Vоlumе 1 Сhapter 11: Тhе One I’vе Alwaуs Lоvеd Is Yоu
Еlsеwherе.
Su Qiаnхun resistеd the еmbracе, hеr tonе cоld.
“Jinghао, we brоkе up lоng аgо.”
Shе glаnсеd at thе rosеs in Fu Jinghаo’s hand. “You’re аbout tо get еngаgеd. Тhese аren’t aррrорriatе, nor shоuld they bе givеn tо аnоther wоman.”
That саlm rаtiоnаlity was just like bеfоrе.
Fu Jinghaо felt аs if he had bееn trаnsрorted bасk six yеars, when hе hаd рrеssed hеr, аsking, “Which is more important, yоur dreаms оr him?” Withоut thе slightеst hesitаtion, she had turnеd and gоne аbroаd.
Six years had left no trace on her. Her features were serene, her temperament outstanding. At just 26, she had earned the title of “medical genius,” shining even brighter than before.
In truth, marrying him could have brought her the same achievements and status she had now, yet she had chosen the most difficult path.
Fu Jinghao tightened his grip on the flowers. “You know, the one I’ve always loved in my heart is you…”
“That’s all in the past.”
Su Qianxun picked up her suitcase and walked past him. “Love can’t put food on the table. I won’t dwell on the past, and I hope you won’t either.”
Her indifferent demeanor was exactly as Fu Jinghao had imagined it all these years.
Back then, he couldn’t stop her, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t now.
He grabbed Su Qianxun’s hand. “All these years, you left without a word, never asking or caring. Your parents, your younger brother—I’ve been the one taking care of them. A-Xun, do you think you can dismiss me with just a ‘that’s in the past’?”
A faint crack appeared in Su Qianxun’s calm expression.
She paused and scoffed. “Parents? Younger brother? Parents who sell their daughter? A younger brother who leeches off his sister? Do they even deserve that title?”
Su Qianxun’s tone grew sharp. “What right do you have to ‘take care’ of them? In what capacity? You should know how much I despise the Su family. Yet you secretly supported them—did you want me to feel grateful?”
Su Qianxun was two years older than Fu Jinghao, his senior in university and the acknowledged campus goddess of A University, a top-tier institution in City B.
Her looks, personality, and abilities fulfilled all the so-called “big boys’” fantasies of their ideal partner.
Only her family background was shameful, essentially summarized as a gambling-addicted father, a son-obsessed mother, a useless younger brother, and a broken her.
“I’m sorry, A-Xun, I misspoke…”
Fu Jinghao withdrew his hand, regretful. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought, no matter how flawed they are, they’re still your blood relatives. I wanted to help look after them a little, to avoid gossip.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I don’t need that kind of help.”
Su Qianxun said, “If you still remember how I was back then, don’t play the ‘saint,’ and don’t come looking for me.”
Before Fu Jinghao could say more, Su Qianxun added, “I recall your girlfriend is the second daughter of the Jiang family. She’s pure-hearted and a perfect match for you. Don’t let her down.”
“Jiao Jiao…” Mentioning Jiang Xining stirred a mix of complicated emotions in Fu Jinghao, making him feel as if a heavy stone were pressing on his heart, suffocating and inescapable.
“I only see her as a younger sister. This engagement was arranged by my grandfather. I don’t…”
He didn’t know how to finish the sentence.
His feelings toward Jiao Jiao weren’t the vulgar kind of romantic affection, yet he didn’t want her to marry anyone else either. With her temperament, she would be bullied no matter who she married.
Su Qianxun asked, “Did you tell her you were coming to see me alone today?”
“…No.”Hearing this response, Su Qianxun didn’t even feel like getting angry anymore. “You’re still exactly the same as you were back then.”
With those words, Su Qianxun picked up her suitcase and left the airport without a moment’s hesitation.
Fu Jinghao watched her departing figure, the rose hanging limply at his side, reflecting the utter dejection on his face.
