Chapter 20: Devastating News

“No, President Fu,” Lu Yunshang quickly refused, “This bouquet is enough.”

“Why?” Fu Changqing didn’t understand.

“Since you like them, wouldn’t it be nice to see fresh ones every day?”

Lu Yunshang wanted to say it was too extravagant and wasteful, but she didn’t dare.

She said, “It’s only surprising to see them occasionally. If you see them every day, you’ll get tired of them.”

Fu Changqing seemed to accept this explanation.

“Then let’s change the flowers next time,” he said.

Lu Yunshang frowned. That wasn’t what she meant. Why was it so hard to communicate with him?

They sat by the window. Lu Yunshang leaned on the table, looking at the flowers and then the night view outside the window.

Fu Changqing was also infected by her cheerful mood and maintained a smile.

A few minutes later, their dishes arrived.

It was a seafood platter.

Fu Changqing put a piece of translucent salmon onto her plate.

Lu Yunshang added some wasabi and took a bite. She was immediately choked and tears welled up in her eyes.

But after the initial sting, the sweetness of the salmon began to melt in her mouth. The texture was as bouncy as jelly.

It was rich but not greasy. This was the best salmon she had ever eaten.

Seeing that she liked it, Fu Changqing put another piece on her plate, “If you like it, eat more. We have plenty tonight.”

Lu Yunshang nodded repeatedly. She didn’t hold back because she really liked it.

By the end of the meal, Lu Yunshang was stuffed.

Looking at the empty plates, her face flushed. She felt like a glutton. So embarrassing.

But Fu Changqing said he would bring her here often.

She wouldn’t dare come a second time.

She had eaten like a starving ghost.

She should have been more restrained.

After they took the elevator downstairs, Fu Changqing suggested they take a walk.

Lu Yunshang immediately agreed.

She was too full and needed to digest.

But after only a few minutes, Lu Yunshang regretted it.

Fu Changqing’s rate of attracting attention was too high. Wherever they went, people would scream.

“Is that a celebrity? What’s his name? He’s so handsome!” girls gossiped together.

They even took pictures with their phones.

“Who’s the woman with him? She’s so ugly. They don’t match at all!”

The girls’ jealousy reached Lu Yunshang’s nose.

Her face turned pale. What the heck? Why compare her to him when praising his handsomeness?

Was she ugly?

This was the first time she’d heard such a comment in her life.

“They’re blind. Don’t mind them,” Fu Changqing suddenly leaned down and whispered softly in her ear.

Then he naturally took her hand.

They were as intimate as a couple in love.

Lu Yunshang felt her heart racing. Thump, thump, thump. But she didn’t pull away her hand.

She let him hold her hand because his hand was warm.

Fu Changqing also noticed how cold her hands were.

The girls were insanely jealous and stomped their feet.

Seeing them like that, Lu Yunshang felt relieved and a little smug.

Fu Changqing stopped walking.

Lu Yunshang looked in the direction he was looking. An elderly man was selling candied haws to passersby.

But no one stopped.

The old man was thinly dressed, his face purple from the cold, his face full of worry.

Fu Changqing walked over, “Grandpa, I’ll take all these candied haws.”

The old man froze, then smiled, “Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. You’re a good person, a good person.”

Fu Changqing took out his phone and called Huzi, telling him the address and asking him to come immediately.

While waiting for Huzi, he took a candied haw and handed it to Lu Yunshang, “Eat. It helps with digestion.”

Lu Yunshang took the candied haw, “Thank you.”

She took a bite. It was sweet and sour. Delicious.

After Huzi arrived, Fu Changqing took him aside and spoke for a while before returning to Lu Yunshang.

“I’ll have Huzi send these candied haws to your office tomorrow.”

Lu Yunshang was surprised, but she really wanted to help the old man, so she nodded.

Huzi gave the old man a stack of hundred-yuan bills. The old man seemed startled and only took three, pushing the rest back to Huzi.

