The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife-Chapter 548: Number 5. He did not accept my invitation.

In the bar, Fu Chenxuan sat at the counter but he no longer felt the ease he used to. He stared blankly at the glass in front of him, looking at the orange-yellow liquid, almost hearing a gentle female voice in his ears.

— Fu Chenxuan, this is your thing, here you go.

— I want to become an outstanding soldier, Fu Chenxuan, let’s do it together.

— Fu Chenxuan, you are so nice to me, do you like me?

— Fu Chenxuan, would you like to be my boyfriend?

Fu Chenxuan, Fu Chenxuan, Fu Chenxuan—she always liked to call him by his full name.

Fu Chenxuan’s gaze darkened. Weren’t we supposed to become outstanding soldiers together? Why did you run away halfway? Ha, you liar.

"Chenxuan." Someone patted his shoulder. Fu Chenxuan turned his head and saw Pei Hao, "Sitting here alone, what are you daydreaming about?"

Fu Chenxuan came back to his senses, looked at Pei Hao, "Brother Hao."

"You seemed distracted just now. What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing much, just thinking about some things from the past. Brother Hao, what made you want to come out and have a drink with me today?" Fu Chenxuan said to prevent Pei Hao from asking further, quickly changing the subject.

"I’ve been busy with company matters lately, didn’t even get the chance to welcome you back to the country. I’m free today, so I thought we brothers could hang out," Pei Hao said gently.

Perhaps influenced by Jiang Chenxi. Pei Hao had a very mild temperament, a scholarly elegance that greatly resembled a young Jiang Chenxi.

It was too noisy at the bar, so Fu Chenxuan and Pei Hao went to their private booth upstairs.

"Brother Hao, weren’t you accompanying your girlfriend to meet her parents recently? How did it go?" Fu Chenxuan asked, seemingly casually, remembering one of his reasons for today.

Pei Hao’s expression faded, "Today, I wanted to come out and have a drink with you too."

Fu Chenxuan raised his eyebrow slightly, "It seems it didn’t go well?"

"Indeed. Chenxuan, have you ever been in love with a girl?"

Fu Chenxuan was taken aback then shook his head, "No. Why the sudden question?" He answered very naturally, and Pei Hao didn’t sense anything off.

"I just realized that getting married is quite troublesome," Pei Hao spoke lightly.

"Wasn’t it just meeting her parents? Why did it suddenly turn to marriage? Are you thinking of marrying her?" Fu Chenxuan was surprised. They had been dating for less than a year; was there really a rush to get married?

"That was the plan initially, but I guess I have to think it over now," Pei Hao said, his expression blank, not at all like someone wanting to marry his partner.

"Brother Hao, did something happen?"

They had a close brotherly bond since childhood, and there was nothing they couldn’t talk about. So, Pei Hao told him about his visit to the girl’s family.

Pei Hao’s girlfriend, named Jiang Xiaoyue, was an employee at a collaborating company, who he had met by chance.

After dating Jiang Xiaoyue for a while and finding satisfaction in their relationship, when Jiang Xiaoyue suggested that Pei Hao should come home with her, he didn’t refuse.

After arriving at the Jiang family’s home, Jiang Xiaoyue’s parents started asking about Pei Hao’s work and family relations. These questions seemed normal to Pei Hao, so he answered them truthfully.

Perhaps due to Pei Hao’s conditions, Jiang Xiaoyue’s parents were very satisfied with him, and both parties had a pleasant conversation. However, after the meal, Jiang Xiaoyue’s parents suddenly brought up the topic of marriage and mentioned a dowry.

They also demanded a dowry of 1.88 million in cash, plus a house of no less than 200 square meters in the center of Beijing, and a car worth no less than 1 million. Both the house and the car were to be registered in Jiang Xiaoyue’s name.

At that moment, although Pei Hao did not show it on his face, he felt very uncomfortable inside. It was not that he couldn’t afford these things—given his conditions, it was even easy for him to provide them. But when the other party explicitly stated their demands like this, it didn’t feel like he was marrying a wife; instead, it felt like they were selling their daughter.

