《Married to a Millionaire》


 Chapter 1: 001

    <h4>Chapter 1</h4>


    Fu Mingshi had just gotten off the ne after a business trip when his phone vibrated. Looking at the caller ID disy, Fu Mingshi raised the phone to his ear. His grandfather''s calm voice was alreadying through, "Mingshi, you''re off the ne right? Come by tonight."


    Fu Mingshi had business dinners to attend that night, so as he walked he replied, "I can''t get away tonight, how about Ie see you tomorrow?"


    "I got my physical exam results back, liver cancer," his grandfather said in the same mild tone, calm enough to make Fu Mingshi, who had stopped in his tracks, feel somewhat stunned. How could that be...


    "Come back, I have something to discuss with you," Fu Mingshi''s grandfather said before ending the call.


    Fu Mingshi was still frozen there.


    "Mr. Fu?" His assistant Gao Chuan saw his abnormal expression and asked in confusion.


    Fu Mingshi nced at him but didn''t say anything, and continued walking forward.


    The spacious arrival hall was already packed with reporters, all there for Fu Mingshi.


    His family''s Shengshi Group had just sessfully won an important French tender, making domesticpetingpanies green with envy. But the reporters weren''t concerned with Shengshi Group''s business sess. What they were interested in was a romantic scandal involving the group''s CEO Fu Mingshi in Paris.


    After all, not only was Fu Mingshi worth billions, even his features were so handsome they could outshine any old or young celebrity. In all of China, those richer than him weren''t as young and cool, and those cooler than him weren''t nearly as wealthy! Relying solely on his face and long legs, this 28 year old entrepreneur had attracted tens of millions of fans, even though he rarely posted anything new to his Weibo.


    "He''s here!"


    The disembarking passengers began to emerge one by one. At nearly six foot one, Fu Mingshi stood head and shoulders above the others, his tall and slender figure perfectly showcased in a ck suit. Low key was impossible. No one knew who rushed over first, but it seemed in the blink of an eye reporters encircled Fu Mingshi, startling onlookers unfamiliar with him into thinking he must be some huge celebrity and whipping out their phones to start filming.


    "Mr. Fu, is it true that Miss Xia is your college ssmate, and you two used to date?"


    "When does Mr. Fu n to announce the rtionship?"


    "Was the encounter with Miss Xia in Paris really a coincidence?"


    "Did Mr. Fu invest in ''Prosperous Chang''an'' because of Miss Xia?"


    All kinds of questions were fired at Fu Mingshi in quick session. But Fu Mingshi didn''t hear any of them. The only thing in his mind was his grandfather saying "liver cancer," to the point where he couldn''t even remember how he got into the car. Picking up its master, the ck Maybach steadily drove out of the airport with Fu Mingshi spacing out in the back, not regaining his senses for a long time.


    He started looking up information rted to liver cancer.


    Over an hourter, the Maybach stopped in front of the Fu family''s old residence, a tidy and tranquil siheyuan. Fu Mingshi got out and headed inside, ignoring the manservants and maids he passed and making straight for his grandfather''s room, finally finding him under an old locust tree in the back courtyard.


    Fu Mingshi''s grandfather was ying chess with his only son, Fu Mingshi''s father. The richest father and son duo were dressed in the most ordinary leisure wear. If not for their bearing, they''d be no different from ordinary middle aged father and son. Hearing footsteps, they both nced at Fu Mingshi before continuing their game.


    Fu Mingshi pulled over a small wooden stool under the eaves and went to sit down, silently watching their game.


    "You''re back so early, did I startle you?" Fu Mingshi''s grandfather joked after they finished a round.


    Fu Mingshi couldn''tugh at all.


    Fu Mingshi''s grandfather seemed much more open minded. Heughed and patted his grandson on the shoulder, "Don''t worry, the doctor said I''m in the early stages, the cure rate is still quite high."


    Hearing it was caught early, Fu Mingshi''s expression improved a little. He looked at his grandfather and, uncharacteristically talkative, hesitated for a moment before advising in a muffled voice, "No more smoking from now on. I''ll also try to make more time to apany you." Previously he had avoideding home because his grandfather nagged him to get married.


    Fu Mingshi''s grandfather chuckled drily a couple times and shooed his son away, saying he wanted to y chess with his grandson.


    Fu Mingshi''s father looked at his outstanding son and sighed softly.


    Preupied with worry for his grandfather, Fu Mingshi didn''t notice his father''s abnormal behavior. He lowered his head to set up the chess pieces.


    As they set up the chess board, Fu Mingshi''s grandfather slowly asked, "Mingshi, do you still remember how your aunt passed away?"


    Fu Mingshi''s motions stilled.


    He did have an aunt, his dad''s older sister who was three years his senior. His mom had told him about her when he was little. She said his aunt had just learned to drive right before getting married. A few days before the wedding she went out drinking with friends, drove drunk on the way home, and died in a car ident.


    At that time his dad hadn''t met his mom yet, and he wasn''t born.


    He didn''t have any deep feelings toward that aunt he''d never met.


    Why was his grandfather bringing up histe aunt now that he had liver cancer? Was it because the sickness made him nostalgic?


    Before Fu Mingshi could respond, his grandfather went on, "Mingshi, do you believe in retribution?"


    What did this have to do with anything?


    Fu Mingshi didn''t want to hear his grandfather say these things. "Medical science is so advanced nowadays. As long as you cooperate with treatment..."


    His grandfather smiled and waved his hand, interrupting him. He looked up at his grandson, eyes shining, "You''re overthinking it. I''m not afraid of death at my age. Living two more years or two less makes no difference. Actually... if it wasn''t for someone risking their life to save me decades ago, I would''ve died on the battlefield."


    Fu Mingshi''s face revealed surprise.


    Fu Mingshi''s grandfather slowly leaned back in his chair, fiddling with a chess piece. He held his grandson''s gaze for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. His eyes turned towards the distant azure sky as he spaced out, lost in memory.


    He had married at 19 and his wife became pregnant the next year. Then he went to serve in the military, under a Lieutenant Zhen. Lt. Zhen was only two years older than him, from an impoverished rural vige with little education, but he was exceptionally brave and fearless in battle against the Japanese. One time the Japanese were bombing them from above and Lt. Zhen tackled him to the ground in the critical moment, saving his life.


    He was lightly injured but Lt. Zhen was critically wounded with no hope of treatment, and only had two or three days left to live.


    Grateful for Lt. Zhen''s life-saving grace, Fu Mingshi''s grandfather stayed by his side. During that time, they became sworn brothers. He learned Lt. Zhen''s wife was pregnant back home, and Lt. Zhen wanted to arrange a marriage between their children, promising Fu Mingshi''s future daughter to Lt. Zhen''s two year old son.


    Coming from a well-off family and having received an education, Fu Mingshi''s grandfather didn''t really approve of arranged marriages. But Lt. Zhen was his life-saving benefactor, and seeing he was about to die, Fu Mingshi''s grandfather didn''t have the heart to refuse, immediately agreeing. The next day, Lt. Zhen sacrificed himself. Fu Mingshi''s grandfather kept fighting for another three years before returning home.


    His wife did indeed give birth to a daughter, who was almost four already - fair-skinned and beautiful. Upon learning of the arranged marriage to someone from an impoverished vige, his wife held their daughter and cried to him, threatening to leave him. Feeling guilty toward his wife and daughter, and thinking Lt. Zhen had passed away, Fu Mingshi''s grandfather chose to forget about the agreement.


    Reaching this point in the story, tears streamed down Fu Mingshi''s grandfather''s face. "Mingshi, this is retribution. I broke our agreement halfway, failing someone who had shown me kindness. Heaven deliberately made your aunt get into an ident right before her wedding, to make your grandmother and I live a lifetime of self-reproach. And now Heaven has remembered me..."


    "Grandfather, these are all coincidences. Don''t overthink it," Fu Mingshi, who didn''t believe in fate or retribution, stood up to console him and reason with him. "Every year tens of thousands of people nationwide die from drunk driving. Aunt''s ident was nothing but an ident. You getting liver cancer is from smoking too much..."


    "I don''t care, I say it''s retribution so it''s retribution. I shouldn''t have made a promise I couldn''t keep. Unable to fulfill it while alive, how will I face Lt. Zhen after I die, how will I face the brothers from our toon!" Fu Mingshi''s grandfather wiped his tears, gaze resolute on his grandson.


    Fu Mingshi''s eyebrows were knitted in concern. "But..."


    Fu Mingshi''s grandfather interrupted him again, grabbing his grandson''s hand eagerly, eyes bright. "Mingshi, I''ve looked into it. Lt. Zhen''s son passed away but he still has a granddaughter, 20 this year, perfect for you. Your aunt''s matter was your grandfather''s fault, and now his granddaughter lives alone in a ravine. If you marry her and take care of her, Lt. Zhen will know even in the afterlife and likely forgive me."


    Marry a woman from a ravine?


    Fu Mingshi gaped in shock. This was the first time he had lostposure since bing Shengshi Group''s CEO.


    But Fu Mingshi''s grandfather thought of his grandson''s scandal in Paris, and his expression darkened. "What''s the story with that Xia Ying?"


    "The reporters fabricated it. We went to the same university but I didn''t know her at all when we were students," Fu Mingshi truthfully answered. They didn''t know each other as students. Later when Xia Ying became famous in the entertainment industry he had heard of her, but only to the extent that he knew her name. At the banquet in Paris he wouldn''t have recognized her if she hadn''t introduced herself. His assistant reminded him Xia Ying was the lead actress of a drama hispany invested in. Out of courtesy he exchanged a few pleasantries with Xia Ying, and didn''t expect the paparazzi to photograph them and create an eye-catching bogus headline.


    His grandson had shown no interest in women over the years, devoted only to his work, so Fu Mingshi''s grandfather believed him. Immediately he steered the conversation back to Lt. Zhen''s granddaughter, "That girl is especially spirited. Dress her up and she''d be no worse than those actress on TV. Oh right, her photo is on my desk, wait here!"


    Impatient for his grandson to fulfill his wish, Fu Mingshi''s grandfather briskly headed inside.


    Fu Mingshi watched his grandfather go in,pletely at a loss. If not for his father havinge back too, if not for Lt. Zhen''s granddaughter''s lowly background that didn''t fit his grandfather''s normal criteria for a grandson''s wife, he really would suspect his grandfather was faking the cancer just to trick him into getting married.


    "Found it, Mingshie in!" His grandfather''s loud voice called from inside the room. Fu Mingshi rubbed between his brows and went in.


    Fu Mingshi''s grandfather immediately handed him a passport-sized photo, deliberately holding it facing away, an air of mystery about him.


    Fu Mingshi expressionlessly flipped over the photo.


    The backdrop of the photo was a stream, with a young woman holding a basin ofundry and walking back. Her bottom half was wearing grey pants and her top a white shirt with some wrinkles in it. Together with the shabby wooden basin around her waist, she looked dressed for the part of an impoverished student in the rural mountains in need of aid. To her left was a small ck dog, and to her right... geese.


    How attractive could someone look dressed like that in such surroundings?


    Fu Mingshi finally nced at the face of the fiancee arranged for him by his grandfather.


    The woman in the photo had a long braid draped over her right shoulder. Despite the very rustic look, she was smiling - a smile of pure joy, like a wildflower on the roadside content that a butterfly hade to rest on her petals.


    Seeing this smiling face, Fu Mingshi waspletely transfixed.


    She was beautiful, naturally beautiful in a way that could make one ignore herck of sophistication. But most breathtaking to him was...


    Fu Mingshi couldn''t describe it. If forced to express it:


    Seeing her was like seeing the spring - warm, radiant, vibrant.

 Chapter 2: 002

    <h4>Chapter 2</h4>


    In the rented ck Volkswagen sedan, Fu Mingshi looked at the small road ahead through his sunsses.


    It was a cement road that could barely amodate half a sedan, winding ahead in an endless hilly basin. The reform and opening up had brought earth-shattering changes to most cities in China, but for these hilly areas, the biggest improvement was probably this narrow cement road.


    Old Master had said that Zhen''s family lived in a remote mountain valley. Fu Mingshi had imagined some deep mountainous area where vigers would have to climb over mountains and cross rivers or take boats to get there. But now that they were here, he realized the situation was better than he had expected. Judging from the number of bread trucks that passed by asionally, the local residents here at least had no issues with food and clothing.


    Now the car drove into a small vige. A group of ducks was waddling across the road ahead of them, so they had to wait.


    As his gaze swept past several local onlookers nearby, Fu Mingshi closed his eyes again.


    He felt a little tired. They had set off in the morning, flown for three hours, then driven by car for five hours after getting off the ne. He was told there was still half an hour''s drive to the destination. It was already past three o''clock in the afternoon. If he could not persuade Zhen Bao to return with him to the capital today, he would have to stay overnight here and continue persuading tomorrow.


    His body was tired, and so was his heart.


    Zhen Bao was indeed very beautiful, but she had dropped out of school after finishing junior high. Whatmon topics could he, a woman with only a junior high education, have with him? For his marriage partner, Fu Mingshi did not have high standards, but she should at least have gone to college, right?


    Speaking rationally, Fu Mingshi did not have any hope for his marriage with Zhen Bao. But Old Master''s illness was urgent, and Fu Mingshi did not dare to defy him. He had to fulfill Old Master''s long cherished wish. However, Fu Mingshi did not want to make a hasty decision about his own marriage...


    He tapped the briefcase on hisp and slowly opened his eyes. Behind the sunsses, the man''s dark eyes were deep and calm.


    Because of simr congestion caused by "ducks" on the road, it was past four o''clock in the afternoon when the ck Volkswagen finally drove into an even smaller vige. The vige was surrounded by rolling hills, high and low. The dozen or so families were sparsely scattered about. There were some small two-story tiled houses, as well as some two-story brick houses. The local climate was damp and hot, so most residents lived on the second floor.


    "President Fu, that is Zhen''s house."


    The driver stopped the car and pointed to the two-story brick house with some history in the northwest corner, saying, "Is Miss Zhen home?" He was also one of Old Master Fu''s bodyguards. It was him who had flown here from afar and secretly taken those photos that Fu Mingshi had seen earlier. Naturally, he was here to guide Fu Mingshi this time.


    Fu Mingshi hmm-ed.


    The driver coughed awkwardly and exined, "President Fu, the dirt road over there is hard to walk on. We can only go over on foot."


    Fu Mingshi nced at him but did not say anything. He picked up his briefcase, pushed open the door and got out of the car.


    The man''s polished leather shoes shone brightly. As soon as he stepped onto the only gray cement road here, a thinyer of dust immediately settled on them. Fu Mingshi paid no attention to it and followed the driver off the cement road, walking towards their destination.


    The Zhen residence had a fence made of rattan. The rattan was not even as tall as Fu Mingshi''s legs. Fu Mingshi stopped at the gate and swiftly surveyed the small farm yard. Vegetable plots were nted on both sides, and a few native chickensy scattered about the yard. Seeing them, the chickens did not panic but just turned their necks.


    The door of the main house on the first floor was open, so the owner should be home.


    Without Fu Mingshi saying anything, the driver called out loudly, "Miss Zhen!"


    After shouting three times with no response, an olddy with white hair walked out from the yard next door. Recognizing the driver, the olddy asked in the local dialect, "Looking for Fengbao again?"


    The driver, also a local, smiled and nodded. "Is Miss Zhen home?"


    The olddy turned her head and pointed to the back hill, saying, "Fengbao went to herd geese just now."


    The driver tranted for Fu Mingshi to hear. "President Fu, why don''t you go wait inside the house first, and I''ll go find Miss Zhen?"


    Fu Mingshi surveyed the surrounding hills, frowning slightly. It was almost dusk, yet she, a young woman, dared to go alone into the mountains. Were the local customs really so simple, or was she fearless?


    "Let''s go together," he said after ncing at the dim main house again. He did not want to go in and sit at all.


    The driver waved goodbye to the olddy and led Fu Mingshi towards the back hill.


    When they had walked some distance, Fu Mingshi asked, "Did that olddy just call her Fengbao?" He had heard those two words clearly.


    The driver smiled. "Last time when I was here I also got confused. After asking around carefully, I found out that on the day Miss Zhen was born, birds from the surrounding woods all flew over andnded on the roof and in the yard of the Zhen residence. The vigers were superstitious and said that hundreds of birds hade to pay homage to the phoenix. So the Zhen family gave her the nickname Fengbao."


    Fu Mingshi pulled the corners of his mouth. He did not believe it. It was probably a coincidence that some birds happened to fly over, and the story grew as it was passed around.


    After climbing a small hill, they were faced with a lush green bamboo forest. At first nce, Fu Mingshi saw a woman in a white shirt sitting in the grass inside. Her head was tilted as she looked at several big white geese grazing. Her jet ck long hair was braided into a long braid, same as in the photo, only this time it was draped behind her back.


    "Woof woof woof!"


    A small ck dog suddenly burst out of the bushes and barked at them.


    Zhen Bao turned around. Recognizing one of the two men in ck as the photographer who hade here sightseeingst month, she was both startled and delighted. She pped her hands and got up from the ground, then jogged out of the bamboo forest. Standing at the edge, she smiled at the driver and said, "You''vee sightseeing again?"


    It was already May, and the weather was hot. She wore a semi-old white T-shirt on top and knee-length denim shorts below. Set against the lush green bamboo forest behind her, the exposed skin of her arms and legs was fair, delicate and smooth. Her limbs were well-proportioned, and her calves were straight and slender, yet not in an unhealthily thin way.


    And her face was even prettier than in the photo - goose egg-shaped, with elegant eyebrows and eyes, red lips that were appealing but not garish.


    There were countless types of beauties, but Zhen Bao was the freshest and most elegant that Fu Mingshi had ever seen. Her smile was like a spring breeze. But after a brief nce, he looked away, and asked the driver softly, "Sightseeing?" Also, why was Zhen Bao so familiar with him?


    The driver smiled wryly. As he walked towards Zhen Bao, he exined softly, "Last time I wanted to secretly take a couple photos of her. I didn''t hide them well and Hei Dan found them. So I pretended I hade sightseeing."


    Fu Mingshi epted this exnation. He didn''t need to guess who Hei Dan was.


    "Miss Zhen, this is my boss. You can call him President Fu," the driver introduced when they reached Zhen Bao.


    The two of them had looked Fu Mingshi over as they approached. Zhen Bao gave Fu Mingshi a faint smile. "President Fu." The man was very tall and his face shape was probably quite handsome too. But Zhen Bao did not like the sunsses on his nose. She felt that people who did not take off their sunsses even when greeting others were a bit arrogant.


    "How long are you staying this time?" Zhen Bao chatted with the "photographer" enthusiastically. Last time he had taken a few photos of her and said before leaving that he would mail a copy back to her. Zhen Bao had waited for a long time without receiving anything, and was disappointed. She had forgotten all about it until now that he hade again.


    Her eyes were clear. Although the driver did not know the girl was still looking forward to getting the photos, he felt bad about continuing to lie to her. Scratching his head, he looked to his boss for guidance.


    "You go wait down the mountain first," Fu Mingshi said, taking off his sunsses and looking at the driver.


    Without another word, the driver immediately left.


    Only then did Fu Mingshi turn to Zhen Bao. Very formally, he extended his right hand to her, his dark eyes fixed on hers. "Miss Zhen, I''m Fu Mingshi. My grandfather and your grandfather wererades-in-arms in the same toon during the War of Resistance. I havee to visit your family this time as entrusted by him to call on the descendants of his fellow soldier."


    But as soon as Zhen Bao saw him take off his sunsses, she was dumbstruck!


    Old Lady Zhang next door had a small ck-and-white TV. Zhen Bao had seen the big stars on TV, butpared to the man before her now, those stars really seemed to turn ck-and-white. Only this Mr. Fu was in color, even though he wore an all-ck suit. His whole body was ck except for his red lips...


    Ever since elementary school, Fu Mingshi had always been popr among girls. After taking over the conglomerate, even more women were attracted to his face. So he was not the least surprised by Zhen Bao''s astonishment, and waited calmly for her to regain herposure.


    Her calf was nudged by Hei Dan, and Zhen Bao felt itchy. Only when she lowered her head did she see that the man still had his hand outstretched. She immediately blushed and hurriedly shook his hand. The man''s palm was warm, but as soon as it touched Zhen Bao''s hand he jerked it back as if shocked, and put it behind him, wiggling his fingers. She was not shy around strangers, but was not used to physical contact with men.


    Wait... what did he say earlier?


    Expecting that she had not heard clearly, Fu Mingshi repeated what he had said, his voice low and clear, extremely patient.


    Zhen Bao suddenly understood. So it turned out he was her grandfather''srade-in-arms. When she was little, Granny often told her stories about when Grandpa was a soldier, and said he had been a toon leader. If not for his early sacrifice, he surely would have be a high official.


    "Thank you for his kind recollection of us. And thank you President Fu for taking the trouble to travel all this way. It must have been a long ride?" Thinking of her grandfather, Zhen Bao felt quite emotional. Since he was an old acquaintance, she also suddenly felt a faint sense of kinship with Fu Mingshi, and their conversation became natural.


    "It was fine," Fu Mingshi said, not mentioning his own hardship. Looking at Zhen Bao, he got straight to the point, "Miss Zhen, there is another thing I must tell you." He calmly exined the situation of the two old men arranging this childhood betrothal, including Old Master Fu having liver cancer and hoping for their two grandchildren to marry.


    Zhen Bao listened in puzzlement, taking a long time to point at Fu Mingshi and herself in disbelief. "The elders..."


    What era was this? There was still such a thing as a childhood betrothal?


    "Since we are meeting for the first time, I know this marriage will put Miss Zhen in a difficult position. But Old Master is suffering from liver cancer and needs to rx for treatment. So I sincerely ask Miss Zhen to do me a favor and pretend to be my wife for a period of time. After Old Master''s health improves, or he... passes on, I will divorce you and give you your freedom back."


    Fu Mingshi''s tone was steady, as if discussing business. He then took out a prenuptial agreement from his briefcase and handed it to Zhen Bao, "Here is a prenuptial agreement for you to look through first. Feel free to ask me if you don''t understand anything."


    It was a prenuptial agreement, and also an employment contract. Her only duty was to act as his wife. Afterwards, he would give Zhen Bao a generous amount of assets aspensation for her lost youth. During the marriage, he would also not force her to fulfill the duties of a wife. The two of them would each mind their own business, with no interference from each other.

 Chapter 3: 003

    <h4>Chapter 3</h4>


    Zhen Bao was considered the vige beauty by all the neighbors, and was also the ss flower and school flower at school.


    Zhen Bao felt that she didn''t deserve such an honor, but she knew that she did look quite good. When she was in elementary school it was fine, but when she entered middle school and high school, boys would often write her love letters. The students'' courtship methods were quite civilized, but Zhen Bao had also encountered some shifty characters from society who specifically targeted innocent students, and was even eyed by people suspected of being human traffickers.


    After encountering so many bizarre incidents, Zhen Bao gradually became more vignt, although she had dropped out due tock of money and was living a carefree life in her hometown, Zhen Bao was still on guard.


    When Fu Mingshi said that their grandfathers were war buddies, she believed him and was willing to treat him as a friend and host him, but when Fu Mingshi said that his grandfather had liver cancer, and brought up their childhood betrothal, wanting to trick her into marrying him, if Zhen Bao believed him again, she would be a fool. Who knows if he was just another advanced human trafficker? If she blindly went along with him to get a marriage certificate, she might never be able to break free from his control afterwards.


    His suit and leather shoes looked quite expensive, but they could also be a deliberate prop by a scammer pretending to be a wealthy man.


    Harboring suspicions in her heart, Zhen Bao did not show it on her face. She scratched her head with a conflicted look and said, "This... I feel very sympathetic about your grandfather''s illness, it''s just that childhood betrothals are feudal dregs. Fu always looks very well-educated... Anyway, you should just go back and try to persuade your grandfather again."


    "I''ve tried persuading him already, but the old man is stubborn and insists on fulfilling the promise from back then." Fu Mingshi had already anticipated that Zhen Bao would not immediately agree to this preposterous request. The prenuptial agreement was for his own consideration, but also for Zhen Bao''s sake, so she wouldn''t worry about him taking advantage of her. "Ms. Zhen, I can pay you a deposit first, 100 million, I hope you can help me out this once."


    He was sincerely discussing a transaction with her, he didn''t intend to shortchange her due to any naivete or ignorance on her part.


    100 million?


    Zhen Bao almostughed out loud. If this guy could really take out 100 million, why would he marry a country girl like her? He must be trying to scam her. She had heard that fraud tactics nowadays were bing more and more advanced. They could first make extra money appear in your ount, then retract itter.


    Firmly believing that Fu Mingshi was a scammer, Zhen Bao didn''t even want to keep talking to him. She turned around to walk back. "Really can''t do it, Fu always should go back." She was very satisfied with her current life, there was no need to marry a stranger for money.


    Her refusal was so blunt that it made Fu Mingshi frown. He followed behind her and asked, "What would it take for Ms. Zhen to agree?"


    With her back to him, Zhen Bao sighed, "I don''t want to trick people, and I don''t want to fake marry a stranger. Fu always, please don''t make things difficult for me, okay?"


    Though she was only 20, her face was still very youthful. Fu Mingshi was a business tycoon who dominated themercial sphere, he certainly wouldn''t be deterred by Zhen Bao''s cold demeanor. He just felt a headacheing on, understanding on one hand that his request was preposterous, but still needing to fight for it on behalf of his grandfather.


    "I''ll leave the agreement here for you, Ms. Zhen can take a look first. I''lle again tomorrow." Fu Mingshi held out the prenuptial agreement, looking at Zhen Bao with a sincere gaze. After getting to know her temperament today, he would think of a new strategy tonight.


    Zhen Bao just wanted to hurry up and send him away, so she took it.


    "See you tomorrow." Fu Mingshi bid her farewell lightly and turned to leave.


    Zhen Bao continued to herd geese. She tossed the prenuptial agreement onto the ground and was about to sit down when Fu Mingshi suddenly turned back around. Zhen Bao paused briefly, then shamelessly sat down since it was toote to pretend otherwise. He was just a scammer, she didn''t need to give him any face.


    Fu Mingshi looked at the prenuptial agreement she had used as a seat cushion on the ground, and silently swallowed back the words urging her toe down the mountain sooner. He quickened his pace down the hillside.


    Zhen Bao knew he was angry but felt quite satisfied.


    Her little ck dog Hei Dan ran back and snuggled up to his owner.


    Zhen Bao hugged Hei Dan and looked again at the seven white geese leisurely eating grass in the bamboo grove, feeling carefree and content.


    ~


    50 li from Zhen Bao''s home there was a small town. Hongfa Hotel was the only hotel in town. The driver had stayed herest time. Of course Fu Mingshi would take the best room, though the best room in a small ce like this couldn''tpare to the bathroom in Fu Mingshi''s vi.


    The driver was experienced and had specially prepared new bedding and quilts in the trunk, diligently helping to change them out. "Boss Fu, please bear with this for now."


    Fu Mingshi stood by the window without saying a word.


    His phone rang, it was his grandfather. "Did you meet with Zhen Bao?"


    Fu Mingshi''s tone was cold. "She''s unwilling. I said I would give her 100 million as a betrothal gift and she still refused. Grandfather, forget it. You feel that having her marry into our family would be taking care of her, but she''s gotten used to living in her rural hometown..."


    "Stop bbering. I don''t believe that you can''t even persuade a little girl. Mingshi, I''m telling you, if you don''t bring Zhen Bao back, don''t bothering back yourself either!"


    Leaving him with that rtively calm threat, Elder Fu decisively ended the call.


    Fu Mingshi looked at the screen, a feeling of powerlessness welled up in his heart.


    The driver pretended not to have heard the voice from the phone. He tidied up the room, then silently slipped on gloves and went to disinfect the bathroom like a dutiful servant. After finishing up the chores he scurried back to the next room carrying his supplies.


    Fu Mingshi locked the door, quickly rinsed off, and came out wearing only boxer briefs, exposing his fit, muscr chest and defined but not exaggerated eight pack abs. His long legs were enough to make all the male models on the runway lose their color. The driver hadid out a new bamboo mat on the chair for Fu Mingshi. As he sat down and opened hisptop to check emails, Fu Mingshi, a workaholic, quickly put Zhen Bao out of his mind.


    The next morning, Fu Mingshi got up at his usual 5 AM.


    At 6 AM, the shuttle bus was on the road again.


    Fu Mingshi gazed out the window absentmindedly at the hills. Money didn''t tempt Zhen Bao, and he couldn''t think of a better way. There seemed to be a lot of contracted marriage tropes in TV dramas, but usually the female lead owed the male lead something first and had no choice but to agree. Zhen Bao didn''t owe the Fu family anything.


    The man knitted his brows. The driver could see it clearly through the rearview mirror. As a professional bodyguard who didn''t want to keep ying dual roles as caretaker here, the driver coughed and tentatively suggested, "Boss Fu, I think you could try persuading Ms. Zhen toe back with you first, then develop feelings before proposing.


    They were twoplete strangers. With the situation as is, how could Ms. Zhen agree to a proposal just like that? She''d either be after Boss Fu''s money or looks if she readily agreed. Her motives would be impure."


    Fu Mingshi nced over with a piercing look.


    The driver grinned foolishly, "I''m just rambling, don''t take it seriously Boss Fu."


    But Fu Mingshi''s mind became unclouded. His furrowed brows rxed.


    ~


    Zhen Bao also had the good habit of sleeping and waking up early. After eating breakfast and washing the dishes, she was in the backyard nting seedlings in the vegetable patch. She suddenly heard the geese honking loudly in the front yard. Recalling the image of the big scammer from yesterday acting sanctimoniously, Zhen Bao finished uprooting several more seedlings before dusting off her hands and heading to the front yard.


    Outside the wicker fence, Fu Mingshi''s face was ash gray. Inside the fence, the seven big white geese had their necks stretched tall as they honked and pped their wings aggressively at him.


    "I read your agreement. I''m sorry but I still can''t agree." Zhen Bao stood in the doorway,pletely impolite.


    She had changed into a pair of lighter wash jeans, paired with a ck and white horizontal striped tee. Her features were elegant, but her words unexpectedly firm. Fu Mingshi already realized his mistake. Ignoring the big white geese, he apologized loudly, "I''m sorry, I was too impatient and didn''t consider things thoroughly yesterday. How about this - you move to the Fu house first, and if ultimately you still can''t ept me, I''ll send you back."


    Grandfather liked Zhen Bao. As long as Zhen Bao was in the imperial capital, grandfather could rest easy focusing on his treatment.


    Zhen Bao sneered. Was this guy feigningpromise because he realized she wasn''t easy to fool?


    Unwilling to waste time on a scammer, Zhen Bao waved her old Nokia phone at him and coldly warned, "I already said no means no. If you don''t leave, I''m calling the police!" The volume of her voice indicated her mood. She always spoke gently to vigers, but now she was yelling loudly. Hei Dan and the white geese could all tell that their owner didn''t wee this stranger, and immediately started honking even louder.


    The old grandma next door curiously came out and asked Zhen Bao in the local dialect what was going on.


    Fu Mingshi didn''t want Zhen Bao to speak badly of him, so he quickly spoke up before she could open her mouth, "Ms. Zhen, for the sake of our elders'' rtionship, can you let me in to talk?" He wanted to discuss things with her calmly.


    Zhen Bao looked at him, then turned and told a little white lie to the neighbor granny that Fu Mingshi was a salesman before actually starting to walk towards the door.


    The geese became well-behaved again in front of their owner, obediently making way on both sides.


    Fu Mingshi thought Zhen Bao hade around, and apologized again when she approached, "I''m sorry for the trouble."


    Zhen Bao looked up at him with a smile. "You leave immediately, then I''ll forgive you."


    She smiled brightly, even sweeter than her photos, leaving Fu Mingshi a bit stunned before he came back to his senses. "Ms. Zhen, I..."


    Not appreciating that she had given him onest chance, Zhen Bao''s patience wore out. She suddenly pushed him forcefully. Fu Mingshi had martial arts training, and instinctively grabbed her hand. Seeing his quick reaction, Zhen Bao became even more certain he was a bad guy. She stomped on his leather shoe, then took advantage when Fu Mingshi loosened his grip to swiftly dodge inside the fence.


    She dodged, but the geese inside the fence scrambled to run out and join forces against their owner''s enemy.


    "Honk honk honk!"

 Chapter 4: 004

    <h4>Chapter 4</h4>


    Fu Ming Shi was born and raised in a mansion, and had only ever seen foie gras on the dinner table. How would he know that geese couldmit murder?


    When the first big white goose stretched out its neck and came at him, Fu Ming Shi lifted his foot to kick it away. But from the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Zhen Bao standing with her arms crossed, sneering as she watched the fun unfold. Fu Ming Shi was both angry and confused. He was about to try negotiating peacefully again when his pants suddenly tightened. Before he knew it, a stabbing pain shot up his leg!


    Did this goose actually know how to bite people?


    Fu Ming Shi shook his leg in agony. One goose was flung away while another charged at him.


    "Mr. Fu, Mr. Fu!"


    The driver had been waiting for Fu Ming Shi''s instructions on the cement road. Seeing his boss under attack by a flock of geese now, his face turned pale with fright. He sprinted over to rescue the man. Seeing they were in cahoots, Zhen Bao knew even if she called the cops, they wouldn''t arrive in time. So she threatened sternly, "If you don''t leave now, I''ll call for help!"


    Still focused on fending off the big white geese, Fu Ming Shi heard her first. He looked up at her.


    Morning sunlight spilled beautifully over the small farm courtyard, but while the woman looked harmless on the outside, her eyes were filled with hostility.


    Fu Ming Shi froze. The Zhen Bao before him now was nothing like the refined, sweet girl in the photos.


    As he stood motionless, the geese seized the opportunity to attack as one. With a tearing sound, arge chunk of fabric was ripped from Fu Ming Shi''s left pant leg!


    "Mr. Fu!" The driver finally reached them, brandishing a long stick he had grabbed from the road to drive the geese away. Hei Dan was just a two-month-old puppy. Knowing his bites didn''t hurt, he only barked at his master''s feet without leaving the fence.


    The geese had twisted Fu Ming Shi''s calf several times, drawing blood. He had never been fullymitted to marrying a country bumpkin from the start. And now that Zhen Bao was condoning her poultry injuring people, Fu Ming Shipletely gave up. He would rather infuriate his grandfather than waste any more time in this backwater valley.


    Without a word, Fu Ming Shi strode towards the cement road, his profile cold and imposing. Even with his torn pants leg, his dignified aura as a CEO remained perfectly intact.


    The driver had wanted to say something on his boss''s behalf, but seeing the geese charge again, he promptly fled. Once he reached the cement road, he happened to overhear Fu Ming Shi calling his assistant to book ne tickets.


    "Mr. Fu?" The driver asked uneasily. Aren''t you going to deal with the old master first?


    "Go back to the hotel first, then head to the airport." Fu Ming Shi put down his phone, his attitude firm. His dark eyes coldly nced back at the Zhen family''s yard. He didn''t think he could tolerate a crude, uneducated vige girl, even one with a face that pleased him.


    The ck sedan reversed and drove off in a cloud of dust.


    Zhen Bao stood at the door until she could no longer see the car. Only then did she close and bolt the fence gate properly before continuing with chores in the backyard.


    When noon arrived with its oppressive heat, Zhen Bao went back upstairs to the bedroom. She opened the windows and took a nap.


    Half-asleep, she heard the honking of geese, but it soon faded. Some timeter, excited voices drifted over from Granny Guo''s yard next door. Zhen Bao rubbed her eyes in confusion as she sat up. Granny Guo''s children and grandchildren all lived out of town. Who was the olddy talking to?


    After changing out of her pajamas and sleeping shorts into a t-shirt and shorts, Zhen Bao quickly tied her hair in a ponytail. She went out to the balcony and peered east at Granny Guo''s yard. Sure enough, the big liar from this morning had returned. Only this time, he was following an elderly white-haired man: the one Granny Guo was chatting with.


    Because of the angle, Fu Ming Shi saw Zhen Bao first, his expression turning even more unpleasant.


    He looked fierce, so Zhen Bao nced again at the old man who resembled him and suddenly felt a little guilty...


    "Feng Bao,e down quick! Your Fu grandfather is here to see you!" It had been over a decade since shest saw her friend. Granny Guo was ted. All smiles, she beckoned to Zhen Bao, even switching to clumsy Mandarin. Zhen Bao felt Granny Guo was smiling so widely her face might burst into bloom at any moment. Not even when her children and grandchildren came home did the olddy be this celebratory.


    Of course, she didn''t know Fu Senior was quite the hunk in his youth and had visited this area a few times. Although Granny Guo knew she was out of his league, that didn''t stop her from admiring the handsome man. Even now that they had grown old, seeing her crush excited her like a schoolgirl.


    What concerned Zhen Bao most, however, was the legendary war buddy of Grandpa Fu!


    Surely Granny Guo wouldn''t mistake the man?


    Seeing Fu Senior''s kindly smile, then Fu Ming Shi''s icy expression, and recalling what she had done to Fu Ming Shi that morning, Zhen Bao''s face suddenly burned hotly. She hurried back into her room. Granny Guo assumed the girl wanted to change her clothes and invited the Fu men over to her ce first.


    Fu Senior nodded and went inside, first confirming one thing with Granny Guo: "How is Feng Bao''s mother?"


    He had visited a total of three times. The first was right after the war ended when he concealed their childhood betrothal. Although Fu Senior wanted to take care of the Zhen family on behalf of Commander Zhen, his own family wasn''t very wealthy then. All Fu Senior could do was give them a sum of money as a token of his regard.


    The second visit urred after his daughter died in a car ident. Fu Senior went to Commander Zhen''s grave to pay respects, intending to bring the Zhen family to settle in the capital. But Commander Zhen''s parents couldn''t bear to leave their homnd and didn''t even want his money, saying the amount fromst time was still unused, disying pure simplicity.


    Fu Senior came a third time after receiving a letter from the Zhen family saying Feng Bao''s father was getting married. It was wonderful news, so despite his busy business, Fu Senior made time to visit. Only upon arriving did he learn the Zhen elders had both passed on. Feng Bao''s father was honest while her mother was clearly shrewd. She had also egged Feng Bao''s father into writing that letter.


    Unable to interfere with his marriage views, Fu Senior offered again to bring the newlyweds to the capital. Feng Bao''s mother was quite keen, but her father stubbornly refused to leave his homnd. So the matter fell through once more. Before leaving, Fu Senior gave Feng Bao''s father a bank card.


    As the Fu family business grewrger, the Zhens never contacted him proactively. Busy with work, Fu Senior also forgot about them until he was diagnosed with liver cancer. Only then did he remember this ce again. He sent people to investigate the situation and learned Feng Bao''s mother had run off with another man when Feng Bao was three, taking the bank card with her. Feng Bao''s father had also fallen ill and passed away while Feng Bao was in high school.


    Fu Senior felt terrible for Feng Bao. Wanting to repay his debt and thinking she was pretty enough not to slight his grandson, he conceived the idea of having his grandson marry her. If Feng Bao had been truly ordinary, Fu Senior might only have provided material assistance since it was he who had wronged Commander Zhen after all. He couldn''t force his innocent grandson too much.


    ~


    Just as Granny Guo was angrily denouncing Feng Bao''s mother for being heartless, Feng Bao finally trudged over, still in the same clothes from before. Her freshly washed, moist face showed she had just sshed water on it.


    "Grandfather Fu, why have youe?" Feng Bao sped her hands uneasily as she asked, sneaking curious peeks at Fu Senior.


    Fu Senior had taken a red eye flight arriving past midnight. After resting in the city for a night, he called his grandson upon waking and learned about the morning''s events. Now looking at the sweet and delicate Feng Bao, Fu Senior refused to believe she would attack first. His clumsy grandson must have provoked the geese himself, then bit back at Feng Bao.


    "Grandpa was afraid Ming Shi couldn''t exin clearly, so I thought I shoulde in person."


    Hearing this, Feng Bao couldn''t help ncing again at Fu Ming Shi.


    He faced expressionlessly out the door, ignoring her.


    Now Feng Bao finally understood everything Fu Ming Shi said yesterday was true.


    Her mind chaotic, she first expressed concern for Fu Senior''s health. "Are you really ill, sir?"


    Fu Senior heaved a long sigh. Seeing Granny Guo''s confusion, he exined the purpose of their visit to her like two old friends chatting. Granny Guo was elderly and not as dramatic as the young people once Fu Senior rified he had epted the situation. Instead, she advised Feng Bao earnestly, "Feng Bao, this is blessed fortune your grandfather has cultivated for you. Hurry and agree!"


    Extremely satisfied, she gave Fu Ming Shi an approving look. Young people were so handsome these days, and he was so rich too. If it were her, she would have agreed long ago.


    Feng Bao kept her head lowered without responding.


    Fu Senior seized the opportunity and rose unsteadily with his cane. "Let''s go over to your ce and sit down first. Our families can have dinner together tonight." He already regarded Feng Bao as his grandson''s fianc¨¦e.


    "Alright, you two talk it over. I''ll start preparing dinner." Granny Guo watched him affectionately.


    Fu Senior smiled and turned to ask Feng Bao, "Shall we go over first?"


    Feng Bao nodded and nervously led the way.


    In the Zhen family yard, the big white geese all stood up as their mistress approached but didn''t act aggressively anymore. Only Hei Dan kept scampering devotedly at his mistress''s feet, his beady dog eyes asionally eyeing Fu Ming Shi warily. When Fu Ming Shi entered the house, Hei Dan even barked once.


    "Good dog, knows how to guard the home." Fu Senior praised.


    Feng Bao brought over two wooden stools for them to sit on and said awkwardly, "The house is a bit shabby, please don''t look down on it."


    The Zhen residence really was quite run-down, not to mentionpared to Granny Guo''s.


    But neither Fu Senior nor Fu Ming Shi seemed to mind as they sat down steadily.


    Feng Bao also calmed down now. She looked at Fu Senior helplessly, "Grandfather Fu, I appreciate your kindness but really, there''s no need topensate me. I''m living quite well now. I only hope you take care of your health and recover from your illness soon so we can all be healthy and well."


    "That won''t do. Every day you refuse to marry Ming Shi, my conscience pains me for an extra day, preventing my recovery." Fu Senior spoke calmly. Meeting Feng Bao''s startled gaze, he pointed at himself and switched to a pitiful tone, "Feng Bao, look at me. If there was another way, would I have undertaken such an arduous journey here? You don''t know how my old bones nearly crumbled from the bumpy ride between the airport and your home. Feng Bao, take pity on this old man and keep mepany in the city for a few years?"


    He leaned forward earnestly, looking at Feng Bao.


    Suddenly Feng Bao felt extremely...guilty. It was the old man who had insisted oning, yet imagining him battling such a terrifying illness as liver cancer, Feng Bao couldn''t remain rationally aloof.


    Fu Senior pressed his advantage. "Come with us, Feng Bao. Don''t worry, with Grandpa here, Ming Shi absolutely won''t dare mistreat you."


    Still Feng Bao didn''t want to go, but she didn''t know how to refuse either when the old man looked at her like that. She couldn''t withstand his gaze.


    Fu Senior promptlypromised. "Or you two can get engaged first, spend more time together cultivating your rtionship. If it really doesn''t work out, I''ll treat you like a granddaughter. That should be fine, right? Feng Bao, I just can''t stop worrying about you. Take pity on this old man and keep mepany in the city for a few years?"


    He leaned forward eagerly, watching Feng Bao.

 Chapter 5: 005

    <h4>Chapter 5</h4>


    Facing Master Fu''s eager eyes, Zhen Bao chose to remain silent.


    Master Fu could see that Zhen Bao was not consenting, but was silently refusing. Since the child was unwilling, Master Fu could not stubbornly cling on either. He patted his thighs and shook his head, "Forget it, let''s not talk about this for now. Bao Bao,e with grandpa to your grandfather''s grave to burn some incense sticks. It''s far away and we don''t get to see him often. It''s not easy to visit him once." After speaking, he turned his head to look at his grandson, "Go get the Lao Bai spirit from the car. Zhen Commander used to love drinking that the most."


    Fu Ming Shi strode past Zhen Bao without even ncing at her.


    Zhen Bao was still looking at the ground, also not casting a single nce at him.


    Master Fu walked over with a smile, and whispered as if sharing a secret, "Bao Bao, tell grandpa the truth, do you think Ming Shi looks decent?"


    Zhen Bao nced at him and slowly nodded her head. Even if Fu Ming Shi was ugly, out of courtesy, she could not denigrate his grandson in front of Master Fu.


    Master Fu stroked his beard andughed, "Then I''ll also tell you the truth. This child Ming Shi has had a cold temper since young. He is only passionate about his work. He''s already 28 this year but has never been in love before. I tried arranging blind dates for him but he avoids them like the gue. This time, he came by himself after seeing your photo, without me having to put in much effort. In my opinion, he must have taken a liking to you already."


    But Zhen Bao thought about the prenuptial agreement. Fu Ming Shi did not like her, he was just too filial to the elderly.


    "You''re also at the age to fall in love. Do you have someone you like?" Master Fu started probing into Zhen Bao''s life.


    Speaking of this topic, Zhen Bao felt a little embarrassed and shook her head. She was a good student who studied hard and did not date early. After dropping out of school, some people pursued her but Zhen Bao felt they did not meet her expectations and firmly rejected them. These two years, Granny Guo kindly tried matchmaking for her a few times but for various reasons, Zhen Bao did not fancy any of them. She was not in a hurry either, many of her peers were still studying.


    "You''ve never dated before, the two of you are even more well-suited." Stealing a nce at his grandson who was carrying two bottles of wine back, Master Fu teased Zhen Bao meaningfully.


    Zhen Bao smiled awkwardly.


    "Let''s go, we can chat while walking." Master Fu beckoned for Fu Ming Shi, who was waiting over there, to go ahead of him as he took the lead in striding out the door.


    Zhen Bao noticed the paper ingots for burning in Fu Ming Shi''s hands and grabbed a lighter to put in her pocket.


    On the way, Master Fu told Zhen Bao many old stories between him and Commander Zhen. Zhen Bao listened with great interest, finding him increasingly amiable.


    Fu Ming Shi walked behind the two, carrying things. Seeing Zhen Bao smile at the old master once again, he pondered and spoke to Zhen Bao for the first time since being bitten by the goose, "This morning, why didn''t you let me in the door?" Other than the somewhat ridiculous marital requirements, he didn''t think he had offended her. Seeing her well-behaved manner before the old master, it meant she acknowledged the rtionship between their families. There was no reason to respect the old master yet be rude to him.


    Zhen Bao looked back at him, embarrassedly lowering her head, "I thought you were a scammer..."


    Fu Ming Shi''s already cold face turned colder.


    Master Fu guffawed loudly, praising Zhen Bao, "One can never be too careful. Bao Bao did the right thing."


    Fu Ming Shi was speechless, turning his head to look at the rolling hills.


    Master Fu still recalled where the Zhen ancestral graves were located so they made their way there without Zhen Bao''s guidance. Arriving before the graves of Zhen Bao''s ancestors, Master Fu let the two young ones walk further away while he knelt alone before Commander Zhen''s grave to reminisce about the past. Zhen Bao vaguely heard a few sentences and curious, wanted to turn her head to take a look. When she turned, she identally collided into Fu Ming Shi''s gaze.


    It seemed to be just an ident, Fu Ming Shi''s gaze drifted away calmly as he stood on the brown hilltop in his ck suit, tall and upright, gazing into the distance. He looked like a ck eagle surveying its territory. Zhen Bao nced at his new trousers, biting her lip, lowering her voice, "I''m sorry, do you want me to stick a bandaid on you when we get back? I have some at home."


    "No need." Fu Ming Shi said while looking up at the horizon. Indeed there was no need, because he had already put one on.


    Since the other party did not appreciate the gesture, Zhen Bao dispiritedly shut her mouth.


    A sudden sound of grievous weeping suddenly drifted from the graveside. The two turned around at the same time, only to see Master Fu kneeling at the tombstone, seeming drunk as he cried intermittently, "Commander, I''ve let you down, I''ve also let those two children down. If not for me breaking my word, Tong Tong would not have died in a car ident, and Da Yong would also not have been deceived by a woman... They should have been together...It''s all my fault. This is retribution. Don''t cure me, let me go down to see you all earlier...Commander, even if you beat or scold me I won''t fight back..."


    The elderly should not be too emotionally agitated. Fu Ming Shi immediately went over to advise him.


    "Ming Shi, don''t mind me, go away, let me be with the Commander." Master Fu hugged the tombstone with one hand while pushing away his grandson with the other. While the outside world had underwent tremendous change over the decades, gazing around, this mountain region did not seem to have changed much. The mountains looked the same as when they crossed them during the war, the graves seemed just like the mounds the soldiers dug after death. Master Fu was moved by the scene before him. Having drank a bottle of strong alcohol, his suppressed regret over many years now gushed out all at once, putting the me for the misfortune of the betrothed children entirely on himself.


    No matter how Fu Ming Shi tried to persuade him, Master Fu would not listen.


    Seeing the elderly cry so sorrowfully, and over her grandfather and father no less, Zhen Bao had never met her paternal grandfather but she remembered her father. She soon started crying as well, kneeling next to Master Fu, crying while persuading him, "Master Fu please stop saying that, my grandfather does not me you, my father does not me you either. It was their fate, it had nothing to do with you..."


    "How is it unrted?" Master Fu''s face was covered in old tears as he pointed at Commander Zhen''s grave and wept, "Back then the Commander shook my hand and entered the engagement with me. I agreed in one breath. The Commander was so happy. But I didn''t fulfill it. I failed his trust. I don''t deserve for the Commander to save my life with his...It''s all my fault. I don''t deserve to have the Commander call me brother..."


    The old man wept so heartwrenchingly. It was as if Zhen Bao saw the scene from back then. She also understood for the first time why Master Fu was so adamant about the seemingly ridiculous childhood betrothal. Zhen Bao did not know if her grandfather med thisrade in arms but she truly could not bear to continue listening.


    "Master Fu, I agree, I agree to marry into your family. Please don''t be like this anymore..."


    Her grandfather had saved Master Fu''s life but her grandmother told her that at the time, their family was so poor they could not even afford to cook. If not for Master Fu giving them a sum of money, her grandmother would not have been able to raise her father, and without her father there would be no her. Hence this was all cause and effect, there was no owing or being owed. Master Fu really need not feel guilty toward the Zhen family, and even less should think that heaven was punishing him. What wrong had hemitted?


    "Master Fu, please don''t be like this. I''ll go with you." Zhen Bao''s eyes were red from crying.


    "Really?" Among the persuasion by the two young ones, only Zhen Bao''s words entered the old master''s ears.


    Zhen Bao wiped her eyes and nodded.


    Master Fu was overjoyed, not the joy of making money or even winning the lottery, but the joy of fulfilling a long-held wish - no longer needing to feel ashamed before hisrade, no longer needing to feel guilty in conscience. It was as if dying now, in this lifetime he no longer had any regrets.


    "Ming Shi, quickly kneel down, you two kowtow to the Commander together." Swaying as he stood, Master Fu shakily pulled at his grandson.


    Fu Ming Shi looked at the hot tears in the old man''s eyes, then at Zhen Bao kneeling there with lowered head. He took a deep breath, and let go of all his previous aversion toward this feudal and backwards custom, along with his doubts about Zhen Bao''s qualifications and dissatisfaction with her personality.


    Since the old master was so adamant, and since Zhen Bao had softened her stance and agreed for the old master''s sake, against her true wishes, as a man, what more could he not let go of?


    The old master was insistent. If theherworld truly existed, if Commander Zhen below could really see all this, having proposed the childhood betrothal in the first ce, he would surely be willing to entrust his granddaughter to Fu Ming Shi''s care now, right?


    ncing at Zhen Bao, Fu Ming Shi suddenly grabbed her left hand and pulled her along to kowtow to the gravestone, solemnly vowing, "Elder Zhen, Commander Zhen, please rest assured, I will take good care of Bao Bao. As long as Bao Bao does not despise me, I will spend my whole life devoted to her alone in this lifetime."


    The old master had broken his word before, but he would keep his word.


    After getting engaged, Zhen Bao would slowly grow to like him. Even if he still did not have feelings for her, he would work hard to be a good husband, and would never use the excuse of finding true love to look for someone else outside. If Zhen Bao looked down on him, then after the old master recovered, he would respect Zhen Bao''s wishes and cancel the engagement, setting her free to find her other half.


    After kowtowing, Fu Ming Shi slowly straightened up, still holding onto Zhen Bao''s hand.


    Zhen Bao stared nkly at him.


    Why was he being so serious? Didn''t they agree to get engaged first and let the feelings develop naturally? But Fu Ming Shi''s tone just now, unexpectedly made her feel like he intended to spend his whole life with her as husband and wife. When they had just met two days ago...


    Zhen Bao gently pulled her hand free, thinking to herself thatter she would also have to write up an agreement, lest Fu Ming Shi mistake the y for reality.


    She did not want his money. As long as he did not get handsy with her, things would be fine.

 Chapter 6: 006

    <h4>Chapter 6</h4>


    Master Fu got drunk, and it was Fu Ming Shi who carried him down the mountain. Zhen Bao ran home, and quickly tidied up her father''s bedroom, changing the sheets and quilt to clean cool mats and nkets. Just as she finished, she heard the geese honking in the yard. She went out to the balcony and saw that the big white geese had blocked the door again, not letting Fu Ming Shi in.


    Zhen Bao hurried to go get him.


    Fu Ming Shi followed behind her as they went inside. Seeing the aggressive big white geese eyeing him, his calves ached a bit.


    As they climbed to the second floor and passed by Zhen Bao''s bedroom, since the door was open, Fu Ming Shi unintentionally nced inside. The small ten-square-meter room had light green wallpaper on the walls, the floor was rammed earth, to the north was a homemade wooden bed with bamboo mats and a pink quilt and pillowcases.


    Next to the bed was a simrly homemade small bookcase, neatly lined with several rows of books. The big red covers of the Xinhua Dictionary and an English-Chinese dictionary were particrly eye-catching, like the desk essentials of a high school student.


    "I just tidied up the room, it''s a bit messy." Knowing they were wealthy people, looking at her own shabby room, Zhen Bao felt awkward.


    "He likes living in old houses," Fu Ming Shi carefully ced the sleeping Master Fu onto the bed. In the summer heat, he only loosened the cor and sleeves of the Master''s outfit, and didn''t touch the light green summer quilt on the bed.


    "I''ll go get some water to wipe Grandpa Fu''s face." Having settled him for now, Zhen Bao turned to leave. Reaching the door, she seemed to hear Fu Ming Shi following behind, and looked back in puzzlement.


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her calmly, "I''ll take care of the Master, you go wash up."


    Zhen Bao only then remembered that she had also been crying and was sweaty from running home...


    Neither wanted to face people while dirty, Zhen Bao''s face flushed red, acquiescing to Fu Ming Shi''s arrangement and hurried downstairs. She first put out a basin of water for Fu Ming Shi before collecting theundry drying in the backyard and going next door to Auntie Guo''s house to wash up and tidy herself before returning home.


    No one was on the first floor. Zhen Bao slowly went upstairs.


    Fu Ming Shi sat at the bedside watching over the old Master. Hearing movement, he turned his head to look out.


    Zhen Bao felt guilty about offending him before, and avoided his gaze as she softly asked the old Master, "Do you want some water?"


    Fu Ming Shi said, "No need, you tidy up and pack, we''ll set off tomorrow morning."


    The Master needed medical treatment, and he had business to take care of too, no more time to waste.


    At the mention of going to the capital, Zhen Bao''s expression darkened as she turned and went back to her own bedroom, closing the door and sitting on the bed in a daze. In all her years, the farthest she had gone was the county town over a hundred miles away. A big city like the capital she had only seen on TV.


    How would she live once she got there?


    She had a little over 2000 yuan in savings, the chickens could sell for 400-500 yuan, the geese...


    Zhen Bao couldn''t bear to sell the geese. Chickens onlyid eggs while the geese could watch the house. When she went fishing, they would even help catch small fish.


    And there was Hei Dan. Zhen Bao couldn''t part with him either.


    ~


    At dusk Auntie Guo next door invited them over for dinner. Master Fu had also woken up, washed his face, and was spirited.


    "Is everything packed up at Phoenix Store?" Master Fu asked Zhen Bao after the meal.


    Zhen Bao kept her head lowered.


    Seeing Hei Dan circling around her, Master Fuughed. "Couldn''t bear to part with Hei Dan? Don''t worry, we''ll bring Hei Dan with us." City folks all liked pet dogs, like Pomeranians, Huskies, Poodles and the like. Master Fu just liked local dogs, honest and obedient, easy to feed, without so many delicate temperaments.


    Zhen Bao''s eyes lit up as she looked towards the goose pen, "Can the geesee too?"


    Master Fu was rendered speechless for a moment. Seeing Zhen Bao''s disappointed look, he quickly added, "Of course, of course! Ming Shi''s vi has a swimming pool, and ake in the backyard, perfect for them to paddle around in."


    Zhen Bao looked to Fu Ming Shi for confirmation.


    Fu Ming Shi couldn''t imagine the swimming pool upied by a flock of geese, but he didn''t want to dampen Zhen Bao''s spirits, only reminding her of one thing, "Transporting pets requires quarantine paperwork."


    Master Fu immediately said, "That''s easy to arrange. I''ll take Hei Dan and the geese to City C tonight. You two set off tomorrow morning, the paperwork will definitely be ready by the time you get to the airport." Getting certification might take regr folks a few days, but with the Fu family''s money and connections, this little matter was no worry.


    "You''re leaving now?" Zhen Bao asked in surprise. Fu Ming Shi also frowned at the old Master.


    Master Fu put on a stern face and lied to Zhen Bao, "Grandpa has an appointment with the doctor, I must get back tonight. Feng Bao, take your time packing, no rush." After which he instructed Fu Ming Shi, "Feng Bao is going so far from home for the first time, take good care of her on the way."


    When Zhen Bao wasn''t looking, he secretly winked.


    Fu Ming Shi immediately understood that the old Master was deliberately creating opportunities for him and Zhen Bao to spend time alone together.


    Looking at Zhen Bao, still foolishly asking after the old Master''s condition, Fu Ming Shi averted his gaze, not exposing the old man''s intentions.


    ~


    The Master took two bodyguards, and with Fu Ming Shi''s chauffeur, the three men awkwardly yet efficiently handled the seven big white geese, grabbed the yelping Hei Dan, and apanied Master Fu on an overnight trip, leaving only the rented Volkswagen for Fu Ming Shi.


    Zhen Bao stood on the cement road, watching the Master''s car and muttering to herself, "Won''t they suffocate in the trunk?"


    "I told the driver to open the trunk and change the air every hour, they should be fine," Fu Ming Shi closed the car door. In his left hand he carried a suitcase with hisptop and two changes of clothes.


    Reassured that the geese would be alright, Zhen Bao finally realized another problem - Fu Ming Shi would be staying with her tonight!


    "Does that prenuptial agreement still stand?" Following behind Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao eyed his suitcase and asked.


    Fu Ming Shi nced back at her, unable to make out her intention from her downcast eyes, and had to ask, "Which part do you mean?"


    Too embarrassed to rify, Zhen Bao asked for his phone number.


    The abrupt change of topic left Fu Ming Shi momentarily bewildered before he recited his number.


    Zhen Bao saved it in her old Nokia phone. While Fu Ming Shi was showering downstairs, she closed her bedroom door, leaned against the bed, and typed out a text message.


    The Zhen family had no dedicated bathroom. In the backyard a simple shower stall was made with wooden boards, with sr water bags spread atop the roof. Fu Ming Shi was busy with work, and had also brought his phone to the shower. Hearing the text alert, he turned off the showerhead, wiped his hands dry and picked up his phone.


    It was an unknown number, the content reading: Boss Fu, I don''t need your money, I only hope that Grandpa Fu gets better soon. Once he''s recovered I''lle back, and you can marry whoever you like then.


    Water droplets rolled down his face. Fu Ming Shi wiped his face and replied: I don''t have anyone I like.


    Seeing his text, Zhen Bao grew worried. She wanted to subtly remind Fu Ming Shi to remember that their engagement was fake, what was his reply supposed to mean?


    Biting her lip, Zhen Bao continued to text: So our engagement is fake, right?


    Fu Ming Shi frowned: The engagement is real. If you are unwilling in the end, we don''t have to marry.


    Zhen Bao was a little confused now. Recalling Master Fu''s words, she slowly typed: "After getting engaged, we have to live together?"


    Fu Ming Shi paused for a few seconds before replying: Grandfather will hope you live at my ce.


    The text was sent before Fu Ming Shi suddenly recalled how she had hurriedly hidden in her room, and couldn''t helpughing: In separate rooms.


    Finally reassured, Zhen Bao responded: Ok.


    Fu Ming Shi waited for her reply, only getting an "Ok" in return, oddly a little disappointed as he put down his phone and continued his shower.


    ~


    The next day the two woke up around the same time. Zhen Bao made rice porridge, and steamed preserved sausages for a dish.


    Fu Ming Shi had never eaten preserved sausage before. Out of courtesy he tried a slice, and was pleasantly surprised by the slightly salty and spicy vor that got more appetizing the more he chewed.


    "You made this?" Having downed two bowls of porridge in a row, Fu Ming Shi pointed at the remaining sausages and asked.


    Zhen Bao nodded, her lips rosy.


    Fu Ming Shi looked away, "Tastes pretty good."


    Since Zhen Bao''s home still had some left, she was debating whether to take them along, and quickly said, "Then let''s bring them to eat on the road?"


    Fu Ming Shi rejected the notion without a second thought, "Give them to Auntie Guo. And the chickens too, they''re inconvenient to bring along."


    Zhen Bao was reluctant to part with them. She muttered softly, "The chickens can sell for 400-500 yuan." She was short on money now.


    Fu Ming Shi tugged his lips into a smile, "Since you''re helping care for grandfather, I''ll give you a regr sry. You''ve earned it."


    Zhen Bao epted it. She could try finding a real job once she got to Beijing.


    After exining things to Auntie Guo, Fu Ming Shi apanied Zhen Bao upstairs to get her luggage.


    Zhen Bao had a suitcase that cost a few dozen yuan, stuffed full. Fu Ming Shi picked it up with some difficulty, immediately setting it back down to ask what she had packed. Thinking he found it too heavy, Zhen Bao wanted to carry it herself, but Fu Ming Shi took in the bare bookcase in the corner, blocked Zhen Bao, and crouched down to open the suitcase.


    The bottom was filled with clothes, the top with a stack of books, all senior year textbooks, including the two brick-like dictionaries.


    "Are you self-studying?" Fu Ming Shi flipped open a well-worn English textbook, surprised as he asked.


    Zhen Bao shook her head, truthfully answering: "No self-studying, I was bored home alone, just passing time."


    She liked reading, and after dropping out would get bored at home, borrowing books from a neighbor girl in the vige who got into college, and was given all of them by her.


    Fu Ming Shi was struck by a thought. Standing up he looked at Zhen Bao and said, "I''ll help you transfer to a school in Beijing, then hire tutors to coach you intensively for a month. Study well and take the college entrance exam in June this year."


    Using connections he could easily get her a fake college diploma, but since Zhen Bao liked reading herself, Fu Ming Shi wanted to see what grades she could get relying solely on her own ability.


    "The college exam?" Zhen Bao didn''t have much confidence. "Can I get in?"


    "We won''t know until you take it." Fu Ming Shi took his own suitcase and retreated out the door. "Just bring two changes of clothes, leave everything else. I''ll buy you new books in Beijing."


    Not waiting for Zhen Bao to refuse, he left first.


    Zhen Bao eyed her big suitcase and Fu Ming Shi''s high-end luggage ced together, seeming a little jarring. She obediently picked two of her favorite outfits and transferred them over, sneakily stuffing her underwear and bras into her shirtsleeves, lest Fu Ming Shi see them when opening the case.


    Zipping it closed, Zhen Bao carried the suitcase out. As soon as she stepped through the door, she saw Fu Ming Shi already standing to the side, still in a ck suit, posture upright.


    Without a word Fu Ming Shi bent down to take her suitcase, walking straight for the stairs.


    Zhen Bao silently followed behind, gazing at her unfamiliar "fiance''s" back, then looking back at the familiar shabby furniture on the first floor. She suddenly felt as if in a dream.


    "You sit here." Fu Ming Shi put down the luggage and came over to open the passenger door for her.


    Zhen Bao slowly walked over and got into the "ck car", the ck Volkswagen.


    The door closed. After footsteps sounded, Fu Ming Shi circled around to get in on the other side. Sitting down, his legs looked even longer.


    "Seatbelt." Fu Ming Shi first reversed the car, ready to set off, and noticed her shoulders were empty. He casually reminded her.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head, looking around unable to find which one was the seatbelt.


    This was her first time in a sedan. Before this she had only taken buses and vans.


    Unable to find the seatbelt, and feeling the man''s gaze on her, Zhen Bao was extremely embarrassed.


    "Like this." Fu Ming Shi turned to the side, reaching over to pull the seatbelt.


    Zhen Bao pursed her lips, watching his hands. Just as she was about to take it, Fu Ming Shi had already started adjusting the belt for her.


    Zhen Bao could only sit perfectly still, wanting to see how to do it. But as soon as she lowered her head, she saw the seatbelt was positioned right across her chest.


    Zhen Bao''s face flushed crimson, mortified as she turned her head away.


    Fu Ming Shi also didn''t expect her petite frame to make the seatbelt''s effect so prominent. He had wanted to demonstrate buckling it for her, but catching sight of her red neck, he no longer had the mood to teach her. Hurriedly fastening the seatbelt for her, he turned back around to grip the steering wheel, eyes fixed straight ahead.


    The car drove a long way before Zhen Bao finally righted her head.


    The atmosphere in the car felt a little tense, at least to Fu Ming Shi. Her sitting like that was also distracting him.


    "I have games on my phone, want to y some?" Fu Ming Shi parked the car on the side of the road, holding up his phone as he asked.


    "What games?" Zhen Bao finally turned around, her face still a bit red.


    "Wait a sec." Fu Ming Shi first searched for casual games popr with girls, then picked out ones she might like and downloaded them.


    Zhen Bao watched the phone screen eagerly.


    Fu Ming Shi downloaded a dress-up game for her.

 Chapter 7: James Bond

    <h4>Chapter 7</h4>


    Zhen Bao did not have ess to a cellphone during high school. The old Nokia she was using now was inherited from her dad and could only make calls and send texts. Fu Ming Shi''s phone was too high-tech for her, and she struggled to understand the games he downloaded for her.


    Fu Ming Shi parked the car again and yed some English listeningprehension samples for her. As ast-minute high school graduate preparing for the college entrance exam, Zhen Bao showed keen interest in the listening exercises, wearing headphones and tilting her head to listen attentively. Now that she was upied, Fu Ming Shi could focus on driving again.


    It was past 1 pm when they arrived in C City.


    Fu''s grandfather had flown in on a private jet but was taking amercial flight home, leaving the private jet for his grandson. Fu Ming Shi only found out about these arrangements when he called his driver and bodyguards after getting off the highway. He nced at the napping Zhen Bao in the passenger seat and inexplicably felt like smiling.


    Was grandfather trying to show Zhen Bao the Fu family¡¯s wealth and extravagance?


    But Zhen Bao was not the kind of woman who coveted money.


    With no flight time constraints, Fu Ming Shi navigated to arge shopping mall. On the way, they passed a mobile phone store and Fu Ming Shi changed course on a whim.


    The car stopped and Zhen Bao suddenly woke up, covering her mouth as she yawned.


    Fu Ming Shi unbuckled her seatbelt first. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said, pushing open the passenger door.


    He was so close that his chiseled side profile filled her vision, long eyshes framing intense eyes. Afraid of brushing his shoulder, Zhen Bao pressed back against the seat as Fu Ming Shi straightened up. She hurried out of the car once he moved aside. The fresh outdoor air greeted her along with the busy road ahead, lined by towering high-rises in the distance. Zhen Bao tried to spot an airport-like building but instead noticed the mobile phone store beside them.


    Fu Ming Shi locked the car and waited for her.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the airport?¡± Zhen Bao still hadn¡¯t realized Fu Ming Shi¡¯s intentions.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you a new phone first. Your ssmates and friends will be sending pictures and voice messages often. Your current phone can¡¯t handle that and it¡¯ll affectmunication.¡± Fu Ming Shi headed towards the phone store, listing reasons why she needed an upgrade.


    Withoutparison there would be no damage. After ying with Fu Ming Shi¡¯s phone, Zhen Bao knew hers was woefully outdated. If she had to get a new one, so be it. She had 2000 yuan in her ount, hopefully enough. Mrs. Guo¡¯s grandson¡¯s touchscreen phone seemed simr to Fu Ming Shi¡¯s and cost just over 1000 yuan.


    Inside the store, four or five female sales associates were already enthralled when Fu Ming Shi stepped out of the car, sneakily snapping photos on their phones. Good-looking guys weremon but such top-tier eye candy didn¡¯te around often. But the moment Fu Ming Shi entered, they had stowed their phones, the model professionals.


    Fu Ming Shi went straight to thetest model disy, ¡°The style¡¯s all the same, which color do you like?¡±


    Zhen Bao held onto the counter and peeked at the price tags first. All four digits, enough to buy several of Mrs. Guo¡¯s grandson¡¯s phone!


    The astronomical prices made Zhen Bao hesitate to even touch the disy models.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay.¡± Fu Ming Shi leaned towards her slightly, looking over the options.


    Zhen Bao didn¡¯t want him spending so much on her.


    ¡°Gold or silver?¡± Fu Ming Shi looked up at her, deep-set eyes like serene pools.


    The sales associates were watching them. Zhen Bao braced herself on the counter again and whispered, ¡°Can we get a cheaper one instead? I have 2000 yuan, I want to buy it myself.¡±


    ¡°University students nowadays all use this kind.¡± Fu Ming Shi¡¯s tone was matter-of-fact. ¡°You¡¯ll need it eventually, so pick one.¡±


    His low voice held a beguiling note. Unsure how to respond, Zhen Bao touched her flushed right cheek and chose the white version to end the ufortable exchange. Fu Ming Shi straightened slowly, calling the salesgirl over to swipe his card, effortlessly paying the small fortune that made Zhen Bao balk.


    Fu Ming Shi also got her a new SIM card.


    On the way to the mall, Zhen Bao kept fiddling with her phone, enchanted by the novelty of the apps Fu Ming Shi installed, like a kid with a new toy. Fu Ming Shi¡¯s lips quirked up. ¡°Saved my number?¡±


    Eyes glued to the screen, Zhen Bao murmured in affirmation.


    Fu Ming Shi left her to it and informed her they would shop for clothes once they neared the mall.


    Zhen Bao froze, gaze drifting down to her 20 yuan jeans and 10 yuan flip-flops.


    She said nothing, merely turned to look out the window, no longer in the mood to y with her phone.


    Fu Ming Shi understood her pride but avoiding extravagance would be irresponsible on his part. ¡°Nothing too expensive. Hundreds for an outfit won¡¯t stand out nowadays.¡± Except formal asions, cheaper everyday clothes were fine. She might not feelfortable in expensive outfits yet.


    Zhen Bao bit her lip and seemed to dete a little, before asking while staring at a passing ck sedan, ¡°If our engagement news spreads, will you feel ashamed?¡± Thanks to grandfather¡¯s stubbornness, she had to sneak around the city pretending to be his fiancee, a country bumpkin. Fu Ming Shi would probably lose face among his peers.


    ¡°Why would I feel ashamed?¡± Fu Ming Shi parked the car and turned to her.


    Zhen Bao kept her head tilted, pouting cherry lips. ¡°I¡¯m poor and uneducated.¡±


    ¡°Study hard and you¡¯ll have a degree when you get into college.¡± Fu Ming Shi unclipped her seatbelt, tone breezy.


    Zhen Bao surreptitiously tugged her t-shirt hem. ¡°What about money? Don¡¯t rich people care about equal status?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m notcking money. No need to marry someone rich.¡± Fu Ming Shi opened her door but didn¡¯t retreat immediately. One hand on the seat, the other grasping the door handle, he leaned down to look closely at the girl trapped by him.


    Flustered by his intense gaze, Zhen Bao lowered her head. ¡°Fine, just don¡¯t get embarrassed by me in the future.¡±


    Fu Ming Shi studied her bare face more alluring than skincare models¡¯ made-upplexions, her flutteringshes, pursed lips. Straightening up and settling into his own seat, he murmured, ¡°Seeing you, they¡¯ll only envy me.¡±


    Zhen Bao didn¡¯t catch it clearly and looked at him in puzzlement. But Fu Ming Shi had already exited the car.


    Zhen Bao vaguely made out the words ¡°self-deprecation¡± and blushed slightly at the implied meaning. Judging by Fu Ming Shi¡¯s treatment of her today, he didn¡¯t seem to look down on her. So why should she care what others thought?


    Reassured, Zhen Bao followed him curiously but awkwardly into the massive mall.


    Wary of high-end brand price tags shocking her, Fu Ming Shi only browsed popr affordable fashion sections with Zhen Bao. To her, even hundreds was costly attire, but more eptable than thousands upfront. Based on personal preference, she picked out an outfit. Fu Ming Shi didn¡¯t object, only said to buy a few more sets to take directly to Beijing for exam prep.


    After clothes came shoes.


    Zhen Bao slowly scanned the disys until a pair of delicate white heels arrested her steps. She couldn¡¯t tear her eyes away, as if love at first sight, except the four-digit price below made her inhale softly and shuffle away. Everything was so expensive in the big city...


    Bypassing the heels, she opted for white ts instead.


    Just as the salesgirl brought out her size, another walked over and set the coveted white heels before Zhen Bao, smiling. ¡°These are a size 35, please try them.¡±


    Zhen Bao whirled around in surprise.


    Fu Ming Shi stood behind the sofa, smiling eyes meeting hers.


    Blushing, Zhen Bao tried on the heels, also the four-digit dress Fu Ming Shi rmended to match them.


    Leaving the mall, Fu Ming Shi¡¯s hands were full of purchases, as were Zhen Bao¡¯s.


    ¡°What time¡¯s the flight?¡± After stowing everything with some effort, Zhen Bao checked her phone, worried about beingte since she recalled a flight after 5 pm. It was 4:50 already.


    ¡°We decide when to go, when the ne leaves.¡± Fu Ming Shi¡¯s faint smile hinted this was his first time finding shopping agreeable.


    Zhen Bao looked at him, confused. Did the Fu family already have so much money that airlines listened to them?


    ¡°What do you want for dinner?¡± After checking sunset timing, Fu Ming Shi searched for well-known local delicacies.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we go to the airport first?¡± Zhen Bao didn¡¯t want to hold up a ne full of people.


    Fu Ming Shi justughed and showed her his phone screen. ¡°This hotpot ce has great reviews, want to go?¡±


    He was incorrigible, only showing food photos. At the tantalizing red chili broth, Zhen Bao¡¯s mouth watered uncontrobly. Fu Ming Shi read her expression and drove to the hotpot restaurant without another word.


    Zhen Bao handled spice well, lips tinted as if lipsticked, eyes watering with youthful allure.


    Fu Ming Shi discreetly tugged his tie.


    After the hearty dinner, Fu Ming Shi suddenly asked, ¡°How does it feel being engaged to a rich guy so far?¡±


    Zhen Bao was dabbing her mouth and goggled at the question.


    Fu Ming Shi just smiled and called for the check.


    Zhen Bao eyed the leftover broth resentfully, chiding herself for happily letting Fu Ming Shi buy her things and treat her. This wouldn¡¯t do. To ensure her future, she had to study diligently and get a job after college, making at least enough to eat hotpot whenever she wanted.


    ¡°Pondering?¡± Fu Ming Shi stood up, casually draping his suit jacket over one arm.


    ¡°How much do college grads make on average?¡± After a day together, Zhen Bao feltfortable speaking her mind.


    Fu Ming Shi pondered before hazarding, ¡°Around 2-3k on the low end, over 10k at the high end?¡± Right after graduation.


    Zhen Bao rxed. Even 2-3k monthly could afford the asional hotpot, not extravagant ces like this.


    ¡°If you want to buy a home, the lowest price in Beijing is also 10-20k now.¡± Fu Ming Shi conversationally added, taking care to emphasize, ¡°Per square meter.¡±


    ¡°10-20 thousand per square meter?¡± Zhen Bao could hardly believe her ears.


    Fu Ming Shi nodded, smiling. ¡°Rent isn¡¯t cheap either.¡±


    Zhen Bao promptly abandoned thoughts of working in Beijing after graduation.


    ¡°If you insist on breaking up in the end, I¡¯ll gift you a few houses.¡± Pushing open the ss door, Fu Ming Shi looked meaningfully at her.


    ¡°No need...¡± Zhen Bao hurried out first, cheeks burning.


    Fu Ming Shi followed, ncing at her flushed profile. No need to give her houses, because...


    His houses would surely be hers as well.


    ~


    They arrived at the airport after 7 pm.


    ¡°Boss Fu, you¡¯ve eaten?¡± Driver and bodyguards had waited here a while and eyed Zhen Bao¡¯s changed rxed outfit curiously, finding the vige girl prettier upon closer inspection.


    ¡°Luggage is in the car, don¡¯t leave anything.¡± Fu Ming Shi gently pushed Zhen Bao¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s go first.¡±


    Zhen Bao nodded. Fu Ming Shi had removed his hand quickly so she didn¡¯t think much of it.


    But the driver noticed how the boss touched her and called her "we" now. Just this morning Fu Ming Shi had angrily called his assistant to book a ticket, insisting on returning alone. Yet after a day apart, they were "we" already?


    Taking in the backseat and trunk crammed with female clothes and bags, the driver now grasped the situation.

 Chapter 8: 008

    <h4>Chapter 8</h4>


    The airport facilities were so modern that Zhen Bao was dazzled.


    Fu Ming Shi exined everything to her in a low voice, like a tour guide. The spacious hall was brightly lit. The tall man and petite woman walked side by side, one bending down to speak and the other listening intently. The listener would asionally express surprise or nod and smile. From afar, they looked like a couple in love.


    After over ten minutes, Zhen Bao finally saw the airne she would be boarding for the first time in her life. She thought the ne looked a bit small from the outside, but since she had never seen one before, Zhen Bao prudently held back her opinion for fear of embarrassing herself. Once on board, she was thoroughly confused to find that the ne only had a handful of seats. She whispered to Fu Ming Shi, "Does the ne only carry seven or eight passengers at a time?"


    Fu Ming Shi held back augh, but the amusement in his eyes was about to spill over. "Have you heard of private jets?"


    Zhen Bao had not, but now she understood based on the literal meaning.


    She lowered her head and walked to the window seat, pretending to look outside, embarrassed about making a fool of herself.


    The man sat down next to her. Zhen Bao turned her face so close to the ss she was nearly pressing against it.


    "We''re about to take off. Let me buckle your seatbelt for you," Fu Ming Shi considerately offered.


    Recalling the seatbelt situation that morning, Zhen Bao''s ears turned red. She quickly declined his help, lowering her head to find it herself.


    However, the airne seatbelts were different from the ones in cars. Zhen Bao was stumped again.


    Fu Ming Shi took the seatbelt and helped buckle it around her waist, avoiding her chest area. Zhen Bao still felt rather awkward.


    Fu Ming Shi opened hisptop to check for any new developments today.


    Zhen Bao''s attention was drawn to it once more.


    Fu Ming Shi introduced her to Weibo and helped her register an ount. "Think of a nickname," he said.


    Put on the spot toe up with a name, Zhen Bao''s mind went nk.


    Staring at her, Fu Ming Shi''s long fingers typed a few characters in the nickname field: Cindere in Crystal Shoes.


    Of course Zhen Bao knew the story of Cindere. She stared at the nickname for a few seconds before suddenly pouting and pointing at the screen, indicating she wanted it changed. She didn''t like such a high-profile nickname. One look and people would think of Cindere, but she wasn''t a real-life Cindere.


    "You don''t like those high heels?" Fu Ming Shi entered the password on his own.


    Zhen Bao was still agonizing over a nickname and didn''t notice anything amiss with him inputting the password. By the time she wanted to suggest the high heels, the screen already disyed a sessful registration message.


    "If you really don''t like this nickname, you can change it," Fu Ming Shi said as he opened the editing page and gave her the final say. "I can switch it if you truly don''t like it."


    Zhen Bao fell silent. The nickname Fu Ming Shi chose did sound quite nice.


    "Then we''ll use this for now. I''ll follow you after your college entrance exam is over." Fu Ming Shi followed Zhen Bao first. Just as he finished following her, a new email came in. Fu Ming Shi taught Zhen Bao how to log in on mobile, while he handled his business correspondence first.


    Zhen Bao browsed Fu Ming Shi''s page and saw his verified ount stated he was the CEO of Prosperity Group. She then clicked open Fu Ming Shi''s most recent post from five months agomenting on something. She saw many mentions of a "Xia Ying," plus a bunch of people calling Fu Ming Shi "husband," saying Xia Ying was unworthy of him. Some defended Xia Ying, describing her and Fu Ming Shi as a perfect match.


    Head lowered, Zhen Bao read it all carefully. Then her hand inadvertently touched something and the page suddenly switched to Xia Ying''s side. Zhen Bao gave a start, stealing a peek at Fu Ming Shi. The man''s expression was focused. Zhen Bao inexplicably felt a bit guilty, but couldn''t resist taking a look at Xia Ying''s Weibo posts. There were ancient costume drama shots and magazine covers, all extraordinarily beautiful.


    The more Zhen Bao looked, the more engrossed she became, gradually forgetting her initial gossipy motives. This Xia Ying was truly too gorgeous.


    "Good makeup techniques, photos altered with beauty filters...in person she''s quite ordinary," Fu Ming Shi remarked after finishing his emails, noticing Zhen Bao viewing Xia Ying, seemingly with an appreciative gaze. He couldn''t help but weigh in with his very objective opinion.


    Zhen Bao was puzzled. "What are beauty filters?"


    Fu Ming Shi smiled, finding her like a curious baby.


    The ne would take off in fifteen minutes. Fu Ming Shi downloaded a beauty app on his phone, then left his seat to choose angles and take pictures of Zhen Bao. With her outgoing personality, Zhen Bao was only acting shy due to suddenly meeting wealthy people in an unfamiliar environment. Now rather familiar with Fu Ming Shi, she readily posed for him with a radiant smile, the same as when she had taken photos for the driver and bodyguard.


    Seeing Zhen Bao''s sweet and innocent smile in the camera frame, Fu Ming Shi froze for a moment before snapping quite a few consecutive shots.


    After taking the photos, Fu Ming Shi showed Zhen Bao the difference between before and after beauty filters were applied.


    Zhen Bao hadn''t slept wellst night and had some dark undereye circles today. That was the main difference after beautifying¡ªthe rest looked about the same. This made Zhen Bao doubt Fu Ming Shi''s evaluation of Xia Ying. Fu Ming Shi didn''t exin it was because Zhen Bao''s foundation was too good. He simply rified his rtionship with Xia Ying: "Hardly any gossip in the entertainment industry is real. Just remember I only have one fianc¨¦e, you. Don''t believe anything else."


    Zhen Bao nodded. On a whim, she followed Xia Ying.


    "No need to follow irrelevant people," Fu Ming Shi undid it for her, adding, "Focus on preparing for the college entrance exam. You can y on Weibo after."


    Zhen Bao shrank back, feeling the pressure of a teacher''s urging once more after having dropped out for so long.


    "Mr. Fu, we''re taking off soon."


    Fu Ming Shi put away hisptop and phone for Zhen Bao as well.


    "It might be a little shaky," he said, worried she wasn''t used to flying.


    Zhen Bao grew nervous. The ne really took off and her face paled. She shut her eyes tightly, hands clutching the armrests. Suddenly arge hand covered her left one. Zhen Bao opened her eyes in shock. Fu Ming Shi was casually continuing to hold her hand. Their eyes met. He gestured out the window with his chin. "Watching the sunset from a ne gives a very different feeling."


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help but turn towards the window.


    She saw a magnificent sea of clouds, crimson at the horizon like waves, gradually fading in color.


    She watched, mesmerized.


    The setting suning through the ss window also tinted her cheeks red. Fu Ming Shi''s gaze moved from her forehead all the way down, passing over her shimmering eyes, delicate nose, andnding on her pink lips, staring for a long time before slowly letting go just as she was about to react.


    But the delicate sensation lingering on the back of her hand seemed to congeal in her palm.


    ~


    Arriving in the capital, Zhen Bao began receiving intensive closed-door cram school tutoring for the college entrance exam. She was taking the science track. Fu Ming Shi selected six tutors from the r¨¦sum¨¦s of top exam prep teachers forwarded by his assistant. Their average age was forty. They would directly stay at the vi and coach only Zhen Bao.


    To prevent Zhen Bao from getting distracted, Fu Ming Shi stayed at another property these days and hadn''t returned to the vi. He called every few days though. The old master had visited a few times.


    All tutoring ended on the 5th since the exam officially started on the 7th. After seeing her English tutor Mr. Li out, Zhen Bao looked back at Fu Ming Shi''s so-called European-style vi and suddenly felt an empty nest sensation.


    Zhen Bao took Hei Dan to the second floor study, wanting to do some more English listening exercises, her weakest subject.


    Hei Dan wandered around the desk before obediently lying down at its master''s feet, head on the floor. After sprawling for a bit, Hei Dan suddenly perked up its ears and scampered to the French windows, beady dog eyes staring straight at a ck car driving in.


    "Woof!" Hei Dan barked.


    Zhen Bao didn''t hear it.


    Hei Dan was a good guard dog. It didn''t bother its master, running out on its own instead. Nimbly going downstairs and out to the living room, seeing the bad man who had bullied its master emerge from the ck car, Hei Dan immediately began barking while retreating, still a bit afraid of the other party.


    "Hei Dan!" Housekeeper Wang Ma admonished it in a low voice. Why make a fuss at every neer?


    Hei Dan behaved itself a little better.


    Fu Ming Shi took off his suit jacket as he walked inside, asking Wang Ma, "Where''s Zhen Bao?"


    "Miss Zhen is in the study, working very hard," Wang Ma said with a smile, speaking as if bragging about her own child, proud and wanting to show off to someone. Her son was now in 10th grade and taking the college entrance exam next year. Recently whenever she went home, she would use Zhen Bao as an example to spur him to study.


    Fu Ming Shi''s eyes flickered. He tossed his jacket on the sofa and headed straight upstairs. Hei Dan wanted to follow but was called back by Wang Ma.


    Fu Ming Shi''s pace going up the stairs was neither loud nor soft. Reaching the second floor, looking at the half-open study door, he involuntarily slowed down. Arriving at the entrance, he saw Zhen Bao sitting sideways at the desk, headphones over her head, posture upright, left hand holding a practice exam paper, right hand gripping a pen, marking answers.


    Fu Ming Shi knocked on the door.


    The audio track had just finished reading a question when Zhen Bao turned in surprise to see the man she hadn''t met in nearly a month standing at the door, ck pants and white shirt entuating his handsome features with a sense of distance. Shock winning over delight, Zhen Bao immediately took off her headphones and stood up with a smile. "You, why did youe back today?"


    They weren''t that familiar to begin with, and it had been a long time since seeing each other, so some estrangement was inevitable upon reuniting.


    "Not wee?" Fu Ming Shi walked over, asking lightly with a hint ofughter in his eyes.


    Realizing he was joking, Zhen Bao suddenly rediscovered the dynamic between them from their journey to the capital. She couldn''t help ring at him a little.


    There was an English practice exam Zhen Bao had just finished on the desk. Full score was 150 and she had gotten 114.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head, fidgeting with the desk, aware it wasn''t a high mark.


    The exam being right around the corner, Fu Ming Shi didn''t want to put more pressure on her. "Not bad. How much did you get for the other subjects?"


    In the past couple days, Zhen Bao had been doing mock exams. She scored 135 in Chinese, 120 in math, and 213 inprehensive science.


    After Fu Ming Shi calcted it out and looked upst year''s minimum admission scores in the capital on his phone, heughed. He sincerely praised her, "Several dozen points abovest year''s first-tier minimum. Based on this, even if you relied on yourself, as long as your performance is steady during the actual exam, you should be able to get into a good university." With self-study alone, she could test into these scores. Zhen Bao would definitely have been a top student if she had stayed in school.


    There was meaning behind his words. Zhen Bao repeated in puzzlement, "Even if I relied on myself?"


    Fu Ming Shi turned around, leaning back against the desk with both hands braced on its surface, head tilted as he looked at her. The sunlight shining through illuminated half his face, also gentling his gaze. "Zhen Bao, you''re my fianc¨¦e. If you want to attend university, even without taking the exam, I can arrange for you to enroll in any institution."


    Having already witnessed the Fu family''s wealth, Fu Ming Shi''s statement didn''t deliver any new shock value to Zhen Bao. She just felt a little ufortable, lowering her head to say, "However much I test into is how much it is. If I can''t make it into first-tier, second-tier colleges are still pretty good. Don''t get me in through connections." She didn''t want ssmates ridiculing her for taking a backdoor. She had no money, but she wanted to enter university through real scores.


    "Alright, but before going into the exam, it''d be best to rx and not do any more practice questions tonight. Let''s go out to eat."


    Zhen Bao nodded with a smile.


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her high school student attire. He first went upstairs to change into gray casual pants and sneakers.


    Zhen Bao waited for him in the living room on the first floor. Five minutester, seeing the white-shirted man descend the stairs, she felt this version of Fu Ming Shi seemed a few years younger than the suit-d one.


    "Let''s go." Fu Ming Shi put on a ck cap and came to her side.


    Zhen Bao murmured in assent.


    Fu Ming Shi took her to eat Beijing duck, a regional specialty. After eating, around 8 PM, he also brought her to watch a movie.


    Fu Ming Shi kept holding the tickets in his hand without telling her what they were for. When the tickets were inspected, Zhen Bao tried peering down to see but was pulled away by Fu Ming Shi grasping her arm before she could make out the name. Zhen Bao pretended to be angry and ignore him until they were seated. Only then did she realize the seats in front of them each had one person while theirs was a couple''s seat.


    "Howe the seats are different?" Zhen Bao ced her drink and asked the man beside her in a low voice.


    Fu Ming Shi took out his phone and typed: Tickets boughtte, only couple seats left.


    Zhen Bao''s face rapidly turned red, fortunately the theater lighting was dim.


    Sitting properly, Zhen Bao held her drink, sipping it very attentively without looking elsewhere.


    A few minutester, the movie started ying. Zhen Bao looked up to see a fantastical castle on the big screen, followed by the title: Cindere.

 Chapter 9: 009

    <h4>Chapter 9</h4>


    Zhen Bao saw a movie for the first time, and for the first time saw such a morous blue dress and crystal shoes.


    She also saw people kissing in the movie theater for the first time.


    The front row seats were also couple seats. At first, the boy put his arm around the girl''s shoulders, then the girl leaned in, and at that point Zhen Bao was already too embarrassed to keep watching. But then the two leaned in closer and closer to each other...and actually kissed!


    Zhen Bao quickly lowered her head.


    The ambiguous atmosphere was infectious, and Fu Ming Shi casually rested his left leg on his right, his expression calm and distracted.


    The movie ended after 10 pm, and the night breeze was refreshing and felt especially nice on the face.


    "Did you like it?" Fu Ming Shi asked, sitting in the driver''s seat and looking at her.


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled. "After you finish your exam, I''ll take you to see another one."


    Zhen Bao was tired. She covered her mouth as she yawned. She was used to going to bed early. During this month of exam preparation, she had gone to bed by 10 pm at thetest.


    Fu Ming Shi put on some soothing music.


    Zhen Bao leaned back in her seat. As she listened to the music, she fell asleep.


    An hourter, the Maybach stopped in front of the vi. Fu Ming Shi undid his seatbelt and looked over at her.


    The seat wasfortable, and Zhen Bao was sleeping very soundly without any sign of waking up. She had studied very diligently this past month, even dreaming about doing exam questions and taking tests. Going to the movies tonight was the first time she truly rxed, body and mind. So she was sleeping more deeply than usual.


    Fu Ming Shi sat in the car for almost three minutes before going around to the passenger side. He slipped one hand between Zhen Bao and the seat, and used his other hand to lift her legs. Carefully, he carried her out of the car. He turned around and saw the ring lighting from the living room of the vi. Fu Ming Shi looked down at Zhen Bao in his arms, and quietly instructed Mrs. Wang, "Turn off the lights."


    Mrs. Wang had learned from Master Fu that the two were going to be engaged. At first she assumed Fu Ming Shi was being forced into it by the old master and was unwilling, which was why he hadn''t been around for a month. But just now, seeing how carefully Fu Ming Shi carried Zhen Bao out of the car, like he was holding a precious treasure, Mrs. Wang finally understood the feelings in this young Master Fu''s heart.


    She hurried to turn off the lights, leaving just onemp on.


    Only then did Fu Ming Shi carry Zhen Bao inside. He steadily climbed the stairs, all the way up to the third floor. Zhen Bao''s bedroom was right next to his. Fu Ming Shi used his shoulder to push open the door. The light from the streetmps outside shone in, clearly illuminating the furnishings of the room. Fu Ming Shi slowly approached the bed, then carefully bent down toy her on it.


    Feeling the soft bed beneath her, Zhen Bao let out afortable murmur. She turned over, stretching out her left leg and drawing up her right leg, sleeping very freely. Fu Ming Shi smiled as he stood by the bed watching her. As he gazed at her, he recalled the passionate kiss he''d seen that couple share at the movie theater.


    Fu Ming Shi suddenly had an urge to kiss her.


    He had never felt this way before meeting Zhen Bao.


    But Fu Ming Shi held back. Her college entrance exam wasing right up. Before that, he didn''t want to distract her.


    After helping to draw the curtains closed for her, Fu Ming Shi silently left the room, gently closing the door behind him.


    ~


    Zhen Bao slept in veryte, not waking up until after 10am.


    Rubbing her eyes, she looked around the now-familiar bedroom. Zhen Bao only remembered going to see the movie with Fu Ming Shist night, then falling asleep in his car. She couldn''t recall anything after that. Afterying in a daze for a bit, Zhen Bao got up, showered and changed into shorts and a T-shirt. Refreshed, she went downstairs and saw Mrs. Wang scratching the dog Hei Dan''s belly.


    "Miss is up. I was just about to go up to get you," Mrs. Wang said with a smile.


    "Where''s Master Fu?" Zhen Bao looked puzzledly towards the vi exterior.


    "Master Fu left for thepany at 7am. He said he''lle by this afternoon to pick you up."


    Since he was already gone, Zhen Bao scratched her head in confusion. Mrs. Wang could guess what she was thinking about and eagerly jumped in to sing Fu Ming Shi''s praises. "Miss studied so hard you fell asleep in the carst night. Master Fu couldn''t wake you up, so he carried you upstairs and had me turn off the living room lights in case they bothered you."


    Zhen Bao stood there in shock, unconsciously ncing towards the stairs. From the first floor to the third floor, so high up...Fu Ming Shi had actually...


    Yet she didn''t have any memory of it at all!


    She''d slept so deeply, how embarrassing.


    After sitting a while, she ate lunch with Mrs. Wang. Afterwards, Zhen Bao went through the things she needed to bring for the college exam tomorrow with Mrs. Wang, making sure she had her admission ticket in particr. She was still a little nervous about such a big exam, and couldn''t concentrate on studying either. Zhen Bao decided to just take the dog Hei Dan out for a walk and visit the seven big white geese living in the pen in the backyard.


    In the mid-afternoon, Fu Ming Shi came to pick her up. The vi was too far from the exam location, so Fu Ming Shi had booked a hotel near the test center.


    "Do you have everything you need?" Fu Ming Shi stood by the car in a suit, one hand in his pocket, looking at the suitcase in Zhen Bao''s hand as he asked.


    Hisposure made Zhen Bao nervous. Mrs. Wang urged her to check her luggage again, so she opened the suitcase to confirm.


    She had everything. Fu Ming Shi picked up her suitcase and headed for the back of the car, signaling for her to get in first.


    The heavy test atmosphere made Zhen Bao forget to ask about what happenedst night.


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t say much. The car pulled up to the hotel and he pointed to a man dressed in a ck suit standing outside. "Do you recognize him?" he asked her.


    Zhen Bao looked in the direction he indicated and immediately recognized Fu Ming Shi''s driver from when they went to the vige to get her.


    "His surname is Li. He''s your grandfather''s bodyguard. These next three days he''ll be taking care of you. If you need anything, just tell him. And before leaving your room, you have to call him first toe upstairs and get you." Seeing that Zhen Bao didn''t fully understand, Fu Ming Shi nodded towards the parents and students continuously entering and leaving the hotel. "The hotel is full, all exam candidates and their parents. Everyone''s on edge and could easily get into conflicts."


    Now Zhen Bao understood.


    "Some people here might recognize me, so I''ll stay in the car for now. I''lle get you on the 8th after yourst exam," Fu Ming Shi added.


    Zhen Bao nodded again. "Then...I''ll go first?"


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her. He suddenly felt a little anxious too, wanting to encourage her to rx but also worried it would add pressure.


    "Call me if anythinges up," he said, leaning in next to her ear as he opened the car door for her.


    The man''s warm breath grazing her earlobe made Zhen Bao''s heart inexplicably beat faster. She gave a perfunctory "Mm" and immediately got out of the car.


    Fu Ming Shi watched her in the rearview mirror until Zhen Bao entered the hotel with the Li bodyguard, before slowly driving away.


    ~


    Zhen Bao''s hotel room was extremely luxurious. She walked all around, and with nothing to do, took out her textbooks to do somest minute review since thenguage and literature exam was tomorrow. Maybe she''d get lucky and run into some of the poetry lines she had to memorize.


    After reviewing poetry, eating dinner, and lying in bed reading some more, it was almost 9pm when she got a message from Fu Ming Shi asking if she''d gone to sleep yet.


    Zhen Bao: Going to sleep now.


    Fu Ming Shi clearly didn''t believe her, but he didn''t call her out on it. He searched online for a picture of a green onion and two eggs, sending it to her.


    These types of inte memes were verymon, but it was Zhen Bao''s first time seeing one. Sheughed out loud and replied: 150 points?


    Fu Ming Shi photoshopped four more eggs around the first egg in the original picture.


    Zhen Baoughed so hard her stomach hurt. She replied: Hahaha.


    Fu Ming Shi alsoughed: Go to sleep early, good night.


    Zhen Bao: Mm, good night.


    Looking at their chat again, Zhen Bao turned off her phone and once again had a sound sleep.


    On the 7th she had thenguage and math exams in the morning, and the afternoon session. After finishing the afternoon exam, the Li bodyguard escorted Zhen Bao back to the hotel. Returning to her room, Zhen Bao took out paper and pen and recalcted some questions she wasn''t too sure about. Two were right but one was definitely wrong. Feeling a little discouraged, Zhen Baoy in bed for a while before taking out the science exam papers to prepare for tomorrow.


    That night Fu Ming Shi messaged to say good night an hour earlier than the previous night, so Zhen Bao went to bed early too.


    On the morning of the 8th she had the science exam, and English in the afternoon.


    Zhen Bao knew a lot of the vocabry words and her grammar was solid, plus writing was her strength. But her listeningprehension was weak, and the listening portion was a one-time thing with no chance to even go back and check answers. As she handed in her exam paper, Zhen Bao counted the number of listening questions she wasn''t certain about, and the more she thought about it the more upset she got.


    On her way out, she heard other students discussing the answers, and it sounded like she''d gotten those uncertain questions wrong. Now Zhen Bao felt even worse. She was so distracted she forgot Fu Ming Shi said he wasing to pick her up today. Out of habit, she looked around for the Li bodyguard after leaving the ssroom building.


    "Zhen Bao," someone called her name from the left.


    Zhen Bao turned and nearly bumped right into the person. Looking up, she saw it was Fu Ming Shi, tall and straight in his ck suit, looking like the most handsome bodyguard.


    After not seeing her for two days, Fu Ming Shi felt she looked thinner, and herplexion wasn''t great either. One look at her furrowed brows and he knew thest exam likely hadn''t gone well.


    "What do you want to eat tonight?" Fu Ming Shi naturally draped his arm over her shoulders, pulling her towards him.


