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◎Yue Jincheng almost gritted his teeth, “What, do you want to have a publicly funded romance?”◎
Fu Jiaxi successfully added Yu Yanqing on WeChat, but this method was something even she hadn’t expected.
Well, everything served the purpose of work; the pretense of romance was merely a means to achieve her goals.
Before bed, Fu Jiaxi reviewed the day’s events—calmly, objectively, with a hint of cold-bloodedness.
When had emotions become so insignificant in her world?
The next day, she sent Yu Yanqing an information dump about Baifeng Group’s situation and cooperation intentions.
But this man was also quite slippery.
He didn’t reply for two hours, and just before the end of the workday, he sent a message: “Sorry, I’ve been in meetings all day. I’ve received the materials and will study them. Let’s learn and exchange ideas together.”
Fu Jiaxi: “...”
Who wants to learn with you? She was discussing business cooperation.
In other words, Yu Yanqing had no intention of discussing collaboration.
Over the next few days, Fu Jiaxi tried sending him two more messages.
He employed a delay tactic, leaving her hanging for a few hours, then replying blandly, “Sorry, I was very busy today.”
He pretended not to understand—it was clearly uninterested.
Fu Jiaxi stopped bothering him.
A week passed before she sent another message.
“Hello, Grandma made some osmanthus cakes by hand. She asked me to bring you a portion.”
Shifting from business to personal connections, and invoking Zhou Xiaojun’s name, Yu Yanqing had no reason to refuse.
At JW Hotel, Fu Jiaxi met with Yu Yanqing.
He had been staying at a hotel since returning to the country? That was unexpected.
Fu Jiaxi handed over the cakes. “The osmanthus by the fishpond bloomed early this year. These are from the first night’s fallen flowers. Grandma collected them and made these.”
Yu Yanqing accepted them with both hands, waited for a while, and asked, “Do you have anything else to say?”
Fu Jiaxi blinked mischievously. “Yes.”
The slight flicker of emotion on Yu Yanqing’s face instantly smoothed out. He knew it was just another clever pretense.
The next moment, Fu Jiaxi sincerely said, “Grandma says it’s been two years since she last saw you and wonders if you’ve changed. If you meet again, she wants to make you a plate of chilled drunken flower snails to try.”
This was Yu Yanqing’s favorite dish. Tugging at sentimentality, it was impossible for him not to be moved.
And just like that, Fu Jiaxi successfully arranged a second meal with him and secured ample time to properly introduce her business.
The only guilt she felt was using Zhou Xiaojun’s name. Fu Jiaxi thought of herself as a fraudulent trickster.
Upon hearing that Yu Yanqing would visit, Zhou Xiaojun was overjoyed.
“He is the grandson of one of my hometown sisters. His parents passed away early, and he has been through a lot. Later, after my youngest sister passed away from illness, there was no one left to care for him. Seeing how pitiful he was, I found him a foster family.”
That family, unable to have children due to health issues, treated Yu Yanqing as their own, forging a bond of kindness.
Unfortunately, during Yu Yanqing’s college entrance exam year, his foster parents died in a car accident.
From then on, Zhou Xiaojun became the only elder he cared for.
After listening to the story, Fu Jiaxi remained silent for a long time.
Zhou Xiaojun patted her hand. “Grandma knows you’ve endured hardships. Treat everything with sincerity, and there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”
Yu Yanqing’s visit was scheduled for Saturday.
This was also Family Day for Yue Jincheng, Fu Jiaxi, and their son. Every Saturday, the three of them would return to Manyuan to have dinner with Zhou Xiaojun.
Zhou Xiaojun was delighted. “Perfect, it’ll be lively today.”
Upon hearing there would be a guest, Yue Jincheng was puzzled. “Do I know him?”
Zhou Xiaojun replied, “You don’t, but Jiaxi does.”
Yue Jincheng looked at her, confused.