"So, you refused?" Fu Chenxuan asked him.

Pei Hao shook his head, "No, I just told them that marriage is a major event and it requires meeting both parents and discussing it before a decision can be made. However, her parents seemed unsatisfied with my answer, and their attitude became somewhat cold afterward, so I returned the next day."

"What did your girlfriend say?" Fu Chenxuan felt that the attitude of the woman in this situation was also important.

Speaking of this, Pei Hao’s eyes grew colder, "She didn’t say much, just asked me to understand her parents, given that she’s their only daughter and how hard it had been for them to raise her."

Hearing this, Fu Chenxuan understood—Jiang Xiaoyue was not a wise woman, and most likely, their marriage wouldn’t happen. At this thought, he suddenly remembered Guoguo. Perhaps he could lend a hand.

"Brother Hao, tell me the truth, what are you thinking?"

"Let’s put this matter on hold for now. I’m still young and not in a rush to get married. Moreover, our relationship is short, and we don’t know each other very well. Maybe I need more time to understand her before considering marriage."

"That’s good. Marriage is, after all, a significant event in life that needs careful consideration," Fu Chenxuan agreed.

"By the way, I saw Guoguo that day, and she seemed to be in a bad mood. How is she now?"

Pei Hao brought up Guoguo with a slight worry in his eyes.

Fu Chenxuan smiled, "You know Guoguo’s temperament. She’s quick to emotions but also quick to recover. She’s fine now. But..."

"But what?" Pei Hao asked.

"Brother Hao, there’s something I’ve been unsure about, can you help me understand?"

"What is it, just say it."

"You were doing well as a teacher at the school, why did you suddenly resign?" Pei Hao didn’t like the business world; he preferred being a scholar, focused on academic research. That’s why Jiang Chenxi had suggested he become a teacher in the first place.

"My biological father is unwell, and the large company also needs management. As his only son, I couldn’t just ignore it," Pei Hao said casually.

While the reason sounded reasonable, Fu Chenxuan didn’t believe it, "The company could be managed by a professional manager. Brother Hao, you’re not telling me the truth."

"This is the truth. What else could you possibly think it is?"

However, Fu Chenxuan nodded, "I do have another answer in mind. Brother Hao, can you tell me if it’s correct?"

"Just speak, since when do we need to beat around the bush?" Pei Hao said irritably.

Fu Chenxuan suddenly turned serious, "Actually, you resigned because of Guoguo, right?"

"What does this have to do with Guoguo?" Pei Hao was puzzled.

Fu Chenxuan locked eyes with him, "Really no connection? After leaving the restaurant that day, Guoguo cried. In all these years, I’ve never seen her cry so sadly. Later, I found out that the person she likes is you, Brother Hao. You can’t say you didn’t know."

According to Pei Hao’s intelligence, Guoguo’s little schemes definitely couldn’t escape his notice, let alone the fact that she had openly confessed to him.

The smile at the corner of Pei Hao’s mouth gradually faded, "That’s just the thoughts of a little girl. When she grows up a bit and meets more men, she’ll understand that her feelings for me are just pure admiration, not romantic affection."

Hearing this, Fu Chenxuan frowned and disagreed, "Brother Hao, you’re not Guoguo. How can you know she only admires you and doesn’t have romantic feelings?"

"I’ve watched her grow up; she’s like my own little sister. How could I not understand her personality? Even though she’s already 24, her mentality is still like that of an immature child. She isn’t settled. Even if she really likes me today, who knows if she might like someone else tomorrow?"

"Guoguo is already 24, an adult. She can judge her own feelings. I actually think that Guoguo truly likes you. Do you really only feel brotherly love for her?"

Pei Hao’s eyes dimmed slightly, "Yes."

Fu Chenxuan stared at him steadily, his eyes full of disappointment, "So, the real reason you left your job was because of her?"

"These things aren’t important." He had indeed left the school because he realized Guoguo’s feelings for him, but there was no need to tell others that.

"I think it’s very important. Brother Hao, you don’t truly like your girlfriend, do you? You’re just with her because you think she’s suitable, right?" Or perhaps just to make Guoguo give up.

