"What… what was that?" he stammered, his voice laced with disbelief. "She was… she was going to…"
Jian placed a calming hand on Lu Siyan's shoulder. "Siyan, it's alright," he said, his voice reassuring. "There was a misunderstanding. Lu Suying was just… helping me."
Lu Suying, her expression serene, offered Lu Siyan a cup of tea. "Please, Siyan," she said, her voice gentle, "have some tea. It will help you relax."
Lu Siyan, still hesitant, accepted the tea. He looked at Jian, his eyes searching for answers. "But… but the phone call… and the police…"
Jian sighed. "Siyan, there was a misunderstanding. I was just… a little startled, that's all. Lu Suying was just being… helpful."
He glanced at Lu Suying, a subtle nod of gratitude passing between them. Lu Suying smiled, her expression unchanged.
Jian then steered the conversation in a different direction. "So, Siyan," he said, his voice casual, "tell me about your life. What have you been up to?"
Lu Siyan, eager to change the subject, launched into a detailed account of his recent experiences. He described his encounter with Su Luqi, his initial impression of her as a "tech nerd," and then his surprise at seeing her again as a "taxi driver."
He recounted his lucky stock purchase, his voice filled with excitement. "And then the stocks… they just skyrocketed!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide. "I've made a fortune!"
He then mentioned his investments in Apex Innovations, his voice filled with pride. "I'm telling you, Jian," he said, "this is going to be huge!"
Jian listened intently, his expression a mixture of amusement and calculation. He watched Lu Siyan's every move, his every expression. He noted the way Lu Siyan spoke about Su Luqi, the almost frantic enthusiasm in his voice.
"Let's not go against Su Luqi," Jian thought.
It was clear that she had a powerful hold over him, a hold that Jian was beginning to understand.
As Lu Siyan continued to talk about Su Luqi, his voice filled with an almost childlike enthusiasm, Lu Suying's gaze softened. She focused on his face, studying his features with an intensity that went beyond simple observation.
His eyes, his smile, the way he tilted his head when he spoke – there was something… familiar about him. Something that tugged at her heartstrings, a faint echo of a distant memory.
She recalled her little brother, lost years ago. She remembered his laughter, his mischievous grin, the way he used to follow her around, his eyes filled with adoration.
Lu Siyan's face, in that moment, held a striking resemblance to her brother. A ghost of the past flickering in the present.
A wave of emotions washed over her – a poignant mix of sadness, longing, and a flicker of hope. She quickly suppressed it, her expression returning to its usual serene composure.
She offered him a gentle smile, her voice soft. "Siyan," she said, her voice laced with a newfound tenderness, "you seem very… fond of this Su Luqi."
Her eyes lingered on his face, searching for a deeper connection, a hidden truth.
"Fond?" Lu Siyan echoed, a flush creeping up his neck. "Fond is… an understatement. She's… amazing! She's smart, she's strong, she's… she's everything!"
He gestured wildly, nearly knocking over his teacup. "And she's a taxi driver! How cool is that?"
Lu Suying's gaze remained fixed on his face, her expression gentle. She noted the way his eyes lit up when he spoke of Su Luqi, the almost reverent tone in his voice.
"Indeed," she said softly, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "A taxi driver. How… unconventional."
"Unconventional is her middle name!" Lu Siyan exclaimed, his enthusiasm undeterred. "She's not like anyone I've ever met. She's… real."
"Real?" the AI interjected, its voice a dry monotone. "As opposed to… what? Imaginary friends? Holographic companions?"
Lu Siyan ignored the AI's comment, his attention focused on Lu Suying. "She just… gets me," he said, his voice softer now. "She understands things that no one else does."
Lu Suying nodded slowly, her eyes still searching his face. "And what, precisely, does she understand?" she asked, her voice a gentle prod.
"Everything!" Lu Siyan exclaimed, his hands gesturing wildly. "She understands… stocks, she understands… people, she understands… me!"
"Understanding," the AI chimed in, its voice laced with sarcasm. "A highly subjective concept. Especially when applied to… romantic infatuations."
Lu Siyan shifted uncomfortably, his enthusiasm slightly dampened. "It's not an infatuation," he mumbled, his gaze dropping to his teacup. "It's… it's something more."
Lu Suying's expression softened. She reached out and gently touched his hand, her touch light and reassuring. "Siyan," she said, her voice soft, "you seem very… happy. And that is a good thing."
Her eyes, however, held a hint of sadness, a fleeting glimpse of a past she couldn't quite grasp. She knew she had to learn more about this Su Luqi. She had to understand what held such a strong hold over Lu Siyan.
"Someone's having a… heart-to-heart," the AI whispered, its voice laced with amusement. "Or perhaps just a… subtle interrogation?"
As Lu Siyan continued to gush about Su Luqi, Jian observed the interaction between him and Lu Suying with a keen, analytical eye. He noted the subtle nuances in their expressions, the unspoken communication that flowed between them.
He paused, his gaze shifting between Lu Siyan and Lu Suying. He had seen them together before, of course, but it was only now, as he watched them interact, that he truly noticed the similarities. There was a striking resemblance between them, a shared bone structure, a similar curve to their smiles. He estimated a 60 percent facial similarity.
"How strange," he mused internally. He then noticed the similar names, Lu Siyan and Lu Suying.
He also noted the way Lu Suying interacted with Lu Siyan, the gentle touch, the soft tone of her voice. It was… maternal. Almost.
"Interesting," he thought, his mind racing. "Very interesting."
He watched as Lu Suying gently touched Lu Siyan's hand, her expression softening. He saw the way Lu Siyan responded, his initial enthusiasm replaced by a quiet vulnerability.
