For a long time, he spoke in a softened voice, "I will clear all obstacles for her and protect her for a worry-free life." His fondness for Fu Shuyi was not just talk; these past days he had already told his mother that he wanted to return to Bai Group, and next month he would resume the position of the company’s general manager.

Once, he had given it up because he didn’t care for fame or fortune, but now with a goal in sight and wanting to provide for the woman he loved, the best way to do so was to become powerful himself.

"Then we’ll talk after you’ve cleared the way," Fu Chenxuan said coolly. No matter how nice his words were, actions meant more. Until he cleaned up the Bai Family, he could forget about marrying Fu Shuyi.

"What’s your relationship with Feng Qian?" Fu Chenxuan hadn’t forgotten the scene he’d witnessed at the restaurant, where the two of them had seemed to be enjoying a pleasant conversation.

"Business partner," he said precisely. To be exact, the partnership with Feng Family was his bargaining chip to return to Bai Group. With this deal, he would be able to silence those with ulterior motives.

"Not a business marriage?" Fu Chenxuan raised an eyebrow and questioned.

Bai Junnan couldn’t help but laugh, "What are you thinking? Feng Qian knows I have a girlfriend; she and I can be considered friends."

Fu Chenxuan’s response was noncommittal. Friendship was not for him to declare on his own. "Junnan, as friends we are friends, but if you’re going behind my sister’s back and doing something, we can’t even be brothers anymore." If it were an amicable breakup, that was one thing, but if Bai Junnan dared to wrong Fu Shuyi, Chenxuan’s fists weren’t just for show.

"Chenxuan, what do you take me for?" Bai Junnan rolled his eyes at him and, picking up the bottle, clinked it against his. "Drink."

Although there were many bottles on the table, neither of them drank much. After one bottle, Fu Chenxuan received a call from Gu Qingzhu, who was worried that he was being hard on Bai Junnan and wanted to check in.

"We’re about to finish up here and will be heading back soon; go to sleep early," Fu Chenxuan instructed gently, his voice tender.

"Mhm, I’ll go straight back to my parents’... No, I called a designated driver."

After hanging up the phone, Fu Chenxuan tucked his mobile away and picked up his coat, "Let’s call it a night, no more drinking."

Bai Junnan’s smile had a hint of teasing, "Becoming henpecked before even getting married?"

Fu Chenxuan was unabashed, "Being henpecked is the highest compliment for a man."

Bai Junnan: ...Is this something to be proud of? And he said it with such pride. Only later, when he himself became henpecked, did he realize it was indeed something to be truly proud of.

Fu Chenxuan didn’t go straight back to the Fu Family but headed to Gu Qingzhu’s place and stayed there for quite some time.

He released Gu Qingzhu, whose pretty face was now slightly flushed, her breaths uneven, and her lips full and tender—a clear sign of being well cared for. Fu Chenxuan buried his head in her neck and waited for the wave of desire to pass.

"Once your foot injury is healed, we should get engaged," Fu Chenxuan spoke softly.

Gu Qingzhu was slightly taken aback, then smiled lightly, "Okay." In fact, her foot injury was almost healed now, and the cast was already off; she just wasn’t walking that smoothly yet.

"You should go," Gu Qingzhu said quietly, patting his hand on her waist. His hand was restless, always moving around.

Fu Chenxuan, feeling the smoothness under his palm, was reluctant to leave, "Let me stay tonight."

Gu Qingzhu pushed him away, "You better go home."

The touch under his hand gone, Fu Chenxuan looked regretfully at his palm and then let out a sigh, "I really wish I could marry you right now." That way, he wouldn’t have to suppress his joy for her anymore.

Gu Qingzhu responded to his sentiment with a roll of her eyes.

Fu Chenxuan didn’t linger much longer and soon left.

**

The next afternoon, after wrapping up his morning work, Fu Chenxuan was about to go pick up Gu Qingzhu for lunch when he received a call from Lin Jing.

He paused when he saw the caller ID; upon reflection, they hadn’t been in contact for a while. They had, however, exchanged wishes during the New Year and had a brief chat.

"Jingjing."