"If I didn’t like her, would I date her or even think about marrying her? Chenxuan, don’t overthink it; things aren’t as complicated as you make them out to be."

Fu Chenxuan’s lips curved slightly, "Brother Hao, we’ve grown up together. Just as you understand me, I understand you. If you really liked your girlfriend, you would have agreed without hesitation when her parents put forward those conditions, not be displeased over it. Brother Hao, you like Guoguo too, don’t you?" Fu Chenxuan’s statement was shocking.

Pei Hao’s face darkened slightly, "Chenxuan, don’t talk nonsense about such things."

"I actually think Guoguo is more suitable for you than your girlfriend. Maybe she’s a bit childish. But she’s simple, not cunning, and doesn’t want anything from you."

Guoguo’s personality is lively, while Pei Hao tends to be more reserved and quiet; these two have completely complementary characters.

"I only see Guoguo as a sister," Pei Hao said earnestly, emphasizing the word ’sister’ heavily.

Fu Chenxuan shrugged, "Whether she’s a sister or not, you know best. But Brother Hao, if you really do like Guoguo, I advise you to seize the opportunity. Many people like Guoguo, and if someone else pursues her, you’ll be too late even if you regret it."

"When did you switch careers to become a matchmaker?" Pei Hao said annoyedly.

"I’m doing this for your sake. The three of us grew up together. Although you haven’t spent much time with us, in my heart, you’re my most important brother, and I really like Guoguo as a sister. If you two got together, I would be happy to see it happen. Plus, I can even help you handle Uncle Han."

Han Yi is a complete daughter’s slave, just like his dad. Any boy who approaches Guoguo would set off Han Yi’s alarms; he’s a difficult character to deal with. But if Pei Hao liked Guoguo and wanted to be with her, he would go through hell and high water to sort out Han Yi for Pei Hao.

Pei Hao laughed helplessly, "Don’t worry about my affairs, there’s no possibility between me and Guoguo. But you, you’re already 25, you should find a girlfriend too."

"Brother Hao, there you go again, always changing the subject when you can’t win an argument."

Pei Hao showed no signs of feeling guilty; he really didn’t want to continue this topic.

When the two left the bar, it was already 11 p.m.

Fu Chenxuan didn’t have to work the next day. He didn’t return to the Fu family’s old house but instead slept directly in his apartment.

However, as soon as he got home in the morning, he was forcibly recruited by Fu Shuyi to help her move some things in her dormitory.

Fu Chenxuan changed his clothes and drove his sister to B University.

He drove a very low-profile business van, but even so, as soon as he got out of the car, he caused a stir.

"Ah, isn’t he the male god from the forum? He’s even more handsome in person than in pictures."

"Yeah, yeah, look at those incredible long legs. I could play with just his legs for a year, no, ten years."

"His hands are also good-looking, like a pair of artworks."

"Having a handsome face is one thing, but having such a good figure too, how could fate treat one man so well?"

Fu Shuyi listened to the not-so-quiet conversations around him, looking at his big brother with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Fu Chenxuan was already familiar with such gazes and followed behind her with a calm expression.

"This is the girls’ dormitory, men are not allowed to go up." The Dormitory Aunt stopped Fu Chenxuan, speaking seriously.

Fu Chenxuan looked at the Dormitory Aunt and gave her a charming smile, "Auntie, hello. This is my little sister. She needs to move some things back home. Girls don’t have much strength, so I’ll help her carry them down. I’ll be back in ten minutes. Is that okay?"

That smile did its magic; even though the Dormitory Aunt was over 40 years old, she was dazzled and nodded absentmindedly, "Okay, ten minutes."

"Thank you, Auntie." Fu Chenxuan politely thanked her and walked past the Dormitory Aunt toward the staircase.

"Wow, being good-looking really is an advantage. Other guys have to sneak into the girls’ dormitory when the Dormitory Aunt isn’t looking, but look at you, just strolling in boldly." Fu Shuyi teased her brother as they walked.

Fu Chenxuan playfully smacked her on the head, "Who am I doing this for?"

