That night, Lu Yan lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze.

Still not feeling sleepy.

There were shuffling footsteps at the top of the stairs, and you didn't need to listen carefully to know that her father, Lu Zhen, was back.

Lu Yan was always very sensitive to her father's voice, because she and her father were the only two people at home before, and she could hear her father's footsteps going upstairs every night.

When he came home from get off work, he would stand at the door of her room for a few minutes, listening to her. If she fell asleep, he would not disturb her. If she did not sleep, he would always knock on the door and warn her several times to tell her not to stay up late.

Lu Yan opened the door, stuck her head out and shouted: "Dad, where are you fooling around with Uncle Liang Ting and the others again!"

Lu Zhen covered Lu Yan's mouth and lowered his voice and said, "Shh, don't scream. I'm telling you, your grandpa must not hear this! Otherwise, he will be frightened to the point of high blood pressure."

Lu Yan shrugged and didn't care. Grandpa wouldn't believe it anyway, just like Lu Zhen didn't believe it before.

Lu Yan murmured: "What big thing is there about the national economy and people's livelihood? Why do you come back so late every day?"

"Children, don't worry about adults' business."

"whispering sound."

Now I'm starting to treat her as an adult.

Compared with being at a loss a few days ago, Lu Zhen now seems to be a bit more like a father. He no longer speaks and does things as carelessly as before, and even changed his swear words.

At least, he would never say bad words again in front of Lu Yan.

So being a father is very different from being an older brother. The older brother can bully her unscrupulously, squeeze her, and steal her pocket money, but the father cannot do this.

Lu Yan tiptoed and patted his shoulder and said, "Don't forget, dad is only one year older than me now!"

"It doesn't matter if you are one year old, even if you are only a minute older, your dad will always be your dad."

This is what I said...

Lu Yan was unable to refute.

Lu Zhen returned to the room and lay on the bed tiredly. Lu Yan immediately followed him in and sat on the edge of the bed.

Lu Zhen didn't even bother to raise his eyelids and asked lazily: "What do you want to do if you're still up so late?"

"When I encounter something, I want to hear dad's opinion."

In the past, when Lu Yan encountered anything when she was growing up, she would ask Lu Zhen for help. Because she had no other elders during her growing up years, Lu Zhen became her only benchmark and role model, and she would ask him for anything she encountered.

It is still no exception.

Lu Zhen was so sleepy that his eyelids clenched, but as a new father, he still sat up patiently and rubbed Lu Yan's head: "Tell me."

"It's just... if there is a person, you know that he will bully you or even hurt the people closest to you when he gets rich in the future, but now you are watching him walking on the wrong path, but you feel uneasy about your conscience. After all,

He is... pretty good to you now."

Lu Zhen's troublesome IQ is not yet at the level where he can understand this obscure metaphor.

He said righteously: "You can bully me, but you can never hurt my family. No matter how nice he is to me now...it won't do. This is the bottom line."

Yes, family is Lu Zhen’s bottom line.

Lu Yan pondered for a moment, and her eyes became much firmer——

"I understand, Dad."

After all, she was just trying to protect her family.

Lu Yan is no longer entangled, wealth is determined by fate, everything is his own choice.

"Dad, I'm going to bed, good night."

"Xiaoyan..."

He suddenly stopped her, hesitated for a long time, and asked: "When I grow up, will I be... a good father?"

After asking this question, the boy's fair cheeks instantly turned red, and he wanted to dig a hole in the bed and crawl in!

Mr. Lu, who is so obsessed with everything, would actually ask such a pretentious question!

But... he really wants to know, wants to know what he will be like in the future, and wants to know whether he is a qualified father in the eyes of his future daughter.

"Do you want to know what happened when I was a child?"

Lu Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, straightened her skirt, and got ready to tell a story.

Lu Zhen was also completely sleepless, so he came over with a pillow and listened to her story attentively.

"We have a pet cat pocket in the utility room at home."

Lu Yan gestured in front of her belly: "When I was a child, you often carried me inside. Whether it was on a business trip or in a meeting, you would take me with you to breastfeed and change diapers anytime and anywhere. You were really a very cool super daddy.

