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Psst! We're moving!
The night deepened, and the villa fell silent.
The lights in the rooms from the first to the third floor gradually went out.
After taking a shower, Fu Jichen came out to find Yu Qing asleep against the headboard, the book in her hand already flipped back to the title page. He was also feeling drowsy; the alcohol was hitting him hard, and the sleepiness was impossible to resist.
He put away the book and picked her up, intending to lay her down properly.
Yu Qing opened her eyes, momentarily confused.
Seeing his damp hair, she asked, “Did you shower?”
“Mm. Lie down and sleep.”
Suppressing her own drowsiness, Yu Qing struggled to get up and fetched a dry towel from the bathroom. “Let me dry your hair for you.”
Fu Jichen sat on the bed, and Yu Qing began carefully drying his hair. “Tired?”
“Not tired.” Fu Jichen placed his hands lightly around her waist, gently encircling her and their little fish.
Afterward, neither of them spoke.
They were both sleepy and exhausted.
They were forcing themselves to stay awake.
After drying his hair halfway, Yu Qing turned off the floor lamp in the bedroom.
Before losing consciousness, Fu Jichen made sure to offer his arm as a pillow for Yu Qing. She nestled her back tightly against his chest, and without time to say goodnight, they both fell asleep.
When they woke up the next morning, Yu Qing was still in Fu Jichen’s arms.
They no longer needed to set alarms to remind themselves to stay close to each other like before.
It was the weekend, so Fu Jichen stayed in bed with Yu Qing a little longer, until she naturally woke up.
Yu Qing turned over to face him. “Not going to the office today?”
“Mm, staying home with you.”
“I bought you a shirt.”
Yu Qing got up and retrieved it from the walk-in closet.
Last night, when they returned home, they had been too busy playing downstairs and forgot to take it out for him to try on.
Speaking of last night’s universal card, “Why did my brother and Ji Qingyuan listen so obediently? When you used the universal card, they followed through seriously.”
Fu Jichen also got out of bed. “Because I told them that if they didn’t follow the rules, they wouldn’t find true love.”
Yu Qing: “...”
She laughed. “You’re worse than me now.”
Fu Jichen: “This is called following your wife’s lead.” He walked to the bathroom. “I’ll take another quick shower to wake up before trying it on.”
Yu Qing quickly freshened up and found a cool, sexy silk nightgown in the wardrobe, changing into it and spritzing on some perfume.
Soon, Fu Jichen emerged from the bathroom, shirtless.
Yu Qing was lazily lounging on the sofa, admiring the lake view outside the window.
His steps paused slightly; she hadn’t worn such a seductive nightgown in months.
He didn’t go to try on the shirt but instead walked straight over and pulled her into his arms.
Yu Qing turned her head, and Fu Jichen’s kiss descended.
She looped her arms around his neck, responding to his kiss.
As Fu Jichen kissed her, he casually drew the curtains closed.
The room instantly darkened.
Their kisses moved from the sofa to the bed, where Fu Jichen enclosed her with his arms, offering them as a pillow.
Yu Qing cradled his cheeks, kissing him deeply, unwilling to part.
From the time they met until now, this was the longest they had ever kissed.
On this quiet Saturday morning, they had plenty of time.
Fu Jichen still unconsciously tensed, constantly reminding himself to be mindful of the little fish inside her belly, careful not to make any large movements.
A bead of sweat slid from his forehead, past his eyelids, and dripped onto Yu Qing’s navel.
They gazed at each other.
Without words, Fu Jichen poured all his love into his actions, continuously seeking her.
Overwhelmed by emotion, Yu Qing sank into the depths of his eyes.
Wherever he was now, it connected directly to her heart.
The room filled with her soft, coquettish sounds.
At the final moment, she clung to his back tightly and called out, “Husband.”
The gentle morning light sneaked through the gaps in the curtains, scattering across the sofa and floor.
The room slowly calmed.
Fu Jichen still hadn’t let go of Yu Qing, kissing the sweat on the tip of her nose.
This deep exchange today satisfied both body and soul.
Especially when she actively called him “husband.”
Yu Qing intertwined both her hands with Fu Jichen’s fingers. Just moments ago, when he looked at her so tenderly during their passionate embrace, her heart and body felt completely full.
They lingered in bed for a while longer.
Fu Jichen kissed her. “Are you getting up? I’m hungry.”
Although he had used the universal card to claim Yu Jingze’s late-night snack last night, out of consideration for Yu Qing, he only took half the portion, leaving the other half for Yu Jingze.
________________________________________
Today was the latest Fu Jichen and Yu Qing had come downstairs, almost ten o’clock.
Fu Jichen wore the burgundy shirt, and after trying it on, he didn’t want to take it off because it fit perfectly.
