L&H - 20

Fu Ji Chen glared coldly at Qin Moling, while Qin Moling’s sharp gaze was equally piercing.

Without time to dwell on their silent battle, Fu Ji Chen quickly stepped forward to press the elevator button.

At the same time, Yu Qing raised her hand to block the closing elevator door—her survival instincts had never been so strong.

The elevator doors slowly reopened.

Fu Ji Chen reached out, pulled Yu Qing out, and drew her into his arms. “Still not awake? You even lost track of your own man—what use are you?”

Qin Moling gave Yu Qing another glance.

The elevator doors closed, and the floor numbers began to light up.

Yu Qing had never been so flustered—it had truly been a heart-stopping moment.

“How is this my fault? I thought you’d exchange a few more words with Yu Jingze.”

She turned the blame around. “What’s the deal between you and Qin Moling? First, he competes with you for land, then sues Dixin for infringement, and now he’s dragging me into it too.”

Fu Ji Chen: “Maybe he’s just bored, or maybe his sex life isn’t harmonious. The most likely reason is that he’s jealous I found such a beautiful fiancée.”

Yu Qing: “….”

Considering how frantic she had been moments ago trying to get out of the elevator to find him, Fu Ji Chen patted her head. “Next time, don’t be stupid and try to pry open the elevator doors with your hands.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Yu Qing glanced at the elevator Fish Demon was in—it went straight to the fourth floor, while she and Fu Ji Chen were headed to the third.

She let out a sigh of relief.

Fu Ji Chen tugged her along and stepped into the neighboring elevator.

From time to time, he glanced at Yu Qing’s face and her eyes, which bore a striking resemblance to Yu Jingze’s.

________________________________________

On the fourth floor.

After stepping out of the elevator, Yu Jingze finally spoke to Qin Moling. “Why were you acting so childish just now? Anyone would think you have some kind of ulterior motive toward Fu Ji Chen’s fiancée.”

Qin Moling chuckled. “What do you mean, ‘ulterior motive toward Fu Ji Chen’s fiancée’? Yu Qing was originally my fiancée. Our wedding is scheduled for next year. Is it you who has amnesia, or is my memory failing me?”

Yu Jingze let out a sarcastic chuckle.

Both of them were insane!

The two moved to a private room. Yu Jingze dismissed the staff and locked the door behind them.

Qin Moling leaned by the window and lit a cigarette.

He offered one to Yu Jingze, but Yu Jingze waved it off—he wasn’t in the mood to smoke right now. “What’s your deal? I thought you didn’t want to get married?”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“…”

Yu Jingze analyzed his twisted psychology. “Are you saying that just because Yu Qing is with Fu Ji Chen now, you’re determined to take her back?”

Qin Moling smirked faintly. “Do I look that bored? She was always supposed to marry me. Even before I knew about her being with Fu Ji Chen, I already wanted to marry her.”

Yu Jingze was curious. “When did you find out?”

“The night she went to the club to sell her bag.” Qin Moling flicked off some ash.

He had originally been standing by the window, watching how she would leave. Then he saw Fu Ji Chen’s car drive into the courtyard, and the two embraced and kissed.

Yu Jingze reminded him, “Yu Qing is already with Fu Ji Chen. With her stubborn personality and her aversion to marriage, there’s no way she’ll listen to the family and marry you.”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care who she’s been with. I have zero interest in emotions.” As for Yu Qing’s unwillingness to marry him, he gazed out the window. “As long as I want something, there’s no woman I can’t pursue.”

Yu Jingze assumed he was just blowing off steam and didn’t respond.

What worried him now was, “Fu Ji Chen already grew suspicious of Yu Qing when he saw me. After your little stunt, he’s bound to doubt her identity even more.”

“Isn’t that perfect? If Yu Qing can’t stay at the Fu Corporation, I’ll just go find her.” Qin Moling spoke languidly.

He took out his phone and started searching for bookstores.

“I’m not playing tennis today—you can find someone else to play with.”

Yu Jingze eyed him. “Where are you going?”

Qin Moling stubbed out his cigarette. “To browse bookstores. Your sister is such a heartless woman—she’s not easy to chase. I’ll buy a few books on how to pursue women and how to date.”

“…”

________________________________________

Downstairs, after warming up, Yu Qing went to the restroom.

Fu Ji Chen walked to the window and called Pan Zheng. “Find out right now who Yu Qing’s father is.”

Pan Zheng didn’t ask any questions, simply acknowledged, and hung up.

Fu Ji Chen wanted to smoke, but his tracksuit pockets were empty.

He leaned against the windowsill, absentmindedly gazing at the vast tennis courts below.

In the distance, beyond the hills, lay the lush green golf course.

The scenery was nice, but he wasn’t in the mood to appreciate it.

Ten minutes later, Pan Zheng finally called back.

Those ten minutes were the longest stretch of time in Fu Ji Chen’s life.

“President Fu, I’ve found out.” For the first time, Pan Zheng hesitated to deliver the result outright.

“Is it Chairman Yu?”

“…Yes.”

Fu Ji Chen had mentally prepared himself and could accept this outcome.

In recent days, every morning when passing by the headquarters of the bank building, Yu Qing would instinctively glance toward Chairman Yu’s office window. She had never shown such consistent interest in anything before.

Perhaps even she herself didn’t realize that her emotions were complex.

She had mentioned that both her father and mother were wealthy.

She had also said that her parents’ relationship had broken down before she was born.