…
Evening, Yuqian Pavilion.
Having not accompanied her to the airport that morning, Fu Jinghao knew that given Jiang Xining’s spoiled nature, she was bound to throw a bit of a tantrum.
So for the evening banquet, he went early to make arrangements. “Don’t serve any seafood with suckers like squid or octopus, and don’t put cilantro in the dishes. Jiaojiao doesn’t like it.”
“All noted, Young Master Fu. You’re so considerate, remembering your girlfriend’s dietary preferences so clearly.”
Fu Jinghao was a regular here, spending a considerable amount each year, so the manager naturally flattered him carefully.
“With a handsome and wealthy boyfriend like you, many women would laugh in their dreams.”
Fu Jinghao’s expression froze for a moment.
Such a simple truth, even outsiders understood it, yet she didn’t.
Fu Jinghao waved the manager away and then waited at his seat.
The hour hand gradually approached eight. Old Master Fu and the Jiang family arrived one after another. Fu Jinghao lifted the corner of his lips and hurried out to greet them, but he stiffened abruptly upon seeing the person beside Jiang Xining.
“Uncle, why are you here too?”
The Fu family never took Fu Huaixu seriously. Influenced by this and Jiang Xining’s excessive closeness to him, Fu Jinghao’s tone was somewhat stiff.
He had clearly told her not to invite outsiders, yet she still brought him.
How many of his words could she actually remember?
Fu Jinghao’s smile was quite forced, but mindful of the day’s main event, he didn’t show any obvious loss of composure.
“Uncle, you should have said you were coming earlier. We didn’t prepare an extra seat.”
Fu Huaixu smiled indifferently. “It’s fine.”
Jiang Xining, oblivious, raised her hand and chimed in, “Xingxing can sit with me! This chair is very wide!”
“Naughty, still acting like you’re playing house as kids,” Qin Wan chuckled. “Jiaojiao is just joking.”
Old Master Fu laughed heartily. “Just add a seat, it’s no trouble.”
Once the seat was added, everyone took their places.
Jiang Xining sat with Fu Jinghao on her left and Fu Huaixu on her right—a rather clever seating arrangement.
“You haven’t returned to the country in years, Jinghao, but you’ve grown even more handsome.”
Fu Jinghao, dressed in a sharp suit, was the first to raise his glass, speaking modestly. “Aunt, you flatter me. Today, there was an urgent matter at the company, so I missed picking you and Uncle up at the airport. That was my fault.”
Jiang Lin teased, “Now you make it sound like your aunt and uncle are petty.”
“We’ve watched Jinghao grow up. Work comes first; how could we blame you?”
“Even though my future father-in-law and mother-in-law are magnanimous, I, as your future son-in-law, cannot let it slide. Today, I’ll finish this glass as an apology.”
With that, Fu Jinghao tilted his head back and drained the wine in one go, his Adam’s apple bobbing smoothly, showcasing his decisiveness.
Jiang Xining listened to these polite, repetitive exchanges, her eyes filled with confusion.
“Xingxing, what are they talking about?” She gently tugged at Fu Huaixu’s sleeve and whispered.
Fu Huaixu leaned slightly toward her and said softly, “It’s not important. Jiaojiao doesn’t need to understand.”
“Then can I start eating?”
Having eaten lunch early, Jiang Xining was already hungry, her eyes sparkling with little stars at the sight of the table full of delicious dishes.Fu Huaixu’s gaze softened as he used serving chopsticks to place a piece of spare ribs onto her plate. “Take your time, be careful—it’s hot.”
“Phew~” Jiang Xining lifted it up, blew on it for a couple of seconds, then couldn’t wait to stuff it into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out like a little squirrel’s.
“Wow, this is so good! Xingxing, you should have some too!”
“Okay.”
The two whispered and leaned close, their heads almost touching, looking exactly like those mischievous, puppy-love couples in class back in their school days.