Jiang Fu was afraid of water.
When she was seven years old, Jiang Yao had once pushed her into the water. After her parents passed away, there was no one left in the Jiang family to protect her, and Jiang Yao’s bullying gradually shifted from covert to overt.
If Jiang Qi hadn’t happened to pass by that day, she might have already died.
The lake water in early summer was icy cold. Her dress floated in the water, covering her face, and Jiang Fu’s mouth and nose were blocked, making it impossible to breathe. Her chest felt so tight it seemed about to burst.
Jiang Fu struggled frantically, but the more she struggled, the tighter her dress clung to her. A flash of white light crossed her eyes, and she seemed to see her parents.
‘Are Father and Mother here to take A-Fu away? A-Fu is so tired…’
If living was this difficult, she might as well go with her parents.
Jiang Fu gradually loosened her grip, letting the lake water pull her under.
“Jiang Fu!”
Just as she was on the verge of suffocation and collapse, a pair of hands suddenly reached out from behind her.
A man’s iron-like arm wrapped around her waist. As her dress drifted upward, his palm pressed against her slender waist.
Warmth, strength, and the hope of survival.
Jiang Fu wanted to grab his hand, but the suffocation caused by her dress had drained most of her strength. She didn’t even have the energy to push the dress away.
The young girl’s delicate hands were soft, yet they clung tightly to his sleeve, as if entrusting herself entirely to him.
Xiao Jing’s cold, hardened heart softened into a pool of water. Holding her waist from behind, he lifted the dress from her face, also covering the boundless spring scenery beneath it.
“Jiang Fu, wake up!”
Xiao Jing gently patted her cheek. The young girl’s face was pale from suffocation, looking especially pitiful in the water.
Xiao Jing called her name several times, but Jiang Fu showed no response. Anxious, he disregarded etiquette and rules, pinched her chin, and pressed his lips to hers.
In her dazed state, Jiang Fu suddenly felt a softness on her lips. Someone was holding her waist and pressing against her chest. The cold lake water washed over her eyes, plunging her into darkness, with nothing to rely on but the figure in front of her.
Xiao Jing felt her soft body press against him and held her even tighter.
The young girl’s lips were sweet and soft, but he had no time to dwell on it now.
“Jiang Fu, wake up!”
He continued calling her, parting her lips to pass air into her mouth. After several breaths, the young girl finally responded.
In the water, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her almond-shaped eyes slowly opened.
Jiang Fu knew someone was saving her. This was the Xie family’s garden, and Xie Chan naturally wouldn’t let her die in the lake.
But she never expected it would be Xiao Jing.
The man held her tightly, their bodies pressed closely together, their lips even touching. Jiang Fu could still feel the slight coolness of his tongue.
Her almond-shaped eyes widened suddenly, her mind blank, and she bit him hard.
How could he kiss her!
And even touch her there!
Jiang Fu was completely unaware of how bold she was. Having just been rescued, her mind was still unclear. It was only when she saw the man’s darkened expression that she realized belatedly.
She had bitten him again!
Xiao Jing had jumped into the water to save her, yet she had ungratefully bitten him.
Jiang Fu clutched his lapel, trembling all over.
Would Xiao Jing be so angry that he’d throw her back into the lake? He would surely strangle her.
Xiao Jing was indeed angry, but not because Jiang Fu had bitten him. Instead, it was because every time they met, Jiang Fu was terrified of him.
In his dreams, they were so intimate, yet in reality, the young girl kept her distance from him.
Xiao Jing couldn’t put his emotions into words, feeling only a knot of frustration in his chest that he couldn’t shake off.
His face was dark and stormy, and Jiang Fu couldn’t help but curl her lips. When the Xie family’s maidservants swam over, they saw this scene.
After all, Jiang Fu was a woman, and Xie Chan, mindful of propriety between men and women, wouldn’t truly send guards to rescue her. However, by the time the maidservants swam over, Xiao Jing had already brought her back.
Seeing Xiao Jing’s dark expression, the Xie family’s maidservants mustered their courage and swam up to the pair. “Third Master, please hand Fourth Miss Jiang over to us.”
Xiao Jing’s hand tightened around Jiang Fu’s slender waist, his heart filled with reluctance. But he knew that by diving into the water to save her today, he had already pushed the young girl into the spotlight. If he continued to hold her, those on the shore would surely find ways to bully her.
She was so timid, and if bullied, she would only cry in secret.
Xiao Jing released his grip, watching as the maidservants securely took hold of Jiang Fu before turning with a cold expression and heading back to shore.
Yet he didn’t know that his restrained, icy demeanor appeared to the young girl as disdain.
Jiang Fu lay in the arms of the maidservants, her eyes reddening.
