Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The commotion between us alerted the others.

Half an hour later, both Bai Qiaoqiao and I were rushed to the hospital.

Bai Qiaoqiao had a faint scratch on her arm, while mine was on my face. Both of our hair was a mess. There were also bloody scrapes on my ankle where I had hit the rocks, and they were currently oozing blood.

Because my injuries were more serious, the doctor prioritized taking me to the debridement room first.

After cleaning the wounds, the doctor helped me out. As soon as the door opened, I saw Fu Jing standing in front of Bai Qiaoqiao with his back to me.

He was tall, and his shoulders were soaked from the rain; he hadn’t even had time to grab an umbrella. He must have rushed here.

“Mr. Fu, it’s just a business marriage. What right does she have to interfere in your private affairs?” Bai Qiaoqiao clutched the wound on her arm, her emotions running high as tears streamed down her face. “I don’t want to see her ever again.”

The sound of the door opening caught Fu Jing’s attention.

I stood there at the door of the debridement room, hobbling on one leg in a wretched state.

Fu Jing turned around, shielding Bai Qiaoqiao completely behind him. He looked over silently, his eyes dark and heavy. The face that was usually somewhat gentle toward me didn’t hold a hint of a smile.

“Do you have anything to say?”

I pulled a long face and stared him down for a few seconds before suddenly lunging at Bai Qiaoqiao. “You shameless fraud! You emotional cheat!”

Bai Qiaoqiao was stunned at first, not expecting me to start a fight right in front of Fu Jing. Then, refusing to back down, she retaliated.

The battle that had barely subsided reignited instantly.

Everyone rushed forward, and the scene devolved into chaos.

Bai Qiaoqiao’s screams pierced through the crowd: “She started it! I’m calling the police!”

Finally, Fu Jing picked me up and squeezed through the crowd.

I leaned over his shoulder, shouting angrily, “I’m not filming anymore! I want a new female lead!”

Fu Jing pressed me into his arms and said sternly, “Jiang Qian, settle down. They just finished bandaging you up!”

But I was too worked up to be held back. I broke free from his grip. “You two are in cahoots!”

Veins pulsed on Fu Jing’s forehead. “I can explain.”

That sentence made me laugh out of spite.

“‘It’s just a business marriage, what right does she have to interfere in your private affairs…'” I pursed my lips, mimicking Bai Qiaoqiao’s voice with biting sarcasm. “You didn’t explain earlier, you didn’t explain later, but oh, now that the conflict has exploded, you want to explain? Who would believe you?”

Fu Jing carried me all the way, ignoring my screams, and stuffed me into his Rolls-Royce.

The moment the car door closed, the noise from outside was cut off.

My hair looked like a bird’s nest as I struggled haphazardly. “I want to break off the engagement!”

Fu Jing grabbed my flailing legs and barked, “Be quiet.”

The moment he spoke, I actually went quiet. With eyes full of tears, I let out a sob that sounded like a whistling teakettle.

Fu Jing’s eyelid twitched, and he sighed. “Her sister saved my life. Before she died, she asked me to look after Bai Qiaoqiao. That’s all there is to it.”

“Fine, go marry her then. It’ll be more convenient.”

“I’m already engaged to you,” Fu Jing said in a serious, earnest tone. “I won’t marry anyone else.”

“You were mean to me just now.”

“When was I mean to you?”

“You asked me if I had anything to say.”

“Qianqian, don’t you have anything to say to me?” Fu Jing tilted my head up, asking in such a serious tone for the first time. “Why did you want to break up? Why did you suddenly go and pick a fight with Bai Qiaoqiao? Shouldn’t you explain these things?”

I held back my tears and started hiccuping.

Fu Jing smiled. “You want me to explain, but I need to know where the problem lies so I can address the root cause.”

I tried my best to stifle my hiccups, my body trembling with each one. “Then… then let’s start with why you ran out at one in the morning to play knight in shining armor.”

Fu Jing’s expression went blank as he searched his memory.

“Which one in the morning?”

I was furious. I snatched his phone, scrolled to the call log from that night at 1:00 AM, and hit redial.

With a ferocious look, I said, “You won’t admit it until you’re faced with the evidence, will you? Just wait. If Bai Qiaoqiao answers, I’m going to tear you apart-”

“Hello, Mr. Fu. Do you have any instructions?”

I froze, stunned.

It was a woman’s voice, but… it wasn’t the same.

Under my gaze, Fu Jing suddenly raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes.

I held the phone dazed, my heart starting to drum nervously.

This couldn’t be one of his subordinates, could it?

“Hello? Mr. Fu, are you there?”

