That afternoon.
Having finally received permission, Shen Nuan was able to leave the villa.
She wanted to go home to see her parents and buy an inexpensive phone while she was at it, but she would have to wait until Sir had finished his business.
If he was in a good mood, perhaps he might even agree to let her go home on her own.
Downstairs at Fu Corporation.
Li Jie informed her, “Miss Shen, we’ve arrived.”
“Thank you, Driver Li.”
She smiled and said, “Driver Li, just call me Shen Nuan. We’re both working for a living.”
Li Jie wouldn’t dare.
From the few times Sir had personally driven Miss Shen home, he already knew she was special.
“You’re too polite, Miss Shen. Please go ahead.”
“Alright then.”
Shen Nuan roughly understood why Li Jie insisted on being so courteous to her. It was probably because she had ridden in Fu Shijing’s car before.
As soon as she entered the lobby of Fu Corporation, Shen Nuan headed straight to the reception desk.
“Hello.”
The receptionist recognized her immediately.
“It’s been a few days. Bringing coffee again?”
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Nuan explained her purpose.
“No, I’m not delivering coffee today. I’m here to see President Fu.”
The receptionist was surprised. Previously, Shen Nuan had only been an employee from the coffee shop across the street.
Still, with excellent professional training, she dared not neglect her.
“Miss, do you have an appointment?”
“I think so.”
Since he had asked her to come, there should have been arrangements.
“My surname is Shen. I was told to come at four o’clock. Could you please check? Thank you.”
The receptionist suddenly understood.
“So you’re Miss Shen. Assistant Xiao already left instructions.”
Previously, when Shen Nuan came to deliver coffee, the records only listed the coffee shop’s name, so the staff had never known her name.
“This way, please.”
The receptionist stepped out from behind the counter and led her to the elevator.
“Thank you.”
Following behind her, Shen Nuan finally relaxed after entering the elevator.
She had never expected to have the chance to enter Fu Corporation.
To her, this was progress.
After all, once there was a first time, there could be a second and third.
Ding! Soon, the elevator arrived.
As soon as the doors opened, Shen Nuan saw Xiao Ang waiting outside.
She was a little surprised that he had come specifically to wait for her.
Nodding politely, she greeted him.
“Hello, Assistant Xiao.”
“Hello, Miss Shen. I’ll take you to the president’s office.”
Ever since learning that she was coming, Xiao Ang had already guessed that the boss leaving work early lately probably had something to do with Miss Shen.
“Alright, thank you.”
Knock knock knock!
Only after placing the glass bottle filled with stars into the drawer did Fu Shijing say, “Come in.”
Receiving permission, Shen Nuan entered the office.
“President Fu, Miss Shen has arrived.”
Xiao Ang tactfully withdrew, leaving the two of them alone.
It seemed he wasn’t finished with work yet.
She had come early.
“Sir, should I wait outside?”
Fu Shijing raised his eyes slightly.
“Sit wherever you like. We’ll leave together later.”
“Okay.”
Shen Nuan sat on the sofa with her back straight, quietly observing the office layout.
As always, everything was black, clean, and orderly, just like the man himself.
“Do you like stars?”
He suddenly asked.
Though she didn’t understand why, Shen Nuan answered honestly.
“Mm, I do.”
The man glanced at her, and that was all.
Shen Nuan felt uneasy.
【Little Nine, why is he acting so strangely? Why did he suddenly ask me if I like stars?】
【Boss, did you forget? Didn’t you give the male lead a bottle of paper stars?】
Shen Nuan immediately understood and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
【So he was testing me. Good thing I didn’t deny it.】
Not long afterward, they left the company together.
Inside the car, Shen Nuan wondered how to break the silence. The quieter things became, the more she felt she was wasting time.
“Sir, where are we going?”
“To pick up a gift.”
Shen Nuan was surprised.
“A gift?”
Whose gift?
At this stage, he hadn’t met the female lead yet, so who was he buying it for?
Fu Shijing turned his head to look at her.
“Who do you think it’s for?”
How could she possibly guess?
Shen Nuan shook her head.
Fu Shijing had never had the habit of accepting gifts from others, but she had given him things more than once, and somehow he had accepted them.
Since he had accepted them, he should reciprocate.
【Boss, do you think the male lead wants to give you a gift?】999 guessed.
【How is that possible? He’s probably testing me again.】
Though Fu Shijing treated her much better now, not to the extent of giving gifts.
Besides, they weren’t even friends, merely employers and employees.
999 couldn’t understand.