    Students were streaming out and parents crowding in, making it very congested. Zhen Bao assumed Fu Ming Shi just wanted to shield her from getting jostled, so she obediently let him put an arm around her shoulders and listlessly responded, "Anything is fine."


    She hadn''t tested well, so she had no appetite.


    "Then let''s go eat skewers," hearing how despondent she sounded, Fu Ming Shi gently squeezed her shoulder.


    Zhen Bao pursed her lips. No matter what he suggested, she couldn''t get excited about food.


    "We''ll go to the mall after eating." Fu Ming Shi tried to think of something she enjoyed doing.


    Zhen Bao had already bought a lot of clothesst time, she didn''t feel like she needed anything else.


    But this time Fu Ming Shi took her to high-end brand stores. Zhen Bao didn''t recognize any of the brand names. She saw a handbag she thought was nice, and sneaked a peek at the price tag. Seeing the five-digit figure, she was stunned. How could a bag be more expensive than aputer?


    "Do you like this one?" Fu Ming Shi picked up the pink bag on the counter. Although he found it a bit childish, it suited her.


    "I don''t want it..." Zhen Bao grabbed the bag and put it back, pushing him towards the exit. It was too expensive, she really couldn''t ept it.


    "I have money," Fu Ming Shi grabbed her hand and smiled at her.


    "You can''t just spend money recklessly even if you have it," Zhen Bao continued exerting force to get out.


    "Intion means it loses value if you just keep it," Fu Ming Shi''srge hand held her small one firmly as he called the salesperson over.


    Unable to win against him, when Fu Ming Shi paid and held the bag out to her, Zhen Bao still didn''t take it. She walked ahead by herself. Fu Ming Shi suddenly became the bag-carrier, the tall, straight-postured man in a fine suit, holding a dainty pink handbag, attracting countless eyes.


    Zhen Bao soon noticed the attention they were getting and hurriedly snatched the bag away.


    Fu Ming Shi still wanted to buy her other things, but Zhen Bao was frightened by the prices here. She insisted they leave, riding the esctor down. Back in the car, Zhen Bao kept examining the handbag in her hands, repeatedly mumbling, "Why is it so expensive? It looks about the same as the one I boughtst time..."


    "But doesn''t it seem like you like this one more?" Fu Ming Shi helped her with her seatbelt, smiling as he asked.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t deny it.


    Fu Ming Shi gazed at her rosy lips, gently coaxing her, "You didn''t test well, so getting a bag you like will help cheer you up, right? Let''s not be unhappy anymore after this, okay?"


    Zhen Bao''s eyshes fluttered. So his reason for giving her such an expensive bag was just tofort her?


    "I like seeing your smile." As she raised her head, Fu Ming Shi started the car, eyes fixed ahead, his profile serene.


    Zhen Bao silently drew her gaze back.


    She didn''t know if it was because of the bag, or his words, but she truly didn''t care anymore about messing up the listening section.

 Chapter 10: 010

    <h4>Chapter 10</h4>


    The end of the college entrance exam did not mean liberation, because there was still the huge wall of the college entrance exam results!


    Many students will have mild depression after the exam. Fu Mingshi carefully observed Zhen Bao and found that Zhen Bao would asionally space out. When asked what she was thinking about, she always shook her head and brushed it off. As the CEO of a listed business group, Fu Mingshi really didn¡¯t have the time to apany Zhen Bao all day, so he sent Zhen Bao to the United States to apany his grandfather.


    Fu''s grandfather had liver cancer...


    Although it was in the early stages and the doctor said the cure rate was very high, and although Fu''s grandfather wasughing as if nothing was wrong all day, Zhen Bao, who had her first encounter with cancer, suddenly became enlightened -pared to health, what was a college entrance exam score?


    Zhen Bao settled down here and took the opportunity to improve her English in daily life. Across the Pacific Ocean, Fu Mingshi called every morning, he didn''t say much, the average call time was basically kept at around two minutes, and then he would also send a message saying good night every evening.


    "The results will be released the day after tomorrow, right?" Leaning on a cane anding out of the vi, Fu''s grandfather chatted casually with Zhen Bao as he walked slowly. The clean, tidy road was lined with lush sycamores, the air was fresh, circles of light shone through the gaps in the branches onto the road, and Hei Dan scampered lightly ahead with a white cor around his neck.


    "Yes, Fu said he would check for me." With the resultsing out soon, Zhen Bao was no longer so anxious. In the days right after the exam, she really couldn''t sleep, thinking about the questions she wasn''t confident about.


    The grandson is helping check the results?


    Fu''s grandfather revealed a mysterious smile without exposing his grandson''s lie, and advised Zhen Bao, "Call him Mingshi, ¡®Fu¡¯ is too formal."


    Zhen Bao turned her head to look at the side of the road, unable to call out his name.


    After walking slowly for a while, there was a park ahead. Many people were taking their pets out, and since Zhen Bao had moved in, she apanied Fu''s grandfather to the park for a walk every day, while walking the dog. Although Hei Dan was quite ordinary in China, on the first day he made his debut in the park, he attracted a lot of fans who praised Hei Dan for being cute and smart.


    "Go get it!" After choosing a spot, Zhen Bao threw the frisbee out.


    Hei Dan ran happily to chase it, his sleek ck fur glistening as he jumped high to sessfully grab the frisbee in his mouth. Zhen Bao smiled watching Hei Dan run back, Fu''s grandfather was sitting on a bench in the distance, chatting with a silver-haired olddy who hade out to walk her dog, though she didn''t know when.


    The old man had his own circle of old friends, and Zhen Bao was fully focused on ying with the dog.


    After throwing the frisbee out, a golden retriever suddenly ran over wearing a ck cor. Zhen Bao''s eyes lit up, and just as she squatted down, the golden retriever stuck his big head over enthusiastically and licked her. Zhen Bao narrowed her eyes with a smile, patted the golden retriever''s head, and then looked in the direction he had run over from.


    This golden retriever was called Bucky, and his owner was a beautiful Eurasian girl that Zhen Bao had just met a few days ago.


    But after hugging Bucky, Zhen Bao looked around and didn''t see the beautiful girl, only noticing a ck-haired man standing about five meters away with his hands in his pockets, who seemed to have been watching her the whole time. The two looked at each other for a few seconds, and just as Zhen Bao was about to look away, the ck-haired man walked over to her and asked, "Do you know Bucky?"


    He spoke very standard Mandarin.


    Zhen Bao stood up in puzzlement and asked, "Who are you?"


    Cheng Yi reached out his hand to her, "I''m Xiao Ya''s brother, she''s busy today so she asked me to walk her dog."


    So they were siblings. Zhen Bao lightly shook his hand in return and said, "Hello, we also came here to walk our dog, that''s how I met Xiao Ya."


    Cheng Yi nodded, looking at Hei Dan running over, he unexpectedly said, "You didn''t neuter him?"


    Zhen Bao didn''t hear clearly, "What?"


    Cheng Yi nced between Hei Dan''s hind legs and exined the benefits of pet neutering in a very calm tone. Unfortunately, as Zhen Bao realized this man was discussing Hei Dan''s male features with her, her face turned redder and redder. Halfway through, Cheng Yi noticed her embarrassment and coughed, "I''m studying to be a veterinarian, got too used to lecturing, sorry about that."


    Let alone abroad, girls in China were also bing more open, able to discuss a man''s size without blinking an eye, so Cheng Yi really didn''t expect that he would run into a girl in America who would blush at the mere mention of pet neutering.


    "No, I, I have to go." The more she tried to exin, the more awkward she felt. Zhen Bao bent down to grab the frisbee from Hei Dan''s mouth, and walked away with a red face. The golden retriever Bucky hopped after her, and Cheng Yi whistled for him. Bucky looked back for a moment then turned around and came back.


    Cheng Yi squatted down on one knee, stroking this golden retriever who was especially unwilling to get close to strangers, then looked in the direction the girl had left, suddenly feeling a little regret that she had walked away so quickly without even telling him her name.


    ~


    "Made a new friend again?" Having witnessed the whole scene, Fu''s grandfather put away his phone with a smiling expression and asked Zhen Bao.


    Following the old man''s gaze, Zhen Bao understood he was talking about Cheng Yi. Recalling their conversation, Zhen Bao felt a little likeughing as she sat down next to the old man and said, "He''s Xiao Ya''s brother, seems to be a veterinarian, advised me to take Hei Dan to the vet to get neutered."


    Some topics were awkward to discuss with strangers, but became unproblematic with a familiar elder.


    Fu''s grandfather had more traditional views on this matter. Stroking the obedient Hei Dan, he said in a childish tone, "No neutering, our Hei Dan is still going to be a dad, our ce is big enough for him to have a litter."


    Zhen Bao smiled as she listened, but when she got home she opened herptop to search for information about neutering, and after some thought felt it would still be better to neuter Hei Dan. And just as Zhen Bao stared at herputer screen, concentrating on researching, at the top floor of Shenshi Group headquarters, Fu Mingshi had just signed a document when his phone suddenly vibrated.


    Fu Mingshi picked up his phone, the unlocked screen showed a photo sent by his grandfather.


    In the nearly two weeks since Zhen Bao had been living over there, his grandfather would asionally sneak shots of her to send to him - Zhen Bao''s serious side profile as she made sandwiches, Zhen Bao''s sunny smile looking like a guileless country girl operating thewnmower, Zhen Bao''s cute appearance squatting under a tree feeding squirrels snacks...


    One by one, he had saved them all to his album.


    When he opened the message, Fu Mingshi''s expression softened subconsciously, curious what his grandfather had sneakily photographed this time.


    But when he erged the picture, he saw that Zhen Bao was standing with a rather handsome side-profiled man, the man was looking at her and talking while Zhen Bao''s head was slightly lowered in the shy manner he was most familiar with. On either side of them were a ck Hei Dan and a golden retriever...


    "Said to be a veterinarian."


    His grandfather sent another message supplementing the man''s upation.


    Fu Mingshi could fully imagine his grandfather''s smug and gloating manner right then.


    "Take care of your health."


    The message was sent, and Fu Mingshi put down his phone to continue evaluating a new real estate project. But after reading just two lines, Fu Mingshi frowned and called his assistant Gao Chuan, "Is the ne ready?"


    After getting an affirmative reply, Fu Mingshi stood by the floor-to-ceiling window for a few more minutes before continuing with work.


    ~


    When Zhen Bao woke up from her sleep, she found her nightgown and sheets dirty, and her stomach also felt a little ufortable.


    Most importantly, she didn''t have any sanitary pads prepared.


    After tidying her hair, Zhen Bao got out of bed to call the female nurse taking care of Fu''s grandfather for emergency assistance. The nurse was in the living room, and upon receiving Zhen Bao''s call, she instinctively nced at Fu''s grandfather and Fu Mingshi sitting on the sofa before walking some distance away to answer the call, "Miss Zhen?"


    Although American, the nurse''s Mandarin was equally fluent.


    "Alright, please wait a moment."


    After hanging up the phone and seeing both Fu men watching her, the nurse smiled and said, "Miss Zhen is feeling a little ufortable, I''ll go take a look."


    "Is Zhen Bao sick?" Fu''s grandfather asked with a frown.


    Knowing that Zhen Bao was shy, the nurse didn''t tell the truth, "It shouldn''t be too serious, I''ll go check first." She gave an apologetic smile then walked towards the stairs, but didn''t go directly to the fourth floor where Zhen Bao was staying, instead going to her own room on the second floor first.


    To get the medical equipment right? Fu''s grandfather withdrew his gaze, telling his grandson who had flown in overnight, "Go take a look."


    Fu Mingshi got up, his face showing no worry at all as he climbed the stairs swiftly. The nurse was still looking for things in her room when Fu Mingshi was already on the fourth floor. Zhen Bao was hiding behind the door, and hearing footsteps, thinking it was the nurse, shyly poked her head out from behind the door. How could she have expected that the person walking over was the casually dressed Fu Mingshi?


    Zhen Bao was so shocked she couldn''t even believe it, standing there dumbly staring at the tall man approaching step by step.


    Fu Mingshi made an effort to ignore her cartoon bear pajamas, made an effort to disregard her cute appearance sneakily poking her head out, looking at her calmly and asking, "You''re sick?"


    Hearing the familiar voice, Zhen Bao finally confirmed this wasn''t a dream, nor was she seeing things. She instinctively pulled the door closed, leaving just a crack, and lowered her head to say, "No, not sick, when did you get here?" Thinking of the state of affairs behind her nightgown, if there was a crack in the floor, Zhen Bao really wanted to crawl into it.


    Fu Mingshi didn''t know what she was hiding, and was about to ask when the nurse hurriedly climbed the stairs. Seeing the man outside the door and the girl behind it, the nurse couldn''t helpughing, then stopped at the bottom of the stairs and apologized to Zhen Bao, "I''m sorry Miss Zhen, I forgot I ran out, wait a moment, I''ll go buy some right away."


    Not wanting to get involved in this young couple''s awkwardness, the nurse turned to leave.


    "Wait." Fu Mingshi called out to stop her.


    The nurse looked puzzled.


    Fu Mingshi nced again at the door that was almostpletely closed, walking towards the stairs saying, "You look after my grandfather, I''ll go buy them."


    The main reason he had hired the nurse was to have her keep an eye on his grandfather twenty-four hours a day in case of an emergency. From the vi to the mall was a half hour round trip, Fu Mingshi didn''t want to take any risks.


    "Well, alright." The man was being so considerate that the nurse first reacted with surprise, then threw an admiring, congrattory look at the bedroom door as she left.


    Zhen Bao didn''t see it. She hid behind the door, her face and even her neck red.


    Half an hourter, Fu Mingshi returned to her door and knocked lightly, saying in a low voice, "I left the things at the door,e get them yourself."


    After putting down the shopping bag, Fu Mingshi turned to go back downstairs.


    Zhen Bao hemmed and hawed for a while before opening the door, looking down to see a huge shopping bag full of red and green packages - all sanitary pads!

 Chapter 11: 011

    <h4>Chapter 11</h4>


    Zhen Bao came out of the bathroom and heard the message alert sound. She went to the bedside table and picked up her phone.


    Fu Ming Shi: Grandpa thought you had a cold.


    Zhen Bao felt even more embarrassed. She sat on the bed and replied: Thank you.


    Fu Ming Shi texted back right away: Come down for breakfast.


    Zhen Bao immediately got up again, made the bed, got dressed and went downstairs. When she got to the living room, she saw Fu Ming Shi sitting at the coffee table, head lowered as he peeled an apple for Grandpa Fu. He had neatly trimmed short hair, and a crisp spring-like coolness about him. His side profile was focused and handsome.


    Zhen Bao deliberately walked around the back of the sofa and sat down on Grandpa Fu''s other side.


    "You have a fever?" Grandpa Fu turned his head, looking at her flushed cheeks, and asked in surprise.


    It was fine until he asked. Now Zhen Bao''s face turned even redder. She lowered her head and mumbled, "A little."


    "Remember to take medicine after the meal." Grandpa Fu said with a smile, full of care.


    Zhen Bao nodded gently. Just then, a fruit tter with slices of apple neatly arranged in a circle was handed over. The hand holding the tter was slender and fair. Zhen Bao didn''t dare look at the attentive Mr. Fu. She said thanks, then picked up a slice with a bamboo skewer, leaned back to stay in Grandpa Fu''s shadow, and quietly ate it.


    "Hasn''t Ming Shi been busy with a new project recently? He flew over specially to see me?" Grandpa Fu slowly ate a slice of apple and casually asked his grandson.


    Fu Ming Shi moved the fruit tter back in front of Zhen Bao on the coffee table, and nced at her in passing. "The exam resultse out tomorrow. I''m here to pick up Zhen Bao."


    "Didn''t you say you''ll check for me?" Zhen Bao forgot her earlier embarrassment upstairs. She tilted her head and asked in puzzlement. She hadn''t stayed in this vi long enough yet. With the kind and amiable Grandpa Fu here, and a few new pet friends she made at the park, Zhen Bao wanted to stay a few more days.


    It was obvious she didn''t want to go back. Grandpa Fu leaned back on the sofa at leisure and watched the two youngsters beside him.


    Fu Ming Shi stared at Zhen Bao and gently reminded her, "After checking the results you still need to choose your major. You have to be there in person."


    Zhen Bao finally remembered she had to choose a major. She nodded obediently.


    Fu Ming Shi continued, "We''ll leave after dinner."


    Zhen Bao had no objections.


    Seeing no sparks, Grandpa Fu cut in and asked Zhen Bao, "Have you decided what to major in?"


    Zhen Bao didn''t know anything about university majors. She had asked Fu Ming Shi once before, and he told her to think about it after getting her results. Remembering that girl from her vige who studiedputer science and now made over 10,000 yuan a month, Zhen Bao softly asked Grandpa Fu''s opinion, "Studyputer science?"


    Grandpa Fu was quite surprised. "Why do you want to study this?"


    Zhen Bao smiled shyly, "Someone from our vige studiedputer science. The pay is pretty good."


    The child was so simple. Grandpa Fu could hardly hold in his smile. He coughed and said, "What you major in should depend on your interest, not future employment. Don''t rush, Zhen Bao. Take your time to think about what you like. Don''t just think about making money and live a tiring life."


    That made sense too. Zhen Bao looked out the window, thoughts drifting back to choosing a major.


    At breakfast, Hei Dan had long settled by his owner''s side waiting to be fed. Grandpa Fu yed with Hei Dan, then said to Fu Ming Shi, "Go take Zhen Bao to walk the dogter. I have something to do and won''t go out today." He wanted to give the young couple more alone time.


    Fu Ming Shi still had food in his mouth. He nced at Zhen Bao and hmm-ed.


    Zhen Bao''s stomach felt ufortable. She had wanted to ask Fu Ming Shi to apany the old master for a walk, but hearing Grandpa Fu say this, she swallowed her words and silently followed Fu Ming Shi after the meal. Hei Dan dashed to the door excitedly to wait. Fu Ming Shi wanted to talk to Zhen Bao, but when he turned around, he saw Zhen Bao''s face pale. She was actually sweating on her forehead this early in the morning.


    "Not feeling well?" Fu Ming Shi asked with a frown.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head and nodded. She really couldn''t hold it in anymore.


    "Why didn''t you say you weren''t feeling well?" Fu Ming Shi walked to her side, his tone a little cold.


    Zhen Bao lied in a small voice, "I just started feeling ufortable..."


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t believe her. He suddenly leaned down and picked up thepletely unprepared Zhen Bao horizontally in his arms. Zhen Bao only felt the world spin. When she came to her senses, she was so scared by Fu Ming Shi that her stomach didn''t even hurt anymore. She looked around in panic with a flushed face and stammered, "I can walk, put me down..."


    Fu Ming Shi ignored her and strode towards the vi expressionlessly, carrying her in his arms. Zhen Bao felt very awkward. She kept trying to jump to the ground, but after struggling just twice, Fu Ming Shi suddenly held her even tighter. Zhen Bao wasn''t prepared and bumped into his chest. It even hurt a little on her side. At the same time, another wave of pain came from her lower abdomen. Zhen Bao bit her lip and resigned herself to nestling against his shoulder, heart thumping erratically.


    Grandpa Fu was still sitting in the living room. Seeing his grandson carrying Zhen Bao in, Grandpa Fu narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he had discovered big news.


    Zhen Bao''s whole face was now pressed against the man''s broad, solid shoulder. As Fu Ming Shi carried her up the stairs, Zhen Bao didn''t want to trouble him, and was also worried that Fu Ming Shi might miss a step and cause them both to fall down. So she persuaded him again in a small voice.


    "Don''t move." Fu Ming Shi didn''t stop walking and said in a low voice above her head.


    Zhen Bao looked at the stairs below and didn''t dare move anymore.


    Not until they reached the third floor did she hear Fu Ming Shi''s slightly heavier breathing overhead. Zhen Bao endured without moving. After climbing to the fourth floor, she finally said softly, "It''s okay now."


    It was as if Fu Ming Shi didn''t hear her. He went straight to her bedroom door.


    Zhen Bao secretly nced at the bed and found that the room had been tidied up. The sheets and covers were all new. She silently let out a breath of relief. After Fu Ming Shi put her on the bed, Zhen Bao sat there clutching her hands with her head lowered, not knowing what else to say besides thanks.


    "Rest first. If you''re still not feeling well tonight, we''ll go back tomorrow." Fu Ming Shi squatted down and looked into her eyes as he spoke.


    Zhen Bao still didn''t dare look at him. Her chin was almost touching her chest. "Okay."


    Fu Ming Shi stared at her for a full minute before getting up and leaving. He closed the door as he went. Thinking of Zhen Bao''s deliberate avoidance of him, Fu Ming Shi couldn''t help feeling puzzled. Was he not expressing himself clearly enough, or was Zhen Bao temporarily unable to ept him and pretending to be oblivious on purpose? Or perhaps he had been too hasty?


    Inside the bedroom, listening to Fu Ming Shi''s footsteps going downstairs, Zhen Bao sprawled out on the bed, feelingplicated. Because her grandfather had helped the Fu family, Grandpa Fu and Fu Ming Shi were especially good to her, so good it was as if she was their own child. But she always felt a little breathless, especially when with Fu Ming Shi.


    The rich lived well, leisurely andfortable. A single nightgown was enough for one or two years'' expenses back in the vige. But the money wasn''t hers. No matter how nice the house or expensive the phone, she didn''t feel secure deep down. She had no job now and had no choice but to live with the Fu family. But Zhen Bao desperately looked forward to getting into university as soon as possible. She could live in the school dormitory then, earn some pocket money doing summer jobs, and find a job to be self-reliant after graduating.


    Downstairs, Fu Ming Shi returned to the living room and asked Grandpa if he wanted to go for a walk.


    Grandpa Fu looked at him inquisitively. "Do you really want to apany me for a walk, or are you going to meet that handsome vet?"


    "Then I''m going back to my room." Fu Ming Shi turned around to leave.


    Grandpa Fu hmm-ed. Recalling how his grandson had flown over overnight without stopping him, he didn''t say more. He called Hei Dan who was squatting by the door waiting to go out over, andughed as he yed with the dog.


    Not far from the vi, in a nearby park, a golden retriever jumped high to catch the flying disc in its mouth and ran back. Cheng Yi bent down to rub the golden retriever''s head, then threw the disc out again. For the umpteenth time, he looked around for the Chinese girl he saw yesterday, but didn''t see her even when it was time to end the walk.


    That night, Zhen Bao went back home with Fu Ming Shi.


    The first thing they did after getting off the ne was to check her exam results.


    Zhen Bao scored 626 points, almost matching her optimistic estimation while checking answers.


    She grinned foolishly at theputer screen. Fu Ming Shi stood behind her with hands in pockets, saw her results, and praised her, "Looks like you performed exceptionally well."


    Zhen Bao hurriedly acted modest. "The questions were easier this year."


    "What gift do you want?" Fu Ming Shi sat on the desk, his long legs casually resting on the floor. He looked down at her.


    Zhen Bao blinked nkly. "Why give me a gift?" Fu Ming Shi had already given her many gifts.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled. "A constion prize for flunking, a reward for doing well."


    Zhen Bao didn''t need rewards. Looking at her score report, she worriedly asked, "Do you know which majors are better? I still haven''t decided what to study." Which university and what major to choose were what concerned Zhen Bao the most right now.


    Fu Ming Shi had also agonized over choosing a major after graduating so many years ago. Now, looking at Zhen Bao worrying over choosing a major as the CEO of the group, he could only feel she was being childishly cute. But he still answered seriously, "Tell me a gift you want. I''ll send you a list of possible majors tonight."


    Zhen Bao habitually pouted.


    Fu Ming Shi patiently waited, looking at her pink lips.


    Zhen Bao wasn''t skilled enough at using the inte yet. She had tried looking up relevant information herself, but could never find what she needed most. The more she read, the more confused she got. So she really needed Fu Ming Shi''s help.


    "I want a bicycle." After thinking hard, Zhen Bao finally thought of something she needed. She heard that university campuses wererge and you had to ride a bike from the dorms to the ssroom buildings.


    Hearing her reason for wanting a bicycle, Fu Ming Shi''s brow twitched almost imperceptibly. "You want to live in the dorms?"


    Zhen Bao looked as if it should be so.


    Fu Ming Shi actually hoped Zhen Bao could keep living at his ce, or he could buy a house near campus. In short, he wanted to live together with Zhen Bao. So he first told Zhen Bao about the problems with dorms, "Dorms are crowded with many people of different living habits and personalities. It''s easy to have conflicts, especially in the girls'' dorms which have the most problems."


    When Zhen Bao was in high school, she had lived in the dorms for half a year. There were six girls in a dorm and they all got along very well, helping each other cook meals and carry thermoses of hot water. So she used her own experience to refute Fu Ming Shi, "You''re talking about special cases. I probably won''t be so unlucky, right?" It would be four years of university. She couldn''t keep living at the Fu family''s just because she worried about getting terrible roommates.


    Fu Ming Shi pressed his lips. He stared at her gloomily.


    Seeing his disapproval, Zhen Bao turned back to the screen and pleaded in a low voice, "I don''t want special treatment."


    If her ssmates knew of her rtionship with Fu Ming Shi, they would definitely gossip. The college entrance exam had just ended. When Fu Ming Shi followed her Weibo, she gained over 100,000 followers overnight. All sorts ofments appeared. It scared her into secretly re-registering a small ount without telling Fu Ming Shi. She didn''t n on using that big ount ever again.


    Zhen Bao had it all nned out. Once in university, she would try her best to keep it secret, just an ordinary student.


    She stubbornly pressed her lips. Fu Ming Shi suddenly remembered those days back in the vige. He had known when Zhen Bao bit him while herding geese that this girl looked delicate but had strong opinions about important matters. If Grandpa hadn''t cried so sadly at his grave, softening Zhen Bao''s heart, she might still be living in that remote vige now.


    "Living in the dorms is fine, but you have to live here on weekends and during winter and summer breaks." Fu Ming Shipromised while adding conditions.


    Zhen Bao hadn''t experienced university life yet. She tentatively agreed.

 Chapter 12: 012

    <h4>Chapter 12</h4>


    Fu Ming Shi wanted to give Zhen Bao a high-end gift, but Zhen Bao was afraid he would waste money and insisted on just wanting a bicycle. Nothing else would do.


    Fu Ming Shi could only help her pick out a bicycle.


    There were expensive bicycles, but thinking about the college campus environment, Fu Ming Shi browsed online and set the price range at 500-1000 yuan. If it was too expensive and got lost, he could easily buy her a new bike anytime. But Fu Ming Shi was worried Zhen Bao would feel bad about the cost of the bicycle, so he opted for a cheaper one. That way she wouldn''t feel too upset if it was lost.


    "Pick one."


    Fu Ming Shi turned theptop to face Zhen Bao. The screen was filled with bicycles. Zhen Bao liked them all, and finally chose a pink and white one with a cute pink front basket.


    Fu Ming Shi didn''tment on her aesthetic taste. Just as he was about to pay, he thought of something and called Zhen Bao over, teaching her how to shop online so she wouldn''t beughed at by her dorm mates for being behind-the-times when she got to campus.


    "If you want to buy anything in the future, use my ount." Fu Ming Shi also told her his password.


    "No, I''ll register my own. Just help me link my bank card." Zhen Bao was firm.


    Fu Ming Shi nced at her but didn''t insist. Though he privately decided to add an online shopping budget to her monthly "sry" from now on.


    That night, as promised, Fu Ming Shi sent Zhen Bao a list of top universities and corresponding strong majors. He even noted the difficulty of each major, job prospects, and male-female ratios. Zhen Bao looked over the spreadsheet and searched online until 10pm, but still couldn''t decide what to study.


    The next day was Fu Ming Shi''s day off. He had nned to take her out to y, but Zhen Bao was having her period so they just stayed at the vi.


    In the afternoon, Zhen Bao''s new bike arrived - a cute pink one that looked even better against the vi''s greenwn.


    "Try riding it," said Fu Ming Shi, standing in the shade of a tree, waiting to watch her ride.


    Zhen Bao stood awkwardly in front of the bike, hesitant.


    Fu Ming Shi watched her and suddenly recalled that there were no bicycles in Zhen Bao''s rural family courtyard.


    "Don''t know how to ride?" He walked over and asked in a low voice.


    Zhen Bao nodded shyly.


    "I''ll teach you, it''s simple." Fu Ming Shi went to the left side of the bike, adjusted the seat, then held the rear while having her sit up first.


    Zhen Bao was 165 cm tall. Sitting properly, her feet easily touched the ground.


    "Pedal and steer forward," Fu Ming Shi said, firmly holding the rear. "Don''t be scared. If you lean, just put your feet down. You won''t fall."


    Zhen Bao was dubious, but as a soon-to-be college student, she had some courage. With a few starts and stops, she quickly got the hang of it. Fu Ming Shi walked briskly with her for a stretch, then surreptitiously let go of the bike while still following behind.


    Going straight was no problem. Fu Ming Shi nced left. "Try turning left."


    Zhen Bao turned the handlebars but her foot didn''t follow. The bike suddenly tilted left. Fu Ming Shi saw the mishap and rushed over, one hand grabbing the handlebar while the other held her waist. Zhen Bao instinctively clutched his shirt. He stabilized the bike while she remained seated, her face buried against his chest.


    Fu Ming Shi helped her down first, anxiously asking, "Are you okay?"


    Zhen Bao was sweating from the scare but unhurt. Catching her breath, she smiled and pushed him away. "I''m fine, I''ll try again."


    She was still excited to have just learned to ride a bike.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and continued to safeguard her.


    Riding a bike was simple. After practicing for a few minutes, Zhen Bao could do it. She rode a few moreps around the yard, her cheeks flushed from the sun. Still not used to sunscreen, she didn''t care about tanning either. But the considerate Fu Ming Shi timely brought her back inside to prevent future regret.


    After a rxing day, Fu Ming Shi went back to work again, onlying home at night.


    College registration was in 4-5 days. Zhen Bao was still slowly considering her options, not feeling rushed with time left.


    "Hei Dan!"


    After breakfast, when Fu Ming Shi had left, Zhen Bao returned upstairs. Pushing open the bedroom door and taking two steps in, she suddenly noticed a stain on the floor. Staring for nearly a minute, Zhen Bao finally realized what it was and immediately called for Hei Dan. Moving from the vige to the big city was an adjustment for both her and Hei Dan. Fortunately Hei Dan always obediently listened to her and had learned to use a doggie toilet.


    Two weak whimpers came from inside.


    Zhen Bao stepped over the stain and saw Hei Dan lying under the desk, big eyes pitifully looking up at her. Zhen Bao first thought Hei Dan had deliberately made a mess, but seeing her listless, became worried.


    Was she sick?


    Touching Hei Dan, her body seemed a little warm.


    Never having been ill before, Zhen Bao didn''t know what to do with Hei Dan''s first sickness. She immediately carried Hei Dan downstairs to ask Auntie Wang.


    Auntie Wang had no experience with dogs either and wasn''t sure. "Why don''t we take Hei Dan to the pet hospital?"


    Zhen Bao worried, "Do you know where one is?"


    That was simple. Auntie Wang took out her phone and quickly found a reputable one nearby. "This one has great reviews and is only half an hour from us. Oh right, should we let Mr. Fu know?"


    "No need, it shouldn''t be serious." Fu Ming Shi was very busy with work. Zhen Bao didn''t want to bother him over this. Putting Hei Dan down, she went upstairs for her bag, phone and card packed inside.


    Auntie Wang drove steadily. In half an hour they arrived at A University Animal Hospital.


    The hospital was located on A University''s campus. Auntie Wang led the way while Zhen Bao followed holding Hei Dan, eyes drawn to the school buildings, open field, and studentsing and going - her first time seeing a university up close.


    "A University is a top school too, but Miss can attend even better ones. Don''t look, the majors here are all agriculture," Auntie Wang smiled, seeing her almost transfixed. In her eyes, the rich Fu family could send Zhen Bao to the capital''s most famous schools, not this agricultural one.


    But Zhen Bao recalled that A University wasn''t even mentioned on the spreadsheet Fu Ming Shi had given her.


    Nevermind, Hei Dan''s health was most important now.


    ~


    The hospital was packed!


    Sitting holding Hei Dan, Zhen Bao saw the rows ahead already filled with pet owners. Besidesmon pets like cats and dogs, there were also turtles, pet pigs, and arge parrot. As Zhen Bao looked around, many nced her way too, some with disdain seeing the mutt in her arms.


    "Ignore them, Miss." Auntie Wang humphed.


    Zhen Bao stroked Hei Dan, unbothered.


    After waiting 20 minutes, sudden wailing came from outside, making everyone curious. An olddy in her 60s ran in, sweaty and carrying a cat carrier, a 4-5 year old boy in tow.


    The child''s crying drew a nurse over.


    "Nurse, my cat was hit by a car. Can you see him first?" The olddy anxiously stopped the nurse.


    The nurse soothed her while peeking in the carrier, seeing all the blood. She immediately brought them to the ER.


    The boy kept crying "Coffee!" - the name of the big yellow cat.


    Hearing this, Zhen Bao felt awful for the boy. She hugged Hei Dan tighter, whoy limply on herp, more obedient than ever. The couple sitting to Zhen Bao''s right had a small Samoyed on the girl''sp. Seeing Zhen Bao pet Hei Dan, the Samoyed suddenly barked at Zhen Bao in a milky voice.


    Zhen Bao looked over. The Samoyed puppy opened its mouth, seeming to smile at her.


    "Dabai loves beauties. When he sees a pretty girl he sucks up," said the short-haired girlfriend, smiling kindly at Zhen Bao.


    ttered at being called a beauty, Zhen Bao shyly reached out to pet the Samoyed, confused. "Is he sick?"


    The girlfriend whispered and giggled, "We brought him to be neutered."


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help ncing at Hei Dan, alsoughing.


    But the light mood was soon interrupted by the grandmother and grandson pair. Coffee the cat''s injuries were too severe. He died shortly after entering the ER. The boy hugged the cat''s body, crying so hard he started huping. His grandma promised to buy him a new cat but the boy refused, demanding Coffee be brought back to life.


    Most here were animal lovers. Some discreetly wiped away tears.


    Zhen Bao also shed a few, still feeling sad for the boy.


    To the child, Coffee was likely both pet and family member. Of course he was heartbroken over what happened and didn''t want to lose him.


    ~


    Hei Dan only had a minor illness. The vet prescribed medicine and said she''d recover after a few doses.


    Back at the vi, while holding Hei Dan, Zhen Bao searched online about the vet profession, clicking in to read several personal ounts. The more she read, the more drawn she felt. Old Mr. Fu said she could choose a major she liked. Zhen Bao felt she had found it.


    But she also wanted to earn money.


    Searching vet sry ranges, she read starting sries were around 3-5k, higher at ces like A University Animal Hospital.


    That kind of pay, plus her interest in the career, was enough.


    Looking up China''s top veterinary schools, A University was ranked first.


    When Fu Ming Shi returned that evening, he first learned about Hei Dan''s illness from Auntie Wang. Before going to see Zhen Bao, Fu Ming Shi emotionlessly instructed Auntie Wang, "From now on, no matter how big or small, inform me of any issues involving her."


    Auntie Wang quickly agreed.


    Fu Ming Shi went straight upstairs.


    Zhen Bao was watching the movie Hachi: A Dog''s Tale with the a/c on and windows shut tight, not hearing Fu Ming Shie home. Only when he knocked and called her name did she hurriedly set theptop aside, smooth the bedsheets, and run to open the door. Having leaned against the bed watching, her hair was a bit messy.


    "Hei Dan was sick?" Fu Ming Shi nced at her then looked for Hei Dan.


    Hei Dan bounced over, much more spirited than the morning.


    Seeing Hei Dan was fine, Fu Ming Shi swept his eyes over the paused movie ying on the bed. "What film?" he casually asked.


    Zhen Bao reported the title.


    Fu Ming Shi''s lips quirked up. Hei Dan got sick so she watched a pet movie, how appropriate.


    "Oh right, I decided on a major." Zhen Bao ced theptop back on the desk, pulling up A University''s website for Fu Ming Shi to see.


    Seeing the school name, Fu Ming Shi frowned. "What do you want to study?"


    "Veterinary medicine," Zhen Bao said brightly, picking up Hei Dan who hade over and beaming at Fu Ming Shi. "I want to be a vet." She liked small animals, and they had always liked and felt close to her since she was little. Perhaps she was a natural fit for the career.


    But looking at her happy face, Fu Ming Shi strangely thought of the photo grandfather had sent.


    "Vet work is dirty and tiring, not as easy as you imagine." Fu Ming Shi tried to change her decision.


    "I''m not afraid of hard work." Zhen Bao stared back defiantly.


    Fu Ming Shi: "Vets study dissection. Aren''t you afraid?"


    "...I''m not." Zhen Bao hesitated briefly before shaking her head. She had killed chickens and fish before, and seen pigs butchered. She could handle it.


    Fu Ming Shi suddenly didn''t know what else to say.


    This girl, instead of cherishing a fianc¨¦ like him, wanted to study veterinary medicine? She was simply...


    Quirky.

 Chapter 13: 013

    <h4>Chapter 13</h4>


    After receiving the admission letter from A University, Zhen Bao happily yed for a month. There were too many attractions in the imperial capital for Zhen Bao to visit in one day and rest the next. Most of the time, she went sightseeing with Wang Ma, and Fu Ming Shi asionally apanied her to stroll once or twice. After a month, Zhen Bao was now a little familiar with the imperial capital.


    In August, Zhen Bao began to settle down. She searched online and found that all freshmen had to take calculus, so she bought a calculus textbook with supplementary exercises and started self-studying at home while continuing to strengthen her English. Every night, Fu Ming Shi would spend half an hour teaching her how to use various office software and make up for herck of knowledge about modern devices.


    In short, Zhen Bao had a very fulfilling summer vacation this time.


    Tomorrow, Zhen Bao would go to A University to report. Fu Ming Shi was busy at thepany in the morning, then drove back to the vi, nning to apany Zhen Bao for the whole afternoon.


    "I''ll take you there tomorrow morning," Fu Ming Shi said at dinner, stating it matter-of-factly.


    Zhen Bao''s chewing slowed, and she swallowed the food in her mouth. She was embarrassed, "Didn''t we agree not to announce it yet?"


    Having a fianc¨¦ as soon as she entered university felt strange. If it was another girl in this situation, she would definitely be curious about the inside story.


    "College students can have boyfriends and girlfriends. I''ll just say I''m your boyfriend," Fu Ming Shi slowly cut the steak, then instead of hurrying to eat it, he held up the steak with his fork and asked Zhen Bao, "If I say I''m a sophomore at T University, would you believe me?"


    This question was so strange that Zhen Bao nced at his brand-name shirt and custom-made leather shoes, and couldn''t help but curl her lips. "Do sophomores dress like you?"


    "I meant age," Fu Ming Shi put the steak in his mouth elegantly.


    Zhen Bao looked at his face again, withdrew her gaze, and nodded, "I guess I''d believe it." Those male stars in their thirties on TV ying college students looked quite believable to her. If Fu Ming Shi hadn''t told her his real age, Zhen Bao wouldn''t have been able to guess how old he was exactly.


    Fu Ming Shi chuckled lightly, nced upstairs, "I bought some casual clothes of ordinary brands. I''ll wear them when I go to A University to see you in the future. As long as you don''t tell others who I am, even if someone recognizes me as the CEO of Shengshi Group, I can deny it and just say we look alike. After all, amongst a bunch of college students, no one should recognize me."


    Zhen Bao didn''t like high-profile behavior, so he would let her have a carefree college life.


    "If you¡¯re a sophomore and I¡¯m a freshman, how did we get to know each other?" Zhen Bao gently bit her chopsticks, trying to find fault.


    "Just say we live in the samemunity and officially started dating this summer,¡± Fu Ming Shi imagined spending the next few years dating her in college, and he was rather looking forward to it.


    Zhen Bao just wanted to focus on studying. Fu Ming Shi''s n didn''t seem to have any ws, but she couldn''t understand why it had to be done this way.


    "Why do you have to pretend to be my boyfriend?" Zhen Bao lowered her head and poked at the rice in her bowl. She always felt that students who didn''t date were better students.


    "Beautiful women neverck suitors. When others see you already have an owner, they won''t pursue you anymore, and you can focus on your studies." Fu Ming Shi sounded reasonable, then gave Zhen Bao a meaningful nce, "Or do you want to attract more suitors?"


    He praised her as a beauty again and randomly guessed she was vain. Zhen Bao''s face turned red as she denied, "I didn''t think that, and I don''t have that many people who like me." Having lived in the imperial capital for so long, Zhen Bao had seen many beauties when she went out, not only beautiful but also fashionably dressed. Compared to the beauties of the big city, she was just a country bumpkin. Who would like her?


    "Better safe than sorry. It''s better to refuse in advance than to reject someone after they confess, otherwise you won''t even be able to be ssmates." She wanted a bicycle, she wanted to study veterinary medicine at A University, and Fu Ming Shi respected her choices, but this time, he would absolutely not give in. A girl like Zhen Bao could be the campus belle no matter which university she entered. There would definitely be people who wanted to pursue her. He would stake his im early to avoid a lot of trouble.


    Since he even used the idiom "better safe than sorry", what else could Zhen Bao say?


    ~


    In order to satisfy Zhen Bao''s wish for a low profile, Fu Ming Shi deliberately called a taxi to take her to A University the next day.


    "There''s a traffic jam ahead. Can you get off here?" About one intersection away from the A University gate, the driver looked at the traffic ahead and turned back to ask.


    "Sure, here is fine," Zhen Bao was very easygoing and readily agreed.


    The driver stopped the car. Zhen Bao got off first, carrying a bag of a regr brand. She wore denim shorts and a white T-shirt. If you didn''t look at her face, she would blend seamlessly into the crowd. Fu Ming Shi got out of the car behind her, wearing a pair of sneakers on his feet, gray pants and a white T-shirt on top, and a tennis cap on his head. He really looked like a handsome schoolmate.


    He took Zhen Bao''s pink suitcase out of the trunk and dragged it along in one hand while very naturally holding Zhen Bao''s little hand in the other. The peopleing and going on the roadside were mostly new students and parents. Zhen Bao''s face turned red as she tried to shake off his hand, but Fu Ming Shi not only did not let go, he even pulled her closer to his side and said while looking ahead, "There are too many people, don''t get lost."


    Zhen Bao exined in a low voice, "I won''t get lost." She wasn''t a child.


    Fu Ming Shi held her tightly, "I''m worried, I''ll let go when there are fewer people on campus."


    Zhen Bao pursed her lips and conceded.


    ~


    There were many big red banners weing new students erected on campus. Each college had set up a wee spot. Fu Ming Shi quickly found the sign for the College of Animal Medicine among the crowd.


    He led Zhen Bao in that direction, still holding her hand.


    "Okay, that''s enough..." As they got closer and closer, Zhen Bao struggled again.


    Fu Ming Shi finally let go of her.


    In addition to a counselor, the others weing new students were volunteer sophomores, both male and female. Seeing Fu Ming Shi and Zhen Bao from afar, the senior sisters silently adored Fu Ming Shi in their hearts, while the senior brothers regretted that the new beautiful junior sister was already taken.


    With Fu Ming Shi apanying her, Zhen Bao''s enrollment went very smoothly. After collecting the items, the two headed straight for the dorm building. The dorm aunt stopped them and asked Fu Ming Shi to register before going up, and said that only today he could send new students, but in the future, male students were not allowed to enter the female dormitory.


    With a hint of inexplicable smile at the corner of his mouth, Fu Ming Shi signed the registration form with the name Shi Ming.


    Standing on the side, Zhen Bao felt this person was really boring, not CEO-like at all.


    "Let''s go," Fu Ming Shi picked up the suitcase and let her walk in front.


    Zhen Bao lived on the third floor, in room 307. When they found the room number, the door was already open. Peeking in, there was someone inside.


    "Do you live here too?" an young girl wearing super short shorts and a bun hairstyle asked excitedly.


    Guessing this was her new roommate, Zhen Bao nodded shyly.


    Jia Xiao Yu had already run out and was about to introduce herself when she saw the tall, handsome guy who had been standing to the side of the door all along. Jia Xiao Yu suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes full of amazement, looking back and forth between Fu Ming Shi and Zhen Bao, even more excited than seeing a celebrity.


    Zhen Bao was extremely embarrassed.


    Fu Ming Shi greeted this new roommate generously, "Hello, I''m Zhen Bao''s boyfriend, a student at T University. I hope you can help take care of Zhen Bao in the future. She''s a bit silly and doesn''t understand a lot of things."


    Who was silly? Zhen Bao didn''t like hearing that, and red at him.


    Fu Ming Shi lowered his head, his gaze gentle as he looked back at her.


    "Ahhh I can''t stand it anymore! Zhen Bao, your boyfriend is so handsome!" Witnessing a beautiful couple flirting with her own eyes, Jia Xiao Yu couldn''t help but hug Zhen Bao. She was both envious and happy. Although the handsome guy wasn''t hers, eye candy was still eye candy.


    Zhen Bao could only tacitly agree.


    Jia Xiao Yu''s parents were also there, one helping their daughter make the bed, the other cleaning the balcony. Zhen Bao politely called them Auntie and Uncle, then at Jia Xiao Yu''s suggestion, she chose the bed next to hers.


    "You can leave first, I can take care of the rest myself," with parents around, Zhen Bao was even more eager to send Fu Ming Shi away quickly.


    "I''ll help you make the bed," Fu Ming Shi nced at Jia Xiao Yu''s dad who was helping make her bed, then briskly took off his shoes and climbed onto the bed.


    "Best boyfriend ever!" Jia Xiao Yu wanted to take pictures of Fu Ming Shi with her phone.


    Zhen Bao quickly dissuaded her, tactfully expressing that she didn''t want to take photos. Jia Xiao Yu could tell she was shy, and readily put away her phone. Then she left with her parents to go eat at the cafeteria first. Only the two of them were left in the dorm. Zhen Bao looked up at Fu Ming Shi and asked, "Do you know how?"


    "Give me the mosquito," Fu Ming Shi made her mattress andforter neatly, then reached out to her.


    Zhen Bao took out the mosquito from the big package provided by the school and handed it to him.


    After everything was done, Fu Ming Shi went to the bathroom to wash his hands. When he came out, he asked Zhen Bao, "Go to the cafeteria?"


    Zhen Bao looked at him in surprise.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled, "I''m hungry. I''ll leave after eating."


    Zhen Bao was waiting for him to leave, but now that Fu Ming Shi brought it up first, she felt a little guilty. After all, Fu Ming Shi had helped her so much, willingly. Recalling that Jia Xiao Yu was going to tour the campus with her parents after leaving, Zhen Bao quietly asked while taking her bag, "Do you...want to walk around campus?"


    Fu Ming Shi''s gaze became deep, and it was a long time before he agreed, "Okay."


    After locking the door, the two went downstairs again.


    Fu Ming Shi first took Zhen Bao to top up her meal card. Zhen Bao rushed ahead of him to take out a red bill and topped up 100 first.


    Fu Ming Shi frowned, worried that she was saving money on food.


    Sure enough, when they got to the cafeteria, Zhen Bao only ordered two cheap vegetarian dishes. There were people lining up behind them, so Fu Ming Shi didn''t say anything to her for now. When it was his turn to order, Fu Ming Shi ordered three meat dishes in one go. Zhen Bao stood outside the line with her tray, waiting for him, and when she saw the dishes in Fu Ming Shi''s tray, she subconsciously estimated the price.


    With one hundred bucks gone just like that, Zhen Bao felt a little pain.


    "We''ll go top up againter," Fu Ming Shi put the meal card into his pocket and said in a low voice.


    "No need, no need..." Zhen Bao quickly refused. She just felt bad spending money, but didn''t mean that she minded him ordering expensive food.


    "From now on, order at least one meat dish per meal. I will ask your roommate to help me supervise you. If you dare not eat properly, I will tell them our real rtionship," Fu Ming Shi sat down, then coldly threatened as he transferred the braised fish on his tray to Zhen Bao''s side.


    Zhen Bao pouted.


    "You can wear cheap clothes, but you can''t skimp on food. Don''t let the old master worry," Fu Ming Shi softened his tone and put a few more shrimps on her tray.


    Thinking of the old master who video chatted with her regrly, Zhen Bao finally nodded.


    After the meal, on the way to take a walk, Fu Ming Shi grabbed Zhen Bao''s wrist and went back to the meal card recharge point, charging a five digit amount in one go.

 Chapter 14: 014

    <h4>Chapter 14</h4>


    It was the first day of university. That night, there would be a ss meeting for all the new students to get to know each other and elect the first ssmittee.


    Zhen Bao sat with her three roommates, Fan Xuan and Qian Lele on the left in the front row, and she and Jia Xiao Yu behind them. The ss advisor suggested they introduce themselves in seating order.


    About five minutester, it was Zhen Bao''s turn. She hadn''t been in front of so many ssmates in a long time. As soon as she stood up, her face turned red. When she got to the front, she looked so innocent and shy that half the boys in the ss listened to her introduction very attentively, some even sneakily taking pictures with their phones.


    After she finished, Zhen Bao hurried back to her seat to listen attentively to the other new students'' introductions. Some of the boys would asionally nce at her before quickly looking away. Zhen Bao didn''t notice until a girl who had just gone up kept looking at her several times. Zhen Bao became curious.


    She heard the girl, Feng Yue, say she was from City C.


    There was someone from the same province in their ss!


    Zhen Bao''s eyes lit up and she couldn''t help but smile. Feng Yue on stage also smiled back at her, looking excited.


    During the ssmittee election, encouraged by her three roommates, Zhen Bao signed up to be the academic affairs chairperson. She had heard it could give her extra points when being considered for schrships. Herpetitor was a boy with several pimples on his face. After one round of voting, Zhen Bao won by a huge margin.


    After the meeting ended, Zhen Bao had just stepped out of the ssroom when Feng Yue came looking for her.


    "Ah, we went to the same high school. Howe I never saw you before?" Feng Yue asked in surprise.


    Remembering Fu Ming Shi''s instructions, Zhen Bao said softly, "I took a year off after 10th grade, then transferred schools and lived with my aunt here."


    Feng Yue was even more surprised. Looking at Zhen Bao, she exined, "Then we were in the same grade. I didn''t test well enough for collegest year so I had to repeat senior year. Which ss were you in 10th grade?"


    Zhen Bao told her the ss, trying hard to remember her 10th grade life, but she couldn''t recall anyone named Feng Yue at all. Feng Yue was from the city while Zhen Bao was rural. Onemuted while the other boarded at school, and they were in separate sses upstairs and downstairs, so it was normal that Zhen Bao didn''t remember her.


    In any case, meeting a high school ssmate in the capital made both Zhen Bao and Feng Yue very happy. They exchanged phone numbers, and Feng Yue happened to live in the dorm next to Zhen Bao''s, so they agreed to hang out together often in the future.


    After the enrollment ceremony was two weeks of military training!


    Fu Ming Shi had prepared a set of fairly high-end skincare products for Zhen Bao. She didn''t want to use them at first, but early in the morning, when Jia Xiao Yu and the other two came out of the bathroom busy putting on sunscreen and kindly reminded her to put some on too, Zhen Bao decided to "do as the Romans do" and took out all the skincare products from her closet.


    The set Fan Xuan used was the most expensive. Zhen Bao''s set didn''t stand out much inparison.


    "Is Zhen Bao here?" Feng Yue suddenly knocked on the door.


    Zhen Bao went to open the door while still applying sunscreen to her neck. Feng Yue smiled and greeted Fan Xuan''s trio, then asked Zhen Bao, "Shall we go togetherter?"


    "Sure!" Zhen Bao started applying sunscreen to her hands.


    Feng Yue stared at the bottles and jars on her desk, recognizing it was a rather pricey brand she didn''t dare buy yet. She looked again at Zhen Bao''s phone, also thetest model from a luxury brand.


    Feng Yue felt a little envious. Her parents were just ordinary office workers. Among her high school ssmates, her family was considered well-off, butpared to these local students in the capital, she was at the bottom all of a sudden. She had thought Zhen Bao dressed quite ordinarilyst night and didn''t expect her family was so wealthy too.


    When Zhen Bao paid with her card at breakfast, those in the lines on either side who could see her card bnce were shocked speechless.


    "How did you put so much in there?" Feng Yue moved next to Zhen Bao''s ear and asked softly.


    Remembering Fu Ming Shi''s conversation with the card-charging auntie yesterday, Zhen Bao brazenly lied, "My aunt let me charge it all at once so it''d be less hassleter."


    "Your aunt sure is rich," Feng Yue said enviously.


    Zhen Bao took her breakfast outside the line first.


    "Over here!" Jia Xiao Yu, who had grabbed them seats earlier, stood waving at her.


    Zhen Bao walked that way with Feng Yue. Only when they got closer did she see the dining hall had all four-person tables. She and Feng Yue sat at the table next to Jia Xiao Yu and the others. She couldn''t make Feng Yue sit alone after all. Jia Xiao Yu red at them and muttered something quietly. Qian Lele giggled softly, "Jealous?"


    Jia Xiao Yu pouted. She just found Feng Yue annoying, sticking to them when she wasn''t even roommates with them.


    During the military training lineup, Jia Xiao Yu pulled Zhen Bao early to stand in the same row.


    Only then did Feng Yue go find her own roommates.


    ~


    After the first day of training ended, Fan Xuan and the others were too tired to move, but for Zhen Bao, who had farmed for two years back home, this level of activity was nothing. After dinner and a shower, it was only a bit past 8. Zhen Bao tidied up her desk, slowly brushing her hair while reading an original English novel she had brought from the vi.


    "As expected of our academic chairperson. You''re actually reading something fully in English!" Jia Xiao Yu suddenly moved closer. "I''ll have to rely on you in the future for the CET 4 and 6 tests."


    Zhen Bao smiled.


    Her phone on the desk suddenly rang, and Fu Ming Shi''s profile photo popped up on the screen. Even now, Zhen Bao didn''t fully understand all the functions on her phone. Her contacts and profile photos had been set up by Grandpa Fu.


    Although Zhen Bao grabbed her phone swiftly, Jia Xiao Yu still caught a glimpse and tutted, "Your boyfriend''s checking up on you already. How thoughtful."


    Zhen Bao''s face turned red as she went out to the balcony to answer the call, pulling the soundproof sliding door closed.


    "Did you have military training today?" There were faint, uneven sounds of chattering from below and further away, but Fu Ming Shi''s voice was clear, as if transmitted through a channel designated just for him, low and pleasant in her ear.


    Zhen Bao murmured yes.


    "Are you tired?" Fu Ming Shi leaned back on the living room sofa, absentmindedly looking at Hei Dan squatting in front of him. With her gone, the vi suddenly felt empty. When he had returned after dinner, if not for the dog that belonged to her still being there, Fu Ming Shi had for a moment doubted whether he had dreamt everything - maybe Zhen Bao was only a person from his dreams.


    But the call connected and he heard her nervous voice, settling his heart.


    "It was okay. The others all said it was hot, but it''s much cooler here than in City C," Zhen Bao chatted happily about her school life. "Oh right, there''s a high school ssmate of mine in my ss here."


    Fu Ming Shi narrowed his eyes slightly. "Boy or girl?"


    "Girl. She lives in the dorm next to ours."


    Fu Ming Shi leaned back into the sofa and patted Hei Dan''s head. "If you want to keep it secret, even that ssmate can''t know about us." He was worried Zhen Bao might identally let slip their secret to someone familiar, causing trouble for herself. Sometimes, the closer someone was, the more unable they were to ept your meteoric rise, leading to jealousy.


    Of course Zhen Bao wouldn''t tell Feng Yue. She wouldn''t tell anyone unless absolutely necessary.


    "You''ve had a tiring day. Sleep early." Fu Ming Shi wasn''t busy tonight but didn''t want to deprive Zhen Bao of rest just because he missed her.


    "Okay, you sleep early too." Zhen Bao was the one to end the call first, waiting a few seconds before hanging up.


    When she returned inside, Qian Lele rushed over first, wanting to see the photos of Zhen Bao''s supposedly tall, handsome and virtuous boyfriend. Since Zhen Bao had no pictures of Fu Ming Shi on her phone, she could only open her contacts and show them his profile photo. In the picture, Fu Ming Shi was ying tennis, bending over to receive the ball, his deep dark eyes gazing straight ahead brimming with restrained ferocity ready to strike at any time.


    "He''s so handsome!" Qian Lele was drooling with infatuation. Even the most serious Fan Xuan had shining eyes.


    "Ding!" Zhen Bao received a new WeChat message.


    The screen showed it was a photo. Qian Lele suppressed her curiosity and politely returned the phone to Zhen Bao, but she and the other two still crowded around to see the photo possibly sent by Zhen Bao''s handsome boyfriend. Worried that it might reveal something of Fu Ming Shi''s vi, Zhen Bao looked carefully before daring to show them.


    The photo was of a silly, cute ck dog.


    "That''s...a mutt, right?" Qian Lele said, surprised.


    "Your boyfriend sure has unique taste in pets," Jia Xiao Yu quickly added.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help but exin, "That''s my dog."


    In unison, the three girls turned to her. "Why is your dog with him then?" They looked as if they had discovered some big secret.


    Zhen Bao didn''t understand their meaning, but improvised an excuse seriously, "My aunt is away on a business trip so he''s helping to take care of it for a few days."


    Jia Xiao Yu and the other two humphed, certain there was something more going on.


    Zhen Bao hopped into bed and continued reading her book. As she read, she took out her phone to flip through the photos.


    She missed Hei Dan after not seeing him for a few days.


    ~


    On the fifth day of training, even Zhen Bao was starting to find it tiring. They barely made it through the morning session. Everyone lined up to march from the training site back to the dorm building where they had gathered that morning before dispersing.


    On the way there, Jia Xiao Yu''s phone vibrated. Seeing the caller ID, she lifted it to her ear in confusion. "You are...?"


    "Zhen Bao''s phone can''t get through." Fu Ming Shi stood at the side of the main road leading to Zhen Bao''s dorm building, his dark eyes sweeping over the passing groups of military training freshmen.


    Just as Jia Xiao Yu was about to hand the phone to Zhen Bao, she suddenly noticed the tall, upright figure not far away and recognized him as Zhen Bao''s boyfriend. Jia Xiao Yu smiled and said softly, "I see you. Zhen Bao''s right in front of me. Let''s see if you can find her."


    After hanging up, she nced back at Zhen Bao.


    Jia Xiao Yu smiled mysteriously and gripped Zhen Bao''s shoulders to make her face forward again. With all the girls wearing camo uniforms and caps covering their foreheads, leaving only a bit of their faces visible, it would be a real test of love if Zhen Bao''s boyfriend could pick her out from the crowds.


    Fu Ming Shi put down his phone and looked up at the freshmen marchersing down the road, females in front and males behind. He moved to the stone steps at the side of the greenbelt to take advantage of his height and observe the girls on both sides one by one.


    At 165cm, Zhen Bao wasn''t very noticeable.


    But two minutester, Fu Ming Shi still recognized his fianc¨¦e.


    The corners of his lips quirked up as he stepped down from the stone stairs and slowly walked toward her.


    Zhen Bao, however, was looking in the direction of the cafeteria. She was hungry, but had to go back to the dorm first to get her meal card. She had left both her card, with its ample bnce, and her expensive phone in the dorm, afraid of losing them or cracking the screen during training.


    Lost in thought, she was suddenly poked from behind by Jia Xiao Yu.


    Zhen Bao looked back halfway before her gazended on the figure ahead and froze.


    Fu Ming Shi wore a tennis cap. The bright noon sun cast a halo of soft light around him. In the glow, the man''s dark eyes looked straight at her. When she finally reached his side, Fu Ming Shi lifted his hand. In it was a thermal sk. "Salted water. Drink some first."


    Zhen Bao instinctively moved to take it, but Jia Xiao Yu pushed her right out of the marching line.


    Take what? If it were her, with such a handsome, romantic boyfriend, she would have already thrown herself into his arms!

 Chapter 15: 015

    <h4>Chapter 15</h4>


    When Zhen Bao was pushed out by Jia Xiao Yu, the marching speed of the whole ss 2 suddenly slowed down. The girls excitedly looked back and the boys behind looked at Fu Ming Shi, who was nonchntly supporting Zhen Bao, and then at the apple-cheeked ss belle, someone whistled and cheered, while others feltplicated.


    I was going to try after military training, didn''t expect the ss belle already had an owner.


    "Forward... look!"


    The stern instructor suddenly yelled, ss 2 was still in a daze, but the sses in front and behind burst intoughter at the scene. Finally reacting, ss 2 quickly followed the instructor, but feeling the probing eyes from the sses behind, Zhen Bao really wanted to find a crack to crawl into.


    Now it''s good, not only the whole ss, but the whole Veterinary Medicine Institute knew she had a boyfriend.


    "Your phone was unreachable." Seeing her predicament, Fu Ming Shi decided to exin, he had wanted to wait for her downstairs at the dormitory building, but didn''t know when she would finish, worried that she would go eat lunch first with her roommates, so he came to this main road.


    "I don''t bring my phone during military training." Zhen Bao didn''t me him. After the whole school''s squad had passed, she quickly brought Fu Ming Shi to the small road between the two dormitory buildings across the street, and asked in puzzlement: "Why did youe at this time?" Don''t you have work in the afternoon?


    "It''s less busy during lunch time, so I came to see you." Fu Ming Shi took two steps back and lowered his head to look at her, half of her face covered by the visor of her military cap, this was also one of the disadvantages of being too tall.


    His gaze was too obvious, Zhen Bao subconsciously touched her face andughed, "Did I get tanned?"


    "A little." Fu Ming Shi helped her take off her hat, and at the same time tidied up a few strands of hair stuck on her forehead.


    This move was too intimate, Zhen Bao was afraid of being seen by others, she hugged her thermos and turned around, drinking water to cover up her embarrassment. The young girl raised her head, revealing her fair and delicate side face and a piece of neck skin, like petals that had just bloomed under the sun, tender and delicious, tempting people to touch, yet afraid of identally damaging her.


    Fu Ming Shi''s eyes darkened.


    She was too pure and simple, he was easily attracted to her, but also because of this purity, he always found it hard to make a move, afraid of scaring this freshman who was wholeheartedly studying. The way Zhen Bao did test papers in the study, her concentration when she learned to make spreadsheets with him, all reminded him not to get ahead of himself.


    "Grandpa asked me to take some photos and send them to him." Fu Ming Shi took out his phone, the implication was obvious, then pointed to the ginkgo tree next to him and asked Zhen Bao to stand under the tree.


    Since it was for Grandpa Fu to see, Zhen Bao obediently went over and posed, smiling lightly at Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi took several consecutive shots, after taking solo shots of Zhen Bao, he walked over, looking into Zhen Bao''s eyes, "Let''s take one together?"


    Zhen Bao''s smile became constrained.


    "Take it, to prove I really came to see you, to put his mind at ease."


    Skillfully putting his arm around Zhen Bao''s shoulders, Fu Ming Shi adjusted the camera, and when she smiled naturally, they took a selfie together.


    He would apany her through her college years.


    ~


    Letting Fu Ming Shi wait downstairs, Zhen Bao ran back to her dorm to get her meal card.


    Fan Xuan and Jia Xiao Yu had gone to eat, Qian LeLe didn''t have an appetite and went back to the dorm first to rest. When Zhen Bao came in, she had just washed her face. Seeing Zhen Bao rush in to grab her meal card and go back down, Qian LeLe hurriedly stopped her, pulling on her camouge uniform andined: "Your boyfriend is here, you should at least wash your face and change your clothes!"


    She was really too sloppy.


    Zhen Bao hesitated: "He''s waiting downstairs..."


    Qian LeLe pushed her back, "Don''t worry, he won''t mind waiting a few more minutes, make yourself look nice, it''ll make his trip here more worthwhile, right?" Snatching Zhen Bao''s meal card and throwing it on the table, she told her to wash her face first.


    Zhen Bao thought about all the sweat from military training, and obediently went into the bathroom, then changed into a pair of ck jeans with a white T-shirt before going down. Qian LeLe actually wanted to help her pick something more feminine, but unfortunately Zhen Bao''s wardrobe was almost all suchbinations, not even a skirt.


    Butpared to the camouge uniform, the jeans looked much better. Fu Ming Shi standing outside the dorm building, upon hearing footsteps, he turned around again, and seeing Zhen Bao like this, he was actually stunned for a moment.


    "Let''s go to the second floor, the food there is better." After starting school for over a week, Zhen Bao had tasted almost every window with her roommates, of course she had to take him to eat the best when Fu Ming Shi came over, and the money on the card was originally Fu Ming Shi¡¯s anyway.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and followed her with the thermos.


    Lunch was very simple, and it was already 12:30 after they finished eating. They had to assemble again at 2pm.


    Fu Ming Shi sent Zhen Bao to the dorm building and told her to go upstairs.


    "I''ll walk you up." He was so busy yet made time toe see her, thinking of the few minutes'' walk from the dorm building to the school gate, she felt bad not seeing him off, so Zhen Bao said.


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t say anything, just gestured with his chin towards the stairs.


    Auntie at the door had been watching them, since he insisted, Zhen Bao touched her head and said goodbye, then went upstairs alone.


    Only when he could no longer see her figure did Fu Ming Shi leave alone. Arriving at the gate of University A, he took a taxi to his house near University A, changed into a suit, then drove to thepany, seamlessly.


    ~


    After two weeks of military training, Zhen Bao''s neck and below her corbones had turned into two different colors.


    But college life had just begun. During their free time, the freshmen went around applying to clubs they were interested in. Zhen Bao followed Jia Xiao Yu and browsed through the promotional booths of various clubs, only applying to the University A Stray Animal Protection Association, filling out the form, then waiting for the interview.


    She applied over the weekend, and on Monday noon got a notice for her to go to the Animal Protection Association office for an interview at 5:30pm.


    Zhen Bao was a little nervous, and went over half an hour early with Feng Yue who had also applied.


    The publicity leaflet of the Animal Protection Association was very nice. There were two main responsibilities: first, free spaying/neutering and vination for stray animals; second, finding suitable owners for stray cats and dogs. From a practical perspective, the technical work such as spaying/neutering was instructed by clinical professors and conducted by senior students, so many freshmen were especially keen to join the association.


    Zhen Bao truly liked little animals, but the prospect of early exposure to professional skills also greatly attracted her.


    The association was divided into several departments. Zhen Bao and Feng Yue were interviewing for the Technical Department.


    In groups of five, after waiting for over ten minutes, it was finally their turn.


    The office wasn''t big, it felt a little crowded with five people inside. Surprisingly, there was only one person conducting the interview. Zhen Bao walked behind Feng Yue, out of curiosity she looked at the male student typing on theputer at the desk. He kept his eyes on the screen, briefly ncing at them, then pointing to the cat perch on the east wall: "Take turns to try, whoever can get it toe down without touching it, wait outside, the rest may leave."


    Zhen Bao looked towards the cat perch, and saw a particrly fat, big white cat lying there, neck curled in, looking like a big white furball, but its cat eyes were open, amber-colored, looking at them with an air of superiority.


    The first new student went to try first, the girl''s voice was especially gentle, but no matter how she coaxed, the big white cat didn''t budge. The girl wanted to try again, but the man at theputer emotionlessly said, "Thirty seconds each, you may leave now."


    The girl was extremely embarrassed and left with a red face.


    The next boy and girl also failed.


    Just as Zhen Bao was about to encourage Feng Yue, Feng Yue smiled and moved aside, letting her go first, while speaking to Zhen Bao but sneakily ncing at the man behind theputer. Zhen Bao didn''t notice, she slowly walked to the cat perch she had to raise her hand to touch, looked up at the big white cat with a smile, and reached out, "Can I get a hug?"


    The big white cat lowered its head to look at her, and meowed.


    Meng Ji Ning stopped tapping the keyboard and looked over there, but only saw the girl''s slender back.


    "Ah, you''re Meng Ji Ning?" As if only just recognizing him, Feng Yue excitedly shouted.


    Meng Ji Ning nced at her, looked for a few seconds, recognizing her, his face unchanged, "You''re in University A too?"


    Feng Yue excitedly nodded, gazing at Meng Ji Ning as if greedily, he was her high school ssmate, the school hunk of the entire grade, and the one she had a secret crush on for a full three years. Actually with her scoresst year, she could have gone to a top university in the province, but Feng Yue wanted to be with Meng Ji Ning, so she chose to repeat a year, and sessfully achieved her wish this year.


    "Leave me your number, you can look for me if you need anything in the future."


    Meng Ji Ning didn''t have a deep impression of Feng Yue, but since they were from the same high school, if Feng Yue needed help with anything, Meng Ji Ning was willing to provide what assistance he could.


    Feng Yue happily went over to exchange numbers with him.


    Over there, Zhen Bao had already sessfully gotten the big white cat into her arms. Hearing Feng Yue call out "Meng Ji Ning", Zhen Bao was shocked, and listening to their conversation, she could no longer describe her feelings. She stood there stiffly, apprehensive and uneasy.


    "Oh yes, Zhen Bao was also in our batch, but she stopped school after finishing first year of high school, you may not know her." Remembering Zhen Bao, Feng Yue familiarly introduced her to Meng Ji Ning. She had only been in the same ss as Meng Ji Ning after the arts/science split in second year of high school, she¡¯d forgotten which ss Meng Ji Ning was in during first year.


    Meng Ji Ning had not forgotten, he looked at the girl who was said to be called Zhen Bao in shock.


    Zhen Bao took a deep breath, turned around holding the big white cat, and forced a natural smile at Meng Ji Ning.


    She could no longer remember the names of many high school ssmates, but she remembered Meng Ji Ning.


    Zhen Bao had been a model student since young. When entering high school, her middle school grades were second in the new ss, and her student ID number was also No.2, while the No.1 ranked before her was Meng Ji Ning. Meng Ji Ning was good-looking, his dad was the director of the C City Zoo, many girls in ss liked him, but in Zhen Bao¡¯s eyes, Meng Ji Ning was only the person she wanted to surpass.


    She studied hard, and after being second for over half a year, she finally got first ce in the end-of-term exams. But before she could secretly celebrate, her dad suddenly fell ill and passed away, the family ran out of money, there was also a bad student in school who kept pestering her, Zhen Bao felt tired and dropped out.


    Feng Yue didn¡¯t know she dropped out due to poverty at home. Would Meng Ji Ning know?


    Zhen Bao looked at Meng Ji Ning worriedly.


    Would he question where she got the well-off rtive from, who helped her transfer schools to continue studying?

 Chapter 16: 016

    <h4>Chapter 16</h4>


    Meng Ji Ning also remembered Zhen Bao, and he believed that any boy who was once in the same ss as Zhen Bao would not forget her. But Meng Ji Ning''s deepest impression of Zhen Bao was not her delicate and sweet face, but that no matter the ss or grade honors, Zhen Bao''s name was always right behind his. For the midterms and finals, the seat behind his, which was #2, always belonged to Zhen Bao. A beauty, a studious beauty, Meng Ji Ning thought it would be hard not to have an impression.


    But after being in the same ss for a year, Zhen Bao sat in the middle of the ssroom while he sat in thest row. Meng Ji Ning and Zhen Bao had barely spoken. Only once during an exam, Zhen Bao''s eraser fell to the ground and he picked it up for her. Zhen Bao smiled at him and thanked him, her smile was pure and bright, her gaze towards him only contained the most simple gratitude between ssmates, without any shyness or affection that other girls had.


    As for exam grades, Meng Ji Ning did not intentionallypete with anyone. Being number one every year was nothing to be arrogant about, but when the rankings for the end of freshman year came out, he realized Zhen Bao had surpassed him. Meng Ji Ning inevitably felt a littleplicated inside, it wasn''t self-me or jealousy, just a feeling that Zhen Bao was very smart and getting high science scores was not something diligence and hard work alone could achieve.


    After summer vacation started, Meng Ji Ning forgot about the score sheet and went travelling everywhere. When he returned to school for sophomore year, he continued with sses. The ss arrangements for science students were posted on the bulletin board. Meng Ji Ning saw his own ss, he was still #1, but the #2 below had a different name. Meng Ji Ning thought of Zhen Bao, assuming she had been ced in another ss. He looked through each science and liberal arts ss, but did not see the familiar name.


    Later Meng Ji Ning heard from ssmates that Zhen Bao had dropped out of school because her family did not have money.


    Meng Ji Ning felt regretful, and from then on whenever he entered the ssroom for an exam, he would habitually nce at the seat where the second-ranked student used to sit. It changed almost every time, never again sitting there was a simply dressed girl with her hair in braided pigtails, that girl with the especially warm smile.


    Zhen Bao was a unique shadow of Meng Ji Ning''s high school years, a memory belonging to his youth. He did not intentionally reminisce about her, but when Zhen Bao appeared before him again, Meng Ji Ning could not conceal his shock.


    "Zhen Bao, do you, do you still recognize me?" After a brief moment of shock, Meng Ji Ning left his seat and smiled gently at Zhen Bao, as if seeing an old friend.


    "The grade''s perpetual number one, of course I remember you. But you seem different from high school, I didn''t recognize you at first just now." Zhen Bao held the big white cat in her arms and spoke as naturally as she could. She had to admit, holding a cat seemed to make her less nervous.


    "You know each other?" Feng Yue''s smile was somewhat stiff, because she noticed Meng Ji Ning''s attitude towards Zhen Bao was much warmer than with her.


    "We were ssmates in freshman year."


    Meng Ji Ning gave a simple exnation, then looked at the well-behaved big white cat nestled in Zhen Bao''s arms. Meng Ji Ning resignedlyughed, and said to Zhen Bao: "Cat Lord was a stray cat picked up by a department director in the tech department previously, he''s always been kept here and doesn''t like people much. So we started using Cat Lord to interview new members. Everyone''s professional skills are about the same when they first enter university, so we justpeted on who has better rapport with animals."


    Last year when I came to interview, Cat Lord just stretched his neck to sniff me a little. You did better with him."


    This cat is called Cat Lord?


    Zhen Bao alsoughed, looking down at Cat Lord, his chubby eyes narrowed to a slit, he really did look like the big shot characters on TV.


    "We''re taking three people this time. Zhen Bao you''re definitely in, Feng Yue why don''t you try?" There were still other new students waiting to interview outside, so Meng Ji Ning got down to business first and had Zhen Bao put Cat Lord on the table, then asked Feng Yue to give it a try.


    Zhen Bao did as told, cing Cat Lord on the table. Cat Lordzily nced at her, keeping his round cat head facing her direction. Feng Yue went forward and bent over to reach out to Cat Lord for a hug, but Cat Lord turned his head the other way instead, curling up into a big white ball.


    Feng Yue was unwilling to give up and went around to try and y with the cat. Cat Lord seemed very impatient, suddenly stretching out and lightly jumping off the table. Then he stood up his fluffy tail and walked over to rub against Zhen Bao''s legs, closing his eyesfortably. Being petted by an animal was a very enjoyable thing, Zhen Bao bent down to pick up Cat Lord, smoothing his fur, then walked over to Feng Yue''s side, using her eyes to signal Feng Yue to try stroking him.


    Feng Yue''s face was already flushed red. If she was trying to y with a stray cat on the streets with no one watching, she wouldn''t care if the cat ignored her. But doing this in front of Meng Ji Ning, who she secretly liked, and having the cat disrespect her, Feng Yue felt she lost face. Especially in contrast with Zhen Bao. But Feng Yue wanted to stay openly and properly, so she still forced a smile and tentatively tried to pet Cat Lord.


    Cat Lord swiped his paw at her.


    "Forget it, this cat has a temper, don''t let it scratch you." Meng Ji Ning promptly stopped her. After all they were alumni, Meng Ji Ning decided to give Feng Yue another chance. "Why don''t you keep Zhen Baopany and wait a bit longer? If we don''t get enough people in the end, I''ll add you in too."


    Feng Yue smiled and thanked him.


    Zhen Bao put Cat Lord down and she and Feng Yue first went outside.


    "Are you very familiar with him?" Feng Yue pulled Zhen Bao to a corner and asked softly.


    Zhen Bao shook her head, "We barely spoke."


    Feng Yue stared at Zhen Bao for a few moments. Thinking about how Zhen Bao already had a boyfriend even more handsome than Meng Ji Ning, she sighed helplessly and intimately hugged Zhen Bao, "I really envy you beauties. I was ssmates with him for two years and it took him several extra seconds just to recognize me. Yet for you, this gorgeous girl he hasn''t seen in three years, he remembered you with one look."


    "You''re beautiful too, maybe my name is just more unique." Zhen Baoughingly analyzed. Her surname wasn''t verymon, paired with her unfashionable given name, she was often teased in elementary and middle school with jokes like "full from eating" and "buy treasures".


    But Feng Yue insisted on her own guesses. She could make herself presentable with makeup and dressing up, butpared to Zhen Bao she simply wasn''t on the same level. Men cared about looks.


    Twenty minutester, all the interviews were done. Aside from them, there was one other male and female left waiting inside.


    Feng Yue could barely keep smiling.


    Meng Ji Ning was also out of options. After the other two left, heforted Feng Yue, "As a member you can still participate in all the activities together with everyone." She just wouldn''t get activity points for assessments.


    Feng Yue hugged Meng Ji Ning''s arm and whined to him softly, "Aren''t you the department head? Can''t you take one more?"


    Meng Ji Ning politely smiled and tactfully declined, "That wouldn''t be appropriate."


    Feng Yue bit her lip and looked at Zhen Bao pleadingly.


    Zhen Bao nced at Meng Ji Ning. Meng Ji Ning secretly signaled her not to get involved.


    So Zhen Bao could not do anything more. The association had its own rules, and Meng Ji Ning was handling things ording to the rules. It wasn''t suitable for them to pressure him to rx the requirements just because they were alumni.


    "Let''s go eat dinner together tonight, my treat." Meng Ji Ning tidied up the table and changed the topic.


    "Okay, since you''re being so principled, don''t me meter for ordering the most expensive dishes." Feng Yue found a way to get off the stage.


    Meng Ji Ning was very generous, "Order whatever you two beauties want, don''t stand on ceremony."


    Fifteen minutester, Meng Ji Ning brought the two to the highest end restaurant near University A, called Ju Xian Lou. The interior decor was elegant and refined, clearly different from the ordinary restaurants outside. Meng Ji Ning chose a private room and sat next to Zhen Bao, letting the beauties order.


    Zhen Bao had eaten at even higher end restaurants with Fu Ming Shi before. Coming here now, she was no longer restrained. She personally just liked simple, homecooked food anyway, so she only ordered one dish - spicy tofu. The hot tofu was both fragrant and paired well with rice. Because of the interview today, Zhen Bao had eaten muchter than usual and was hungry.


    "Zhen Bao is too considerate. Ordering like this, I don''t even feel good about ordering expensive dishes." Feng Yue looked strangely at Zhen Bao.


    "I just love eating this." In front of two alumni, Zhen Bao''s expression was natural.


    "What a coincidence, I also like eating this, the spicier the better." Meng Ji Ning chimed in agreement with her.


    Zhen Bao smiled lightly.


    Feng Yue lowered her head to hide the dissatisfaction in her eyes. She casually ordered two mid-priced dishes, which she did genuinely enjoy eating too.


    Finally Meng Ji Ning took the menu and ordered several signature dishes.


    While waiting for the food, they inevitably chatted about life in high school.


    Meng Ji Ning curiously asked Zhen Bao, "Did you transfer schools againter?"


    Zhen Bao nodded lightly towards the table, giving a soft "Mm", "I had a cousin who took me to live in Beijing."


    Meng Ji Ning did not doubt it.


    Feng Yue looked at him and interjected with a smile, "Zhen Bao, were you already with your boyfriend in high school?"


    Meng Ji Ning''s brow quirked in surprise and he turned to Zhen Bao. She, she already had a boyfriend?


    Zhen Bao smiled, "No, we got together after finishing the college entrance exam." Regarding her and Fu Ming Shi, her three roommates had gossiped about many questions. Discovering that rtionships in university were really not as condemnable, Zhen Bao''s attitude when talking about Fu Ming Shi was very natural now, as if they truly were boyfriend and girlfriend.


    "Is he also at our school?" Meng Ji Ning asked in aplicated mood. He could not deny, there was a hint of fondness towards Zhen Bao, who he was reunited with after long separation.


    "He goes to T University." Speaking of Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao unconsciously thought of him. Last Wednesday Fu Ming Shi hade to see her at school, then left the country. She hadn''t heard from him these past few days, didn''t know if he was back yet.


    As if right on cue, Fu Ming Shi''s phone call came just as the spicy tofu Zhen Bao ordered was brought over.


    Zhen Bao wanted to go outside to answer but Feng Yue stopped her from leaving, "Just take it here, outside is noisy, even harder to hear clearly."


    So Zhen Bao could only sit back down and answer, turning the volume down.


    "Had dinner yet?"


    The familiar voice came over and Zhen Bao nced at the spicy tofu in front of her, feeling a little likeughing, "Just about to eat."


    "Why sote today?" Fu Ming Shi walked out of the airport while making the call, and got in the car.


    Zhen Bao honestly said, "ssmates treating me out to eat, didn''t go to the cafeteria..."


    Before she could finish speaking, Feng Yue suddenly leaned over to tease, "There''s a big hottie here with us, do you want toe over to keep an eye on Zhen Bao?"


    Zhen Bao was not used to this kind of joke, especially involving Meng Ji Ning. She awkwardly tried to stop Feng Yue, "Don''t fool around."


    Feng Yue had already said her piece and sat back with a grin.


    Zhen Bao picked up her phone again. Silence on the other end. Zhen Bao checked the screen to make sure the call was still connected before saying in a low voice, "I''ll call you after eating?"


    Fu Ming Shi gave a "Mm," "Eat slowly, I''ll be at your school in about an hour and a half."


    Then he hung up.


    "What did he say, is heing over?" Feng Yue asked excitedly.


    Zhen Bao was still mulling over Fu Ming Shi''s words. She was stunned for a bit beforeughing, "It''s an alumni get-together, what''s heing for?"


    But she decided inwardly to eat quickly and then wait for Fu Ming Shi at her dorm, avoiding Feng Yue and Meng Ji Ning seeing him and misunderstanding that Fu Ming Shi came because he was worried his "girlfriend" would be seduced away. Fu Ming Shi came to see her every few days, this time was just routine checking up after a business trip.


    Hearing that Fu Ming Shi wasn''ting, Feng Yue''s mood clearly dampened. She swept a nce at Meng Ji Ning.


    Meng Ji Ning''s expression was normal. He continued chatting as if the fact Zhen Bao had a boyfriend made no difference to him.


    After eating, it was 7pm.


    Feng Yue suggested strolling around campus. As soon as Zhen Bao heard that she immediately said, "You guys take a walk, I still have something to do and will head back to the dorm first."


    Meng Ji Ning looked at his watch and also said, "I have a ppt to make, let''s meet up another day when we''re free to catch up again."


    The male dorms were in another direction. The three split into two paths at the campus gate.


    Meng Ji Ning left. Feng Yue''s mood clearly lowered after he was gone. Zhen Bao only had Fu Ming Shi''s impending arrival on her mind and didn''t notice anything off about her. Returning to the dorm, she had just sat for a few minutes when Fu Ming Shi''s call came. Zhen Bao habitually went out to the balcony to answer, "You''re here?"


    "Mm."


    Fu Ming Shi was still on the main road, but could see Zhen Bao pushing open the window in the distance. The corners of his lips curved up. "Come down."


    The low and brief two words sounded like amand, yet were gentler and more ambiguous than anymand.


    Zhen Bao didn''t think too much. She thought Fu Ming Shi was already downstairs, so she turned around and went back inside. Then, amidst the clicking tongues of Jia Xiao Yu and the other two girls, she walked out the door with a red face. When she arrived at the first floor lobby, Zhen Bao felt a little nervous. She looked around but didn''t see Fu Ming Shi anywhere.


    Looking around again, Zhen Bao took out her phone and called back Fu Ming Shi''s number.


    "Who are you calling?"


    The familiar voice suddenly rang out so close and gentle that Zhen Bao was startled and quickly turned around. She saw Fu Ming Shi''s tall, handsome figure lit up by the streetmp. His beautiful face was illuminated and his dark eyes shone like stars in the night. Though he wasn''t smiling, he gave off a sense that he was in a very good mood.

 Chapter 17: 017

    <h4>Chapter 17</h4>


    Who should she call?


    Of course she should call him.


    Zhen Bao put away her phone, looking at Fu Ming Shi puzzledly, "Where are you hiding?"


    "I just got here," Fu Ming Shi said with a smile. The dormitory building had a main entrance and a bicycle garage on the side, both led inside.


    Zhen Bao understood and lowered her headughing. She then noticed Fu Ming Shi was wearing leather shoes and dress pants. His white shirt on top was also high-end. He was holding a gift bag in his left hand. Zhen Bao suddenly remembered there seemed to be a broadcast when she called during dinner. She couldn''t help but look up and ask him, "Did you just get off the ne?"


    Fu Ming Shi nodded. He put his hand on her shoulder to guide her forward, "Let''s go somewhere else to talk." They were by the dormitory building, there may be nosy people around.


    Zhen Bao obediently followed him. The night had cooled down and she was wearing long sleeves, but even through her clothes, she could still feel the warmth of his palm resting on her shoulder as they walked six or seven steps before he finally let go.


    "Have you eaten?" From the airport to here, Zhen Bao guessed Fu Ming Shi probably hadn''t eaten dinner yet.


    "I wanted to eat with you, didn''t expect you''d have dinner ns," Fu Ming Shi said meaningfully, looking down at her.


    Zhen Bao suddenly remembered Feng Yue''s joke and was about to exin when she saw the bakery across the way in the living area. She had an idea and pointed over, "Want to go take a look? Their red bean and ham bread rolls are pretty tasty, they also have milk tea."


    "You''re treating me?" Fu Ming Shi teased her on purpose.


    "I can only use my meal card," Zhen Bao exined very seriously.


    Fu Ming Shiughed and went with her. He wasn''t hungry on the way here but now that she suggested food, he suddenly had an appetite.


    There were many types of breads to choose from. Fu Ming Shi ordered what Zhen Bao rmended, the two kinds. He noticed Zhen Bao eyeing the boiled corn in the window longingly several times and ordered two of those too, plus two cups of hot milk tea. With six small bags in hand, it was quite a haul.


    There was a small grove inside A University. The path was lined with many benches but they were all upied by couples. After looking around for a while, they finally found an empty one.


    Sitting down, they ate first. Zhen Bao hugged the corn, rather embarrassed since she already had dinner. But the bakery''s boiled corn was especially tasty, just a little expensive at 3 RMB each. Zhen Bao only asionally buys them, she can''t get full eating corn cobs as a meal but feels it''s a waste to have them as just a snack.


    She nibbled daintily and elegantly.


    "Met any handsome new guys?" After finishing a red bean roll, seeing she made no move to exin, Fu Ming Shi idly asked.


    Zhen Bao nearly choked. She dabbed her mouth with a tissue and told him everything that happened today from start to finish.


    Fu Ming Shi slowly ate the corn cob, leaning back against the chair and gazing into the distance.


    Seeing he was enjoying the corn, worried it would get cold and not taste as good, Zhen Bao just continued eating her share, not taking the matter to heart at all.


    Fu Ming Shi however, chewed this bite of corn for quite a while.


    A high school ssmate, reunited after three years of separation on the university campus. This scenario, doesn''t it seem bound to lead to something happening?


    "Is this ssmate of yours very handsome?" Fu Ming Shi asked again before taking another bite.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help but think back on what Meng Ji Ning looked like in 10th grade. She actually didn''t remember too clearly anymore, just that many girls liked him. Now in university, the students'' fashion styles changed a lot from high school. The Meng Ji Ning she met today already faintly carried an elite doctor aura.


    "He is quite good-looking, he was the school heartthrob in our high school." When there was no need to lie, Zhen Bao liked speaking the truth.


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her from the side.


    Unable to continue eating with him staring at her for so long, Zhen Bao blinked at him confusedly. What was he looking at her for?


    "Complimenting how handsome another man is in front of your fiance, doesn''t your EQ need some practice?" Fu Ming Shi asked bluntly.


    His expression was so serious that Zhen Bao was stunned speechless.


    "Don''t let it happen again." Fu Ming Shi looked deeply at her then raised the corn to continue gnawing.


    Zhen Bao was confused by him. If they were really boyfriend and girlfriend, or truly engaged, she could understand Fu Ming Shi being jealous. But they were only pretending to be engaged for his grandfather. Why would he care about her casualpliments? Moreover she only said Meng Ji Ning was handsome, not that he was more handsome than Fu Ming Shi.


    "Just joking, keep eating." Fu Ming Shi patted her head, coaxing her like a child.


    Zhen Bao looked at him suspiciously a couple times. She pursed her lips, still adding, "He''s good-looking but far less so than you."


    Not on the same level at all.


    Fu Ming Shi nearlyughed out loud but hearing her praise him directly was unexpectedly even more pleasing than he imagined.


    After throwing away the trash in a nearby bin, they checked the time. Past 8 pm already so Fu Ming Shi walked her back.


    They chatted about daily things on the way. Reaching the dorm building''s shaded backside, Fu Ming Shi finally handed her the gift box he carried, "A gift, food items."


    Zhen Bao had been sneaking looks at it the whole way, guessing it was choctes.


    "Thank you." Food was easier for her to ept than clothes so she took it without any pressure.


    "I''lle get you for the National Day holiday." Undergrads had many activities on weekends so Fu Ming Shi didn''t insist she return to the vi. But she had toe back for longer holidays.


    Zhen Bao nodded. She missed Hei Dan and should go back to see him.


    "I''ll head up then?" They already discussed what needed discussing and were at the building. Zhen Bao said softly.


    Fu Ming Shi nodded.


    Zhen Bao turned holding the gift box but had only taken a step when her left wrist was suddenly grabbed by someone.


    Zhen Bao looked back in surprise.


    The light from the distant streemp shone over, allowing her to clearly see Fu Ming Shi''s deep dark eyes. Fu Ming Shi also saw the innocence and confusion in her eyes. After meeting gazes for a few seconds, Fu Ming Shi suppressed the urge to kiss her and changed what he wanted to say, "Study well. No matter how handsome the school heartthrobs are, remember you''re a taken woman, even if only nominally."


    His tone was teasing but Zhen Bao finally understood he was joking again. She gently broke free of his hold and ran offughing.


    ~


    On Saturday, Zhen Bao received a small task for her and two other new members to bathe some stray kittens newly brought into the Animal Protection Society.


    The APS had a special holding area for taking in stray cats and dogs until they found adopters. Since Zhen Bao''s dorm was the furthest away, by the time she arrived the other two had already picked kittens to wash, leaving Zhen Bao with a scrawny ck cat. It had a pair of clear green eyes but unfortunately there seemed to be inmmation in the corners, dirtying its beauty.


    The ck cat was very wary of strangers, curled up in the corner of the cage while warily watching thezily napping Cat Prince on the windowsill.


    Seeing Cat Prince here, Zhen Bao was both shocked and delighted.


    "He wanders anywhere he wants in the APS. It''s his territory." Meng Ji Ning exined rather helplessly.


    "Meow..." Seeing Zhen Bao, the plump Cat Prince suddenly leapt down nimbly and came over to be spoiled.


    Zhen Bao yed with him for a while before letting the pampered Cat Prince go and turning her attention to the ck cat. Meng Ji Ning watched from the side as the previous two had quite a hard time catching the cats to bathe. This ck one was the most stubborn, kept swiping its paws resisting. That''s why it was left forst.


    "Come out, let''s go get washed up and you''ll look beautiful afterwards." Zhen Bao smiled, coaxing the little one.


    The ck cat stared at her.


    Zhen Bao reached into the cage. The ck cat tentatively raised its paw but once Zhen Bao''s hand touched it, the ck cat stilled and let Zhen Bao pick it up obediently. On the floor, Cat Prince called out meaningfully at Zhen Bao and rubbed against her legs. The ck cat in her arms looked down and swiped at Cat Prince as if to drive it away.


    Small as it was, it was quite bold. Or perhaps it was emboldened by being held.


    "Help brush its fur first, otherwise it''ll get tangled when washing." There was skill involved in bathing cats. This was Zhen Bao''s first time so Meng Ji Ning was teaching her.


    Zhen Bao learned diligently, first breaking up dried bits of dirt in the cat''s fur then starting to brush. She had to finish brushing before trimming its ws. The ck caty quietly in the basin on Zhen Bao''sp, behaving extremely well. It even seemed rather curious, lifting its head to watch as Zhen Bao trimmed its ws.


    "Feels nice right?" Zhen Bao bent down to tease it.


    The ck cat struggled up as if wanting to sniff her face.


    Zhen Bao closed her eyes and let it sniff her, not minding that it hadn''t been washed yet.


    Meng Ji Ning had stepped out for a moment and walked back in to see this scene. The young girl sitting in the sunshine but the tender smile on her face was warmer than the sun''s rays. No wonder the bad-tempered Cat Prince and this solitary ck cat also liked her.


    Meng Ji Ning coughed lightly.


    Zhen Bao opened her eyes and hurried to continue trimming the ck cat''s ws, realizing she had been too focused on ying and fallen behind schedule.


    After finishing the ws, it was finally bath time. The ck cat meowed in protest at seeing the water basin, refusing to get in. But Zhen Bao was gentle yet firm, thoroughly washing the ck cat from head to toe under Meng Ji Ning''s guidance. Only after rinsing, drying, brushing, and applying some eye drops to clean it up was the grooming consideredplete.


    The washed ck cat had fluffy fur and clear eyes. Its green eyes shone like gems.


    "Want to take a picture? Tomemorate your first job." Meng Ji Ning hung a tag with a number on the ck cat and suggested.


    Zhen Bao liked taking pictures a lot and happily picked up the ck cat to pose in front of the row of cages.


    A beauty''s greatest privilege was looking amazing no matter what. Casual snapshots came out like works of art.


    "I''ll add you on WeChat and send the pic to you." Meng Ji Ning said, walking over holding his phone.


    The two became WeChat friends.


    The ck cat still needed to be neutered and vinated next before the APS PR department looked for an adopter.


    Mentioning neutering again reminded Zhen Bao of Hei Dan. Elder Fu refused to let Hei Dan be neutered so the matter had been dyed indefinitely.


    At 9 pm on the dot, Fu Ming Shi called as usual. Though he was the one who called, as they chatted it turned into Zhen Bao reporting her school life to him. "Today I bathed a ck cat. It had such pretty eyes and was so well-behaved..."


    Perhaps because it was the first stray she had handled, Zhen Bao really liked that ck cat a lot.


    "Can bring it back to the vi to raise with Hei Dan." Imagining her cute expression, Fu Ming Shi chuckled lowly.


    "Oh, you really want to adopt it?" Zhen Bao suppressed her delight and asked. Before this she didn''t have any thoughts of adopting the ck cat since she couldn''t keep pets in the dorms and it wasn''t her home at the vi, she was just a guest.


    Fu Ming Shi opened hisptop and saw her bright smiling face set as his wallpaper. His voice softened, "As long as you like it."


    As long as she liked it, he was willing to take in any stray cat or animal that could make her happy.


    The man''s low voice was like a current of electricity. Zhen Bao''s ears inexplicably grew hot. But after thinking it over carefully, she still hesitated, "Let me send you a photo first and see if you like it." If Fu Ming Shi was just trying to amodate her feelings, then forget it.


    "Alright." Fu Ming Shi put down his phone to wait for her cat pic.


    Zhen Bao sent over the only photo she had, not having thought to take any herself.


    Fu Ming Shi was expecting a ck cat and didn''t think she would include herself too. Looking at the sweetly smiling girl in the picture, Fu Ming Shi pondered then deliberately didn''t reply.


    Zhen Bao was anxious and asked: What do you think? Do you like it?


    Fu Ming Shi finally typed back: Which one are you referring to?


    Zhen Bao looked at the message in confusion, not understanding his meaning. Fu Ming Shi sent another one right after: The cat''s cute, the owner''s not bad either.


    Realizing the connection, Zhen Bao hurried to exin: I meant the cat.


    Fu Ming Shi: I like it.


    Zhen Bao smiled.


    On his end, Fu Ming Shi looked at the "Like the person too" he had typed in the input box for a long time before slowly deleting it and changing to: Good night.

 Chapter 18: 018

    <h4>Chapter 18</h4>


    It was thest ss before the long weekend, and most students'' minds had already flown home, restless with excitement.


    Zhen Bao sat in the third row, while Jia Xiao Yu next to her secretly read a novel, taking diligent notes.


    There were still ten minutes left before ss ended, but the teacher let them out early.


    The students rushed out in a swarm, leaving the ssroom empty. Zhen Bao slowly finished herst sentence of notes, then started to pack up, including three textbooks her roommates had asked her to bring home. Those three, who were all from the capital city, were as excited as out-of-towners for some reason, not even nning to go back to the dorm, heading straight from the ssroom to leave campus.


    After putting all the books in her bag, Zhen Bao took out some tissues and first went to the bathroom. When she came back, there were sounds of footsteps moring down the stairs, as all the sses in the teaching building seemed to have ended. Zhen Bao sent Fu Ming Shi a text that ss was over, then slung her bag over her shoulder and headed towards the stairs alone.


    "Zhen Bao?" Just as she was about to squeeze into the crowd going downstairs, someone suddenly called her name from above.


    Zhen Bao looked up to see Meng Ji Ning walking down the stairs while smiling at her. He wore a ck id shirt, tall and slender, giving off a refined air when he smiled lightly. Reaching the second floor, Meng Ji Ning greeted the ssmates around him, then came over to her alone, "Why are you by yourself?"


    "They went home first," Zhen Bao smiled at the familiar face.


    "When are you leaving?" Meng Ji Ning didn''t hurry downstairs, instead stepping to the side to talk to her, "I''m asking because we were ssmatesst year."


    Zhen Bao didn''t move, just turned to face him, "I''m leaving after I go back to the dorm to drop off my stuff. What about you? Going back to City C?"


    After speaking, she nced downstairs; Fu Ming Shi said he was already at her dorm building, and she didn''t want to keep him waiting too long.


    Sensing her eagerness to leave, Meng Ji Ning chatted with her as they walked down the stairs, "Yeah, I have a 4pm flight, though I wanted to stay here. My grandma insists I go back."


    Zhen Bao slowly shuffled along with the flow of people and said with augh, "Old folks miss you, so go back and see them."


    Meng Ji Ninggged half a step behind her. Without turning his head, he could see Zhen Bao''s fair side profile, tender and delicate. She had her hair in the simplest ponytail, revealing her ears, the pale pink earlobes petite and cute. Meng Ji Ning also noticed she didn''t have pierced ears.


    "Let''s have lunch together?" Descending another two flights of stairs, Meng Ji Ning invited her as naturally as he could.


    Zhen Bao was startled, tilting her head to look at him. Meng Ji Ning quickly smiled, "My roommates are gone too, eating alone is boring."


    Zhen Bao withdrew her gaze, embarrassed to decline, "My boyfriend is here to pick me up..."


    Even if Fu Ming Shi wasn''t here, she still wasn''t used to having meals alone with boys; she and Meng Ji Ning were merely ssmates from the previous year.


    Meng Ji Ning''s smile froze for a few seconds before he joked, "Not bad, your boyfriend, knowing toe pick you up. Going out this afternoon?"


    Zhen Bao gave a perfunctory nod.


    Reaching the first floor lobby, the open space suddenly came into view. Zhen Bao casually nced around but was unexpectedly met with a familiar figure that made her halt her footsteps and stare in shock. It was the "boyfriend" who had texted saying he''d wait for her at the dorm building entrance.


    Noticing her odd expression, Meng Ji Ning followed her line of sight to see a male student. Meng Ji Ning was 1.78 meters tall, quite tall, but that man looked about 1.9 meters. Wearing a ck T-shirt, hands in pockets, standing there like a fashion model on a magazine cover.


    So this was Zhen Bao''s boyfriend?


    Meng Ji Ning instinctively sought out ways the other man was inferior, finally settling on Fu Ming Shi''s in civilian clothes to guess he likely came from a less well-off family than himself.


    "Boyfriend?" Still walking alongside Zhen Bao, Meng Ji Ning prodded mockingly.


    Zhen Bao awkwardly admitted it was so. Fu Ming Shi approached them then, and she made introductions, "This is Meng Ji Ning, my high school ssmate."


