Chapter 49: Playing a Dangerous Game

His voice wasn’t loud, but since everyone in the room was staring at him, they naturally heard what he said. A group of people exchanged confused glances.

Ruan Li had no intention of sitting next to him. She glanced at Ruan Shu, who was still sitting on the carpet, seemingly unable to process that the investor was Fu Huaizhou, not Ruan Sheng.

“He’s calling you,” Ruan Li nudged Ruan Shu’s leg with her foot.

Ruan Shu hurriedly scrambled up from the carpet, looking a bit embarrassed. She glanced at the man seated at the head of the table, hoping that he might be referring to her, though deep down she knew that wasn’t possible.

The director, aware of who Fu Huaizhou had come for, pushed Ruan Li toward him before anyone could react. She found herself seated next to Fu Huaizhou.

“Thank you for your investment, Mr. Fu. I’m confident our production Jingluan won’t disappoint you,” the director said, making polite small talk. Compared to the last investor who forced actors into the production, the Fu family’s hands-off approach seemed like a godsend.

The director had initially assumed Fu Huaizhou’s investment was to make Ruan Li the leading actress, but it turned out that wasn’t the case.

Fu Huaizhou nodded slightly. “I have no expectations. Just do what needs to be done.”

Sitting beside him, Ruan Li subtly shifted her chair further away. This morning, he had been so firm in telling her to focus on work, and now here they were, meeting again in the evening. She couldn’t believe it wasn’t intentional.

No expectations? Fu’s business ventures brought in far more money in a day than what he invested in a single drama, so she could see why it was insignificant to him.

The director continued his flattery while the other actors didn’t dare look directly at Fu Huaizhou. Ruan Li’s gaze wandered across the table. Ruan Shu looked distracted, probably worried about being replaced. Beside her sat the male lead, Pei Ze, and next to him was the third male lead, played by a recent boy group member, Ruan Sheng, who had just come out of a talent show.

Ruan Sheng, with his bright eyes and innocent look, fit the role well. He had introduced himself earlier. Just as Ruan Li was looking around, her chair suddenly shifted closer. She almost lost her balance and looked down to see a large hand resting on the side of her chair, a thumb adorned with a jade ring indicating who it belonged to.

“Why are you pulling me?” she whispered under her breath.

Fu Huaizhou glanced at her but didn’t reply. Just as she was about to move her chair again

His warm hand landed on her thigh, lightly rubbing the soft skin. Occasionally, he’d give a gentle but firm squeeze.

The touch sent shivers down Ruan Li’s spine, making her legs weak. She glared at him, pressing her hand over his to stop him from continuing.

“Mr. Fu, what do you think?” the director suddenly asked, his eyes darting toward them.

Ruan Li quickly poked Fu Huaizhou’s hand, urging him to respond. If the others noticed his hand on her leg, rumors would spread, and she’d be labeled a “resource-seeker” for sure.

“It’s fine,” Fu Huaizhou replied calmly.

Just as Ruan Li breathed a sigh of relief, he clasped her hand in his own, toying with it. She tried to pull away but failed.

The director excused himself to take a phone call, and silence settled over the group.

“Sister, are you okay?” Ruan Sheng suddenly asked.

Ruan Li glanced around the table, realizing he was speaking to her. She quickly shook her head, “I’m fine.”

“You’re very red,” he said with a slight smile.

“I think it’s the alcohol,” Ruan Li explained, glancing at the hand still resting on her thigh. With Fu Huaizhou’s touches, how could she not be blushing?

The door opened, and Ruan Li assumed the director had returned. Instead, it was Shi Xun, who strolled in nonchalantly and sat in the director’s seat beside her.

“Third brother’s investment, and I didn’t even get a call. I thought you were doing this for me,” he teased.

Unlike the director, Shi Xun wasn’t so reserved. As soon as he sat down, his eyes shifted toward Fu Huaizhou and Ruan Li.

After all, he had long suspected the two were involved, whether from rumors in the Fu family or from live stream gossip. And with Fu Huaizhou returning to the mansion every night, it wasn’t hard to put the pieces together.

And now, the normally cold and restrained man had his hand on Ruan Li’s leg, while holding her hand as well.

Shi Xun quickly withdrew his gaze, smiling as he shook his head, silently mouthing, “You really play hard.”

When the director returned, he saw Shi Xun in his seat but said nothing. After all, Shi Xun had been asked multiple times to make a guest appearance in the production.

After several rounds of drinks, the director noticed Fu Huaizhou’s tired expression and wrapped up the evening, telling everyone to head back. He instructed Pei Ze to escort the slightly intoxicated Ruan Shu back to her hotel, clearly frustrated with the trouble she had caused earlier.

Ruan Li understood why. Ruan Shu was likely drowning her sorrows, afraid that Fu Huaizhou would target her and vent his frustrations.

As Ruan Li stood to leave, she felt someone grab her wrist. She turned to see Fu Huaizhou.

He didn’t seem to have any intention of letting her go.

Shi Xun, ever the timely helper, stepped forward and said, “Ah, looks like you’ve had too much to drink. Let me take you home, sis.”

In Jingluan, Shi Xun played the crown prince, Ruan Li’s elder brother, so calling her “sis” felt natural enough.

Ruan Li was about to say that she hadn’t actually drunk anything, but then remembered she had just claimed the alcohol was making her blush. She couldn’t contradict herself now.

So, she let Shi Xun lead her out toward the parking lot.

Once inside the car, however, Ruan Li realized it wasn’t Shi Xun’s flashy sports car but a business vehicle that clearly belonged to Fu Huaizhou.

Just as she was about to lean out and scold them, someone slid into the seat beside her. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

Shi Xun stood outside, waving cheerfully at the person inside. “I’ve delivered her, Third Brother. Don’t make my brother drag me into business school again!”

Ruan Li knew these two were up to no good. The car started moving, and the partition rose, sealing them in.

Just as she was about to turn and demand where Fu Huaizhou was taking her, he pressed her up against the window, his breath hot on her lips. His hand firmly gripped her waist as he kissed her deeply, his lips capturing hers with a possessive intensity.

The car was filled with the sounds of their kiss, and Ruan Li’s soft, muffled gasps.

As he bit down on her lower lip, Fu Huaizhou rasped between breaths, “Enjoying the view? You stared for so long.”