#39: Roses

◎Another kind of all-out life.◎

Yue Jincheng’s imposing demeanor was intimidating, but it seemed he still felt it wasn’t enough.

Fu Jiaxi’s shirt hem was lifted, and his palm, scorching hot, moved gently from the base of her spine upward. This made Fu Jiaxi waver, hesitating on the boundary between acceptance and resistance.

Next, his hand moved to her side, gripping it lightly—slightly firmer than before. Her sides were more sensitive, so too light a touch would tickle her; he needed to assert more presence.

Yue Jincheng was intimately familiar with her body, treating it almost as an extension of himself.

Fu Jiaxi could clearly feel the contrast between them—strength and softness at two extremes, each reveling in their own way.

She pushed against him, but he didn’t budge.

Finally, she bit down hard, causing Yue Jincheng to wince in pain. His rationality returned, but his desire remained honest. He pressed her head down and fiercely kissed her for over ten seconds before stopping.

Fu Jiaxi gasped for breath like a fish stranded on land, nearly suffocated by the weight of sand and mud.

Yue Jincheng raised his hand to touch the corner of his mouth, the blood on his fingertip dark red.

“How am I supposed to go out like this?” he asked hoarsely.

“Then don’t go out,” Fu Jiaxi turned around, adjusting her breathing. “Just stay here and read your dirty novels.”

Yue Jincheng chuckled softly—it was indeed impossible to leave immediately.

Aside from the split skin on his lips, he glanced downward, noticing something even harder to explain.

—

“Want an orange?”

Fu Jiaxi was startled. As soon as she stepped out of the room, Yu Yanqing handed her an orange.

Her face flushed slightly, and she appeared somewhat flustered, unlike her usual self.

Yu Yanqing’s gaze probed.

Fu Jiaxi accepted the orange, brushing past him. “You’re such a cruel person, feeding your cat. Thanks.”

“The cat food you bought last time—it wouldn’t eat a single bite.”

“Then starve it for three to five days; don’t spoil it.” Fu Jiaxi said, “Good habits are spoiled by indulgence. Look at me—I’ve been watching your mood all day, ignored whenever you felt like it. That’s why my adaptability is so strong; I can live off leftovers and still reach a hundred years old.”

Yu Yanqing wanted to laugh. “What leftovers? Didn’t I just give you an orange?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the half-open door swung open again, and Yue Jincheng walked out.

He immediately saw the scene of the two chatting and laughing.

Yu Yanqing’s sharp eyes instantly noticed the fresh wound on Yue Jincheng’s lips—it stood out vividly.

Yue Jincheng slightly tilted his chin, as if making sure Yu Yanqing noticed, then deliberately pressed on the wound, frowning resentfully at Fu Jiaxi’s back.

Someone as perceptive as Yu Yanqing probably already had an idea of what happened.

Yue Jincheng’s provocation and show of dominance were blatant.

The orange was indeed sweet, and Fu Jiaxi devoured half of it in one go. The thirst-quenching juice slowly calmed the heat in her throat.

“Which scenic spots do you plan to visit?” she asked Yu Yanqing. “Do you have a plan?”

Yu Yanqing looked at her. “Can you be my tour guide?”

When Yu Yanqing spoke politely and softly, he was incredibly endearing.

Fu Jiaxi didn’t want to stay here anyway and readily agreed, “Sure.”

Yue Jincheng hissed sharply—the split skin on his lips throbbed painfully.

Distracted, Fu Jiaxi suggested, “We’ll climb the tea mountain this afternoon. There are three or four nice scenic spots along the way. Do you want to join us?”

It was agreed that she would guide both of them, but when they started climbing, she became the one struggling to catch her breath.

Fu Jiaxi rested every few steps, looking up at the towering flight of over a hundred stone steps in despair. Leaning on her legs, she panted, “I remember climbing this mountain before—it wasn’t this hard.”

“When was that?”

“Two, three, four years ago?” Fu Jiaxi mused. “Could the mountain actually grow taller every year?”

“It’s not the mountain growing taller—it’s your physical condition declining due to lack of exercise.” Yu Yanqing turned back.

Yue Jincheng also retreated a few meters. “If you’re tired, climb slower. We’re not in a race.”

With that, both of them extended their hands toward her simultaneously.

Yue Jincheng’s hand was long and slender, with evenly proportioned knuckles and faint calluses from boxing lessons.

Yu Yanqing’s hand resembled that of an aristocrat—pale, smooth, and model-worthy.

The mountain breeze rustled the leaves, and everything seemed frozen in place. Even the birds on the branches stopped chirping, peeking out to watch the human spectacle below.

Neither Yue Jincheng nor Yu Yanqing withdrew their hands, silently competing, stubbornly waiting for a result.

Fu Jiaxi remained calm, taking both hands and letting them pull her up together.

