Chapter 108 Opportunity
"Go ahead and fight."
Shi Er agreed.
Shi Nianzhi held his phone, dialed the number, and waited quietly.
It rang for a while before being answered. A deep male voice asked, "What's up?"
"you......"
Shi Nianzhi pursed his lips, restrained his emotions for a moment, and asked him in a nonchalant manner, "Aren't you coming back today? You haven't been home for a long time."
"It's only been a week. I'm sometimes like this when I'm busy. You'll have to get used to it."
"Yeah."
Lu Jiunian then seemed to remember something and suddenly said to Shi Nianzhi, "Oh right, today is your birthday. I was so busy I forgot. Shi Nianzhi, happy birthday! I'll bring you your gift tomorrow."
Shi Nianzhi lowered his head, his eyes already moist. He took a deep breath and tried to speak calmly, "You even prepared a gift for me."
"I had already prepared it, but I was so busy that I accidentally forgot it was your birthday. I'll ask Aunt Zhang to have the kitchen make you a cake in a bit."
Shi Nianzhi wanted to say, "It's okay, I'm already full," but he choked up before he could finish speaking.
Shi Nianzhi lowered his head and bit his fingers hard. When he closed his eyes, tears were falling down his face.
But he didn't make a sound; he didn't want Lu Jiunian to hear that he was crying.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you angry with me?"
The man lowered his voice, adopting a gentle tone, which was unusual for him.
Shi Nianzhi ultimately said nothing and hung up the phone.
He put his phone aside, covered his face with his hands, and said to Shi Er, "Let's go back."
Shi Er was unaware of the cause and effect of the matter, but when he saw Shi Nianzhi's tears, his heart ached for no reason.
The car slowly merged into the traffic.
Shi Nianzhi gradually calmed down and looked at the receding night view outside the car window.
After a long while, he took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Lu Jiunian:
'Everything I said before, I mean it.'
Lu Jiunian replied quickly this time, '?'
'I'm easy to please; a train ticket is enough.'
After a while, Lu Jiunian replied, "Don't overthink it."
Shi Nianzhi did not speak again.
Lu Jiunian put down his phone. Gu Zijian was already asleep on the hospital bed, his sleeping face peaceful under the soft light.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Jiunian got up.
He had indeed forgotten Shi Nianzhi's birthday, and now he planned to go back and spend time with her.
He had just gotten up.
Gu Zijian grabbed his hand. "Where are you going?"
His voice was hoarse and unpleasant. The doctor explained that it was because he hadn't spoken for a long time, and his vocal cords had degenerated. He said it would get better after a while, but his voice might also change.
It was just an excuse he made up to deceive everyone.
Lu Jiunian lowered his eyes. "Something came up at the company. You should get some sleep. I'll come see you again tomorrow."
"A-Nian, I'm afraid of the dark, stay with me."
Looking at Gu Zijian's sickly face, Lu Jiunian couldn't bring himself to leave. He actually had many questions for Gu Zijian about what happened back then.
However, considering that he was still not fully recovered, he didn't even mention it.
Although Lu Jiunian sat down, he withdrew his hand from Gu Zijian's palm. "I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. Go to sleep now."
Gu Zijian dawdled and didn't fall asleep until 1 a.m.
Lu Jiunian left in a hurry.
When he got home, Shi Nianzhi was still awake, sitting at his desk reading.
"Waiting for me?"
Lu Jiunian entered Shi Nianzhi's study.
Shi Nianzhi stiffened for a moment before saying, "No, I want to try harder."
"A birthday present for you."
Lu Jiunian placed the exquisite gift box on Shi Nianzhi's desk.
Shi Nianzhi didn't even bother to open it; he didn't even glance at it. "Hmm."
"Aren't you going to open it and take a look? Are you angry?"
Lu Jiunian pinched Shi Nianzhi's chin and lifted it up, forcing Shi Nianzhi to look up at him.
Shi Nianzhi's thin lips were pursed, and he did look like he was in a bad mood.
Lu Jiunian felt somewhat guilty for forgetting Shi Nianzhi's birthday today.
"I remember your birthday. I bought the gift a long time ago, but I've been so busy lately that I forgot."
The tone wasn't as harsh anymore.
"What are you busy with?"
Shi Nianzhi's three sharp words were accompanied by a questioning look in his eyes.
Lu Jiunian leaned down and looked closely at Shi Nianzhi, a smile on his face. "You've had a long day, don't give me that attitude, okay?"
"What did you do to get tired after a long day?"
Shi Nianzhi was like a hedgehog with its quills standing on end.
His tone and demeanor were not pleasant; at least he didn't look well-behaved at all.
Lu Jiunian frowned, his grip on Shi Nian's chin tightening slightly, as if he had noticed something. "What's wrong with you?"
"nothing."
Shi Nianzhi lowered his eyes, clearly not wanting to speak.
Lu Jiunian pushed Shi Nianzhi aside unhappily. He was actually a little guilty. He sat down in the chair and made a phone call to summon Shi Er.
The man looked down and lit a cigarette. "Did he do anything strange today?"
Shi Er glanced at Shi Nianzhi, "Young Master Shi hasn't left the house all day."
What about yesterday?
“I had a fever yesterday and didn’t go with him, but I know Shi Shao’s schedule. He was tutoring at Mu Guangcheng’s house in the morning and went to the amusement park with Su Hengyi and Mu Guangcheng in the afternoon.”
