Chapter 12: Traditional Chinese Medicine: “You Can’t Leave”

Ruan Li confirmed that she wasn’t mistaken—the person in front of her was Fu Xingchuan.

“Are you okay?” She leaned in to take a closer look at Fu Xingchuan’s face. “You seem fine, no fever.”

Fu Xingchuan resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her and awkwardly scratched his nose. “Just consider this as my apology for pouring wine on you last time.”

Hearing this, Ruan Li felt a bit annoyed. Even Fu Huaizhou knew that if he ruined a girl’s dress, he needed to replace it with an identical one.

“What do you mean? Inviting me to dance counts as an apology?”

Fu Xingchuan knew he was in the wrong, and understanding Ruan Li’s pride, he nodded perfunctorily. “Fine, inviting you to dance is my way of extending goodwill. Happy now?”

Only then did Ruan Li place her hand in his. “That’s more like it.”

Several other couples were already entering the dance floor. Ruan Li and Fu Xingchuan were familiar partners, as the social circle in Beijing was quite small, and they had often been dance partners at events.

“I’ve thought it over. No matter what happens in the future, for now, you’re still my fiancée in name, so I won’t cross any lines until the engagement is officially called off,” Fu Xingchuan said while they danced.

“That would be best,” Ruan Li replied, feeling somewhat relieved. After all these years, the young master had finally matured a little.

Fu Xingchuan, however, felt a bit unsettled by her calm reaction. “You don’t have any feelings about canceling the engagement?”

Ruan Li thought to herself that this was an inevitable outcome. Even if Fu Xingchuan didn’t bring it up, given the current situation with the Ruan family, the engagement wouldn’t proceed smoothly anyway.

“Do you remember when we were kids, right after our families arranged our engagement? There was a banquet, and Miss Zhou from another family accused me of taking her diamond necklace. Back then, I didn’t know anyone in Beijing, so no one stood up for me.”

Fu Xingchuan vaguely remembered something like that.

Ruan Li continued, “You were the one who spoke up, saying that nobody would want her diamonds because they were more pathetic than my birthday gifts. At that time, things between us weren’t as tense as they are now. But over the years, people’s personalities change. Honestly, I don’t think we’re suited for marriage anymore. We’d just end up fighting until we hate each other.”

Fu Xingchuan was surprised that Ruan Li remembered such a small incident. He had thought she had become much more spoiled over the years. “Back then, you were such a scaredy-cat, and I knew you didn’t steal anything. So, what do you want to do now?”

“I don’t care if you like Ruan Shu or someone else.” Ruan Li spoke seriously, both of them unusually calm for once. “During this sensitive time for the Ruan family, just don’t embarrass me. Once the engagement is canceled, you can do whatever you want.”

“Still so obsessed with saving face,” Fu Xingchuan muttered. But when he thought about what his uncle had said to him the other day, he realized it made sense. Normally, he would never back down, no matter what. Losing face in front of his friends? Unthinkable.

Hmm? Losing face? Something didn’t feel quite right, but he didn’t dwell on it.

Ruan Li shrugged nonchalantly. “Of course. How can anyone survive in Beijing without saving face?”

Recalling the odd smile she had given him earlier, Fu Xingchuan asked casually, “What were you grinning at when you saw me earlier? Regret upsetting me? Finally noticing my good looks?”

At those words, Ruan Li, who had been perfectly in sync with him during the dance, suddenly lost her footing and stepped hard on Fu Xingchuan’s foot.

“Absolutely. Not. At. All.” Ruan Li thought this man was more narcissistic than anyone she had ever met. “I just like to smile.”

As the song ended and they parted ways, Ruan Li returned to Ye Mian’s side. As she left the dance floor, a waiter accidentally bumped into her. Shi Xun, who had just finished dancing, sat down next to Ye Mian and joked in a teasing tone.

“You two actually managed to talk for that long without fighting?” Ye Mian asked.

“A miracle,” Ruan Li admitted. She hadn’t expected Fu Xingchuan to be so normal today. It seemed that only Fu Huaizhou could keep him in check.

Meanwhile, Ruan Shu stood with Zhou Min, watching the scene. She hadn’t missed the friendly interaction between Fu Xingchuan and Ruan Li during the dance. Ruan Li’s dance moves were far more elegant and refined than hers—moves that should have been hers.

Shi Xun clearly had no interest in Ruan Shu, but she knew she had to secure a match with one of the prominent families.

Ruan Shu glanced at a servant carrying an unopened bottle of red wine and some empty glasses. She turned to Zhou Min. “Mom, are you sure this is okay?”

Zhou Min showed no hesitation. “There’s nothing wrong with it. After all the years she’s taken your place, it’s time for her to give something back. I’ve arranged everything. Once she drinks, someone will take her to rest. You don’t need to know who will go in.”

There were plenty of shady businessmen and bodyguards at the party.

“And what if she doesn’t drink the wine?” Ruan Shu asked cautiously.

“I have a backup plan. Even if she doesn’t drink, once she enters the room, she won’t be able to leave.” Zhou Min caressed Ruan Shu’s face gently. “Don’t worry. The best marriage in Beijing will belong to my biological daughter.”