Yu Qing appraised him. “You’re still the Fu Jichen I first met.” That face made people want to possess him at first sight.
Fu Jichen asked, “Did you start paying attention to me when we first met on the tennis court?”
“Mm, because you were generous and tipped well.”
“...”
Fu Jichen glanced at her. “Wasn’t there anything else worth a second look?”
“If there’s money to see, who has time to look at men?”
Fu Jichen: “... You can remain silent now.”
Yu Qing hugged him and laughed.
Together, they went downstairs.
Just as they reached the stairs, Yu Qing’s phone rang—it was Pang Linbin.
“Qing Qing, are you busy?”
“Not busy, I’m at home today.”
Pang Linbin had arrived in Beijing on a flight yesterday afternoon. After settling in and visiting a branch office, it was late, so he hadn’t contacted Yu Qing.
“I’m in Beijing now. Are you free on Monday evening?”
Yu Qing: “I’m free.”
She arranged the restaurant. The last time she and Pang Linbin had dinner at SZ, Pang mentioned the dishes were good and the view perfect for enjoying the night scenery.
Fu Jichen asked, “Didn’t invite me along?”
“No.” Yu Qing stood one step higher than him, leaning on his shoulder. “Maybe he wants to talk to me about Mom.”
On the first floor, the housekeeper was tidying up the dining table, and the others had just eaten not long ago.
Rarely had everyone gathered together, skipping work on a weekend. They were all fishing by the lake.
On the viewing platform, umbrellas shaded them from the sun.
Yu Qing brought fruit and milk and joined in the fun.
Ji Qingyuan and Yu Jingze were competing in fishing, while Yu Jingxin sat close to Ji Qingyuan, rolling up his shirt sleeves.
She had bought him the shirt last night, and he insisted on wearing it today.
The sun was strong, and the temperature high.
Even under the shade of the umbrella, black absorbed more heat than white.
“Why don’t you go change into something else?”
Ji Qingyuan: “I’m not hot. There’s a breeze by the lake.”
Yu Jingxin: “...”
She asked the housekeeper to bring an air cooler and filled it with ice.
Yu Qing arrived, walking leisurely.
The housekeeper asked her if Fu Jichen wanted to fish; he would prepare another fishing rod.
Yu Qing nodded. “Sure, he’s not going to the office today.”
The housekeeper sighed. It was rare for everyone in the Yu family to gather and eat at home, even on weekends.
He asked, “What would you like to eat?”
Yu Qing, now eating for the sake of the little fish growing inside her, replied, “Anything is fine.”
Yu Jingxin was the pickiest eater in the Yu family, so the housekeeper asked for her opinion.
Yu Jingxin turned her head. “I won’t be eating at home for lunch today. My mom invited me to eat.”
Upon hearing this, Yu Jingze looked at her, pondering for a few seconds. “I’ll go with you.”
Yu Jingxin shook her head. “No need. Don’t worry, I can handle it.”
Ji Qingyuan didn’t ask why her mother suddenly invited her to eat, but he squeezed her hand tightly.
________________________________________
Yu Jingxin left an hour early. When she arrived at the SZ restaurant, her mother was already there. Her mother wore a modified cheongsam today, her hair pinned up neatly, looking impeccable.
She appeared dignified, beautiful, and elegant.
Anyone unfamiliar with her would never associate her with being domineering or unreasonable.
When she was young, Yu Jingxin once resented why her father divorced her mother. Wouldn’t it be better if the whole family stayed together?
Later, she began to understand—her father in his youth didn’t know how to be accommodating, and her mother didn’t know how to yield. They clashed like needle against wheat, incompatible as fire and water.
Only men like Zhou Siyuan’s father, who mostly yielded to her mother, could keep the peace in the household.
“Mom.”
Yu Jingxin greeted her and sat opposite her mother.
Ms. Lan took a delicate sip of tea, nodding while scrutinizing her daughter. She sensed something different—Yu Jingxin seemed to have softened overall.
She didn’t dwell on these observations but instead brought up the Yu family. “I heard you’ve all moved back in. Whose idea was it?”
Yu Jingxin: “We moved back on our own.”
Ms. Lan’s lips curved faintly, clearly disbelieving.
She mentioned Yu Jingze. “Your brother now...” She paused, letting out a soft laugh.
“He probably doesn’t even want to acknowledge me as his mother anymore. Now, when I speak to him...”
“Mom, let’s talk about something cheerful during mealtime,” Yu Jingxin interrupted her.
She was tired of it—every time they met, her mother would criticize and complain about the Yu family.
Her mother wasn’t weary, but she was.
Ms. Lan: “Alright, then let’s talk about your younger brother.”
Mentioning her youngest son, her brows finally relaxed. “Your brother is a freshman this year. By the time he finishes graduate school, it’ll be another four or five years. Even after graduation, he’ll need time to gain experience. Starting a business is so difficult these days—you know that. If I don’t pave the way for him now, how much harder will life be for him later?”
