In the end, Ji Ying still couldn’t persuade Fu Jingshen—her attempt to travel alone had failed.
Half an hour later, the car stopped outside a Huizhou restaurant with white walls and black tiles.
Fu Jingshen introduced: “The flavors here are very authentic.”
Ji Ying had been nervously watching her phone, worried her family might call. Hearing this, her attention shifted. “What specialties does it have?” she asked with interest.
Fu Jingshen, skilled at teasing, didn’t answer directly. “You’ll know once you taste them.”
After being seated, Ji Ying introduced Chen Yu and Fu Jingshen to each other. When it came to Fu Jingshen, she hesitated slightly, but the man spoke first, nodding: “Ji Ying’s fiancé, Fu Jingshen.”
Ji Ying couldn’t help glancing at him. He slipped into the role rather quickly.
Chen Yu nodded politely again and again. “Hello, Mr. Fu. I’ve heard much about you.”
As the waiter served tea, Fu Jingshen naturally poured for Ji Ying. Hearing Chen Yu’s words, he asked with interest: “Heard much? Yinghua often talks about me?”
Chen Yu, used to dealing with customers, knew exactly what to say to whom.
Even though Ji Ying had only ever mentioned this “plastic fiancé” in passing, Chen Yu kept a straight face and replied: “Yes, the manager often mentions you.”
Ji Ying: “…”
Fu Jingshen chuckled softly, sipping his tea. “I didn’t know that.”
*Of course you didn’t—it wasn’t true.* Ji Ying lifted her cup expressionlessly, drinking to cool her temper. But the tea surprised her. What was meant to soothe her throat entered smooth and sweet, with a lingering aftertaste. Though it was just ordinary black tea, it carried a unique flavor.
Ji Ying froze. She hadn’t expected free tea at a Huizhou restaurant to be so impressive.
“Chen Yu,” Ji Ying said, “try this tea. It’s quite good.”
Chen Yu took a sip, eyes lighting up. “It really is delicious.”
Ji Ying suggested: “After dinner, let’s ask the manager about the tea source.”
Chen Yu agreed readily. “Alright.”
Before the words settled, Fu Jingshen said: “No need to trouble yourselves. This tea comes from the local Hongxing Tea Factory.”
Ji Ying blinked. “Third Brother, how do you know?”
Fu Jingshen:“I’m planning to build a resort in Huizhou. I invested in this restaurant, so I know a little about it.”
Ji Ying was stunned. She hadn’t expected that a CEO like Fu Jingshen would remember such fine details about his projects.
“Hongxing Tea Factory?” Ji Ying murmured, nodding seriously. “I’ll make sure to look into it.”
That evening, the Huizhou cuisine was exceptional. Ji Ying couldn’t resist eating more than usual. Because of the delay on the way from the airport, by the time they finished dinner, the clock was already nearing nine.
Ji Ying suggested returning to the hotel first, and Fu Jingshen drove them to the entrance.
Chen Yu, quick to read the situation, smiled and cheerfully sent the driver off to help with the luggage. Before leaving, she even winked at Ji Ying from the front seat, her smile full of meaning.
Ji Ying’s hand was already on the door handle, but in an instant, the car was left with only her and Fu Jingshen.
Outside, the Huizhou night was deep and quiet, lacking the bustle of the capital. For a moment, Ji Ying could even hear the man’s steady breathing in the narrow space.
Fu Jingshen chuckled softly. “Your friend is very considerate.”
Ji Ying puffed her cheeks, fiddling with the hem of her dress. “Yes—too considerate.”
Silence lingered for a beat.
Then Fu Jingshen broke it. “The Huizhou night is beautiful. Interested in taking a walk?”
Ji Ying looked out the window at the ancient architecture stretching into the distance. Her eyes lit with anticipation. After a few seconds, she nodded gently.
The night air was cool, the breeze brushing her hair. Ji Ying and Fu Jingshen walked side by side along the old bridge, gazing at the endless ripples of the river, breathing in the fresh air.
“Do you like it here?”