    Fu Ming Shi had determined Meng Ji Ning''s identity from the moment he saw them walking down together. Just a sophomore with some lingering immaturity. Fu Ming Shi didn''t give him any mind, simply nodding at Meng Ji Ning before taking Zhen Bao''s shoulder bag, filled with four people''s textbooks, with one hand, and putting his other arm around her shoulders to steer her directly out of the teaching building. "Did you bike here? I think I saw yours."


    He ignored Meng Ji Ning. Zhen Bao felt Fu Ming Shi''s warm big hand and didn''t feel right about looking back to say goodbye. She quietly reminded Fu Ming Shi, "Be nice, he''s human too..." Why did he always like putting his arm around her shoulders when they met up?


    Fu Ming Shi obediently removed his hand.


    Zhen Bao sighed in relief. The two went to get her bike, and as soon as they brought it out, Fu Ming Shi had her hold the bike while he crouched down to adjust the seat. Zhen Bao was confused until Fu Ming Shi grabbed the handlebars. Then she understood his intention.


    Looking at her own pink and white bike, Zhen Bao couldn''t helpughing.


    "Get on," Fu Ming Shi sat firmly and looked back to call her over.


    Zhen Bao obediently went over, sitting first before Fu Ming Shi tucked in his long legs and rode off with her.


    "Where should we eat lunch?" Fu Ming Shi asked while looking ahead, "Hot pot?" Fancy ces made her uneasy when eating.


    Zhen Bao had attended sses diligently that morning, four in a row, and was already hungry by now. She lightly clutched his clothes, "Let''s just go to the cafeteria. With everyone leaving campus today, it should be less crowded and no need to line up."


    She was so easily satisfied, even thinking of little conveniences like this. If they weren''t on the bike, Fu Ming Shi really wanted to turn around and kiss her cute, pink lips that liked to say silly, endearing things.


    "Alright, we''ll go eat at the cafeteria." Temporarily giving up ns to improve her dining experience, Fu Ming Shiughed and agreed.


    They still had a seven-day break, no rush for this one meal.


    They parked the bike below the dorm building. Fu Ming Shi locked it while Zhen Bao first went upstairs to drop off her things beforeing down to eat.


    Students came and went in the living area. Many who had afternoon sses still had to eat at the cafeteria for lunch. Zhen Bao only had eyes for the cafeteria, and Fu Ming Shi only had eyes for her. Neither noticed someone following them from a distance the whole time.


    Watching the couple head into the cafeteria, a trace of disdain arose in Meng Ji Ning''s eyes.


    If Zhen Bao was his girlfriend, he would never settle for the cafeteria on a day like this.


    But Meng Ji Ning was also d her boyfriend wasn''t totally perfect, leaving him a sliver of opportunity.


    Standing there for a while, Meng Ji Ning eventually turned and headed for the male dorms. He''d go back for now and look for another chanceter.


    ~


    Fu Ming Shi was unaware someone was nning to steal his girlfriend. After eating, he continued waiting below the dorm building.


    Zhen Bao was efficient,ing down soon after, one hand holding her bag, the other carrying the cat carrier. The ck cat had been boarded for over a week, gotten its shots, the eye inmmation treated, eating and sleeping well, visibly fatter and prettier now.


    "Why do you like ck pets so much?" Fu Ming Shi took the cat carrier, staring at the ck cat as he asked.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t exin it. ck Egg was a viger''s gift, pure coincidence. The ck cat was fate.


    Fu Ming Shi teased her, "You''ve got cat and dog, want a crow too?"


    Zhen Bao was unhappy. "You can get one yourself if you like."


    The name crow just soundedpletely un-cute.

 Chapter 19: 019

    <h4>Chapter 19</h4>


    When Zhen Bao got back to the vi and got out of the car, Hei Dan immediately ran towards her at the speed of a hundred meter sprint, overjoyed.


    After not seeing her for over a month, Hei Dan had grown bigger again, and the yellow fur on his neck, limbs and belly was more noticeable. His pure ck color might scare some, but with his ck back and yellow legs, he looked especially docile and honest. Zhen Bao squatted down to hug the dog, and Hei Dan enthusiastically licked her. Zhen Bao tried to block him a couple times, but didn''t seed.


    Fu Ming Shi walked around from the driver''s side and saw the ces on Zhen Bao''s face that Hei Dan had licked. His expression wasplex.


    This dog is too lucky.


    Unintentionally catching sight of something between Hei Dan''s legs, Fu Ming Shi''s lips turned up. He decided not to be petty with a dog.


    "Let''s go inside first," but he still stroked Hei Dan''s head, and told Zhen Bao, while also cutting off the possibility of Hei Dan continuing to lick her.


    Zhen Bao smiled and murmured in agreement.


    The vi was luxurious. Although Zhen Bao hadn''t fallen so low as to want to live here forever, going from the simple dormitory to this extravagantly decorated vi still gave her an involuntary sense of rxation. Returning to the bedroom on the third floor that belonged to her, Zhen Bao sprawled on the soft bed, just wanting to sleepfortably.


    Someone knocked on the door.


    Zhen Bao hurriedly got up and smoothed out the wrinkles on the bed she had made, then flew to open the door.


    Fu Ming Shi stood outside. The moment the door opened, Hei Dan and Hei Mao eagerly squeezed through the crack.


    "I''m free this afternoon. Let''s take Hei Dan to the hospital? First get Hei Dan a check up, then ask what we need to pay attention to before the surgery." Looking at the clueless Hei Dan, Fu Ming Shi said calmly. He had looked online - dogs need to be cared for carefully for about a week after being neutered. Zhen Bao would definitely want to stay with Hei Dan.


    Zhen Bao knew what he meant and said awkwardly, "Grandpa Fu doesn''t allow it..."


    "He''s stubborn and set in his ways. Don''t listen to him," Fu Ming Shi said without mercy when the old man wasn''t around.


    Zhen Bao thought of their marriage issue - Fu grandpa was quite conservative.


    "Okay, wait a minute, let me wash my face first." She still hadn''t washed off the ces Hei Dan licked.


    Fu Ming Shi''s gaze lingered on her slender little face for a few seconds before he went downstairs to wait.


    After washing her face, without Zhen Bao calling them, Hei Dan and Hei Mao followed her downstairs together. Hei Dan was very good at guarding the house and would keep barking if a stranger came, but it didn''t resist Hei Mao. It curiously circled Hei Mao a few times, got its nose patted by Hei Mao''s paws a few times, and then readily epted this newpanion.


    The car had been brought around. Fu Ming Shi had Hei Dan get in first. Zhen Bao held Hei Mao and went back to the bedroom, stroking and kissing it tofort it for a good few minutes before closing the door, filled with guilt. Hei Mao wasn''t familiar with the vi yet, and Zhen Bao was afraid it would get lost if it went out.


    "Towards A University?" Once in the car, Zhen Bao''s gaze dodged as she asked. Fu Ming Shi hadn''t changed clothes, but his car was too shy.


    "Let''s go to another one," Fu Ming Shi said as he drove out, ncing at the rearview mirror.


    Only then was Zhen Bao relieved. She let Hei Dan sit next to her and held onto it to keep it from making trouble.


    The pet hospital Fu Ming Shi chose was in the opposite direction from A University. After waiting in line for the check up, Hei Dan was very healthy. The doctor gave them some pointers and asked them to bring Hei Dan back tomorrow afternoon for the surgery. Although neutering pets can reduce the risk of disease and prolong their lifespan, Zhen Bao still felt Hei Dan was a little pitiful. She kept Hei Danpany after returning to the vi, barely leaving the room.


    The next afternoon, the two brought Hei Dan for neutering as agreed. Hei Dan was in the operating room for over an hour, and when the doctor brought him back out, he was missing two little eggs...


    Zhen Bao felt especially bad for Hei Dan, and treated him even better afterwards. For the next few days, you could say they were inseparable.


    Fu Ming Shi only had two days to apany her before flying to Guangzhou on the 3rd, and wouldn''t be back until the 6th.


    Fu Ming Shi being away didn''t impact Zhen Bao much. She yed with Hei Dan and Hei Mao, studied, and when she was tired, watched movies - the long break passed enjoyably and fulfilling. At noon on the 6th, she got a call from Fu Ming Shi saying there were changes there, and he would be dyed by a day, only getting back to the capital around 7pm that night. He told Zhen Bao to wait for him so he could take her back to school.


    Zhen Bao didn''t want him to go to so much trouble and said, "I can go back myself, you don''t need to rush back..."


    "Wait for me," Fu Ming Shi didn''t let her refuse, and hung up after saying that.


    After the call ended, Zhen Bao stared at her phone, suddenly not really understanding Fu Ming Shi''s thoughts. She was already an adult, a university student, but Fu Ming Shi''s attitude towards her, visiting her once a month, picking her up and dropping her off at school, seemed a bit like an adult taking care of a child.


    But the next day, Zhen Bao still tidied up her bag early and waited for him at the vi.


    At 6:30pm, there were sounds downstairs. Zhen Bao went out to the balcony and happened to see Fu Ming Shi getting out of the car. The man was dressed in a fine suit, neat and tidy, with no visible tiredness from his business trip.


    Zhen Bao grabbed her bag and ttered downstairs. When she got to the turn in the stairs on the second floor, she bumped into the vi owner who wasing up.


    Zhen Bao smiled at him out of habit. "Have you eaten dinner?"


    Fu Ming Shi looked up at her, staring at her sweet smiling face. His eyes gradually darkened, like a starving man who finally saw a meal he had been craving.

 Chapter 20: 020

    <h4>Chapter 20</h4>


    After Fu Ming Shi bathed, he told Auntie Wang to simply stir fry a couple dishes before going upstairs.


    Zhen Bao was free, so she went to the kitchen to help out by rinsing rice and cooking porridge.


    Fu Ming Shi had just gotten off the ne after a tiring journey, and most likely didn¡¯t have much of an appetite. Auntie Wang specially quick-cooked a small bok choy dish to stimte his appetite, and then steamed a fish. Right after putting the fish in the steamer, she heard Fu Ming Shiing downstairs. Auntie Wang smiled at Zhen Bao, ¡°Mr. Fu is busy, Miss should go keep Mr. Fupany - he¡¯ll be off for winter break beforeing back again.¡±


    After steaming the rice, Zhen Bao was free, but she liked watching Auntie Wang cook, so she lingered around. Now that Fu Ming Shi was downstairs, she of course had to go apany him, especially since Fu Ming Shi had rushed back specifically to send her back to campus.


    Walking out of the kitchen, she saw Fu Ming Shi sitting on the sofa. He had changed into a casual ck sweater, and was wearing sneakers on his feet. His clothes were very ordinary, but his features and bearing were exceptional. Sitting in the high-ss decorated vi living room, calmly sipping tea - every movement showed his genteel upbringing.


    However, when ckie came bounding over with her Elizabethan cor on, and Fu Ming Shiughed as he picked ckie up to check on her recovery - the noble air around him suddenly disappeared. It was like the unattainable person had removed his halo, allowing ordinarymoners to approach.


    "I told Auntie Wang to bring ckie for a follow up in a couple days."


    As she sat down on the sofa opposite Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao spoke at the same time.


    "I''ll take her when I have time." Fu Ming Shi stroked ckie''s head, raising his eyes to look at her, "Being by yourself here these past few days, aren''t you bored?"


    Zhen Bao smiled, "It''s not bad. I downloaded a bunch of movies I didn''t have time to watch at school, and watched them all these past few days."


    Fu Ming Shi thought about how he had thought about her every day he was in Guangzhou. His gaze becameplicated again.


    Zhen Bao''s phone suddenly rang. She picked it up and saw it was Jia Xiao Yu.


    Zhen Bao shushed Fu Ming Shi and walked farther away to answer the call.


    "Zhen Bao, howe you still haven''t returned to campus? Don''t tell me you''ve been canoodling with your boyfriend every day, unwilling toe back?" Jia Xiao Yu''s voice was very loud, and her barrage of questions echoed around the spacious living room.


    Fu Ming Shi''s lips turned up at the corners.


    Zhen Bao hurriedly exined, "I haven''t eaten dinner yet, I''ll go back after eating."


    Jia Xiao Yu: "Eating with who?"


    Zhen Bao: ......


    She was still hesitating on whether to lie, when Jia Xiao Yu''s slyughter suddenly transmitted over, "Tell Ming Shi, I helped air out your quilt, if he really wants to thank me, buying me a milk tea will do, hmm, I want mango milk tea. Don''t you dare forget, or don''t think abouting back into our dorm room!"


    There were two milk tea shops near A University. One of them had Jia Xiao Yu''s favorite mango milk tea.


    Zhen Bao had already forgotten about the airing out quilts matter. Her considerate roommate, Zhen Bao decided she would treat by buying the milk tea herself. After deciding to take the college entrance exam, Zhen Bao had prepared an ounting booklet. Starting from when she took the exam, every cent Fu Ming Shi spent specifically for her - like the 10,000 in her meal card, ckie''s surgery fees, tuition - she recorded it all down. After graduating and earning money, she nned to pay him back in full, including the huge monthly amounts Fu Ming Shi deposited into her card.


    Her original intention ining to the capital was tofort Grandpa Fu. She could ept the Fu family providing her lodging, airfare, and meals with a clear conscience. But going to university was for her own benefit, so Zhen Bao could not just blindly ept Fu Ming Shi''s financial support.


    Putting her phone away, Zhen Bao nonchntly went back to sit on the sofa. She smiled at Fu Ming Shi, "My roommate was asking when I''m going back."


    Fu Ming Shi indifferently hmmed, as if he hadn''t heard Jia Xiao Yu''s words.


    ~


    After eating dinner, it was already past 8 o''clock. Fu Ming Shi drove her back, and in order to be low-key, he had specially bought a ck Mercedes-Benz. He parked near A University, and they walked the rest of the way.


    "It''ll get colder and colder, remember to buy yourself a few pieces when shopping with your roommate." Having witnessed just how frugal she was, Fu Ming Shi was a little worried.


    "I know." Clothes were a necessity, Zhen Bao would definitely buy them. She couldn''t keep wearing short sleeves in autumn and winter, right?


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her little hands peeking out from her sleeves, then shifted his gaze away.


    The milk tea shop was right in front. Zhen Bao stopped and softly advised, "Go back early."


    "Let me buy you milk tea." Fu Ming Shiughed and put his arm around her shoulders, pushing her towards the milk tea shop.


    Zhen Bao discovered a pattern - every time Fu Ming Shi suggested going somewhere, he would casually put his arm around her. In order to reduce the amount of time he held her, Zhen Bao quickly twisted out from under his arm, and briskly walked towards the milk tea shop first. Fu Ming Shi justughed. Hands in his pockets, he followed behind her.


    Zhen Bao ordered a red bean milk tea.


    Fu Ming Shi asked for the same as her after looking at the menu, then asked her, "Jia Xiao Yu wanted mango, what do your other two roommates like to drink?"


    Only then did Zhen Bao realize he had heard everything. Her face flushed red as she grabbed the menu, "I''m paying."


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t fight her for it, but he stretched out his arm to pull her to him, and slightly raised his voice, "How can I let my girlfriend pay when we''re out on a date?"


    The male server was still waiting at the window for their order. Seeing their intimateughter, Zhen Bao''s face grew even redder. She quickly slipped out from under Fu Ming Shi''s arm and rushed over to the milk tea shop first. She softly reported her roommates'' favorite vors - 5 milk teas in total. The server asked if they wanted to drink it here. Zhen Bao was alreadyte returning to campus today, and didn''t want to dy any further. She shook her head - all to-go.


    Fu Ming Shi could only get his to-go as well. After paying, he insisted on walking Zhen Bao downstairs with the 5 milk tea bags in hand.


    Zhen Bao didn''t have a choice.


    There were two entrances into the dorm building lobby. The main door had a lot of foot traffic and was very bright even when no one was around. There was also the entrance from the bike parking area. It was dimly lit inside, and you had to walk several dozen seconds before reaching the lobby side door.


    The main door was closer if you wereing from the cafeteria or ssroom buildings. But if you were returning from outside, it was actually shorter to walk through the bike parking area.


    Normally after ss, Zhen Bao and her roommates always took this route. The parking area was still quite bright during the day.


    Returning today, Zhen Bao habitually led Fu Ming Shi through the parking area. The lobby side door was about 20-30 steps away, the bright lights from inside already illuminating out.


    "Here." Halfway there, Fu Ming Shi suddenly stopped and held out the milk teas to Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head. Her left hand held two bags, her right hand took two more. After splitting them up evenly, sheughed and raised her head, about to bid Fu Ming Shi goodbye. But she had just looked up at Fu Ming Shi''s chest when the man suddenly stepped forward. His left arm that was holding the milk tea wrapped around behind her back, pulling her into his embrace, while his right hand pressed down on the top of her head.


    Zhen Bao instinctively closed her eyes.


    The world went dark, something pressed down on her lips.


    Her body stiffened. The milk tea bags slowly slipped down. Right as the 4 milk teas were about to drop, the girl''s hands clutched them tight again. But her body remained rigidly leaning against the man''s chest, forced to crane her head back, heart flustered as she endured this sudden kiss.


    She tasted a faint minty vor, remembering he had popped a piece of gum after getting out of the car, and had even asked her if she wanted one. She hadn''t wanted any.


    "So cold... Let''s go, let''s go..."


    Two girls walked in arm in arm from outside. After walking several steps they noticed the couple kissing up ahead. Looking closely, the two girls hurriedly changed direction and quickened their footsteps to give them privacy. After walking some distance away, the two girls nced at each other, unable to hold back their smiles. Easygoing, good-natured smiles, and perhaps, also a hint of envy.


    Hearing thoseughs, Zhen Bao pushed him away in panic and fled into the lobby like she was running for her life. Carrying the milk teas, she raced up the stairs to the third floor before stopping to catch her breath, panting heavily as she leaned against the wall. It took a long time for her breathing to slowly calm down. But it seemed like his gentle touch still lingered on her lips, like a spring breeze blowing into her heart, like feathers lightly caressing her face.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head.


    He really... kissed her.


    Without any warning, why did he suddenly kiss her? And they were seen by others...


    Hearing a door open in the corridor, Zhen Bao pressed the back of her hand to her cheek, trying hard to shake the kiss out of her mind. She headed to her dorm first. She had just knocked when Jia Xiao Yu rushed over and pulled open the door. Seeing the 4 milk teas in her hands, Jia Xiao Yu guffawed loudly and called over her shoulder into the room, "Didn''t I say so? Handsome Shi definitely bought 4 drinks!"


    Qian LeLe and Fan Xuan came over together to say thanks.


    Zhen Bao always blushed easily. Her face was flushed red now, but her 3 roommates didn''t think much of it.


    Zhen Bao tried hard to act like nothing had happened. She went back to her seat to drink her milk tea. She had just inserted the straw when Fu Ming Shi called. Jia Xiao Yu hugged her milk tea and sidled over. Seeing Zhen Bao directly decline the call, Jia Xiao Yu''s eyes widened as she asked, "Why aren''t you answering?"


    Before Zhen Bao could reply, the phone rang again.


    Not wanting to attract her roommates'' attention, Zhen Bao grabbed her phone and went out to the balcony. After sliding the ss door closed, she looked at her phone, but still declined Fu Ming Shi''s call. She felt very flustered and confused inside, and didn''t know how to face Fu Ming Shi right now if she answered. Plus, she still hadn''t figured out what to do about Fu Ming Shi''s sneak attack kiss.


    Ding - a new WeChat message.


    Leaning against the corner, Zhen Bao slid open the screen.


    Fu Ming Shi: Come downstairs.


    Those two words left Zhen Bao staring at the screen for a long time before replying: You should leave.


    Fu Ming Shi leaned against the dorm building''s backside shadow. Seeing the message, it was as he had expected. Fu Ming Shi helplessly shook his head - Come downstairs, I have something to say to you.


    Zhen Bao didn''t want to see him: I''m going to sleep.


    Fu Ming Shi read their short conversation back and forth. But with so few words from her, he couldn''t judge her current mood. Was she shy or angry? She was so innocent and conservative, even fastening her seatbelt made her blush from embarrassment. What if she had cried because of his stolen kiss?


    Fu Ming Shi called again.


    Zhen Bao continued to reject his call.


    Fu Ming Shi was out of options. He switched to messaging, and had even typed out "I like you" but his thumb hovered over send. He stared at the screen, deleting the words one by one. He liked her, he had already been attracted by her innocence and silliness on the flight back to the capital. But this was the first time his heart was moved, and he didn''t want to confess to her through a short message.


    On the balcony upstairs, a new message popped up: Angry?


    Zhen Bao wasn''t angry. She subconsciously replied: No.


    Right after sending it and seeing that bare solitary word, that near instant reply, Zhen Bao immediately recalled it!


    Recall sessfully. Zhen Bao lightly breathed a sigh of relief. "Not angry" could be misunderstood as liking it or being willing to ept it. Although she really wasn''t angry, Zhen Bao didn''t want Fu Ming Shi to misunderstand. She, she needed time to think more, also, she still didn''t know why Fu Ming Shi had kissed her. Maybe he had just been temporarily possessed?


    Anyway, before Fu Ming Shi exined, she couldn''t say the wrong thing.


    Downstairs, Fu Ming Shi was trying to understand the meaning behind "No", when he discovered the word disappeared within one second. His screen then showed - ¡¾"Feng Bao" recalled a message¡¿


    Fu Ming Shiughed. How could there be such a silly girl?


    First denying she was angry, then hurriedly recalling it, her psychological activities were revealed without omission.


    Knowing she didn''t dislike that kiss, he felt at ease.


    Looking at her profile pic, Fu Ming Shi asked her: Really want me to leave?


    Zhen Bao immediately replied: Mm.


    She was thin-skinned. Fu Ming Shi chose topromise: Then I''lle again tomorrow?


    Zhen Bao bit her lip: Don''t university sophomores have a lot of sses too?


    He came too frequently, not like a student.


    Fu Ming Shi reflected for a bit: Fine, I''lle see you on the weekend.


    Zhen Bao didn''t object further.


    Fu Ming Shi stroked his lips, reluctant yet helpless. Then I''m leaving, study hard.


    Zhen Bao: Mm.


    Fu Ming Shi read through their chat record several times before putting away his phone. He took a sip of milk tea and walked out from the shadows. Keeping some distance from the dorm building, Fu Ming Shi looked back at the 307 dorm balcony. In the moment he turned around, it was like he saw a figure quickly moving back.


    It should be... her?


    Fu Ming Shi watched for a while longer, but when her figure didn''t reappear, he really left this time.


    The cheap red bean milk tea was sweet, but still far fromparing with the taste of her lips.

 Chapter 21: 021

    <h4>Chapter 21</h4>


    It was Friday afternoon, and there was no ss. The dormitory''s study atmosphere was too dull, so Zhen Bao went to the library alone to return some books for Jia Xiao Yu.


    The veterinary books were all in the southeast area on the second floor. Zhen Bao picked out two and sat down by a window to read.


    "Is this seat taken?"


    A shadow suddenly appeared in her periphery, pointing to the seat next to her and asking. Zhen Bao shook her head, "No..."


    When she looked up, she saw a familiar face.


    Meng Ji Ning smiled at her, his handsome face illuminated by the sunlight, looking very dashing.


    Zhen Bao opened her mouth in surprise, not expecting such a coincidence.


    Meng Ji Ning didn''t bring a bag. He put a thick academic journal on the table, and flipped through the cover of Zhen Bao''s book, speaking to her in a low voice, "You''re just a freshman, isn''t it too early to read stuff like this?"


    Zhen Bao smiled and lowered her head, "I''m just casually looking."


    She continued reading, a serious expression on her face. The library was very quiet, although some people whispered, Zhen Bao didn''t like that.


    Seeing that she didn''t seem interested in chatting, Meng Ji Ning also lowered his head to read his journal. But every time he turned the page to the left, he would take the opportunity to sneak peeks at Zhen Bao. He seldom came to the library, and happened to run into her today - was this fate?


    After about ten minutes, Meng Ji Ning slid his phone towards Zhen Bao and asked her to help keep an eye on it while he stepped away.


    Zhen Bao thought he was going to the bathroom, but after a while, Meng Ji Ning returned with two bottles of drinks and sat back down, cing a bottle of jasmine tea in front of her. Zhen Bao shook her head, but Meng Ji Ning opened the cap for her and said in a low voice, "Drink it, don''t waste it."


    Zhen Bao had no choice but to thank him and take a sip.


    After drinking, she went back to reading her book. She got sleepy midway and took a nap on the table. When she woke up, Meng Ji Ning was still there.


    At 4:30pm, Jia Xiao Yu texted asking when she''d be back to get dinner at the cafeteria. Zhen Bao said in a low voice to Meng Ji Ning, "I''m going first."


    "Let''s go together," Meng Ji Ning checked his watch and stood up too.


    The two walked down the stairs side by side. Zhen Bao went to check out her books while Meng Ji Ning followed her the whole time. Out of the library, Zhen Bao went to get her bike and Meng Ji Ning still trailed after her. Since he was acting this way, Zhen Bao felt too awkward to leave first, so she slowly pushed her bike as they walked together towards the girls'' dorm building, since the cafeteria was also in that direction.


    When they reached the dorm building, knowing that she was going to eat with her roommates, Meng Ji Ning finally left first.


    Zhen Bao went upstairs to put down her books. As soon as she opened the door, Jia Xiao Yu rushed over and closed the door to interrogate her, "Who''s the handsome guy who walked here with you? Zhen Bao, I''m telling you, you already have a handsome boyfriend, you can''t y both sides. If you take them both, what about the rest of us?"


    "What are you talking about? That was just Meng Ji Ning, we went to the same high school. He was also at the library this afternoon so we walked back together." Zhen Bao exined with a smile. Because Feng Yue often mentioned Meng Ji Ning in their dorm, her roommates were already familiar with him.


    "You two were in the library together for a whole afternoon?" Qian LeLe poked her head out from her bed, joining the interrogation squad.


    Zhen Bao admitted it openly, putting down her books before going to the bathroom first.


    Jia Xiao Yu couldn''t resist following her to the bathroom door and asking suspiciously, "Does that Meng Ji Ning know you have a boyfriend?"


    "Mm," Zhen Bao murmured.


    Jia Xiao Yu nodded at Qian LeLe, but still reminded Zhen Bao, "Zhen Bao, be careful. A beauty like you is hard to find even in our college, not to mention our whole university. Watch out for people trying to steal Fu Ming Shi from you."


    Zhen Bao knew what "stealing a wall" meant, but she didn''t think Meng Ji Ning would have any such intentions. They rarely spoke in high school, and only got familiar at university because they were both in the veterinary club. Besides, Meng Ji Ning had even met Fu Ming Shi before, how could he still like her when he knew she had a boyfriend?


    Zhen Bao didn''t think she had that much charm anyway.


    "Let''s go, time to eat." Zhen Bao was hungry and dried her hands to go get her meal card.


    ~


    That evening, Zhen Bao concentrated on previewing the next day''s lessons while Jia Xiao Yu and Qian LeLe sat together watching the hottest Korean drama. It had been quiet, with only the asional Korean dialogue drifting over. Suddenly both women shrieked and Jia Xiao Yu even ran over to pull Zhen Bao to watch.


    Qian LeLe rewound it and Zhen Bao stood behind her to watch.


    On the screen, the handsome male lead and female lead were walking on campus. As they walked, the male lead suddenly pointed ahead and asked the female lead to look. The female lead turned her head but didn''t see anything strange, so she turned back to the male lead, only to find he had already bent down waiting for her, and pulled her into a kiss.


    Romantic background music yed, with soft lighting and the beautiful couple - watching made even Zhen Bao''s heart stir.


    Once her heart was stirred, she couldn''t help but think of Fu Ming Shi''s sneak attack that day.


    They were in the dark bicycle shed, with no lights or music, yet her heart had beat even faster than now.


    "Ooh, Zhen Bao''s blushing! Were you thinking about your Fu Ming Shi?" Jia Xiao Yu hugged her shoulders and teased her with a grin.


    "Stop fooling around..." Of course Zhen Bao wouldn''t admit it. She turned and went back to her own seat, pretending to read her book, but her heart fluttered anxiously when she thought of Fu Ming Shiing this weekend.


    Just as Jia Xiao Yu was about to continue her questioning, Fan Xuan, who had gone home that afternoon, suddenly pushed the door open and loudly announced, "I''m back!"


    She was holding a huge bag of oranges and distributed three per person.


    Zhen Bao liked oranges and finished all three in one go. Right after, Fu Ming Shi called.


    Still not daring to talk to him, Zhen Bao rejected the call and put it on silent, then texted: What''s up?


    Fu Ming Shi: I''lle find you tomorrow?


    Zhen Bao: I''m making up Friday sses tomorrow, 8 periods in one day.


    Fu Ming Shi: Then I''lle Sunday, around 4pm to your dorm building.


    Zhen Bao replied with aplicated "okay".


    After the chat ended, Zhen Bao couldn''t concentrate on reading anymore, and went to bed early.


    She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and couldn''t help pondering the question that had been bothering her for days - why did Fu Ming Shi kiss her?


    When a man kisses a woman, it should mean he likes her right? But in the many days since, Fu Ming Shi had sent her goodnight messages every day, yet never said anything remotely suggestive of liking her. If he didn''t say it, Zhen Bao didn''t dare assume. But if he didn''t like her, why did Fu Ming Shi do that? Was he just bullying her?


    Thinking of the second possibility, Zhen Bao''s eyes grew damp.


    She was relying on him now, wasn''t she? He was paying for her university fees, just like in TV dramas where wealthy men help poor women, then take advantage of them. Although that usually happens to viin characters, and Fu Ming Shi didn''t seem like a bad person at all, Zhen Bao had only known him a few months and couldn''t say for sure what kind of person he really was.


    After a whole night of wild imaginations, Zhen Bao woke up the next morning to find something wrong with her lips. Touching them and looking in the mirror, she found a huge blister on the right corner of her mouth...


    Jia Xiao Yu and Qian LeLe had no sympathy whatsoever,ughing gleefully at her misfortune. Fan Xuan jokingly put away her unfinished oranges, ming the blister on Zhen Bao eating too many oranges and getting too "hot" in Chinese medical terms.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t describe her feelings, but still attended sses all day with the huge blister. That evening, Fu Ming Shi texted to confirm their meeting time. Clutching at straws, Zhen Bao replied: Next week, okay?


    Fu Ming Shi: Why?


    Zhen Bao lied: I have veterinary club stuff tomorrow.


    Fu Ming Shi: Then I''lle over tomorrow night.


    Just as Zhen Bao was worrying about finding another excuse, Fu Ming Shi sent another message: Don''t tell me you''re busy tomorrow night too.


    Zhen Bao had a headache, but still replied: Come in the afternoon then.


    The earlier he came, the earlier he''d leave. There were fewer people outside at night on campus, what if Fu Ming Shi tried something fresh with her again? There''d be safety in numbers during the daytime, he probably wouldn''t dare.


    On his end, Fu Ming Shi saw the message and guessed Zhen Bao was still shy. He smiled and replied: Don''t be nervous.


    Zhen Bao suddenly didn''t feel like talking to him anymore.


    ~


    It was a rare sunny weekend, crisp autumn air and blue skies.


    Fu Ming Shi left the vi at 2pm, stopping by a florist first.


    "Handsome, have you decided what flowers you''d like?" The florist was a lively young girl. Seeing Fu Ming Shi dressed like a college student, she smiled and asked.


    "Roses," Fu Ming Shi replied lightly.


    The florist''s smile grew even brighter as she led Fu Ming Shi to look at the roses, "For your girlfriend right? How many, handsome? The more roses, the more your girlfriend will like it!"


    Fu Ming Shi tried to imagine giving Zhen Bao a huge bouquet of 999 roses, then carrying it all the way back to her dorm. With her dislike of drawing attention, she''d probably just feel embarrassed instead of happy. Besides, Fu Ming Shi didn''t like that many roses either, it was tacky.


    "Nine," Fu Ming Shi looked at the roses and said, "Don''t wrap the outside with colored paper."


    He just wanted the roses, everything else ruined the aesthetics.


    The florist simply used a red ribbon to tie the rose stems together.


    Fu Ming Shi paid and got in his car to head to University A. Once inside the school, he went first not to the girls'' dorms but theke on campus with the best scenery. Some art students were there plein air painting, all female, sitting on the grass. Fu Ming Shi looked around and approached the one dressed most simply.


    Holding the roses in his hand, the chosen girl waspletely dumbfounded, a guess shing through her mind that she didn''t dare believe.


    "Excuse me, can you help me with something?" Since she was sitting, Fu Ming Shi crouched down on one knee to speak to her, his tone gentle.


    Blushing, the girl nodded.


    Fu Ming Shi gave her a faint smile and held out the roses. "I''m going to bring a girl over in a bit, and I want to confess to her. So could you help me hold onto these first? I was thinking of giving them to her when we get here, the dorm building has too many people around, no atmosphere."


    "Of course!" Even though the flowers weren''t for her and the handsome guy wasn''t hers either, the student was still extremely excited by such a romantic thing. She took the roses and solemnly promised, "Don''t worry, I''ll hide them behind my drawing board, she definitely won''t see them."


    "Thank you." Fu Ming Shi smiled sincerely and nced at her drawing board as he stood,plimenting it too. "It''s beautiful."


    The girl covered half her blushing face with one hand holding the flowers,pletely disarmed.


    With preparationsplete here, Fu Ming Shi finally headed towards Zhen Bao''s dorm building.


    Room 307, Zhen Bao was restless, and went to the bathroom several times. She was more nervous than when taking the college entrance exam. Fu Ming Shi seemed even more frightening than the Grim Reaper in films. Finally she received Fu Ming Shi''s message asking her toe downstairs. Zhen Bao was so nervous her hands were shaking.


    But she still had to go down.


    Going down the stairs, Zhen Bao''s legs were also trembling. At the turn of the stairs on the second floor, Zhen Bao looked down along the gap next to the handrail. At a nce she saw Fu Ming Shi standing in the lobby, facing the direction of the stairs, with one hand in his pocket. His handsome face was as cold as usual, giving no hint of what he was thinking.


    Sensing that he was about to look up, Zhen Bao quickly pulled her head back.


    But once downstairs, there was no escaping. Zhen Bao kept her head low, feeling Fu Ming Shi''s gaze on her. Her face felt like it was on fire.


    She walked down slowly step by step. Fu Ming Shi saw her ming red face, and also the blister at the corner of her mouth.


    Fu Ming Shi stared incredulously at the blister. He could understand her shyness at facing him, but did she have to get so angry over this?


    Just as he thought this, the girl on the stairs suddenly missed a step and fell forward straight down.


    Fu Ming Shi was shocked. His body reacted before his mind, taking a step forward and reaching out to catch her. He smoothly put his arms around her waist, turned around, and set her down on the ground. Zhen Bao''s heart pounded wildly, scared but also nervous. She leaned against him, confused and at a loss. Fu Ming Shi also did not let go, lowering his head to whisper in her ear, "Does this count as throwing yourself into my arms?"


    The warm and ambiguous tone blew her mind into even more chaos.

 Chapter 22: 022

    <h4>Chapter 22</h4>


    There wasing and going in the dormitory building. Fu Ming Shi grasped Zhen Bao''s hand and quickly led her away.


    On an autumn afternoon, the warm sunshine weed the setting sun to the west. Zhen Bao felt hot from head to toe, as if soaking in hot water.


    She tried to break free from the man''s warm big hand.


    Fu Ming Shi firmly held on, tilting his head to look at her, "Feeling the heat?"


    She turned her head to the right, "I ate some tangerines."


    Fu Ming Shi smiled. Even if she really ate tangerines, that kiss must have contributed.


    "Don''t be like this..." Zhen Bao shook his hand again. She had agreed to a pretend engagement beforeing to the capital. Why was he always touching her inappropriately? Zhen Bao was unwilling. If he thought he could take advantage of her just because the engagement allowed her to attend university, she would immediately return home.


    Her face darkened, she was really unhappy. Looking at how far away thekeside was, Fu Ming Shi had no choice but to let go for now.


    "Where are we going?" Zhen Bao stopped and lowered her head to ask. She came down to see Fu Ming Shi in hopes he would exin himself clearly, not wander around aimlessly with him. Thinking back to Fu Ming Shi''s words "into my arms" on the stairs, the more she thought about it, the more improper he seemed.


    "To thekeside, I have something to tell you." Fu Ming Shi exined in a low voice, "It''s not suitable to discuss over the phone, so I haven''t brought it up these past few days."


    Zhen Bao pursed her lips and continued following him forward.


    The college''s campuske was located west of the library building. Theke was long and narrow in shape, with some undtion along the shore. Fu Ming Shi led Zhen Bao under a thick locust tree by the shore, the location rtively secluded. Zhen Bao looked left and right, seeing some girls painting in the distance. Only then did she suppress her dangerous imaginings.


    Arriving under the tree, Zhen Bao still kept her head low waiting for him to speak.


    "Close your eyes. I''m going to get something. When I get back, I''ll tell you to open them." Fu Ming Shi bent down, looking straight at her as he gently spoke, his tone as soothing as a fairytale narration, leading one into a dreamlike world.


    They were so close Zhen Bao turned her head away, frowning as she asked, "What exactly are you trying to do?"


    "You''ll know in three minutes at most." Fu Ming Shi held her shoulders, leaning her against the tree. His dark eyes gazed at her pleadingly, "Be good, close your eyes."


    Zhen Bao hesitated for a moment before obediently closing her eyes after less than three seconds. She didn''t know if it was because she was eager to escape his hands or affected by his tone, or perhaps she didn''t want him looking at the blister on the corner of her mouth from so close.


    "Wait for me, three minutes max." She was being so good, Fu Ming Shi gave her shoulders a final squeeze before quickly walking over to the girl helping him keep the roses. After taking over ten steps, he looked back again to admonish his well-behaved girl, "Don''t open your eyes."


    He walked backwards, the setting sun stretching his shadow into a long line on the grassy shore. His dark eyes happily watched the girl under the tree. Having been a CEO for several years, the business elite was now radiating youthful spirits, his voice seemed to carry the breath of youth unique to one''s student days.


    Zhen Bao leaned against the tree trunk, lightly scratching the bark with her hands.


    How long was three minutes?


    Zhen Bao silently counted. The cool breeze from theke blew over, she had counted to 99 when she heard Fu Ming Shi running over. Zhen Bao secretly clenched her fists, curious what he had gone to get.


    "There are people over there, let''s change direction." Fu Ming Shi held the flowers behind his back with his right hand, using his left to guide her shoulder and make her turn in circles. "I''ll tell you when to open your eyes."


    Zhen Bao had kept her eyes closed for so long already, she was in no rush for that brief moment. She slowly turned ny degrees.


    She had just steadied herself when a strong floral fragrance suddenly drifted over, it smelled like the rose bath wash Qian LeLe used. The bathroom always filled up with the scent of roses after Qian LeLe''s showers. What she smelled now was even more concentrated and fresher than the bath wash...


    Zhen Bao was too confused. She couldn''t wait for Fu Ming Shi''s cue and curiously opened her eyes.


    She saw a bouquet of roses, clustered densely together, vibrant red and fragrant.


    Zhen Bao stared nkly, slowly raising her head.


    Fu Ming Shi stood on the other side of the roses, his dark eyes fixed on her the entire time. When she finally looked over and their eyes met, Fu Ming Shi suddenly realized that while she was as silly as he had expected, he was more nervous than anticipated. How could he confess in an even more romantic and unique way?


    Fu Ming Shi couldn''t think of anything, it seemed he was also out of time to think. Forgetting the ns he hade up with on the way over, when he saw her pure eyes like starrykes, seemingly shimmering with ripples, Fu Ming Shi forgot all his techniques.


    "Feng Bao, I like you." He took a step closer, gazing at her as he softly said, his expression more earnest and gentle than ever before, his voice very light, like the gurgling narration in a fairytale film, leading one into a fantastical world.


    "Feng Bao, before meeting you, I drafted a prenuptial agreement because we knew nothing about each other. I may not have been able to ept you dropping out of high school and you might not like a stranger like me either, so the agreement was an exit for both of us. But you cried and promised grandfather at his grave to be engaged to me, willing to wrong yourself tofort grandfather''s heart. So I decided to try my best to take care of you, and attempt to be real fianc¨¦s before marrying for real, if you agree. But that night, when you texted me to confirm if it was a pretend engagement, I suddenly felt something move in my heart. Afterwards, I discovered..."


    He deliberately trailed off there.


    Zhen Bao''s heart was all strung up, her pink lips parted slightly as she nkly waited for him to continue.


    Fu Ming Shi liked how she looked right now. He leaned his entire body over, pressing the roses against her shoulder with one hand while embracing her slender waist with the other. He gently exerted some force to pull her entire being into his arms. Zhen Bao instinctively raised her hands, but she had just braced them against his waist when her ear suddenly itched, as if something had brushed past.


    Zhen Bao''s heart quivered. The masculine aura that followed instead made her entire body go soft.


    "I discovered that falling for you didn''t require effort, I just needed to interact with you all the way to naturally want to take care of you, to want to date you."


    Date...


    Zhen Bao''s heart thumped rapidly. She had never considered dating anyone before today. She only wanted to study hard and master her major well. But if it was him...


    "Miss Zhen, I am Fu Ming Shi. I want to date you, are you willing?" Holding her in his arms, Fu Ming Shi slowly raised his head again, his dark eyes locking onto hers once more.


    Zhen Bao was from a mountain vige with waterways and bamboo groves. Children who grew up there almost all had clear eyes. Zhen Bao was the most beautiful flower in the vige, so she also had the loveliest eyes. When she didn''t smile, they were like two tranquil pools, serene and limpid. When she did smile, they curved into crescent moons, making your heart curve along with her.


    But right now, Zhen Bao cried, like a frolicking mountain spring leaping forth, two streams of clear tears emerged, then she cried even more.


    If he liked her, why didn''t he say so earlier? It made her lose sleep these past few days, making her think he was a bad man.


    "Feng Bao?" Fu Ming Shi panicked. Based on their conversation after he kissed her that night, he was confident she would agree. But today upon meeting, she had a fever blister and was crying, so Fu Ming Shi suddenly lost confidence. She was too naive, if dating would be distressing for her, then...


    "Why didn''t you say so earlier..."


    Thinking of the blister on the corner of her mouth, it would surely look even worse now that she was crying. Zhen Bao buried her face against his broad chest and aggrievedly asked.


    She had really thrown herself into his arms. Fu Ming Shi''s fluctuating heart instantly steadied.


    Listening to her childlike aggrieved questioning, Fu Ming Shi helplessly held her and lowered his head to kiss her hair. Her hair was so fine and soft, just like her. After kissing his fill, after breathing in her hair fragrance, Fu Ming Shi finally lowered his head to exin, "At the time, I wanted to tell you, but you refused toe down to see me."


    "Then you could''ve sent a message." Zhen Bao sniffled and mumbled her question.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled, his lips slowly shifting to her ear. "A once in a lifetime confession, saying it in a message wouldn''t be proper enough."


    Once in a lifetime...only once confession.


    Zhen Bao stopped crying. She also stopped feeling aggrieved. But she was even more embarrassed to face him now.


    "Anything else unclear?" Fu Ming Shi stared at her blushing profile as he neutrally asked.


    Knowing he was watching her, Zhen Bao turned her head the other way. After thinking about it, she did have another question. "Why didn''t you tell me first?"


    Kissing her without confessing caused her fever blister. In the end, it was still his fault. What if she didn''t like him? Suddenly kissing her, wasn''t that taking undue advantage? If he was a total stranger, she could''ve used him of harassment.


    "Couldn''t help it." Fu Ming Shi pinched her chin, slowly turning her little face towards him.


    With this action, Zhen Bao''s face instantly turned red. She nervously closed her eyes.


    Seeing the girl he liked reveal her most pure and charming side, Fu Ming Shi''s gaze darkened. He inched closer to her bit by bit.


    His breathing was like the wind, lightly falling on her face. Amidst the rose fragrance, his breathing also carried a scent.


    Zhen Bao''s heartbeat nearly stopped. She thought of the kisses between idol drama leads. She knew what Fu Ming Shi was about to do, but Zhen Bao didn''t know what she should do now.


    Her lips tingled. Zhen Bao suddenly jerked her head, twisting her entire body towards the locust tree behind her, covering her face to refuse him, "No, you..." But before she could stand firm, before she could finish speaking, she was swiftly spun back around by Fu Ming Shi''s plundering actions. He forcefully pressed her against the tree, using his body as a wall, suddenly bing overbearingly aggressive.


    This was Zhen Bao''s first time facing such a Fu Ming Shi. She widened her eyes in shock.


    Fu Ming Shi was practically touching her lips. Seeing her stunned appearance, he managed to halt himself with great difficulty. His voice was hoarse as he asked, "You''re unwilling?" His eyes peered into hers, the depths seeming to harbor danger.


    Zhen Bao was extremely flustered. She lowered her head, embarrassed to say as she pointed to the corner of her mouth to show him.


    It looked so ugly, how could he bear to kiss her?


    "I don''t mind."


    Since she wasn''t unwilling, Fu Ming Shi impatiently seized her little hand blocking her mouth.


    Zhen Bao blushed as she closed her eyes.


    Fu Ming Shi''s movements to lower his head were urgent, like a pouncing hawk. But when he truly kissed her, he was extraordinarily careful, lightly pecking her left lip, afraid of touching that blister and hurting her.


    Zhen Bao''s body was stiff, frozen in ce, her lips also pursed tightly together.


    Fu Ming Shi felt it wasn''t enough. He cradled her face, trying to deepen the kiss.


    But that far exceeded what Zhen Bao could ept right now. She couldn''t take it anymore, her heart seeming to explode.


    She gently pushed him away, "That''s enough..."


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t listen. She was still young and inexperienced, while he was already mature at twenty-eight.


    What Zhen Bao was afraid of was exactly his maturity. Pushing lightly didn''t work, so she suddenly increased her strength.


    Caught off guard, Fu Ming Shi took a step back.


    Zhen Bao lifted her foot to run, but Fu Ming Shi reacted quickly and pulled her back into his embrace.


    "No more..."


    "Alright."


    She wasn''t ready yet, so Fu Ming Shi could only surrender.

 Chapter 23: 023

    <h4>Chapter 23</h4>


    "Where did you get the roses?"


    Under the locust tree, Zhen Bao leaned against the trunk sitting on the ground, head down looking at the rose in her hand, not even ncing to the side where Fu Ming Shi sat down and hadn''t taken his eyes off her.


    "Bought them from a flower shop, they had nine hundred and ny nine too, which kind do you like?" Fu Ming Shi stared at her face which still had a blush, absent-mindedly asking. She agreed to be his real girlfriend, but he wanted to kiss her even more.


    Zhen Bao didn''t even need to think, lightly shook the nine roses in her hand, "This, actually, one is enough." One was already too much for her, how would she bring it back to the dormter? When back at the dorm, her roommates would definitely start teasing again. But receiving roses for the first time, looking at the lush red roses symbolizing romance between men and women, Zhen Bao really liked them.


    Before he stole a kiss from her, she had never thought Fu Ming Shi might like her, but hearing Fu Ming Shi say it himself, and thinking back on how Fu Ming Shi had taken care of her in various ways, Zhen Bao believed it, Fu Ming Shi really liked her, and the feeling of being liked by him was very warm.


    If only he would stop staring at her, it made her nervous.


    "Let''s go out to eat tonight, I''ll take you back to your dorm first." It was almost 5 o''clock, Fu Ming Shi helped her stand up and said.


    Zhen Bao nodded, poked her head out from behind the locust tree, and saw there weren''t too many students on this side of the road, she breathed a small sigh of relief, and deliberately walked on Fu Ming Shi''s inside when heading back, using his body to shield the flowers in her hand. Because she needed to borrow his position, Fu Ming Shi wanted to hold her hand but she refused.


    "Zhen Bao?"


    The two of them walked on the sidewalk beside the road, which was one step higher than the road. Zhen Bao was fully focused on the roses, only when hearing someone call her name did she puzzledly raise her head, and saw Meng Ji Ning brake in front of them about 10 steps away on the side of the road, looking back at them with a smile, "Thought it was you two from behind."


    Holding the roses and running into an acquaintance, Zhen Bao''s face turned red, and she hid the roses behind her back as if trying to cover up something.


    But Meng Ji Ning had already seen the measly nine roses, he nodded at Fu Ming Shi, and continued asking Zhen Bao, "Your birthday?"


    Zhen Bao''s birthday was in March on the lunar calendar, still far away, but in this situation, she could only......


    "Four month anniversary." Fu Ming Shi put his arm around Zhen Bao''s shoulder, one hand in his pocket said.


    He was almost 1.9 meters tall, making the 1.65 meters Zhen Bao seem even more petite. Blushing, she leaned against him like a little bird relying on a person.


    Meng Ji Ning found it unpleasant to look at, forced a smile and congratted them, then rode away first.


    After he turned away, Zhen Bao immediately took a step forward, away from Fu Ming Shi''s embrace.


    Fu Ming Shi took onest look at Meng Ji Ning, and quietly reminded Zhen Bao, "Now we''re officially in a rtionship, when I''m not by your side, you need to keep your distance from other guys, be careful not to get too close, giving them the wrong idea they might have a chance to steal you from me."


    Her roommates had said things like this too, Zhen Bao obediently nodded, "I know." Even without Fu Ming Shi, she wouldn''t get too close with guys.


    Fu Ming Shi believed Zhen Bao didn''t have thoughts of cheating, it was just...


    Taking another look at the now barely visible Meng Ji Ning, Fu Ming Shi still felt like the other person had less than noble intentions towards Zhen Bao.


    ~


    Zhen Bao hugged the roses back to the dorm, and was immediately surrounded by her three roommates, forcing her to exin what day it was today.


    So Zhen Bao used the excuse Fu Ming Shi had made up.


    "My god, sending flowers even for four month anniversaries, then aside from all kinds of big and small asions throughout the year, doesn''t he have to send flowers every month?" Qian LeLe counted on her fingers, this was the first time hearing about celebrating monthly dating anniversaries.


    "Wahhh, I want to date too, god please send me a boyfriend!" Jia Xiao Yu on her period rolled around in bed, calling out to Zhen Bao, "Let me smell the roses, I''ve never received roses before in my life!"


    Zhen Baoughed and handed the flowers to her.


    Jia Xiao Yu exaggeratedly took a big sniff, then reluctantly gave them back to Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao didn''t have a vase on her desk, she temporarily put the roses in a pen holder, then went to leave.


    "Where are you going?" Jia Xiao Yu asked loudly.


    Qian LeLe scoffed at her, "Looking for abuse huh? Fu Ming Shi must be waiting downstairs."


    Jia Xiao Yu flopped down on the bed.


    Zhen Bao was already in a good mood, teased by her roommates like this, her steps going downstairs were even lighter than usual.


    "What do you want for dinner?" Fu Ming Shi asked after she got in the car.


    Zhen Bao was craving hot pot, the food at school wasn''t spicy enough.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled looking at the corner of her mouth, "After your mouth gets better we can eat it, pick something else."


    But Zhen Bao just wanted hot pot, big watery eyes stubbornly looking at him.


    Fu Ming Shi couldn''t resist, leaned in to kiss her, but Zhen Bao promptly covered her face to block it.


    Fu Ming Shi forcefully pped the car seat, then turned around to drive.


    Zhen Bao secretly watched him through her fingers, seeing he was serious, she giggled and put her hand down, only busyughing by herself, not noticing the dangerous look her boyfriend threw over.


    After half an hour plus, Fu Ming Shi parked near a very famous hot pot restaurant in the capital. It wasn''t a big shop, but was extremely popr, they waited half an hour before getting a table. October nights were already a bit cold in the capital, but as soon as that pot with boiling red chili oil was served, it was like her whole body immediately warmed up.


    The beef was tender and juicy, spicy and vorful. The vegetables were the tenderest parts, after rolling around in the boiling pot a couple times, they were ready to eat. Happily eating, Zhen Bao uncharacteristically forgot her dating restraints. Sweat beaded on the tip of her nose from the spiciness, Fu Ming Shi reached out to wipe it away for her. She just bashfully smiled, not as shy as usual.


    After the delicious meal, it was past 7:30.


    Fu Ming Shi took her to watch a movie, still couple seats. This time he held her hand before the lights fully dimmed. Zhen Bao tried to pull her hand out, but the man directly pulled it over to his side, sandwiching it between both his hands, holding on tight. Zhen Bao''s heart raced, she sat up straight, not wanting others to notice their little interaction.


    It was a romantic love movie. Even if it wasn''t romantic, couples in the couple seating would surely sneak kisses. Whether by chance or not, the couple sitting in front of them started making out again.


    Zhen Bao awkwardly lowered her head, slowly realizing Fu Ming Shi''s hand seemed even warmer.


    But reassuringly, Fu Ming Shi didn''t seem to have any intention of imitating the others.


    After watching the entire movie, it was past 9. The girl''s dorm building locked the doors at 11 at night. Fu Ming Shi didn''t want Zhen Bao to feel rushed, he carefully drove back to A University, arriving right at 10. Although there was still time, Zhen Bao was afraid her roommates would get the wrong idea, so she walked exceptionally fast.


    Fu Ming Shi matched her pace. When they reached the dorm building, Zhen Bao remembering the lesson fromst time, prepared to detour to the front entrance of the building. But as soon as she showed intent to detour, Fu Ming Shi suddenly bent down and picked her up. Zhen Bao was so startled she almost screamed, flusteredly covering her mouth.


    At this time, there was almost no one outside. Fu Ming Shi carried Zhen Bao all the way to the most hidden corner of the parking garage before putting her down, directly pushing her against the wall. What he wanted to do, his determination to do that thing, was revealed undoubtedly from the moment he picked her up. Zhen Bao wasn''t dumb, but thinking she wouldn''t see him again for another week, she obediently let him hold her, let him kiss her.


    "Open up." Fu Ming Shi hoarselymanded.


    But Zhen Bao didn''t open.


    "Then I''lle again tomorrow." Fu Ming Shi lingered around her lips.


    Zhen Bao panicked, "You-"


    Just as she opened her mouth, she fell right into the man''s trap. Fu Ming Shi wrapped one arm around her waist to lift her up, the other hand cupping her face, deeply kissing her. It was like fireworks exploding in her mind, her legs went soft. She instinctively clutched his coat, helplessly trying to evade.


    But how could she evade?


    Fu Ming Shi trapped her between himself and the wall, kissed for a full half hour. Only because she had to go upstairs did he reluctantly stop.


    "Sweet." Pressing against her, he used his lips to caress her burning hot cheek, breathing intertwined.


    "Let''s go." Pitch dark, Zhen Bao pushed him away with one hand, lowered her head and hurried to the side door. After two steps she broke into a run.


    Fu Ming Shi leaned against the wall, eyes closed, listening to her fleeing in panic.

 Chapter 24: 024

    <h4>Chapter 24</h4>


    Zhen Bao went upstairs under the suspicious gaze of the building''s auntie. Of course, the auntie probably didn''t think much of it - Zhen Bao just had a guilty conscience.


    "You''re back!" Since college students sleepte, Qian LeLe and Fan Xuan were still watching their favorite drama. Seeing Zhen Baoe back, Qian LeLe jokingly said,


    Zhen Bao felt rather awkward. If not back here, where else could she go?


    Qian LeLe quickly changed the subject: "I bought some snow pears for you, left them on your desk. They''re good for cooling down inner heat."


    "Thanks!" Zhen Bao said with a smile, gently closing the door. ncing up, it seemed like Jia Xiao Yu was asleep, no wonder Qian LeLe and the others had their headphones on.


    Zhen Bao put down her bag, and took the big snow pear Qian LeLe gave her to the bathroom.


    The lights were bright. In the mirror, her face was flushed, and her lips, apart from that blister, also seemed a little swollen.


    Zhen Bao gently leaned against the door, closing her eyes.


    The darkness of the parking garage, every kiss from Fu Ming Shi, floated clearly into her mind.


    He first kissed her lips. She kept them tightly shut, but he kept kissing - her forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks, seeming to love every part of her. When he got to her ears, she felt unbearably ticklish, so he went back to kiss her lips, then tricked her into opening her mouth, forcefully and arrogantly...


    "Sweet," he murmured after the kiss, his voice low and hoarse. If the angel of death had his voice then, I''m afraid everyone would be bewitched by him, willingly giving their lives over.


    The memory ended. Zhen Bao carefully washed her face, then washed the snow pear.


    After returning to her desk, she saw Fu Ming Shi had sent a message: Don''t want to leave.


    Zhen Bao''s mind immediately conjured up a tall, lonely figure standing in the corner of the parking garage. One hand holding the pear, she replied: Go back soon, drive slowly.


    With him by her side, she''d feel especially nervous. Not seeing him face to face, Zhen Bao was much calmer.


    Fu Ming Shi: What are you doing?


    Zhen Bao, sucking on some pear juice: Eating a pear, the one LeLe gave me.


    In the parking garage several floors below, the light from his phone screen illuminated a small area, lighting up the handsome, gentle face of the man. Seeing his fiancee''s reply, Fu Ming Shiughed softly. Thatugh soon became deep and meaningful as he texted back: I want to eat too.


    Zhen Bao had just taken a bite of the pear. Seeing Fu Ming Shi say he wanted to eat it too, she froze for a second before replying: I''ll have Auntie Wang buy some tomorrow.


    Fu Ming Shiughed: I want to eat yours.


    As a first-time girlfriend, Zhen Bao had no experience and didn''t realize Fu Ming Shi was flirting with her. She peered at the pear she''d just taken a few bites of, then earnestly asked: Are you still in the parking garage?


    Fu Ming Shi''s heart stirred: Are youing down?


    Zhen Bao: No, you can stand below our building and I''ll throw the pear down to you.


    After kissing for so long, he must be thirsty.


    Fu Ming Shiughed again. After thinking for a bit, he said: Okay,e out to the balcony first, you can take another bite.


    Zhen Baoughed too. She put down her phone and went to borrow a fruit knife from Qian LeLe. Eyes glued to her screen, Qian LeLe told her to just take it herself. Zhen Bao washed the fruit knife first, then cut off the part she''d bitten before grabbing her phone and the rest of the big pear and heading out to the balcony.


    There were streetlights below, and Fu Ming Shi was already standing there, head tilted back.


    Although they were separated by several meters, Zhen Bao still felt a little embarrassed.


    Fu Ming Shi put away his phone and gestured for her to throw the pear down.


    Zhen Bao smiled. She estimated the distance then lightly tossed it downward.


    Fu Ming Shi took a couple steps back and easily caught it.


    Zhen Bao breathed a sigh of relief, resting her arms on the railing to watch him.


    Fu Ming Shi took a bite of the pear and called her: "Not as sweet as you."


    Zhen Bao shrank back, hiding where he couldn''t see her. "Go on now," she said.


    Fu Ming Shi looked up at the balcony: "Let me see you once more, then I''ll go."


    His words were so gentle and ambiguous that Zhen Bao''s ears tingled. She ended the call first, ducked her head shyly for a bit before slowlying back out to the balcony. The indoor lights shone out, turning her light blue knit sweater almost white. Head lowered, her sweet face was indistinct.


    Fu Ming Shi watched her steadily. For a moment, he wanted to call for her to jump down into his arms.


    After letting him look plenty, Zhen Bao steeled her heart and waved him away, hiding again.


    With his fiancee gone, Fu Ming Shi stood there a few more minutes before slowly turning to leave, eating the pear as he walked off campus.


    Zhen Bao didn''t move, soon seeing Fu Ming Shi''s tall, lonely figure appear on the main road. She kept watching until he finally disappeared from her view.


    The autumn wind was cool, but her heart felt warm. She''d never imagined falling in love, yet here it came, natural and unforced.


    Satisfied with being alone for now, Zhen Bao turned back. ncing over, she saw Jia Xiao Yuing down the bunk beddder inside, while Qian LeLe pointed at the half-eaten pear on the table, saying who knows what. Hardening herself, Zhen Bao went back in. Qian LeLe immediately interrogated her, "Where''s that half a pear? You gave it to your Ming Shi?"


    Living with their constant teasing, Zhen Bao was starting to figure out how to deal with it - don''t confirm or deny anything, just smile and lower her head.


    "Why did I have to wake up and suffer this torment! I should''ve held it until morning!" Jia Xiao Yu charged over, hair a mess, to shake Zhen Bao, then went "ahhh" to the bathroom to deal with her period, yelling through the door, "It was just half a pear! I''ll buy my own tomorrow!"


    Worried she''de out and keep making a racket, Zhen Bao got into bed early.


    Before falling asleep, she received a message from Fu Ming Shi: Good night, see you tomorrow.


    Zhen Bao was about to doze off, but staring at the "see you tomorrow" gave her a sudden jolt of awareness. She quickly replied: This weekend?


    Fu Ming Shi: I don''t have afternoon sses tomorrow... Don''t worry, no kissing tomorrow.


    Zhen Bao flipped her phone over, slowly rolled onto her side facing the wall, her whole little face red.


    ~


    Zhen Bao had morning sses. After ss, she walked out with her three roommates. Leaving the ssroom building, Zhen Bao was chatting with Jia Xiao Yu, who had looped their arms together, when Qian LeLe suddenly nudged her and said, "Zhen Bao, isn''t that your Ming Shi?"


    Zhen Bao was shocked. Looking up, she did indeed see Fu Ming Shi, tall and big, standing by her bike, wearing a white jacket, his profile coldly handsome. Probably hearing the student hubbub, he casually nced their way, eyes quickly sweeping over them beforending squarely on her.


    Zhen Bao saw him smile, like the melting of early spring ice and snow. Compared to the neat suit when they first met in her hometown, he was apletely different person now.


    "Tsk tsk, having a boyfriend really is the best!" Jia Xiao Yu let go of Zhen Bao''s arm and went to hug Qian LeLe instead, looking at Zhen Bao with envy and hate.


    Fu Ming Shi was indeed holding a shopping bag of pears!


    With ssmates behind her, Zhen Bao hurried over to Fu Ming Shi. He''d asked for her ss schedule when school started, so finding this area wasn''t strange.


    Afterst night''s long kiss and even a tongue kiss, seeing each other again now, Zhen Bao kept her head low the entire time. "Why did youe at this time?" She''d assumed he would onlye in the evening, since Fu Ming Shi still had work in the afternoon.


    "To have lunch with you." Fu Ming Shi looked down at the corner of her mouth. Seeing that annoying blister had faded quite a bit, heughed softly, "The snow pear''s fire-cooling effect seems pretty good."


    Zhen Bao red at him.


    Fu Ming Shi put the pears in her bike basket and walked her bike back to her dorm building.


    This scene was seen not only by Qian LeLe, Feng Yue and other freshman and sophomore ssmates, but also by the two sophomore sses that came out afterward. Meng Ji Ning knew Zhen Bao had morning sses today. The moment ss ended, he rushed out of the ssroom, hoping to run into her while going downstairs. He didn''t expect that all the way out of the ssroom building, he would see Zhen Bao being lovey-dovey with her boyfriend again.


    If a girl liked him only because he was rich, Meng Ji Ning would never ept that. But if he liked a girl first, and his family background was the only advantage he had over her current boyfriend, then Meng Ji Ning could only use that background as a chip to try and win her.


    Because he was watching the couple, Meng Ji Ning identally bumped into someone.


    "Sorry..." He quickly looked away and apologized, only to find, to his surprise, that it was someone he knew.


    "What a coincidence, you have sses here too?" Feng Yue greeted him happily.


    Meng Ji Ning smiled and nodded.


    Seeing he was alone, Feng Yue chatted with Meng Ji Ning very naturally as they walked to the cafeteria together. "Just now, Zhen Bao''s boyfriend came to pick her up again. Did you see? Her boyfriend treats her so well,es by every other day. But Zhen Bao is so pretty, if I were him I''d be nervous too, afraid of her being snatched away by someone else."


    Meng Ji Ning just smiled without responding. If he were Zhen Bao''s boyfriend, he would treat her even better.


    ~


    Fu Ming Shi kept his word, leaving after having lunch with Zhen Bao, without any touching.


    Zhen Bao went back to her dorm and distributed two pears each to her roommates.


    As they ate pears and chatted, Zhen Bao''s phone rang. She grabbed it and saw it was Meng Ji Ning.


    Zhen Bao answered right there in the dorm room.


    "I''m nning a hometown gathering activity, going hiking this Saturday. Do you have time? My treat, juste y. " On the call, Meng Ji Ning sounded familiar and casual.


    Zhen Bao was somewhat interested in a hometown meetup, but hearing it was Meng Ji Ning treating them, she declined, "Oh, I''m busy that day..."


    "A date with Ming Shi?" Meng Ji Ningughed, interrupting her. "You can bring family. Don''t miss this chance to gather with fellow hometown folks. Think about it, I''m going to let Feng Yue know too."


    Then he immediately hung up.


    "Who was that?" Jia Xiao Yu asked curiously.


    Zhen Bao told the truth.


    Jia Xiao Yu had originally suspected Meng Ji Ning of having indecent intentions toward Zhen Bao. Now hearing that family coulde along, she urged, "Then go have fun! We''re all from the same hometown, plus someone''s treating, just remember to bring Ming Shi."


    Zhen Bao was still hesitating when Feng Yue''s voice suddenly sounded outside their door.


    Zhen Bao went to open it.


    Feng Yue hugged her excitedly: "Meng Ji Ning also called you right? Go on Zhen Bao, let''s go together to liven things up!" Meng Ji Ning said there weren''t many girls going and hoped she could persuade Zhen Bao toe along. Feng Yue guessed Meng Ji Ning most wanted to invite Zhen Bao. She was a little unhappy at first, but when she heard Meng Ji Ning was willing to bring along Zhen Bao''s boyfriend, Feng Yue was happy to see things work out. That way, Zhen Bao could unt her rtionship in front of everyone with her boyfriend, and Meng Ji Ning would surely give up his pursuit.


    Feng Yue enthusiastically coaxed Zhen Bao, who felt a little awkward declining, so she used Fu Ming Shi as an excuse, "Let me ask him first."


    "Ok, ask him now," Feng Yue urged. In case Zhen Bao''s boyfriend didn''t agree, she could persuade him.


    Pressed by Feng Yue, Zhen Bao had no choice but to call Fu Ming Shi from the balcony.


    Fu Ming Shi was still on his way back to thepany. Seeing it was a call from Zhen Bao, he immediately picked up. After learning about Meng Ji Ning''s autumn trip ns, and his willingness to generously cover food and lodging, Fu Ming Shiughed ambiguously, "Since it''s an alumni gathering, let''s go together. Ask when it is, and I''lle meet up with you guys on Saturday."


    Zhen Bao could sense Fu Ming Shi''s mood seemed quite good.


    Since Fu Ming Shi was willing to go have fun, Zhen Bao hung up and nodded at Feng Yue, who had been hovering nearby.


    Feng Yue happily left, taking with her the two pears Zhen Bao had given her.


    A few minutes after Feng Yue left, Meng Ji Ning called Zhen Bao to confirm. Having obtained Zhen Bao''s affirmation, Meng Ji Ning''s lips curled up into a smile. Only then did he start looking online for attractions and hotels, while contacting other alumni from their province. By nighttime, everything was arranged. Meng Ji Ning made an itinerary and sent it to everyone.


    Zhen Bao opened the image and briefly looked through it before forwarding it to Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi was drinking coffee. Seeing this itinerary, he was strangely rather looking forward to it.

 Chapter 25: 025

    <h4>Chapter 25</h4>


    Meng Ji Ning arranged to meet at the main gate of A University at 8am. Zhen Bao set her rm for 7am, but before it could ring, her phone was already ringing.


    Qian Lele and the other two roommates were still asleep. Zhen Bao was wide awake almost instantly and quickly picked up the phone, softly saying ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Not awake yet?¡± Fu Ming Shi¡¯s low, clear voice came through the phone, sounding very spirited.


    ¡°Mmm,¡± Zhen Bao hummed, then stifled a yawn.


    ¡°I¡¯m here already. Let¡¯s get breakfast together in a bit. Remember to bring your meal card,¡± Fu Ming Shi said with augh before ending the call.


    Zhen Bao checked her phone. It was ten minutes to seven.


    She cancelled her rm, and quietly climbed out of bed. She got ready in ten minutes, then double checked what was in her backpack: two bottles of mineral water, a clean pair of underwear wrapped in a stic bag (hidden in apartment), a phone charger, an umbre, and a book of prose to pass the time on the road...


    The backpack was a little heavy. Zhen Bao took out the book, then checked again before heading out with her meal card.


    The dorm building was peaceful and quiet, with most students still sleeping in. asionally she could hear flushing from a couple rooms. Zhen Bao went down several flights of stairs to the first floor lobby, where she saw Fu Ming Shi casually dressed and standing outside the dorm, a gray hiking backpack over his shoulder.


    He really looked like a college student.


    ¡°Why so early?¡± Zhen Bao asked in a small voice.


    ¡°Woke up early, so came over first,¡± Fu Ming Shi took her heavy backpack, ¡°What''s all packed in here?¡±


    Worried he would see her underwear, Zhen Bao hurriedly snatched it back, ¡°Two bottles of water, an umbre...¡±


    ¡°Give them all to me.¡± Fu Ming Shi opened his hiking bag for her to transfer things over.


    Zhen Bao obediently put the heavier items in his bag. When doing so, she inadvertently noticed Fu Ming Shi also had a bag in his backpack. Thinking he might have packed underwear too, Zhen Bao¡¯s face grew hot. Fu Ming Shi was still zipping up his bag, so she walked ahead first.


    A University''s cafeteria offered a good variety of breakfast options. There were few people in the cafeteria. Halfway through her meal, Feng Yue also came for breakfast. Seeing Zhen Bao, she brought her tray over and casually teased Fu Ming Shi, "Ming Shi, you got here so early. Was it because you missed Zhen Bao too much, or because you were craving our school''s breakfast?"


    Fu Ming Shi looked at Zhen Bao with a smile.


    Zhen Bao blushed.


    But Feng Yue was stunned by Fu Ming Shi''s gentle smile. Sensing him looking over, she quickly averted her gaze and busied herself with eating, asionally sneaking nces at Fu Ming Shi. She had secretly crushed on Meng Ji Ning since high school. After starting at A University and finding out Meng Ji Ning was interested in Zhen Bao, Feng Yue had been a little worried Zhen Bao would get in the way. But after interacting up close with Fu Ming Shi, Feng Yue was suddenly not worried about Zhen Bao at all. At least in terms of looks and temperament, Meng Ji Ning couldn''tpare with Zhen Bao''s boyfriend at all.


    Rxed, Feng Yue couldn''t help envying dainty, elegant Zhen Bao as she ate.


    Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi finished first.


    Seeing Feng Yue''s nearly full tray, they didn''t want to make her wait. Feng Yue smiled and urged them to go ahead first.


    Fu Ming Shi listened to Zhen Bao.


    If it was just her, Zhen Bao wouldn''t have minded waiting for Feng Yue either, but with Feng Yue there, Fu Ming Shi basically went silent. Sensing he wasn''t veryfortable around Feng Yue, Zhen Bao didn''t stand on ceremony. She picked up her bag, said bye to Feng Yue, and agreed to meet at the school gate.


    As Feng Yue watched the two leave, Fu Ming Shi reached for Zhen Bao''s hand. Zhen Bao struggled briefly before he grasped it firmly. It was a small gesture, yet revealed the man''s fondness and care for Zhen Bao.


    Feng Yue suddenly lost her appetite.


    She wanted a rtionship, wanted Meng Ji Ning to treat her like that too.


    ~


    Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao''s hand as they strolled around A University before leisurely heading to the school gate for the meetup.


    Including Fu Ming Shi, there were fifteen people total for the autumn outing, only five of whom were female. And the prettiest girl Zhen Bao had brought her partner. As the only outsider in this gathering of people from the same hometown, Fu Ming Shi already stood out a bit. Add the fact he was taciturn and wouldn''t actively socialize, he instantly seemed aloof.


    Meng Ji Ning had rented a minibus. After everyone boarded, he passed out white tennis hats to each person, with an "A University" logo on them. As he distributed them, he joked, "When we get there, remember to put on the hats so we don''t get separated."


    When he reached the back where Fu Ming Shi and Zhen Bao sat, Meng Ji Ning immediately noticed their sped hands.


    He passed the hat to Fu Ming Shi with a very upbeat smile. "No need to worry about Zhen Bao, she has family looking after her."


    There were cheers and teases from the front. Zhen Bao lowered her head as she put on the hat, trying to hide her blushing face.


    "Thank you." Fu Ming Shi epted the hat courteously.


    Meng Ji Ning just smiled and headed back up front.


    Fu Ming Shi looked at the hat, then casually set it aside. Oblivious to everyone else, he leaned in by Zhen Bao''s ear, "Stay close to me when we get off so you don''t get lost."


    His warm breath tickled her ear. Zhen Bao shrank her neck, failing to detect his teasing tone.


    Fu Ming Shi gave her hand a squeeze, in high spirits.


    They departed, at least a two hour drive.


    Meng Ji Ning passed out bottled waters up front. Fu Ming Shi suddenly recalled something. He took out the two bottles Zhen Bao packed and asked, "Got one for me?"


    Zhen Bao nodded, not understanding why he was asking. If she didn''t pack one for him, why would she have brought two?


    Fu Ming Shi ced the two bottles side by side, paired together. Thinking about how Zhen Bao bought the waters with him in mind, Fu Ming Shi was even happier. When Meng Ji Ning came by, he held up the mineral waters with a mysterious, ambiguous smile. The sight of him smiling grated on Meng Ji Ning, who turned back without pondering it further.


    ~


    Their autumn outing destination was an international winery near the capital city. They arrived after 10am.


    Being a group of out-of-town students, only Meng Ji Ning had been here before. He yed tour guide today, first taking everyone around the European-style town, then to the hotel after lunch to check in. Meng Ji Ning had already booked the rooms and collected IDs individually.


    "Give me yours," Fu Ming Shi said softly to Zhen Bao.


    Feng Yue was close enough to overhear and nudged Zhen Bao''s shoulder yfully, "There''s five of us girls, two per room, so someone will be singled out. You two..."


    Her expression was suggestive.


    Only then did Zhen Bao realize the lodging situation. Her face quickly grew red. She was about to discuss squeezing three girls into one room with Feng Yue, when Meng Ji Ning suddenly came over. Eyeing Fu Ming Shi, he asked Zhen Bao doubtfully, "Didn''t Zhou Er Ming tell me the hotel name because he was booking two separate rooms himself? He didn''t mention that to you?"


    That Er Ming, could it be he only booked one room, hoping to take advantage and cohabit with Zhen Bao?


    Meng Ji Ning''s expression was a little ugly.


    Zhen Bao didn''t actually know Fu Ming Shi''s arrangements either and was just as puzzled.


    "Forgot to tell you," Fu Ming Shi took Zhen Bao''s ID card nonchntly.


    Zhen Bao rxed with relief. Since Fu Ming Shi told Meng Ji Ning he booked two rooms, she didn''t doubt him one bit.


    She trusted Fu Ming Shi. Meng Ji Ning didn''t, and after collecting the others'' IDs, hurried after Fu Ming Shi to see just how many rooms he had booked. By the time Meng Ji Ning reached the front desk, the receptionist had just handed Fu Ming Shi two ID cards and two room keys.


    Confirming it was two rooms, Meng Ji Ning rxed.


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t even nce at him. Heading back to Zhen Bao, he neatly pocketed the documents, then revealed the two room keys in front of all the university students. Handing one to Zhen Bao, he said, "Yours. I''m next door." Zhen Bao was too shy, she definitely didn''t want anyone to misunderstand she was sharing a room with her boyfriend.


    Zhen Bao epted the room key with relief.


    "Which room are you in? Let''s visit each other tonight, better than you being alone," Feng Yue said as she linked arms with Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao checked her room key. It was on the hotel''s top floor.


    Feng Yue''s heart skipped a beat. Looking up at Fu Ming Shi, she eximed, "Did you book the presidential suite?"


    The words had barely left her mouth before not just the A University students, but other waiting hotel guests in the lobby were looking their way too.


    Fu Ming Shi neither confirmed nor denied it. He simply took Zhen Bao''s hand and said to the onlookers, "We''ll head up first."


    Zhen Bao numbly followed him.


    As Feng Yue watched the two leave, she saw Meng Ji Ning still waiting at the front desk. Pretending to use the restroom, Feng Yue took out her phone and searched the price of this hotel''s presidential suite. After seeing it, and recalling Fu Ming Shi''s usually low-key attire, her feelings wereplicated.


    The skincare products Zhen Bao used were somewhat high end, but she only bought cheap clothes. Feng Yue didn''t expect Fu Ming Shi to be just as low-key. Able to casually book two presidential suites, Zhen Bao''s boyfriend''s family background was probably not inferior to Meng Ji Ning''s! Meng Ji Ning covered rooms for over a dozen people on this trip, plus other expenses. It likely still couldn''tpare to the cost of those two presidential suites.


    How was Zhen Bao so lucky? Her boyfriend was tall, handsome, attentive toward her, and apparently loaded too!


    Compared to Zhen Bao, she and the other girls on this trip were practically pitiful.


    Putting her phone away, Feng Yue bitterly rejoined her schoolmates.


    It was several more minutes before Meng Ji Ning came over with the room cards.


    Feng Yue moved her lips, on the verge of saying something but held back in the end. She wanted Meng Ji Ning to give up on Zhen Bao, but she didn''t want to embarrass him. Before the room keys, Meng Ji Ning was the envy of everyone for having money. In an instant he was outssed, and his pride...


    "Ji Ning, what does Zhen Bao''s boyfriend''s family do?"


    While Feng Yue was tactfully "considerate", someone else impatiently pried for details, either truly tactless or deliberately trying to provoke Meng Ji Ning. Everyone was happy to gain an advantage, but seeing Meng Ji Ning spending money freely inevitably bred jealousy in those who couldn''tpare. They nitpicked since they couldn''t measure up.


    Meng Ji Ning nkly asked back, "How would I know? What about him?"


    The male student who spoke up earlier maintained an innocent, gossipy tone. "Feng Yue said he booked two presidential suites. I''ve never stayed in one, but they''re pretty expensive, right?"


    Meng Ji Ning immediately turned to Feng Yue.


    Feng Yue cursed that bbermouth fellow student. She quickly exined, "I was just guessing, Zhen Bao didn''t say anything. I don''t actually know if that''s true or not."


    Meng Ji Ning smiled as he looked at the two of them. He waited until Feng Yue had finished speaking before casually continuing to hand out room keys, joking as he did so: "When I make my fortune in the future, I''ll treat you to the presidential suite too. For today, let''s just make do."


    Feng Yue watched him nervously, and only felt relieved when she saw Meng Ji Ning really didn''t mind.


    But she didn''t see the tightness in the corners of his mouth as he turned away.

 Chapter 26: 026

    <h4>Chapter 26</h4>


    After getting out of the elevator, Fu Ming Shi first apanied Zhen Bao to see the room.


    When Zhen Bao saw theyout of the presidential suite, she felt veryplicated and quietly asked Fu Ming Shi, "Can we check out?" Her ssmates who came out to y together were staying in regr rooms. She understood that Fu Ming Shi was not used to a standard room, but Zhen Bao did not want any special treatment or make Fu Ming Shi spend this money on her.


    "My assistant booked the room," Fu Ming Shi exined seriously as he looked at her. "We''ve already checked in so we can''t check out."


    Zhen Bao pursed her lips.


    Fu Ming Shi immediately said, "Since you don''t like it, I''ll go book two more standard rooms."


    After saying that, he was about to leave.


    Zhen Bao quickly grabbed him and said, "Forget it, let''s just stay here." The money had already been spent, why waste more. The price of a regr standard room was not cheap either.


    "You''re not angry?" Fu Ming Shi lowered his eyes to observe her.


    He was the CEO of argepany. Of course his assistant would help book the best room for him. It wasn''t Fu Ming Shi''s idea, but even if it was, Zhen Bao only felt it was wasteful and inappropriate. There was no reason for her to get angry. But she still lowered her head and reminded him, "Don''t overspend like this next time we have an activity like this."


    Seeing that his fiancee was frugal and cared about money, Fu Ming Shi smiled lightly, "Okay, I won''t do this again."


    Zhen Bao turned her head to look around the suite and worriedly said, "Later Feng Yue and the others will definitely ask about you. What should I say?"


    "Just say my family runs an import/export business and has some spare cash," Fu Ming Shi said casually. "For any other questions, you don''t need to answer."


    Just as Zhen Bao was about to speak, Meng Ji Ning sent a message to the group chat telling everyone to take a lunch break first and meet at 2pm to tour the winery.


    "You rest first. Call me if anythinges up," Fu Ming Shi put his arm around Zhen Bao''s shoulder and pointed to the suite next door. He was about to leave.


    Zhen Bao put down her bag and walked him to the door.


    When they reached the door, the man in front of her suddenly turned around. Before Zhen Bao could react, he had pinned her against the wall and lowered his head to kiss her. Zhen Bao instinctively tried to push him away, but Fu Ming Shi did not budge, only kissing her more forcefully. The blister on the corner of Zhen Bao''s mouth had already healed, making it convenient for him to take advantage.


    Zhen Bao''s hands that were grabbing his arms gradually loosened their grip.


    She became obedient and responsive. Fu Ming Shi slowed down the pace and gently savored her.


    Zhen Bao heard the sound of kissing and became embarrassed, wanting to escape. That night she had been too shocked and did not notice it before.


    Fu Ming Shi cupped her face, not allowing her to leave.


    "Zhen Bao!" Bang bang bang, there was a knock on the door from the next room over. It was Feng Yue.


    Fu Ming Shi frowned. In the moment he was distracted, Zhen Bao pushed him away forcefully.


    "Go wash your face," she said with a flushed face, too intimiate. Fu Ming Shi forcibly suppressed the urge to keep kissing her and whispered, "Good, this won''t happen again."


    Zhen Bao secretly ran to the bathroom.


    Fu Ming Shi turned around and opened the door.


    In addition to Feng Yue, there were three other female ssmates outside. Seeing Fu Ming Shi, the four girls exchanged subtle nces with each other. A lone man and woman alone together in a room, it was easy for anyone''s mind to wander. But Fu Ming Shi ignored them and simply exined, "Zhen Bao is washing her face in the bathroom. I''m just checking out the room for her."


    As he spoke, he put on his backpack over one shoulder and walked between the four girls into the suite next door.


    From the time they came up, it couldn''t have been more than ten minutes. Their clothes were tidy so it seemed nothing had happened between them. Economically speaking, if the two were really at the point of getting a room, Fu Ming Shi wouldn''t have bothered booking two suites. The presidential suite was so expensive, and Fu Ming Shi didn''t look like someone super rich, so he wouldn''t casually throw away 18,000 yuan.


    Brushing aside their earlier pink imaginations, led by Feng Yue, the four girls excitedly went into the room to look around.


    Zhen Bao had washed her face with cold water. Her cheeks were still red after washing up but it wasn''t as noticeable anymore.


    "Zhen Bao, what does Shi Ming''s family do?" Lyingfortably on the sofa, Feng Yue leaned on her elbows and stared at Zhen Bao curiously as she asked, "He''s usually so low-key, I couldn''t tell at all. Booking two suites all at once, he''s too rich!" She had a few very rich ssmates in high school too but none had Fu Ming Shi''s extravagance.


    "His dad runs an import/export business," Zhen Bao gave the excuse Fu Ming Shi had made up.


    "Whichpany?" Feng Yue kept probing.


    "Forget it, let''s not talk about him," Zhen Bao smiled and went to sit with the other three girls to discuss their ns for the afternoon.


    After chatting for about ten minutes, the three girls said they were going downstairs to take a nap. Feng Yue was still lying on the sofa and waved her hand with a smile, "You guys go ahead, I''ll hang out with Zhen Bao!"


    She and Zhen Bao were ssmates so they were close. The other three girls were both envious and helpless but didn''t feel right to ask to stay too.


    Zhen Bao went to see the three girls off. She had just returned to the living room when Feng Yue suddenly sat up, hugging a pillow as she excitedly asked, "Isn''t Shi Ming''s familypany super big?" When she was in high school, she also had a few very rich ssmates but none had Fu Ming Shi''s extravagance.


    "It''s decent," Zhen Bao deliberately evaded the topic and said tiredly, "Let''s sleep, we still have to go out and y in the afternoon."


    Feng Yue had no choice but to not ask anymore.


    The suite had a master bedroom and secondary bedroom. Since the second bedroom was empty anyway, Feng Yue shamelessly took it over.


    Zhen Bao closed the door to the master bedroom and sighed softly. Keeping it a secret was a bit tiring, but if she didn''t, Fu Ming Shi''s identity and their foolish engagement would definitely attract all kinds of gossip. Not to mention anything else, Fu Ming Shi had only exchanged a few words with Xia Ying at the banquet, yet there were all kinds of media reports. Once news of her and Fu Ming Shi''s rtionship got out...


    Cindere stories were beautiful and romantic, but in real life, a poor girl hooking up with a tall, rich and handsome man, in the media coverage and idle chatter of onlookers, she was destined to be Fu Ming Shi''s appendage,beled as using her looks to advance and being Fu Ming Shi''s kept woman.


    Zhen Bao didn''t want to be the focus like this.


    She would work part-time jobs to earn living expenses, she would work hard to win schrships to pay for school fees, she hoped that by the time their rtionship went public, she would be able to support herself.


    Zhen Bao set her rm for 1:30pm. At 1:50pm, there was a knock on her door from Fu Ming Shi.


    Zhen Bao had already packed up while Feng Yue had just gotten up.


    When the door opened, seeing that Zhen Bao didn''t have her bag with her, Fu Ming Shi thought she wasn''t ready yet and lifted his foot to go in.


    Zhen Bao was afraid he would get handsy again. She peeked inside and softly said, "Feng Yue is in there. She said she''s rooming with me tonight."


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her with his straight brows furrowed.


    Zhen Bao understood what he disliked but the second bedroom was empty and Feng Yue had asked. She didn''t have a reason to reject.


    She kept her head lowered, looking more and more bulliable. Fu Ming Shi didn''t dare keep a cold face anymore. Helplessly, he pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear, "I''m not ming you for letting her stay. I''m worried you''re too nice and will be easily taken advantage of by ssmates and colleagues in the future."


    Everyone picks on the meek ones.


    He spoke with the tone of a worried parent which made Zhen Bao unable to helpughing. As she pushed him away, she promised, "I''m not that stupid." She was willing to help out when it was convenient but if it was too imposing, she wouldn''t be a pushover.


    Fu Ming Shi still wanted to tease her more but Feng Yue came out from the other side carrying her bag. Seeing him, she cheerfully called out, "So rich!"


    Fu Ming Shi''s expression was indifferent, neither cold nor warm.


    Feng Yue felt a little awkward. On the way downstairs, she deliberately stood to Zhen Bao''s left and didn''t try to chat with Fu Ming Shi again.


    In the hotel lobby, Meng Ji Ning had already confirmed with the girls that the suite Fu Ming Shi booked was an authentic presidential suite. But he could also afford a suite, it was just that he didn''t have a chance to treat Zhen Bao. Fu Ming Shi was usually stingy. By suddenly showing off in front of everyone, it actually showed that his family background might not be that abundant and he was just deliberately showing off in front of Zhen Bao.


    "Shi Ming, I heard you booked the presidential suite?" Meng Ji Ning greeted him with a smile.


    Zhen Bao looked back at Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled lightly, tacitly acknowledging it.


    "So rich. Then you''re treating us to dinner tonight!" Meng Ji Ning joked.


    The other college students chimed in agreement.


    "No problem," Fu Ming Shi put his arm around Zhen Bao''s shoulder and looked at her as he said, "Zhen Bao and I don''t go to the same school. Please take care of her if anythinges up."


    Zhen Bao awkwardly hid behind Feng Yue.


    Meng Ji Ning turned around first to lead the group to tour the winery.


    Since it was a winery, naturally wine tasting was involved. There were fifteen people total. Meng Ji Ning ordered three bottles of red wine for 10,000 yuan. He hid the card when he paid so no one saw, but this wine was exhibited in the red wine hall with a clear marked price. The college students silently marveled at how generous yet exciting it was to have such a well-off fellow student that they could bask in his glory.


    During the wine tasting, Meng Ji Ning surreptitiously observed Fu Ming Shi.


    Holding a wine ss, Fu Ming Shi smiled as he clinked sses with Zhen Bao. Seeing this, Feng Yue was the first to urge them to drink from each other''s sses.


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t like Zhen Bao''s fellow vigers much but hearing the cheers around him, he happily upturned the corners of his mouth and looked at Zhen Bao waiting for her response. Zhen Bao refused with an embarrassed red face and took two steps away. In one gulp, she downed all the red wine in her ss so she wouldn''t have to exchange sses.


    Unable to tease her, Fu Ming Shi felt somewhat regretful.


    After tasting the red wine, they gradually toured two scenic spots before it was time for dinner.


    The scenic area had high-end hotels as well as farmhouses. Fu Ming Shi led the group to eat at a farmhouse, the kind with less than 100 RMB per person.


    In everyone else''s eyes, he was the rich guy so they had been looking forward to a feast. Fu Ming Shi suddenly lowered the bar, and some people revealed disappointed expressions. But Fu Ming Shi paid them no mind. He bent over to whisper with Zhen Bao, "This restaurant is cheap, are you satisfied?"


    Zhen Bao smiled with her head lowered. Her smile was subtle but very happy.


    Sitting among the male students, although Meng Ji Ning was not shallow enough to openly disdain Fu Ming Shi for being stingy with his money, it confirmed that Fu Ming Shi came from an average family background which greatly delighted Meng Ji Ning and gave him more confidence pursuing Zhen Bao in the future. There was the saying "Marry close to home". They still had so many years of college ahead, if Zhen Bao''s long distance rtionship with Fu Ming Shi faded over time...


    His gaze shifted to Zhen Bao''s sweet side profile. Meng Ji Ning was confident of sess.


    Night fell and everyone returned to the hotel.


    As expected, Feng Yue went with Zhen Bao to the suite. Fu Ming Shi walked the two all the way to the door before returning to his own room and calling his assistant.


    Half an hourter, a hotel server came to Meng Ji Ning''s room.


    Meng Ji Ning was staying alone. Hearing the server say someone had delivered something to him, he opened the door in confusion.


    "Are you Mr. Meng Ji Ning?" The server smiled and asked.


    Meng Ji Ning nodded and looked at the gift box in her hands.


    After confirming his identity, the server carefully handed over the gift box then left.


    Meng Ji Ning watched her around the corner before closing the door with a frown and opening the gift box.


    Inside was a bottle of red wine. Thebel on the red wine...


    Meng Ji Ning''s heart tightened. He knew a bit about red wine, it was just...


    Putting down the gift box, Meng Ji Ning grabbed his phone and went online to search. A minuteter, the results came in: This bottle of red wine was worth six figures.

 Chapter 27: 027

    <h4>Chapter 27</h4>


    At 8 o''clock in the evening, someone knocked on the door. "Shiming, it''s me," Meng Jining''s voice called out.


    Hearing Meng Jining''s voice, Fu Mingshi put down his phone unhurriedly and went to open the door. He was wearing a ck shirt, his brows were prominent, his features aloof. His gaze fell on Meng Jining, those deep dark eyes didn''t have any ripples, as if Meng Jining was just an irrelevant person.


    He had a slender figure and outstanding temperament. When he was pretending to be a college student, he was an eye-catching campus hunk. Now standing inside the luxurious presidential suite, that mature elite man''s charm spread out silently. Looking at Fu Mingshi like this, Meng Jining suddenly felt that he didn''t know this man at all.


    "This is for you?" He held up the wine gift box, the corners of his lips pressed tight.


    "Zhen Bao really enjoyed this autumn tour, this is just a little something from me." Sweeping his eyes to the adjacent guest room, Fu Mingshi moved to the side and weed Meng Jining in.


    Meng Jining had already been humiliated enough by him. He returned the gift box to Fu Mingshi while sinking his face, "This is a student activity, you are too polite. I still have things to do, I''ll get going first."


    After speaking, he directly put the gift box down on the floor and turned to leave.


    Being able to reject this gift meant that he also had some backbone. Fu Mingshi stepped out of the door and calmly called out to him.


    Meng Jining stopped but kept looking ahead without turning back.


    The college student''s shoulders were tense as if facing a formidable enemy. Fu Mingshi smiled silently. Then he said in a low voice, "It was nice meeting you. I have three suggestions. First, Zhen Bao sees you as a friend, don''t look down on her. Second, a gentleman loves beauty the proper way. Third, find a girl who genuinely likes you, dating will be much more wonderful."


    He didn''t want to nitpick with a college student. By doing this, he just hoped Meng Jining would stop in time and not disturb Zhen Bao anymore. Zhen Bao still hadn''t noticed Meng Jining''s intentions yet. If Meng Jining kept trying to steal her away, once Zhen Bao found out, she might withdraw from the student association she actually really enjoyed to avoid embarrassment.


    Fu Mingshi didn''t want Zhen Bao to be put in a difficult spot.


    "I''m going to apply to study abroad in my third year," Meng Jining said to him with the rash pride of the youth.


    Fu Mingshi raised his brows, watching Meng Jining''s quickly retreating back. He smiled and shook his head.


    But this wine...


    He had bought it already, it would be a waste not to drink it. She hated waste the most.


    Fu Mingshiughed. He picked up the gift box and went back to his room. Five minutester, he put on a coat, carried a hiking backpack and knocked on her door.


    Zhen Bao had just finished showering and was blow drying her hair in the master bathroom, the buzzing drowned out the knocking. Feng Yue was watching TV. Hearing the knock, she immediately got up from the sofa, tidied her hair, and went to open the door in her slippers. Seeing Fu Mingshi dressed like that, Feng Yue smiled. "Going out again? Zhen Bao is drying her hair,e in and sit first."


    It was only 8pm, still early.


    Fu Mingshi lightly hmm-ed and walked right in.


    There were some snacks on the coffee table. Fu Mingshi nced at the sofa and went to the separate living room to wait for Zhen Bao.


    He kept people at arm''s length. Feng Yue had to swallow back the small talk she had prepared. To diffuse the awkwardness, she went to the master bedroom door and called out loudly, "Zhen Bao, Shiming is here looking for you, hurry up."


    As soon as Zhen Bao heard, she immediately turned off the hair dryer, got dressed, tidied her hair, and came out to see him.


    Hearing movement, Fu Mingshi came out. His gaze lingered on her flushed, charming face for a few seconds before moving to her damp hair.


    "Did something happen?" Zhen Bao walked to his side and asked, full of confusion.


    With Feng Yue right there, Fu Mingshi reached out and stroked Zhen Bao''s hair by her ear nonchntly. He smiled and looked into her eyes, "The night view here is great. I wanted to take you out for a stroll. It''s windy outside, dry your hair first."


    His tone was gentle, his actions intimate. Zhen Bao reflexively turned to look at Feng Yue and saw Feng Yue was also watching them. Zhen Bao hurried back to the master bedroom to blow dry her hair.


    Fu Mingshi continued waiting in the living room.


    Feng Yue stared at the LCD screen across from her while scenes of Fu Mingshi touching Zhen Bao''s hair kept shing through her mind. It was just a very ordinary, small gesture, yet it looked even more romantic than idol dramas when done by Fu Mingshi and Zhen Bao. It made people yearn for romance, yearn to be treated like that too.


    She bit her lip and grabbed her phone to message Meng Jining.


    Meng Jining had just returned to his room not long ago and was lying in bed spacing out.


    Zhen Bao was pretty, Zhen Bao was dainty and sweet. Zhen Bao''s thoughtfulness and smile when taking care of small animals made him impulsively want to get close to her. He developed greed and only wanted her to be his girlfriend, not even caring that she already had a boyfriend. But tonight, Fu Mingshi had figuratively pped him in the face with that bottle of red wine, suddenly waking him from his greed.


    What Fu Mingshi said was right. Not only did he look down on Fu Mingshi''s family background, he looked down on Zhen Bao too.


    The Zhen Bao he liked wasn''t the kind of vain, money-worshipping girl. Now that he thought about it, at lunch earlier, he treated her to a luxury hotel feast, yet Zhen Bao barely said a word. She just picked whatever dish was in front of her, extremely polite. At dinner, Fu Mingshi treated them to farmhouse fare, Zhen Bao seemed to be smiling the whole time and transferred her dishes several times.


    Fu Mingshi was clearly very wealthy yet always kept a low profile. It must have been because Zhen Bao liked simplicity right?


    After figuring it out, Meng Jining patted his own face in self-mockery.


    Pursuing Zhen Bao was probably the most muddled thing he had done in his life.


    He should be grateful to Fu Mingshi for teaching him a lesson at this age. He almost became one of those privileged second generation rich kids he had always looked down on, relying on his own money and not putting others in his eyes.


    His phone dinged with a WeChat message. Meng Jining heaved a long sigh and sat up to look.


    Feng Yue: Shiming said the night view here is great and wants to take us out for a stroll. Want to join? Otherwise it''ll just be them two showing affection, I''ll be too awkward by myself.


    Staring at those lines, Meng Jining inexplicablyughed. He was foolish, but there was someone more foolish than him.


    If he had to rank the people Fu Mingshi disliked most in the hotel right now, he would be second. Only Feng Yue could be first. Unless Fu Mingshi drank that entire bottle of red wine and got drunk, he would never suggest bringing Feng Yue along.


    Meng Jining smiled and typed: I''m tired from today, I''m going to sleep. Have fun you two.


    Seeing the reply, Feng Yue lowered her head. After reading it, she replied bitterly: Alright, goodnight.


    Five minutester, Zhen Bao finished blow drying her hair and came out. Fu Mingshi stroked her hair again and frowned, "Still a bit damp, let''s go downstairs to buy you a hat."


    Feng Yue silently tsked. A boutique in a high-end hotel generally didn''t sell cheap things.


    About to leave, Zhen Bao looked at her ssmate on the sofa and politely asked, "Is Feng Yueing? Let''s all go together."


    Fu Mingshi pressed his lips thinly.


    Feng Yue stared at the TV andughed without moving an inch, "There are plenty of streetlights outside already, I won''t intrude on your candlelight!"


    She wasn''t an idiot. She wouldn''t foolishly go watch them show off their wealth and affection.


    Zhen Bao guessed Feng Yue probably wouldn''t go. Getting a definite reply, she obediently followed Fu Mingshi and left. Downstairs, Fu Mingshi really picked out a hat for her, a cream-colored knit hat with a bow on the left side that covered both ears.


    "Really cute," Fu Mingshi said in her ear as he helped her put it on, watching her in the mirror.


    Their eyes met in the reflection. Zhen Bao''s face turned red.


    With the warmth taken care of, Fu Mingshi held her hand and left the hotel.


    Outside was a European-style small town. The buildings on both sides were small vis, brightly lit. Tourists were inside dining or leisurely strolling outside, some stopped to take photos. The night wind was slightly chilly, lights shimmered on the water surface, the starry sky overhead was magnificent. The Milky Way in the middle was like the most dazzling pearl ne, with no visible beginning or end.


    Thetitude in the capital was higher than City C. Standing on the ground, the sky looked closer.


    Zhen Bao liked such a nightscape.


    "Let''s sit here." She was drawn in by the night sky while Fu Mingshi had picked a nice secluded spot.


    He sat down first, Zhen Bao followed suit.


    "Do you like red wine?" Fu Mingshi asked, head tilted towards her.


    Zhen Bao shook her head, "The taste is a bit strange."


    Fu Mingshi smiled, "It takes some getting used to at first. You''ll like it after." As he spoke, a bottle of red wine magically appeared in front of her.


    Only then did Zhen Bao realize his intention of bringing a hiking backpack. Seeing Fu Mingshi take out two wine sses, Zhen Bao could only help hold them while he opened the wine.


    "That''s enough." The wine wasn''t very strong, but Zhen Bao didn''t like drinking and didn''t want him to pour too much.


    Fu Mingshi filled it one-third. Then he poured some for himself.


    Zhen Bao was a bit thirsty and took a sip first.


    "How is itpared to this afternoon''s?" Fu Mingshi asked softly.


    Zhen Bao mulled over the taste and said regretfully, "About the same."


    The taste was about the same so the price must also be four digits. Meng Jining and Fu Mingshi both had money. If it were her, with several thousand yuan, she definitely wouldn''t bear to buy a bottle of wine. Saving bit by bit, it would be enough for a year''s tuition.


    Fu Mingshi just smiled without telling her the price.