Hearing the familiar voice, Lin Jing’s eyes were tinged with a faint sadness, "Chenxuan, are you free for lunch? I’d like to invite you to a meal."

"Jingjing, I’m sorry, I have a date at noon, is tomorrow good?" Fu Chenxuan asked.

"A date with your girlfriend?" Lin Jing tentatively asked.

"Yes," Fu Chenxuan responded.

Lin Jing felt a bitterness in her mouth and smiled, "Then let’s do tomorrow for lunch. I’ll come to you, and we’ll find a restaurant near your company. I have some things I want to talk to you about."

"Okay," Fu Chenxuan agreed, without asking what Lin Jing wanted to speak to him about. Since she preferred to meet in person, it must be something unsuitable for discussion over the phone.

The following day at noon, when Lin Jing arrived at the company, Fu Chenxuan was still in a meeting.

Fu Chenxuan stepped out of the conference room and glanced at the time. More than half an hour had passed since their agreed meeting time. "Jingjing, sorry for making you wait."

Lin Jing smiled, "I haven’t been waiting long. Have you finished work? If not, I can wait a bit more. I’m not really hungry right now."

"It’s finished. I just need to put a file away, and then we can leave."

Lin Jing nodded and handed him a bag she was holding. "This is a specialty from my dad for you. I’ve wanted to give it to you for a while but haven’t found the time."

Fu Chenxuan paused for a moment before accepting it. "Next time, tell Uncle he doesn’t need to bring anything, it’s quite heavy for you to carry on your own."

"It’s not that heavy. My dad dropped me off at the station, and I took a taxi here, so I didn’t have to carry it myself. I remember you said last time that you liked the taste."

"Then please say thanks to Uncle for me."

Fu Chenxuan took the items into his office—since they were already brought to him, it wasn’t right to have them taken back. Lin Jing didn’t go in and just waited for him outside the office.

The two chose a nearby restaurant. It wasn’t very crowded. Lin Jing found a quiet corner and ordered food. It was only then that Fu Chenxuan looked at her. "You seem to have lost weight since the last time I saw you." Lin Jing was already thin, but now she seemed even thinner, like just skin and bones.

Lin Jing laughed, "I’ve been too busy with work recently and have been eating irregularly."

"Work is important, but you need to take care of your health, especially for girls. Don’t ruin your health at such a young age."

"Mhm, I know," Lin Jing agreed.

The food arrived, and Fu Chenxuan didn’t ask what Lin Jing wanted to talk to him about. It wasn’t until they were almost finished eating that Lin Jing looked at him hesitantly.

Fu Chenxuan put down his chopsticks, "Jingjing, if you have something to say, just say it."

Lin Jing looked reluctant, clearly at a loss for how to begin.

"Jingjing, is there something you want my help with?" Fu Chenxuan guessed.

Lin Jing nodded slightly, bit her lip, and spoke in a quiet voice, "I need to ask you for a favor."

"Tell me. If I can help, I definitely will."

Lin Jing looked intently at the face before her. Ever since she knew he had a girlfriend, she had deliberately kept her distance from Fu Chenxuan—she was trying to let go of her feelings for him. It took her nearly a week of hesitation before she made that phone call to him.

"Chenxuan, my dad is coming to Beijing in a few days."

"That’s great news. When does Uncle arrive? I’ll host a dinner for him."

"I lied to my dad before. I told him we were dating. Now he wants to meet you, and I want you to help me act out this scene to reassure him." Lin Jing finally voiced the real reason for her visit.

The smile on Fu Chenxuan’s face gradually faded as he gazed at Lin Jing, who was looking down, unable to meet his eyes. Feeling his gaze, her eyelashes trembled. "Chenxuan, I know I shouldn’t have told such a lie, but back then, my mother wanted me to come back home to work, and I wanted to stay in Beijing. We argued fiercely, and I blurted out that we were dating, which was how they agreed to let me stay. Chenxuan, I’m sorry."

"Jingjing, you should know that one lie needs countless others to keep it going. If I help you lie to your father this time, what about next time? We can’t keep hiding the truth from him forever."