Fu Shuyi smiled, "Naturally, for me."

"Brother, I’m really glad we’re not at the same school. Otherwise, I’d probably gain at least ten or twenty pounds." Just from those few photos she received a ton of snacks; if they were at the same school, those girls would have eaten her alive.

From Fu Chenxuan, she realized what "a belle can wreck the state" truly meant.

Fu Chenxuan followed behind his sister, listening to her muttering by his ear, ignoring the many fervent gazes.

And the girls passing by kept throwing their glances toward Fu Chenxuan. Thanks to those few photos on the campus forum, most of the girls recognized him, and seeing him in person, they were like bewitched.

Fu Shuyi, seeing this, quickened her pace and pulled Fu Chenxuan up the stairs. She couldn’t let her brother enchant these young girls, or it would be her fault.

Her dorm room was on the fifth floor. They climbed up in one go without even getting out of breath.

"Brother, these boxes of books, you help me carry them down first." With no one in the dorm room, Fu Shuyi directed Fu Chenxuan to move the books.

She liked reading, and many books in her room were collected over time. As she was organizing her things, she decided to move these books back home, but she didn’t want to bring them back bit by bit each day, so she just had Fu Chenxuan move them all at once.

"Brother, these too. You put them in the boxes first; I’m going to pick up a parcel." Fu Shuyi glanced at her phone, put down the books in her hand, and told Fu Chenxuan.

"Go ahead." Fu Chenxuan resignedly organized the cluttered books, categorizing them into the boxes that had been prepared in advance.

Hearing the sound of a key opening the door, Fu Chenxuan thought it was Fu Shuyi returning and, without lifting his head, asked, "Tangtang, do you want to take this book ’History of Art Painting’ home too?"

"Are you Shuyi’s brother?" A strange female voice came, and Fu Chenxuan, slightly startled, looked up to see a girl standing in front of him, smiling gently at him.

"You must be Shuyi’s classmate, hello." Fu Chenxuan smiled.

Lu Yimeng’s expression flashed a hint of embarrassment, "Hello, I’m Lu Yimeng, we’ve met before."

"Oh, sorry, I didn’t recognize you at first," Fu Chenxuan said gently, without any sign of embarrassment.

Lu Yimeng looked at the books scattered on the floor, "Are all these Shuyi’s? Why did she bring them all out?"

"She thinks these books take up space and asked me to take them home for her."

"Let me help you," Lu Yimeng said, and she squatted down to help Fu Chenxuan pack the books.

Fu Chenxuan’s words of refusal twirled on his tongue but he swallowed them back, "Thank you."

Lu Yimeng offered a gentle smile, "Don’t be so formal, Shuyi and I are good friends. Helping her pack up some books is nothing, but she really loves reading, she’s the girl I know who likes books the most."

Speaking of his sister, Fu Chenxuan’s eyes softened, "Yeah, she has loved reading since she was little. She could sit and read by herself for an entire afternoon." Perhaps it was Shen Qinglan’s influence—although Tangtang was naughty as a child, she was incredibly quiet when reading. Sometimes she could sit with a book for a whole day, but even so, it didn’t make her any less lively; she was still as active as a little monkey.

"Your sibling relationship is really nice," Lu Yimeng said enviously, "I’ve always wanted a brother or sister since I was young, but unfortunately, that wish has never been fulfilled."

"Having friends is the same," Fu Chenxuan said. His tone was neither warm nor distant, maintaining a perfect balance that made people feel very comfortable.

"Hey, Yimeng, you’re back," Fu Shuyi entered and greeted the person helping her tidy up with a smile.

"Yes, did you go down to get a delivery? Why didn’t you call me? I could have brought it up for you."

"I didn’t know you were back, otherwise I wouldn’t have run this errand," Fu Shuyi said, tossing the delivery on the table.

Fu Chenxuan put the last book into the box and closed the lid, "Is that everything?"

"Yeah, that’s all," Fu Shuyi nodded.

"I’ll take the box down first. Are you coming back with me later, or are you staying here?"

