After thanking Uncle Zhao, Lu Qiqi got up to leave, her heart heavy.

She understood that escaping the control of the Si family wouldn't be easy, but she hadn't expected to fail before she even started.

Never mind, she would make other plans.

"Second Master, you were a little rough with me last night," a woman's delicate and somewhat adorable voice drifted over, causing Lu Qiqi to halt her steps. Turning her head, she saw a graceful woman gently tugging at the corner of Chu Linchen's jacket, her lively eyes sparkling.

Chu Linchen's face was stern, and he subtly shook off the woman's hand, looking at Assistant Chen beside him, "Are you sure it's her?"

Assistant Chen nodded firmly and handed over a photo, "I've checked the surveillance footage. It is indeed Miss Qin."

"You will handle all arrangements for Miss Qin for the time being." Chu Linchen pursed his thin lips, his deep eyes revealing no emotion. After saying this, he left without looking back.

Perhaps dissatisfied with Lu Qiqi, who was eavesdropping in the corner, he cast a displeased glance her way before leaving.

Lu Qiqi sensed the man's hostility, pouted, and turned to leave.

She had no interest in such tawdry gossip; it was just a coincidence that she overheard.

Lu Qiqi walked to her car and saw Shen Manli waiting inside. With a cold expression, she got back into the driver's seat.

"How did it go, Qiqi? Did the negotiation go well?" It was the first time Shen Manli had been left in the car and not participated in a project negotiation. She immediately leaned forward to inquire, her eyes filled with anxiety.

Lu Qiqi gently turned the car key, her gaze sweeping over Shen Manli's anxious face. A faint smile touched her lips, "Not bad."

"Qiqi..."

"Huh? The car won't start. Manli, can you get out and take a look?"

Shen Manli wanted to take the opportunity to inquire further about the project, but Lu Qiqi interrupted her.

"Oh, okay." Shen Manli was a bit speechless but still opened the door and got out. She frowned, bent down to check the undercarriage and tires, trying her best to suppress her dissatisfaction.

Just as she was focused on her task, the roar of an engine suddenly filled her ears, followed by the sound of tires screeching against the ground.

She abruptly looked up, only to see the car speeding out of the parking space like an arrow released from a bow, leaving only a trail of exhaust to prove it had been there moments before.

Shen Manli stood frozen, her eyes filled with venomous resentment.

"Lu Qiqi, sooner or later, I'll make sure you're utterly ruined! I'll make your life a living hell!"

Through the rearview mirror, Lu Qiqi watched Shen Manli receding into the distance. A faint smile touched her lips, a hint of satisfaction hidden within its coolness.

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...

Lu Qiqi sped off, arriving at the entrance of her home with a screech of brakes. The sharp sound of tires against the asphalt pierced the tranquility of the Si residence.

The car door swung open, and Lu Qiqi emerged, her face stern, her steps carrying an air of unyielding determination.

As soon as she stepped inside, Fang Lehong approached her, her face slightly pale, her eyes flickering with a barely perceptible calculation. "Qiqi, you're back. Mom hasn't been feeling well today. Would you mind staying home with me for the next couple of days?"

As she spoke, she gently took Lu Qiqi's hand, her eyes filled with a seemingly tender affection.

If Lu Qiqi hadn't already known the true colors of Fang Lehong and Si Qinyu, she would have readily agreed to such a small request. But now, it was out of the question!

"Mom, if you're not feeling well, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. It's not something to be taken lightly. I happen to know a good doctor. Let me contact them and make an appointment for you." Lu Qiqi calmly withdrew her hand, a cold smile playing on her lips.

She then pretended to be considerate and took out her phone from her bag.

At that moment, Si Qinyu descended the stairs, his gentle gaze landing on Lu Qiqi. His thin lips parted slightly as he said, "Qiqi, since Mom isn't feeling well, why don't you accompany her to the hospital? That way, I'll feel more at ease."

His words carried an undeniable tenderness, as if all the arrangements were perfectly natural and reasonable.

Hearing this, Lu Qiqi's eyes flickered, a cold laugh brewing in her heart. But her expression remained unchanged. Just as she was about to refuse, Fang Lehong opportunely feigned weakness, coughing lightly, her eyes filled with expectation as she looked at her. "That's right, Qiqi. If you go with Mom, Mom will feel more reassured."

Their calculations and pretense only added to the chill in Lu Qiqi's heart. "Then why doesn't Qinyu come along too? We can all accompany Mom. In case anything happens, we can make decisions together."

"Oh, there's no need for both of you to go. Qin is quite busy. Qiqi's company is enough for me." Fang Lehong, who was merely making a fuss over nothing, couldn't bear to waste her precious son's time and immediately refused.

"Qiqi, you decide. I trust you," Si Qinyu quickly echoed, the tenderness between his brows painting a picture of deep affection.

Lu Qiqi's gaze deepened, her mind calculating the intentions behind Si Qinyu's actions. A smile slowly bloomed on her face as she readily agreed, "Alright, since Mom and Qin both said so, then I'll accompany Mom to the hospital. But, Qin, you should still spend more time with Mom when you're free. No matter how busy work is, you can't neglect family."

As she spoke, she deliberately linked arms with Fang Lehong in an intimate gesture and winked, "Mom, am I right?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Hearing this, Si Qinyu smiled gently. A strange light flashed in his eyes, as if he was quite satisfied with Lu Qiqi's obedience.

Just then, Si Qinyu's phone rang, the ringtone echoing abruptly in the spacious living room, shattering the delicate atmosphere.

He looked at the two apologetically, nodded slightly, and then answered the call.

Si Qinyu's back appeared particularly straight under the light. His deep, magnetic voice traveled through the air, each word clearly audible, "Hello, who is this? ...Yes, okay, I understand. I'll take care of it immediately."

His brows gradually furrowed with a look of urgency. He occasionally looked up at Lu Qiqi and Fang Lehong, a flicker of barely perceptible worry flashing in his eyes.

Although it was only for a moment, Lu Qiqi caught it. If she wasn't mistaken, this call should be from Shen Manli, whom she had left behind in the car.

The weather in June is so fickle. It looks like it's going to rain now. Shen Manli didn't take anything with her when she got out of the car. She probably borrowed a passerby's phone to call Si Qinyu.

"There's a bit of an emergency at the company. I need to go deal with it immediately. Mom, Qiqi, you two go to the hospital first." Lu Qiqi was still wondering what excuse Si Qinyu would use to go pick up his little lover, but he was surprisingly direct.

How could she let him have his way that day?

"Qin, what's the problem at the company? Is it serious? Do you need my help? If it's really urgent, you can accompany Mom to the hospital, and I'll go to the company to handle it." Lu Qiqi looked serious. Si Qinyu was momentarily at a loss for words about what had happened at the company and was stunned.

"What's wrong? Is it serious?" Lu Qiqi frowned, her voice laced with concern and urgency.