“It’s fine,” Cheng Zhili said with a smile. “Reinhardt protected me.”
Fu Laiying let out a sigh of relief. He glanced at Reinhardt awkwardly and said, “Thanks.”
Reinhardt shrugged.
Fu Laiying turned to Cheng Zhili, his expression darkening. “Was it the Cheng Family?” he asked. He had already learned from the police station that the driver was acting under someone’s orders.
“I suspect so, but there’s no evidence. The police said they would investigate further,” Cheng Zhili replied.
“Alright.” Fu Laiying nodded, his face grim and heavy with worry.
He hadn’t expected the Cheng Family to be so ruthless. It hadn’t been long, and they were already targeting Cheng Zhili again. Did they really think so little of the Fu Family?
Fu Laiying, his face still stern, asked, “Do you want me to assign more bodyguards to you?”
“No need. Reinhardt alone can handle everything.” Cheng Zhili smiled suddenly. “Is the General Manager so concerned about me?”
Fu Laiying frowned, looking at him inexplicably. “Isn’t it natural for me to care about you?”
“Why?” Cheng Zhili pressed.
“Because you’re my spouse,” Fu Laiying answered without a change in expression, though his earlobes turned slightly red.
“And then?”
“That’s it.” Fu Laiying replied matter-of-factly.
Cheng Zhili feigned disappointment. “That’s all…”
Fu Laiying felt a bit guilty but pretended to be calm as he raised an eyebrow. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just fulfilling my duty.”
“Alright then, I was quite moved and thought of rewarding you with a kiss.” Cheng Zhili said, licking his lips playfully.
Fu Laiying was momentarily stunned.
Cheng Zhili chuckled. “I’m tired, let’s go home.”
“Oh…” Fu Laiying responded absentmindedly.
The three of them got into the car.
When they returned home, Wenxiu and Fu Zheng immediately approached with concern, only stopping after Cheng Zhili reassured them.
Cheng Zhili truly felt exhausted this time. After all, he was now expecting, and his energy and stamina were limited. So, Fu Laiying followed him to the room. As soon as they entered, Cheng Zhili turned his back to him, struggling to remove his dirty T-shirt, revealing his slender waist.
Fu Laiying couldn’t look away.
Cheng Zhili suddenly turned his head.
Fu Laiying instinctively wanted to look away, but then thought it would make him seem guilty, so he forced himself to maintain a cold expression while staring at Cheng Zhili.
Cheng Zhili laughed.
He tossed the T-shirt on the floor, kicked off his shoes, and walked over with a smile, curling his lips. “Why is the General Manager staring at me? I’m so scared~”
Fu Laiying replied seriously, “Where else should I look if not at you?”
“At the sky, the ground, the stars?” Cheng Zhili chuckled.
Fu Laiying pursed his lips.
Cheng Zhili’s smile widened. He raised his hand and flicked Fu Laiying’s cheek with his fingertip. “Or are you waiting for my reward?”
Fu Laiying lowered his eyes, his dark pupils reflecting Cheng Zhili’s teasing face.
He didn’t say a word, as if silently agreeing.
Cheng Zhili lifted his chin and leaned closer.
Fu Laiying immediately held his breath, not moving a muscle.
Their distance gradually closed, and Fu Laiying’s breathing became cautious.
Cheng Zhili’s lips curled as he brushed past Fu Laiying’s lips. “Want me to kiss you? Dream on!” With that, he stepped back two paces, clutching his stomach as he laughed heartily.
Fu Laiying felt a surge of frustration rise to his head. He immediately stepped forward, grabbed Cheng Zhili’s wrist, and bit down hard on his lip, as if to vent his boundless irritation. Though he himself didn’t know why he was so irritated.
They both fell onto the bed.
Cheng Zhili looked at him with a teasing smile. “What do you mean by that?”
“I’m upset,” Fu Laiying said bluntly, trying to bite again, but Cheng Zhili blocked him with a raised hand. Fu Laiying raised an eyebrow and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Just because you’re upset, I have to cooperate with you? Who do you think you are?” Cheng Zhili chuckled softly.
Fu Laiying’s face darkened. “I’m your husband.”
“If I hadn’t fought for it, you’d be my brother-in-law now,” Cheng Zhili scoffed.
Fu Laiying was momentarily at a loss for words.
For some reason, he felt a bit guilty and ashamed.
“Nothing to say?” Cheng Zhili teased, pushing him. “Let go, don’t crush me, I want to sleep.”
Fu Laiying decided to go all in. “No, I’m waiting for you to reward me!”
“Alright, then a kiss,” Cheng Zhili said with a smile.
Fu Laiying said, “Ha, dream on! A kiss isn’t enough now! I need to provide energy for my child!”
Cheng Zhili placed a foot against his chest.
Fu Laiying didn’t move, only asking, “What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
Fu Laiying was annoyed. “Nothing again? You always call me over and then push me away. What am I to you?”
Cheng Zhili stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Hmm… a tool?”
“Cheng, Zhili!” Fu Laiying’s face darkened, wanting to bite that teasing mouth again.
Cheng Zhili reached for the blanket. “Do whatever you want, I’m going to sleep. As an expecting father, my energy is limited, don’t wake me up. Of course, if you want to be my pillow, I agree. Do you agree?”
Fu Laiying stared at him with resentment.
Cheng Zhili raised an eyebrow. “Don’t agree? Then…”
“I agree, I agree!” Fu Laiying quickly interrupted, pulling Cheng Zhili into his arms and covering them with the blanket.
