Setting aside the fact that Gu Nianqing was completely stunned by Qin Fu’s sudden appearance, Xiao Ran looked just as if she had seen a ghost.
From the moment the man walked in, the sharp, defensive aura around Gu Nianqing vanished almost instantly. It was the first time Xiao Ran had ever seen this fox—who had pretended to be a harmless rabbit for years—truly turn into one.
Clearly, this man she called “Old Qin” was someone very different to her.
Realizing this, Xiao Ran found that instead of feeling relieved, a sense of anxiety rose from deep inside her.
She couldn’t quite explain why, but the sight of Gu Nianqing leaning into that man’s arms was especially irritating.
A-Yu had guessed right—this fox had found herself a new backer, which was why she was acting so arrogantly!
…but why? What was wrong with her son? Since when did it become Gu Nianqing’s place, an illegitimate daughter no less, to be so picky and dismissive?!
And this “Old Qin”—how could he possibly compare to—
Xiao Ran’s thoughts spiraled, but Qin Fu didn’t spare her even a glance.
One look at Gu Nianqing’s pale expression, plus a quick mental calculation of the date, and he knew she was on her period.
Holding her close, he took his coat back from Xu Xiaxia and draped it over her shoulders without giving her a chance to refuse.
“You sit in air-conditioned rooms all day and still dress this lightly. You’re the one who’ll suffer later.” Seeing her frown and trying to take it off, Qin Fu pressed her hand down with a dark expression. “Don’t take it off!”
“…Why are you being so fierce?”
Gu Nianqing talked back, but her body leaned obediently against him. Hidden under the trench coat, her arms had already wrapped around his waist.
“I’m not done here yet. I’ll talk to you later…”
Qin Fu couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. He tilted his chin toward the young man who had come with him.
“Ouyang, stay and handle things with Xiao Xu. Your sister-in-law isn’t feeling well—I’ll take her home first.”
Then he turned to the police officer. “Officer, my wife isn’t feeling well. These two are her assistant and lawyer—they can handle everything that follows. We’ll be leaving first.”
Xiao Ran cried out in shock, “Wife?!”
But no one paid her any attention.
The officer saw that Gu Nianqing didn’t look like she was being forced, but still asked, “Miss Gu, what do you think?”
She could barely hold on anymore and nodded weakly. “I agree to authorize Xu Xiaxia and…”
She glanced at the young man, hesitating.
He smiled at her. “Ouyang Che. I’ve heard a lot about you, President Gu… no, sister-in-law.”
He reached out his hand, but Qin Fu had already turned away with her in his arms, clearly guarding her like a hawk.
Ouyang Che: …
Even a dog wouldn’t guard its food this fiercely.
Gu Nianqing nodded. “…and Mr. Ouyang Che. The two of them will handle this matter for me.”
Seeing how unsteady she looked, the officer didn’t insist on keeping her. “Alright, you can head back. We’ll notify you by phone once there’s a result.”
“Thank you.”
Once Qin Fu led her out the door, the tension in Gu Nianqing’s back finally collapsed.
“Old Qin… sob… it hurts so much!!”
Her voice was weak and trembling with tears. She buried her face in his shoulder, biting her lip while fiercely pinching the soft flesh at his waist, as if trying to transfer her pain to him.
Qin Fu: …
That’s one vicious grip.
Ignoring the stares from all around, he scooped her up in his arms, forcing her to wrap her arms around his neck—finally saving his poor waist.
“Hang in there. It’s over ten minutes’ drive home. I’ve already told the maid to prepare brown sugar ginger tea for you.”
Still whining in his arms, Gu Nianqing suddenly lifted her head, eyes full of suspicion. “How do you know where I live?”
Qin Fu strode forward. “You think I’d marry you without knowing anything? Your ‘glorious history’ isn’t just famous in Beijing’s social circle. It wasn’t hard to trace it back through the Shen family’s past scandal.”
Gu Nianqing clicked her tongue right by his ear, not bothering to hide it.
Qin Fu couldn’t help but sigh—she was in so much pain she looked half-dead, yet her sharp mind hadn’t dulled one bit.
The apartment Gu Nianqing bought was in a prime location. Many wealthy second-generation elites in Beijing preferred living there—not only was transportation convenient, but the surrounding entertainment options were plentiful.
