Vоlumе 1 Chaрtеr 23: Ноw Dаre Fu Jinghao
Тhе numbers on thе elevаtоr fliсkеrеd. Тhough it wаs оnlу the еighteеnth floor, Fu Нuаixu wishеd it cоuld gо fаster, еvеn fastеr.
“Ding—”
Тhе mоmеnt thе dоors оpеnеd, Fu Huaixu strodе out with his lоng legs, hurrуing until hе sооn spottеd the lonеlу littlе mushrоom сurled uр at the rеstаurаnt еntrаncе.
Driving from JX Grouр tо hеrе wоuld take at lеаst fоrty minutеs at thе fastest, but Fu Нuаiхu hаd pushed thе аccеleratоr sо hаrd it nеarlу smоked, barely making it in fifteen minutеs.
Yet, hе wаs still а littlе tоo lаte.
“Jiaojiаo.”
Нeаring the vоice, Jiang Xining looked up dazedly. Xingxing…
Holding her skirt, she sobbed and threw herself into Fu Huaixu’s arms. “Xingxing!”
Jiang Xining was dressed beautifully today, but also very lightly. Her shawl was still in Fu Jinghao’s car, and if it weren’t for the kind waiter who left her a scarf, she would have frozen into an ice block long ago.
Fu Huaixu quickly took off his coat and wrapped it around the girl, enveloping her in his warm body heat.
“Don’t be afraid, Jiaojiao. It’s me.”
“Wah…” Jiang Xining didn’t want to cry, but the moment she saw Fu Huaixu, the little unhappiness she felt was magnified ten thousand times.
She whimpered softly, her warm tears seeping through her fingers, piercing Fu Huaixu’s heart.
He was in agony, and furious.
How dare Fu Jinghao? He knew full well how terrified Jiaojiao was of being abandoned after her kidnapping—how could he leave her alone here?
Especially today, of all days—her birthday.
“Don’t be afraid, Jiaojiao. Xingxing is here. I’ve come to take you home.”
Her slender arms tightened around Fu Huaixu’s waist. Jiang Xining clutched the fabric of his back, crying so hard her whole body trembled.
It was as if a mushroom had spread its enormous cap, its mycelium extending and entwining, shielding the lonely little mushroom from all her sorrow.
Fu Huaixu gently comforted her, not a trace of impatience in him.
Only when Jiang Xining cried herself out did her sobs subside and she lifted her head. Unlike the disgust and fear in her dreams, the girl’s eyes were filled with trust.
Her eyes glistened with mist, tears sparkling like shattered crystals. “Xingxing…”
Fu Huaixu’s heart clenched. He reached out and gently wiped the remaining tears from the corners of her eyes, his tone so tender it could melt one to the bone. “You called for me, Jiaojiao, so I came. This isn’t a dream.”
“Don’t cry anymore. I’ll take you home.”
Her dense lashes were damp and clumped together from the tears. Jiang Xining’s nose was red. “Mm.”
…
Fu Huaixu’s villa, where he lived alone, had no butler or servants.
The decor was exquisite, with even the carpets fluffy—nothing like the residence of a grown man living by himself.
Fu Huaixu settled Jiang Xining into the soft sofa and said gently, “You’ll catch a cold if you get chilled. I’ll go draw a bath for you. You should soak in hot water first.”
Jiang Xining wrinkled her nose, looking pitiful. “Xingxing, don’t go…”
“I won’t go. This is my home—where would I go?”
Fu Huaixu crouched before the girl, his heart swelling with emotion, his voice growing even softer. “Count to five minutes, Jiaojiao. I’ll be back soon.”
“Alright…” Jiang Xining finally relented, but her gaze still lingered on Fu Huaixu’s retreating figure.
Four minutes and forty-five seconds, forty-six seconds…
Before the five minutes were up, Fu Huaixu reappeared, bending down to pick Jiang Xining up without any hesitation.
Jiang Xining wrapped her arms around his neck, delighted. “Xingxing, you didn’t lie!”
He said five minutes, and he truly came back.
Not like Dou Dou…Thinking of Fu Jinghao, Jiang Xining’s mood sank a little lower. She felt Dou Dou wasn’t that great anymore.
