Wen Ying believed him was about as likely as ghosts, yet she responded indifferently, “Oh, got it.”
Seeing her nonchalant attitude, Fu Tingchuan felt a tightness in his chest, a suffocating frustration.
But since she said she understood, over-explaining would only seem like covering something up.
He glanced at the car and decided to change the topic. “That day I had Qingyu drive you home—you didn’t get angry with him, did you?”
Wen Ying frowned. “Why would I get angry with him?”
Fu Tingchuan knew Wen Ying’s temperament well; she had never had a gentle temper.
Thinking of Gu Qingyu’s personality, he nodded in agreement. “I thought so. Who could ever really get mad at him? He’s always been impossible to argue with.”
“Really?” Wen Ying’s tone rose slightly, hinting at interest. “He’s been like that since he was young?”
Fu Tingchuan’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Wen Ying was proud and haughty, rarely showing a friendly face to anyone. Among all his friends, none had ever received a kind word from her, let alone a conversation.
Yet today, she was willing to speak to him properly. Taking it as a concession, he continued, “More or less. He’s good-natured, tolerant with everyone. I think you two should get along fine.”
Wen Ying’s reply was sharp and cold: “Who wants to get along with him?”
Though her tone was harsh, Fu Tingchuan’s mood inexplicably lifted.
He smiled helplessly. “Qingyu is my best friend. We grew up together. When you marry me, naturally you’ll have to interact with him.”
Their marriage had been arranged by their elders long ago. Wen Ying had always known that marriage to Fu Tingchuan was inevitable.
In the past, she hadn’t resisted, even looked forward to it a little.
But now, hearing the word “marriage” brought an unexplainable reluctance.
She suppressed the thought but couldn’t resist a sarcastic comment. “Your ‘best friend,’ huh?”
She found it amusing.
She wondered if Fu Tingchuan would still call him his best friend when he found out Qingyu had cheated on him.
Fu Tingchuan frowned. “What do you mean?”
Wen Ying rolled her eyes and snorted lightly, unconcerned. “Who knows if your friendship is even real.”
Fu Tingchuan took it as jealousy. “Wen Ying, don’t assume that just because you don’t have friends, everyone else’s friends aren’t sincere.”
“Who says I don’t have friends?” She had plenty. One phone call could gather a whole group.
Fu Tingchuan scoffed. “Which of your friends isn’t there because you pay them? Try stopping the perks—would they still want to be friends with you?”
His words hit a nerve. “Mind your own business! I have money! I want to!”
She bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Then, thinking of something, she glanced at him and muttered quietly, “Better than certain people…”
Fu Tingchuan didn’t hear clearly. “What did you say?”
“Nothing. I don’t feel like talking to you right now.” Wen Ying turned her head, refusing further conversation.
“Wen Ying—”
Fu Tingchuan realized he shouldn’t have spoken. The conversation went nowhere, leaving him fuming with frustration.
He had tried to be friendly, yet this was the response.
At their destination, they stepped out of the car.
Wen Ying’s skirt was long and caught in the door. The driver helping her gently tugged it free.
Fu Tingchuan approached. “What happened?”
The driver explained.
Fu Tingchuan frowned at Wen Ying. “Can’t you be a little careful? You’re always so clumsy.”
Wen Ying took a deep breath, gritting her teeth. “Fu Tingchuan, do you want to argue?”
They were in public, many eyes on them; any quarrel would attract attention.
Fu Tingchuan knew her temper. If they really argued over such a small thing, it would be a loss.
He reached for her hand, holding it gently in his palm. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Enough, don’t make a scene.”
His masculine, cool aura enveloped her. Wen Ying understood the importance of the public setting; with cameras all around, she would maintain appearances despite her inner resistance.
Since Fu Tingchuan offered her a way out, she took it, letting him hold her hand and smiled slightly.
Fu Tingchuan, seeing her smile after so long, was momentarily stunned. He drew her closer into his arm, letting her loop her arm around his, nodded to the cameras, a faint smile appearing on his typically stern face, and led her toward the banquet hall.
The pair looked harmonious and intimate, their handsome and beautiful appearances drawing attention, further enhanced by their prestigious family backgrounds.
Rumors about the two families’ engagement falling apart quickly collapsed in light of their public display of closeness.
In a distant corner, a pair of calm, refined eyes observed the scene.
Gu Qingyu’s hand holding a wine glass paused, his gaze lowering slightly.
The person speaking with him noticed and looked toward the couple. “It’s Tingchuan and Wen Ying. I heard there’s been some stir recently. People are speculating that their families’ engagement is in jeopardy.”
