"Lucian..." A gentle voice rang out by the lotus pond, so soft that even the lotus flowers in the water seemed to tremble at its touch.
But Lucian Vane just stared blankly into the distance, his eyes unfocused. Right now, no one could guess what was going through his mind.
"Lucian, you’ve already gotten the Ultimate Medical Tome—why are you still frowning like that?" The young lady smiled sweetly, the very picture of a noble daughter. As she spoke, she reached out, trying to smooth the furrow between his brows.
"Are you satisfied now?" Lucian dodged her hand, his voice icy and distant, shutting her out as always.
Hearing that, the delicate young woman looked hurt. "Lucian, how can you say that? It’s always been Mom and Dad’s last wish! They hoped we’d carry on the family’s medical and poison arts!"
"Enough. You have the book now, so deal with everything else yourself." As he spoke, Lucian turned to leave.
Seeing this, the delicate young woman rushed over and hugged his waist. "Lucian, don’t treat your sister like this! It’s just the two of us now, depending on each other. The clan needs you as its head, and the family needs you to carry it forward!"
"Lila, you’re strong enough to shoulder this burden. Why do you have to force me to do things I hate?" His retort made her hands, still wrapped around his waist, tremble.
"If you don’t want to, I won’t make you lead. I can bear the clan’s honor and shame alone. But... Lucian, please don’t leave me. I’ll be so lonely. I don’t ask for anything else—just stay by my side, okay?" Lila’s words were full of deep attachment and dependence.
"Lila, I’m your brother!" Honestly, when he saw Clara clinging to Adrian, Lucian hadn’t laughed. It was because they shared the same problem—except Adrian was lucky. He knew Clara wasn’t his real sister. Even if Clara didn’t know, there was no blood relation, so her crush wasn’t shameful. But for Lucian and Lila, it was different—they were twins, true siblings. That’s why he hated Lila’s unhealthy obsession with him.
"I know, I know..." Lila’s voice softened, her tone suddenly gentle.
"Sis, I’m already married." With that, Lucian pried her hands off and faced her. "I’m already married!"
"But you only pretended to marry her! You did it for Mom and Dad’s sake, not because you love that woman. You just wanted the book, right?" Lila was clearly anxious—though she didn’t know why, she could feel something about Lucian was different this time.
"I love her—so much!" Lucian looked at Lila, his voice full of conviction.
"You... you’re lying, you’re lying..." Lila staggered back two steps, eyes wide in disbelief.
"I’m not lying. I truly love her. Even though I don’t know where she is now, my heart is already with her. I came back this time just to give you the book and tell you—I’m going to find her and follow her forever!" Lucian’s enchanting eyes flashed with determination, stabbing straight into Lila’s heart.
"But... but Mom and Dad told you, before they died, to take care of me..." Lila’s voice broke, and she started crying.
Seeing this, Lucian frowned slightly. "Sis, you’re not that weak little girl anymore. You’re strong now—strong enough to handle anything. Someday, you’ll meet a man who truly loves you."
Truthfully, Lucian understood that Lila’s feelings for him were really just dependence. She was born first, he came right after, but their bodies couldn’t be more different. She was always frail and needed medicine, while he was strong as an ox.
So whenever someone bullied her, Lucian was always the first to protect her. Even after Lila finally recovered, she couldn’t give up his care. That’s how her twisted affection started.
"No, I don’t want any other man—I only want you. Only you truly care about me, only you truly love me. Lucian, please, don’t listen to what others say. I know you care about me, right? Let’s get married—right now, okay?" Lila’s voice trembled with desperation. She just couldn’t stand hearing that he loved someone else.
"Sis, did you hear me? I’m calling you ‘sis.’ We’re brother and sister—real siblings. That’s something we can’t change. But don’t worry, even though I’m married now, you’ll always be my sister, and I’ll always treat you sincerely." Lucian’s tone was firm, each word a clear boundary: she was only his sister.
