Ji Nian watched Wei Junze through the camera lens, noticing his barely suppressed grin and the way his arm twitched as if itching to drape over her. She immediately raised her elbow, ready to strike.
This bastard really thought she wouldn’t notice.
But before she could retaliate, a voice called out from above and behind her.
"Ji Nian."
She turned her head, scanning the area before tilting her gaze upward.
Lu Jinghuai stood behind the ornate railing, clad in thin clothing, his untrimmed golden hair now longer and cascading softly over his shoulders.
The distance made it hard for Ji Nian to read his expression, so she instinctively waved at him before turning back to Wei Junze. "Alright, stop filming."
Without waiting for a response, she headed up the steps toward Lu Jinghuai.
Wei Junze cast a glance at Lu Jinghuai, their eyes meeting briefly. He raised an eyebrow in challenge before following Ji Nian.
Once at the top, Ji Nian naturally closed the distance between them and said to Lu Jinghuai, "Wei Junze is here on behalf of his family to see Uncle Lu."
Wei Junze tilted his chin up at Lu Jinghuai. "We meet again."
His tone was casual, as if their previous near-violent encounter—where Lu Jinghuai had nearly knocked him out with a ball—had never happened.
Lu Jinghuai greeted him with equal composure, explaining that his father wouldn’t be back for a while and suggesting Wei Junze wait in the reception room.
Wei Junze waved it off. "I’ll just stay with Ji Nian."
A shadow flickered in Lu Jinghuai’s eyes.
Before he could respond, Ji Nian let out a confused, "Huh?"
"Why would you stay with me?"
Then, realizing this guy might still have ulterior motives, she decided to clear the air before misunderstandings could fester.
"Oh, by the way, just so you know—we’re together now."
She boldly clasped Lu Jinghuai’s hand and swung it right in front of Wei Junze’s face.
[Though it’s strictly platonic for now… sigh.]
Both men froze.
Wei Junze’s fingers clenched involuntarily. For a moment, he thought he’d misheard.
"Together? What kind of together?"
His previously lazy gaze sharpened, boring into Ji Nian as something fierce roared in the depths of his eyes.
This time, it was Lu Jinghuai who answered. With a soft chuckle, he explained in a gentle tone, "The kind that’ll lead to kissing eventually."
Ji Nian nodded emphatically beside him.
Then she felt Lu Jinghuai’s hand tighten around hers, his grip almost trembling—though she’d only notice if she paid close attention.
Wei Junze nearly laughed in disbelief.
This was the first time he’d ever pursued someone, and before he could even start, it was already over.
And he’d lost to…
His eyes flicked to Lu Jinghuai standing beside Ji Nian.
Fine. Even with his resentment, he couldn’t deny it—the guy’s face was undeniably top-tier.
Ji Nian opened her mouth to say more, but Lu Jinghuai suddenly squeezed her wrist.
"That’s enough. No need to provoke him further."
"Mr. Wei’s veins are practically popping."
As he spoke, Lu Jinghuai turned his head toward Wei Junze, his smile so bright it almost masked the exhaustion lingering from days of stress.
It made Wei Junze want to punch that pretty face.
Nearly laughing at the sudden 180-degree shift in attitude, Wei Junze refused to let himself storm off in defeat. Instead, he stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Ji Nian.
"Am I really that annoying to you? You couldn’t wait to announce this just to drive me away?"
Ji Nian shrugged. "Not really."
Lu Jinghuai added, "But Mr. Wei is indeed the first to know."
Wei Junze: "……"
What a damn honor.
"What do you even see in him?"
Wei Junze scrutinized Lu Jinghuai.
His family background was decent, but nothing extraordinary. Ji Nian lived in China, and Lu Jinghuai wouldn’t have the same freedom there as he did here in Country O.
As for compatibility, Wei Junze and Ji Nian were the obvious match—their families had long-standing ties, and their elders had even hinted at the idea.
Was it personality, then?
His thoughts raced until Ji Nian proudly declared, "His face."
Wei Junze: "……"
A minute later, Wei Junze stormed off toward the reception room, his expression dark as the butler guided him away.
The moment he was gone, Ji Nian tried to pull her hand free.
No particular reason—it was just a bit warm, and Lu Jinghuai was holding on a little too tightly.
"I thought you’d only agree after your birthday."
With Wei Junze out of sight, Lu Jinghuai immediately pressed closer, wrapping his arms around Ji Nian from behind and nuzzling into the crook of her neck, peppering it with light kisses.
He clung to her like someone with a skin hunger, unbearably affectionate.
Ji Nian wasn’t entirely used to it yet.
The last one who’d been this clingy was Da Dan.
But she didn’t exactly hate it either.
"I did agree. ‘After my birthday’ just means no crossing boundaries before then. Okay, stop—you’re about to cross one right now."
She pushed his head away.
Lu Jinghuai obediently stilled, resting his chin on her shoulder. His nose and the rims of his eyes were faintly red for some reason.
"It feels… too unreal."
Because the current situation seemed too much like a dream.
His parents were alive and back home. The person he loved had agreed to be with him.
Lu Jinghuai’s poor sleep quality stemmed partly from his fear that if he closed his eyes, he’d wake up to find it had all been an illusion.
Hearing his words, Ji Nian’s heart ached.
Though Lu Jinghuai appeared composed on the surface, the recent events had left deep scars.
She reached behind her, pressing a finger against his abdomen through the thin fabric of his shirt—right over his navel—and gave it a deliberate poke.
Lu Jinghuai’s stomach muscles instantly tensed.
"……"
"Now?"
"Not a dream…"
He sucked in a breath and shifted slightly, as if wary of a repeat attack, before changing the subject.
"Earlier…"
"Seeing you with him, taking photos—it hurt."
"But when you said what you did just now, it made everything better."
Ji Nian pulled her hand back and gently stroked his hair. "Next time you’re upset, just say so."
"You don’t have to smile when you’re unhappy."
She’d noticed this habit of his before.
Lu Jinghuai often masked his emotions, pretending everything was fine even when he was struggling—only revealing his true feelings when they were alone.
She suspected it had something to do with the environment he’d grown up in.
"At least while we’re in China, you don’t have to force a smile. I’ve got your back. If you want to glare at someone, go ahead."
She threw an arm over his shoulder in a buddy-like gesture.
The position forced Lu Jinghuai to bend slightly to accommodate her. He studied the side of Ji Nian’s face as she grinned at him, something flickering in his gaze.
From childhood, Lu Jinghuai had been taught never to let others see his true emotions—even when he was at his limit, he had to maintain composure.
But now, someone was telling him, "With me here, you can glare at whoever you want."
Lu Jinghuai joked, "Can I glare at Uncle Ji, then?"
"No way—do you want me to get beaten up?"
Then, abruptly remembering something, Ji Nian stiffened. "Oh right, you absolutely cannot let my dad find out about this…"
"Actually, let’s just keep this a secret for now. A strictly platonic, underground relationship."
She pinched Lu Jinghuai's legs with a pained expression.
["Such straight, long legs... If they were to be broken, how could I ever explain it to Princess Feiya?"]
Lu Jinghuai: ?
Where was the imposing aura she had just displayed in front of Wei Junze?
When it came to Ji Tingzhou, Ji Nian didn’t dare to be careless.
"My poison? Ah, here it is."
"Wait for me a moment. I need to find Wei Junze and have a... friendly discussion with him about keeping this matter confidential."
Lu Jinghuai stared at Ji Nian with a deep, unreadable gaze.
