Chapter 40: I Should Seduce Him?

Right after asking the question, Ruan Li realized what she had said. Her previously relaxed, propped-up feet immediately dropped, and she hurriedly lay on the bed to explain herself.

“I didn’t mean it like that! I was just talking nonsense…”

Fu Huaizhou, who had been about to leave the bedroom, paused and raised an eyebrow at her. “You really want to?”

“No, I don’t! That’s not it!” Ruan Li was so embarrassed she almost threw a pillow at him.

Ignoring her denial, Fu Huaizhou maintained a calm and detached expression, as if uninterested in such matters. “Even if you do want to, I can’t agree.”

Ruan Li didn’t know how she had ended up looking desperate. She wrapped herself in the blanket, leaving only her seductive eyes visible. “Who said I wanted to? If you’re leaving, then go! I’m going to sleep.”

Fu Huaizhou glanced at the bundled-up figure on the bed before taking his things and leaving the room. Yuyuan had plenty of spare rooms, but since moving in, he had never stayed in any room other than the master bedroom.

Hearing the door close, Ruan Li finally let go of the blanket. She reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Since getting involved with Fu Huaizhou, she hadn’t slept alone in this large bed.

She thought she’d have a great night’s sleep, but surprisingly, she felt a little uncomfortable without him next to her. His scent still lingered in the room, and it made her restless.

After tossing and turning for a while, she grabbed her phone to distract herself.

The next morning, when she opened her eyes and checked Weibo, she found her name trending at the top.

Ruan Li Withdraws from Show Due to Injury

She clicked on it to find that her management company had issued a statement saying that Ruan Li had injured her wrist and needed treatment, so she was withdrawing from the workplace reality show.

The comments, however, were a mixed bag. Some were supportive:

“She’s quitting? What’s the point of watching now? I support Ruan Li fight till the end!”

Others speculated about her personal life:

“Did she quit because she snagged a rich CEO and is now living the high life while we’re all stuck working?”

And, of course, there were always detractors accusing her of faking the injury for sympathy and attention.

Ruan Li had expected such reactions. Shortly after, Chen Jing called, sounding anxious.

“The company doesn’t want to spend too much on PR, but the trolls are brutal. If this keeps up, your reputation will suffer. Do you have any ideas?”

Ruan Li switched back to Weibo and noticed that Fu Corporation’s official account hadn’t been updated in years. She reassured Chen Jing, “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine soon.”

“Please don’t joke with me. If you need to, beg Fu Huaizhou for help!”

After hanging up, Ruan Li wasn’t in a hurry. Fu Huaizhou had already gone to work. She calmly fed her cat Lucky, petting it a few times. When she checked her phone again, the entire trending list had shifted.

Fu Corporation PR #Fu Corporation Security Footage Fu Corporation CEO Ruan Shu’s Intentions

Ruan Li couldn’t believe how quickly things had changed. She clicked through, surprised to see Fu Corporation’s long dormant account had posted a short surveillance video from yesterday’s incident during the live broadcast.

Although the faces were blurred, it was clear who the people involved were. It was also obvious that someone had deliberately tripped her, causing her to hurt her wrist while trying to protect the USB drive.

The post was accompanied by a brief statement: “After verification with the appropriate authorities, we confirm that Miss Ruan Li’s wrist injury is severe and is currently being treated. This incident has greatly impacted our company’s work. Filming for this show has been handed over to a subsidiary.”

The statement caused quite a stir, and Ruan Li curiously scrolled through the comments.

“Is this the real Fu Corporation? They’re reviving their account for a reality show?”

“Did anyone else notice the phrase ‘verified with higher authorities’? Who’s the higher authority? I smell a power couple!”

“Now it’s clear someone got hurt protecting work, while someone else was secretly plotting mischief and playing the victim. Real capital power at play. True princess? More like real royalty.”

Chen Jing called again, overjoyed. “Wow, Fu Corporation’s PR team is incredible! We don’t have to say anything, and public opinion has already shifted in our favor.”

Ruan Li hadn’t expected the issue to be resolved so easily. Especially since Ruan Shu, who had hoped to use her family’s influence to make it big in the entertainment industry, now had a scandal to her name, making it hard for her to continue playing the innocent act.

Chen Jing was still excited, explaining how much easier things were when the public supported you. She repeatedly reminded Ruan Li, “You need to thank Fu Huaizhou properly. This is what it means to have powerful backing.”

The only problem was that for several days now, she and Fu Huaizhou had been sleeping in separate rooms. He left early for work, and she would wake up late. Even with the new chef, they never ate together.

The only time Ruan Li remembered seeing him was one morning when she was still half-asleep. She felt him come into the room, stand by the bed, and poke her arm. She turned over and went back to sleep. After that, she had no further memory.

One morning, Chen Jing came to visit her again at Yuyuan. She had been there quite a bit lately, so the butler was familiar with her and led her straight to the master bedroom.

Chen Jing was a bit hesitant—it was, after all, Fu Huaizhou’s bedroom but the butler showed no hesitation. She knocked on the door.

Inside, Ruan Li was still asleep, wrapped in her blanket. Chen Jing teased as she shook her awake, “Tired from your nightly activities?”

Half-asleep, Ruan Li rolled over. Chen Jing then noticed the empty side of the bed and realized it looked like Ruan Li had the whole room to herself.

As Ruan Li stretched on a yoga mat, Chen Jing asked curiously, “You and Fu Huaizhou don’t sleep together?”

Ruan Li casually replied, “Yeah, we haven’t for about a week.”

“A week?!” Chen Jing nearly choked. “Girl, you’re supposed to build a strong relationship with him! You’re not just some buddies.”

Ruan Li shrugged. “I like it this way. No one’s in each other’s way.”

“Think about it just dealing with your family is hard enough. If you and Fu Huaizhou fall out, he could make life really tough for you. You need to handle this relationship carefully, and if things end, make sure it’s amicable. Otherwise, we’ll both be out of jobs especially you.”

Ruan Li realized she might have a point. “So, what should I do now?”

After all, who says no to more money?

Chen Jing leaned in, whispering seriously, and Ruan Li almost couldn’t believe what she heard.

“What? You want me to seduce him? And wear that kind of outfit?”