After returning to the Fu residence, Shen Yunli now held Fu Linchuan’s medical report in her hands.
She skimmed through it quickly, her expression turning unpleasant.
It showed that Fu Linchuan was in good health—and that, in that regard, he was completely normal.
In other words, he simply had no reaction to her.
And that night when she tried to seduce him, she had even used a small amount of stimulants. The dosage wasn’t high, but it was enough to prove one thing—
He couldn’t respond to her.
But she had to get pregnant.
With Fu Linchuan like this, no matter how hard she tried, it would be useless.
An image of a cold, distant figure surfaced in Shen Yunli’s mind.
Before, it had only been a tentative thought. After all, borrowing someone else to conceive carried risks, so she had mainly pinned her hopes on Fu Linchuan.
Fu Qiwen had been her backup plan.
But now, given Fu Linchuan’s situation, it was clear—she had no choice but to take the risk.
There were too many uncertainties with Fu Linchuan.
He hadn’t made his relationship with Wen Yan public, nor had he shown any intention of breaking off the engagement. That meant he was satisfied with the current situation.
He kept Shen Yunli around only to placate the old master.
But could this fragile balance really last forever?
Fu Linchuan was clearly not the type to suppress his desires. He had needs. For now, it seemed unlikely he would let Wen Yan bear his child.
But what if?
What if Wen Yan got pregnant?
Would Fu Linchuan, for the sake of that child, suddenly decide to rebel against this engagement?
If that happened—what would she do?
Shen Yunli realized she needed to have a child as soon as possible.
At that point, no matter what choice Fu Linchuan made—even if they divorced—she would have given birth to a member of the Fu bloodline. The old master would protect her, and everything she deserved would still be hers.
With that thought, Shen Yunli stood up and headed toward Fu Qiwen’s residence.
Fu Qiwen was in the courtyard, playing chess with his bodyguard.
Since he couldn’t see, he called out the moves while the bodyguard placed the pieces for him.
Clearly, the bodyguard was already cornered, unable to advance or retreat.
Hearing footsteps, Fu Qiwen tilted his head slightly. The bodyguard said quietly, “Miss Shen is here.”
“Mr. Fu, I just got back from outside. I saw a dessert shop with a long line, so I bought some to try. Would you like to taste it?”
Shen Yunli held a small box of pastries in her hands, looking at him with a mix of anticipation and nervous restraint.
Her face practically spelled out her uncertainty—whether he liked sweets, whether he might refuse her.
The bodyguard glanced at Fu Qiwen. He gave a slight nod, and the bodyguard accepted it with a smile, intending to check it first before letting his master eat it.
Unexpectedly, Shen Yunli’s eyes sparkled as she spoke eagerly, “Mr. Fu, won’t you try it? It’s really good.”
The bodyguard was about to decline on his behalf, saying he had just eaten dinner.
But Fu Qiwen raised a hand. “Open it for me. I’ll try.”
The bodyguard complied.
Fu Qiwen took a bite. It was sweet and tangy, soft and slightly chewy—refreshing, perfect for summer.
He could taste hawthorn inside—good for digestion.
Taking another bite, he thought: the young woman had likely considered that he sat for long periods, so she chose something that aided digestion.
After two bites, he still hadn’t spoken.
Shen Yunli held her breath, nervously studying his expression. She looked like a timid student waiting for a parent to sign her report card.
She knew he couldn’t see—but she still had to act.
Because the bodyguard would tell him everything.
“It’s very good. Thank you.”
“Really? I’m glad you like it!” Shen Yunli beamed, visibly relieved, her face full of delight at receiving his approval.
She didn’t stay long. Keeping a careful sense of distance, she played a bit of chess with him before saying she should head back.
Before leaving, she called the bodyguard’s name, signaling for him to step outside with her.
After receiving Fu Qiwen’s permission, the bodyguard followed her into the corridor.
“Miss Shen, is there something you need?”
It was nearing evening. A lamp was lit in Fu Qiwen’s room. Through the window, Shen Yunli saw him sitting quietly, as if listening to the sounds of insects and birds.
She withdrew her gaze and turned to the bodyguard.
“I think the lighting in Mr. Fu’s room is too harsh. You should have someone replace it.”
The bodyguard instinctively objected. “Miss Shen, the master can’t see.”
Meaning—what difference would brightness make to a blind man?
But Shen Yunli showed a look of disagreement.
She lowered her voice, as if afraid of being overheard—though she knew the bodyguard would relay everything word for word.
“Mr. Fu’s eyes are injured, not completely without sensation. And sooner or later, he’ll recover his sight. Wouldn’t you want that, when he opens his eyes again, he won’t be hurt by harsh light?”
Her certainty left the bodyguard momentarily stunned.
Even the doctors hadn’t given a definite answer about his recovery.
Yet she spoke with such conviction, as if offering hope.
The bodyguard nodded. “You’re right, Miss Shen. I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll arrange it immediately.”
But Shen Yunli stopped him. “No need to trouble yourself. I’ve already informed the housekeeper. He’ll bring it shortly.”
After thanking her, the bodyguard returned inside.
He relayed everything he knew in detail.
He mentioned that Shen Yunli had also brought desserts to the old master and Madam Fu before coming here.
Then he repeated her words about changing the lamp.
Being a straightforward man, he even mimicked her soft tone word for word.
Fu Qiwen’s brow twitched slightly. “…”
He should be grateful he couldn’t see.
Otherwise, watching a six-foot-tall muscular man imitate a young girl’s voice would probably hurt his eyes all over again.
Thinking his master hadn’t heard, the bodyguard dutifully repeated it again.
“I heard you,” Fu Qiwen said.
Good.
The bodyguard asked, “Sir, if you think it’s unnecessary, I can tell the housekeeper not to come.”
Fu Qiwen pressed his lips together, silent for a moment.
“Let him come.”
It was just a lamp—changing it didn’t matter.
Yes, just a lamp. Nothing special.
And yet, Shen Yunli had gone out of her way to come here, to say those words, even to prepare the replacement in advance.
For someone not particularly close to him, that was already more than enough.
If he chose to think negatively, it might stir a trace of emotion and gratitude.
If he chose to think positively—this lamp would be lit every day.
Even if he couldn’t see it, the simple click of it turning on would remind him—
Ah, the lamp Shen Yunli gave him is on.
She said he would regain his sight someday.
And that… was enough.
Just as Shen Yunli had thought—she and Fu Qiwen were too alike.
Precisely because of that similarity, she knew exactly what he lacked, what he needed most.
Layer by layer, she dissected herself—just to draw him in, step by step.
As for Fu Qiwen…
How long could he hold out?