【Ding~, the System has credited fifty thousand yuan.】
【Ding~, the System has credited fifty thousand yuan.】
Hearing the mechanical voice she longed for most, Shen Nuan became even more diligent in picking up food for him.
After chasing him for so long, this was the first time she and Fu Shijing had eaten together, and things had gone much more smoothly than she had imagined.
By the end of the meal, she was completely full and her wallet was fuller too. It seemed that staying by his side more often really did create more opportunities to make money.
After dinner, unwilling to part with him just yet, Shen Nuan used being too full as an excuse and suggested taking a walk.
“Your foot is still injured, and you still dare to go for a walk?” Fu Shijing looked at her leisurely.
“I’ve recovered quite a bit. It shouldn’t affect me.”
To prove that she was really fine, Shen Nuan endured the pain and walked back and forth a few steps.
Seeing the awkwardness in her posture, his expression darkened.
“Go back.”
“Okay.”
Shen Nuan tugged at his sleeve and pouted pitifully.
“I’ll listen to you, Fu Shijing. Can you take me home? Just as a friend.”
The moment she said that, she regretted it. With their current relationship, they couldn’t even be considered friends. It was all just her one-sided pursuit.
“Friend?” Fu Shijing rubbed his fingertips, his tone stiff. “We’re friends?”
She knew it. He didn’t consider her a friend at all.
Shen Nuan lowered her eyes and nervously twisted her fingers.
“In my heart, we are. I know I’m just wishful thinking.”
【Boss, you’re so pitiful.】Even 999 couldn’t bear to watch anymore. She was too humble.
Shen Nuan muttered, 【Since you know it’s pitiful, why are you still a licking dog? Aren’t you pitiful too?】
A licking dog System sympathizing with a licking dog, wasn’t that contradictory?
【I can’t help it. It’s not something I can control.】999 didn’t want this either.
【We’re both fallen souls from the same world.】
Her tearful appearance looked, in Fu Shijing’s eyes, like nothing more than the foolishness of a hopeless romantic.
Why was this woman so lovestruck? Even more so than his mother.
“I’ll take you home.”
She was genuinely surprised.
“Ta take me?”
She had still been thinking of an excuse to ride in his car again when happiness suddenly arrived.
“One minute. Otherwise, you can go back by yourself.”
After saying that, he got into the car first.
The moment she heard that, Shen Nuan forgot all about taking a walk and hurried over, quickly getting into the car.
“Jixiang Street.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Li Jie was inwardly shocked when he saw Shen Nuan. This was already the third or fourth time that this young lady had ridden in the back seat with his boss.
And President Fu had even carried her several times.
That had never happened before.
Inside the car, Shen Nuan wanted to “lick” him in a reasonable manner and took the initiative to break the silence.
“There are so many stars tonight. The night scenery outside is beautiful.”
She secretly glanced at him, only to find that he had his eyes closed and was resting.
【Little Nine, is he like this because he doesn’t want to hear me talk?】Shen Nuan worried that talking too much might annoy him.
999 analyzed, 【Probably not. If he really didn’t want to hear you, wouldn’t it be easier to just not let you get in the car?】
Shen Nuan thought that made sense.
【Looks like I’m being too petty.】
But in this situation, how could she talk to him and earn money without making him dislike her?
Since his eyes were closed, Shen Nuan openly stared at him.
His features were sharp and handsome. Thick brows, bright eyes, a high nose bridge, sensual thin lips, and flawless skin. At such a close distance, she couldn’t spot a single imperfection.
With such a perfect man, it was hard for the female supporting character not to fall for him, especially in a novel.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and caught her scrutinizing gaze.
“What are you looking at?”
Her gaze was so passionate that it was impossible not to notice.
Caught red-handed, Shen Nuan blushed awkwardly and racked her brain before finally coming up with an answer.
“Looking at you. I can never get enough.”
“You probably don’t know this, but when you like someone, they’re always on your mind, especially during quiet moments. When you’re by my side, all I wish is for time to pass more slowly, the slower the better.”
999 covered his mouth, tears filling his eyes.
【Boss, if you don’t write romance novels, it’d really be a waste of talent.】
【I memorized those lines from romance novels.】Shen Nuan regretted not reading more before. Otherwise, she could have been even more romantic.
“Stop reading all that nonsense.”
Fu Shijing suddenly felt uncomfortable and unconsciously loosened his tie.
How did he know?
Shen Nuan thought to herself. Was it that obvious?
“I’m sincere.”
She stared at him without blinking, her expression incomparably serious.
“Sir, we’ve arrived at Jixiang Street.”
Li Jie’s voice shattered the subtle atmosphere between them.
Shen Nuan silently lamented. Why had they arrived so quickly?
“Get out.”
“Oh, okay.”
He shouldn’t have gotten out as well, yet in that moment he forgot, only realizing after stepping out that it had been unnecessary.
After getting out of the car, Shen Nuan bowed gratefully.
“Fu Shijing, thank you for bringing me home. I’m really sorry for wasting your time.”