Climbing up the northern slope of Xin Cha, this trail was not open to tourists, rarely visited, and offered beautiful scenery. At the Wengong Temple, known for its blessings of wealth and fortune, Fu Jiaxi told Yu Yanqing, “Kneel and pray a few times—your trading returns will double.”

Under the thousand-year-old pine trees, absorbing their spiritual energy, she then told Yue Jincheng, “Touch the tree trunk, and next year your group’s stock value will soar.”

At Liming Spring, Fu Jiaxi enthusiastically urged both of them, “The locals call this the Fairy Well. Drink a couple of sips—it sharpens the mind and makes you cleverer.”

Yue Jincheng curved his lips, suppressing a smile.

Seeing her earnest introduction, it seemed disrespectful not to take a sip.

They had forgotten to bring water before starting the climb, so it was perfect for quenching their thirst.

Yue Jincheng squatted by the well, cupping his hands to drink a few mouthfuls. It was indeed refreshingly sweet with a lingering aftertaste.

Continuing upward, the three walked side by side, leaving no space between them.

Yu Yanqing discussed recent news and data updates with Fu Jiaxi, analyzing a few points about the market after the opening.

Fu Jiaxi was very interested, unconsciously leaning closer to him.

Yue Jincheng took out his phone, and soon, Yue Jiayi’s crisp, youthful voice rang out loudly, “Dad!!”

Fu Jiaxi immediately shifted her attention, leaning toward Yue Jincheng, almost pressing against him.

“Sweetie!”

“Mommy!”

Yue Jiayi was ecstatic, chattering excitedly about how he dominated the entire ski resort with his skills.

Yue Jincheng and Fu Jiaxi exchanged a smile, then both gazed at their son on the video call. Their expressions softened into a shared tenderness and patience.

In this moment, their secret joy belonged only to the two of them.

Yu Yanqing’s hand by his side curled slightly. If he wanted to, he had countless ways to make Fu Jiaxi look at him. But his thoughts felt sealed, and no matter how hard he tried, the words wouldn’t come out.

There was still half an hour to the summit, and Fu Jiaxi mustered her strength, finally reaching the top in a near-death state.

“This mountain must pale in comparison to others you’ve seen.”

Yu Yanqing had been unusually quiet during the second half of the climb, so Fu Jiaxi initiated conversation. “Every unfamiliar place is a landscape—it’s all the same wherever you go.” Then she asked, “Is your family home close to here?”

“After my parents passed away, I stayed with my uncle’s family,” Fu Jiaxi said. “I don’t even remember where our house was—it’s probably gone by now.”

Yu Yanqing paused for a moment and softly said, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Fu Jiaxi shrugged. “I barely remember what my parents looked like, and it’s a shame we don’t have any photos of them.”

Unconsciously, Yu Yanqing stepped closer to her. “Then I’m a little luckier than you—I still have a photo of me and my mom when I was four or five years old, holding her hand. Do you want to see it?”

“Sure!” Fu Jiaxi leaned over as Yu Yanqing scrolled through his phone album.

He didn’t hesitate and simply let her browse through it.

Most of the photos were screenshots of market trend charts—red and green lines fluctuating up and down. They were dry, cold, and orderly, perfectly matching Yu Yanqing’s demeanor.

“Huh, you don’t take travel photos?” Fu Jiaxi asked curiously.

“No, I always travel alone.”

“What about scenery?”

“If there’s a view I like, I can just go back again later—I don’t need to take pictures of it.”

“Have you been to many places?”

“More abroad. I’ve rarely been back to China in recent years, so I haven’t visited many places here.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“The Gongga Mountains, Xiaoxiang Ridge, and the Sichuan-Tibet route are the places I most want to visit.”

Yu Yanqing’s traveling style was unique.

At the bottom of his album were a few rare photos from daily life.

A quick glance revealed that most of them were of his chubby cat, Orange Juice.

Finally, there was an old, faded color photo. The woman in the photo appeared to be around thirty, with striking features and a radiant beauty that stood out in a crowd.

“Your mom is so beautiful,” Fu Jiaxi exclaimed.

Yu Yanqing handed his phone to her.

“Actually, your facial features resemble hers quite a bit.”

“But you always say I’m aloof and hard to approach.”

“That’s because you grew into someone different.”

Yu Yanqing was speechless.

Fu Jiaxi hid her mischievous smile—it was all on purpose.

The two chatted while flipping through the photos, exchanging subtle expressions at just the right moments. The scene was harmonious and friendly.

Yue Jincheng’s soft sigh broke the atmosphere.

One hand rested against a tree trunk for support, his brows slightly furrowed, and his face pale.

“What’s wrong?” Fu Jiaxi quickly returned the phone and rushed to him.

Yu Yanqing almost dropped his phone in surprise.

“It’s nothing, just a little pain,” Yue Jincheng forced himself to straighten his back.