"

Lu Zhen frowned: "Has my brain been caught in the door? I'm a super nanny. Don't I know how to hire a nanny?"

Lu Yan laughed, and she had no one else to complain about.

"I have hired a nanny before, but I heard from Uncle Liang Ting that once the nanny accidentally dropped your precious daughter who had just turned one year old. You got angry and fired her. Since then...about your precious daughter, who is also mine.

Dad does everything himself."

Lu Zhen raised his eyebrows with a rather proud expression: "It seems that I am also a very good father."

"Besides the fact that I put my diaper on backwards several times, went to the supermarket to buy milk powder instead of cat milk powder, and angrily threw a large check in the face of the boy I had a crush on in high school, well... you are still a good person.

's dad."

Lu Zhen: "..."

Who hasn’t had the first time yet?

That night, Lu Yan lay on Lu Zhen's stomach and reminisced about the past. She talked a lot. In fact, she would have almost forgotten many precious memories if she didn't mention them.

But no matter how many times this world overlaps or time and space rotate, love is the only thing that never changes.

**

When the results of the last test before his senior year came out, Shen Kuo actually ranked first in his age group, which surprised his classmates.

In school, Shen Kuo often left early for self-study classes. Except for a short period of time in class to listen to lectures, almost all of his study time was squeezed by work.

Just like this... I still managed to get the first place in my grade.

His brain is so good!

Lu Yan listened to her classmates discussing Shen Kuo's grades and still felt uncomfortable thinking that he was about to drop out of school.

But she has made up her mind and will not interfere in this matter anymore. If it is not a matter of life and death, she will not comment on his decision or even his life.

The news that Shen Kuo was about to drop out of school was tied to the fact that he was ranked first in his grade, and it spread in the school.

Shen Kuo's head teacher even visited his home, talked to Shen Kuo's father, and after learning about his family's plight, he wanted to mobilize the entire school to donate money to him.

When Shen Kuo found out about this, his face became extremely ugly. He went straight to the Academic Affairs Office and said bluntly to the grade dean: "I have no arms or legs and I don't need anyone's donation."

Of course, the grade director didn't want to let such a good talent like Shen Kuo leave the school, so he persuaded her with sincere words: "Student Shen Kuo, tell me if you have any difficulties, and let's work together to find a solution. Why bother to drop out of school?"

"Teacher, just tell me whether you will approve the withdrawal application."

"Well...if you insist on dropping out of school, the school won't be able to stop you, but..."

"That's fine."

Shen Kuo didn't wait for him to finish speaking, turned around and left the office.

In the corridor, he stood alone by the skylight, looking at the leafy sycamore trees outside, his hands clenched into fists.

Because he exerted too much force, his body trembled slightly...

He doesn't need anyone's sympathy, never has.

It's not his fault that his family is in a bad situation, and it's not his fault that his father is sick, but...

Being so poor yet falling in love with such a girl raised in rich soil and water...

It's his fault.

Every night, the ever-expanding possessiveness made his body almost explode.

He doesn't know if his decision is right or wrong, but who cares...if you can't prove yourself, then stay away.

Shen Kuo turned around and saw Shu Mengfei in a white dress.

His face darkened, he ignored her and left.

But Shu Mengfei stopped him: "Shen Kuo, I heard that you are going to drop out of school, is it true?"

Shen Kuo didn't answer, which was regarded as acquiescence.

The corners of Shu Mengfei's eyes were slightly red, and she clutched his sleeve: "Uncle's condition must be particularly serious and he needs someone to take care of him, but he can't drop out of school no matter what. If...if you think I can do it, I am willing to work with him.

You take care of uncle together..."

Shen Kuo was not moved by her words. He lowered his eyes and looked at her tightly grasping his sleeves, and said coldly: "Let go."

Shu Mengfei's voice trembled: "Shen Kuo, we have all experienced the hardships of life. Those children from rich families don't understand anything, but Shen Kuo, I understand you."

Shen Kuo pulled her hand away, a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth, and said word by word: "I don't need you to understand me."

After saying such sincere words, he was refuted by him. Shu Mengfei felt ashamed and shouted at his back——

"The whole school knows that you are going to drop out of school, but Lu Yan still pretends not to know. Aren't you friends with her? But she pretends to be deaf and doesn't say anything, or even advises you. How can you expect such a person from her?

