#34: Embrace

◎Wow! My dad is hugging my mom! Oh yeah, oh yeah, it’s like New Year’s here!◎

At the age of twenty-two, Fu Jiaxi didn’t have many fantasies about physical intimacy.

It seemed that her understanding of sex had always developed later than others.

Her parents passed away when she was young, and she grew up in her uncle’s house. Her uncle was taciturn, leaving all household decisions to her aunt. Fu Jiaxi lived cautiously, avoiding mistakes, constantly thinking about how to be a “well-behaved” person.

The factory where her uncle worked wasn’t doing well, unable to pay bonuses. Her aunt never smiled and often mocked them with cold words. Her uncle silently endured, his only outlet being smoking behind the trash bins in the freezing wind.

The first time Fu Jiaxi got her period, she didn’t dare ask her aunt for money to buy sanitary pads. Instead, she stuffed tissue paper in her underwear. But the flow was heavy, soaking through her pants, and Yuan You saw it, laughing loudly and shouting out the window: “Mom! There’s blood on her pants! So much blood—it’s disgusting!”

It was after dinner, and many children were playing in the courtyard, bursting into laughter.

Xu Fang chased her son, scolding him, “You little brat! Have you no shame!”

Fu Jiaxi huddled in the corner, trembling, her eyes red like a rabbit’s.

Xu Fang scolded her angrily, “Why didn’t you tell me? Now everyone’s laughing at you.”

The onset of menstruation, the initial changes in her body, were defined as a shameful joke.

Later, she started dating Yue Jincheng when she was twenty-two.

Their first date was at an upscale Western restaurant.

Fu Jiaxi had stomach and head pain, and something felt off. She went to the restroom and realized her period had come earlier than expected.

Haunted by the shadow of her adolescence, she found it hard to speak up. She told him she didn’t feel like eating and suggested they try again another time.

Yue Jincheng didn’t ask why, just told her to sit for a while while he stepped out.

Before leaving, he gently placed his coat over her legs.

Five minutes later, he returned with a bag.

“Take a look—do you see anything you usually use? If not, I’ll go buy more for you.”

Inside the bag were over a dozen different types of sanitary pads.

The colorful or cartoonish packaging dissolved into Fu Jiaxi’s tear-filled eyes.

Later, their relationship stabilized, and they had been dating for over three months.

Fu Jiaxi noticed that, at times, Yue Jincheng’s gaze would grow deep and quiet—when she wore short skirts, tank tops, or white lace-trimmed socks.

She asked, “Do you dislike these things on me?”

Yue Jincheng, who was driving, didn’t answer. He crossed the intersection, found a safe spot, and pulled over.

Once the car was parked, he unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, and kissed her.

All of Fu Jiaxi’s firsts were initiated by him.

When kisses became routine, Yue Jincheng’s demeanor changed again.

Fu Jiaxi could feel the changes in his body—strong, abrupt, even to the point where he had to loosen his belt with one hand to avoid discomfort.

Seeing how uncomfortable he was, Fu Jiaxi whispered timidly, “Should I… touch it?”

Yue Jincheng thought her clumsy attempts were inadequate and guided her instead, introducing her to the hardness of reefs and the depth of desire in the ocean.

“Jiaxi,” Yue Jincheng nuzzled her shoulder, sounding pitiful. “If it doesn’t come out, I won’t feel comfortable.”

“Hmm, then what should we do?”

Yue Jincheng kissed her earlobe and asked softly, “Can I stay? I promise I won’t mess up your hair.”

True to his word, not a single strand of her hair was pressed down. Instead, it flowed like a waterfall, mingling with splashing water, then wrapping tightly around his muscular arms like a turbulent stream rushing up and down.

At this moment, Yue Jincheng’s gaze was the same as it had been back then.

His desires remained, and so did his sincerity.

But Fu Jiaxi no longer regarded these as supreme acts of devotion.

“There’s no bed here for you. If you really miss our son, you can sleep in the children’s room with him. His hair is short—you won’t mess it up.”

________________________________________

Entering November, the year-end work phase began, and everyone became busy.

Yu Yanqing had given two hedging suggestions. Liu Yun and Fu Jiaxi prepared a plan, and when they showed him the first draft, he offered no feedback, only showing Fu Jiaxi the market trend chart.

“It’s been 18 hours since I gave my suggestion. The overseas markets are already open, and the domestic market is about to start pre-market trading. After I review it, you’re still going to present this plan to the company. Opportunities only last a few hours, even minutes. What’s the point of this?”

Yu Yanqing tossed the proposal in front of her and walked away to feed the cat, his face cold.

Fu Jiaxi stared at the fluctuating main line graph—red and green shifts, rises and falls—and froze in place.

“If you’re going to do it, do it properly. Following rules and procedures isn’t wrong, but competing in the market is inherently abnormal. You need to prioritize, understand your goals, and know what you want. Don’t live in confusion.”

Yu Yanqing pinched Orange Juice’s chubby face. “I only provide research advice. In the future, there’s no need to show me these.”

Fu Jiaxi had an epiphany and rushed back to Bofeng.