Fu Jing stared at me, leaning in slightly toward the receiver to bail me out. “Regarding that case from the other day-what did the police say?”
“Oh, the thief was caught. The Madam was startled and hasn’t been sleeping well lately, so she just got some sleeping pills from the hospital.”

“Mhm, I see.”

Hanging up the phone, Fu Jing stared at my stunned face with interest.

“She’s my housekeeper. She called me in the early hours of that morning because a thief had broken into the house. I didn’t realize you were so interested in my private residence. If you need me to report my whereabouts to you in the future, I’d be more than happy to.”

Impossible.

Refusing to give up, I scrolled through Fu Jing’s call logs. He had indeed made three calls home, and there was a record of a report to the police.

Losing my confidence, I pressed further, “They said you have an old flame who died. What does that have to do with Bai Qiaoqiao?”

“First of all, I don’t have an ‘old flame.'”

“Secondly, Bai Qiaoqiao’s sister was my university classmate. There was a class gathering right before graduation.”

He paused, pressing his lips together. “After it ended, a heavy truck lost control and veered toward us. She pushed me out of the way. So, Bai Qiaoqiao’s sister is my benefactor.”

“Before she died, she entrusted me to take care of Bai Qiaoqiao. As long as it doesn’t violate morality or the law, I will fulfill her requests as much as possible. I helped her enter the entertainment industry, and I helped ensure she didn’t have to do kiss scenes. I admit to all of that. But as for anything more than basic concern? There is none.”

Fu Jing opened his chat history with Bai Qiaoqiao and held it before my eyes.

[Mr. Fu, the sun is so lovely today. Have you had breakfast?]

No reply.

[Mr. Fu, it’s raining today. Remember to wear more clothes so you don’t catch a cold.]

No reply.

[Mr. Fu, I want to act in this TV drama.]

[Okay.]

In the span of several years, the number of words Fu Jing had said to her could be counted on one hand.

Then there was the chat history between him and me.

[Mr. Fu.]

[Mhm.]

[Are you coming back to the country today?]

[Yes. I bought you a souvenir.]

[No need, really. I was just asking. Have a pleasant trip.]

[Thank you.]

I cleared my throat and muttered awkwardly, “She said you even helped her celebrate her birthday.”

“My assistant sent her a gift. She’s very capable at her job. He didn’t just send one to her, he also-” Fu Jing suddenly realized something and snapped his mouth shut.

I followed up dryly, “Yeah, he sent one to me too. Thank you, otherwise I’d still be in the dark.”

“…”

The car glided quietly through the night. As the minutes ticked by, I caught a glimpse of Fu Jing and realized he was looking at me too.

I jerked my gaze away as if I’d been burned.

Now the misunderstanding was cleared up.

Whatever Bai Qiaoqiao thought was her business.

It was just that after such a scene, the atmosphere was a bit awkward.

I stared out the window, nervously picking at my fingers.

The driver suddenly made a sharp turn, and I tumbled into Fu Jing’s arms.

His palm immediately pressed against my waist, taking the opportunity to pull me closer.

“Qianqian, I don’t mean anything by this, but I’m actually quite curious. When you told me that day about ‘three people being together,’ who exactly were you referring to?”

“I was just talking nonsense.”

I didn’t even blink as I said it.

As luck would have it, Bai Qiaoqiao chose that exact moment to forward a series of chat logs to Fu Jing.

The light from the phone screen was exceptionally piercing.

Fu Jing didn’t hide it, clicking it open right in front of me.

[Mr. Fu, she actually has two faces. Don’t let her deceive you.]

My heart skipped a beat.

A set of familiar dialogues popped up.

[Good morning, Sister. The weather is so nice today. Have you had breakfast?]

[I have. I ordered some porridge for you. Eat it while it’s hot.]

[Sister, it’s raining today. Remember to wear more clothes so you don’t catch a cold.]

[Thanks, baby.]

[Sister, when are you coming to watch me act?]

[I’ll go tonight.]

There was even a “cuddle” emoji at the end.

Dead silence fell over the car.

I didn’t dare to breathe.

Fu Jing said eerily, “Well then. I didn’t let her get anywhere near me, yet you, Jiang Qian, were quite enthusiastic.”

I suddenly jumped up, trying to scramble to the other side, but Fu Jing grabbed me and dragged me back.

“Who doesn’t love a ‘Green Tea’ girl…”

“Is that so?” Fu Jing let out a cold laugh. He bit my ear, feeling me tremble, and hissed darkly, “I let you run free for seven years, originally just waiting for you to settle down. Now it seems your habit of flirting with everyone you meet is something you’ll never change.”