And where elites gathered, news spread fast.
Within half an hour, word that Gu Nianqing had been carried home by a man reached Shen Yu.
Ignoring his injuries, Shen Yu shouted for the driver at the family estate to take him back to the city.
Meanwhile, Gu Nianqing had already changed into comfortable sleepwear, reclining against the soft bed, enjoying being fed by Chairman Qin himself.
The maid, Zhang Lan, found it amusing and couldn’t help but smile. “Miss, ever since you got married, you really have changed.”
Zhang Lan had been hired by Gu Nianqing at a high salary. She didn’t need to stay full-time—only coming in ahead of time to clean whenever Gu Nianqing occasionally returned to the country.
In Zhang Lan’s impression, Miss Gu was always busy. Even when she came back, she treated the place like a high-end hotel—aside from sleeping there at night, she was hardly ever seen.
This was the first time Zhang Lan had ever seen her so relaxed… and so vulnerable.
Naturally, she grew curious about Miss Gu’s husband.
The brown sugar ginger soup had been brewed strong, and the spicy taste made Gu Nianqing grimace.
The moment she heard Zhang Lan’s comment, she immediately used it as an excuse to block the spoon Qin Fu was holding up to her lips.
“…Of course it’s different. A husband is someone you rely on,” Gu Nianqing said lazily, resting her head on Qin Fu’s shoulder. “Besides, Old Qin’s thighs are so sturdy—I’d be stupid not to hold on tight.”
Qin Fu’s hand trembled slightly. Fortunately, he had already coaxed half a bowl into her, so the rest didn’t spill.
“You’re a young lady—watch what you’re saying,” he said, frowning as he lightly tapped her nose, earning a soft, annoyed protest from her.
Zhang Lan tactfully cleaned up the kitchen and prepared to leave. Qin Fu followed her out and handed her a red envelope.
Startled, she said, “Mr. Qin, Miss already pays me in advance every time. This isn’t appropriate.”
Qin Fu smiled. “This was an unexpected situation. Meal preparation isn’t part of your duties—just take it.”
“…Alright then, thank you, Mr. Qin.” Zhang Lan glanced toward the room and lowered her voice. “Please take good care of Miss Gu… she’s had a hard life.”
Qin Fu raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.
Zhang Lan didn’t say more, only adding, “All these years, you’re the first man Miss has ever allowed into this home.”
Qin Fu: …
Allowed in?
What did she take him for—a pet?
It seemed Gu Nianqing’s guarded nature was obvious even to the help.
…Though from the way Zhang Lan put it, had others tried to enter before and failed?
After seeing her off, Qin Fu was about to check in with Ouyang Che about the case when he turned and saw Gu Nianqing standing at the bedroom door, wrapped in a shawl.
Her bare feet looked pale against the marble floor, the chill making her toes curl slightly.
Qin Fu’s gaze darkened as he switched off his phone screen.
“Little troublemaker, are you trying to make the pain worse?”
Gu Nianqing looked conflicted.
“Aunt Zhang told you, didn’t she?”
“Told me what?”
“That you’re the first man I’ve brought home.”
Qin Fu: …
Strangely, when Zhang Lan said it earlier, he hadn’t felt much. But hearing it from Gu Nianqing herself stirred a quiet sense of satisfaction.
“Go lie back down. Don’t catch a chill,” he said, his voice softening as he walked toward her.
Gu Nianqing lifted her eyes, as if making up her mind about something.
She raised her arms, letting Qin Fu carry her back to bed. Just as he was about to straighten up, she looped her arms around his neck.
She rarely took the initiative to kiss him.
So when the sharp hint of ginger touched his lips, Qin Fu froze for a few seconds—before his gaze deepened and he pressed a hand to the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
It was soft and lingering, though brief.
Qin Fu bit her lip lightly in retaliation, then wiped the trace of moisture from the corner of her mouth.
“…You know I’m not going to touch you right now, Niannian.”
His voice dropped as he murmured by her ear, almost like a warning. “But you’ll have to pay me back eventually. Don’t forget—we still haven’t settled the score from our honeymoon.”
Gu Nianqing’s shoulders trembled slightly.
Yet she didn’t let go of him.
“Old Qin~”
She knew that tone always softened him.
“Stay here with me tonight… okay?”