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◎She climbed onto him and gently wrapped her arms around his neck.◎
“You’ve both arrived.” Fu Jiaxi’s tongue seemed to stumble as she spoke, “What a coincidence. Let’s have lunch together then.”
Both Yue Jincheng and Yu Yanqing looked at her but didn’t respond.
Yuan You was the most adaptable. Knowing Yue Jincheng’s wealth and power, he couldn’t flatter him enough. “Sister, how could you not invite Brother-in-law inside after he’s come all this way? If you won’t invite him, I will.”
He enthusiastically greeted Yue Jincheng but didn’t ignore Yu Yanqing either. “This gentleman, join us too.”
Fu Jiaxi assumed that given Yu Yanqing’s personality, he would decline.
“Sure, thank you for having me,” he said instead.
The living room suddenly felt crowded and stifling.
“Eat, eat some fruit,” Xu Fang repeated awkwardly several times.
Yuan Dingguo also felt constrained, even avoiding direct eye contact with Yue Jincheng.
In reality, Yue Jincheng had never put on airs with them. Before his divorce from Jiaxi, every time he visited, he was always courteous, warm, and approachable. However, his family background and demeanor were truly intimidating. When Yuan Dingguo first heard the name of Yue’s company, he had his son secretly look it up online. Counting the zeros in its market valuation kept him awake all night.
“This is… uh, would you like an apple?” Yuan Dingguo stuttered.
Fu Jiaxi quickly introduced everyone. “This is Yu Yanqing, our business partner. This is my uncle, aunt, and cousin.”
Yu Yanqing smiled and greeted them politely, “Hello, Uncle and Aunt. Sorry for the trouble. I’ve heard Xin Cha’s scenery is beautiful, and now that I’m here, I can see it lives up to its reputation.”
Fu Jiaxi was surprised and looked at him with newfound respect.
Her gaze seemed to say, So you can speak Chinese after all.
“The cultural tourism development in Xin Cha has been systematic and professional. The team behind it is young, and the person in charge is about your age. If you’re interested, we can arrange a meeting over dinner for Teacher Yu to learn more,” Yue Jincheng calmly suggested.
“About my age? Don’t say that, Yue. You’re not old—let’s consider ourselves peers,” Yu Yanqing responded calmly.
Fu Jiaxi lowered her head and chuckled unexpectedly.
Good, he was back to the Yu Yanqing she knew.
When she looked up again, she realized both men were staring at her. Their gazes were heavy with unspoken pressure and deep suspicion.
“Well, I’ll go buy groceries. Please don’t mind if it’s just a simple home-cooked meal,” Xu Fang pretended to search for her wallet.
“It’s getting late, Aunt Xu, and you’ve already worked hard,” Fu Jiaxi said. “Let’s eat out.”
Yuan You naturally agreed, “Sure…”
But Yuan Dingguo pulled him back forcefully and glared at him.
Xu Fang smoothly continued, “Alright, Xixi, enjoy their company. We’ll buy some nuts and head back later.”
Once outside the house, the polite smiles of the three disappeared almost simultaneously.
An oppressive silence settled.
Yue Jincheng broke the silence first. “Let’s go to Kouchunlou—their saltwater duck is quite good.”
Fu Jiaxi retorted, “There hasn’t been a Kouchunlou for years—it was demolished long ago.”
Yue Jincheng was speechless.
Yu Yanqing chuckled softly, amused by someone else’s failed attempt to act familiar while he himself felt perfectly comfortable.
“Mushroom soup, salt-and-pepper chicken, one roasted duck, and these two hot dishes. Is the steamed pork fresh?” After ordering, Fu Jiaxi confirmed with the owner, “No scallions in the mushroom soup or these two dishes.”
Yue Jincheng unconsciously straightened his back and lifted his chin slightly, glancing at Yu Yanqing with subtle intent.
He didn’t specify who disliked scallions.
The small-town restaurant couldn’t produce exquisitely plated dishes, but the portions were generous, and the flavors leaned heavily on spices.