Cheng Zhili looked up to see Fu Laiying’s resentful gaze, feeling the warmth of his palm on his back.
He teased, “I suddenly thought of something.”
“Hmm?” Fu Laiying lowered his gaze, close to Cheng Zhili.
“A sycophant will end up with nothing~”
Fu Laiying’s face darkened. “I’m a sycophant?!”
Cheng Zhili laughed, tapping his lips with a finger. “Want a lick?”
Fu Laiying’s anger dissipated like a balloon pricked by a needle. He leaned in with a disgruntled expression and kissed him hard.
*
At the Cheng Family, in Cheng Zhixia’s bedroom.
“How did it go?” Cheng Zhixia asked anxiously.
His father, Cheng Wenbin, had already agreed to a marriage alliance with the Li Family. If nothing went wrong, he would meet the parents tomorrow night for a “matchmaking” with Li Songwen. If he really went to “matchmake,” Li Songwen might force himself on him! Li Songwen was known for his violent tendencies!
Zhao Chao looked grim.
He understood Cheng Zhixia’s predicament. “Sorry, it failed. Cheng Zhili escaped unscathed, and the driver confessed everything. Luckily, I stayed hidden and didn’t approach him directly.”
“What do we do now?” Cheng Zhixia was panicking.
He didn’t care about Zhao Chao or the driver’s safety, only his own!
Zhao Chao gritted his teeth. “Don’t worry, this is just the beginning! After this incident, the Fu Family will definitely assign all their bodyguards to protect Cheng Zhili, leaving Fu Laiying vulnerable!” He narrowed his eyes with a cold smile. “Little do they know, this is my plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain! Rest assured, tomorrow! Fu Laiying will die!”
“You’re going to target Fu Laiying?!” Cheng Zhixia’s eyes widened in shock.
If something happened to Fu Laiying, wouldn’t the Fu Family’s wrath be directed entirely at the Cheng Family?
Zhao Chao assumed Cheng Zhixia still harbored feelings for Fu Laiying, a flash of jealousy passing through his eyes. But he quickly smiled and explained, “Think about it, if Fu Laiying dies, the Fu Family won’t have time to deal with us. Besides, he’s the backbone of the Fu Corporation. If he dies, the company will collapse! The Fu Family will have no heirs! If we help the Li Family destroy the Fu Family and help them establish themselves in D City, they’ll surely protect us, won’t they?”
Cheng Zhixia remained silent.
Zhao Chao continued, “If Cheng Zhili dies, the Fu Family will feel humiliated and won’t let it go. But if Fu Laiying dies, the Fu Family will be ruined! Cheng Zhili will inevitably face the Fu Family’s anger and be cast out. Then he’ll be at our mercy.”
Cheng Zhixia bit his lip and slowly nodded. “Fine, I don’t care anymore! Do what you want!”
A glint of joy flashed in Zhao Chao’s eyes. He said, “Don’t worry, I’ve orchestrated an accident that won’t lead the Fu Family to suspect us!”
Cheng Zhixia sighed in relief. “Then I’m relieved.” He placed his hand over Zhao Chao’s. “Zhao Chao, I’m sorry for making you do so much for me!”
Zhao Chao’s body trembled slightly with excitement as he grasped Cheng Zhixia’s hand in return. “Don’t say sorry, I’d do anything for you!”
“Zhao Chao…” Cheng Zhixia leaned against his chest, lowering his gaze, his eyes filled with coldness.
*
The next day.
Today, a gentle rain was falling.
The sky was a dull gray, as if wrapped in a layer of dust-covered plastic wrap.
After finishing breakfast, Fu Laiying set down his chopsticks and suddenly asked, “Are you coming to the office with me today?”
Cheng Zhili looked up with a smile. “You asked me the same thing yesterday. What, you really want me to go? Why?”
“Are you coming?” Fu Laiying asked.
Cheng Zhili smiled. “Alright, I’ll go.” After all, he had nothing else to do.
“Hmm.” Fu Laiying kept a straight face, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
After they both finished breakfast, they took Reinhardt and headed to the office together.
At the Fu Corporation building.
Yao Xueli, carrying a new GUCCI bag and wearing high heels sparkling with rhinestones, walked into the company building. She saw three receptionists gathered together, chatting happily. As Yao Xueli approached, one of them waved and called out in a sweet voice, “Yao, you’re here! Come over, we have something to ask you!”
Yao Xueli’s expression twisted slightly, imperceptibly.
She really hated being called “Yao,” it sounded like “Yao Sister,” which had unsavory connotations! She wondered if these women were doing it on purpose, calling her that every time without any regard for propriety!
Yao Xueli sneered inwardly, then smiled gracefully as she approached. “What’s up, ladies?” she asked with a smile.
A stylishly dressed receptionist said, “I noticed yesterday that our General Manager is wearing a ring on his left ring finger! You’re his assistant, do you know what’s going on? Is he really married?”
So that’s what this is about…
As Yao Xueli clocked in, she said, “The General Manager has been married for a while! But he’s always been low-key, so not many people know.”
Fu Laiying had five secretaries, each handling different tasks. As an assistant to the secretaries, Yao Xueli had accumulated quite a network, even though her salary wasn’t too low.
“Oh my! A high-quality bachelor like the General Manager, married so soon?”
“Yeah, yeah! Who’s the bride? She’s so lucky!”
The three women chattered on excitedly.