Chapter 117: A World of Two

“Mm” The man’s words abruptly stopped.

As soon as she heard the words “study” and “Fu Xingchuan,” Ruan Li’s mind flashed back to that day several years ago. She had hidden under the desk in a panic, afraid that Fu Xingchuan would discover her relationship with Fu Huaizhou. And she couldn’t help but play a prank while she was there.

“Shut up!” Ruan Li quickly stood up and covered the man’s mouth, terrified he might say something earth shattering.

Behind the livestream camera, the director’s crew collectively exhaled a long sigh of relief. Any further, and they were afraid the livestream might get taken down.

But the audience watching the livestream had a different opinion. If they could send voice messages, the screen would now be filled with a chorus of teasing comments.

“What’s so secretive that we can’t hear or see it? So mysterious.”

“What’s this about the study desk? You two are into some interesting stuff, huh…”

“Looking at President Fu’s demeanor, I thought he’d be the boring, old-fashioned type, but… haha…”

“If they weren’t enjoying their married life, they wouldn’t have two kids in four years, would they?”

Just as Fu Huaizhou was about to lean over and hug Ruan Li’s waist, a faint, childlike voice emerged from the rest area, signaling that little Lingying had just woken up and was about to cry because she didn’t see anyone around.

Ruan Li, still aware of the livestream camera, didn’t want to act too boldly, so she gave Fu Huaizhou’s shoulder a slight shove.

“Hurry up and bring her out.”

Fu Huaizhou heard the small girl’s wailing from the room and sighed, reluctantly going to calm their daughter.

“Though Fu Huaizhou is often called a ‘daughter slave,’ isn’t he a bit too cold to little Jing?”

“Is this some image-building strategy of rich families, making it look like they favor daughters over sons?”

Ruan Li didn’t check her phone to see the chat. She was seated in Fu Huaizhou’s office chair, examining the desk’s setup, which looked almost identical to the first time she’d been there during a variety show shoot.

Except now, there were a few more items.

In the center of the desk was a family photo taken when Lingying was one hundred days old. This was the same picture that Huaizhou used as his phone and computer wallpaper.

To the right was something new a model airplane that looked familiar. It seemed to be a craft project from kindergarten. She remembered the teacher had even posted a picture of it in the parents’ group chat.

She took a quick photo and sent it to Fu Chengjing, recording a voice message for him.

“Daddy’s desk has your model on it.”

Ruan Li knew Huaizhou. He was strict when it came to educating their son, likely influenced by Fu Xingchuan’s example. Though he might seem distant, Fu Chengjing was just as important to him as Lingying.

It was simply that Lingying, being younger and more delicate, required more visible affection, while Chengjing was already a quiet and mischievous child.

The chat caught onto Ruan Li’s actions.

“See? Those who said little Jing was being neglected, are you eating your words now?”

“They’re just educating him differently. Some people need to stop stirring things up.”

“Would your parents display your kindergarten crafts at their workplace if they didn’t care about you? And this is in the highest office of the Fu Corporation.”

Ruan Li had wanted to show Fu Chengjing his father’s silent care, hoping it would warm up their relationship and avoid the usual standoffs.

Before long, Fu Chengjing responded.

“Mommy, I just got home with Uncle, and we caught a ton of fish today. Uncle was so happy he was speechless.”

His cheerful tone made Ruan Li chuckle. Could Shi Xun really be that happy? With his fishing patience, it was more likely he was speechless from frustration.

Then another message came, noticeably less cheerful

“The kindergarten teacher said the model was entered in a competition, but Dad took it instead. I wanted to give it to Uncle!”

“And it’s not even all mine I made it with Lu Tingyan.”

Ruan Li felt a bit exasperated. She realized she had been overthinking. Father and son had their way of getting along, and their relationship was actually pretty harmonious.

After tidying up the desk a bit, Ruan Li had just finished when Fu Huaizhou emerged from the rest area, carrying a small bundle. The freshly woken Lingying had already had her face washed.

“Mommy, I want to go home,” Lingying, who had missed Ruan Li all day, clung to her and abandoned the father who had been soothing her earlier.

Huaizhou handed Lingying to Ruan Li and led them out to the elevator, which would take them straight to the garage. It wasn’t a long ride, so it wouldn’t tire her out.

He walked over to the desk to get his phone, only to find that everything, once neatly arranged, was now scattered all over. His precisely symmetrical layout had been messed up.

One look and he knew who was responsible.

“Feeling better now?” Ruan Li proudly nodded. She had always been this way adding color to Huaizhou’s previously monochrome home, turning his meticulously ordered spaces into lively, colorful ones.

“You…” Huaizhou shook his head with an indulgent smile, his tone full of fondness, just like the now asymmetrical items on his desk.

Ruan Li was his unexpected deviation from a methodical, predictable life.

After all, even now, every time they went back to the old mansion for dinner, his second brother would privately tease him, saying he hadn’t rebelled until he hit thirty, and had even resorted to stealing his nephew’s wife.

As soon as they got into the car, Ruan Li smelled a strong scent of roses, so strong even Lingying, sitting on her lap, wrinkled her little nose.

“Mommy, it smells so strong.”

Curious, Ruan Li turned to the man beside her.

Huaizhou gave a slight nod. “Yes, I changed the air freshener. It might be a bit strong at first.”

Lingying shook her head. “Too heavy. I don’t like it.”

It was rare for Lingying to clearly express a dislike, so Ruan Li asked with a smile, “What kind of floral scent do you like then, Lingying?”

The little girl tilted her head, thinking for a long time.

“Jasmine. The jasmine in the garden smells nice.”

Huaizhou found her scrunched-up face amusing and gently pinched her nose. “Alright, I’ll have the greenhouse grow more.”

The chat was buzzing “The princess likes jasmine take note, future suitors!”

“What a warm scene my heart is melting!”

When they arrived at YuYuan, Ruan Li had just stepped out of the car when a small boy ran up, saying, “Mommy! Uncle must be mad because he said he’ll never go fishing with me again!”

Ruan Li patted his head. “Don’t worry. Your uncle will feel better after a nap.”

The chat was filled with laughter “There’s only five minutes left in the stream, and it feels like it flew by today!”

“Agree!”

Fu Chengjing’s expression brightened immediately, just as he was about to hug his mom, he found a soft, fragrant little girl pushed into his arms.

He and Lingying stared at each other.

Standing before the two kids, Fu Huaizhou spoke calmly, “Fu Chengjing, take your sister to your uncle’s house.”

“Why not Uncle Xun’s place?” Ruan Li asked, confused.

Huaizhou sighed. “Because Shi Xun got married today.”

It was time for some alone time, and Shi Mu was the only one still living alone.

The two kids were still processing this information, but their father was already ignoring them, leading their mother towards the back of the car.

Opening the trunk, they were greeted with a trunk full of vibrant red roses, matching Ruan Li’s dress, embodying the most passionate love.

“Ruan Li, today is Qixi.”