Fu Jiaxi calmly said, “Yu Yanqing.”
Yue Jincheng: “...”
In the afternoon, Yu Yanqing arrived at Manyuan as promised.
Zhou Xiaojun was thrilled, holding his hand and asking questions enthusiastically.
Yu Yanqing stood tall, handsome, and when speaking to Zhou Xiaojun, his eyes smiled warmly.
Fu Jiaxi couldn’t help but remark inwardly—he wasn’t always an ice-cold face after all.
“Jiaxi, come here,” Zhou Xiaojun said. “You’ve already met, so there’s no need to be shy. Treat him like a good friend.”
Fu Jiaxi suppressed a laugh, leaned in, and whispered, “Isn’t Grandma quite the worldly character, like a female version of Zhou Botong?”
Yu Yanqing’s lips faintly curved upward.
Fu Jiaxi was pleasantly surprised. “Ah, this is the first time you’ve smiled at me.”
Yu Yanqing instinctively tried to suppress his expression.
“But I think you look even more handsome when you’re not smiling,” she said.
Pausing for a moment, Yu Yanqing’s smile finally broke free, unrestrained.
Dinner was a harmonious blend of meat and vegetables, exuding the warmth of home-cooked meals.
After finishing his English video class, little Jia Yi bounded downstairs to find his mother.
Yu Yanqing observed him curiously.
Fu Jiaxi affectionately patted the little one’s head and openly introduced him. “This is Jia Yi, my son.”
Yu Yanqing rarely looked stunned.
Today, however, he broke his usual composure—this was the second surprise in a short while.
Little Jia Yi looked around. “Where’s Daddy?”
Liu Shu, who was setting up bone plates, took the opportunity to explain to the guests, “Mr. Yue is handling some business matters and can’t join us for dinner.”
Meanwhile, inside the prayer room.
A certain Mr. Yue sat at the desk, transcribing scriptures. His expression resembled rusted iron, and his mood was far from calm.
Zhou Xiaojun had forbidden him from entering the front hall, so he couldn’t see the esteemed guest, Yu Yanqing.
She remembered that day when looking at photos—Fu Jiaxi had lingered on this man’s image longer than the others.
Transcribing scriptures calmed the mind and purified it.
• Attachment to worldly things gives rise to greed.
• Greed leads to suffering.
As he finished the last stroke, Yue Jincheng could no longer control his grip. The ink bled through the paper, ruining the beautifully written calligraphy.
He placed the brush back on the stand, frustration still lingering, and looked up at the Buddha.
After a moment of gazing, Yue Jincheng knelt heavily back onto the cushion, flipped to a new page, and began copying the scripture again earnestly.
Meanwhile, the dining atmosphere was pleasant.
Grandma Zhou inquired with concern about how he was eating abroad, how his work was going, and whether he had a girlfriend.
Yu Yanqing smiled faintly and simply said that he was busy with work.
After speaking, his gaze subtly swept over Fu Jiaxi.
After dinner, they took a walk in the courtyard to digest their food. The koi in the pond were well-nourished, vibrant reds and golds shimmering in the crystal-clear water.
Fu Jiaxi handed him a dish of fish food and asked directly, “Our company has a massive annual procurement volume for raw materials, and there’s significant room for operational risk exposure. I’m curious—why don’t you want to collaborate with Baifeng?”
Yu Yanqing replied, “It’s not about you. For now, I just don’t want to work.”
Assuming it was an evasive excuse, Fu Jiaxi decided to cut to the chase. “We can discuss compensation and dividends in detail.”
“No discussion,” he said. “Money is the least of my concerns.”
“…”
The conversation hit a wall. For a fleeting moment, Fu Jiaxi even thought of dragging Yue Jincheng into this battle against such blatant arrogance; the two of them would make quite the spectacle.
“So, when do you plan to start working?”
“I haven’t thought about it.” Yu Yanqing leaned casually against the railing, leisurely tossing fish food into the pond. “Maybe I’ll retire.”
