Chapter 86

FanFan knelt beside the chair, raising her head to look at Sheng Changyu’s face. Under the soft light of the study, his profile was bathed in a faint glow, his sharp and defined features mesmerizing. 

“Governor, I was the one wronged. The madam framed me, hit me, and even cut me,” FanFan said, her expression twisting uncontrollably. 

“She framed you?” Sheng Changyu asked. 

“Yes, that dead snake—it was her who put it in my coat pocket,” FanFan said, knowing Sheng Changyu wouldn’t bother to verify and trying to turn the story in her favor. 

“She succeeded because she’s capable. I like capable women,” Sheng Changyu said, taking another drag from his cigarette. 

He pushed the chair slightly with his foot, forcing FanFan, who had been kneeling at his side, to face him directly, kneeling in front of his legs. 

FanFan wasn’t as reserved as Xu Fangdu, and she dared to sneak a glance at him. 

“Governor, if you don’t stand up for me, I’ll have no way to live,” FanFan pleaded. “You can’t be this biased.” 

“What if I want to be biased?” Sheng Changyu replied. 

FanFan was speechless. 

“No need for confirmation—I know it was you. Trying to cover up your tricks and then shifting the blame. Stupid and useless—what use do I have for you?” Sheng Changyu said coldly. 

“Governor…” FanFan began. 

“She hit you well, and the injury serves you right. She disciplined the disobedient servant for me, and I’m pleased,” Sheng Changyu said. 

FanFan argued, “You favor her because you’ve taken a liking to her.” 

“So what if I have?” he responded. 

FanFan’s face turned pale with anger. 

“Am I not as good as her?” she said, placing her hand on Sheng Changyu’s knee. “Governor, those high-society ladies you entertain are so boring. I can serve you much better.” 

Sheng Changyu stared at her silently. 

FanFan’s hand slowly moved up, stroking his thigh. “Governor, I’ve been by your side for almost ten years. Don’t you want to experience me? Everyone says I’m beautiful and that you’re lucky to have me.” 

Sheng Changyu slightly parted his legs, still watching her quietly. 

FanFan didn’t back down and met his gaze. “Everything the women in the brothels know, I know too. I’m clean, you can enjoy yourself with me without worry.” 

Sheng Changyu asked, “Are you lusting after me?” 

“Yes! Unlike Xu Fangdu, who only wants your power, Governor, I want to be your woman, to bear your children,” FanFan said. 

“You’re bold to speak to me like this,” Sheng Changyu said, his expression unreadable. 

“Governor, I’m a year older than you. I’ve waited too long. If I wait any longer, I’ll grow old, and my skin will wrinkle,” FanFan said. 

She crawled forward on her knees until she was nearly between his legs, her breath so close it was audible. “Governor, why can’t it be me? I am your concubine, after all.” 

Suddenly, Sheng Changyu reached out, gripping FanFan’s chin, forcing her to stand as he rose from his chair. 

FanFan winced in pain, grasping his wrist tightly, and pleaded, “Governor…” 

“You think you can seduce me with this pathetic display?” Sheng Changyu said before forcefully shoving her away. 

FanFan fell onto the cold floor tiles of the study, struggling to get up for a long time. 

Sheng Changyu took a few steps forward, his military boots landing beside her face. He crouched down slowly. 

“I’ve kept you, given you the title of concubine, first because you did me a great favor in the past. I promised you wealth and luxury for life. Second, your brother entrusted you to me, and I can’t go back on my word,” Sheng Changyu said coldly, staring at her. “Have you forgotten why you came to live in this residence?” 

“Governor, I adore you. You are all I see, all I think about,” FanFan said. 

Sheng Changyu replied, “When I look at the map of this vast land, I adore it too. But if love alone could get me what I want, would you be more capable than me?” 

FanFan remained silent. 

“From now on, stay here at the villa. You can go out occasionally to dine and dance, but you’re forbidden from attending any banquets or going to the old residence. Do you understand?” Sheng Changyu asked. 

FanFan: “You used to enjoy it when I caused trouble at the old residence and made the old lady angry. But for Ning Zhen, you’ve even given up that bit of mischief.” 

“In your eyes, does Ning Zhen deserve to be compared to the map of the country? What makes her so special?” 

“If there’s a next time, I’ll break your neck myself. This is your final warning—remember it well,” Sheng Changyu said. 

He continued, “When your brother comes to take you home to live in luxury, he’ll only find a corpse.” 

Sheng Changyu left the residence. After he left, the guards withdrew, and the servants returned to the main building. 

A maid went upstairs to attend to FanFan and found her disheveled and weak. She helped her to the bathroom. 

After preparing the hot water, the maid went downstairs. The cook and another maid asked her, “How is she?” 

“It’s the same as always. The Governor has no pity for women, and the concubine is worn out every time,” the maid replied. 

“The Governor rarely stays overnight there.” 

“When he does, he sleeps in the master bedroom, and the concubine in the guest room. It seems he doesn’t like sleeping with others,” the maid added. 

After chatting, she went back upstairs. 

She told FanFan, “Madam, I’ve passed on your message to the others.” 

FanFan closed her eyes to rest.  

Lying in the hot water, her mind was in turmoil. Perhaps she had reached an age where she could no longer suppress her desires. 

She wanted to become a real woman. 

“Going out to eat and dance—who would accompany me? If I really found someone to be with, would he be jealous?” FanFan wondered. 

Perhaps she needed to be more rebellious to get his attention. It might even be good to make him jealous. 

Over the years, every woman who appeared around Sheng Changyu had suffered because of FanFan. 

Even Su Qing’er had been scolded by her. 

Before Ning Zhen was married, FanFan had already caused her trouble, and nearly got shot by her. Later, at the old residence, she actually did get shot by her. 

FanFan had only ever suffered at Ning Zhen’s hands. 

She was unwilling to accept this and vowed to take revenge. 

Meanwhile, Sheng Changyu sat in the car, shifting his posture and pulling out the hem of his shirt. Upon returning to the Governor’s mansion, he ordered his adjutant to prepare hot water for a bath. 

However, before the hot water was ready, he poured a bucket of cold water over himself. 

In the cold of winter, where the water froze under the eaves, his adjutant, Cheng Yang, was worried that he would catch a cold and fall ill. 

Luckily, Sheng Changyu was strong and did not get sick. 

“Governor, should I prepare the villa at the hot spring resort for you to spend the New Year?” Cheng Yang asked. 

Sheng Changyu rarely spent New Year’s at home. Sometimes he was at the military base, and other times at the hot spring resort. 

Sheng Changyu was silent for a moment before replying, “Let’s see what arrangements are made at the old residence.” 

Cheng Yang was stunned.  

Had the Governor finally decided to reconcile with the old lady? That would be a joyous occasion. 

Cheng Yang quickly sent word to the old residence, asking them to invite the Governor to avoid any disappointment. 

When Ning Zhen received the message, she was slightly surprised. 

She immediately made a call, and Sheng Changyu answered it himself. 

“Governor, are you coming to have dinner with us on New Year’s Eve?” Ning Zhen asked. 

Sheng Changyu responded, “Aren’t you going to perform worship ancestral ?” 

You’re going to join us for the worship ancestral ? Is something wrong with you? 

You’ve always refused to come and preferred to pay respects to Su Qing’er.