Yue Jincheng ate only a few bites before setting down his chopsticks.
Fu Jiaxi encouraged him, “Try this dish—it looks spicy, but it’s actually mild.”
Yue Jincheng was picky about food. “I don’t want to eat anything that looks spicy.”
“Then order something else,” Fu Jiaxi offered generously as the host.
But Yue Jincheng interpreted this as unique tolerance toward him.
Soon, Fu Jiaxi added a mixed vegetable dish and ordered pine nut shrimp.
“One dish is enough,” Yue Jincheng said.
“The other is for him,” Fu Jiaxi gestured toward Yu Yanqing. “I remember your fridge has many boxes of frozen shrimp.”
Yu Yanqing nodded. “Mm.”
“Right,” Fu Jiaxi called the owner back and instructed, “No scallions in the pine nut shrimp—he doesn’t eat them.”
Yue Jincheng’s voice turned cold. “Teacher Yu doesn’t eat scallions either?”
Yu Yanqing nodded. “Correct.”
Fu Jiaxi rolled up her sleeves, satisfied with the taste of the dishes. “How coincidental—you two are quite similar.”
Yue Jincheng and Yu Yanqing simultaneously appraised each other.
Their gazes were like icy waters flowing down from snow-capped mountains in the east and west.
They didn’t find it coincidental or similar—only mutual disdain and refusal to acknowledge the other.
Yue Jincheng nearly snapped his chopsticks in frustration. This meal was far from pleasant.
After dinner, Fu Jiaxi said, “I’ll find a hotel and get you rooms.”
Yue Jincheng replied, “It must have been tiring driving all the way here, Mr. Yu. You should rest early.”
Fu Jiaxi caught the implication in his words and frowned. “Are you not staying at the hotel?”
“I…”
“Don’t tell me you want to sleep at Uncle’s place?” Fu Jiaxi stated firmly. “That’s unrealistic. Uncle’s back isn’t good, the bed is small, and you’d crush him if you shared. Even sleeping on the floor isn’t an option—Yuan You occupies the space.”
“…”
Yu Yanqing chimed in, “She’s right. As guests, we shouldn’t disturb the hosts too much, President Yue. Let’s stay at the same hotel—we can have breakfast together.”
Yue Jincheng discreetly clenched his fists behind his back, but his expression remained gentle. “Mr. Yu’s personality is so cheerful, why not book a double room? During your stay in Xin Cha, you’ll definitely be inseparable—breakfast, lunch, and dinner companions.”
This wasn’t just about sharing meals; it was clearly an alternative form of surveillance.
Such an eccentric arrangement was completely unacceptable to Yu Yanqing, who was used to living alone.
Fu Jiaxi returned just after eight o’clock.
Yuan Dingguo glanced behind her. “Isn’t Jiayi’s father coming anymore?”
“They’re staying at the hotel to rest early.”
Xu Fang sighed in relief. She was somewhat intimidated by Yue Jincheng, so his absence suited her just fine—no awkward conversations.
“I noticed Jiayi’s father seems quite attentive toward you,” Yuan Dingguo commented, habitually coughing due to his poor lungs. “For the sake of the child, do you think there’s any chance you two might…?”
Fu Jiaxi interrupted, “Uncle, the two boxes of tea I brought you are pretty good. Don’t sell them—keep them for yourself.”
Xu Fang sighed at the right moment. “Old Yuan, it’s heartbreaking how much money he spends on medicine every month. He can’t bear to spend on nice things and just wants to save some money for himself. And Yuan You… this child is truly a troublemaker, lazy and uneducated since he was young. But… what can we do about it?”
Fu Jiaxi interrupted her again, cutting straight to the point. “Aunt Xu, each generation has its own destiny.”
“That’s true, but they’re still our children.”
“So? What can you really do about it, Aunt Xu?”
Fu Jiaxi asked bluntly, her tone calm, leaving no room for Xu Fang to find emotional resonance.
