Chapter 9: Lu Fan's Body Was Stronger Than She Imagined

At the school gate, little You ran toward Lu Fan. The tall man lifted her up with one hand, letting her rest in the crook of his arm while she wrapped her arms around his neck.

It was a perfectly harmonious scene.

The smile on little You’s face froze when she saw Jiang Ruxue. Knowing that Jiang Ruxue did not like her, she whispered, "Mom."

Since giving birth to the child, Jiang Ruxue had never cared for her for a single day. This was her first time at the kindergarten, and her expression was visibly unnatural as she replied, "Hmm."

Lu Fan placed little You in the back seat, and she sat obediently in her safety chair.

As the car started, Lu Fan asked gently, "What would you like to eat tonight, sweetheart? Daddy will make it for you."

"I want sweet and sour pork ribs! Anything is fine as long as there are no carrots."

Lu Fan chuckled. "You can't be a picky eater."

"Daddy, can I just have one piece?"

"Five pieces."

Listening to the father and daughter chatting, Jiang Ruxue felt a disdain she had held for years—she had always thought it pathetic for a grown man to spend his days fussing over a stove. Yet, at this moment, she found the scene strangely heartwarming.

The car arrived at the market, and Lu Fan asked casually, "What would you like to eat?"

Jiang Ruxue named a few dishes. Lu Fan got out of the car, and little You hopped and skipped alongside him—a display of liveliness she never showed in front of her mother.

Jiang Ruxue followed behind them in her high heels, the stench of poultry making her feel quite uncomfortable.

Yet, day after day, Lu Fan would head out before dawn to procure fresh ingredients.

At a single word from her, he would be up before sunrise to brew soup, never once uttering a complaint.

The auntie at the market was familiar with him and smiled kindly. "Little Lu, you’re here to buy groceries again? I specifically saved the tenderloin for you."

"My goodness, Little Lu is not only good-looking but has such a good temperament. I don't know which girl is lucky enough to have a husband like you; it makes one envious."

Jiang Ruxue was stunned. Didn't they think a man who cooked was useless?

While she was lost in thought, a tall man brushed past her and bumped into her. Frail as she was, Jiang Ruxue swayed and began to tumble toward the ground.

"Ah!" she cried out. Before she could recover, a hot, firm arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back with effortless strength.

In a whirlwind, Jiang Ruxue fell into the man’s rock-hard embrace.

Except for that one night—when she had been under the influence of drugs and had clung to a man, only to have no memory of the event upon waking—this was the closest she had ever been to Lu Fan. Her soft hand could easily feel his well-defined chest muscles beneath his thin t-shirt.

The man’s large hand rested on her slender waist, the searing heat radiating through her dress and throughout her entire body.

"Are you all right?" Lu Fan’s deep voice resonated.

Jiang Ruxue met his ink-black pupils, her heart racing.

"I—I'm fine."

Lu Fan released her. "The market is chaotic; it’s no place for you. I’ve finished my shopping."

Jiang Ruxue bit her lip and followed him. She watched as he carried several large bags in one hand and held the child with his injured hand, his stride steady and calm.

Thinking of the searing heat of his body just moments ago, Jiang Ruxue’s cheeks flushed. Lu Fan was much stronger than she had imagined.

In the car, little You asked with concern how his hand had been injured, but Lu Fan did not tell the truth.

"It was just an accident while I was cooking, sweetheart. Don't worry, it will be better soon."

"Then you must be careful, Daddy. It hurts my heart when you get hurt."

Jiang Ruxue realized that Lu Fan had never said a bad word about anyone in her presence. His emotions were stable; he was always so calm.

The image of Shen Qianye shifting the blame onto Lu Fan flashed through her mind, his expression twisted and hideous.

Five years ago, she had the mindset of a young girl, viewing her first love through a rose-colored lens.

But now, she was a mature woman, and she began to question her choices.

Was it really right to kick away the man who had taken care of her for five years, all for the sake of Shen Qianye?

After returning home, Lu Fan went straight to the kitchen to cook for them. Little You was well-behaved, washing the vegetables by his side, the kitchen filled with laughter.

Jiang Ruxue suddenly felt that perhaps this kind of life wasn't so bad after all.

This month was the mandatory divorce cooling-off period; perhaps she should rethink the divorce.

After the meal, Lu Fan tidied up efficiently.

Usually, at this time, he would prepare medicinal water for her to soak her feet. His massage techniques were excellent, and Jiang Ruxue was already prepared for him to attend to her.

After waiting for a long time without seeing him enter, Jiang Ruxue finished her shower, put on a pink spaghetti-strap nightgown, and stepped into the guest room in her white ostrich-feather slippers.

She leaned against the doorframe, her curvaceous figure looking alluring.

Her gaze fell upon him as he crouched on the floor, placing items into a suitcase. Her expression changed instantly. "What are you doing?"

Lu Fan did not look up. "It was too late last night, so I didn't get a chance to pack."

This afternoon, he had picked up the child, bought groceries, and cooked, leading Jiang Ruxue to believe his earlier actions were just a game of hard-to-get.

She had no idea he had already planned his departure.

She was instantly incensed. She grabbed Lu Fan’s wrist. "You are penniless; where are you taking the child? Or is it that you have no way to cure Third Master, and you’re using my father as a scapegoat while you plan to run away?"

Lu Fan sighed at her blame and resentment. "I just felt that since we are divorced, we shouldn't live together. It’s not good for your reputation. I never intended to run away."

Jiang Ruxue realized he was serious, but subconsciously, she didn't want him to leave.

She kicked his suitcase over. "No! Until Master Qin is well, you are not going anywhere!"

Lu Fan was used to her willfulness and did not get angry, instead compromising with a helpless shrug: "Fine, then I will leave in three days."

He had made do for one night, but he couldn't take the child to live at Lin Ziyu’s villa, so he had intended to stay in a hotel.

Over the years, Lu Fan had refined some high-quality medicinal pills for his senior sister to sell on the black market. Lin Ziyu had invested the proceeds for him, and the Lin family alone provided him with significant dividends each year.

He had contacted Lin Ziyu last night, and she had handed him a black card.

He had never cared about material things before, but now, for his daughter’s sake, he had to plan carefully.

He hadn't bothered to check how much money was on it, but given his senior sister’s generosity, he should be able to afford a house.

Jiang Ruxue scoffed, "It had better be that way."

She turned and went back to her room. That night, she lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

She was worried about her father, and at the same time, she was thinking about Shen Qianye and Lu Fan.

Lu Fan sat under the moonlight, channeling his spiritual pulses. As expected, his martial arts spiritual veins remained unresponsive.

Could he have really found the wrong person? Was Jiang Ruxue not his fated partner?

If not, who could that woman be? Where was she now?

Today, a mere first-level security guard had been able to suppress him. Even with his medical skills, if he truly encountered a formidable opponent, how would he protect his daughter?

Lu Fan looked up at the bright moon, his resolve to leave growing stronger.

These five years would just be a mistake; he had to find the woman who could awaken his martial arts spiritual veins as soon as possible!

Jiang Ruxue finally managed to drift off, but she had a dream.

In the dream, Lu Fan was walking away holding the child, never looking back, while she followed him in a state of disarray, shouting his name.

"Lu Fan, don't go!"