"Don’t worry, it won’t be for long. After this time, when my dad leaves, I will tell him that we broke up because I fell for someone else. I won’t bother you anymore." Lin Jing promptly said. She wouldn’t ask if her mother hadn’t been pressing her so urgently, and she found herself without any other options.

Fu Chenxuan’s expression was somber. Lin Jing sat there anxiously, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, her head bowed, not daring to meet Fu Chenxuan’s eyes.

After a long pause, Fu Chenxuan finally spoke in a gentle tone, "Jingjing, sorry, but I can’t help you with this. However, I can help explain things to Uncle. I believe he’ll understand if we tell him the truth."

The light in Lin Jing’s eyes dimmed in an instant, tears gathering as she shook her head. "No need, what I asked for was impolite, and I disturbed you. Sorry." She stood up to leave.

Fu Chenxuan grabbed her arm, "Jingjing, wait."

With her head down, Fu Chenxuan pursed his lips and said, "Come with me." He then led Lin Jing out of the restaurant.

In the car, Fu Chenxuan asked Lin Jing, "Did something happen with your family?" He had wanted to ask for a long time but hesitated, worried he might accidentally touch on a sore spot. From the moment he saw Lin Jing, he sensed she was completely different from when they were children. He knew her brother had died—what else could there be?

"Nothing," Lin Jing denied.

"Jingjing, you’re my friend. If you’ve got a problem and I can help, I will."

Lin Jing shook her head—her family’s issues weren’t something Fu Chenxuan could help with. "Chenxuan, just forget what I said today. I have to go back to work this afternoon, so I’ll leave first."

After saying this, Lin Jing pushed open the car door. Fu Chenxuan didn’t follow her. He just watched her leave, his brow furrowed deeply.

In the office, Lin Jing sat at her desk, her expression vacant and full of worry. With Fu Chenxuan not willing to help and her dad arriving the day after tomorrow, the lie she had told would soon be uncovered, and Lin Jing didn’t know how to face her father’s disappointment.

Her mother despised her because of her brother’s death, leaving her father as the only warmth in her home. Lin Jing cared about her father’s feelings and didn’t want to let him down. She had never lied to her father except about Fu Chenxuan.

What was she to do now? Remembering the harsh words her mother said during the New Year’s, sadness welled up in Lin Jing’s heart.

"Lin Jing, have a drink of water." Lu Feng placed a cup of hot water in front of her, bringing Lin Jing’s attention back to the present.

Lin Jing looked up at him, slightly startled, "Thank you."

"Lin Jing, what’s wrong with you, just now I called you several times and you didn’t respond?" Lu Feng’s eyes were filled with concern.

Lin Jing shook her head, "I probably didn’t sleep well last night."

Lu Feng looked at the dark circles under her eyes and didn’t doubt her, "Did you finish your work today? If not, let me help you." Given her current state, it was very easy to make mistakes at work, and it wouldn’t be good if she got scolded.

Lin Jing tried to smile at the corners of her mouth, but she just couldn’t manage it, "No need, I can handle it." Saying this, she lowered her head to begin working.

Lu Feng looked at her a few times, and seeing she didn’t seem to want to talk, he sighed and returned to his own desk to start working.

After work, Lin Jing slowly packed up her belongings and left the company. She looked at the bustling streets, her expression lost and bewildered.

"Be careful." A hand yanked her arm, and Lin Jing was pulled backward several steps, falling directly into a pair of arms. Before she could react, she saw a black sedan speed past right in front of her.

"What on earth are you thinking, not even paying attention when walking? Do you know how dangerous that is?" Lu Feng scolded her, his face a picture of residual fright. If he hadn’t reacted quickly, Lin Jing would have been hit.

Lin Jing was stunned and just muttered, "I’m sorry."

Lu Feng sighed, "Lin Jing, what’s really going on with you?" She had been absent-minded ever since she returned from stepping out at noon, and no matter what he asked, she said nothing. This version of Lin Jing made Lu Feng feel helpless.

"It’s nothing, you were not hurt just now, were you?"

Instead of answering, Lu Feng questioned her, "Lin Jing, if you have any troubles, just tell me, I can help you. Even if we can’t be a couple, we can still be friends. I don’t consider myself a petty person; I won’t hold a grudge because you rejected my confession."