    Chatting while drinking, Zhen Bao was thirsty after her shower without drinking any water. She now drank the red wine like water. After one ss she still felt like having more. Fu Mingshi poured her another one-third ss which she soon finished. Finally Zhen Bao felt she had enough, her whole body felt warm.


    Zhen Bao covered her face to check the temperature.


    "Tipsy?" Fu Mingshi asked in a low voice.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t say for sure. She had never drank before and didn''t know what being drunk felt like. On TV, drunk people would sway dizzily and have blurred vision. Zhen Bao turned her head, Fu Mingshi''s handsome face next to her was clearly visible.


    "What are you looking at?" Her eyes were watery, reflecting the lights in the distance. Fu Mingshi couldn''t look away. He slowly put the wine ss down to one side.


    Zhen Bao had just found the answer to his question. Sheughed and looked ahead, "Not drunk."


    Zhen Bao had just turned her head around when her chin was suddenly grabbed and she was forced to face forward again. Before she could see who it was, Feng Ming Shi''s lips, tasting of red wine, were on hers. The night breeze blew by as his cool lips seemed to meet her fiery ones.


    Zhen Bao closed her eyes.


    Feng Ming Shi gathered her into his embrace, bending down to kiss her and trapping her against his chest and arms.


    The mellow sweetness of the red wine passed between their lips and teeth, and the hidden kick beneath its low alcohol content rose up, along with his hormones. Zhen Bao didn''t know if she was drunk or if his ardent passion had left her dizzy, but she was as soft as a tuft of cotton, resting obediently in the crook of his arm and letting him do as he pleased.


    She must be drunk, but Feng Ming Shi was still in control of his senses. He wanted to pretend to be drunk, wanted to take advantage of the liquor to steal a taste, but he couldn''t do it.


    She trusted him so much.


    "Feng Bao..." he murmured in her ear, his voice low and hoarse.


    Head bowed, Zhen Bao rested on his arm and opened her eyes to see a sky full of glittering stars, each one like a twinkling diamond. The diamonds were beautiful, but Zhen Bao felt cold, so cold she curled further into his embrace, pressing her flushed face against his chest where she could feel his warmth even through his clothes.


    Feng Ming Shi picked up her knit cap which had fallen off at some point and put it back on her head.


    "Come on up." After tidying up the wine bottles and sses, Feng Ming Shi hoisted up her backpack and crouched down in front of her.


    Zhen Bao was too sleepy to keep her eyes open. Obediently, she climbed onto his back, resting her head on his shoulder, and breathed softly.


    Feng Ming Shi smiled as he carried her piggyback style. The path was deserted, with only the starry sky forpany.

 Chapter 28: 028

    <h4>Chapter 28</h4>


    Fu Ming Shi carried Zhen Bao on his back to a hotel nearby before stopping under a tree and waking her up. He really wanted to carry Zhen Bao directly into the hotel, but Fu Ming Shi was afraid it would cause unnecessary misunderstandings. In the wee hours carrying a drunk, sleeping girl into a hotel...they were all sensitive keywords. In case some righteous person came to inquire, it would be embarrassing for Zhen Bao, not to mention there was Feng Yue who might make wild guesses in the room.


    Fu Ming Shi liked Zhen Bao so he had to take care of Zhen Bao''s reputation.


    He called her name repeatedly until Zhen Bao woke up, lying on Fu Ming Shi''s back, confused and looking at him hazily.


    Fu Ming Shi teased her, "Do you recognize me?"


    Zhen Bao stared at him for a while, then looked around. The autumn wind was cold, awakening her memories little by little before she fell asleep. He was kissing her.


    "Put me down please." Feeling awkward, Zhen Bao said softly lowering her eyes.


    Fu Ming Shi squatted down slightly.


    Zhen Bao jumped down not too smoothly. Fu Ming Shi reached out to support her, worried she couldn''t stand firmly.


    He was gentle and considerate. Zhen Bao felt warm inside. "Thank you."


    "With our rtionship, no need to be so polite." Fu Ming Shi bent down and looked straight into her eyes.


    His handsome face was too close. Zhen Bao thought of that overly long kiss again. She turned away first.


    Fu Ming Shi caught up with her and led her into the hotel hand in hand.


    "Wash your face and go to bed after, don''t chat idly with others." Fu Ming Shi reminded her in a low voice when they reached the top floor.


    Zhen Bao nodded drowsily.


    Fu Ming Shi knocked on the door for her. Probably after a few tens of seconds, Feng Yue opened the doorughing, looking refreshed and energetic. Upon seeing her, Fu Ming Shi changed his mind temporarily. He lowered his head towards Zhen Bao and said, "I''ll send you back to your room."


    Zhen Bao''s head felt heavy. She didn''t think too much about it.


    Feng Yue joked, "You need to send her back for such a short distance. Can''t you bear to be apart from our Zhen Bao?"


    Fu Ming Shi just smiled faintly, turning Zhen Bao''s head to face frontwards again. "Go wash your face." Why waste time with an outsider.


    Zhen Bao obediently replied "Oh" and went into the master bedroom.


    Fu Ming Shi stood in front of the master bedroom, looking down at his phone.


    After washing her face with warm water, Zhen Bao felt even more sleepy. Rubbing her eyes, she walked to the master bedroom door and advised Fu Ming Shi, "We''re still climbing the mountain tomorrow. You should sleep earlier too."


    "Hmm," Fu Ming Shi held her shoulders, bent down to kiss her forehead. "Good night."


    Zhen Bao lowered her head smiling.


    Fu Ming Shi exited through the door. His dark eyes bewitchingly looked at her, "Close the door first, I''ll leave after."


    Zhen Bao foolishly closed the door.


    "Lock it," Fu Ming Shi leaned his head against the door panel, his voice extremely low.


    The sound of Zhen Bao locking the door came from inside.


    Fu Ming Shi took out his phone and called her.


    Zhen Bao''s phone was still in her bag. She yawned as she took out her phone. Seeing it was Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao couldn''t helpughing as she brought it to her ear.


    "Turn off the lights and go to bed, tell me after you''re lying down." Fu Ming Shi turned around, leaning against the door panel, casting an indifferent nce over Feng Yue.


    Zhen Bao didn''t understand what Fu Ming Shi was doing but still put down her phone, took off her jacket, climbed into bed, turned off the lights, andy downfortably before saying to the phone, "Lying down already."


    "Sleepy?" Fu Ming Shi imagined how she looked sleeping.


    Zhen Bao nodded, "Sleepy."


    "Sleep, see you tomorrow morning for breakfast." Fu Ming Shi started walking away.


    "Okay, good night." Zhen Bao was really tired. She ended the call, put her phone aside, and fell asleep.


    At the same time, Fu Ming Shi locked the hotel room door from the outside.


    The room became quiet again. Feng Yue stood next to the sofa, her gaze shifting between the master bedroom and room door several times. She was a little confused about what Fu Ming Shi had just acted out. Watching Zhen Bao wash her face and sleep, could it be like a certain love pattern in legends where Fu Ming Shi treated Zhen Bao like a daughter and doted on her?


    Was the affection that strong?


    Feng Yue felt Fu Ming Shi went overboard. It wasn''t like they were filming an idol drama. But if a man was willing to treat her like that...


    Turning off the TV, Feng Yue went to knock on Zhen Bao''s door. Zhen Bao had been out for almost two hours. She wanted to ask what ces Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi visited and how they got to know each other, and learn some experience in passing.


    "Zhen Bao, Zhen Bao..."


    The repeated knocking woke Zhen Bao up. She frowned, opened her eyes to look at the door, "What''s the matter?"


    Feng Yueughed, "It''s only 10 pm, get up and let''s chat."


    Zhen Baoy back down again, "I''m tired, let''s talk tomorrow."


    Feng Yue''s smile stiffened. She joked on purpose, "What were you doing that you''re so tired?"


    Oblivious to certain implications, Zhen Bao didn''t pick up on Feng Yue''s innuendo. Too tired to talk, she turned and continued sleeping.


    Since Zhen Bao didn''t get up, Feng Yue tried pushing the door and found it locked from inside. Feng Yue gave uppletely, turned off the TV and went back to the second bedroom to y on her phone until she fell asleep close to midnight.


    ~


    Fu Ming Shi got up at 6 am, washed up and called Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao was still sleeping. The ring was soft so she only heard it the third time Fu Ming Shi called.


    "Get up, let''s go for breakfast."


    Whether morning or night, Fu Ming Shi''s voice always seemed low and clear.


    Zhen Bao responded and continued toze around a little more before getting up.


    Feeling a slight headache, washing her face didn''t alleviate it. Zhen Bao was hesitating whether to ask Feng Yue when Fu Ming Shi came knocking.


    "Ready?" Fu Ming Shi stood outside withouting in.


    "Waiting for Feng Yue?" Zhen Bao asked looking inside.


    Fu Ming Shi had both hands in his pockets, staring at her. "If you want to spoil my appetite, sure."


    Though the words were mean, Zhen Bao somehowughed about it. Bringing the room key, she went downstairs. Only when they reached the fourth floor and the elevator doors opened did she call Feng Yue to remind her not to bete. Breakfast was on the first floor. When the elevator doors opened, Meng Ji Ning was actually standing outside. Seeing them, Meng Ji Ning was also surprised for a moment before smiling and saying "Morning."


    Zhen Bao nodded slightly.


    Meng Ji Ning walked to Fu Ming Shi''s left. After a brief silence, he turned to look at Fu Ming Shi, "Aboutst night, thanks."


    Figuring it out, everything prior was like a dream. With a clear conscience, one could naturally let go.


    Fu Ming Shi nced at him. "You''re wee."


    Zhen Bao asked in confusion, "What happenedst night?"


    Meng Ji Ning smiled and said, "Shi Ming helped me out with a small favor."


    Zhen Bao looked at Fu Ming Shi but didn''t ask further. She had slept early the night before so Fu Ming Shi probably contacted Meng Ji Ning after returning to the guest room.


    After breakfast, since they weren''ting back here after the hike, everyone went to check out first. Fu Ming Shi brought Zhen Bao along. For the next half day activity, he didn''t give Feng Yue any opportunity to get close to Zhen Bao. However, Feng Yue kept sidling up to Meng Ji Ning so she didn''t have any intention of being a third wheel between them.


    When the autumn excursion ended, Fu Ming Shi returned to work. Zhen Bao continued with her studies and found a part-time job at A University''s animal hospital, working two hours a day mainly bathing hospitalized pets and cleaning the rooms for a monthly sry of 1,500 yuan. Many university students did part-time jobs. The animal hospital was within the school grounds so it attracted a lot of applicants including senior students. Zhen Bao had experience bathing pets. Even pets that resisted bathing became exceptionally docile in her hands. Hence she managed to get the job rtively smoothly.


    After starting her part-time job, the first Friday, Fu Ming Shi called her, "Going out to y tomorrow?"


    Zhen Bao went out to the balcony, "Where to?"


    The weather had turned cold. Fu Ming Shi wanted to bring her to soak in hot springs, "Don''t worry, we''ll soak separately."


    The more he exined, the easier it was for Zhen Bao''s mind to wander. She was silent for a while before asking, "What time will you be back?"


    "Staying overnight there, return the next afternoon." Fu Ming Shi looked at the calendar on the screen as he spoke.


    Zhen Bao pursed her lips softly saying, "That''s no good. I''ve got quizzes for four subjects, I''ll need to study at night."


    Fu Ming Shiughed, "You can bring your revision materials over."


    Zhen Bao leaned against the wall mumbling, "No mood there."


    Fu Ming Shi spun the pen on his desk,promising, "Then let''s watch a movie tomorrow. Go soak in the hot springs after you''re done with the quizzes."


    Zhen Bao secretlyughed, continuing to emphasize, "Watch a noon movie thene back early afternoon."


    Her work hours were from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.


    Fu Ming Shi took her to be wholeheartedly focused on her studies, acquiescing helplessly, "Fine, won''t affect your revision."


    After settling the arrangements, Zhen Bao ended the call relieved. Fu Ming Shi treated her very well, even wanting to manage her frugal lifestyle. Rather than speak of it and upset him, it was better to keep it from him. Moreover...her current living expenses were all Fu Ming Shi''s money. Zhen Bao wanted to earn her own money, then give Fu Ming Shi a small gift.


    She could tell him about it when giving the gift.


    Indeed Zhen Bao had several quizzes. She came in first in her ss for all four subjects after finishing the quizzes at end October.


    "Zhen Bao, you did so welling top in the quizzes. You''ve got to treat us to dinner tonight!" Feng Yue walked out of the ssroom with Zhen Bao after the fourth ss ended in the afternoon.


    Before Zhen Bao could reply, Jia Xiao Yu who was beside them joked, "Zhen Bao mustn''t agree no matter what. Based on your standard, if you treat us now, looks like you''ll have to treat every year during finals. For your wallet''s sake, we can''t set this precedent." If treating, it should be their dorm mates. What was Feng Yue trying to horn in for.


    Zhen Bao was frugal for a reason. She still owed Fu Ming Shi a butt-load of debt, how could she possibly treat others just because of one quiz.


    "Forget it, I''ll let you off this once." Feng Yue immediately changed the topic, hugging Zhen Bao''s arm. "Let''s go to the cafeteria together."


    Zhen Bao forced a smile. "You guys go ahead. I need to get to my part-time job first."


    She left after that, riding her bicycle to the hospital.


    After she was gone, Jia Xiao Yu and two others ditched Feng Yue and headed to the cafeteria together.


    Feng Yue''s bicycle was stolen and she hadn''t gotten a new one yet. She slowly walked back to the dorm building alone. When she was close to the dorm building, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure ahead!


    "Shi Ming!" Feng Yue called out in surprise.


    Fu Ming Shi was just about to call Zhen Bao. It was Wednesday, but he missed her, so he made an exception toe see her. On the way over, there was traffic, so he guessed Zhen Bao had probably left the teaching building already. Fu Ming Shi decided to go to the dorms to contact Zhen Bao and surprise her.


    Recognizing Feng Yue, Fu Ming Shi''s expression was nk.


    "You''vee to see Zhen Bao? She went to her part-time job." Feng Yue said enthusiastically.


    Fu Ming Shi''s finger paused over the dial button. Finally he gave her a direct look.


    Feng Yue understood that look. She said in surprise, "She didn''t tell you?"


    "I forgot." Fu Ming Shi said tly. Then he turned and brushed past Feng Yue.


    The man''s back was cold and aloof. Feng Yue blinked in confusion.


    Fu Ming Shi ignored her. The phone connected and he asked directly, "Where are you?"


    Zhen Bao had just parked her bike and was walking toward the hospital. She lied, "In the cafeteria. What''s up?"


    Fu Ming Shi gave a coldugh, "Nothing. Take your time eating. I''m waiting for you downstairs at the dorm."


    Zhen Bao froze on the spot.


    They had agreed to only meet on weekends, hadn''t they?

 Chapter 29: 029

    <h4>Chapter 29</h4>


    There was a clingy stuffed cat in the hospital. Its owner had gone abroad and left the cat in their care. Zhen Bao skillfully bathed and blow-dried the cat. After the grooming session, the adorable stuffed cat nestled in her arms and rubbed against her. Zhen Bao tried to put it in a cat cage, but the stuffed cat extended its four paws and clung to the cage door, turning its head to Zhen Bao and meowing as if pleading.


    The pitiful look in its eyes filled Zhen Bao''s heart with guilt.


    "Alright, Zhen Bao, go and have your meal," Nurse Zhao Sister passed by the door, noticed the situation inside, and walked in, taking the stuffed cat into her own arms. Without being put in the cat cage, the stuffed cat became slightly obedient, but it still turned its round head and kept looking at Zhen Bao.


    "Then, I''ll leave now." Fu Ming Shi was still waiting outside for her. Zhen Bao patted the stuffed cat and bid farewell to Zhao Sister with a smile.


    As she walked out of the hospital, it was already dark outside. Zhen Bao looked around and found Fu Ming Shi at the bicycle parking spot. He was sitting on the back seat of her bicycle, facing outward, engrossed in his phone like an ordinary college student waiting for his girlfriend.


    The thought of Fu Ming Shi sitting like that for two hours made Zhen Bao feel especially guilty, so she hurriedly went to find him.


    Hearing footsteps, Fu Ming Shi turned his head and saw his fiancee, who had kept him waiting for two hours. His gaze seemed to be glued to her face, and he kept looking at Zhen Bao as she walked up to him.


    "Didn''t I ask you to go back first?" Zhen Bao felt guilty and lowered her head.


    Fu Ming Shi put his phone in his pants pocket and remained seated. He didn''t stand up or say anything. Zhen Bao mustered up the courage to raise her head and met Fu Ming Shi''s deep gaze, as if he was silently questioning her. Zhen Bao lowered her head again and exined softly, "I was afraid you would be unhappy with me doing part-time jobs, so I didn''t tell you."


    She looked like a child who had done something wrong, both pitiful and obedient, making people want to hold her. Fu Ming Shi resisted the urge to embrace her and locked his dark eyes onto hers, saying in a deep voice, "You knew I wouldn''t be happy, yet you still did it. Deliberately defying me?"


    Zhen Bao pursed her lips.


    Fu Ming Shi''s gaze shifted to her rosy lips. "How long have you been doing it?"


    "For a little over half a month."


    Fu Ming Shi smiled, but hisughter was cold. "How many hours a day, and how much is the sry?"


    Zhen Bao confessed honestly.


    Fu Ming Shi immediately said, "From now on, I''ll give you an additional 1,500 yuan each month. Don''t do it anymore and focus on your studies."


    As a college student, some majors had lighter coursework, but Zhen Bao''s major had many difficult courses, and Fu Ming Shi didn''t want her to work too hard.


    "You''re already giving me enough. I want to earn money myself, and I enjoy this job," Zhen Bao avoided eye contact and her guilty expression turned into determination. Besides that, Fu Ming Shi also noticed her familiar stubbornness and a touch of unhappiness.


    Not wanting to provoke Zhen Bao''s stubbornness head-on, Fu Ming Shi changed his tone and said, "If Grandpa knew you were doing part-time jobs..."


    "Don''t tell him," Zhen Bao bit her lip and smiled mischievously.


    Fu Mingshi''s resistance to the matter was defeated by her smile. Ignoring the hospital staff walking across from them, he hooked his big hand around Zhen Bao''s waist and pressed her forehead against his, gazing into her startled eyes. His voice was hoarse and low, "Bribe me, or I''ll call Grandpa immediately."


    Zhen Bao, who came from a small vige and had watched few TV dramas and had little exposure to romance novels, didn''t quite understand the ways of city people or their suggestive jokes. But at this moment, with Fu Mingshi''s lips only a few centimeters away from hers, and the naked message in his eyes, she understood: Kiss me.


    Someone approached to take their bicycle, and Zhen Bao, anxious to leave, tried to pull away, but Fu Mingshi held her tightly, refusing to let go.


    Zhen Bao turned her head toward where there was no one and whispered, "Please don''t do this..."


    "You made me wait for two hours, and I haven''t had dinner. Shouldn''t you show some gratitude?" Fu Mingshi felt justified in his demand and nced at the students, doctors, and nurses moving around. He leaned closer to Zhen Bao''s ear and said, "Let''s go eat first, and then we''ll settle the score."


    Zhen Bao felt a tingling in her ear and turned her head, covering it with her hand.


    Fu Mingshi smiled and kissed the back of her hand before letting go of her. He moved the bicycle aside.


    It was almost eight o''clock, and Fu Mingshi took Zhen Bao to a restaurant.


    "Do you not feel hungry eating sote every day?" Fu Mingshi frowned as they waited for their food.


    Zhen Bao shook her head. "It''s fine. Sometimes when work isn''t busy, I buy something to eat beforehand."


    It had just gotten dark outside, and Fu Mingshi looked at Zhen Bao for a while, feeling like she had be thinner. After paying the bill, Fu Mingshi took Zhen Bao to the supermarket and bought her a few nutritional supplements. Zhen Bao tried to persuade him to put back most of the items in the shopping cart, and eventually, they seeded.


    After finishing their shopping, Fu Mingshi rode his bike and took her to the tree on the west side of the library, the ce where they officially became a couple. They parked the bike by the roadside, and Zhen Bao carried two cups of hot milk tea while Fu Mingshi carried her bag and shopping bag, walking side by side toward the tree.


    Fu Mingshi still hadn''t given up. "Are you the only one in your dorm doing part-time jobs?"


    Zhen Bao took a sip of her milk tea. "Xiao Yu said she''ll look for a part-time job next year when it gets warmer." In Zhen Bao''s eyes, having a house in Beijing meant being rich, but considering the living standards in the capital, Jia Xiao Yu''s family was just an average family. They weren''tcking money, but Xiao Yu wanted to earn some extra pocket money.


    "Is it really necessary?" Fu Mingshi put down his milk tea and turned to ask.


    Zhen Bao nodded. Just as she was about to take another sip, her milk tea was suddenly snatched away.


    "Bribe me." Fu Mingshi leaned closer, making it easier for her to bribe him.


    They had kissed a few times before, but it was always Fu Mingshi who took the initiative. Faced with Fu Mingshi''s lips, which Jia Xiao Yu had described as "sensually thin," Zhen Bao couldn''t bring herself to initiate a kiss. She tried to move back while whispering, "Can we change it? I can treat you..."


    "Either kiss me or go to the hot springs together. You choose." Fu Mingshi leaned her against the tree trunk and said softly, "I won''t ept any other conditions."


    Go to the hot springs together...


    "Should we go together or soak in a pool?"


    Zhen Bao''s face grew warmer as she looked at Fu Ming Shi. She tightly closed her eyes, leaned in to kiss him as if surrendering herself to death, and then quickly pulled back as soon as their lips touched.


    "No sincerity," Fu Ming Shi''s voice was dangerous.


    They had already kissed, so how could he say there was no sincerity?


    Zhen Bao became angry and embarrassed. "You..."


    Before she could finish her sentence, Fu Ming Shi leaned in with his handsome face, kissed her with great sincerity. As they kissed, he lifted Zhen Bao onto hisp like holding a rabbit, and the kisses grew deeper. This time, Zhen Bao was not drunk and could clearly feel the mature man''s unique ardor. Besides her racing heartbeat, there was also a strange allure.


    Zhen Bao grew anxious, vaguely sensing that if they continued kissing, Fu Ming Shi might do things she didn''t dare to imagine.


    She gently pushed him away.


    Fu Ming Shi cradled her face and kissed her a few more times before reluctantly pulling away.


    Her lips tasted so good, and he was already addicted.


    "Let''s go back," Zhen Bao said, lowering her head, her heart still pounding.


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t answer. After about a minute, he handed her a cup of milk tea. "Still want to drink?"


    Zhen Bao took it. The milk tea, which had been snatched away by him when it was still warm, had nowpletely cooled down. It seemed that every time they kissed, it wouldst a long time.


    Once it cooled down, it didn''t taste good anymore, and both cups of milk tea ended up in the trash.


    Fu Ming Shi propped up his bicycle, and after Zhen Bao sat down, he finally set off. The wind blew from the front, and Zhen Bao hid behind Fu Ming Shi as they rode in silence. When they reached the dormitory building, Zhen Bao suddenly felt a bit reluctant. Being able to study at university made her happy and fulfilled, but the happiest time of the week was always the day when Fu Ming Shi came to see her.


    "Take care of yourself, don''t push yourself too hard. We''re not short of money."


    After locking his bicycle, Fu Ming Shi straightened up and touched her hair by her ear, speaking with a hint of helplessness.


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    "Go upstairs," Fu Ming Shi let go of her and his tone carried a trace of resignation.


    "Drive slowly," Zhen Bao repeated the farewell words they exchanged every time, reluctantly leaving. Back upstairs, she continued standing on the balcony, secretly watching Fu Ming Shi until he disappeared from sight.


    ~


    On November 10th, Zhen Bao received her half-month sry fromst month, a little over 800 yuan. Before returning to the dormitory, she bought four cups of milk tea to celebrate with her roommates. Jia Xiao Yu and the others often brought her food from home, but Zhen Bao hadn''t reciprocated much, unlike the things Fu Ming Shi treated her to.


    "Zhen Bao, your sry came just in time for Double Eleven," Jia Xiao Yu sat in front of theputer, browsing and talking at the same time. "Oh, this coat looks nice!"


    Zhen Bao leaned over to take a look. It was a camel-colored coat that seemed a bit mature.


    Back at her seat, Zhen Bao also started searching for things online. She had brought herptop with her, but she was very frugal with inte expenses. Apart from buying necessary clothes and searching for study materials, Zhen Bao rarely used theputer to surf the inte. asionally, when she wanted to rx, she would move her chair to Jia Xiao Yu''s side to watch idol dramas...


    What would be a good gift for Fu Ming Shi?


    Zhen Bao searched online for suggestions.


    Lighter... Fu Ming Shi seemed to not smoke, at least she had never seen him do so. Shirts, belts, leather bags, these kinds of things, Fu Ming Shi wore them every day to thepany. Even if she spent 800 yuan, she couldn''t afford clothes that matched Fu Ming Shi''s level. It would be meaningless to buy something cheap that he wouldn''t wear.


    Couple''s mug... No, too straightforward.


    Shaving razor?


    Zhen Bao''s heart skipped a beat. One time when Fu Ming Shi kissed her, the stubble on his chin brushed against her neck, making it tickle. Plus, the shaving razor was used at home, so she didn''t have to worry about embarrassment.


    Having decided on the gift, Zhen Bao went to the mall to browse. She entered "shaving razor," and with a quick scan of the homepage, she found some that were tens of yuan and some that were hundreds. The gift for Fu Ming Shi couldn''t be too cheap. Zhen Bao quickly settled on one that was a little over 600 yuan, originally priced at over 2,000 yuan due to the Double Eleven promotion.


    Zhen Bao clicked "Add to Cart."


    "Wow, Zhen Bao, you''re being really generous. You''ve spent half a month''s sry on a gift for your Mr. Shi!" Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder. Jia Xiao Yu, who knows when she sneaked over, deliberately exaggerated, "Tsk tsk, I''ve discovered the potential of a sugar mommy in you, Zhen Bao! You usually only spend a few tens of yuan on clothes for yourself, but you''re willing to splurge on your boyfriend."


    "I think they''re mutually supporting each other." Qian LeLe chimed in, poking her head out. "The presidential suite, oh!"


    Zhen Bao felt both shy and embarrassed. Feng Yue let it slipst time after the autumn outing.


    "Why is Zhen Bao giving him a gift? Is it Shi Ming''s birthday?" Fan Xuan was even more curious, walking up behind Zhen Bao to see the shaving razor she had chosen, and also giving her some ideas. "The Shi family should be pretty wealthy, they don''tck these things. The other day, I saw a girl buying yarn to knit a scarf. Why don''t you give him a scarf that you made yourself? It would be more meaningful."


    "Yes, yes, give him a scarf, trap him!" Jia Xiao Yu chimed in.


    Zhen Bao didn''t have many urban skills, but she was particrly adept at knitting. She learned the craft from the neighbor''s grandmother, and all the sweaters for winter at home were made by her. After being suggested by her roommates, Zhen Bao also thought the gift was good. She immediately picked out some yarn.


    However, after the inte was cut off at midnight, Zhen Bao still used her mobile data to secretly buy that shaving razor.


    She would save the scarf for Christmas and give it to him then, while the shaving razor was a gesture of goodwill. Fu Ming Shi had spent so much money on her, and this was the first time she had earned money, so she felt she should express herself in some way.


    The Double Eleven logistics was slow, and it took a week for Zhen Bao to receive the shaving razor.


    She threw away the original packaging and bought a beautiful and inexpensive gift box, ready to give it to him on the weekend.

 Chapter 30: 030

    <h4>Chapter 30</h4>


    On Friday evening, Zhen Bao was in a great mood, knowing that she would see Fu Ming Shi on the weekend. After finishing her two-hour part-time job as scheduled, she voluntarily assisted a senior nursing student in checking the recovery of several pets after surgery. She took this opportunity to gain practical experience that couldn''t be learned from textbooks.


    However, just after examining three animals, Fu Ming Shi called.


    Zhen Bao nced at the senior nursing student and walked to a corner to answer the call.


    "Are you working overtime?"


    Zhen Bao was surprised and asked, "Are you outside?"


    Fu Ming Shi replied with an "Mm."


    Zhen Bao immediately hung up and apologized to the nursing student, "I''m sorry, I have something to do. I have to go."


    "Is it your boyfriend? Go on, don''t let it interfere with your date." The nursing student with freckles on her face smiled and said.


    Zhen Bao smiled, packed her things, and left. When she went outside, she saw Fu Ming Shi waiting by her bicycle. It seemed that he particrly liked her bicycle because every time he came to see her, whether it was at the teaching building or outside the hospital, he would sit on the back seat of her bicycle.


    "Why are you here now?" Zhen Bao curiously asked.


    "Grandfather misses you. We''ll have a video call tonight. Are you going back tonight? I''ll drive you back tomorrow," Fu Ming Shi said, standing up straight and looking at her inquisitively.


    Since grandfather wanted to video call, Zhen Bao had no choice but to go back, and she also missed Hei Dan and Yue Liang. Yue Liang was the ck cat Zhen Bao adopted from the Athletic Associationst time. Because the little guy had all ck fur, only its two clear green eyes could be seen in the dark, like two crescent moons in the sky.


    "Then let me go back to the dormitory first," Zhen Bao said, avoiding eye contact. She needed to get the gift she prepared for him.


    "I''ll apany you." Fu Ming Shi smiled and asked her for the keys to her bicycle.


    About fifteen minutester, the two of them got on Fu Ming Shi''s newly bought low-profile car.


    Fu Ming Shi''s vi was only half an hour''s drive from A University. It seemed like they arrived in no time. Wang Mama prepared several home-cooked dishes, and they started cooking when they arrived. Zhen Bao sat in the living room watching TV, and Hei Dan ran over wanting to lick her, while Yue Liang, relying on its jumping ability, jumped directly into her arms. Its round cat head asionally rubbed against her chest. Zhen Bao used one hand to let Hei Dan lick and the other hand to stroke Yue Liang. She was almost busy.


    Fu Ming Shizily leaned against the side, silently watching her y with the pets.


    It was almost 9 o''clock after dinner. It was morning on the other side where Grandfather was, so it was the perfect time for a video call.


    Grandfather Fu was in good spirits, and his smile seemed to have never disappeared since seeing Zhen Bao. Then, it seemed like he didn''t even have a grandson in his eyes, he only talked to Zhen Bao. They chatted for half an hour, and then Grandfather Fu advised Zhen Bao to rest upstairs while he discussed some business matters with his grandson.


    Zhen Bao nced at Fu Ming Shi and went upstairs, holding Yue Liang and leading Hei Dan to the third floor.


    Upstairs, she could faintly hear Fu Ming Shi''s voice. Zhen Bao looked down through the stairs, then looked at Fu Ming Shi''s bedroom, and suddenly an idea came to her mind. She wanted to know what kind of razor Fu Ming Shi was using now. If the price range of Fu Ming Shi''s razor was in the four digits, her razor, which originally cost over two thousand, wouldn''t be too bad. But if Fu Ming Shi''s razor was too high-end, then she shouldn''t give it as a gift.


    She stood still for a moment, then quietly walked up to Fu Ming Shi''s bedroom door, pressed the handle, and found it unlocked.


    Although she hadn''t intended to be a thief and had a clear conscience, Zhen Bao''s heart was racing. Setting down the moon, she quickly slipped inside and headed straight for the bathroom. Finding a razor, Zhen Bao didn''t recognize the brand, so she took out her phone and took a picture, nning to search the inte when she returned to her room. After taking the photo, she put the razor back in its ce and hurriedly walked out.


    Once outside, Zhen Bao found herself sweating, even though she had just walked a short distance. But when she reached her own bedroom, she suddenly realized that the moon hadn''t followed her!


    Looking at the innocent ck Egg, Zhen Bao quickly turned back to find the cat. When she had entered the room earlier, Fu Ming Shi''s bedroom door had been closed, so the moon couldn''t have gone in by itself. Leaving the moon behind would serve as evidence of her intrusion into Fu Ming Shi''s bedroom.


    Entering once more, Zhen Bao quickly scanned the master bedroom but didn''t find the moon. She then went to the bathroom and immediately spotted the moon squatting on the toilet, peering inside. Zhen Bao was startled and rushed over to try to catch the cat, but the moon lightly jumped and refused toe with her!


    "Be obedient, Moon..." Zhen Bao bent down, using an unprecedented gentle tone to coax.


    The moon sat in the bathtub, its green eyes looking nkly at its owner.


    Zhen Bao approached slowly, but before she could get close, the moon ran off again, a ck shadow shing into the bedroom.


    Zhen Bao chased after it with a throbbing headache.


    This time, the moony like a king on Fu Ming Shi''srge bed, a dark mass, squinting its eyes in utmostfort.


    "If you don''t listen, I won''t like you anymore," Zhen Bao threatened softly as she approached.


    The moon didn''t move.


    But Fu Ming Shi''s bed was too big, and the moony in the middle. Zhen Bao had to prop the bed with one hand to reach the moon.


    So when Fu Ming Shi walked perplexedly to the bedroom he had clearly closed before leaving, he saw his fianc¨¦e''s back against the bed. The temperature inside the vi was pleasant, and Zhen Bao had taken off her coat, leaving her in only a white woolen sweater. Now, as the sweater slid up, it revealed a beautiful slender waist, and further down, a young girl''s shapely behind tightly wrapped in jeans.


    Fu Ming Shi realized for the first time that a pair of jeans costing only a few dors could exude such an alluring fragrance.


    His throat rolled, and Fu Ming Shi silently approached.


    ck Egg and Moon were both very familiar with him, and although they had seen him, neither the cat nor the dog showed any signs of surprise.


    "No more mischief," Zhen Bao finally caught hold of the moon, stroking its head and coaxing the little creature towards her.


    The moon obediently rubbed against its owner, lyingfortably and unwilling to get up.


    Zhen Bao was about to stand up straight when she suddenly caught a glimpse of arge hand appearing on the side of the bed!


    Startled, Zhen Bao turned around.


    Fu Ming Shi took the opportunity to hold her shoulders and forced her to lie back on the bed. Then he ced both hands on either side of her body, lowered his head to meet her gaze, and dangerous fire flickered in his dark eyes. "You came to my room willingly, and struck that pose. Zhen Bao, did I misunderstand or do you really want...?"


    "Zhen Bao had just experienced a fright, her heart still pounding with fear. Now, Fu Ming Shi loomed over her like Mount Tai, his posture aggressive. Nervously, her heart thumped, but she didn''t dare to move. It took her a while to register what Fu Ming Shi had said before she hurriedly turned her head and exined, ''I... Yue Liang came over to your side, and I came to catch it.''


    Fu Ming Shi stared at her flushed face and said in a deep voice, ''I remember. I closed the door when I left.''


    Her excuse was clearly exposed. Zhen Bao blushed even more, realizing that Fu Ming Shi pressed even closer. She couldn''t think of a more reasonable exnation, so she closed her eyes and spoke the truth, ''I wanted to give you a gift...''


    Fu Ming Shi''s throat tightened, and he couldn''t wait to interrupt her, saying, ''Thank you, I really like it.''


    After speaking, he lowered his body, pressing himself against her, and eagerly kissed her lips.


    He knew that her gift definitely had another meaning, but he was willing to misunderstand.


    She was too enticing, offering herself willingly. He wasn''t that much of a gentleman.


    Unlike their previous kisses, this time their postures were more intimate and ambiguous. Zhen Bao could even feel Fu Ming Shi deliberately pressing against her chest. He was only wearing a shirt while she wore a slim-fit wool sweater that Qian Lele helped her pick, which really entuated her figure...


    When Fu Ming Shi''srge hand quietly moved up from the side, Zhen Bao felt an electric shock and pushed him away abruptly.


    Fu Ming Shi wanted to, but he was only testing her. Since Zhen Bao resisted, he immediately stopped and looked up at her apologetically, saying, ''I''m sorry, I thought... you were the gift.''


    ''No,'' Zhen Bao asked him to move aside first, then stood up and adjusted her wool sweater. She turned her back to him and whispered, ''I got paid, so I bought you a shaver. I just wanted to see what brand you use, afraid that I chose something too cheap that you wouldn''t like.''


    Using the money she earned from her part-time job to buy him a gift?


    Receiving a gift from his fiancee for the first time, Fu Ming Shi was pleasantly surprised, so surprised that he overlooked his bodily desires.


    ''Show it to me. The prices of shavers are simr, and the one I use isn''t expensive either.'' Fu Ming Shi walked to the other side of Zhen Bao, speaking earnestly.


    Zhen Bao didn''t know if he was telling the truth or not, but eager to break free from the current awkward atmosphere, she quickly walked past Fu Ming Shi to her room to retrieve the gift. Fu Ming Shi wanted to follow her, but she casually closed the door, leaving Hei Dan outside as well.


    Hei Dan raised its paw and scratched the door.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled wryly. This was the price of impatience.


    ''Here.'' Zhen Bao opened a small crack in the door, extending her hand out while keeping herself hidden inside.


    ''It''s not even ten o''clock yet. How about watching a movie together?'' Fu Ming Shi leaned closer to the door crack and whispered an invitation.


    ''I want to go to sleep.'' Zhen Bao''s face was still red, and she didn''t want to see him again tonight.


    Fu Ming Shi sighed helplessly and epted the gift.


    Just as he received the gift box, the door closed gently. Fu Ming Shi instinctively lowered his head, and this time even Hei Dan squeezed in.


    Luckily, there was still another gift.


    Fu Ming Shi went back to his room and opened the gift. It was a pale blue gift box, looking youthful. Inside was a well-known brand of shaver. Fu Ming Shi had used this brand during his university days, and his mother had given him a shaver of the same brand as a birthday gift, which he had been using until today."


    The phone buzzed with a new message notification. Fu Ming Shi picked up his phone and saw a message from Zhen Bao: "It''s very cheap. If you don''t like it, don''t use it."


    Fu Ming Shi chuckled and replied, "I''ll start using it tomorrow morning. As long as it doesn''t break, I won''t rece it unless you give me a new one."


    In the neighboring bedroom, Zhen Bao was lying on the bed. When she saw his reply, she finally felt a sense of relief. But she still pulled out the secretly taken photos and noted down the brand name, searching online for "Zafirro razor." She scrolled through the search results and clicked on an article titled "The Most Expensive Razor in the World." Uponparing the photos, she realized that Fu Ming Shi was using exactly that razor!


    One costs a hundred thousand dors, while the promotional price is six hundred...


    Zhen Bao buried her face in the sheets and once again realized that she and Fu Ming Shi were truly from different worlds.


    Meanwhile, out of curiosity, Fu Ming Shi also searched for the price of Zhen Bao''s gift. It wasn''t to criticize her, but rather because he didn''t want her to spend too much. She was a girl who couldn''t bring herself to eat an extra meal. He knew how hard she worked for her part-time job, and instead of wasting her hard-earned money on him, he hoped she would use it to improve her own life.


    But upon checking, Fu Ming Shi discovered that Zhen Bao had nearly spent half a month''s sry on this gift.


    She''s such a silly girl.


    ~


    It was Saturday, and Zhen Bao didn''t have to go to ss. After a busy week, she rarely got to sleep in, but this time she woke up at eight o''clock.


    After brushing her teeth, washing her face, and applying moisturizer, Zhen Bao opened the door, intending to take the dog for a walk. To her surprise, as soon as she opened the door, Fu Ming Shi appeared from the side.


    "Good morning," Fu Ming Shi said, looking down at her with gentle and pure eyes, as if he hadn''t passionately kissed her the night before.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t act as naturally as he did. She lowered her head and nodded. "When did you arrive?"


    "I was just about to knock," Fu Ming Shi said, stepping aside to let her out.


    Zhen Bao closed the door behind her with her hand. Just as she was about to do so, Fu Ming Shi suddenly pressed her against the door and leaned in. Zhen Bao instinctively moved to dodge the sudden kiss, but Fu Ming Shi only held her head and lightly brushed his chin against her tender cheek, like a silken tofu.


    It tickled.


    Zhen Bao was puzzled and tilted her head. "What are you doing?" It didn''t seem like he was trying to kiss her.


    Fu Ming Shi continued to rub her face and spoke seriously, "I used the shaving razor my fianc¨¦e gave me to shave my beard. Just trying it out."


    Zhen Baoughed silently. She had only heard of children being eager to show off their new clothes, but she had never seen someone excited about a new razor...


    "Alright," he kept rubbing, and Zhen Bao nced at the stairs, afraid that Wang Ma mighte up and catch them.


    "Give me a good morning kiss." Hearing theughter in her voice, Fu Ming Shi slowly turned to face her, locking his gaze with hers.


    He was too good to her. Zhen Bao met his gaze for a few seconds, smiled, and closed her eyes, quickly giving him a peck.


    A light and fleeting kiss, just like a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water.

 Chapter 31: 031

    <h4>Chapter 31</h4>


    With the wool Zhen Bao bought on Double Eleven, she knitted a scarf on Double Twelve. There was still a lot of yarn left, so Zhen Bao browsed online for glove patterns and bought some matching colored yarn near University A, then started knitting gloves.


    "Zhen Bao is obviously a good wife and mother type," Jia Xiao Yu moved her chair to the window to bask in the sun while eating potato chips and watching Zhen Bao knit gloves.


    "What type are you then?" Zhen Bao looked up and retorted.


    "She''s a foodie," Qian LeLe chimed in, lying on the bed.


    "You''re the foodie! Didn''t you buy more snacks than me yesterday?" Jia Xiao Yu argued.


    Qian LeLeughed heartily.


    Jia Xiao Yu asked Zhen Bao again, "When do you n to give out the scarf you finished knitting?"


    Zhen Bao had already decided, "On Christmas."


    Jia Xiao Yu leaned against the chair and sighed longingly as she looked at Zhen Bao, "Having a boyfriend is so nice. Holidays like Christmas and Valentine''s Day just exist to torture us singles."


    Zhen Bao smiled and lowered her head.


    There was a knock at the door followed by Feng Yue''s voice.


    Jia Xiao Yu really disliked Feng Yue. She gave Zhen Bao a sideways nce and deliberately turned her chair southward to ignore her.


    Zhen Bao smiled wryly. The first semester of freshman year was almost over. After getting along for a while, Zhen Bao realized Feng Yue had some personality issues. For example, whenever Fu Ming Shi took Zhen Bao out, Feng Yue would pry and ask what they did together, along with other questions Zhen Bao didn''t want to answer.


    But they were from the same hometown. Feng Yue didn''t have any major ws either, so Zhen Bao couldn''t just ignore her because Feng Yue talked a lot.


    "Not going on a date with Shi Ming today?" Feng Yue stood at the door and teased.


    "We''re all busy studying for finals, no time for that," Zhen Bao lied smoothly. Fu Ming Shi was a busy man who had gone abroad recently. He probably wouldn''t be back until the 20th.


    "Then it''s perfect,e shopping with me. I want to buy some stuff," Feng Yue looked inside the dorm and gazed expectantly at Zhen Bao.


    It was cold outside and Zhen Bao didn''t need anything. She said awkwardly, "I want to study..."


    "With your grades, I''m not worried about you failing anything. What are you worried about?" Feng Yue interrupted swiftly, then pulled Zhen Bao outside and closed the door to whisper, "Zhen Bao, next Wednesday is Meng Ji Ning''s birthday. You should prepare a gift for him too. He treated us to the autumn field tripst time, so we should show our appreciation when it''s his birthday, right?"


    Zhen Bao was surprised. "How do you know his birthday?"


    Feng Yue: "A lot of girls in high school had crushes on him. Gifts would appear on Meng Ji Ning''s desk every year on his birthday, so everyone in our ss knew about it."


    Zhen Bao thought about the autumn field trip and nodded, "Wait for me, I''m getting my wallet."


    Since Feng Yue put it that way, Zhen Bao would look petty if she pretended not to know about Meng Ji Ning''s birthday and was reluctant to spend money.


    Carrying her bag, she squeezed onto the subway for a few stops with Feng Yue and entered a gift shop near University A.


    There were all kinds of dazzling gifts. Feng Yue held onto Zhen Bao''s arm as she looked at each one. Seeing the prices, Zhen Bao became reluctant to buy them. She didn''t have much money and didn''t want to put on airs for an ordinary former ssmate.


    "What do you think of this cup?" Feng Yue pointed to an insted cup and asked.


    Zhen Bao habitually looked at the price first¡ªover 500 yuan¡ªthen examined the insted cup. It did look quite nice and simple, suitable for a guy.


    With approval, Feng Yue generously chose that gift, then apanied Zhen Bao to pick one out.


    Zhen Bao bought a 99 yuan pen.


    Feng Yue was already aware of her thrifty lifestyle, so she was actually relieved that Zhen Bao chose something so cheap.


    ~


    On Wednesday evening after her part-time job and dinner, Zhen Bao called Feng Yue as agreed to go together to the male dorm area to find Meng Ji Ning. Feng Yue even knew which building Meng Ji Ning lived in. As they approached the building, she took out her phone and called Meng Ji Ning. She dialed three times but no one answered.


    "Why don''t you try?" Feng Yue looked up at the balcony of Meng Ji Ning''s dorm room and urged Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao felt it was unnecessary and guessed, "Maybe he''s showering. Let''s try again in a bit?"


    Feng Yue pursed her lips, unwilling to give up, and kept calling to no avail.


    Feng Yue was a little upset now and hurried Zhen Bao, "You try. If it doesn''t work, let''s go."


    Zhen Bao had no choice but to take out her phone.


    Meng Ji Ning was in the library with his phone on silent. He saw Feng Yue''s iing call but didn''t want to answer. Now the screen lit up again, but the contact had changed to Zhen Bao. Meng Ji Ning''s heart stirred and he swiftly grabbed his phone, walking away a few steps. Just as he was about to answer, the call ended.


    Meng Ji Ning simply went outside the reading room and called back.


    On the other end, Zhen Bao ended the call, hoping they could leave already. But Feng Yue insisted on waiting a little longer. Zhen Bao was helpless when her phone suddenly rang. She took it out¡ªit was Meng Ji Ning. Feng Yue saw it too. Under the dim streemp, she looked extremely unhappy.


    She had been harboring this crush for three and a half years. She really liked Meng Ji Ning.


    After waiting another few minutes, Meng Ji Ning rode over on his bike and stopped in front of them with a bright smile. "Two great beauties celebrating my birthday with me, I definitely won''t fail any exams this year." As he spoke, his gaze lingered more on Zhen Bao''s side. He had given up pursuing her, but his fondness for Zhen Bao still remained. He was willing to treat Zhen Bao as a real friend.


    "Happy birthday." Zhen Bao smiled and handed over her gift. "Just a little something, don''t look down on it."


    Meng Ji Ning unwrapped it right there and spun the pen around. Satisfied, he said, "I''ll use it for my finals."


    After putting away the gift, Meng Ji Ning looked to Feng Yue.


    Feng Yue passed her gift over. Meng Ji Ning also unwrapped it to find an insted cup. A trace ofplexity shed through Meng Ji Ning''s eyes, but he didn''t show it. He thanked Feng Yue as he put the insted cup into his bag, "Let''s go, I''m treating you to barbecue. I''m starving after looking at books for so long."


    Zhen Bao had just eaten not long ago and wasn''t hungry at all. "Why don''t you two..."


    Before she could finish, Feng Yue grabbed her arm and got Zhen Bao to ride with her there, whispering, "I''m hungry, keep mepany."


    Zhen Bao had no choice but to agree.


    Many restaurants had opened around the school. The three entered a barbecue ce.


    Zhen Bao ordered two skewers of spicymb and nothing else, while Feng Yue had a good appetite and ordered several items. Right after the server took their menu, Jia Xiao Yu called Zhen Bao to ask why she hadn''t returned to the dorm yet. After learning Zhen Bao was celebrating a former ssmate''s birthday, Jia Xiao Yu felt relieved and hung up, as if Zhen Bao might get snatched away.


    After eating onemb skewer, Fu Ming Shi called too.


    It was too noisy inside, so Zhen Bao went outside to take the call.


    "Not in your dorm?" Due to the time difference, Fu Ming Shi had just woken up and could tell it was a little noisy on Zhen Bao''s end.


    "It''s Meng Ji Ning''s birthday. He treated me and Feng Yue to barbecue." Zhen Bao exined very frankly.


    Fu Ming Shi frowned. "Did he invite you on his own initiative?"


    Zhen Bao thought about it. "No, we went to give him a birthday present first, then he treated us. I guess it was his way of thanking us."


    Fu Ming Shi''s brows remained furrowed. "How did you know it was his birthday?"


    Zhen Bao nced inside the restaurant and whispered, "Feng Yue told me and dragged me to buy a present, so I couldn''t not give him one."


    Fu Ming Shiughed. "How much did you spend?"


    Zhen Bao was a little embarrassed. "99 yuan."


    The teasing tone in the man''s voice was too obvious. Zhen Bao didn''t want to entertain him anymore. "Anything else? If not, I''m going back in."


    "Remember to tell me when you get back to your dorm." Fu Ming Shi said with augh.


    Zhen Bao gently murmured yes.


    Returning to the restaurant, she saw Feng Yue and Meng Ji Ning chatting andughing from afar. Zhen Bao didn''t think too much of it until she got back to the dorm that night. Jia Xiao Yu gossiped, "I bet Feng Yue has a secret crush on Meng Ji Ning. She didn''t dare make a move alone, so she kept dragging Zhen Bao along under the guise of being former ssmates. Zhen Bao, don''t get too involved in the future, or Meng Ji Ning might misunderstand and think you have a crush on him too. Humph, with how obvious Feng Yue is being, there''s no way Meng Ji Ning hasn''t noticed. He''s probably not interested in her and is deliberately ying dumb."


    Qian LeLe nodded in agreement.


    Fan Xuan also looked very convinced.


    Zhen Bao carefully recalled and realized Feng Yue did seem to have a thing for Meng Ji Ning.


    With this suspicion, whenever Feng Yue invited her out and it involved Meng Ji Ning, Zhen Bao declined as much as possible.


    ~


    Fu Ming Shi was dyed abroad by two days. When he returned to the capital, it was Thursday¡ªChristmas Eve.


    Today, Zhen Bao had a total of eight sses. At noon when she rushed out of the ssroom building, she secretly looked for Fu Ming Shi, feeling he mighte wait for her without notice. But there was no one by the bike racks. Zhen Bao was a little disappointed and kept ncing at her phone during afternoon sses.


    "It''s snowing." Jia Xiao Yu poked her arm to get her to look outside.


    Zhen Bao turned her head. kes were fluttering down outside the window¡ªthe second snowfall of the year.


    Her phone suddenly vibrated and Zhen Bao immediately lowered her head.


    Fu Ming Shi: It''s snowing. Let''s have dinner together tonight.


    Zhen Bao secretly smiled: Okay.


    Knowing Fu Ming Shi would onlye at night, when the eighth ss ended, Zhen Bao raced out of the ssroom to hurry off to her part-time job. Outside, goose feather-sized snowkes gently floated down. The road in the distance had umted ayer of snow, while the marble pavement in front of the ssroom building had a slightly better umtion because of all the student traffic.


    Zhen Bao put on a hat and quickened her steps outward.


    She didn''t expect the snowy marble surface to be so slippery. Before Zhen Bao even reacted, she plopped down on the ground. Her butt really hurt!


    Some students behind herughed out loud. Zhen Bao didn''t have time to feel embarrassed. She brushed off her hands and carefully got back up, keeping her head low as she gingerly walked forward. She finally made it onto the concrete path and heaved a long sigh of relief.


    "Does it hurt?" A familiar voice suddenly came from above her head.


    Zhen Bao looked up in shock.


    Fu MingShi wore a knitted hat and down jacket, his dark eyes smiling at her.


    What are you smiling about?


    Thinking that he had just seen her embarrassing herself, Zhen Bao''s face flushed with heat.


    "There was traffic on the road. I just got here, otherwise I would have waited for you in the lobby." Fu MingShi put his arm around her shoulders and led her towards their bicycles. If he had arrived two minutes earlier, Zhen Bao wouldn''t have fallen over.


    Not having seen each other for over ten days, and embarrassing herself at their first meeting, Zhen Bao didn''t want to speak. She got on her bike and only said sullenly: "Now that you''re here, how are you going to spend the next two hours?"


    "Give me your student card. I''ll go to the library." With students all around them, Fu MingShi concentrated on riding his bicycle.


    Zhen Bao didn''t want him to waste two hours for nothing. Leaning her head against his back, she said: "The snow is too heavy. Go back first. Come again tomorrow night." Tomorrow was Friday. She could stay at the vi for one night. It would be more worthwhile for Fu MingShi to wait.


    Fu MingShi asked irrelevantly: "Where did you eat barbecuest time?"


    Zhen Bao was surprised for a moment, then blurted out: "That ce outside school."


    "Was it good?"


    "It was ok."


    Fu MingShi: "Then you can treat me to it tonight."


    Zhen Bao: ......


    Could it be that he came specially to mooch a free meal?

 Chapter 32: 032

    <h4>Chapter 32</h4>


    After finishing the skewers, drinking a bowl of slightly sour and refreshing tomato egg drop soup warmed Zhen Bao''s entire body.


    There was thick snow on the road. Fu Ming Shi pushed his bike with one hand and held Zhen Bao''s hand in his pocket with the other.


    The snow crunched under their feet. His hand was big and warm.


    When they got to the garage, Fu Ming Shi bent over to lock up. Zhen Bao was especially reluctant. He hade over in the heavy snow and waited two hours, but she had only kept himpany for a meal.


    "Shall we go for a stroll?" As students gradually returned from evening self-study and wheeled their bikes into the garage, it was clearly not a suitable ce for kissing, so Fu Ming Shi asked Zhen Bao in a low voice.


    Turns out he hadn''t had his fill of herpany either.


    Zhen Bao felt sweet inside. She said softly, "Let me put my things upstairs first."


    Fu Ming Shi: "Be quick."


    Zhen Bao''s face turned red. She swiftly turned around, bag in one hand, gift bag from Fu Ming Shi in the other. When Fu Ming Shi had first handed it to her, Zhen Bao had peeked inside and it looked like four big red apples.


    "You''re back so early? I thought you were going to take a stroll around campus. A snowy wander, how romantic." Jia Xiao Yu, Fan Xuan and Qian LeLe were all studying. Bored from reading, when Zhen Bao came in with the pretty gift bag, Jia Xiao Yu couldn''t resist teasing her.


    By now Zhen Bao could calmly deal with this degree of ribbing. She held up the gift bag and handed out apples.


    Qian LeLe, the first to receive an apple, exaggeratedly gasped and held the apple high, praising loudly, "Wow, I''ve never seen such a huge apple in my life! As expected, with love''s nourishment, even apples are bigger than other families''!"


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help chuckling.


    After giving one to Fan Xuan, as Zhen Bao lowered her head to get one for Jia Xiao Yu, she suddenly noticed that besides two prettily ribboned red apples, there was also a red elongated gift box.


    Zhen Bao nked for a moment.


    Jia Xiao Yu''s eyes were sharp. She immediately craned her neck to look. Just as Zhen Bao wanted to hide it, Jia Xiao Yu''s hand shot out swiftly and grabbed the jewelry box. Fan Xuan came from the wealthiest family. Jia Xiao Yu''s hand just shed through the air, and Fan Xuan was already eximing in surprise, forgetting to continue munching her apple. "Oh my god, it''s Cartier!"


    The name was unfamiliar to Zhen Bao, but Jia Xiao Yu immediately dropped the jewelry box into Zhen Bao''s hand as if scalded, afraid she might identally damage it and not be able to affordpensation.


    "Zhen Bao, quick, take a look!" After a brief shock, Qian LeLe and Fan Xuan crowded over too. Having already heard from Feng Yue that Fu Ming Shi had booked two presidential suites in one go, the three roommates had decided Fu Ming Shi must be a wealthy man. So now their focus was on what was the gift, rather than delving into Fu Ming Shi''s profligate actions.


    Zhen Bao was embarrassed. "He''s still downstairs..."


    "Just take a quick peek. Go back down right after," Fan Xuan urged excitedly.


    Zhen Bao was curious about the gift too. With a strangely nervous heart, she opened the box in front of her three roommates.


    There were two lights on the dorm room ceiling, but their vision was almost entirely blocked by the three girls'' heads. Still, the ruby apple pendant inside the jewelry box dazzled them, even in the poor lighting. The discreet tinum chain set off the thumb-sized ruby, whose color resembled blood. Magnificently luxurious, plus the romantic Christmas Eve atmosphere, no woman could resist its charms.


    "Ahhh!" Fan Xuan excitedly shook Zhen Bao''s arm, but kept her voice low. "Zhen Bao, your Fu Ming Shi is too rich! If anyone gave me that ne, I''d immediately marry him!"


    "Even if Fu Ming Shi wasn''t my boyfriend, just for giving me this ne, I''d be willing to marry him." Jia Xiao Yu hugged Zhen Bao''s other arm, her eyes brimming with hearts.


    Standing opposite Zhen Bao, Qian LeLe grinned wickedly. "Maybe Zhen Bao already promised to marry him."


    "Don''t talk nonsense," Zhen Bao said, flushing.


    The three girlsughed together.


    Fan Xuan reminded Zhen Bao to put the ne away safely, keeping her voice low the entire time. "That ne is worth at least six figures. You should take it home and keep it safe, Zhen Bao. People are alwaysing and going in our dorm. It''d be bad if something happened to it, and it would ruin rtionships."


    "I''ll return it to him. It''s too expensive." Zhen Bao nodded and put the jewelry box in her down jacket pocket. Fu Ming Shi was still downstairs, so she didn''t listen closely to her roommates'' advice, simply heading downstairs first.


    With so many people around the dorm building, Zhen Bao handed the ne back to Fu Ming Shi with one hand, while tightly covering the pocket with the gift with her other hand. Seeing all the girls clustered together taking photos on the snowy Christmas Eve, the romantic atmosphere was evident. Even more abundant were couples everywhere. The streetlights were obscured by the fluttering snowkes, casting a hazy yellow glow, which added to the blurry beauty.


    There was almost no one behind the library, the atmosphere optimal. Fu Ming Shi put his arm around Zhen Bao''s shoulders and backed her against a streetlight pole, lowering his head to look at her. "Miss me?"


    Their heads were so close together the snowkes could not intrude upon them, instead piling up on Fu Ming Shi''s hat.


    In the dim light, Zhen Bao tilted her head up slightly. The man''s dark eyes before her were like the night sky, with two bright stars in their depths. So gentle and handsome, like someone out of a fairy tale or idol drama, the kind that wasn''t real. Fu Ming Shi was so wealthy, could he really continue liking her forever?


    "This question is hard to answer?" Seeing she had concerns, Fu Ming Shi temporarily suppressed his urge to kiss her.


    Zhen Bao lowered her eyes and nodded. She thought about it every day.


    "Then why aren''t you happy?" Fu Ming Shi kissed her forehead.


    "Why do you keep buying such expensive things?" Zhen Bao took out the jewelry box and tried to stuff it in his pocket. "I''m not used to using them."


    "You can just wear it for me to see."


    She had been fine going upstairs, but was ill at easeing back down. Fu Ming Shi had guessed it was about the gift. Snatching the jewelry box back, Fu Ming Shi opened it, then put it back in his pocket. He undid the ne and directly put it on Zhen Bao. Zhen Bao twisted her neck away and grabbed his hands. "I don''t want it..."


    "Don''t you like it?" Fu Ming Shi stopped to ask.


    Zhen Bao shook her head. She didn''t know what to say.


    Fu Ming Shi helplessly put the ne away for the moment. Pressing his forehead to hers, he asked, "Do you know how much I''m worth now?"


    Zhen Bao nodded. When she had just arrived in the capital, she had searched for information on Fu Ming Shi. He was worth tens of billions of yuan, not even counting Fu Elder and Fu Zheng''s money.


    "I have so much money. If I don''t spend it, what''s the point of working so hard to earn it?" Fu Ming Shi looked into her eyes, unable to elicit a reciprocal gaze. Fu Ming Shi gave a smallugh. His lips slowly shifted to her ear. "Or would you rather I leave all the money for our future children?"


    Zhen Bao''s ears instantly grew hot. She thought of her roommates vowing to marry him.


    "Money is earned to be spent, Feng Bao."


    Fu Ming Shi held her hands to his lips and kissed them, his dark eyes never leaving her. "I''m not spending money randomly. If I were an ordinary white cor worker, I would only buy you jewelry I could afford. If you asked me for expensive pieces, I wouldn''t be able to buy them. Now I have money. You like low-key styles, so I won''t buy shy things for you to show off. But small concealed things like jewelry, you can''t refuse me those."


    Just as Zhen Bao wanted to speak, Fu Ming Shi suddenly pressed a finger to her lips. "The only reason I will ept for you to refuse is if you don''t like it."


    Zhen Bao instantly had no rebuttal.


    Fu Ming Shi took out the ne again and put it on her. Her down jacket cor was very thick. He tilted his head and brushed her hair aside. The ne was cool, and some snowkes took the chance tond on her too. Zhen Bao couldn''t help shivering, and Fu Ming Shi apologized in a low murmur.


    His fingertips inadvertently grazed her neck. Zhen Bao''s heart raced as she desperately tried to make conversation. "Xiao Yu and the others saw it."


    Fu Ming Shi was unconcerned. As he clumsily fiddled with the ne sp, he calmly said, "There are two types of college roommates. One kind gradually loses contact after graduation, bing like strangers. Another kind remains friends. Which do you think those three are?"


    Zhen Bao immediately said, "The second kind."


    "In that case, it doesn''t matter if they find out early. True friends will only feel happy for you." After getting it fastened, Fu Ming Shi arranged her hair back over her shoulders and turned to look at her.


    Zhen Bao shyly lowered her head.


    The pendant was hidden by her jacket cor. Fu Ming Shi looked into her eyes and praised, "So beautiful."


    Zhen Bao grew even more nervous.


    Fu Ming Shi drew near, tilting up her chin. "Now, can you properly answer me?"


    Zhen Bao was bewildered.


    Fu Ming Shi lightly pecked her lips. "Miss me?"


    Zhen Bao closed her eyes and softly mm-hmmed.


    As soon as she admitted it, his lips firmly pressed onto hers, cool initially, swiftly turning hot. In the distance, the teaching buildings faintly echoed with lively sounds, contrasting with the tranquility here, so quiet that the whisper of falling snow could be heard, so quiet that the movement of his throat as he swallowed could be heard, so quiet that...


    Two people seemed to be approaching, conversing.


    Zhen Bao tensely pushed Fu Ming Shi away.


    Fu Ming Shi pinned her down like a mountain, not letting her get distracted.


    How could Zhen Bao not get distracted? Her body couldn''t move, but she twisted her mouth away from him. Yet the more she evaded, the more tightly Fu Ming Shi pursued her, as if wanting to make up for everything they had missed these past ten-odd days. But he was considerate enough to cradle her face in his hands, ensuring no one would recognize her if they didn''te too close.


    Those two left the area quickly. Snowkes danced in the breeze. Zhen Bao''s heart thumped like a drum.


    When he finally stopped, Zhen Bao''s tongue felt numb.


    Fu Ming Shi buried his face in her cor, breathing heavily. His voice was hoarse. "Let''s get a room."


    He had spoken too softly for Zhen Bao to hear clearly. She turned her head questioningly. "What?"


    "It''s time you got back." Fu Ming Shi gave a frustratedugh, admitting he was pathetic. She was too innocent, he didn''t dare reveal his less pure masculine side, even though in this day and age it was normal for dating couples to get a room, moreover they were engaged with the elders'' approval.


    Zhen Bao took out her phone. It was almost half past nine.


    She nodded. Unconsciously, she stamped her feet a few times. They had stood in the snow for too long. Her body felt very warm from his kisses, but her feet were cold.


    Noticing her small action, Fu Ming Shi crouched before her, offering to piggyback her.


    Zhen Bao awkwardly declined, walking ahead first. "Let''s go." Too many people around campus.


    However, after taking a few steps, there was no sound behind her. Zhen Bao looked back to see Fu Ming Shi still down on one knee there, gazing at her with a smile. Zhen Bao refused to give in and continued forward. After walking almost fifty meters, she finally surrendered and docilely returned to him.


    "Let''s take a photo for Elder Master." Fu Ming Shi hugged her legs and spun her around once before stopping under the streetlight.


    "No more photos." Zhen Bao was too embarrassed to unt affection in front of elders.


    "Elder Master is spending Christmas too. Let him be happy." Fu Ming Shi stood her with her back against the streetlight, refusing to budge without a photo.


    Someone else was approaching in the distance, so Zhen Bao had no choice but to take out her phone. In order to get them both in the same frame, she had to rest her head on Fu Ming Shi''s shoulder. Her knitted cap was the same style Fu Ming Shi had bought for her at the hotelst time - off-white, while Fu Ming Shi''s cap, which he''d gotten from who-knows-where, was light gray. ced side by side, they looked somewhat like a couple''s matching set.


    With a "click", the photo was taken. They looked it over - not bad.


    "Let''s get going," Zhen Bao said, putting her phone away.


    Fu Ming Shi gave her a piggyback ride, feeling cheerful. "I''ll set it as my phone wallpaper when I get back."


    Still resting on his shoulder, Zhen Bao saw the upturned corners of Fu Ming Shi''s mouth and realized he truly liked her a lot.


    For the first time, she couldn''t resist asking him, "Why do you like me?"


    Fu Ming Shi''s steps faltered briefly and he turned to look at her, replying, "Does there have to be a reason?"


    "Mm," Zhen Bao made a small, coy sound.


    Fu Ming Shiughed and bounced her yfully as they walked, saying, "The Fu and Zhen families were engaged by their parents in an arranged marriage, but it didn''t happen for the previous generation, so the engagement was passed down to us - it''s fate. It''s destined that I would like you." When he had finished, he twisted back around to look at her earnestly and emphasize, "Fated, I was bound to like you."


    Snowkes drifted down lightly as he spoke these sweet words. His face was very good-looking, but his exnation was a bit far-fetched.


    "Tell me the real reason," Zhen Bao said, turning her face away, not daring to meet his ardent gaze.


    Seeing the adorable top of her hat, Fu Ming Shi became serious. "I want to look at you while I tell you."


    Zhen Bao hesitated briefly, then obediently turned back, bashfully closing her eyes.


    Fu Ming Shi made an effort to kiss her forehead, exceptionally gentle. "It''s because I like you, that''s why I like you."


    Just that simple.

 Chapter 33: 033

    <h4>Chapter 33</h4>


    That Christmas, everything was covered in snowy whiteness, and the atmosphere was delightful.


    Jia Xiao Yu and Qian LeLe had arranged to go to a movie together that evening, while Zhen Bao, who was "spoken for", was automatically abandoned by the three girls. After ss, when they saw the familiar man outside the teaching building, Jia Xiao Yu and Qian LeLe hugged Zhen Bao''s arms on either side, and whispered with lowered voices whileughing: "Drive safely tonight."


    Zhen Bao''s face turned even redder than if she had put on makeup.


    After half a year at university, she had already grasped the implied "otheryer" of meaning behind "driving".


    As they drew closer to Fu Ming Shi, Jia Xiao Yu and the other two gave him meaningful greetings before leaving first.


    Fu Ming Shi stared at Zhen Bao. "Are you sick?"


    Zhen Bao denied in a muffled voice, not daring to shift her gaze towards Fu Ming Shi. In her mind she involuntarily recalled when Fu Ming Shi had pressed her onto the bed that day. Her roommates said that Christmas and Valentine''s Day were holidays when boyfriends and girlfriends were most likely to...drive, could Fu Ming Shi really be nning that?


    Just the thought made her heart thump erratically.


    Fu Ming Shi sent her to the hospital entrance where she had a part-time job, while he went on to the library. When she was almost finished, he woulde early to wait for her.


    "Are you hungry?" Fu Ming Shi sat on the back of the bicycle and pulled the approaching girl into his embrace.


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    Fu Ming Shi kissed her cheek. "Then let''s leave the bike here and go straight back to the vi. Wang Ma made delicious food tonight."


    The gift she had prepared for him was still in the dormitory, so Zhen Bao made an excuse to return there first.


    In the car, Zhen Bao''s face turned red as she took out the scarf and gloves from her bag. After Fu Ming Shi fastened his seatbelt, he habitually looked at her. Seeing therge grey scarf she was taking out, he was puzzled at first, but in the next moment there seemed to be starlight shing in his eyes. "A Christmas present?"


    Zhen Bao nodded, handing the items to him, and said in a low voice: "I knitted them myself, for you to wear when youe here."


    At A University, he was just an ordinary college student, there was no need to worry about being judged.


    Realizing she had knitted them herself, the starlight in Fu Ming Shi''s eyes grew even brighter. He epted the scarf and inspected every inch of it carefully, before burying his face in the scarf. The scarf carried her faint scent.


    Although the air conditioner was on in the car, Fu Ming Shi still wrapped the scarf his fiancee had given him around his neck, and happily said as he drove: "I''ll take a photo when I get back to show Grandfather."


    He didn''t say he liked it, but his actions expressed it.


    Zhen Bao was very happy.


    Fu Ming Shi suddenly recalled something. "I forgot to prepare a gift for you," he said apologetically.


    Zhen Bao was puzzled. "Didn''t you give me one already?" That ne supposedly worth at least five figures.


    Fu Ming Shi corrected: "That was a Christmas Eve present."


    Zhen Baoughed softly. "It''s also a Christmas present."


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t speak again. When the car reached a secluded road, he stopped at the roadside, turned to Zhen Bao and motioned for her to lean closer. "Let me tell you something," he said.


    Zhen Bao obediently did as instructed.


    Fu Ming Shi bent down and whispered in her ear, "When you were giving me the gift, I wanted to kiss you."


    Without waiting for Zhen Bao to fully digest these words, Fu Ming Shi tilted up her chin with one hand, and skillfully kissed her lips. Only then did Zhen Bao understand that she had fallen into his trap, but she couldn''t restrain her own feelings of liking him, and secretly smiled. Sensing the upturned corners of her mouth, Fu Ming Shi seized the chance to deepen the kiss.


    When the kiss ended, Zhen Bao turned to look out the window, breathing lightly.


    Fu Ming Shi still leaned on the passenger seat backrest, gazing at her profile with dark eyes, wanting to devour herpletely.


    Zhen Bao''s phone suddenly rang.


    Only then did Fu Ming Shi sit properly and continue driving.


    Zhen Bao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her phone. Jia Xiao Yu had sent a photo of the three girls sitting side by side in the movie theater.


    Smiling, Zhen Bao chatted with her roommate. The movie had started over there, while she and Fu Ming Shi had arrived at the vi.


    Wang Ma was still preparing dinner. Fu Ming Shi led Zhen Bao upstairs to the third floor, and brought her to his room door. He turned and pressed her against the door. Zhen Bao felt inexplicably panicked, afraid her roommates had guessed right, but Fu Ming Shi only kissed her ear and said in a low voice: "Tonight, we''ll have a candlelight dinner."


    Scenes from idol dramas immediately surfaced in Zhen Bao''s mind - a handsome man and beautiful woman, a romantic setting.


    "I''ve prepared a dress for you, will you change into it?" Fu Ming Shi looked into her eyes as he spoke.


    Zhen Bao nced down at her jeans. They really didn''t match a candlelight dinner.


    "Okay," Zhen Bao agreed obediently. After Fu Ming Shi''s long talk yesterday, this time she didn''t waste effort considering the price of the dress. He was just using his own way to express his feelings, and only splurged on holidays anyway, so why should she dampen his enthusiasm?


    "The dress is in my room. Should I take it out, or..." Fu Ming Shi kissed her lips. "Should you go in?"


    The suggestive tone was a bit too much for Zhen Bao to handle. She moved aside to let him take the things out.


    Fu Ming Shiughed and kissed her again before entering the room. He quickly came out with a gift bag.


    Zhen Bao walked nervously towards her own room, followed by Hei Dan and Yue Liang, like flower boys trailing after a bride. Fu Ming Shi watched Zhen Bao enter her room before returning to his own to change into a suit.


    In the neighboring bedroom, Zhen Bao ced the gift box from the bag onto the bed and gently opened it. Her eyes were met with a swath of cherry blossom pink. Zhen Bao loved anything pink, so just the dress color had won her over. She carefully unfolded it, and the soft, smooth chiffon skirt slipped through her fingers, feeling extremelyfortable to the touch.


    But after seeing the full design of the dress, Zhen Bao''s cheeks flushed over and over. Because it was a halter neck dress with a plunging neckline. Although the wide straps could cover a bra, the front and back were far too revealing. Just imagining wearing it made Zhen Bao feel she couldn''t put it on.


    But the dress was so beautiful that Zhen Bao still tried it on first. After putting it on, she walked to the mirror and caught sight of therge expanse of skin below her neck, and the...cleavage. Turning around, she saw arge area of her back was also exposed. Now it looked just like the couples going on dates in TV shows, but...


    Just as Zhen Bao was about to take it off, there was a knock at the door. "Are you done changing?"


    Zhen Bao became extremely nervous.


    There was no movement inside, so Fu Ming Shiughed softly. "Don''t tell me you can''t ept this kind of dress."


    Zhen Bao really couldn''t ept it! In all her years, she had never worn such a revealing skirt.


    "Feng Bao, after you graduate, after we get married, I''ll bring you to many asions. You have to get used to it slowly." Fu Ming Shi spoke gently and patiently outside the door. "You''ve seen it in TV shows. Let me tell you, dresses in real life will be even more exaggerated. Yours is already quite conservative."


    Zhen Bao stared at the mirror. She felt the dress really was very pretty, and also very revealing.


    "Open the door and let me see." Fu Ming Shi knocked again.


    Zhen Bao was conflicted, but eventually covered her chest towards the mirror, gritted her teeth and went to open the door.


    She opened the door slowly. Fu Ming Shi followed the widening gap, first seeing half her shoulder and the skirt, then her face that was even pinker than the dress, because she was awkwardly lowering her head. Fu Ming Shi instinctively looked down along her line of sight, taking advantage of his height to get an unobstructed view of her d¨¦colletage.


    Fu Ming Shi already knew she was very well-developed, but only at this moment did he get a deeper understanding.


    His throat moved as he forced himself to return his gaze to her face, and hoarsely praised: "Very beautiful."


    Zhen Bao still had her head lowered.


    Fu Ming Shi did his best to dispel her embarrassment by taking a step back and making another suggestion. "You can let your hair down."


    Zhen Bao reflexively touched therge braid behind her head.


    Fu Ming Shi suddenly stepped forward, his body nearly touching hers, then bent down to help her undo her hair tie, before gentlybing it out for her. Zhen Bao''s hair was fine and smooth, obediently spreading out behind her back. One strand fell over her front, the jet ck strands brushing against her flushed cheek, unexpectedly making this innocent girl seem coquettish.


    Fu Ming Shi lowered his head, wanting to kiss her.


    Just then, Wang Ma''s voice sounded from downstairs - dinner was ready.


    Fu Ming Shi could only stop for now, taking her hand. "Let''s go down."


    Zhen Bao bent down to look at her feet. She was wearing cotton slippers.


    Fu Ming Shi forced himself not to look at her chest area, and hoarsely said, "It''s alright."


    If he didn''t mind, then Zhen Bao obediently went with him. As they walked downstairs, she secretly sized up Fu Ming Shi. He wore a ck suit, Fu Ming Shi''s usual attire, tailored perfectly to entuate his slender waist and particrly long legs. Going down the stairs, his legs crossed over each other, exuding an indescribable allure.


    The first floor living room was very dark, Wang Ma was nowhere to be seen. Only a table set for two with candlelight dinner was in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside the windows was thick snow, while inside was as warm as spring, so warm that Zhen Bao''s whole body felt hot.


    Fu Ming Shi pulled out a chair for her and helped her sit down, even thoughtfully helping her unfold her napkin.


    His head was too close to her chest area, so Zhen Bao''s body was stiff until Fu Ming Shi went around the table to the opposite seat, eyes never straying. ncing at the table, Zhen Bao saw a vibrant bouquet of roses, a bottle of red wine, three lit candles, and several appetizing dishes.


    Zhen Bao was hungry, her stomach growling. It had been over eight hours since lunch.


    "Go ahead and eat," Fu Ming Shi said with a smile, helping her scoop food.


    Zhen Bao ate very seriously, hoping to forget about the dress through this action.


    Sitting opposite her, Fu Ming Shi ate leisurely and casually. His gaze barely left Zhen Bao, attracted by every part of her - liking her innocence, liking the unintentional allure she revealed, liking her girlish personality, and also liking her mature figure.


    Sensing Zhen Bao''s nce, Fu Ming Shi promptly brought his eyes back and poured himself some wine.


    Zhen Bao eyed the bottle, seeing it was nearly empty. She had drank a small ss, the rest had all entered Fu Ming Shi''s stomach.


    Zhen Bao suddenly felt a little worried that he would get drunk.


    "Do you know how to dance?" After drinking thest mouthful of red wine, Fu Ming Shi dabbed his lips with a napkin, behaving elegantly. Then he asked Zhen Bao, head slightly lowered, eyes gazing up, as if harboring ulterior motives.


    Zhen Bao''s heart thumped anxiously. "No, I don''t."


    "I''ll teach you."


    Fu Ming Shi put down his napkin, walked around to her side, put his left hand behind his back, bent down and extended his right hand to her in a perfect invitation to dance.


    Zhen Bao looked up to see the candlelight flickering in his eyes.


    She immediately turned her face away, softly declining, "I won''t be able to learn it."


    "I''m patient, and confident I can teach you." Fu Ming Shi insisted.


    Zhen Bao''s face was nearly on fire. She wasn''t afraid to learn dancing from him, but she was afraid this dance lesson would take on another vor.


    Zhen Bao was startled when someone suddenly grabbed her hand. She looked back to see Fu Ming Shi smiling at her. He moved backwards while pulling her away from her seat. Zhen Bao''s mind went nk until Fu Ming Shi leaned in to embrace her by the waist, then her mind exploded in a thunderous boom.


    "Rx, do as I say." Fu Ming Shi lowered his head and slowly taught her to lift her feet.


    Zhen Bao had no experience and stumbled clumsily, stepping on him several times. Fu Ming Shi was extremely patient, seeming willing to teach her until the end of time. Holding her slender waist, he guided her in a slow dance around the living room, passing by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the romantic snowy courtyard, passing by the luxuriant potted nt in the window corner, and gradually moving towards the sofa in the center of the living room.


    Just as Zhen Bao managed to match his rhythm, the back of her calf unexpectedly bumped into something. She instinctively clung to Fu Ming Shi, hoping he would pull her up, but unexpectedly, Fu Ming Shi fell down with her!


    There was no anticipated pain as she fell onto the bouncy sofa, her head cushioned by his broad hand.


    "Does it hurt?" Fu Ming Shi held himself above her, his voice low.


    Zhen Bao smelled the mellow aroma of red wine and her heartbeat quickened. She shook her head first.


    "That''s good then."


    Since she was unharmed, Fu Ming Shi rxed and pressed down on her lips, firmly pinning her body as well.

 Chapter 34: 034

    <h4>Chapter 34</h4>


    The straps slipped off her shoulders, and someone flipped up her skirt.


    He was like a magician hidden in the world, finally shedding his disguise. His hands roamed over her shoulders, giving off invisible mes.


    For the first time, his lips brushed over her corbone, slowly drifting downward, coaxing her heartbeat to elerate, thumping in her ears. It was like the drums sounding an rm at the sign of danger, yet also like the innocent children of a small vige who had never seen anything grandiose, now excitedly beating the drums to wee an important figure.


    Zhen Bao hastily raised her hands, only to have him notice again and grasp them in one hand. His palm was too hot, trying to pull her down into a sea of mes.


    Zhen Bao opened her eyes to see the crystal chandelier overhead, temporarily subduing its radiance. It reflected the candle mes on the dining table by the window.


    To indulge or refuse?


    He had only restrained her hands. If she spoke up, what would he do?


    Zhen Bao didn''t want to think about it, and was even a little afraid. She always felt it would be better to do this sort of thing after graduating.


    But Fu Ming Shi had already graduated. He was nearly thirty. From his previous kisses, Zhen Bao could sense his restraint.


    After struggling for a while, Zhen Bao closed her eyes.


    If he really wanted to, she was willing.


    Fu Ming Shi did want to very much. His chin touched the sweetheart neckline of her dress. He gave it a light peck and stealthily looked up, intending to decide whether to continue based on Zhen Bao''s reaction. The romantic candlelight was dim yellow. She had her eyes squeezed shut, as if bracing herself before great danger, yet she was very docile, tacitly permitting him to go further.


    Fu Ming Shi grew even hotter. He propped himself up with one hand on the sofa and urgently fumbled with the buttons of his shirt with the other. His chest was less constricted now. Fu Ming Shi took onest look at Zhen Bao. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, then resolutely wedged his hand behind Zhen Bao''s back, clumsily groping for the zipper of her dress.


    His intentions were obvious.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help but tremble, unsure whether it was more from nervousness or fear of the unknown.


    She grew more and more flustered. Seeing his fianc¨¦e quiver slightly beneath him, Fu Ming Shi''s movements slowed further and further. She was so young, only twenty. She didn''t care for make-up or showing off, and spent her free time in the library studying and doing practice questions to prepare for exams. She still had the student mentality that getting good grades was the most important thing.


    Was she really ready, or just trying to amodate him?


    "I''m sorry, I drank too much tonight." Lowering himself back down, Fu Ming Shi kissed her flushed red face and at the same time zipped her dress back up.


    Zhen Bao was baffled.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and pecked the tip of her nose. "Come on, I''ll show you your Christmas present."


    Zhen Bao was even more confused as Fu Ming Shi scooped her up in his arms. Her cotton slippers had already fallen off.


    He briskly climbed three flights of stairs and carried Zhen Bao into her room, lowering her onto therge bed with its pale pink sheets. After kissing her for a while, he returned to his room to fetch the gift. As soon as he left, Zhen Bao immediately sat up and peered down at her chest. On the upper part of her sweetheart neckline was a faint, tantalizing patch of red.


    That was where he had kissed the longest.


    Knock knock knock. Someone was at the door.


    Zhen Bao hurriedly tugged her neckline back into ce. Just as she was about to head over, Fu Ming Shi came in himself, holding a beautifully wrapped, t,rge gift box.


    "Let''s go soak in the hot springs over winter break," he said, handing the box to Zhen Bao and gazing into her eyes. "Don''t worry, it''ll be perfectly innocent hot spring soaking." He loved going ces with her and doing all the things she had never done before, big or small, ordinary or extraordinary.


    Zhen Bao epted the box, hesitating for a moment before giving a small nod. He had restrained himself earlier, so hot spring soaking should be safe too.


    "Go to bed early." Fu Ming Shi leaned down, extremely reluctantly bestowing her with a goodnight kiss.


    Zhen Bao saw him to the door, then changed into regr sleepwear before curiously opening the gift box. It was also an article of clothing, but seemed to be for summer. Zhen Bao peered at it in puzzlement until she finally made out that it was a white two-piece swimsuit with a floral print. It was rtively modest for a swimsuit. But no matter how modest, it was still a swimsuit.


    Zhen Bao''s face flushed hot, then cold. Even her swimsuit, he had thoughtfully prepared for her? Wasn''t Fu Ming Shi a little too considerate?


    ~


    After New Year''s, the various colleges at A University began their final exams.


    Zhen Bao had no worries about failing anything, but she wanted to earn a schrship, so every day she joined her roommates in upying seats at the study hall. Not even Fu Ming Shi hade to visit her at A University these days.


    After finishing the second tost exam, Zhen Bao received a message from Meng Ji Ning inviting all the members of the technology department to a meal together at 11 AM on Saturday.


    Since it was a club activity, Zhen Bao arrived at the restaurant as scheduled.


    Some people had already left for break, and the third and fourth year seniors generally just provided technical support and rarely participated in club social events. So including Zhen Bao, only six people showed up.


    Zhen Bao sat next to a female upperssman.


    "You could consider this my farewell banquet that I''m hosting for myself." Once everyone had arrived, Meng Ji Ning stood up holding a wine ss, ncing around at each club member with a smile. His gazended on Zhen Bao''s face, but his smile didn''t change as he continued, "I''ve already finalized my study abroad arrangements. I''ll be reporting over there after the new year..."


    Zhen Bao was shocked. Meng Ji Ning was going abroad to study? Did Feng Yue know?


    "I''ve been at A University for a year and a half and met many people, but the most amiable were still all you like-minded friends from the tech department... I hope we can keep in touch so that someday we''ll have the chance to gather together again." He concluded his rather moving farewell speech with a smile and raised his ss.


    Zhen Bao picked up her own ss and waited for the others to clink before gently clinking with Meng Ji Ning as well.


    Although it was a farewell banquet, Meng Ji Ning was very skilled at keeping the atmosphere lively. Nearly the entire meal passed amidughter.


    "Zhen Bao, we''re from the same hometown. Let me walk you back," Meng Ji Ning familiarly said to Zhen Bao when they were leaving.


    Since they were fellow alumni and who knew when they''d get to see each other again after this parting, Zhen Bao nodded.


    On the way, they passed a milk tea shop. Meng Ji Ning bought two cups of milk tea and they chatted while walking toward the female dorms. They chatted about high school memories and college life. The five minute walk quickly came to an end. Zhen Bao stopped outside the parking garage and turned to look at Meng Ji Ning''s smiling face. An indistinct feeling of leaving sorrow like what she''d felt while graduating middle school or starting high school suddenly arose in her heart.


    "I wish you the best in your studies abroad," she said with a smile after a period of silence, brighter than the winter sunlight.


    Meng Ji Ning couldn''t take his eyes off her.


    She was the only female student from high school who had left a deep impression. She was the first girl he''d developed feelings for in college. Seeing her reveal that familiar radiant smile, Meng Ji Ning was suddenly ovee by an urge. He wanted Zhen Bao to know that although he wasn''t her most beautiful memory from adolescence, she was the most vibrant color in his college life.


    "Zhen Bao, if you hadn''t dropped out that year, I think I probably would have pursued you."


    Looking straight at Zhen Bao, Meng Ji Ning smiled, his smile candid, regretful, then quickly back to calm.


    Zhen Bao''s mouth dropped open in surprise.


    Meng Ji Ning''s hands slid into his pockets as he sincerely continued, "But Ipletely ept losing to Shi Ming. I wish you two happiness always."


    Zhen Bao was at a loss, not knowing how to respond. Fu Ming Shi had kissed her first before confessing. She had been somewhat prepared on the day he confessed, but waspletely caught off guard by Meng Ji Ning''s confession and went nk.


    Meng Ji Ning took a deep look at her, then jerked his chin toward the parking garage. "Go on in."


    Zhen Bao lowered her head, still feeling awkward, and stiffly started pushing her bike forward, choosing to evade the situation.


    "Zhen Bao."


    After walking five or six steps, she heard Meng Ji Ning call her from behind.


    Zhen Bao stopped. She had intended to turn back to look at Meng Ji Ning, but her gaze swiveled and she froze in shock at the figure peeking out from around the corner.


    She had tilted her head halfway when Meng Ji Ning, thinking Zhen Bao didn''t dare look at him, gave a helpless chuckle and continued jokingly, "You have my WeChat. If Shi Ming doesn''t treat you well someday and you break up, remember to tell me. If by chance I still don''t have a girlfriend then, I''ll definitelye back and pursue you."


    A girl as great as her, as long as she was single, he didn''t want to miss his chance.


    Having said what was on his mind, Meng Ji Ning took onest look at Zhen Bao up ahead before turning and leaving, facing the sunlight without any more regrets in his heart.


    Hearing footsteps, Zhen Bao turned back around. Meng Ji Ning''s figure had already disappeared from outside the parking garage. She swiveled her head again and saw Feng Yue.


    Feng Yue leaned against the wall, tears streaming down her face as she stared fixedly at Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao had never dealt with this type of situation before. She first parked her bike off to the side, then slowly took out her bag. Only then did she walk over with mixed feelings tofort Feng Yue: "Are you...alright?"


    "He''s going abroad to study? Why did you twoe back together?" Feng Yue wiped away some tears, her voice choked up.


    Zhen Bao exined the farewell banquet in a low voice.


    "Why didn''t you tell me?" Feng Yue couldn''t hold back her tears and just stared straight at Zhen Bao. She had just gone out on the balcony to hang clothes and saw Zhen Bao and Meng Ji Ning walking over together, so she had swiftlye downstairs hoping to "coincidentally" run into them. But she certainly hadn''t expected toe around the corner and immediately hear Zhen Bao congratting Meng Ji Ning on studying abroad smoothly.


    She had repeated a grade with great difficulty for Meng Ji Ning''s sake, and traveled thousands of miles to the capital to attend university, even choosing a major she didn''t like so she could care for those dirty, messy stray animals - all for Meng Ji Ning''s sake. They had only just been reunited for half a year, yet Meng Ji Ning was leaving now?


    Feng Yue wept so sorrowfully that apart from Meng Ji Ning leaving, Zhen Bao knew her outburst definitely also had to do with Meng Ji Ning''s words just now. Zhen Bao''s head was inplete disarray as she murmured, "I only found out when we were eating just now too."


    Feng Yue gave a coldugh. "Did he pursue you back in high school?"


    Zhen Bao frowned and denied it. With a clear conscience she said, "We were just ssmates for one year in tenth grade. We didn''t have any other rtionship. I had no idea he li-"


    She cut herself off before finishing the sentence, not wanting Feng Yue to feel even worse.


    But Feng Yue understood her meaning. The one she secretly loved didn''t even see her. Feng Yue slowly squatted down and burst into sobs.


    "Feng Yue, don''t be like this..." Worried people would see, Zhen Bao bent over to help Feng Yue up. "Let''s go back to the dorm first."


    Feng Yue didn''t budge.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t move her, but she also couldn''t leave Feng Yue there crying. She could only squat next to her and continue persuading her.


    Feng Yue cried for a long time. As her sobs gradually subsided, she sniffled and said in a muffled voice, "Zhen Bao, please persuade him for me. Persuade him not to study abroad. He likes you - if you persuade him, he definitely won''t go abroad." Her only wish right now was for Meng Ji Ning to not leave.


    Zhen Bao was conflicted. "He''s already applied and been approved..."


    Feng Yue suddenly raised her head, her eyes red as she red at Zhen Bao: "He left because he lost to Fu Ming Shi. Why are you so mean to me when you and Fu Ming Shi are so lovey-dovey? If Fu Ming Shi hadn''t deliberately shown off his wealth to embarrass him, if you two hadn''t unted your rtionship every day outside the ssroom building, do you think he would have applied to study abroad?"


    Zhen Bao was stunned, not understanding what Meng Ji Ning studying abroad had to do with Fu Ming Shi.


    Feng Yue suddenly burst into tears again, hugging Zhen Bao as she cried, "Please, try to persuade him for me, Zhen Bao. I''ve liked him for three years now..."


    Zhen Bao didn''t make a sound.


    She sympathized with Feng Yue, but studying abroad was no small matter. She couldn''t interfere with Meng Ji Ning''s life.

 Chapter 35: 035

    <h4>Chapter 35</h4>


    It was thest exam of the final term, and everyone in the dormitory was up by 6 AM.


    "Zhen Bao, who''s picking you up today?" Qian LeLe asked while putting on makeup.


    "Who else could it be but Fu Ming Shi?" Jia Xiao Yu answered without hesitation as she walked out of the bathroom.


    Zhen Bao silently agreed.


    "You two are so great together. His family already approves of you, and he treats you like a princess. As your auntie, I feel at ease leaving you with him," Qian LeLe said enviously.


    The wealthy and handsome Fu Ming Shi...


    Zhen Bao smiled and lowered her head, double checking the items in her bag as a final preparation.


    After getting ready, the four roommates went out together. As Zhen Bao reached the door, she happened to bump into Feng Yue and her roommates. Zhen Bao couldn''t help but nce at Feng Yue, but Feng Yue acted as if she didn''t see her. She breezily walked past with her arm hooked around another girl, not acknowledging anyone.


    Zhen Bao retracted her gaze, her heart rtively calm. She couldn''t fulfill Feng Yue''s request, so it was understandable that Feng Yue chose to cut ties. Zhen Bao wouldn''t beg her to stay friends.


    "Did you and Feng Yue have a fight?" Nothing escapes the keen eyes of girls about subtle tensions between their friends. As usual, Jia Xiao Yu hooked her arm around Zhen Bao''s and whispered the question as they walked towards the stairwell.


    Zhen Bao shook her head. "No fight, just a little misunderstanding." She didn''t want to say more about her and Feng Yue''s strained rtionship.


    Jia Xiao Yu snorted lightly. "You''re so even-tempered, Feng Yue must have provoked you. She still dared to give you the cold shoulder. Zhen Bao, just ignore her from now on and let her stew in her own juices."


    Zhen Bao gave a wry smile.


    Once in the exam hall, Zhen Bao used every minute to cram. She only put away her notes 3 minutes before the exam started.


    After the exam ended, some students directly went home while Zhen Bao first returned to her dorm. On the way, she received a call from Fu Ming Shi saying he was stuck in traffic and would arrive in about half an hour. With the dorm building empty, Zhen Bao had nothing to do by herself and tidied up some items before heading to the school gate to wait for Fu Ming Shi.


    After waiting by the roadside for 10 minutes, she saw Feng Yue dragging a red suitcase out of the building, the wheels rumbling over the ground. With the awkward rtions between them now, Zhen Bao only nced at her before turning her face back towards the direction Fu Ming Shi woulde from, scanning for any sign of him. Therefore, she didn''t notice the hateful look Feng Yue threw her way.


    After another 10 minute wait, Fu Ming Shi finally arrived.


    Seeing the familiar car, Zhen Bao smiled and jogged over.


    "So happy?" Fu Ming Shi''s gaze never left her after being apart for over half a month and immediately seeing her smile upon his arrival.


    He looked at her with restrained yet smoldering eyes. Zhen Bao lowered her head to buckle her seatbelt and softly asked, "Don''t you still have work this afternoon?"


    Since there were many students around, Fu Ming Shi suppressed his urge to kiss her right away and drove the car out first. "No need. We''ll go back to the vi first, eat lunch, then set off."


    "Where to?" Zhen Bao looked at him in puzzlement.


    Fu Ming Shi''s lips quirked up as he kept his eyes on the road. "You just finished an exam. Soaking in a hot spring is the best way to unwind and rejuvenate."


    Zhen Bao''s heart thumped erratically. She had forgotten about the hot spring after cramming for half a month.


    Fu Ming Shi nced at her a few times. He deliberately asked, "Why do you always blush when hot springs are mentioned?"


    Zhen Bao turned her head towards the window, touching her cheek with her left hand as she desperately tried to find an excuse. "It''s a bit hot in the car."


    Fu Ming Shi smiled, his voice dipping lower. "I thought you were..."


    He left the implication hanging heavily in the air.


    Zhen Bao''s face grew even warmer, feeling flustered inside. She had never soaked in a hot spring before and couldn''t imagine what it would be like. Fu Ming Shi said they would soak separately, so he probably wouldn''t see her in a swimsuit right? But some online information showed mixed gender pools too.


    However, Zhen Bao didn''t dare ask Fu Ming Shi which type of pool he had chosen.


    ~


    After lunch, Zhen Bao carried her bag and got into Fu Ming Shi''s Maserati.


    After driving for two hours, the car slowly pulled into a vi area with traditional Chinese architecture. Zhen Bao curiously took in the surroundings until the car stopped in front of a white-walled, ck-tiled courtyard with two stone lions guarding the entrance.


    Fu Ming Shi unbuckled his seatbelt. "We''re here."


    Zhen Bao nkly got out of the car.


    The vi butler took their luggage while Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao''s hand to tour the courtyard. Near a man-made hill, Fu Ming Shi pointed and told Zhen Bao, "There''s a pool here. You can soak in it if you like."


    Zhen Bao was too shy to be outside.


    After looking around, Fu Ming Shi brought her inside the vi. The two-story building had an ornate, antique indoor hot spring chamber on the west side of the first floor. The pool was even bigger than a university lecture hall, with clear water and a round pool-within-a-pool about 10 square meters in the center.


    "Which pool do you pick?" Fu Ming Shi stood beside Zhen Bao with his hands in his pockets, smiling lightly as he asked.


    Zhen Bao bit her lip. "The one outside," she said softly.


    Since this pool was so big, Fu Ming Shi could swim in it. As a guest, she should use the pool by the artificial hill. The hill was cleverly designed to conceal the inside from external view.


    Fu Ming Shi looked mildly surprised. His gaze met Zhen Bao''s as he pointed to the central smaller pool. "I thought you would choose that one."


    Zhen Bao lowered her head. "I can''t swim. Using such a big pool would be wasteful."


    Fu Ming Shi''s eyes shed with amusement. He bent down to look at her flushed face. "Did you misunderstand?"


    Zhen Bao nkly lifted her head. Misunderstand what?


    Fu Ming Shi gestured to the side. "The round one is the small pool. The rectangr is the big pool. I''m letting you pick one here."


    Zhen Bao''s cheeks zed with embarrassment as she grasped Fu Ming Shi''s meaning. She stammered, "You, you said we would soak separately?"


    "Is this not separate?" Unable to resist, Fu Ming Shi pulled the adorable fianc¨¦e into his arms and kissed her ear. "Silly girl, soaking in hot springs can cause dizziness. For safety, people usually soak together in pairs at least. Since this is your first time, you need to be extra careful."


    Zhen Bao buried her face against his chest, even her ears turning red. Just imagining having to face him in a swimsuit made her nervous.


    "You''ll get used to it sooner orter, like when we go to the beach next year." Fu Ming Shi''s chin rested on her head as he seduced in a low voice.


    Zhen Bao didn''t make a sound.


    Fu Ming Shi''s voice lifted up teasingly. "Worried my self-control is too poor?"


    Zhen Bao slowly shook her head. She knew he wasn''t the rash type.


    Fu Ming Shi''s Adam''s apple bobbed. "Then it''s settled like this?"


    Zhen Bao secretly eyed the big pool next to them. After hesitating for dozens of seconds, she nodded.

 Chapter 36: 036

    <h4>Chapter 36</h4>


    Before getting in the hot spring, one must shower first. There are special bathrooms by the pools for this purpose. Zhen Bao carefully washed herself as Fu Ming Shi had instructed her, then put on her swimsuit and wrapped herself in a bathrobe. She tiptoed barefoot to the bathroom door and peeked outside. The pool was empty, with the sound of watering from the neighboring bathroom where Fu Ming Shi was still washing up.


    Zhen Bao breathed a quiet sigh of relief and hurried to the poolside. She nced back again before untying her bathrobe andying it on a lounge chair, feeling like a thief as she slipped into the water. She had no mind to appreciate the difference between the hot spring and an ordinary hot bath; her sole focus was making her way to the small central pool.


    Just then Fu Ming Shi emerged from the bathroom, and happened to glimpse his fianc¨¦e''s back as she mbered over the edge of the small pool. The motion was childlike as she braced herself with both hands on the ledge, one leg lifted high. But she was no child - her shapely legs gleamed smooth and fair.


    Before Fu Ming Shi could look his fill, Zhen Bao finally seeded in climbing inside. She leaned back against the pool wall and sank her shoulders into the hot spring, feeling safely hidden from view. But when she turned back around, she saw a tall figure wearing only ck swim briefs had appeared at the pool''s edge - it was Fu Ming Shi. Zhen Bao whipped back around, her heartbeat racing wildly.


    On her side all was silent, but soon she heard the sound of Fu Ming Shi slipping into the water, drawing nearer.


    Zhen Bao sank a little lower in the water, ncing down to see her soaked swimsuit obediently clinging to her body, concealing nothing of her curves.


    She regretted this already.


    "How''s the water feel?" Fu Ming Shi stopped behind Zhen Bao, eyeing the flushed nape of his fianc¨¦e''s neck. He turned his back to give her some privacy as he asked over his shoulder.


    Zhen Bao gave a soft murmur in response.


    Fu Ming Shi''s voice was calm. "Good then. Soak for fifteen minutes, then take a break."


    With that said, he swam away, not wanting to put too much pressure on her.


    Zhen Bao closed her eyes, and it was some time before she calmed downpletely.


    "Zhen Bao, time''s up." Hot springs weren''t meant for lengthy soaking. Fu Ming Shi leaned against the pool''s edge and called out to Zhen Bao.


