Chapter Thirty

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On an autumn morning shrouded in mist, the air was damp and cool. In the distant east, the horizon glowed with the bright light of dawn, painting the sky in a riot of colors. The morning rays pierced through layers of clouds, illuminating the swirling fog, and a few specks of light slipped through the gap in the curtains, landing directly on Shen Huaijing’s eyelids.

Half-awake, Shen Huaijing groped about, only to suddenly touch something soft and furry, which jolted her mind awake. She opened her eyes at once and saw Fu Chen asleep on the floor, leaning against the side of the bed. The pale morning sunlight cast a cold white hue on his skin. His thick brows arched like drawn swords, his lashes dense and long, and his expression peaceful and indifferent.

Why was Fu Chen here? What on earth had happened last night?

Her head felt as if it were being torn apart. She bit her lip hard, struggling to recall something from the muddled fragments of memory. No matter how she tried, her recollection stopped at chatting with the young bartender; after that, everything was a blank.

But she vaguely remembered someone holding her, feeding her water, speaking to her for a long time. The sensation of being given water—the delicate touch—felt a little like Fu Chen.

Half-reclining against the headboard, Shen Huaijing gazed at him quietly. Could it really be him? But how would he know where to find her? And what had he said to her?

Fu Chen, asleep before her, resembled a Persian cat—languid and aristocratic.

Something felt amiss, but she couldn’t figure it out. Now she was full of regret; why had she drunk herself into such a stupor?

The more Shen Huaijing thought, the more irritated she became, raking her hair into a wild tangle in frustration.

Half-asleep, Fu Chen sensed movement on the bed. He struggled to open his eyes. “Hiss—” After sleeping with his arm as a pillow all night, it had gone numb, and he let out a soft groan.

So much had happened last night that Shen Huaijing was embarrassed to face Fu Chen. Awkwardly, she avoided his gaze and said with a mocking laugh, “If you’re uncomfortable, go sleep in the study. Why stay here and make yourself suffer?”

Fu Chen smiled helplessly at her words, a faint trace of amusement on his lips, and spoke as if coaxing a child, “You were the one who wouldn’t let me leave last night.”

Shen Huaijing shot upright in bed, eyes wide, chin raised in disdain. “Impossible! I couldn’t wish more for you to vanish from this house! I’d sooner hold onto a ghost than to you!”

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Fu Chen had never seen Shen Huaijing act so childishly. He couldn’t help but smile, his usually tight lips softening. He replied as if soothing a child, “Alright, I’ll go.”

He struggled to his feet from the floor. His tall frame wavered a little, as if he might collapse at any moment.

Shen Huaijing felt a pang of guilt. After all, she’d been dead drunk the previous night, and Fu Chen had probably had quite a headache dealing with her. She pouted and decided not to kick him out just yet.

Fu Chen seemed to see right through her. Rubbing his brow, he said, “I’m fine. I’ll head out first.”

Shen Huaijing felt a bit deflated. Luckily, she hadn’t just now asked him to stay—otherwise, she would have made a fool of herself. “Hmph!”

Once Fu Chen had left, Shen Huaijing flopped back onto the bed and pulled the covers over her head. Today, she was determined to rest well.

The hangover was miserable. She hadn’t eaten the previous evening, and now her empty stomach ached, her throat felt blocked, and her head throbbed.

Just as she was about to drift back to sleep, Fu Chen’s voice came from outside the quilt.

“Don’t sleep yet. I made you some honey water. Have something to eat and drink before you go back to sleep.” Fu Chen held a cup in his right hand and gently tugged the quilt with his left.

Her throat was dry and uncomfortable, but she didn’t want to accept his kindness, leaving her caught in a dilemma.

She decided to play deaf and dumb, lying perfectly still with her back to Fu Chen, even controlling her breath to be steady and even.

“Shen Huaijing, if you keep this up, I’ll pull the covers off you,” Fu Chen sighed, issuing a final warning.

Shen Huaijing rolled her eyes, full of resistance. Who did he think he was? She refused to get up—if Fu Chen dared to uncover her…

Hmph. Her eyes darted mischievously. She was full of tricks and decided to make life difficult for this arrogant Fu Chen.

With no better option, Fu Chen put the cup on the table and bent down to pull the covers off her. He did so with ease, revealing Shen Huaijing curled up on the bed, still as a cicada in its cocoon.

Just as Fu Chen reached for her, a pair of legs suddenly clamped around his head. Quick as a flash, he caught her slender legs with one hand and pinned her in his arms. His long legs locked hers tightly, leaving her unable to move.

“Still want to try your scissors kick on me?” Fu Chen raised his brows in triumph, a brilliant smile on his face.

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Shen Huaijing wished she could sink into the floor. She’d forgotten that Fu Chen had trained in martial arts. Trying to embarrass him had only turned herself into the biggest joke.

Her stomach rumbled loudly just then, and her face flushed crimson. After all that commotion, she was even hungrier. She hadn’t expected her stomach to betray her at such a moment.

Fu Chen seized the chance to tease her, feigning ignorance. “Was that your stomach?”

“Why ask when you already know!? Get off me! I want to eat!” Shen Huaijing was utterly mortified, shouting without caring about her image.

“Is that how you ask for a favor?” Fu Chen remained unmoved.

Shen Huaijing used all her strength to try to kick at Fu Chen’s weak spot, but no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t free her legs. Her hands were pinned too, so she had only one option…

She suddenly adopted a shy expression, quickly pecked Fu Chen on the face, then turned away. “I’ve already sold my looks. Now get up.”

The smile on Fu Chen’s lips deepened. He let go of her hands, turned her face toward him, and pressed a kiss to her soft red lips.

But Shen Huaijing blocked the kiss with her newly freed hand. “Dream on!” Her fox-like eyes sparkled with cunning, triumphant in her little victory.

Of course, Fu Chen wouldn’t let her get away. He brusquely tossed her hand aside, pinned her head, and kissed her fiercely. This time, unlike before, his kiss was lingering and rough, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

At first, Shen Huaijing resisted, writhing and twisting away, but Fu Chen’s slow, relentless advance found all her sensitive spots. Gradually, she unwittingly hooked her arms around his neck.

When Fu Chen finally released her, her lips were swollen. Seeing her arms still draped around his neck, he teased, “Want more?”

Shen Huaijing pinched him hard, then licked her lips. “More, my foot! You go from kissing Lin Yiqing to kissing me. Shameless.”

“Don’t mention her when we’re together,” Fu Chen’s smile vanished instantly, and his expression turned cold.