Volume One, Chapter 20: Lu Ning Is Missing

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Smack! The force of the slap left Lu Ning’s palm numb.

She stared at Ji Chiqian in astonishment. His figure suddenly seemed unusually tall and imposing.

She had never expected him to seize her hand and personally use it to slap Sixth Brother across the face.

The entire scene fell deathly silent.

When Qin Xiang saw Lu Liu being struck, a trace of satisfaction rose in her heart.

This way, Lu Liu certainly would not forgive Lu Ning.

Lu Liu’s eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was filled with disbelief. “Lu Ning! How dare you hit me?”

Was she not afraid that he would become angry and never speak to her again?

Lu Ning slowly curled her fingers. She had to admit—it felt rather satisfying.

She said calmly, “You hit me just now. I’m only returning the favor. Is there a problem?”

“But I’m your brother! I was stopping you from saying something wrong and causing a huge disaster! How can those two things possibly be the same?”

Lu Liu had always been extremely proud. Even though he had apologized earlier, he had never imagined that Lu Ning would actually slap him.

He felt humiliated.

Ji Chiqian’s thin lips curved into a mocking smile. “May I ask what exactly she said that was wrong enough to cause this so-called disaster of yours?”

Lu Liu looked toward Qin Xiang and answered righteously, “Xiangxiang was emotionally agitated just now. What if Lu Ning’s words provoked her and she really did something to hurt herself? What then?”

He had done nothing wrong.

Lu Ning was simply too cold. There was no familial affection in her heart.

Even if she had won the competition, that did not give her the right to hurt her family!

Ji Chiqian turned to Qin Xiang, his eyes dark and icy. “We’ve been talking for so long. If you really intend to kill yourself, why haven’t you done it yet? Who exactly are you trying to stall for?”

Qin Xiang was left speechless for a moment. This school doctor’s words were vicious.

She had never truly intended to die.

But when had Lu Ning become so close to this sharp-tongued school doctor?

Qin Xiang felt awkward now. Holding the razor blade, she could neither put it down nor continue.

She could only use the same trick again, her eyes reddening. “I—I was just anxious. I only wanted to make—”

“If you’re anxious, you can find somewhere deserted and go die. But using suicide to force someone else into doing something they don’t want to do—that is your fault.”

Qin Xiang burst into tears. This time, they were genuine, not an act.

Lu Ning was truly exhausted. She glanced at Ji Chiqian. “Let’s go.”

She did not want to waste any more time here.

Lu Nanfeng frowned. “Where are you going?”

“Where I go is my own business.”

“But you’re still a minor. As your guardian, I have the right to ask about your whereabouts. And you can’t just leave with some strange man!”

Lu Nanfeng cast a wary glance at Ji Chiqian.

Lu Ning had changed so drastically lately. Could this man have led her astray?

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Lu Liu stepped forward and blocked Lu Ning’s path. “Second Brother is right. You’re still young. Don’t let some man outside deceive you with sweet words.”

Lu Nanfeng stared sternly at Ji Chiqian. “If you dare take Lu Ning away by force, I’ll call the police immediately and report you for abducting a minor.”

Lu Ning was irritated. “He isn’t abducting me. I’m leaving of my own accord.”

She did not want to remain in the Lu household any longer.

It was suffocating.

Lu Nanfeng looked at her. “Ningning, I know you’re going through your rebellious phase. No matter what I say, you won’t listen, but one day you’ll understand that I’m doing this for your own good!”

Ji Chiqian let out a cold laugh. “For Lu Ning’s own good? So whenever there’s a conflict, you make Lu Ning compromise and give way? You make her suffer grievances every time, let her take the blame and even let her be beaten, then expect her to understand you? If this is what you call being good to her, why don’t you keep it for yourselves?”

Lu Nanfeng was rendered speechless.

He now realized that he had neglected Lu Ning in the past. She had always been obedient and well-behaved, never saying a word, so he had assumed she would not take anything to heart.

He had never expected her to remember it all.

As her second brother, he had failed in his duty.

At that moment, the police arrived, accompanied by a lawyer.

The lawyer spoke first. “I am Miss Lu Ning’s lawyer. In view of the repeated acts of violence committed by her family, we have already submitted the relevant evidence. From this point onward, she will be going to a place where she feels safe, accompanied by the police.”

Lu Ning was somewhat surprised. She had not hired a lawyer.

Could Ji Chiqian have hired one for her?

