After Breaking Up, I Married the Dying Tycoon in a Flash-Chapter 381: Long River Under Dim Lights (Part 1)

As Lu Zhonian returned home, Song Nian was coming down the stairs.

The night was cool and drawn-out. She walked barefoot on the marble floor, head down, seemingly searching for something.

Lu Zhonian walked in from the entrance hall, casually handing his suit jacket to the butler beside him. He approached Song Nian, his voice tinged with resignation, "What are you doing?"

Song Nian, not lifting her head and wholly focused, said, "The brooch you gave me is missing."

Lu Zhonian picked her up without a word and headed upstairs.

Finally, Song Nian slowly raised her eyes, looking at Lu Zhonian’s consistently cold, indifferent face through the dim, tepid light.

She blinked, her voice soft, "Why did you come back early?"

"If I didn’t, I wouldn’t know that you’re again ignoring the doctor’s advice, right?" His tone was steady, all emotion dulled to near obscurity.

A light ’oh’ escaped Song Nian as she tightened her arms around Lu Zhonian’s neck and kissed his throat, softening her tone, "I miss brother so much, every single day."

Halfway up the stairs, Lu Zhonian halted, his expression inscrutable as he looked down at Song Nian with a warning in his eyes, "Song Nian, I’ve told you before, don’t call me that."

With an innocent look in her eyes, Song Nian blinked, seemingly naive and unversed in worldly affairs, yet every word was laced with venomous sweetness, "Why can’t I call you that? Is it because brother is also afraid?"

Lu Zhonian looked at her silently, and after a long while, he barely curved his lips in a very resolute and indifferent smile, "There’s nothing I’m afraid of. I’ve done all things vile and cruel; what else could I possibly fear?"

The sweet smile that had been on Song Nian’s face became tinged with rigidity and gloom.

She stared at Lu Zhonian, instinctively tightening her grip on his clothes, creasing them deeply as she said, "I’m afraid... Lu Zhonian, I’m afraid that being with you will bring retribution."

Lu Zhonian thought, Song Nian truly was the person who understood him best in this world.

They knew each other all too well, which is why they knew exactly what to say to hurt the other beyond recovery.

Lu Zhonian’s adoption of Song Nian began with an ordinary bet.

A homeless orphan girl, who by chance bore a striking resemblance to the lost daughter of the Song Family.

The moment Lu Zhonian saw her, he decided to take her in.

But due to a twist of fate, this carefully prepared fake did not replace the true child but instead folded in his own hands.

As a businessman, Lu Zhonian weighed profit and loss in all matters, allowing for no deviations.

He never indulged in losing deals.

So, he put some thought into it, and made Song Nian his bedfellow.

By now, he had played with the delicate body in his arms countless times, able to recognize amidst the dimness and uncertain shadowy figures which one was Song Nian.

Today, Song Nian wore a thin-strapped nightgown; Lu Zhonian pressed her onto the bed, undoing her straps with his teeth. His movements were slow and methodical, with the measured ease of unwrapping a present.

Song Nian lay obediently on the bed, then suddenly laughed, saying, "Lu Zhonian, do you still see those ghostly shadows?"

Lu Zhonian’s motions grew slower yet never halted, decisively pulling down her nightgown straps as he said, "Song Nian, don’t say things that irritate me."

Song Nian still smiled, "I want to irritate you. If you’re unhappy, then send me away."

How could Lu Zhonian not understand what Song Nian was thinking? She couldn’t wait to leave the Lu Family right now.

Lu Zhonian smirked, his grasp tightening on Song Nian’s chin, applying slight pressure to force her to look directly at him.

"I’m not going to send you away," Lu Zhonian paused, speaking softly and slowly, "Nian Nian, I will keep you by my side, forever."

This year, the Lu Group was firmly under Lu Zhonian’s control.

Song Nian’s presence was a well-known secret.

Nobody dared to comment on the nature of their relationship; no one offered Song Nian any help.

So naturally, she was trapped by his side, for a long, long time.

The lengthy and ambiguous lovemaking, all emotions magnified in the dimly lit space.

Lu Zhonian silently watched Song Nian’s uncontrolled face, his long hand gently caressing it, watching her intently without missing any subtle expression, he sighed lightly with malice, coaxing her with his soft voice, "Beg me."

Song Nian’s eyes reddened as she cursed him to death.

She really spat the words from the bottom of her heart, especially forcefully, as if the vicious words might transform into a sword that could pierce and make the man opposite her bleed.

Later, as dawn approached, Lu Zhonian embraced her from behind, kissing her vulnerable skin on the nape of her neck, "During these days, didn’t you miss me at all?"

"I wondered if you were struck dead by a car when you went out, I wondered if you choked to death while eating, I wondered if you were drowned while drinking!" Song Nian’s tone was devoid of emotion, the words spilling out, not knowing how long they’d lingered in her mind.

Lu Zhonian wasn’t angry, he just hummed mildly, as if it didn’t matter, "It’s good that you think of me."

As to how she thought of him, or what she thought, Lu Zhonian didn’t care much.

Hate endures longer than love, often it is so.

Song Nian strangely had a good night’s sleep, continued until the next afternoon, by her side, of course, no one remained.

Downstairs in the hall, a woman with delicate and beautiful features was dressed in a moonlight-colored gown, negotiating with Lu Zhonian.

Their conversation revolved around business matters. Song Nian leaned against the railing, completely lost.

She didn’t understand all that business.

But she understood Lu Zhonian — Lu Zhonian was one to never engage in anything unless it profited him. If he was engaging this woman in such earnest contention, he certainly must value this business deal greatly.

Song Nian liked to do everything that displeased Lu Zhonian.

She wanted to thwart this deal.

With this in mind, Song Nian couldn’t wait to head downstairs.

Unfortunately, she was too late; their negotiation was already settled.

The woman in the moonlight gown stood up, speaking softly and warmly, "President Lu, I hope our cooperation will be a pleasant one."

Having finished speaking, she saw Song Nian nearby and paused, then added, "This is..."

"My..." President Lu’s smile deepened as he said, "Fiancée."

Song Nian looked at President Lu incredulously.

And President Lun continued, "President Bian, I’ll have someone escort you out, I should go have breakfast with my fiancée."

Bian Yue left with a smile.

Song Nian began to feel cold.

Alone with President Lu in the hall, she dully regarded him, struggling to ask, "Why? Have you lost your mind?"

"Song Nian, I am already of the age to marry, and you..." President Lu caressed Song Nian’s hair, persuasively, "You should be very aware, your options have always been limited. Marrying me is the best strategy."