handed over to his subordinates to handle.
“Is this the acceptance letter?”
Lu Huaiyu came to her side and bent down to pick up the acceptance letter.
He smiled and gently tapped her forehead with his finger.
“Ah Li is really amazing.”
Back then, when he had received the admission letter from Xijing University, he had not even taken a second look at it.
Now that he saw Ning Li’s, he looked at it very carefully and seriously.
Ning Li rubbed her forehead.
The place that he had touched felt tingly.
Lu Huaiyu saw the booklet in her hand and raised his eyebrows.
“What is this? Do you like it that much?”
When he had come over earlier, he had noticed that she had been engrossed in reading it.
Ning Li handed it over.
“It’s an introduction manual for the Astronomy Department. It should be a specially made drawing book. It’s quite interesting.”
Lu Huaiyu took it and flipped through it a few times.
“Yes. When some of the major departments in Xijing send out the admission notice, they will also give a specially prepared small gift. However, this one from the astronomy department is indeed more special.”
Ning Li asked curiously, “Then, Second Brother, what did you receive at that time?”
Lu Huaiyu had studied finance at Xijing University.
Lu Huaiyu thought for a moment.
“I heard that it was a paper lantern, right? But I didn’t receive one.”
“Why?”
Lu Huaiyu paused.
“That year, before I entered the university, I had shorted a gaming company. Later, I found out that the Dean was a major shareholder of that company.”
Ning Li, “…”
Excuse me.
Even so, Xijing University still allowed him to enter the university. How tolerant.
Lu Huaiyu looked at her, raised his eyebrows, and said with a low laugh, “Junior Sister, welcome.”
…
On Saturday, Ning Li had arranged with Lin Fengmian to return to Lincheng.
Cheng Xiyue had said that he was going to Lincheng on a business trip, so he had conveniently gone with them.
In the car, Cheng Xiyue asked, “Younger Sister Ning Li, when will you guys enter school?”
“September 5th.”
“Then, there’s still more than a month left. Have you thought about where you’d like to go to have some fun first?”
Ning Li thought for a moment and said, “I’ll be accompanying Teacher Yu to make a trip to Hong Kong City in August.”
Cheng Xiyue was stunned for a moment, before he recalled something.
“Horse racing?”
“Hmm.”
Ning Li nodded.
This would be happening at the beginning of August. After she sent the admission notice for him to see yesterday, he had mentioned this matter, saying that Gu Tinglan had already sent the invitation to him.
This was something that had been agreed upon previously. Now that the time had come, there was naturally no reason to reject.
She knew that Yu Pingchuan really wanted to go, and it had also been quite a long time since she had properly accompanied him. This time, he had been invited to Hong Kong City to watch the horse races. It was a pretty good opportunity.
Cheng Xiyue subconsciously glanced at Lu Huaiyu who was sitting in the passenger seat. His posture was lazy and his expression was calm, as if he was not very bothered.
He could not help but be happy and deliberately asked, “That’s pretty good. The horse races in Hong Kong City are always held in a very grand manner. If sister Ning Li is interested, you can still bet on horses when you go there. Just treat it as a game.”
Betting on horses was legal in Hong Kong City. Every time a horse race was held, it would attract a large group of people from home and abroad to swarm over.
It was very lively.
Ning Li was not interested in this, but Yu Pingchuan liked it.
Hence, she nodded.
“It depends on the situation.”
Lu Huaiyu closed his eyes lightly, as if he was preparing to take a nap.
Cheng Xiyue secretly snorted.
He did not believe that this man could really sit still.
…
At noon, the three of them arrived in Lincheng.
Cheng Xiyue parked the car on the street outside the building, and they all went upstairs together.
Ning Li had brought a suitcase.
Actually, there wasn’t much left here, but because she would be going to Beijing to study soon, she packed up some of the odds and ends here again.
Cheng Xiyue simply ordered some takeaway food.
Only when they were almost done eating did Cheng Xiyue look at the time.
“Sister Ning Li, shall we set off now?”
He knew that Ning Li would be going to her grandmother’s cemetery today.
Ning Li said, “Wait first. I have a friend who is about to arrive. He’ll be going with us.”
This time, it was Cheng Xiyue’s turn to be surprised.
“A friend?”
He was very well-acquainted with Ning Li’s background. All along, she had always relied on her grandmother.
Other relatives and the like had practically cut off all contact with them.
