Chapter 17: You Peeked at Her So Many Times!

Building a temporary shelter — Yue Su actually had some experience.

Very quickly, a shelter similar to Fu Xijin’s was set up.

Inside, it was still quite spacious, enough for both mother and daughter to sleep comfortably.

After finishing all that, Yue Su made a bottle of milk for Yao Yao.

Among the sponsors of the show was a milk powder brand, so there would be no shortage of formula for the child.

It was still early. Spending the night on a strange island for the first time, everyone was too excited and curious to fall asleep.

Yuan Jin started a campfire, and everyone gathered around to chat.

Mostly Yuan Jin and Yi Xia were talking, while the others chimed in occasionally.

Shen Junzai glanced at Yue Su, then at Fu Xijin.

He smiled and spoke, “Yue Su, weren’t you really good at singing and dancing before? How about a performance to liven things up?”

Yue Su looked up at him but said nothing.

Shen Junzai shifted his posture, lifting his chin and squinting his eyes slightly.

“If you do a good job, maybe our Starlight could give you another chance and sign you back.”

Yue Su stared at him, then suddenly reached out and grabbed his hair at lightning speed—

A wig was snatched clean off Shen Junzai’s head in an instant.

Yue Su was slightly stunned. “It really is a wig.”

She had only suspected it and gave it a try.

Without the wig to cover it, Shen Junzai’s shiny bald head was fully exposed.

Yuan Jin stifled his laughter, “President Shen, your house probably doesn’t even need light bulbs, huh?”

Shen Junzai flew into a rage out of humiliation, clutching his head and roaring, “Give me back my hair!”

Yue Su dodged his hand and gave a cool smile.

“Come on, President Shen, weren’t you asking me to sing? Why not have a live performance now?”

Shen Junzai gritted his teeth. “Sing my ass! Give me back my hair!”

He lunged to snatch the wig back while desperately using his other hand to cover his ‘Mediterranean’—his bald spot.

But one hand couldn’t possibly cover all of it.

Yue Su calmly pulled out her phone and snapped several photos in a row.

“Tsk, tsk. Bald like this… does your little sister-in-law know?”

Shen Junzai panted furiously, “What the hell does it have to do with my sister-in-law! Yue Su, if you don’t give me back my hair right now, I won’t be polite anymore!”

Yue Su twirled the wig in her hand and chuckled coldly.

“The one who flirts first loses. I warned you many times already.”

Enraged beyond reason, Shen Junzai lunged at her.

Yue Su was about to dodge when she stumbled over something on the ground and fell sideways.

The world spun around her, and she thought she was definitely going to fall hard.

But just then, an arm hooked around her slim waist, and a force helped her steady herself.

Yue Su stumbled, falling into a solid chest. A familiar light scent of pine filled her nose, shocking her back to her senses.

Almost instantly, she withdrew from Fu Xijin’s arms, her expression cold, and tossed the wig back to Shen Junzai.

“Yao Yao, let’s go back and sleep.”

“Okay.”

As Yue Su and Yao Yao left, Yuan Jin and Yi Xia, feeling the awkwardness in the air, also quickly made their excuses and left.

Soon, only Fu Xijin and Jiang Wanting remained by the fire.

Jiang Wanting lowered her eyes to hide her reddening rims.

If she couldn’t tell what was going on by now, she would truly be a fool.

Since Yue Su’s arrival, Fu Xijin hadn’t been acting like himself.

“Ah Jin,” she said, almost pleading, “my mom said that as long as you agree, the engagement between the Fu and Jiang families could be changed to me.”

Jiang Wanting endured the shame and humiliation to get the words out.

Over the years, no matter what the rumors said, Fu Xijin had never denied her status.

She had built good relationships with the Fu family, and whenever she appeared at their events, he had never opposed it.

Especially with Jiang Xin, who already saw him as a father figure.

Jiang Wanting had always believed that he must feel something different for her — wasn’t that right?

