Chapter 2: He’s Single

Jiang You’s heart felt as though it had been slapped hard, and her breathing became erratic. She could feel the man’s gaze drift over the top of her head, sending a chill down her spine.

“Hmm?” The man spoke again, his voice lazy and languid, yet carrying an air of pressure.

Qi Ye and Fu Jin had never met, so the question was clearly directed at Jiang You.

Jiang You, with a slightly helpless expression, forced herself to raise her gaze and make eye contact with the man before her.

Under the glow of the crystal chandelier, Fu Jin’s handsome face seemed even more dazzling.

His eyes remained locked on hers, staring intently with a playful, almost predatory gaze, as though sizing up a meal and ready to devour her at any moment.

That interrogative look made Jiang You feel both uneasy and oddly attracted.

It had been a year since they last met, but his powerful aura was as intense as ever.

But at this moment, she didn’t want to be the timid little bunny.

Jiang You lifted her delicate chin and faced the man’s rebellious expression head-on.

“Yes, we’re her support team! We’re the strongest pillar for Wen Nian!” she said with confidence.

The man was clearly surprised by her response, and his eyes showed a trace of astonishment.

“Support team?” Fu Jin lazily repeated, his lips curling slightly. “You’re helping her get to Shengtang, getting herself drunk, and confessing to a man eight years older than her?”

Jiang You’s eyelid twitched, not willing to back down.

“So what? Wen Nian is an adult now, and she’s done with her college entrance exam. Why can’t we come here? Why can’t we drink? Why can’t we confess? Love doesn’t know age!”

Jiang You spoke with righteous indignation, her tone strong, and she even threw a dismissive look at the man.

“Uncle Fu, you’re so old-fashioned!”

The air seemed to freeze, and the silence was so intense that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.

Wen Nian and Qi Ye exchanged a glance, both surprised by Jiang You’s boldness.

She—what did she just say?

Wen Nian: Girl, do you have a death wish?

Qi Ye: Please don’t drag me into this.

Jiang You: I’m doing this for you, Wen Nian, you ungrateful wolf!

Wen Nian: Survival is more important.

The three of them silently communicated with their eyes, their long-standing friendship allowing for seamless exchanges.

Fu Jin’s gaze remained on Jiang You’s pale face, filled with provocation and stubbornness.

Her black hair was tied into a bun at the back, her eyes slightly upturned, and her clear, bright pupils seemed to shimmer. Every time she spoke, her delicate red lips parted and closed.

It almost seemed as though a strand of hair was caught at the corner of her lips, creating a feeling of irresistible charm.

It had been a while since he last saw her, and this little girl had become bolder.

Fu Jin suddenly stood up. “I’ll take you back.”

Jiang You froze for a moment. She had prepared herself for the worst—if necessary, she’d cry, make a scene, and beg for forgiveness.

But… why hadn’t Uncle Fu scolded her?

Thinking about it, Jiang You felt like slapping herself. Why had she provoked him in the first place?

“Don’t want to leave?” Fu Jin smiled faintly.

“Leave! Leave! Leave!” The three of them hurriedly stood up, eager to escape the crime scene.

Especially Wen Nian, who felt as though she had just narrowly escaped death. She had already been feeling terrible, and now, her stomach was in turmoil. All she wanted was to return home to her bed and recover from the emotional damage.

But as soon as she stood up, dizziness struck, and the nausea returned.

“What’s wrong with you?” Qi Ye rushed to support her.

“Ugh…” Wen Nian couldn’t hold it in and turned to vomit all over Qi Ye. Having not eaten dinner, her stomach was empty except for sour bile, and she regretted it.

Wen Nian: “Ah… Brother, I’m so sorry, I… I’ll buy you a new one…”

Qi Ye stared blankly: What did I do to deserve this?

Fu Jin had no choice but to arrange for staff to bring a change of clothes for Qi Ye. He then had him sent home while he drove Wen Nian and Jiang You back.

Wen Nian’s house was nearby, so it only took ten minutes to get there. Fu Jin handed the unconscious Wen Nian to her sister, Fu Wan, and then turned to drive Jiang You home.

On the dark asphalt road, a black car moved smoothly along.

As night deepened, emotions began to stir.

Inside the car, only Fu Jin and Jiang You were present. Jiang You sat in the backseat, feeling dazed, as if everything that had happened tonight was unreal.

Through the rearview mirror, Jiang You caught sight of the man’s sharp, well-groomed eyebrows and his pitch-black eyes.

She could stare at those brows and eyes for an eternity.

How could someone be so handsome?

When God created Fu Jin, they must have put in a lot of effort.

This man—whom she had called “Uncle Fu” for eighteen years—was the brother of Wen Nian’s mother, the youngest son of Wen Nian’s grandfather. He was twenty-six years old.

Jiang You and Wen Nian had grown up together, and since she could remember, she had always called him “Uncle Fu.”

When Jiang You was fourteen, Fu Jin went abroad to study and manage the overseas branches of the Fu family business. Last year, he returned to China and took over the family business.

It had been three years since they last met.

Now, Jiang You was eighteen.

It was strange, though. Before Fu Jin returned to China, they had kept in touch frequently, but since his return, they hadn’t spoken much. They had become like strangers in each other’s WeChat contacts.

The last time they “saw” each other was last summer.

On Qixi, Fu Jin had gone on a blind date.

Though the relationship lasted only a month, Jiang You still cried in bed many times.

She had truly realized that this man would ultimately belong to someone else.

Suddenly, Fu Jin’s deep, dark eyes turned toward the rearview mirror, catching her off guard as they locked gazes.

“Ah!”

She let out a startled cry, completely unable to suppress it. Flustered, she lowered her head, her face gradually turning red.

Caught peeking.

How embarrassing!

In the mirror, Fu Jin’s eyes curved slightly at the corners, and a fleeting smile appeared before disappearing.

Jiang You raised her head, cleared her throat, and tried to cover her embarrassment. “Uncle Fu, can I sit in the front?”

Their gazes met once more, and the girl’s eyes were bright and full of expectation. Fu Jin’s heart softened, so he pulled over and stopped.

Jiang You moved to the front seat and buckled her seatbelt.

“Hehe, it’s so much easier to talk this way.”

Jiang You tilted her head, boldly admiring Fu Jin’s handsome face, letting out a soft “tsk.”

“It’s been a year, Uncle Fu, you’ve become even more handsome.”

She really wanted to reach out and touch his face.

“Uncle Fu, are you still angry?” Jiang You timidly asked.

Fu Jin slightly parted his lips, his tone neutral, “You already said love has no age, how could I still be angry?”

Jiang You’s heart brightened, and her eyes sparkled. “Then do you think Wen Nian is very brave?”

Fu Jin fell silent, clearly not wanting to answer that question.

But confessing to someone you liked, that was indeed very brave.

“Uncle Fu, are you dating anyone now?” Jiang You changed the topic.

Fu Jin didn’t glance at her, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “What? Are you trying to find me a little aunt?”

“Just tell me!”

“No.”

Jiang You was overjoyed inside. Why was Fu Jin being so obedient today, answering everything she asked?

“Then how did you break up with your last girlfriend? I was waiting for your wedding!”

Fu Jin’s gaze swept across her face, as if saying, “I don’t believe you.”

“Ah? How did it end?” The girl asked again.

Fu Jin’s expression suddenly darkened, as though recalling something unpleasant.