"She has a hold on him," Jian thought, his gaze narrowing. "A strong one."
He wondered what Lu Suying's true intentions were. Was she genuinely concerned for Lu Siyan? Or was she manipulating him, using his emotional vulnerability to her advantage?
"Someone's having a… family therapy session," the AI whispered, its voice laced with amusement. "Or perhaps just a… subtle game of emotional chess?"
Jian ignored the AI's comment, his mind focused on the subtle dynamics playing out before him. He knew that Lu Suying was not to be underestimated. She was intelligent, powerful, and she had a hidden agenda. He had to tread carefully.
He decided to subtly probe Lu Siyan's feelings. "Siyan," he said, his voice casual, "you seem very… attached to this Su Luqi."
He paused, his eyes scanning Lu Siyan's face. "What is it about her that… captivates you so?"
"Captivates me?" Lu Siyan repeated, his brows furrowed in thought. "It's… it's hard to explain. She's just… different. Like she sees things that other people don't. And she's not afraid to say what she thinks."
He paused, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "And she's… she's not impressed by money or power. She sees me for who I am."
"And who is that, Siyan?" Lu Suying asked, her voice soft, her eyes searching his.
Lu Siyan hesitated, his gaze dropping to his teacup. "I… I don't know," he mumbled. "But she makes me want to find out."
Jian nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "That's… admirable," he said, his voice laced with sincerity. "It's good to have someone who… challenges you."
He glanced at Lu Suying, a subtle understanding passing between them. They both knew that Lu Siyan was vulnerable, easily influenced. But they also knew that he was capable of great things, if he could find the right direction.
"Someone's having a… philosophical debate," the AI whispered, its voice laced with amusement. "Or perhaps just a… subtle attempt at character analysis?"
Lu Siyan shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting between Jian and Lu Suying. He felt a strange sense of… exposure, as if they could see into his soul.
He decided to change the subject. "Well," he said, his voice forcedly cheerful, "I should probably get going. I have a lot to do."
He stood up, his movements slightly awkward. "Thanks for the tea," he said, offering Lu Suying a polite smile. "And… thanks for listening, Jian."
Jian nodded. "Anytime, Siyan," he said, his voice warm. "Just… be careful."
Lu Siyan nodded, his expression slightly confused. He turned to leave, then paused, looking back at Lu Suying. "You know," he said, his voice hesitant, "you remind me of someone."
Lu Suying's expression remained unchanged. "Oh?" she asked, her voice soft. "And who might that be?"
"I don't know," Lu Siyan said, shrugging. "Just… someone."
He then turned and left, closing the door behind him.
As soon as Lu Siyan was gone, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Jian and Lu Suying exchanged a knowing glance.
"He's… easily influenced," Lu Suying said, her voice laced with a hint of concern.
"And easily manipulated," Jian added, his voice thoughtful. "But he's also… capable. He just needs the right guidance."
"Guidance," the AI echoed, its voice laced with amusement. "Or perhaps just a… subtle form of control?"
***
Departures and Deceptive Plans
After Lu Siyan left, Jian turned to Lu Suying, a reassuring smile on his face. "I'll be back shortly," he said, his voice calm. "Just a few errands to run."
Lu Suying nodded, her expression serene. "Be careful, Jian," she said, her voice soft. "And don't be too long."
Jian left the apartment, his movements smooth and efficient. He quickly made his way down to the street, where he spotted Lu Siyan walking away. He pulled up alongside him in a sleek, dark vehicle.
"Siyan," he called, his voice friendly. "Need a ride?"
Lu Siyan, surprised, turned around. "Jian?" he said, his expression relieved. "Yeah, thanks."
He climbed into the car, settling into the comfortable seat.
As they drove, Jian's phone rang. He answered it, his voice calm and professional.
"Lin Yue," he said, his voice neutral. "Yes, it's me."
"Jian!" Lin Yue's voice crackled over the line, laced with frustration. "Where are you? Why didn't you tell us you were taking a month's leave?"
"I've found… someone," Jian said, his voice laced with a hint of romanticism. "I need some time to… explore this new chapter in my life."
"Someone?" Minhao's voice echoed in the background, laced with disbelief. "You're leaving us for a woman?"
"Traitor!" Mei added, her voice sharp. "You're abandoning us!"
"I'll be back in a week," Jian said, his voice firm. "I promise. But you'll have to wait. I'll take all of you then."
"A week?" Lin Yue's voice softened slightly. "That's… that's not ideal."
"I know," Jian said, his voice apologetic. "But it's necessary. And I will need you all to agree for the week wait."
There was a moment of silence, followed by a collective sigh.
"Fine," Lin Yue said, her voice resigned. "But you owe us big time."
"And what about the kidnapping?" Lin Yue asked.
"That can wait," Jian said.
"Thank you," Jian said, his voice sincere. "I won't let you down."
He ended the call, a faint smile playing on his lips. He turned to Lu Siyan. "So," he said, his voice casual, "where to?"
"Anywhere," Lu Siyan said, his voice enthusiastic. "A library? A tech expo? Or… I know! There's an upcoming cricket match. And I happen to know… it's going to be fixed."
He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "I have all the details," he said, his voice conspiratorial. "Every run, every wicket, every ball. We could make a fortune!"
Jian's smile widened. "A fixed match?" he said, his voice laced with amusement. "How… convenient."
"Where is it?" Jian asked.
"There is a betting place. It's a secret place." Lu Siyan replied.
"Perfect," Jian said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Let's go."
They both grinned, a shared sense of excitement filling the car. Jian drove off, his mind already calculating the potential profits. The betting place was actually owned by Jian, and he would use Lu Siyan to hide his own involvement.