Lu Shao is cunning; Miss Nan has fallen for his tricks again.

Chapter 123 You can't force your way into a circle you can't get into.
"why?"

“Our personalities don’t match. Do you remember the school anniversary gala in our second year of high school, when someone deliberately broke my violin? We clearly had evidence and could have proactively asked the principal to change our performance order. We even had time to prepare a new violin.” Nan Xu sneered as she said this.

"But you didn't. You made me swallow my anger and try to keep quiet. In the end, I had to give up my show. I didn't even have a chance to make amends."

"I practiced violin solos for a full six months, but in the end I didn't even get a chance to perform."

Nan Xu finished her narration calmly, without a trace of emotion in her eyes.

Shu Youli was clearly taken aback. So much time had passed, he hadn't expected Nan Xu to still remember.

"Is it really possible to completely exclude me just because of one thing?"

Shu Youli didn't understand. This was just a small matter. Why bring it up again after so many years?

Besides, taking a step back can open up a whole new world; there's no need to hold onto it.

“I don’t know what you think, but if it’s Lu Zhiyan, he definitely wouldn’t let me suffer any injustice. Whether I’m in the right or not, he would stand by my side even if it goes against his conscience.”

"On the contrary, can you do it?" Nan Xu asked indifferently.

Shu Youli exhaled a breath of stale air; he couldn't do it.

If he could do that, there wouldn't be any issue with those illegitimate children. He's indecisive and lacks ruthless methods.

Even if they get together in the future, he can't guarantee that he will always stand behind Nan Xu.

Compared to Lu Zhiyan, he seems to be incomparable.

Ultimately, perhaps his feelings for Nan Xu were merely an obsession, a youthful and impetuous infatuation.

“I understand. Our friendship of so many years can’t just disappear like that. From now on, I will treat you like my own sister.” Shu Youli glanced at Nan Xu casually.

"Hmm, have you had dinner yet? If not, let's go eat together. Ling Shu and Zhou Zan are having a barbecue."

"No, I have something to do at the company, so I'll be leaving now," Shu Youli said, declining the offer.

He figured Lu Zhiyan probably didn't want to see him today. After all, today was the day Lu Zhiyan proposed to Nan Xu, and as his former "love rival," it wasn't appropriate for him to be there.

Seeing that Shu Youli was determined to refuse, Nan Xu did not insist.

Just as Shu Youli was about to leave, she remembered something: "Don't forget to tell Yue Heng that I don't blame him, so he won't overthink it."

It was funny how Yue Heng reacted like a mouse to a cat when he saw him. He only helped Lu Zhiyan plan the proposal; Yue Heng wouldn't do anything to him.

"Okay, I'll pass it on to him." Nan Xu nodded, then turned and left.

Watching Nan Xu's receding figure, Shu Youli walked away from her.

Seeing that Nan Xu was returning alone, Lu Zhiyan stepped forward and asked, "Why are you alone? Where is he?"

Who he is is obvious.

"He had something to do, so he went back first." Nan Xu pulled Lu Zhiyan's hand and intertwined their fingers.

With delight in his eyes, Lu Zhiyan said, "The temperature has dropped, put on the blanket." He then draped the coat over Nan Xu's arm and put the blanket over her shoulders.

The coat wasn't big, and her legs were still exposed. The blanket was just enough to cover Nanxu's exposed legs.

The two walked hand in hand to the barbecue grill, where the food had just been cooked.

Seeing Nan Xu and Lu Zhiyan approach, Yue Heng took two strings of rice and gave them to the two of them.

His gaze remained fixed on Nan Xu, and Nan Xu knew what Yue Heng wanted to say with just one glance.

"Stop staring at me. Youli said it's nothing, don't take it to heart."

Yue Heng scratched the back of his head, trying to cover it up, saying, "Heh, hehe, I didn't mean to ask."

Nan Xu and Lu Zhiyan exchanged a glance, then said perfunctorily, "Yes, yes, you didn't want to know, but I was just being presumptuous and insisted on telling you."

