Miss Lu Turned Her Back, Her Six Brothers Begged for Forgiveness - Chapter 21:

Chapter 21: Leaving the Lu Family, Never Looking Back

At this moment, Lu Ning was sitting in the car with Ji Chiqian. Looking at the stream of traffic outside, she couldn’t help but feel worried. “My Second Brother will definitely send people to look for me. He might even cause trouble for you at school.”

After all, this was the Lu family’s territory. That was why she had been enduring everything, wanting to leave only after the college entrance exams.

Lu Ning felt guilty, thinking she had dragged Ji Chiqian into this.

The man couldn’t help but pat her head. “Don’t worry, they won’t find you. What you should think about now is: where are you going to live?”

Lu Ning sighed. “I’ll rent an apartment.”

She had always had this thought, but never had the chance to act on it. She had even wished Second Brother would throw her out earlier so she wouldn’t have to worry so much.

“I know a place that has apartments for rent.”

Lu Ning didn’t ask much and followed him to the neighborhood. The environment was very nice.

When she entered the apartment, seeing the interior decoration, she couldn’t help but say, “This place must be expensive, right? I’m kind of broke right now.”

“Money’s not a problem. This is my friend’s place. He doesn’t live here anyway. If anything, by staying here to look after it, he should be paying you.”

Ji Chiqian stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his figure lean and elegant, looking very laid-back.

Lu Ning couldn’t help but laugh. “Master, is this actually your place?”

“No, mine’s next door.”

Lu Ning was stunned. “That much of a coincidence?”

He curled his lips carelessly. “If you lived anywhere else, I wouldn’t be at ease. After all, I’m the one who ‘abducted’ you.”

Lu Ning’s face flushed slightly. Abducted? She didn’t expect someone as cold and quiet as him to make such a joke.

Ji Chiqian realized his words weren’t appropriate and changed the subject. “Just stay here for now. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Lu Ning nodded. “Okay, but I still want to pay rent. I’ll sleep on the couch and won’t mess up your friend’s room or touch his things.”

Ji Chiqian frowned. “You don’t have to sleep on the couch. He’s never even stayed here before. He’s the type of person who has more money than sense. Don’t worry.”

Lu Ning smiled. “You must be pretty close with him.”

Only close friends would speak like that.

Ji Chiqian glanced at the time. “Want to play some games?”

“Sure.”

Lu Ning followed him to the neighboring apartment and found it had the exact same layout. Ji Chiqian didn’t seem to have much stuff; it looked quite empty, except for the study where there were two high-end computers.

When Lu Ning opened the game, she saw the game’s homepage showing her moment from earlier, performing the Twelve-Strike Combo during the match. The title read: “Disciple of the Legendary King Returns.”

She suddenly felt a bit guilty. After all, in her previous life, she hadn’t even mastered the Twelve-Strike Combo during the revival match. And she had never actually met King in person.

Ji Chiqian looked at her. “You pulled off the Twelve-Strike Combo in the game. When did you learn that?”

Lu Ning panicked a little. How should she explain? Could she say she learned it in her previous life? After all, King’s Twelve-Strike Combo was notoriously difficult. Many had practiced it repeatedly watching videos but still failed to learn it.

Lu Ning licked her lips. “Actually, I’ve always been a fan of King. I’ve admired him since I was a kid and secretly practiced his signature move. I never succeeded before, but during the match, I don’t know why—I just managed to pull it off.”

Ji Chiqian’s gaze became complicated. “You’ve liked him since you were a kid?”

“Yeah… always been a fan, that’s why I’m so familiar with those moves.”

Lu Ning felt uncertain, but it was the only explanation she could give. It wasn’t entirely a lie—she did admire King.

She sneaked a glance at the man beside her, noticing Ji Chiqian’s expression turned a bit unnatural as he replied stiffly, “Don’t just go around liking anyone.”

Lu Ning was surprised. “That… that’s different.”

It was King, after all. Anyone who played this game idolized him.

Ji Chiqian stared at the screen showing the girl executing the Twelve-Strike Combo. His gaze softened slightly. After so many years, only she had done it.

The two entered the game, teaming up and clearing dungeons with perfect coordination.

Ji Chiqian paused and said, “Have you ever played the warrior class?”

“No, I’ve only played artillery.”

“You can try switching to warrior. It might suit you better.”

Lu Ning’s pupils contracted slightly. In her past life, that person had said the exact same thing, suggesting she try the warrior class. But back then, she only wanted to play artillery because Sixth Brother’s team needed one.

For a moment, Lu Ning’s heart was stirred. Could Ji Chiqian be the same person she met online in her past life?

It had always been her regret that she never got to meet him in person or thank him.

Ji Chiqian looked at her. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Nothing. Um… Master, do you have someone you like?”

“No. Why are you asking? Do you?”

Ji Chiqian narrowed his eyes. He had to prevent her from falling into an early romance.

Lu Ning looked at the screen. “Sort of.”

Her online crush from her past life. If only she could meet him in this life.

She remembered when and where she met him in her past life. Maybe it would really have to wait until after the college entrance exams.

Ji Chiqian’s tone was dull. “Kid, your most important task now is studying, not falling in love.”

“I know. I’ll focus on that after the exams.”

She had met that person after the exams in her past life.

Ji Chiqian felt a bit irritated. Girls falling in love early was such a headache. He directly shut down the computer. “After dinner, you need to review. Cut down on gaming time.”

More homework might keep her too busy to overthink.

That night, after finishing two sets of past exam papers, Lu Ning was so exhausted her brain couldn’t function anymore. As she was about to shower and sleep, she realized she hadn’t brought any spare clothes or toiletries.

After hesitating, she decided to go out and buy some essentials.

But as soon as she opened the door, Ji Chiqian appeared, towering over her. “Where are you going this late?”

Lu Ning felt like a student caught sneaking out. She quickly answered, “I’m going to buy some toiletries and pajamas.”

Ji Chiqian froze for a moment, then shut the door. “Let’s go.”

He had no experience taking care of a child. He hadn’t even thought of these things.

Most stores were already closed since it was late, so Lu Ning only managed to buy toiletries but couldn’t find pajamas or slippers.

Ji Chiqian’s face remained expressionless, his mood sour.

After returning to the apartment, he immediately called Gu Zifeng. “What’s with the apartment you arranged? There’s nothing inside?”

“Come on, bro. You told me to get the apartment ready in half an hour. Where was I supposed to get the time to stock it? Besides, you could just go buy things with her—bonding opportunity.”

Ji Chiqian had always been used to being served. He never thought about such details.

Gu Zifeng teased, “You didn’t forget and go out at midnight to buy things, did you?”

Ji Chiqian gritted his teeth. “Shut up.”

He hung up and awkwardly glanced at the closet. Then he took a pair of his slippers and a clean men’s shirt, went next door, and knocked.

After a while, a soft voice came from inside. “Coming.”

Lu Ning opened the door, her hair still dripping wet, water trickling down her clothes.

Ji Chiqian’s gaze wavered as he walked straight in.

Lu Ning instinctively stepped back but ended up stepping on her own foot and falling forward.

Crap. How embarrassing.

That was all she could think.

But instead of hitting the floor, she fell into a warm chest, hearing his heartbeat next to her ear.