Chapter 34: She Hid Under the Desk

As Fu Huaizhou leaned in closer, about to pin her beneath him, Ruan Li instinctively crossed her arms protectively over her chest. “What are you doing?” she asked.

Fu Huaizhou smirked at her wary expression. He had only been teasing her, but seeing her reaction, he sneered lightly, “The only thing you’re good at is that sharp tongue of yours.”

He got up, and Ruan Li finally relaxed. For a moment, she had thought he would be relentless, not caring about day or night. Just last night, they had already gone at it until midnight if he wanted more now, she really would be exhausted.

She would truly be a slave to him.

“Go apply the ointment,” Fu Huaizhou ordered, still immersed in his work. He had plenty of business to deal with in the study and didn’t seem to notice her reluctance to move. Seeing her still lounging on the chair, he raised an eyebrow. “Do you need me to help you with it?”

“Beast in a suit…” Ruan Li’s ears turned red, pretending not to understand what he meant. After all, it wasn’t like he hadn’t applied ointment for her before.

She got up and left the study, making a loud, exaggerated clattering sound with her slippers, as if they were high heels. Her figure swayed gracefully as she walked away, her light-colored cheongsam adding a splash of vibrancy to her look.

Fu Huaizhou shook his head, turning back to his documents. Just as he was about to resume working, the door creaked open again. He looked up to see Ruan Li slipping back into the study, a flustered expression on her face.

“What’s wrong? A wolf outside?” he teased.

“A dog,” she corrected, leaning against the door in panic.

Fu Huaizhou raised an eyebrow and quickly caught on. “Fu Xingchuan’s here?”

“I stepped out and saw him coming this way. I don’t want him to know about… us, so I came back to hide.” Ruan Li pressed her ear to the door, listening for footsteps.

“And what is our relationship, exactly?” Fu Huaizhou asked, seemingly unfazed. After all, no one in the Fu family had any right to comment on his affairs.

“A relationship that can’t be seen in the light of day,” Ruan Li replied casually. “If everyone knew I just called off my engagement with his nephew and then got taken in by the uncle, the old lady of the Fu family would despise me. Why hasn’t Fu Xingchuan left yet? I just want to go back to my room and sleep.”

“Ruan Secretary, think logically for a second. He’s here at the mansion who do you think he’s looking for? Why would he leave?” Fu Huaizhou’s gaze was meaningful.

It hit her like a bolt of lightning. She realized that the person outside was only a door away. There was a light knock at the door, and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

“Oh no, oh no, is there a hiding spot?” Ruan Li frantically scanned the room. The spacious study had nothing but bookshelves and office chairs no screens or anything to hide behind.

Fu Huaizhou watched her scurry around like a frantic ant, looking as though she was about to tear up the carpet to hide under.

Suddenly, Ruan Li glanced back at him and noticed the space beneath his large, elegant desk, made of dark wood and resting on a deep red carpet.

“I’ll make do with that,” she muttered, crouching down and squeezing into the space under his desk. It was surprisingly roomy, enough for her to fit comfortably, though it put her in uncomfortably close proximity to Fu Huaizhou’s long legs.

Fu Huaizhou froze for a moment. He glanced down at her wide eyed face beneath the desk, and just then, the knocking continued. Clearing his throat, he called out, “Come in.”

Fu Xingchuan entered, glancing around curiously. “Where are the servants? I didn’t see anyone on my way up, so I let myself in.”

Fu Huaizhou thought of the army of servants who had been pulled away to help Ruan Li with her things and smiled inwardly. “The house is being renovated. It’s a bit busy.”

“Renovating? Didn’t you just redecorate when you returned to the country?” Fu Xingchuan’s mind raced. “Wait, are you preparing for a wedding?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, a dull thud came from under the desk. Both men paused, the room falling silent.

Fu Huaizhou glanced down and saw Ruan Li silently groaning, clutching her head after banging it in excitement. His expression remained calm as he looked back at Fu Xingchuan.

“Something fell. Anything else you need?”

“Not really. I just noticed you didn’t come to work today, and the land deal we talked about has been approved. I wanted your opinion before moving forward. My father’s basically checked out of this project, so I’m relying on your guidance.”

Fu Huaizhou looked over the analysis and Fu Xingchuan’s thoughts. “Not bad,” he commented.

Fu Xingchuan beamed at the praise, and the two men continued discussing business. As they talked, Fu Huaizhou almost forgot about the person hidden under his desk until something tugged at his pants leg.

Looking down, he saw Ruan Li glaring up at him, mouthing the words, “My legs are numb!” She gestured toward Fu Xingchuan, signaling for him to hurry up and leave. Couldn’t he discuss work back at the office? No sense of timing at all.

Just moments ago, he had mentioned marriage, and she had nearly gotten excited at the prospect of cashing in on the double compensation Fu Huaizhou would owe her if he married during their contract. Now it seemed she’d celebrated too soon.

Fu Huaizhou reached down, intending to pat her shoulder to calm her, but instead, his hand landed on her fluffy head, and he instinctively stroked it.

Rather than calming down, Ruan Li became even more annoyed. She felt his touch was less soothing and more patronizing. What was he, petting a small animal?

This heartless capitalist! She glared at his neatly tailored trousers, resenting the cold demeanor he showed in public. Slowly, she slid her hand from his calf to his thigh, inching higher.

Fu Huaizhou tensed, his stomach tightening in response. He looked down to see her mischievous face nestled between his legs, clearly teasing him.

“Uncle?” Fu Xingchuan called out, noticing Fu Huaizhou’s silence. He glanced over and saw the odd tension on his face. “Are you alright? You don’t look well.”

Fu Huaizhou frowned, his gaze shifting from Ruan Li’s wandering fingers. His voice was hoarse as he replied, “You should go now. We’ll talk tomorrow at the office.”

Fu Xingchuan, sensing something off, asked, “Are you feeling unwell? Should I call a doctor?”

Fu Huaizhou was about to stop him, but the girl under his desk panicked first. She flinched so hard that her teeth knocked into his leg, causing him to groan in pain.

“It’s just a bit of stomach pain,” Fu Huaizhou said through gritted teeth. “I’ll call for medicine. You can go.”

Seeing his uncle breaking into a sweat, Fu Xingchuan nodded. “Alright, I’ll hurry the servants and have them bring medicine up. Rest well, Uncle.”

As the door softly clicked shut, Ruan Li stayed silent, cradling her mouth in her hands. Her lips stung from the impact, and she muttered under her breath about how hard Fu Huaizhou’s muscles were.

“You seem to have plenty of energy left,” Fu Huaizhou growled, reaching down and pulling her out from under the desk, pinning her between his body and the desk’s edge.

Ruan Li had only meant to playfully distract him so he’d wrap up the conversation with Fu Xingchuan. Who knew he’d be so easily affected? Now, in a panic, she wriggled away, saying, “I’m going to put on the ointment! I’ll send up some mung bean soup for you.”

Before she could fully escape, Fu Huaizhou grabbed her wrist, yanking her back. The force caused two buttons on her cheongsam to pop open, adding an unexpected tension to the room.

Fu Huaizhou’s gaze darkened. With a sweep of his arm, he cleared the desk’s surface and pressed her down on it. “It seems I haven’t taught you how to behave.”