At that moment, she was still clinging to Fu Shijing like an octopus and refused to let go. Shen Nuan wailed inwardly.
【Little Nine, I want the ground to swallow me up.】
【Boss, I understand how you feel.】999 sympathized.
“You… you two…” Shen Xiao stared at the pair embracing each other.
Never in his wildest dreams had he expected to witness such a scene. His precious daughter was hugging a man in public.
Though such things were common in modern society, Shen Xiao knew one thing clearly. Fu Shijing was not a man who could be entrusted with someone’s entire life.
Fu Shijing was about to speak when Shen Nuan hurriedly interrupted.
“Dad, I saw a cockroach just now and got scared, so I grabbed onto him.”
If it had been another woman, she might have used the opportunity to demand responsibility, but Shen Nuan deliberately explained herself as if she were trying to clear his name.
Punishing her, Fu Shijing pinched the soft flesh around her slender waist.
Thinking he was angry, Shen Nuan smiled awkwardly and whispered so only the two of them could hear.
“I know this has nothing to do with you. I’ll handle it and won’t let you be misunderstood.”
Nothing to do with him?
Fu Shijing nearly laughed in anger.
Seeing his expression darken even more, Shen Nuan no longer dared remain in his arms.
“Thank you. I’ll get down now.”
Only after staring at her for several seconds did Fu Shijing put her down.
His fingertips rubbed together unconsciously, feeling a trace of reluctance.
Those few seconds made Shen Nuan nervous as she desperately thought about how to ease the awkward atmosphere.
Although his daughter had explained, Shen Xiao still wasn’t reassured. He had many questions, but he could only ask them privately later.
“Thank you, President Fu, for taking care of Nuan Nuan just now.”
After a pause, he continued, “And thank you for helping Nuan Nuan last night as well.”
Shen Nuan was puzzled. How did her father know that Fu Shijing had been the one who helped her last night?
Fu Shijing’s expression remained calm, his tone as indifferent as ever.
“President Shen, you’re too polite.”
Shen Xiao naturally heard the distance in his words. Even when the Shen family had been at its peak, they could hardly compare to the Fu family, much less now after going bankrupt.
He knew his daughter liked Fu Shijing and had become the laughingstock of many because of it. He had once persuaded her and even cut off her allowance, finally making her give up.
During the past year after bankruptcy, he had been busy seeking investments and was too overwhelmed to spare the time or energy to interfere again.
He had thought the matter was over, but his daughter had continued persisting. Although they had received Fu Shijing’s help, Shen Xiao knew there had to be things he didn’t know.
Not wanting the atmosphere to become more awkward, Shen Nuan only wanted to leave quickly.
“Dad, let’s go home. President Fu, thank you for bringing me back.”
Fu Shijing’s brows knitted imperceptibly. She didn’t even intend to introduce him before leaving?
Out of courtesy, Shen Xiao said, “President Fu, take care. Goodbye.”
Fu Shijing nodded slightly. He had originally intended to tell her that he had decided to hire her, but seeing how flustered she was, he ultimately swallowed the words.
He got into the car gracefully, but once inside, he couldn’t help wondering.
Would her father make things difficult for her?
He didn’t know much about Shen Xiao, only that the man had obviously been angry when he saw Shen Nuan in his arms.
As usual, driver Li Jie asked, “Sir, shall we head back?”
Looking outside the window, his eyes naturally searched for her.
“Wait a bit.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Dad, let’s go.”
Shen Nuan took her father’s arm, trying to divert the topic. She knew he would definitely question her.
“Nuan Nuan, you still like him.”
It wasn’t a question, but a certainty.
As expected, Shen Nuan guessed her father had heard her confession earlier, so there was no need to hide it.
“Yes, Dad.”
Shen Xiao felt both angry and distressed.
“He won’t accept you, yet he still keeps in contact with you. What does that mean?”
How could he not wish for his daughter to find happiness? But the other party clearly wasn’t sincere.
Everyone said Fu Shijing kept women at arm’s length. His daughter had confessed countless times and always been rejected. Did sincere feelings deserve to be trampled on?
If sacrificing his daughter’s happiness was the price for those ten million yuan, he’d rather not have the money.
Shen Xiao didn’t want his daughter to be hurt, nor did he want her to wrong herself because of him.
【The original Host’s dad really cares about you. It’s so touching.】999 said emotionally.
Shen Nuan’s eyes became hot.
