L&H - 88

The rain continued to pour down, showing no signs of stopping.

They couldn’t stay in the car any longer. The driver handed them umbrellas.

Fu Jichen put on his suit jacket and rolled up his pants legs.

Jian Hang had only experienced a torrential downpour once in Beijing before, but that day she was at home, scrolling through trending posts online, watching others walk through flooded streets while cars floated like boats. This time, it was her turn to experience it firsthand.

She glanced at her new shoes—ones that cost over ten thousand yuan—and sighed as they were about to be ruined.

The car was submerged in water, making it difficult to open the door.

Fortunately, Pan Secretary helped pull from the outside while she pushed with all her might from the inside. Finally, the door opened, and in an instant, water flooded into the car.

The water was murky, with dead leaves and twigs floating on the surface.

Jian Hang squinted and reluctantly stepped into the water, her “ten-thousand-yuan shoes” now completely soaked.

Everyone looked disheveled. Pan Secretary held an umbrella in one hand and clutched a document bag in the other.

Even though Fu Jichen was tall, the water level reached above his knees.

This was the second time he had been stranded on the road during a heavy rainstorm, leaving him no choice but to get out and walk.

Pan Secretary led the way, Jian Hang followed in the middle, and Fu Jichen brought up the rear. The driver stayed behind to wait for a tow truck to take the car to a repair shop.

Jian Hang, wearing high heels, struggled to move forward. The water resistance made walking excruciatingly difficult. But with Fu Jichen behind her, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to keep moving.

Suddenly, a speeding SUV surged through the middle of the flooded road, trying to quickly cross this section.

As the vehicle passed, waves of water surged toward both sides of the road.

It felt like a massive wave crashing over them. Jian Hang’s shirt was drenched. That wasn’t the worst part—she was slim, and wearing high heels made it impossible for her to withstand the force of the water.

Just as she was about to fall face-first into the water, her strong instinct to stay upright kicked in. She reflexively reached out to grab Pan Secretary for support.

But Pan Secretary had already taken a step forward and was barely stable himself. Before he could react, a heavy hand pulled him back.

With a cry of “Ai!” Fu Jichen tried to reach out and steady them, but it was too late.

“Splash!”

Both Jian Hang and Pan Secretary tumbled into the water.

Fu Jichen quickly tossed aside his umbrella, first pulling Jian Hang up and then helping Pan Secretary.

“Oh my goodness, I can’t live like this!” Jian Hang covered her face with both hands as water dripped from her hair. Caught between laughter and tears, she apologized profusely to Pan Secretary. “I’m so sorry, so sorry—I didn’t mean to do that.”

Pan Secretary wiped his face and joked, “Who would believe that?”

Jian Hang burst out laughing, feeling utterly humiliated in a way she never had before.

Fu Jichen picked up the umbrella floating in the water and resumed holding it.

Outside, the rain poured heavily, while inside the umbrella, a light drizzle persisted.

His suit hadn’t been completely soaked yet. With one hand, he took it off and handed it to Pan Secretary. “Use this to dry off the document bag. Don’t let anything inside get wet.”

As Pan Secretary took it, there was a sudden “thud.”

Jian Hang noticed immediately. “Something fell out.”

Fu Jichen suddenly remembered—the keychain Yu Qing had given him was in the pocket of his suit jacket. No matter where he went, he always carried it with him.

Jian Hang asked, “Was it something important?” She guessed, “Was it a lighter? If it’s a lighter, forget about it.”

Fu Jichen: “A keychain.”

When Jian Hang heard it was a keychain, she suggested, “Why don’t you just buy another one? No matter how expensive, it’s not worth retrieving from this muddy water.”

Fu Jichen: “Yu Qing gave it to me.”

Another SUV sped by, sending another wave of water rushing toward them.

The keychain was swept away, far from where it had fallen earlier.

Fu Jichen pulled out his phone and handed it to Jian Hang to hold. He rolled up his sleeves.

Seeing this, Pan Secretary said, “Boss Fu, my clothes are already soaked anyway. Let me retrieve it for you.”