Xu Fang’s expression turned awkward, and she couldn’t continue voicing her true feelings.
Yuan Dingguo went to bed early; the bedroom lights were off before ten o’clock.
After finishing his shower, Yuan You came out wearing only athletic shorts, his upper body bare, lean like a monkey. He lay on the floor mattress, legs propped up, completely disregarding his appearance.
When Fu Jiaxi walked out after her shower, she was startled.
Yuan You let out a strange laugh. “Sister, I didn’t offend you, did I?”
Fu Jiaxi focused on drying her hair. “Whether you offended me or not, you know best.”
She didn’t want to revisit all those broken memories from childhood.
Yuan You sat up abruptly with an acrobatic move. “My mom just wanted you to ask Brother-in-law to help me find a good apprenticeship or job. Why won’t you let her?”
“I’ll let her, alright,” Fu Jiaxi hung the towel on the clothes rack and used a hanger to hang it outside the window. “But you need to understand something—Yue Jincheng may be wealthy and capable, but he’s no longer your brother-in-law. Lastly, here’s a tip: stop calling him ‘brother-in-law’ all the time—it makes you look like a monkey.”
Yuan You was enraged. “If you’ve got guts, don’t sleep in my room! Get out and sleep elsewhere!”
Fu Jiaxi gave him a nonchalant glance. “If it weren’t for my parents asking me to stay here, I wouldn’t even step foot into this dirty place.”
He was on the verge of losing his mind when his loud shout began. Xu Fang, wearing a coat, emerged from the bedroom. “What’s wrong with you tonight? Let your sister rest!”
Fu Jiaxi closed the door and locked it.
Outside, Yuan You continued to vent his anger by complaining.
Xu Fang argued with him for a few moments before lowering her voice to quietly console him. “She’s only staying for two days. Can’t you pretend to behave for once…?”
The room had been cleaned, and the bedding was new, but Fu Jiaxi couldn’t sleep well, tossing and turning. She eventually drifted off but woke suddenly, hearing the sound of the doorknob turning. Highly sensitive to that sound, she bolted upright, sitting stiffly.
Moonlight painted the walls, cold and chilling.
Everything in the room was quiet except for the pounding of her heart.
Fu Jiaxi ran her hands through her hair, cupping her head as she closed her eyes heavily.
She barely slept that night and woke up early the next morning. Stepping out of the bedroom, she found Yuan You still snoring on the floor while Xu Fang and Yuan Dingguo were busy preparing food in the kitchen.
“Waking up so early? Did you sleep well? Was it cold last night?” Xu Fang asked warmly.
“Not cold. I slept well.”
Yuan Dingguo said, “Your aunt and I thought about inviting Jiayi’s father and your friend over for a home-cooked meal. They’ve come such a long way, and guests deserve proper hospitality. Though our conditions are modest, we shouldn’t neglect the basics of hosting.”
Their sincerity made it hard for Fu Jiaxi to decline.
Around ten o’clock, assuming they would be awake by then, she called both men separately.
At the Xin Cha Shenlong Grand Hotel.
Yue Jincheng timed it perfectly, arriving earlier to avoid running into the other guest in the opposite room.
Receiving the call at ten, he spent half an hour getting dressed.
As he opened the door, Yu Yanqing was just stepping out of his room.
They caught sight of each other, both dressed in fresh outfits.
Yue Jincheng: “...”
Yu Yanqing: “...”
Same thoughts, same slightly awkward expressions.
“Shall we take one car?” Yue Jincheng broke the silence.
“Yes,” Yu Yanqing agreed. “Energy-saving and environmentally friendly.”
When the two stepped out of the car, the lively sunlight sketched their figures. Yue Jincheng’s skin appeared slightly more radiant than Yu Yanqing’s—his sharp contours and taut skin complemented his classic sunglasses, exuding a powerful aura.