【Yeah.】
Ever since transmigrating into this family, she had been truly grateful. Though she was merely a cannon fodder supporting character, she had experienced the warmth of a family.
“Nuan Nuan, I’m grateful for his help, but I don’t want you to gamble your whole life on it. I’ll go speak with him myself. I promise I won’t be as depressed as before. Nuan Nuan, I’ll repay the money we owe them. Stay away from these people from now on.”
Shen Nuan hurriedly grabbed her father.
“Dad, but I like him. It’s entirely my choice. We’re just friends, not what you’re imagining.”
“I believe you, Nuan Nuan.”
This was already the second time his daughter had revealed her feelings, making Shen Xiao’s heart ache.
“But if he liked you, he wouldn’t have ignored you all these years.”
“I know he doesn’t like me.”
She also knew her father only wanted the best for her.
“Since you know, then stop insisting. Loving someone who doesn’t love you back will only hurt yourself, Nuan Nuan.”
Unable to explain everything, she made a promise.
“Dad, please give me one month. If nothing comes of it between Fu Shijing and me, I’ll give up, okay?”
It wasn’t that Shen Xiao didn’t trust his daughter, but he didn’t trust Fu Shijing.
“Nuan Nuan, don’t hold onto hope. Fu Shijing is a cold and self-serving businessman. He doesn’t know how to love.”
Shen Nuan knew loving Fu Shijing would lead nowhere, but she didn’t want his love anyway. She only wanted to earn enough money and survive.
“Dad, you’re also a businessman, but didn’t you and Mom fall in love freely?”
Shen Xiao didn’t know when his daughter had become so eloquent. He found himself speechless.
“Dad, please trust me.”
She acted spoiled and changed the subject.
“Dad, why did you mention owing them money? When did that happen?”
She had been curious earlier but had been busy persuading him and hadn’t had the chance to ask.
Patting his daughter’s head, Shen Xiao sighed.
“I went to see President Lei today.”
“Dad, why did you go alone? Did he make things difficult for you?”
“I thought he would, but he didn’t.”
Shen Xiao knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.
“President Lei’s attitude toward me changed completely. President Fu and President Zhou of the Zhou Corporation helped, and even the ten million yuan debt no longer needs to be repaid. Someone already paid for it.”
Ten million yuan was no small amount.
After the Shen family’s bankruptcy, very few people had been willing to help them in their darkest hour.
Looking at his daughter, he asked, “Nuan Nuan, do you know Zhou Wensi of the Zhou Corporation? He paid that money.”
Zhou Wensi? Why would he help?
【Maybe the male lead asked him to.】999 analyzed.
Shen Nuan thought the same, but she was puzzled.
【Then why didn’t Fu Shijing help directly? Why go through Zhou Wensi?】
【Maybe he didn’t want you to find out.】999 guessed.
That explanation made sense.
【He probably thought I’d cling to him even more if I knew.】
【Exactly. No wonder many of your rewards have doubled recently.】
Naturally, that was good news for her.
Seeing his daughter lost in thought, Shen Xiao asked concernedly,
“Nuan Nuan, what’s wrong?”
Coming back to herself, she replied, “Dad, they’re friends. It was probably Fu Shijing who helped us.”
As expected.
Shen Xiao promised solemnly, “Nuan Nuan, I’ll repay this favor myself. Don’t feel burdened. I’ll do everything I can to earn the money and pay them back.”
“I believe you can do it, Dad. We’ll work hard together as a family.”
“Nuan Nuan, you and Fu Shijing…”
He still couldn’t relax.
“Dad, I promise. Just one month. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll give up. In the future, unless it’s to repay them, I won’t go see him again.”
After much hesitation, Shen Xiao reluctantly agreed.
Whatever Fu Shijing’s intentions were, he had indeed helped them.
All Shen Xiao wished for was that his Nuan Nuan would not get hurt.
Inside the car, Fu Shijing finally withdrew his gaze after she disappeared from sight.
Playing with his phone, he remained silent for a long while before sending her a text.
Half an hour later, after finally convincing her father, Shen Nuan returned to her room. She was just about to send Fu Shijing a message when she was surprised to discover one from him.
“Did your dad make things difficult for you?”
【Boss, the male lead is worried about you.】
As soon as 999 finished speaking, another sound rang out.