Fu Shuyi’s eyes darted around, "Brother, let’s go back after dinner. I’m tired of the food at home; let’s change it up."

"Alright, then come down with me."

"Yimeng, you’re free at noon, right? Come have lunch with us. It’s rare that I get to treat you, help me eat some," Fu Shuyi drew Lu Yimeng along.

Lu Yimeng glanced at Fu Chenxuan, hesitating.

Fu Chenxuan smiled lightly, "Let’s go together."

"Okay, thank you," Lu Yimeng politely thanked them and went downstairs with them.

As usual, they were the center of attention, and there were even envious glances cast at Lu Yimeng and Fu Shuyi. Lu Yimeng noticed but didn’t mind; there was even a hint of secret pride deep in her eyes.

Fu Chenxuan put the things in the trunk, then made a phone call home.

"What would you like to eat?" On the way, Fu Chenxuan asked them.

"I want grilled meat," Fu Shuyi said, her head lowered as she played with her phone. After hearing this, she belatedly realized someone else was there and then turned to ask Lu Yimeng, "Yimeng, what would you like to eat?"

Lu Yimeng smiled gently, "I’m fine with anything, let’s go for barbecue then."

"Which barbecue place?" asked Fu Chenxuan, who was not very familiar with the eateries in Beijing.

Fu Shuyi named a place, and Fu Chenxuan frowned. He felt a vague sense of familiarity with the name of this place, as if someone had mentioned it before. It was a famous barbecue restaurant which had been open for less than half a year, but it was very busy. When they arrived, there was already a long line outside.

Seeing the long line, Fu Shuyi was disheartened. "Why are there so many people just to eat, sigh, when will we ever get to eat?"

Fu Chenxuan, looking at the restaurant’s name, finally remembered and smiled, "Oh, it’s this place."

"How about we try another place? The Stone Grill barbecue is also pretty good," suggested Lu Yimeng, and at this time, there wouldn’t be a long queue at Stone Grill.

"But we’ve eaten at Stone Grill so many times, I really want to eat at this place. Why is it always so crowded every time I come here? It’s frustrating."

"Do you really want to eat here?" Fu Chenxuan asked.

Fu Shuyi nodded vigorously; she had been craving this place’s barbecue for a long time but hadn’t come due to the crowds. She had thought that arriving early today would mean fewer people, but it was still packed.

"You little girl, pouting while waiting for food, you could hang an oil bottle off that pout," Fu Chenxuan chuckled, reassuring her, "Wait and see, today you will definitely get to eat barbecue."

Fu Shuyi’s eyes lit up, "Brother, do you have a way?"

Fu Chenxuan did not answer her but instead took out his phone, brought up a number from his contacts, and dialed, "It’s me, Fu Chenxuan, yeah, it’s been a long time since we’ve talked..."

Seeing Fu Chenxuan making a casual call, Fu Shuyi was somewhat puzzled about whom he was calling at this hour. Not long after he hung up, a man came out of the barbecue restaurant wearing casual clothes and in a relaxed manner. He looked around, then headed straight towards them.

Fu Shuyi recognized the man; it was Bai Junnan, the owner of the barbecue restaurant.

"Long time no see," Bai Junnan said with a smile upon seeing Fu Chenxuan.

Fu Chenxuan embraced him, "Yes, long time no see."

Bai Junnan’s gaze fell on Fu Shuyi and Lu Yimeng as Fu Chenxuan introduced them, "This is my younger sister, Fu Shuyi, and her classmate, Lu Yimeng."

Bai Junnan smiled slightly, greeted them, and then said, "Come on in, a private room just became available."

Thus, Fu Shuyi followed them inside, still feeling somewhat puzzled as they took their seats in the private room. She wondered how her brother knew the owner of the barbecue restaurant, and they seemed quite familiar with each other.

After Bai Junnan left, Fu Shuyi voiced her doubts.

Fu Chenxuan explained, "Junnan was a high school classmate of mine and we shared a bunk bed. I went abroad later on, so we lost touch." That’s why he hadn’t immediately recognized the name of the barbecue place earlier, but when he saw it, he remembered Bai Junnan mentioning he had opened a restaurant in Beijing and had invited him to visit.