Can I understand you?"

Before Shu Mengfei finished speaking, Shen Kuo suddenly turned around and grabbed her collar.

His eyes were cold, like blades.

Anyone who slandered him or slandered him would be able to say nothing or even laugh it off. However, when she mentioned Lu Yan, she touched the softest part of his heart.

Shu Mengfei was so frightened that she looked at him tremblingly: "You...what do you want? I'm telling the truth."

After all, Shen Kuo didn't do anything. He shook her off hard and turned around to leave.

Shu Mengfei was pushed back by his force and staggered a few steps, clutching her chest as if she was frightened.

Shen Kuo has a very violent temper, but... men like this are fatally attractive to girls.

Shu Mengfei knew that there were girls in school who were afraid of Shen Kuo, those who said they hated him, and those who advised her to stay away from Shen Kuo.

They slander Shen Kuo simply because they don't want others to get what they can't get...

**

Summer vacation is coming as scheduled. Lu Yan received an invitation from Meng Zhining. This summer, the men's clothing brand "Ao Lang" under the Meng Group will hold a large-scale fashion show. She hopes that Lu Yan can attend the show and she wants to introduce her to the cooperation.

partner.

Lu Yan readily agreed.

She could tell that Meng Zhining had a vague intention to cultivate her.

Meng Zhining also asked Lu Yan, which celebrity she likes, if we ask him to be the spokesperson for our men's clothing brand, then Yan Yan can get to know her favorite male celebrity.

At that time, eight out of ten high school girls were star-chasing.

Lu Yan thought for a while and gave Meng Zhining advice with her unique aesthetic vision: "I think... Qin Yuxiao's temperament is quite suitable for our brand, but he is quite popular, so I don't know if he is willing to come."

After all, Qin Yuxiao has continued to become popular in recent years, and his popularity has not diminished, becoming the most potential new star in the entertainment industry.

Unexpectedly, Meng Zhining simply said: "Okay, since Yanyan likes it, then we will ask Qin Yuxiao to be the spokesperson for our men's clothing."

"Well..."

It's not that she likes Qin Yuxiao, she just thinks he is suitable.

But Meng Zhining didn't care so much, she only wanted to pamper her precious daughter more and make up for the maternal love she had been missing for many years.

…

At Century City Hotel, Zhong Kai was standing at the door wearing a handsome black suit, rubbing his hands anxiously and waiting.

Seeing Shen Kuo approaching slowly, he hurriedly greeted him: "Didn't I ask you to tidy up properly? Why is it still like this?"

Shen Kuo said lightly: "This is my most formal outfit."

The clean white shirt he is wearing is his most formal clothing.

"This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I made a lot of connections to help you get it."

"Um?"

"The men's clothing brand 'Aolang' owned by Meng's Group is going to hold a grand show recently. They are looking for male models. They have no other requirements. They must be handsome, tall, handsome, and have a good figure. I relied on several connections to get the model.

I submitted your photo and they took a fancy to it, so I made an appointment to meet you. Can you please give me some snacks? If successful, one day's wages can be worth half a year of hard work!"

Shen Kuo frowned slightly: "Be a model?"

"yes."

He turned around and was about to leave, but Zhong Kai grabbed him and said, "What are you doing! Why are you running!"

"I don't do that kind of thing."

Shen Kuo doesn't like the camera by nature, and the thought of posing in front of the camera makes him feel sick!

"Oh, you are really... don't worry. They have invited big-name male stars to come and walk on the catwalk. Even if you want to show your face on the catwalk, you are not qualified yet."

Zhong Kai persuaded you kindly: "You can just wear other people's clothes and act as a background for male celebrities, and no one will notice you."

Shen Kuo still doesn't want to do anything like being a model or anything like that, which makes him get goosebumps.

Zhong Kai said: "This time we pinched our noses and made money, and we have the capital to do business. Shen Kuo, aren't you still thinking about that girl? You have no money, no house, and nothing. How can you marry her?"

Shen Kuo was silent for a long time, and finally turned around and asked Zhong Kai: "How much does it cost per day?"