    She had no way to hide now, so Zhen Bao gritted her teeth and climbed out of the small pool. She didn''t dare nce Fu Ming Shi''s way, trying to pretend that if she didn''t look at him, he wouldn''t be able to look at her.


    When climbing out of the small pool, Zhen Bao had aimed for a spot far from Fu Ming Shi, but as she neared the edge, she couldn''t help but lift her eyes - and found Fu Ming Shi standing right in front of her! Catching sight of him, Zhen Bao immediately dropped her head, but not before getting an eyeful, and now she couldn''t banish the image of Fu Ming Shi''s long, muscr legs from her mind.


    Her face flushed crimson.


    "Let me help you out," Fu Ming Shi bent down and extended a hand to her.


    Zhen Bao didn''t dare look below his knees, just shut her eyes and ced her hand in his.


    Fu Ming Shi effortlessly hoisted her from the pool with the ease of lifting a chick.


    "I''ll head back to my room first," Zhen Bao said as she twisted free of his grasp, still not meeting his eyes. She didn''t want to soak anymore.


    Fu Ming Shi gave a helplessugh. "That was too short. It won''t have any effect."


    But Zhen Bao insisted.


    "Afraid of me?" Seeing her rosy cheeks, Fu Ming Shi''s gaze darkened.


    Zhen Bao shook her head.


    Fu Ming Shi clearly didn''t believe her. "If you''re not afraid, then why won''t you even look at me?" He hoped she would get used to this sooner, so they could interact more naturally. He tipped up Zhen Bao''s chin and pressed a kiss to her brow. "Take a look at me, and I''ll let you get out once you do."


    He intentionally didn''t tell her that their bedroom also had ess to the hot spring waters.


    Zhen Bao trembled as she opened her eyes. She was met with Fu Ming Shi''s bare chest, pale and firm. As if possessed, she found her gaze drifting lower - two abs, four abs, six abs...


    Just as Zhen Bao was wondering if Fu Ming Shi had an eighth set of abs, the first thing to enter her vision was not his abs, but his loose ck swim trunks. However, one part of those trunks was not loose at all; it looked like he had a French baguette hidden in there!


    Realizing what it was, Zhen Bao thought she would explode from embarrassment. She was about to flee when her nose suddenly felt hot.


    Fu Ming Shi knew she had been looking at him, and her gaze excited him. He wanted to see her reaction, but when he nced down, he saw a gush of blood flowing from his fianc¨¦e''s nose as she looked up at him in panic and confusion.


    "Shameless," Fu Ming Shi muttered before sweeping Zhen Bao into his arms and carrying her to the bathroom to get cleaned up.


    Zhen Bao was mortified as she pinched her nose.


    ording to TV dramas, nosebleeds were usually experienced by male peeping toms with impure intentions. Now that she was the one who bled, would Fu Ming Shi think she was a pervert? Zhen Bao didn''t see herself that way at all. Fu Ming Shi was so...well-endowed that she was more frightened than aroused. How could she possibly have any improper thoughts?


    Once the bleeding stopped, Fu Ming Shi didn''t dare tease Zhen Bao further. He escorted her back to her room to rest and recover.


    But Zhen Bao couldn''t calm down. Whether her eyes were open or shut, she couldn''t help reying that scene in her mind.


    This was the first time she had directly faced a man''s masculine attributes, and it was thrilling beyondpare.


    At dinner that evening, Zhen Bao didn''t dare look at Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi nced over at her from time to time. Gradually he sensed something amiss. He had assumed Zhen Bao got overexcited seeing his abs and suffered a nosebleed, but judging by her reactions now, that alone couldn''t ount for such intense aftereffects. Could she have seen something more?


    If so, he could ept her acting much shyer for a few days.


    Just as he was thinking this, Zhen Bao''s phone rang.


    Fu Ming Shi set down his chopsticks and looked over at her.


    Zhen Bao went to the sofa and picked up her phone. Before answering, she finally met Fu Ming Shi''s gaze. "It''s Grandfather Fu."


    Fu Ming Shi suddenly had a bad premonition.


    "Feng Bao, you''re on winter break now, right? Come keep your grandpapany for a few days. I miss you - it''s nice and warm here." On the other end of the line, Fu Ming Shi''s grandfather happily extended an invitation from his Houston mansion.


    Zhen Bao was about to agree when she remembered something. She turned to look at Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi raised a brow in a silent query.


    Zhen Bao had no choice but to stall for time. "Grandpa''s spending New Year''s there?" she asked curiously.


    Grandfather Fu replied, "That''s right. The doctor says it''s not suitable for me to take long trips now, soe over and spend New Year''s here, Feng Bao. Ming Shi shoulde too."


    Zhen Bao lifted her head to look at Fu Ming Shi, who had walked over next to her.


    Fu Ming Shi took the phone from her. As soon as Grandfather Fu heard it was his grandson, his tone changed entirely. "You''re always busy with work, and when you''re home you don''t spend much time with her either. She must be so bored on her own! Feng Bao is filial, she''ll definitely want toe over. Don''t you dare stop her!"


    "Let me ask her opinion and we''ll let you know after we discuss it," Fu Ming Shi said before promptly ending the call, not at all reluctant to have their date interrupted.


    He turned and handed the phone back to Zhen Bao.


    "Do you want to go?" Back at the dinner table, Fu Ming Shi slowly continued eating, acting as if he didn''t care how Zhen Bao responded.


    Zhen Bao did want to go. With a whole month of winter break, being with Fu Ming Shi every day made her worried there would be more incidents like her nosebleed. Keeping Grandfather Fupany would be rxing. But Zhen Bao wasn''t foolish enough to just blurt that out. She cautiously asked Fu Ming Shi, "What do you think?"


    Fu Ming Shi raised his head to look directly at her. "We just met up two weeks ago. School just let out today, and you already want to go see Grandfather?"


    Zhen Bao understood. She lowered her eyes to her phone and quietly said, "Then I''ll head over in a few days."


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t reply.


    After the meal, Fu Ming Shi suggested they watch TV in the living room. Zhen Bao obediently took a seat on the sofa to wait for him.


    Once Fu Ming Shi had picked a program, he sat down beside her.


    Zhen Bao deliberately ignored the oppressive feeling emanating from the man at her side, keeping her focus intently on the LCD screen. She soon realized it was a men''s divingpetition. Zhen Bao didn''t understand the professional scoring criteria, she just watched for the divers'' movements in the air and the sshes, figuring that smooth motions and small sshes would earn high points.


    After the first few divers finished, a new athlete took the stage - he was Russian, with a lithe yet well-muscled physique and bright blue eyes like cidkewater. The camera zoomed in for a closeup of his movie star-caliber handsome features, and Zhen Bao couldn''t help letting out a soft "Wow" of admiration, though she didn''t actually make a sound out loud.


    But her lips had moved.


    Fu Ming Shi nced at the screen. He had no interest in the Russian stud - he casually leaned back on the sofa and remarked, "I thought you didn''t dare look at a man in a swimsuit."


    Zhen Bao''s body stiffened. Looking again at the swimsuit-d hottie on screen, she finally understood why Fu Ming Shi had chosen to watch the Olympics. He had set a trap here for her. But how could watching TVpare with seeing the real thing? She and her dormmates had even crowded around together to watch kissing scenes before, but no matter how many she saw, she still blushed every time Fu Ming Shi kissed her.


    Since he didn''t like it, Zhen Bao looked away from the screen.


    Fu Ming Shi watched her reactions, then switched to a Hollywood romance film.


    Zhen Bao once again turned her attention to the television, but this time she was on high alert. Each time the handsome male lead appeared, Zhen Bao pressed her lips in a firm line, determined not to show even a hint of fangirling, although the male lead really was extremely good-looking - especially during the scene where he danced intimately face-to-face with the female lead, the flirtatious light in his eyes was simply mesmerizing.


    Predictably, the female lead was spellbound, giggling as she ran off with him to a secluded little room where they started undressing each other.


    Zhen Bao felt awkward. This kind of scene wasn''t appropriate to watch together with one''s boyfriend.


    "I''m going to boil some hot water..."


    Zhen Bao nned to excuse herself for a bit, but the moment her butt lifted off the sofa, her arm was suddenly seized and in the next instant she tumbled into Fu Ming Shi''sp. Zhen Bao panicked - on screen, the lead couple had already begun their steamy scene, the sultry music making her heart race faster. She wanted to push Fu Ming Shi away but he pressed her back into the crook of his arm. Zhen Bao opened her eyes to see Fu Ming Shi''s handsome face looming close.


    He looked at her but didn''t hesitate at all, simply lowering his head to kiss her - gentler than a storm, more urgent than a drizzle.


    Zhen Bao clutched his arm, too shy to respond but also unwilling to refuse.


    As the kissing went on, Fu Ming Shi gradually leaned over her, slowly pinning her down beneath him on the sofa. Taking the chance, he grabbed the remote control and switched off the now PG-rated movie. Though the film was over, he brought Zhen Bao into a tititing "scene" of their own, not attempting to remove her clothes, just reminding his fianc¨¦e once more of his masculine pride.


    Like an army encamped outside the city gates, Zhen Bao was scared stiff. For the first time, Fu Ming Shi was so tantly...


    Zhen Bao tried her best to squirm deeper into the couch.


    Fu Ming Shi moved along with her. Just when Zhen Bao was worried he would really go all the way, Fu Ming Shi reluctantly left her neck and brought his lips close to her right ear, his voice filtered through water, low and hoarse with beguiling maism. "Why did you get a nosebleed?"


    He was bringing up that embarrassing incident again! Zhen Bao awkwardly covered her face with her hands.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and kissed the back of her hand, "Why do you dare to watch athletes, but not dare to look at me?"


    "Don''t say that..." Zhen Bao turned her hand to cover his mouth, not letting him ask knowingly.


    Fu Ming Shi gripped her hand, kissing each finger one by one, his pitch-ck eyes like a boundless, firmly capturing her, not allowing her to evade.


    Zhen Bao was stunned, this man pressing down on her was more handsome than any big celebrity she had ever seen.


    "Go change into a swimsuit, I''ll teach you how to swim."


    Fu Ming Shi suddenly let go of Zhen Bao, striding towards his room.


    Zhen Bao nked out for a while, remembering Fu Ming Shi''s teasing of her with the diving athlete. She touched her face and obediently went to change into a swimsuit. He had already seen her in a swimsuit, and she had seen him, there was nothing more to conceal. It was rare there was a hot spring pool here, rather than wastefully give it up, she might as well ept Fu Ming Shi''s good intentions and enjoy the vacation together.


    After showering and changing into a swimsuit, it took Zhen Bao fifteen minutes toe to the hot spring room wrapped in a bathrobe. Fu Ming Shi had not yet arrived. Zhen Bao first entered the water, only staying at the edge. About five minutester, she heard Fu Ming Shi''s footsteps. Zhen Bao''s body sank down, she turned her head, and saw Fu Ming Shi walking over wearing just swimming trunks. His shoulders were broad, waist slender, legs long, and his pared to usual, was a bit red.


    Zhen Bao withdrew her gaze.


    Fu Ming Shi entered the water from her side, his attitude professional as he taught her to swim. Their bodies touched, sparks flying alongside the warm spring water. After soaking for over ten minutes, Fu Ming Shi scooped up Zhen Bao and strode to the nearby rest area, pressing Zhen Bao down on the sofa and kissed her fiercely.


    An hourter, Zhen Bao fled back to her room red-faced, going to stand before the mirror to check herself over. From below her corbones, her shoulders, arms, thighs, calves, even the backs of her feet, everywhere was marked by Fu Ming Shi. This man had practically treated her like a lychee, tasting her over and over.


    The image of Fu Ming Shi''s sweat-slicked chest floated up, along with his dark eyes. Zhen Bao hurriedly switched off the light and burrowed into bed, forcing herself to shake off those bewitching, alluring scenes. But as time slowly passed, Zhen Bao was wide awake, the more she tried to forget the harder it was to forget Fu Ming Shi''s allure, which was even harder to resist than his money.


    Throwing off the covers, Zhen Bao grabbed her cup and drank down over half the water in one gulp.


    ~


    Fu Ming Shi was unwilling to let Zhen Bao go, but he really didn''t have much time to apany her recently due to his packed schedule.


    On the fifth day of winter break, Fu Ming Shi went to send off Zhen Bao at the airport.


    "Call me when you arrive," Fu Ming Shi gripped her hand tightly, reluctant to let go.


    With the farewell imminent, Zhen Bao was also reluctant to part from him, but the departure time had arrived. She could only watch as Fu Ming Shi exited, walking away from this private ne that had brought her from City C when he went to pick her up. After a period of turbulence, the ne took off. Zhen Bao leaned towards the window, looking back, but could not spot the familiar figure.


    The next day, the nended at Houston Airport. The sunshine here was bright, the temperature simr to Zhen Bao''s hometown.


    Grandfather Fu had sent the steward to pick her up, someone Zhen Bao recognized.


    "Zhen Bao?"


    Amidst the airport crowded with foreigners, someone suddenly called out her name in Mandarin. Zhen Bao looked ahead in surprise, meeting the gaze of an unfamiliar Asian man. He had short ck hair, fair skin, was tall and well-built - in China he would absolutely be considered a handsome guy.


    But Zhen Bao did not recognize him, her eyes full of confusion. "You are...?"


    There was still a hint of delight left in Cheng Yi''s eyes as he walked over to exin, "I''m Xiao Ya''s older brother. Last summer I took Bucky to the park for a walk, we''ve met before." At the time he did not know her name, and had to subtly probe his younger sister to find it out afterwards. Later when flipping through his sister''s Twitter, he also found a photo of her with Zhen Bao, where Zhen Bao had a sweet smile. Cheng Yi could not help but save a copy.


    A beauty always left a deep impression. Although Cheng Yi had not deliberately thought about Zhen Bao at all over the past half year, to the point he had nearly forgotten meeting a shy girl, running into that pure and charming face again amidst the sea of people still instantly revived memories buried deep in Cheng Yi''s mind.


    Zhen Bao did not recognize Cheng Yi, but the mention of the golden retriever Bucky jogged her memory. "What are you doing here?"


    Cheng Yi nced at the steward and smiled, "My friend from China is here to visit, I''vee to pick him up. What about you, here on vacation?"


    Zhen Bao nodded, "I guess you could say that."


    Cheng Yi wanted to chat with her a little longer, but the steward beside them coughed pointedly.


    Thinking the steward was in a hurry to leave, Zhen Bao quickly bid Cheng Yi farewell, "I''ll get going first then?"


    Cheng Yi turned to watch her depart, smiling brilliantly, "See you again."

 Chapter 37: 037

    <h4>Chapter 37</h4>


    Zhen Bao had been studying for half a year, and Master Fu had raised a ck shellfish, saying he was going to give it to Hei Dan as a wife.


    The old master had good intentions, but Zhen Bao found an excuse to keep Hei Dan at Fu Ming Shi''s vi, afraid that Old Master Fu would be angry when he found out Hei Dan was gone.


    The ck shellfish was nearly a year old, very big, and could reach Zhen Bao''s waist when standing on its two front legs. Compared to the mischievous Hei Dan, the ck shellfish was much tamer, and loved to lie in the yard basking in the sun. But when the owners came to y with it, the ck shellfish would be very cooperative, especially clever.


    With a dog in the house, Zhen Bao soon developed the habit of apanying the old master Fu to walk the dog in the park every day. On four consecutive days they encountered the mixed-race beauty Xiao Ya and the golden retriever Bucky. On the fifth day, the person who brought Bucky was Cheng Yi instead.


    On their third meeting, Cheng Yi finally formally introduced himself to Zhen Bao. Learning that Cheng Yi was pursuing a master''s degree in veterinary medicine in the United States, Zhen Bao added Cheng Yi on WeChat with pleasant surprise. asionally they would chat about professional topics. Old Master Fu knew that Zhen Bao only saw Cheng Yi as a peer, and did not hint for Zhen Bao to be aware. Until this day in the park, Xiao Ya enthusiastically invited Zhen Bao to attend the New Year''s party she was hosting.


    Zhen Bao had rarely attended gatherings in China, let alone foreign ones, and was afraid of embarrassing herself, so she politely declined Xiao Ya¡¯s invitation several times. Xiao Ya had already noticed that Cheng Yi liked Zhen Bao, and of course tried every trick to persuade Zhen Bao. Zhen Bao couldn¡¯t resist her friend''s enthusiasm, and had to agree to consider it first.


    "What''s going on?" Sitting on a park bench, Old Master Fu asked with a smile as Zhen Bao walked over.


    Zhen Bao said helplessly, "Xiao Ya is hosting a New Year''s party this weekend and asked me to go y."


    Old Master Fu said, "That''s great, young people should get together with friends more often. Why doesn''t Feng Bao want to go?"


    Zhen Bao lowered her head and said shyly, "I''ve never attended one before..."


    Old Master Fu understood, and pretended to look at his phone calendar, counting the days and saying, "It¡¯s alright, Ming Shi should be back by then. He can go with you."


    Hearing this, Zhen Bao was overjoyed.


    The daughter-inw showed no signs of tiring of her grandson, so Old Master Fu felt even more at ease. Later when Zhen Bao asked Xiao Ya if she could bring a friend, Old Master Fu sent a message to his grandson with a photo he secretly took attached.


    Fu Ming Shi opened the message and once again saw Cheng Yi''s young and handsome face. He stared at the photo for tens of seconds before slowly leaning back in his chair, his dark eyes fixed on the silly smile of his fianc¨¦e in the photo. Having just gotten rid of Meng Jinning, now came a fellow overseas student. Did Zhen Bao have too much peach blossom luck?


    ~


    Xiao Ya''s New Year''s party was set for the 28th day of the lunar December. Fu Ming Shi arrived in the evening of the 27th. Stepping out of the airport, he immediately recognized Zhen Bao among the crowd waiting to pick people up. She was wearing a white coat with ck pants, and sneakers on her feet, looking both obedient and cute.


    Fu Ming Shi really didn¡¯t expect her toe pick him up.


    At the same time, Zhen Bao also saw him. Dressed in a ck suit, Fu Ming Shi looked even more handsome than a week ago.


    She smiled shyly.


    "You came by yourself?" Fu Ming Shi held her hand and looked down at her.


    "No, Uncle Li drove me here," Zhen Bao turned her head, only to see the butler Uncle Li had almost walked out of the arrival hall. He was clearly standing right next to her just now.


    She looked surprised. Fu Ming Shiughed, "Let''s go, get in the car first."


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    Once in the car, Uncle Li drove while the two of them sat in the back. Zhen Bao tried her best to only look ahead, while Fu Ming Shi acted very naturally, just holding Zhen Bao''s hand the whole time, asionally squeezing it. Zhen Bao''s face slowly turned red, and she tried hard to find something to talk about: "When are you going back home?"


    Fu Ming Shi raised his eyebrows, "Eager for me to leave already?"


    In the driver''s seat, Uncle Liughed unkindly.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head without answering, pouting slightly.


    Fu Ming Shi gently squeezed her fingers and said in a low voice, "I¡¯m going back home on the second day of the new year, and you¡¯reing with me." He didn¡¯t feel assured leaving her here to continue attracting peach blossoms.


    Zhen Bao responded with an "um".


    Back at the vi, the two sat in the living room chatting with Old Master Fu. After talking for a while, dinner was ready, so the three of them ate first. Old Master Fu was in a recuperation period, and went to bed at 8 pm sharp every night. He went upstairs first, while Zhen Bao sat watching TV on the couch, though her attention was actually all on Fu Ming Shi sitting on the other end of the couch. Her heart thumped chaotically.


    Their rtionship had progressed from simple kissing to the next step. Zhen Bao didn¡¯t resist Fu Ming Shi kissing her shoulders and touching her legs, but that feeling was too stimting. She had a hard time enduring it, as if she could...nosebleed at any moment.


    "I''ll go take a shower first, see you upstairster," he said, lookingpletely calm, then went upstairs first.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help but watch him leave. She didn''t quite understand what Fu Ming Shi meant by "see you upstairs." This vi had four floors. The old master lived on the second floor, Fu Ming Shi on the third floor, and she upied the top floor. Upstairs...could Fu Ming Shi be nning to...


    Just as she was specting, her phone rang. Zhen Bao picked up her phone and received a message from Fu Ming Shi: Wait for me in your room.


    Zhen Bao¡¯s blood rushed to her head!


    Was Fu Ming Shi going to her room?


    But no matter how flustered she felt inside, Zhen Bao still shamelessly went upstairs and hid in her bedroom waiting for Fu Ming Shi. It had been so long since theyst met, she missed him. Actually, thest time Fu Ming Shi lost control was mainly because she was wearing a swimsuit with her shoulders and thighs exposed. Now that she was wearing a wool sweater, at most Fu Ming Shi would just kiss her, right?


    While she was thinking randomly, she received a new message from Fu Ming Shi: Open the door.


    Zhen Bao''s heart beat faster. She first adjusted herptop screen to make it look like she was in the middle of watching a movie, before going to open the door. Fu Ming Shi stood outside in casual clothes. He had just taken a shower, his face still a little flushed, and his short hair was clearly still wet.


    Leaning against the door with lowered eyes, Zhen Bao asked him, "Something wrong?"


    Fu Ming Shi gazed at her blushing face, his tone teasing, "I have to have a reason toe see my fianc¨¦e?"


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help butugh. She moved aside to let him in.


    Fu Ming Shi came in, closed the door casually, and very naturally locked it.


    Zhen Bao felt like she could hear her own heartbeat.


    She was on high alert, but Fu Ming Shi didn¡¯t make a move right away. He simply nced around Zhen Bao¡¯s bedroom, then walked to the desk. Seeing water in Zhen Bao¡¯s cup, he picked it up and asked sideways, "Can I drink this?"


    Zhen Bao''s mind waspletely preupied with other things. She nodded absentmindedly.


    Fu Ming Shi drank a few sips, then sat in Zhen Bao''s chair. Theptop screen was paused on an animated show. Fu Ming Shi''s lips curled up. He closed the animation and searched for other movies, "I don''t like watching cartoons, how about a romance film instead?"


    Zhen Bao didn''t dare watch romance films with him. She walked over to block the keyboard and softly declined, "I like watching cartoons."


    Fu Ming Shi looked up and suddenly pulled Zhen Bao onto hisp and hugged her, skillfully kissing her.


    Zhen Bao was dizzy.


    Fu Ming Shi''s big hand shifted under her wool sweater, slowly exploring inside.


    Zhen Bao nervously grabbed his arm, and just as Fu Ming Shi''s fingers touched Zhen Bao''s smooth skin, a WeChat message notification sounded from Zhen Bao''s phone on the table. Zhen Bao''s body stiffened. Fu Ming Shi was nuzzling her neck. About a minuteter, he let go of Zhen Bao and went to pour water into the cup.


    Zhen Bao tugged at her clothes and looked at WeChat with a red face. It was party preparation photos sent by Xiao Ya, and Cheng Yi was also in the frame.


    "Whose message is it?" Fu Ming Shi walked over with the cup.


    While replying to the message, Zhen Bao exined, "Xiao Ya. We''re going to her house tomorrow."


    Fu Ming Shi put down the cup and tapped the photo on the face of a certain man, "Who''s this handsome guy?"


    "Xiao Ya''s cousin," Zhen Bao said casually.


    So Fu Ming Shi tilted his head to look at her, "You also think he''s handsome?"


    Having sent the message, Zhen Bao realized Fu Ming Shi had set a trap for her. Sheughed and said while looking at the photo, "Not as handsome as you."


    Fu Ming Shi rewarded her with a kiss on the head.


    ~


    The party started at 6 pm. Fu Ming Shi drove Zhen Bao over, arriving 10 minutes early at the Cheng family vi.


    Seeing this vi that was in no way inferior to the Fu family''s, Zhen Bao suddenly realized that the Cheng family was also very wealthy.


    The guests had arrived, so Xiao Ya and Cheng Yi came out together to receive them. From afar, seeing the handsome man beside Zhen Bao, Xiao Ya covered her mouth in astonishment. As a Chinese-American mixed-race girl, she could appreciate the attractive traits of Eastern and Western men. After mentallyplimenting him, she looked at Cheng Yi sympathetically, "Looks like you don''t stand a chance."


    Cheng Yi smiled bitterly. He didn''t expect the innocent freshman girl to already have a boyfriend.


    "Zhen Bao, is he your boyfriend?" Walking closer, Xiao Ya asked in an exaggerated tone.


    Zhen Bao, who was used to being teased by her roommates, looked natural and readily admitted it.


    Xiao Ya immediately praised Fu Ming Shi in various ways. Next to them, thest glimmer of hope in Cheng Yi''s heart also vanished. Fortunately his feelings for Zhen Bao so far were just a crush, not deep enough that having a boyfriend would make him heartbroken. So he acted calm, and weed Fu Ming Shi as the host.


    Seeing Cheng Yi withdraw in time, Fu Ming Shi also took on the role of a guest, focusing on having fun with Zhen Bao.


    The party ended at 10 pm.


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t drink much so he was sober as he drove back to the vi. The car stopped but he didn''t immediately unlock the doors. Instead he held Zhen Bao''s small hand, looking at her withplicated eyes.


    It was Zhen Bao''s first time seeing Fu Ming Shi like this. When they first met in her hometown, Fu Ming Shi gave her the feeling of someone from TV,pletely in a different world than her, separated by ayer between them. As they slowly spent time together, she realized Fu Ming Shi was very considerate. No matter what she needed, he would think of it in advance. Even when they disagreed, he would eventuallypromise.


    But the Fu Ming Shi before her now seemed to be faced with some dilemma, not knowing how to speak up.


    Why the sudden change? Zhen Bao waspletely puzzled.


    "What''s wrong?" Zhen Bao asked softly.


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her and smiled. "Nothing, just that my parents areing over tomorrow. They''re also spending the new year here."


    Zhen Bao''s eyes widened.


    Fu Ming Shi had expected she would react this way. He mocked, "Scared?"


    Zhen Bao stiffly shook her head, her gaze falling to the front window. She wasn''t scared, just nervous.


    She came to the imperial capital in May to prepare for the exam. During that time, she met Fu Zheng, Fu Ming Shi''s father, and all three Fus were present. Old Master Fu was getting on in years. Just looking at his appearance, Fu Ming Shi resembled Fu Zheng more. Fu Zheng was in his fifties, looking much younger externally, stern and dignified, matching Zhen Bao''s imagination of what a chairman of arge conglomerate should be like.


    Fu Zheng was a man of few words and cold demeanor. When they met, he only asked if she had gotten used to living here, and said some other pleasantries. Zhen Bao couldn''t tell if the elder liked her or not. At the time, she hadn''t even considered getting together with Fu Ming Shi, so she didn''t pay much attention to Fu Zheng''s attitude. But now that she and Fu Ming Shi had be true lovers, what if Fu Zheng was dissatisfied with her...


    At least she had met Fu Zheng and had a simple understanding of him. Fu Ming Shi''s mother, Feng Ke, was the one Zhen Bao feared facing the most.


    Feng Ke was the most famous top fashion designer in the country. She founded her own fashion brand "Huating", which produced exquisite and meticulous suits and extravagant evening gowns that highlighted Eastern splendor. The brand was wildly popr among domestic celebrities and sessful people, leading fashion trends every season. Its eponymous magazine was also the top seller among simr magazines in the country.


    In business terms, Feng Ke was a talented and wealthy businesswoman. She also had a very aloof and overbearing personality. Interviews and photos of her circting online rarely showed her smiling. The only times Zhen Bao had seen Feng Ke smile were in the photo album on Fu Ming Shi''s phone, and even those smiles were faint.


    "You''ve met my dad. As for my mom..." Seeing Zhen Bao''s apprehensive look, Fu Ming Shi chose his words carefully. "My mom is quite strict and blunt, saying whatever she thinks without considering others'' feelings. She''s especially picky about clothing and styling, and even my dad criticizes her sometimes. But no matter what she says, don''t take it to heart. You''re marrying me anyway."


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t want to scare Zhen Bao, but his mother had an infamous temper, so he had to prepare Zhen Bao mentally. Otherwise, with Zhen Bao''s sensitive nature, if his mother went too far, Zhen Bao might cry from being scolded.


    Zhen Bao''s mind was in turmoil. The more Fu Ming Shi exined, the more fearful she became.


    "Let''s just sleep on it. I''ll be with you every step tomorrow." Kissing Zhen Bao''s forehead, Fu Ming Shi gently reassured her.


    Zhen Bao mumbled in agreement before getting out of the car.


    ~


    Fu Zheng and his wife arrived at the airport around noon. Fu Ming Shi set off an hour earlier to pick them up. Out of courtesy, Zhen Bao wanted to go as well, but was dissuaded by Old Master Fu, who spoke as if Zhen Bao was already part of their family. "Feng Bao, keep grandpapany. Let Ming Shi go alone. Hmph, his mother is notoriously foul-tempered, better we see less of her."


    This daughter-inw was chosen by his son, so Old Master Fu didn''t object, but facing someone colder and haughtier than his own son, Old Master Fu couldn''t get too close either. He lived his life, the children lived theirs, everyone was busy, only gathering during holidays and festivals.


    Though her body was in the vi, Zhen Bao''s mind wandered restlessly, straining to hear any sound from outside.


    At the airport, Fu Ming Shi waited an extra half hour before his parents finally emerged.


    Fu Zheng was dressed in a suit and even smiled when he saw his son. Beside him, Feng Ke wore a ck windbreaker and sunsses, the smooth skin and crimson lips beneath the frames belying her age. Tall and slender, she immediately attracted the gaze of everyone in the airport, men and women alike.


    "Dad, Mom." Fu Ming Shi stepped forward, using those titles to shatter certain men''s fantasies.


    Wake up. This woman''s son was nearly thirty.

 Chapter 38: 038

    <h4>Chapter 38</h4>


    "Zhen Bao also wanted toe, but Grandpa made her stay at home," Fu Ming Shi exined first for his fianc¨¦e who was not there to meet her future parents-inw.


    Sensing his son''s thoughtfulness towards his future daughter-inw, Fu Zheng was very pleased. Initially, Grandpa had proposed that the two children fulfill the marriage arrangement, and Fu Zheng could not disobey Grandpa but was also worried that his son would be forced to marry a woman he did not like due to the grievances of the previous generation. Now that the two children had genuinely fallen in love, his son was not wronged, and Zhen Bao did not have to reluctantly marry into the Fu family - this was a win-win situation.


    Fu Ming Shi was not worried about his father and kept his eyes on his mother as he spoke.


    Behind therge sunsses, one corner of Feng Ke''s red lips turned up in a mocking smile. It was unclear if she was mocking her future daughter-inw for noting to pick her up, or mocking her son''s eagerness to exin on behalf of his girlfriend.


    Fu Ming Shi stared at his mother''s lips as she pursed them again and said nothing more as he led the way ahead. Once in the car, Feng Ke crossed her arms, tilted her head to look out the window, and didn''t utter a word. After Fu Zheng asked about Grandpa''s health, he also closed his mouth.


    The family of three were all taciturn, and their normal interactions were like this too.


    As they neared the vi, Fu Ming Shi looked at his parents through the rearview mirror, his gaze falling on his mother''s face again, "Mom, Zhen Bao grew up in the countryside, she doesn''t care much about clothes, don''t say anything about her, she''s sensitive."


    Feng Keughed. With one hand pinching her sunsses, she moved them down a little, tilted her head slightly and looked up at her son, "I won''t say a word to someone unrted to me."


    Fu Ming Shi''s eyes shifted to his father.


    Fu Zheng turned his head to look out the other window, but a hint of a smile could be seen at the corner of his mouth.


    Fu Ming Shi was exasperated. His mother meant that as long as he wanted to marry Zhen Bao and make her the Fu family''s daughter-inw, Zhen Bao would be subjected to his mother''s sharp tongue. Unfortunately, he could intimidate everyone, including Zhen Bao, except for his unconventional mother.


    In the living room of the vi, looking out through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Zhen Bao saw Fu Ming Shi''s family of three, all still dressed in ck. She suddenly felt an immense sense of pressure. But she still stood up quietly and said to Grandpa Fu, "Uncle and Auntie are here, I''ll go out to receive them."


    "Don''t be afraid, Grandpa''s here to support you," Grandpa Fu said solemnly with a loving smile.


    Zhen Bao felt slightly more at ease. But when she walked out of the vi and came face-to-face with the approaching Fu family of three, the tension in Zhen Bao''s body tightened again as she tried to greet Fu Zheng and his wife naturally, "Uncle, Auntie, I''m Zhen Bao. I wanted to pick you up from the airport but Grandpa Fu had some things for me to help with at home, so I couldn''t make it."


    The lower her voice became, the more pressure she felt from Fu Zheng''s deep eyes that resembled a pool and Feng Ke''s aloof demeanor entuated by her sunsses. At that moment, Zhen Bao felt like an ugly duckling who had clumsily stumbled in front of two elegant swans.


    Just as Zhen Bao was about to lose the ability to keep her head up, Fu Zheng smiled lightly, "We''re going to be family from now on, no need to be so courteous."


    The man in his fifties, usually stern and solemn when not smiling, had a certain charm when he did that was hard to describe - like the first hint of spring after a harsh winter, warming one''s heart before the body felt the warmth of the breeze, moistening things silently.


    Half of the restless pounding in Zhen Bao''s heart settled down, and she cautiously looked towards Feng Ke.


    Feng Ke walked right past her.


    Zhen Bao was extremely embarrassed.


    In order not to give her more pressure, Fu Ming Shi did not frown. He signaled his father to go in first, and put his arm around Zhen Bao''s shoulders to lead her aside. Zhen Bao quickly dodged his hand and whispered with a pale face, "They can see from inside."


    Fu Ming Shi could only withdraw his hand and look her in the eyes, "My mom''s like that with everyone, don''t think too much."


    Given what just happened, it was hard for Zhen Bao not to overthink. If Feng Ke was unrted to her, she wouldn''t care whether Feng Ke acknowledged her or not. But she and Fu Ming Shi were in love, and at their first meeting, Feng Ke didn''t say a word to her - wouldn''t anyone feel the other party disliked them?


    However, she was so ordinary without any sense of style, it was normal for Feng Ke to dislike her, there was no reason for groundless affection.


    "I''m fine," Zhen Baoforted herself and looked up with a smile at Fu Ming Shi, "I''ve seen your mother''s videos, I know."


    Fu Ming Shi was still worried. Everyone in the family knew his mother''s temperament and was used to it, but for those unfamiliar with his mother, how many could remain indifferent in the face of his mother''s haughty coldness? He didn''t care if his mother slighted others, but he couldn''t stand to see Zhen Bao upset.


    "If my mom keeps treating you like this, I won''t arrange for you to meet in the future," Fu Ming Shi moved closer to her and said softly.


    Far from being grateful, Zhen Bao thought he was being silly, "Your mother hasn''t done anything, why not let me see her? Let''s go in." She had just met Feng Ke and there was no time for them to understand each other yet. If she hid like a frightened cat just because Feng Ke ignored her, her endurance would be too weak.


    Stopping Fu Ming Shi from saying more foolish things, Zhen Bao gently pushed him to let him walk ahead while she followed beside him.


    In the living room, Feng Ke finally took off her sunsses, revealing an icy beautiful face that looked no more than thirty-something thanks to meticulous maintenance. Looking closely, there were still some fine lines at the corners of her eyes, but that did not detract at all from the impact Feng Ke gave - rather, it made her seem more like a fashion queen who had been through hundreds of battles.


    Their eyes met, and Zhen Bao guiltily looked away. Fu Zheng and Fu Ming Shi''s deep gazes made her nervous, but Feng Ke''s gaze was even more piercing, striking straight at her heart.


    "Feng Bao,e sit by Grandpa," Grandpa Fu called affectionately.


    Zhen Bao awkwardly sat next to the old man, right across from Fu Zheng and his wife. Before she could sneak a peek, Fu Ming Shi sat close beside her with an air of protecting and escorting her.


    As the family chatted, two out of every three sentences from Grandpa Fu were praising Zhen Bao, "Our Feng Bao is so smart. She self-studied for two years of high school and got into college by herself. Her grades forst semester came out a few days ago and were almost perfect scores. She''ll definitely get a schrship next year, unlike Ming Shi who never got any schrships."


    Zhen Bao felt embarrassed from the praise while looking questioningly at Fu Ming Shi - everything about him seemed like an elite student, surely the old man was just teasing her?


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and leaned in close to whisper in her ear, "Because I didn''t apply for any."


    His unabashed intimacy made Zhen Bao blush, and she couldn''t help smiling. Of course there would be no schrships if he didn''t apply.


    "What made Feng Bao decide to study veterinary medicine?" Fu Zheng joined in the topic of his future daughter-inw''s studies.


    Zhen Bao shyly replied, "When I was choosing my major, I brought my cat Hei Dan to a pet hospital and really liked the atmosphere, so I wanted to be a veterinarian."


    Fu Zheng nodded, "Studying medicine is good, I..."


    Before he could finish speaking, Feng Ke suddenly smiled strangely and stared at Zhen Bao, "Zhen Bao, take a look at where your uncle is feeling difort?"


    This was the first time Feng Ke had taken the initiative to speak to her since they met, and Zhen Bao was overjoyed. Without thinking, she immediately asked Fu Zheng, "Uncle, where are you feeling difort?"


    Fu Zheng gave his wife aplicated sideways nce.


    Feng Ke looked extremely delighted.


    Next to them, Grandpa Fu evenughed out loud. Zhen Bao looked back and forth at the three of them and btedly realized - she was studying to be a veterinarian...


    Zhen Bao was embarrassed and apologized to Fu Zheng, "I''m sorry Uncle, I didn''t mean it."


    Fu Zheng smiled helplessly, "It''s fine, it''s fine. We''re all family making jokes, don''t take it to heart Feng Bao. Your aunt is often like this, you''ll get used to it."


    Zhen Bao pursed her lips and secretly nced at Feng Ke.


    Feng Ke leaned backnguidly against the sofa drinking tea, beautiful and elegant, not just her clothes but every movement was very tasteful. Looking again at Fu Zheng, still refined and graceful after fifty, it was no wonder the couple had raised such an outstanding son like Fu Ming Shi.


    Zhen Bao felt somewhat ashamed of herself. She had always believed that being fashionable or not was a personal choice, and dressing ordinarily was not wrong. But when everyone around her was a tasteful fashionista, although she did not feel she was in the wrong, the sense of unbridgeable distance...


    After dinner, Fu Zheng and his wife went to rest. With three elders in the vi, Zhen Bao did not dare get too close to Fu Ming Shi. She sat alone in the bedroom ying on herptop. After watching a few fashion shows, Zhen Bao gradually felt at ease - too big of a gap also had its benefits. With her current financial situation, she could not afford clothes to match the Fu family anyway, so she might as well continue dressing ording to her own wishes.


    Having resolved a little knot that had just formed a few hours ago, Zhen Bao watched movies contentedly.


    Around 5pm, there was a knock on the door.


    Zhen Bao thought it was Fu Ming Shi. She put theptop down, tidied her hair, and went to open the door in her slippers, not expecting that when she pulled the door open, the person standing outside turned out to be Feng Ke. Her curly hair from noon was now up in a bun, making her look even younger, still wearing high heels.


    "Auntie?" Zhen Bao asked in surprise.


    Thanks to her high heels, Feng Ke easily caught a glimpse of the girly pink decor in Zhen Bao''s bedroom, which made her teeth hurt. As her gaze slowly moved back to Zhen Bao, from the cat slippers to the slightly bobbled ck leggings to the oversized sweater, Feng Ke once again became like she was at noon - not wanting to look at Zhen Bao''s clothes... at all.


    However, Zhen Bao''s petite face was so exquisite and refined, the only thing about her that could attract Feng Ke''s eyes.


    Looking at the only part of Zhen Bao that could catch her attention right now - her face, Feng Ke said lightly, "I can tell Ming Shi really likes you. His father and I are very open-minded parents. As long as Ming Shi likes someone, we won''t interfere with who he dates or marries. But if you want us to get along harmoniously, you''ll need to change your dress style."


    Her son seemed to genuinely like this girl, as his mother she was willing to care for her son''s feelings and extend an olive branch to Zhen Bao, this guileless college student who clearly wouldn''t take the initiative to curry favor with her.


    Of course Zhen Bao hoped to get along harmoniously with Feng Ke, and said in pleasant surprise, "How should I change? Oh yes, Auntie pleasee in and sit."


    Feng Ke took a step back, tilting her chin towards Zhen Bao''s bedroom, "All this needs changing. Come out with me tomorrow and I''ll pick some out for you."


    Zhen Bao looked back and suddenly understood. She asked uncertainly, "Auntie wants to help me buy clothes?"


    Feng Ke raised her brows, "What else?"


    Zhen Bao gave a wry smile, "Let''s forget about the clothes, I don''t want Auntie to spend money. Do you have any tips on how I can match my outfits better?"


    A person''s economic status determines the quality of their clothes. Even if she epted Feng Ke''s gifts, a few sets of clothes were not enough for her to wear for a year, let alone half a semester. She could not always rely on Feng Ke or Fu Ming Shi to spendrge sums of money on her just to cater to Feng Ke.


    Feng Ke built a major brand on her own, and with one nce, she saw Zhen Bao''s crux of the problem. She was surprised and said, "You don''t want to spend our money?"


    Zhen Bao lowered her head in acquiescence.


    Feng Ke looked at her for a few moments, and suddenly lost interest in continuing the conversation. "Then forget it," she said.


    After speaking, she turned and walked towards the stairs. When she reached the stairwell, she saw her son standing at the corner of the stairs between the third and fourth floors, not knowing how long he had been eavesdropping. Feng Ke let out a cold snort and walked to the living room before saying to her son behind her, "You treasure, you are too petty."


    In her opinion, one destined to marry into a wealthy family yet still acting aloof was also a kind of pettiness.


    Fu Ming Shi looked up at the fourth floor, his gaze gentle and doting, "She was originally from a small family, suddenly able to freely use my money, and then you say she is money grubbing."


    With her son unting his affection in front of her, Feng Ke sarcastically reminded him, "If she doesn''t change, there will be plenty of trouble in the future."


    How easy was it to be the mistress of a wealthy family? The more she tried to prove her independence, the more gossip weighed down on her, and the more upset she would feel.


    It was as if Fu Ming Shi was long prepared. His expression was calm, "I will help her resolve it."

 Chapter 39: 039

    <h4>Chapter 39</h4>


    Zhen Bao soon found that Feng Ke''s attitude toward her did not change much after she declined his offer to buy her clothes. He was still aloof but not hostile.


    On New Year''s Eve, three generations sat around the table to have reunion dinner. The Fu family were native Beijingers through and through. For New Year''s Eve dinner they had dumplings. Mr. Fu had asked Zhen Bao beforehand what her family ate for New Year''s at her hometown, so the table was set with a special dish of diced tomatoes fried with rice cakes and rice cake soup just for her.


    "Eat more, Bao Bao. Don''t be shy," Mr. Fu said as he continuously scooped two dumplings at a time into Zhen Bao''s bowl with the serving chopsticks.


    Zhen Bao nodded obediently again and again. Looking around at everyone, she felt a strange sense of belonging.


    After her father passed away, she had spent New Year''s Eve thest few years having dinner at the home of Granny Zhang next door. Granny Zhang treated her well, but they weren''t actually family in the end. Watching other families celebrate the holiday with three generations under one roof, Zhen Bao could not integrate into the festivities. She would hurry to finish eating, then go back home alone after dinner to lie in bed listening to the pop-pop-pop of firecrackers going off all over the vige, thinking of the departed loved ones.


    Now, she and Fu Ming Shi were in a romantic rtionship. Someday she might really be part of this family, with grandpa, parents-inw, and no longer alone.


    Her eyes grew moist, so Zhen Bao quickly distracted herself.


    After dinner, the whole family yed mahjong, a traditional New Year''s activity.


    At first Zhen Bao sat next to Mr. Fu and just watched. At 8 o''clock when Mr. Fu went upstairs to rest, she took over his spot, sitting face-to-face with Fu Ming Shi. In the first round, Fu Zheng won, so the three losers had to send him red packet money on WeChat. As banker, Zhen Bao had to send 40 yuan.


    Mr. Fu had left his phone for Zhen Bao to use, but Zhen Bao wanted to y with her own money.


    "I''ll cover you," Fu Ming Shi said, looking at her as he transferred the money they''d lost together to his dad.


    Fu Zheng smiled faintly while Feng Ke raised an eyebrow, "We should each send our own, otherwise what''s the point?"


    Fu Ming Shi looked at Zhen Bao again. Blushing, Zhen Bao red at him, "I''ll send my own."


    After the siblings reached an agreement, Fu Zhengughed and sent Zhen Bao a friend request first. Feng Ke also added her and saw her profile picture was a ck cat and a ck dog. The corners of Feng Ke''s mouth turned up slightly. Just after Zhen Bao sent Fu Zheng 40 yuan, she received two transfer notifications in a row.


    One from Fu Ming Shi for 500 yuan and one from Fu Zheng for 50,000 yuan. The message from Fu Zheng said: Red envelope money.


    Zhen Bao nced at Fu Zheng stealthily. He was shuffling mahjong tiles with a normal, unruffled expression. She definitely could not refuse the red envelope money, but all of a sudden 50,000...


    Just as she was feeling conflicted, Fu Ming Shi suddenly said to his dad, "You still haven''t paid me back for the 40 yuan I sent you on Zhen Bao''s behalf."


    For the first time, Fu Zheng''s calm expression cracked. He stared at his son for a couple seconds before transferring the money to him.


    Feng Keughed schadenfreudly while Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi exchanged a look andughed quietly to themselves. Zhen Bao put away her phone, no longer bothered about the red envelope money from Fu Zheng.


    They chatted while ying mahjong. The night seemed to fly by unusually quickly. Before they knew it, it was past 10 pm already.


    In the final round, Fu Zheng got a big win. Feng Ke suddenly pushed away the mahjong tiles. "I''m done, I''m going to sleep," he said, then went upstairs by himself.


    Seeing Zhen Bao was about to transfer money, Fu Zhengughed, "This round doesn''t count. You two should go to bed early, too." Then he left his seat to go after his wife.


    With the elders gone, Zhen Bao finally stretched her arms. After sitting for three or four hours, her shoulders were a little sore.


    "How much did you lose?" Fu Ming Shi came around behind her and gripped the back of her chair, leaning down to ask.


    Zhen Bao checked the transfer records. With wins and losses, her luck hadn''t been too bad overall. She''d only lost a little over 50 yuan.


    "See, they really like you," Fu Ming Shi said, kissing her flushed cheeks. He was extremely satisfied. Afraid Zhen Bao didn''t understand, he exined softly, "If my mom didn''t like you, she wouldn''t have yed with us for so long."


    Zhen Bao also somehow felt Feng Ke didn''t dislike her, but she felt even more guilty. She turned and confessed to Fu Ming Shi, "Yesterday your mom wanted to take me shopping for clothes, but I declined..."


    Fu Ming Shiughed and swiftly kissed her eyshes and brows: "Luckily you didn''t go. The clothes she would have picked, you definitely wouldn''t have liked." Zhen Bao''s taste was still stuck in her student days. The clothes his mother would choose would be too mature for her.


    "Go wash your hands first. We''ll go out for a stroll in a bit," Fu Ming Shi enticed in her ear. Since his parents arrived yesterday, he and Zhen Bao hadn''t truly spent time alone together.


    Zhen Bao nodded. A few minutester when she came out of the first floor bathroom, she saw Fu Ming Shi holding her coat waiting in the living room doorway. As she walked over, he spread the coat open ahead of time as if he were a store attendant, wanting to help her put it on. Zhen Bao felt sweet inside and silently let him help.


    It was very cold outside at night with a slight breeze. Fu Ming Shi brought Zhen Bao to a shadowy corner and leaned back against a tree trunk, pulling her into his embrace. Lowering his head, he asked, "Did you have fun tonight?"


    Zhen Bao nodded vigorously.


    Fu Ming Shi gently stroked her hair. It was very soft and felt nice to touch.


    "I regret letting you go to college," he said, adjusting their positions and backing her against the tree trunk. Leaning down over her, he continued, "Next April, you''ll turn 20."


    Zhen Bao was confused, "Why?"


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t need her to understand. Gripping her waist from behind, he lifted her higher and kissed her deeply. They couldn''t do anything else. His kissing skills had improved more and more with practice. Zhen Bao felt like she was floating. It seemed the happiest thing in the world was being held and kissed by him.


    After an unknown amount of time, Fu Ming Shi finally parted from her reluctantly. He picked her up and carried her back.


    "Put me down," Zhen Bao said nervously when they reached the door. She was afraid of running into the elders.


    "They''re all in their rooms. They won''t bother with us," Fu Ming Shi said confidently. Ignoring Zhen Bao''s objections, he carried her inside. Fu Zheng and his wife were on the third floor. When they passed the third floor, Zhen Bao''s heart raced, but luckily nothing happened. They made it smoothly to her bedroom door.


    Fu Ming Shi set her down, gaze gentle, "Good night."


    After watching him walk downstairs, the first thing Zhen Bao did when she got to her room was look up "20 years old" online. The top results had nothing to do with what Fu Ming Shi had said. She had to scroll all the way to the bottom of the webpage before noticing a "marriage age requirements" in the rted searches.


    Zhen Bao froze. The legal marriage age for women seemed to be 20?


    So was Fu Ming Shi in a hurry to get married?

 Chapter 40: 040

    <h4>Chapter 40</h4>


    After the New Year holidays, Fu Ming Shi became busy again. Zhen Bao had just started school and didn''t have exam pressure, so her studies were rtively rxed for the time being. Compared tost semester, the only change was Feng Yue.


    Since they were ssmates, it was hard to avoid running into each other in the dorms and ssroom buildings. They went from chatting happily to pretending not to see each other, which made things rather awkward. Feng Yue also had some close friends, including those from other sses in their faculty, so sometimes when Zhen Bao wasing back alone from the library, she would run into Feng Yue and her friends. As they brushed past each other, Zhen Bao could feel their prying gazes.


    Zhen Bao didn''t like it, but she couldn''t control what others did.


    On Thursday night after finishing her part-time job, Zhen Bao was leaving the hospital when she was surprised to find Fu Ming Shi sitting on the back of her bike. The two had developed a habit of dating by now. Fu Ming Shi would usuallye over on weekends since he was busy with work and often flying domestically and abroad, so a lovely surprise like this didn''t happen frequently.


    "Not busy today?" Zhen Bao walked over with a smile and asked.


    Fu Ming Shi pulled her into his arms and kissed her first, tacitly agreeing. "What do you want for dinner tonight?"


    Zhen Bao wasn''t picky, so she let him decide.


    Fu Ming Shi was already very familiar with the restaurants around University A. He took Zhen Bao to eat grilled fish. At this time, most students had already eaten dinner, so the restaurant wasn''t crowded. Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao''s hand and chose a bass from the fish tank. When the owner weighed it, it was 4 jin.


    "Isn''t that too big?" Zhen Bao asked in a small voice.


    "I have a big appetite," Fu Ming Shi said with a smile at her, then led her inside to sit. After waiting a while, the steaming hot fish arrived, bubbling broth blurring Fu Ming Shi''s handsome face across from her. Zhen Bao loved spicy food, so when she saw the red chili peppers her appetite increased greatly, but she only ate half of it before she''d be too full to eat more.


    Fu Ming Shi really did have a good appetite though, and actually finished the rest. His fairplexion was flushed, and his lips were strangely tempting for some reason.


    Just as Zhen Bao noticed Fu Ming Shi about to look up, she quickly shifted her gaze back to her phone. It was 9 pm already.


    After the meal, they put the bikes back in the garage as usual, then went for a stroll around campus. Though they called it strolling around campus, it was cold out at night. Even as a couple they weren''t silly enough to actually walk around in the wind. Fu Ming Shi directly led Zhen Bao to the stadium, climbing the spectator stands on the downwind side. He sat on a chair with Zhen Bao sitting on hisp.


    Kissing had be an indispensable part of their rtionship, but with each kiss, Fu Ming Shi would take things a step further, like right now, his hands had finally broken through the outeryer of Zhen Bao''s down jacket to caress her warm little waist underneath, gliding back and forth.


    But that was still the limit, he didn''t dare to touch anywhere else yet.


    "I''m flying to Hangzhou tomorrow night. The new drama the group invested in will start shooting, so I''m going to meet the director," Fu Ming Shi said regretfully, since he wouldn''t be able to apany her over the weekend.


    Zhen Bao didn''t mind at all, rather she was a little excited. "Is it Director Lin Ping?"


    Last year when Fu Ming Shi taught her how to use Weibo, fans happened to be gossiping about Fu Ming Shi and the heroine of The Glory of Chang''an, Xia Ying. So Zhen Bao knew about that drama already. Upon finding out that the director Lin Ping was the one who directed her favorite ancient costume drama, Zhen Bao was quite looking forward to the release of this new drama.


    Fu Ming Shi said in surprise, "You like him?"


    Zhen Bao nodded and praised Director Lin Ping extensively in one breath.


    Fu Ming Shiughed and tempted her, "Then take a couple days off your part-time job ande with me. We can take a photo together."


    Without even thinking, Zhen Bao directly refused. With so many celebrities gathered together, there would definitely be a lot of reporters and fans. She was afraid of being photographed.


    "Then I''ll get you an autograph," guessing that his shy fianc¨¦e wouldn''t go, Fu Ming Shi helplessly patted her head.


    Just having the autograph was enough to make Zhen Bao very satisfied. She happily thanked him.


    "How will you thank me?" Fu Ming Shi lowered his head, his dark eyes profound. "I don''t really like verbal thanks."


    His teasing made her heart beat even faster than his kisses. Zhen Bao turned red and looked to the side silently for a few seconds before suddenly twisting back and swiftly pecking Fu Ming Shi on the lips. Then she hung her head and said, "Is this enough?"


    Fu Ming Shi tightened his hold on her waist and nibbled her ear, "That''s enough for the down payment. I''lle get the bnce from you when I get back."


    Zhen Bao covered her ear that he had practically kissed melted. "Then I don''t want the autograph anymore," she mumbled.


    "Forgot to tell you, this is a forced transaction. The engagement is already paid for, no backing out." Fu Ming Shi grabbed her hand and looked at her teasingly.


    He was pretending to be a shady businessman, but he actually made Zhen Baough. She curled into his arms, liking his warm embrace.


    Over the weekend, Fu Ming Shi went to meet the director while Zhen Bao also had tasks toplete. There were still several animals at the student association that hadn''t been adopted yet that needed baths, including two new stray cats that had just been brought in. By now, Zhen Bao was very skilled in this work. After finishing the tasks the new department head had given her, she didn''t leave in a hurry. Instead, she picked up Lord Cat who had been acting cute and begging for her attention for half the day, and sat under the sun to trim its ws.


    This job used to be done by Meng Jin Ning. After he left, Lord Cat from the technical department only recognized her now, not letting anyone else touch it.


    After trimming its ws, Zhen Bao gently stroked Lord Cat''s fur one by one. Lord Catfortably exposed its belly and let out rumbly purrs, making even Zhen Bao feel sleepy. Just as she was enjoying this, there was suddenly a shriek from inside. Lord Cat''s eyes snapped open immediately while Zhen Bao also swiftly put it down and went to go see what was happening.


    "Zhen Bao, it scratched me, look!"


    Seeing Zhen Bao, Food Science freshman Wang Li aggrievedly held out her arm to show her. Zhen Bao walked over to take a look and saw Wang Li''s arm was bleeding. She quickly advised, "You''ll need to get a rabies vine for this. Go quickly, I''ll help you wash it."


    Wang Li nked for a moment, looking at her arm, seemingly hesitant. "I really have to get the shot? I feel like I got scratched by a cat when I was little too but it was never treated."


    Just as Zhen Bao was about to speak, the new department head came in. After examining Wang Li''s injury, she had the same attitude as Zhen Bao, "Go on, just to be safe. Once you actually get rabies, even if you regret it, it''ll be toote." She then told Zhen Bao, "Go with Wang Li, you''re familiar with that area."


    Zhen Bao nodded, grabbed her bag, and rode her bike to take Wang Li to get the injection. Wang Li didn''t have enough money on her, so Zhen Bao helped pay 100 yuan upfront. By the time the shot was administered, it was almost noon. Wang Li went to withdraw money first to pay Zhen Bao back, then insisted on treating Zhen Bao to a meal. No matter how much Zhen Bao declined, Wang Li still dragged her to the cafeteria.


    "How unlucky, just like that a few hundred yuan is gone," while eating, Wang Li was responding to her friends'' replies on Moments about her "bad luck", whileining in a small voice.


    Zhen Bao could onlyfort her that a small loss now prevents bigger trouble.


    She didn''t know if Wang Li had listened, but then Wang Li shouted again, making Zhen Bao nearly choke on her food. Zhen Bao wiped her mouth in confusion and looked at Wang Li.


    "Look, Xia Ying is caught up in a scandal!" Wang Li passed her phone to Zhen Bao. She was a loyal fan of Xia Ying''s.


    Xia Ying''s scandal...


    Thinking of Fu Ming Shi who was also at the set today, a bad premonition suddenly popped into Zhen Bao''s mind. When she took Wang Li''s phone and saw the man in the scandal photo with Xia Ying was indeed Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao''s heart started racing rapidly, not because she doubted him.


    She believed Fu Ming Shi and Xia Ying didn''t have anything going on. She was just worried that ssmates who had seen Fu Ming Shi before might also have noticed this scandal and would link "Shi Ming" to Fu Ming Shi.


    Just as the thought crossed her mind, her phone rang.


    It was Jia Xiao Yu, telling her toe back to the dorm immediately.

 Chapter 41: 041

    <h4>Chapter 41</h4>


    Zhen Bao walked to her dorm room door. Just as she was about to put the key in, the door opened from the inside, revealing Jia Xiao Yu''s excited face.


    "Come in,e in." Jia Xiao Yu furtively looked left and right, grabbed Zhen Bao''s arm, and pulled her inside.


    Fan Xuan and Qian LeLe were already there, one sitting at theputer, the other standing nearby, tilting her head and smiling at Zhen Bao. Zhen Bao wanted to pretend she didn''t know anything, but Jia Xiao Yu eagerly pushed her over to Fan Xuan''s side. Pointing at the erged male head circled in red on the screen, she asked Zhen Bao, "Tell the truth, isn''t this your Timing?"


    Zhen Bao looked over. In the photo, Fu Ming Shi had just gotten out of the car, while Xia Ying had just walked out of the hotel. The photo was taken from the side. Xia Ying wore big sunsses, her long hair fluttering, red lips curled up. Fu Ming Shi stood in front of a luxury car in a tailored suit, looking as if he was specifically waiting for Xia Ying toe out, although his face was cold. Fu Ming Shi was always like that, so you couldn''t judge his mood from it.


    At dinner, Zhen Bao''s mind had been chaotic, and the screen on her phone was small, so she hadn''t looked closely. Now that she saw it clearly, and saw the suggestive titles "Xia Ying Suspected of Going on Date with Fu Ming Shi", "Xia Ying and Fu Ming Shi Enter and Exit the Same Hotel", Zhen Bao suddenly felt a little ufortable.


    That was her boyfriend. What girl would like her boyfriend getting embroiled in scandals with other women?


    "Zhen Bao?" Not feeling reassured, Jia Xiao Yu called out to her. Just now, she had only thought of confirming Timing''s other identity. Now, seeing Zhen Bao''s expression, she and Qian LeLe and Fan Xuan realized that if Timing really was Fu Ming Shi, this photo would definitely be a blow to Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao came back to her senses and looked at her roommates. She slowly nodded.


    In fact, Zhen Bao had wanted to keep it a secret all along, but Fu Ming Shi''s words to her on Christmas Eve had reminded her. Jia Xiao Yu and the others weren''t just ordinary ssmates and alumni, they were good friends she would keep in contact with after graduation, and roommates she trusted. Since they had already guessed, she shouldn''t keep lying.


    "Ah..."


    Jia Xiao Yu was the first to pounce over and hug Zhen Bao, drawing out her voice in a long cry. Afraid of being overheard by other dorms, she kept her voice very low: "Oh my god, I can''t believe I get to be friends with someone so rich. Zhen Bao, tell me quickly, how did you get to know each other!"


    Qian LeLe, on the other hand, wheeled her luxurious chair over, seating Zhen Bao in it like a guest. She then brought over Zhen Bao''s little stool. The three girls surrounded Zhen Bao, hands over hearts, hands cupping faces, eyes brimming with pink bubbles, eagerly anticipating a romantic story.


    Zhen Bao felt a little ufortable with their attentions. As she recalled her romance with Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao''s face gradually reddened. For now forgetting about the scandal, she lowered her head and gave her roommates a simple exnation. However, Zhen Bao tweaked some parts of the story, only saying that Fu Elder and her grandfather were war buddies. When Fu Elder fell ill, he suddenly remembered his war buddy and sent Fu Ming Shi to visit. Then, as Fu Ming Shi was taking care of things on Fu Elder''s behalf, he ended up...


    "Wuwu, my grandfather was a soldier too, howe he wasn''t in the samepany as your grandfather?" Jia Xiao Yu clung to Zhen Bao''s left arm, very regretfully stroking Zhen Bao''s sleeve.


    "If you were Zhen Bao, Timing... I mean Boss Fu could have just given you a few cards and called it a day." Qian LeLe meaningfully said. She deliberately lightly stroked Zhen Bao''s little face, "Our Zhen Bao is the most outstanding flower bud in the big mountains. She has a natural fatal attraction for Boss Fu."


    "Oh stop that." Zhen Bao pressed down Qian LeLe''s mischievous hand.


    Qian LeLe and Jia Xiao Yuughed together.


    Fan Xuan was more sensible. Worried, she asked Zhen Bao, "I flipped through the news,st year Fu Ming Shi was also embroiled in a scandal with Xia Ying in Paris. That''s why the media is making a big fuss over this photo now. Do you know what''s going on?" There were too many yboy rich men. Zhen Bao was so innocent, she was worried Fu Ming Shi was deliberately taking advantage of a honest person, ying with two boats.


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    After listening to Zhen Bao''s exnation and considering Fu Ming Shi''s good treatment of Zhen Bao, the three girls believed in Fu Ming Shi''s innocence. Instead, they advised Zhen Bao, "There are tabloid rumors in the entertainment industry every day, few are real. This kind of hearsay happens all the time, you absolutely can''t take it to heart."


    "Mm, I know," Zhen Bao smiled.


    Helpless at being surrounded by the three girls, she asked, "Can I leave now?"


    "You wish." Jia Xiao Yu clung tightly to her arm, "Tricking us for so long, tell us, how will you make up for it?"


    "I''ll treat everyone to dinner tonight." Zhen Bao obediently acknowledged her debt. Now that she was earning her own money, she could indulge in a little luxury asionally.


    Qian LeLe pursed her lips. "Who wants you to treat them? We want Boss Fu to treat us."


    For that, Zhen Bao couldn''t make the decision.


    "Zhen Bao, why did you have to hide it, and even make up a Timing?" What Fan Xuan couldn''t understand most was this point. She looked back at theputer, hugging herself as she humphed, "If I were you, I would have made Fu Ming Shi publicly announce the rtionship long ago, letting everyone know Boss Fu is mine, so those paparazzi wouldn''t gossip."


    Zhen Bao lowered her head. It was a good while before she mumbled, "I''m afraid too much attention would affect my studies."


    The three girls looked at each other, understanding. Fu Ming Shi was a public figure. If it came out he was dating, reporters would certainly follow them for news. Zhen Bao was so shy, she would blush even when giving a PPT presentation at the lectern. Suddenly bing the focus of the media would indeed be troublesome, not to mention their ssmates'' possible reactions.


    "Alright, we''ll help you keep it a secret." Jia Xiao Yu was the first to raise her hand and pledge.


    Qian LeLe and Fan Xuan quickly chimed in agreement.


    Zhen Bao naturally believed her roommates, thanking them with a smile.


    "Oh right, since your aunt is made up, where did you spend New Year''s this year?" Qian LeLe suddenly asked.


    Zhen Bao was coy, eyes shifting.


    Jia Xiao Yu gasped in shock. "Could it be at the Fu family? In that case, you''ve met his parents already?"


    Zhen Bao tacitly admitted it.


    Fan Xuan heaved a huge sigh of relief, teasing Zhen Bao, "You''ve met the parents already, Zhen Bao''s just waiting to be the young mistress of a prominent family now. In the future, if you ever use some clothes or bags just once or twice and don''t like them anymore, remember to give them to us."


    They were joking around when Zhen Bao''s phone rang. It was Fu Ming Shi calling.


    Zhen Bao wanted to go outside, but was pinned down by the three girls together. Jia Xiao Yu humphed, "Having scandals with other women when you have a family already. If Boss Fu is calling to apologize, we can forgive him this once. If he doesn''t offer a single word of exnation, then Zhen Bao will... punish him with no kisses for a month!"


    Zhen Bao was helpless against the three of them, so she could only take the call under their siege.


    "Had dinner yet?"


    Amidst Jia Xiao Yu and the other two''s bated breaths full of expectation, the phone conveyed the most in and simple opening line. Jia Xiao Yu rolled her eyes. Qian LeLe feigned copse. Fan Xuan struggled not tough.


    Zhen Bao wanted tough too. She gently reminded him, "Is there something? My roommates are all next to me..." Before she could finish, Jia Xiao Yu surreptitiously pinched her. Zhen Bao softly sucked in a breath.


    In the hotel suite, Fu Ming Shi could almost imagine the scene in the girls'' dorm. He could also guess why his call was being eavesdropped on this time. ncing at the scandal photo on the screen, Fu Ming Shi calmly said, "That hotel is the best in the area. The director, producer, and several main cast members are almost all staying around there. I happened to run into hering out when I entered the hotel. We didn''t exchange a single word. The rest is just the reporters making things up for sensationalism."


    Although she had already believed him in her heart, hearing him exin it personally still made Zhen Bao happy. Lowering her head, she hmm''ed, "I know."


    Face flushed red, voice soft and delicate, like a little wife who would believe whatever her man said.


    Jia Xiao Yu jabbed Zhen Bao''s arm, scorning her for being so shameless.


    "Is there any trouble on your side?" Fu Ming Shi asked in a low voice.


    Zhen Bao looked at her three roommates and smiled. "Xiao Yu and the others all know now. The other ssmates haven''t seen you many times, at most they might feel you look a little simr." Even the same person could give very different impressions wearing a down jacket versus wearing a suit. Moreover, one was a university student while the other was an unreachable tycoon. Most people wouldn''t associate the two.


    "That''s good. I still have some things to deal with here. I''ll be back Monday afternoon and treat you all to dinner in the evening."


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    "You hear that? Boss Fu said he''ll treat us to dinner!" Jia Xiao Yu excitedly jumped up.


    "Keep it down." Fan Xuan shot a look at the door, timely reminding her.


    Jia Xiao Yu quickly covered her mouth, continuing to pester Zhen Bao for details about the couple''s romance. She asked on and off all the way until bedtime, when the excitement Boss Fu had stirred up in the dorm finally gradually died down. Before sleeping, it was Zhen Bao''s habit to listen to some audio for a few minutes. As she was listening, a message alert came in.


    Zhen Bao thought it was Fu Ming Shi calling, but when she picked up her phone, it turned out to be Meng Ji Ning, who was studying abroad. He sent her a screenshot of the scandalous photo, "Shi Ming?"


    Remembering what he had said before going abroad, Zhen Bao admitted: "I don''t want to go public yet, I''ve only told my roommates. I hope you can keep it a secret for me."


    About a minuteter, Meng Ji Ning sent back a smiling emoji: "As you wish, richdy."


    Zhen Bao almostughed out loud.


    On Sunday morning, her roommates were sleeping in, so Zhen Bao went to the cafeteria alone for breakfast - rice porridge, salted vegetables and scallion pancakes.


    When she was halfway through her meal, a food tray suddenly appeared on the table across from her. Zhen Bao looked up in surprise.


    Feng Yue had an awkward expression as she looked at her: "Can I sit here?"


    This was the first time the two had spoken since the start of the school year.


    Zhen Bao felt no joy at the possibility of rekindling their friendship, only difort. She stiffly nodded and continued eating with her head down.


    Feng Yue looked at her and gently said as she peeled a boiled egg, "Zhen Bao, I was in the wrong about what happenedst year. But it wasn''t on purpose. I had liked him for so long, and when he suddenly left, I was too heartbroken. With only you, a fellow townsman, around, I couldn''t help but take it out on you. Actually, I regretted it over winter break, but I could never figure out how to make up with you. Seeing you every day but not speaking, I felt awful too."


    She said a mouthful, and Zhen Bao smiled politely out of courtesy: "It''s alright, it''s in the past now."


    Feng Yue''s eyes immediately curved up happily. "So you''re willing to make up with me?"


    What could Zhen Bao say?


    Throughout the meal, Feng Yue chatted andughed as if nothing had ever happened between them. Zhen Bao couldn''t act so carefree. Unless spoken to, she barely opened her mouth. After finishing her food, she directly stood up, "I''m going to get food for Xiao Yu and the others, I''ll get going first."


    Feng Yue smiled and nodded.


    Zhen Bao went to get food - threezy roommates, three meal cards, she got them all. When she turned around, she saw Feng Yue standing there waiting for her. Zhen Bao sighed silently, they used to be friends, but she had never liked certain aspects of Feng Yue''s personality. Their interactions had been fairly easygoing, but now, she suddenly couldn''t find that feeling anymore. The thought of having to entertain Feng Yue felt tiring.


    "Bye bye," Feng Yue smiled and waved at Zhen Bao when they reached the dorm building.


    Zhen Bao took out her keys and entered the dorm room.


    Fan Xuan poked her head out from her bed, staring at Zhen Bao suspiciously: "Who were you talking to just now?"


    Zhen Bao gave a wry smile: "Feng Yue."


    No sooner had she spoken than Jia Xiao Yu and Qian LeLe almost simultaneously sat up, incredulously asking: "You two made up?"


    Zhen Bao went to distribute the breakfasts, then came back to her side to exin: "We ran into each other at the cafeteria. She spoke to me, I couldn''t just ignore her." From elementary to university, Zhen Bao had always had good rtionships with ssmates, never fighting with anyone. As long as someone smiled at her, she couldn''t act aloof. After all, she and Feng Yue didn''t have any deep hatred, just a minor tiff.


    "There''s no free lunch, she must be up to something shady. Zhen Bao, listen to me, be careful. I dare bet she''s guessed that Shi Ming is Fu Ming Shi. That''s why she''s cozying up to you again. It always happens like this in idol dramas," Jia Xiao Yu, who disliked Feng Yue the most, got dressed first and climbed down, putting on her pants while warning Zhen Bao. "Last year she shamelessly roomed with you. This kind of person just loves taking advantage of others. Now you''re a big fat sheep to her."


    Zhen Bao did have some suspicion, but Feng Yue hadn''t mentioned Fu Ming Shi yet, so she couldn''t jump to conclusions prematurely.


    In the afternoon, Zhen Bao went to the library to study. Just as she walked out of the dorm building, she heard someone calling from behind - Feng Yue''s voice.


    "I''m going to the library too, let''s walk together." Feng Yue greeted her familiarly.


    Zhen Bao smiled and went to get her bike first.


    At the library, Zhen Bao focused on her own reading while Feng Yue browsed on her phone after a short while.


    "Oh, Zhen Bao look, doesn''t this person look like Shi Ming?"


    Feng Yue suddenly leaned over to show Zhen Bao the erged photo from Weibo. As soon as she heard her speak, Zhen Bao knew which photo it was. Remaining surprisingly calm in the face of her morning guess being confirmed, she pretended to look at the photo, then made an interested expression under Feng Yue''s probing gaze: "He does look simr, who is this?"


    "Fu Ming Shi, CEO of Sh¨¨ngsh¨¬ Group, rumored to be worth billions." Feng Yue looked at her enviously and said staringly, "His name is Fu Ming Shi, your boyfriend is called Shi Ming, their names are so alike. Shi Ming might actually be Fu Ming Shi but was afraid to scare you so he hid it from you. That''s how it always goes in idol dramas."


    She strongly suspected the two were one person, but Zhen Bao''s expression was wless. That left only one possibility - Fu Ming Shi had hid it from even Zhen Bao!


    Feng Yue''s imagination ran wild. Zhen Baoughed and shook her head, continuing to read her book: "Impossible, Shi Ming is only in his second year of university. This guy is a CEO, graduated at least a few years ago right?"


    Feng Yue frowned, looking between the photos, uncertain again. Judging by Shi Ming''s outfits, except for that time he booked two presidential suites in one go, he didn''t really look like a CEO. However... She took out the candid photos of Shi Ming she had secretly taken,paring them side by side. The more Feng Yue looked, the more shocked she became. If they weren''t the same person, how could two people in the world look so alike?


    She surreptitiously observed Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao had her head lowered reading, long eyshes prettily drooping down. She was beautiful, but not shockingly so at first nce. Lively and natural, she was the kind of clean beauty that was more charming the more you looked, the sort of green tea bitch most beloved by men. On the surface, she acted friendly, but was secretly seducing Meng Ji Ning, the one Feng Yue liked.


    Thinking of Meng Ji Ning, Feng Yue''s chest burned with anger.


    But she had to get to the bottom of Zhen Bao''s rtionship with Fu Ming Shi first. If Shi Ming really was Fu Ming Shi...


    Putting away her phone, Feng Yue pretended to read while scenarios of the suit-d man from the photos floated through her mind.


    On Monday night, Fu Ming Shi came early to wait for Zhen Bao. The two first went back to the dorm building to drop off bikes and pick up roommates.


    Seeing Fu Ming Shi still in his low-key university student outfit, Jia Xiao Yu had a belly full ofints but didn''t dare voice them. She no longer teased Fu Ming Shi like an ordinary roommate''s boyfriend.


    Sensing their restraint, Fu Ming Shi behaved no differently than usual, putting his arm around Zhen Bao''s shoulders and smiling apologetically at the three girls: "Zhen Bao likes keeping it low-key, so...we''ll have to make do with eating off campus tonight. After we go public in the future, I''ll treat you to a proper meal."


    Zhen Bao awkwardly ducked away from his shoulder.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled helplessly, his deep gaze fixed unceasingly on Zhen Bao.


    Whether as a fake university student or a business magnate, his attitude toward Zhen Bao remained unchanged, shamelessly disying their affection regardless of onlookers.


    Having been oppressed multiple times, the three roommates suddenly came alive. Forgetting all about the CEO, they grabbed Zhen Bao and headed off campus - eating was most important!

 Chapter 42: 042

    <h4>Chapter 42</h4>


    After dinner, Jia Xiaoyu and the others first returned to the dormitory, and Zhen Bao went for a stroll around campus with Fu Mingshi.


    "Weren''t you worried at all when you saw the gossip?"


    Passing under a streetmp, Fu Mingshi stopped and pulled Zhen Bao against themppost. At 1.65 meters tall, Zhen Bao looked especially petite in Fu Mingshi''s eyes. Sitting down, he liked to pull Zhen Bao onto hisp. Standing up, Fu Mingshi really enjoyed their current position, using his arms and chest topletely surround her.


    And so Zhen Bao''s eyes were filled only with him. Inhaling Fu Mingshi''s crisp, warm scent, Zhen Bao shook her head slightly. Dating Fu Mingshi, she had only ever worried that their vastly different spending habits would cause disagreements. She had never doubted that Fu Mingshi would get entangled with other women. She didn''t know why, she just believed in him.


    Seeing his fianc¨¦e was so easy to coax, Fu Mingshi wanted tough. He teased her, "Believing me so much, what if someday I really..."


    Zhen Bao thought about it very seriously, lowering her head to say, "I wouldn''t do anything. We''d break up, you''d go your way, I''d go mine." She should cry, cry it out, then move on and find another suitable boyfriend in the future.


    Fu Mingshi was only joking around. Hearing her say the words "break up", his gaze instantly darkened. He tightened his hold around her waist, looking into her eyes, "There won''t be anyone else. I''m only dating you, only kissing you, only marrying you, only...sleeping with you. Even if you fall for someone else and want to cheat, I won''t give you the chance."


    With several repetitions of "only", Zhen Bao was initially very moved. But when Fu Mingshi mentioned sleeping together, her heart panicked and she evasively argued, "I wasn''t thinking of cheating." What kind of person did he take her for? If the feeling was gone, it was fine to fall out of love, break up. Cheating was a character w.


    Right now Fu Mingshi didn''t feel like talking. He tipped up her chin, watching as she closed her eyes, before slowly kissing down from her forehead. asionally someone would walk by and he paid them no mind, wholly focused on kissing her, kissing her flushed cheeks, kissing her sweet lips. Pressing his body tightly to hers, he wanted to merge them into one.


    Unfortunately under the cold streetmp it wasn''t very realistic to do that.


    Reluctantly releasing her lips, stealing a few more tastes, Fu Mingshi finally remembered the main issue. Still pressed to her forehead he asked, "You aren''t worried I would cheat, so when you saw gossip linking me to someone else, you didn''t have any other feelings?" As he spoke, his dark eyes locked onto Zhen Bao''s watery big eyes.


    Zhen Bao''s longshes fluttered continuously. She pursed her lips, lowering her eyes.


    Fu Mingshi''s mood suddenly improved tremendously. He kissed her eyes, "You were jealous?" Feeling jealous meant she cared.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t deny it.


    Fu Mingshi liked when she was jealous, yet also couldn''t bear her feeling jealous. Stroking the corners of her lips he said, "Don''t worry, watch for yourself tomorrow."


    During sses the next day, Zhen Bao couldn''t resist constantly checking her phone, anxious to know what Fu Mingshi would say to rify things.


    "What are you looking at?" Jia Xiaoyu was surprised to see the model student ying on her phone during ss and curiously asked.


    Zhen Bao immediately stopped and concentrated on the lecture.


    After lunch when they returned to the dorm to rest, Zhen Bao was still preupied with the rification issue, but didn''t want her roommates to catch on. She went over to her bed early on and settled in with herptop. After futilely refreshing Weibo several times, she got engrossed in a 10+ minute animated video clip. The little yellow bird inside was simply adorable and Zhen Bao becamepletely absorbed.


    "Zhen Bao,e down quick!"


    Jia Xiaoyu suddenly shrieked, her voice piercing through Zhen Bao''s headphones into her ears. Zhen Bao gave a startled jump. Looking over, she saw Jia Xiaoyu standing under her bunk, speaking excitedly in a low voice for her toe down. "Come down, your Fu is trending on Weibo again, so handsome!"


    Zhen Bao blinked nkly, putting on an expression ofplete ignorance as she climbed down from her bunk towards where Jia Xiaoyu and the others were crowded around Jia Xiaoyu''sputer. Jia Xiaoyu moved her mouse over to the trending topics column, giggling as she read, "Fu Mingshi Denies Romance Rumors". She clicked open the title to y an interview video.


    In the video, Fu Mingshi was dressed in a suit, just exiting an office building while several reporters swarmed him, vying to ask about his rtionship with Xia Ying. "Boss Fu, we heard Elder Fu is severely ill and you''ll soon announce wedding ns. Is it true? Will Xia Ying be the bride?"


    Jia Xiaoyu suddenly paused the video here and turned to ask Zhen Bao, "Are you getting married?"


    "No, they''re just fabricating things." At the critical moment, Zhen Bao instinctively pressed down on her roommate''s shoulder, wanting to hear what would follow.


    Jia Xiaoyu sighed regretfully then hit y again.


    Fu Mingshi''s expression was detached as he addressed the outstretched recorders, "The elder is recovering well. I''m also not dating anyone, reports of illness and wedding ns are just rumors."


    "So Boss Fu and Xia Ying aren''t in a romantic rtionship?"


    Fu Mingshi nodded. "Actually Xia Ying and I aren''t close. That day I went to the hotel to meet Director Lin, us appearing in the same frame was purely coincidence."


    The reporters were somewhat disappointed, but quickly someone else asked, "What kind of girl does Boss Fu like? Someone morous like Xia Ying, or..."


    Fu Mingshi faintly smiled, "Can''t say exactly, but I won''t look for a girlfriend in business or entertainment circles. So any future sightings linking me with female celebrities can definitely be considered false, no need to take them seriously."


    "Why don''t you like female celebrities, does Boss Fu have prejudice against them?"


    Sensing someone was trying to bait him, Fu Mingshi declined to answer further. When his car arrived, he swiftly got in and left, ending the video.


    Jia Xiaoyu, who had now seen it twice, still wasn''t satisfied. She yed it again, mooning over it. "Zhen Bao, take a close up shot of Boss Fu in a suit for me someday. I want to make it my wallpaper. He really is a CEO straight out of romance novels, much more handsome than ones on TV."


    "Zhen Bao only takes photos to ogle over herself, she''d have to be an idiot to give them to you," Qian Lele rapped her on the head.


    So Jia Xiaoyu red at Zhen Bao, "You get the real thing, give me the photos to ogle!"


    Ogle...


    A thought suddenly popped into Zhen Bao''s mind, of the time Fu Mingshi had taken her to a hot springst year. Other than the areas covered by her swimsuit, Fu Mingshi had practically "ogled" every inch of her body. Zhen Bao''s face instantly flushed crimson. Her roommates assumed she was imagining ogling Fu Mingshi and they all giggled knowingly.


    Zhen Bao ignored them and wanted to go back to her bunk and watch the video through her headphones a couple more times.


    "Wait, your Fu dared to say he doesn''t have a girlfriend and you''re not mad?" Qian Lele grabbed Zhen Bao, half jokingly ribbing her.


    Before Zhen Bao could exin, Jia Xiaoyu chimed in sagely, "You just don''t understand. Boss Fu is considerate, since Zhen Bao doesn''t want to announce it publicly, the obedient Fu Mingshi doesn''t dare act on his own. Plus he can''t admit to having a girlfriend either. If he did but didn''t reveal who she was, paparazzi would definitely stalk him constantly. How would Boss Fu have any time to sneak away and y kissy face with Zhen Bao posing as a college student?"


    Qian Lele continuously nodded her head, "That makes sense."


    Since they were happily imagining things, Zhen Bao didn''t bother rifying.


    Actually, ording to the agreement with Elder Fu beforeing to the capital, she wasn''t formally Fu Mingshi''s girlfriend yet...


    She was his fianc¨¦e.


    When teasing her, Fu Mingshi always referred to himself as her fianc¨¦.


    Feng Yue also saw Fu Mingshi''s rification Weibo post, but what caught her attention wasn''t the content of his rification, but rather Fu Mingshi''s voice. Looks may be simr, but his voice was so alike too. Feng Yue refused to believe Fu Mingshi and Shi Ming weren''t the same person.


    Feng Yue was too excited to sleep.


    Fu Mingshi was so wealthy. If she could be close friends with him, really irond bestie-type friends, in the future if she ever needed help Fu Mingshi could easily take care of things with a lift of his finger. Even if she never asked Fu Mingshi for anything, just maintaining a sisterly bond with Zhen Bao and frequently visiting Fu Mingshi''s vi to y, it would broaden her horizons.


    Day by day, when Feng Yue thought about it at night, she surprisingly dreamed about Fu Ming Shi. In the dream, she and Zhen Bao went to Fu Ming Shi''s home together, but Zhen Bao somehow disappeared. Fu Ming Shi walked towards her step by step with a gentle and affectionate look, even more charming than the way he looked at Zhen Bao.


    The dream was so beautiful that Feng Yue didn''t want to wake up. After waking up, she couldn''t help but relish the dream again and again.


    When washing her face and looking at herself in the mirror, Feng Yue suddenly felt that she didn''t look bad either. She didn''t have Zhen Bao''s natural beauty, but with some dressing up, she wouldn''t necessarily look worse than Zhen Bao. What if...what if her beautiful dream coulde true? Zhen Bao had stolen Meng Jining''s heart, so why couldn''t she...


    Aftering out of the bathroom, Feng Yue went online to search for makeup tutorials, and also bought a set of cosmetics to practice with.


    For most students, the only difference between university and high school was that the courses were less tight without the pressure of the college entrance exam. Only a small portion had the excitement described in novels or TV shows. Animal medicine majors had more courses and their lives were even more dull, still focused on studying.


    In terms of dress style, freshman were generally a little more unsophisticatedpared to higher grades.


    Among the dozen or so girls in Zhen Bao''s ss, only two wore makeup at the beginning of the year. So when Feng Yue also started dressing up, she immediately attracted the attention of other girls. Girls love gossip. As soon as one person noticed, they would chat with their friends, and the matter spread.


    That day, Feng Yue came to borrow notes from Zhen Bao, and Jia Xiaoyu couldn''t help but size her up a few more times. Jia Xiaoyu disliked Feng Yue the most, but she had to admit that makeup really could change a person. Feng Yue was not ugly to begin with, rather above average in looks. Now with her brows and eyes made up, she had be a beauty.


    This discovery made Jia Xiaoyu very unhappy. After Feng Yue left, sheined sullenly to her roommate, "They all say there''s no ugly woman, onlyzy women. Now I finally believe it."


    Fan Xuanughed at her, "Jealous? What''s there to be jealous about? I can teach you too, guarantee I''ll make you look better than her."


    Jia Xiaoyu immediately cheered up and went further to point at Zhen Bao and ask, "Can you make me look prettier than Zhen Bao?"


    Zhen Bao smiled helplessly.


    Fan Xuan replied earnestly, "I can, but my makeup skills aren''t good enough yet. You''ll have to find a top Hollywood makeup artist."


    Qian Leleughed so hard she choked on water, and Jia Xiaoyu rushed over to hit her.


    Joking aside, when a woman gets excited, she does whatever she wants. With no sses in the afternoon, Fan Xuan took her roommates shopping at the cosmetics counters. Zhen Bao''s wealth was reflected in her boyfriend Fu Ming Shi, but she had always been restrained in spending money. Fan Xuan was a true rich girl, swiping her card without any hesitation, and bought a pile of bottles and jars.


    Back in the dorm, Fan Xuan first made up Jia Xiaoyu, who was most looking forward to it.


    Jia Xiaoyu had a pure and cute look. After the makeup she looked even more innocent, or in Qian Lele''s words, very much like the pure innocent girl who strays in Japanese idol drama/action films. Though thisment unintentionally exposed her extensive viewing history.


    Qian Lele had sensitive skin so she passed.


    Fan Xuan called Zhen Bao over.


    Zhen Bao nced at Jia Xiaoyu still admiring herself in the mirror, unable to restrain her feminine love for beauty. She excitedly sat down. Fan Xuan crossed her arms like a master sculptor about to begin carving. After a while she started doing Zhen Bao''s makeup, while Jia Xiaoyu and Qian Lele crowded around to watch.


    Fan Xuan gave Zhen Bao a morous look. The only w that couldn''t be saved was Zhen Bao''s eyes, as clear as natural spring water in mineral water ads, unable to take on a bewitching look. But this was just short of reaching the essence of a sly old fox. The made-up Zhen Bao was a hundred times more charming, like a rookie fox spirit just debuting, with the most alluring beauty yet most innocent eyes, even more attractive to men.


    Zhen Bao saw the shock in her roommates'' eyes, but the three girls snatched her phone, not allowing her to look in the mirror.


    By the time Zhen Bao was finally able to see herself in the mirror, her roommates had huddled together to plot mischief. "Today''s Wednesday, not Zhen Bao''s date night. What do you think the probability is that President Fu will show up tonight if I send him this photo?"


    "I bet one Grandpa Mao he''lle for sure!" Qian Lele ced the first bet.


    Level-headed Fan Xuan asked Zhen Bao first, "Your President Fu is in Beijing right? As long as he''s in Beijing, he''ll definitelye. I bet two Grandpa Maos."


    "Then I bet three!" Jia Xiaoyu concluded.


    Zhen Bao was so embarrassed she didn''t even dare look in the mirror, ring at Jia Xiaoyu, "If you dare send it to him, don''t expect me to bring you meals anymore."


    Jia Xiaoyu grinned evilly at her, waving her phone, "I won''t send it. I''ll send him one with mosaic first. If he wants to see the original he can make an offer. If the price satisfies me I''ll send it." Saying so, she mbered onto the bed monkey-like, "Lele, help me keep guard!"


    Qian Lele and Fan Xuan then stood like two mountain gods blocking the way. As soon as Zhen Bao came over they grabbed her.


    "Xiaoyu!" Zhen Bao was really anxious now, ashamed. She had just looked in the mirror, appearing too...as if deliberately trying to seduce Fu Ming Shi. She didn''t want Fu Ming Shi to see this.


    Jia Xiaoyu poked her head out and smiled at her, clutching her phone and directly sending Fu Ming Shi a high-def photo.


    Fu Ming Shi was in his office looking over documents when he heard the message ringtone. Picking up his phone, he saw it was from Jia Xiaoyu. Fu Ming Shi''s brows furrowed slightly. He had taken the initiative to add Jia Xiaoyu''s contact so he could reach her if anything happened to Zhen Bao at school. Over half a year had passed and Jia Xiaoyu had never contacted him before. Could something have happened to Zhen Bao?


    Opening WeChat, a photo popped into view, the backdrop a girls'' dorm.


    Fu Ming Shi stared at the photo, almost not daring to recognize it.


    He zoomed in for a closer look, confirming it was his fianc¨¦e. Fu Ming Shi suddenly felt a bit restless, wanting to rush over immediately to see her up close with makeup for the first time.


    In the girls'' dorm, Jia Xiaoyu was still on the bed waiting for Fu Ming Shi''s reply.


    Zhen Bao knew she had really sent it, not angry, just embarrassed, wanting to wash her face but blocked by Fan Xuan who wouldn''t let her ruin her hard work.


    "He replied!"


    With a "ding", even without Jia Xiaoyu saying so, the three below the bed also knew Fu Ming Shi had replied.


    "What did he say?" Qian Lele asked, craning her neck.


    Jia Xiaoyu smiled and lowered her phone for them to see.


    Zhen Bao didn''t look, lowering her head in the chair.


    Qian Lele took the phone and held it in front of her. Zhen Bao secretly nced - two words: Thank you.


    Now Zhen Bao''s neck turned red along with her face.


    Right after reading Fu Ming Shi''s reply to Jia Xiaoyu, her phone rang. It was a call, from Fu Ming Shi.


    Zhen Bao went out to the balcony to answer, exining first, "They sent it randomly."


    Fu Ming Shi hmm-ed, "I''lle pick you up tonight."


    Zhen Bao covered her face with one hand, "Don''t, they bet you''de over tonight. Don''t let them guess right."


    Fu Ming Shiughed, "How much did they bet?"


    Zhen Bao, "Anyway you don''te."


    Fu Ming Shi was silent a few seconds. "Okay."


    If he wasn''t going, Shi Ming was.

 Chapter 43: 043

    <h4>Chapter 43</h4>


    When Zhen Bao came out of the hospital, the moment she saw Fu Ming Shi, she suddenly heard the conversation with her roommates ringing in her ears.


    "How about it, isn''t President Fuing over tonight?"


    "No, he has a dinner party tonight."


    "He''s obviously lying to you. He says he''s noting, but he''ll surprise you with ate night visit. I bet you a milk tea he does."


    All three roommates bet that Fu Ming Shi woulde, but the facts proved that she, who believed Fu Ming Shi, was the most foolish.


    "Didn''t you say you weren''ting?" Pulled into his arms, Zhen Bao lowered her head and mumbled. Fu Ming Shi hade, and she wasn''t unhappy about it. She just thought about how her roommates would definitelyugh at her when she returned to the dormitory that night. Zhen Bao just wanted to...hit him once. If he wasing, why did he have to lie to her?


    "Fu Ming Shi promised you he wouldn''te, but I''m Shi Ming right now." Fu Ming Shi sat in the car seat and looked at his fianc¨¦e askance. "Did you guess I woulde?" Otherwise why did she take off her makeup?


    Zhen Bao shook her head and said in a muffled voice, "The makeup was too thick. I took it off after the phone call." She could be vain, but she couldn''t bring herself to go out and meet ssmates doing part-time work wearing such thick makeup. It wasn''t just that she didn''t want Fu Ming Shi to see it.


    Fu Ming Shi took out his cell phone and turned on the screen. "It looks quite nice, innocent without makeup, and morous with it..."


    "Delete it." Zhen Bao quickly covered his phone screen, not allowing him to look any further.


    Fu Ming Shiughed and sped her hand. Just when Zhen Bao thought he would be stubborn and insist on not deleting it, Fu Ming Shi looked into her eyes and said somethingpletely irrelevant: "I asked Auntie Wang to prepare dinner. Let''s go eat there first, then go see a movie afterwards."


    There were stars in his eyes. Zhen Bao was bewitched by him and nodded nkly.


    Fu Ming Shi rewarded her with a kiss, then rode his bike to take her back to her dorm to grab her things.


    Qian LeLe and the two others were watching a movie in the female dormitory when they heard the sound of Zhen Bao opening the door. The three girls were greatly surprised. After Zhen Bao closed the door, Jia Xiao Yu said dejectedly, "I didn''t see thating. Turns out President Fu is a righteous gentleman. He said he wouldn''te, so he didn''t. And I thought he would turn into a big bad wolf CEO tonight."


    Fan Xuan stroked her chin, reflecting on the past: "Could it be that my makeup skills need improvement?"


    After finishing the spicy sticks in her mouth, Qian LeLe had the final say: "President Fu has been single for nearly thirty years. How could an ordinary personpare willpower with him?"


    Zhen Bao pretended to be deaf. She first put her bag on the table, then pulled out two tissues in a row, as if she was going to the bathroom. When she reached the bathroom door, she suddenly opened the door to the dorm room across the hall and exined while fleeing without looking back: "I''m going to watch a movie."


    Before her voice faded, the door was already closed.


    She had run so fast that Jia Xiao Yu and the other two looked at each other in dismay, only able to figure out the meaning after a while. Jia Xiao Yu moved the fastest. She was the first to leave her seat and rush to the balcony, with Fan Xuan and Qian LeLe close behind. After waiting about a minute or two, the figures of Fu Ming Shi and Zhen Bao appeared below.


    What righteous gentleman? He was clearly just a lustful tyrant CEO!


    Jia Xiao Yu deliberately coughed loudly.


    Zhen Bao was startled and looked up to see the three big heads.


    Zhen Bao''s face grew hot. She quickened her pace without realizing it. Fu Ming Shi looked up to see his fianc¨¦e''s roommates. He smiled, then raised his hand to cover Zhen Bao''s ear. Noticing Fu Ming Shi''s actions, Jia Xiao Yu let out a shriek, "I can''t stand it anymore! I just can''t!"


    How could President Fu torment her so?


    Running back to the dormitory, Jia Xiao Yu indignantly sent Zhen Bao a message: Can you please keep your man in check?


    By now, Zhen Bao had reached the main road. Hearing the notification sound, she took out her phone and saw the content. Sheughed and handed it to Fu Ming Shi to look at, curious what he would reply.


    Zhen Bao didn''t know how to respond.


    So Fu Ming Shi took the phone and typed: What''s it to you?


    Jia Xiao Yu blinked three times, then decisively turned off her phone.


    After getting into the passenger seat, Zhen Bao turned her head to pull on the seat belt. When she turned her head back, two gift boxes suddenly appeared in front of her, one pink and one white, both printed clearly with brand logos that she had seen when browsing counters with Fan Xuan that afternoon.


    "I had my assistant pick these out. Try them first, and change to another brand if you don''t like them." Fu Ming Shi ced the boxes on herp and enjoyed Zhen Bao''s silly, stunned expression for a moment before nonchntly driving off.


    Zhen Bao opened one gift box and found it was indeed a makeup set.


    She was starting to understand Fu Ming Shi''s intentions, and didn''t know whether tough or cry. "I don''t know how to put on makeup."


    "You can learn." Fu Ming Shi nced at her. "With your ability to self-study, this shouldn''t be too difficult."


    Zhen Bao had no words. She just looked at the two high-end makeup kits, reluctant to waste them. She whispered, "I''ll use these after I''ve learned how." Jia Xiao Yu had bought some cheap ones online that afternoon specifically for practicing.


    "There are two more sets left, enough for you to practice with." Thinking she wanted to stall for time, Fu Ming Shi''s eyes shed cunningly. "After dinner I''ll watch you practice. I''ve already found tutorial videos."


    He hade fully prepared. Zhen Bao puckered her lips. "Aren''t we going to watch a movie?"


    Fu Ming Shi smiled. "If you really want to see one that badly, you can watch at home after putting on makeup. The effect won''t be any worse than at the theater."


    So going to see a movie was just an excuse after all. Zhen Bao turned her head away, ignoring him.


    Fu Ming Shi put on music, light and cheerful melodies, matching his mood.


    Zhen Bao watched scenery pass by the window for a while, then slowly lowered her head to read the makeup instruction manual, thinking she should start learning now to avoid embarrassment in front of Fu Ming Shiter.


    Back at the vi, Hei Dan and Yue Liang rushed over to fawn. Auntie Wang was also very fond of Zhen Bao and set the table happily. Feeling pressured by having to put on makeupter, Zhen Bao didn''t find this meal as tasty as before. She hurried upstairs before Fu Ming Shi had even put down his chopsticks, tightly shutting the bedroom door.


    She could let Fu Ming Shi see what she looked like after the makeup was done, but the process was out of the question.


    Opening Fu Ming Shi''sptop, she found makeup tutorials already waiting on the desktop. Zhen Bao looked over the various cosmetic tools again, then washed her face and slowly started learning ording to the tutorial. The eye makeup was too tricky, so Zhen Bao wanted to skip over it, but remembering how Fan Xuan had praised her for a face that barely needed any makeup, especially for the eyes and lips, she patiently studied it.


    She would put some on, wash it off, and repeat, not knowing how much time passed before Fu Ming Shi knocked on the door.


    Zhen Bao checked the time - 9:30 PM.


    "Open the door," Fu Ming Shi urged her.


    "Give me ten more minutes," Zhen Bao said softly.


    Fu Ming Shi had no choice but to lean against the door and wait for her.


    Zhen Bao could let Fu Ming Shi see the finished look, but the process was out of the question.


    After finishing her eyes and tidying her brows, looking at her own pink lips, Zhen Bao followed Fan Xuan''s matching tips and chose a rose red from the tube lipsticks Fu Ming Shi had prepared. With everything drawn, Zhen Bao walked farther to check herself in the mirror. She didn''t think she looked as nice as Fan Xuan''s makeup, but it did seem a bit more beautiful than without.


    Fu Ming Shi started knocking again.


    Zhen Bao was flustered by his urging. She quickly tidied the dressing table, then slowly went to open the door, lowering her head as soon as it opened, not brave enough to show Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi first squeezed in, then closed the door behind him. Next he pulled Zhen Bao into his arms and tilted up her chin.


    Zhen Bao panicked and closed her eyes.


    She was a beauty. As long as she wasn''t too clumsy, no matter how amateurish, she wouldn''t look ugly. But seeing Zhen Bao''s beginner work, Fu Ming Shi still couldn''t helpughing. If Fan Xuan''s makeup skills were an 8 out of 10, Zhen Bao''s attempt here probably wouldn''t even pass with a less attractive model.


    However, her lips were very tempting, reducing her innocence and adding allure.


    Fu Ming Shi gently caressed the corners of her mouth. A full minute passed before he finally let go, kissing her forehead. "Let''s go watch the movie first."


    Zhen Bao breathed a sigh of relief, but deep down she felt a little disappointed. He had gone to so much trouble to make her put on makeup, so why didn''t he even give a word of critique after she did? It was as if she had diligentlypleted a test paper only for him to collect it without another nce, leaving her hanging.


    Going downstairs, Zhen Bao tried hard to find any subtle clues in Fu Ming Shi''s expression or speech, but they were the same as usual. She couldn''t judge from his behavior how many points she had earned for her makeup. But Zhen Bao''s attention was soon absorbed by the Hollywood blockbuster Fu Ming Shi had chosen. The dim living room, the gripping plot - Zhen Bao''s mind followed along, forgetting everything else.


    When the movie finally ended, Zhen Bao still felt a tinge of unfinished business, leaning into the sofa and specting, "There''s probably a sequel, right?"


    Fu Ming Shi nodded absently, ncing at his watch. 11:30 PM.


    The corners of his mouth turned up. As if just realizing, he asked her, "What time does your dorm building lock the doors at night?"


    Zhen Bao was jolted awake from her daze. She reached to feel her pants pocket -


    When Zhen Bao touched it, she remembered that her cell phone was left in the bedroom. She anxiously asked Fu Ming Shi, and found out that it was already past the dormitory building''s curfew time. Zhen Bao was extremely annoyed. Fu Ming Shi pulled her into his arms tofort her, his voice low and inexplicably soothing, "It doesn''t matter if you don''t go back, I''ll take you to school tomorrow morning."