"No, I don’t want to be your sister… I want to be your woman!" For the first time ever, the usually soft-spoken Lila snapped back, then actually started unbuttoning her clothes.
"Lila, what are you doing?" Lucian’s eyes went wide as she started to do something reckless. He shouted, trying to stop her.
"My figure is definitely better than hers. I’m definitely prettier than her. Lucian, I’ve saved myself for you for twenty years—today, I’m giving myself to you."
"Enough!" Lucian finally exploded, his voice echoing. "Why can’t you understand?"
"Lucian…"
"No, no—I feel no desire for you at all. Only for her!" Lucian’s shout was so fierce that even the lotus buds in the pond trembled.
Lucian’s intense reaction left Lila completely stunned.
"Sis, I love her—really love her. Except for her, I feel nothing for any other woman. Take care of yourself." With that, Lucian turned away, not wanting to say anything more.
"You’re really going to look for her? Didn’t she say she doesn’t want you anymore?" Lila asked, biting her lip, her whole body trembling with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, she doesn’t want me anymore—but I can’t stop wanting her. My heart is still with her. Sis, someday when you truly fall in love, you’ll get it. No matter where she is, I’ll chase her to the ends of the earth." Lucian didn’t look back, but every word was sincere. With that, he strode forward.
----
Seeing this, Lila collapsed painfully to the ground. Just watching his hurried steps, she knew how important that woman was to him. Lucian, how could I not know what it feels like to love someone? It’s a kind of pain—pain so deep you can’t breathe…
----
When Ivy Shen returned to the inn, everyone else was already back. Clara Night rushed over, anxious as ever. "Young Master Jia, where did you go? You scared me half to death!"
"Oh, just went out to take care of something."
"Did you see your relative?"
"Yeah, I saw them." Ivy replied simply, not wanting to deal with Clara’s fussing. She picked up her chopsticks and grabbed a piece of chicken, glancing up at Adrian Night, who was staring at her.
Noticing his weird stare, Ivy Shen frowned. She didn’t like being scrutinized like that, as if he wanted to see right through her. So she flashed a smile, picked up some meat with her chopsticks, and offered it to Adrian Night: "Nighty-boy, you’re so skinny—eat more!"
"Shut up! Did you forget what I told you?" Adrian Night snapped, just as he was about to grill this guy about being a yin-yang freak. But what really threw him off was how much those eyes looked like hers...
He shook his head, quickly shutting down the thought. No way this unruly troublemaker could resemble her, right? He grabbed his teacup and took a big gulp.
"Ah, oh, sorry! I forgot you hate being called Nighty-boy. Fine, I won’t call you that anymore, okay? Cheng-cheng!"
"Pfft—cough, cough, cough!" Adrian Night nearly spat out his tea.
"Brother, are you okay?" Clara Night rushed over and started patting his back.
"Cheng-cheng, you alright? Seriously, how can a grown man choke on tea? You’re so delicate!" Ivy Shen watched Adrian Night’s flustered state, feeling absolutely delighted.
"You... cough—" Adrian Night pointed a trembling finger at her, his eyes blazing like he wanted to eat her alive.
"Well, I’m full! You guys take your time, bye-bye!" Ivy flashed a sly grin and zipped upstairs.
"Brother, are you really okay?" Clara Night was still worried, but she couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Ivy Shen heading upstairs. What’s up with Young Master Jia today?!
"I’m so proud, I’m so proud, la la la la~" Ivy hummed as she headed upstairs, clearly in an excellent mood.
Her antics only poured fuel on Adrian Night’s fire. That sissy—tonight, I’m going to deal with you and show you what happens when you run your mouth!
----
PS: Guys, it’s not that Nighty-boy is dumb and didn’t recognize her—it’s because Ivy Shen changed not just her looks, but her personality too. But as they spend more time together, well, hehe... (Also, the previous chapter was 4,000 words!)