Chapter 56: Hard Work, Litchi

Ruan Li was worried that someone might knock on the door in the morning and find Fu Huaizhou still in her room. So, before sleeping, she purposely set an alarm.

When the alarm rang, she groggily opened her eyes and reached out to the side. Sure enough, her hand landed on a firm chest. The feel was so nice that she couldn’t resist touching it a few more times.

As she became more alert, she turned her head to see Fu Huaizhou already awake, gazing at her with a deep look. Feeling guilty, Ruan Li quickly withdrew her hand.

“Why are you still here?” She glanced at the time, realizing it wasn’t yet the hour when the Fu family typically woke up.

“Changing faces so quickly?” Fu Huaizhou grabbed the hand that had just been wandering over his body.

Ruan Li hadn’t felt embarrassed before, but now, remembering the events of last night, she thought of how he’d managed to stay up so long without tiring. She shook her wrist, complaining, “You said it would only be for a little while last night, but my wrist was sore, and it still wasn’t over.”

Fu Huaizhou chuckled softly, holding her delicate fingers in his palm, gently massaging them. “Poor Litchi, it must’ve been hard for you.”

Ruan Li huffed softly. She wasn’t going to be tricked by such fleeting sweet talk. She threw the bathrobe beside her onto Fu Huaizhou. “Go back to your own room now.”

Having no other choice, Fu Huaizhou left, finding himself locked outside her door.

Ruan Li had planned to go back to sleep for a bit, but just as she was about to head back to bed, she overheard a conversation outside. It was Old Master Fu.

“Third son, why are you here?”

Ruan Li’s heart started pounding. While the old madam was kind and gentle, Old Master Fu still had an intimidating presence, even in his advanced age. His commanding aura was hard to miss.

She silently prayed that Fu Huaizhou would move further from her door.

“I woke up early to get some water,” Fu Huaizhou answered calmly, though his morning voice was still a bit husky. There was nothing suspicious in his tone.

“Your mother didn’t mention you staying here last night,” the old master remarked.

Ruan Li thought to herself that the old madam had likely forgotten that this man had lingered around without leaving.

After a few more casual exchanges, the old master seemed not to suspect anything, and Ruan Li finally relaxed. The scare had ruined any hope of going back to sleep, so she decided to start cleaning her room.

She couldn’t let the Fu family’s maids clean up the aftermath of last night’s chaos. She looked at her ruined cheongsam and undergarments, knowing they were beyond saving.

Thankfully, the room had clothes prepared for her by the old madam, so she wasn’t left in an awkward position.

As Ruan Li opened the curtains and began tidying the bed, she noticed a bath towel casually thrown on the bed—the same one Fu Huaizhou had used to protect the sheets from getting dirty last night.

She tossed the towel into the trash and suddenly recalled how Fu Huaizhou had bent down the previous night. Someone as strict and composed as Fu Huaizhou had actually…kissed her there. At the time, she had been startled, but afterward, she didn’t find it all that uncomfortable.

After all, Fu Huaizhou usually catered to her every need, leaving nothing unsatisfied.

When Ruan Li went downstairs for breakfast, Fu Huaizhou was already seated. The old madam hadn’t come down yet, and Ruan Li picked a seat far away, just about to sit down.

“Sit next to me,” Fu Huaizhou suddenly said.

There were only servants present, but Ruan Li still felt nervous.

“That seat’s not for you. You’ll have to move soon enough,” Fu Huaizhou said, glancing at her.

Ruan Li knew he was right. That seat was supposed to be reserved for Ruan Shu, who had stayed overnight at the Fu family home for the first time. Reluctantly, she sat beside Fu Huaizhou.

When the old madam came downstairs, she was surprised by the sight and joked with a servant, “It’s unusual to see the third son not rushing off to the office. Normally, he wouldn’t stay even a minute longer than necessary.”

The servant nodded and said, “When you look at them like this, Miss Ruan and the third master really make a good pair—one is cool and the other lively.”

The old madam had never thought of it that way, but now, looking at the two, she admitted that her third son had aged well. However, she quickly shook her head, dismissing the thought. “But the third one’s already 30. He’s too old. They don’t match.”

When Ruan Li saw the old madam approach, she quickly stood up. “Good morning, Grandma.”

“Mother,” Fu Huaizhou nodded slightly.

Although the old madam had just commented on the age difference, now that she saw their faces together, she reconsidered. Among her children, Fu Huaizhou had always had the best looks. Old Master Fu soon joined them at the table.

“Sit down,” the old madam instructed, glancing around the room. “Where’s Xingchuan? Still not up?”

“No,” a servant replied.

“Go call him. It’s late, and he should be up. Fu Corporation’s workday has a schedule.”

Ruan Li was about to start eating when she remembered Fu Huaizhou’s comment from last night that no one would pay attention to them today. But now, something didn’t seem right, and Ruan Shu was still nowhere to be seen.

A suspicion began to form in her mind. She discreetly kicked Fu Huaizhou under the table.

Fu Huaizhou’s body stiffened for a moment.

“What’s wrong?” the old madam noticed his hesitation.

Fu Huaizhou shook his head lightly and put down his utensils. “I’m finished eating.”

Under the table, Fu Huaizhou grabbed Ruan Li’s ankle, which had kicked him, and placed her foot on his thigh, gently stroking her ankle.

Ruan Li tried to pull her foot back, but it was futile. Just as she was about to poke him in the waist, a servant hurriedly came down the stairs. Since the only people present were family, the servant spoke freely.

“Old madam, the young master and Miss Ruan Shu were found in the same room upstairs… The young master opened the door as if he had just woken up…”

Ruan Li was sitting right there, so naturally, the “Miss Ruan Shu” in question wasn’t her.

The old madam’s expression remained unchanged, though her tone turned cold. “I don’t care for such disgraceful drama. Tell them to dress properly and come downstairs.”

It seemed breakfast was no longer an option. Feeling awkward, Ruan Li spoke up, “Grandma, I’ve had a good rest, so I’ll be heading home now.”

The old madam, thinking the situation was inappropriate for Ruan Li to witness, was about to agree when Fu Huaizhou suddenly interrupted.

“Fuyu is coming soon. He specifically mentioned he wanted to see Sister Ruan.” His gaze landed on Ruan Li. He had learned from his second brother’s call last night that this girl was quite popular.

The way he emphasized the words “Sister Ruan” made Ruan Li feel embarrassed, but she had no choice but to stay.

Soon, Fu Xingchuan and Ruan Shu came downstairs, but no one invited them to sit.

“Explain yourselves,” the old madam asked Fu Xingchuan directly.

Ruan Li didn’t need to think twice to know this was Ruan Shu’s ploy just another attempt to marry into the Fu family.

Fu Xingchuan seemed confused. “I don’t know, Grandma. I was a bit drunk last night. I remember escorting Shu Shu to her room, but somehow I ended up in the wrong one…”

As he spoke, he glanced at Ruan Li, making her feel uncomfortable. Instinctively, she hid behind Fu Huaizhou, avoiding his gaze.