    Zhen Bao was feeling down, "What will they think if I don''t go back to the dormitory?"


    "You stay here during the holidays, they would have gotten the wrong idea already even if they wanted to." Fu Ming Shi held up her face and said with a smile.


    Zhen Bao pursed her lips.


    Fu Ming Shi kissed her on the nose and said, "Silly girl, what era is this, no one cares about those things. As long as two people are in love, even if you go back to the dormitory every night, do you think others won''t think in that direction? For things like that, if one really wants it, the location is not limited to the bedroom."


    This was too much information, too dirty. Zhen Bao''s mind buzzed as she realized they didn''t have to be in a bedroom.


    Her face was noticeably warmer. Fu Ming Shi moved closer, tempting her, "What are you thinking about?"


    Zhen Bao suddenly realized the danger. She tried to shake her head as naturally as possible while attempting to pull down the big hand he had on her face, "Then, let''s sleep early."


    "Okay." Fu Ming Shi readily released her face and apanied her upstairs.


    When they reached the third floor, Fu Ming Shi sent Zhen Bao to the door.


    "Good night." Fu Ming Shi leaned down and habitually gave her a goodnight kiss.


    Zhen Bao closed her eyes to let him kiss her. After Fu Ming Shi finished kissing, she also bid goodnight and turned to push the door. She had just walked in and didn''t have time to close it yet when Fu Ming Shi suddenly grabbed her hand. Zhen Bao''s heart jumped, and she nervously looked back.


    "Forgot something." Fu Ming Shi pulled her out and pressed her against the wall, his dark eyes fixed on hers.


    "What is it?" Zhen Bao didn''t dare to breathe.


    Fu Ming Shi stroked the corner of her eye, then went down to her lips. His gaze was attentive, as if appreciating a beautiful jade. He just looked without saying anything. The naked fondness in his eyes made Zhen Bao even more nervous. She hadined earlier that he didn''t react when she put on makeup, but now that he was reacting too much, she was also afraid he wouldn''t be able to control himself.


    After gazing at her for a while, Fu Ming Shi finally spoke, full of meaning, "You look more mature with makeup on."


    Mature...


    Did mature mean he could devour her?


    Zhen Bao didn''t want to be mature. She wanted to say something to break the strong pheromones he was emitting, but before she could even open her rose-colored lipstick coated lips, Fu Ming Shi''s kiss had already relentlessly pressed down, hot and urgent.


    Zhen Bao was powerless against him. Ever since their first kiss, she couldn''t withstand his passion.


    It wasn''t like she didn''t try to resist, but the more she pushed him away, the tighter he would hold her. With just one hand around her waist, it was as if he could lift her up. Zhen Bao simply gave up, hoping Fu Ming Shi would release her after having his fill like before. But as they kept kissing, the man suddenly lifted up her legs, pressing herpletely against the wall.


    With both feet hanging in midair, the fear of falling down at any moment made her subconsciously hug his shoulders. Fu Ming Shi took the chance to kiss her while slowly walking towards the bedroom. When the door closed and the lock clicked, she was startled awake and heavily leaned against his shoulder, breathing heavily.


    Fu Ming Shi turned around and pressed her against the door, his dark eyes staring at her unabashedly.


    Zhen Bao guiltily avoided his gaze.


    Fu Ming Shi pressed his forehead against hers and said hoarsely, "Say goodnight and I''ll leave immediately."


    He wanted her, but he wouldn''t force her. As long as she said the safe word, tonight would end here.


    Zhen Bao understood what he meant.


    How should she choose?


    She could hear his still uneven breathing by her ear, feel his solid chest in front of her. He was so strong, easily lifting her up so high. It seemed like he wanted to kiss her, his face slowly drawing near, so hot, even hotter than his hands. His lips were about to touch hers...


    "Say goodnight." Fu Ming Shi had his eyes closed, urging her to end this, his lust-filled breath lingering by her lips.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t get the words out. His lips were so close she only needed to tilt her head a little to kiss him.


    "Say it." As if knowing her yearning, Fu Ming Shi shifted even closer to her red lips.


    Zhen Bao saw his Adam''s apple move, saw his loosened shirt cor, saw a small ck mole just below his left vicle...


    "Thirty seconds left." Fu Ming Shi held her with one hand and used his left hand to unbutton the second button of his shirt. His fingertip inadvertently brushed over that ck mole. Fu Ming Shi only felt hot. He didn''t know Zhen Bao was watching, but he heard her swallow.


    Fu Ming Shi''s movements stilled as he raised his head to see her tightly shutting her eyes, both cheeks flushed, as if drunk.


    His gaze shifted from her quivering eyshes to her luscious red lips. Fu Ming Shi gave her onest chance, "Feng Bao, if you don''t say anything, I''ll keep going."


    Zhen Bao turned her head, exposing arge swath of blushing cheek and neck.


    Fu Ming Shi''s eyes tightened as he kissed her lips again, even more urgent than before, so urgent that Zhen Bao couldn''t even reciprocate, simply letting him take the lead. As they kept kissing, Fu Ming Shi held her with one hand again, using his freed hand to roughly rip open all the shirt buttons, changing hands midway and throwing the shirt onto the floor.


    Zhen Bao''s hands inevitably touched his shoulders and back. She quickly pulled away as if scalded, but sandwiched between him and the door, she could only rely on this man until he suddenly shifted their position, carrying her towards the big bed in the middle of the room.

 Chapter 44: 044

    <h4>Chapter 44</h4>


    "Are you sure you don''t regret this?"


    Lying on the bed, Fu Ming Shi leaned over Zhen Bao, propping himself up with his hands on either side of her. He looked into her flushed face and asked onest time to confirm.


    Zhen Bao opened her eyes briefly, meeting Fu Ming Shi''s broad shoulders, before quickly shutting them again. Then, almost imperceptibly, she shook her head.


    She liked him, trusted him. If this was what he wanted, she was willing.


    The little girl was so obedient, so pure. Fu Ming Shi''s throat tightened as he suppressed his urges. He didn''t continue right away. Instead he rolled onto his side next to her, pulling up the covers over them both as he held her. "Are you nervous?" he asked.


    Zhen Bao was nervous. He held her so tightly she could feel the strength in his body pressing against her. Her forehead tucked against his chest, she could clearly feel his powerful heartbeat. Zhen Bao didn''t know where to put her hands. Her whole body was stiff and tense, her heart racing so fast it felt like it would leap from her chest at any moment.


    His gaze was too obvious. In a small voice, Zhen Bao whispered, "Turn off the lights..."


    "Alright," Fu Ming Shi responded. He released her temporarily and rolled over to hit the light switch, supporting himself with one hand while reaching out with the other.


    Zhen Bao opened her eyes a sliver, watching the lines of his shoulders and back flex elegantly as he stretched. His trim waist tapered in an inverted triangle, incredibly attractive, before ring out again at the hips. It was a body that rivaled a supermodel''s. Her mouth went dry.


    With a click the room was submerged in darkness.


    Zhen Bao heard Fu Ming Shi shifting back towards her. She couldn''t help shrinking away slightly, but he was faster. Throwing back the covers he was at her side again, weight bnced on his elbows but hips and torso still lightly touching her.


    Zhen Bao didn''t dare breathe. Each inhale would brush against his chest. Her roommate had always envied her figure, but Zhen Bao didn''t know what was so envy-worthy about it. The slightest movement brought them into contact, awkward and dangerous.


    "I wanted to wait until after you graduated..." Fu Ming Shi''s forehead touched hers, voice husky. "But holding back has been too difficult." His right hand gently caressed her smooth cheek. "Feng Bao, what do you see when you look at me?" His low voice was mesmerizing.


    What did she see when she looked at him?


    Zhen Bao struggled to think through the hormonal haze threatening to overwhelm her senses. She remembered their first meeting, how caring he had been after that initial misunderstanding...


    "When I first saw you back home, wearing sunsses, I thought you seemed arrogant. I even suspected you were a scammer..."


    Fu Ming Shi chuckled softly. "And I assumed you were an unreasonable country bumpkin, though your face attracted me."


    Zhen Bao blinked, longshes inadvertently brushing his skin.


    Fu Ming Shi pressed a kiss to her eyelids. "At first I was drawn to your looks, which made the trip to find you less unpleasant. But then I realized what a stubborn yet unpretentious girl you were, defiant but kind, unwilling to watch the old man cry. I noticed how silly and shy you were, and I liked you more and more. That first hotpot dinner, seeing how happily you ate, I thought - this girl suits my tastes. I decided then that I would have you, this life. Do you think that was fate? Just two days together and I was set on you."


    He had said a lot, but Zhen Bao didn''t know how to respond. She just felt warm andforted all the way through, sweetly content. Was this what sweet nothings were?


    "Keep describing me. What am I like in your eyes?" Fu Ming Shi nudged her lips.


    Zhen Bao considered. "You have a lot of money," she said softly. "You don''t hesitate at all to spend thousands of kuai. But you aren''t arrogant. You didn''t look down on me. I didn''t know how to buckle the seatbelt and you taught me patiently, like you''re always exceptionally patient and attentive."


    "That''s because I already liked you then. With someone else I might not have been so considerate." Fu Ming Shi was blunt.


    Zhen Bao smiled secretly. She just felt he was great.


    "Talk about my ws now," Fu Ming Shi kissed her cheek.


    That was even harder. Zhen Bao couldn''t think of any ws Fu Ming Shi had. He could be overbearing when giving gifts, but if she insisted on something, like choosing a major or taking a part time job, Fu Ming Shi would eventually respect her decision. He would even pretend to be Shi Ming to help keep it secret from his family.


    Zhen Bao shook her head. "What about my ws?" she asked instead.


    Fu Ming Shiughed. Rubbing his nose against her cheek, he murmured, "You only have one w - you''re a bit youngpared to me." If she were a few years older, already graduated...he wouldn''t have had to endure this long. He could have feasted sooner.


    As he spoke his breath skimmed her neck. Zhen Bao couldn''t help shrinking away reflexively.


    Fu Ming Shi noticed and deliberately blew on the sensitive skin. Each light puff raised a wave of heat within her. Zhen Bao''s breathing grew heavy, her chest rising and falling against his. Fu Ming Shi thirsted at the contact. His lips edged closer as he spoke by her ear, "Actually I do have a w - my patience isn''t as good as you im."


    Hisst words disappeared as their lips met.


    Zhen Bao''s fingers tightened on the sheets.


    He bent his head, suddenly arching his back. Zhen Bao heard the sound of a belt unfastening. Her heart pounded, on the verge of losing control. But then the sounds halted unexpectedly. Even the imaginary child noisily eating jelly in her mind abruptly stopped.


    Zhen Bao was still, uncertain what had happened.


    Fu Ming Shi slowly moved back up. "Forgot one thing," he rasped regretfully against her ear.


    "What?" Zhen Bao couldn''t stop her voice from shaking, hoarseness betraying her nerves.


    Fu Ming Shi whispered three words to her.


    Zhen Bao tensed. She too had just remembered, and couldn''t help worrying at the reminder. "Then...what should we do?" she stammered.


    Fu Ming Shi was silent. Seeing her photos with makeup had intensified his craving to see her. When telling his assistant to buy cosmetics he had already nned for her to stay over, anticipating kissing her intensely, but not this.


    He thought he would have more self-control. He assumed even if he lost restraint, Zhen Bao''s physical reactions would warn him to stop timely, likest time. He didn''t expect everything to go so smoothly.


    Fu Ming Shi had never dated. He wasn''t a pervert either. With Zhen Bao not living there yet, there was no need to stock contraceptives in the vi beforehand. After she moved in, he was sabotaged by overconfidence in his willpower.


    What to do now?


    Would it seem too lustful to buy some urgently?


    He was desperate, but Fu Ming Shi didn''t want to leave that kind of impression on Zhen Bao. A midnight contraceptive run would shatter the atmosphere. Continuing after felt tasteless, like he was a low-ss man ruled by desire.


    "We''ll put it on my tab for tonight. Remember to repay me next time." Fu Ming Shi kissed her earlobe and burrowed back under the covers.


    Zhen Bao was still puzzling out his meaning when she heard his belt unfasten again.


    So...they would continue?


    Zhen Bao felt a twinge of fear. With no reminder she had temporarily forgotten to consider protection. His words made her anxious. When Fu Ming Shi tried to unbutton her jeans, Zhen Bao tensed and silently refused, covering the zipper. She still had sses. What if...


    "I only want to look." Meeting resistance, Fu Ming Shi guessed her concern. He moved back up to reassure her.


    Just look...


    Zhen Bao tried to imagine the scene, feeling her face flush hotter. She would rather he just get it over with than let him look.


    "Don''t," she whispered, barely audible.


    She was too tense. Fu Ming Shi couldn''t persuade her verbally. His hand tested her boundaries again.


    Zhen Bao clenched her legs together.


    Fu Ming Shi finally gave up. He gathered her tightly in his arms instead, sping her hand and cing it decisively at his waistband after a moment. Zhen Bao quickly realized his intent, struggling to pull free. But this time Fu Ming Shi would notpromise. He firmly left everything in her hands.


    It was some time before their breathing finally slowed again.


    Satisfied, Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao close, tenderly kissing her ear.


    Zhen Bao''s face turned red, her hands ached, and her body was drenched in sweat. She felt a little disappointed, yet secretly relieved. After getting intimate with Fu Ming Shi''s French baguette with her own hands, she realized...it looked even more frightening than when he wore his swimming trunks.


    "Let''s sleep together," Fu Ming Shi didn''t want to leave yet.


    Zhen Bao softly reminded him, "We still have to get up early tomorrow." She wanted to return to school early, so that no one would see Fu Ming Shi sending her off first thing in the morning. If Fu Ming Shi stayed in her room, who knew if he would try again?


    Fu Ming Shi was silent for a full minute before reluctantly letting her go and sitting up.


    Zhen Bao immediately burrowedpletely under the covers.


    Fu Ming Shi turned on the lights and looked back to see only a lump under the covers. ncing at the floor, their scattered clothes were everywhere. Since he couldn''t wear his briefs, Fu Ming Shi first put on his pants while buckling his belt, all the while gazing at that lump under the covers, his eyes profound, not knowing when the next time would be.


    "I''ll get going?"


    After tidying up, Fu Ming Shi sat on the bed and pressed down on the lump, saying, "Let''s sleep together."


    Zhen Bao hmm''ed.


    Pressing down on her through the covers, Fu Ming Shi stroked her head and kissed her, "Feng Bao, I''m very happy." He was happy that their rtionship had progressed another step.


    "You should leave now," Zhen Bao said. It was too stuffy under the covers and she wanted to get out and breathe.


    Fu Ming Shiughed and rubbed her head again before really leaving this time.


    Only after hearing the door close did Zhen Bao poke her head out from under the covers. She looked around the empty room, wrapped herself in the nket, and went to lock the door before finally heaving a long sigh of relief. As her gaze swept past the bra on the bed, memories of everything Fu Ming Shi did to herst night shed through Zhen Bao''s mind and her ears grew hot again.


    She took out a set of pajamas from the closet and went to shower. As she took off her jeans, Zhen Bao suddenly remembered Fu Ming Shi''s hands on her. They almost saw each other naked.


    Shaking her head, Zhen Bao turned on the shower and stopped thinking about anything else.


    After blow drying her hair and getting back into bed, it was almost 1am. On her phone there was a text from roommate Jia Xiao Yu checking in on her before the dorm building locked its doors, as well as a message just sent from Fu Ming Shi asking if she had fallen asleep.


    Zhen Bao replied with a simple "Good night."


    Fu Ming Shi immediately responded: Dream of me.


    Zhen Bao''s face grew hot. She didn''t dare chat more with him and set an rm before going to sleep.


    Unexpectedly, Zhen Bao slept very soundly that night without dreaming at all. When she woke up at 5am and looked around the familiar room, she actually felt that the brief night she spent in bed with Fu Ming Shi was just a dream. However, when she lifted her pajama shirt to peek inside and saw the marks left behind by Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao immediately grew nervous again.


    Would it be very awkward to see him again soon?


    After taking ten minutes to make her bed and wash her face, Zhen Bao deliberated for a few minutes before taking out a new set of clothes from the closet to change into. If her roommates asked, she would just say she came backte after watching a moviest night and went to the vi. The vi belonging to Fu Ming Shi sounded more innocent than a hotel room.


    Right after she finished changing, Fu Ming Shi knocked on the door.


    Zhen Bao opened the door with her head lowered.


    "All packed up?" Her long hair was neatly styled and the bedroom was clean. Fu Ming Shi was very surprised. "What time did you get up?"


    "Five o''clock." Zhen Bao said softly, blinking her eyes. For some reason, her gaze kept wanting to wander below Fu Ming Shi''s slim waist. Afraid that he might misunderstand, Zhen Bao immediately turned her head to walk inside, pretending to grab her phone. She had only taken two steps when her wrist was suddenly seized. The next moment, she was lifted high against the door by Fu Ming Shi, who looked up at her.


    He had just washed his face, his skin smelled fresh, his brow was sharp, his dark eyes profound, and his lips...


    Zhen Bao panicked and closed her eyes. Looking at him now made her think of scene after scene fromst night.


    "I thought that afterst night, you would be more open." Fu Ming Shi said as he looked at his silly girl.


    Zhen Bao covered his eyes and only after making sure Fu Ming Shi couldn''t see her did she dare to look at him again. "Don''t talk about it."


    Fu Ming Shiughed. "Alright."


    Zhen Bao was still uneasy. "Don''t say another word."


    Fu Ming Shi nodded.


    "Put me down." Zhen Bao continued covering his eyes.


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t move. With his eyes covered by her small hand, he expressed his delight with a smile. "I want to keep holding you." He couldn''t hold her enough.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t stand his teasing, but she liked his sweet words. She secretly smiled and her voice grew even softer and sweeter. "It''s time to go."


    "I had Wang Ma make breakfast."


    Zhen Bao nodded and urged him, "Put me down."


    Only then did Fu Ming Shi take a step back and ce her on the ground. The moment her feet touched the floor, Zhen Bao immediately walked away and pretended to grab her phone. She had just reached the door when her body suddenly lifted into the air again. Fu Ming Shi had caught her once more!


    "You..."


    Fu Ming Shi looked down at his fianc¨¦e who he hadn''t seen for a whole night and held her tightly against his chest. His dark eyes brimmed withughter. "I''ll carry you downstairs. Don''t worry, Wang Ma went back to sleep."


    He looked so happy, delighted by her servicest night, that Zhen Bao turned her head away ignoring him.


    Fu Ming Shi walked down the three flights of stairs step by step, still carrying Zhen Bao. When they reached the living room, he carried her all the way to the dining table, followed by arge ck dog and a ck cat with green eyes. The atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious. After sitting down, Zhen Bao held Moon and ate, not ncing at Fu Ming Shi once, while his gaze remained fixed on her, finding her more and more adorable the longer he looked.


    Once in the car, Zhen Bao finally rxed and silently watched the scenery outside.


    As the car approached the gates of A University, Zhen Bao pointed to an intersection and said, "Stop there."


    Fu Ming Shi obediently parked the car. Seeing that he was also unbuckling his seatbelt, Zhen Bao was surprised.


    "It''s too dark. I''ll walk you to the school gates," Fu Ming Shi said as he opened the door. At 6am in the imperial capital, the sky was still dark.


    Zhen Bao felt warm inside.


    Fu Ming Shi walked around to her side and familiarly took her hand.


    The seemingly long stretch passed in an instant. Looking at their sped hands, Zhen Bao suddenly didn''t want to part.


    "I''lle pick you up tonight," Fu Ming Shi said, pulling her into his embrace and whispering by her ear.


    Zhen Bao declined. She understood his meaning but didn''t want it to be too frequent.


    Fu Ming Shi was only testing the waters. He stroked Zhen Bao''s long hair and made a new suggestion, "Spend your birthday night at the vi?"


    Last night was a spur of the moment decision. Now that he thought about it, for their first time, they should choose a special day.


    Zhen Bao had a month until her birthday. This time, she slowly nodded.


    Fu Ming Shi kissed the top of her head. "Focus on your studies."


    Before graduation, studies should stille first. He was already satisfied to be able indulge asionally.

 Chapter 45: 045

    <h4>Chapter 45</h4>


    It was just past 6 AM. The girls'' dormitory building was quiet, with the front door left open and the dorm auntie nowhere to be seen.


    Zhen Bao tiptoed up to the third floor. She didn''t run into anyone along the way. When she reached the door of her dorm room, she opened it as gently as possible and closed it just as carefully. The other three girls were still asleep. Zhen Bao quietly walked over to her bed and sat down to read a book.


    Of course she couldn''t focus on reading. Her mind was filled with Fu Ming Shi.


    What had once seemed so distant was now happening so naturally - thrilling and embarrassing, but wonderful all the same.


    "Ah, Zhen Bao, when did youe back?"


    Jia Xiao Yu had drank too much water the previous night and now urgently needed the bathroom. When she looked up and saw someone sitting there who shouldn''t be, she was quite startled. Her exmation woke up Qian LeLe and Fan Xuan as well, and they all peered out to look at Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao pretended to calmly turn a page in her book and said softly, "Just got back. Watched ate moviest night..."


    Before she could finish, Qian LeLe giggled and said, "No need to exin, we understand."


    Zhen Bao closed her mouth.


    Jia Xiao Yu crawled out of bed and draped herself over Zhen Bao''s back, asking suggestively, "Did Fu give you a nice time?"


    Zhen Bao pushed her away. "Don''t talk nonsense..."


    Jia Xiao Yu was only teasing her friend. Whether something happened or not didn''t matter. It was bound to happen sooner orter anyway. Fan Xuan and Qian LeLe also knew Zhen Bao was shy. Some topics could remain as ongoing jokes, but intimate matters like these weren''t suitable for teasing Zhen Bao about yet. After joking around for a bit, the two girlsy back down, though they didn''t forget to ask Zhen Bao and Jia Xiao Yu to bring them breakfastter.


    Seeing that her roommates reacted just as Fu Ming Shi had guessed, Zhen Bao felt relieved and went about her morning routine as usual before ss.


    The weekend was Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi''s designated date time. As long as Fu Ming Shi was free, he woulde to University A on Saturdays to see Zhen Bao. Sometimes they would go out to y, and other times he would apany Zhen Bao while she studied. Since Zhen Bao had a part-time job, Fu Ming Shi would usually send her back to campus by the afternoon.


    That Saturday, Fu Ming Shi was quite busy and could only stay until lunchtime. The two of them went to eat at the school cafeteria.


    It was their first date after bing intimate. Zhen Bao still felt a little awkward.


    "Don''t seduce me," Fu Ming Shi said as he peeled a shrimp and ced it in her bowl, then used Zhen Bao''s napkin to wipe his hands. Looking at her, he continued, "Seeing your face flushed red makes me unable to resist thinking back to that night."


    Zhen Bao''s face grew even redder.


    Fu Ming Shi liked seeing her blush. It made him want to take a bite of her. He was about to pinch her cheek when he noticed someone he''d met a few times before walking over with a food tray. Fu Ming Shi''s smile faded and he continued eating as if he hadn''t seen the person.


    Feng Yue thought Fu Ming Shi really hadn''t noticed her and felt a little disappointed. But she quickly walked over to Zhen Bao''s side and greeted her with a smile, "Zhen Bao."


    Zhen Bao looked up in surprise to see Feng Yue.


    Feng Yue looked especially beautiful today. Her hair was styled in big waves, her make-up was meticulous, her eyebrows were finely drawn, and her lips brightly colored, giving her a very morous look. She wore a light gray cropped coat and high heels that showed off her long legs encased in body-hugging pants...


    It seemed she was also wearing perfume.


    Ever since Feng Yue started wearing make-up, Zhen Bao felt this person was bing more and more unfamiliar.


    "You''re here for a meal too," Zhen Bao said stiffly. Her attitude towards Feng Yue after their supposed reconciliation was like this - treating her just like any other ordinary ssmate, offering only basic courtesy and no extra words.


    "Mm, didn''t expect to run into you two," Feng Yue said breezily as she set her tray down next to Zhen Bao and took a seat. Smiling at Fu Ming Shi, she asked, "Time, are you here for Zhen Bao or for University A''s cafeteria food?"


    Fu Ming Shi looked aloof, but he didn''t actually have the arrogant attitude spected by the media. In the past when apanying Zhen Bao around campus, if they ran into her ssmates and Zhen Bao greeted them, Fu Ming Shi would also smile politely. The only exception was Feng Yue - after a brief interaction, Fu Ming Shi had already put Feng Yue on his "don''t need to entertain" cklist.


    "Let''s go," Fu Ming Shi said directly to Zhen Bao, putting down his chopsticks.


    They had only sat down for a few minutes and had barely started on their food when he said this. Zhen Bao didn''t know why Fu Ming Shi disliked Feng Yue, since she''d never told him about their prior unpleasantness. But since Fu Ming Shi didn''t like Feng Yue, Zhen Bao would naturally choose her boyfriend.


    Picking up her bag, Zhen Bao wanted toe up with an excuse for leaving, but Fu Ming Shi had already wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her away.


    Feng Yue didn''t turn to watch them leave. Still facing Fu Ming Shi''s seat, her face flushed red before quickly turning pale again. She had guessed Fu Ming Shi would likelye today and had been sneakily keeping watch from the balcony, then followed from afar to the cafeteria. Feng Yue had dressed up meticulously and was confident in her makeup, but she hadn''t expected Fu Ming Shi to be so dismissive, not even ncing her way before directly leaving.


    "Miss, can I take these trays away?"


    A cafeteria cleaner came over and gestured at Fu Ming Shi and Zhen Bao''s trays as he asked Feng Yue.


    When Feng Yue looked up, she felt this cafeteria auntie was mocking her no matter how she looked at it.


    Without a word, Feng Yue left as well, exiting the cafeteria from a different doorway. She walked quickly, nearly bumping into someone.


    Fu Ming Shi''s good mood was restored after leaving the most crowded cafeteria exit. Holding Zhen Bao''s hand, he asked her, "How about the bakery?"


    He still wasn''t full.


    Zhen Bao nodded and couldn''t help asking as they walked, "What was that about?"


    Fu Ming Shi knew what she meant. Squeezing her hand, he said, "I''ve seen plenty of women like that, whether in school or at work." No need to interact much - one look was enough to guess what they were thinking.


    "What kind?" Zhen Bao had an inkling, but wasn''t too sure.


    "She wants to attract me," Fu Ming Shi said in a lowered voice. His lips seemed to unintentionally brush her earlobe. "Keep your distance from her in the future."


    Having her guess of the target of seduction confirmed, Zhen Bao felt very ufortable in her chest. Jia Xiao Yu had said Feng Yue most likely guessed Fu Ming Shi''s identity and hoped to gain some material advantages from reconciling with her. Zhen Bao had thought simrly, which was why she was so cold to Feng Yue, never taking the initiative to say more than basic courtesy. She hadn''t expected Feng Yue to want even more.


    Didn''t she like Meng Ji Ning?


    "Are you angry?" Fu Ming Shi asked her.


    Zhen Bao shook her head. She no longer considered Feng Yue a friend. If not friends, she didn''t need to care so much.


    But Zhen Bao felt a little sour and grumbled, "Are there a lot of beauties trying to attract you?" She emphasized the word "attract".


    Fu Ming Shi nearlyughed out loud but held it in because there were too many passing students around them. He didn''t answer her question first, only gripped her small hand tighter to gradually dispel the sourness in Zhen Bao''s heart.


    When they reached the bakery, Zhen Bao identally caught sight of those long French baguettes and felt guilty, with a reddening face.


    What was there to blush about when picking bread?


    Fu Ming Shi found it strange and nced over the bread counter, quickly identifying the suspicious target. Looking at those baguettes, he suddenly understood and felt a me ignite in his lower abdomen. Leaning to her ear, he said, "So your thoughts aren''t so innocent."


    There were indeed some simrities.


    Seeing Zhen Bao''s embarrassed appearance amused Fu Ming Shi for some inexplicable reason.


    After selecting bread and juice, Fu Ming Shi rode his bike and brought Zhen Bao to eat by theke near the west side of the library.


    Because of the bread, Zhen Bao forgot about Fu Ming Shi''s history of being seduced. But Fu Ming Shi remembered. After eating and drinking their fill, he pressed Zhen Bao against a tree, his handsome face nearly touching hers. "There are many who want to seduce me, but until now, only you have seeded."


    Zhen Bao turned her face away. "I didn''t seduce you."


    "Hmm, I sessfully seduced you," Fu Ming Shi said with augh. He cupped her face with one hand and kissed her.


    Having tasted half of the forbidden fruit, this kiss clearly contained more of a sense of desire.


    Zhen Bao was overwhelmed and timely grabbed his arm. He was too passionate, but they were still at school right now.


    Fu Ming Shi released her and silently calmed himself for a bit before cleaning up their trash and sending Zhen Bao back to her dorm.


    When they reached the first floor lobby of the dorm building, they somehow coincidentally bumped into Feng Yue again. She was holding a bag of bread from the bakery - one look and you could tell she also hadn''t finished eating at the cafeteria.


    Meeting face-to-face, Feng Yue paused in her steps and looked directly at Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi lowered his head to speak to Zhen Bao. "See you tomorrow night."


    Zhen Bao gave a wry smile. She would wait until Fu Ming Shi left before responding.


    Zhen Bao looked back, Feng Yue was already gone. Thinking about having to be ssmates with her for a few more years, Zhen Bao felt a little troubled and went upstairs absent-mindedly. When she reached the third floor, she suddenly saw Feng Yue standing at the top of the stairs.


    Their eyes met, Feng Yue moved to the side, pointing to the balcony on the left side of the hallway, "Come here, I want to ask you something."


    Zhen Bao didn''t move, "What''s the matter?"


    Feng Yue looked at her in surprise, pursed her lips, and asked grievously, "Did you tell Ming Shi about our falling out?"


    Zhen Bao shook her head.


    Feng Yue didn''t believe her, "Then why does he dislike me so much?" It was as if she was a fly and he avoided her whenever he saw her.


    Zhen Bao looked at Feng Yueplicatedly, "Why do you care so much what he thinks?"


    Feng Yue was rendered speechless. Zhen Bao was easy-going and had never made anyone feel awkward. She didn''t expect Zhen Bao to see right through her. But Feng Yue couldn''t admit she had ulterior motives, so she coquettishly said like a good friend, "We''re good friends. If my boyfriend doesn''t like you, wouldn''t you want to know why?"


    Zhen Bao wasn''t used to making others feel awkward, but Feng Yue wasn''t truly sincere about being friends with her. She still wanted to...


    Since Feng Yue was like this, Zhen Bao didn''t even want to keep up superficial pleasantries, it was too tiring.


    "Let''s just be ordinary ssmates."


    Zhen Bao walked past Feng Yue without looking back and went into the dormitory.


    Feng Yue stood in ce, watching until Zhen Bao entered the dorm before frowning slightly. She had never considered Zhen Bao a friend. At first, it was to have a fellow townsman to go with her to find Meng Ji Ning. Now it was to get close to Fu Ming Shi. As long as she could get in with Fu Ming Shi, she didn''t care one bit what Zhen Bao thought of her.


    That night, Feng Yue leaned against her bed scrolling nonstop through her social media feed.


    Zhen Bao hadn''t updated any status, but "Ming Shi" had liked everything she had posted before. Ming Shi was obviously a small ount with no content, created solely for Zhen Bao.


    As she looked at Ming Shi''s profile picture, Feng Yue gritted her teeth and sent a friend request.


    She wanted to know why Fu Ming Shi disliked her. If it was because Zhen Bao had said bad things about her that led to Fu Ming Shi''s misunderstanding, then as long as she exined clearly, there was still a chance to salvage things. Otherwise...


    The friend request was sent, and after waiting ten minutes, there was no reply.


    Feng Yue thought for a bit, then opened Zhen Bao''s microblog where Ming Shi''s small ount was also present.


    Feng Yueposed a private message and sent it out.


    Fu Ming Shi was a busy man without leisure time to y on microblogs every day. But after getting to know Zhen Bao, Fu Ming Shi developed the habit of browsing Zhen Bao''s various circles before going to bed. After finishing WeChat, he logged onto microblog and saw an encrypted private message from an unfollowed person. Fu Ming Shi paused before casually opening it.


    It was from Feng Yue. Her profile picture was made up like an inte celebrity.


    The content of the private message was encrypted. Fu Ming Shi was toozy to open it and directly blocked the person.


    Feng Yue had justposed one sentence when she suddenly found she could no longer send anything.


    Guessing that Fu Ming Shi had blocked her, Feng Yue immediately switched to a small ount and continued sending. This time, to avoid being blocked again, Feng Yue got straight to the point: I''m good friends with Zhen Bao. If you have any misunderstandings about me, I hope you''ll tell me so I can exin things clearly.


    Fu Ming Shi was looking at pictures of Zhen Bao''s cat when he saw another private message. He frowned and opened it.


    This time Feng Yue didn''t encrypt it. Fu Ming Shi read through it in one nce.


    Looking at the private message box, Fu Ming Shi, before blocking again, replied with four words: Know yourself and your ce.


    Without even a period, unwilling to waste more effort.


    Being told this by the man she was determined to get close to was like a p in the face to Feng Yue. She wanted to ask if it was because Zhen Bao had said something bad about her that led to Fu Ming Shi''s misunderstanding. But she found the message could no longer be sent. This time, Feng Yue didn''t have the courage to contact Fu Ming Shi again using a different small ount.


    Feng Yue didn''t sleep the entire night and spent Sunday moping around in the dorm. Her roommates thought she was reading a novel and didn''t ask much. On Monday morning Feng Yue got up early to put on makeup as usual. After ss in the afternoon, she saw Fu Ming Shi waiting for Zhen Bao under the ssroom building. Feng Yue walked by without ncing their way.


    About a weekter, after finishing PE ss, Jia Xiao Yu excitedly ran back to the dorm. "Guess what I just saw downstairs!"


    The other three looked at her.


    Jia Xiao Yu mysteriously said, "Feng Yue has a boyfriend now, Li Jian from ss 4. I saw them walking hand in hand outside."


    They were all from the School of Animal Medicine so a male ssmate immediately popped into Zhen Bao''s mind. There weren''t many good-looking guys in their school of medicine. Li Jian from ss 4 had average features but was 1.8 meters tall, hard to miss wherever he went. Their circle was so small that from hearing others mention him so often, Zhen Bao remembered this person.


    "I heard Li Jian is quite the yboy. He was with two girls from our schoolst year. Don''t know how Feng Yue got together with him," Jia Xiao Yu gossiped.


    Qian LeLe sighed, "Obviously a fickle yboy carrot, how could Feng Yue be so foolish?"


    Fan Xuan seriously said, "You can''t judge these things. Maybe they really love each other."


    Jia Xiao Yu turned to Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao didn''t have much to say. Li Jian was not as outstanding as Meng Ji Ning, but apart from his rumored yboy ways, his personal conditions were still decent. It was normal for Feng Yue to choose him if Li Jian truly liked her. Though it was a bit strange how Feng Yue seemed so infatuated with Meng Ji Ning before and now suddenly moved on to someone new so quickly.


    Right after finding out about Feng Yue''s new rtionship, Fu Ming Shi came to see Zhen Bao the next day. The two ate out off campus and on the way back they happened to run into Feng Yue and Li Jian.


    Zhen Bao was also gossipy. She lightly nudged Fu Ming Shi''s arm to get him to look ahead.


    Fu Ming Shi lifted his head but in the dimly lit campus, he didn''t see anything special up front.


    He looked at Zhen Bao puzzledly.


    Zhen Bao whispered to remind him, "That''s Feng Yue."


    Fu Ming Shi lifted his head again.


    Zhen Bao guessed he might not recognize Feng Yue from behind, so purposely pointed her out. Feng Yue was wearing a long skirt, arm hooked with Li Jian''s as they walked towards the dorm building ahead of them. There was a noticeable height difference between them. Li Jian was tall and strong, making Feng Yue look like a little bird relying on him. They did look quite well-matched.


    Fu Ming Shi nced once before withdrawing his gaze, asking his fianc¨¦e, "What about it?"


    Zhen Bao didn''t really have a specific reason, just ordinary gossip since Feng Yue was someone they knew.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and put his arm around her.


    He hadn''t told Zhen Bao about Feng Yue messaging him, no need to bring it up. Feng Yue finding a boyfriend so quickly likely involved some indignant pride. This was just another way to show him and Zhen Bao that she, Feng Yue, was also liked by others.


    But Feng Yue overestimated herself. In his and Zhen Bao''s lives, Feng Yue as a person was not that important at all.


    Zhen Bao''s lunar birthday was on the 17th day of the 3rd month. It just so happened to fall on a Saturday this year.


    On Friday night, Fu Ming Shi came to pick up Zhen Bao. They would spend the night at the vi and tomorrow he would take Zhen Bao somewhere else to celebrate her birthday.


    After dinner, the two watched a movie in the living room with Fu Ming Shi holding Zhen Bao''s hand in hisp, fingers rubbing back and forth on the back of her hand. When Zhen Bao did this action herself there was no issue, but when it was Fu Ming Shi, it elicited a kind of ticklish sensation that made her feel uneasy.


    She tried to withdraw her hand.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and let go, thinking he would enjoy anything she did tomorrow on their date.


    When the movie ended, past 10 pm, Fu Ming Shi walked Zhen Bao upstairs, all the way into her room, all the way to her bed.


    His kisses were too passionate. Just when Zhen Bao thought he wanted to advance things one night early, Fu Ming Shi instead stopped at her neck. His hot lips slowly trailed back up to her face, pecking her lightly again and again, not with desire but more like fooling around. Zhen Bao gradually realized this man was using light kisses to express his tion.


    Zhen Bao wanted tough.


    "What''s so funny?" Fu Ming Shi keenly caught her suppressedugh and promptly asked her about it.


    Zhen Bao closed her eyes and didn''t say.


    Fu Ming Shi looked at the upturned corners of her mouth that she couldn''t hide. His big hand suddenly went to her trouser waist.


    Zhen Bao was startled.


    "What were youughing about just now?" Fu Ming Shi asked threateningly.


    Zhen Bao was afraid of him and obediently answered, "You seem really happy."


    Fu Ming Shi''s gaze instantly turned dangerous. Pressing her mouth corner, he said, "Tomorrow night, I''ll be even happier."


    Unable to outtalk him, Zhen Bao raised her hand to cover her eyes.


    Fu Ming Shi kissed her once more before reluctantly returning to his own room, still not fully satisfied.


    Lying alone on thefortable big bed, Zhen Bao couldn''t fall asleep as Fu Ming Shi''s handsome face caressing her mouth corner floated through her mind over and over. He said he would be even happier. Zhen Bao hadn''t seen his "even happier" state before, but she remembered his breathing and muffled groans when he reached that point.


    It sounded really nice, and also very...tempting.


    Her heartbeat quickened. She found herself actually vaguely looking forward to it.


    As the clock struck midnight, Zhen Bao''s phone dinged with birthday wishes from her roommates, arriving almost simultaneously. Lying on her side, she scrolled through the messages on her phone, all conveying simr birthday greetings - except for Fu Ming Shi''s. His read more like a scious adult birthday wish. Zhen Bao replied to three of her roommates but ignored his message.


    Yet as she drifted off to sleep, he was all she could think about.


    The next morning after washing up, as Zhen Bao opened her door, Fu Ming Shi was indeed waiting outside.


    "Happy birthday," he said, producing a huge bouquet of fiery red roses he''d hidden behind his back.


    Zhen Bao''s cheeks flushed crimson. "Thank you."


    "I should be thanking you," Fu Ming Shi murmured, bowing his head meaningfully.


    Zhen Bao turned to go put the flowers in water.


    After breakfast, the two immediately set off, with Fu Ming Shi driving. As they left the vi, a sudden sh came from the distance.


    Fu Ming Shi''s expression darkened instantly.


    Puzzled, Zhen Bao nced back to see someone wielding a camera, snapping photos of them.

 Chapter 46: 046

    <h4>Chapter 46</h4>


    Girls'' dormitory.


    It was Saturday and everyone was still sleeping inte, but Feng Yue had already woken up at 5am. Shey in bed without moving much, secretly browsing Weibo under her quilt every now and then - no one knew her eyes were actually open.


    Feng Yue was waiting for an expos¨¦.


    Fu Ming Shi was so handsome and rich. If it was a normal, public romantic rtionship, any girl would want to announce it to the world. But they had been secretly dating, reminding Feng Yue of the previous video where Fu Ming Shi denied rumors between him and Xia Ying. Feng Yue was certain that Fu Ming Shi was just supporting Zhen Bao, the female university student, which was why he said he currently had no girlfriend. Zhen Bao was also pretending not to know Fu Ming Shi''s other identity, "Ming Shi".


    Zhen Bao wanted to keep it hidden, but Feng Yue insisted on exposing her, letting Meng Jinning, everyone at the academy, and the entire media know that Zhen Bao was a hypocrite through and through - appearing innocent on the outside but selling her body for money on the inside.


    But Feng Yue didn''t want to provoke Fu Ming Shi, which was why she epted Li Jian''s pursuit - so that after Fu Ming Shi and Zhen Bao thought she had forgotten about it all, she could anonymously leak the news to an online gossip blogger, saying that Fu Ming Shi was supporting a female A University student and providing Zhen Bao''s personal information, including a photo of Fu Ming Shi and Zhen Bao together on campus.


    The blogger wanted more photos, even offering to pay for them, but Feng Yue didn''t dare take the money. She just told the person that Fu Ming Shi would definitely apany Zhen Bao today for her birthday, then cut off contact.


    Feng Yue had contacted the person early yesterday morning and had been checking Weibo ever since, but why was there still no news?


    Feng Yue started to worry.


    Two roommates got up to eat breakfast and left. Feng Yue kept scrolling to see if anything happened. By the time the third roommate woke up, Feng Yue finally got out of bed casually, washed up and got ready, acting as if nothing had happened. After spending fifteen minutes on her makeup, she had just finished cleaning up when Li Jian called.


    Feng Yue didn''t like Li Jian at all. He was handsy, forcibly kissing her the day after their first date. He''d propositioned her about getting a room together several times too. Feng Yue knew Li Jian''s yboy ways - he acted attentive, picking her up for ss every day, but as soon as they got a room he''d toss her aside like the other girls.


    Feng Yue was annoyed but had to keep up appearances for now.


    "Ok, I''ll be right down," she said with a smile, ending the call. As she casually scrolled through Weibo again, she saw the third most discussed trending topic: "Fu Ming Shi Suspected of Supporting Female University Student".


    Feng Yue''s heart raced. She hadn''t been this nervous even waiting for her college entrance exam results.


    But she pretended not to have seen it and left the dorm first before eagerly tapping into the topic. There were several leaked photos - Fu Ming Shi waiting outside A University for Zhen Bao, Zhen Bao being held and kissed by Fu Ming Shi after leaving the hospital, the two of them getting into a modest sedan, the sedan parked outside a vi...


    Seeing the European-style three-story vi, Feng Yue paused, feelingplicated - happy she had guessed right but also envious. Why did a country girl like Zhen Bao get such good fortune? Feng Yue had never even been to a vi in her life.


    After looking at the vi, Feng Yue scrolled through more photos. Thest one showed Fu Ming Shi driving out that morning with only his side profile visible in the car, but Zhen Bao''s head was tilted towards the camera,pletely exposing her innocent face and shocked wide eyes.


    Feng Yue smiled. Seeing another ssmate approach, she quickly put her phone away and headed downstairs to meet Li Jian first.


    Li Jian had bought movie tickets, so they took a taxi over. In the car, Li Jian was also scrolling through Weibo on his phone, so Feng Yue leaned on his shoulder for the first time to look with him. Everyone loved gossip, especially tititing gossip, and Li Jian was indeed drawn in by the now third most popr topic "Fu Ming Shi Suspected of Supporting Female University Student", tapping to read it.


    "Ah, isn''t this Zhen Bao with her boyfriend?" Feng Yue eximed in shock and grabbed his phone.


    Li Jian immediately snatched it back, flipping through all the photos before mockinglymenting, "I thought Zhen Bao was so innocent. Turns out she''s actually like this." He liked beautiful women and Zhen Bao was the academy''s undisputed campus belle. Li Jian had noticed her at the start of school and nned to try his luck after military training ended. He didn''t expect Zhen Bao''s boyfriend to show up so publicly during training.


    "Who is this Fu Ming Shi?" Li Jian was most curious about Fu Ming Shi''s identity now, going to check out his Weibo.


    Feng Yue took out her own phone, anxiously reading thements.


    "The more innocent a woman appears, the more promiscuous she often is."


    "There are no scandals that can''t be dug up, and no rich man who isn''t lustful."


    "This girl isn''t as pretty as me."


    "A bunch of certificates still can''tpare to having a nice face, breasts and legs."


    "Female university students these days are bing more and more unreliable."


    "Not bad girl,e warm brother''s bed and brother will give you 500."


    "She''s actually from our A University. Really tarnishing A University''s name."


    ...


    Feng Yue smiled. She had never looked forward to Monday so much before, wondering if Zhen Bao would still have the nerve to show her face to their ssmates.


    While Feng Yue was gloating and reading thements, Zhen Bao was also reading them on her bed, her eyes blurring after not even finishing the first page. Fu Ming Shi sat beside her and saw two teardrops asrge as beans roll out from his fianc¨¦e''s watery eyes.


    Fu Ming Shi grabbed the phone and turned it off.


    Zhen Bao stood up to go to the bathroom.


    Fu Ming Shi seized her wrist and pulled her onto hisp, hugging her. Zhen Bao could no longer hold back, burying her face in his chest sobbing. She didn''t understand why some people were just spouting nonsense online when they didn''t know anything. She had always been afraid of people finding out, precisely because she worried they would say such things.


    Not only were they randomly specting, but they were insulting her too.


    Zhen Bao had never been scolded like this her whole life, neither online nor in real life.


    Those demeaning words crowded her mind. The more upset she felt, the more she cried, and the more she cried, the more upset she became.


    Fu Ming Shi''s chest waspletely soaked. Looking at his fianc¨¦e crying as if the world was ending in his arms, Fu Ming Shi oddly felt likeughing. Zhen Bao was from a remote rural vige. Before meeting him, she had only used an old phone without inte ess. She was a simple, guileless country girl who possibly hadn''t even heard of online violence before, much less been the target of public spection for the first time.


    After Zhen Bao had cried for a while, Fu Ming Shi stroked her wet little face and rested his chin on her head, saying, "The first time I encountered media rumors was around seven or eight years old when people said my dad supported a mistress. My schoolmates all found out and secretlyughed at me."


    Zhen Bao slowly looked up, astonished. Could it be...?


    Fu Ming Shi kissed her tear-stained eyes and calmly recounted, "I ignored them and continued with ss, but when the driver came to pick me up after school I hid and cried alone in the car. I didn''t say a word to my dad that night when I saw him, only telling my mom."


    Imagining a young handsome Fu Ming Shi sulking with his father, Zhen Bao forgot her own sadness, curious to hear the rest.


    "You''ve met my mom. She didn''t smile much when she was younger, seeming dissatisfied with everyone. But that night when she saw I wasn''t talking to my dad, she kept smiling. As soon as my dad exined it was all fake and swore he had no other woman, she stopped smiling."


    Zhen Bao''s heart tightened. Could it be...?


    Fu Ming Shi tapped her lips, stopping her wild conjectures. He said helplessly, "At bedtime while coaxing me to sleep, my mom finally told me that people outside our family want to see gossip about the rich Fus. So they make up rumors, saying my grandpa had many women, my dad supported mistresses, my mom had affairs... As long as the Fus have money, these things are unavoidable. The way to deal with it is to focus on doing your own things. The more you care and exin, the more fun you give those idlers."


    Zhen Bao understood what Fu Ming Shi meant, but in theory everyoneprehends this. When it happens to you personally...


    "It''s fine. After going through it so many times, I''m immune to any scandals now."


    Fu Ming Shi kissed her forehead, then moved back a little to look into her eyes and say, "It''s normal for you to cry, but remember - as long as you date me, as long as you marry into the Fu family, news like this will only increase. Maybe you get close with some male ssmate or colleague and people just take a photo saying you cheated. Maybe you have dark eye circles from working overnight and get rumors spread of rtionship troubles... That kind of life - are you afraid of it?"


    From the moment Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi got together, Zhen Bao was destined to have countless people paying attention to her future. Fu Ming Shi had never reminded her before, but now their rtionship was exposed and Zhen Bao was experiencing media attention for the first time in her life. Fu Ming Shi finally had a chance to have a long talk with her.


    Zhen Bao looked at him nkly, trying to imagine what that kind of life would be like in her mind.


    Fu Ming Shi gave her a minute. After a minute, he didn''t need her answer but instead threw out another question: "Then would you give up on me, your fianc¨¦, because you''re afraid of bing the focus?"


    His eyes were deep, and beneath his calm gaze was a hint of danger, as if he would punish her if she answered that she would give up. But how could Zhen Bao give up on a man who had been so good to her just because of some irrelevant gossip from strangers?


    Zhen Bao shook her head and took the initiative to hug him.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and rubbed her head contentedly: "Since that''s the case, you''ll have to learn to ignore gossip sooner orter."


    The problem came back to those photos again. Zhen Bao was at aplete loss: "But the things those people are saying are so nasty, I..."


    "I''ll rify things." Fu Ming Shi spoke lightly: "After I rify, most people will just envy you, including your ssmates."


    Zhen Bao was silent. She actually just wanted to be an ordinary college student. She didn''t like nder or envy, and didn''t want to be the focus of attention. But in this situation now, she could only choose to get used to the other effects that came with dating Fu Ming Shi earlier, including anotheryer of foreseeable public opinion.


    "I''m going to make some calls." After kissing Zhen Bao, Fu Ming Shi left first.


    Zhen Bao watched him leave. After Fu Ming Shi went out, she couldn''t help but press the power button on her phone. As soon as it turned on, Jia Xiao Yu¡¯s call came through.


    Zhen Bao cleared her throat and answered.


    "Where are you? Have you seen the news online?" Jia Xiao Yu asked worriedly, with Fan Xuan and Qian LeLe crowding around her.


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    Jia Xiao Yu said gloomily, "How did you get secretly photographed?"


    "What''s the point of talking about it now?" Fan Xuan interjected, and instructed Zhen Bao over the phone: "Hurry up and get your Fu to rify things! I''m so mad about this nonsense of being a mistress!"


    Zhen Bao nced at the door and whispered, "He went to make some calls, I guess he''s arranging it."


    "Are you okay, Zhen Bao?" Qian LeLe said, trying to sound upbeat, "You don''t need to look at thosements. You and Fu Ming Shi have a pure romantic rtionship. Everyone will know soon. Don''t take those onlinements seriously. Look at those big celebrities, almost none of them don''t get cursed at, but they still keep acting and singing as usual. Just look forward to seeing those people get pped in the face after properly celebrating your birthday with your Fu!"


    Zhen Bao felt warm inside at how much her roommates cared about her. She smiled sincerely and said, "Got it, I¡¯ll treat you guys to a meal when I get back."


    "Pfft, who wants you to treat them? Remember to remind your Fu that he still owes us a fancy dinner!" Jia Xiao Yu said with a mischievousugh.


    After chatting for a few more sentences, Zhen Bao hung up the phone. She had just put her phone down when Fu¡¯s father called. "Feng Bao, don''t be angry. You have Grandpa to back you up. If you¡¯re willing, Grandpa will go back right now and arrange a wedding for you two. Let''s see who still dares to nder you."


    Zhen Bao didn''t know whether tough or cry, and insteadforted Fu¡¯s father not to get angry and focus on recuperating.


    After contacting the most important people, reporters from who-knows-where got her number and kept calling her. Zhen Bao had no choice but to turn off her phone and open herptop to check Weibo. She didn''t know if it was due to Fu Ming Shi¡¯s persuasion taking effect, or if her roommates'' concern reminded her that she still had friends to rely on, but now when Zhen Bao looked at thosements again, although she still felt irritated, she no longer got so angry that she cried.


    After reading a page ofments, Zhen Bao was about to turn the page when Weibo suddenly stopped responding. After refreshing, the Weibo post with the drastically increasing number of reposts was gone. Zhen Bao checked the hot topics, and the topic was also gone. Screenshot reposts on other media tforms were also disappearing one by one.


    Zhen Bao stared nkly at the screen, wondering what was going on.


    There was a knock at the door. Zhen Bao looked back to see Fu Ming Shi walking in, holding hisptop with one hand.


    Zhen Bao got up from her seat and told him that the Weibo post had disappeared.


    While putting down hisptop, Fu Ming Shi said, "If they don''t retract it, I''ll sue."


    Zhen Bao opened her mouth in surprise.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and pulled his fianc¨¦e onto hisp, holding her sideways: "Come, help me choose some photos."


    Zhen Bao tilted her head, and saw Fu Ming Shi open a folder that contained two subfolders named by year. Fu Ming Shi openedst year''s folder, and thumbnail images immediately filled the screen. It looked like she was in every photo, some of which she hadn''t even seen before.


    "Some were secretly taken by Father, and some were secretly taken by me," Fu Ming Shi said, holding her with one arm while moving the mouse with his right hand.


    Zhen Bao''s face grew inexplicably hot. Were there any really ugly candid photos of her?


    "This one?" Fu Ming Shi clicked to open a photo of the two under a ginkgo tree during Zhen Bao''s military trainingst year.


    "Post it on your Weibo?" Zhen Bao asked, looking at the photo.


    Fu Ming Shi nodded.


    Zhen Bao looked at the photo again and shook her head. If they were going public, Fu Ming Shi was dressed too approachably in the photo, it seemed a bit silly.


    After copying a military training photo to the desktop, Fu Ming Shi chose a couple photos of them at the vi. In one, he was sitting on the sofa holding her, while Zhen Bao held the moon in her arms and Hei Dan squatted in front of them. She didn''t know how it happened so perfectly, but that day she and Fu Ming Shi had both worn white tops, looking like a couple''s outfit.


    "This one?" Fu Ming Shi consulted her in a low voice.


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    Fu Ming Shi closedst year''s folder and opened this year''s, then chose a family portrait taken at Fu¡¯s father¡¯s ce during the New Year. In the photo, Fu¡¯s father sat smiling on the sofa, with Fu Zheng and Feng Ke behind him on the left, and Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi on the right. Fu Ming Shi had one hand in his pocket and the other arm naturally and intimately around Zhen Bao¡¯s waist, with the corners of his lips quirked up. Next to them Fu Zheng¡¯s expression was much more indifferent, and Feng Ke still had her usual cold beauty, but from the angle of their crossed arms, the married couple¡¯s hands must have been sped together hidden behind the sofa.


    Zhen Bao also had this photo, and often took it out to look at.


    Seeing that Fu Ming Shi had also copied this one, Zhen Bao said uneasily: "Should we notify uncle and auntie?"


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her. "Why?"


    Zhen Bao lowered her eyes. Perhaps the elders didn¡¯t hope for her to be recognized so soon...


    "You''ve already epted New Year money from us." Fu Ming Shi released the mouse and instead hugged her with both hands. "You epted New Year money from the Fu family, so even if you want to back out now you can''t."


    Zhen Bao immediately thought of the jade bangles Feng Ke had given her.


    Fu Ming Shi kissed her red face and got ready to type. With simple, straightforward words and uploading the photos, the Weibo post was sent sessfully. After it was posted, Fu Ming Shi opened his followers list and pointed to the abandoned big ount Zhen Bao had given up using after just a few days: "You can use this from now on."


    Zhen Bao''s gaze shifted to see the nickname Fu Ming Shi had given her back then, "Zhen Bao in Crystal Slippers".


    In that moment, Zhen Bao suddenly felt that some things seemed like they would be troublesome to imagine, but when the day actually came that she had to face them, it turned out to be quite simple if she was willing to confront them. It was like having a huge boulder weighing on her heart¡ªpushing it took great effort, but once it was pushed away, what came was a lightness in body and spirit.


    At the movie theater, Feng Yue had no interest at all in watching the film. Discovering that the big V''s Weibo post was gone, she immediately guessed that Fu Ming Shi had used his connections. Feng Yue then switched to refreshing Fu Ming Shi''s feed, feeling that he would say something. But with the evidence right there, Fu Ming Shi keeping Zhen Bao as a mistress was now a settled matter. Even if he denied it, no one would believe him. Even if the online traces were gone, this matter had already spread to the university forums, and Zhen Bao''s reputation was ruined.


    Just as the thought sank in, a new Weibo post unexpectedly popped up in her refresh.


    Feng Yue''s heart leapt up nervously, not daring to look.


    Fu Ming Shi: Happy birthday, my fianc¨¦e, Cindere Zhen Bao


    Attached were three photos, two of Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi together, and the third...


    Seeing that family portrait, Feng Yue felt her whole body''s blood nearly freeze. After guessing that Shi Ming must be Fu Ming Shi, Feng Yue had gone online to search for information on each member of the Fu family, so she recognized Fu¡¯s father and the others at a nce. Fu Ming Shi had actually brought Zhen Bao to meet his family? Did that mean the "fianc¨¦e" title could really be true?


    But how was that possible? Zhen Bao had nothing besides her face. With so many actresses who were both beautiful and famous, how could Fu Ming Shi really marry an ordinary college student instead?


    Feng Yue''s fingers trembled as she opened thements under Fu Ming Shi''s Weibo post.


    "Wow, she''s actually the official wife!"


    "Zhen Bao looks so beautiful in these photos, Fu looks so happy!"


    "Poor Fu, his son, daughter-inw, grandson and granddaughter-inw are all showing off their affection right in front of him!"


    "I feel like I''m seeing Fu''s middle and old age."


    "Congrattions, congrattions! Don''t forget to hand out some red envelopes, Fu!"


    "I knew it, all the A University girls are good kids!"


    "Now that she''s met the parents, who exactly is this Zhen Bao?"


    Seeing thisment, Feng Yue finally came alive and opened up the replies below:


    "I heard she''s from C Province, someone dug up her background before."


    "She''s not a rich beauty is she? How did they meet then?"


    "This girl must have some tricks up her sleeve."


    Feng Yue furrowed her brows deeply. That''s right, how did Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi meet? With Fu Ming Shi''s family being so wealthy, there''s no way Zhen Bao was his neighbor. As an ordinary college student, could Zhen Bao really have some kind of special skills? As she thought about this, she kept scrolling, and suddenly saw a link exposing Zhen Bao''s identity. Feng Yue hurried to click it open, and the first thing she saw was the headline:


    "Father Passed Away and Mother Ran Off, Cindere''s Hardship Turns to Joy"

 Chapter 47: 047

    <h4>Chapter 47</h4>


    Zhen Bao''s "Cindere" story was exposed by the Big V who posted the photos of her with Fu Ming Shi.


    Zhen Bao''s father, Zhen Yong, had a childhood sweetheart from a neighboring vige when he was young. They were very much in love and their families were about to arrange their marriage, but the girl unfortunately passed away in an ident. Zhen Yong was a sentimental man who never married until his mother fell ill and arranged meetings with potential partners for him.


    With the help of Mr. Fu in the past, the Zhen family was quite well-off in the vige. Although already in his forties, Zhen Yong was tall and sturdy, with chiseled features, so his handsome looksbined with the family''s wealth immediately attracted many women who came to meet him, including those from the Wang family.


    So the forty-something Zhen Yong married the twenty-year-old Wang Xiu. Mr. Fu even traveled a long way to attend their wedding banquet. Zhen Bao was born the next year. Unfortunately, Zhen Yong was too old and honest, unwilling to leave his homnd to move to the city. Wang Xiu was increasingly dissatisfied staying in the countryside with Mr. Fu''s huge sum of money in her hands. One day, she finally took the money and ran off with another man, whose identity remains unknown. Where Wang Xiu went is also still a mystery.


    But the Big V worked efficiently - as soon as he received the anonymous tip, he dispatched people to Zhen Bao''s hometown to dig up news. Not only did they uncover the inside story of Mr. Fu''sradeship with Zhen Bao''s grandfather, they also learned about her parents'' marital circumstances from chatting with the neighbors, and even snapped a photo of the couple''s wedding photo from Wang Xiu''s family.


    It was a two-inch ck and white photo. Zhen Yong looked very young in it, with sword-like brows and bright eyes - he would definitely be a big hunk if it was taken today. But Zhen Yong''s eyes were very calm, like the cid waters of an unknownke amidst the beautiful but secluded countryside. Zhen Bao''s eyes took after her father''s. Other than the eyes, Zhen Bao resembled her mother in everything else. Wang Xiu was also beautiful, but her eyes seemed shrewd, with a hint of worldliness.


    Leaning against the bed, Zhen Bao stared nkly at the old photo in her hand.


    She didn''t bring much luggage from the capital city. The wedding photo was one of the few things she packed.


    Her mother left when she was only three. Zhen Bao had no impression of her at all. What she knew about her mother''s personality came from rtives and neighbors; her impression of her mother''s looks came solely from this photo. She never expected to see the same photo online one day.


    After looking at the photo, Zhen Bao scrolled down to read the Big V''smentary.


    "Wang Xiu must have married into the Zhen family for money. Poor man was too honest and got tricked by her."


    "Zhen Bao looks like Wang Xiu. Her fate is simr too, hooking up with a rich man."


    "Relying on one''s father is so outdated. Nowadays it''s about relying on your grandfather-inw."


    "Wang Xiu is so shameless! I hope someone exposes her whereabouts and sees how she still dares to mingle!"


    ...


    Most of thements were condemning Wang Xiu. Discussion about her and Fu Ming Shi was surprisingly little. Zhen Bao couldn''t describe her feelings. She had never met her nominal mother. Her father had raised her alone. Life wasn''t affluent but she never went hungry. Her father never resented her mother''s betrayal, as if she didn''t exist at all. Father and daughter lived an ordinary, uneventful farm life. Zhen Bao often thought about her mother when she was little, but her memories held no hatred.


    Now, a bunch of strangers were fiercely criticizing Wang Xiu, her mother, online.


    Zhen Bao didn''t hate her mother. She didn''t have deep mother-daughter affection for Wang Xiu either, and had no intention of defending her. But she disliked her family affairs bing gossip fodder and the so-called sympathy...


    Yet Fu Ming Shi said, as long as they were together, such exposures would only increase.


    Zhen Bao closed herptop andy t on the bed. Moon Cake meowed and jumped up to snuggle and rub against her face. She stroked its round furry head and held it to her chest. The two looked at each other. Moon Cake had grown two sizes bigger thanst year, chubbier, and the green in its eyes had faded somewhat, showing signs of turning sky blue. Both colors were beautiful.


    Zhen Bao smiled and kissed it. Moon Cake raised a paw to wipe the spot, as if disgusted.


    Zhen Bao suddenly forgot her worries, fully focused on ying with the cat.


    Fu Ming Shi walked in and raised his brows in surprise to see his fianc¨¦e in high spirits ying with the cat.


    Zhen Bao stopped ying with Moon Cake, who was still swiping at her, and sat at the edge of the bed.


    Fu Ming Shi walked over and crouched down on one knee to scrutinize her face.


    Zhen Bao instinctively touched her face and asked puzzledly, "What''s wrong?"


    Fu Ming Shi smiled. "Just checking if you''ve been crying on the sly."


    Zhen Bao lowered her head and breathed a sigh of relief. "It''s fine. My elementary and middle school ssmates all knew about my family circumstances. I''m used to it."


    Dating Fu Ming Shi and being exposed by the media was her first experience, but hearing others discuss her parents was nothing new for Zhen Bao. When she was little, it made her heart ache and she would hide under the covers to cry secretly, crying about why her mother abandoned them. As she grew up, she stopped thinking about it. After all, she had her father who loved her so much...


    As her father''s image floated into mind, a surge of sadness suddenly washed over Zhen Bao.


    She desperately missed her father all of a sudden.


    Fu Ming Shi sat down beside her and naturally pulled his fianc¨¦e into his embrace, feeling her slender shoulders tremble. This time, Fu Ming Shi truly felt heartache. When the rtionship was exposed, he only worried about whether she could withstand the media pressure since she had no experience. He could teach her, but now what Zhen Bao faced was not the media, but her mother''s abandonment and father''s absence.


    Fu Ming Shi recalled Zhen Bao''s hometown - a shabby two-story house with a stone balcony railing on the second floor that looked like it would crumble with a kick. Zhen Bao had lived alone in that house for two years, cooking and eating by herself.


    "Do you miss your dad, or her?"


    Fu Ming Shi lowered his head and softly asked.


    Zhen Bao''s voice choked. "I miss my dad..."


    Fu Ming Shi kissed her hair. "After your summer break starts, I''ll go back with you."


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    Fu Ming Shi gently stroked her hair. After a while, he tentatively asked, "If you want to see her, I can help."


    Zhen Bao immediately shook her head, her tears gradually stopping as she leaned against his chest. "We should all go on with our own lives. Let it go."


    See her? To recognize the mother or get revenge?


    Zhen Bao wanted neither. Wang Xiu had cheated her father out of money, but he didn''t resent it, so she didn''t either. As for their mother-daughter rtionship, Wang Xiu didn''t want her, so she considered herself motherless. Emotionally, they had no debts to each other.


    In a high-rise apartment in City S, a woman in her forties with meticulous make-up sat in front of aputer, continuously browsing Weibo. Seeing the barrage of criticisms and condemnations, the woman turned ghastly pale. When she saw the intimate photos Fu Ming Shi posted, her eyes grewplicated as she erged them for a clearer look.


    The Zhen Bao in the photo looked pure, sweet and very beautiful.


    Wang Xiu stared fixedly at the photo. Memories she had suppressed came surging forthyer byyer.


    "Mommy, I''m hungry!"


    "Mommy, I don''t want to sleep..."


    "Mommy, I want Daddy..."


    Three-year-old Feng Bao''s face was chubby, withrge, bright eyes. All the adults who saw her praised her for being adorable. She took great pride in her daughter being as pretty as her. She wanted to give her the best life, but Zhen Yong stubbornly refused to move to the city, leaving the 2 million yuan untouched in the bank. Wang Xiu couldn''t take it anymore and couldn''t get through a single day...


    In that deste backwater, the only one she was reluctant to part with was her daughter. But she couldn''t bring her along. If she ran away herself, Zhen Yong wouldn''te chasing her, but he might report it to the police if she took their daughter too.


    Arriving in City S, she had money and a smart man. She changed her ID name. Her man did business and they even had a son and daughter. Life got better and better. asionally Wang Xiu would think of her daughter in City C, but having two more children kept her preupied so she no longer yearned painfully, or dreamed of her night after night.


    Just when she was about topletely forget the past, her daughter became famous.


    "Mom, we''re home!" Her son''s voice came from outside. Wang Xiu immediately closed the Weibo page, quickly touched up her make-up, and walked out of the bedroom.


    Six-year-old Liu Hao happily showed his mother the toy car he was holding. Behind him, Liu Wei carried a shopping bag full of vegetables. Their teenage daughter was still in high school, busy studying for the uing college entrance exam.


    Zhen Bao went about her business cooking and spending time with her son as if nothing had happened. After her son fell asleep, she called Liu Wei into the bedroom, closed the door, and showed him the photos on Weibo.


    Liu Wei was in his fifties, and thanks to his shrewd business acumen and the seed money provided by Wang Xiu, he now had tens of millions to his name and would be addressed as Chairman Liu when he went out. Because the money came from the Fu family, Liu Wei had kept an eye on them over the years. As soon as he saw the photos, he recognized Fu Ming Shi.


    After looking through the rted content, his expression changed several times.


    "Are you thinking of acknowledging Feng Bao?" Liu Wei probed as he observed his wife, knowing Wang Xiu had always been thinking of her daughter.


    Wang Xiu gave a wry smile. Looking at the shy smile of her daughter in the photo, she said, "What face do I have to acknowledge her after all these years of not caring or asking?" Even if she did try to acknowledge Feng Bao, her daughter might not be willing to ept her.


    Liu Wei breathed a sigh of relief and held his wife''s hand. "That photo is so old, it looks nothing like you now that you''ve changed your name. As long as we don''t say anything, no one will know. If you acknowledge Feng Bao, it''ll be spread around and we won''t be able to show our faces. The kids will be scolded too. Let''s just forget it."


    Wang Xiu silently nodded. This was the only way.


    For Zhen Bao''s birthday, Fu Ming Shi ordered a beautiful cake. With all the lights off except for the flickering candlelight, the living room took on a romantic ambience.


    So much had happened in one day that Zhen Bao didn''t really feel like celebrating her birthday. But she didn''t have the heart to waste Fu Ming Shi''s efforts, so she tried her best to put on a happy face. She gently blew out the candles on the cake, then closed her eyes to make a wish under Fu Ming Shi''s urging.


    What should she wish for? Wishes were usually difficult to fulfill. Zhen Bao hadn''t celebrated her birthday since her father passed away. When she was home alone, her birthday was no different than any other day. But tonight, sitting across from her was a man named Fu Ming Shi who cared for her and wanted her to be happy.


    Zhen Bao knew what she wanted now. The corners of her lips curled up as she silently made her wish.


    "What did you wish for?" Fu Ming Shi asked in a low voice from across the candlelit dinner table, the flickering mes reflected in his dark eyes.


    Zhen Bao shook her head and smiled. "It won''te true if I say it out loud."


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t push her and helped cut the cake instead.


    With reporters gathered outside, the two of them couldn''t go anywhere. But Zhen Bao didn''t want to either. She leaned against Fu Ming Shi as they watched a movie together. Since the first movie ended at 9 pm, they decided to watch another one to avoid thinking about the gossip online.


    When the second movie finished at 11 pm, Zhen Bao was wide awake and energetic.


    "Keep watching?" Fu Ming Shi looked down at his fianc¨¦e''s bright eyes and proposed with a smile. Zhen Bao hadn''t seen many ssic movies beforeing to the capital from a ce without inte ess. The two movies they just watched happened to be from the same series, and there were still two more parts left.


    Zhen Bao''s eyes lit up in delight.


    Fu Ming Shi queued up the third part to apany her in doing what she wanted.


    After the third part, it was 1 am. Zhen Bao was getting sleepy, so Fu Ming Shi simply picked her up and carried her upstairs. Being swept off her feet reminded Zhen Bao of their earlier agreement - Fu Ming Shi had said he would be intimate with her on her birthday night.


    Her drowsiness vanished as Zhen Bao was seized by nervous anticipation, her throat going dry.


    Fu Ming Shi noticed the changes in his fianc¨¦e''s body and saw her flushed cheeks. Carrying Zhen Bao down the familiar hallway into the bedroom, he gently ced her on therge bed. Zhen Bao closed her eyes and waited foolishly for him to go further.


    But Fu Ming Shi could tell she was willing to fulfill the agreement while preupied. Dissatisfied with the mood today and making love when she had a lot on her mind,


    he sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over until his face nearly touched hers. "Why are your eyes closed?"


    Zhen Bao turned her head in embarrassment, her face growing redder. He knew very well.


    His silly fianc¨¦e was too adorable. Fu Ming Shi couldn''t resist stealing a kiss, then held her earlobe and sighed, "Go to sleep. Tonight is special. No morete nights from now on."


    Zhen Bao''s eyes flew open in shock. Fu Ming Shiughed gently above her, but it wasn''t a tender, affectionateugh. Instead, it reminded her of her father''s warmth and care for his child. Stunned, Zhen Bao wanted to discern further but Fu Ming Shi suddenly leaned in to nt a kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering softly.


    "Good night," he murmured. The simple familiar words carried a strangelyforting power tonight.


    Zhen Bao suddenly felt reluctant to part. Seeing Fu Ming Shi about to leave, she reflexively grabbed his sleeve.


    Fu Ming Shi had already started to get up but sat back down firmly when Zhen Bao pulled him. He stroked her forehead. "Can''t sleep?"


    Zhen Bao''s cheeks flushed crimson, unable to speak her desire for him to stay.


    Fu Ming Shi patiently held her gaze, unsure of what she wanted.


    Zhen Bao''s lips quivered as she thought of Fu Ming Shi''s question and nodded slightly.


    Thinking she really couldn''t sleep, Fu Ming Shi smiled. "Keep watching movies?"


    Zhen Bao couldn''t helpughing.


    Fu Ming Shi ruffled her hair and went to get hisptop from his room. He came back, took off his shoes, and climbed onto the bed beside Zhen Bao to continue their movie marathon. Already tired, Zhen Baofortably leaned against Fu Ming Shi''s shoulder. She struggled to stay awake for a while but eventually sumbed to sleep, her head nodding down bit by bit.


    Fu Ming Shi turned to look and saw Zhen Bao had fallen asleep. He closed theptop and slowly helped Zhen Bao lie down properly.


    Zhen Bao was sleeping lightly and woke up as he moved her, but she was still groggy. Her reason overpowered by emotion, afraid that Fu Ming Shi would leave, Zhen Bao took advantage of her sleepy state to hug his waist and mumbled softly, "Don''t go..."


    Fu Ming Shi''s heart stirred, wondering if he had misheard.


    But Zhen Bao''s head was pillowed on his leg and she clung to him pleadingly, clearly wanting him to stay.


    Fu Ming Shi finally understood Zhen Bao''s earlier blushing - she wanted him to stay but was too shy to say it outright.


    He stroked her hair, put theptop on the nightstand, and slowly took off his shirt.


    Satisfied, Zhen Bao settled back into her original spot, listening to the sound of Fu Ming Shi''s belt buckle as her heart raced wildly again.


    But Fu Ming Shi only held her in his embrace, innocently kissing her face without doing anything more intimate.


    Breathing in Fu Ming Shi''s uniquely masculine scent, Zhen Bao slept especially soundly that night.


    On Sunday afternoon, Zhen Bao had to return to school since she had already taken time off her part-time job and had sses the next day.


    When they left, reporters were still staking out the vi. Amazingly, there were also reporters blocking the school gates. Fu Ming Shi got out of the car first. Sitting in the passenger seat, Zhen Bao saw the curious stares of gathered students, all eyeing this direction. She feltpletely ufortable, able to ignore online gossip but not the scrutiny of those around her like Fu Ming Shi could.


    As she watched, the reporters near the car actually started leaving one by one.


    "Get out of the car," Fu Ming Shi said, opening the passenger door and bending down to smile at her.


    "What did you say to them?" Zhen Bao asked nkly.


    Fu Ming Shi took her hand, closed the car door, and casually replied, "Nothing much, don''t worry. No one wille bother you at school again."


    Zhen Bao looked back at the reporters lurking in the distance taking photos but not approaching. She was starting to believe him.


    On the way to her dorm building, the two continued attracting countless gazes.


    Zhen Bao stared at the ground, looking nowhere else.


    "You''re beautiful," Fu Ming Shi suddenly stopped and held her shoulders, bending to meet her eyes directly.


    Zhen Bao blinked nkly, not understanding why he was praising her so abruptly.


    "Really, even in the most unfashionable clothes, you''re still a beauty in others'' eyes." Fu Ming Shi spoke seriously, his gaze serious as well.


    Zhen Bao''s ears grew hot. Why was heplimenting her more and more outrageously for no reason?


    "Am I ugly?" Fu Ming Shi asked solemnly, looking utterly deranged.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t helpughing.


    Fu Ming Shi''s expression was severe. "Answer me, am I ugly or not?"


    Zhen Bao held in herughter and shook her head.


    "So being with me doesn''t make you lose face?" Fu Ming Shi persisted.


    Zhen Bao shook her head again, but understood his meaning.


    "Since it''s not embarrassing, why fear people looking at us?" Fu Ming Shi stared at her closely.


    "I get it," Zhen Bao didn''t want to keep listening to his lecturing and walked away, but she had just turned when she was suddenly hugged around the legs. The next moment, Fu Ming Shi had slung her over his shoulder!


    All eyes on the street were on them. Zhen Bao anxiously patted Fu Ming Shi''s back, turning to plead with him, "Put me down..."


    Fu Ming Shi looked in the direction of the dorm building, smiling as he said, "To deal with your shamelessness, I can only fight poison with poison."


    Zhen Bao didn''t want his poison. She hung her head low to urge him, "Stop messing around..."


    Fu Ming Shi pretended not to hear.


    Zhen Bao was a little angry now. For the first time, she called out his full name, "Fu Ming Shi!"


    The man finally stopped in his tracks.


    Thinking her threatening tone had worked, Zhen Bao quickly followed up, "Put me down."


    Fu Ming Shi turned his head, "Call it one more time."


    Zhen Bao punched his shoulder.


    As they walked, Fu Ming Shi patted her calves to negotiate, "Call it one more time, and I''ll put you down."


    Zhen Bao bit her lip. After a few seconds, she mumbled reluctantly, "Fu Ming Shi."


    Fu Ming Shi was true to his word and set her back down on the ground. Then he grabbed his unwilling fianc¨¦e and pulled her into his embrace, kissing her on the lips in front of the groups of college students ahead of them and behind them. Zhen Bao was furious with embarrassment. She pushed hard against him, but before Fu Ming Shi''s lips left hers, heughed first. Taking advantage while Zhen Bao was about to scold him, he moved to her ear and sweet-talked:


    "I like you."


    He wished the whole world knew.

 Chapter 48: 048

    <h4>Chapter 48</h4>


    When Zhen Bao returned to her dormitory, she immediately received a warm wee from the other girls in her ss. More than ten girls crowded into Zhen Bao''s dormitory, eagerly asking her all kinds of details about her love life. Zhen Bao was overwhelmed by their questions. Although she could answer them all since they didn''t involve anything too intimate, she really wasn''t used to recounting her rtionship like an interview.


    "Alright, other than having some money and looks, President Fu is not much different from other men. Give Zhen Bao a break, everyone. Go do your homework if you haven''t, or take a shower if you haven''t!" Jia Xiao Yu and Qian LeLe shooed the other ssmates out together.


    The noisy group finally left.


    Zhen Bao heaved a long sigh of relief.


    "Zhen Bao!"


    Jia Xiao Yu closed the dormitory door and suddenly pounced over to give her a bear hug. "Ahhh, President Fu is so handsome! We saw everything from the balcony just now. I wish a guy would throw me over his shoulder like that too!" From the balcony, Fu Ming Shi looked tall and strong, while Zhen Bao was petite and delicate. Their pose of him carrying her on his shoulder looked even better than in idol dramas - more romantic, more tantalizing, making everyone want to fall in love!


    Zhen Bao could only smile. Although she wasn''t used to Fu Ming Shi being so high-profile and never unted their rtionship, having a boyfriend like him, she could understand others'' envy. If she acted modest now and said it was nothing, they would surely gang up on her.


    "Now you can openly unt your affections instead of sneaking around." Fan Xuan said while pouring water.


    "Look look, there are already photos of you two on the school forums!" Qian LeLe called everyone over from theputer.


    Many people had posted the photos of Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi returning to campus. Qian LeLe pulled up the one with the most views and clicks. Aside from the photos, there were even a few video clips! The first video was provocatively titled "This is how a domineering president acts", and immediately caught Zhen Bao''s attention.


    Qian LeLe yed the video. Amidst the moring noises, Fu Ming Shi pushed open the car door and stepped out, dressed in a ck suit that showed off his model-like slender waist and long legs. His expression was cold and aloof, unaffected by the shaky camerawork. After getting out of the car, Fu Ming Shi nced around at the reporters and calmly said, "Before Zhen Bao graduates, I hope she can focus on her studies. So after she leaves A University, I won''t intervene in your stalking and interviews of me. If I have time, I''m willing to cooperate with Zhen Bao, but if anyone chases her into A University and harasses her normal life, I may have to take necessary measures. Everyone will suffer then."


    The reporters looked at each other in dismay.


    Fu Ming Shi continued, "Today is the first time. All of you leave immediately, and I won''t pursue it, but from now on, if any media releases photos of Zhen Bao inside A University, I will have mywyer contact the photographer and theirpany."


    After he finished speaking, the reporters who didn''t want trouble gradually retreated, quickly clearing the area around the car. Fu Ming Shi''s cold expression also changed. He turned and walked to the passenger side. The closer he got to the car door, the softer his gaze became. When he pulled open the door, there was not a trace of chill left in the man''s face, only tenderness in his eyes. Under that gentle gaze, Zhen Bao got out of the car. Her back faced the camera at first, and it wasn''t until a minuteter that she turned to show her face - confused and a bit silly looking.


    The video ended, but Zhen Bao was still reminiscing about Fu Ming Shi''s words. Jia Xiao Yu nudged Fan Xuan and imitated Fu Ming Shi''s tone, "I''m warning you, don''te to A University to bother my fianc¨¦e again, or this President will make sure you don''t see tomorrow''s sun!"


    Fan Xuanughed loudly. Zhen Bao was annoyed and pushed Jia Xiao Yu. Fu Ming Shi would never say something like that.


    After the excitement died down, Zhen Bao went to browse her own Weibo. The topic about her and Fu Ming Shi was already trending at #1. Netizens were heatedly discussing it - some envied her for marrying into money, some critiqued her looks and background, some scolded Wang Xiu, some sympathized with her dad, and some bet that she and Fu Ming Shi wouldn''tst long.


    "Stop looking. They''re all just petty people." Suddenly someone blocked herptop screen.


    Zhen Bao looked back to see Fan Xuan''s calm face.


    Right after Fan Xuan said that, Qian LeLe and Jia Xiao Yu also abandoned theirputers and pulled chairs over.


    Of the four, Fan Xuan''s thinking was the most mature. Holding a cup of water, she said to Zhen Bao, "We''re not you, so we can''t fully understand how you feel right now. But Zhen Bao, remember that no matter what others say, just keep being yourself. Keep doing what you like, don''t feel burdened.


    Your situation is a bit like those big celebrities. Think about it, our lives are so boring. When a celebrity has a scandal, you gossip about it too, right? But no matter how avidly we gossip, in the end it''s just to kill time in our boring lives. After gossiping, what does the celebrity have to do with us? We still have to figure out what to eat for dinner, worry about failing final exams.


    You made headlines, whether people praise or bash you, they just spit it out and move on. They don''t care if you live or die, if you''re happy or sad. But if you take those spiteful words to heart and worry about them every day, you''d be an idiot, a huge idiot."


    "Yeah yeah, don''t care about thoseizens, just think about your President Fu." Qian LeLe chimed in, "If I could date a boyfriend like President Fu, I''dugh myself awake from dreams. If I have time to waste on other people, I might as well think about how to spend weekends with him, how to make babies with him."


    Zhen Bao smiled and lowered her head.


    "I really admire Zhen Bao." Jia Xiao Yu sighed hugging a pillow. Resting her chin in one hand, she said, "If I had a man like President Fu, with money I couldn''t spend in this lifetime, why would I still be studying? I would have traveled the world eating, drinking and having fun already. But Zhen Bao can actually focus on going to the library every day, doing part-time work... Earning just 1,500 a month through hard work, while President Fu''s monthly interest alone could let you live in luxury."


    "Yeah, Zhen Bao is quite an anomaly in modern society, not a seductive slut like Xiao Yu. No wonder President Fu likes her." Fan Xuan joked.


    Jia Xiao Yu red at her. "You''re the seductive slut!"


    Zhen Bao looked at the roommates around her, and her heart that had been adrift all day finally settled down. The past two days felt like a dream to her. She was still unknown and obscure before her birthday, but now her family''s photos had spread all over the inte, and her family background had been dug uppletely.


    When she was with Fu Ming Shi, his reassurances kept her from feeling too flustered. But after he left, her heart became chaotic again. Luckily she still had her roommates who cared about her just the same, still seeing her as Zhen Bao instead of Fu Ming Shi''s girlfriend or fianc¨¦e.


    She was still slowly digesting everything Fan Xuan said before sleeping that night.


    The next morning, all the way from her dorm building to the cafeteria, from the cafeteria to the ssroom, Zhen Bao received a lot of attention. A University was huge, students from other colleges may have heard about this but not recognize her on sight, but the entire School of Veterinary Medicine, especially the freshman, almost no one didn''t recognize Zhen Bao.


    Sitting in the front row, Zhen Bao lowered her head to flip through her book, vaguely hearing Fu Ming Shi''s name mentioned several times. Even when the professor walked in, his first nce was towards her.


    Zhen Bao forced a smile.


    Most professors liked good students, and university professors were no different. Seeing Zhen Bao, Professor Li even joked today, "I heard we have a Cindere in our ss?"


    The students roared withughter while Zhen Bao''s face flushed red.


    Professor Li was over fifty, he smiled at Zhen Bao for a bit, then leaned on the lectern with both hands. In a very rxed, casual tone, he said, "Cindere is just a fairy tale. I believe many girls have dreams of being Cindere or Snow White, and boys also fantasize about a rags-to-riches story with a white rich beauty. But reality doesn''t have that many Cinderes. Who you meet, what kind of love - it still depends on your personal charm.


    Personal charm has nothing to do with achievements, it''s more of a temperament or attitude towards life. Some are optimistic and confident, some are introverted and mature, some are gentle as water, some are fiery as me... But no matter the kind of charm, there must be a positive energy that can infect others."


    After taking a sip of water, Professor Li walked over to Zhen Bao''s desk and put his hand on her shoulder. "Take Zhen Bao for example. Zhen Bao is very beautiful, which is an innate charm that most people envy. But Zhen Bao is not only beautiful, she is also very hardworking and studies diligently. She gets almost the top grade in every subject. Some may say grades don''t prove anything. Many students with good grades still end up with ordinary jobs after entering society. But in Zhen Bao, I see her sense of responsibility towards her own life. She is working hard to enrich herself. A girl who is willing to work hard and enrich herself, even without a prince charming, can still live a good life relying on herself.


    So I hope Zhen Bao will continue to be diligent. Focus on studying medicine now and work hard in her career and love life in the future. Don''t lose direction just because of media attention. I also hope students who haven''t be Cinderes or Prince Charmings yet don''t feel envious or jealous. Focus on studying your major well, master useful skills, and your personal charm will be stronger."


    As he finished speaking, all the students apuded.


    Zhen Bao looked up at the professor with blurred vision, grateful for his affirmation.


    A few rows behind Zhen Bao, Feng Yue was also apuding, but her smiling expression was uglier than crying.


    She had thought Zhen Bao was Fu Ming Shi''s kept woman. But now they had gained approval from Fu''s elders. She had thought Zhen Bao had special seductive skills, but the media dug up Zhen Bao''s grandfather''s poor yet glorious history. While Zhen Bao''s mother was scolded, it also made Zhen Bao an object of sympathy - a pitiful Cindere with pure looks. Many people were blessing her.


    Feng Yue had hoped Zhen Bao would be aughing stock, but instead Zhen Bao had be an enviable figure. The school forums were full of Zhen Bao''s lovey dovey photos and videos with Fu Ming Shi. No one knew she had sent the tip to that influencer, but her ssmates who had gossiped about Zhen Bao being fake were now ignoring her, hoping to tter Zhen Bao.


    Feng Yue felt stifled in her chest. She was absent-minded through all four morning sses.


    After the fourth ss ended, Feng Yue pretended to text on her phone as she waited for the other students to leave before her. When she looked up and saw almost everyone was gone, she was surprised to find Zhen Bao still sitting in the front row, head down writing something in her book.


    The ssroom was empty except for the two of them.


    Feng Yue bit her lip and stared at Zhen Bao''s back, "Why haven''t you left yet?"


    Zhen Bao was waiting for Fu Ming Shi. He had messaged her before ss ended saying he was stuck in traffic and asked her to wait in the ssroom first. He woulde get her and call her when he arrived. This had happened before too. Zhen Bao would work on homework first. Hearing Feng Yue''s voice, she nced back and continued writing while simply replying, "I''ll leave after I finish this."


    Feng Yue was silent for a moment before standing up with her bag, "I haven''t congratted you yet, Shi Ming is really Fu Ming Shi."


    Zhen Bao didn''t respond. Feng Yue had pursued Fu Ming Shi before, they couldn''t be friends anymore. She didn''t understand why Feng Yue still wanted to talk to her. It was awkward for both of them.


    Sensing Zhen Bao''s coldness, Feng Yue left first. After turning the corner down the main road, she bumped right into Fu Ming Shi. Fu Ming Shi today was dressed low-key as usual, just like he had been as Shi Ming. But walking towards her bathed in sunlight, his features were aloof and handsome. He naturally attracted the gazes of passing girls without needing his identity.


    Knowing he disliked her, Feng Yue still couldn''t help looking at him a few more times.


    Sensing her lingering gaze, Fu Ming Shi''s eyes shifted and recognized Feng Yue. His expression didn''t change, as if she were a stranger. Feng Yue feltplicated inside, disappointed yet also secretly relieved that Fu Ming Shi didn''t pay her any special attention. That meant he didn''t know about her petty actions.


    Thinking back on the anonymous process of her submission, she didn''t leave any identity information. Feng Yue felt a little more at ease.


    "Why did youe today?" Seeing Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao subconsciously nced around.


    "To see if you''ve adapted." Fu Ming Shi helplessly ruffled her hair. "The answer is obvious."


    Zhen Bao guiltily lowered her head, but she was very satisfied herself. She hadn''t spaced out in ss today and her ssmates were friendlier than she had expected, not saying anything nasty.


    "Let''s go, time to eat." Fu Ming Shi smiled and wheeled out her bike to take her to the cafeteria. No amount of verbal persuasion couldpare to personal experience. Once used to it, she would naturally be more poised. Zhen Bao wasn''t fragile, just inexperienced. What Fu Ming Shi was doing now was apanying her through this period.


    After dropping Zhen Bao off at her dorm after the meal, Fu Ming Shi drove away and called his assistant.


    The assistant was very efficient, quickly contacting the influencer who had exposed the boss''s love affair. He paid a high price to buy the ount. By the time Fu Ming Shi walked into his office, he had received the influencer''s Weibo login details, including the anonymous submission ount and chat history.


    Fu Ming Shi briefly looked through it before logging into the influencer''s Weibo as him to directly private message Feng Yue.


    Feng Yue wasnguishing in bed scrolling through Weibo, drawing strength from the fewments vilifying Zhen Bao. Suddenly an unfamiliar follower sent her a private message. Feng Yue curiously clicked to open it and saw the familiar influencer profile pic and nickname. Her heartbeat nearly stopped and she broke out in a cold sweat.


    Influencer: Ms Feng, you still remember me right?


    After a few minutes, Feng Yue replied: ??? I know you, but I''ve never spoken to you before. Do you have something to tell me?


    Influencer: Fu Ming Shi''s assistant just contacted me forcing me to give up the tipster''s information. I can''t hold out. If you continue denying, then we have nothing more to discuss. I will tell him the truth.


    Feng Yue panicked. Her hands shook as she thought, on one hand, there''s no way the influencer could find her real identity. But since he hade looking for her, could it be he had hired hackers?


    Looking at the chat, Feng Yue clung to a shred of hope and asked: If I admit it, will you help me conceal it?


    Seeing this confirmed Feng Yue was the one targeting Zhen Bao, Fu Ming Shi directly logged out and called his assistant: "....Keep managing his Weibo. Hire him to write a notice exposing Feng Yue. I''ll send you the necessary information separately."


    No matter what messages Feng Yue sent, the influencer didn''t reply.


    Feng Yue felt the sky was falling. What exactly did the influencer mean? Would he go tell on her to Fu Ming Shi? How would Fu Ming Shi deal with her?


    "Feng Yue, time for ss!" Although they had started distancing from Feng Yue, her roommates still thought she was sleeping. One knocked on her bed railing, "Let''s go!"


    "You guys go ahead. My stomach hurts." Feng Yue faced the wall pretending to be unwell.


    Her roommates left.


    Feng Yue continued refreshing the influencer''s Weibo, sending him messages hoping for a reply every so often.


    There was no reply, but she refreshed to a new post: Every Cindere has an evil female supporting character behind her.


    "Latest news, photographers are tracking a suspected ssmate of Zhen Bao''s - Fu Ming Shi and Zhen Bao.


    It''s confirmed Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi started datingst year. Fu Ming Shi''s confidentiality was very good until the scandal broke early this year. Upon seeing Fu Ming Shi''s photos, Ms Feng, a first year university student, suspected her friend''s boyfriend was none other than billionaire Fu Ming Shi. Afterwards, the previously makeup-bare faced Ms Feng started wearing makeup for some purpose. There have been sightings of Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi dining in the cafeteria where Ms Feng took the initiative to sit with them, prompting Fu Ming Shi to immediately leave with Zhen Bao. Not long after this incident, the paparazzi received an anonymous tip exposing Fu Ming Shi''s underground affair...."


    The wording was vague, using alleged and Ms Feng without specifying it was her. But Feng Yue still felt like she had fallen into an icehouse. There were only two students in their ss surnamed Feng, the other one male. The only one who met the criteria of being Zhen Bao''s ssmate, surnamed Feng, and started wearing makeup this year was her.


    What should she do now?


    In a daze, Feng Yue clicked into the Weiboments:


    "This Ms Feng is really shameless. She wore makeup to seduce her friend''s boyfriend. When seduction failed, she made a false report and ndered Zhen Bao being kept. How vicious!"


    "The mistress is scary, women who want to be mistresses are even scarier!"


    "Zhen Bao really is Cindere. Boss Fu hurry and take her far away from this female supporting character Feng!"


    "All mistresses are no good. Hope blogger A will expose her photo!"


    Feng Yue couldn''t bear to read further. She curled up trembling under her nket as tears streamed down her face.


    In the ssroom building, Jia Xiao Yu was not paying attention in ss. She rested her head on the desk, hiding behind a textbook, looking down at her phone. Her roommate had be a popr figure recently, and Jia Xiao Yu''s biggest interesttely was checking Weibo to see if the influencers she followed had posted anything new. As soon as she saw a new post from a top influencer, Jia Xiao Yu instinctively tapped to open it.


    "Oh my god!"


    After reading halfway through, Jia Xiao Yu couldn''t help but curse out loud.


    Since this was arge lecture ss with students from four sections, including the lecturer at the podium, everyone looked over at her.


    Jia Xiao Yu immediately put her head back down on the desk, hiding behind her book.


    After the professor resumed lecturing, Jia Xiao Yu finally passed her phone to Zhen Bao, "Look at this!"


    Zhen Bao took the phone and read through it, looking conflicted.


    Could it really be Feng Yue?


    Zhen Bao didn''t want to think too badly of Feng Yue, but the only person she knew who was acquainted with Fu Ming Shi and Shi Ming, and had a grudge against her, was Feng Yue.


    Just as Zhen Bao was deep in thought and Jia Xiao Yu was exposing Feng Yue''s misdeeds to Qian LeLe and Fan Xuan, someone on A University''s discussion forum also posted screenshots of the influencer''s Weibo post. Soon after, those screenshots were anonymously forwarded to the QQ group chat for Zhen Bao''s ss.


    The group chat fell silent. A few minutester, someone anonymous started condemning Feng Yue for being ungrateful.


    In the female dormitory, Feng Yue looked at the online abuse fromizens, her ssmates guessing her identity, and the overt and direct condemnation and disgust from her ssmates. Her tears flowed more and more, and she suddenly had the urge to drop out.


    She could no longer stay at A University. She didn''t even dare to imagine how her roommates would look at her when they returned.


    Thinking of the disgusted looks from everyone, Feng Yue paused her tears for a moment, then suddenly sat up and started packing her bags at top speed.

 Chapter 49: 049

    <h4>Chapter 49</h4>


    Feng Yue dropped out of school. No one knew if she went back to high school to retake the college entrance exam or if she had other ns. No one cared either. Without the hype, the online romance between Fu Ming Shi and Zhen Bao quickly cooled down. Both protagonists faded from view, and Feng Yue, a minor supporting character, barely caused a ripple. After negotiations between Feng Yue''s parents and University A, the school''s online forums also blocked discussion of the Feng Yue incident. All rted posts vanished.


    Qian LeLe swiveled her chair and looked at Zhen Bao airing clothes on the balcony. She gossiped with Jia Xiao Yu, "What do you think - did Fu pull strings to expose Feng Yue?"


    "She deserved it!" Jia Xiao Yu spit out a jujube pit in disgust. "She bullied innocent Zhen Bao on campus and tried to seduce Fu, but that didn''t work out. We can ignore her petty schemes. But she leaked info about Zhen Bao to paparazzi and falsely imed Zhen Bao was Fu''s mistress. That''s pure malice, not just cunning. Remember how badlyizens ndered Zhen Bao before Fu rified things? Ten times worse than how they dragged Feng Yue! I saw through her; Feng Yue has a ck heart. If we don''t teach her a lesson, she''ll just harm someone elseter."


    Qian LeLe nodded along sagely.


    Fan Xuan sighed, "Fu is so skilled at manipting public opinion. He must have wanted to punish Feng Yue for bullying Zhen Bao. Without even revealing Feng Yue''s name or photo, just a vague rumor, people guessed the perpetrator was Feng Yue... Sure, Feng Yue is cunning, but whoever first leaked her photo is no saint either. I don''t like online violence. This is a fair oue - Feng Yue learned her lesson, the issue died down, and she can still resume a normal life if she keeps a low profile. Escting things further would have harmed Zhen Bao too."


    With Feng Yue''s misdeeds scrubbed from the inte so swiftly, Fu Ming Shi likely orchestrated it behind the scenes.


    "What are you all talking about?" Zhen Bao slid open the ss door after hanging theundry and asked the three roommates gathered together.


    Qian LeLe snickered, "We''re guessing if Fu can identify which underwear on the balcony is yours when hees to visit."


    She had the dirtiest mind in the dorm. Zhen Bao automatically filtered out the inappropriate content and went to put away theundry basin.


    After a ssmate transferred schools, some awkwardness still lingered whenever Zhen Bao appeared. People naturally sympathize with the weak, so when Feng Yue bullied Zhen Bao, onlookers unanimously criticized Feng Yue''s cruelty. But after Feng Yue was forced to drop out, some felt Zhen Bao had gone too far. Though Zhen Bao did nothing, Feng Yue''s downfall was over her after all.


    With a clear conscience, Zhen Bao ignored the looks and gossip, living her life in peace.


    When summer finals rolled around again, Zhen Bao''s life fully returned to normal. No one in ss discussed Feng Yue anymore. Fu Ming Shi visiting campus and seeing Zhen Bao no longer attracted much attention. Only when the couple went out were asional photos leaked, but Zhen Bao could now ignore such trivial gossip.


    Zhen Bao had worked part-time at University A''s animal hospital for over half a year. Though she only worked two hours a day, Zhen Bao still helped out with what she could on weekends. Gradually, many staff recognized her as the freshman with an amazing rapport with animals.


    Initially, Zhen Bao just cleaned up after the pets boarded at the hospital. As she learned more and got to know people, she even picked up some professional skills ahead of upperssmen''s internships. So before summer vacation, Zhen Bao unexpectedly obtained a two-month long-term part-time job.


    Zhen Bao was thrilled, but guessed Fu Ming Shi wouldn''t like hearing it. To avoid spoiling his mood, she deliberately only mentioned it during their after-dinner campus stroll.


    Fu Ming Shiughed briefly - more of a scoff than a realugh.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head and sipped her fruit juice.


    After walking a dozen steps, Fu Ming Shi turned and blocked her path, asking lightly, "What''s the monthly sry?"


    Clutching her fruit juice, Zhen Bao replied, "2,000, with weekends off."


    Working July and August would pay her tuition and housing fees for the year. Adding her usual part-time ie, Zhen Bao was confident she could self-fund through college. If she won schrships as nned, she could even repay Fu Ming Shi for the tuition and meal n he covered her first year and graduate with modest savings.


    Zhen Bao didn''t mind epting Fu Ming Shi''svish gifts, but she wanted to earn her own college funding - the two felt fundamentally different. Boyfriends giving girlfriends presents was normal; relying on him for tuition and living expenses felt like being a mistress.


    Zhen Bao just wanted to date Fu Ming Shi, not be dependent on him or anyone else.


    Streemp light spilled over, illuminating the familiar determination and stubbornness on that sweet, beautiful face.


    Fu Ming Shi surrendered, though with some regret. He hugged her and asked, "You''re not going home anymore?"


    He didn''t oppose her summer part-time job. Pleasantly surprised, Zhen Bao smiled up at him, "Our department has early exams, so we get off early. I calcted - I''ll have a week before starting the part-time job. Do you have time?" After over a year away, Zhen Bao was homesick, even if no one waited for her there.


    Fu Ming Shi rxed, kissing her forehead. "I''ll make arrangements. Focus on your exams."