“No need.” Fu Jichen estimated where the keychain might have been swept and walked to that area. He crouched down halfway, and the water submerged his shoulders.

At that moment, Fu Jichen’s phone vibrated with an incoming call.

Jian Hang glanced at it—the caller ID read “Wife.”

“Boss Fu, it’s Yu Qing calling.”

Fu Jichen: “Don’t answer it for now.”

After searching around, he finally found the keychain. He exhaled in relief.

Jian Hang watched Fu Jichen, who at this moment seemed like a completely different person compared to the cold and calculating negotiator at the conference table.

On the negotiation table, he was emotionless.

But now, warmth radiated from every inch of him.

Fu Jichen wiped the keychain on his collar—the only dry and clean spot on his body.

He also used the collar to dry his hands before taking the phone back to return Yu Qing’s call.

“Fu Jichen, where are you?”

Fu Jichen looked around. The power was still out, so he couldn’t see the road signs. “Almost there. The roads are blocked, so it’ll take a little longer. Don’t worry.”

Yu Qing: “I’m not worried. Tell the driver to drive slowly.”

After hanging up, the three of them continued walking forward.

Since they were already soaked, they didn’t bother using the umbrella anymore.

The rain lessened slightly, but the wind picked up.

Jian Hang rubbed her arms, shivering involuntarily.

The cool breeze was invigorating, to say the least.

After trudging through this stretch of road, the off-road vehicle arranged by the event organizers arrived.

Once they got into the car, everyone relaxed.

When Fu Jichen arrived at the hotel, he spotted a familiar figure waiting in the lobby from afar. Yu Qing was wearing his coat, patiently waiting for him.

He hurried over. “Why did you come downstairs?”

Yu Qing had been waiting for nearly two hours. She stared at Fu Jichen. “Why are you so soaked?” His entire body was drenched, and wherever he walked, puddles formed.

She quickly took off his coat to put it on him. “Don’t catch a cold.”

Fu Jichen declined. “It’ll just get wet again. We’re almost to the room.”

Without holding her hand, he gently nudged her forward with his palm.

As they walked, Yu Qing examined him. “Did you walk back?”

Fu Jichen nodded. “The car stalled.” He didn’t elaborate further.

“What happened to your suit?”

“I gave it to Pan Secretary to wrap the documents.”

Inside the elevator, Yu Qing used her hands to wipe his face. His hair was dripping wet.

Fu Jichen gazed at her intently. Wherever her palms touched, warmth spread.

Once they entered the room, Fu Jichen went to take a shower. He first washed the keychain with warm water and set it aside to dry.

Yu Qing prepared his pajamas and brewed some hot tea.

By the time he finished his shower, she handed him a towel to dry his hair.

Fu Jichen pulled her close, burying his head against her belly and planting a soft kiss. Then he tilted his head to look at her. “Were you bored staying in the hotel today?”

“It was fine. I’ve been busy.” Yu Qing wiped the droplets of water from his earlobes. She had worried about him all evening, from the moment he said he was returning until he actually arrived—nearly two hours.

The rain had been relentless, and visibility was poor.

Her heart had been pounding for over two hours. It wasn’t until he appeared at the hotel entrance that she finally felt at ease.

Having someone to worry about felt like this.

On the bed, both their phones vibrated simultaneously.

Fu Jichen picked them up—it was a message in the family group chat.

Yu Jingze: [I just saw on social media that it rained heavily where you are. Are you guys okay?]

Fu Jichen: [We’re fine. We’re at the hotel.]

Yu Jingze: [That’s good. What about Yu Qing? Is she asleep?]

Fu Jichen didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked, [Do you need something from her?]

Yu Jingze: [Tell her my situation is completely stuck. Ask her to call me when she has time.]

At this point, Yu Shaohong chimed in: [Are you playing chess online now? Is it easy to pass the levels? @Yu Jingze]

Yu Jingze: “….”

He replied to his father: [I haven’t even passed the first level. I’m stuck.]

Yu Shaohong offered advice: [Spend more money. With money, you might get some hints.]

Yu Jingze stopped chatting nonsense with his father and exited the group chat, waiting for Yu Qing’s call.