Yu Yanqing, usually reclusive and spending most of his time indoors analyzing charts, had a colder complexion. His silver-rimmed glasses suited his calm demeanor, resembling deep green moss quietly growing under the shade of a tree.
Both men walked toward Fu Jiaxi simultaneously.
Beside them, Yuan You chuckled mischievously. “Sister, which one will you choose as your new brother-in-law?”
Fu Jiaxi ignored him.
“The old hasn’t left yet, and the new can’t arrive.”
Fed up with this idiot, she kept her distance.
The table was filled with dishes, almost overflowing. Yuan Dingguo and Xu Fang were very hospitable.
They exchanged polite pleasantries, careful not to say anything inappropriate.
With these two men seated, their presence radiated a sense of distance, as if they were here to observe local customs.
Elegant attire, worlds apart.
Xu Fang discreetly observed. Though Fu Jiaxi had grown up in this small town, sitting between the two men, she didn’t seem inferior at all. There was a certain composure about her—subtle, unassuming, yet possessing a strong backbone.
Though Xu Fang had her opinions, she couldn’t deny that people needed to venture out, experience life, and broaden their horizons.
Yuan Dingguo held communal chopsticks, hesitating several times to serve the guests but ultimately shrinking back.
Yue Jincheng took the initiative, standing up to serve dishes for him and Xu Fang. “You’ve worked hard. Please eat more.”
Yuan Dingguo was flustered, clumsily trying to stop him, nearly burning his hand in the process.
Fu Jiaxi remained calm throughout, neither helping her uncle recover nor stopping Yue Jincheng’s kindness.
Yu Yanqing, however, caught her attention multiple times.
This man usually ate sparingly, with almost no appetite. But today, he kept eating, already on his third bowl of rice. Pleased with the praise for her cooking, Xu Fang kept encouraging him. “If you like it, come often.”
Hearing this, Yu Yanqing seemed to enjoy his meal even more, likely heading for a fourth bowl.
After the meal, as they cleaned up the dishes, Fu Jiaxi whispered a reminder, “That’s enough. Don’t draw attention to yourself. You don’t need to wash the dishes.”
Yu Yanqing obediently withdrew his halfway-extended hand.
Yuan Dingguo, having drunk some wine, loosened up and became less reserved in entertaining the guests.
Xu Fang carried sun-dried quilts into the house, struggling with the heavy pile.
“Let me help.” Yue Jincheng, being closer, took them from her.
“Such a bother, thank you. Just put them in the room where Jiaxi sleeps.”
The door was half-closed. After entering, Yue Jincheng casually closed it behind him.
Fu Jiaxi leaned against the windowsill, basking in the sun while playing on her phone. Quickly stepping forward, she offered assistance. “Just leave them here for now.”
The cotton fluff from the bedding clung to him, and Fu Jiaxi plucked several strands off.
Standing close, the faint scent of her perfume lingered in his nostrils.
“There’s too much. I can’t get it all off—dry cleaning is probably best.”
“You’re not reimbursing me?”
“You decided to play the good guy; deal with the consequences yourself.”
Yue Jincheng knew about her strained relationship with her uncle’s family and simply smiled without arguing.
Fu Jiaxi continued basking in the sunlight, making no move to rush him out.
Yue Jincheng glanced around the room. “Yuan You’s room?”
“Mm.”
“Where did you sleep as a child?”
“I didn’t have a room. I slept in the living room where the dining table is now.”
After their marriage, Fu Jiaxi rarely brought him back to Xin Cha. Even when she did visit, she wouldn’t stay long at her uncle’s house.
“What’s Yuan You doing these days?”
“Nothing productive—a drifter.”
“He doesn’t work?”
“He tried delivering food for a few days but quit because he thought it was too tiring.”
In the room stood an old-fashioned cabinet. The middle shelf held various odds and ends, along with a few scattered books.
Yue Jincheng pulled one out—it wasn’t any proper book, just a banned adult magazine bought from a roadside stall.