Gu Qingyu’s long eyelashes lowered; he smiled lightly. “Is that so?”
“Yes. They say it’s because Tingchuan’s secretary caused a fuss.”
“Honestly, Wen Ying might have a bad temper, but she’s beautiful! Great figure too. Back in school, many liked her—surely they knew her temper wasn’t great. But she’s a beauty; a little temper is normal.”
The other person shook his head. “I don’t know why Tingchuan would go for that secretary. She’s cute, but not a world-class beauty. Maybe just a fling. To mess with his well-matched fiancée over her? Totally unnecessary.”
They were all from the same social circle, having known each other since youth, so they knew many details.
He glanced at Gu Qingyu’s refined, handsome face. “You probably aren’t interested in these matters. But you’re close with Tingchuan. Has he told you if he plans to break off the engagement?”
Recalling Wen Ying’s words from that day, Gu Qingyu shook his head lightly, tone casual. “Doesn’t seem like it.”
The other person was surprised. “Really? Tingchuan always complains that Wen Ying is too stubborn and capricious. And he still doesn’t plan to break off the engagement?”
Gu Qingyu simply shook his head and smiled, saying nothing further.
The man sighed, disappointed. “I was hoping if they broke up, I might have a chance. Too bad.”
He glanced up and saw Gu Qingyu watching him intently, eyes unreadable.
Feeling uneasy, he stammered, “Why are you looking at me like that? I’m not trying to steal your brother’s girl—it’s just talk. I’m not the only one thinking that. Don’t tell Tingchuan; he might hold back, but with us, he’d flip on a dime.”
Suddenly remembering that night, he placed his hand on Gu Qingyu’s shoulder, smiling flirtatiously. “Something happened recently~”
Gu Qingyu looked at him, confused.
“Hey~ I saw it that day,” he reminded him. “Parking lot, in the car~”
He puckered his lips, mimicking a kiss. “Not bad, having fun~”
Gu Qingyu’s gaze under his lenses darkened. “What did you see?”
“Ah~ don’t worry, I didn’t see what you two did after that.” He changed his tone. “But who’s that woman? Do I know her?”
Gu Qingyu’s gaze softened slightly, but a voice cut in—
“What are you talking about? What woman?”
Both looked up to see Fu Tingchuan arriving with Wen Ying.
Wen Ying wore a voluminous red strapless gown, radiating elegance and nobility.
Her makeup highlighted her already exquisite features, making her appearance even more stunning, grand, and proud.
Gu Qingyu’s gaze lingered briefly on her face, and Wen Ying happened to glance back.
Their eyes met momentarily before quickly shifting away.
His gaze dropped to their linked arms, jaw tightening slightly.
The man said, “Nothing, just talking about Gu Qingyu having a situation.”
“Oh? What situation?” Fu Tingchuan raised an eyebrow, curious.
Wen Ying looked toward him as well.
Gu Qingyu wore rimless glasses today, his eyes beneath calm and steady, a glass of red wine swirling in his hand. His refined and composed features radiated restrained elegance.
The man was about to reveal what he had seen that day.
“Bang”—the sound of a wine glass tapping the table.
“Yi Jie,” Gu Qingyu’s calm gaze lifted from Wen Ying’s waist, giving him a subtle, warning glance.
Yi Jie stiffened. “Nothing, I just wanted to tease Qingyu a bit since he’s been single for so long.”
Fu Tingchuan arched an eyebrow, teasing. “Speaking of which, among us brothers, Qingyu seems the only one still single. Gu Aunt has always been anxious, even asking me privately if Qingyu likes any girl.”
“Hey~ now’s a good time to answer, so I can report back when Gu Aunt asks again.”
Gu Qingyu’s gaze instinctively shifted, landing on Wen Ying.
She looked curious, slightly nosy.
He slowly moved his gaze away, but the depths of his eyes turned cold. “None.”
“Really none?” Fu Tingchuan pressed, surprised. “Even at the hospital, nurses or female patients—no one caught your eye?”
Wen Ying was curious too, thinking Gu Qingyu was probably a hypocrite, prim and proper in public but different in private.
Gu Qingyu smiled lightly, voice calm and detached. “Professional is professional, personal is personal. I keep them separate.”
Meaning he wouldn’t entangle with colleagues or patients.
Gu Qingyu had always been so disciplined. Fu Tingchuan nodded, not pressing further.
Yi Jie pouted, feeling Gu Qingyu was being unfair, hiding such things.
But Gu Qingyu forbade it, so he dared not speak.
Yi Jie glanced at Wen Ying, studying her up and down. The more he looked, the more she resembled the woman he had seen in the car being pinned by Gu Qingyu that day.