"Lu Feng, thank you, but I really am fine. I was just lost in thought just now."

"Forget it, if you don’t want to talk, I won’t force you. Let’s get in my car, and I’ll take you home. You’re not allowed to refuse this time. At this hour, whether it’s the bus or subway, it’s crowded, and it’s not easy to get a cab. I happen to be going to Northern City for some work, so it’s on the way to drop you off. It’s not out of the way."

"Okay, thanks." Lin Jing didn’t refuse and politely thanked him.

It was peak hour for getting off work, and the roads were congested. Halfway through the journey, Lin Jing received a call from her father, "Daddy."

"Dad, I’m now at Beijing Airport. Where’s your house? I’ll take a cab over," came Mr. Lin’s gentle voice from the other end of the line.

Lin Jing, startled, "You’re at the airport now? Didn’t you say you would arrive the day after tomorrow?"

"I arrived earlier. I have a report for work at the Beijing Military Region, and I thought I’d come check on you too. Are you still at the company?"

"No, I’m on my way home. Daddy, wait for me at the airport, I’ll catch a taxi over now."

"No need, give me the address, and I can take a taxi myself," he didn’t want his daughter to hassle back and forth.

"Daddy, it’s hard to catch a taxi at this time, and I’m not far from the airport. Wait for me, I’ll be there soon." Lin Jing hung up and then turned to Lu Feng, "Lu Feng, pull over to the side, please."

Lu Feng, having heard the call, didn’t pull over, "Let’s go straight to the airport. Even if you get out now, it’s hard to catch a taxi. Don’t make Uncle wait too long."

Lin Jing pursed her lips, "No need, didn’t you have something else to do?"

"That thing’s not urgent; I can do it any time. Lin Jing, you don’t have to be so formal with me, it’s just a small favor." Lu Feng smiled warmly.

Lin Jing thought for a moment and then spoke, "Thank you, Lu Feng. I’ll treat you to a meal another day."

"Sure," Lu Feng couldn’t have asked for more.

The road to the airport was relatively smooth, and they arrived quickly. Lin Jing found her father, "Daddy."

Mr. Lin, dressed in a military uniform, smiled when he saw his daughter. Lin Jing moved forward and gave her father a hug, "Daddy, have you been waiting long?"

Mr. Lin patted his daughter’s head, "Not long. How is it that you seem skinnier than when you left home? You always don’t take good care of yourself." He had come alone, with his wife staying behind in the Northwest.

Lin Jing smiled, "I’m on a diet. Let’s go, Daddy."

Lu Feng waited by the car, and upon seeing Lin Jing walking with a middle-aged man, he understood this must be Lin Jing’s father. However, when he noticed the military uniform on Mr. Lin, surprise flickered in his eyes; he hadn’t expected Lin Jing’s father to be a soldier.

He glanced at his epaulets, two bars and two stars. Although he didn’t understand military ranks, it was apparent that Lin Jing’s father was of a high rank.

"Hello, Uncle." Lu Feng greeted politely, offering to take his luggage.

Mr. Lin paused, looking towards Lin Jing, and she explained, "Daddy, this is my colleague Lu Feng. He was giving me a ride home when you called, so he drove me to the airport."

Mr. Lin’s expression softened and he said with a smile, "Thank you, comrade Lu."

Lu Feng smiled, "It’s no big deal, Uncle. There’s no need for such formality. Please, get in the car."

According to Mr. Lin’s military rank, the unit in Beijing usually provided a car for pick-up and drop-off when he came to report for work, and even his accommodation was arranged. However, Mr. Lin declined these services because he wanted to spend more time with his daughter.

"Lin Jing, are we heading to your house now?" As the car merged onto the road, Lu Feng asked.

Lin Jing looked at her father, "Daddy, let’s go have dinner first."

Mr. Lin had no objections, and Lin Jing promptly invited Lu Feng to join them, which he gladly accepted.

Lin Jing had promised to treat, but in the end, it was Lu Feng who settled the bill. Lin Jing noticed this and didn’t say anything, only planning to transfer the money to him another day.

