Chapter 51: Mr. Fu Isn’t Trying Hard Enough

When Ruan Li woke up, she habitually tried to roll over in her bed, but as soon as she turned, she rolled straight into a warm embrace.

She wasn’t used to having someone beside her yet, so she opened her eyes abruptly.

Fu Huaizhou wasn’t awake yet, his eyes slightly closed. When he felt her roll over, he naturally pulled her into his arms.

Ruan Li’s feet shifted under the blanket and accidentally kicked the person’s leg beside her. She quietly lifted the blanket and peeked inside, confirming that neither of them was wearing anything.

Last night had been too wild. They were both exhausted after the shower, but Fu Huaizhou had carried her out, and they had rolled around on the carpet and sofa. She didn’t even remember what happened afterward.

“You’re up this early?” Fu Huaizhou, feeling her stir beside him, was now awake. His voice was still hoarse from just waking up.

Ruan Li reached under her pillow for her phone and glanced at the time. “It’s not early, Mr. Fu.”

The sun was already shining brightly outside, and it was nearly noon.

Fu Huaizhou raised an eyebrow slightly. He couldn’t remember the last time he had woken up at this hour. Since his school days, and later work, he had always adhered strictly to his schedule.

Seeing the surprise in his eyes, Ruan Li noticed that without his glasses in the morning, he seemed less distant.

Because the crew had a day off today, after a late dinner the night before, she had been able to spend time with him. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have had the chance to indulge.

Stretching lazily, Ruan Li found it hard to leave the blanket. She snuggled closer into Fu Huaizhou’s arms and said playfully, “I woke up so early, it seems like Mr. Fu didn’t try hard enough.”

Hearing this, Fu Huaizhou’s arm, already around her waist, tightened suddenly. His hand slowly began to explore downward. “Seems like you want me to try harder now?”

Ruan Li, with nothing on, couldn’t take it. She quickly grabbed his wandering hand to stop him.

Fu Huaizhou gave a quick glance under the blanket. “Someone fell asleep the moment they hit the bed and left me to clean up the room.”

Ruan Li glanced around the room. It was indeed tidier than it had been last night. So, he had cleaned it up.

After last night, the tension between them had eased considerably. Since Fu Huaizhou had been jealous, things became simpler. Ruan Li hadn’t been interested in anyone else anyway, so staying with him for a few months wasn’t a problem she wouldn’t lose out.

At worst, she’d just say a few sweet words to make him happy, something she was quite good at.

“Your reward.” After saying this, she leaned up and kissed his sharp jawline.

But after doing so, she grew shy and buried her face in Fu Huaizhou’s neck, refusing to lift it again.

Fu Huaizhou’s lips curved into a faint smile as he chuckled softly, holding her close. “Litchi, that’s not enough.”

“Hmm?” Ruan Li hummed softly, her chin lifted by his hand, only to have his hot lips descend upon hers. Their tongues met, breaths mingling.

In the quiet room, Ruan Li soon found herself pressed beneath the blanket once more, the only sound being their gentle kissing.

Suddenly, a phone ringtone shattered the intimate atmosphere. Ruan Li, her mind foggy from the kissing, pushed at Fu Huaizhou’s shoulders. “The phone…”

Reluctantly, Fu Huaizhou let her go. Ruan Li heard the phone ringing by her pillow, her hand fumbling for it as she pushed Fu Huaizhou off her and answered without even checking the screen.

“Hello?” Ruan Li hadn’t had time to see who it was.

There was a brief silence on the other end before a somewhat familiar voice, belonging to an elderly woman, spoke with a hint of surprise. “Hello, who is this?”

The man beside her leaned in and took the phone from her hand, his tone calm as he said to Ruan Li, “It’s my phone.”

Ruan Li froze, glancing at the black phone with its strong business vibe. She had been so dazed from the kissing earlier that she hadn’t realized it wasn’t her phone.

Her mind went blank. The voice just now sounded so familiar it was…

“Mom, do you need something?” Fu Huaizhou asked into the phone, his gaze resting on the stunned girl beside him.

Ruan Li felt like she couldn’t face anyone anymore. If Fu’s mother found out that just a month after breaking off her engagement with Fu Xingchuan, she had woken up in bed with Fu Huaizhou, no one would think highly of her.

They would only assume she was seeking power by playing between uncle and nephew.

Seeing her bury herself deeper into the blanket, Fu Huaizhou tried to pull her out while speaking into the phone, “I didn’t go to the office today.”

“Yes, I have something going on.”

Ruan Li could hear his responses and felt utterly hopeless. If what they had done last night counted as “something important,” then she was doomed.

“There’s no one here. We’ll discuss this later it’s not a good time now.”

“Tomorrow night?” Fu Huaizhou paused. “Sure, I’ll arrange for someone to pick her up.”

After ending the call, Fu Huaizhou reached over to pull the girl, who was still hiding under the blanket, but she refused to cooperate. He ended up lifting the whole bundle and hugging it. “Don’t suffocate yourself.”

“I don’t want to talk to you. Go away,” Ruan Li mumbled in a muffled voice.

“What now?” Fu Huaizhou couldn’t keep up with her mood shifts. He finally managed to get her out of the blanket, her hair a messy tangle. But when he saw her red-rimmed eyes, trembling lashes, and the tears gathering at the corners, his brows furrowed.

He pulled her onto his lap and asked, “Why are you crying?”

Seeing his phone nearby only made Ruan Li more upset. She reached out, grabbed it, and tossed it to the foot of the bed. “Why was your phone on my side? When I answered it, you didn’t stop me. Now your mother knows I’m with you.”

The more she spoke, the more upset she became. Her mouth quivered as she was about to cry, tears rolling onto Fu Huaizhou’s chest. “I just broke off my engagement with your family, and now your mom will think I’m a flirt, kicked out of the Ruan family and trying to seduce you. It’s all your fault for coming over last night.”

“No.” Fu Huaizhou, seeing how distressed she was, gently wiped her tears.

“What do you mean no?” Ruan Li, with teary eyes, stared at him, biting her lower lip.

Suddenly, Fu Huaizhou leaned in and kissed her lips, gently kissing away her tears. In a soft voice, he soothed her, “She didn’t recognize your voice.”

Ruan Li froze, then realized she had overused her voice last night, leaving it hoarse, which had prevented Fu’s mother from recognizing her. Still, she was shaken.

Her small hand rested on Fu Huaizhou’s shoulder. “Don’t come see me for a while.”

Fu Huaizhou looked at her, exasperated. “So ashamed of me?”

“Being kept is shameful,” Ruan Li muttered.

“You chose this yourself,” Fu Huaizhou lightly pinched the soft flesh on her waist, teasing it occasionally. “If they find out, just say I forced you.”

Ruan Li didn’t believe a word he said. She huffed, turning away from him. But her curiosity got the better of her, and she reluctantly asked, “Why did your mother call?”

“She’s coming back tomorrow. There’s a welcome dinner.”

“Oh.”

Fu Huaizhou glanced at her and said casually, “She wants me to bring you along.”