Lu Jiunian nodded, showing no doubt about Shi Er, "You may leave."
When Shi Er left, he glanced at Shi Nianzhi. He had lied to Lu Jiunian as well.
This action is very risky, and he is extremely likely to pay a heavy price for it.
But Shi Er remembered Shi Nianzhi's sadness in the back seat of the car yesterday. As clever as Shi Er was, he knew that there was more to it than met the eye. Shi Nianzhi probably didn't go up to find Lu Jiunian because she didn't want Lu Jiunian to know that she had gone to see him.
There was nothing Shi Er could do for Shi Nianzhi. Protecting him in this way, without betraying him, was the only thing he could do.
As for the price, what is there to fear for someone like him who lives like a walking corpse?
Shi Er left.
Shi Nianzhi clenched her fist slightly before saying, "You want him to monitor me?"
"It's for your own good."
When Lu Jiunian learned that Shi Nianzhi was unaware that Gu Zijian had already woken up, he breathed a sigh of relief and felt much more relaxed.
He didn't even hold it against Shi Nianzhi for secretly going out to play with Su Hengyi and Mu Guangcheng yesterday.
The man reached out and pulled Shi Nianzhi into his arms. "Isn't there another day off tomorrow? I'm not going anywhere. I'll celebrate your birthday with you. Don't be angry."
Shi Nianzhi admitted that no matter how angry he was with Lu Jiunian, his heart softened a little after the man said those words.
"Is there anything you're hiding from me?"
Shi Nianzhi sat in Lu Jiunian's lap. He lowered his head, picked at his fingers, and asked in a soft, sweet voice.
Why do you ask that?
Have you slept with other men?
So that's what you were asking.
Lu Jiunian grasped Shi Nianzhi's hand. "Do you want to have it checked?"
Shi Nianzhi forcefully pulled his hand back, turned to the side, and looked at Lu Jiunian very seriously. "Really? You didn't sleep with other men, and you don't like other men."
"If I do, I will divorce you."
So you didn't divorce me, right?
"Um."
Lu Jiunian used the act of smoking to turn his eyes away, avoiding eye contact with Shi Nianzhi.
Then, looking at Shi Nianzhi with displeasure, he asked, "What's wrong with you today? You're acting strangely. Did someone say something to you?"
Shi Nianzhi lowered his eyes, recalling what Su Hengyi had told him: 'If there are no feelings, he doesn't need to coax you.'
Gu Zijian was clearly awake, but Lu Jiunian didn't tell him at all and treated him the same as usual, which was obviously deceiving him.
Was he lying to him because he was afraid he would find out? Was he torn between choosing between him and Gu Zijian?
Does that mean he still has a sliver of hope that he won't be the one who gets abandoned?
For the first time, Shi Nianzhi did not speak frankly or force Lu Jiunian to admit it.
Because he wanted to know how Lu Jiunian would choose, or perhaps he hoped that Lu Jiunian would ultimately choose him.
That way, he can pretend that nothing happened.
Why aren't you saying anything?
Lu Jiunian lifted Shi Nianzhi's chin again.
Shi Nianzhi changed the subject, saying, "I'm just sleepy."
It was unusual for the man to be so agreeable; he asked, "Where would you like to go tomorrow?"
"I want to go to the wildlife park, can you take me?"
"Okay, go to sleep if you're sleepy."
Shi Nianzhi hooked his arm around Lu Jiunian's neck, kissed his lips, and suddenly said, "Lu Jiunian, I love you."
I love him, so I want to give him another chance without any principles.
Shi Nianzhi went to sleep.
Lu Jiunian was sitting alone in the study smoking. Gu Zijian had woken up, but the matter from back then was still unclear. It wouldn't matter if the divorce with Shi Nianzhi was postponed a little.
I'll celebrate Shi Nianzhi's birthday with her as a way of making up for it.
the next day.
Shi Nianzhi got up early and opened his wardrobe, carefully selecting an outfit.
I always wear my school uniform and never bother to take care of myself.
Shi Nianzhi changed into a white T-shirt with black trim and loose light blue jeans, and then he casually grabbed a trendy jacket and put it on.
When they came downstairs, Lu Jiunian's eyes were indeed drawn to them.
Let's go.
Shi Nianzhi took the initiative and held Lu Jiunian's hand.
As the two were about to leave, Lu Jiunian's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and said to Shi Nianzhi, "Go wait for me in the car first."
"good."
Shi Nian went down the steps and walked towards the car.
Lu Jiunian stood at the door and said softly, "Zijian, what's wrong?"
"Uncle Lu, it's me. My uncle woke up this morning and didn't see you, so he refused to eat breakfast and is throwing a tantrum. Where are you? Come over here quickly."
Lu Jiunian frowned and glanced at Shi Nianzhi, who was leaning against the car door, looking at him expectantly.
Feeling somewhat displeased, he said, "Give him the phone."
“My uncle wouldn’t let me bother you, how could I let him know I secretly called you? Uncle Lu, my uncle just woke up, and his body is already weak. The doctor said he shouldn’t have too many emotional fluctuations. You should come over for a bit, you know what kind of temper he has.”
After Gu Yuanyuan finished speaking, she hung up the phone without giving Lu Jiunian a chance to speak.
Lu Jiunian's expression was somewhat serious. He looked at Shi Nianzhi not far away, and then thought of Gu Zijian, who was still in the ward.
For a moment, they were caught in a dilemma.
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