Volume One, Chapter 29: Clear the Way for Her and Drive the Lu Family Out

Lu Ning watched as Ji Chiqian took out his phone and walked to the side to make a call.

She hid near the emergency stairwell, making sure her second brother wouldn't see her if he stepped out. She watched Ji Chiqian finish his call and return, looking down at her from his height. His expression was composed, his tone exceptionally arrogant: "Let's go."

"Where to?"

"To watch a show."

Huh?

Lu Ning followed him into the elevator and went straight to the third floor. The decor here was completely different from the floors below. She snuck a glance at the man beside her; she had heard that the third floor of this restaurant required a membership of a certain elite status. She doubted anyone in City A currently held such a level. How did Ji Chiqian get up here so easily, and why were the waiters acting so respectfully instead of stopping him?

Lu Ning spoke quietly: "I heard that regular members can't get into the third floor of this restaurant."

"Mhm, I know."

Lu Ning looked at his profile. Was this man intentionally avoiding her question? Obviously, she knew that too! What she wanted to ask was how *he* managed to get up to the third floor so casually!

As Lu Ning was lost in thought, Ji Chiqian suddenly stopped, and she bumped right into his back. The man turned his head, his gaze teasing: "Watch the show first, I'll tell you later."

Ji Chiqian then turned and walked away. Lu Ning asked, "Where are you going?"

"Restroom."

Lu Ning glanced at the restroom nearby, but the man had already stepped into the elevator and gone down. Where was he going?

It was only then that Lu Ning realized they were standing in a gallery that overlooked the private room on the second floor. She felt something was off, but then she saw Ji Chiqian step out of the elevator.

The door to the private room opened, and her second brother stepped out with Qin Xiang, followed by a staff member saying something. Lu Ning saw her second brother's face was dark, but he eventually led Qin Xiang toward the elevator. Ji Chiqian stood where he was, as if he had been waiting for them to emerge all along.

When Lu Nanfeng saw the man, he frowned instinctively: "Why are you here? Did Lu Ning come looking for you?"

The restaurant had suddenly cleared out; surely some important figure was expected. Although the Lu family was well-regarded in City A, this restaurant had ties to Yunjing and a very prestigious background. Even the Lu family had to show some respect.

Qin Xiang added fuel to the fire: "That’s impossible, isn't it? Doesn't this place require a membership to enter? Where would a school doctor get a membership? It must be that Sister Lu Ning brought him in!"

A school doctor—handsome, yes, but useless.

Ji Chiqian’s brows furrowed with impatience: "Take her away."

Two waiters suddenly appeared from the shadows and walked straight toward Qin Xiang. Frightened, she quickly ducked behind Lu Nanfeng: "Second Brother, I'm scared."

Lu Nanfeng blocked their path: "What is the meaning of this?"

"Exactly what I said. She's too noisy. I want to have a word with you." Ji Chiqian's expression was icy, his tone brooks no refusal.

Lu Nanfeng noticed that the area had been cleared out and felt a surge of suspicion. Could it be that this restaurant was cleared out because of this school doctor? The last time Lu Ning was taken away by him, he hadn't been able to find her despite using the Lu family’s connections. He had secretly investigated this man but found nothing. The origins of this man named Ji Chiqian were a mystery. He wondered if he was deliberately getting close to Lu Ning.

That seemed unlikely. After all, Lu Ning was just a young girl who had never left City A and had no enemies.

Lu Nanfeng, wanting to understand the nature of Lu Ning's relationship with him, looked at Qin Xiang: "You go out and wait for me."

"Second Brother—"

"Do as I say!"

Reluctant as she was, Qin Xiang had no choice but to leave. Lu Nanfeng re-examined the school doctor before him. His presence was extraordinary; he definitely didn't have an ordinary background.

Lu Nanfeng asked, "Where is Lu Ning?"

"I have no obligation to tell you. But she is under my protection. I don't want to see you do anything to hurt her before her exams."

"What do you mean 'hurt' her? She is my sister; I would never hurt her. As for you, an unidentified school doctor—what exactly are you trying to gain by being by her side?" Lu Nanfeng found this man very strange.

Ji Chiqian was as cold as frost, his gaze sharp: "That is not something you can concern yourself with."

"Lu Ning is my sister, why can't I?" Lu Nanfeng recalled that it was this man who had called the police last time, forcing Lu Liu to move out and stay away from her.

Ji Chiqian kept one hand in his trouser pocket, his expression cold and arrogant: "Keep your fake sister in check, and put away your hypocritical kindness."

Just as he finished, the elevator doors opened, and a middle-aged man stepped out. Seeing this, Lu Nanfeng said quickly: "Manager, there is someone with an unknown background here." He hoped to probe the school doctor's identity through the manager.

When the middle-aged man saw Ji Chiqian, his attitude was extremely respectful. He turned to Lu Nanfeng: "Mr. Lu, our restaurant has been cleared out. Please leave as well."

Lu Nanfeng looked at Ji Chiqian: "What about him?"

"Mr. Lu, this way, please." The manager did not answer Lu Nanfeng's question.

Lu Nanfeng was politely escorted into the elevator by the waiters. He looked at Ji Chiqian, who remained standing where he was, his back turned to him. His figure was tall and lean, his posture arrogant. The restaurant manager stood nearby, head slightly bowed, making it clear that this school doctor was not an ordinary person.

Lu Nanfeng suddenly thought of Lu Ning. Since when did she know people like this? He recalled the way she had walked away, and the changes he had seen in her lately. Could it be that this man had given her the courage to defy her family?

Lu Nanfeng felt a headache coming on. He had to investigate this man's background properly. If his eldest brother found out, his temper wouldn't be as mild as his own. This had to be resolved as soon as possible.

Lu Nanfeng pulled out his phone, but Lu Ning didn't pick up his calls or reply to his messages.

Lu Ning watched her second brother leave, then looked up to see Ji Chiqian walking out of the elevator. His pace was slow and steady, his gaze calm: "They're gone."

Lu Ning was surprised: "How did you do that?"

When Ji Chiqian had said they were leaving, he had meant the others. Lu Ning had actually doubted him for a moment, thinking he was bluffing, given that this was City A.

Ji Chiqian stood before her: "I just made a call to a friend."

"Your friend is amazing. They were actually able to get third-floor membership access and even force the restaurant to clear out."

Ji Chiqian replied calmly: "It's alright."

Lu Ning’s mood improved significantly, and she felt a wave of curiosity: "Who is your friend?" There were few families in City A capable of such things.

Ji Chiqian didn't seem to want to elaborate: "Someone from Yunjing."

"No wonder. They must be a super wealthy second-generation heir." Yunjing was a hub of power and wealth. Her eldest brother had spent most of his time working there in recent years. Yunjing University was also the best school in the country.

Lu Ning looked at him curiously: "How do you know someone so wealthy? Were you classmates?"

Was he really just an ordinary school doctor?