Zhong Kai pointed a finger.

Shen Kuo was finally moved: "One hundred yuan is quite a lot."

Seeing his emotion, Zhong Kai added: "A hundred a day, you think too much."

Shen Kuo knew there was no such good thing and asked: "10 yuan a day?"

Zhong Kai then grinned: "What kind of big company is the Meng Group? If you choose one, it will be the backdrop for the big star Qin Yuxiao. One hundred, that's the cost of one hour."

"..."

Although Shen Kuo didn't like this kind of publicity, he experienced the failure of the dance hall and CD business and almost lost all his previous savings.

It's quite unlucky when you think about it. These two failures were basically caused by mistreating people.

Zhong Kai felt extremely sorry for Shen Kuo and tried every means to find a way for him to make money. No, when he heard the news that Meng's Clothing was hiring well-qualified male models with high salaries, he immediately reported it to Shen Kuo.

Name, and stuffed a lot of red envelopes, so that Shen Kuo's photo could be handed over to the person in charge of the Meng Group.

The private room of Century City Hotel is high-end and elegant. Behind the embossed screen with a small bridge and flowing water, there are about ten young and handsome men sitting at a round table. They are all male models who have come to compete for the show.

Zhong Kai toasted diligently to Director Fang, who was in charge of the affairs, and kept pulling Shen Kuo to ask him to toast together.

"Mr. Fang, thank you so much this time!"

"Don't rush to thank me yet." Director Fang waved his hand: "We, Mr. Meng, have a very vicious eye when it comes to picking people. This time 'Aolang' is the flagship brand that she has personally worked on. It's not certain whether you can pass her test."

."

"Although that's what I say, who doesn't know whether I can be selected in the end? It's not a matter of a word from you, Mr. Fang. Come on, Mr. Fang, I respect you!"

Several young men around him cast scornful and disdainful looks at Zhong Kai. People like him who flatter themselves at the wine table have always been looked down upon by these arrogant young people.

Zhong Kai doesn't care about other people's eyes. He was born in society early and has seen all the hardships in the world and the warmth and coldness of people. His young mind has already been polished and smoothed.

Why should others use you? Isn't it because you work harder than others?

"Mr. Fang, look at my brother, this body, this appearance, this waist, this butt...even he is no worse than a male star."

Director Fang glanced at Shen Kuo. Indeed, this young man had a really good body and aptitude. His appearance was delicate and handsome, especially his strong body. He was indeed much better than the male models around him who also applied for the job.

It just seems that he has a very calm temperament, is quiet, and doesn't like to talk much.

Zhong Kai explained: "My brother is still a student and is quite shy, but as a man, everything is in the wine. Come and pay homage to Mr. Fang."

He patted Shen Kuo's back gently, and Shen Kuo knew that it was clear that Director Fang was here to select people for this dinner. There were about ten people present, but only three or four people could be selected.

He has neither resources nor connections, so opportunities to make money will never come to him.

She has no money, no house, and nothing. How can you marry her?

Shen Kuo looked at Mr. Fang and said calmly: "I don't like drinking beer."

Mr. Fang's face changed slightly, and the next second, Shen Kuo immediately said: "To show respect, Mr. Fang drinks beer, and I drink white. I'll give Mr. Fang three glasses first."

After he finished speaking, he took some white wine and filled it up for himself. After three glasses of wine, not a drop was left.

Mr. Fang's face softened and he laughed: "Okay, young people have a good capacity for drinking."

Zhong Kai breathed a sigh of relief. He was still worried that Shen Kuo's temper would make Mr. Fang unhappy, but he didn't expect that this kid was quite right.

Next, Shen Kuo exchanged a glass of liquor for Fang Zong's glass of beer, which made him feel happy and happy. He praised Shen Kuo to Zhong Kai, saying that you, a good brother, will become a great person in the future.

Seeing Shen Kuo like this, Zhong Kai felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

He was in a very depressed mood these days, and Zhong Kai saw it.

He was deliberately getting himself drunk.

…

At the beginning of the lanterns, Lu Yan was riding a bicycle, swaying along the street in the cool summer breeze.