Ji Chiqian lowered his eyes and met hers. His gaze was utterly calm, and it gave Lu Ning a sense of security.

Lu Liu, however, was furious. “What do you mean? We’re her guardians. What right do you have to do this?”

The lawyer stopped Lu Liu. “Sir, Lu Ning has applied for a personal safety separation order. You have now been ordered to stay away from Lu Ning for six months. If you commit any further act that harms her, legal proceedings will be brought against you immediately.”

Lu Liu was so shocked that he could not utter a word. He was both furious and guilt-ridden.

Lu Nanfeng felt utterly defeated.

Only now did he truly realize that he might lose his sister.

He lowered his voice and said, “Ningning, Second Brother didn’t treat you well enough before and caused you to suffer. But I promise it won’t happen again. Can’t you stop taking things this far?”

Lu Ning slowly raised her head. Her eyes were clear and distinct, black and white. “Let’s just forget it.”

There was no need for that.

With those words, she turned and walked away.

Lu Nanfeng’s throat moved, and his eyes grew hot. He had truly hurt Lu Ning’s heart.

That was why she no longer believed his words or wanted to return to the Lu household.

When Lu Liu saw Lu Ning’s departing figure, his eyes instantly reddened with panic. How could she leave?

How could she leave the Lu family?

She was their sister.

In desperation, Lu Liu turned to Lu Nanfeng. “Second Brother, think of something! She can’t leave! We’re family!”

If Lu Ning left, what would happen to the team’s finals?

Lu Nanfeng gave a bitter smile. “Since you know that, why did you hit her just now?”

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Lu Liu was instantly rendered speechless.

That was right. He had been the one to strike first.

Lu Liu regretted it now. He should not have acted so impulsively.

But he had done it entirely because Qin Xiang had threatened to hurt herself with a razor blade!

Lu Liu turned to Qin Xiang, his tone tinged with reproach. “Why would you do something so dangerous?”

This had all happened because of Qin Xiang.

“Sixth Brother, I only wanted Sister Ningning to calm down and join the team. I did it all for your sake.”

Qin Xiang felt guilty, but she would never admit it.

Lu Liu suddenly found the situation absurd. “Do you think hurting yourself would make her calm down? You were clearly blackmailing her morally!”

Qin Xiang’s expression stiffened. Had Lu Liu suddenly grown a brain?

Lu Nanfeng tried to smooth things over. “Forget it. Sixth Brother, say a little less.”

“Second Brother, it’s true! I never told Qin Xiang to hurt herself to force Lu Ning to join the team. She did that of her own accord, and that was what caused everything that happened afterward!”

The more Lu Liu thought about it, the more wrong it seemed.

Qin Xiang shrank her neck and said pitifully, “Sixth Brother, I’m sorry. I was too foolish. In my panic, that was the only way I could think of. I know now that I was wrong and shouldn’t have done it. I’ll apologize to Sister Ningning and explain everything to her.”

Seeing how sincerely Qin Xiang apologized, Lu Liu’s heart softened. “All right. Don’t do something like that again.”

But when he recalled Lu Ning’s departing figure, he felt an inexplicable ache in his chest.

Qin Xiang immediately broke into a smile through her tears, once again resembling the obedient, cheerful younger sister she had always been.

But deep in her heart, she hated Lu Ning to the core.

She had originally thought that using self-harm today would certainly win Lu Liu back and drive a wedge between Lu Ning and Lu Liu.

It was all that school doctor’s fault for suddenly rushing in!

Qin Xiang’s eyes shifted as she asked, “Second Brother, what exactly is the relationship between Sister Ningning and that school doctor?”

Lu Nanfeng’s expression was complicated. “I don’t know either.”

“Second Brother, I’m worried Sister Ningning might be deceived. After all, our family is wealthy and powerful. Who knows whether some lowly school doctor is trying to use her to climb the social ladder?”

Lu Liu frowned. “How dare that school doctor entertain such ambitions?”

Lu Nanfeng’s gaze turned cold. “I’ll send someone to bring her back, and then I’ll make that school doctor disappear from City A.”

The Lu family was not to be trifled with.

A flicker passed through Qin Xiang’s eyes. Without the school doctor backing her and offering her advice, Lu Ning would become the same easy target she had always been.

But before long, the people sent out returned to report, “Second Master Lu, we couldn’t find any trace of the eldest young lady or that doctor.”

Only then did Lu Nanfeng begin to panic.

Lu Ning was missing?

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