Chapter 31: “Be Your Canary”

Fu Huaizhou glanced at the clock on the wall. It wasn’t even midnight yet just as he expected.

Looking at the pitiful expression on the girl in front of him, it was a stark contrast to how she had bossed him around earlier that day, nearly berating him to his face.

He spoke slowly, almost teasingly, “Then just sleep with the lights on.”

“…”

Ruan Li nearly let her emotions slip. She took a deep breath to compose herself. Since she had already decided to go through with this, she had to succeed.

She inched closer to him, so close she could smell the scent of his shower gel. Tugging lightly on his clothes, she whispered, “The light’s too dim… I just want someone to stay with me…”

The silence was so thick she could hear her own breathing. Ruan Li looked up at the man, who remained unmoved. Growing anxious, she added, “Someone might see us out here in the hallway…”

Fu Huaizhou observed her sneaky, almost guilty behavior. He wrapped an arm around her back and pulled her into his room. The door closed behind them.

“Are you sure?” Fu Huaizhou asked, looking down at the girl who was still recovering from the shock.

Ruan Li nodded slightly, though her clenched fingers gave away her nervousness. She hesitantly sat down on the edge of the bed, thinking that the next step would be the usual progression of events. But to her surprise, the man turned and walked back into the bathroom.

“What are you doing?” Ruan Li asked nervously from the bathroom door, peeking inside.

Fu Huaizhou, with his back to her, was untying his bathrobe. He glanced back at the intruding girl. “Taking a shower. Didn’t you knock on the door?”

It dawned on Ruan Li that he had left in the middle of his shower to answer the door. No wonder his hair still had traces of soap suds.

“Hurry up and get out,” Fu Huaizhou said, noticing her staring at him absentmindedly. “Unless you want to join me?”

“No way!” Ruan Li, worried she might see something inappropriate, quickly backed out of the bathroom.

Sitting on the bed, she could clearly hear the sound of running water. She thought to herself, Four billion in one night is impossible. Ruan Li had already prepared herself to be someone’s “canary.”

She recalled how, when she first entered the entertainment industry, many people assumed she was just another new face. Several influential figures had hinted at their desire to “keep” her. Back then, she was furious and even sought revenge.

Now, she consoled herself. If I’m going to belong to someone, better it be Fu Huaizhou. If I’m going to be a canary, I might as well be the most powerful one.

A shadow fell across her face, pulling her from her thoughts. She looked up at Fu Huaizhou, freshly showered, and decided to get straight to the point. Playing it cool, she said, “Let’s not waste time with pleasantries. I’ll be your canary for six months, and you help me pay off four billion.”

Fu Huaizhou’s eyes darkened slightly. “Canary?”

Ruan Li thought he didn’t understand, so she slowly explained, “You know, like a lover… a sponsor and kept relationship.”

Her face flushed with embarrassment after saying it out loud. Seeing his indifferent expression, she added, “Fine, eight months, but no more than that! I’m very valuable, you know.”

“And who said I needed this kind of… canary?” he asked in a hoarse voice.

Ruan Li couldn’t exactly tell him that she chose him because he was the most powerful. Instead, she explained, “Everyone says you’re not interested in women. I wanted to see if it’s true.”

As she spoke, her frustration grew. I’ve been so clear, and he’s still dragging this out. He’s doing it on purpose.

“If you don’t need me, I’ll just find someone else. There are plenty of options.” She huffed.

The room’s atmosphere instantly chilled. Sensing the tension, Ruan Li cautiously shifted to the side. Before she could come up with an excuse, Fu Huaizhou sat next to her and swiftly pulled her onto his lap.

Ruan Li nearly cried out in surprise.

“Someone else?” Fu Huaizhou’s sharp gaze, hidden behind the lack of glasses, pierced through her. “Then tell me, who else is there? Or why did you choose me?”

Sitting on his lap, she could feel the firm strength of his muscles beneath her. She counted on her fingers and earnestly replied, “First, you’re wealthy enough to pay four billion immediately. Second, we’re familiar with each other, so we won’t have to waste time getting to know each other.”