Ruan Shu’s face showed fear for a moment, but when she turned around, it was replaced with a determined and satisfied smile.

She walked over to Fu Xingchuan, who was chatting with some young men, and lightly tugged on his sleeve.

“What’s wrong?” Fu Xingchuan turned to see her, asking casually, and his sleeve slipped from her grasp.

Ruan Shu opened the bottle of red wine in front of him and poured it into two glasses. She took one glass and drank a few sips herself before speaking. “My father asked me to toast with my sister, but we had a falling out a few days ago, and I’m too afraid to approach her.”

Fu Xingchuan watched her drink and didn’t think much of it. “Ruan Li doesn’t hold grudges. You don’t need to be afraid.”

Ruan Shu hadn’t expected just one dance to improve Fu Xingchuan’s opinion of Ruan Li so much. All her efforts and acting seemed to be in vain. She quickly lowered her head, her eyes reddening with tears.

“But she was really angry that day. I just don’t want any trouble today, especially since it’s my recognition banquet. Could you help me bring this glass of wine to her so I can report back to my father?”

Fu Xingchuan didn’t understand why girls were always so complicated, but he couldn’t stand to see one cry. Waving his hand, he said, “Fine, I’ll have a servant take it with me.”

As Fu Xingchuan walked away, Ruan Shu smirked. With him as a witness, Ruan Li would have no way to explain herself.

“Hey, Ruan Li,” Fu Xingchuan called out as he approached. She was admiring her freshly done nails and didn’t seem interested in chatting.

“Here’s a drink for you,” Fu Xingchuan said, gesturing for a servant to bring over the wine.

Ruan Li raised an eyebrow. “What’s up with you today, coming up with all these random ideas?”

“It’s just a bit of wine. You can handle it, can’t you?” He picked up the glass from the tray and handed it to her. “Come on, don’t make this difficult.”

Ruan Li still didn’t understand what he was up to, but she didn’t mind having a drink. After all, they had just reached an agreement earlier today.

Just as she was about to take the glass, a pair of long, elegant hands intercepted, taking the drink from mid-air.

Both Ruan Li and Fu Xingchuan turned to look at the newcomer.

Fu Huaizhou towered over them, his face unreadable, but his eyes were fixed on Fu Xingchuan, who looked as carefree as ever.

“Didn’t I tell you to think carefully? Now you’re offering her drinks?”

Last time, it was wine spilled on her dress. This time, it was a drink. Fu Huaizhou couldn’t understand how these two had ever been engaged; their personalities were completely incompatible.

Ruan Li and Fu Xingchuan: “?”

“Not to be repeated.” The man’s slender fingers held a wine glass, his brows slightly furrowed as he tilted his head back to drink, the cold white of his throat moving as he swallowed. With a light “thunk,” the glass was casually placed on the table.

Fu Xingchuan was at a loss, “No, Uncle, I didn’t force her to drink. We were just playing normally.”

Fu Huaizhou’s gaze shifted to the girl who hadn’t yet reacted. Ruan Li slowly nodded, her expression sincere, “He really didn’t force me.”

It just felt a little out of the blue.

For once, Fu Huaizhou didn’t know what to say. It seemed he had accidentally become the one disrupting a budding romance. Clearing his throat, he said, “Sorry, carry on.”

After that, he turned to leave, leaving the two of them staring at each other in silence. Ruan Li pointed at the now empty glass, “… I finished drinking. Do you need anything else?”

Fu Xingchuan, still stunned, shook his head, feeling like he had been unfairly scolded.

Fu Huaizhou, preparing to leave the banquet, suddenly felt something off. His stomach was burning. He realized that he hadn’t eaten anything since morning, and drinking that wine might have been harmful on an empty stomach.

Assistant Qin noticed and suggested, “Perhaps you should go upstairs and rest. I’ll have someone bring some stomach medicine.”

The upstairs area of the banquet hall was generally reserved for guests to rest or change clothes.

Fu Huaizhou nodded, thinking it would be better to rest for a few minutes rather than risk driving in this condition.

When Assistant Qin entered the room after opening the door, he saw the man sitting on the bed, covered in a thin layer of sweat, his eyes bloodshot.

There was something different in the air—suppressed desire.

“President Fu, I’ll call a doctor,” the assistant, having seen much in his time, quickly understood the situation but wasn’t sure which step had been overlooked for this to happen.

Fu Huaizhou nodded slightly. Whoever had done this had used a potent dose. Even someone with his usual self-control was losing his grip. Splashing cold water on his face hadn’t helped at all.

“Ruan Li… don’t let her drink the wine…” The remnants of Fu Huaizhou’s consciousness focused on the wine. It should have been Ruan Li who drank it, but he had taken it by mistake.

He knew Fu Xingchuan wasn’t malicious, likely a pawn in someone else’s scheme.

His intention was to have the assistant warn the girl, preventing the person behind this from trying again. This type of drug was likely intended to create a scandal, which would turn into a major issue between the two families.

