Chapter 24: Awareness

"Mom, I know what I'm doing. You don't need to worry," Lu Qi'an said with a smile over the phone.

Xia Yun chuckled on the other end, "I hope you really do. And you still haven't brought her home to meet us. Your grandfather doesn't believe you're actually married, you know. You'd better hurry, or he'll keep arranging blind dates for you."

Thinking of his grandfather, Lu Qi'an felt a headache coming on. He had already shown him the marriage certificate and wedding ring, but the old man still refused to believe it, which was why Liang Sixuan had come over last time.

"Alright, Mom, I got it. Next time, I'll bring Miaoyu to meet Grandpa."

Xia Yun wanted to say more, but the butler came in to report that a young lady had come to visit, claiming to be sent by the old master of the Lu family. She had no choice but to hang up and go receive her guest.

Things in Ancheng were settled, so Qin Miaoyu prepared to return to Jingcheng.

Gu Jing had originally planned to go back with her, but changed her mind at the last minute, asking Gu Cang to take care of Qin Miaoyu on the road.

Before this trip back to Jingcheng, Qin Miaoyu hadn't realized Gu Cang's feelings for her.

It wasn't until Gu Cang suddenly said, while driving, "Miaoyu, we're so close—why didn't you consider me when you needed someone for a quick marriage to appease your family? Wouldn't that be better than marrying a stranger?"

His tone was playful, but to her surprise, Qin Miaoyu heard the sincerity beneath the words.

She suddenly recalled something she'd once joked about to Gu Jing: "Younger men don't call you 'sister'—their minds are a bit wild."

She had always seen Gu Cang as a younger brother. He never showed much affection, or perhaps he did and she simply overlooked it.

She glanced at him, feeling a touch of helplessness, but decided not to expose what she'd sensed. Some things were better left unsaid than forced into the open.

"You know I'm obsessed with looks," she replied. "At the time, I happened to see him, and the idea of marrying someone just popped into my head. He was agreeable, so we went and got the certificate right away."

"And after the agreed time is up, what do you plan to do?" Gu Cang asked, feigning casualness.

He was so focused on driving that he didn't notice Qin Miaoyu had already caught on to his feelings.

She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"It's just a time limit we set. It doesn't mean we have to divorce when it's over. Spending time together, I've realized he's just as good a person as I thought."

"Is that so? Maybe he's only nice to you because of that apartment. Don't let yourself be fooled..." Gu Cang's tone was tinged with bitterness.

"Don't worry. I can tell sincerity from pretense. Like Jingjing, Aunt Hua, Uncle Gu, and you—you all treat me so well, just like family, right?"

After a long pause, Gu Cang finally murmured, "Mm."

When the car pulled up in front of Building Five, Qin Miaoyu saw Lu Qi'an waiting by the roadside.

Her voice was noticeably cheerful: "Gu Cang, open the trunk for me, will you? Let Lu Qi'an carry my luggage. You don't need to get out—go home and rest."

Seeing how happy she was to be met by Lu Qi'an, Gu Cang felt a pang of sourness as he opened the trunk. Just as Qin Miaoyu was about to get out, he called after her.

"Miaoyu, do you really plan to give it a try with him?"

She smiled sweetly. "Yes. He's tall and handsome, has a promising career, meets all my standards for a partner, and treats me well. It's worth a shot."

Gu Cang replied in a muffled voice, "Mm. If he ever bullies you, tell me. I'll help you teach him a lesson!"

"Alright, thank you, little brother Gu Cang. I'll go now—he's probably been waiting a while."

"Okay, Miaoyu. Goodbye."

She watched until she could only see the tail lights of Gu Cang's car in the distance before withdrawing her gaze.

Nothing had been said outright, but she hoped Gu Cang understood that she could only ever see him as family—a younger brother.

Lu Qi'an, keenly perceptive, sensed something had happened between the two. Remembering Gu Cang's expression just now, he pondered quietly.

"By the way," Qin Miaoyu said suddenly, "let's find a time to transfer the apartment to you."

"Why are you bringing this up now?"

"It's not sudden. I've always remembered. Let's do it next Monday—what do you think?"

Lu Qi'an had intended to find an excuse to refuse.

It was always meant as a stopgap; he never thought she'd actually transfer ownership. But seeing the determination in her eyes, he realized she was set on settling the matter, so he could only agree.

When he did, Qin Miaoyu gazed at him steadily for a few seconds.

Gu Cang wasn't wrong—Lu Qi'an was so attentive, perhaps because the apartment hadn't yet been transferred. So, she might as well take this chance to sort it out.

If Lu Qi'an was only kind because of the apartment, there was no need for further friendship. She could find a reason to ask him to move out.

If he wasn't motivated solely by the apartment, then perhaps they could remain friends—he truly did seem like a good person.

Lu Qi'an touched his face, "What, is there something on my face?"

"No, I was just thinking how handsome you are," Qin Miaoyu joked.

Lu Qi'an looked serious, "Do you really think I'm handsome?"

Qin Miaoyu nodded affirmatively. If he hadn't been good-looking, and if she'd not overheard his family urging him to marry, she wouldn't have considered a quick marriage. Even if she wanted to defy her family's plans, she wouldn't just pick anyone.

Besides, she was certified as a super looks-obsessed person by Gu Jing, who herself was a notorious appearance fanatic!

With all the necessary documents, the transfer was swift. Though it would take some time to get the new property certificate, it meant that Unit 602, Building Three, Tianxiang Mountain Garden was now officially Lu Qi'an's.

"Are you at ease now?" Qin Miaoyu asked.

"At ease? Has my cousin not come by?"

"Is your cousin called Chen Anxin?"

"Yes. Speaking of which, last time she treated us to dinner. When shall we invite her for a meal? Also, my grandfather really wants to meet you—could you spare some time? He looked at my marriage certificate and insists it's fake, won't believe anything."

"Didn't your grandmother already meet me? Why doesn't your grandfather believe it?"

Lu Qi'an hesitated; it was an old story, but he figured it was fine to tell her—she'd have to know eventually.

"Grandpa and Grandma never divorced, but their relationship broke down when they were young, and they've lived apart ever since. So Grandma met you, but Grandpa knows nothing about it."

Qin Miaoyu asked hesitantly, "Does your grandfather treat you well?"

She'd already met Lu Qi'an's grandmother via video call—a kind and affectionate woman who seemed very close to him. But the couple's relationship had long since fallen apart...