Late last night, he received a call from Zou Lexiao, saying her father had found out about their relationship.

Last night, after dinner at SZ Restaurant, Zou Lexiao had a glass of red wine, and he escorted her home.

Zou Xing had gone to the law firm to deliver a late-night snack for Zou Lexiao but didn’t find her. Her colleagues said she had left work early.

Unexpectedly, Zou Xing spotted him and Zou Lexiao together at the entrance of their residential complex.

As they parted ways, Zou Lexiao secretly kissed him. That scene was likely seen by Zou Xing.

Ten minutes passed, and Yu Qing still hadn’t called back.

Yu Jingze poured himself a glass of red wine and sat at the bar, waiting for the call. He knew Yu Qing definitely wasn’t asleep—if she were, Fu Jichen would have said so.

He sent her a private message: [You spare no effort for Jingxin, but when it comes to me, you make everything so difficult. Can you stop treating us differently?!]

Yu Jingxin returned. “Brother, aren’t you going to sleep yet?”

Yu Jingze: “Not tired.” He glanced behind her. “Isn’t Ji Qingyuan with you?”

“No, he had an engagement.” Yu Jingxin sat down. “How’s it going with Zou Lexiao?”

Yu Jingze: “It’s fine.”

Since it wasn’t a real relationship, what else could be expected?

“Aren’t you supposed to be free from overtime today? Why did you leave the office so late?” Yu Jingxin teased.

Yu Jingze gently swirled his wine glass and countered, “What else was I supposed to do?”

Yu Jingxin wasn’t as articulate as Yu Qing. She herself had just learned how to act coquettishly, and even that was clumsy. As for love advice, she had none to offer.

She poked his chest. “Be true to your heart.”

Yu Jingze didn’t respond. He tilted his head back slightly and took a sip of red wine.

When Zou Lexiao had left last night, she said, “I’ll wait for your call.”

The entire day had passed, and he hadn’t contacted her. He didn’t know what to say.

Yu Jingxin also poured herself half a glass of red wine. “Brother, why don’t you want to fall in love or get married?”

Yu Jingze stared at the wine in his glass for a long time before speaking. “I’m afraid I inherited some of my father’s traits—love comes fast, and it goes just as quickly. Then marriages break, and the children suffer. Why bother?”

Yu Jingxin stared at him for a long moment. “You won’t be like Dad.”

“Who can say for sure?” Yu Jingze mentioned their father. “His marriage with Mom lasted three and a half years, and his marriage with Aunt Li lasted two years. Later, if it weren’t for Yu Qing not recognizing him anymore, he would have reflected on himself and planned to marry a third time.”

Yu Jingze turned his head. For the first time in all these years, he and his sister were having a conversation—about family matters, about things they had never wanted to touch. “What about you? Back then, you didn’t know Ji Qingyuan or who he was. Why were you willing to go on a blind date?”

Yu Jingxin rested her chin on her hand and bit her lip lightly. “Because I wanted a home—a home of my own. Before, Dad kept dating girlfriends intermittently, Mom had her own child, and you…”

She paused for a long time before continuing.

“You had to take care of others.”

That’s why she resented Zhou Siyuan for taking everything she had.

At first, she tolerated Zhou Siyuan, but later, she stopped giving in. After all, she was only in her teens, just a year older than Zhou Siyuan. She had once mentioned Zhou Siyuan’s behavior to her mother, but her mother said she was being petty.

After that, she never brought it up again in front of anyone.

“I thought that when I had a home, I’d have someone to share my joys and sorrows with. Someone to celebrate with when I’m happy and someone to listen when I’m sad.”

Even after four years of marriage to Ji Qingyuan, she still hadn’t gotten what she wished for.

She seemed to have grown accustomed to this indifference, unsure how to fight for what she wanted—or perhaps too lazy to try.

Until the first time she attended a banquet with Ji Qingyuan. When she turned around, Yu Qing was standing not far behind her, and suddenly, everything felt complete.

The regrets of her childhood no longer felt like regrets.

Yu Jingze remained silent for a long time. He raised his hand and ruffled her hair. “I’m sorry.”