L&H - 94

Pan Secretary had worked with Fu Jichen for so many years, always cautious and composed. No matter the situation, he remained calm under pressure.

Never would he have expected that one day, he’d stumble over something as trivial as social etiquette.

The key issue was that the person in question happened to be a charming woman.

He had no way to explain himself.

Fu Jichen watched Pan Secretary’s frustrated and helpless expression and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Go ahead.”

Pan Secretary had expected his boss to tease him a bit more, but there was nothing.

To visit Jian Hang, he represented the boss and acted in the boss’s name.

He arranged for a driver and ordered a bouquet of lilies in advance.

Visiting patients in the hospital is usually done early in the morning. Pan Secretary handed over his current tasks to his assistant and hurried downstairs. Jian Hang was staying at a high-end private hospital.

Even while sick, Jian Hang hadn’t rested. She was still reviewing documents in her room.

When Pan Secretary arrived, no one else was visiting.

Jian Hang occupied a VIP suite, which was exceptionally quiet, with only the faint hum of her laptop.

Pan Secretary placed the lilies on the windowsill. The excuse for coming so late came easily to him: “I was on a short business trip and just returned. President Fu urged me to come see you immediately.”

He asked with concern, “How are you feeling?”

Jian Hang smiled faintly. “Almost better.”

Her polite response flowed effortlessly: “You really didn’t need to come—it’s just a cold.”

She gestured for him to sit.

Aside from work-related conversations, Pan Secretary and Jian Hang had no other interactions. He wasn’t sure what to talk about, so he brought up topics related to Xinjian Technology.

They chatted for over twenty minutes. As one bag of Jian Hang’s IV drip was nearly finished, she glanced at it and prepared to press the call button.

Pan Secretary stood up and took this opportunity to bid farewell. “President Jian, rest well. I’ll head back now.”

Jian Hang thanked him again and added, “Please thank President Fu for the flowers.”

After leaving, Pan Secretary passed by the nurse’s station just as a pager went off.

Bed 6 was calling.

That was Jian Hang’s room.

One nurse turned to another. “Bed 6 needs a medication change.”

“Bed 6 just has a fever, and they’re still hospitalized? Even though they’re almost recovered, they haven’t left yet. Every day, they’re getting two bottles of glucose. It’s hard to understand how rich people think.”

“Beautiful, wealthy, and任性 (capricious).” Anyway, such an expensive bed sitting empty is a waste; might as well charge for the bed and nursing fees.

The two nurses chuckled.

Not having time to gossip further, one nurse grabbed a bag of medication and hurried off to change it.

________________________________________

It wasn’t until he reached the parking lot that Pan Secretary still couldn’t figure out why Jian Hang hadn’t been discharged despite being nearly recovered. Surely, the nurses wouldn’t fabricate such details.

Avoiding social engagements?

That didn’t seem right either.

Tonight, she had dinner plans with Fu Jichen and SZ Group’s senior management.

What could it be for?

No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn’t make sense of it.

Sometimes, women’s logic is unfathomable.

Perhaps she wanted to avoid a blind date?

But regardless, he decided to pretend he hadn’t overheard the nurses’ conversation.

Whatever Jian Hang was doing, she must have her reasons.

Back at the office, Pan Secretary stopped by Fu Jichen’s desk briefly to report on the visit.

Fu Jichen was reviewing expenses and didn’t look up.

He asked, “How’s Jian Hang? Is it serious?”

Pan Secretary didn’t mention the nurses’ conversation, fearing his boss might tease him again.

Instead, he repeated Jian Hang’s words: “Almost better.”

Fu Jichen nodded. “As long as it’s not serious, that’s good. You can go now.”

Pan Secretary sighed in relief. The matter of visiting the patient was finally settled.

________________________________________

During the lunch break, Fu Jichen visited a bookstore.

He had already finished reading the parenting and pregnancy books he bought earlier.

Today, Fu Jichen didn’t bring a driver; he drove himself.

In June, the sun scorched the roads.

Pedestrians hurried along, their steps brisk.

