【Ding~ System reward received: 200,000 yuan.】
Shen Nuan had no idea why she had been rewarded, but she never turned down free money.
【Boss, when exactly did you and the male lead start dating?】999 was so shocked he looked as if he could swallow an egg whole.
【I think he just didn’t want anyone disturbing his meal.】
Although surprised, Shen Nuan quickly regained her composure. She wasn’t so full of herself as to think they were actually on a date.
Besides, what employer takes an employee out on a date?
【Then there was no need for him to say it that way. Maybe he really wanted to date you.】999 felt that the male lead wasn’t someone who would casually say something like that.
【Little Nine, you’re overthinking it. Even if Fu Shijing wanted to date someone, it wouldn’t be me.】
It would be the female lead.
999 stayed silent and decided to keep observing.
Tan Sisi’s expression turned ugly. Hadn’t Fu Shijing disliked Shen Nuan? Why were they dating?
Could they really be together?
Impossible!
Tan Sisi immediately rejected that thought. How could Fu Shijing possibly fancy a fallen girl like Shen Nuan?
Shen Nuan must have shamelessly clung to him until he reluctantly agreed to have a meal with her.
And judging by how much he had disliked her before, even if they were dating, there was no way he liked her.
With that thought, Tan Sisi felt much better.
President Jiang was tactful. Although he wanted to discuss cooperation with Fu Shijing, this was not the time.
“Sorry, President Fu, we won’t disturb you. Enjoy your date.”
He shot Tan Sisi a meaningful look and led her to another table.
Though unwilling, Tan Sisi followed him. She had finally managed to catch President Jiang and didn’t want to offend him before she had gained any benefits.
As for Shen Nuan, she had plenty of ways to make her lose face.
After Tan Sisi left, Shen Nuan relaxed considerably. If Tan Sisi stayed, trouble was inevitable.
“Next time, I’ll clear the place,” Fu Shijing said calmly.
“Clear the place?” Shen Nuan blinked. “Why?”
“So no one can interrupt.”
Fu Shijing felt he hadn’t considered things carefully enough.
After all, this was his first date with a female companion. There was room for improvement.
Shen Nuan: “…”
【Little Nine, he really seems to think this is a date. It’s not because he was interrupted.】
【See? I told you I’m good at reading people.】999 boasted proudly.
Shen Nuan wanted to ask why he thought that way, but she didn’t dare.
Just then, a brand-new phone box appeared in front of her. It was obviously a phone, and the latest model at that.
She looked at the man opposite her in surprise.
“Sir, is this phone… for me?”
The question was pointless. Since he had put it in front of her, who else could it be for?
But why was he suddenly giving her a phone? Why had he suddenly become so nice? Nice enough that it felt like a dream.
“Wasn’t your phone broken?”
Fu Shijing had expected her to be happy, but there wasn’t a trace of delight on her face.
“You don’t like this model?”
“No!”
She shook her head hurriedly.
“Sir, are you in a really good mood?”
Otherwise, why would he suddenly buy her a phone?
Fu Shijing curved his lips.
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“I mean… how can I possibly accept this?”
She really wanted it, but she didn’t dare.
His brows knitted together.
“What’s there to be embarrassed about?”
He had no trouble accepting the things she gave him.
“But…”
999 jumped out.
【Take it, Boss! Gifts from the male lead bring huge rewards!】
【Good thing you told me. I almost missed out.】
【How was I supposed to know you’d refuse?】999 shrugged.
She actually didn’t want it!
Displeasure flashed across Fu Shijing’s face.
“If you don’t want it, then I’ll throw it away.”
Throw it away?
Seeing him move toward the trash can, Shen Nuan immediately grabbed his hand.
“Don’t!”
“If you don’t want it, why keep it?”
Something worth over ten thousand yuan, brand new, and he wanted to throw it away. Rich people really spent money differently.
“I never said I didn’t want it.”
【Ding~ System reward received: 500,000 yuan.】
Shen Nuan thought it would be an ordinary reward, but she hadn’t expected such a huge amount.
“You really want it?”
The warmth of her hand lingered in his palm.
“Yes. Thank you, Sir. I’ll work even harder.”
She had no idea why he was giving her a phone, but there was no reason to refuse.
“Eat first.”
“Okay.”
As they talked, exquisite dishes were brought to the table one after another. She was hungry anyway.
However, after only a few bites of wagyu beef, Tan Sisi approached again.
“Nuan Bao, it’s been so long since we’ve played the piano together. How about a duet?”
Though speaking to Shen Nuan, Tan Sisi’s eyes remained fixed on Fu Shijing, occasionally batting her eyelashes seductively.
Before coming over, she had even touched up her makeup so she could show her most beautiful side.
Since President Jiang wasn’t around, she had nothing to worry about.
“Sorry, I’m eating right now.”
Knowing Tan Sisi had bad intentions, Shen Nuan naturally refused. Besides, she couldn’t play the piano at all. One performance and she’d be exposed.
Since when did Shen Nuan become so clever?
Smiling falsely, Tan Sisi said, “It’s okay. One song won’t take long.”
Leaning close, she whispered, “Nuan Bao, don’t you want to show your talent in front of Fu Shijing?”
Knowing Shen Nuan for years, she was well aware that Shen Nuan wasn’t very good at piano. It would only make her own talent shine more brightly.