It took all of Assistant Qin’s effort to catch those two words, and he was surprised. He confirmed again, “President Fu, did you say Miss Ruan?”

Fu Huaizhou nodded, thinking the assistant, who had worked for him for so many years, still understood his intentions. “Go quickly.”

Not daring to delay, Assistant Qin hurried out the door, hanging up the call he had made to the private doctor. Though he didn’t understand why Fu Huaizhou called for Miss Ruan after being drugged, he trusted that he hadn’t misheard.

Maybe something had happened recently that he wasn’t aware of, or perhaps Fu Huaizhou’s true feelings were surfacing now that he had been drugged. After all, Miss Ruan had been appearing more frequently than usual lately.

It wasn’t his concern, though. He was just an employee following orders.

When Assistant Qin found Ruan Li, she had just entered a room to help Ye Mian change clothes. Shi Xun had accidentally spilled wine on them earlier.

“You’re ridiculous, forcing me to play that hand-slapping game, and now I’m covered in wine,” Ye Mian grumbled, while Shi Xun trailed behind the two, helpless.

“Miss Ye, it’s not my fault you lost and stood up suddenly.”

“Miss Ruan, President Fu has called for you,” Assistant Qin said, still catching his breath.

“My uncle was just looking for me. Is something wrong?” Ruan Li asked.

Not wanting to reveal in front of others that Fu Huaizhou had been drugged and called for Ruan Li, Assistant Qin kept it discreet. “President Fu didn’t say, but he seemed quite urgent. You should probably go.”

“Alright, I’ll go,” Ruan Li said to Ye Mian.

As Ye Mian watched them leave, she grew more certain that there was something unusual about Ruan Li’s relationship with Fu Huaizhou. Even his assistant seemed to be well-acquainted with her.

“Well, even though he’s a bit older, he sure is a powerful backer,” she mused. Besides, Fu Huaizhou was far more attractive than those impulsive boys from Beijing, and leagues ahead of Fu Xingchuan.

It was a shame her brother wasn’t at the banquet due to a business trip. Otherwise, seeing Ruan Li dancing with Fu Xingchuan would’ve made him want to dance too.

“After all, even if it’s an old bull eating young grass, it’s gotta be a handsome bull.”

“President Fu is waiting for you inside,” Assistant Qin gestured, deciding it would be best to stand guard outside and not go in. His job was to make sure no one else entered.

Ruan Li was confused as to why Fu Huaizhou didn’t say anything earlier but specifically called her over now. Nevertheless, she opened the door and entered.

The moment she stepped inside, Assistant Qin closed the door behind her, as if sealing off something that shouldn’t be seen.

“Uncle?” Ruan Li softly called to the man leaning against the bed, eyes closed, seemingly resting, but with a strangely off complexion.

Through his hazy consciousness, Fu Huaizhou heard the girl’s soft voice, feeling the heat in his body rise even more. He lifted his eyelids to look in the direction of the voice and faintly recognized Ruan Li.

“Why is it you?” His voice was hoarse, the quiet, dim room amplifying its sensuality.

He had been expecting the private doctor to arrive soon, but instead, the person he had told Assistant Qin to warn had come first.

“Assistant Qin said you needed me,” Ruan Li took a step forward, noticing the redness at the corners of his eyes, a sharp contrast to his usual cool demeanor.

There was a hint of human desire in him now.

Recalling the way he had spoken, his heavy breathing, Ruan Li cautiously let her gaze drop to his suit pants. The change was unmistakable, even with his clothes.

As an adult, Ruan Li knew exactly what kind of reaction this was, and her heart raced. Why had Assistant Qin brought her here with so many people outside? Even though she’d heard Fu Huaizhou wasn’t interested in women, surely in a situation like this, he’d call for a doctor—or at least a female companion he found suitable.

“I think Assistant Qin made a mistake…” Ruan Li took a few cautious steps back.

Fu Huaizhou felt he had reached his limit. The drug was incredibly potent, and the fresh scent of the girl who had entered the room, coupled with her soft voice, was driving him wild.

He’d seen every trick in the business world, but he hadn’t expected to be brought down by something like this at a simple family reunion, even if it was to protect her from the same fate.

Sensing danger from his movements, Ruan Li stepped back quickly, turning to run toward the door. “I’ll leave now, Uncle! I’ll get someone else to come!”

She reached for the door handle but couldn’t open it.

It was locked by Assistant Qin.

Before she could call for help, a faint floral scent hit her nose, and in an instant, her body felt weak. If not for leaning against the door, she would have collapsed.

A heat surged from her abdomen. Although Ruan Li had never been intimately involved with a man, she had read enough books and comics to recognize what was happening. She realized she had also fallen victim to the same scheme.

“Why aren’t you running?” The man’s voice came close, low and hoarse.

A burning body pressed against her back, enveloping her completely. The woody scent of his cologne filled her nose as his hot breath brushed against her neck.

A large hand slid down her body, wrapping around her waist, the fingers pressing gently into her soft flesh.

Breathing in her scent, Fu Huaizhou felt his mind burning even hotter as he leaned down, brushing his lips against her earlobe.

“You can’t leave.”