With the owner personally taking care of them, their food arrived quickly. Bai Junnan personally cooked the barbecue for them.

"Mmm, this is really delicious. Professional cooking really makes a difference," Fu Shuyi said, her eyes narrowed in delight.

Bai Junnan glanced at her, his gaze lingering on her face for a few seconds, a glint in his eyes and a slight smile, "If you like it, feel free to eat more and call me whenever you want to eat here."

Fu Shuyi’s eyes sparkled, "Can I really come eat whenever I want?"

"Of course, you’re Chenxuan’s sister, naturally you’re my friend too."

Fu Chenxuan looked at Bai Junnan with a half-smile, his eyes clearly conveying a message—"This is my sister, don’t get any ideas."

Bai Junnan responded frankly, "Just making friends, I’m not plotting anything."

Fu Chenxuan chuckled, "Good, otherwise we would have to have a serious talk about life and discuss our dreams."

Bai Junnan looked away and continued to focus on grilling the meat.

It was mostly Fu Shuyi and Lu Yimeng eating, Fu Chenxuan occasionally had a bite, while Bai Junnan hardly touched his food, as this restaurant was his own, and he had grown tired of smelling meat every day, having no desire to eat.

"Um, besides barbecue, can you cook other dishes?" While eating, Fu Shuyi asked, her cheeks puffed like a little squirrel.

Bai Junnan’s eyes were filled with a smile, "I can also cook some home-style dishes."

Bai Junnan, the only son of the chairman of Bai Group, a famous catering group with countless restaurants under its name, found it odd to open a small barbecue restaurant.

Yet Bai Junnan not only did it, but he also enjoyed it.

"Ah, I’m so full, I haven’t eaten this much meat in a long time, it’s so satisfying." After the meal, Fu Shuyi leaned back in her chair, rubbing her belly, feeling a bit overstuffed, but was too embarrassed to admit it.

Bai Junnan noticed her small gesture, stood up and walked out, soon returning with some hawthorn berries, "Eating too much barbecue can cause indigestion and might be greasy, hawthorn helps with digestion."

"Thank you, Brother Jun Nan." Fu Shuyi smiled, taking one and popping it into her mouth, soon frowning because the hawthorn was too sour.

The smile in Bai Junnan’s eyes deepened, Fu Chenxuan gave him a warning look, Bai Junnan looked away and handed the hawthorn to Lu Yimeng.

Lu Yimeng waved her hand, "Thanks, but I don’t eat hawthorn."

Bai Junnan then gave all the hawthorn to Fu Chenxuan, "Here, take these."

Fu Chenxuan: ... He also did not like sour things.

"Brother Jun Nan, thanks for hosting us today." As they left the restaurant, Fu Shuyi thanked Bai Junnan.

Bai Junnan replied warmly, "Feel free to come over anytime you feel like eating, and call me if it’s too crowded."

"Okay."

After dropping the two back at school, Fu Chenxuan headed home, where he soon received a text from a girl named Jiandan, whom he had met at a bar.

Jiandan was asking him some professional questions about finance, and Fu Chenxuan, having nothing else to do, patiently answered her.

"Mr. Fu, thank you for your answers. I had looked up a lot of information but still couldn’t understand these issues. Now, thanks to your explanations, I do. Thank you; when can I treat you to a meal?"

"It was no trouble at all, no need to be so formal." Fu Chenxuan texted back, his refusal clear, and Jiandan didn’t press further but simply sent a thankful emoji.

"He didn’t accept my invitation." Jiandan told another girl in the room upon receiving Fu Chenxuan’s reply, to which the other girl was not surprised, "He has grown up, not like when he was a child."

"Jingjing, since you’ve known him since childhood, why not look him up now that you’re back?" Jiandan wondered.

Lin Jing smiled, "We haven’t seen each other in twenty years, he probably has forgotten who I am. Wouldn’t it be awkward for me to look him up?"

"What do you think of him, from your interactions?" Lin Jing asked Jiandan.