“While I still have energy, I’m thinking of securing some quality investments for your brother so he can avoid some hardships in the future.”
“As his older sister, you should look out for him from time to time.”
Yu Jingxin remained silent, listening quietly while gazing out the window.
The clouds in the sky drifted past the tall buildings, gradually fading into the distance.
“Jingxin, Mom won’t beat around the bush with you. Today, I’m here to ask for your help.” Ms. Lan took another sip of tea.
“You used to complain when I asked Ji Qingyuan for favors, so now I’m not asking him—I’m coming directly to you. This is the first time Mom has ever asked anything of you.”
As she spoke, she sighed.
“To be a mother like me... it’s quite meaningless. Other people’s daughters think about helping their mothers, but me? I have to actively seek out you and your brother.”
She cut to the chase without further ado.
“Siyuan said the SZ acquisition deal is likely falling through. Now, it’s Fu Jichen who’s planning to invest.”
“You might not know this, but if Siyuan acquires SZ, she promised to give your brother 20% of the shares. Your brother wouldn’t have to lift a finger—he’d just collect dividends. Twenty percent of the shares! Who would willingly give that away? It’s not just about the money—it’s about effort and dedication. But your brother would simply reap the benefits without lifting a finger.”
“You live with Fu Jichen and Yu Qing now. Go talk to Fu Jichen and ask him to abandon the investment. And that Yilin Capital company—the boss, Pang Linbin, is Yu Qing’s stepfather. Talk to Yu Qing and ask her to help. Neither Yu Qing nor Fu Jichen would refuse you.”
Yu Jingxin unconsciously tightened her grip on the teacup, her gaze still fixed outside the window.
Ms. Lan watched her daughter’s silence, unable to decipher what she was thinking.
She handed the menu to her daughter. “Let’s order first. Since you all live together, there’s no need to make an appointment. Just talk to them when you get home tonight. Time is tight now, otherwise I wouldn’t have rushed over to see you at noon. Mom will wait for your call.”
Yu Jingxin took the menu, didn’t open it, and placed it at the corner of the table.
She looked at her mother. “Mom, you’ve thought so thoroughly for your youngest son. I’m truly inspired. My son is not even a year old yet, but I feel like I need to start paving the way for his future. After all, when he grows up, building a career will be even harder.”
Ms. Lan frowned slightly but didn’t interrupt.
Yu Jingxin: “Using familial ties to pressure someone into abandoning an investment—it’s dishonorable. I can’t do that. I need to maintain those family bonds for my son’s sake. Otherwise, how will he look up to me as a mother in the future?”
Her phone vibrated—it was an alarm.
On the way here, she had deliberately set multiple alarms. Whichever one matched the timing, she would use.
She turned it off and rubbed her temples. “People say pregnancy makes you forgetful for three years. If I hadn’t set an alarm, I’d have almost forgotten—my baby has a parent-child class this afternoon. I need to learn from you and always think of my son, never disappointing him.”
She stood up. “Mom, you’re my idol. Surely you understand, right? I really can’t stay for lunch today—I need to rush back to take my baby to class. Bye.”
Regardless of her mother’s reaction, Yu Jingxin grabbed her bag and left without looking back.
Ms. Lan wanted to slam the teacup in her hand onto the table but restrained herself.
She gazed out the window, lost in thought.
From that night’s phone call with her son to her daughter’s attitude today, she had never felt so defeated.
Zhou Siyuan had said that since Yu Qing returned, she had completely disrupted the Yu family. The Yu family was no longer the same. Everyone had changed—whether it was Yu Jingze or Yu Jingxin.
At first, she didn’t believe it. Now, she did.
When Yu Jingxin reached the ground floor, she took a deep breath.
She blinked, pulling out sunglasses from her bag and putting them on.
After collecting herself, she headed toward the parking lot.
Before reaching her car, the door of her vehicle was pushed open.
Yu Jingxin froze. The person stepping out was Ji Qingyuan. The driver was nowhere to be seen.
Ji Qingyuan strode over, asking nothing, and gently embraced her.
Yu Jingxin reassured Ji Qingyuan, easing his worries. “I’m not upset. I’m happy for myself—I finally found the courage to stand up for myself.”
She had learned to fight for what she wanted and let go of what she didn’t.
Sometimes she wondered—was it more painful to have a mother like Yu Qing’s, or a mother like hers?
One was ruthless.
The other was biased.
Both shaped her and Yu Qing into entirely different individuals, yet both left severe flaws in their characters.
And both of them would spend years—even a lifetime—trying to heal themselves, though they might never fully recover.
Thankfully, she now had Ji Qingyuan.
And Yu Qing had met Fu Jichen.
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