【But what’s there to test? Boss, aren’t you overthinking this?】
【Then tell me, why would he give me a gift? I’m not the female lead. He might sympathize with me, but that doesn’t mean he likes me. The main storyline can’t collapse.】
999 knew it was difficult, but not impossible.
【Maybe the male lead likes you just a little?】
【Impossible. We’re inside a novel, not a dream.】
She was clear about that.
“Tomorrow is my grandmother’s birthday.”
【Little Nine, I told you. He wouldn’t give me a gift.】
999 nodded.
【Looks like I overthought it.】
Speaking of birthdays, Shen Nuan remembered the tie she wanted to buy for him.
She definitely couldn’t buy it today.
Buying it in front of him would ruin the surprise, and he certainly wouldn’t accompany her shopping.
Fu Shijing asked, “What do you think my grandmother would like?”
【Little Nine, do you know what Grandma Fu likes?】
【The male lead’s grandmother wants him to marry and have children soon.】
【I know that, but I can’t just say it. Anything else?】
Shen Nuan had transmigrated into a sweet romance novel, not a tragedy, so both the male lead’s parents and grandmother hoped he would settle down soon. They didn’t care about matching family backgrounds.
After Bai Xin appeared, they all actively supported the two of them.
Apart from Fu Shijing’s difficult pursuit in the early stages, everything afterward was sweet.
【The author mentioned that Grandma Fu likes handmade items. The female lead left a good impression by giving her something handmade.】
【But it’s Fu Shijing giving the gift, not me. I’m only offering suggestions. He’s not going to make something by hand, is he?】
【True.】
After thinking about it, Shen Nuan decided not to mention it.
Suddenly, 999 thought of something.
【Boss, Grandma Fu also hopes the male lead visits the old residence more often.】
【I know how to answer.】
Smiling softly, she said, “Sir, I think your sincerity matters most. The old madam probably doesn’t care whether the gift is expensive.”
Fu Shijing leaned closer, his eyes fixed on hers.
“If she doesn’t care about the gift, what do you think she really cares about?”
Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, Shen Nuan instinctively shrank back.
“I think the old madam probably wishes you’d visit more often and spend time with her.”
Fu Shijing chuckled softly.
“You understand her better than I do.”
Lowering her eyes, she replied, “I’m only guessing.”
He lightly tapped her forehead.
“Since you’re so good at guessing, come with me tomorrow and see whether Grandma thinks the same way.”
I’m going too?
Shen Nuan was startled, but she didn’t show it.
She had never met Grandma Fu and would be meeting his family for the first time, so she needed to clarify something.
【Little Nine, do I get rewards for flattering the male lead’s family?】
【Yes,】999 answered firmly. 【If the male lead’s family is happy, the male lead will be happy too.】
【Good! I was wondering, didn’t the original owner try currying favor with his family after pursuing him for so many years?】
【Of course she did, but her intentions were too obvious. Everyone saw right through her. Since the male lead disliked her, Grandma Fu and his parents gradually formed poor impressions of her too.】
So if she wanted to win them over, she couldn’t be too obvious.
There was already a lesson from the past.
The car stopped outside a jewelry store.
Fu Shijing got out first, and Shen Nuan followed.
“President Fu, everything has been prepared.”
The manager had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Shen Nuan beside him, she revealed a gentle smile.
Everyone knew President Fu kept women at arm’s length. This was the first time she had seen him bring a woman to choose jewelry.
Without question, their relationship was extraordinary.
“Mm.”
Fu Shijing looked at Shen Nuan.
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
In the VIP room, a staff member presented an exquisite brocade box.
Inside was an emerald necklace and matching earrings glowing with a deep green brilliance.
Shen Nuan didn’t know much about jade, but she knew money.
Especially after hearing that it was an imperial green jade set worth a fortune, she silently sighed at how wonderful it was to be rich.
Afterward, Shen Nuan assumed they would head back, but this wasn’t the route to Halfway Mountain Forest Villa.
She didn’t dare ask directly and instead stole glances at him, wondering how to flatter him without sounding awkward.
Fu Shijing naturally noticed.
“What are you looking at?”
“At you, Sir. Under the sunlight, your skin looks like it’s covered with a layer of golden light.”
Shen Nuan had never been good at language. Though she had spent nights studying compliments, they still came out rather stiff.
“Sir should smile more. You look so handsome when you smile.”
Without showing it, he curved his lips slightly, only realizing afterward that her words had changed him.
【Ding! One hundred thousand yuan has been credited.】
Shen Nuan didn’t notice his expression.
She kept praising him nonstop until someone’s face turned redder and redder, making him want nothing more than to silence those sweet lips.
“Enough.”