【Ding~, the System has credited two hundred thousand yuan.】
Shen Nuan’s excited heart and trembling hands couldn’t contain her joy.
Her daily efforts of tirelessly “harassing” him with messages had finally paid off.
【What should I reply? Little Nine, help me think. It’s the first time he’s texted me. I have to leave a good impression so he’ll reply in the future.】
【Let me think.】
999 tilted his head for a long time.
【Boss, why don’t you act pitiful? Say you got scolded and make the male lead feel sorry for you. Then bring up the job. Maybe he’ll agree.】
Holding her phone, Shen Nuan paced around the room.
【That sounds good. Let’s do that.】
After thinking for a while, she decided to keep it simple. Anything too deliberate would seem fake.
“It’s okay, I won’t give up liking you.”
After sending it, she let out a long breath.
She hadn’t directly said she’d been troubled. She had only implied it. Someone as smart as Fu Shijing would surely understand.
【Little Nine, do you think he’ll soften a little? Maybe feel a little sympathy for me?】
【More than a little.】999 replied confidently.
【You sound very sure.】
【Of course.】
Shen Nuan had wanted to ask why, but then she heard:【Ding~, the System has credited two hundred thousand yuan.】
A reward meant one thing.
He had really softened!!!
The next day, Shen Nuan was in high spirits.
She had already thought of an excuse to see Fu Shijing and was just waiting until the afternoon to ask if he had time.
Encounter Coffee House.
Business was booming today, and with an employee on leave, Shen Nuan was so busy she barely had time to rest.
“Welcome to Encounter.”
She raised her smiling face, but upon seeing the visitor, she knew the woman wasn’t here for coffee.
【Boss, your love rival is here again.】999 sympathized.
Clearly, she had come for Shen Nuan.
【It’d be great if Fu Shijing were here. I could act pitiful again.】
【The male lead is probably busy right now.】
【I’m only saying it.】
“I knew you were still working here.”
Unable to swallow her previous humiliation, Yang Liu deliberately chose Fu Shijing’s working hours to come and teach Shen Nuan a lesson.
“Same coffee as last time,” Yang Liu ordered arrogantly. “And you must serve me personally, otherwise I’ll file a complaint.”
A naked threat.
Although this was just a part time job, Shen Nuan still needed it until the position at Fu Corporation became certain, especially since it was close to the company.
Wearing a professional smile, she said,
“Yes, Miss Yang. Please wait a moment.”
Yang Liu intentionally sat in the hall, wanting everyone to witness Shen Nuan’s embarrassment.
Soon, Shen Nuan brought over the coffee.
“Miss Yang, your coffee.”
Seeing her remain calm only made Yang Liu angrier.
“Don’t think clinging to Fu Shijing will make him like you. Stop daydreaming. Look at your status now. The Shen family is notorious in the circle. What do you have to compete with me?”
“I never wanted to compete with Miss Yang.”
Shen Nuan was sincere, though she knew Yang Liu wouldn’t believe her.
Hypocrite!
Yang Liu sneered.
“You weren’t like this in front of Fu Shijing that day.”
As Shen Nuan placed the coffee down, Yang Liu “accidentally” bumped her arm again, causing the tray to lose balance.
Bang!
The tray fell, and coffee spilled everywhere.
Yang Liu smiled smugly. She refused to believe Fu Shijing would appear to save her again.
Taking a deep breath, Shen Nuan reminded herself not to get angry.
“Hey! What kind of service is this?”
Yang Liu’s loud voice attracted the customers’ attention and also drew the manager over.
“Xiao Nuan, what happened?”
“Manager, the customer…”
Before Shen Nuan could explain, Yang Liu interrupted.
“What happened? Your employee can’t even carry coffee properly. Is this how you provide service?”
“Sorry, customer. I’ll have her clean it immediately.”
After apologizing, the Manager signaled Shen Nuan.
“Xiao Nuan, go get a mop and clean this up.”
The service industry was like that. Whether the customer was right or wrong, apologies came first.
“Yes, Manager.”
The Manager was a kind person and often stood up for the part timers. Shen Nuan didn’t want to make things difficult for her and went to get the mop.
【Too much. She’s obviously doing it on purpose.】999 grumbled.
Shen Nuan smiled slightly.
【It’s okay. I’ll get her back later. In front of the Manager, I still need to be respectful.】
Respect was one thing, but she had no intention of becoming a punching bag.
【I support you!】999 raised both hands.