His gaze moved down from her fair face and landed on her injured ankle.
Could she even make it up to the fifth floor?
Realizing that he was worrying about her too much, Fu Shijing reminded himself not to meddle. Whether she could climb the stairs or not had nothing to do with him.
Thus, he turned around and returned to the car.
“Fu Shijing, I…”
Shen Nuan wanted to say something else, but the man spoke indifferently.
“Drive.”
His distant attitude made Shen Nuan even more certain that today’s help had only been a momentary act of conscience and not because he had even the slightest affection for her.
【Boss, are you just going to watch the male lead leave like this?】
999 was anxious and wished he could stop him himself.
【I don’t want to, but I don’t have any excuse to keep him.】
Just as Shen Nuan was worrying over this, a figure suddenly appeared.
【Not good, Boss, be careful!】Although 999 could see everything clearly, he couldn’t help.
By the time she reacted, several men in black had already surrounded her.
The leader, a flat-headed man with a scar on his face, smiled without warmth.
“Miss Shen, come with us.”
Shen Nuan didn’t know them, nor did she believe they had good intentions.
She looked at the men warily and tried to stall them with words while searching for an opportunity to escape.
“Who are you? I don’t know you. Publicly stopping people and restricting their freedom is illegal.”
“Illegal?” The scar-faced man sneered. “Who said we’re breaking the law? Paying debts is only natural.”
He swaggered toward her.
“Who’s responsible? Ask your parents. They owe President Lei money and haven’t paid it back. President Lei wants you to come with us.”
President Lei?
He was the creditor behind the debt her father had guaranteed for a friend.
Shen Nuan retreated cautiously, but she was surrounded with no route of escape.
She forced a smile.
“Handsome, President Lei said he’d give us time. Isn’t there some misunderstanding?”
【Boss, don’t go. That President Lei isn’t a good person. He has no integrity at all.】999 warned.
【I know. I’ll find a way to escape.】
“Misunderstanding?” The scar-faced man looked fierce.
“What misunderstanding? I think you’re trying to run. President Lei only wants you there as a witness. Whether you want to go or not, I have to bring you.”
Shen Nuan understood his hidden meaning.
Whether she agreed or not, she would be taken away.
“We’ll repay the money. We’re not avoiding responsibility.”
As she spoke, she slowly edged toward a gap on the left.
“Trying to run? Think I’m easy to fool? Move!”
Seeing through her intentions, the scar-faced man grabbed her arm and tried to drag her away by force.
No matter how much Shen Nuan struggled, it was useless. Her hand was firmly restrained and she couldn’t escape.
All she could do was shout.
“Help! Help! They’re kidnapping people!”
【Boss, I’ll use my ability and make them leave right now.】999 was terribly worried.
Using his powers would cost money from the System, and Shen Nuan wanted to struggle a little longer.
【Not yet, Little Nine. Even if we stop them this time, they’ll come again later.】
【But you’re in danger!】999 couldn’t ignore his host being in danger.
【Fu Shijing hasn’t gone far. Maybe he’ll see and help me. Then I can act pitiful too. Let’s wait a little longer. If it really doesn’t work, then you can use your ability.】
Shen Nuan regretted not clinging to Fu Shijing a little longer.
After thinking it over, 999 agreed.
【Alright, then I’ll wait.】
Some passersby wanted to help, but after seeing the vicious-looking men, they all avoided the scene.
“Stop screaming! Shut up!” the scar-faced man threatened viciously. “Keep screaming and don’t blame me for being rude.”
Meanwhile, Li Jie noticed several people surrounding Shen Nuan through the rearview mirror.
Originally, he shouldn’t interfere, but Miss Shen was clearly different from everyone else, so he hurriedly reminded him.
“Sir, several suspicious people have surrounded Miss Shen. Something seems wrong.”
She was in danger?
Fu Shijing, who had closed his eyes again, suddenly opened them and looked back.
Sure enough, he saw her trapped.
His sharp eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Turn around.”
“Yes, sir.”
Li Jie secretly sighed in relief. Fortunately, he had noticed in time. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Just as Shen Nuan was about to be dragged into a car, she struggled violently and kicked the scar-faced man.
“Get lost!”
“Damn! You little brat, you dare kick me?”
Humiliated, he became furious.
“If I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll think we’re easy to bully.”
Just as 999 was about to act, he saw the man approaching from a distance and immediately dismissed the thought.
The scar-faced man raised his hand viciously.
“You little bi ahhhh! It hurts! It hurts!”
There was no expected pain.
Only the man’s miserable scream.
Shen Nuan opened her eyes in confusion and saw Fu Shijing, his face dark, gripping the man’s arm.
Overjoyed, she exclaimed, “You haven’t left yet?”
He softly hummed and moved her behind him.
Before anyone could react, several well-trained bodyguards separated the men.
The arrogant group instantly lost their courage.
【Ding~, the System has credited five hundred thousand yuan.】
Five hundred thousand?
Such a huge reward!
So saving her multiplied the reward several times.