What kind of friend would be going to go and visit her grandmother with Ning Li?
Ning Li nodded and was just about to open her mouth when she heard a knock on the door.
She said, “That should be him.”
Saying that, she was about to go over and open the door.
Instead, Lu Huaiyu poured her a cup of warm water.
“Drink this. I’ll go and open the door.”
Following that, he strode out with his long legs and walked towards the door.
Cheng Xiyue was laughing uncontrollably on the chair.
If this had been in the past, how could Second Master Lu have behaved so condescendingly?
Now, he was really obsessed with Sister Ning Li.
Lu Huaiyu came to the door.
Click.
The door opened.
A thin and tall youth stood outside the door.
It was midsummer now, but he was wearing a loose black casual jacket, sports pants of the same color, a baseball cap on his head, and a mask.
His entire person was covered up tightly.
Even so, when he looked up, his light brown, glass-like eyes still could not hide his beauty.
There was a mole at the corner of his left eye, clean and flirtatious.
Lu Huaiyu raised his eyebrows.
“Who are you looking for?”
Chapter 465: Was All About Family
Lin Fengmian looked at the man who had appeared behind the door.
He was elegant and noble, languid and laid-back, with an air of nobility deep in his bones.
He had seen many handsome men and beautiful women in the entertainment industry, but compared to this man in front of him, they all paled in comparison.
He frowned slightly and looked at the house number again.
That’s right, this was indeed his sister’s house.
There were also a few old smashed marks on the door. He could not have remembered wrongly.
“Who are you?”
He did not answer Lu Huaiyu’s question but asked one instead. His voice was clean and clear, but there was a hint of questioning in it.
This man did not fit in here. He should be the one who was asking this question.
Lu Huaiyu narrowed his phoenix-like eyes when he heard this.
This tone...
He curled his thin lips slightly and raised his voice slightly.
“Ah Li, someone is looking for you.”
Everyone could hear the intimacy in his words.
Lin Fengmian frowned even more, but he did not bother too much about it when he heard the familiar footsteps coming from inside the door.
He directed his eyes elsewhere to look over and he saw a tall and slender figure walking over.
It was that beautiful and clean face that he had missed for a long time.
Ning Li arrived at the door. When she saw Lin Fengmian, the corners of her lips curled up.
It had been... many years since she had seen him.
He was especially obedient, beautiful, and lively.
She gently exhaled and suppressed the surging waves in her heart. She called out to him with a smile.
“Mian.”
Lin Fengmian’s slightly furrowed brows relaxed the moment he saw her.
Hearing this, he unconsciously stood up straight. His beautiful eyes curved as he obediently called out, “Sister.”
Lu Huaiyu raised the tip of his brows slightly.
Ning Li waved at Lin Fengmian.
“What are you waiting for? Come in first.”
Although Lin Fengmian was fully prepared and this place was very remote, the paparazzi were very powerful, so it was better to be cautious.
Lin Fengmian lightly acknowledged her with a “Hmm” and took a step in. He didn’t look askance as he brushed past Lu Huaiyu who was standing at the side of the door.
He followed Ning Li in. He was clearly more than 1.8 meters tall and already much taller than Ning Li. However, the way he followed behind Ning Li was obedient and docile.
He followed Ning Li at a distance of one and a half steps that was neither too far nor too close.
Lu Huaiyu’s thin lips curled up as he closed the door.
Click.
In the other room, Cheng Xiyue also saw Lin Fengmian walk in and couldn’t help but be stunned.
Subconsciously, he glanced at Lu Huaiyu and signaled with his eyes.
–Who is this? Why does it seem like his relationship with Ning Li’s sister is so unusual?
Lu Huaiyu walked behind, one hand in his pocket but did not say anything.
Ning Li stood still and turned her head to look at Lin Fengmian.
“Mian, you can take off your mask now.”
Lin Fengmian nodded and took off his mask.
It was an extremely exquisite and beautiful face.
Ning Li blinked.
During this period of time, she had seen many photos and videos of Lin Fengmian on the Internet, but it was different from seeing the person with her own eyes.
She narrowed her eyes.
“Mian, you’ve grown a lot taller.”
Before this, Lin Fengmian had gone abroad for a year, and they had never met since then.
Adding to that the few months after he had returned, it had been even longer.
Seventeen or eighteen years old, it was precisely the time for a youth to grow at least a head taller.