He had urgent matters—she could understand that and wouldn’t force him to stay with her. But why did he have to scold her for being unreasonable?
Noticing the girl’s distraction, Fu Huaixu’s eyes darkened for a moment.
In his arms, was she still thinking of someone else?
“Xingxing…”
Even as jealousy gnawed at him, Fu Huaixu’s tone remained steady and gentle. “Mm.”
“I don’t want to marry Dou Dou anymore…” Jiang Xining leaned against his solid chest, biting her lip as she said sadly, “I told him I had something to do and needed to go back early. Dou Dou said it wasn’t urgent, but then he ended up scolding me and leaving me there alone. I don’t want to like him anymore.”
From childhood till now, no one had ever scolded her like that.
One thought leads to heaven, another to hell.
Fu Huaixu’s fingers trembled slightly, his voice hoarse with suppressed emotion. “If Jiaojiao doesn’t like it, then don’t.”
“Huh?” Jiang Xining felt there was something odd about his tone. She looked up and, under the bright bathroom light, finally saw Fu Huaixu’s pale complexion and the unusually lonely look in his eyes.
“Xingxing, are you sick?”
Jiang Xining’s soft fingers touched Fu Huaixu’s forehead, and she couldn’t help but gasp softly. “Ouch, it’s so hot…”
“You’re sick!” Her earlier sadness was immediately forgotten. Flustered, Jiang Xining cupped his face but didn’t know what to do.
Fu Huaixu gently set Jiang Xining down, removed the earring dangling from her fair earlobe, and slowly closed it in his palm.
“It’s just a minor cold. I’ll be fine soon.”
Jiang Xining frowned deeply, her worry evident. “Go take your medicine right away! You need medicine to get better!”
After preparing her pajamas and other necessities, Fu Huaixu finally responded. “Your clothes are here, and the shower gel—”
“I know!” Jiang Xiao couldn’t wait for him to finish and anxiously pushed him out of the bathroom. “Go take your medicine right now! I’ll check on you later!”
Fu Huaixu chuckled softly, his voice low and tender. “Jiaojiao is so fierce…”
Jiang Xining retorted fiercely, “If you don’t listen, I’ll be even fiercer.”
“Alright, I’ll take the medicine. Jiaojiao, go take your bath now.”
With a soft “thud,” the bathroom door closed firmly in front of him. Fu Huaixu watched it and smiled gently.
But he didn’t go downstairs immediately. Instead, he leaned against the second-floor railing and dialed Jiang Xinjuan’s number.
Afterward, Fu Huaixu turned and opened the door to the innermost room at the corner.
Anyone who saw it would surely be amazed by the decor, which resembled a museum display of curated collections. Two rows of transparent display cases held boxes of various sizes, exquisitely packaged—enough to show the preparer’s meticulous care.
This was something Fu Huaixu had arranged long ago.
Even if he were to die unexpectedly someday, Jiaojiao’s birthday gifts would still reach her until she turned a hundred.
…
Warm water enveloped Jiang Xining, gradually warming her cold limbs. But as she looked around the unfamiliar environment, she still felt an inexplicable sense of panic.
Was Xingxing still here? Would he leave too?
“Xingxing…”
Her voice was soft and tentative, but almost as soon as she spoke, Fu Huaixu’s voice came from outside. “I’m here.”
“Take your time, Jiaojiao. I’ll always be here.”
Only then did Jiang Xining feel at ease. Xingxing wasn’t like Dou Dou.
He would never lose his temper with her, and he would never abandon her.The water temperature was just right, and even the shower gel had the scent of freesia she loved. Jiang Xining happily began lathering up, completely unaware that some water had splashed out.
Fu Huaixu was still waiting outside the door, thinking that the little girl probably wouldn’t be so upset once she saw the birthday gift.
Suddenly, a loud “bang” echoed from the bathroom.
“Jiaojiao—” Fu Huaixu’s expression instantly changed, his voice tense. “Did you fall or bump into something?”
Jiang Xining’s voice rang out urgently, “Xingxing, my pants got tangled up, hurry and help me!”