Then he hurried away.

Huzi carried the candied haws back to Fu Changqing, “Boss, the old man wouldn’t accept the money.”

Fu Changqing nodded, “Find out if the old man is having any difficulties.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Lu Yunshang stared at Fu Changqing, her heart warm. He looked so handsome.

Fu Changqing looked back at her, the corners of his lips slightly raised, “Miss Lu, do you want a few more?”

“Yes, yes, they’re delicious,” Lu Yunshang smiled radiantly.

Because it was getting colder, Fu Changqing was afraid Lu Yunshang would catch a cold, so he urged her to get in the car and took her back to Mudan Garden.

Getting out of the car, Lu Yunshang was holding a large bouquet of white roses in one hand and two candied haws in the other.

She happily waved goodbye to Fu Changqing.

But her phone rang. Her hands were full. How could she answer?

Fu Changqing got out of the car and took the flowers and candied haws from her.

Lu Yunshang quickly took her bag off her shoulder and searched for her phone.

It was an unknown number.

“Hello,” Lu Yunshang answered.

Her expression immediately turned shocked. She covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes.

After hanging up, she couldn’t speak for a long time.

“What’s wrong?” Fu Changqing was worried, “What happened?”

Tears rolled down Lu Yunshang’s cheeks. She choked, “My best friend, Tang Tang, committed suicide by taking sleeping pills.”

Fu Changqing asked for the hospital address and had Huzi drive to the hospital.

Along the way, Lu Yunshang cried and told Fu Changqing about Tang Tang’s situation.

Tang Tang and Lu Yunshang grew up together in the countryside and were best friends. Because their family was poor, Tang Tang dropped out of school after junior high. Her father forced her to marry Yang Gang, a village bully, for 20,000 yuan in bride price.

This man was 15 years older than Tang Tang and had a bad character. He often stole and bullied the poor.

After Tang Tang married him, she was abused frequently and always had injuries.

Once, because she was late with dinner, Yang Gang broke her arm in anger.

Tang Tang didn’t want to live like this anymore and begged Lu Yunshang to help her. She pretended to be in bed for a night, and Tang Tang escaped overnight.

She disappeared without a trace.

Lu Yunshang never expected to hear such devastating news about Tang Tang.

When they arrived at the hospital, Lu Yunshang’s eyes were swollen from crying.

Fu Changqing had Huzi inquire and found out that Tang Tang wasn’t dead. She was still in the operating room, and the surgeon was Su Qiyi.

Lu Yunshang was relieved and clasped her hands together, “Thank you, God.”

Fu Changqing took her to the operating room door. After waiting for half an hour, the operating room door opened.

Su Qiyi, in scrubs, came out.

He was surprised to see Fu Changqing and Lu Yunshang, “Why are you here? Do you know the patient?”

“Tang Tang is my best friend,” Lu Yunshang quickly explained.

Su Qiyi saw Lu Yunshang’s swollen eyes and understood. He comforted her, “When she was brought in, her condition was critical. After our rescue, she’s now stable. Don’t worry. I’m here. Nothing will happen to her.”

Fu Changqing’s eyes flickered after hearing Su Qiyi’s words.

He put his arm around Lu Yunshang’s shoulders, “Since she’s stable and Su Shao is here, I’ll take you home to rest. I’ll have someone watch over her. Notify you immediately if she wakes up.”

Lu Yunshang wiped away her tears and nodded obediently.

Su Qiyi looked at Fu Changqing’s intimate gesture, a little surprised, but his face remained calm, “There are medical staff in the hospital. President Fu doesn’t need to arrange anyone. I’ll notify Miss Lu if the patient wakes up.”

Fu Changqing looked at Su Qiyi, his eyes sharp.

“Tang Tang, where’s Tang Tang?”

A hoarse, anxious voice came. Lu Yunshang turned around and was shocked when she saw the man’s face.

“Huang Siyuan?”