Chapter Six: Surveillance (2)

Fu Chen ignored Shen Huaiqing’s delicate pretense and walked straight out of the bedroom.

Fu Chen didn’t believe in coincidences. That name had to be related to Shen Huaiqing—two identical faces. Could it be that this Shen Huaiqing was an impostor? Had they switched identities? What was the purpose behind such a scheme? Did the Shen family truly adore their daughter so much that they would resort to such extremes? This kind of trickery was bound to be exposed, and once it was, Fu Chen would make certain the Shen Corporation paid the price.

Leaning against the study door, Fu Chen gazed at the tightly shut bedroom door. His dark, luminous eyes were cold as ice. He opened the surveillance videos on his computer, watching as Shen Huaiqing simply sat dazed before the vanity. The dim light made it impossible to see her expression clearly, but her behavior alone told Fu Chen something was amiss. A cold smile curled on his thin lips.

The moment the door closed, the weight pressing on her heart finally eased, and she let out a deep sigh.

From today’s events, it was clear someone by her side was reporting to Fu Chen; otherwise, he could never have learned the name Song Hui. Yet besides herself, the only people present had been Mu Jinghuai and Yu Yunxi.

Mu Jinghuai knew too much. If it was him, Fu Chen would have confronted her openly today, so it likely wasn’t him. As for Yu Yunxi... if she really was the one, then this chess piece had been revealed far too early. Fu Chen was a man of deep calculation; he wouldn’t let himself be guessed so easily.

Indeed, how could Fu Chen make it so simple for her to discover who his agent was? Today had only been a test, a reminder that her every move was under his control.

At this realization, Shen Huaiqing’s confidence deflated. She was utterly led by the nose—he’d seized her weakness, while she knew nothing of his.

The bedroom door opened. Fu Chen entered, holding a small bottle, and knelt on one knee before Shen Huaiqing.

“If you don’t treat it now, it might leave a mark,” Fu Chen said calmly, as unhurried as ever.

His slender, well-defined fingers dipped into the pale yellow lotion and gently smoothed it over the reddened area on Shen Huaiqing’s face.

Her eyes widened in surprise; in the soft, amber light, Fu Chen’s features seemed especially gentle. His expression was earnest, his touch tender, and his fingertips were searingly warm. A flustered look crept over Shen Huaiqing’s face.

“This is soothing. It should be gone by tomorrow,” Fu Chen remarked with a hint of a smile, amused by Shen Huaiqing’s dumbstruck demeanor.

Wasn’t this woman quite the actress just now? Why had she turned to stone?

Seeing her dazed, Fu Chen stood, scooped her up in his arms, and sat on the edge of the bed, settling Shen Huaiqing on his lap.

“What... what are you doing?” Shen Huaiqing was utterly bewildered by this sudden turn of events, her guard up, hands pressing against his chest.

Fu Chen didn’t answer, but the hand at her waist began to move restlessly, tracing slow circles along her back with his fingertips.

Shen Huaiqing immediately stiffened, maddened by the sensation. Yet Fu Chen had no intention of letting her go; his hand paused, while his other decisively removed the hand she’d pressed to his chest, drawing her closer.

“Fu Chen!” Shen Huaiqing squeezed her eyes shut, a flush spreading across her cheeks.

Though she’d teased Fu Chen before, today he was clearly different—and if something truly was about to happen, she found herself shrinking back.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you say before...”

Fu Chen’s gaze was sultry, his magnetic voice low as it rolled from his lips.

“We’re husband and wife, aren’t we?”

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his hot breath making her involuntarily shiver as the room’s temperature soared.

“Fu Chen... do you love me?” Shen Huaiqing’s voice trembled. She opened her eyes slowly, tears threatening to spill, and saw him visibly startled.

“Shen Huaiqing, tell me—what is love?” Fu Chen lifted his head, biting her flushed lips.

“Ow... are you a dog?” she retorted, licking her lips.

The sight was pure temptation in Fu Chen’s eyes. This woman had provoked him time and again, yet now, faced with his counterattack, she recoiled.

“I don’t know what love is either, but I know you don’t love me, do you? Aren’t we just using each other? Why put on an act?” Shen Huaiqing rambled on, unaware that the man beneath her had grown cold.

Suddenly, Fu Chen gripped her jaw tightly.

“And? What else do you want to say?” His voice was glacial, eyes clear and cold as the moon, sharp enough to pierce straight through her.

“I want to say...” Shen Huaiqing narrowed her eyes, leaning close to his ear.

“If there’s another woman in your heart, don’t pretend to be devoted to me.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Fu Chen pinned her to the bed in a swift movement. With one hand, he easily restrained both of hers, giving her no chance to resist.

His face loomed larger in her eyes, his gaze burning—a look whose meaning she knew all too well. She could only turn away, avoiding his eyes.

Fu Chen’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Is that something a wife should say to her husband?”

His voice was husky and tinged with an irresistible allure, every word from his lips addictive—dangerous, yet impossible to resist.

At this moment, Shen Huaiqing hated his face more than ever. If he were less handsome, she could handle him, but this man’s looks were enough to make her lose herself.

Seeing her silent, Fu Chen took her chin in his long fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Despite the cool air conditioning, her face was as hot as boiling water, sweat beading on her brow. Two vivid blushes colored her pale cheeks, making her look both alluring and vulnerable. Her narrow, foxlike eyes had lost all their cunning, replaced by a dreamy, seductive haze.

“Fu Chen, can’t we just cooperate? After all, I know there’s someone else in your heart...” Her voice grew softer, the lack of confidence plain.

“Shen Huaiqing! Let me tell you—this game was started by me, and I decide how it’s played.”

“If you want to set the rules, you’d better have the guts for it.”

Fu Chen’s stern gaze swept over her as he bent down and kissed her.

His lips were soft. As their lips and tongues met, Shen Huaiqing could hear her own heartbeat, feel a warm current flowing through her, her tense muscles slowly relaxing.

In the room, only the sound of their breathing mingled, weaving an ambiguous atmosphere that made the air grow thin. As Shen Huaiqing began to lose herself, Fu Chen finally drew back.

“What’s the matter? Weren’t you bold before? Why so silent now?” The man’s triumphant smile was that of a hunter who had finally caught his prey.

Her pale earlobes flushed bright red. Biting her lip, she mumbled, “You did that on purpose.”

Fu Chen’s rough fingertip stroked her reddened earlobe lazily. “I just wanted to remind you what should and shouldn’t be said—or I’ll make sure you stop talking.”

Shen Huaiqing turned away in protest, muttering, “So domineering.”

Fu Chen promptly moved off her, stood up, and said, “Get changed and get ready for bed.”

Shen Huaiqing was at a loss. She’d been certain she wouldn’t escape unscathed tonight, yet Fu Chen had let her go just like that.

“What? Still not satisfied? Go wash up,” Fu Chen said, amused by her dumbfounded look.

With a jolt, Shen Huaiqing scrambled off the bed and went to the bathroom without another word.