Since borrowing his grandmother’s notebooks, he had decided to start writing too.

Every day, he jotted down a few lines—mostly about Yu Qing and Little Fish.

At this hour, the bookstore wasn’t crowded.

There was no noise, only the soft rustling of pages turning.

Fu Jichen headed straight to the parenting section, where most of the patrons were expectant mothers quietly flipping through books.

He was the only man there, but thankfully, others only glanced at him before returning to their reading.

He had picked out two books when his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Fu Jichen opened the message—it was from Yu Qing.

[Boss Fu, you’ve been secretly photographed by paparazzi. You’re about to debut.]

Fu Jichen: “?”

Instinctively, he scanned the area. Still, it was the same expectant mothers, each focused on their own books, paying no attention to him.

He assumed Yu Qing was teasing him.

Last night, when she mentioned her favorite celebrity, he joked about considering a debut. Clearly, she had taken it as a playful jab.

He played along: [Are we trending yet?]

Yu Qing quickly replied: [We should be soon. Are you at the bookstore? Did you pick two parenting books?]

Fu Jichen was slightly taken aback. So, she wasn’t joking. [Really photographed?]

He still had some public recognition. The last time he trended was during the controversy with Yu Qing. Later, after publicly confirming their relationship, topics related to him stayed on the hot search list for days.

Yu Qing: [Check your social media feed.]

Fu Jichen opened it. The latest post was from Yu Qing: [Bumped into my idol.] Accompanying it was a photo—a side profile of him standing in front of a bookshelf.

So, the “paparazzi” she referred to was herself.

He picked up the two books he selected and began searching for her.

The bookstore had a café area with several tables where customers could sip coffee while reading.

Yu Qing sat there, chin propped on her hand, sipping juice.

On the table was a cup of coffee—clearly meant for him.

Fu Jichen stared at her for a moment, then strode over.

Yu Qing grinned, waving enthusiastically.

“When did you get here?” Fu Jichen pulled a chair beside her, sitting close. He gently touched her cheek. “Tired?”

Yu Qing shook her head. “I came this morning. Now, I’m the only one free.”

She couldn’t invite Zou Lexiao, fearing it might upset her.

So, she came to the bookstore, planning to buy a few bedtime stories for Little Fish. Unexpectedly, she turned and saw that familiar silhouette.

“Maybe Little Fish sensed that Daddy was nearby.”

“Boss Fu, starting today, I’m officially your little fangirl.”

She pulled out a notebook and a fountain pen. “Idol, give me an autograph.”

Fu Jichen smiled and signed his name.

He glanced at his watch and added the date, specifying the exact time down to the minute.

Seeing her post calling him her idol and sharing his photo moments ago sent waves of excitement coursing through him.

After signing, Fu Jichen caressed her cheek again. There was nothing more to say, so he gave it a gentle rub.

Encountering her in such a quiet place stirred countless thoughts and emotions within him.

Yu Qing flipped through her photo album, showing him the photos she had secretly taken. “How’s my photography skills?”

Fu Jichen took her phone. “Whoever takes a picture of me probably gets the same effect.”

This was a public space, so Yu Qing stifled a laugh and pushed his face away. “Narcissist.”

Fu Jichen continued scrolling through the album. From different angles, she had taken quite a few shots.

As he scrolled further, his finger paused.

In the photos, he was wearing a suit, cutting a ribbon during a ceremony.

And it wasn’t just one picture—shots from various angles filled the album.

He turned his head to look at her. She was sipping her drink, fully engrossed in the books he had just chosen.

Fu Jichen exited the album, picked up his coffee cup, and flipped open another book, focusing intently.

The leisurely afternoon passed in the blink of an eye.

At 2:30 PM, Fu Jichen received a call—it was Pan Secretary.

He ended the call and sent a message: [At the bookstore, heading back to the office soon.]

Yu Qing looked up. “Am I delaying your work?”

“No. Nothing urgent this afternoon.” Fu Jichen stayed with her for five more minutes.

Time was running out, and he had to leave.

He glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, then kissed her forehead. “Next time we have a break, I’ll accompany you to read until the bookstore closes.”

Yu Qing: “Looking forward to our next encounter.” She gestured toward the books. “Leave them here—I’ll check out everything together later.” She planned to pick out a few more.

Fu Jichen asked the café counter for a takeaway bag. He packed the unfinished coffee and took it with him. “Head home early.”

Yu Qing nodded as he strode away.

Blocked by the greenery, she tilted her head to watch him.

Only after he turned the corner did she withdraw her gaze.

Her phone vibrated—it was a message from Yu Jingxin: [The chef at the private dining restaurant has prepared a few new dishes suitable for pregnant women. Want to try them tonight?]

Fu Jichen wasn’t home, and Yu Qing was bored: [Sure, I’ll pick you up after work.]

She then asked: [Who will take care of Baby?]

Yu Jingxin: [Ji Qingyuan is at home. He returned from the company at noon and has been taking care of the baby all day.]

She mentioned Yu Jingze: [Yesterday, from the terrace, I saw my brother sitting alone by the lake until midnight. I wonder if it’s because of Zou Lexiao. Have you asked him?]

Yu Qing: [No. Let him figure it out himself. Love or lack thereof is something no one can help with.]

________________________________________

As dusk fell, Fu Jichen arrived at the private dining restaurant—the one owned by Ji Qingyuan. Jian Hang had arranged a private room.

The place was quiet, perfect for business gatherings.

Tonight’s dinner was intimate, with only six people: him, Jian Hang, and the senior executives of SZ Group. No secretaries or assistants accompanied them.

The private room was on the second floor, already filled with lively chatter. Fu Jichen was the last to arrive.

Although Jian Hang hosted, the head seat was reserved for him.

“We were just waiting for you,” SZ’s president said with a laugh, patting the seat beside him and inviting Fu Jichen to sit.

Though they weren’t close, they had encountered each other at social events.

Fu Jichen took his seat, with Jian Hang on his other side.

The restaurant served dishes slowly since everything was freshly prepared. The dishes they had ordered earlier required time.

Tonight’s meeting was for serious matters, so they began discussing.

Fu Jichen turned to SZ’s CEO, Liao. “You poured so much effort into growing SZ’s catering business. Why sell it now?”

Lying to Fu Jichen was pointless, so Liao didn’t hide anything. “Selling now fetches a good price. You know SZ’s asset structure—it’s complicated. With so many shareholders, I can’t afford to offend anyone. I’m stuck in the middle every day.”

With no other options, selling was the only path.

But now, he was hesitating.

He spoke bluntly: “SZ’s catering sector has significant collateral loans with Yu Bank and other financing. I initially intended to sell to Zhou Siyuan because she could handle Yu Bank, our major creditor.”

Everyone knew Zhou Siyuan and Yu Jingze shared a unique bond—not siblings but closer than siblings.

“But now, I hear Zhou Siyuan and Yu Jingze aren’t on good terms anymore. Yu Jingze isn’t helping her. And Yu Jingze and Zou Lexiao have split too. Zhou Siyuan’s trump card is gone. How can she convince Zou Lexiao to transfer her shares? Without Zou Lexiao’s cooperation, a full acquisition is impossible.”

The capital market was brutally pragmatic. With Zhou Siyuan lacking connections to leverage, Liao didn’t want to waste more time on her.

If Jian Hang and Fu Jichen invested in SZ, many thorny issues could be resolved.

Most importantly, Fu Jichen’s relationship with the Yu family was now extraordinary.

Fu Jichen gave a faint smile. “You seem quite interested in our family affairs.”

Liao laughed heartily. “Just keeping up with the times.”

Jian Hang sipped her warm water, quietly listening to their conversation.

Liao pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Fu Jichen.

Fu Jichen waved his hand. “Thank you, but I don’t smoke or drink now. I’ll focus on eating tonight.”

Liao laughed, unwilling to let him off easily. “Not smoking is fine, but drinking is a must unless you give us a reason we all agree with.”

Fu Jichen: “Trying to conceive.”

Everyone: “….”