Having dropped Mr. Lin at the hotel he had booked, Lu Feng then left.

In the hotel room, Mr. Lin looked at his daughter, "Jingjing, where’s Chenxuan?"

Lin Jing stiffened, her head bowed as she helped her father unpack. "Chenxuan is working overtime tonight."

"Then call him. Ask if he’s free tomorrow night; I’d like to treat him to dinner."

"Daddy, Chenxuan is really busy these days. He has to travel out of town for work early tomorrow morning and won’t be back for several days. I was planning to arrange for you to meet him after his business trip," Lin Jing lied.

Mr. Lin watched her intently, "Then call him now. Have him come to the hotel; I would like to talk to him for a bit. That should be okay, right?"

Lin Jing’s smile was faltering, "Daddy, let’s do it another day. He’s been working all day and has to travel tomorrow; let’s not bother him."

Mr. Lin looked at his daughter, his gaze deep and searching, "Jingjing, are you hiding something from me?"

"Daddy, what could I possibly hide from you? You’re overthinking it."

"Jingjing, you’ve never been good at lying. Look into my eyes and repeat what you just said," Mr. Lin said with a heavier voice.

Lin Jing turned to face her father, confronting those affectionate eyes that held an air of authority. The lie she had prepared simply wouldn’t come out. Mr. Lin had merely been speculating, but seeing his daughter like this, he had no doubts left, "Jingjing, did you have a fight with Chenxuan?"

Lin Jing shook her head, "No." She didn’t even have the right to argue with him.

"Then tell Daddy, what’s going on with you and Chenxuan? Jingjing, I want to hear the truth."

Lin Jing stood still, her head bowed, hesitating for a moment before finally speaking slowly, "Daddy, I lied to you. I’ve never actually been in a relationship with Chenxuan. It was all a lie I told so I could stay in Beijing. I’m sorry for betraying your trust."

Mr. Lin did not get angry when he heard this; he seemed to have expected it, "Jingjing, come here."

Lin Jing walked over to her father, head lowered, waiting for his reprimand.

Mr. Lin pulled his daughter to sit down, looking at her thin profile, he sighed deeply, "This has been bothering you for a long time, hasn’t it?"

Lin Jing was startled and looked up at her father, meeting his compassionate gaze, "Daddy."

Mr. Lin smiled, patting her hair, "I raised you myself, how could I not understand you?" Ever since he learned that Lin Jing was together with Fu Chenxuan, Mr. Lin had repeatedly asked to speak to Fu Chenxuan on the phone, but each time Lin Jing would find an excuse to avoid it. Mr. Lin had long noticed something was amiss, and this trip, besides work, was also to confirm his suspicions.

"Jingjing, Daddy knows you didn’t say these things on purpose. You’ve had a hard time these past few years. It’s Daddy’s fault, for not being able to mediate your relationship with your mother, or to resolve her issues."

Lin Jing’s eyes became moist, "Daddy, it’s not your fault."

"Jingjing, Daddy has always hoped that you would find a man who would love and cherish you. Sometimes I wonder if the pressure I put on you was too great, forcing you to do this."

Lin Jing leaned into Mr. Lin’s embrace, "Daddy, aren’t you mad at me?"

Mr. Lin patted her shoulder, "What’s there to be mad about?"

Lin Jing was silent; she had deceived him, and even if her father was mad, it would have been justified.

"Jingjing, Daddy understands you." Given Lin Jing’s character, maintaining such a lie for so long must have been agonizing, "Alright, now that we’ve talked about it, there’s nothing to worry about. As for your mother, leave that to Daddy."

"Daddy, I’m sorry."

"There’s nothing to be sorry about. Jingjing, is there really no chance at all with you and Chenxuan?"

Lin Jing felt a bitterness in her heart, "He has someone he likes."

Mr. Lin paused, "Jingjing, Daddy knows you like Fu Chenxuan, but if he doesn’t feel the same, let’s not push for it." He wished she could be with the person she loved, but unrequited love was too painful, and Mr. Lin couldn’t bear it.

Lin Jing nodded lightly, "Yeah."