Miss Lu Turned Her Back, Her Six Brothers Begged for Forgiveness - Chapter 28:

Chapter 28: This Time She Wouldn’t Back Down

Lu Ning’s delicate features remained calm, but her eyes were especially stubborn, carrying a hint of rebellion.

She firmly answered, “Even if I say it a hundred times, it’s the same. I refuse.”

Qin Xiang seized the opportunity to act obedient. “Big Brother, don’t be angry. I already have a tutor helping me. I’ll soon improve my grades. Sister Ning Ning has also been working hard, doing lots of practice questions to make such progress. I’ll learn from her, I promise!”

Lu Nanfeng quickly added, “Big Brother, I’ll handle both their grades. You don’t have to worry about it.”

But Lu Dong was still furious. “Stop making excuses for Lu Ning. Don’t I know her temper? Ever since Qin Xiang came to the Lu family, she’s been uncomfortable and picking fights! Lu Ning, let me tell you, no matter how much you throw tantrums or even run away from home, you can’t change the fact that Qin Xiang is part of this family. Even if you leave, she stays. Do you understand?”

Lu Ning lowered her gaze, hiding her expression.

Lu Nanfeng saw her head lowered and felt a pang of heartache. “Ning Ning, that’s not what Big Brother means!”

Heh… Lu Ning raised her head, her gaze indifferent, her voice tinged with coldness. “Whatever.”

She turned and walked out of the private room. She couldn’t stay even a second longer.

Lu Nanfeng’s face changed, wanting to chase after her, but Lu Dong’s angry voice came from behind. “Stop right there! Second Brother, you’re too soft, that’s why that girl dares to manipulate you.”

Lu Nanfeng was helpless. “Big Brother, it’s not like that.”

Lu Ning had changed.

In the past, he would have thought she was just being petty.

But thinking about her expression just now, he couldn’t help but feel worried. He had never seen that look on Lu Ning’s face before.

Qin Xiang stepped in to smooth things over. “Big Brother, Second Brother, don’t argue. It’s my fault for not doing well. If only I were as smart as Sister Ning Ning. It’s because I’m too stupid.”

Lu Dong’s tone softened a bit. “It’s not your fault. It’s Sixth Brother’s team that distracted you. Fourth Brother already told me what’s been going on lately. Qin Xiang, stop defending Lu Ning. Since you’ve joined our Lu family, you should know that just because Lu Ning is a biological child doesn’t mean we’ll favor her.”

Qin Xiang smiled through her tears. “Thank you, Big Brother. I’ll work hard.”

The hardest person to please in this family was Lu Dong.

And since Lu Dong was rarely home, Qin Xiang had always been a bit afraid of him.

Luckily, Lu Ning gave her such a perfect opportunity to perform today.

Lu Nanfeng, however, felt that Big Brother misunderstood Lu Ning.

He tried to explain, “Big Brother, Lu Ning also participated in the competition. If it weren’t for her turning the tide, we wouldn’t have won the revival match.”

“Hmph, I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it. She pretended to refuse to join Sixth Brother’s team, just to force him to beg her. Then when Qin Xiang went instead, she got upset and secretly practiced to steal the limelight in front of you all.”

“Big Brother, it’s not like that.”

Lu Nanfeng suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion.

Seeing Big Brother’s attitude toward Lu Ning, he finally realized that he, too, had treated Lu Ning like this before.

Was that why Lu Ning had become so heartbroken and distanced herself?

For a moment, Lu Nanfeng was choked with emotion and couldn’t say a word. He realized he had been too cruel.

Maybe the one at fault wasn’t Lu Ning, but himself.

He saw Qin Xiang and Big Brother chatting happily, as if they had forgotten Lu Ning wasn’t there.

Lu Nanfeng felt a little uncomfortable. Today was supposed to be his celebration for Lu Ning’s good grades, which he had specially arranged.

He took advantage of Big Brother’s distraction to quietly leave the private room.

He called Lu Ning, but she didn’t answer.

He immediately sent a message: [Ning Ning, where are you?]

Lu Ning glanced at the message as she stepped out of the restroom stall.

She walked to the sink, looking at her reflection—her eyes were slightly red.

Even though she had made countless decisions not to be sad over the Lu family anymore, hearing what Big Brother had just said still stung a little.

She washed her face with cold water. Just one more month, and she wouldn’t have to endure any of this.

After leaving the restroom, she planned to take the elevator to leave the restaurant.

“What are you doing here?”

Lu Ning looked up and saw Ji Chiqian. She lowered her head in panic. “Having dinner.”

Her voice was a little hoarse.

Ji Chiqian approached. “Cried?”

Her voice sounded off, like she had been crying.

Lu Ning instinctively denied it. “No.”

At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and Lu Nanfeng walked out.

Seeing him, Lu Ning immediately threw herself into Ji Chiqian’s arms, gripping his clothes tightly.

She wished she could bury herself entirely in Ji Chiqian’s arms, not wanting her Second Brother to see her.

Ji Chiqian froze, looking down at the girl in his arms. She was clinging so tightly that he could smell her sweet scent.

His throat moved slightly, and he instinctively wanted to pull away.

But as soon as he moved, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

To outsiders, they looked like a couple in love.

Ji Chiqian pressed his lips together, a bit surprised by her actions.

This always calm and cold man suddenly didn’t know what to do.

Lu Ning peeked out, saw Second Brother returning to the private room, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She realized their intimate posture and noticed how tall Ji Chiqian was.

She had to stand on tiptoes while he leaned down to let her wrap her arms around his neck.

Lu Ning awkwardly let go. “Well, just now when I saw my Second Brother coming out of the elevator, I didn’t want him to see me, so I used you as a shield.”

Ji Chiqian squinted, guessing why she was here and why she seemed down.

His voice teased, “So you can use any man as a shield?”

Lu Ning looked at him in surprise. “Probably not.”

Because the person standing next to her happened to be Ji Chiqian, that’s why she instinctively hid in his arms.

If it had been anyone else, she probably wouldn’t have done that.

Ji Chiqian’s mood inexplicably improved after hearing her answer. “Here to eat with them?”

“Yeah, supposedly to celebrate my good grades.”

Lu Ning’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

She sneaked a glance at him, remembering she had seen him with a beautiful woman earlier. Why was he alone now?

Ji Chiqian’s voice was calm. “Tenth place this time, not bad.”

Lu Ning was a little proud inside. “It’s okay. Now I finally have hope of getting into Yun University.”

He had previously told her that her rank wasn’t good enough.

Ji Chiqian saw the little pride on her face and smiled. “Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet. I don’t want to stay here.”

“Because of the people in the private room?”

Lu Ning nodded. “If you’re busy, you can go ahead. I’ll go back to the apartment first.”

She didn’t want to go home today.

“If anyone has to leave, it should be them.”

Lu Ning was a little confused.

Was he planning to drive her Second Brother and them away?

That couldn’t be possible, right?