Ji Ying’s eyes sparkled as she nodded. “I do!”
Raised in privilege, she seemed easily satisfied by simple joys.
Fu Jingshen said: “Soon, the resort will be built. I’ll bring you back then.”
Ji Ying’s eyes curved with delight. “Alright.”
The evening breeze was chilly. Fu Jingshen removed his jacket and draped it over her slender shoulders. “Wear this.”
Ji Ying’s lashes fluttered. She glanced at the jacket, still warm from his body. She wanted to thank him, but meeting his gaze, she swallowed the words. She walked a few steps ahead, then suddenly asked: “Third Brother, do you think… we’re dating right now?”
Fu Jingshen turned the question back on her. “What do you think?”
Ji Ying lowered her head, staring at her toes. After a moment’s thought, she answered: “We’re going to get married. Before marriage, isn’t that dating? So I suppose it counts?”
Fu Jingshen leaned slightly closer, his eyes fixed on hers, his voice low.
“No. It doesn’t.”
Ji Ying lifted her gaze, puzzled. “It doesn’t?”
He looked into her clear eyes—so pure they seemed to strip away his restraint.
Too obedient. So obedient that, in an instant, he could abandon all conscience. Without hesitation, he reached out.
In Ji Ying’s startled gaze, his fingers hooked around hers—slender, pale as porcelain—and held them tight. His hand was warm, strong, enveloping hers completely.
Ji Ying instinctively tried to pull away, but the next second, his grip tightened, leaving no room for refusal.
Fu Jingshen’s eyes, dark as ink, locked onto her. For a moment, they seemed to brim with endless depth.
“This is what counts—the first step of love.”
The first step? How many more steps are there? Ji Ying’s pupils widened slightly, but she didn’t pull away. She let the man hold her hand as they continued walking along the riverbank— as if he were giving her time to adjust.
All the way, Fu Jingshen said nothing. Ji Ying’s heartbeat gradually steadied, and she began to notice the beauty of the scenery around them.
The night was deep. On Huizhou’s quiet ancient streets, there were few passersby, no sound—until suddenly, a sharp phone ring broke the silence.
Ji Ying’s eyes widened, her steps halted. “Third Brother, I have a call.”
Fu Jingshen stopped too, gesturing for her to answer.
Her heartbeat quickened again, peaking when she saw the caller ID.
It was Ji Chen.
The moment she picked up, his voice came through, no longer calm as usual. “Yingying,” Ji Chen said briefly: “Mom’s been busy with the charity gala. Tonight she came home with a fever. She saw the note you left upstairs, then rushed down too quickly and fell on the stairs. Her ankle’s dislocated. A doctor’s with her now.”
“But it’s not too serious. A few weeks of rest and she’ll recover.” His tone tried to reassure, but after a pause, he added helplessly: “Still, Mom wants you to come back as soon as possible.”
He kept speaking, telling her not to worry or blame herself.
But Ji Ying stood frozen, unable to take in his words. When she finally spoke, her voice trembled softly: “Got it, Brother. I’ll come back soon.”
She hung up. Her nose reddened, her eyes shimmering with tears she forced back. She looked at Fu Jingshen. “Third Brother,” she said hoarsely, “I made a selfish decision.” Shaking her head, guilt weighed heavily. “I shouldn’t have. I knew Mom would worry.”
Fu Jingshen had caught most of the call’s content. He lowered his gaze, reached into the pocket of the jacket draped over her shoulders, and pulled out a handkerchief. Gently, he brushed it across her reddened eyes. His voice was low, steady, carrying quiet reassurance. “I’ll go back with you.”
Her vision blurred, but she stood still as he wiped her tears. Then she noticed—the handkerchief’s corner bore a pink sakura blossom, embroidered by her own hand. It was hers.
Ji Ying’s lashes fluttered. Hidden beneath the jacket, her fingers curled unconsciously.
At dawn, Ji Ying boarded the earliest flight back to the capital. Because she hadn’t booked in advance, seats were scarce. Fu Jingshen had paid a high price to secure two economy tickets.