“Where does it hurt? Your stomach? Your stomach?” Fu Jiaxi asked.

Yue Jincheng shook his head, gritting his teeth and pretending everything was fine.

“Is it because you drank the spring water earlier? It might not have been clean,” Fu Jiaxi teased. “You really went all out to become smarter, huh?”

“...” Yue Jincheng had no response.

There was a volunteer station at the summit, and Fu Jiaxi went to check if they had any painkillers.

The mountain breeze came and went intermittently. The vast mountains stretched endlessly, birds chirped continuously, and the pulse of nature filled the air, making the silence between people feel even more profound.

Yu Yanqing glanced at Yue Jincheng. “President Yue’s recovery ability is truly impressive. She’s only been gone for a minute, and the look of pain on your face has already disappeared.”

Indeed, Yue Jincheng stood tall and upright, showing no signs of being troubled by pain.

“Teacher Yu lives up to his reputation as a master trader—your observation skills and analytical judgment are impeccable,” Yue Jincheng said calmly. “And you’re equally skilled, seizing opportunities whenever they arise. I must commend you for that.”

Yu Yanqing’s eyes flickered slightly. “I don’t need to seize opportunities. If Jiaxi wants, she can come to me anytime for lessons.”

Yue Jincheng smiled without reaching his eyes. “It seems Bofeng should send other staff members to learn from Teacher Yu as well.”

Yu Yanqing replied, “You can try.”

Let’s see if I’ll even acknowledge them.

Though they were ostensibly discussing work, their words carried hidden barbs, clashing subtly.

There was a slight sound behind them, and Yu Yanqing remarked, “She’s back. President Yue, you can start your performance now.”

Yue Jincheng wasn’t provoked by the taunt. Instead, he took a step closer and calmly said, “I don’t need to act. When the time comes for her to make a real choice, guess who she’ll stand by.”

Yu Yanqing chuckled lightly. “Why should I guess? Hasn’t she already stood by you once? There’s a rule in trading—don’t get cocky after one win. Let’s wait and see the final result over time.”

________________________________________

Meanwhile, Xu Fang and Yuan Dingguo were arguing again about Yuan You.

“What kind of idea is this? They’ve been divorced for over two years—how could you possibly bring this up?”

“They may be divorced, but they still have a child together. As long as there’s a child, there’s still some consideration for past feelings, isn’t there?” Xu Fang argued. “Besides, with Yue Jincheng’s influence, getting Yuan You a job at his company would just take a word.”

Yuan Dingguo slapped his thigh in frustration. “You’re being foolish! If there’s any lingering sentiment, it’s because of Jiaxi—not you! What are you? A distant ex-aunt-in-law? How dare you ask for such a favor?”

“How dare you call me distant?!” Xu Fang’s fiery temper flared, and she finally unleashed her pent-up frustration. “After her parents died in that car accident, didn’t I agree to take her in? For all these years, she ate our food, drank our water—if we hadn’t raised her, could she have gone to college? Could she have worked in a big city? Could she have married a wealthy man? Is it too much to ask her to help her younger brother now? Is it cutting into her flesh or drinking her blood?”

Yuan Dingguo’s face darkened. When his wife got angry, he always shrank back, quietly reminding her, “When you agreed to adopt her, you knew the reason. We couldn’t have children of our own, and you wanted someone to take care of us in our old age.”

Xu Fang slammed the table, her voice sharp with accusation. “If it weren’t for you, would I have struggled for so many years to have a child?! I didn’t treat her badly, did I?! But look at her—always rebellious, always two-faced. She got married and registered without telling us, bringing her husband home as if he were already part of the family! And her divorce? She made that decision on her own without consulting us. I think she doesn’t see us as family!”

To an outsider, her words might sound convincing.

But Yuan Dingguo knew the unspoken truth. He turned his face away, unwilling to endure his wife’s scathing accusations. “There’s no one else here—you don’t need to put on a show. Remember when Jiaxi was in third grade, and the doctor suspected leukemia when she had a persistent fever? Do you remember what you did? I haven’t forgotten, and I never will. Every time I see her, I feel guilty. Have you forgotten? You know the truth deep down.”

Xu Fang fell silent instantly. Her fiery anger fizzled out, replaced by a suffocating cloud of dark smoke.

The silence outside the door was equally stifling.

The door hadn’t been fully closed—a gap wide enough for three people to hear every word of the conversation.

Fu Jiaxi stood frozen, unmoving, barely blinking. Her breathing seemed nonexistent, her presence as thin as a cicada’s wing, with no reaction whatsoever.

Until a sudden warmth supported her back, and Yue Jincheng’s palm, hot against her spine, gently stroked along her vertebrae.

Only then did Fu Jiaxi exhale softly.