Jiandan tilted her head, thinking, "Hmm, he appears approachable, but he’s actually quite indifferent inside. It must be hard to get close to someone like that." Although she had only met him once, Jiandan majored in psychology in college, so she had a knack for observing people.

Jiandan lied. That day wasn’t her first time at the bar; she had followed Fu Chenxuan there on purpose after learning he would be there. Lin Jing was there too, but she didn’t show herself.

However, she didn’t deceive him about one thing—she really was an online novelist, and going to the bar could be considered research.

"A man like Fu Chenxuan would make a perfect male protagonist for my novel. Jingjing, why don’t you go for it, capture this guy, then I could use both of you as the main characters in my next book? Childhood sweethearts, separated for many years, destined to reunite and fall in love, walking into the hall of marriage. Although it sounds a bit Mary Sue, I find it so romantic, it would definitely be sweet enough to cause tooth decay," Jiandan said dreamily, showing no trace of gentleness, looking more like a madwoman.

Lin Jing frowned, "You can use it as material, but don’t base the character on me, or I’ll be upset with you. Besides, I haven’t seen him for so many years, we’re practically strangers now. What childhood sweethearts? At most, we were playmates as kids."

"Ah, if that were just a playmate from childhood, would you have traveled all the way from the Northwest back to Beijing? Don’t tell me you were just missing your family; all your relatives are still in the Northwest."

Lin Jing fell silent.

"Jingjing, what are you afraid of? Even if he really doesn’t recognize you, you can always meet again," she encouraged.

Lin Jing blinked, "Meet again?"

"Yes, you surely didn’t travel all this way just to sneak a peek at him from afar, did you?"

Certainly not. Lin Jing had come back to find Fu Chenxuan, not just to settle for a distant glimpse.

"So be brave, take the first step. Though, I don’t generally like guys like Fu Chenxuan who are too handsome, I can tell he’s a decent man. It’s just that face of his, probably attracts a lot of romantic attention."

Lin Jing chuckled, "He’s been popular since he was a kid." Back in kindergarten, many girls liked to play with him, and she had been quite happy at the time because Fu Chenxuan liked her the most.

If only her grandfather hadn’t had problems back then, could she have grown up with him as childhood sweethearts? But, sadly, there are no ’ifs’ in this world.

Thinking about the past made Lin Jing wistful. Seeing her expression, Jiandan quickly reassured her, "Don’t worry, Jingjing, I’ll definitely create opportunities for you to meet him." She promised emphatically.

The two had met while studying; she was young and eager to leave Beijing, so she went to university in another city where she met Lin Jing, who was studying there too. They weren’t in the same major but ended up in the same dorm due to their compatible temperaments, naturally becoming close friends. After graduation, she had returned to Beijing, and Lin Jing, to the Northwest.

It was only later that she discovered Lin Jing knew Fu Chenxuan, which explained why Lin Jing always seemed to ask about him after her return to Beijing.

She had always kept an eye on everything about Fu Chenxuan for Lin Jing, and the moment she knew he had returned to the country, she immediately informed Lin Jing.

"Jingjing, he’s back to start a company and won’t likely leave Beijing soon. You’ll definitely have opportunities to meet him. Besides, isn’t he hiring? Why don’t you apply? If you become coworkers, it’ll be like the saying, ’Being close to the water gets you the moon first,’" Jiandan suggested.

Lin Jing shook her head, "I’ve already submitted my resume, and I have an interview on Monday."

"You’re quick, even your resume is already submitted? Then I don’t need to bother introducing him to you."

Lin Jing knew there was a misunderstanding and explained with a grimace, "It’s not his company; it’s another software development firm."

Jiandan, who was drinking water, choked on it and sprayed it out, pointing at her, "You’ve become his competitor? Jingjing, what are you thinking?"

Lin Jing handed her a paper towel, "Don’t be so dramatic; I’m in the same field, not a competitor."

"No, but why would you think like that? Wouldn’t being his coworker be better? Plus, it would help you get closer."

Lin Jing smiled slightly, "Wasn’t it you who said that there’s always a chance to meet again?" Her eyes twinkled with anticipation, tinged with a hint of anxiety.