After returning with the mop, Shen Nuan started cleaning.
“Clean around here too. It’s filthy,” Yang Liu ordered disdainfully.
Without hesitation, Shen Nuan mopped right around Yang Liu’s feet.
“Ah! You touched my shoes!”
Jumping up, Yang Liu exploded when she saw coffee grounds on her shoes.
“You did that on purpose!”
Smiling sweetly, Shen Nuan said, “Miss Yang, I’m cleaning the coffee. I don’t understand what you mean by ‘on purpose.’”
Furious, Yang Liu thought of another scheme.
“Go make me another coffee.”
【She’s definitely planning something again.】999 muttered.
【I’ll be careful.】
This time, Shen Nuan placed the coffee directly opposite Yang Liu.
“Please enjoy.”
Then she turned around and left.
Her plan foiled again, Yang Liu twisted her mouth in anger.
She deliberately stretched out her leg.
Shen Nuan had intended to avoid it, but after catching sight of someone entering, another idea came to mind.
【Boss, the male lead is here.】999 informed her.
【I saw him. Perfect timing to act pitiful.】
“Ah!”
Pretending to be on a trip, she fell forward.
“Careful.”
Fu Shijing caught her in time.
He had come after work to see her because of what happened yesterday, only to witness her being bullied and nearly falling.
His heart tightened instantly.
【Ding~, the System has credited three hundred thousand yuan.】
“Fu Shijing!”
Shen Nuan’s face lit up with joy, pretending she had just noticed him.
“P President Fu, I didn’t trip her!”
Panicked, Yang Liu blurted it out herself.
She had been pleased with herself moments ago, never expecting Fu Shijing to suddenly appear and destroy the image she had worked so hard to cultivate.
His expression darkened.
“Are you hurt?”
“No, but… ah…”
Shen Nuan grimaced slightly.
“Maybe I sprained my ankle again.”
Actually, she was perfectly fine, but when facing Fu Shijing, even if she wasn’t injured, she had to act a little pitiful.
Her foot had only just recovered, and now she was hurt again.
His face darkened.
“It seems Manager Yang’s character has issues. Inform your father that I will reconsider the possibility of cooperation between our two companies.”
His words surprised Shen Nuan.
She hadn’t expected him to protect her so fiercely.
At that moment, she firmly believed that devoted admirers really could have their spring.
Yang Liu panicked.
She had finally convinced her father to let her manage such an important project so she could spend more time with Fu Shijing. Yet she had ruined everything.
“President Fu, I didn’t mean it. I wasn’t trying to trip her.”
Without even looking at Yang Liu, he said coldly, “Apologize to her.”
【Wow, the male lead is so domineering. He made her apologize.】
999 jumped out excitedly.
【If I didn’t know the plot, I’d think you were the heroine.】
【If I were the heroine, would I still need to fawn over him and struggle for money to survive?】
【True.】999 sympathized again.
For the sake of business and the company, Yang Liu reluctantly apologized.
“Miss Shen, I’m sorry. President Fu, about our proj…”
“Get out!”
The icy word frightened her into silence. Tears filled her eyes as she fled in disgrace.
Even Shen Nuan was startled. He was genuinely frightened when angry.
Turning to her, Fu Shijing’s voice softened.
“Can you walk?”
Afraid of overdoing it and getting exposed, Shen Nuan quickly nodded.
“Yes.”
At that moment, the Manager rushed over after hearing from the staff.
“Xiao Nuan, what happened this time? Why did the customer leave?”
She remembered the man beside Shen Nuan and instinctively kept some distance from his overwhelming presence.
“Manager, I…”
“Questioning her without even understanding the situation.”
Fu Shijing bent down and lifted Shen Nuan into his arms.
“This job isn’t worth keeping.”
Realizing what was happening, Shen Nuan anxiously grabbed his sleeve.
“Wait, Fu Shijing. I need this job. I have to explain things to the manager.”
“You want a job? Fine, I’ll hire you. Starting next week, you’ll work for me.”
His voice was decisive.
If she stayed in this coffee shop, who knew how many more grievances she would suffer?
This foolish woman didn’t even know how to protect herself.
【Ding~, the System has credited two hundred thousand yuan.】
Blinking her watery eyes, Shen Nuan’s heart overflowed with shock and joy.
She had been worrying about how to convince him to hire her.
Yet now…
She had been hired.
Acting pitiful really worked.