In an instant, his warm breath carried a scalding magic, spraying over Nan Xi's nose, lips, and even her entire face.
Her face turned utterly red, one hand clutching his tie, suddenly unsure whether to proceed or retreat.
Nan Xi's heart pounded like a little deer, thudding wildly within her chest.
"You… stand up straight," she said with a reddened face, diverting her attention.
"Are you sure?"
Lu Jianshen's voice was the same as usual, but under the present atmosphere, Nan Xi felt it sounded gentle and sexy to the extreme.
Especially since his lips were still pressed against the tip of her nose, warm and hot, disrupting her ability to tie the tie.
"I'm sure."
"Okay."
Responding with a single word, Lu Jianshen instantly straightened up, standing as tall and straight as a pine tree.
Nan Xi: "…"
Her face turned even redder.
Out of sheer embarrassment.
In the past when they were often together, she had never realized how much taller Lu Jianshen was than her, but now, as he stood up straight, she could hardly reach to tie his tie, even on her tiptoes.
As there was a little baby in her belly, Nan Xi had been very careful these days, always wearing flat shoes.
Thus, the height difference between them was even more pronounced.
Moreover, for some reason today, she couldn't tie the tie right no matter how many times she tried.
Although her skills were not great, they were not this bad!
Nan Xi was already anxious, and just then, a certain person's laughter echoed by her ear, "Who was it that told me to stand up straight just now?"
Nan Xi immediately got angry, lifted her head, and glared fiercely at that person.
Then she shoved the tie into his chest: "I won't tie it, you do it yourself."
Knowing she was angry, Lu Jianshen grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
When he saw a table behind them, he directly embraced Nan Xi and set her on the table: "Now, continue tying it."
In an instant, Nan Xi's mind went blank, her hands clutching his tie as she froze.
This scene felt so familiar.
It was what she used to see in idol dramas, and she never imagined that one day it would happen to her.
While tying the tie, Nan Xi was looking down, extremely serious.
Actually, she didn't know how to tie a tie at all before because there was never an occasion for it from childhood.
It wasn't until she was about to marry him that she searched for videos online and followed them step by step to learn; she couldn't get it right at first, and later bought a tie to practice repeatedly, only mastering it after a long time.
Back then, she fantasized: every morning, she would make breakfast for him, tie his tie, and send him off to work;
She always felt that it was a kind of ritual between husband and wife, filled with joy and happiness.
But after getting married, he never let her tie his tie even once.
Unexpectedly, this sole opportunity came on the day before they were to divorce.
The first time, also the last.
After tying the tie, Lu Jianshen lifted Nan Xi down, and they descended the stairs, hand in hand.
The Lu Family's hall had already been decorated, with the Chinese's favorite "bright red" as the main theme, matched with other colors, rendering the whole place festive and joyous.
Though festive, it revealed the Lu Family's nobility and extraordinary status throughout.
Grandpa Lu wore a traditional red birthday suit. The old gentleman even styled his hair today, and with the bright red clothes, he looked particularly spirited and robust.
"Grandpa, Jianshen and I wish you a joyful 80th birthday celebration, may your fortune be as boundless as the eastern seas, and your life as enduring as the southern mountains," Nan Xi bowed with Lu Jianshen, presenting their gift to the elder Lu.
Grandpa Lu smiled and accepted their gift before helping them to their feet, "Good, good, thank you for the blessings from my granddaughter-in-law and my grandson."
The living room was filled with joyous laughter, brimming with happiness and delight.
Just then, Yun Shu came over, "Jianshen, Nan Xi, you should quickly get ready. In a little while, some relatives, friends, and guests will arrive, and you two should go to the door to greet them."
As soon as she finished speaking, her gaze fell on Nan Xi, "Oh, what are you wearing? Didn't you see the red cheongsam I had prepared for you?"
"That one is festive, and it even matches Jianshen's suit as a couple's outfit, hurry up and change into it."
Nan Xi clenched her fists and took a deep breath before speaking, "Mom, I did see the dress, but I don't want to reveal my identity just yet today."
"You child, you have been married to Jianshen for two years now, and today's a rare opportunity. If not today, then when will you?"
"Grandpa, Mom, I have yet to graduate from my master's program; I'm still a student. I don't want to reveal my married status for the time being. Once my defense is over and I have officially graduated, I will definitely appear in public with Jianshen to announce my identity. Would that be alright?"
Lu Jianshen also added, "Mhm, there's a lot of gossip at the school; this is to protect her, too."
It had to be said, Nan Xi's reason was very convincing and well-justified, making it hard to refuse.
Old Master Lu was the first to nod, "Hmm, Xixi's got a point, and a day or two won't make a difference. She's already my granddaughter-in-law for life, not going anywhere. Let her be, whenever she wants to."
"Alright, Dad, since you've said so, of course I'll follow your wishes," Yun Shu said with a smile.
In a flash, she pulled Lu Jianshen aside, "Tell me the truth, are you two still planning to divorce?"
"Mom, this is between Nan Xi and me. We have our own arrangements. Can you let us handle it by ourselves?"
"I cannot."
Without a second thought, Yun Shu flatly refused.
Lu Jianshen's brows furrowed tightly, "Mom, she and I weren't together because of love in the first place. It is only natural that we part ways. Forced marriage will not bring happiness, aren't you and Dad the best proof of that?"
"You and Dad haven't divorced over the years, but let me ask you, are you happy?"
Yun Shu glared at him furiously, "I'm talking about you and Nan Xi right now, don't drag me and your father into it. Besides, our situation is not the same as yours. Can they even be compared?"
"In any case, I'm warning you, as long as I'm around, don't you think about getting a divorce."
Yun Shu left after saying her piece.
Nan Xi had just picked up a glass of juice and was about to take a drink when suddenly a warm, strong palm gripped her hand.
When she looked up, she saw the matchless handsome face of Lu Jianshen.
"It's too cold, no drinking," he said imperiously as he took the juice away and then handed her a cup of warm water.
"Warm water has no taste, I want to drink something sweet," Nan Xi said.
These days, she couldn't taste much, and had finally found an opportunity to sip something sweet, yet before she could even taste it, the drink was snatched away by someone.
Seeing her pouting and looking pitiful, Lu Jianshen's heart softened, and he handed back the juice, "Drink a little, too much and you'll have a stomachache later tonight."
"Mm."
Even if he hadn't told her, she wouldn't have drunk a lot.
It was just that she was really craving it; a small sip to satisfy her craving would be enough.
There was also a baby in her belly, so she would definitely be careful.
Lu Jianshen received a phone call, and then his expression changed, "Nan Xi, I need to step out for a bit, I will hurry back."
Today was Grandpa's birthday, and unless it was a very important person or an extremely urgent matter, he would never leave halfway through.
She thought it over and over, who else could it be if not Fang Qinglian?
"It's her looking for you, isn't it?"
"Do you have to go?"
"If it's not that urgent, I'd rather you..."
Before Nan Xi could finish, Lu Jianshen cut her off.