Back then, after his father’s accident, the Fu Group was left without clear leadership. Among the relatives, the most ambitious was his cousin, Fu Huohuai.
He had no real power within the company, and the board had always assumed he was just a figurehead—living off dividends and enjoying a lavish lifestyle. But the moment the accident happened, his true intentions surfaced.
Cunning and calculating, Fu Huohuai took the opportunity to seize control.
Fu Haoyan had no choice but to stay in Hong Kong and stabilize the company.
The Fu Group had been built by his father and grandfather—it could never fall into someone else’s hands.
Those two years were chaotic. He worked day and night without rest. People praised his decisive and ruthless methods, but only he knew that his world had become nothing but shades of black, white, and gray.
It wasn’t until this year that he finally reclaimed the shares from Fu Huohuai, completely removing him from the board and securing the company once again.
He had no room for mercy—only by leaving no openings could he remain undefeated.
One wrong step, and everything would collapse.
Because of this, he had no time to pay attention to Lei Shaoxin, who was far away in Vigeland.
The day he learned she had returned, he left work early just to see her.
Thinking of her, a faint smile would unconsciously appear on his face.
But when he recalled the events of that banquet—and He Zhuosheng—his expression would darken again.
He had to admit, He Zhuosheng was a capable rival in business… and an annoying one in matters of the heart.
Knock, knock.
The sound pulled him back to reality.
The study door was slightly open, and Lei Shaoxin called from outside, “Dinner’s ready.”
Fu Haoyan stubbed out his cigar, picked up his phone, and walked out.
In the dining room, Lei Shaoxin was placing dishes on the table one by one.
Seeing the scene, it felt almost like they had been living together for years.
After dinner, they picked a movie and curled up on the sofa, spending the evening quietly together.
Fu Haoyan mentioned going to the supermarket the next day to buy ingredients.
Lei Shaoxin turned her head in his arms and looked at him in disbelief—she hadn’t expected him to cook.
Perhaps it was the unfamiliar environment, or simply difficulty adjusting—Lei Shaoxin slept restlessly that night.
She woke suddenly from a nightmare, crying out.
Fu Haoyan, who was still working in the study, rushed to the bedroom as soon as he heard her voice.
He walked to the bedside, gently wiping the thin layer of sweat from her forehead.
Taking her hand, he slowly sat down on the carpet beside the bed—just like in the hospital—holding her hand as she drifted back to sleep.
Later, she would say…
He had become her “sleeping pill.”
Early the next morning, Fu Haoyan woke up leaning against the bed.
He lifted his head, stretching his stiff neck, joints cracking softly.
He carefully placed her hand back under the blanket, stood up, and stretched his back.
Hearing the movement, Lei Shaoxin stirred awake and saw him rubbing his lower back.
She reached out and grabbed his hand.
Caught off guard, he lost his balance and fell forward into her arms.
Instead of pulling away, he rested his head against her neck, his chin lightly pressing into the hollow there, his breath warm against her ear as he wrapped his arms around her.
The sudden closeness fully woke her.
The feeling was… strangely comforting.
Behind her was the soft mattress; in front of her, his solid warmth.
She wrapped her arms around his lean waist, faintly feeling the firmness beneath.
Her cheeks flushed.
Fu Haoyan didn’t linger long. He got up to wash and change.
Today, he didn’t wear a suit—just a black jacket.
Lei Shaoxin stayed lazily in bed. “Where are you going so early? The supermarket isn’t even open yet.”
“To the airport.”
Chen Jenny was leaving for a vacation abroad and would return after the Lunar New Year.
Originally, he planned to drop her off and then come back to take Lei Shaoxin to the supermarket.
But since she was already awake, he decided to bring her along.
After a quick wash, Lei Shaoxin changed into a black dress, and the two left together.
Fu Haoyan drove, while she sat in the passenger seat, applying lipstick using the mirror.
Catching sight of the pendant around her neck, she complained lightly that it didn’t match her outfit—
and even thought about taking it off to return it to him.
Fu Haoyan spoke gently, his tone full of affection. “Be good—just wear it. It’s for your safety.”
Lei Shaoxin paused, then stopped trying to remove the pendant and obediently left it on.
When they arrived at the airport, Chen Jenny was delighted to see Lei Shaoxin had come along. She hugged her tightly, reluctant to let go or head into security.
Only after Fu Haoyan repeatedly urged her did she finally board her flight.
The two had rushed out earlier and hadn’t eaten breakfast, so after leaving the airport, they stopped at a tea house before heading to the supermarket.
As they walked from the parking lot toward the restaurant, they happened to run into Lei Jiu and Gao Man, who had just finished their meal and were heading to their car.
The moment they came face to face, Lei Shaoxin froze slightly.
Noticing her reaction, Fu Haoyan gently pulled her behind him, shielding her.
Lei Jiu spoke first. “Mr. Fu.”
Fu Haoyan gave a slight nod. “Mr. Lei.”
Seeing that Lei Shaoxin kept her head down and made no effort to greet him, Lei Jiu chose not to press further. After a brief exchange, he turned to leave.
But Gao Man stopped and spoke sharply, her tone filled with hostility.
“Lei Shaoxin, Yingying has already gone abroad to avoid you. What kind of attitude is this?”
Lei Jiu noticed the cold edge in Fu Haoyan’s expression and felt wary.
“Mr. Fu, Shaoxin, I’m sorry—she’s just talking nonsense. Please don’t take it to heart.”
He quickly pulled Gao Man away.
Still, her words lingered in Lei Shaoxin’s mind. She already knew Lei Zhiying had gone abroad to study—
but avoiding her? What did that mean?
When she had asked Fu Haoyan before, he had only said calmly that she went overseas for school.
As he led her toward a private dining room, Lei Shaoxin didn’t know that when Fu Haoyan discovered the truth about the red paint incident—and saw her lose control that night—he had been overwhelmed with anger.
But none of that was something he would ever let her know.
Some things, he believed, she should never have to face.
The server led them inside. Fu Haoyan pulled out a chair for her, and Lei Shaoxin chose not to dwell further on Gao Man’s words.
Seeing Lei Jiu again reminded her of that late-night phone call at the hospital—the matter of the Lei family shares still unresolved.
As she wiped her hands with a towel, she said, “I’m going to the Lei Group tomorrow.”
“What for?” Fu Haoyan asked, slightly puzzled.
“It’s about the shares I acquired earlier.”
Only then did Fu Haoyan recall the phone call from the hospital. At the time, all his attention had been on her condition, and he hadn’t thought much of it.
“I’ll go with you,” he said, placing some food into her bowl.
Lei Shaoxin shook her head lightly as she ate. “No need. It wouldn’t be convenient for you—especially since it’s connected to your casino.”
Fu Haoyan nodded.
After their meal, they went to the supermarket.
Lei Shaoxin pushed the cart while Fu Haoyan walked behind her, watching her quietly, a faint smile forming on his lips.
This simple moment—he had imagined it countless times.
He stepped closer, placing both hands on the cart handle, naturally enclosing her within his arms.
A faint scent of rose lingered in the air.
They wandered through the entire supermarket and left with their cart full.
Unfortunately, he had driven a sports car that day, and the front trunk was too small to fit everything.
Lei Shaoxin held a large bag of groceries and asked, “Out of all the cars in your garage, why did you have to pick this one today?”
It was the red sports car he seemed especially fond of.
Fu Haoyan smiled slightly.
“This was the first car I ever drove with you.”
Only then did Lei Shaoxin remember.