She turned around, putting on a smile, and said to Yu Yanqing, “Sorry for letting you hear such trivial family matters. Don’t feel pressured—keep your love for the world’s beauty and kindness.”

Yu Yanqing curved his lips slightly.

She was comforting him, only him.

Because the man beside her—she instinctively didn’t consider him an outsider.

On the way back, Fu Jiaxi sat in Yue Jincheng’s car. After reaching Jin City, they could conveniently pick up Yue Jiayi along the way.

Throughout the ride, Fu Jiaxi remained quiet, leaning against the passenger seat with her eyes closed.

The fleeting light flowed over her face like water. Yue Jincheng reached out, crossing the center console, and gently covered the back of her hand with his.

Fu Jiaxi didn’t move, as if closing her eyes allowed her to retreat into a safe haven.

“This isn’t your home—you don’t need to feel any pressure. If you don’t agree, I won’t say a word to their requests,” Yue Jincheng said.

After a long pause, Fu Jiaxi responded softly, almost imperceptibly, “Alright.”

Yue Jiayi had been having so much fun with Yue Mingxin that he didn’t want to go home, saying they even had plans for beach motorbikes the next day.

Unable to resist her son’s excitement, Fu Jiaxi reluctantly agreed.

“Jiaxi, come with us tomorrow,” Yue Mingxin urged. “You still have one more day off—don’t tell me you’re working? Brother, say something!”

“You should reconsider letting Jiayi spend time with you so often,” Yue Jincheng said disapprovingly. “He’s becoming too wild—he doesn’t even listen to his mother anymore.”

“Dad! I learned four ancient poems in the last two days!” Yue Jiayi loudly proclaimed his achievements.

Fu Jiaxi couldn’t help but laugh. “Spend another day with Aunt Mingxin, and I’ll come pick you up tomorrow afternoon.”

“Yay!”

“Come with us, Jiaxi.”

“She has other plans tomorrow,” Yue Jincheng interjected at the right moment, then whispered to her, “Shall I take you back?”

“No, I’ll take a taxi.” Fu Jiaxi replied. “You stay and spend more time with your son.”

________________________________________

When Fu Jiaxi arrived at her apartment complex, she spotted a familiar figure pacing near the entrance.

Yu Yanqing walked back and forth under the streetlamp; his silhouette seemed thinner than usual.

He was waiting for her on purpose.

Seeing the hesitation and uncertainty in his eyes, Fu Jiaxi took the initiative to ask, “What’s wrong? Do you have work to assign?”

“Holidays are for resting, not discussing work. Necessary relaxation and emptying oneself are also part of one’s abilities,” Yu Yanqing responded.

Fu Jiaxi nodded. “That makes sense.”

“Do you want to learn trading?” Yu Yanqing was accustomed to getting straight to the point.

“Yes, I want to earn money.” Fu Jiaxi didn’t dodge the question but answered frankly. She quickly followed up with a question. “Hey, you’re not feeling sorry for me because of what my uncle said earlier today, are you?”

“What’s there to pity? You’re independent, self-reliant, and capable of supporting yourself. In your twenties, you’ve experienced more than I have. You have a smart child and were once married to an excellent partner.”

Fu Jiaxi blinked and smiled knowingly. “Thank you for your affirmation—it really cheered me up.”

Yu Yanqing looked at her. “In a way, our backgrounds are quite similar. We both lost our closest relatives early and lived under others’ roofs. But I’m slightly luckier than you.”

“I know. Grandma told me.” Fu Jiaxi couldn’t hide her envy. “You grew up surrounded by love.”

Inside, Yu Yanqing felt an indescribable mix of empathy and heartache.

“In this world, only those who aren’t dependent on anyone, who can break through any environment, can truly face any adversity or challenge without fear.”

Yu Yanqing continued, “What you need is a comrade who matches your strength, a wise friend who can assist you. Especially as a woman, don’t be deceived by superficial temptations—like roses. Such cheap flattery is a low-cost bubble that brings only fleeting happiness.”

Fu Jiaxi was completely captivated by Yu Yanqing at that moment.

Whether his words were absolute or not, in that instant, his extreme calmness, nearly ruthless clarity, and mesmerizing intellect—all unyielding to any social niceties—were razor-sharp.

She asked blankly, “So, what now?”

Yu Yanqing narrowed his eyes slightly. “I’m willing to teach you step by step, guide you, and let you experience another kind of life—one where you give it your all.”

…

At the same time, Yue Jincheng, who was leisurely spending time with Jiayi, had a fleeting thought.

He was wondering how he could make Jiaxi happier.

He remembered that her favorite flower was the rose—bold, shamelessly partial, and overflowing with passionate love.

Thus, early the next morning, he drove to her residence.

The morning light shimmered faintly, and the air was sweet like honey. From time to time, Yue Jincheng glanced at the large bouquet of flowers on the passenger seat. He thought, Jiaxi will definitely love these.