Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space-Chapter 94 -

I walked slowly toward the outdoor kitchen, taking my time as I stepped across the courtyard.

The place had grown much quieter compared to before. Most of the cooking had already been finished, and the earlier noise had settled down. The only sound left was the soft, steady clink of a spoon touching a bowl.

When I stepped inside, I saw him immediately.

Fu Teng.

He was standing by the side, holding a bowl of leftover congee in his hands. He ate quietly, his movements slow and controlled, as if he was trying not to draw any attention to himself.

I did not interrupt him right away.

Instead, I leaned lightly against the doorframe and watched him for a moment before finally speaking.

"You do not like the job An Yu offered."

My voice was calm, but direct.

He paused.

It was only for a second, but I noticed it clearly.

Then he continued eating, as if nothing had happened.

"I did not say that," he replied.

A faint smile formed on my lips.

"So you were listening."

This time, he stopped completely.

He turned his head and looked at me, his expression steady but slightly guarded.

"You tricked me," he said.

I shrugged lightly, not denying it.

"You answered me."

He held my gaze for a moment, as if weighing my words, then slowly looked away again.

"I was on my way to the kitchen," he said after a brief pause. "I heard my name, so I stayed to listen."

I gave a small nod.

"That makes sense."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The quiet between us stretched, but it did not feel uncomfortable.

Then I asked,

"Why were you so quiet during dinner?"

He lifted the spoon again and took another mouthful of congee before answering.

"I was eating," he said.

I let out a small breath.

"That is not a real reason."

He did not respond to that. He simply continued eating, as if the question did not concern him.

I pushed myself off the doorframe and stepped further into the kitchen.

"What do you think about An Yu?" I asked.

He paused again, though this time it was more subtle.

"He is capable," he said.

"That is all?" I asked.

"Yes."

I crossed my arms and leaned slightly to the side.

"Then why do you not want the job?"

He lowered the bowl a little, his fingers tightening slightly around it.

"I do not need a job," he said.

I looked at him carefully.

"That is not an answer."

"It is enough."

I shook my head slowly.

"No, it is not."

This time, he looked at me again. His gaze was calm, but there was a hint of resistance in it.

Still, he did not speak.

So I continued.

"You heard what was said earlier," I said. "About you and Fu Tong needing to get married."

His expression did not change, but I could see that he was listening closely.

"If you do not get married, you could be taken away," I added.

He lowered the bowl completely this time and placed it aside.

"I am not interested in getting married," he said.

His voice was steady and without hesitation.

"I have never thought about it."

"And now?" I asked.

"No."

"Not even for your own safety?"

He shook his head slowly.

"I do not want it."

There was no uncertainty in his answer.

I studied him for a moment before speaking again. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"You do not want the job," I said. "You do not want marriage."

I met his eyes directly.

"What exactly do you want?"

He did not answer immediately.

The silence stretched again, longer this time.

Then he finally spoke.

"I want to decide things for myself," he said.

His voice was calm, but there was a firmness behind it that had not been there before.

"I do not want to be pushed into something just because it is convenient for others."

I nodded slowly.

"That is fair."

He looked at me, clearly not expecting me to agree so easily.

"But you also need to think about where you are," I continued.

He frowned slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"This is not a place where you can ignore things and hope they disappear," I said. "If you refuse to make a choice, someone else will make it for you."

He went quiet again.

I continued speaking, keeping my tone even.

"The job is not just work. It gives you a position. It connects you to people. It gives you some control over what happens around you."

I paused briefly before adding,

"And marriage... whether you like it or not, it will affect what happens to you here."

He still did not speak.

"But I am not here to force you," I added.

He looked at me again, this time more directly.

"I just want you to think about it properly," I said. "Do not avoid it."

He held my gaze for a moment.

Then he gave a small nod.

"I understand."

I straightened slightly.

"That is enough."

I turned to leave, but paused just before stepping out.

"An Yu will come tomorrow," I said. "Whatever you decide, answer him clearly."

I took a step forward.

Then I added,

"And next time, do not pretend you were not listening."

Behind me, I heard him let out a quiet breath.

But he did not deny it.

I walked out of the kitchen and headed inside, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

For a few seconds, nothing moved.

The kitchen fell completely silent again.

Then Fu Teng spoke.

"Stop hiding and come out."

His voice was calm, but firm.

There was a soft rustling sound from behind the wall.

A moment later, someone stepped out.

It was Fu Fei.

She walked toward him slowly, her hands still behind her back. Her expression was calm, as if she had expected to be found out.

Fu Teng glanced at her briefly.

Then he let out a quiet sigh.

He stood up, picked up his bowl again, and walked toward the water basin to wash it.

Fu Fei followed him without hesitation.

"You should tell sister-in-law why you were acting strange earlier," she said.

Fu Teng did not look at her.

"I was not acting strange," he replied.

Fu Fei frowned.

"You were," she said. "You barely spoke, and you kept avoiding everyone."

He rinsed the bowl carefully, his movements steady.

"That is normal for me."

Fu Fei shook her head.

"No, it is not."

He did not respond.

She stepped closer, lowering her voice slightly.

"You heard everything earlier," she said.

He stayed quiet.

That silence was already enough of an answer.

Fu Fei watched him carefully.

"Is it because of that?" she asked.

He paused slightly.

"I do not know what you mean," he said.

She hesitated for a moment.

Then she spoke clearly, her voice low but firm.

"You do not like women."