    Zhen Bao nodded.


    Fu Ming Shi was busy with work, so he could only spare three full days with Zhen Bao in total.


    Zhen Bao didn''t mind one bit, excitedly boarding the ne with him.


    At 10 AM, the nended in C City. Fu Ming Shi''s assistant had prepared a car for them ahead of time.


    Fu Ming Shi drove, first taking Zhen Bao shopping to buy supplies, since the old family home must need restocking after over a year, especially food. They bought so much that the trunk and backseat were packed full, including new appliances like outlets and induction burners.


    The long drive to Zhen Bao''s home stretched into the countryside. By the time they neared her vige, it was 3 PM already.


    Neighbor Granny Guo lived alone and beamed upon seeing Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi, lively and sharp-minded as she chatted with Zhen Bao. "How many days are you home this time?"


    Zhen Bao had missed Granny Guo too and happily caught up with the elder.


    With narrow vige roads, the car couldn''t pass. Fu Ming Shi let Zhen Bao visit with the granny while he ferried their haul to the Zhen house. It took three trips to move everything into the yard. The winter here was warmer than the capital, but summer was muggy. Seeing Fu Ming Shi''s shirt soaked with sweat, Zhen Bao temporarily bid farewell to Granny Guo to help Fu Ming Shi unpack.


    Granny Guo leaned in her doorway, relishing the chance to watch the young ones work.


    Unupied for a year, the rooms were covered in dust. Zhen Bao suggested leaving the new purchases in the yard while they first cleaned the rooms. The first floor needed the kitchen and living room cleaned. The second floor had four bedrooms total - Zhen Bao pointed to hers and her dad''s beside it, "Just these two need cleaning. Ignore the rest."


    Drenched in sweat, Zhen Bao bent to unlock the door. Fu Ming Shi suddenly hugged her from behind, lips against her crown, voice low and hoarse. "Why just two rooms?"


    Zhen Bao''s hand jerked and she missed inserting the key, face instantly flushing.


    Fu Ming Shi kissed down from her crown, her reddening ear, her neck. She was sweaty too, tasting a bit salty, but he loved it. "One room?"


    His hoarse inquiry was more tempting than anything. Zhen Bao''s heart quivered, still remembering their intimate encounter months ago.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled, "I''ll haul water."


    At the mention of water, Zhen Bao recalled something. While sunlight remained, she dug out the hot water bag she had packed away when leavingst year and handed it to Fu Ming Shi. Then she pretended not to notice his meaningful gaze and continued cleaning the bedroom - beating the mattresses, airing beddings, sweeping away cobwebs, wiping the desk...


    With the bedroom tidy, Zhen Bao went downstairs to help Fu Ming Shi clean the kitchen.


    Exhausted after finishing everything as darkness fell, though the heat lingered, Fu Ming Shi''s handsome face was smudged with dust and flushed. Zhen Bao was even more disheveled, with hair stered to her face and sweat-soaked white shirt clinging to her body, rising and falling with each breath. Fu Ming Shi couldn''t help stealing nces, still remembering their intimate encounter months ago.


    "Eat first or shower first?" Zhen Bao sat on a chair, wiping sweat and asking.


    "Let''s eat first. We''ll probably sweat again after," Fu Ming Shi passed her a bottle of mineral water and told Zhen Bao to sit while he cooked. Too tired for anything borate, they were just having noodles with four eggs for dinner.


    "One egg is enough for me," Zhen Bao called out to his turned back.


    Fu Ming Shi nodded, having guessed she wouldn''t eat much.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to eat three?¡± Seeing him crack four eggs, Zhen Bao was surprised and asked.


    Fu Ming Shi looked back, his gaze strange: ¡°I can¡¯t eat three?¡± Did she begrudge him so much that she was unwilling to let him eat even one egg?


    Zhen Bao didn''t mean that. Awkwardly, she said, ¡°I heard eating too many eggs is not good.¡±


    Fu Ming Shiughed softly, staring at her intently: ¡°For those who engage in heavy physicalbor, it¡¯s okay to eat more.¡±


    Zhen Bao was too naive to understand her fianc¨¦¡¯s teasing. She thought Fu Ming Shi was tired from cleaning the room just now, so she didn¡¯t bother him further. Fu Ming Shi cooked three packets of noodles and four eggs, most of which went into his stomach.


    After eating the noodles, both were covered in more sweat. Zhen Bao took Fu Ming Shi for a walk around the area before letting him shower first while she went next door to see Auntie Guo.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back in ten minutes at most,¡± Fu Ming Shi said as he sped her wrist, meaning for her not to stay over there too long.


    Zhen Bao fled in embarrassment.


    Fu Ming Shi took a change of clothes and went to shower in the backyard. As he turned on the showerhead, the water was warm. Worried there wouldn''t be enough for Zhen Bao, Fu Ming Shi brought over two buckets of cold water, leaving the hot water for her. Before showering, Fu Ming Shi deliberately checked the time. After washing, he checked again and saw he had used fifteen minutes.


    There was no other way. He had sweated a lot today and had to wash thoroughly.


    After putting on shorts and a T-shirt, Fu Ming Shi texted Zhen Bao.


    At Auntie Guo¡¯s next door, Zhen Bao took out her phone and saw Fu Ming Shi¡¯s brief shower reminder. Zhen Bao¡¯s heart raced as she quietly bid Auntie Guo goodbye.


    ¡°Ming Shi is pretty good. When are you two getting married?¡± Auntie Guo asked caringly.


    Zhen Bao blushed. ¡°After I graduate, I guess.¡± Zhen Bao was in no hurry, but Fu¡¯s father was over eighty years old. And in Fu¡¯s father¡¯s words, Fu Ming Shi was no longer young either.


    Auntie Guo nodded approvingly: ¡°Very good, very good. Ming Shi is quite good. You must hold onto him tight, Feng Bao.¡±


    Zhen Bao just smiled and went back home.


    Fu Ming Shi sat in the living room. As Zhen Bao turned to the doorway, she heard him pping mosquitoes.


    ¡°You go on up first,¡± Fu Ming Shi considerately said. He had bought electric fans and mosquito repellents.


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her and followed her upstairs together.


    Upstairs, Zhen Bao took some clothes and said as she closed the door, ¡°You, you go ahead and watch a movie first.¡±


    Fu Ming Shi stared at the door she had already closed without a word.


    Zhen Bao went around the corner and stood there for a while before going back downstairs.


    The Zhen house didn¡¯t have a dedicated bathroom. Wooden boards were set up in the corner, covered by an old quilt to block any gaps and prevent seeing inside. When Zhen Bao was home alone in the past, she didn¡¯t need to worry about anything. But now with Fu Ming Shi here too, she couldn¡¯t help but listen intently as she undressed, worried he might hear.


    She knew Fu Ming Shi wouldn¡¯t be so wicked, but the crude shower stall at home really couldn¡¯t provide a sense of security.


    After putting her clothes aside, Zhen Bao turned on the showerhead and enjoyed the feeling of water falling on her. She first washed her hair, and her whole body was drenched afterwards. Zhen Bao poured some shower gel and carefully scrubbed herself.


    Suddenly, footsteps sounded openly from outside, and Zhen Bao jumped in fright, instinctively covering her chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m washing clothes,¡± Fu Ming Shi exined in a low voice, as if he could see everything inside. After speaking, he went to the faucet and used the washbasin to fetch water.


    ¡°You can leave them there. I¡¯ll wash themter,¡± Zhen Bao said mosquito-like, just wanting him to go upstairs quickly.


    ¡°No need.¡± Fu Ming Shi deliberately ced the washbasin a few steps away from the ¡°shower stall¡± and sat on a small stool to wash the clothes. Hearing no movement inside, Fu Ming Shi suppressed his pleasure and said evenly, ¡°Wash at ease. I won¡¯t peep.¡±


    Zhen Bao bit her lip, guessing Fu Ming Shi was deliberately teasing her. Unable to drive him away, Zhen Bao slowly scrubbed herself, wanting to wait until he went upstairs before rinsing off, so if Fu Ming Shi really wanted to try something, she could still cover up.


    There were mosquitoes in the yard, so Fu Ming Shi was worried about her inside: ¡°You¡¯re washing so slowly. Aren¡¯t you afraid of mosquito bites?¡±


    Zhen Bao felt a little smug: ¡°Mosquitoes don¡¯t bite me.¡±


    Fu Ming Shi was silent, then suddenly stood up and walked towards her.


    Zhen Bao tensely grabbed the short sleeve she had worn during the day.


    ¡°Give me yours too. I¡¯ll wash them together,¡± Fu Ming Shi said, reaching in. His voice was calm.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head to look at his big hand, her heart racing erratically. ¡°Really, no need. Can you please just go upstairs?¡±


    ¡°Give them to me. I¡¯ll leave right after washing them,¡± Fu Ming Shi insisted.


    Zhen Bao couldn¡¯t resist him and reluctantly handed over her denim shorts and shirt after hesitating briefly. Fu Ming Shi retracted his hand. Although he had two fewer pieces, he couldn¡¯t bear to tease her further, so heughed and retreated to wash the clothes. Zhen Bao was on tenterhooks as she scrubbed herself, only daring to rinse off after Fu Ming Shi had left. She washed her underwear as well.


    When she came out after getting busy, she unexpectedly glimpsed a figure wandering in the distance. Looking closely, it was Fu Ming Shi.


    Zhen Bao crossed her arms behind her back and asked softly, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you go upstairs?¡±


    ¡°Waiting for you,¡± Fu Ming Shi said, looking at her. His voice was mellow and clear, like a cool breeze blowing away the summer heat of the day.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head. ¡°I¡¯m hanging clothes.¡±


    ¡°Hurry up,¡± Fu Ming Shi said, patting her head and going to the living room first.


    Zhen Bao was confused and anxious. She went to the clothesline and saw Fu Ming Shi¡¯s clothes already hanging there, three pieces inside and out. Her gaze swiftly nced over Fu Ming Shi¡¯s boxer shorts. Zhen Bao deliberately hung her four pieces a bit farther away and decided she would get up early tomorrow to take the clothes off the line before he did.


    After hanging them, Zhen Bao turned around, only to find Fu Ming Shi standing in the doorway. So her actions just now...


    Zhen Bao froze in ce.


    She didn¡¯t know why she was being silly again. Fu Ming Shi beckoned helplessly.


    ¡°Close the door,¡± Zhen Bao said. She didn¡¯t want to talk to him now, so she rushed straight for the stairs upon entering, having forgotten the bedroom was the inevitable destination he would catch her in.


    The rabbit was in the cage. Fu Ming Shi¡¯s patience improved again as he listened to the thumping sound of her running up the stairs. He leisurely closed the door below, then turned off the lights and went up the stairs step by step. The stairs creaked with age, making a quaint stomping sound that was pleasing to the ear.


    Upstairs, only one room had its light on. Fu Ming Shi pushed the door open and saw his fianc¨¦e sitting stiffly upright at the desk against the east wall. Her back was to him. Theptop was open, ying an animated movie. Fu Ming Shi locked the bedroom door behind him and nced at Zhen Bao before going straight to the bed.


    Zhen Bao¡¯s bedroom was only a dozen or so square feet. The lights werest year''s bulbs and not very bright, making the room dim. Fu Ming Shizily leaned against a pillow and called Zhen Bao over: ¡°Bring it here. Let¡¯s watch together.¡±


    With only one chair in her room, they could only watch on the bed.


    Zhen Bao hugged theptop and walked towards him, her gaze lowered the whole time. When she reached the bedside, she first handed theptop to Fu Ming Shi. Unexpectedly, Fu Ming Shi only made a gesture to reach for it, and the bed board below made a creaking sound. Her dad had made the bed himself using wood from the mountains, and it had served for over a decade, so sounds like this were normal.


    But tonight, this sound was too suggestive, too likely to stimte the imagination.


    Zhen Bao didn¡¯t even dare sit down now.


    Fu Ming Shi stared at her, inexplicably worried: ¡°This bed... can it bear the two of us?¡±


    Zhen Bao¡¯s face burned as she shyly turned away.


    Fu Ming Shi thought she wanted to run off, so he immediately put theptop down, as if she took a single step and he would pounce over to grab her.


    She didn¡¯t move, so Fu Ming Shi forced himself to stay calm and urged hoarsely, ¡°Get on.¡±


    Zhen Bao turned off the light first.


    Fu Ming Shi put theptop back on hisp.


    Zhen Bao tried her best to move lightly, but each shift made the bed creak. She finally managed to sidle up to Fu Ming Shi¡¯s side, her forehead beaded with sweat. Fu Ming Shi started the video and opened his right arm. Zhen Bao stiffly leaned against him, feeling that he was even hotter than her despite the thin cloth separating them.


    Zhen Bao didn¡¯t move a muscle.


    Fu Ming Shi squeezed her shoulder and seemed nonchnt, but his other hand kept clenching and unclenching into a fist.


    The movie was nearly two hours long. When it finished, it was just past 9 PM.


    Later, Fu Ming Shi¡¯s arm moved. Zhen Bao pretended not to notice and still leaned against his shoulder. Somewhat eagerly, she said, ¡°It¡¯s only 9. Let¡¯s watch the second part too.¡± This animated series had three parts. Last time when their rtionship went public, Fu Ming Shi had also apanied her to watch all three movies continuously.


    But Fu Ming Shi didn¡¯t fall for it this time. Lowering his head, he kissed her crown and said, ¡°I¡¯m tired.¡±


    With no excuse left to stall, Zhen Bao obediently moved away. Taking advantage of Fu Ming Shi going to put away theptop, she pulled up the quilt andy inside facing away from him.


    ¡°Thirsty?¡± Fu Ming Shi came back with a bottle of water.


    Zhen Bao really was thirsty. Awkwardly sitting up properly again, she gulped down several mouthfuls. After drinking her fill, shey back down.


    Fu Ming Shi put the water on the floor beside the bed and then sat on the bed himself. He wasn¡¯t as careful as Zhen Bao and didn¡¯t mind the creaking. The floor fan was aimed at Fu Ming Shi¡¯s side, blowing and making a swiveling sound.


    The whirring sound of the electric fan filled the room as Fu Ming Shi turned to look at Zhen Bao beside him in bed. "Isn''t it too hot to be using a nket in this weather?" he asked, touching the nket covering her.


    Zhen Bao shook her head. Even if she was hot, she wouldn''t tell him.


    Fu Ming Shi felt her forehead - it was damp with sweat. Thoughtfully, he pulled back her nket. Zhen Bao didn''t stop him, her eyes remaining tightly shut.


    Fu Ming Shi felt very hot himself, the electric fan providing little relief. He took off his T-shirt, then turned his fianc¨¦e over, leaning down like a mountain over her, supporting himself with his arms. Lowering his head, he kissed her brow. Her long eyshes fluttered as her breathing grew heavier.


    "Did you ever imagine our first time would be here?" Fu Ming Shi murmured, his lips hovering over hers. A bead of sweat slid down his handsome face, gathering at his chin before dripping onto her.


    Zhen Bao''s mouth felt dry again and she nervously licked her lips.


    Taking this as a signal, Fu Ming Shi''s gaze darkened intensely as he fiercely pressed his lips to hers.


    The newly purchased electric fan whirred noisily on as the rickety wooden bed creaked loudly with their movements, each sound grating.


    "Slow down," Zhen Bao pleaded, unable to bear the noises. Her hands clutched tightly at his shoulders as she began to sob.


    Fu Ming Shi obliged and slowed his pace.


    But it was futile - the wooden boards still creaked, just not as urgently now.


    Zhen Bao felt mortified and covered her face with her hands.


    "No one can hear us," Fu Ming Shi insisted, deliberately making loud creaking sounds as he pried her hands away from her face.


    "What if Auntie Guo hears?" Zhen Bao cried anxiously, resisting him weakly.


    "Her hearing isn''t that good," Fu Ming Shi doubted.


    "But what if?" Zhen Bao whimpered softly.


    Left with no choice, Fu Ming Shi carried her and shifted them both sideways on the bed, hoping to reduce the swaying and creaking.


    It helped, somewhat, but Zhen Bao was still uneasy. Fu Ming Shi paid it no further mind, each time more intense than thest.


    At that heated moment, who cared about an olddy?


    ...


    In the span of barely fifteen minutes, it felt to Zhen Bao like an eternity had passed. She was more preupied with the creaking bed than the difort in her body.


    When Fu Ming Shi tried to turn on the light afterwards, she stopped him.


    "Does it hurt?" Fu Ming Shi held her and asked, covering her forehead and cheeks in light kisses.


    Zhen Bao shook her head. It wasn''t as agonizing as she''d imagined, at least.


    But Fu Ming Shi remembered her pitiful cries of pain, so anguished that he''d nearly stopped halfway.


    "Feng Bao..." he murmured her name tenderly.


    Zhen Bao''s eyshes fluttered.


    "Did you like it?" Fu Ming Shi kissed her cheek blissfully.


    Zhen Bao turned her face away, refusing to answer such a question.


    "I liked it a lot," Fu Ming Shi turned her face towards him, unable to stop kissing her. "I liked it so much, I want to go again."


    Zhen Bao''s eyes widened in shock.


    Fu Ming Shi justughed. He smothered her in passionate kisses, but decided to sleep for now.


    Zhen Bao stayed alert for a while, but soon fatigue overcame her and she fell into deep slumber. As she slept, she felt a weight on her and Fu Ming Shi''s hurried breathing against her ear, his fiery kisses raining down her face and neck. Drowsy as she was, Zhen Bao tried to resist, but he was relentless, determinedly showering her with kisses. The more he kissed, the more awake Zhen Bao became, until she was fully aware of Fu Ming Shi fumbling for something hidden under his pillow.


    Three minutester, the rickety wooden bed in the rustic little cottage room began creaking loudly once more...

 Chapter 50: 050

    <h4>Chapter 50</h4>


    It was a cool and pleasant morning in the small mountain vige in summer. As usual, Grandma Guo woke up, washed her face and brushed her teeth while wondering what to have for breakfast. There were a few cucumbers in the vegetable garden that would go bad soon if not eaten. She couldn''t finish them herself, so why not invite Fengbao and her husband over for breakfast? The children must be tired from working hard yesterday and wouldn''t want to cook for themselves.


    Stir-fried noodles and cucumbers, that''s settled then.


    After washing her face, Grandma Guo tied up her hair neatly and went out refreshed. Havingpany after living alone for so long put her in a particrly good mood. There was a fence between the two households, but an opening was left for visiting. As Grandma Guo walked to Zhen''s yard, before she could see if the door on the first floor was open, there was a sudden creaking sound from upstairs.


    That sound...


    Grandma Guo looked up and listened for a few minutes, then understood. She shook her head with a smile and went to pick cucumbers to prepare breakfast first.


    The cucumbers were cut, seasoning prepared, water boiling, noodlesid out, just waiting for the children toe down so she could cook them quickly and eat. It took Grandma Guo over half an hour to do these seemingly trivial chores, but she estimated it was about time. The olddy went to Zhen''s house again.


    This time she didn''t even have to step into their yard to hear the creaking bed and Zhenbao''s half whimpering, half moaning.


    Youth is bliss...


    Grandma Guo sighed inwardly, then went back home to watch TV first. Her son had bought her a new TV with very clear images. Grandma Guo flipped through the channels and settled on a drama rerun. Though she had seen it once, Grandma Guo still watched enthralled, and didn''t realize when a whole episode finished.


    Hearing the ending theme song, Grandma Guo nced at the door. It had been over an hour, surely they must be done by now?


    The olddy went to Zhen''s house for the third time, cocking her ear to listen. Finally there was no movement upstairs.


    Grandma Guo breathed a sigh of relief. The children weren''t hungry but she was, anxious to eat.


    Looking up, Grandma Guo was about to invite the children down for breakfast when the front door creaked open. Grandma Guo jumped in fright and quickly looked over to see Fu Mingshi. The man wore a in ck T-shirt and knee-length shorts, looking strong and sturdy. His exposed arms and legs seemed very muscr, and his face was even more handsome than Elder Fu in his youth.


    Grandma Guo stared, transfixed.


    Just noticing someone in the yard, Fu Mingshi took a step out and saw Grandma Guo. Recalling Zhenbao''s pleasst night and this morning, he inexplicably felt a bit guilty. But his expression didn''t show it as he greeted politely, "Do you need something?"


    Grandma Guo came to her senses and quickly smiled, "You haven''t eaten breakfast yet right? I''ve prepared stir-fried noodles, just need to boil for a bit and it''ll be done. Come over with Fengbao and eat together?"


    Fu Mingshi was indeed hungry. He nced back and nodded, "Thank you. Fengbao and I are going fishing in the morning, we''ll treat you to lunchter."


    "Wonderful, wonderful," Grandma Guo beamed, unable to stop smiling. "Then go get Fengbao, I''ll go cook the noodles."


    After she left, Fu Mingshi watched the olddy enter the house before going to the bathroom to relieve himself. He then washed his face and brushed his teeth, and brought up a basin of water upstairs. The door was slightly ajar. Fu Mingshi gently pushed it open. Morning light flooded the bright room. Zhenbao was sleeping in bed, her fair shoulders exposed from the heat. Her beautiful long legs werepletely bare, the nket only covering essential parts.


    The room still held the particr scent remaining after pleasure. He couldn''t tell if it was left over fromst night, or just now.


    Putting down the basin, Fu Mingshi walked to the bedside.


    Zhenbao was sleeping soundly, face still flushed, pink lips slightly swollen.


    His gaze moved to her smooth shoulders. Fu Mingshi''s throat went dry. Before having her, he could still restrain himself, but after, it was as if he could never have enough, wanting to hold her forever, be with her in eternal worldly bliss.


    "Time to get up, Grandma Guo called us for breakfast," he said softly, kissing her face.


    Frowning, Zhenbao didn''t catch what he said. Annoyed by any sound disturbing her sleep, she turned over to continue sleeping. As she did so, the nket slipped down, exposing both front and back. Fu Mingshi''s eyes darkened, his lipsnding on her shoulder and gradually kissing down her arm.


    His slight stubble tickled, making Zhenbao shrink back instinctively. She had barely moved when he suddenly pressed her t and buried his head directly down. Zhenbao bit her lip, nowpletely awake, and awkwardly pushed his head away, her hand touching his face though she didn''t dare use force.


    Fu Mingshi took the chance to kiss her intensely several times.


    Zhenbao sucked in a breath, feeling slightly ufortable since he had been feasting on her tirelessly both day and night.


    Reluctantly Fu Mingshi released her, still wanting to look some more, but Zhenbao flew to pull up the nket.


    Left with no choice, Fu Mingshi had to abandon the thought. He kissed her face again, "Let''s go eat, then you can sleep more."


    "You go out first," Zhenbao said with eyes closed. She needed to get dressed.


    Knowing she was shy, Fu Mingshi had to take it slow. Heughed and ruffled her hair before going out to the corridor to wait. Hearing the door close, Zhenbao opened her eyes and looked around the room. Her gazended on the still swaying floor fan. Including this morning, Fu Mingshi had pressed her down four times, each time apanied by the drone of the electric fan and creak of the bed. For the rest of her life, Zhenbao felt, just seeing wooden beds and floor fans would probably remind her ofst night.


    Her clothes were all tossed inside the bed. Still sore in the waist and legs, Zhenbao gritted her teeth and put them on one by one. While wearing shoes, her eyes inadvertently swept past the stic trash can not far away, immediately spotting the four square packets inside. No more no less, just right for four times. Memories ofst night flooded her mind again, and Zhenbao suddenly felt a bit frightened.


    ording to her recollection, Fu Mingshisted longer each time, she really...couldn''t take it anymore. It was like the French baguettes at the bakery, one look and you know you can''t finish it. She would always buy the smaller ones to eat.


    After spacing out for a while, Zhenbao got up to wash her face, but her legs immediately started shaking as she stood.


    Zhenbao gave a wry smile, standing in ce for a few dozen seconds to adjust before moving again.


    Hearing the sounds of her washing up, Fu Mingshi went back in to help make the bed while she washed. The summer nket was neatly folded. The bedsheet...


    Seeing the few red spots in the middle of the light blue sheets, Fu Mingshi paused for a beat before pulling it out to soak in water. Just as Zhenbao finished washing her face, he started rinsing it. Seeing that, Zhenbao couldn''t help turning away to dry her face with her back to him.


    "Doesst night count as our wedding night?" Fu Mingshi hugged her from behind and kissed her nape.


    Zhenbao inevitably slowed her face drying motions.


    "Fengbao..." He kissed her ear. "I think I''m addicted."


    His tone was too dangerous. Zhenbao promptly interrupted him, "Let''s go down, don''t keep Grandma Guo waiting."


    Fu Mingshiughed and straightened up, following behind her down the stairs. Going down, Zhenbao''s legs were still weak, frightened into clutching the handrail. Guessing what happened, Fu Mingshi easily picked her up and carried her down step by step, putting her down with a frivolous kiss after reaching the first floor.


    Arriving next door, Fu Mingshi resumed his proper demeanor.


    "Eat more, both of you," Grandma Guo said with a smile, bringing over the noodles. Zhenbao sensitively noticed eggs in both her and Fu Mingshi''s bowls but not Grandma Guo''s.


    "Why aren''t you eating?" Embarrassed, Zhenbao wanted to transfer the egg to the elder.


    Grandma Guo blocked her, refusing, "Granny is old, you two are still young, need to nourish your health."


    No matter how Zhenbao heard it, she felt the words had deeper meaning. Blushing, she secretly nced at Fu Mingshi, but he just kept his head down eating noodles, as if Grandma Guo chatting with her had nothing to do with him. Feeling guilty, Zhenbao didn''t dare look at Grandma Guo either, just lowered her head to eat.


    After the meal Zhenbao volunteered to wash dishes.


    Fu Mingshi returned home to prepare offerings, while Grandma Guo eyed the door and sidled up to Zhenbao to whisper: "Fengbao dear, did you two use protection?"


    Zhenbao nearly dropped the bowl in hand. Her face immediately turned beet red, she just knew it - the bed sounded so loud, for such a long time, Grandma Guo must have heard everything!


    "No need to blush with granny." Grandma Guo teased Zhenbao affectionately, then continued her "serious" questioning, "Did you bring it up or Mingshi?"


    Zhenbao mumbled almost inaudibly, "...Him."


    Grandma Guo immediately worried, pulling Zhenbao into the room to earnestly advise: "Zhenbao, men are all the same. Before getting in bed, even your farts smell fragrant to them, but after sleeping together, they slowly won''t be as attentive as before. Mingshi looks like a good boy, but who can say what the future holds? Best to have a child first, so in case something happens in the future, having a child means he can''t abandon you, ensuring you don''t end up with nothing."


    Zhen Bao awkwardly smiled, "I''m still in school..."


    "School can wait, you should get married first, silly girl. You''re already together, why not think about it?" Granny Guo disapproved.


    As natives of a small rural vige, Granny Guo was uneducated and still held old-fashioned views. Zhen Bao believed in modern perspectives on love, and although she didn''t agree with Granny Guo, she knew the elder was looking out for her. So she nodded perfunctorily and chatted for a bit before finding an excuse to leave.


    Fu Ming Shi was in the main hall. He had packed the paper money and wine in his backpack, ready to visit his father-inw''s grave. Seeing Zhen Bao return with an uneasy expression, he asked, "What''s wrong?"


    "It''s nothing," Zhen Bao smiled. "All set?"


    Fu Ming Shi nodded. They were going to the cemetery today.


    Carrying his backpack, fishing rod in one hand and a spade in the other for digging, Fu Ming Shi was prepared. Having gone with the old masterst year, he knew what to do for ancestral worship in the countryside.


    Zhen Bao locked up and turned to see Fu Ming Shi equipped for the trip, looking like any other vige man. Her unease stirred up by Granny Guo''s words gradually dissipated.


    She had slept with Fu Ming Shi because she liked him, because their rtionship had developed to that stage. She wasn''t afraid they''d part ways in the future, nor regret what intimacy they''d shared. She only worried that Fu Ming Shi would really be indifferent after intimacy, as Granny Guo said. If that happened, she''d be heartbroken.


    But looking at the smiling man waiting for her, Zhen Bao thought to herself - her Fu Ming Shi would never be so shallow.


    She had faith in her feelings for him.


    "Let''s go," Zhen Bao smiled and went to his side. The two walked shoulder to shoulder, leaving the Zhen family''s small courtyard along the narrow dirt path lined with wildflowers on both sides. They crossed the vige''s only stretch of concrete road and continued forward, soon arriving at the foot of a hill. Further up was the mountain trail.


    Zhen Bao offered to help carry some things, but Fu Ming Shi only let her lead the way.


    Atop the hill, the breeze felt pleasantly cool. Zhen Bao briskly ran to the peak, then turned and looked down at her fianc¨¦ still climbing up the slope. Fu Ming Shi looked up to see her standing at the end, arms spread against the vast blue sky. Her fair face glowed like a flower with her radiant smile.


    "Don''t move," Fu Ming Shi said, setting his things down.


    Zhen Bao obediently stood still and watched as Fu Ming Shi took out his phone, wanting to take a picture of her. She loved photos and smiled even more happily. ncing between his phone and the pure girl ahead, then down at the lone stretch of concrete road below, Fu Ming Shi suddenly felt immense gratitude.


    Agreeing toe here and fetch her was the best decision he''d ever made in his life.


    The Zhen family graves were overgrown with weeds. Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi pulled them out together, then Fu Ming Shi shoveled fresh soil over the plots. Born with a silver spoon, such menial tasks proved clumsy for Fu Ming Shi. But Zhen Bao loved watching him - she found everything he did incredibly handsome.


    When Fu Ming Shi finished and turned around, he caught his fianc¨¦e staring at him, utterly enthralled. Their eyes met and Zhen Bao immediately lowered her head as a familiar blush bloomed across her lovely face.


    Fu Ming Shi just smiled without teasing her in such a ce.


    The mood had been lighthearted before the formal worship. But kneeling before herte father''s grave, Zhen Bao couldn''t help crying as she thought of her dad. When elders pass on, their children continue living and smiling, but that doesn''t mean they don''t miss them. In solemn remembrance, the past vividly unfolds and tears flow freely once the dam breaks.


    Fu Ming Shi waited until she had cried enough before drawing her into his arms to soothe her.


    After sobbing for a while, Zhen Bao lifted her head, eyes swollen from weeping.


    "Going down the hillter, others won''t know and think I bullied you," Fu Ming Shi gently brushed her nose ridge.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head again and used a wooden stick to stir the piled paper money, ensuring it all burned thoroughly.


    "Dad, don''t worry. I will take good care of Fengbao," Fu Ming Shi suddenly knelt down and solemnly kowtowed.


    Zhen Bao was startled by his term of address. She stared at him nkly.


    "I''ll have to change what I call you sooner orter," Fu Ming Shi said, straightening up and smiling at her.


    Zhen Bao felt a warmth in her heart. If Granny Guo heard Fu Ming Shi''s words just now, maybe she wouldn''t think that way anymore.


    After paying respects to the elder, Zhen Bao led Fu Ming Shi down the mountain by another trail. At the foot of this hill was ake where she often fished with her dad as a child. On lucky days they could catch two big ones, otherwise the two had little entertainment in this small vige.


    Sitting by theke for half an hour settled the sadness in Zhen Bao''s heart.


    Fu Ming Shi caught a grass carp, probably four or five jin.


    Zhen Bao excitedly ran over. With no action until now, she''d thought there''d be no fish for dinner today.


    "Do I get a reward?" she asked, her smile returning. Fu Ming Shi deftly pulled the crouching fianc¨¦e into his arms.


    "That''s enough," Zhen Bao anxiously looked around. Old grandpas from the vige often came here to fish and she was afraid of being seen.


    "I''ll let you go if there''s a reward," Fu Ming Shi pressed his forehead to hers, his eyes full ofughter.


    Zhen Bao lowered her gaze and pondered before replying, "I''ll make sweet and sour fish for lunch."


    Fu Ming Shi kissed her lips. "Doesn''t count, you were going to make it anyway."


    Zhen Bao tilted her head and his lips fell to her neck, lightly sucking. Her heart rippled like theke waters.


    "Give it to me tonight," Fu Ming Shi huskily demanded his reward in her ear.


    Zhen Bao stayed silent. This was like kissing - once was never enough, right?


    Carrying the fish, they headed home.


    Zhen Bao helped Granny Guo prepare lunch while Fu Ming Shi, unable to contribute, sat at the door listening to Granny Guo''s stories about Zhen Bao''s childhood, gazing at Zhen Bao and imagining what she looked like as a young girl. Lunch was abundant with fish and meat. After the meal, Granny Guo left and Fu Ming Shi told Zhen Bao to rest first while he washed up.


    The afternoon heat was stifling. Even the fan blew hot air. Sitting on the bed, Zhen Bao felt it was too risky to nap here this afternoon. But she was exhaustedst night and now genuinely tired.


    Fu Ming Shi''s footsteps sounded outside.


    Zhen Bao nervously stood up.


    Fu Ming Shi pushed open the door to see his fianc¨¦e poised as if facing a formidable foe. He found it amusing. He had wanted to, had been thinking about it all morning, but he wasn''t selfish - of course he''d give her time to rest. Once inside, Fu Ming Shi spread out the new bamboo mat he''d brought from the car by Zhen Bao''s bed. "You take the bed, I''ll sleep on the floor."


    He knew there was no resisting if theyy together.


    He took the initiative, putting Zhen Bao slightly at ease. She handed him a pillow and they slept.


    Zhen Bao slept soundly through the nap, only waking in the evening when it was already dark outside. Fu Ming Shi had long left the floor. Still groggy from her deep sleep, Zhen Bao massaged her forehead to shake off the difort before going downstairs to look for Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi was making dinner, cooking porridge in the rice cooker while slicing potatoes.


    "Let me do it," Zhen Bao offered, knowing Fu Ming Shi had no kitchen skills beyond cooking noodles.


    "Go wash your face first," Fu Ming Shi nced at her and continued slicing potato shreds steadily, one slow cut at a time - clearly unfamiliar with using a kitchen knife.


    Zhen Bao washed her face first before checking on him again. Fu Ming Shi had barely finished half that potato. Hungry, Zhen Bao nudged him aside and started chopping at lightning speed, her expression focused and movements skilled. Her potato shreds were much thinner and finer than Fu Ming Shi''sborious efforts.


    "So virtuous," Fu Ming Shi hugged her again once she finished chopping.


    Zhen Bao suddenly realized that intimate Fu Ming Shi clung to her even more than before they''d slept together,pletely unlike what Granny Guo described.


    A te of sour and spicy potato shreds, a te of stir-fried eggs - dinner was very simple.


    After an evening stroll, Fu Ming Shi told Zhen Bao to shower first.


    Zhen Bao made him promise not to trick her likest night again.


    Fu Ming Shi raised his hand, "I swear to God."


    Zhen Bao smiled and went upstairs to grab clothes. Still, she kept her ears pricked while showering, then heard music ying upstairs - Fu Ming Shi listening to songs. Knowing he was upstairs, Zhen Bao rxed and closed her eyes to rinse off the suds.


    Before all the bubbles were rinsed off, she suddenly heard a light cough outside the crude wooden shower stall.


    Zhen Bao nearly yelped and scrambled for a towel instead of minding the showerhead. At almost the same time, Fu Ming Shi swept the curtain open and entered wearing only his briefs.


    Zhen Bao covered her chest with one hand and her privates with the towel in another, bowing her head to plead, "Please go out..."


    This was too stimting!


    "Speak softly," Fu Ming Shi turned off the shower head and gently reminded her.


    Zhen Bao didn''t want to talk to him. She wanted to leave, but the only exit was blocked by Fu Ming Shi. She leaned against the wall awkwardly, wishing she could find a crack in the floor to crawl into.


    "Let me wash you," Fu Ming Shi walked over and embraced his tense and trembling fianc¨¦e. Then he lowered his head, resting his hands on her shoulders, and really helped wash her, but his movements were very gentle and intimate. If all the bathhouse attendants washed people like him, but without his physique and good looks, they would surely getints 100% of the time.


    "Fengbao, when you dropped out of school for those two years, did you farm thend?" His gaze roamed over her back as Fu Ming Shi asked softly.


    Zhen Bao rested her forehead against his chest and nodded slowly, eyes closed tightly.


    "Howe you didn''t get tanned?" Fu Ming Shi lifted her by the waist and moved under the shower head.


    When Zhen Bao did farm work in the summer, she tanned a little. In the winter her skin lightened again, but she knew Fu Ming Shi didn''t really care about her answer.


    "So fair."


    He turned on the shower head and hot water poured down like rain, drenching them. Fu Ming Shi kissed her ear, "So fair and soft, really beautiful."


    He stirred restlessly, and Zhen Bao instinctively put her arms around his neck. The water kept falling on her face and she could barely breathe.


    Seeming to guess her predicament, Fu Ming Shi suddenly lifted her legs and Zhen Bao immediately clung to his shoulder, gasping deeply like a near-drowning victim.


    There was a small stool in the shower stall. Fu Ming Shi hooked it over with his foot and then sat down while holding her.


    "Wash me," Fu Ming Shi grabbed her hand and put it on his back. His dark eyes gazed at her as he said, "Wash me." His short hair was already drenched, exuding allure.


    "Let''s go back to the room," Zhen Bao pleaded, leaning against his shoulder anxiously.


    But Fu Ming Shi just kissed her and said, "It''s too hot in there."


    Zhen Bao wanted to persuade him more, but he started touching her inappropriately. Afraid Auntie Guo next door would hear, Zhen Bao had no choice but to bite her lip tightly.


    The song from the second floor yed once then stopped. Although the shower provided some noise cover, Zhen Bao still kept her mouth tightly covered, afraid several times that the opposite wall couldn''t withstand the force transmitted through her hand from Fu Ming Shi, and would copse.


    They stayed in the shower for a long time, so long that the hot water reservoir ran dry.


    Finally Fu Ming Shi carried Zhen Bao upstairs.


    Zhen Bao sprawled limply on the bed,pletely exhausted. Her legs were even more sore than after running a kilometer in gym ss.


    "It would be nice to live here long-term too," Fu Ming Shiy down and hugged her, saying "Unique ambience."


    Zhen Bao hit him.


    Fu Ming Shi grasped her small fist and kissed it. "Fengbao,e live with me?" he asked gently.


    Zhen Bao''s heart skipped a beat.


    Fu Ming Shi slowly moved over her, gazing at her watery eyes. His expression was serious. "Can''t leave you anymore," he said.


    His masculine allure and sweet words were very moving, but Zhen Bao was still rational and firmly refused, "I''ll be staying in the dorm until graduation." Being with him everyday would distract her. Zhen Bao still wanted to get a schrship.


    Fu Ming Shi caressed her face. "What if I miss you?"


    Zhen Bao held back a smile. "Do what you did before. Keep going like that."


    Indulging in passion would harm her. She couldn''t agree for his sake either.

 Chapter 51: 051

    <h4>Chapter 51</h4>


    It was Jia Xiao Yu''s birthday. She invited her dormmates to her family''s seafood restaurant for a weekend gathering. Fan Xuan was traveling abroad and sent her best wishes remotely. Only Zhen Bao and Qian LeLe were able to make it. Jia Xiao Yu told Zhen Bao she could bring her partner, but Zhen Bao felt bashful about bringing Fu Ming Shi and was worried it would make her friends feel awkward.


    Jia Xiao Yu''s family seafood restaurant was quite far from Zhen Bao''s university. Zhen Bao had to transfer metro lines twice before arriving just before 11:30am.


    Jia Xiao Yu and Qian LeLe were chatting by a first floor window seat when they saw Zhen Bao push open the door. Jia Xiao Yu waved first, then Qian LeLe turned her head. As Zhen Bao approached, Qian LeLe stared at her in surprise: "We haven''t seen each other in over a month, how does Zhen Bao look so different?"


    "Do I?" Zhen Bao sat next to Jia Xiao Yu, feeling a bit flustered under their gaze.


    "Your skin looks more delicate." Jia Xiao Yu joked as she pinched Zhen Bao''s cheek, but pulled back after just a touch when Zhen Bao dodged away with flushed cheeks.


    Qian LeLe chuckled knowingly, "The glow of love really is different. Zhen Bao''s been with Boss Fu the whole summer break, right?"


    Zhen Bao reflexively exined, "No, I was working a part-time job and stayed in the dorms all summer."


    "I didn''t say you didn''t stay in the dorms, why are you telling us where you were?" Qian LeLe immediately saw through the truth.


    Zhen Bao poured some drinks without responding.


    After teasing her a bit more, Jia Xiao Yu and Qian LeLe ordered food and started chatting about their summer break activities. After the seafood meal, Jia Xiao Yu treated them to a movie, then they each went home afterwards. Zhen Bao took the subway again. It was summer break so there were many tourists in the capital city, making the subways more crowded than usual. Zhen Bao held onto the subway handle with one hand and kept her bag sped in the other, worried about phone theft.


    After two stops, she received a call from Fu Ming Shi.


    "Out?"


    Zhen Bao nodded, "Xiao Yu''s birthday. We just got out of a movie. What time is it there?"


    As a busy man, Fu Ming Shi had been abroad the past few days and visited his grandfather. He said he''d be back tomorrow.


    "I''m downstairs from your dorm." Fu Ming Shi stood in a shaded tree outside the female dorms, asking helplessly "When will you be back?" He had wanted to surprise her, but didn''t expect she''d have ns.


    Zhen Bao''s heart raced faster. She checked the subway schedule and estimated, "I still have to transfer once, probably 10 minutes or so."


    "I''ll go wait by the metro exit." After hanging up, Fu Ming Shi immediately walked towards the school gates.


    Zhen Bao put away her phone, feeling sweet inside. She had missed him after not seeing him for four or five days.


    After transferring metro lines and three more stops, she''d arrive near Zhen Bao''s university metro exit. But just as Zhen Bao squeezed through the crowds heading outside, someone suddenly pinched her bottom viciously from behind! Zhen Bao was so frightened she forgot to react at first. She was pushed out by the other exiting passengers before she even realized what happened. Finallying to her senses, Zhen Bao immediately turned back, but there were too many people entering and leaving the metro to identify who the molester was!


    Qian LeLe had encountered something simrst semester and was fuming about it for days afterwards. Now, looking at the streams of passerbys, Zhen Bao was equally outraged. She was angry and upset, not even the impending reunion with Fu Ming Shi could alleviate the fury in her chest.


    That person was simply a pervert, pinching with such force. She had only felt shock initially, but now it was starting to hurt. The more it hurt, the angrier she felt. Zhen Bao pursed her lips tightly, involuntarily scanning all the men exiting around her. She was too furious that, when someone suddenly grabbed her wrist, Zhen Bao was frightened again, nearly crying out.


    "What''s wrong?" Her expression was too distressed, Fu Ming Shi couldn''t help frowning.


    Seeing him, Zhen Bao immediately threw herself into his arms, secretly shedding a few tears. Her aggrieved feelings passed and her tears stopped flowing just as quickly. Fu Ming Shi held her shoulders, seeing her red-rimmed eyes, he guessed something must have happened in the 10-odd minutes since their call ended. With so many people around, it wasn''t convenient to ask, so he first led Zhen Bao out of the metro station.


    Once in the car, Fu Ming Shi asked with a frown, "Did you argue with someone?"


    Zhen Bao shook her head, keeping her head lowered, unwilling to say.


    Fu Ming Shi took her bag to check - her phone, ID, everything was there. The metro often had news reports, usually just a fewmon cases. Nothing was stolen, she didn''t fight with anyone...


    Thinking of another possibility, Fu Ming Shi''s face darkened as he cautiously probed, "Someone took advantage of you?"


    Zhen Bao turned her head to look out the window, her lips pursed in a pout.


    Fu Ming Shi clenched his fist, staring ahead silently for a few seconds, before pulling his fianc¨¦e into his embrace and asking gently, "Are you okay?"


    Zhen Bao mumbled affirmation, she was just angry.


    "Did you get a photo?" Making sure she was unharmed, Fu Ming Shi''s voice cooled.


    Zhen Bao shook her head, mumbling into his chest, "It happened when getting off. I didn''t see who it was."


    Without a photo, there was basically no hope of finding the person for retribution.


    His woman had been bullied by someone, Fu Ming Shi was even angrier than Zhen Bao, but his anger was futile. He could onlyfort Zhen Bao first, "Let''s go eat a big dinner tonight, don''t think about it anymore."


    Zhen Bao let out a deep breath, leaning back in her seat and asking Fu Ming Shi about his overseas trip.


    Fu Ming Shi''s work was always the same, nothing that could captivate Zhen Bao, so he only talked about his grandfather''s health having recovered well, and he''d be returning this year. Hearing the elder was healthy, Zhen Bao cheered up and browsed the photos Fu Ming Shi had taken abroad on his phone.


    When Fu Ming Shi parked the car at the vi, he suddenly said to Zhen Bao, "Get your driver''s license."


    Zhen Bao looked at him in astonishment.


    Fu Ming Shi''s expression was displeased, "Once you can drive yourself, stop taking the subway."


    With so many people in the capital city, Zhen Bao didn''t even dare ride a bicycle on the outside roads, let alone drive a car. She said softly, "It''s not like I run into those kinds of people every time."


    Fu Ming Shi stared at her silently.


    Zhen Bao obediently poured him some water.


    Fu Ming Shi''s lips quirked up at the corners, "Fine, but from now on take a taxi when going out, don''t take the subway anymore."


    Zhen Bao hurriedly agreed. She could secretly take the subwayter without him knowing.


    They were still debating over the driver''s license issue at home. Wang Xiu couldn''t help but persuade Zhen Bao, "Nowadays all college students get their license. Young miss, you''ll have to get it eventually, might as well take advantage of your free time now to get it early. Otherwise when you start working, you''ll have to squeeze out time for it."


    Fu Ming Shi shot Zhen Bao a "see" look.


    After Wang Xiu left, Fu Ming Shi brought Zhen Bao a ss of water and sat down to continue, "You don''t want my car? I won''t buy one. My mom has five cars parked in her garage that she barely drives. But her cars are all over 100k, better I buy you a cheaper one so you won''t feel bad if you crash it."


    When giving Zhen Bao gifts, Fu Ming Shi had figured out she preferred the cheaper ones.


    "Let me get my license first." With his badgering, that was the only option Zhen Bao could pick.


    "I''ll sign you up."


    Zhen Bao tacitly agreed. Taking advantage of Fu Ming Shi using the restroom, she secretly checked the registration fees on her phone. Seeing how expensive getting a license was, Zhen Bao felt distressed again. When Fu Ming Shi sat back down, she tentatively said, "I''m busy recently and have a lot of courses in sophomore and junior year. I''ll learnter. If I get my license now, I won''t have many chances to drive anyway."


    Fu Ming Shi just stared at her silently.


    Zhen Bao appeased him by pouring him more water.


    Fu Ming Shi''s lips curved up, "Fine, but from now on take a taxi when going out, no more subway."


    Zhen Bao hurriedly acquiesced, turning her head to secretly take the subwayter without him knowing.


    That night, Fu Ming Shi really did take Zhen Bao out for a fancy dinner. One look and you could tell it was expensive, but the taste absolutely matched the restaurant''s ss. Zhen Bao ate with great relish, her appetite satisfied, and unknowingly forgot about the earlier subway incident. But Fu Ming Shi remembered. He stealthily snuck into Zhen Bao''s room at night, turning on the lights to inspect her from top to bottom, finally discovering two faint bruises on her right buttock.


    The handprint was still visible, showing how viciously she had been pinched!


    He couldn''t even bear to use that much force...


    Pressing on the two fingerprints, Fu Ming Shi''s gaze grew increasingly dark.


    Zhen Bao was oblivious to what Fu Ming Shi was doing. She only realized the previously gentle man had suddenly lost control.


    Finally stopping, Zhen Bao was nearly out of breath, lying limply in the pillows unwilling to move.


    Fu Ming Shi lowered himself to kiss her sweat-dampened nape, "From now on, call me before going out. As long as I''m free, I''ll take you there."


    Zhen Bao had already forgotten about the incident. Hearing he was still bothered by it, she nuzzled against him with closed eyes, "Afraid something might happen to me?"


    "You''re so easy to bully looking." Fu Ming Shi helplessly said. No one would dare make a move if Zhen Bao had his mother''s aura.


    Zhen Bao harrumphed, "So you bully me every day."


    Fu Ming Shi finallyughed, whispering by her ear, "Bully you every day? Are you trying to remind me to make up for the past few days I owed you?"


    Zhen Bao''s little face flushed red, burying it in the pillow to deny it.


    That night, Fu Ming Shi made love to Zhen Bao twice more, tiring her out so much that she slept until ten o¡¯clock the next day. Her face was flushed with a rosy glow, looking as tender as a freshly ripened peach, dewy and fragrant enough to seduce anyone. Fu Ming Shi was sitting at his desk working when he heard movement and looked back to see his fiancee''s alluring appearance just after waking up. He almost couldn''t help himself again.


    "Good morning," he said,ing over to press a kiss on her.


    His eyes were so infatuated when he looked at her that Zhen Bao inexplicably recalled her dormmates'' teasing at the dinner yesterday. Puzzled, she asked, "What''s different about me? Xiao Yu and the others said I seem to have changed."


    "You''re even more beautiful now," Fu Ming Shi kissed her eyes.


    "Really," Zhen Bao said seriously.


    Since she didn''t believe the truth, Fu Ming Shi cupped her face and looked at her, still choosing to tell the truth¡ªanother truth: "Sexier."


    Blushing, Zhen Bao covered his eyes, not wanting him to look at her anymore.


    Inte August, universities in the imperial capital sessively started the new semester, and New Student Orientation also weed a new batch of freshmen to University A.


    Zhen Bao''s semester didn''t start until September. She continued with her part-time job, but whenever she saw the newly enrolled students, she would think back to her own experienceing to University Ast year, which made her feel suddenly old.


    After eating lunch in the cafeteria at noon, Zhen Bao rode her bike back to the hospital. With her tasks finished, she went with another intern to observe the doctors diagnosing new pet patients, trying to gain experience.


    "Zhen Bao, the lobby floor is dirty. Go take care of it," she was instructed.


    Zhen Bao responded and brought cleaning supplies over to help. A pet waiting for its number had identally peed on the floor. The owner was very apologetic. Zhen Bao just smiled and mopped it up with a rag, finishing the cleanup. Just then, she saw a woman in her forties walk in through the door. She didn''t have a pet with her and was poking her head around, seemingly lost and confused about what to do since it was her first time at the pet hospital.


    "Do you need any help?" Zhen Bao took the initiative to ask.


    "It''s nothing. I..." Wang Xiu turned around and had said only halfway when she saw Zhen Bao. She was stunned and stared fixedly at Zhen Bao.


    She looked Zhen Bao up and down. And Zhen Bao also had a strange feeling when she saw the woman''s features, feeling like she had seen her somewhere before but couldn''t remember exactly where after thinking about it.


    "Are you a nurse here?" Realizing herpse, Wang Xiu deliberately nced around a few times before letting her eyes settle back on her daughter''s face.


    Zhen Bao smiled. "I''m an intern. Do you need anything?"


    Her daughter''s smile was a little like when she was young. Wang Xiu couldn''t help but want to look a bit longer, afraid of giving herself away. She shook her head, peered inside, and said, "I''m waiting for someone, just wandered in to take a look. You''re busy, I''ll leave now." As she spoke, she started to walk out, but took onest lingering look at Zhen Bao before she left.


    That strange stare made Zhen Bao involuntarily keep watching her. She saw the woman look back once more after walking out of the hospital, still looking at her. Seemingly not expecting that she would still be standing here, the other was clearly shocked before quickly leaving, almost fleeing.


    Zhen Bao was leftpletely confused, carrying her cleaning supplies back inside. But in her mind, she still couldn''t shake that strangely familiar face of the woman from the hospital. As Zhen Bao walked, her body suddenly froze, and she nearly dropped the mop in her hand.


    Outside the University A gates, Wang Xiu covered her mouth and ducked into a car, but before she could even sit down properly, she had already started crying, hands covering her face as she wept out loud. Liu Wei came over to hold her while Wang Xiu continued sobbing, shoulders shaking. From the day she learned her daughter had been admitted to a top university in the imperial capital, Wang Xiu had been wavering, at times deciding to secretlye to the imperial capital and sneak a peek at her daughter at University A, just seeing her once without revealing their rtion. At other times, she would veto herself, telling herself that once her daughter settled down well at university, she would leave immediately.


    Swaying back and forth the whole summer, when she truly arrived in the imperial capital and moved her daughter into school, Wang Xiu had already gone to the airport but suddenly changed her mind again at thest moment, like something was pulling at her heart, impatient to rush to University A. Dating Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao was now something of a minor celebrity. Gossip news about her often popped up, which ordinary people might not pay attention to but Wang Xiu would rarely miss any of it. Thus, she also knew Zhen Bao had a part-time job at the hospital.


    "She''s grown up so much already..."


    It was a long time before Wang Xiu choked out aplete sentence. Photos were different from seeing the real person. Seeing her daughter in the flesh made Wang Xiu''s heart ache even more. For the first time in her life, she questioned her decision when she was young. Following Liu Wei, she attained the morous big city life she wished for, but she lost a daughter, lost her little Feng Bao whom she used to hold in her arms to sleep every night.


    "Why not just secretly recognize her?" Seeing his wife so heartbroken, Liu Wei softened a little, though he regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth. If mother and daughter recognized each other, they would surely be unable to resist meeting again afterwards. Meeting meant the risk of exposure. Even if Zhen Bao forgave them then, the public would still curse them to death for it. Liu Wei felt bad for his wife but didn''t dare gamble, didn''t dare bet their family''s stability on it.


    "Let''s go, let''s leave," Wang Xiu sobbed, urging him on.


    Liu Wei patted her shoulder, signaling the chauffeur to drive the car away.


    The couple left. Inside the hospital, Zhen Bao was preupied that afternoon at work, distracted. When she walked out after work, she would still instinctively keep an eye on her surroundings, feeling like since that woman hade once already, she mighte again a second time. But outside, apart from some strangers, there was only Fu Ming Shi who hade to pick her up.


    Zhen Bao tried hard to pretend nothing had happened, from the car ride to the vi. But she couldn''t help constantly refreshing her phone and Weibo. If that woman wanted to find her, apart from meeting in person, she could also use these online channels. But there was nothing, as if she had only been dreaming, and the woman from the hospital wasn¡¯t actually that person after all.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t describe her feelings, she just felt a little bad.


    Wang Xiu didn''t want her, this daughter. She had abandoned her once already. If the woman she saw today really was Wang Xiu, and Wang Xiu came looking for her but didn''t acknowledge her again due to some reasons she had to do so, then Zhen Bao felt like she was abandoned by her again.


    Zhen Bao felt unwell, she wanted to cry.


    "I think I saw her," she said in Fu Ming Shi''s arms that night, burying her face in his shoulder. "A woman around her age came to the hospital this afternoon. She looked just like her." A forty-something woman would definitely not look the same as a wedding photo in her twenties, but Zhen Bao had often looked at that wedding picture and knew Wang Xiu''s youthful appearance. Moreover, apart from her eyes, she took after Wang Xiu in all her other features, so that sense of familiarity couldn''t be wrong.


    Fu Ming Shi''s lust was thoroughly suppressed by her tears. He flipped over to hug her tightly and asked, "Did she say anything?"


    Zhen Bao cried as she shook her head. "Nothing. She just left again."


    After a moment''s thought, Fu Ming Shi already guessed the reason. He told her softly, "Even if she wanted to recognize you, she wouldn''t dare to."


    Zhen Bao gave a bitterugh. So her own daughter wasn''t worth enough for Wang Xiu to keep in the scenic yet monotonous rural vige, nor was she worth enough for Wang Xiu to risk affecting her current family. Then why did Wang Xiu evene? She hadn''t thought ofing back to see her at all these years, but took the "initiative" to show up when she appeared here. Did Wang Xiu only remember then that she still had a daughter?


    If Zhen Bao had still harbored a shred of hope for her mother before this, fantasizing that one day Wang Xiu woulde acknowledge her¡ªas long as Wang Xiu still wanted to make amends, she might have acknowledged this mother¡ªthen after today, Zhen Bao didn''t hold any hopes whatsoever.


    "Don''t cry anymore. She has her own life, you have yours with me," Fu Ming Shi brushed aside her fallen hair and gently kissed her.


    Zhen Bao tried hard to choke back her tears. Opening her eyes, her vision was blurred, but the blurred Fu Ming Shi still looked very handsome and gentle.


    Her dad had left, her mom didn''t want her, but she still had Fu Ming Shi, she had a new family now.


    The empty ce in her heart was filled by another emotion. Zhen Bao wrapped her arms around Fu Ming Shi''s neck and looked up to kiss him, eyes brimming with tears, like a little chick ruthlessly abandoned by her cold-hearted mother, pitifully seeking refuge in another''s embrace willing to take her in. Fu Ming Shi''s heart melted into a puddle. He coaxed and kissed her back likeforting a child.


    But Zhen Bao felt it wasn''t enough. She wanted more fire.


    Her hand had just shyly and suggestively moved to the man''s waist when he grabbed hold of it.


    "Don''t move, or I won''t be able to control myself," Fu Ming Shi pressed his forehead to hers, eyes closed as he spoke. What she sought now was psychologicalfort. Fu Ming Shi wanted to oblige but he had less and less self-control around her. If Zhen Bao kept squirming, Fu Ming Shi was afraid thisfort would be impure, upsetting her.


    In her heart, Zhen Bao grumbled, she didn''t ask him to restrain himself.


    For a moment, Zhen Bao gathered her courage, with both hands grabbed his shirt on his back, and then rolled it up little by little.


    Fu Ming Shi understood, lowered his head, bit her pajama strap, and pulled it down, mimicking her.


    In the deep of the night, sweat rolled down with hurried breathing. Zhen Bao clung to him wholeheartedly, embracing this man who was now closest to her in the whole world. Zhen Bao gradually forgot her troubles, only thinking of him, only wanting him, only wanting to give him all of her.


    ...


    Zhen Bao fell asleep, carried by Fu Ming Shi to bed, almost instantly asleep, with a teardrop still wedged between her long eyshes.


    Fu Ming Shi lowered his head and licked away the unfalllen tear.


    Zhen Bao was sleeping soundly. He was not tired at all. After covering her with a quilt, he quietly left the room and returned to his own bedroom, calling his assistant, "Find a way to get the surveince videos this afternoon at the gate of University A and the hospital."


    That money was given to Zhen''s family by Grandpa Fu. Zhen Bao''s father did not resent Wang Xiu. The Fu family was also toozy to investigate such a small amount. But Wang Xiu appeared again and made Zhen Bao shed so many tears, the anger that Fu Ming Shi had deliberately suppressed arose again.


    Perhaps when Zhen Bao had to drop out of school because she had no money and lived alone in an old house to self-study, Wang Xiu was taking her other children to go shopping, spending money that originally belonged to Zhen Bao. Perhaps tonight when Zhen Bao was sobbing in his arms, Wang Xiu was having tea and watching TV with her family.


    Two dayster, the assistant sent Fu Ming Shi two surveince videos. Fu Ming Shi sat alone in the office and soon found the woman in her forties described by Zhen Bao in the video. The woman looked like Zhen Bao, and her exquisite makeup and shrewd eyes matched the image in the wedding photo.


    Looking at the video at the school gate again, Fu Ming Shi also found Wang Xiu''s current man.


    Fu Ming Shi took screenshots separately and asked the assistant to investigate the identities of the two.


    Zhen Bao knew nothing about what Fu Ming Shi did. After the summer part-time job ended and she got her sry, Zhen Bao cheered up again and indulged a little. That night, she took Fu Ming Shi out for dinner.


    "Xiao Yu and the others have all returned to school tomorrow." On the way home after watching a movie, Zhen Bao meaningfully said.


    Fu Ming Shi pretended to be confused. "Then pick a time and I''ll treat them to dinner as promisedst semester."


    That was not what Zhen Bao wanted to say. She looked at him and said in a low voice, "I''ll move back to the dormitory tomorrow night."


    In fact, she had lied to her roommates at thest gathering. She had lived in the vi for most of this summer, only moving back to the dormitory when Fu Ming Shi was on a business trip. But now that school was starting, Zhen Bao didn''t want to live such a...passionate life anymore. She wanted to settle down and focus on her studies.


    Fu Ming Shi kept looking ahead, and it took a full three minutes before he spoke again: "Come back to the vi to stay at least one night a week."


    It was already very good to be able to negotiate these terms. Zhen Bao obediently agreed.


    However, that night when Fu Ming Shi pressed her down again, Zhen Bao suddenly regretted it. She should have said it tomorrow...


    The next day, Zhen Bao returned to school with two ck eye circles.


    Jia Xiao Yu, Fan Xuan, and Qian LeLe stared at her, letting their imagination run wild about the ambiguous implications of her dark circles. Zhen Bao couldn''t stand them and escaped to the bathroom. Then Fu Ming Shi treated them to dinner in the evening. In front of Fu Ming Shi, the three women turned back into well-behaved college students, each trying to appear more proper than the next.


    In her sophomore year, Zhen Bao had more and more specialized courses. She went back to the vi once a week to fulfill her duty, and spent the rest of her time concentrating on her studies. The school notified that they could apply for schrships, so Zhen Bao decisively applied for the highest level schrship. After the review ended, Zhen Bao obtained a spot as she wished.


    "Treat us, treat us!" On the day the schrship was issued, the three roommates yelled in unison.


    Zhen Bao was happy to take them out for grilled fish.


    After the meal, Zhen Bao returned to the dormitory and transferred money to Fu Ming Shi. The amount included all the money Fu Ming Shi had transferred to her card under various names since they met, plus the 10,000 yuan on her meal card. Zhen Bao hadn''t touched most of therge transfers before, so even after working part-time for a year, it was not difficult to pay him back now.


    Fu Ming Shi''s phone call came in shortly after.


    Zhen Bao smiled and went out to the balcony to answer.


    "What do you mean?" Fu Ming Shi was also on the balcony, his voice frighteningly cold.


    "I got a schrship, so I transferred that money to you. There''s still about 2,000 yuan in my card, enough for me to spend." Zhen Bao said excitedly.


    Hearing herugh, Fu Ming Shi''s sudden anger instantly subsided.


    It turned out this woman just wanted to be independent. He had thought Zhen Bao wanted to break it off with him.

 Chapter 52: 052

    <h4>Chapter 52</h4>


    It was 9pm outside the operating room.


    Fu Ming Shi sat on the bench, nced at his watch, put his arm back down and continued waiting.


    About fifteen minutester, the door to the operating room finally opened. A doctor with a serious look walked out with a mask on. He shook his head at Fu Ming Shi and the couple sitting next to him, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, we did our best.¡±


    The woman in the couple burst into tears and the man hugged her tofort her.


    Fu Ming Shi''s gaze went past the doctor and saw Zhen Bao wearing a white nurse''s uniform and holding a mini piglet with red eyes. Fu Ming Shi was a little helpless. He didn''t know how many times he had seen her cry because of a pet getting injured or dying.


    "Tired?" Walking out of the hospital, Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao''s hand and asked. She had a faint medicinal smell on her that Fu Ming Shi was already used to.


    "I''m fine, just hungry," Zhen Bao smiled at him. Although she felt bad for the pet pig, after working part-time at a pet hospital for two years and doing a one-year internship, Zhen Bao was quite experienced with all kinds of difficult situations now. Once she walked out of the hospital, she would quickly put aside any unhappy feelings.


    Fu Ming Shi patted her head and took her to a nearby restaurant for a meal before driving back to the vi.


    Both of their bedrooms were on the third floor, but except for going to her own room to read and research, Zhen Bao stayed in Fu Ming Shi''s room every night. She went to take a shower while Fu Ming Shi followed her in. Zhen Bao asked him to leave, saying she wanted to wash first since she still smelled of medicine and was afraid Fu Ming Shi wouldn''t like it.


    "Even if you fell into the toilet, you''d still smell sweet to me." Fu Ming Shi helped take off her T-shirt and kissed her.


    Zhen Bao closed her eyes with a smile.


    He pressed her against the sink. Zhen Bao held on to the vanity with one hand and the mirror with the other. Although she pursed her lips tightly, sounds still escaped. Fu Ming Shi liked hearing them. His dark eyes stared intently at her increasingly flushed cheeks, watching as she gradually lost her grip on her lips and finally pleaded his name.


    Zhen Bao would soon be in her fifth year at university. She had grown a little taller in the past two years, but even with diligent practice, she still struggled to keep up with Fu Ming Shi. And as she made efforts to adapt, Fu Ming Shi also progressed rapidly, seemingly picking up all kinds of tricks that he tirelessly enjoyed.


    "I''ll be doing my internship when school starts again. I need to prepare for my qualification exam and write my thesis. I should move back to the dormitory." After the shower, Zhen Bao leaned against Fu Ming Shi and brought it up softly.


    "We''ll get married after you graduate." Fu Ming Shi gripped her hand and ced it on his chest. That was his only condition.


    Zhen Bao lightly murmured in agreement. Old Master was getting older and she didn''t dare keep putting it off any longer either.


    At the start of another school year, Jia Xiao Yu, the oldest student at prestigious A University, heaved a long sigh standing on the balcony: "This time next year, our dorm will be someone else''s dorm. Time really flies!"


    "I know, graduation is just around the corner and I haven''t even had a boyfriend yet." Qian LeLe rested her chin in hands and sighed.


    "Oh please, you''ve turned down so many pursuers. You could have had several rtionships already if you wanted." Fan Xuan called her out.


    Qian LeLe red at Zhen Bao, "It''s all because of Zhen Bao. Shended such a perfect man like Chairman Fu, and now my standards are set so high I can''t settle for anything less. This isn''t right. Zhen Bao, you have to help us look out for diamond men like Chairman Fu in his social circle. Introduce them to us immediately if you find any!"


    Zhen Bao smiled looking down at the campus below. In her years at school, she had met very few people from Fu Ming Shi''s social circle, other than his family.


    "Let''s go, time to eat." With ss ending soon, Jia Xiao Yu was the first to take her meal card, to avoid the longer lines when more people came.


    The four girls went upstairs together to the cafeteria for lunch. After Fan Xuan and Qian LeLe got their food, they went ahead to find seats while Zhen Bao and Jia Xiao Yu were still selecting dishes. When thetter two came back, they saw the other two had picked a table by the window on the south side. Zhen Bao chatted with Jia Xiao Yu as they walked over. As they got close, Jia Xiao Yu suddenly bumped Zhen Bao excitedly, "Look, hottie!"


    Zhen Bao followed her gaze and indeed, two tables away from Fan Xuan and the others, sat a man in a gray shirt that gave off a bright, clean look even from afar. And his face...


    Zhen Bao slowed down, looking at him in surprise.


    As if sensing her gaze, the man nced up and saw Zhen Bao. He was also very startled but it took him several seconds to confirm her identity before he smiled and waved at Zhen Bao, "What a coincidence."


    Now certain it was Cheng Yi, who she remembered had gone to study in America, Zhen Bao smiled after the initial surprise passed. They were WeChat contacts. Cheng Yi would post updates on thetest veterinary research reports or pet surgery cases in his Moments every now and then. Whenever Zhen Bao saw them, she would click in with a learning attitude. So despite rarely chatting with Cheng Yi directly on WeChat, from frequently seeing his profile photo, Zhen Bao had left quite a deep impression of him.


    Seeing Cheng Yi appear to be waiting for her, Zhen Bao confidently walked over with her tray and greeted him with a smile, "You''re back in China?"


    When they first met, Zhen Bao had mentioned she studied at A University during her self-introduction, so Cheng Yi had told her they were alumni. Therefore, running into him on campus today didn''t shock Zhen Bao too much. It was normal toe visit your alma mater after returning home.


    Cheng Yi nodded and invited Zhen Bao to sit down.


    Zhen Bao instinctively nced back. Her three roommates were all wiggling their eyebrows suggestively at her. Zhen Bao gave a wry smile. It would be impolite to turn down a friendly lunch invitation after not seeing Cheng Yi for so long. So she sat down across from Cheng Yi and tried to make conversation, "What brings you to campus?"


    Cheng Yi was observing her. Thest time he saw Zhen Bao in person was when she showed up with Fu Ming Shi at his cousin''s New Year party. In a sh, three to four years had gone by. Other than dressing more maturely now, Zhen Bao didn''t seem to have changed much. She still looked pure and beautiful, or rather, even more beautiful.


    "I''m officially starting at A University Hospital tomorrow. I came by to take a look today." After finishing his assessment, Cheng Yi naturally chatted away.


    Zhen Bao was surprised again. She thought for a bit then exined, "What a coincidence. I''m doing my internship there now and will likely get a permanent position after graduating." It was quite difficult to get into A University Animal Hospital, but many of the doctors there were alumni. Zhen Bao had performed well during her internship so the job was pretty much secured.


    Cheng Yi raised his brows in astonishment, thenughed and winked at Zhen Bao, "I''m the newbie so I''ll have to count on Miss Zhen to take good care of me."


    His humor and wit made Zhen Bao smile happily. Running into an acquaintance really did feel quite nice.


    After a brief catch-up, seeing Cheng Yi had nearly finished eating, Zhen Bao pointed at her roommates and said with a smile, "I should get going back to them. See you at the hospital tomorrow."


    Cheng Yi nodded and even smiled at Zhen Bao''s three roommates before shing his pearly whites.


    "Who is he, who is he?"


    Jia Xiao Yu and the other two girls could barely contain themselves. As soon as Cheng Yi left, they immediately interrogated Zhen Bao, "You already have Chairman Fu, so this hottie belongs to us. If you dare y the field and hog resources, even if Chairman Fu lets it slide, we''ll still beat you up!"


    "Don''t talk nonsense." Zhen Bao helplessly red at them, then exined what happened.


    After asking a few more details and learning that Cheng Yi was the one who approached her at the park and invited Zhen Bao to a New Year''s party, Fan Xuan pursed her lips and sighed, "Yet another man who fell for Zhen Bao long ago. I bet my diploma that if Zhen Bao didn''t already have Chairman Fu, Cheng Yi would have aggressively pursued her by now."


    Jia Xiao Yu and Qian LeLe nodded in agreement.


    Zhen Bao just kept eating. Her roommates simply loved to make wild assumptions. In their eyes, almost any guy who talked to her had ulterior motives, when Cheng Yi had never made any overtures. They met through their dogs Bucky and Xiao Ya and were just regr friends.


    "Just you wait, mention it to Chairman Futer and see how he reacts." Fan Xuan said gleefully.


    Back in their dorm room, egged on by her three roommates, Zhen Bao reluctantly called Fu Ming Shi to take the initiative to report this "suspicious situation". Of course, she only told him about running into someone she was half-acquainted with at the cafeteria, and asked if Fu Ming Shi still remembered Cheng Yi.


    How could Fu Ming Shi not remember? Zhen Bao had met a particrly interesting Chinese person while in America.


    "You must have been very happy to reunite after so long?" Walking to the floor-to-ceiling window, Fu Ming Shi asked lightly.


    "It was alright. We aren''t that close anyway." Zhen Bao answered honestly without thinking too much.


    Fu Ming Shi was still silent. Outside, his assistant lightly knocked on the door to remind him of a phone call.


    "Let''s have dinner together tonight."


    Fu Ming Shi simply said, then hung up the phone with a slightly brooding look.


    Among so many pet hospitals in the capital city, why did Cheng Yi specifically choose A University Animal Hospital?


    Absence makes the heart grow fonder...


    Two idioms automatically popped into his mind. Fu Ming Shi unconsciously tightened his lips.


    After the internship, Zhen Bao wouldn''t need to do that part-time job anymore. Fu Ming Shi came over after 6 PM to take her out for dinner.


    Fu Ming Shi drove while Zhen Bao sat in the passenger seat, secretly observing him.


    Her roommates all said Fu Ming Shi was feeling threatened because of Cheng Yi. Speak of the devil, Zhen Bao was led astray by her roommates'' spection. Although she didn''t quite believe it, she still couldn''t help but grow suspicious.


    "What''s on your mind?" Stuck in traffic, Fu Ming Shi turned his head and asked as his tranquil dark eyes stared fixedly at Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao hurriedly shook her head, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.


    Fu Ming Shi looked at her restless hands, then suddenly leaned towards her side. "Missing me?"


    Zhen Bao''s face turned red. No matter how many times they had done that kind of thing, every time Fu Ming Shi said ambiguous words like this, Zhen Bao couldn''t handle it. Sometimes Fu Ming Shi didn''t even need to say anything. As long as he got close to her and looked at her with those suggestive eyes, Zhen Bao''s heart would start racing.


    The cars in front started moving again, so Fu Ming Shi temporarily abandoned the idea of stealing a kiss from her and focused on driving.


    After dinner at the hotel, they left at around 8 PM.


    Zhen Bao assumed Fu Ming Shi would send her back to school. Head lowered, she busily yed a game on her phone. Too absorbed in the game, she inadvertently nced up to see where the car was, only to be startled when she realized they seemed to be on the road leading to Fu Ming Shi''s vi.


    "You..."


    "I''ll take you back to school tomorrow morning." Fu Ming Shi kept his eyes on the road ahead, with little expression on his face, conveying a refusal to continuemunicating about this.


    Zhen Bao went back to looking at her phone, but her hands didn''t move. Her mind waspletely upied by Fu Ming Shi. Judging by his behavior, he didn''t seem to be in a good mood. Had he run into trouble at work, or was it that her roommates had guessed right? Even if Cheng Yi might have had thoughts about pursuing her before, what did Fu Ming Shi have to worry about? Whether in terms of height, looks, or money, Fu Ming Shi was far superior to Cheng Yi. Not to mention, her heart was full of only him.


    While driving, Zhen Bao obediently didn''t distract him. Only after getting out of the car did she familiarly cling to Fu Ming Shi''s arm and tentatively ask, "Something happen at work?"


    Fu Ming Shi immediately asked back, "Why do you think that?"


    Zhen Bao sized him up, then looked away. "You look a little unhappy."


    Fu Ming Shi pressed his lips together, not saying anything. There was nothing he could say anyway.


    Since they hade back, they would surely do something. Zhen Bao then felt that Fu Ming Shi was more silent than usual tonight, more wild than usual...to the point she could barely withstand him.


    "Slow down," she said, hugging his waist.


    Fu Ming Shi slowed down a little at first, but soon reverted back to how he was before, no longer listening to her.


    Feeling somewhat ufortable, Zhen Bao endured it for a while before quietly telling him.


    Only then did Fu Ming Shi stop, with his forehead pressed against her vicle. After about thirty seconds, he gently kissed her. "Sorry."


    He didn''t mean to. It was just that whenever he thought about how Zhen Bao would see Cheng Yi every day from now on, his chest would feel stuffy.


    Zhen Bao wasn''t as perceptive as her roommates, but judging by Fu Ming Shi''s abnormal behavior tonight, Zhen Bao was certain he was upset about Cheng Yi. She wanted tough. Hugging his head that was still buried down there, she threaded her hands through his jet ck short hair and said softly, "At lunch today, Xiao Yu and the others joked that if you saw I had a handsome guy beside me, you''d be jealous."


    Fu Ming Shi let out a coldugh. Raising his head, he nuzzled her chin. "I would be jealous of him?"


    Clearly jealous yet unwilling to admit it. Zhen Bao stroked his face. "Then why are you unhappy?"


    Fu Ming Shi grabbed her hand and lightly bit her fingers. "I just don''t like having someone ready to steal my woman at any time."


    "He doesn''t have that intention at all." Zhen Bao felt helpless, even embarrassed. The few times she had met Cheng Yi in America could be counted on one hand. How much must Fu Ming Shi like her to feel she was so outstanding that yearster Cheng Yi would still remember her? If Cheng Yi found out by ident, who knew how much he wouldugh at their arrogance.


    "How do you know he doesn''t have that intention?" Fu Ming Shi pinched her face and nibbled her nose in the dim light. "If I hadn''t kissed you first that year, could you have realized I had liked you for a long time already?"


    Zhen Bao shrank her neck back.


    "Silly girl, you can''t even tell when someone else likes you." While scolding her for being silly, Fu Ming Shi resumed what they were doing earlier. With her hands pinned down by him, Zhen Bao could only bite her lip. But her low moans were even more beguiling than crying out directly. Fu Ming Shi couldn''t help kissing her, kissing her ear. "Like this, what man wouldn''t like you?"


    Just looking, men would like her face and her figure. After interacting with her, men would like her innocence, her shyness, her silly boldness that made her so easy to bully.


    Zhen Bao''s ears felt ticklish. Wanting to dodge away, he tenaciously kept chasing after her, using more and more force, clearly ready to vent his jealousy again. Both annoyed that he was irrationally jealous yet also feeling a bit softhearted, Zhen Bao struggled for a while before finally hugging his neck right before he was about to re up. She spoke from the heart to reassure him, "Even if someone else likes me, you don''t need to worry. After all, I...I only like you."


    Fu Ming Shi''s actions halted as his eyes locked onto her.


    Zhen Bao turned her face away. "I, I only like you."


    Author''s note: I stayed up all night to finish this! Sending 100 red envelopes to make up for it! From now on there definitely won''t be anyzy filler chapters, I absolutely won''t do that anymore!


    See you tomorrow!

 Chapter 53: 053

    <h4>Chapter 53</h4>


    It was after 8 o''clock in the morning when Fu Mingshi''s car stopped near Animal Hospital A.


    "See you this weekend?" As Zhen Bao undid her seatbelt and pushed open the door to say goodbye to Fu Mingshi.


    Fu Mingshi looked at her and nodded. Zhen Bao didn''t have many sses left in her senior year, but there were still a lot of trivial matters, and in addition to her part-time job, she still had to prepare for exams and papers. Fu Mingshi couldn''t take up too much of her free time.


    However, as he watched Zhen Bao walk towards the hospital, Fu Mingshi couldn''t help but observe the other people going in and out of the hospital, until Zhen Bao looked back at him before entering the door, so that Zhen Bao wouldn''t "misunderstand", Fu Mingshi started the car and left.


    With her fianc¨¦ gone, Zhen Bao entered the hospital briskly.


    "Zhen Bao!" Nurse Chen Jia waved at her excitedly, ran over and hugged Zhen Bao''s arm to share the morning gossip: "We have a new doctor here, very handsome, very handsome. Come on, I''ll take you to see him, he''s also from University A."


    Zhen Bao smiled slyly, pretending not to recognize the new doctor, and followed Chen Jia over.


    Cheng Yi was a returned overseas PhD, valued by the hospital, and was given a spacious and bright office. Several early arriving young nurses crowded outside his door. Zhen Bao took a quick look, but her mind was full of Fu Mingshi''s jealous behaviorst night. Zhen Bao had thought that after expressing her feelings, Fu Mingshi would let go of her sooner, but instead Fu Mingshi became more excited and relentless, making it hard for her to get up this morning.


    Now that she knew Fu Mingshi liked to be jealous, Zhen Bao just took a look and went about her business, checking the status of the hospitalized pets, and if any had made a mess, she would help clean it up neatly. As an intern, Zhen Bao''s responsibilities were varied. It was only during this summer internship that she was assigned some technical tasks. Sometimes she would help give pets IV fluids, and sometimes when the operating room was too busy, she would go to help out.


    "Zhen Bao, Dr. Li needs an assistant, go over there for a bit."


    Upon receiving the task, Zhen Bao immediately went to Dr. Li''s side. As soon as she entered the door, she saw a woman with curly hair and high heels talking to Dr. Li with her back to her. Lying listlessly on the examination table was an adult Samoyed, lying on its side with purulent eye discharge in the corner of its eyes. Seeing her, the Samoyed wagged its tail, and its half-closed eyes also opened, its mouth slightly open, seemingly smiling.


    Zhen Bao immediately looked at the Samoyed''s tail, and as expected, there was a patch of missing fur.


    "Da Bai (Big White)." Recognizing the familiar hospital regr, Zhen Bao strode to the front of the examination table, stroked Da Bai''s back lovingly, and smelled an unpleasant odor up close. Zhen Bao lifted Da Bai''s tail and found that Da Bai had diarrhea, with an abnormal color and smell.


    Zhen Bao had seen so many cases during her internship at the hospital for so long. With initial observation, her heart suddenly sank. ncing at the unfamiliar woman, Zhen Bao asked Dr. Li nervously, "Dr. Li, what disease does Da Bai have?"


    Dr. Li spoke casually: "Late-stage canine distemper, the disease is too severe, even if treated sessfully, the chances are small."


    Zhen Bao looked to the high-heeled woman instinctively. The year when the college entrance examination results came out, she had brought Hei Dan to see the doctor before registering her university preferences. While waiting in line, she met a couple who raised a Samoyed. Da Bai was that Samoyed. Later, when Zhen Bao was interning at the hospital, sometimes the couple would bring Da Bai for medical treatment. Because Da Bai liked Zhen Bao very much, Zhen Bao became familiar with the couple and they would chat whenever they met identally.


    It had been half a year since shest saw them. Looking at this unfamiliar woman in high heels, Zhen Bao was a little suspicious inside. Da Bai woulde here for treatment for even a little difort before, and for a disease like canine distemper, the symptoms in the early stages were very obvious. With the couple''s love and care for Da Bai, it was impossible that they would let it progress tote-stage before bringing him in.


    "Are you Da Bai''s owner?" Zhen Bao asked as calmly as possible.


    The woman in high heels looked Zhen Bao up and down, then looked at Da Bai again, frowning, "Do you know Da Bai?"


    Zhen Bao nodded, "I''ve met Zhang Ke and Hua Fang when they brought Da Bai for treatment before."


    Upon hearing this, the woman in high heels curled her lips, "They broke up. I''m Zhang Ke''s girlfriend." Having said that, she ignored Zhen Bao and spoke directly to Dr. Li, "I''ve been to three hospitals. They all said he couldn''t be cured. Since it''s hopeless here too, please just give it the euthanasia injection to spare it from suffering alive."


    Many pets with incurable diseases would only suffer in vain if treatment was dyed, and would die after a period of time anyway, so the owner would choose to euthanize the pet. Zhen Bao had seen such cases a few times before, but looking at Da Bai, whose eyes were still expressing affection for her, Zhen Bao couldn''t help asking again, "Did you discuss it with Zhang Ke?"


    "What''s it to you?" The woman in high heels suddenly raised her voice, ring at Zhen Bao.


    Seeing that the other party was not to be provoked, Zhen Bao could only seek help from Dr. Li, "Dr. Li, since Zhang Ke is Da Bai''s owner, shouldn''t we ask his opinion first?"


    Dr. Li pushed up the sses on the bridge of his nose and confirmed with the woman in high heels, "Some owners know the pet is beyond cure but will still persist in caring for it for a period of time. You should ask your boyfriend first."


    "He''s on a business trip and won''t be back for another month." The woman in high heels was very impatient. "Are you going to give the injection or not? If not, I''ll go elsewhere." If she wasn''t afraid Zhang Ke would me herter for not finding a good hospital for Da Bai, she wouldn''t have bothereding here specially and would have just gotten the injection done at another small clinic.


    It was the other party''s freedom to take Da Bai away, and Dr. Li didn''t want trouble, so he made a please go ahead gesture.


    Zhen Bao didn''t want to cause trouble either, but there were cases ofte-stage canine distemper being cured. Because of the low sess rate, some owners worried about spending money on unsessful treatment would choose euthanasia, but Zhang Ke was definitely not someone who would easily give up on Da Bai. Worried that this woman in high heels would take advantage of Zhang Ke''s absence to take Da Bai elsewhere for the injection, Zhen Bao pressed her lips and said to the woman in high heels, "Zhang Ke cares a lot about Da Bai. You should still call to ask, just in case..."


    "It''s none of your business. If you annoy me again I''ll file aint against you." The woman in high heels said coldly. Then with an expression of disgust, she picked up Da Bai to put him in the dog crate.


    Da Bai stretched his neck looking at Zhen Bao, making painful whimpering sounds in his throat.


    Zhen Bao could almost foresee Da Bai''s fate after leaving here. She took out her phone and threatened the woman in high heels, "I''m friends with Zhang Ke. If you don''t call, I will." In fact, she didn''t have Zhang Ke''s number, but for Da Bai''s sake, Zhen Bao went all out and walked aside pretending to make a call.


    "What''s with you? I can take him wherever I want for treatment. Do I have to listen to you?" The woman in high heels lost her temper. In two or three steps she rushed to Zhen Bao''s side, snatched Zhen Bao''s phone and smashed it hard on the ground, then red at Zhen Bao arrogantly, "Go on, call him, I''d like to see you try!"


    Zhen Bao looked at the smashed screen on the ground, her face flushed red, and her whole body trembling.


    "Let''s talk nicely. Why did you smash her phone?" Dr. Li hurriedly acted as mediator.


    "You should ask her first, I can''t get treatment here anymore?" The woman in high heels picked up the dog crate, about to leave immediately.


    Suddenly there was an extra figure at the door. Holding a cell phone, Cheng Yi looked at the woman in high heels expressionlessly, "Intentional destruction of private property is against thew. If you don''t immediatelypensate and apologize, I will call the police."


    In his white coat, he was tall with long legs. The woman in high heels deted at first, then after reacting for a bit, suddenly pointed at Zhen Bao, "She obstructed my personal freedom first. Go ahead, call the police. Let''s see who''s afraid of whom!"


    Upon hearing this, Cheng Yi smiled and asked Zhen Bao, "Did I make the call?"


    Zhen Bao''splexion recovered a little. She nced at Da Bai and nodded. She had added Zhang Ke''s ex-girlfriend Hua Fang on WeChat before, at least while waiting for people, she could contact Zhang Ke through Hua Fang.


    Seeing that they really wanted to call the police, the woman in high heels finally changed her attitude. She made a "tch" sound, staring at Zhen Bao and said, "Forget it, I was too impulsive just now. Tell me, how much was your phone? I''ll pay you the original price." She wasn''t short on money, she just didn''t want Zhang Ke to keep raising this broken dog anymore. Every time Zhang Ke looked at the dog, it seemed like he was looking through Da Bai at his ex-girlfriend.


    Zhen Bao picked up her phone while trying to turn it on, and calmly said, "Call Zhang Ke first. If he agrees to euthanasia, I don''t need you topensate for my phone." If it really turned out that way, it was her meddling, and she would admit defeat herself.


    The woman in high heels was so angry her mouth was about to twist. "So you mean if I don''t make the call, you''ll call the police?"


    The phone waspletely unusable. Zhen Bao looked up and stared at the other party, "Yes."


    Watching the seemingly docile nurse being so stubborn, not crying or making a fuss yet also unafraid, the high-heeled woman chickened out. She endured it and turned to call her boyfriend. Only on the second try did he pick up: "Zhang Ke, Da Bai is very ill, haste-stage canine distemper. The doctor says it''s hopeless and he should be euthanized. Do you agree?"


    After saying it all in one breath, she heard Zhang Ke asking in disbelief how Da Bai could have gotten so sick. Just as Gao Xiao was about to hang up the phone and pretend her boyfriend had agreed, the phone was suddenly snatched away. The woman looked back to see Cheng Yi staring at her warily, though he spoke into the phone: "Your dog has around a 20 percent chance of being saved. Our hospital respects the pet owner''s wishes. Your girlfriend refuses to listen to the nurse''s advice and insists on euthanasia..."


    Before he could finish, an angry suppressed reply came through the speakerphone, echoing through the entire examination room: "Treat him, no matter how much it costs I''ll pay for the treatment. I''m flying back tomorrow, please help take care of Da Bai for me until then. Don''t let Gao Xiao see him alone."


    "Alright, see you tomorrow." With the main issue settled, Cheng Yi returned the phone to the woman called Gao Xiao.


    Gao Xiao''s face was even paler than snow. She snatched back her phone and turned to leave.


    Cheng Yi stopped her and asked Zhen Bao, "How much did your phone cost?"


    The several thousand yuan phone was badly damaged, and Zhen Bao felt extremely distressed. She bluntly reported the number, then asked Gao Xiao, "You can apany me to get it fixed and cover the repair fees."


    "I don''t have time for that." Gao Xiao had already decided to break up with Zhang Ke. She got Zhen Bao''s ount number, transferred the money, and left without ever seeing her again.


    Zhen Bao respected her decision. She watched Gao Xiao finish the transfer, then let her go. She turned back to Dr. Li to apologize, "Sorry for the trouble."


    "No worries, no worries. Go ahead and do some basic cleanup for Da Bai first." Dr. Li smiled kindly.


    Zhen Bao thanked Cheng Yi again.


    Cheng Yi smiled and gestured outside, "I was just passing by and have to go now."


    Zhen Bao nodded and turned to bring out Da Bai. Seeing pitiful Da Bai up close, touching his gaunt bony body, Zhen Bao felt very conflicted - heartache mixed with lingering fear. It was her first time encountering a pet owner as fierce as Gao Xiao. Zhen Bao had not been as fearless as she appeared.


    Fortunately Zhang Ke had not given up on Da Bai.


    After that, Zhen Bao busied herself assisting Dr. Li andpletely forgot about her phone. Around 10am, a medical staff member suddenly called for her, "Zhen Bao, someone is here for you!"


    Puzzled, Zhen Bao went to the lobby and saw a tall figure in a ck suit, handsome and upright, standing out from the crowd. It was her fianc¨¦, Fu Ming Shi.


    Zhen Bao was very confused. Why did Fu Ming Shie at this time?

 Chapter 54: 054

    <h4>Chapter 54</h4>


    "Something happened?" Coming to Fu Mingshi, Zhen Bao found that Fu Mingshi''s face was not quite right, and Zhen Bao felt inexplicably nervous.


    Fu Mingshi silently looked at her.


    In the morning when he was rtively free, he sent messages to Zhen Bao, sent two in a row without Zhen Bao replying, and the call prompted "unable to connect". Fu Mingshi couldn''t help worrying, so he came to find her. Now seeing that Zhen Bao was fine, Fu Mingshi suddenly didn''t want Zhen Bao to know why he came over.


    "I''m passing by and happen to drop by to see you." Fu Mingshi said with a smile, stroking Zhen Bao''s nurse''s hat. The lie was told wlessly.


    There were quite a few pet owners lining up for numbers next to them. Fu Mingshi actually did such an intimate move in the lobby. Zhen Bao''s face turned red and she signaled Fu Mingshi to go out and talk. Fu Mingshi nced inside the hospital, before slowly turning around and walking outside, asking Zhen Bao as he walked, "Is your phone broken? I can''t get through on the call."


    Zhen Bao sighed, "I didn''t put my phone away properly and it fell on the ground and the screen cracked. I don''t know if it can still be used."


    The unhappy thing at work had already been resolved, and Zhen Bao didn''t want to tell Fu Mingshi about it again, lest he get angry for no reason.


    "Let me take a look." Fu Mingshi was in no hurry to go back. He stopped at the hospital entrance and asked Zhen Bao to fetch her phone.


    Zhen Bao nodded and went back inside.


    In early September in Beijing, it was still a bit hot outside. Fu Mingshi stood outside the door for a while, then went back inside to enjoy the air conditioning. He stood with one hand in his pocket on one side of the lobby, his dark eyes faintly observing the medical staffing in and out of the lobby. As he watched, Fu Mingshi''s gaze fixed.


    At the same time, Cheng Yi, who walked out with a medical record book, also noticed the tall figure of the man in the lobby. As their eyes met, Cheng Yi was about to recall whether he had seen this person somewhere before, but the other party actually smiled at him, a very shallow smile, even a bit cold, but the man''s features were so handsome that with this smile, he stood out and was hard to ignore.


    A nurse passed by him, and Cheng Yi recognized from her back that it was Zhen Bao, confirming that Zhen Bao''s target was that man in a suit. Cheng Yi suddenly realized, and finally remembered that he was Zhen Bao''s boyfriend.


    After hesitating for a few seconds, Cheng Yi walked towards the two. Fu Mingshi recognized him, so out of courtesy, he should also say hello.


    "How did it break?" Seeing Zhen Bao''s phone, which was smashed too terribly, Fu Mingshi frowned and asked. Over the years, Zhen Bao had matured a lot, the only thing that hadn''t changed was her frugality. The few electronic devices she had were used very sparingly, looking almost like new, but an ordinary fall would never have this effect, unless the phone fell from the second floor.


    Before Zhen Bao could answer, noticing Cheng Yi approaching, Fu Mingshi once again revealed the polite smile he wore when dealing with business partners, "Mr. Cheng, long time no see. If Zhen Bao hadn''t told me yesterday that you came to work here, I wouldn''t have dared to recognize you just now."


    "Mr. Fu doesn''t seem to have changed much." Cheng Yi smiled and held out his hand.


    Fu Mingshi shook his hand briefly before letting go.


    The two were not familiar with each other, so Cheng Yi naturally wanted to find a topic. Seeing that Fu Mingshi was holding Zhen Bao''s phone, thinking they were talking about the medical dispute, Cheng Yi said with a smile, "It''s thanks to Zhen Bao today, otherwise that Samoyed would have been given a tranquilizer by now. It''s a pity that Zhen Bao was greatly wronged. Pleasefort her well, Mr. Fu. I still have something to do. Let''s get together if we have the chance."


    After speaking, he turned and left, with a touch of emotion on his face.


    He didn''t expect Zhen Bao and Fu Mingshi''s feelings to be so good, and they were still together. Fortunately, Fu Mingshi had appeared timely enough back then, keeping his fondness for Zhen Bao at a shallow level. Otherwise, at this reunion after a long absence, his mood would definitely not be as calm as it was now. However, Zhen Bao was both naive and beautiful. If he was Fu Mingshi, he would definitely continue to pamper her in his hands and not give others a chance.


    Pushing open the consultation room door, Cheng Yi focused on work and did not know that his words had brought Zhen Bao a little trouble.


    "Wronged?" Fu Mingshi turned the phone around, interrogating his guilty fiancee who kept her head down.


    Unable to hide it any longer, Zhen Bao had to push Fu Mingshi out to talk about it, "...I was a little scared at the time, but it''s fine now. You''ve always told me to change my phone anyway, so it''s a good chance to buy a new one." After briefly exining the process, Zhen Bao looked up at Fu Mingshi with a smile, looking very blessed by this misfortune.


    Fu Mingshi was expressionless. "Why didn''t you say so earlier?"


    Zhen Bao lowered her head and said in a low voice, "I was afraid you would get angry."


    Fu Mingshi was angry, angry that the woman had bullied his Zhen Bao, and angry that he hadn''t been there at the time to help her stand up for herself.


    "Don''t get involved next time something like this happens." Hugging his fiancee who had done nothing wrong, Fu Mingshi whispered. Today it was just a phone being smashed, but he was afraid that Zhen Bao would encounter even more vicious people in the future. Now there were too many news reports about medical disputes. Although afterwards he could help Zhen Bao get even, just thinking that Zhen Bao might be beaten and scolded by someone...


    ncing around the hospital, Fu Mingshi suddenly felt that being a pet doctor was also a bit dangerous.


    "Don''t worry, most people who keep pets are very nice to get along with. There are not so many special cases." Struggling out of Fu Mingshi''s arms, Zhen Bao first looked left and right, and found that people were indeed staring at the two of them. Zhen Bao hurriedly urged Fu Mingshi, "Okay, you go back to work first, I have to work too."


    "Say hello to Cheng Yi and let''s take him out for dinner tonight." Fu Mingshi said with a smile, tugging Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao looked at him in surprise.


    Fu Mingshi skillfully rubbed her head. "He helped you out, so I owe him a favor."


    Zhen Bao understood, but thinking of Fu Mingshi''s difort with Cheng Yi, she still felt something was wrong, so she said, "Let me ask him first to see if he has time."


    Fu Mingshi nodded.


    Zhen Bao wanted to leave, but he still held her wrist. Zhen Bao looked back in confusion, and Fu Mingshi suddenly leaned over, his lips unerringly falling on her face, even sucking lightly, making her flustered.


    "Go on." Having obtained the sweet kiss, Fu Mingshi was finally satisfied.


    Zhen Bao''s face turned even redder. Before pushing the door, she did not forget to remind him to drive slowly.


    After sending off Fu Mingshi, Zhen Bao continued working. At lunch in the cafeteria after work, she happened to run into Cheng Yi, and Zhen Bao took the opportunity to extend the invitation.


    "Can I bring a femalepanion?" Cheng Yi asked with a smile. "I don''t want to be bullied by you two."


    Zhen Bao was stunned for a moment, then understood and happily said, "Of course, is she your girlfriend?"


    Cheng Yi tacitly acknowledged it.


    Zhen Bao smiled even more happily. Fu Mingshi was a big jealous jar, she didn''t know what his expression would be after finding out he was jealous over nothing.


    Meeting at the restaurant that evening, Cheng Yi did bring his girlfriend, a designer with a lot of elegance.


    Fu Mingshi was expressionless, but Zhen Bao secretly observed his eyes, making his brows twitch a few times.


    After dinner, the two couples went their separate ways. Fu Mingshi apanied Zhen Bao to buy a new phone first, then forcibly took Zhen Bao back to the vi after buying it.


    "Why were you staring at me all the time?"


    As soon as they entered the room, Fu Mingshi pinned Zhen Bao against the wall, the faint aroma of red wine spreading between them, seducing one to indulge.


    Zhen Bao twisted her head andughed, answering instead of answering: "Cheng Yi''s girlfriend is quite good-looking."


    "You call that good-looking?" Fu Mingshi disdained, biting her ear, his tone bing deep and ambiguous, "Not one-ten thousandth as good as you."


    Being overly praised by her fianc¨¦, Zhen Bao''s face grew even hotter. She buried it in his chest and said, "So you''re reassured now?"


    Fu Mingshi lowered his head to look at the treasure in his arms. He kissed the top of her head. "Never worried at all."


    He had never worried that Cheng Yi could snatch her away, he was just a little bothered, that''s all.


    The author has something to say: There are still seven or eight chapters until the end. I''m a bit stuck, so the updates will be unstable. I''m sorry!

 Chapter 55: 055

    <h4>Chapter 55</h4>


    Zhen Bao felt that when Fu Ming Shi was in a good mood, he would be gentler than when he was jealous. He was like a continuous rain, falling on her constantly. Zhen Bao was powerless to resist, and epted all his kisses and passion.


    There were two beeps from Zhen Bao''s phone on the bedside table. Someone had sent her a WeChat message. Zhen Bao finally showed the intention of reaching for her phone. Fu Ming Shi pressed down on her, marching in silence like drums of war. It was as if he wanted to embed her into the bed. Zhen Bao felt like an ant, copsing in a mess.


    After it was over, he kissed her hair contentedly.


    Zhen Bao was like she had just been fished out of the water, her whole body dripping wet.


    Fu Ming Shi touched the sheets and smiled hoarsely, teasing her, "Let¡¯s change the sheetster."


    Zhen Bao was embarrassed and furious. It was clearly him taking advantage, yet he stillughed at her afterwards.


    "Give me the phone," Zhen Bao looked at the phone again after resting enough.


    Fu Ming Shi was still lying on her. He reached out to grab the phone and handed it to Zhen Bao. As he tilted his head wanting to see who sent the message, Zhen Bao had just unlocked her phone and his phone rang too. Fu Ming Shi ignored it and saw a girl''s profile picture. Only then did he answer the call.


    It was a business partner who called. Fu Ming Shi kissed Zhen Bao and slowly propped himself up. At the moment they separated, his dark eyes stared at Zhen Bao appreciatively. Zhen Bao pulled the quilt over her head. Only then did Fu Ming Shiugh and walk to the living room.


    He talked business while Zhen Bao moved to a dry spot next to him. Leaning against the pillow, she looked at the messages.


    It turned out to be Zhang Ke¡¯s ex-girlfriend Hua Fang asking her about the daily care details of Da Bai who had canine distemper.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help but be curious. "Da Bai is at your ce?"


    Earlier in the day, Zhang Ke came to the hospital alone. Dr. Li told him that Da Bai''s condition was not very optimistic. The hospital could only provide conservative treatment. If the owner could apany Da Bai for a long time and give Da Bai spiritual support, it would be somewhat helpful, just like some human illnesses where the will to live and mental state affect the development of the disease. After Da Baipleted today''s conservative treatment, Zhang Ke took Da Bai home. Zhen Bao didn''t expect that in just half a day, Da Bai was now at Hua Fang''s ce.


    Hua Fang: Yes, I''ll send you a picture.


    Zhen Bao: Okay.


