Volume One, Chapter Six: There Can Be No Third Party

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On my first day at Fu Corporation’s finance department, a colleague gossiping mentioned that Director Lin Li liked President Fu Yunshen, but Fu Yunshen seemed indifferent to her. Yet, from what I observed, that wasn’t quite the case—Fu Yunshen was practically glued to her side, hardly ignoring her at all.

Fang Yanzhou glanced at the rearview mirror. For some reason, he felt like the passenger in the backseat wasn't very happy.

The car pulled into the parking lot. Fang Yanzhou parked and looked back at the rearseat with a hopeful smile. “Sister-in-law, do you want some milk tea? I’ll go get you some.”

I glanced inside the car—there was every kind of drink imaginable. “No need, there’s plenty to drink here. If you have something to do, go ahead.”

With that permission, Fang Yanzhou got out. He really did have something to attend to.

……

Entering the office, Fu Yunshen immediately spotted the person inside. After closing the door, he walked toward the desk, each step heavy with expectation. His dry throat let out a strained “Brother~”

There was no unexpected response; just as always, Fu Yunchen snorted coldly, “I can’t stand being called brother by you.”

The man set down his documents and looked up. Fu Yunshen met his gaze; their faces were so alike, indistinguishable.

Fu Yunchen only looked for a moment before turning away, disdain etched in his eyes. “If you disappeared, why come back? Why didn’t you just die out there?”

Each word felt like a blade stabbing Fu Yunshen’s heart. He remained silent, unsure of what to say, only repeating the words he had said countless times before, “Brother, I’m sorry~”

Hearing the same apology again, Fu Yunchen angrily grabbed Fu Yunshen’s collar. “Sorry, sorry—does that help? The old man isn’t here anymore. Who are you pretending for? Seeing a face just like yours disgusts me.”

A fist struck Fu Yunshen’s face, sharp pain flooding through him as he lowered his gaze.

Seeing no fight back, disdain filled Fu Yunchen’s eyes. He grabbed his coat, glanced once more at the bruised man, and coldly said, “You’d better spend your whole life atoning for this.”

Fu Yunchen left, and the office fell silent.

Fang Yanzhou entered and looked at the bruised face. He was used to scenes like this, but he still felt sorry for Fu Yunshen.

“Brother Fu, this is a plan drafted by Fu Yunchen. It involves a lot of inferior materials. His goal is… to ruin Fu Corporation’s reputation.”

Once the product launches, countless problems would arise, and news of Fu Corporation making dirty money would spread everywhere, causing the stock price to plummet.

Who could have guessed such a scheme was a brother’s attempt to destroy his own sibling?

Fu Yunshen lifted his eyelids. “Mm, I understand.”

“Implement the plan, but find the best suppliers for the materials involved.”

Fang Yanzhou was stunned at the order to proceed, then quickly recovered. “Understood.”

“I’m going on leave for a few days. The company affairs are in your hands. Just follow whatever instructions the old man left.”

Fang Yanzhou’s eyes widened. He wanted a vacation too, but couldn’t say a word.

“I’ll double your salary, and give you a villa as well.”

Fu Yunshen stood and patted Fang Yanzhou’s shoulder, who was still shocked. “I’m off now. You… do your best. I’m counting on you!”

“Brother Fu, take care. I’ll work hard.”

Fang Yanzhou’s frown vanished, his smile stretching almost from ear to ear.

I was bored, scrolling on my phone, when the car door opened. Instinctively, I looked toward the entrance.

Fu Yunshen’s right cheek was swollen and red. I blurted out, “You got hit?”

Fu Yunshen bowed his head and softly responded, “Mm,” clearly unwilling to explain. I didn’t press further.

“Let’s leave this car for Fang Yanzhou. We’ll take a taxi home.”

Fu Yunshen lowered his head, deliberately hiding his swollen face. His voice was soft, almost like a small dog that had been bullied outside, now begging its owner to take it home.

“All right.”

We left the parking lot without speaking. His mood was low, and the swelling on his face grew more obvious.

Who in the capital dared to hit the Crown Prince of the Fu family? Thinking back to the family dynamics Fu Yunshen mentioned earlier, I had some idea.

Back at the rented apartment, I pulled Fu Yunshen onto the sofa. “Sit tight, I’ll get an ice pack to reduce the swelling.”

Fu Yunshen held the ice pack against his right cheek, his eyes watery as he stared at me.

He looked even more like a pitiful little dog.

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I was caught off guard by his gaze and looked away, changing the subject. “What do you want to eat later? I’ll go get it for you.”

Suddenly, a strong arm pulled me into Fu Yunshen’s embrace.

“I don’t want to eat anything. Lu Xiaoyu, please let me hold you for a bit! Just a little while.”

His pleading carried a slight nasal whimper.

I stopped struggling and let him hold me.

He leaned on my shoulder, eyes closed. I could tell he was deeply troubled.

It was the first time I saw Fu Yunshen so melancholic, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m an old witch. With the old witch here, all worries disappear.”

Fu Yunshen opened his eyes and smiled helplessly. “Lu Xiaoyu, I’m not a child.”

I nodded. “I know, so I said that to comfort you. I can’t just watch you be sad and say nothing! I’m not very good at comforting, though.”

Fu Yunshen laughed, amused. “You’ve already comforted me very well.”

Me: ???

“Lu Xiaoyu, tonight this prince wants to eat spicy crayfish and garlic seafood.”

Fu Yunshen lay on the sofa and seriously picked out dishes, all sadness forgotten.