“You’re still one month away from your thirtieth birthday.”
“Good background check.” Yu Yanqing grew even more relaxed, his slender fingers playing with the fish food. “Tell me, what else do you know about me?”
“I also know that you’ve been away from home for many years and are unfamiliar with things here after returning. I know you want to find some time to explore around.” Fu Jiaxi said, “Since we can’t talk business, how about discussing a day trip to Yunjin? I’ll be your tour guide, how does that sound?”
Yu Yanqing’s gaze turned serious as he scrutinized her.
“No need to look at me like that. No tricks—it’s free guiding.” She spoke honestly.
Yu Yanqing laughed. “Do the fish Grandma Xiaojun raised have such big appetites? A whole bag of fish food, and they’re still not full.”
“It’s just an excuse to talk to you more—I gave you so much fish food on purpose.” Fu Jiaxi reached out and took away the remaining fish food. “Stop feeding them, or they’ll burst.”
Yu Yanqing was the most difficult person Fu Jiaxi had encountered since re-entering the workforce.
Liu Yun even advised her to give up. “There are other excellent research teams in the country. If the east doesn’t shine, the west will. Let’s make other arrangements.”
“These are tickets to the Suzhou Financial Summit. Run an errand tomorrow.”
Fu Jiaxi didn’t want to give up. “Group Leader Liu, please give me a little more time.”
Liu Yun thought for a moment and agreed. “Alright.”
“By the way, Group Leader Liu.”
“What else is there?”
“Can the activity expenses for ‘fishing for Yu’ be reimbursed?”
Liu Yun chuckled at her vivid analogy and waved his hand. “I can’t decide that. When I report next time, I’ll ask President Yue.”
—
In the past few days, Liu Yun approved her fieldwork.
On Wednesday, Tour Guide Fu officially went online.
Yu Yanqing wore casual sportswear. Fu Jiaxi asked, “Where do you want to start? The museum, art gallery, CBD business district? Or revisit your elementary school to see if we can dig up any dark history?”
Today, Fu Jiaxi was dressed casually too—in wide-leg jeans, a white T-shirt tucked into her waistband, her hair flowing down her back in soft curls. Up close, one could catch a faint citrus scent.
Yu Yanqing rejected all options. “Let’s go rock climbing.”
Fu Jiaxi: “...?”
What a headache.
Her original plan was to use a more static activity to casually bring up the topic of collaboration again. Now, everything was ruined.
Yu Yanqing loved outdoor activities—mountaineering, long-distance running, skiing.
The rock-climbing site Fu Jiaxi took him to was located more than forty kilometers away, featuring natural rock walls over a kilometer in length and extremely challenging climbs.
Yu Yanqing immediately set his sights on it. “I’ll climb this. Together?”
“No, I don’t want my son to be motherless.”
Yu Yanqing laughed.
Fu Jiaxi studied him for a moment. “Have you noticed something?”
“Hmm? What?”
“You’re smiling a lot today.” Fu Jiaxi said. “You must be satisfied with Tour Guide Fu’s service. Don’t forget to tip after the climb.”
Yu Yanqing’s smile deepened.
She waited in the rest area, having no interest in this kind of sport.
A staff member who also worked as an instructor—a young German man—came over to promote additional services.
“We’ll capture his climb from various angles, take snapshots, and edit them into a refined video.”
“How soon can we get the footage?”
“Before 8 p.m.”
Fu Jiaxi found it reasonable. She planned to forward it to Yu Yanqing later, giving him a surprise and creating another opportunity to talk about work.
On the rock wall, Yu Yanqing felt great. He enjoyed challenges.
The fresh scent of the forest filled the air, and the blazing sunlight bathed every inch of exposed skin. Fully immersed in nature, he felt exhilarated.
Not long after, a figure appeared on another rock face a few routes away.