    The photo came very quickly. In it, Hua Fang was sitting on the sofa with Da Bai''s head resting on her owner''sp. Da Bai was still listless, but his fur was groomed clean and tidy. He had turned back into the beautiful Samoyed that Zhen Bao was familiar with. It was clear that Hua Fang cared a lot about Da Bai.


    Zhen Bao had documents on caring for canine distemper in her phone. She sent them to Hua Fang first, then voice chatted.


    As they chatted, the topic finally turned to their personal lives. Hua Fang first asked Zhen Bao how things were going with Fu Ming Shi. After all, there was so much uproar online originally that Hua Fang, being in China, knew very well. Zhen Bao talked briefly about herself, then cautiously asked Hua Fang, "Did you and Zhang Ke break up?"


    Hua Fang typed "yes", then sent over a longer voice message.


    Hua Fang was a girl from the countryside who started dating Zhang Ke, a man from Beijing, during college. They moved in together during their internship in the fourth year and got Da Bai. The year beforest, Zhang Ke took Hua Fang home to meet his parents. Zhang Ke¡¯s mother showed strong dislike towards Hua Fang. After half a year with no improvement, Hua Fang took the initiative to suggest breaking up.


    Zhang Ke didn''t agree, but he couldn''t stop Hua Fang from moving out. He could only keep Da Bai, hoping to use Da Bai to win Hua Fang back. Unable to get past his parents, Hua Fang made a clean break. Soon after the breakup she met a new dating partner. By the end ofst year they even got their marriage certificate.


    Zhang Ke gave up. This year, at the introduction of his parents, he started dating Gao Xiao.


    Yesterday, when he learned that Da Bai had canine distemper and hadn''t returned to China yet, Zhang Ke first contacted Hua Fang, hoping that Hua Fang would help take care of Da Bai. Zhang Ke''s parents didn''t like Da Bai. Zhang Ke still had to continue his business trip and really didn''t have time. Leaving Da Bai entirely to the pet hospital also made him uneasy.


    "Your husband doesn''t mind you taking care of Da Bai?" Zhen Bao asked in surprise. After all, it was an ex-boyfriend''s dog.


    Hua Fang sent over a few opportunisticughs. "I told Zhang Ke that I would only take care of Da Bai if he gave Da Bai to me. Otherwise, no deal. Humph, if it wasn''t for him buying Da Bai with his money originally, when we broke up I would have taken Da Bai with me. Now he has let Da Bai get so sick, it¡¯s pissing me off."


    Zhen Bao quickly reassured her and saw Fu Ming Shiing back. Zhen Bao had not put her clothes back on yet so she quickly pulled the quilt back up again.


    On the other end, Hua Fang had to continue apanying Da Bai. She made an appointment with Zhen Bao to meet tomorrow.


    "Roommate?" Fu Ming Shi pressed down on his fianc¨¦e, whether intentional or not, his chin just happened to rest on Zhen Bao''s chest, lightly touching her.


    Zhen Bao shook her head and first took precautionary posture before gossiping with Fu Ming Shi. She was quite emotional internally. A couple broke up because the parents didn''t approve, and each had their own ending. Only poor Da Bai. The male owner didn''t have time to take care of it, and the new female owner didn''t like it either, making it sick all over.


    Fu Ming Shi wasn''t interested in other people''s rtionships. He kissed her, "Shall we take a bath, or lie down a little longer?"


    Zhen Bao looked up and met the man''s dark eyes floating with ambiguous light. She decisively chose to take a bath.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and carried her to the bathroom.


    The bed had its bedroom charm, and the bathroom had its own wonder.


    The next day, Zhen Bao met Hua Fang''s current husband. He was a little chubby but adorably so, holding Da Bai and following Hua Fang with a concerned expression, as if holding his son. ording to Hua Fang¡¯s introduction, he was a professional gamer with decent ie. The two had already bought a house in Beijing.


    Zhen Bao was truly happy for Hua Fang.


    Da Bai also seemed very satisfied with his new male owner. His body slowly recovered. A monthter, Hua Fang and her husband brought Da Bai in for a follow-up visit. The test results came out showing Da Bai waspletely cured. As soon as he regained his freedom, he immediately ran to the owner to act coquettish. Zhen Bao squatted down to pet Da Bai and Da Bai even gave her an enthusiastic dog lick.


    After sending the family of three away, Zhen Bao was in a good mood. During her break she sent Fu Ming Shi a message to share the good news.


    Fu Ming Shi: Celebrate at the vi tonight?


    Zhen Bao smiled: No.


    They had already spent two full days at the vi over the weekend. Today was just Tuesday. She needed rest.


    Fu Ming Shi: Are you thinking too much? I just want to take you out for a meal.


    Zhen Bao didn''t believe him at all. After chatting some meaningless daily trivialities with her fianc¨¦, Zhen Bao sat in her chair browsing Weibo. Because her fianc¨¦ was Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao''s number of fans kept rising steadily. She would also receive all kinds of random DMs from unfollowed people every day. When bored, Zhen Bao would usually open them and take a look, just looking, not replying.


    ncing down, when she saw thest person''s nickname, Zhen Bao''s heartbeat suddenly stalled. She confirmed she didn''t read it wrong. Zhen Bao pursed her lips and opened the DM from "Feng Bao".


    The other party sent quite a few segments in a row. Zhen Bao started reading from the first message.


    "Feng Bao, I''m your mother. I don''t know if you still want to recognize me..."


    Suddenly Zhen Bao couldn''t read on. Because she knew, this sender really was Wang Xiu.


    Since her background was made public, people iming to be "Wang Xiu" had contacted her one after another. Some left contact details, some directly asked her for money, but whether these people came to harass her or Fu Ming Shi, they all called her Zhen Bao. The media did not publicly disclose her childhood name, so the one who called her Feng Bao...


    Closing Weibo, Zhen Bao put away her phone and went to see the pets in the ward.


    No matter what Wang Xiu said, she didn''t want to read it, at least not now.


    The author has something to say: Waa, posting a bit first. There will be another chapter around midnight. Thank you to the editor''s little whip!


    Then, Golden Branch Imperial Leaf updates at 9am tomorrow. Early sleep for Xiao Gongju fans!!


    PS:


    Webpage link: , mobile link:

 Chapter 56: 056

    <h4>Chapter 56</h4>


    After work, Zhen Bao went to eat with her roommates as usual.


    It wasn''t until after 10 pm when she climbed into bed that Zhen Bao lied on her side and looked at the private messages Wang Xiu had sent.


    Wang Xiu said a lot, a lot. Saying that she had been ming herself all these years and had been thinking about her, confessions of regret and longing were interspersed with Wang Xiu''s memories of Zhen Bao''s childhood. These were the parts Zhen Bao had looked at at noon. Then about two hourster, Wang Xiu sent more regretful content hoping she would forgive her, including a ck and white photo of Zhen Bao when she was two or three years old.


    "This is mom''s phone number. Call me if you forgive me. Mom really misses you."


    Zhen Bao read every word carefully, and secretly wiped her eyes several times in between.


    But in the end, Zhen Bao still added this seemingly newly registered ount to the cklist and deleted the private messages.


    She didn''t understand what was the point of Wang Xiu saying all this now. Why didn''t Wang Xiu think of her when she needed her mother most? Wang Xiu said she regretted it, but whatpensation did she make? Even knowing that Dad had passed away, Wang Xiu didn''t even think of going to pay respects.


    No matter how touching the words, just thinking of Wang Xiu''s ruthless actions, Zhen Bao''s heart slowly calmed down.


    She had no memories of her mother, and now she didn''t need anyone to fill the void of a mother.


    In the next few days, Wang Xiu continued to register new ounts to send her private messages. Zhen Bao''s mood went fromplicated at first to calmer and calmer. Later she simply stopped checking Weibo, out of sight, out of mind. On Friday, Fu Ming Shi came to pick her up to spend the weekend at his vi. Zhen Bao didn''t say anything about it. She yed with his cat Hei Dan Yue Liang, watched movies with Fu Ming Shi, and was still worn out by him as usual at night.


    Life was so fulfilling that Zhen Bao almost forgot about Wang Xiu sending those private messages.


    Unexpectedly, when she got off work on Monday evening, a woman stopped her at the hospital gate.


    It was just September, still quite bright around 5 or 6 pm. Looking at the woman''s light makeup features clearly, and meeting theplicated, tearful eyes, Zhen Bao didn''t have much difficulty recognizing her identity. But Zhen Bao didn''t want to admit it, she went straight to get her bike.


    "Feng Bao, you recognize me, don''t you?" Thest time they met, her daughter was still smiling and asking her what she needed, but today her attitude was cold. Wang Xiu immediately guessed that her daughter had already recognized her, and followed Zhen Bao closely while choking back her tears and pleaded softly, "Feng Bao, mom misses you. Let''s find a ce to talk, okay?"


    Zhen Bao put her handbag in the bike basket, as if she didn''t hear Wang Xiu speak, and pushed the bike to leave.


    Wang Xiu could no longer hold back. She hugged Zhen Bao tightly and cried out, "Feng Bao, mom knows she was wrong. Mom is sorry to you. Please say something to mom, I''m begging you..."


    The woman had a smell on her, Zhen Bao didn''t know if it was perfume or the fragrance from her skincare products on her face. Anyway, Zhen Bao didn''t like it. This physical dislike suppressed the urge to cry. Holding onto the handlebars, Zhen Bao looked elsewhere and said, "Aren''t you afraid the reporters will take photos?"


    Wasn''t the reason Wang Xiu came looking for her at the hospital before she started sophomore year because she was afraid of exposure and didn''t want to recognize her?


    "I''m not afraid. As long as you are willing to acknowledge me, I won''t be afraid even if others scold me." Wang Xiu hugged her daughter tightly, crying not as hard as before, and looked up expectantly, "Feng Bao, you..."


    She didn''t get to finish speaking, her left arm was suddenly gripped fiercely, with such great force as if wanting to crush her wrist bones. Wang Xiu gasped in pain, involuntarily let go of Zhen Bao. Only when she drew back her right hand, the person behind her suddenly jerked her back. Wang Xiu was caught off guard and almost fell.


    Zhen Bao looked at Fu Ming Shi in shock.


    Fu Ming Shi hugged her with one arm, kissed the top of her headfortingly, then turned his head and looked coldly at the woman who had steadied herself again: "Are you not afraid of reporters taking pictures, or are you certain there won''t be any reportersing today? You know clearly yourself."


    Wang Xiu''s face, already pale from the shock, turned even whiter. She wanted to exin, but facing Fu Ming Shi''s cold and stern gaze, she didn''t even have the courage to lie again.


    Zhen Bao''s face also turned pale. Could it be that the time Wang Xiu came to see her was also carefully nned?


    "I pay someone every week to give me news. They told me they saw here out of the airport with a man." Holding Zhen Bao in his arms, Fu Ming Shi exined in a voice Wang Xiu could hear, "I bought the news and had people keep an eye on them the whole time. Her husband Liu Wei observed outside the A University gate for a week and was certain there would be no reporters to take photos on work days, so she dared toe see you today."


    Zhen Bao''s experience was still shallow, but connecting it with the private messages Wang Xiu had sentst week, even saying that as long as she was willing to acknowledge her mother, Wang Xiu would immediatelye to the capital to see her, she guessed that Wang Xiu''s initiative to recognize her this time was not as simple as she imed.


    "I had someone investigate. They have been living in S City these years, with over 10 million in assets, but Liu Wei''spany has not been doing well in thest three years and has already gone bankrupt, owing over 4 million in debt." As the woman cried and tried to win sympathy, Fu Ming Shi continued to expose Wang Xiu''s background, his tone t, as if stating something irrelevant to them, not even bothering with sarcasm.


    "I guessed she would look for you, but I couldn''t figure out what they were sneakily up tost week, so I didn''t tell you beforehand in case you worried."


    He said this softly into Zhen Bao''s ear, sounding a little apologetic.


    But what was he apologizing for?


    Zhen Bao didn''t need Fu Ming Shi to apologize. She just felt cold all over. The first time she received Wang Xiu''s private message, she thought Wang Xiu really had a change of heart and wanted to mend their rtionship as mother and daughter. She didn''t expect there to be such a practical motive behind it. Was it to acknowledge her as daughter first, then try to take advantage of Fu Ming Shi?


    "Feng Bao, don''t cry. Mom didn''t mean it..."


    Wang Xiu dide to borrow money, but seeing her daughter so hurt by her that she cried, Wang Xiu also truly regretted it and felt heartache. She rushed over wanting to hug Zhen Bao, but was stopped by Fu Ming Shi''s re. Only then did Wang Xiu lower her head to wipe her tears and cried bitterly, "Feng Bao, don''t be like this. Mom didn''t deliberately want to take advantage of you. It''s just we really can''t get by anymore. Your sister needs to study abroad and your brother is still in elementary school..."


    "From what I know, you can sell that house of yours for at least 4 million. If you sell it well, you can pay off your debts and still buy a new house in a second or third tier city." The woman was crying and trying to win sympathy, but Fu Ming Shi couldn''t stand to listen anymore and impatiently interrupted. He knew Zhen Bao was easily softened. Even if Zhen Bao didn''t help, she might feel uneasy if Wang Xiu''s family was too destitute. That was why he had people carefully set things up over three years to take back the assets Wang Xiu and her husband had umted with the money from Zhen Bao''s father, while still leaving room for the Liu family of four.


    He knew everything. Wang Xiu was a little embarrassed to be seen through, but with her face covered in tears it didn''t show. Thinking of Fu Ming Shi''s fortune of over 10 billion, Wang Xiu hardened herself and said, "We''re old, it doesn''t matter if we live in a small city, but Zhen Bao''s younger siblings grew up living in big cities..."


    "It seems they are your real children." Fu Ming Shiughed even more coldly. "When you took the 2 million from the Zhen family, Zhen Bao''s family didn''t even have a TV. When your daughter wore dresses worth tens of thousands, Zhen Bao couldn''t even afford high school. After so many years you never once thought of going home to see Zhen Bao. What right do you have now to ask us to help your daughter study abroad?"


    Wang Xiu was left utterly ashamed by his words.


    Unable to refute Fu Ming Shi, she pleaded to her daughter with her eyes, hoping to find a breakthrough there.


    Zhen Bao cried so hard she was nearly convulsing. To think the closest blood rtive came looking for her the second time, and it was for this kind of reason.


    "Let''s go." Leaning against Fu Ming Shi''s chest, Zhen Bao held him tightly, not wanting to look at Wang Xiu again, not wanting to hear another word from her.


    Fu Ming Shi first took out the handbag Zhen Bao had put in the bike basket, then swept Zhen Bao into his arms. As he was about to walk past Wang Xiu, he stopped and said coldly, "Leave tonight. If you dare bother Zhen Bao once more, I''ll make sure your family of four is disgraced and ruined."


    Wang Xiu looked up in horror.


    Fu Ming Shi had already carried Zhen Bao away and ced her in his ck Maybach, then drove off in a sh.


    Wang Xiu stood frozen on the spot, not even noticing when her husband Liu Wei came over.


    "What did Mr. Fu say?" Liu Wei anxiously asked, feeling things had gone badly.


    Wang Xiu looked at him and suddenlyughed while crying.


    Retribution. This was her retribution. She abandoned her pretty and lovely daughter for money. Now she had lost her daughter and the money too.

 Chapter 57: 057

    <h4>Chapter 57</h4>


    The tears that Zhen Bao shed after being provoked by Wang Xiu came and went quickly, like a thunderstorm, leaving only her swollen red eyes.


    After washing her face anding out, she saw Fu Ming Shi standing outside the bathroom. His dark eyes looked at her with concern.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head. Before she could think of what to say, Fu Ming Shi opened his arms and walked over, hugging her tightly. The shirt he had been wearing before was wet with her tears, so he had changed into a pure white one, filled with his unique scent, clean and reassuring.


    "Did I get you into trouble?" Zhen Bao asked in a small voice, buried in his chest. The main purpose of Wang Xiu and his wifeing to the capital was to borrow money. Zhen Bao was afraid they would find other ways to pester Fu Ming Shi.


    "They don''t have that ability yet," Fu Ming Shi said in a low voice, rubbing his chin on the top of her head, extremely domineering.


    Zhen Baoughed and raised her arms to hug his waist. After a while, she said gloomily, "No matter what they ask of you in the future, just ignore them." She didn''t owe anything to Wang Xiu, and Fu Ming Shi owed them even less. Fu Ming Shi treated her so well, and she still felt bad about spending the money he had transferred to her under various pretexts. What right did Wang Xiu have to take it for granted that Fu Ming Shi should give them money to help them out?


    For her two so-called half-siblings?


    Thinking that in Wang Xiu''s eyes, her daughter''s inability to study abroad was a great grievance, Zhen Bao''s heart was about to choke up.


    She didn''t care if Wang Xiu recognized her or not, but why did Wang Xiu have toe out and vex her again?


    "If you''re worried, I''ll hand over all my money to you. You can give me a little living allowance every month," Fu Ming Shi teased her with a smile, to put his fianc¨¦e''s mind at ease.


    Right now Zhen Bao just liked listening to her man talk. With her forehead against his chest, she deliberately asked, "How much living allowance do you need every month?"


    Fu Ming Shi thought about it as he held her, kissed her cheek and said, "No less than twenty."


    Zhen Bao asked in confusion, "Twenty million?"


    Fu Ming Shiughed and bit her ear, "Twenty times."


    Zhen Bao''s face turned red. She silently calcted thatst month, adding up day and night, it was indeed more than twenty times.


    "Let''s go downstairs and eat first," Fu Ming Shi coaxed his fianc¨¦e and habitually picked her up to go downstairs to the dining room.


    Probably guessing that Zhen Bao was in a bad mood, Mrs. Wang had cooked all of Zhen Bao''s favorites tonight - spicy tofu, spicy chicken wings, chopped fish head in chili oil... At a nce, only the lily bulb soup was not spicy. Zhen Bao was drooling. On an empty stomach, she had no time to think about unhappy things.


    "Have another one," Fu Ming Shi gave her another chicken wing.


    Zhen Bao lowered her head and nibbled on it in small bites.


    Before she could finish the chicken wing, the phone ced between them rang. They looked at the caller ID together: Mother-inw.


    Zhen Bao''s eyes widened. During the winter break of her freshman year, she had exchanged phone numbers with Feng Ke and her husband at the mahjong table. But until now, apart from Zhen Bao sending them New Year''s greetings and getting polite replies, this was the first time Feng Ke had taken the initiative to contact her.


    The feeling was even more unexpected and nerve-wracking than receiving a call from a national leader.


    "You eat first." Since it was a family call, Fu Ming Shi nced at the chicken wing still in Zhen Bao''s hand and quickly grabbed the phone.


    Zhen Bao stared at him nkly, not fully reacting yet.


    Fu Ming Shi deliberately didn''t say anything.


    "Feng Bao?" Feng Ke''s clear, cold, and melodious voice came from the phone. The coldness was her natural vocal tone.


    Zhen Bao had eaten four New Year''s Eve dinners with Fu Zheng and his wife. During the third dinner, Feng Ke had started calling her by her nickname, like the old master.


    Zhen Bao was about to lean over to greet her, but Fu Ming Shi snatched the first word again, "She''s upstairs. Do you need her for something?"


    Zhen Bao red at him.


    Fu Ming Shi motioned for her to continue eating.


    Feng Ke didn''t expect her son to answer the phone, but son or daughter-inw, it was the same. After flipping through the model photos on the page, Feng Ke said lightly, "We''reunching a new collection in October. There''s a dress whose model doesn''t quite match the vibe. Zhen Bao has discerning eyes. Ask her if she''s interested in trying out. If so, bring her for an audition tomorrow night."


    After that, she hung up. A busy woman had no time to chat idly with her son.


    Fu Ming Shi slowly put down the phone and asked his stunned fianc¨¦e, "Did you hear that?"


    Zhen Bao nodded, and said uneasily, "On the runway?"


    She wouldn''t dare to go even if she was killed. Firstly, she didn''t have the model figure. Secondly, she didn''t have their temperament. If she really went, she would probably freeze on stage, not even able to walk properly.


    Fu Ming Shi exined with augh, "Not that kind. It''s for a fashion photo shoot. You just need to put on the clothes, get your makeup done, and the photographer will teach you how to pose. I see you quite enjoy taking photos. Give it a try. It''s simple and won''t take up too much time."


    He joked with her. Zhen Bao blushed and ate first, but she wasn''t confident in her heart. The photos would be published online and in magazines for promotion and sales. She had no experience at all. What if she messed up?


    After the meal, Fu Ming Shi took Zhen Bao to the study. He seemed to have a few copies of Huating Magazine here.


    Zhen Bao sat on the sofa flipping through them. The clothes inside were very beautiful. Some were the gorgeous or avant-garde high fashion that she definitely couldn''t pull off. Some were ethereal evening gowns. There were also some that looked simple yet stylish for everyday wear. The only thing they had inmon was the models'' exquisite makeup and enviable figures.


    "I''m too short," Zhen Bao picked on her own ws as she looked through them.


    Her eyes were bright, attracted by the various fashions, and Fu Ming Shi could see that Zhen Bao actually wanted to try out, but shecked confidence about things she hadn''t been exposed to before, underestimating her own strengths. His mother had discerning taste. If Zhen Bao wasn''t truly suitable, she would never have called.


    "Wear high heels," Fu Ming Shi brought her into his arms as they looked together.


    Zhen Bao still wasn''t confident.


    Fu Ming Shi suddenly pointed to a model in the magazine and said, "Try this pose."


    The model in the photo was wearing a ck and white halter mini skirt. She sat on the steps outside a European-style building, left hand on the ground, right hand cradling her chin. Shezily tilted her head back, half-closed alluring eyes, as if basking in the sun, and as if appraising some man opposite her.


    Zhen Bao shook her head in refusal, her face already red.


    "It''s just me here, and you''re shy to pose. With more people there tomorrow night, you''ll be even more uptight," Fu Ming Shi snatched the magazine, tempting her.


    Zhen Bao was just shy by nature. When he didn''t let her look at the magazine, she got up to leave, but hadn''t stood firmly before Fu Ming Shi pulled her onto hisp and kissed her several times in a row, "Try it, I want to see. If you really model for a magazine, I''ll buy a few copies and keep them for life, to look at with you when we''re old."


    Zhen Bao closed her eyes, her long eyshes fluttering anxiously.


    "I remember you have a simr skirt. Let''s go to your room and try it out," Fu Ming Shi continued to pick Zhen Bao up, magazine in hand, heading straight for the third floor despite her objections.


    Zhen Bao was just too modest, just not used to doing such high-profile things. After all, she had grown up in a different environment, and she wasn''t an particrly outgoing or confident personality either. But persistently coaxed and pestered by Fu Ming Shi, forcibly undressed and then personally helped into a halter evening gown by him, posed on the spacious balcony by him, Zhen Bao had no choice but to cooperate with him.


    "Open your eyes," Fu Ming Shi squatted at the other end of the balcony with a camera, serious, almost professional.


    Supporting herself with one hand on the ground, the other on her chin, Zhen Bao trembled as she opened one eye a crack. Her face was redder than if she had put on makeup, a shy crimson, like her alluring look after climaxing. Fu Ming Shi was already tense all over, but in order to help his fianc¨¦e practice, he could only pretend to be a gentleman.


    "Don''t look at the window, look at me," Fu Ming Shi reminded her through the lens.


    Zhen Bao nced over bashfully, her deer-like panicked and innocent gaze simply criminal.


    "Imagine you''re a demanding woman. I''m just passing by you, and you''ve taken some interest in me, but you don''t think I''m your other half, so your gaze is critical." Staring into Zhen Bao''s eyes, Fu Ming Shi wanted to see another side of her, to get a taste of being seduced by her.


    But Zhen Bao couldn''t do it, couldn''t imagine what a demanding woman was like.


    Seeing his innocent fianc¨¦e, Fu Ming Shi chose to give up. He quickly snapped a few shots, then went over to sit beside Zhen Bao so they could look through them together.


    Zhen Bao was beautiful, and Fu Ming Shi had been taking photos of her for four years, so his photography skills had improved. Therefore, ignoring how Zhen Bao''s gaze didn''t quite match the pose, the photos looked beautiful however you looked at them.


    Zhen Bao watched enthusiastically until Fu Ming Shi''s lipsnded on the back of her neck behind her.


    Realizing the danger, Zhen Bao became anxious. Fu Ming Shi had been craving for a long time, how could he let her get away? He pressed Zhen Bao onto the balcony, his breathing like fire.


    "Don''t ruin the skirt..." With the sky right above her head, although it was almost dark, Zhen Bao still didn''t want to do it outside, afraid that Aunt Wang downstairs would hear.


    "I''ll buy you a new one tomorrow." Fu Ming Shi pulled down her zipper to the bottom, not allowing refusal.


    With nourishment from her fianc¨¦, the next day Zhen Bao''splexion was rosy, and her eyes were no longer swollen either.


    At three in the afternoon, Fu Ming Shi came to pick her up. Zhen Bao bid her supervisor goodbye, got off work early, went back to the vi to change her clothes, then rushed to the restaurant to apany Feng Ke for dinner. Feng Ke waste by five or six minutes. From afar, seeing Zhen Bao dressed in a little ck dress, Feng Ke took an extra nce before withdrawing her gaze.


    "Auntie, you''ve arrived." Fu Ming Shi remained seated without moving. Zhen Bao stood up politely.


    "No need to be so courteous." Without even looking at her son, Feng Ke sat right next to Zhen Bao and asked her, "The audition tonight, did Ming Shi mention it to you?"


    Zhen Bao nodded, feeling a little constrained.


    Feng Ke said lightly, "Just taking a few photos, nothing to be afraid of. If you''re not suitable, I wouldn''t have asked you toe either."


    This counted as her encouragement.


    Zhen Bao smiled and looked at Fu Ming Shi. She wasn''t familiar with Feng Ke, so why wasn''t Fu Ming Shi saying anything? Everyone was silent, how awkward.


    Receiving his fianc¨¦e''s using gaze, Fu Ming Shi finally spoke, "Is the photographer male or female?"


    Feng Ke raised her brows, staring provocatively at her son, "Male, more handsome than you."


    Fu Ming Shi was being rude in front of his elder, and Zhen Bao was quite embarrassed originally, but hearing Feng Ke''s words, she almostughed out loud.


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t speak, only revealed a shallow smile that said "impossible".


    Under the table, Zhen Bao lightly nudged his foot.


    Fu Ming Shi''s upper body didn''t move, his feet mped her high heels. Zhen Bao pressed her lips, about to re at him, when Fu Ming Shi released her again. Zhen Bao didn''t dare provoke him further, eating dinner nervously, ready to respond at any time to any potential small talk from Feng Ke.


    Feng Ke didn''t say much. After the meal she led the two down, and Zhen Bao naturally got into Fu Ming Shi''s car.


    After more than twenty minutes, the family of three arrived at Feng Ke''spany building.


    Fu Ming Shi first took Zhen Bao around the building to see the ce, then apanied her to the audition.


    "Boss Fu, long time no see." The photographer was a handsome foreigner with blond hair in a ponytail and a goatee, with deep bright blue eyes that were especially attractive. Seeing Fu Ming Shi, he greeted in fluent Mandarin, but his blue eyes floated towards Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao smiled politely.


    The photographer''s eyes lit up. There was only one fairy dress left to finalize for the October issue magazine, and Boss Feng''s eye for scrutiny was picky. She had tried many models but was unsatisfied. Now seeing Zhen Bao, the photographer immediately guessed that she was the model who could perfectly carry off that fairy dress.


    "Miss Zhen, you''ve appeared at just the right time!" He was so excited at the prospect of finallypleting the shoot. The photographer strode over, wanting to hug Zhen Bao.


    Fu Ming Shi pulled Zhen Bao behind him with one tug.


    The photographer looked surprised, then changed to hugging Fu Ming Shi instead, looking at Zhen Bao to congratte him, "She is an angel."


    Fu Ming Shi''s lips curved up. He looked back at Zhen Bao, "He said you''re very ugly."


    Zhen Baoughed until she almost choked.


    The author has something to say: Here ites, sending out 50 red envelopes for this chapter! Going to eat first!

 Chapter 58: 058

    <h4>Chapter 58</h4>


    With Fu Mingshi''s powerful spiritual support, Zhen Bao sessfullypleted the shooting.


    The ethereal long skirt, dazzling lighting and photography, from makeup to thest shot, it was like a gorgeous fairy tale dream of an ugly duckling turning into a swan. And throughout this dream, Fu Mingshi was always there, watching her, appreciating her, and encouraging her with his deep and calm dark eyes like the night sky.


    "Do you like this kind of work?"


    Before taking off her makeup, Fu Mingshi walked into the dressing room where all the other staff had left. He put his hands on the back of Zhen Bao''s chair and bent over to ask her.


    Zhen Bao had not yet fully emerged from the fantasy just now. She couldn''t help nodding her head. She liked wearing beautiful clothes, liked being photographed in her youth, liked everyone''s shocked gazes, and liked the feeling of walking on clouds.


    "You''re beautiful and have a good figure. You can try getting into the fashion industry," Fu Mingshi said seriously, lightly turning the gemstone earring on her ear. "Shoot a few magazines a year, endorse some products, it''s more rxing than being a pet doctor and you can make more money too." Zhen Bao was a neer, but he would promote her if she wanted.


    Fu Mingshi did not look down on pet doctors or other low-ie jobs, but he couldn''t bear to see his future wife work so hard and be subject to medical disturbances.


    Zhen Bao''s confused eyes gradually regained rity. Looking at Fu Mingshi, she smiled, smiling like a mountain flower, fresh and simple. "I still prefer being a pet doctor."


    Some likes canst a lifetime, while others are just short-lived excitement. For Zhen Bao, shooting fashion magazines was more like Fu Mingshi asionally taking her out for extravagantly priced meals. It was nice asionally, and could add some passion to life, but Zhen Bao preferred the down-to-earth homemade meals she ate every day.


    "Alright, whatever you want," Fu Mingshi said helplessly as he nibbled on her earlobe.


    Wealth and honor cannot blind one''s eyes, his future wife had such noble thoughts.


    The ripples caused by the photoshoot calmed down. Zhen Bao continued to devote herself wholeheartedly to her hospital internship and focused on preparing for the veterinary qualification exam after work. She gradually forgot about the magazine until the end of September when she was reviewing in her dorm and suddenly received a call from the courier asking her to pick up a package.


    After hanging up the phone, Zhen Bao wondered and asked her three roommates, "I didn''t buy anything recently, did they get it wrong?"


    Jia Xiaoyu poked her head out from her bed and said, "Was it sent from overseas by Chairman Fu?"


    Fu Mingshi had gone abroad again, but he had never sent her anything directly. He always gave it to her in person. Zhen Bao felt it wasn''t from Fu Mingshi. She changed into shoes to go out and went to pick up the package. The courier was stationed at the gate of A University. Zhen Bao found hers, it was arge box that had to be held with both hands. The sender on the waybill showed...


    Seeing the two characters "Hua Ting", Zhen Bao''s heart suddenly beat faster. She vaguely guessed what it might be.


    "Wow, such a big box!"


    Hearing Zhen Bao open the door, the three roommates looked towards the door at the same time. Jia Xiaoyu even crawled off the bed quickly.


    "What is it?" Qian Lele squeezed over to look.


    "I don''t know either." Zhen Bao put down the package and went to find scissors.


    "Hua Ting! Isn''t that your mother-inw''spany?" Fan Xuan screamed when she saw the courierpany information on the waybill.


    Zhen Bao gestured for her to be quiet.


    "It must be an evening gown!" Fan Xuan was extremely excited. Hua Ting mainly operated luxury evening dresses that ordinary people rarely bought since there were not many asions to wear them.


    Zhen Bao was also very excited. She carefully opened the package. Inside was a Hua Ting gift box. When she opened it, she saw a glimpse of white gauze. Zhen Bao confirmed that this was indeed the fairy dress she had worn for the photoshoot.


    "So ethereal..." When Fan Xuan held up the skirt, Qian Lele and Jia Xiaoyu were stunned, with stars in their eyes.


    Zhen Bao then noticed an unopened fashion magazine in the box with a famous celebrity who had be very popr in recent years on the cover.


    "It''s Ming Wei!" Qian Lele came over and saw the cover of the magazine, her eyes even brighter. She was Ming Wei''s diehard fan and her screensaver was Ming Wei.


    Zhen Bao handed the more excited roommate the magazine first.


    "Can I open it?" Qian Lele politely asked before taking action.


    Zhen Bao smiled and nodded.


    After unwrapping, Qian Lele first looked at the outer cover of the magazine and noticed that this was the new issue that would go on sale tomorrow. After appreciating Ming Wei''s style and reading the big headline introduction, Qian Lele was about to flip it open when she suddenly noticed a small headline: Zhen Bao, My Blessing.


    Guessing that this "Zhen Bao" was her roommate next to her, Qian Lele immediately flipped open the magazine and quickly found her familiar face behind Ming Wei and other well-known female stars and models. Looking at the photo of Zhen Bao dressed like a fairy descending to earth in a fairy dress, then at her roommate who was even more beautiful and ethereal because of the outfit, Qian Lele simply couldn''t peel her eyes away. She murmured, "Zhen Bao, you look so beautiful in this photo..."


    Zhen Bao hadn''t seen the final product yet and leaned over nervously. Jia Xiaoyu and Fan Xuan also temporarily put down the dress to form a circle of four heads, allowing those who could read to read the words and those who couldn''t to just look at the photos.


    Zhen Bao''s fairy dress was an off-the-shoulder long white skirt with romantic chiffon flowers decorating the hem, with the concept of "Sleeping Beauty". There were two photos in total. In the left photo, Zhen Baoy t in a tree house full of natural atmosphere. A man in a suit stood at the bedside, leaning over to kiss her lips, really kissing her with his lips pressed against Zhen Bao''s. Zhen Bao looked as if she had been awakened by the prince, opening her eyes with a gaze as clear and pure as a child''s.


    In the right photo, Zhen Bao stood on the streets of a big city, her eyes full of curiosity about the new world, while her hand was held by a man''s big hand. But this time only the man''s arm was shown, the focus was entirely on Zhen Bao and the fairy dress.


    But from the side profile in the first photo, it was not difficult to recognize that the man was Fu Mingshi.


    "Did you two take the back door? Not enough PDA in daily life so you have to show off in your mother-inw''s magazine?" Fan Xuan gently shook Zhen Bao''s arm while her eyes were still on the photos and interview below. The interviewer was Hua Ting''s editor and the interviewee... Fu Mingshi.


    No wonder the title was "Zhen Bao, My Blessing".


    "Chairman Fu is so romantic." Jia Xiaoyu hugged Zhen Bao''s other arm, her heart melting.


    Zhen Bao''s whole body melted. She had thought Fu Mingshi was just apanying her for the photoshoot. She didn''t expect Fu Mingshi to also write apanying text specially. Reading those words Fu Mingshi used to describe her in front of her roommates, Zhen Bao was shy and embarrassed. She went around to look at the dress instead.


    Qian Lele gently bumped Jia Xiaoyu, then pointed to thest paragraph.


    Jia Xiaoyu cooperated seamlessly and cleared her throat. Using the tone of the interviewer, she asked, "If you had to describe Zhen Bao in one sentence, how would Chairman Fu portray her?"


    Zhen Bao''s movements stopped for a moment and she secretly pricked up her ears.


    Qian Lele followed up, "She is my... Eh, how do you pronounce this word? I don''t even recognize it."


    Zhen Baoughed. Qian Lele was just pretending, even a middle schooler would recognize that word.


    "You don''t even recognize this word, how did you pass the CET-4 exam? Fu said Zhen Bao is his angel. Angels in Chinese is pronounced ''tian shi'', so Chairman Fu said Zhen Bao is his ''tian shi''." Jia Xiaoyu deliberately misinterpreted it, emphasizing the "shi" character heavily.


    The girls had finished eating the dog food. They put down the magazine and came over to interrogate Zhen Bao: "When did you shoot this? Was it wedding rehearsal before you got married?"


    "No, mother said the model they found before wasn''t very suitable, so she asked me toe audition. Then they just took the photos. I didn''t know about the other arrangements," Zhen Bao exined with a red face. Fu Mingshi was really... he didn''t give her any news at all, just pretended to casually ask if Feng Ke had given herpensation for the photoshoot.


    Thinking of that joke, Zhen Bao was startled. Was this dress something Feng Ke sincerely wanted to give her, or did Fu Mingshi pester him aboutpensation? If it was thetter, it would be too embarrassing.


    Grabbing her phone, Zhen Bao went out to the balcony to call Fu Mingshi.


    It rang three times and just as Zhen Bao remembered it should be early morning in Paris and was about to hang up, the call connected. Fu Mingshi''s slightly hoarse voice came through, "Missing me?"


    Having disturbed his sleep, Zhen Bao felt quite embarrassed. Her voice was much softer, "It''s nothing, go back to sleep."


    "I''m awake already, what is it?" Fu Mingshi rubbed his eyes and waited quietly. Zhen Bao looked delicate and dependent, but she was actually very independent. She wouldn''t call him just to chat. As long as she took the initiative to contact him, there must be an issue, although asionally it would be a silly question like "Is this turtle cute?".


    Since he was not sleeping, Zhen Bao pouted and said, "Auntie just sent me a dress, the one I took a photo with. It wasn''t the one you asked from Auntie, right?"


    Fu Ming Shiughed with his eyes closed, "Your fianc¨¦ is not poor enough to ask his mom for clothes yet."


    Zhen Bao breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Silly Bao, do you miss me?"


    Zhen Bao bit her lip, "You''re the silly one. Don''t say anymore, I''m going to study."


    Unable to stand Fu Ming Shi''s teasing and ambiguous tone, Zhen Bao decisively ended the call and went back to her dorm room, where her roommates urged her to try on the dress and show them.


    The next day, the new issue of Huating Magazine hit the stands. At noon, Qian LeLe sent her a screenshot showing the magazine''s interview with Ming Wei gaining a lot of attention online, while Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi''s section was also being widely shared. Unlike when she first became known in her freshman year, Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi were now considered a model couple. Most of thements were blessings and praises, withizens envying her good fortune in having such a nice mother-inw.


    Seeing the photo of her future mother-inw Feng Ke''s elegant pose, Zhen Bao felt a warmth in her heart. Meeting Fu Ming Shi was also her blessing.


    On the third tost day of the National Day holiday, Fu Ming Shi returned from abroad and went straight to Zhen Bao''s school to pick her up.


    Zhen Bao also brought the dress with her. These expensive clothes and essories useless at school, she would bring back to the vi.


    Once in the car, Zhen Bao turned to the page with them and asked him, "Was it your idea to propose this feature?"


    Fu Ming Shi nodded, his dark eyes fixed on her, debating whether to kiss her first in the car or speed to the vi and kiss her thoroughly upstairs.


    "What made you think of it?" He looked at her ardently. Zhen Bao lowered her head shyly and asked in a small voice.


    "It just came to me when I saw your photoshoot." Fu Ming Shi started the car, not daring to look at her further, or he''d want her right there.


    His pheromones were too strong. Zhen Bao also kept silent, heart racing erratically.


    Half an hourter, the car pulled into the vi garage. As Zhen Bao reached to unbuckle her seatbelt, Fu Ming Shi suddenly grabbed her. She turned and he was already upon her, one hand holding her head to kiss her deeply. After a short separation, reunited lovers grew even fonder.


    The two stayed in the garage for over half an hour beforeposedly getting out of the car. Fu Ming Shi looked neat as ever, while Zhen Bao''s cheap coat was badly rumpled, barely concealing what transpired. Considerately, Auntie Wang pretended to know nothing and only greeted them briefly before leaving to work.


    "It''s all your fault," Zhen Baoined in a small voice, terribly embarrassed.


    "You can me me again," Hoisting her easily onto his shoulder with one arm, Fu Ming Shi carried his fianc¨¦e upstairs briskly, gift box tossed aside. Once in the room, he made straight for the bed... The cramped car left him unsatisfied.


    By the time Fu Ming Shi was finally satisfied, Zhen Bao was utterly spent.


    "You can wear that dress to the group''s year-end g this year," he told her, kissing her shoulder as he held her from behind.


    Zhen Bao blinked in confusion and looked back at him. What year-end g?


    Fu Ming Shi kissed her eyes, holding her hand to exin, "It''s time I bring you to more events, to meet more people, so you''re not strangers with everyone at our wedding banquet next year."


    Before, she had been a student, but from now on, he would bring Zhen Bao to various asions to gain experience and meet people, as his fianc¨¦e.

 Chapter 59: 059

    <h4>Chapter 59</h4>


    On the penultimate Friday before the annual leave, Shengzhi Group held its annual meeting at a certain stadium as scheduled.


    Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi left from the vi. On the way, they received a WeChat message from Jia Xiao Yu saying that she was already there.


    The annual meetings ofrge conglomerates like Shengzhi usually invite some popr celebrities, with excitement levelsparable to concerts. With inside information provided by Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao had already grasped who the guests Shengzhi Group had invited for this annual meeting, including their dormitory''s collective "husband." Sharing joy with others is better than enjoying it alone, so Zhen Bao asked Fu Ming Shi if she could invite three dorm mates toe along. Fu Ming Shi was very generous, "As long as you want, you can invite the students from your entire college."


    Zhen Bao didn''t want to make a big fuss, she just got three tickets for her dorm mates, pretty good seats close to the front.


    The stadium was just up ahead, brightly lit. Zhen Bao suddenly started feeling nervous.


    This was the first time she apanied Fu Ming Shi to a big event.


    Fu Ming Shi casually held her hand, her small hand white and delicate, silky smooth. Her palm was a little sweaty. Fu Ming Shi smiled and nced at the driver. He leaned toward Zhen Bao and said softly, "Are there a lot of pets at the hospital registration counter? Try imagining the people you''ll seeter as pets."


    Whoparespany employees to pets?


    Zhen Bao deliberately said, "Then are you the boss of the pets?"


    The corners of Fu Ming Shi''s lips turned up. As he spoke, his warm lips asionally grazed her reddish earlobes. "So who does Miss Zhen think I resemble as a pet?"


    Hearing his low, ambiguous voice, Zhen Bao''s heartstrings were suddenly plucked.


    She did have an experience once of seeing a pet that made her think of Fu Ming Shi.


    It was a retired police dog, a German Shepherd, brought to the hospital by its owner. Working at a pet hospital, Zhen Bao had seen almost all breeds of dogs, but that German Shepherd called Hei Feng left the deepest impression on her. Hei Feng''s fur was glossy, tall and mighty looking, very intimidating. But at the hospital it behaved aloof and restrained, obediently following its owner. A waiting room cat boldly reached out a paw to touch it, and Hei Feng only tilted its head to look, then continued crouching, unmoved by external things.


    But at that time Zhen Bao inexplicably felt that Hei Feng was very gentle.


    Just like Fu Ming Shi, both cold and handsome yet patient, gentle like a spring breeze when he wanted to be.


    Zhen Bao turned her head and smiled out the window.


    "What are you smiling about?" Fu Ming Shi leaned over to see her face, guessing she had found a pet to correspond to him.


    Zhen Bao looked at him and cautiously said, "You promised not to get angry."


    Fu Ming Shi nodded.


    Zhen Bao looked at him again. She took out her phone, blocked it with her hand, and searched for a photo of a German Shepherd to show him.


    Fu Ming Shi lowered his head to look at the phone. Zhen Bao curiously watched his face, and saw Fu Ming Shi smile, a particrly bright smile, smiling like the Big Bad Wolf standing outside Little Red Riding Hood''s door...


    "You told me to say it." Zhen Bao snatched back her phone, but couldn''t help smiling at the corners of her mouth.


    Fu Ming Shi gently patted her thigh. He didn''t say anything.


    The car stopped. Fu Ming Shi told Zhen Bao not to move, he would get out first ande around to get her. The car door opened and Fu Ming Shi leaned down, reaching out to help her. "Mrs. De, please."


    Mrs. De, Mrs. German Shepherd...


    He was petty, but Zhen Bao had to stifle herughter as she got out. The moment she stepped out, she forgot about the reporters outside, forgot that she would soon be meeting Shengzhi Group''s top bosses with Fu Ming Shi. All she saw was Fu Ming Shi standing outside the car, her German Shepherd husband.


    She looked up at him, her gaze meeting his. Her sweet, moving smile was perfectly captured by the cameras.


    The annual meeting would start in half an hour. Fu Ming Shi first took Zhen Bao to the VIP lounge, where his future father-inw and Shengzhi''s Chairman Fu Zheng had already arrived. Seeing his son looking sharp in a tailored suit and his beautiful, innocent daughter-inw, Fu Zheng couldn''t help showing a heartfelt smile.


    Following the Chairman''s gaze, the executives also looked over. Seeing Zhen Bao, they were stunned for a few seconds.


    The entertainment industry had all kinds of beauties, sexy, innocent, charming, and aloof. Zhen Bao was undoubtedly ssified as innocent, butpared to other innocent beauties, Zhen Bao''s innocence was more natural, like an unparalleled orchid blossoming in a secluded valley, only just unearthed by Fu Ming Shi.


    With so many pairs of eyes staring at her at once, Zhen Bao felt like she was about to forget how to walk.


    Fu Ming Shi bent down slightly and asked her, "Does my dad look like a German Shepherd too?"


    Zhen Bao couldn''t helpughing, lighting up the whole room.


    The others felt that Fu Ming Shi must have whispered some sweet nothings to make his fianceeugh like that. They could never have guessed that their steady, stern Chairman Fu had beenpared to a pet by Fu Ming Shi.


    With Fu Ming Shi''s joking around, Zhen Bao rxed a little. She followed closely beside Fu Ming Shi, greeting people one by one. This one was called Uncle, that one was Li, and gradually it wasn''t Fu Ming Shi leading her anymore, but othersing up to chat with her.


    The lights were dazzling. There was suddenly somemotion at the entrance.


    Zhen Bao peeked over and immediately caught sight of her dormitory''s celebrity "husband." Likewise dressed in a suit, he was even more handsome than on TV. Zhen Bao ogled him, stars in her eyes. She was hesitating whether or not to ask for his autograph like she had discussed with her roommates earlier. But her line of sight was suddenly blocked.


    Zhen Bao looked up.


    Fu Ming Shi was staring at her.


    Zhen Bao smiled awkwardly.


    Fu Ming Shi also smiled, gently reminding her, "What''s the German Shepherd''s full name?"


    Zhen Bao nked for a moment, then the German Shepherd''s full name immediately popped into her mind: German Shepherd Dog.


    So Fu Ming Shi was reminding her that this sheep shouldn''t hope to break through the German Shepherd''s watch?


    "You can ask for his autograph." To make sure his fianc¨¦e didn''t leave empty-handed, considerate Fu Ming Shi suggestedpensation. Zhen Bao turned her head and saw an actor with poprityparable to the "celebrity husband''s." But this actor went the funny, humorous route, with looks that Fu Ming Shi felt very reassured about.


    What could Fu Ming Shi do about Zhen Bao? But she also really liked that actor, happily going to ask for an autograph.


    The half hour passed in a sh. It was time for the executives and guests to enter the venue.


    Walking into the venue arm in arm with Fu Ming Shi, facing tens of thousands of employees, Zhen Bao''s heart pounded wildly. Her feet felt like they were treading on cotton. Fortunately Fu Ming Shi firmly supported her by her side. They were all just people, but Zhen Bao couldn''t find where her roommates were sitting in the sea of heads. In a daze she let Fu Ming Shi lead her to the front row center seats.


    It would soon be Fu Ming Shi''s turn to give a speech.


    Only now did Fu Ming Shi let go of Zhen Bao''s little hand. He tilted his head for her not to be nervous, then headed towards the stage. The man''s tailored suit outlined his straight, slender figure. Zhen Bao watched him closely. When Fu Ming Shi reached the center of the stage and turned to face the audience, hearing the thunderous apuse of tens of thousands of employees and seeing Fu Ming Shi''s unruffledposure, Zhen Bao realized for the first time his different charm.


    This man who had money and talent belonged to her.


    At this moment, even if that celebrity husband walked past naked in front of her, he couldn''t draw her gaze away from Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi talked about thepany''s performance that year. Zhen Bao didn''t know much about the Fu family business, but it was Fu Ming Shi speaking. Zhen Bao listened raptly, more attentive than when listening to university lectures. When Fu Ming Shi finished and came down, Zhen Bao only pretended to look elsewhere.


    "Listening so attentively, interested ining to work at thepany?" As soon as he sat down, Fu Ming Shi started teasing her.


    Zhen Bao''s ears grew hot. She asked incredulously, "You could see me?"


    "I should say, I only saw you." Holding her hand, Fu Ming Shi''s eyes were bright. "Everyone else was a pet."


    Zhen Bao secretly patted the back of his hand.


    The performances and prize draws were interleaved. Soon it was the second tost performance, called "See Who Can Kneel at the Keyboard." The host exined it very humorously, but it was actually a game testing couple''s tacit understanding. There were 5 couples, married or dating, participating. Each couple represented two numbers, thest two digits of the audience''s seat numbers. The huge year-end grand prize would be randomly selected from the numbers represented by the winning couple - two million cash!


    Zhen Bao''s eyes widened. The grand prize was so much!


    "Feel bad? Next year you can decide the year-end bonuses." Fu Ming Shi said with augh.


    Zhen Bao quickly shook her head. If it were really up to her, Shengzhi''s employees would surely cry with her perspective.


    While they were whispering, the host on stage suddenly said in bewilderment, "That''s not right, Chairman Li, Chairman Liu, Chairman Zhang, Chairman Gao, that''s only four couples. We''re still missing one pair! Could they be hiding? Everyone please help look for the fifth couple!"


    As soon as he finished speaking, the audience responded in unison: "Chairman Fu! Chairman Fu! Chairman Fu!"


    Zhen Bao''s heart nearly stopped. Chairman Fu, could it be...


    "Come on, Mom hasn''t arrived yet," Fu Ming Shi had already turned to face her, bending down and smiling at her.


    "Zhen Bao, do your best! I''m number 5!" Jia Xiao Yu''s loud voice suddenly came from an angle behind them. Zhen Bao instinctively turned her head back, but with so many people, she didn''t see her roommate. Fortunately, with Jia Xiao Yu''s interjection, Zhen Bao''s fleeing spirit was pulled back. Bracing herself, she let Fu Ming Shi take her hand and slowly stepped onto the stage.


    They were the youngest couple among the senior executives and their wives. Because of Jia Xiao Yu''s loud shout, Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi were now standing in the third couple''s spot, separated by a divider. ording to the host''s questions, they wrote down their answers on the answer boards.


    Zhen Bao stared nervously at the answer board, not daring to look down.


    "Please look at the big screen. The questions are all previously submitted by everyone. I''ll count to three: one, two, three...stop!"


    "Okay, first question. Please write down what the woman was doing when you first met. Hmm, this question seems to favor Mr. Fu more since Chairman Gao and the others are old married couples and their memories are a bit distant."


    Zhen Bao''s face turned red as she thought for a moment before raising her hand to write.


    Fu Ming Shi wrote directly.


    When time was up, Zhen Bao had written "herding geese" while Fu Ming Shi''s answer was "herding geese in the bamboo forest, walking the dog."


    Only three couples had gotten it right.


    "Second question, where was your first kiss?"


    Both Zhen Bao and Fu Ming Shi answered the dorm building''s parking garage.


    "Third question, gentlemen, boldly guess which of your features is the woman''s favorite!"


    This time Zhen Bao hesitated. Fu Ming Shi was handsome in every aspect. If she had to pick a favorite, it would be his eyes?


    She answered hesitantly, and Fu Ming Shi alsocked confidence, but they still luckily guessed right.


    "Fourth question. Hmm, this is hard. What''s the gentleman''s favorite actress?"


    Zhen Bao was stumped. Fu Ming Shi didn''t seem to follow celebrities...


    The countdown started and Zhen Bao randomly guessed one from a movie they''d watched together: Scarlett Johansson.


    However, Fu Ming Shi''s answer was: Zhen Bao.


    Hearing the host read out the answer, Zhen Bao wished she could flee. She wasn''t a celebrity.


    "Miss Zhen, I''d like to ask on Mr. Fu''s behalf, why did you think Mr. Fu''s favorite actress was Scarlett Johansson? Our Mr. Fu clearly loves you the most." Amidst warm apuse, the host walked over with a smile and asked Zhen Bao.


    While imagining Fu Ming Shi''s expression next door, Zhen Bao awkwardly exined, "Actually, I don''t know which celebrity he likes. We happened to watch a Scarlett Johansson movie a few days ago. I was too nervous just now and could only think of that name."


    The host nodded and went around to interview Fu Ming Shi. "Mr. Fu, is there anything you''d like to say to Miss Zhen?"


    Zhen Bao strained to eavesdrop.


    Fu Ming Shi''s meaningful voice came from next door. "Focus on answering the next question. We''ll settle ounts when we get home."


    Settling ounts - ordinary words that took on suggestive implications between a couple.


    Zhen Bao turned to the answer board as if nothing had happened, her face burning red amidst another round of teasing cheers.


    The author has something to say: Ah, Iid in bed all day today with a toothache after handing out too much candy yesterday.


    Wahh, I''m going to eat first and send out the red packets for this chapterter!

 Chapter 60: 060

    <h4>Chapter 60</h4>


    Test of Marital Understanding -- The Final Question


    The five couples silently waited for the final question as the host turned his back to the rolling big screen, finished counting down from three, then loudly shouted "Stop!" After reading the question on the screen, the hostughed, "If the previous question was a pit that the gentlemen dug for themselves, then this question is an olive branch from thedies. Alright, please have the five beautifuldies write down the most touching thing their partner has done for them. Gentlemen, please try your best to think back and recall a time when you moved her."


    Compared to the previous teasing and funny program, the answers to this question would undoubtedly be heartwarming.


    The music turned soft and melodious. As Zhen Bao looked at the answer board, scenes of her time spent with Fu Ming Shi shed through her mind. It seemed like he was always touching her, considerately helping her with her seatbelt, hiring a tutor to help her get into college, bringing her water during military training...


    Which one was the most touching?


    If she had to choose just one, Zhen Bao suddenly felt like she didn''t have enough time.


    The host walked among the couples, timely reminding them, "Everyone, don''t worry. You have three minutes to think about this question. Rest assured, the 2 million grand prize is in your hands. Everyone is patiently waiting, right?"


    The audience responded with enthusiastic apuse.


    Three minutes could be very long or very short. When all the couples had finished writing, the host asked them to turn around their answer boards and walk out in order of their numbers, with the first couple standing in the middle. The man would first tell the woman his answer, then the woman would say the moment she found most touching.


    It was both a confession and a trip down memoryne.


    In this kind of atmosphere, Zhen Bao forgot her nervousness about going on stage. Gripping her answer board, she secretly nced at Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi was also looking at her. Meeting her gaze, he gave her a faint smile, his bright ck eyes more dazzling than all the lights in the gym.


    Zhen Bao smiled and lowered her eyes. She felt Fu Ming Shi probably couldn''t guess her answer, but even if they weren''t in sync for this question, she was already very happy.


    "The most touching moment for me was when I was four months pregnant with Tao Tao. You came home from work and showed me two baby outfits, asking if I liked them." The speaker was Li Zong''s wife, a woman nearing forty, slightly plump, who dabbed at her eyes as she spoke.


    Li Zong looked at his wife in surprise, not having guessed her answer.


    The host asked Mrs. Li why such a small matter moved her so much. Choking back tears, Mrs. Li said, "He was busy with work. During my first three months of pregnancy, he never properly apanied me. I thought he didn''t like children, but then..."


    She didn''t finish her sentence before Li Zong came over and embraced his wife. The audience responded with apuse.


    Zhen Bao was also moved by Mrs. Li''s words, watching her intently until the host called out the second couple. Only then did she realize it was her and Fu Ming Shi''s turn to go on stage. Her cheeks flushed crimson instantly. Nervous, Zhen Bao wanted to lower her head but was afraid Fu Ming Shi''s employees wouldugh at her for seeming petty. So she silently psyched herself up: We''re all pets...


    "Mr. Fu, please go ahead." The host handed the microphone to Fu Ming Shi.


    But instead of bluntly reading his answer like the two bosses before him, Fu Ming Shi took step by step towards Zhen Bao, shortening the distance between them from six steps to two. Then, facing the audience, he said, "The men have gone first so far, so let me switch it up with Zhen Bao. I want to hear her answer first."


    "Great!"


    The audience was fully supportive.


    Fu Ming Shi smiled and passed the microphone to Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao grew even more nervous. Squeezing the microphone, not daring to look at Fu Ming Shi, she softly read off her answer board, "What...what touched me most...was when you came to the mountain to get me...and gave me a home."


    Her voice grew lower and lower, but thest six words were amplified through the microphone, gentle as flowers blooming in one''s heart, making people unconsciously soften and want to hug that girl who lived alone in a small mountain vige before she met love.


    But the audience was too far away to hug her. They could only look on enviously at the man named Fu Ming Shi as he stepped forward and lightly embraced his girl, bending down to kiss the top of her head. Apuse rose in waves, each louder than thest. Still holding Zhen Bao, Fu Ming Shi tilted his head to smile at her. Foolish girl, she was crying as expected.


    Only when the apuse died down did Fu Ming Shi slowly let go of Zhen Bao.


    Zhen Bao turned her head to wipe her eyes, then shyly smiled at him, her big eyes still wet.


    Holding the microphone, Fu Ming Shi looked at Zhen Bao for a few seconds before turning to the employees below and joking, "First of all, those with thest digits 4 and 5 can give up hope. Zhen Bao and I didn''t get this question right, but I really like her answer. Soter, I''ll personally hold a raffle among you. The prize will be...it can''t overshadow the grand prize for the annual meeting, so it''ll be the grand prize amount minus one yuan."


    The two million grand prize, minus one yuan, that''s 1,999,999!


    As soon as Fu Ming Shi finished speaking, the audience members withst digits 4 and 5 stood up together, apuding and cheering. The atmosphere reached its peak for the annual meeting, and the apusested for a long time before gradually dying down.


    Only then did Fu Ming Shi turn to Zhen Bao, speaking into the microphone, "What I''m about to say next will probably move you even more."


    The tall, handsome man focused his gaze, his voice low and husky, seeming to confess his feelings yet also vaguely flirtatious. Zhen Bao''s face turned red and her heartbeat quickened. Thump thump thump. She looked at Fu Ming Shi apprehensively, unable to guess what he would say next with such confidence.


    Under her and the audience''s anticipation, Fu Ming Shi suddenly took a half step back, then smiled at her. At first he was looking down at her with his smile, but his body became lower and lower. Zhen Bao nkly chased his handsome face, btedly realizing that Fu Ming Shi was now down on one knee.


    "Zhen Bao, are you willing to marry me?"


    Setting down the microphone, Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao''s hand and asked in his natural voice, gazing steadily at her.


    On the drive to bring her to the capital, he had already started seeing her as his fianc¨¦e, and had continued addressing her that way. Now that they were truly in love, their engaged status naturally came about, but Fu Ming Shi remembered he had never formally proposed.


    He had originally nned to wait until her graduation, but tonight, circumstances had unexpectedly been just right. Seizing the moment, Fu Ming Shi threw ns aside and simply proposed on impulse.


    Apuse erupted from below once more. Yet in Zhen Bao''s eyes, there was only the kneeling man. She knew Fu Ming Shi liked her a lot, knew he would definitely marry her, and even felt they were already engaged and didn''t need to go through this formal ritual.


    But Fu Ming Shi looked so handsome proposing. She couldn''t help the blossoming of joy in her heart. The word "happy" was like fireworks weing the new year, lit by him beforepeting to bloom in her heart, brilliant and magnificent.


    Just as Zhen Bao was dizzy with delight, unsure of how to respond, she suddenly felt a great force on her hand. Before she could react, Fu Ming Shi had already pulled her into his arms, hugging her fiercely yet kissing her gently, just a light touch. And as he drew back, he whispered low in her ear, "We''ll continue this when we get home."


    Zhen Bao''s face flushed red. She couldn''t help wanting to hide behind Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the side, leaving the center open for the next two couples.


    After five touching moments, the long-awaited lottery finally arrived.


    The first was thepany raffle. A tall, thin young employee won the grand prize. The second time, Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao''s hand as they went on stage for her to draw a ticket. At the moment of the reveal, Zhen Bao seemed to hear Jia Xiao Yu''s excited scream, but Jia Xiao Yu''s luck wasn''t great. The winner was a refined, schrly uncle.


    With that, the Sh¨¨ngsh¨¬ Group''s annual meeting came to a sessful close.


    The senior executives still had a banquet, so Zhen Bao continued apanying Fu Ming Shi at the reception. It was past 10pm when the two finally left the hotel.


    The nightscape of the imperial capital was splendid and bustling. The driver was in front driving the car while the two of them sat in the back. Fu Ming Shi had been drinking and his palm felt fiery hot. Zhen Bao looked at their sped hands and secretly turned her head, only to meet Fu Ming Shi''s increasingly bright ck eyes.


    Zhen Bao quickly avoided his gaze.


    Fu Ming Shi squeezed her hand and continued enduring.


    The car stopped in front of the vi. Zhen Bao wanted to get off but Fu Ming Shi still didn''t allow her to move. He walked around to get her himself. Zhen Bao smiled secretly - this man must be drunk. Otherwise there was no need to show off like this for the reporters. Fu Ming Shi was usually happy for them to get off the car separately. Who was he trying to act like a gentleman for?


    However, when the car door opened from the outside and she saw Fu Ming Shi''s gentlemanly manner, Zhen Bao still felt sweet inside.


    Just as she was savoring the sweet feeling, she was suddenly picked up by Fu Ming Shi in a princess carry.


    Zhen Bao was startled for a moment before stabilizing herself. She asked him uneasily, "Can you walk steadily?"


    She was worried he was drunk and it would be dangerous climbing the stairs.


    "Don''t underestimate me," Fu Ming Shi said while grabbing her butt.


    A gentleman one second and a rogue the next. His actions and gaze were full of roguishness.


    Yet it made one feel strangely stirred.


    Zhen Bao blushed and leaned against Fu Ming Shi''s shoulder. As Fu Ming Shi approached the stairs, she still couldn''t help but advise him, "Walk slowly."


    Fu Ming Shi gave a low hmm in response.


    Zhen Bao was on tenterhooks, counting his steps one by one. Fu Ming Shi''s pace was about the same as usual. After climbing the first and second floor, they reached the middle of the third floor. Zhen Bao finally felt assured, but Fu Ming Shi suddenly staggered, scaring Zhen Bao so much that she hugged his neck tightly, breaking out in cold sweat!


    From above her head came the man''s delightedughter.


    Still feeling the lingering fear, Zhen Bao pinched his chest in anger. That was not how to y a trick on someone!


    "That''s what you get for not believing me," Fu Ming Shi said in a teaching tone after taking the final step and walking forward a few more steps.


    She was his most precious treasure. Even if he fell, he would not let her get hurt.


    After entering the room, Zhen Bao wanted to turn on the lights but Fu Ming Shi turned around instead, skillfully changing their position until he was face to face with Zhen Bao, pressing her against the wall. The room was pitch ck and he reeked of alcohol, but Zhen Bao liked Fu Ming Shi''s scent right now. As his lips pressed against hers, she held his face and tangled her lips and tongue with his.


    "Happy?" After the long kiss ended, Fu Ming Shi asked, pressing his forehead against hers.


    Zhen Bao nodded. "Mm."


    "Too bad I didn''t prepare a ring or roses," Fu Ming Shi said a little regretfully. Acting on impulse was never good.


    Zhen Bao smiled and put her arms around his neck, saying gently, "Having you is enough."


    She didn''t need a ring or roses. For the proposal, what she wanted most was him.


    "You''ve learned to sweet talk now," Fu Ming Shi said. Switching to hold her with one arm, his right hand slowly moved towards her dress zipper, abruptly changing the topic, "I remember you seemed to have gotten a question wrong tonight?"


    Zhen Bao''s body tensed up, not knowing if it was because of his tone of settling past scores after autumn or because of where his hand was stroking.


    "What do you think your punishment should be?"


    In the dark room, the man whispered this in her ear happily yet huskily.


    Author''s note: Hehe, little vixens, tell me, how should I punish you!

 Chapter 61: 061

    <h4>Chapter 61</h4>


    Not long after the annual meeting was over, Spring Festival arrived.


    Before the festival, Fu Mingshi apanied Zhen Bao back to her hometown to pay respects to several of Zhen''s elders. They stayed there for two nights, then rushed back to the capital city to spend New Year''s Eve at the Fu family courtyard house.


    During the reunion dinner, Old Master Fu smilingly asked the young couple, "When are you nning to have a child?"


    The old master''s question was natural, but Zhen Bao blushed and lowered her head to eat dumplings, pretending not to hear.


    Fu Mingshi coughed and said to Zhen Bao, "We''re getting married in June. We should have good news this year."


    Old Master Fu understood - his grandson nned to have a child after the wedding banquet. Dissatisfied, he held up his fingers to calcte for the young couple: "Many people get pregnant first and then hold the wedding feast. You two can prepare starting in April. Zhen Bao will only be two or three months along at the wedding, it won''t affect wearing the wedding dress."


    The old master was eager to hold his great-grandchild after the New Year.


    Zhen Bao was too shy to reject her elder''s wishes. She hoped Fu Mingshi would exin that she still had to prepare for her graduation defense, but instead, Fu Mingshi just smiled without saying anything, seeming to agree with the old master. Zhen Bao started to panic. That night when Fu Mingshi pressed down on her, she pushed against his shoulders and asked, "You don''t really want to try in April, right?"


    Without using protection?


    Fu Mingshi wasn''t in that much of a hurry. He grasped her hand and raised it above her head, lowering his head to kiss her. "We''ll talk about the honeymoonter."


    Zhen Bao breathed a sigh of relief.


    Fu Mingshi chuckled to himself. The old master''s n was too rushed. He wanted Zhen Bao to happily prepare for the wedding. Getting pregnant early would make Zhen Bao worried about the child while busy with graduation. He couldn''t bear to do that to her.


    After New Year''s, school started up again. For graduating fifth-year students, the next half year flew by faster than flowing water.


    In the blink of an eye, the school notifications came telling graduates to leave campus on time...


    How heartless.


    Zhen Bao and her three roommates all sessfully passed their graduation defenses.


    Jia Xiaoyu and Qian Lele had already found jobs. Beautiful rich girl Fan Xuan nned to travel abroad and find work after she returned. On thest night before leaving campus, the four women went out for a big meal then returned to the dormitory to fantasize about life after school.


    "Zhen Bao is the biggest winner - graduating and immediately marrying into a wealthy family. Wemoners are so envious!" Jia Xiaoyu hugged Zhen Bao and shouted, "Oh right, are you still going to work at the hospital before the wedding?"


    Zhen Bao shook her head. "There''s still a lot to do before the wedding. I told the hospital I''d start working in August."


    "You''re so silly. Chairman Fu is so rich, what do you need to work for? Just stay home and be a wealthy madam!" Fan Xuan looked at Zhen Bao like she was an alien.


    Zhen Bao just smiled. Being idle every day would be so boring, she still needed something to do.


    "Let us know when you try on your wedding dress. Remember to send pics!" Qian Lele said longingly.


    Zhen Bao nodded. If she wasn''t going abroad to try on gowns, she would definitely invite her roommates to apany her.


    Chatting about Zhen Bao''s wedding and their hopes for work and love, it wasn''t until after one in the morning that the four finally went to bed with dry mouths and tongues.


    The next day, Jia Xiaoyu was the first to leave campus. Qian Lele and Fan Xuan had also just about finished moving all their things out. Zhen Bao saw each of her roommates off, then waited in the empty dorm room for Fu Mingshi. Unable to settle her heart, looking around the dorm she had lived in for a full five years, Zhen Bao suddenly felt a rush of nostalgia.


    Someone knocked on the door.


    Zhen Bao couldn''t help but smile. She went to the door and softly asked, "Who is it?"


    "Your husband," came the low, attractive male voice from outside.


    Zhen Bao sweetly opened the dorm door a crack.


    Fu Mingshi eagerly squeezed inside from the opening to hug Zhen Bao against the door, leaning down to kiss her.


    Five years - he had waited five full years.


    Five years ago, he had personally brought Zhen Bao to move into this dorm. Now, he could finally take her out to live with him forever, as the mistress of all his properties.


    "All packed up?"


    "Mm."


    "Good, let''s go home now."

 Chapter 62: The Finale

    <h4>Chapter 62</h4>


    Zhen Bao graduated, and Fu Ming Shi immediately took her to fly around Europe.


    The two would hold their wedding in a castle in the UK. Before that, Fu Ming Shi first apanied Zhen Bao to Rome to try on wedding dresses.


    Zhen Bao''s wedding dress was very fairy-like, with a long white romantic train flowing behind her likeke water. Looking at herself in the mirror, even Zhen Bao felt as if she had be a different person. Thinking of her groom-to-be waiting outside, Zhen Bao suddenly had an urge for him to see her, for him to see her in a wedding dress as soon as possible.


    It is said that a woman is most beautiful when wearing a wedding dress. Zhen Bao couldn''t wait to see the look of amazement in his eyes. Fu Ming Shi was quite patient. When Zhen Bao finished trying on the wedding dress and came out, Fu Ming Shi walked over with a smile and held out his arm for her. Looking at her flushed face, he asked, "Does it fit well?"


    Zhen Bao nodded. It fit very well, making her chest appear even more full. She was too shy to even look at herself.


    "It must look beautiful," Fu Ming Shi said softly next to her ear.


    Zhen Bao shook her phone teasingly, "I took pictures, do you want to see them first?"


    Fu Ming Shi held her hand and brought it to his face, lightly pecking it. His dark eyes looked at her affectionately, "Wait a little longer."


    After trying on the wedding dress, Fu Ming Shi took Zhen Bao for a stroll around Rome. Zhen Bao loved taking pictures. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Piazza di Spagna - she was like a vige girling to the city for the first time, curious about everything, tirelessly shuttling between attractions. When she saw buildings or reliefs she liked, she would turn around with a smile, looking at Fu Ming Shi with her pure, limpid eyes, a hint of shyness in them.


    After taking so many pictures, would Fu Ming Shi find her too narcissistic?


    How could Fu Ming Shi think that? Gazing at the girl who belonged to him through the lens, Fu Ming Shi only felt that she was beautiful.


    On the way to the Trevi Fountain at dusk, it suddenly started drizzling, with signs that it would get heavier. Some people hurriedly started running, while others chose to stroll leisurely in the rain. Zhen Bao really wanted to make it to the fountain, but she was worried that Fu Ming Shi would get sick. Unlike her, Fu Ming Shi was a pampered young master. If he got sick...


    "Let''s head back too?" Tilting her head up, Zhen Bao suggested in a small voice.


    The fine raindrops fell on her fair face, like peach blossoms in the rain. Her pink lips were telling him to go back to the hotel, but her misty eyes were full of longing for the fountain. Fu Ming Shi stroked her forehead and asked temptingly, "Don''t you think this rain is very romantic?"


    Zhen Baoughed happily, standing on her tiptoes.


    Fu Ming Shi skillfully put his arm around her waist and brought her into his embrace, lowering his head to kiss her deeply. The soft rain kept falling on their faces, a little bit cool, but the kiss was hot. As the raindrops fell on them, it unintentionally created a halo of mist, automatically blocking the passersby.


    Without an umbre, the two held hands and walked to the Trevi Fountain.


    Zhen Bao looked at what others were doing, then took the coin Fu Ming Shi handed to her. She turned around, back facing the fountain, closed her eyes and threw her coin into the water, silently making a wish. At this moment, she was the most devout believer of the gods. Fu Ming Shi forgot to take out his camera to take a photo of her, but watched her intently, imprinting this in his memory.


    Her wish fulfilled, worried that Zhen Bao would catch a cold, Fu Ming Shi pulled her and ran towards their hotel.


    Zhen Bao kept smiling the entire time, even when they got back to the hotel, both drenched. Fu Ming Shi took off his shirt and draped it over Zhen Bao to cover up her impressive figure, while also blocking the amazed gazes of other men. Realizing she had unintentionally revealed herself, Zhen Bao''s face turned an even deeper red. She awkwardly leaned into Fu Ming Shi''s embrace as he supported her into the elevator.


    The light rain had turned into heavy rain, the pattering sounding cozypared to the tranquil guest room.


    But Fu Ming Shi''s heart was exceptionally restless. As soon as they entered the room, he pressed the thoroughly drenched Zhen Bao against the door, showering her face and neck with scorching kisses while hurriedly tearing off her rain-soaked clothes along with his own. Though Zhen Bao had felt a little cold earlier, Fu Ming Shi heated her up in less than a minute.


    In a daze, her legs were suddenly lifted up. Due to their great height difference, he could only lift her up to get his way.


    "Um..." Zhen Bao put her arms around his neck and softly reminded him, her cheeks flushed.


    "No need." Fu Ming Shi''s eyes were dark as he deeply thrust in before she could finish speaking.


    Zhen Bao held on tightly to his shoulders.


    He was like the most robust diator in the Colosseum, just as intense with her as he would be with a beast. His one-sided suppression continued from the hallway to the living room, then from the living room to the bedroom. The sound of rain was clear. Carrying her, he came to the floor-to-ceiling window. The luxurious curtains blocked the heavy rain outside, also hiding the raging fire within the guest room.


    With the final thrust, Zhen Bao heard Fu Ming Shi let out a heavy muffled groan, like an emperor staking his im over her.


    Utterly charming.


    Zhen Bao invited three roommates to be her bridesmaids. Their ne tickets and meals were sponsored by Fu Ming Shi.


    To Zhen Bao, her roommates were like family seeing her off as a bride. Hearing Jia Xiao Yu and the other two chattering excitedly, she felt both thrilled and reassured. After putting on the wedding dress and veil, Zhen Bao''s face was rosy, her eyes like water.


    "Zhen Bao, you and Mr. Fu must find happiness! I already love the dog food between you two and want to keep eating it for a lifetime!" Jia Xiao Yu was the first toe over and hug her.


    Zhen Bao smiled.


    Qian LeLe was next, hugging her tightly, "Zhen Bao you look so beautiful! I wish you and Mr. Fu a hundred years of happiness. Ah, I forgot the words, anyway, you must be happy! Have a little bun soon!"


    Zhen Bao nodded vigorously.


    Fan Xuan came overst, also hugging Zhen Bao. Her voice was mature and calm as always, "Zhen Bao, remember you are the pride of our dorm. Mr. Fu is fortunate to be able to marry you. In the future if he dares mistreat you, just tell us three and we''ll back you up."


    Zhen Bao''s eyes turned moist. She gave a nasal uh-huh.


    The bride was about to make her entrance.


    In the church, on the red carpet, Fu Ming Shi finally saw his bride walking towards him step by step in her pure white wedding dress. Those slow steps were like they were stepping on his heart - thump thump, beating faster and faster. His whole body''s blood was moring.


    The exchange of vows, the exchange of rings, and finally he could kiss the bride. Fu Ming Shi stared at Zhen Bao through the diaphanous veil until it waspletely moved to the back of her head. Looking into Zhen Bao''s moist, vibrant eyes, Fu Ming Shi could wait no longer. He stepped forward, pulled her into his arms, and eagerly kissed her crimson lips.


    He kissed her for a very, very long time, and the apuse of friends and family alsosted a very, very long time.


    From now on, he was Mr. Fu, and she was Mrs. Fu.


    After the wedding was the honeymoon. Fu Ming Shi handedpany matters to his dad and had a full month to spend with his new wife after already taking half a month off before the wedding.


    Zhen Bao thoroughly learned what "fiery passion" meant, with Fu Ming Shi paying the "taxes" at least once a day on average throughout the honeymoon - business he conducted whether she was willing or not. The honeymoon was ending tomorrow and they would be returning to Beijing. After boating on the river tonight, Fu Ming Shi pressed her onto the bed again.


    Zhen Bao did not oppose, she weed it in fact, but her chest felt ufortable tonight. It hurt when Fu Ming Shi touched her there.


    She pushed away his hand that unconsciously caressed her again.


    Fu Ming Shi also noticed something off. Seeing his wife single-handedly protecting her chest, he suddenly thought of a question. Perfectly masking the nervousness and anticipation in his eyes with desire, he asked, "Is your monthly periodte?"


    Zhen Bao was startled. Her mind started recounting - thest one came at the end of May before graduation. June was spent preparing for the wedding and honeymoon, and she had been too blissfully happy that she forgot about her monthly visitor. But it was already July 25th. Her period which normally came at the end of June was nearly a monthte.


    "Wait here." Fu Ming Shi kissed her face and swiftly left the big bed, got dressed, and went out.


    Zhen Bao vaguely guessed what Fu Ming Shi was going to do. She felt a little nk. Could it really be so fast?


    But Fu Ming Shi had stopped using protection before the wedding. It was possible...


    Zhen Bao was nervous and also feltpletely lost. Sitting up in bed waiting for Fu Ming Shi to return, she started searching for rted information. Just as she was utterly confused by what she read, Fu Ming Shi swiftly came back holding a shopping bag that looked to contain at least ten boxes.


    "Go try them." Fu Ming Shi sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze even more gentle, even hugging her more carefully than before.


    Zhen Bao hadplicated feelings as she took out a box and opened the packaging.


    Fu Ming Shi had already studied how to use them on the way back. He taught her what to do.


    Zhen Bao didn''t want to discuss this with him. She pursed her lips and went to the bathroom after tearing open three packages.


    Fu Ming Shi instinctively followed her to the door. His left hand leaned against the door she had closed, while his right hand alternately clenched and rxed into a fist. The faint sound of water could be heard from inside. Fu Ming Shi clenched his fist even tighter, but Zhen Bao felt extremely awkward, guessing that Fu Ming Shi must be standing guard outside the door.


    After getting ready, Zhen Bao followed the instructions, but before she could drip the second pregnancy test strip after dropping the first one, two red lines had already appeared on the first one, and the color was getting darker and darker. Zhen Bao was at a loss, her heart racing. Unwilling to give up, she dripped the other two brands of pregnancy test strips, but they both showed two lines!


    Zhen Bao lowered her head and looked at the total of six lines. She couldn''t believe it as she touched her belly.


    She got pregnant right after her honeymoon?


    "Feng Bao, open the door." Hearing no sound, Fu Ming Shi''s prided patience copsed with a rumble, and he called out impatiently as he knocked on the door.


    Zhen Bao nced at those six lines again,plex emotions on her face. She went to open the door.


    There was probably a new life in her belly now. It couldn''t be described by just simple joy, especially since the pregnant woman had just graduated and had no psychological preparation at all, let alone any specific ns regarding children.


    The door opened. Fu Ming Shi looked at Zhen Bao first. "Is it positive?"


    When she met his expectant eyes, Zhen Bao''s heart suddenly beat faster and her face turned red too.


    Fu Ming Shi was no longer a little girl just out of campus. His feelings for her had been mature from the start. He liked her and wanted to be with her, to kiss her, sleep with her, marry her and have children. The old master had been urging him to have a child. Even without the urging of his elders, Fu Ming Shi had long looked forward to having a child with Zhen Bao. Therefore, when Zhen Bao showed a shy appearance, Fu Ming Shi immediately hugged her excitedly!


    The man was too happy. Zhen Bao''s mood also soared, but she still leaned against his chest and said, "Let''s go back and get it checked at the hospital. The test may not be urate."


    Fu Ming Shi didn''t know what to say. He just kept kissing her. They were joyful kisses, pure beyondpare.


    The two returned to the bed. The father-to-be''s tion had swept away Fu Ming Shi''s previous desires. He let Zhen Bao lie down, and he knelt by her side. He would touch Zhen Bao''s still t belly from time to time, and at other times he would lower his head to kiss her. Even ancestors wouldn''t get this kind of treatment. Zhen Bao saw Fu Ming Shi reveal such a childish side for the first time. She couldn''t help butugh, "You want to be a dad so much?"


    Fu Ming Shi tilted his head to look at her, then put her nightgown back down, and hugged his wife back into his arms. He kissed her little face and said, "I only want to be the father of your child."


    He and Zhen Bao had been living together for a long time. Apart from the legal and nominal rtionship, getting married didn¡¯t make much difference to their lives. But now that Zhen Bao was carrying their child, Fu Ming Shi suddenly had a sense of settled assurance, as if only now could he be certain that Zhen Bao had really married him, and there would no longer be any uncertain factors.


    Warmth filled his entire body. Fu Ming Shi kissed Zhen Bao again, and praised her softly, "You''re so capable."


    Zhen Bao''s ears turned red. Who''s the capable one? It was obviously because he had been so diligent in providing.


    After returning home, Fu Ming Shi took Zhen Bao to the hospital for an examination. Indeed, she was pregnant, already six weeks along.


    After getting in the car, the driver drove while Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao''s hand with one hand and held up his phone in the other to call his elders and give them the good news. Fu Ming Shi was already thirty-three this year. Having his first child at this age was not toote, but it was definitely not considered early either. Compared to when Fu''s father became a father at neen and Fu Zheng at twenty-five, Fu Ming Shi was naturally thest.


    Coincidentally, Fu Zheng and Feng Ke were both in the capital city, so the five of them gathered for dinner that night.


    Old Master Fuughed gleefully. How wonderful! Next year would be his nieth birthday, and the fourth generation of his family would also have an addition.


    ¡°Rest at home and nurture the fetus first. If you¡¯re bored next year after your confinement month, you can go back to work at the hospital.¡± Even though she didn¡¯t show it like Old Master Fu, Feng Ke still expressed some concern to her daughter-inw as a soon-to-be grandmother. Hospitals were too tiring, and this was Zhen Bao¡¯s first pregnancy, so she had no experience at all. Feng Ke felt uneasy.


    Zhen Bao nodded. Fu Ming Shi had said the same thing on the way back. Having just gotten pregnant, Zhen Bao did feel a little flustered. Fortunately, the hospital director had told her she could report to work whenever she wanted and to not worry. Zhen Bao wasn''t stupid. She guessed the director was giving Fu Ming Shi face, and probably also assumed that she wouldn''t go back to work in the future, but would instead focus on being a wealthy madame.


    But Zhen Bao had confidence in her own professional skills. It wouldn''t be toote to go back to work hard after giving birth.


    And so Zhen Bao obediently stayed at the vi to nurture the fetus.


    Fu Ming Shi had work, so to prevent his daughter-inw from getting bored alone, Old Master Fu moved in to live there too, and he brought the ck Labrador he had raised in America. Now there were ckie the dog, ckie the Lab, and Moon the cat in the vi, plus Old Master Fu and Auntie Wang to chat and y cards with during the day to entertain her. And at night she had Fu Ming Shi to whisper sweet nothings and be intimate. Her besties would alsoe over to apany her on weekends. Zhen Bao spent her pregnancy days quitefortably.


    Her expected due date was March 16.


    Zhen Bao went intobor two dayste. It was still very cold in Beijing in March, but the delivery room was warm like spring. Old Master Fu, Feng Ke and Fu Zheng apanied her for a bit before going outside to wait, leaving Fu Ming Shi to stay with his wife and talk to her. Zhen Bao''s stomach ached in waves, sweat kept flowing down her face and being wiped away, only to flow again. Fu Ming Shi held her hand and looked at his wife''s now rounded, chubby face. Although he was very nervous himself, he had to appear calm for her sake.


    "Scared?" He continued to wipe her sweat for her.


    Zhen Bao had always been an honest good child. She nodded apprehensively.


    "It''s okay. We''re all waiting for you outside. The doctors here are the best. It''ll be over soon." Fu Ming Shi lowered his body sympathetically yet encouragingly. Pregnancy was arduous. Whenever he saw Zhen Bao walking around with her big belly, Fu Ming Shi would be extremely anxious, afraid she might have an ident. And he would never forget those few nights when Zhen Bao had cried in his arms about her fears.


    "Actually, I prepared a gift for you. After your confinement month, I''ll take you to see it." He tempted her alluringly, kissing the corner of her mouth.


    "Tell me what it is first." Zhen Bao was extremely curious.


    Fu Ming Shi stroked her cute little nose yfully and said in a teasing tone, "You give me a child first, then I''ll give you the gift in return."


    Zhen Bao was impatient. She pleaded in a small voice, "Can you at least give me a hint?"


    Fu Ming Shi thought for a moment, then smiled. He kissed her lightly, then drew back. He indulgently stroked the corner of her eye. "Did you get the hint?"


    Zhen Bao blinked nkly. Could it be a gift rted to kissing?


    While she was guessing, it was time.


    Zhen Bao looked longingly at Fu Ming Shi, reluctant to see him leave, but Fu Ming Shi had no choice. He whispered three words into her ear before reluctantly leaving. Zhen Bao watched him go until he was out of sight, but her heart felt sweet, because of Fu Ming Shi''s cheesy "I love you."


    She loved him too, and their child.


    Zhen Bao had arrived at the hospital in the morning, and at eight o''clock in the evening, she gave birth to a six-pound baby boy. Zhen Bao was as fair as snow, and Fu Ming Shi was also a handsome man with fair skin. Fu Baby had inherited the good genes of his parents. He was fair and clean, with alert big ck eyes that were clearly inherited from Zhen Bao, clear and limpid.


    Apart from the eyes, the other features resembled Fu Ming Shi more.


    As for personality...


    What kind of personality can you discern in a newborn? Fu Baby would eat until full then sleep, and upon waking continue to eat. When he was in a good mood he would move his little hands and feet on his own. asionally his ck grape-like eyes would stare at you, and his little mouth would also open in a smile. Zhen Bao was overjoyed. On the other side, Feng Ke immediately poured cold water on that, saying a baby this young still couldn''t see people.


    But Zhen Bao still loved it. As long as the baby was spirited, she would have the nanny bring her son over to hold and kiss him.


    On Fu Baby''s one month celebration, the Fu family held a big banquet. Zhen Bao took a nice bath, then Fu Ming Shi carried their son while she held onto his arm as they went out to greet the guests. Zhen Bao had just given birth, so her face was still a little chubby, and her chest was more bulging. As the husband and wife walked side by side, Fu Ming Shi''s elbow inadvertently bumped his wife several times.


    Once or twice could be idental, but when it happened many times...


    Zhen Bao looked up at Fu Ming Shi.


    Fu Ming Shi looked straight ahead, but the corners of his mouth contained a hint of a wicked smile.


    However, for Zhen Bao''s health, Fu Ming Shi waited another half month before pressing his wife onto the bed and ravishing her in various ways all night. A long drought meets sweet rain, Zhen Bao''s body and heart were numb and tingling as shey on Fu Ming Shi''s chest, her ear against his heartbeat. She suddenly remembered and looked up to ask him, "Didn''t you say you had a gift for me?"


    Fu Ming Shi squeezed her shoulder and smiled, "I''ll give it to you tomorrow."


    Zhen Bao thought he was being mysterious, but still nestled in his arms and fell asleep.


    Fu Ming Shi was true to his word. The next day he handed their son over to his grandfather and the nanny to look after. Fu Ming Shi then took Zhen Bao out in the car, driving for about fifteen minutes before stopping and taking out a blindfold he had prepared in advance to put on Zhen Bao, acting very mysteriously. Zhen Bao had no idea what was going on and could only be led along blindly by Fu Ming Shi.


    After walking about a hundred meters, Fu Ming Shi moved behind her and took off her blindfold.


    Zhen Bao opened her eyes. Once they had adjusted to the brightness outside, the first thing she saw right in front of her was a shop front. The exterior was decorated in a fresh apple green theme, and the interior was spacious, bright and cozily furnished - clearly a newly opened pet hospital. The doors were locked, and Zhen Bao instinctively looked up, surprised to see that this pet hospital was called "Zhen Bao".


    "Do you like it?" Fu Ming Shi hugged her from behind, and slipped the key to the shop into her hand.


    His gift was this entire pet hospital?


    Zhen Bao was shocked speechless.


    Fu Ming Shi rested his chin on the top of her head, looking at the hospital, "The vice president, doctors, nurses and other staff have all signed contracts. They''re all elites I poached from other big hospitals. Starting tomorrow, the hospital can officially open for business. When you get bored as the president, you cane help out at the hospital anytime. If you want to spend more time with our child and me, you can also ask for time off anytime without worrying what anyone thinks."


    He hoped she could live a carefree life, and do whatever she wished. Giving her a pet hospital was the best arrangement.


    "Do you like it?" Fu Ming Shi moved in front of her, searching her expression.


    Zhen Bao did like the gift, but her professional skills were still only at a beginner level. How was she qualified to be the president?


    She told Fu Ming Shi the truth.


    Fu Ming Shi heaved a long sigh of relief. If Zhen Bao was still wary of his money at this point, he really would have been angry.


    "You''re not qualified now, but with your learning ability, you could be in your own right by the time you''re thirty," Fu Ming Shi said with a smile.


    Zhen Bao understood. Fu Ming Shi had given her the hospital, but how to run the hospital, improving her own experience, gaining the trust of employees and public opinion - that would be up to her own efforts. He had only given her adder; how high she climbed would depend on herself from now on.


    "Thank you, I really like it." Hooking her arms around Fu Ming Shi''s neck, Zhen Bao beamed brightly.


    He wanted to provide for her, but also respected her interests - this was Fu Ming Shi, always thoughtful and considerate.


    The man curled his lips in a roguish smile, "I''m more interested in how you''ll repay me."


    Zhen Bao gave him a light smack, but was caught by Fu Ming Shi who pulled her in for a kiss.


    (End of novel excerpt)


    The author has a message: Ah ah ah, it''s finally finished! So happy!

 Chapter 63: Exclusivity

    <h4>Chapter 63</h4>


    As Fu Xiaobao grew day by day, Zhen Bao''s pet hospital business also grew steadily. The hospital wasn''t big, but the medical staff were amiable, the equipment was advanced, and the fees were reasonable, so it slowly earned a good reputation online. As the director, Zhen Bao paid a lot of attention to introducing new technologies and organized staff to go abroad for exchange every year.


    Tomorrow, Zhen Bao would be leaving for a five-day trip. The first person she was reluctant to leave was of course her son, and the second was the boy''s father.


    "Mom."


    She was picking out clothes to pack when her son suddenly called her from behind. Zhen Bao turned around to see her three-year-old son grinning at her, his dark, shiny eyes staring brightly at her from inside her open suitcase. Her son was so cute that Zhen Bao told him not to move while she put down her skirt, grabbed her phone and took pictures of him.


    Fu Xiaobao already knew how to pose cutely, smiling even more sweetly as he obediently let his mother take pictures.


    Zhen Bao casually sent the photos to Fu Ming Shi, then folded her skirt and squatted next to the suitcase to ask her son, "Does Xiaobao know what Mom is doing?"


    Fu Xiaobao patted the suitcase and crisply said, "Folding clothes, going out."


    "Such a good boy." Zhen Bao rewarded her son with a kiss, and continued asking, "Does Xiaobao know where Mom is going?"


    "America!" Fu Xiaobao was very smart and had memorized a lot of what his parents said.


    The little guy wriggled around in the suitcase, messing up the clothes Zhen Bao had just folded. But Zhen Bao wasn''t angry at all. She gently and softly said, "Yes, Mom is going to America to study. Mom won''t have time to take care of Xiaobao, so after Mom leaves, Xiaobao will let Dad put you to bed, okay?"


    Upon hearing this, the boy in the suitcase suddenly lost interest in the box. He looked up at his mother, staring nkly with his mouth open. As he kept looking, without any warning, he burst into tears, extremely aggrieved as he reached for his mother. Zhen Bao felt awful and immediately picked up her son, patting his back and coaxing him, "Don''t cry, Xiaobao. Mom will be back on Friday and bring you toys from America."


    "No, I want to go too!" Sobbing pitifully on his mother''s shoulder, Fu Xiaobao desperately wanted to stay with his mother.


    Zhen Bao really couldn''t bring her son conveniently, so she sat on the bed and exined patiently after he had cried for a while, "Does Xiaobao still remember Fluffy? Mom''s golden retriever at the hospital that you insisted on calling Fluffy?"


    Fu Xiaobao wiped his eyes and looked confused.


    Zhen Bao flipped through her phone''s photo album and showed her son.


    Fu Xiaobao stared at the photo, suddenly grabbed the phone, and shouted "Fluffy" while pointing at the golden retriever inside.


    Zhen Bao nodded, "That''s right, he''s Fluffy. He got sick, and Mom doesn''t have good enough skills to cure him, so Fluffy died. This time Mom is going to America to learn so that when other dogse to see the doctor, Mom will be able to cure them. Right?"


    Fu Xiaobao seemed to vaguely understand and nodded.


    Zhen Bao kissed her son and called out to Hei Dan. Within seconds, Hei Dan and Yue Liang came running in together. Yue Liang jumped right onto the bed and snuggled up to Zhen Bao, while Hei Dan crouched in front of Zhen Bao, staring nkly at his owner. Zhen Bao stroked Hei Dan''s big head and smiled as she gave her son a task, "Mom is going to school. Xiaobao, help Mom take care of Hei Dan and Yue Liang and make sure they don''t fight, okay?"


    Fu Xiaobao always listened to his mother and immediately nodded, even imitating scolding Hei Dan, "No fighting!"


    Hei Dan looked innocent, tilting his head, and suddenly licked the little master''s sock.


    Fu Xiaobao immediatelyughed, forgetting that his mother was leaving.


    But after getting through the daytime, it seemed the little guy remembered at night that his mother was leaving. He cried again before going to bed, and fell asleep still clutching his mother''s pajamas, refusing to let go. Zhen Bao leaned against the headboard, looking at her precious son, and really wanted to be impulsive for once and take her son abroad with her tomorrow.


    After showering, Fu Ming Shi came out and saw her reluctant appearance. His chest suddenly felt a little unpleasant. His wife was going away, and he had deliberatelye home early in the afternoon, but when he got home, his wife didn''t even look straight at him,pletely absorbed in their son. His status in this family was probably even lower than the cats and dogs.


    "Go to sleep early," Fu Ming Shi said, walking around to the other side of the bed, ready to take their son to his own little bed.


    Unwilling to part, Zhen Bao softly refused, "Let me hold him a little longer." She didn''t even lift her eyelids.


    Fu Ming Shi pursed his lips and climbed onto the bed. Hey with his back to his wife at first, but after only about three minutes, he slowly turned around, slipped under the covers, and hugged his wife''s legs. From outside the covers, one could only see his head moving around, like little Fu Xiaobao crawling around inside. But Zhen Bao knew what he was doing. Her heart, which had been captivated by her son, was now mostly snatched away by her husband''s tricks.


    "Alright, put Xiaobao in his bed," Zhen Bao said, kicking her legs a little.


    Having achieved his goal, Fu Ming Shiughed and lifted the covers, revealing a slightly flushed handsome face and starry dark eyes.


    From freshman year of college to now when their son was three, they had been together for eight or nine years, but every time she saw Fu Ming Shi like this, Zhen Bao''s heart would still race and flutter. While Fu Ming Shi went to put their son down, she quickly slipped under the covers.


    "You''re so reluctant to leave our son, don''t you feel reluctant to leave me at all?" Fu Ming Shi pressed down on his wife and asked after returning to bed.


    Zhen Bao deliberately said, "We''re an old married couple, what is there to be reluctant about?"


    "But I''m reluctant to leave you," Fu Ming Shi kissed the tip of her nose.


    Zhen Baoughed sweetly and hugged him. Though her mouth said she didn''t feel reluctant, she still lingered in his arms that night, craving his scent.


    The next day, Zhen Bao left before 6 AM. When she left, Fu Xiaobao was still not fully awake. After seeing his wife off, Fu Ming Shi came back and peeked in at his son. He picked up a magazine, leaned against the headboard and started reading. After flipping through a few pages, a few tender gurgling sounds came from the crib. Fu Ming Shi immediately put down the magazine and strode toward the crib.


    Fu Xiaobao''s big round eyes were open, and when he saw Dad, he grinned.


    "Good boy, Daddy will y with you today," Fu Ming Shi said. In public he was cold and steady, but at home he was just a young dad. He picked up his son and skillfully carried him to the bathroom to pee, wash his hands and face, and feed him milk.


    With his stomach full, Fu Xiaobao looked left and right but couldn''t find his mother. Anxious, he pointed at the door and called "Mama."


    "Mommy went to school to be an even better doctor," Fu Ming Shi said, carrying his son downstairs. Outwardly he looked calm but inside he was nervous, afraid his son would cry.


    Fu Xiaobao blinked his big eyes, his little face clouding over, but luckily he didn''t cry.


    "Let''s go, Daddy will take you to thepany," Fu Ming Shi said, taking the baby supplies prepared by the nanny and carrying his son to the back seat of his Mercedes-Benz.


    Fu Xiaobao loved his dad''s car. Every time he got in he would carefully look it over and touch it, asking nonstop with his little mouth, "Daddy, what''s this called?"


    "Car window," Fu Ming Shi patiently answered, tilting his body.


    The Mercedes-Benz soon arrived at thepany. Fu Ming Shi got out first, then carried out his son. He wore a ck suit while Fu Xiaobao wore a little white suit. Father and son, the father handsome, mature, serious, and the son cute, lovely, and innocent. As soon as they appeared, whether it was employees going in and out or passersby, everyone took pictures, loudly eximing how cute they were.


    "Dad, they''re taking pictures of me," Fu Xiaobao said, turning his head to tell his father.


    "Do you like them taking your picture?" Fu Ming Shi asked with a smile as he straightened his son''s little butterfly tie.


    Fu Xiaobao pursed his lips. "Not really, I only like taking pictures for Mom."


    "Then let''s go in so they can''t take pictures," Fu Ming Shi immediately entered thepany building.


    As the boss, ordinary employees were smitten by the little young master but could only admire from afar rather than run up and fuss over him. The senior management didn''t have such concerns. Seeing the bosse with his son, a female manager in her forties smiled as she came over to say hello. Fu Ming Shi was cold, but he didn''t dislike socializing. He stopped and taught his son to call her Auntie.


    Fu Xiaobao obediently did so, leaning on his father''s shoulder.


    The boy was so cute the female manager couldn''t help but tease him, "Xiaobao, does Auntie look pretty?"


    Fu Xiaobao stared at her for a while, then looked at his dad again. He slowly nodded.


    Female Manager: "So Auntie looks pretty, but does Mommy look prettier?"


    "Mommy!" Fu Xiaobao said without any hesitation, in a very loud voice, "My mommy is the most beautiful!"


    The female managerughed gleefully. She nodded at Boss Fu and hurriedly went on her way.


    That morning, Fu Ming Shi worked in his office while keeping his sonpany. After eating lunch, Fu Xiaobao got sleepy and started missing his mother, crying nonstop. Fu Ming Shi coaxed him for a long time to no avail. Having no other choice, he sent his son to stay with his grandmother. Upon seeing his fashionably dressed, beautiful grandmother, Fu Xiaobao finally stopped crying and obediently went to sleep.


    And so Fu Ming Shi stumbled along taking care of his five-year-old son by himself for five days.


    On Friday, Fu Ming Shi took his son to the airport to pick someone up.


    The arrival hall was crowded with people. Fu Ming Shi and his son, dressed neatly and handsomely, attracted quite a lot of attention. Some even mistook them for celebrities and watched them from a distance. Fu Ming Shi had an indifferent expression, while Fu Xiaobao''s big eyes were fixed on the exit. As he kept watching, he became upset: "Dad, why isn''t Mom here yet?"


    Fu Ming Shi squeezed his son''s little hand and gently coaxed: "She''ll be here soon."


    Fu Xiaobao pouted and turned to look again. Just then, he saw several people walk out from there, with his beautiful mother walking in the middle!


    "Mom!" Fu Xiaobao cried out happily, his chubby little body leaning forward as he kept calling for his mom.


    Carrying his son steadily, Fu Ming Shi''s eyes were full of smiles as he looked at his wife whom he hadn''t seen for days.


    Seeing her son and husband waiting for her, Zhen Bao couldn''t help quickening her pace.


    "Mom!" Fu Xiaobao threw himself into his mother''s arms, hugging her neck tightly, acting spoiled.


    Zhen Bao kissed him several times in a row. She was still kissing him when mother and son were suddenly enveloped in an embrace.


    Looking up in surprise, Zhen Bao saw Fu Ming Shi.


    Disregarding everyone around, Fu Ming Shi leaned down and kissed her, his lips brushing her hair as he said gently, "You finally came back."


    Zhen Bao smiled and snuggled against his chest with her son.


    With her husband and child waiting for her, how could she not return?


    Now that she was back, her world was whole again.


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