Me: ……… A fickle man.

“This is the medicine I bought at the pharmacy earlier. The swelling should be going down. You can apply it again. I’m going out to buy groceries.”

I pointed to the medicine on the table, which I had bought during the taxi ride back, asking the driver to stop halfway at a pharmacy.

After saying that, I left.

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Tonight, I was determined to have Fu Yunshen bow at my culinary skills once again.

Who would have thought I’d run into Lin Li just buying groceries?

Lin Li approached in high heels. “Oh, Lu Xiaoyu, long time no see. I thought you quit because you found a better job, but I didn’t expect you to end up like this.”

I couldn’t blame Lin Li for mocking me; after all, I did look pretty shabby—no makeup, clothes from years ago, and yellowed white sneakers.

“Director Lin, long time no see. You’re as stunningly beautiful as ever!”

It was a chilly November evening; everyone in the supermarket wore coats except Lin Li, who wore a thin white blouse, short skirt, stockings, and high heels.

Why was Lin Li so hostile toward me? When I first joined, she thought I was easy to bully and dumped her work on me. Coincidentally, I was on my period that day and in a bad mood, so I flat out refused. Since then, she kept picking fights with me.

Lin Li ignored my compliment and looked at me with disdain. “People like you deserve to be poor for life.”

I smiled. “Oh, right, I can’t compare to you. You’ve spent your life serving people in bed. I have photos of you and Xiao Wang going to hotels. Keep shouting, and I’ll post them in the company group and see if President Fu still wants you.”

“You…”

Lin Li stomped off angrily in her heels.

Xiao Wang was a new colleague, decent-looking, and taken care of by Lin Li. Who knew she could take people to hotels, and I caught them by chance.

Back home, as soon as I opened the door, Fu Yunshen came over to help carry the groceries. “Let me help you.”

Remembering Lin Li’s sneering, I warned Fu Yunshen, “Fu Yunshen, for the next three months, you can’t be with any other women. Otherwise, I won’t give you the antidote and let you bleed to death.”

“Don’t worry! You’re my only girlfriend. I won’t be with anyone else.”

Fu Yunshen answered while taking the groceries, looking obedient.

In the kitchen, I began cooking. “Fu Yunshen, please get the large container of pepper from the bag.”

“Lu Xiaoyu, you even bought this? And it’s the extra-large size.”

Extra-large? Pepper comes in sizes?

I looked up, puzzled, and saw Fu Yunshen holding the pepper in one hand and a blue box in the other.

That blue box looked familiar—it was the gum I had grabbed by accident. Wait, extra-large… could it be…

I walked over to look. The sky seemed to fall. I looked at Fu Yunshen. “I told you I was originally going to get gum but grabbed the wrong thing. Do you believe me?”

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Fu Yunshen shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”

Me: ………

Fu Yunshen grinned mischievously, blinking. “Xiaoyu, you shop well. You even got my size.”

My pupils dilated in shock. How did he even say something like that? I wouldn’t dare listen.

“Well, since it fits you, it’s a gift. Now go outside. I don’t need your help anymore.”

I pushed Fu Yunshen out of the kitchen. He was really a distraction.

Fu Yunshen stood in the living room, smiling as he looked at the blue box in his hand.

When a woman gives a man something like that, the meaning is clear. He understood.

Without Fu Yunshen around, I could finally focus entirely on cooking, though I was still a bit slow.

Tonight’s menu: spicy crayfish, garlic scallops, stir-fried vegetables, stir-fried pork with garlic sprouts, and seaweed egg drop soup.

By the end, both Fu Yunshen and I were stuffed.

“Xiaoyu, let’s go on a date tomorrow!”

At the dinner table, Fu Yunshen cautiously proposed.

A date? How could I have forgotten? One of the fastest ways to deepen a relationship.

“Okay, tomorrow we’ll go on a date.”

Hearing my answer, Fu Yunshen’s smile grew wider. “I’ll make the plans now.”

Excited, he went to the sofa to look up romantic spots in the city.

Watching him so adept, clearly experienced in dating, I thought: The road to being the Crown Prince of the capital’s social circle is tough!

Maybe I should ask Fu Yunshen’s ex-girlfriends how they won him over.

It would be awkward to ask him directly, so I could only ask…

After Fu Yunshen left today, to be safe, I exchanged contact info with Fang Yanzhou. Now was the perfect time to use it.

Me: Assistant Fang, how many girlfriends has Fu Yunshen had?

The reply came quickly.

Fang Yanzhou: Sister-in-law, the only one I know is you.

???

Looks like Fang Yanzhou didn’t know either.

I typed again: Do you know Fu Yunshen’s hobbies? What does he like to do?

Fang Yanzhou: Sister-in-law, I don’t know that. You can ask Brother Fu directly; he’ll tell you.

Me…….

If I ask him, how can I maneuver? Looks like I have to figure this out on my own.

Late at night, I looked over at Fu Yunshen, still planning the date. “Fu Yunshen, time to sleep!”

He suddenly shuddered. I was surprised by his strong reaction.

“Xiaoyu, aren’t we moving a bit too fast?”

Fu Yunshen looked up at me, blinking like a pure college boy seeing his first crush.

I froze, suddenly realizing his misunderstanding. “You’re mistaken. I just meant it’s time to sleep, like before—you take the bed, I’ll take the sofa.”

“Oh~”

Fu Yunshen entered the room with a somber look. I felt like he was a little disappointed.