Lin Fengmian’s bright red lips pursed into a smile.
“Is that so?”
“Let me introduce you. This is Cheng Xiyue. And this–”
Lin Fengmian’s gaze followed Ning Li and fell on the young man who had just opened the door.
Following that, she heard her say:
“Lu Huaiyu.”
“Second Brother, Brother Xiyue, this is Lin Fengmian.”
From the moment Lin Fengmian had come in and taken off her mask, Cheng Xiyue had felt that this face was somewhat familiar, but he could not remember where he had seen it before.
That is, until now, when he heard Ning Li say this name, he suddenly felt blessed.
“Lin Fengmian?”
He quickly took his phone and tapped on it a few times.
Soon, a photo appeared.
He looked at the screen a few times and finally confirmed,?“Is... this you?”
He was not very interested in the entertainment industry, but recently, the name Lin Fengmian had been extremely popular.
He had just debuted a few months ago and was already unstoppable.
He had not expected to actually meet him here!
“Little Sister Ning Li, you guys–”
Cheng Xiyue’s expression could not hide his shock.
How did they know each other?
Moreover, what had Lin Fengmian called little sister Ning Li earlier?
Sister?
Wasn’t she the only child between Ning Haizhou and Su Yuan?!
Although Lin Fengmian did not know Cheng Xiyue, nor did he know how this person was able to sit at the dining table in Ning Li’s house, he naturally had to greet him since they had been introduced.
“Mr. Cheng.”
He nodded at Cheng Xiyue, and then immediately looked at Lu Huaiyu, pausing for a moment.
“Mr. Lu.”
The corners of Lu Huaihe’s lips held a smile, and it was rare for him to take the initiative to stretch out his hand.
“There’s no need to be so polite. I’m Ah Li’s boyfriend. Since you called her sister, then–
“We’re all family, so just call her casually.”
As his voice fell, the room fell into a short period of dead silence.
Ning Li’s eyelids twitched.
Although she and Lu Huaiyu were now together, this sentence of ‘family’ was really...
Cheng Xiyue clicked his tongue in his heart and consciously took a step back.
It was so f*cking cold this summer.
Lin Fengmian reached out and shook his hand, his tone calm.
“Mr. Lu, you sure do like to joke. My sister... is not yet of legal age for marriage.”
Lu Huaiyu raised his eyebrows.
“Is that so? I was the one who accompanied her on her eighteenth birthday last month.”
Lin Fengmian’s breathing was silent for a moment.
Then, both of their hands finally loosened.
Lin Fengmian retracted his hands and tucked them into his sleeves, her fingers slightly curled up.
He felt numb.
Ning Li said, “Mian, would you like to rest first?”
Lin Fengmian came back to his senses and shook his head gently.
“Don’t worry, Sister. I’m not tired. Let’s go now.”
Ning Li guessed that he would give this answer, so she nodded.
“Okay.”
After Ning Li said that, she took the backpack from the side.
Lu Huaiyu took it from her.
Everything was smooth and natural, as if they had done it countless times.
“Think carefully. Is there anything else you want to bring?” Lu Huaiyu asked gently.
“No.” Ning Li smiled. “Let’s go.”
...
The small group got into Cheng Xiyue’s car together.
Lu Huaiyu helped Ning Li open the car door, and followed behind.
Cheng Xiyue went around the front of the car and got into the main driver’s seat. Seeing Lin Fengmian standing there, he smiled and said, “Don’t worry, there’s a film on the car window that makes it one-way. You don’t have to worry about being photographed.”
Ning Li raised her eyes to look at Lin Fengmian.
“Ah Mian?”
Lin Fengmian got into the passenger seat.
Cheng Xiyue started the car.
...
The atmosphere in the car was somewhat delicate.
Cheng Xiyue coughed and took the initiative to break the silence.
“Little Sister Ning Li, I didn’t hear you mention this before. You actually have such connections? You two...?How do you know each other?”
Ning Li explained,?“We used to be neighbors.”
Cheng Xiyue was surprised.
He really had not expected this.
All he knew was that Lin Fengmian had seemed to be a trainee from abroad who had debuted domestically. He had not expected his hometown to also be in Lincheng, and he that had actually been neighbors with younger sister Ning Li?
No wonder...
“Elder Sister.”
Lin Fengmian looked into the rearview mirror and saw that the two people at the back were very close to each other.
“I’m going to sleep for a while. Can you call me later?”