She knew Xiao Jing disliked her.
The garden’s central lake was filled with lotus flowers, concealing what had happened underwater. Xiao Jing emerged from the water, his clothes soaked, and the noble ladies on the shore stared at his powerful waist and long legs with fiery gazes.
“I always thought Third Master was cold and aloof, but I never expected him to be so kind-hearted. If I had known earlier, I would have jumped in myself.”
How could Fourth Jiang have taken advantage of such an opportunity!
Many shared this thought, and even Xie Chan couldn’t help but consider it.
But she quickly dismissed the idea.
As a noble daughter of the Xie family, she naturally didn’t need to resort to such underhanded tactics.
If she wanted Xiao Jing, she would marry him openly and honorably.
“Third Master, please go change into dry clothes. I’ve already ordered the servants to prepare ginger tea.”
Xiao Jing gave a slight nod. “Thank you.”
With that, he brushed past her, giving her no chance to continue speaking.
Xie Chan bit her lip, just as Jiang Fu was brought ashore by the maidservants. Her summer dress was thin and clung tightly to her body, revealing her graceful figure.
The noble ladies on the shore gasped in surprise. Not only was Fourth Jiang’s appearance stunning, but her figure was also exquisite—every curve perfectly proportioned, neither too plump nor too slender. It was truly the kind of beauty men adored and women envied.
Remembering how Xiao Jing had held her underwater, the noble ladies felt so envious they nearly tore their handkerchiefs to shreds.
Xie Chan’s expression turned extremely unpleasant as she struggled to contain her anger. “Take Fourth Miss Jiang to change her clothes at once!”
“Yes.”
The maidservants dared not delay, quickly supporting Jiang Fu as they hurried away.
Jiang Yao watched Jiang Fu’s disheveled state and covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, only to be met with Xie Chan’s sharp gaze.
“Second Miss Jiang, I don’t care what grudges you and your Jiang sisters have, but this is the Xie residence. I advise you to keep your petty schemes to yourself.”
Jiang Yao’s smile froze. Xie Chan’s public reprimand had left her with no dignity.
But as a member of a declining family, she dared not argue with Xie Chan. Swallowing her humiliation, she explained, “Jiang Fu slipped accidentally. I couldn’t hold her back. If you don’t believe me, ask Lin’er.”
Jiang Lin was dragged into the matter, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. But as a mere concubine-born daughter, she dared not defy Jiang Yao. Faced with Xie Chan’s cold expression, she could only nod in agreement.
“It… it was Jiang Fu who fell in by herself.”
Fools!
Xie Chan’s frustration simmered, and she refused to spare them another glance.
After Xie Chan walked past, Jiang Yao’s legs went weak. She knew she had offended Xie Chan today.
However, Jiang Fu was in the same predicament. Being held in Xiao Jing’s arms in front of the noble ladies of the capital had already made her a target of everyone’s envy.
Especially Xie Chan—compared to herself, Jiang Fu believed this Miss Xie harbored even greater hatred toward her.
If she was going to suffer, she would never let Jiang Fu have it easy either.
“Did I arrive too late? Why has the banquet already ended? And where is my third uncle? Did he not come?”
Suddenly, a clear and youthful voice rang out from the courtyard entrance. Lin Xueyan’s eyes lit up as she lifted the hem of her skirt and hurried over.
“It’s all because of Jiang Fu. While everyone was admiring the lotus flowers, she inexplicably fell into the water and dragged Third Master down to rescue her.”
Upon hearing Jiang Fu’s name, a mix of anger and discomfort flashed across the young man’s face.
“Why is it always her!”
Seeing his annoyed attitude, Lin Xueyan couldn’t hide her delight. Fortunately, Xiao Yuzhang had arrived late; otherwise, upon seeing Jiang Fu’s beauty, he would surely have felt sorry for her.
Now, it was perfect. Jiang Fu, with her lack of grace, falling into the water would only deepen Xiao Yuzhang’s disgust toward her.
“She probably saw Third Master nearby and wanted to catch his attention.”
Lin Xueyan slandered Jiang Fu without restraint, deepening the disgust on Xiao Yuzhang’s face.
Thankfully, he had broken off the engagement with her; otherwise, this shameless woman would have married him.
“I’m going to find my third uncle!”
“Hey! Xiao Yuzhang!”
He had come in a hurry and left just as quickly. Before Lin Xueyan could even try to stop him, he had already disappeared beyond the courtyard gate.
Xu Yun, overhearing the commotion, couldn’t help but feel a hint of disdain.
Young Master Xiao was truly far inferior to his uncle. She wondered if he would regret it once he saw Jiang Fu’s beauty in the future.
She couldn’t wait to watch the drama unfold.