Chapter 33: Worried You’ll Fall for Me

“Sort of.” Ruan Li tugged at the corner of his suit jacket, feeling a bit guilty when she remembered his strict lifestyle rules. “Would an illegitimate daughter be okay? Her zodiac sign is a cat, and she’s super cute, like a little angel.”

“No,” Fu Huaizhou said without hesitation. He looked at her big, blinking eyes, which were clearly seductive, yet always seemed watery and innocent when she gazed at him. “The zodiac sign doesn’t matter either.”

“What did cats ever do to you?” Ruan Li clung to his clothes, unwilling to let go, almost throwing herself on him to demand answers. “Back in the day, when I was just an orphan with no real family, the only thing that kept me company was a cat. I really grew attached to her.”

As she spoke, her eyes began to redden, almost as if she was about to cry right there, demonstrating her acting skills as a professional actress.

Fu Huaizhou remained unmoved. “Attached? How long did you have it?”

“Three months.”

The air went still.

“You can’t measure time with human standards. What seems like three months to us is like three years to a little cat.” Ruan Li stuck to her argument, trying to appeal to his emotions, the only way to melt this seemingly heartless man. “Your house is so big, and the cat just needs a tiny room. She won’t run around, I promise you’ll never even see her. Don’t worry!”

Fu Huaizhou felt his head spinning from her constant chatter, and her attitude was clear: if you don’t agree, I’ll keep nagging. In the end, he relented.

Ruan Li gleefully headed back to pack her things. Now that she was going to live in Yuyuan, she no longer had to worry about being trailed by illegitimate children, and even Ruan Cheng wouldn’t be able to interfere.

Speaking of the Ruan family, Ruan Li felt she should really thank Ruan Shu and Zhou Min. If it weren’t for them, she wouldn’t have found Fu Huaizhou’s shelter after breaking off her engagement and leaving the Ruan family.

Who cares what kind of tree he is? As long as she could enjoy its shade, it was fine. Ruan Li thought to herself that she hadn’t been mistreated by bad people enough before, but now she fully understood the value of mutual benefit.

Since she had brought quite a few servants with her, the packing didn’t take long. About an hour later, on the way back to Yuyuan, Ruan Li noticed a suspicious car tailing them.

It seemed that Ruan Cheng was curious to know who exactly she had found that could pay off three billion yuan just like that.

“Don’t worry, Miss,” said the butler, who had come with her. “Once we reach the front, they’ll be blocked off. Outsiders don’t know that the master lives at Yuyuan and will assume it’s just the Fu family residence.”

Ruan Li nodded, figuring that such a big surprise was best saved for later.

Fu Huaizhou, meanwhile, was working remotely from Yuyuan. He rarely took time off, so it was unusual for him to be home. After closing his online meeting, he heard a commotion outside. Stepping out of his study, he saw Ruan Li directing the servants as they arranged her things.

“Is this room in use?”

The butler smiled and replied, “No, Miss, it’s not.”

Ruan Li nodded approvingly. “Then this room will be Lucky’s cat nest.”

Lucky must be the cat, Fu Huaizhou thought, disapproving of the name. It was rather silly.

“This room will be my studio, and that one will be a projection room. As for this one…”

She walked into the largest room on the second floor, eyeing the furniture. “I’ll turn this into my walk-in closet. Though, it might not be big enough.”

The butler chimed in, “The master’s closet has plenty of space. There’s a lot of it unused.”

“Will he mind if I use it?” Ruan Li hesitated, knowing that she was already claiming rooms he didn’t use. She had just spoken when she noticed the man standing at the door of the study. Her eyes lit up. “Oh, you’re home! I thought you went to work.”

Fu Huaizhou watched her, adapting so quickly to her new life. Anyone would think she was the homeowner preparing to welcome guests. “Come with me.”

Ruan Li obediently followed him as he led her to the master bedroom, which was connected to a spacious walk-in closet. It looked like there would be just enough room for her things.

“But this is your bedroom,” Ruan Li said seriously. “It’ll be inconvenient if I have to come here every time I need to change clothes.”

Fu Huaizhou gave her a sideways glance. “You still think you’ll have your own bedroom? From now on, you’ll sleep here.”

Ruan Li wanted to protest. “Can’t adults have some privacy…?”

But he had already dismissed her concerns, signaling the servants to move all her belongings into the room.

Soon, the walk-in closet that had once been empty was filled with a parade of servants bringing in box after box. The once-spacious closet was now packed with dazzling jewelry, and the display cabinets were completely filled.

Fu Huaizhou had never had a woman in his life, and it was his first time seeing this kind of extravagance. “So, this is what you ended up with after giving Ruan Cheng a billion?”

Ruan Li nodded innocently. “Of course. I didn’t take too much, just the things I like the most.”

After all, it’s normal for girls to have a lot of interests and hobbies. She just had a little more variety than most.

“Do you think I’m expensive to keep?” Ruan Li asked, with a matter-of-fact tone.

“No.” Fu Huaizhou just couldn’t understand why she needed every version of the same thing. Still, all these expenses wouldn’t make a dent in his account, and the most expensive item here was the pink diamond he had given her.

“Come and sign the contract,” he said, turning to leave the closet.

Ruan Li was surprised to learn that even such a secretive relationship required a contract. Businessmen and their obsession with details. She looked at the terms still displayed on his computer.

“Party B must ensure exclusivity in the relationship, meaning no dating or intimate contact with other men.”

“Party B must guarantee professionalism, ensuring that Party A remains mentally and physically satisfied throughout the relationship.”

“Duration: eight months. If Party B violates any terms, they must compensate Party A with eight billion yuan.”

“Eight billion?” Ruan Li was stunned. She felt like she no longer recognized these numbers. Everyone seemed to be trying to squeeze her dry. Fu Huaizhou was even greedier than Ruan Cheng. Selling herself wouldn’t even cover eight billion.

“Why doesn’t the contract say anything about Party A’s responsibilities?” She huffed at the screen. The whole thing seemed tailored against her, like they should just print the word “capitalism” at the top.

Fu Huaizhou found her indignant outburst amusing. “You can propose your terms now.”

“I have just one condition.” Ruan Li looked at him seriously. “If Party A gets married during the contract period, the contract is immediately nullified, and Party A must pay the kind, beautiful, adorable, and charming Party B double the penalty.”

Fu Huaizhou raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t even considered that possibility.

Ruan Li gazed around his study, noticing a reclining chair by the window. In the summer, it would be perfect to lounge there, read comics, and enjoy the air conditioning. She continued, “Anyway, I, Ruan Li, will never be the third party in someone else’s relationship. That’s my only demand. If you can’t agree, don’t sign. I don’t want you blaming me if you end up a bachelor because I didn’t let you get married.”

She lay down on the recliner, testing its comfort, as a shadow fell over her.

Fu Huaizhou looked down at her, his expression cool. “Who are you calling old?”

Ruan Li regretted her words. She hadn’t meant for her brain to lag behind her mouth. And this man, every time the subject of age came up, he’d darken his expression. She quickly explained, “That’s not what I meant! I’m worried you’ll fall for me. What if, after three or five years, you can’t find anyone better and can’t get married? I wasn’t saying you’re old.”

“Fall for you?” Fu Huaizhou’s eyes darkened. Today, she wore a moonlight white cheongsam that hugged her figure tightly, especially around the chest, where the buttons seemed ready to burst. He leaned down, grabbing her waist. “That depends on how much skill you have.”