Su Qingsi looked up at her, her eyes innocent and confused. “Changed?”
“Yes.” Qin Se reached out and gently tucked the stray strands of hair by Su Qingsi’s cheek behind her ear.
“The old you was elegant and pure, like a flower on a high peak, someone people could only look up to. But now…”
She paused, her fingers brushing against Su Qingsi’s cheek.
“Now you’re delicate to the bone. Even I can’t help but want to protect you.”
Su Qingsi lowered her eyes. “Is this version of me not good?”
“Good, of course it’s good.” Qin Se sighed.
“You’re so beautiful like this. You deserve to be pampered with the most luxurious and exquisite things in the world.”
“Those second-rate things, those people who aren’t worthy of you—none of them should come near you.”
She withdrew her hand and looked at Su Qingsi, a flash of resentment in her eyes.
“What a pity. Fu Linzhou, the man in charge of the Fu family—the foremost family of the first rank—has already gotten a new girlfriend during the years you were gone.”
Su Qingsi raised her eyes, her gaze blank. “A new girlfriend?”
“Yes, her name is Wen Yirou.” Qin Se curled her lip.
“So petty and small-minded. How could she possibly be worthy of Fu Linzhou, or of the position of Madam of the Fu family?”
“Only our Sisi deserves that most honored position.”
Su Qingsi blinked.
Qin Se’s heart ached as she stroked her small face again. “But if you want to, it’s not impossible for you two to get back together.”
“Fu Linzhou is only using Wen Yirou to appease the old man.”
“That woman is devoted, though. She’s been serving him eagerly for half a year, really thinking she’s part of the Fu family.”
She spoke, then sighed again.
“Sisi, do you still like Fu Linzhou? Do you really not remember anything at all?”
Su Qingsi looked at her. “I remember some things. I remember I had to come back. I remember you’re my good friend.”
“But the things from before—about some unimportant people and matters, and about Fu Linzhou—I don’t remember any of it.”
“If I don’t remember, then I certainly can’t say I like him.”
“Se Se, am I very useless?”
“What nonsense are you saying?” Qin Se patted her hand with concern.
“If you’ve forgotten, then you’ve forgotten. It’s just…”
She looked at Su Qingsi, her eyes complicated. “It’s just that Fu Linzhou—I’m afraid he won’t let you off so easily.”
“He’s always been deep-scheming and ruthless. The way you are now, if you can’t outplay him, stay away from him for now, understand?”
Su Qingsi nodded, looking both obedient and pitiful.
“I understand.” Her voice was soft.
Only then did Qin Se feel reassured. She hugged her again. “Good girl. Finish your congee first, then sleep a little more.”
Su Qingsi took the bowl and sipped the congee in small mouthfuls.
Qin Se watched her quiet little face, and that unease crept up again in her heart.
Three years had passed, and it seemed Fu Linzhou still hadn’t let go.
And now Sisi had become more beautiful, more delicate, more pitiable.
Qin Se didn’t dare imagine what would happen next.
Downstairs, Wen Yirou stood at the entrance of the Su family villa.
She had heard from the servants that Fu Linzhou had gone to the Su family.
As if possessed, she had followed.
Now, standing before the carved iron gate, her chest felt terribly blocked, and even breathing came with a dull ache.
From the first time she saw Fu Linzhou at eighteen, she had liked him.
Back then, Fu Linzhou—who had graduated early—came to the school for an alumni gathering.
She squeezed through the crowd, tilting her head up to look at the man on stage with his cold, sharp features, her heart pounding as if it would burst from her chest.
Later, she found out that his name was Fu Linzhou, the crown prince of the Fu family, and that he had a childhood sweetheart and first love named Su Qingsi.
Even later, she heard that Su Qingsi had gone abroad, dumped Fu Linzhou, and left without a trace.
At the time, she thought she had a chance.
She started wearing white dresses, growing her hair long and straight, putting on the kind of light makeup that looked like she wasn’t wearing any, speaking in a soft, gentle voice, and appearing before him.
Finally, six months ago, through a twist of fate, she ended up in his bed.
For these six months, she had done her utmost, learning to become everything he would like.
She thought that given enough time, he would eventually see her worth.
But Su Qingsi suddenly came back, and she didn’t know what to do.
Wen Yirou took a deep breath, raised her hand, and pressed the doorbell.
The one who opened the door was Butler Liu.
“Miss Wen?” Butler Liu recognized her, and a troubled expression appeared on his face.
“Why are you here?”
“I’m here to see Linzhou.” Wen Yirou’s voice was soft, but carried a stubborn edge.
“He’s inside, isn’t he?”
Butler Liu hesitated, not yet knowing how to answer, when footsteps sounded from behind him.
Fu Linzhou came down the stairs.
His black suit jacket was casually draped over his arm, and the collar of his white shirt was unbuttoned two buttons, revealing his collarbone.
He saw Wen Yirou and furrowed his brow. “Why are you here?”
Wen Yirou looked up at him, and her eyes instantly grew hot.
He was different from usual.
The usual Fu Linzhou was always neat, cold, and meticulous, with his shirt buttoned all the way to the top and his tie tied perfectly straight.
Right now, his shirt was a little wrinkled, his collar was open, and his hair wasn’t as tidy as it had been when he left in the morning.
Wen Yirou spoke. “I heard from the servants that you were here.”
Fu Linzhou walked up to her.
He was very tall, and she had to tilt her head up to see his face clearly.
“So what?” His voice was faint, without much emotion. “You’re here to check up on me?”
Wen Yirou hastily shook her head.
She lifted her face, tears welling up in her eyes, but stubbornly refusing to fall.
“I’m not checking up on you. I’m just worried about you.”
“Worried about what?”
“Worried that you…” Wen Yirou bit her lower lip, and the words that had rolled around in her heart countless times finally came out.
“Worried that she’ll deceive you again.”
Fu Linzhou’s gaze darkened.
He stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out, pinched her chin, and forced her head up.
His voice was low, carrying a warning. “Wen Yirou, do you know what you’re saying?”
Wen Yirou was forced to look up, and her tears finally fell.
She knew.
Of course she knew what she was saying.
She was taking a risk, gambling, challenging his bottom line.
But she couldn’t help it.
“I know.” Her voice trembled violently, but she still tried to speak clearly.
“I know she’s your first love. I know I look like her. I know I’m just a substitute.”
“But Linzhou, I’ve been with you for six months.”
“These six months, I’ve cooked for you, waited for you to come home, waited for you no matter how late you worked overtime.”
“I’m sincere with you.”
Her tears flowed even harder. “Can you just look at me? Don’t go looking for her anymore.”
“It makes me sad.”
Fu Linzhou looked at her and said nothing.
If it were before, he might have softened, might have gentled his tone to coax her a little.
But now, his mind was entirely on Su Qingsi, and her unreasonable demands only made him feel impatient.
Fu Linzhou released his hand and slipped it back into his pants pocket.
“Yirou, we agreed from the start—this is a contractual relationship. We each get what we need.” His tone was softer than before, but the meaning behind his words was cold.
Wen Yirou’s face turned pale.
She stepped back, her back pressing against the icy doorframe, all strength drained from her body.
“Each get what we need.” She repeated those four words.
“So these six months, to you, were just about getting what you needed.”
Fu Linzhou didn’t answer.
He turned and walked away, his voice flat. “Go back. Don’t come here again.”
As he reached the door, he glanced back at the second floor.
Su Qingsi had let go so easily, leaving his longing and resentment with nowhere to go.
At this moment, Fu Linzhou naturally had no mind to spare for a woman who silently stood by.