Fu Shijing lightly pinched her delicate nose, his voice unconsciously filled with affection.
Shen Nuan coughed and obediently stopped talking.
【Little Nine, I saw his ears turn red. Did my praise embarrass him?】
【Everyone likes compliments, and the male lead is no exception. Boss, praise him more and say what he likes to hear.】
Shen Nuan had no objections.
【As long as he doesn’t find me annoying, I definitely want to.】
The car stopped in front of the famous Cloud Peak Music Restaurant in Beijing.
【Coming to a music restaurant? Looks like the male lead wants to treat Boss to dinner.】999 said excitedly.
Instead of being happy, Shen Nuan grew worried.
【Have you thought about why he chose a music restaurant instead of another restaurant? More importantly, the original owner knew musical instruments. I don’t.】
【Oh no. Boss, do you think the male lead suspects you?】
999 became worried.
After all, the male lead was sharp.
【Very possible. I knew he wouldn’t let me come out so kindly.】
【Then Boss, be careful. Don’t expose yourself.】
Seeing her stop, Fu Shijing returned.
“Why aren’t you coming?”
Smiling, Shen Nuan said, “Sir, if you have company, I’ll just wait outside. Don’t worry about me.”
She didn’t even know whether he had another appointment.
Anyway, it was better not to go inside.
Seeing her misunderstanding, he explained, “No one else. We’re having dinner.”
Eating together at a place famous for couples’ dates?
Clearly, there was another motive.
“Alright.”
Since he had already said so, Shen Nuan could only take things one step at a time.
The night scenery at Cloud Peak Restaurant was beautiful.
It was a dream destination for couples, with enchanting lights creating a mysterious atmosphere.
Not only could one admire the starry sky, but the ambiance itself was unmatched.
Unfortunately, Shen Nuan had no mood to appreciate the scenery.
Even the soothing music couldn’t calm her nerves.
Compared to her unease, Fu Shijing remained calm.
“What would you like to eat?”
“Anything.”
She wasn’t in the mood to order.
Just then, a couple walked over.
As they passed by, the man brightened and greeted them warmly.
“President Fu, what a coincidence. Is this your girlfriend?”
Girlfriend?
Shen Nuan remained silent awkwardly, wondering whether he would get angry.
What was even more troublesome was that she knew the woman beside President Jiang.
Tan Sisi.
One of the original owner’s fake friends.
As someone who frequented the circles of wealthy socialites, Tan Sisi naturally knew Fu Shijing.
He was the dream man of countless socialites, and she was no exception.
Unfortunately, she’d never had the opportunity.
“President Jiang.”
Fu Shijing only responded lightly.
“President Fu, enjoy yourselves. We won’t disturb you.”
President Jiang noticed he had no interest in chatting and tactfully prepared to leave.
But Tan Sisi couldn’t let such a good opportunity slip by.
Spotting Shen Nuan beside him, she immediately changed her original plan of pretending not to know her.
“Nuan Nuan!”
Letting go of President Jiang’s arm, she affectionately linked arms with Shen Nuan and spoke sweetly.
“Nuan Bao, it’s been so long since we’ve met. What a coincidence!”
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
In front of Fu Shijing, Shen Nuan played along.
Ever since transmigrating into the original owner’s body, she had cut off all contact with those fair-weather friends.
Tan Sisi always befriended people who could benefit her.
The reason she was suddenly so enthusiastic was obvious.
It was because of Fu Shijing.
“Oh, Nuan Bao, after your family went bankrupt, why didn’t you come to me? I tried contacting you but couldn’t reach you.”
As she spoke, she glanced at Fu Shijing.
“You said before that you’d ask a friend for help. So the friend you found was President Fu?”
When had she ever said she’d seek help from friends?
First, Tan Sisi pointed out her family’s bankruptcy and implied she’d wanted to help but wasn’t asked.
Then she deliberately hinted that Shen Nuan was relying on Fu Shijing for money.
Clearly, she was trying to imply that Shen Nuan was seducing him for financial gain.
Shen Nuan didn’t bother acting anymore.
Pulling away her hand, she smiled perfunctorily.
“I’m not your little baby, so there’s no need to be so affectionate.”
In other words, stop acting close.
Pretending not to understand, Tan Sisi secretly glanced at the imposing man beside her.
“Oh, Nuan Bao, I never knew you were so funny. If you don’t mind, why don’t we have dinner together?”
Mind?
Of course she minded.
There was no way Tan Sisi hadn’t understood her earlier words.
Before Shen Nuan could refuse, the man beside her spoke.
“I don’t want a third person disturbing our date.”
A date?
Shen Nuan froze. They were on a date?