"Nan Xi, who allowed you to speak with such a tone..."
Lu Jianshen hadn't finished speaking.
Suddenly, the driver slammed on the brakes fiercely.
Nan Xi was thrown into Lu Jianshen's arms, her head striking so hard that she saw stars.
Fortunately, Lu Jianshen protected her head with his hands, otherwise she really would have been seriously hurt.
The driver kept apologizing, "I'm sorry, President Lu."
"Pay attention when driving."
Lu Jianshen coldly dropped this remark and then turned to look at Nan Xi, "Who allowed you to use that tone of voice?"
"Husband, it was you who said to beg you!"
Nan Xi continued with a coquettishly soft and charming voice.
After so many years of marriage, this was almost the first time she acted coquettish towards Lu Jianshen.
In the past, she feared he wouldn't like it, feared he would think she was too affected, so she had always controlled herself.
Now, considering they were going to divorce anyway, she felt much bolder.
After all, even if he didn't like it, it was the last time.
"Sit properly," Lu Jianshen looked at Nan Xi.
Nan Xi immediately sat up straight.
"Speak properly in the future," he instructed again.
"Oh."
He seemed extremely unsatisfied with Nan Xi's response, "What 'oh'? Did you hear me?"
"I heard."
"Hearing it is not enough, the key is to remember it."
"Especially, don't speak to other men in that tone," Lu Jianshen added.
Having said this, he couldn't stop himself from cursing inwardly, Lu Jianshen, what are you doing?
You're absolutely mad!
You're about to get a divorce, and after that, she can act coquettish towards anyone she wants. Can you really control it?
Irritated, he loosened his tie, only then did his breathing feel a bit more at ease.
When applying the medicine, Lu Jianshen's movements were gentle and tender.
His fingertips gently brushed the skin on the back of Nan Xi's neck, tickling it like feathers.
Especially his breath, falling on her soft earlobe, indescribably enticing.
Nan Xi couldn't help but shiver slightly.
Lu Jianshen's fingers also trembled.
His eyes were deep, making it impossible to see the emotions hidden within.
Finally, after the medicine was applied, Nan Xi let out a sigh of relief.
At the traffic light intersection, Lu Jianshen suddenly spoke up.
"Turn left, to the mall."
Nan Xi wondered, "Aren't you going to the office today?"
"Grandfather's birthday has been brought forward, and we haven't prepared a gift yet."
Upon this explanation, Nan Xi immediately understood, nodding her head, "I'll go with you."
The two of them went straight to the jewelry floor, and as soon as they arrived at the store, a soft voice called out, "Jianshen!"
Turning around, Nan Xi saw Fang Qinglian.
In an instant, she stiffened dramatically.
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would hardly believe them.
Because she clearly saw Fang Qinglian sitting in a wheelchair.
How could this be?
Her legs?
She had never heard anyone say that Fang Qinglian was disabled; wasn't she a dancer?
Nan Xi was struck as if by lightning, standing there, dumbstruck for a long time without recovering.
Until Lu Jianshen spoke up, "Why did you come here? The air conditioning in the mall is set high, and you're wearing so little. Aren't you cold?"
During his speech, he had already taken off his jacket and draped it over Fang Qinglian.
She looked at Nan Xi, slightly embarrassed, "Actually, I'm not cold. He's just too anxious, always worried that I'll catch a cold."
Clearly, she said this on purpose for her to hear.
Nan Xi kept her head down, not saying a word.
Fang Qinglian then turned to Lu Jianshen, "I heard grandfather's birthday has been brought forward. I want to pick out a gift for him, and since you're here, you know what grandpa likes. Could you help me choose?"
"Sure!"
Fang Qinglian immediately smiled happily, like a gentle and demure woman.
"Xiaoman, I'm a bit thirsty. Bring me my water, please."
"Oh Miss, I'm sorry, the thermos is empty. I'll call to have a bottle sent over."
Lu Jianshen immediately said, "How long will it take for it to arrive? I'll go get it. You wait here."
Then, he looked towards Nan Xi, "I'll be right back."
"Okay!" Nan Xi nodded.
After Lu Jianshen left, Fang Qinglian sent Xiaoman away as well.
Instantly, only the two of them remained.
Nan Xi moved her lips, about to speak, when Fang Qinglian preempted her, "He's always like this. Whenever it's something related to me, no matter how trivial, he personally takes care of it."
"I've told him before that he could just delegate these tasks to his assistant, but Jianshen said he doesn't feel reassured."
Despite not wanting to hear about their loving relationship, those words still relentlessly penetrated Nan Xi's mind.
Lu Jianshen was indeed very thoughtful.
In the two years they had been married, he never missed her birthday, anniversaries, or holidays.
Only every time, it was Lin Xiao who arranged everything.
He had never personally handled anything himself.
Yet for something as simple as refilling a thermos with hot water for Fang Qinglian, he wanted to do it himself.
Indeed, without comparison, there is no harm.
Nan Xi, oh Nan Xi, you've lost so utterly.
Both fell silent for a while before Fang Qinglian took the initiative, "Shall we chat?"
"Yeah." Nan Xi nodded.
Seeing that she kept staring at her leg, Fang Qinglian took the initiative to speak, "It seems you really don't know."
Nan Xi shook her head, "I've never been told. How did your leg get like this? Jianshen didn't tell me."
"Of course Jianshen didn't tell you." Fang Qinglian's tone became agitated.
Perhaps realizing it, she took a deep breath and immediately calmed her emotions, "Sorry, I got a little excited."
"Not only Jianshen, but probably no one in the entire Lu Family would dare to tell you."
"Why?"
"Grandfather Lu is the absolute authority at home. Who would dare defy an order he personally gave?"
Seeing Nan Xi's confusion, Fang Qinglian continued.
"The Lu Family has protected you too well. Especially Grandfather Lu, Nan Xi, do you know? Even though you come from a humble background with no family fortune, you're really lucky.
"Grandfather Lu treats you like his own granddaughter, just because your mother saved their lives? Sometimes I even wonder, if it had been my mother who saved them, would the outcome between Jianshen and me be different? Could I marry him as I wished?"
Nan Xi had a bad feeling in her heart.
For some reason, she felt as if something unknown to her was being unraveled, layer by layer, coming to the surface.
"What do you mean by that?"
Nan Xi's breathing became somewhat hurried.
"Back then, Grandfather Lu was intent on bringing you and Jianshen together. He wanted Jianshen to marry you, but Jianshen never agreed. They were at an impasse for a long time. However, Jianshen, being young and the Lu Family's power resting in Grandfather Lu's hands, he used various means to pressure Jianshen. Jianshen ultimately couldn't resist and was forced to marry you."
"No, you're lying."
Nan Xi suddenly lashed out like a hedgehog, fiercely resisting.
She couldn't accept that her marriage was an unsightly coercion.
Fang Qinglian smiled silently, "I'm telling the truth because Jianshen married you to protect me."