Negotiating with Jin Ming and Yue Yunzong was undoubtedly difficult. Liu Yun wasn’t good at arguing and quietly endured criticism.

Fu Jiaxi refused to back down, risking accusations of overstepping her bounds to argue her case.

With her comprehensive professional expertise and fierce determination, she left her opponents speechless.

The hedging plan was implemented based on Yu Yanqing’s judgment. Two days later, copper prices plummeted, with an intraday drop of 6.2%. When Bofeng’s downstream factories exported their finished products on schedule, they weren’t affected by the price drop. Combining both accounts—futures and spot—they even made excess profits.

At the board meeting, Yue Yunzong tried to gloss over the success lightly. But a sharp-eyed director bluntly praised Liu Yun and mentioned his protégé.

“What’s her name again?”

“Fu Jiaxi.” Jiao Rui pronounced the name clearly.

“Congratulations, Sister Jiaxi! You were praised at the meeting.”

“Our entire department benefited from your achievement.”

Fu Jiaxi smiled faintly, graciously accepting the goodwill and compliments.

The next day, she submitted a Proposal for Profit Targets and Profit Distribution to Jin Ming.

Jin Ming flew into a rage, throwing the proposal on the ground. “You’re getting greedy! Writing so much—I only see two words: money!”

Fu Jiaxi responded calmly, “Since implementing the hedging strategy has created market benefits, those involved in executing it naturally have the right to make requests.”

“This isn’t a request—it’s boasting!”

Jin Ming used his authority to reject Fu Jiaxi’s proposal.

After this incident, she had thoroughly offended him. Liu Yun, upon learning about it, partly blamed her for acting without consulting him and partly for her rashness.

Fu Jiaxi saw things clearly. “Chief Liu, you’re an excellent person in every way—loyal professionalism, solid expertise, meticulous and serious work ethic. But you’ve overlooked one thing: your legitimate rights.”

When Yu Yanqing heard about this, his reaction was muted.

Yue Shaoheng was at a loss, trying to console her. “It’s alright, I’ll handle it.”

Fu Jiaxi growled under her breath, “Don’t speak!”

At that moment, all the commotion outside the door was abruptly silenced by a commanding voice.

Even through the door, Yue Jincheng’s voice was unmistakable.

“Shaoheng is already at the table. You should all go and eat.”

“Big Brother.”

“President Yue.”

“Cousin.”

Yue Jincheng carried an authoritative presence, and though he wasn’t particularly warm or close with his siblings, his words were obeyed without question. Everyone quickly dispersed, leaving behind an eerie silence.

The unnatural quiet lingered for over ten seconds.

Finally losing patience, Yue Jincheng’s voice grew sharp outside the door. “Are you waiting for me to kick the door down?”

“Squeak—”

A weak sound emerged from the lifeless stillness.

The door was open, but Yue Shaoheng didn’t move. He stood rigidly in the doorway, unwilling to yield or give up his position.

The brothers locked eyes, their silent confrontation intense.

Yue Jincheng’s clenched fist was ready to strike, while Yue Shaoheng’s straightened spine signaled his determination to settle old scores along with new grievances.

In that split second—right before the tension could snap—

Fu Jiaxi, who had remained silent until now, suddenly covered her mouth and stumbled toward the door.

She crouched in the corridor, her head bowed, unable to suppress dry heaves.

“Jiaxi!” Yue Shaoheng, overcome with concern, rushed toward her.

Yue Jincheng intercepted him mid-stride, shoving him back forcefully. “Yue Shaoheng!”

Yue Shaoheng stumbled and fell but quickly scrambled to his feet, determined to reach her again.

Yue Jincheng’s cold, sharp gaze resembled a blade, his hatred and murderous intent palpable.

Just then, Fu Jiaxi’s trembling hand reached out, weak and shaking, as she called out, “Yue Jincheng.”

Her instinctive search for support in a moment of vulnerability betrayed her true feelings.

Yue Jincheng gripped her hand tightly, his heated palm soothing her panicked mind.

As her stress response gradually subsided, Fu Jiaxi took deep breaths, her heart still racing like a chaotic melody.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her lips quivering as she tried to pull away from Yue Jincheng’s grasp.

Yue Jincheng loosened his grip—but only for half a second.

That brief pause allowed him to adjust his hold, lifting her into his arms and carrying her downstairs without hesitation.

The previously cheerful and lively gathering of family and friends fell silent.

Over a dozen pairs of eyes turned toward them, filled with confusion, speculation, and curiosity.

For a moment, the scene froze like a paused script.

“Yue Jincheng, Yue Jincheng, put me down!”

“Don’t move.” Yue Jincheng’s hand supported her icy waist firmly, his tone icy. “Can’t you see I’m angry?”

The happiest person there was undoubtedly Yue Jiayi. Jumping up from his seat, he bounced around excitedly, shouting loudly, “Wow! My dad is hugging my mom! It’s my dad, it’s my mom!! Oh yeah, oh yeah, it’s like New Year’s here!”

The most troubled, however, was Zhou Xiaojun. She sighed inwardly, dissatisfied. “There’s something brewing… Hmph, I still think Xiao Yu is better than Xiao Yue.”