Chapter 57: Want Me to Help You Undress?

“You keep staring at her, why?” The old lady had noticed Fu Xingchuan’s lingering gaze, her voice cold with a hint of rising anger. “You were messing around before the engagement was even called off, and now that it’s over, what business do you have looking at her?”

Ruan Li silently agreed with the old lady’s words. Did Fu Xingchuan really think she’d be heartbroken? It was completely self-indulgent. Not to mention, even if Fu Huaizhou were in such a situation now, she might not necessarily feel upset.

She lifted her gaze and locked eyes with Fu Huaizhou’s dark, intense stare.

Ruan Li suddenly felt a bit dazed, realizing she was still hiding behind him. But if it were Fu Huaizhou, she admitted to herself, she might indeed feel a little uncomfortable.

Fu Huaizhou noticed the subtle drop in her gaze, sensing her slight dissatisfaction.

“Enough nonsense. Let’s talk about the solution.” His indifferent gaze fell on Fu Xingchuan, his tone cold.

Fu Xingchuan had no idea how he had ended up in Ruan Shu’s room that morning, especially since her clothes were torn and strewn about, and she lay completely naked in his arms.

“I…”

Looking at Ruan Shu’s red, swollen eyes, he remembered her reaction when someone knocked on the door that morning. She had been on the verge of hysteria, saying her father would never accept her being with someone before marriage and that she would be kicked out of her family if she returned home like this.

Fu Xingchuan recalled that Ruan Li had never gotten intimate with him, even after their engagement. At first, he had misunderstood it as her disinterest in him, but now it seemed it was for the same reason.

“Since it’s happened, I’ll take responsibility…” Fu Xingchuan said quietly, unsure whether he liked Ruan Shu, but having a compliant girlfriend didn’t seem like too much trouble.

“It seems you didn’t understand what I said last night,” the old lady responded, her voice icy. She stood up and went upstairs. “You handle it, Huaizhou.”

Fu Huaizhou’s expression was impassive. “We’ll arrange a proper engagement banquet in a few days.”

“Uncle… I hadn’t thought about getting engaged right away,” Fu Xingchuan protested, thinking they’d just be dating.

“Whatever you do outside is your business. But bringing someone to the family home like this, it’s as good as introducing them to the elders. Or did you think you could bring just anyone in here?” Fu Huaizhou frowned at him.

Just then, they heard footsteps at the door, and a little boy ran in, rushing straight to Ruan Li’s legs. “Sister Ruan!”

Fu Yu glanced around at the people in the room and, confused, asked, “Brother, why are you holding someone else’s hand? Isn’t Sister Ruan your fiancée? Who is she?”

The atmosphere in the room turned awkward. Being too young, Fu Yu wasn’t aware that the engagement had been called off. He looked puzzled until someone picked him up. He glanced at the man holding him.

“Uncle! I saw you in the video. My dad said he’s busy, and grandpa and grandma are too old, so you’re supposed to take me out this summer!”

Fu Huaizhou nodded slightly and then looked at Ruan Li. “I’ll drive you.”

Ruan Li thought, Why does he have to drive me when there are plenty of chauffeurs? But seeing Fu Yu’s eager face, she couldn’t refuse.

In the backseat, Ruan Li and Fu Yu exchanged glances.

“Sister Ruan, are you close with my uncle?” Fu Yu asked curiously.

Ruan Li glanced at Fu Huaizhou and quickly shook her head. “No, not at all.”

Fu Yu sniffed and then said, “But uncle smells like you. Not like you today, but like how you used to smell.”

Ruan Li noticed Fu Huaizhou’s clothes. Since he didn’t often come to the family home, there were no clothes for him there. His assistant had sent these clothes from his apartment earlier. Given that her belongings took up much of his wardrobe, some of her scent had probably transferred to him.

“That’s a common scent,” Ruan Li quickly explained.

“No, I’ve only smelled it on you. Brother Xingchuan never had it before,” Fu Yu insisted and then tried to sniff Fu Huaizhou, only to be pushed away gently by the man.

“Adults’ business isn’t for children to worry about,” Fu Huaizhou said as he looked over at the increasingly flustered Ruan Li. He handed a tablet to the boy to keep him occupied.

“Why didn’t you ask why I made them get engaged?” Fu Huaizhou asked after a moment.

Ruan Li shook her head. “You already explained it earlier.”

“Are you unhappy?”

Ruan Li found his question odd. “No, I’m not.”

Fu Huaizhou recalled the way her face had fallen in the living room. “Then why did you lower your head suddenly in the living room?”

Ruan Li thought back for a long moment. “I was thinking about you…”

She stopped herself mid-sentence, realizing she couldn’t possibly tell him that she had been thinking about how upset she’d be if he ended up in bed with someone else or got married. That would make her sound completely self-indulgent.

“Thinking about what?” Fu Huaizhou raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Nothing!” Ruan Li turned her head, noticing they had arrived at the set for her film shoot. Without saying goodbye to Fu Yu, she opened the car door and ran out.

Back at her hotel later, she opened the door to find the lights already on. Surprised, she thought a stalker had somehow gotten in, but before she could call her assistant, she spotted Fu Huaizhou sitting on the sofa, still working.

On the floor nearby, Fu Yu was playing with building blocks. Seeing her enter, he ran over immediately.

“Sister! Uncle wasn’t lying! He said he’d find you!”

Ruan Li stood frozen, glancing at Fu Huaizhou in confusion.

“He insisted on seeing you, so I had no choice,” Fu Huaizhou said, standing up.

Ruan Li shot him a look, hinting that Fu Yu might spill their secrets if they weren’t careful.

“Sister, I’ve already promised Uncle that I won’t tell anyone you two know each other,” Fu Yu said with a bright smile. “Can Uncle bring me to see you every day during summer break?”

Ruan Li was about to refuse—

“Yes,” Fu Huaizhou said before she could.

“And the bathwater’s ready. Go inside and undress yourself,” Fu Huaizhou added casually.

Ruan Li was shocked, staring at Fu Huaizhou in disbelief. Did he just say that with a child present?!

“Okay, Uncle!” Fu Yu obediently let go of her legs and walked toward the bathroom.

Fu Huaizhou’s eyes glimmered with amusement as he looked at Ruan Li, whose ears were now flushed red. He stepped closer, pulling her into his arms. His lips gently grazed hers, sending a tingle through her as his fingers lightly pressed her chin.

“What’s wrong? Do you want me to help you undress too?”