Ji Ying felt guilty, not knowing what to say.
Third Master Fu, raised in wealth and privilege, probably had no idea what economy class even looked like. Yet now he had set aside his work, accompanying her back to the capital at dawn. She looked at him sitting on the plane, eyes closed in rest, and quietly studied his profile. His nose was high, his brows deep—especially captivating.
Suddenly, Ji Ying recalled a rumor. It was said that over the years, countless celebrities and socialites had pursued Fu Jingshen, yet none had gotten close.
The most famous story was of a minor starlet who staged a scene in public—knocking over the wine glass in his hand and falling into his arms. But the cold, heartless man had sidestepped her, then ordered her thrown out of the hall on the spot. She never appeared again.
Ji Ying’s eyes flickered with confusion. Fu Jingshen was known to be so indifferent, yet he treated her so well; was it only out of responsibility?
Lost in thought, she suddenly felt her hand on the armrest being gently held. At some point, Fu Jingshen had opened his eyes, gazing at her with clarity. “If you want to look, then look. No need to wait until I’m asleep.”
Ji Ying: !
She instantly tried to pull her hand back, cheeks puffed, muttering softly:
“Who’s looking at you?”
Fu Jingshen chuckled, no longer teasing. He lowered his head, playing with her slender, pale fingers, his gaze lingering with a smile at her ears turning pink.
Two hours later, the plane landed in the capital. As soon as they touched down, Ji Ying hurried home.
Fu Jingshen escorted her to the door but didn’t go in. He said quietly: “I’ll come later.” For now, he couldn’t enter—he might be driven out.
Ji Ying blinked, then nodded quickly before running inside.
The driver asked softly: “Mr. Fu, where to next?”
“Home,” Fu Jingshen replied calmly. “Bring some tonic.”
“Yes.”
Fu Jingshen glanced once more at Ji Ying disappearing through the gate. After a long moment, he withdrew his gaze.
Ji Ying tiptoed into the house. Opening the door, she saw Ji Chen eating breakfast at the dining table. She lowered her eyes, stood at the doorway, and whispered: “Brother.”
“Yingying.” Hearing her voice, Ji Chen turned, his tone natural. “Have you eaten? If not, sit down and eat something first.”
Ji Ying nodded lightly, glanced upstairs, then slowly walked to the table.
Ji Chen ladled her a bowl of porridge, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. “Didn’t sleep last night?”
Ji Ying lowered her head, nodding faintly. “I’m sorry…”
“No need to apologize,” Ji Chen said gently. “No one could have predicted this.”
Ji Ying hesitated. “Mom…?”
“She’s fine. Dad’s upstairs taking care of her,” Ji Chen replied.
Everyone had been busy lately. Her father and elder brother were tied up with the Ji family’s project, yet because of her, they had to carve out time to care for her mother.
Ji Ying’s head drooped lower. She sipped a few mouthfuls of porridge without appetite, then stood. “Brother, I’ll go check on Mom.”
At the foot of the stairs, Ji Chen called after her: “Yingying, I understand you. I don’t blame you.”
Ji Ying stopped, took a deep breath, and then turned with a smile. “Thank you, Brother.” With that, she went upstairs to the master bedroom.
Through the half-closed door, she heard her parents talking. Her steps faltered.
“Though Yingying made a mistake this time, the root cause is your overprotectiveness of her.”
“You’ve tied all this care and favoritism to one child, even neglecting your own health. Have you thought about how much pressure that puts on Yingying?”
“I care for her, protect her—is that wrong?”
“Yingying is my youngest child. She was only five pounds at birth and raised with difficulty. How could I bear to let her face any danger?”
“This can’t go on.” Ji Tianze sighed, his tone serious. “If before I didn’t approve of Yingying’s marriage to Third Fu, now I’m beginning to waver.”
“I’m not afraid that Third Fu has ulterior motives. As long as I’m here, he won’t dare wrong Yingying in the slightest.”
“Compared side by side, this marriage may not be such a bad thing after all.”