Chapter 84: With a Wife and Child

Ruan Li’s voice wasn’t particularly loud, but after her words, the entire hallway fell into a dead silence. Anyone could see the sudden, frozen expression on Fu Huaizhou’s face. A hint of red had crept to the corners of his eyes, and he was glaring at the girl in front of him.

“I know you’re angry, but we” His tone softened. “Can we sit down and talk?”

Ruan Li had been standing for a while, and her back was aching. She placed a hand on her waist, her tone indifferent. “We had plenty of chances to talk back then. You were the one who refused.”

Fu Huaizhou clearly remembered that time when Ruan Li had been a little clingy. Every night, she would chat with him when he returned home, but he was always exhausted from running around during the day, and he didn’t want to tell her about the arranged marriage that was stressing him out. Every conversation ended without resolution.

“I was wrong then,” Fu Huaizhou said softly.

Ruan Li was surprised to hear his apology. She glanced around at the others in the hallway there were plenty of people watching. She hadn’t expected someone like Fu Huaizhou to apologize in front of so many people.

“Don’t say things just to spite me.” Fu Huaizhou’s gaze shifted to her slightly rounded belly. During Ruan Li’s absence, he’d been researching how to take care of pregnant women.

“Are you tired?” he asked gently, noticing her hand supporting her back. “I’ll go with you.”

Ruan Li studied the man in front of her. His whole demeanor had grown darker, almost intimidating. He looked thinner, and the dark circles under his eyes were more prominent.

Her voice softened a bit. “I’m going with Dr. Chi. You don’t need to stay here.”

She knew that if Shi Mu found out she hadn’t come to drink her prescribed medicine yet, he’d come looking for her. If he saw Fu Huaizhou blocking her in the hallway, it would definitely end in a stormy confrontation.

Fu Huaizhou’s voice carried a hint of disbelief. “You really don’t want to see me.”

Ruan Li opened her mouth to explain, feeling a bit exasperated. “I just don’t want my brother to see you here.”

She was trying to spare him a beating, but he acted as if she’d just insulted him. Annoyed, she turned to leave, only for her wrist to be suddenly grabbed by him.

“So, you do worry about me?” Fu Huaizhou’s expression lightened a little, and he stared intently at Ruan Li.

Ruan Li: …

What on earth happened to him during this time? He seemed even more shameless now taking a mile when given an inch. She struggled to pull her wrist free.

Fu Huaizhou, worried about hurting her, finally let go.

“It’s time for us to go,” Dr. Chi said at the perfect moment, reminding Ruan Li.

She nodded slightly and walked away with him. Fu Huaizhou watched her back, but she didn’t look back even once.

“Is he the president of the Fu Corporation?” Chi Che asked.

Ruan Li nodded, “Thank you for helping me back there.”

“No problem,” Chi Che’s tone held a hint of amusement. “Feel free to ask me for help anytime. After all, having a love rival can actually improve a relationship.”

“Huh?” Ruan Li was puzzled. From his earlier attitude, she had thought Chi Che didn’t like Fu Huaizhou, but now he seemed to be encouraging reconciliation.

“When you’re pregnant, prenatal education is important, and the father’s involvement is essential. I’m just thinking of the baby,” he teased. “But a little resistance can also help raise your status at home.”

Ruan Li’s cheeks flushed. Although she was angry at Fu Huaizhou, it seemed that the doctor had a point.

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Because of her pregnancy, Ruan Li’s screen time was strictly limited. No more late-night phone binges for her. Shi Mu had a lot of work, which he managed online. To avoid disturbing Shi Xun and Ruan Li, he stayed on a different floor. So every night, Ruan Li and Shi Xun had their phones taken away for enforced rest, leaving the two of them staring at each other.

With no entertainment in the room, Ruan Li swore she had never lived so healthily in her life.

“Was it always like this for you?” she asked curiously. Shi Xun, who had chosen a career as a celebrity, seemed like the last person who would have grown up under Shi Mu’s strict control.

Shi Xun gave his phone a sorrowful look as it was taken away. “Why do you think I don’t live with him anymore? And let’s not forget that when he first returned to the country, his first order of business was sending me to the Fu Corporation to study finance.”

Ruan Li was speechless. Shi Mu and Fu Huaizhou together seemed like born enforcers two controlling figures.

The room’s lights were turned off, and in the dark, Ruan Li stared at the faint moonlight outside. She placed her hand on her belly, deciding to chat with the baby.

“When will you move? Come on, keep me company.”

There was no movement in her belly. Bored, Ruan Li muttered, “That ice-cold guy in the hallway today that’s your dad. A jerk, but it’s okay if you don’t remember him.”

Then she remembered Chi Che’s advice about prenatal education, how it affects a child’s personality and behavior. Quickly, she backtracked.

“No, better remember him.”

She continued to talk until she felt sleepy, clutching her blanket as she drifted off. Suddenly, she noticed the side of her bed sinking, and someone’s warm chest pressing against her back. A hand reached for her waist.

Ruan Li’s drowsiness vanished in a flash, and she nearly screamed, only to have a large hand clamp over her mouth. A familiar scent of sandalwood washed over her one she had only ever smelled on one person.

“It’s me,” Fu Huaizhou’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Recognizing him, she squirmed. “How did you get in? I’ll call for help!”

Fu Huaizhou chuckled quietly. “Take a guess.”

“Shi Xun, you traitor!” Ruan Li cursed under her breath. The only person who could let someone into their floor was the jerk next door, who had probably sent all the maids away.

Fu Huaizhou’s hand moved slowly over her waist, his fingertips brushing over the slight swell of her belly. His breath tickled her neck.

“Let me touch him,” he said, his voice low and trembling. “I miss you so much, Ruan Zai.”

Ruan Li shivered at his touch, feeling a strange warmth. It was nothing like when doctors examined her. Maybe this was what they meant by a bond of blood, she thought absently.

The atmosphere was almost gentle. Ruan Li struggled slightly and gave a light huff. “Haven’t you touched enough?”

“No,” Fu Huaizhou said without hesitation, holding her tight without squeezing.

Ruan Li scoffed at his persistence. “The great President Fu sneaking into someone else’s bed. Aren’t you ashamed?”

She expected him to react, to get angry or go silent, but instead, he buried his face into her neck.

“With a wife and child,” he murmured, “who needs shame?”