Show off her talent?
Shen Nuan knew exactly what Tan Sisi was planning.
【Boss, she’s so annoying. Like a piece of gum you can’t shake off.】999 was furious.
【She’s not that bad. I was more like gum when I clung to Fu Shijing.】
999 awkwardly agreed.
【That does seem true.】
Seeing Shen Nuan ignore her, Tan Sisi nearly exploded with anger, though she maintained appearances.
“Nuan Bao, come on. I really miss playing piano with you.”
Just as Shen Nuan was about to refuse again, Fu Shijing’s cold voice rang out.
“Are your ears broken? Didn’t you hear her say she isn’t going?”
【Ding~ System reward received: 200,000 yuan.】
【Boss, the male lead is helping you!】999 exclaimed.
【Looks like Fu Shijing is actually pretty nice.】
【This is the result of your efforts. Hard work always pays off.】
【Little Nine, you’ve been giving me advice and encouraging me every day. This is the result of both our efforts.】
Shen Nuan hoped he could stay like this every day.
Tan Sisi’s smile froze. Her heavily altered face flushed bright red.
“I… I just…”
She never imagined Fu Shijing would embarrass her so directly. She had wanted Shen Nuan to make a fool of herself instead.
“So why are you still here? Do I need someone to escort you out?”
His emphasis on the word “escort” clearly wasn’t polite.
Humiliated to the extreme, Tan Sisi dared not stay.
“I suddenly remembered I have something to do. We can play next time.”
She fled in disgrace.
Thanks to him, the troublemaker had failed.
“Thank you for helping me, Sir.”
He tapped her forehead.
“Stay away from people with bad intentions, understand?”
So he knew exactly what kind of person Tan Sisi was.
Shen Nuan nodded repeatedly.
“I was blind before and terrible at judging people. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“So liking me was also being blind?”
They had been talking about Tan Sisi. How had he dragged himself into it?
Another test.
Looking at him affectionately, Shen Nuan said, “Falling for you is only natural, Sir. It was fate that made me love you.”
Fate! Love You!
The corners of his lips lifted.
“Eat first.”
【Ding~ System reward received: 100,000 yuan.】
“Mhm. This steak is tender and juicy. You should eat more.”
Looking at the steak she placed on his plate, Fu Shijing quietly accepted it.
【Ding~ System reward received: 100,000 yuan.】
After dinner, Shen Nuan thought they would go home. She was about to ask if she could visit her parents when Fu Shijing suggested a walk.
“A walk?”
She had shamelessly suggested walks several times before, only to be ignored. Yet now he was taking the initiative?
“You don’t want to?” he observed her expression.
“I do.”
She wanted very much.
“Then let’s go.”
Walking beside him, she secretly asked,【Little Nine, why does he want to take a walk? Today’s him feels so unfamiliar.】
Today’s Fu Shijing was nothing like the one she knew. The phone alone had shocked her, not to mention defending her and taking a walk together.
【Boss, honestly, he feels unfamiliar to me too.】999 admitted. 【I think he’s treating you better and better.】
That was certainly a good thing, but Shen Nuan’s experiences since childhood had taught her that kindness never came without reason.
But she had no value to him.
She couldn’t understand.
Seeing her gaze linger on a nearby family, Fu Shijing asked,
“What are you thinking about?”
“I was thinking…”
She wanted to ask why he was suddenly treating her so well, but quickly improvised.
“I think they must be very happy.”
“Why?”
“For parents, being able to accompany their child is happiness. For the child, having their parents around means happiness. At least at this moment, they’re happy.”
Watching the little girl acting spoiled in her mother’s arms, Fu Shijing suddenly thought having a cute daughter wouldn’t be bad.
The evening breeze blew loose strands of hair around her face.
Without thinking, he reached out and tucked them away.
Shen Nuan stared at him in surprise.
“Sir?”
Why was he touching her hair?
His expression turned slightly unnatural.
“Your hair was messy.”
Embarrassed, Shen Nuan hurriedly fixed it herself.
They strolled leisurely, with Shen Nuan doing most of the talking while Fu Shijing listened to her endless praise, feeling as though he were soaking in honey.
Half an hour later, they headed back.
“Sir, are we going home now?”
Seeing something else on her mind, Fu Shijing asked, “You have something to do?”
“Mm. Sir, can I visit my parents? I promise I won’t delay tomorrow’s work. I’ll come right back.”
She had already planned to take a taxi if he agreed.
“You can.”
“Thank you, Sir. I’ll leave now. Drive safely.”
Just as she touched the door handle, his voice sounded behind her.
“Who said I’m going back now?”
Not going back?
Was he planning to follow her upstairs?
【I think so.】999 voiced her thoughts.
He stepped out of the car with his long legs, walked around to her side, and opened the door for her.
Smiling, Fu Shijing said, “Not getting out?”
“I am! Right away!”
Shen Nuan jumped out of the car.
Walking side by side, she secretly looked at him, unable to understand why he was accompanying her upstairs.
“What are you looking at?”
He hadn’t missed her sneaking glances.
His eyesight was too good.
“Well… I just noticed today that there’s a mole on your Adam’s apple.”
In truth, she had noticed long ago, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
His dark eyes fixed on her clear gaze.
“So? Is having a mole good or bad?”
Without thinking, she blurted out, “It’s very sexy.”