“And?” His gaze turned more intrigued, watching her intently.

Suddenly, Ruan Li grew flustered. She lowered her head, almost burying her face in her chest. “And… after our first two encounters, I don’t have to worry about any, uh, issues or weird preferences…”

“That’s enough!” Ruan Li felt like she would die of embarrassment if she kept talking.

Fu Huaizhou leisurely wrapped his arm around her waist, lifting her chin with his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“What about Jiang Yixing? Isn’t he here today too?”

Ruan Li blinked in confusion, unsure what that had to do with anything. “Him? What does he have to do with this?”

Fu Huaizhou’s lips curved slightly, his expression softening.

Ruan Li had never even considered Jiang Yixing. Aside from them being high school classmates, doing something like this with him would be unbearably awkward. More importantly, in her mind, Jiang Yixing was the kind of pure and refined person who would never keep a mistress, no matter how much money you offered him.

Unlike Fu Huaizhou, an experienced businessman with plenty of hidden schemes.

Fu Huaizhou’s fingers toyed with the belt of her bathrobe. From his vantage point, he could see her delicate collarbones and the enticing view below.

“You know what your act of disappearing the morning after and pretending not to know me is called?” he asked.

Ruan Li knew he still held a grudge. It was just one night, and he’s still bringing it up. Feeling guilty, she whispered, “Freeloading?”

“As long as you know.” His fingers undid the belt of her bathrobe. “Given your history, I’ll need to evaluate you. So—behave yourself for the next few days.”

Ruan Li, by now an expert at cursing him silently in her head, kept a sweet smile on her face as she held his wandering hand. “Then, President Fu, could you transfer the four billion first?”

She gritted her teeth as she spoke. “I need it urgently.”

“I’ll have someone transfer it to the Ruan family account immediately,” Fu Huaizhou replied casually.

A huge weight lifted off Ruan Li’s chest. As expected, Fu Huaizhou, a seasoned businessman, knew exactly who the money was for. Suddenly, she remembered something and quickly added, “Make sure he doesn’t know it’s from you. I want to give him a surprise.”
“Got it.” He wouldn’t argue with her over such minor details. As he was about to lower his head to kiss her earlobe her sensitive spot his lips were stopped by her hand.

“Make sure to give him three billion and send the last portion to my account.” Ruan Li didn’t want to give her family more than necessary. After all, she was still struggling financially. She gazed at Fu Huaizhou seriously. “This is really important.”

“…” Fu Huaizhou sighed helplessly. Did she even realize that if she stayed with him, this amount of money would be nothing?

The sound of rustling clothes filled the room, a few garments falling to the floor.

His voice, husky with restrained desire, muttered discontentedly, “Ruan Li, are you wearing pajamas under your bathrobe?”

She looked up innocently, tugging at the hem of her nightgown. “A girl has to protect herself when she goes out. It’s just one extra layer to take off—what’s the big deal?”

Suddenly, a soft yelp escaped her lips as Fu Huaizhou bit down on her collarbone, leaving a mark. “Careful…”

Thinking about her earlier comment about being his canary, Fu Huaizhou didn’t let go. Instead, he used his teeth to tease her skin, sending shivers down her spine.

“You’re really something else,” he murmured with a low chuckle.

Ruan Li didn’t have the energy to retort. Every bite sent waves of sensation coursing through her body.

Outside, the rain continued to fall. By the time Ruan Li was too exhausted to move, Fu Huaizhou held her close, standing by the window. His cool, magnetic voice whispered in her ear.

“It’s three in the morning. Do you think the sun is out?”

In her dazed state, Ruan Li vaguely remembered her bold claim: “If I seduce Fu Huaizhou, I’ll see the sun at night.” She hadn’t expected her words to come back and bite her so soon.

“Answer me,” Fu Huaizhou teased, pinching her gently.

“There is,” she murmured, her body shivering as she pressed closer to him. “With just one word from Fu Huaizhou.