Qian Xingzhi's face remained unchanged, but inwardly she was overjoyed beyond measure. Becoming sworn brothers with Lu Yu—how awesome was that? She had thought Lu Yu would kill her with a sword, but who knew he was so kind-hearted? He was so pure that Qian Xingzhi almost felt guilty.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush! Qian Xingzhi first pretended to hesitate, then lifted a "bitter smile" and looked into Lu Yu's eyes. "Really, big brother?"
Lu Yu had to admit that Qian Xingzhi's appearance was top-notch. Even though he had no interest in men, the impact of a handsome boy looking at him with such "affection" was still immense. He was a complete novice in matters of love.
He silently backed up another five or six steps, nodded almost imperceptibly, and fled out the door as if escaping for his life.
Qian Xingzhi held back with great difficulty. Once the door was closed, she collapsed to the floor laughing, unable to get up.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! The esteemed Lord Lu finally got what was coming to him!"
She laughed until her stomach cramped and her face cramped before she managed to get up from the floor.
If she had known this would be the result, why had she been acting so submissive? Her boss mistakenly thought she had a crush on him, and being kind-hearted, he had accepted her as a younger brother. She was now connected to the Lu Family Textiles for nothing. How could one be so lucky?
Having thoroughly teased Lu Yu, she felt both relieved and delighted. Qian Xingzhi went to sleep contentedly and had a bizarre dream.
In the dream, she had been promoted to a high official, wearing a red official robe. When she paraded through the streets, everyone stared—it was magnificent.
Then the scene shifted to Lu Yu's room. The once-high-spirited Lord Lu was cowering at the foot of the bed, on the verge of tears, looking pitifully charming.
Qian Xingzhi leaned over him, forcefully tilting his chin up with her hand. "Have you cried enough? Come here..."
Lu Yu's amorous eyes darted away from her gaze. He wept like a pear blossom in the rain, his voice trembling. "Lord Qian, this is against protocol..."
"Protocol?" She scoffed contemptuously. "In the entire Nansheng Kingdom, whatever I say is protocol."
Ignoring Lu Yu's resistance, she lowered her head and kissed him. He trembled and yielded...
She woke up with a start, drenched in sweat.
Absurd! Ridiculous! Her chest felt unbearably tight. She went out to the corridor for some air.
Under the silver moonlight, Qian Xingzhi spotted Lu Yu again, leaning against the railing.
What a small world. Qian Xingzhi wanted to turn back quietly, but Lu Yu recognized her footsteps. "...Qian Xingzhi?"
Unable to avoid him, she decided to play the part of a lovesick man who could not have his love. Suppressing her mischievous smile, she slowly moved behind him and said weakly, "Big brother."
Lu Yu got goosebumps all over. He instructed, "From now on, in front of others, we'll behave as usual."
Qian Xingzhi quickly said, "Of course, big brother. Don't worry."
It was going to kill him. Lu Yu said hoarsely, "It's cold. I'm going back to my room."
Qian Xingzhi said cheekily, "Sure, big brother."
He fled again, leaving Qian Xingzhi alone to laugh and admire the moon.