If he just said the word, she could be rightfully acknowledged, fulfilling her mother’s expectations.

Yet Fu Xijin’s silence slowly extinguished the flames of hope she had.

With a heart turning cold, Jiang Wanting lifted her tear-filled eyes.

“Do you still like Yue Su?”

Fu Xijin let out a soft, disdainful laugh. “Still?”

Jiang Wanting bit her lip. “Then let me put it another way. Are you currently attracted to her?”

Fu Xijin shoved his hand into his pocket, fingers clenching into a fist.

The feeling of that fleeting touch earlier, like fire scorching his palm, was still vividly engraved there.

He stared into the dark distance, his face stern.

He didn’t believe Yue Su could attract him, nor did he believe he had feelings for her.

He was Fu Xijin, not “A Jin.”

“The Fu family only needs an alliance marriage.”

He trusted more in the binding power of mutual interests than the dopamine-fueled illusion of passion.

This answer, ironically, was the best answer Jiang Wanting could hope for.

“If that’s the case, why not me? Xin Xin has always wanted a complete family. She needs a father.”

Impatience showed in Fu Xijin’s brow and eyes.

“I am not Fu Yuntai.”

For years, Jiang Wanting had been using the title of “fiancée” to gain benefits from the outside world, and he had never intervened.

Naturally, it was because he happened to need a “fiancée.”

It didn’t matter who it was — he just needed someone to fill the role.

It was nothing more than mutual exploitation; dragging emotions into it would be too hypocritical.

Jiang Wanting’s gains also meant benefits for Jiang Xin.

She was the only bloodline that person had left in the world.

Jiang Xin’s eyes resembled the Fu family’s most. In the blood-soaked darkness of his nightmares, it was always those eyes that appeared.

“Ah Jin, if you don’t love anyone, then why can’t it be me? At least I’m obedient and willing to cooperate with everything you want.”

Fu Xijin had asked himself this question too.

If not Jiang Wanting, then who else?

“I know you need time to think it over. I can wait. We’ll only talk about mutual benefit, not feelings. I can do everything you need.”

After she said this, Jiang Wanting timidly added, “But if it’s about Yue Su, I still want to say a few words.”

Fu Xijin turned his head, his expression frosty.

“Since the decision was made four years ago, you shouldn’t drag it out now or give her any hope. Ah Jin, she’s not like you. Your excessive attention will only bring her disaster and trouble. She’s married and has a child. Let her live her life in peace.”

Jiang Wanting trusted her instincts. No matter how much Fu Xijin denied it, he couldn’t deceive her intuition.

If the person standing beside Fu Xijin couldn’t be her, then it definitely couldn’t be Yue Su.

Anyone was acceptable—just not Yue Su.

Jiang Wanting clenched her teeth. She had already lost so many times. This time, she had to win.

Fu Xijin gave no clear response and turned to leave.

“Uncle.”

“You’re still awake?”

Nao Nao climbed up, pouting. “There are mosquitoes. I can’t sleep.”

Fu Xijin sat down and bent one knee.

“You can quit anytime you want.”

If she hadn’t insisted on coming, he wouldn’t have joined this show at all.

Nao Nao snorted. “No way, I want to stay with Yao Yao!”

Fu Xijin closed his eyes to fake sleep, no longer speaking.

Others might be scared by his cold demeanor, but not Nao Nao.

“Uncle.”

“Hm.”

“Do you like Auntie Su Su?”

Fu Xijin tugged the corner of his mouth, full of sarcasm even without opening his eyes.

Nao Nao, the precocious little thing, crossed her arms across her chest.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice—you peeked at her so many times!”

Fu Xijin: “You’re mistaken.”

Nao Nao: “I’m not! I’m not blind!”

Fu Xijin: “We’ll have your mom take you to get your eyes checked when we get back.”

Nao Nao puffed up her cheeks in anger, but when she saw Jiang Xin coming inside, she quickly shut her mouth.