Hearing this made Yue Heng even more awkward, and he turned and stormed off.

"Hey, where are you going? Are you angry?" Nan Xu asked loudly from behind. "I... I'm going to get you some drinks," Yue Heng replied hesitantly.

Nan Xu chuckled.

Ling Shu and Zhou Zan grilled a lot more, and after they had all eaten and drunk their fill, the group sat side by side on the beach, enjoying the sea breeze and gazing at the starry sky.

"Now that you've proposed, are you getting married soon?" Zhou Zan asked Nan Xu and Lu Zhiyan while eating snacks.

Nan Xu glanced at Lu Zhiyan, while Lu Zhiyan was also looking at Nan Xu.

"I haven't thought about that yet. Why are you asking? Do you want to be my bridesmaid?" Nan Xu teased Zhou Zan with a smile as she finished speaking.

Zhou Zan shook her finger. "No, no, no, I want to prepare a wedding dress for you, so I can make some money off Young Master Lu."

Nan Xu pretended to be shocked and said, "Oh, you want money to make me a wedding dress? I thought you would give me one for free, given our relationship."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zan's mind went blank for a moment. How had he gotten himself into this mess?

"Or do you think that given our relationship, I'm not worthy of you giving me a wedding dress for free?" Nan Xu pressed her advantage.

Zhou Zan hurriedly tried to explain, but was interrupted by Nan Xu.

"I see. So all our years of relationship mean nothing to you, not even as much as a wedding dress in your hand." As she spoke, Nan Xu pretended to wipe two non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Hey, that's not what I meant! Let me explain!" Zhou Zan hurriedly grabbed Nan Xu's arm, trying to explain.

Lu Zhiyan and Ling Shu watched the two of them bickering quietly.

Yue Heng, however, spoke his mind frankly, "Zhou Zan, can't you tell Nan Xu is just teasing you? Why are you taking it so seriously?"

Zhou Zan turned her head away irritably, "None of your business."

Yue Heng snorted in annoyance, "You don't appreciate kindness!"
But upon closer inspection, it seemed that he was the only one who was superfluous.

On the other hand, Zhou Zan and her partner have been together for so many years, how could she not see through it? It's just that they're acting and putting on a show.

"And what about you? When are you and Ling Shu planning to meet your aunt and uncle?" Nan Xu asked gossipily.

Zhou Zan glanced at Ling Shu sitting next to her out of the corner of her eye, and said shyly in a low voice, "How would I know?"

"Oh, you don't know?" Nan Xu feigned confusion. "So, how did Young Master Ling arrange the pressure on Ling Shu?"

Ling Shu looked at Zhou Zan with a doting smile and patted her head. "Zhou Zan is still young, no rush."

"Of course there's no rush to get married. You can get engaged first." Nan Xu subtly implied that they could get engaged first, and the wedding could be put on hold for now.

Zhou Zan was no longer secretly glancing at Ling Shu out of the corner of her eye; instead, she was staring intently at him.

That gaze, burning with passion and a thirst for knowledge, showed how much she cared about Ling Shu's answer.

Meeting Zhou Zan's gaze, Ling Shu answered firmly, "If Zhou Zan is willing to come home with me, I would be more than happy to do so. As long as she is willing, I can take her back to meet my parents tomorrow."

"Wow, so handsome." Nan Xu whispered from behind.

To Lu Zhiyan, it seemed to have a different meaning.

What do you mean? Isn't he handsome?

I still need to tidy it up properly tonight!
Yue Heng sat there feeling extremely uncomfortable. He was like a big white goose trying to squeeze into a swan circle that didn't belong to him!

It wasn't obvious at first, but in just a short while, I couldn't get a word in edgewise on their conversation.

He pursed his lips and prepared to get up and leave. His movement immediately drew everyone's attention.

"What are you doing? Are you leaving?" Zhou Zan asked.

Yue Heng stretched and said, "Well, it seems I can't squeeze into your circle, so I won't force my way in."

(End of this chapter)