“Y You are… who are you? Let go!”
The scar-faced man’s face twisted in pain as cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
Still trying to save face, he shouted, “Offending President Lei means you’re dead!”
Fu Shijing increased his grip.
“Go back and tell Lei Hao that I, Fu Shijing, will be waiting for him anytime.”
Fu Shijing!
He was Fu Shijing, the powerful man who dominated the business world.
The scar-faced man wasn’t qualified to meet him, but everyone knew there was no good end to offending him.
He immediately lost his arrogance and begged.
“President Fu, President Fu, I didn’t know Miss Shen was your friend. We’re only following orders. Please show mercy.”
“If I see you harassing her or her family again, bear the consequences yourselves.”
Shen Nuan looked at Fu Shijing gratefully.
He had even thought about her family.
The scar-faced man was thrown to the ground and hurriedly squeezed out a flattering smile.
“President Fu, Miss Shen’s father owes President Lei ten million yuan. We have no choice.”
Shen Nuan explained, “My father was tricked into acting as a guarantor for a friend. We’re not trying to deny the debt. Once we have money, we’ll definitely repay it.”
“I know Miss Shen’s difficulties, but I can’t make the decisions either,” the scar-faced man said timidly.
Fu Shijing spoke coldly,
“If there’s a problem, come to me. Get lost. Don’t let me see you again.”
“Yes, yes, President Fu. We’re leaving.”
Having accomplished his mission, the scar-faced man fled with his men.
After they left, the bodyguards also disappeared, leaving only the two of them.
【Boss, I almost stepped in. Luckily I saw the male lead, otherwise not only would we have lost the five hundred thousand reward, we’d have spent five hundred thousand too.】999 proudly praised his own alertness.
【Yes, yes. Good work, Little Nine.】Shen Nuan praised him.
【Not hard at all. The one working hard is Boss.】
“Thank you for helping me. We’ll continue negotiating with them and try our best to buy more time.”
Fu Shijing sneered.
“If talking worked, why would they appear here?”
She knew that those people only cared about money. Even if they agreed now, they might change their minds later.
Seeing her dejected, Fu Shijing didn’t pursue the matter.
“How’s your hand?”
“I’m fine.”
She hid her reddened hand behind her back, but he still saw it, and his voice became colder.
“Still not leaving?”
He shouldn’t have shown mercy to those people.
Did he mean for her to leave?
Unwillingly, Shen Nuan said, “Then goodbye.”
After all the struggling, her ankle injury had worsened.
Seeing her limping, and remembering she still had to climb the stairs, Fu Shijing frowned.
He strode toward her.
Shen Nuan looked at him in confusion.
“Is there something else?”
“Why didn’t you tell me your foot was injured again?”
“I didn’t want you to think I was pretending to be pitiful.”
That was truly what she thought.
Hearing that, Fu Shijing’s jaw tightened.
This woman didn’t want to act pitiful, yet she looked pitiful no matter how he saw her.
“Put your hand on my shoulder.”
Thinking he was only helping her walk, Shen Nuan obediently did as she was told.
Who would’ve thought that he would pick her up again?
【Ding~, the System has credited two hundred thousand yuan.】
【Boss, the male lead carried you again and again and again. Isn’t this happening a little too often?】999 asked with an ambiguous grin.
Naturally, Shen Nuan hoped his attitude toward her was changing.
That would make future entanglements much easier.
【Do you want me limping all the way upstairs?】
999 hurriedly shook his head.
【No. Since the atmosphere is good, Boss, why not seek employment? Ask about being his personal assistant.】
【I’ll ask later.】
Little Nine made sense.
Now that he knew her family owed money, maybe she could gain some sympathy.
Upon reaching the fifth floor, Fu Shijing set her down at the door.
“Go by yourself.”
“Fu Shijing.”
Shen Nuan grabbed his sleeve.
“Can I ask you for a favor?”
She quickly added, “I’m not asking you to help me repay the debt.”
Fu Shijing didn’t care about that at all.
“I saw online that you’re hiring a personal assistant.” She paused. “Can you give me a chance? I really want to work hard and earn money.”
Her? A personal assistant?
Could she do it?
In Fu Shijing’s eyes, Shen Nuan was a spoiled young lady who thought only about romance, a foolish woman with nothing but a beautiful face.
She couldn’t do anything.
But this foolish woman liked saying sweet words.
And somehow, he no longer found them annoying.
“Work is work. There are no back doors.”
This was a direct rejection, just as Shen Nuan had expected.
Unwilling to give up, she said, “I’ve already submitted my resume. I hope I can pass the interview. I’ll work hard until you’re satisfied.”
He glanced at her and pulled his sleeve free.
“That’s your business.”
She wasn’t suitable.
Fu Shijing knew that very well.
Yet, when he met her hopeful gaze, he found himself unable to say the words “not suitable.”
Watching him leave, Shen Nuan shouted at his retreating figure, “Fu Shijing, I really, really want to stay by your side. Even if you’re only my employer, I still want to see you.”