Chapter 5: It Hurts a Little…

Only then did Ruan Li realize that she had just blurted out her thoughts, a rare moment of embarrassment for the usually self-assured young lady.

“Of course, you can,” Ruan Li quickly responded, not daring to argue directly with this powerful figure. After all, while Fu Xingchuan was all bark and no bite, this man was a true power in the city. Her voice was sweet and crisp, “You’re an elder, Uncle, so you can call anyone you want.”

Just as she finished speaking and took a step forward, she accidentally stepped on her dress and tripped.

“Ah—” She saw the broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted figure of the man ahead and the smooth, carpetless floor beside him. She quickly made a decision.

Looking foolish was better than ruining her face. If she fell face-first on such a hard floor, she’d be bruised and swollen by tomorrow, and then more rumors about cosmetic surgery would fly. Ruan Li closed her eyes and braced herself to crash into Fu Huaizhou’s back.

But the expected soft landing didn’t happen. Instead, she felt herself getting closer and closer to the floor. The three people behind them couldn’t see what was happening, only noticing that the two seemed to be walking very close together.

“Fu Huaizhou, you’re just going to let me fall!” Ruan Li’s mind went blank, and she blurted out without thinking. Just as she was about to hit the floor, a strong hand suddenly grabbed her.

Ruan Li felt her cheek brush against the fabric of his black suit, carrying a hint of the warmth from his body and the cold, crisp scent of cedar. Before she could fully register what happened, she realized her wrist was firmly held by him.

His fingertips, roughened by years of writing, pressed against the protruding bone of her wrist. His grip was strong.

She looked up and met Fu Huaizhou’s dark eyes.

They were as calm as ever, with a hint of cold scrutiny. Ruan Li felt her heart pound under his gaze.

“What did you just call me?” Fu Huaizhou asked. Since returning to China, this was the first time anyone had called him by his full name. This younger relative of his seemed a little too bold.

Ruan Li noticed her wrist was still in his grip, and her skin was turning slightly red from the pressure. Feeling a bit guilty, she softened her voice, “I was drunk and talking nonsense.”

She blinked her eyes pitifully at him. “It hurts a little, Uncle…”

“You’re quite the actress,” Fu Huaizhou remarked, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he released her. This wasn’t the first time he had seen her change her demeanor so quickly.

By the time Fu Huaizhou opened the door to the private room, Ruan Li had already regained her composure, sitting gracefully like a proper lady, unfazed by his “compliment.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Uncle. When I win Best Actress, I’ll be sure to thank you in my acceptance speech.”

“Why did Third Brother call Ruan Li up and not Fu Xingchuan?” Ye Ze muttered, puzzled by his sudden change in behavior.

“I really don’t get the magic she has over you all. It seems like only Third Brother and I haven’t fallen for it yet,” Ruan Shu observed, watching as several of their friends were pulled into the situation. “Third Brother is an elder. Calling Ruan Li up is a sign of respect, meaning the Fu family still acknowledges her engagement.”

Ye Ze began to understand, watching as Fu Huaizhou, tall and imposing, stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at everyone in the hall. The girl walking up to him step by step somehow seemed to match him more than Fu Xingchuan did.

“Do you think Third Brother designed this grand staircase entrance just to show off?” Ruan Shu asked, still baffled.

“But I walk down the stairs like this all the time, and it’s not cool,” Ye Ze replied.

Ruan Shu was speechless. “…”

Fu Xingchuan followed after them, noticing his uncle standing at the door, holding it open—a gesture of politeness for the ladies. Feeling a bit apprehensive, he walked up to Fu Huaizhou and greeted him, “Uncle—”

Bang—the door slammed shut right in front of him, cutting him off mid-sentence. In the end, Fu Xingchuan had to open the door himself, letting Ruan Shu and Ye Mian enter before slipping in last, looking rather defeated.

The spacious private room quickly became lively again. Ye Mian immediately sought out her brother, but noticed that Ye Ze’s gaze was fixed on Ruan Li.

“Control yourself, brother,” Ye Mian tugged on his sleeve. “You can’t just hit on someone else’s girl right in front of them.”

Ye Ze sighed, disappointed at his missed opportunity. It seemed being nearby didn’t help at all.

“You two should leave,” Fu Huaizhou said, gesturing for Ye Ze and Ruan Shu to exit.

The two immediately understood that family matters were about to be discussed and excused themselves without further delay. Ye Ze even took the drunken Ye Mian along with him.

Before leaving, Ye Mian reached out and called to the girl sitting next to Fu Huaizhou, “Ruan Li, let’s drink again next time! Love you!”

Now, only four people remained in the room. Fu Xingchuan and Ruan Shu stood awkwardly while the other intoxicated individual, finding herself unsteady, comfortably leaned back on the sofa.

“Your clothes,” Fu Huaizhou remarked, noticing the red wine stain on Ruan Li’s dress. He then looked at the one responsible.

However, Fu Xingchuan wasn’t wearing a jacket, just a loose black T-shirt, exuding the image of a spoiled rich kid. Fu Huaizhou frowned, “Is this how you present yourself?”

Fu Xingchuan obediently listened to the scolding.

Ruan Shu, on the other hand, didn’t dare speak in front of Fu Huaizhou. She initially thought he was only going to reprimand Fu Xingchuan, but then she saw him casually pick up the black suit jacket from the seat next to him and place it beside Ruan Li.

A flicker of resentment crossed Ruan Shu’s face. Why was it that despite only meeting Fu Huaizhou for the first time yesterday, Ruan Li was receiving this kind of treatment? After all, she was the real daughter of the Ruan family.

“I don’t care what you think, but as long as the engagement stands, Ruan Li is still your fiancée,” Fu Huaizhou said, his voice steady. “Publicly saying that your fiancée’s bloodline is fake and that someone else is better—is that appropriate?”

“She provoked me first,” Fu Xingchuan muttered under his breath.

“Why would she provoke you? Bringing her family out for late-night drinks—do you really think you’re in the right?” Fu Huaizhou asked, twirling the jade ring on his thumb. His tone was calm but commanding, his gaze shifting to the girl hiding behind Fu Xingchuan. “As for you, Miss Ruan, while I have no authority over your actions, I advise you to be careful at night. I’ll have someone escort you home now.”

Ruan Shu shot Fu Xingchuan a helpless look. Ever since she returned to the Ruan family and noticed how much Fu Xingchuan disliked Ruan Li, she had been determined to steal this engagement.

“I’ll take her back,” Fu Xingchuan quickly offered, summoning the courage to speak. “After all, I brought her out tonight.”

“And who will escort your fiancée?” Fu Huaizhou’s eyes narrowed with faint anger. Despite all that had been said, nothing seemed to sink in.

“Uncle, can’t you take care of Ruan Li?” Fu Xingchuan muttered. “Ruan Shu… Ruan Shu gets nervous around strangers, and Ruan Li knows everyone in the city. It doesn’t matter who takes her.”

“Stubborn fool.” Fu Huaizhou’s face darkened. He didn’t care about personal biases; if someone was engaged, they had a responsibility to the other person. It wasn’t right to create ambiguous situations.

“If you’ve got the nerve, tell your grandfather you want to change the engagement. If you don’t dare, then do your duty. Don’t sit on the fence.” Fu Huaizhou stood up from the sofa, towering over Fu Xingchuan with his taller and more mature presence. He gestured for the attendant to help the nearly-sleeping Ruan Li.

As he turned to leave, he left one final remark.

“I can escort her today, but you expect me to keep doing this? Think it over.”