From what he remembered, there hadn’t been anyone else when he started. At this speed, it seemed the other climber was also an experienced rock-climbing enthusiast.
Yu Yanqing turned his head to greet them.
The other person was looking at him too.
From a distance, their features weren’t clear. Overall, the person wore pure black sunglasses, a tight-fitting dark gray mountaineering outfit accentuating their broad shoulders and muscular arms. Every movement revealed striking lines under the fabric.
The sunglasses masked their eyes, but their nose, lips, and brows—all were taut, offering no hint of friendliness. Their expression was cold and unfriendly.
Yu Yanqing swallowed his greeting.
He continued climbing, while the climber beside him nearly matched his pace step by step.
For every inch Yu Yanqing climbed upward, the other person ascended two inches. He was fast, but the other was faster. From afar, it didn’t look like exercise—it resembled a fierce competition.
And just like that, Yu Yanqing found himself inexplicably dragged into a race, panting heavily, his body aching, and his heart pounding near its limit.
The two stayed neck-and-neck, neither yielding.
In the final thirty meters, Yu Yanqing missed a foothold and slipped slightly. The other person seized this half-second gap, moving as swiftly as lightning, and reached the summit first.
Turning back, their gaze fell downward, their chest muscles trembling with exertion.
Their explosive power, stamina, and athleticism were astonishing—he had climbed himself pale.
The only constant was the cold, frosty hostility in their gaze toward Yu Yanqing.
“Wow, so fast?!” Fu Jiaxi was shocked, repeatedly confirming the time—it was nearly half an hour earlier than expected. “This climb is very difficult. It’s okay to give up halfway; safety comes first.”
Yu Yanqing: “...”
Exhausted from the physical exertion, he had no interest in wandering around anymore, and they ended their day early.
Fu Jiaxi was stunned. “I planned to take you to many places.”
Yu Yanqing said, “No need, thank you. I won’t skimp on the tour guide fee.”
In the afternoon, she could only return to work at the company.
Liu Yun consoled her, “Yu Yanqing has a proud and aloof personality—common among traders—and isn’t easy to break through. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
Fu Jiaxi felt a bit defeated.
Liu Yun handed her the ticket to the Suzhou Financial Summit again. “Think it over yourself—whether to go or not—and give me your answer tomorrow.”
Fu Jiaxi took it and asked, “Group Leader Liu, didn’t you go to President Yue’s office today?”
Every Wednesday afternoon was the routine time to report market trends to the president.
“President Yue wasn’t available. Secretary Jiao said he accidentally sprained his shoulder this morning.”
Avoiding the office, Fu Jiaxi went to the restroom and sent a WeChat message to Yue Jincheng.
“Where did you sprain yourself?”
However, he didn’t reply for a long time.
In the evening, Fu Jiaxi kept checking her phone, unlocking it, scrolling a bit, and then turning it off again.
“叮——” A new WeChat notification.
She quickly opened it but found it was from the German instructor at the rock-climbing club.
“Photos, videos, edited versions—please check.”
“Received, thank you.”
Fu Jiaxi regained her focus, shifting her attention. She hurriedly forwarded these to Yu Yanqing.
A small surprise—he would definitely be pleased.
Fu Jiaxi casually flipped through the photos, one by one.
Yu Yanqing looked great on camera, almost identical to in person.
Suddenly, her finger paused, frowning as she quickly scrolled back.
The fifth photo—a side-angle shot of him climbing—showed another climber in the frame.
Though blurred by light and shadow, it wasn’t hard to discern the other climber’s appearance and physique.
Fu Jiaxi zoomed in, examined it closely, confirmed it—it was Yue Jincheng.
—
Tan Mansion.
Yue Jincheng hadn’t expected Fu Jiaxi to come.
He thought it was Jiao Rui delivering medicine, so he opened the door when he heard the bell.
Fu Jiaxi stood at the door, arms crossed, calmly observing him.