Flipping through it casually, the first thing he saw was a scene involving four people,尺度之大 (extremely explicit), making Yue Jincheng frown deeply.
“Such books are kept in plain sight, and his parents don’t say anything?”
Fu Jiaxi found it unsurprising. “He’s always been like this. When he was eleven or twelve, he gathered a group of middle schoolers to watch porn DVDs at home. He broke the DVD player and blamed it on me, claiming it was my fault. Aunt Xu didn’t hit me, but she called me unlucky and accused me of being a burden.”
Yue Jincheng’s frown deepened further, and then something occurred to him. “When he caused trouble, were you at home?”
“Yes. I hid in Aunt Xu’s room. They turned the volume up loud, so I stuffed my ears with paper balls. Later, he knocked on the door and offered me snacks. I didn’t open it. Then those friends of his laughed and said, ‘Come on, let your sister come out.’“
Yue Jincheng’s face tightened, and the fingers gripping the magazine turned pale.
A bunch of perverted brats.
“If I didn’t go out, after a while, they started kicking the door violently. So now, whenever I hear a ‘bang’ or the sound of metal scraping, I instinctively get tense and my breathing quickens.” Fu Jiaxi recounted her teenage experiences very calmly, like still water devoid of vitality.
Yue Jincheng walked over and gently hugged her.
Fu Jiaxi didn’t resist. Her chin brushed against the collar of his coat, carrying the dry, dusty scent of fabric.
Silence spoke volumes of the pain words couldn’t express.
Even the embrace was hesitant, afraid of triggering bad memories.
“President Yue, this doesn’t seem like your usual style,” Fu Jiaxi teased lightly.
“Hmm? What’s my usual style?” Yue Jincheng lowered his head, brushing against her hair.
“The kind who remains composed, a true gentleman.”
Since she had provoked him so much, it seemed wrong not to do something.
Yue Jincheng leaned down further, his face closer, softly seeking a kiss.
But Fu Jiaxi turned her head away and casually pushed him back, her tone innocent. “You scared me.”
Yue Jincheng played along. “Alright.”
Then, with a look of deep resentment, he took a step to leave.
“You’re leaving just like that?” Fu Jiaxi kindly reminded him that he was still holding the magazine featuring the explicit foursome.
Yue Jincheng tossed the book onto the floor in disgust and sat heavily on the bed, legs spread apart, his posture domineering and charismatic.
This didn’t seem like an act anymore.
“Are you really angry?”
Yue Jincheng ignored her, turning his face away, refusing to look at her.
“No, I was joking,” Fu Jiaxi approached him. “Besides, you hugged me without my permission.”
Before her words faded, Yue Jincheng suddenly extended his leg, hooking her and pulling her toward him.
Fu Jiaxi lost her balance and fell solidly onto his body.
His legs were strong, gripping tightly. His eyes burned like smoldering flames, silently gazing at her.
It was a silent battle of wills, neither willing to back down first.
With his physical advantage, Fu Jiaxi couldn’t break free. Stubbornness surged within her, fueled by the intensity of his gaze, and under the heat of passion, reason surrendered.
Fu Jiaxi stopped struggling and instead settled herself onto Yue Jincheng’s lap.
She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. In their locked gaze, the barriers of time seemed to shatter, leaving only...
A lucid indulgence and the raw desires of the heart.
Fu Jiaxi lowered her head, and Yue Jincheng tilted his face upward.
The kiss began wordlessly, fiercely.
Their tongues clashed like weapons, direct yet entangled, soft overcoming hard. The silent duel unfolded like a pantomime, but the emotions ran wild and uncontrollable.
________________________________________
In the living room.
Yuan Dingguo enthusiastically peeled fruit for Yu Yanqing.
Yu Yanqing politely accepted and tasted it carefully.
He found the orange quite good. Peeling it released a fresh, sweet citrus fragrance into the air. The orange was sweet, juicy, and he discreetly tucked one into his palm, thinking to save it for Fu Jiaxi to try later.
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