After Meng Zhining found out that Lu Jian bought her a guitar, she decided to buy Lu Yan a piano in order to prevent Lu Jian from competing.

The piano was shipped back from abroad and placed in Meng Zhining's villa. Lu Yan couldn't wait to rush over and try it out. She liked it very much.

Meng Zhining said that he would send her to Lu's house in two days.

On the way home, Lu Yan passed by Century City Hotel and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

After looking at it for a long time, she was sure that it was really Shen Kuo.

Shen Kuo was lying on the uneven wall at the entrance of the alley, covering his head with his hands, looking very uncomfortable.

Lu Yan quickly parked her bicycle by the roadside, walked over and called softly: "Shen Kuo, why are you here?"

When Shen Kuo heard this familiar voice, he turned around and stumbled towards the depths of the alley, leaning over to vomit.

He barely ate, so all he vomited was wine.

Lu Yan saw that the Century City Hotel was nearby and expected that Shen Kuo must have drank so much wine because of a dinner party.

Lu Yan quickly ran over and patted his back gently to comfort him.

"Why did you drink so much!"

Shen Kuo was already too drunk, and now his stomach was burning, as if he had vomited his stomach.

He held his abdomen in convulsions, but still blocked Lu Yan with one hand, not wanting her to get close to him, not wanting her to smell the filth on him.

Seeing his uncomfortable look, Lu Yan quickly took out the thermos cup from her bag and handed it to his mouth: "Drink some water to warm it up."

Shen Kuo turned his head away and stubbornly refused to touch the mouth of her water glass.

"I soaked the wolfberry to nourish the stomach." Lu Yan held the back of his head and fed him two mouthfuls.

The wolfberry water was sweet, and it passed through his burning throat and entered his abdomen. The cramping feeling was relieved a lot.

Shen Kuo was still in a drunken and confused state, but he also knew that the girl he longed for was standing in front of him.

Tears flowed out of his eyes, either because he was crying or because he was stimulated by the spicy wine poured into his nose. He knew that he must be extremely disgusting with the tears flowing down his face.

This most unbearable aspect happened to my most beloved girl.

Shen Kuo pushed her away abruptly and stumbled to leave.

"It's dangerous!" Lu Yan saw him running straight towards the main road and quickly grabbed him. She was so frightened that she even broke out in cold sweat.

"Shen Kuo, I'll take you home."

"Leave me alone." Shen Kuo said in a deep voice with a thick nasal voice: "Go away."

She couldn't ignore him, otherwise he would lose his life by rushing around like this.

But Lu Yan's petite body couldn't hold up the dizzy man, so she could only hold on to the corners of his clothes to prevent him from rushing to the road.

Shen Kuo instinctively wanted to remove her hands from his body, muttering incoherently: "Dirty... let go..."

"Stop it!"

Shen Kuo suddenly held her hands hard and pressed her against the wall.

The two people's eyes met, and they were close to each other. His body was like a soldering iron, hard and hot.

The strong smell of alcohol filled Lu Yan's nose. She gasped and looked at him tremblingly: "Is it because you drink so much because you are in a bad mood?"

He said with a deep nasal voice: "Yeah."

I haven't been in a good mood these past few days.

"Is it because you want to drop out of school?"

"No, it's because..."

You didn't advise me not to drop out of school.

I don't know if it was because of the alcohol, but Shen Kuo suddenly felt aggrieved.

Even Shu Mengfei came to persuade him, and the head teacher and the dean of academic affairs also advised him, but why...why didn't the person he cared about the most, she didn't even mention it.

As if, indifferent.

Shen Kuo knew that he was pushing too far. He shouldn't expect her to have any thoughts about him, nor should he expect her to do more...

But people who are stuck in the quagmire are always greedy. After getting a little warmth, they want more, and more...

Lu Yan took out a small square handkerchief from her pocket, gently wiped his crimson eyes, and comforted her softly: "Shen Kuo, don't cry."

"I didn't cry."

His breath was filled with the jasmine scent of the girl's handkerchief.

"Then let me take you home, okay."

…

All the grievances and unwillingness disappeared the moment she held his sleeve.

In fact, he is really easy to coax. As long as she just says a few words of sympathy, he won't be sad.
Chapter completed!