Yue Jincheng was alone at home, dressed casually without much care. Plus, with a sore shoulder, he paid even less attention to dressing properly. He wore an open-front robe, leaving his throat to abdomen exposed.
It was also because Fu Jiaxi wasn’t wearing high heels—if she were, her line of sight would have been higher, clearly revealing the contours of his abs.
“Did you go rock climbing?” Fu Jiaxi closed the door behind her, watching him move awkwardly, and frowned. “Did you strain a muscle or fracture a bone? Did you see a doctor? Where are your X-rays?”
Her rapid-fire questions gradually relaxed Yue Jincheng’s tightly furrowed brows.
He brushed it off with a hum, saying, “My shoulder hurts.”
They walked into the house. The living room was spacious, especially the floor-to-ceiling windows, curtains fully drawn back, revealing the dazzling night view of the CBD business district.
“It’s Wednesday today. Why did you go rock climbing?” Fu Jiaxi was puzzled.
“I’m the president. On Wednesdays, I can do whatever I want.” Yue Jincheng sounded a bit petulant.
Fu Jiaxi made an acknowledging sound.
Unexpectedly, Yue Jincheng suddenly asked, “You were out on fieldwork today?”
“Mm, I took Yu Yanqing there to climb too,” Fu Jiaxi said. “I took some pictures and recorded videos of him, and coincidentally, I captured you as well.”
There was a sudden silence for a few seconds.
Yue Jincheng let out a mocking chuckle. “So, you even filmed him?”
“I paid for it. I hired that German instructor there to do the filming.”
Yue Jincheng’s sarcastic expression immediately returned to normal.
“Do you need to apply medicine? Let me help you.” Fu Jiaxi noticed a pile of medicine on the marble table.
Yue Jincheng lay face down on the sofa, turned his back to her, and proactively unfastened his robe, pulling it off halfway to expose his shoulder and arm.
The living room was lit only by warm-toned strip lights, designed without a main chandelier, resembling a glowing treasure box. The soft lighting accentuated the texture and lines of his skin.
Pain-relief ointment, dabbed onto his fingertips, warmed slightly before being applied to his shoulder.
Yue Jincheng let out a faint hiss, a small intake of breath.
“Hurts?” Fu Jiaxi immediately eased her grip.
Yue Jincheng remained still, unable to move or speak.
How long had it been since those tender fingers touched him, held him, or felt anything... he couldn’t remember. But now, his heart and body reacted like an impulsive teenager, easily stirred.
He hoarsely murmured, “It’s fine.”
Fu Jiaxi continued.
His firm muscles, distinct bones, broad shoulders half-bare, spine deeply grooved and strong.
As she massaged, Fu Jiaxi secretly marveled at how many boxing classes he must have attended. His physique remained outstanding year-round, maintaining a youthful and healthy state.
“It hurts.” Yue Jincheng suddenly spoke up.
“Hmm? Where does it hurt?” Fu Jiaxi asked.
“Everywhere hurts.” Yue Jincheng turned his face to the right, muttering, “Who goes on fieldwork and takes another man rock climbing?”
The force on his shoulder instantly slackened, and the person behind him fell silent and still.
Yue Jincheng swallowed hard, jealousy spreading across his lips, unwilling to let it out unless he spoke.
He sat upright, his robe completely undone, hanging loosely around his waist.
Half of his body, bathed in neon light, radiated raw masculinity.
“Jiaxi...” Yue Jincheng’s gaze burned intensely as he called her hoarsely. “We...”
Fu Jiaxi suddenly came to her senses. “Right, you reminded me.”
Yue Jincheng was momentarily stunned. “What?”
“The expenses for treating Yu Yanqing to meals, art exhibitions, rock climbing, park visits, and bookstore trips—will the company reimburse me for those?”
“…………”
Yue Jincheng nearly gritted his teeth. “What, are you planning to have a publicly funded romance?”
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