Chapter 137

After Zhou Yi left, Liu Ming'an faced Lou Lianyu alone, feeling quite uncomfortable himself.

"Cousin, please come in and have a seat."

Liu Ming'an made a "please" gesture, then led Lou Lianyu into the house and sat down in the living room.

"Let me get you some water."

Liu Ming'an was about to move, but Lou Lianyu stopped him: "Ming'an, don't bother. I'm still on official business, so I'll just say a few words and then leave."

After Liu Ming'an sat down, Lou Lianyu got straight to the point: "Grandfather and Father asked me to come see you. Our last meeting was too rushed, and there are many people at home you haven't met yet, so they'd like to invite you back for a meal together... If you're willing, you could also stay at the mansion for a while."

Lou Lianyu paused, but remembering Lou Yuhuan's instructions, he continued: "If you'd like, that is."

Lou Lianyu thought Liu Ming'an would at most refuse the latter half of the invitation, but to his surprise, he shook his head and said apologetically: "Cousin, I'm sorry, but I can't leave here right now."

"Why?" Lou Lianyu didn't understand. What did he mean by "can't leave"?

Liu Ming'an didn't want to say much, only: "I'm waiting here for someone to return. I'm afraid if I leave, she won't find me when she comes back."

As he said this, there was a faint longing in Liu Ming'an's eyes. Seeing his expression, Lou Lianyu suddenly remembered his father mentioning that Liu Ming'an had said there was a girl he loved.

"I can have someone stay outside the courtyard. If she returns, they can inform you immediately. How about that?" Lou Lianyu suggested.

Liu Ming'an still shook his head, saying a bit embarrassedly: "I want to see her first thing when she returns."

Lou Lianyu pressed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He really hadn't expected his cousin to be such a romantic.

Just as Lou Lianyu was considering how to continue persuading him, Liu Ming'an spoke again: "Cousin, I'll be in the Capital City anyway. There's no rush, is there? We'll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future."

After Liu Ming'an finished speaking, he noticed Lou Lianyu staring at him intently, as if examining a suspect, seeing through him completely.

"Ming'an, how can one not be eager when reuniting with family?" Lou Lianyu sighed, the disappointment evident in his eyes. "You're not eager simply because in your heart, you don't really consider us family. If I'm not mistaken, you don't even want to be associated with the Lou family anymore, do you?"

These words, if acknowledged, would be too hurtful; if denied, would be too insincere.

Liu Ming'an chose to remain silent.

In this moment, silence spoke volumes.

Lou Lianyu also fell silent as he stood up and walked towards the main door, with Liu Ming'an following to see him out.

Just before leaving, Lou Lianyu turned back, looking at Liu Ming'an's face that so resembled a person from the past, his eyes a bit dazed: "You really are very much like Second Uncle, not just in appearance, but in personality too. You both seem gentle and kind, but when it comes to taking action, you're uncompromising..."

Liu Ming'an knew Lou Lianyu was referring to his father's departure from the family years ago. He smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

Liu Ming'an smiled brightly: "Great, thank you, Brother Zhou!"

After saying this, Liu Ming'an added a reminder: "Brother Zhou, I don't want this matter to spread. Please—"

"Don't worry, I promise to keep it secret. I won't breathe a word of it, not even to my own mother!" Zhou Yi interjected.

"Thank you very much, Brother Zhou."

With matters clarified, Liu Ming'an stood up to take his leave: "Brother Zhou, I have something to attend to, so I must head home now."

"Oh?"

Zhou Yi was quite surprised. Why such a hurry?

"Brother Zhou, I know you're busy too, so I won't disturb you further. Farewell."

Liu Ming'an had reached the door when Zhou Yi, suddenly remembering another matter, hurried after him: "Brother Liu, are you still going to live in that house? If you don't want to, I can find another place for you."

Zhou Yi wasn't stupid; he could tell that Liu Ming'an wasn't too fond of the Lou family.

Liu Ming'an knew Zhou Yi was sincerely considering his welfare and looked at him gratefully: "Thank you, Brother Zhou. That place is quite nice, and I've gotten used to it. I'm too lazy to move. Let's leave it as is."

"Alright then."

Zhou Yi didn't say more. He accompanied Liu Ming'an downstairs and saw him off outside Junyue Inn, only returning to the accounting room to continue his work after Liu Ming'an had disappeared from sight.

Liu Ming'an hurried home, his heart full of anticipation.

Perhaps, he thought, when he pushed open the door, Jiang Ning would be standing in the courtyard, smiling and asking: "Liu Ming'an, where did you go?"

Just imagining this scene made Liu Ming'an quicken his pace.

However, when he actually pushed open the door, the courtyard was empty, just as he had left it. The note he had written was still in its original place, unchanged.

Liu Ming'an slowed his steps as he walked over, crumpled the paper into a ball, and repeatedly squeezed it in his hand.

"It's only been a few days, how could she be back so soon?"

Liu Ming'an laughed self-mockingly, sighed, and muttered to himself.

"But still..."

A moment later, a soft voice echoed in the quiet little courtyard, quickly dispersed by the wind.

"Ning, I really miss you..."