Chapter 75: Let Me Hug You
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The two of them were quiet for a while. Neither spoke—just a pair of lovers in each other’s embrace. Jin Nian was uncomfortable and wanted to return to the driver’s seat, but Lu An refused to let go. He nuzzled her exposed neck, murmuring huskily, “Let me hug you a while more.”
“Lu An.”
“What’s wrong?”
“You still haven’t told me how you found out about Summer Monogatari’s plagiarism?”
Lu An slowly raised his head, his expression one of uncanny seriousness. “Why do you need to know?”
Jin Nian looked like she did not understand Lu An’s question and stared at him blankly. “I’m curious. You’re not the kind of person who would pay attention to something like that.”
“I happen to know the author whose work was plagiarized,” Lu An said, “Her name is Larissa. She’s well known for her boundless creativity; you’d like her work.”
“Will you show me?”
Lu An fished out his phone from his pocket and searched for works by Larissa to show Jin Nian. Jin Nian was at a loss for words when she saw what Lu An had to show her.
“That one person with the Jiang surname believed Larissa was a foreigner, so he plagiarized her work, thinking no one would be any wiser since locals would not have had the opportunity to come into contact with Larissa’s works. Believing he could do as he pleased, he revised Larissa’s first draft and posted it on his private account as if it were his work. By the time Larissa discovered it, Jiang had already gained fame and fortune, whereas Larissa was left with nothing, continuing to struggle as a street artist.” Lu An did not even bother to call Jiang Qingchi by his full name.
Lu An’s revelation blew Jin Nian’s mind away. It was too ironic! To think Jiang Qingchi had plagiarized someone else’s ma.n.u.script, pa.s.sing it off as his own.
“Larissa knew 1 was from China,” Lu An said. “She contacted me when she found out she had been plagiarized. Three months ago, Larissa privately emailed Jiang, hoping he would confess, but he did no such thing, even refusing to apologize.”
Jiang Qingchi had acted wilfully.
Jin Nian gasped, “So that is how it is.”
“Indeed. Larissa’s works are often plagiarized, but this is the first time such a big commotion has happened because of a matter like this. Six years ago, I opened an investment company in Toronto, mainly investing in animation. That was also when I met Larissa,” Lu An said.
“Despite her vast talent, it was a pity she was unwilling to animate a film,” Lu An turned wistful as he described Larissa’s quirks in greater detail. “She said she did not want to be constrained by any particular studio and wanted the freedom to create whatever she wanted. All her creations are driven by instinct; she refuses all commissions with no exceptions.”
It was a small world, or so Jin Nian thought. Who could have known Jiang Qingchi would plagiarize the work of someone Lu An knew? Lu An had spent six years overseas. Jin Nian had no idea what he had been doing, so it was a pleasant surprise to learn that it was for business and that he had invested in the animation industry.
“Have any animations you’ve invested in these six years gained popularity?” Jin Nian asked. Lu An casually mentioned a few notable animations, all familiar t.i.tles to Jin Nian. Her eyes widened in shock. She could not believe Lu An had invested in all those popular film adaptations.
Lu An was never interested in art as a child, so it was quite a surprise he would be involved in the animation industry now.
Jin Nian suddenly recalled a certain detail and asked, “So, 1 know someone sent you a bunch of black roses at our engagement party. Was it from Larissa?”
“White roses would have looked better, but I guess black roses were more meaningful. White roses symbolize purity and innocent love, while black roses are a.s.sociated with demons and hypocrisy,” Lu An intoned. Jin Nian was unsure as to how to respond. “What do you mean? Aren’t white roses better then?”
Lu An smirked, pressing his lips against Jin Nian’s to shut her up. Jin Nian tried to back away, but Lu An gave chase. Their auras intertwined. Instead of talking about unimportant people, they focused on each other, spending their precious time reveling in the kisses they shared. Jin Nian peered up at Lu An and noted the wicked smile slashed across his face. She bit his chin angrily.
Lu An did not seem to feel any pain from her action. It was as if nothing could phase him, free as he was from worldly considerations. He peppered her with kisses and praised her dotingly like they were the best thing he could ever receive from her. “My little piglet… Little Niannian is the best!” In Cantonese, calling someone that way was a form of endearment. Depending on its use, it could be used to scold or praise a person.
Jin Nian’s ear burned, and she turned into putty in Lu An’s arms. Whatever. It was not like she did not enjoy the feeling.
Several pedestrians who were pa.s.sing by gaped at their affectionate display. “Lu An…” Jin Nian whimpered, sounding more than a little embarra.s.sed. Lu An was startled by the sound of her voice. “Does it hurt?” he asked, his voice sounding hoa.r.s.e.
“No, can you kiss me properly? Can you stop kissing me like that?”
Before Lu An could respond, he was interrupted by his phone ringing. It was a call from their chauffeur. He said he had arrived but could not find the car. Lu An gave their driver directions over the phone, telling him the car was parked under a large tree, his words sounding almost like the low growls of a beast. He gently caressed Jin Nian’s back, his velvety baritone sending shivers down her spine. Unlike Lu An, who seemed to have regained control of most of his faculties, Jin Nian felt dizzy and drunk in the heat of the moment..