Shui Ruyue was completely wrapped in the embrace and couldn’t move at all. She had already been drinking, and her whole body felt limp and weak.
Her stomach churned again.
Shui Ruyue hurriedly pushed Fu Qingzhi away and rushed to the restroom to throw up.
She had really gone all out today just to secure a few small contracts.
Left standing there alone, Fu Qingzhi said nothing. Her expression darkened as she cast a cold glance around the room. The onlookers, who had been happily watching the drama unfold, quickly dispersed.
“I can’t believe President Fu actually stepped in to defend Shui Ruyue—and even acknowledged their relationship. That’s a rare sight.”
“Did you see how tightly President Fu hugged her just now? Why did that look… kind of sweet?”
No one dared speak loudly. They could only whisper among themselves.
The gossip didn’t stay confined to the restaurant.
It exploded across the internet as well.
After all, Fu Qingzhi was the business tycoon who practically ruled A City. Even the slightest movement on her part was enough to ignite heated discussions online.
Before long, a trending headline shot to the top:
President Fu Defends Her Beloved Wife, Publicly Shuts Down Rich Playboy
As for that wealthy young master, he was taken in for questioning over spreading false rumors. After he got home, his family gave him another harsh lesson.
Meanwhile, the person at the center of all the gossip—Shui Ruyue—was completely unaware of everything, lying in the passenger seat, half asleep.
Fu Qingzhi drove in silence.
Images flashed through her mind: the close distance between Shui Ruyue and that young employee… the smile on Shui Ruyue’s face when she saw Jin Meimei…
Then she remembered how Shui Ruyue had turned and run the moment she saw her today.
An inexplicable irritation welled up inside Fu Qingzhi.
A strange sense of anxiety suddenly made her crave alcohol again.
Even though she’d already had more than enough to drink today.
Not enough.
Nowhere near enough.
She needed something that would let her sleep soundly.
By the time they arrived at the villa, Shui Ruyue slowly regained consciousness.
Thinking Sisi had brought her home, she lazily lifted her head—only to meet Fu Qingzhi’s gaze.
Shui Ruyue instantly stiffened.
She hadn’t delayed Fu Qingzhi’s work because she’d gotten drunk… had she?
She immediately sat up straight and looked at Fu Qingzhi nervously.
Fu Qingzhi almost laughed from sheer exasperation.
“So… who did you think brought you home just now? Hmm?”
Freshly awake, Shui Ruyue’s mind was still foggy. Before she could answer, the woman beside her leaned closer.
Fu Qingzhi first tugged down the hem of her dress, covering her fair, exposed thighs.
“That little employee of yours? Or…”
Before she could finish, two fingers pressed gently against her lips.
Shui Ruyue hurriedly stopped her.
She definitely didn’t want to bring up the fact that she’d secretly gone out to entertain clients.
She’d even broken the house rules…
Even if she didn’t want to admit it.
Fu Qingzhi lightly ran her tongue across those fingers.
Before Shui Ruyue could react, a shiver ran through her entire body.
Her lips were soft.
Her tongue was even softer.
“Mmph…”
Shui Ruyue couldn’t tell whether she was frightened or… enjoying it.
No.
She immediately rejected that thought.
She was a completely straight woman.
Yet her legs trembled uncontrollably, and her ears turned bright red.
Just as she was at a complete loss, the other woman let her go.
As though nothing had happened.
Fu Qingzhi had already stepped out of the car.
She bullies me and then runs away? Who does that?
“Jerk!”
Just as Shui Ruyue was about to get out of the car, she stumbled straight into Fu Qingzhi’s arms.
The car door had only just been opened. Before she could steady herself, she crashed into the other woman’s embrace, unable to muster any strength.
It looked as though Shui Ruyue had willingly thrown herself into Fu Qingzhi’s arms.
She was innocent, okay?
“From now on, you’re not allowed to come home that late.”
“No matter the reason.”
Fu Qingzhi spoke in a tone that left no room for refusal.
“But you’re a workaholic too,” Shui Ruyue muttered in protest.
So it’s one rule for the officials and another for everyone else.
Silence hung in the air for a moment.
Then Fu Qingzhi said,
“Right. One person working that hard is enough.”
“Hmm?”
“…?”
Shui Ruyue wanted to say more, but Fu Qingzhi had already walked into the villa.
With no choice, she went upstairs to take a shower first.
Her stomach still felt awful after all the drinking.
Shui Ruyue was finding it hard to bear. The original owner—an heiress born with a silver spoon—had probably never pushed herself this hard before.
But when she thought about how she didn’t want to end up starving on the streets in the future, none of it seemed like too great a sacrifice.
After finishing her shower, a maid brought her a bowl of hangover soup.
“Madam, President Fu personally instructed us to prepare this. It will also help warm your stomach.”
That thoughtful?
Shui Ruyue couldn’t help feeling touched.
After comfortably finishing the hangover soup, she headed to bed.
Only then did she notice that, at some point, the room lights had already been turned off.
On the bedside table sat a small rose-shaped night lamp that hadn’t been there before.
Its soft glow wasn’t harsh on the eyes, and when she took a gentle sniff, the air carried a faint fragrance of roses.
Could Fu Qingzhi have prepared this for her too?
Thinking back to how she’d called Fu Qingzhi a jerk in the car, Shui Ruyue felt a tiny bit guilty.
“Come here.”
Fu Qingzhi’s voice suddenly rang out.
It came from the bed.
Obediently, Shui Ruyue walked over.
She figured Fu Qingzhi simply didn’t want her wandering around and disturbing her sleep.
She lifted the blanket, about to climb into bed, when her wrist was suddenly caught.
The next moment, a bottle of essential oil was placed in her hand.
“Do you like this scent?”
Instinctively, Shui Ruyue took a sniff.
It carried a pleasantly sweet fragrance that immediately put her at ease.
“I like it.”
“Then we’ll use this one from now on,” Fu Qingzhi said.
Lying on the bed, Fu Qingzhi didn’t move.
She simply watched her.
In the dimly lit room, Shui Ruyue didn’t think Fu Qingzhi was trying to get a better look at her face.
She was probably…
asking for a massage?
“Want to… give it a try?” Shui Ruyue suggested.
“If you’re willing.”
After such an exhausting day, there was no way she was actually willing.
Still, considering that Fu Qingzhi had brought her home today, Shui Ruyue figured she could endure it.
Besides, it would be a good opportunity to earn some goodwill.
“Then lie on your stomach.”
“…?”
Shui Ruyue froze.
She was the one who had to lie down?
“Lie still. Your pajamas are a bit in the way.”
Before Shui Ruyue could process what was happening, her pajama top had already been pulled down to her waist.