Chairman Yu’s second marriage had been brief, and his second wife was from Shanghai.

“President Fu, I also discreetly inquired with relatives on the Yu family’s side about why Yu Qing joined our Fu Corporation. I couldn’t find out much—they thought Yu Qing hadn’t been working. But I did uncover another piece of information.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Yu Qing and Qin Moling… have a marriage agreement.”

“……………”

For a long while…

The phone line remained dead silent.

“President Fu?” Pan Zheng cautiously called out.

Fu Ji Chen pressed his chest—he was still alive.

Now Qin Moling’s earlier action of pressing the elevator button made sense.

“President Fu, what do you plan to do?” After all, this was no longer just the boss’s private matter—Yu Qing was still employed at the Fu Corporation.

The implications were far-reaching.

Fu Ji Chen concealed all unnecessary expressions without a trace. “I won’t do anything. I’ll pretend I don’t know, give her a chance, and wait for her to come clean. Once she confesses, I won’t hold it against her.”

What Pan Zheng wanted to ask was: What if Yu Qing doesn’t confess?

He didn’t dare voice this question, not wanting to add to the boss’s burden.

________________________________________

At this moment, near the women’s restroom.

Yu Qing received a message from Yu Jingze and was momentarily stunned. She quickly moved to a secluded corner where no one passed by and immediately called him back. “What do you mean?”

“Can’t you read Chinese? Fu Ji Chen investigated you—he knows who your father is.”

“…”

“If I’m not mistaken, he probably also knows about your marriage agreement with Qin Moling.”

“…”

“You stirred up this hornet’s nest yourself—hurry up and contain the swarm before they start stinging people.”

“…”

“Good luck.”

“…”

Yu Qing rested one hand on her hip and sighed. “Brother, I…”

Yu Jingze interrupted her. “No, let me call you ‘Sis.’”

Yu Qing burst into laughter despite her frustration.

Now that Fu Ji Chen knew her identity, she actually felt relieved—no more constant anxiety or worry about whether her lies would raise suspicion.

“If he knows, then so be it. I’ll act like I don’t know.”

Though Yu Jingze claimed he wouldn’t interfere, he was still worried. “If you can’t handle it, come back to me now—I’ll personally apologize to Fu Ji Chen.”

“Thank you, Brother, but no need. If you get involved, things will only get more complicated.” Yu Qing reassured him. “Don’t worry about me—I can handle it. None of you truly understand Fu Ji Chen. He’s actually very interesting and fun.”

“He’s not that petty.”

“Besides, Fu Ji Chen won’t easily expose me. If he strips away my disguise, I might end up marrying Qin Moling—and that’s the last thing he wants. After all, he publicly announced that I’m his fiancée.”

“I’m hanging up now. I’ve been out here too long—if I don’t return soon, Fu Ji Chen will grow suspicious. Bye.”

After calming herself for a moment, Yu Qing went to look for Fu Ji Chen.

Fu Ji Chen was in the lounge, flipping through a magazine. He appeared deeply engrossed.

Yu Qing picked up her tennis bag. “Fu Ji Chen, let’s go.”

Fu Ji Chen placed the magazine back on the shelf. “You’re so slow—it took you forever just to use the restroom.”

“Who’s slow? My family happened to call me, and we ended up arguing.” Yu Qing hoisted the tennis bag onto his shoulder.

Fu Ji Chen casually remarked, “You argued over a phone call?”

“It wasn’t really an argument—just differing opinions. They don’t understand why I refuse to marry.”

She looked at him. “Do you understand this kind of pain?”

Fu Ji Chen didn’t. His family never pressured him about marriage—they respected his lifestyle.

After nine o’clock, the sunlight outside was perfect.

The pale blue sky was adorned with a few wisps of thin clouds.

Today, Yu Qing wore sneakers, making her steps lighter and quicker.

She clasped her hands together, raised them above her head, and stretched her waist as she walked.

Fu Ji Chen glanced sideways at this heartless little liar. In front of him, she always seemed mischievous. “Why are you so happy?”

Yu Qing turned her face and smiled. “Is it that obvious?”

Because I know you know who I am, and you don’t know that I already know you know.

So I’m happy.

This was how she explained it: “I just thought about going shopping this afternoon. You have no idea how much women love shopping.”

Fu Ji Chen hummed in acknowledgment.

He brought up their first game of tennis. “Why were you so full of killing intent that day?”

Yu Qing vividly remembered every scene from that day.

Twice, the ball had hit him, and he had paused for a while in pain before continuing.

She didn’t hide it. “That day, I got into a big argument with my dad over the phone. Never mind, let’s not talk about it.”

Fu Ji Chen seemingly offhandedly asked, “Are you still in a cold war?”

Yu Qing nodded. “My dad… how should I put it? He has too much of a controlling personality.”

After a brief silence, she added, “Or maybe I just don’t understand him. Growing up, my impression of him was always busy, busy, busy. Sometimes, I wouldn’t see him for half a year.”

Fu Ji Chen followed up: “What business does Uncle do? I know a few entrepreneurs surnamed Yu—I might have even met your father at an entrepreneur summit.”

Yu Qing inwardly chuckled.

He was trying to extract information from her.

She smiled faintly. “My family… owns mines. Do you know any mine owners surnamed Yu? Tell me about them—I’ll see if it’s my dad.”

Fu Ji Chen: “….”

He struggled for a long time but couldn’t utter a single word.

His chest nearly welled up with frustration.