Chapter 150: Chu Fei and Fu Ziqing

Chapter 150: Chu Fei vs. Fu Ziqing

"Chu Fei, you're not in a rush to head back to Kun City right away, are you?"

On the way back, Fu Ziqing suddenly turned her head and asked.

"Why do you ask?" Chu Fei turned around with a puzzled look.

"Before leaving, Second Uncle Xiao asked for your phone number. I gave it to him without your permission." An apologetic look flickered across Fu Ziqing's face.

"Is that all?" Chu Fei smiled indifferently, instantly catching her drift. "You mean Second Master Xiao is going to look for me?"

"He didn't explicitly say so, but since he asked for your mobile number, I'm guessing he will definitely reach out to you in the near future." Fu Ziqing nodded, voicing her intuition.

Chu Fei nodded as well. He shared the same assumption that Second Uncle Xiao would seek him out.

However, Second Uncle Xiao looking for him was one thing, and whether he returned to Kun City was entirely another. Kun City was only half an hour away from East Ocean, and taking the highway cut the drive down to just twenty minutes—closer than traveling between two ends of East Ocean itself. While officially classified as two separate cities, Kun City was, in practical terms, little more of a suburb of East Ocean.

"Personally, I think you should stay in East Ocean for a few more days. After today, I doubt Second Uncle Xiao will be the only one wanting to see you." Fu Ziqing turned her gaze back to Chu Fei, speaking with earnest sincerity.

"Is that so?"

Chu Fei gave a soft chuckle. He believed Fu Ziqing was right. His entrance today had been too shocking; it had truly shaken the entire city of East Ocean. In particular, the incident where he slapped Lin Cong across the face had undoubtedly spread through every street and alley of the East Ocean region by now. Rumors were always the fastest things to travel—some statistics showed that the propagation speed of gossip was over eighteen hundred times faster than cultural dissemination, which was nothing short of terrifying.

Chu Fei was well aware that his debut in East Ocean this time had stirred up quite a hornet's nest. While the majority of people would maintain a wait-and-see attitude to observe how things unfolded, a select few would inevitably try to contact or approach him directly. Whether their motives stemmed from interest in him personally or from the old con man standing behind him, however, remained to be seen.

He understood this completely, yet he didn't care. From the moment he agreed to Fu Ziqing's request to attend Elder Fu's birthday banquet, he had anticipated this outcome. It was just that reality had turned out even more exaggerated than his predictions.

Hearing Fu Ziqing's words now, he turned the tables and asked with a playful grin, "And what about you? Are you hoping I stay for a few more days, or that I leave?" With that, he looked at her with a mischievous smile.

"Me?" Fu Ziqing was momentarily taken aback, as if she hadn't expected Chu Fei to bounce the question back to her. But she recovered almost instantly and nodded, "Of course I hope you stay a few more days."

"Really?" Chu Fei was stunned in turn, equally surprised by her straightforward answer. He asked quizzically, "Why?"

"Because I feel that staying now will be beneficial to you. Leaving in a rush would mean missing out on certain opportunities, and it might even lead to unnecessary misunderstandings." Fu Ziqing analyzed the situation earnestly, trusting that Chu Fei understood the implication behind her words.

"Is that the only reason?" Naturally, Chu Fei knew what she meant, but a wave of disappointment washed over him anyway. He had secretly hoped her answer was driven by personal feelings. Although expecting Fu Ziqing to already like him and be reluctant to see him go was wishful thinking bordering on fantasy, it didn't stop Chu Fei from daydreaming a little. Her business-like explanation felt far too discouraging, prompting him to probe further, "What about you personally? Aside from all those external factors, do you deep down want me to leave or stay?"

He locked his gaze onto her eyes, his expression intensely aggressive. If Fu Ziqing dared to say, "Of course I want you to leave," he would immediately make this high-and-mighty beauty understand the consequences of playing with fire.

Yet, Fu Ziqing's subsequent response once again left Chu Fei utterly speechless.

"Personally, of course I want you to stay. After today's events, the entirety of East Ocean knows that you are Fu Ziqing's man. The more outstanding and dazzling you are, the more reflected glory I receive," she stated with absolute seriousness.

"Fine, you win!"

Chu Fei let out a long sigh, turned his head back, and focused entirely on driving. He felt genuinely wounded, completely unaware that the moment he looked away, the corners of Fu Ziqing's lips curved upward into a subtle, almost cunning smirk...

Who said goddesses couldn't be shrewd?

The success Fu Ziqing had carved out for herself over the years navigating the corporate battlefield alone relied on far more than just a high IQ; she had plenty of methods at her disposal. With her sharp mind, how could she possibly fail to see through Chu Fei's intentions? But...

Watching Chu Fei drive with a listless and dejected expression, Fu Ziqing suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. After a brief hesitation, she spoke in a soft voice, "Actually... on a personal level, I really do want you to stay."

"Oh yeah?" Chu Fei glanced back sideways, skeptical.

"Yes. You are my fiancé. Ever since we parted ways in childhood, we've never really had the chance to properly spend time together. Right now happens to be a good opportunity." Fu Ziqing nodded, her gaze clear and sincere.

"Really?" Chu Fei still found it hard to believe.

"Mhm." Fu Ziqing nodded, meeting his eyes directly.

"That's more like it." A grin instantly split across Chu Fei's face. To be fair, he had been putting on an act earlier. Fu Ziqing's overwhelming aloofness often made her feel unreal to him. Yet now, with their relationship practically made public—at least in the eyes of outsiders, they were a quasi-married couple—Chu Fei couldn't feel the slightest vibe of a young couple in love. It was a complete failure on his part.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Watch the road!" Fu Ziqing, feeling her skin crawl under his burning gaze, felt compelled to issue a warning.

"Don't worry, my driving skills are top-notch. I'm just amazed that you actually care about me," Chu Fei laughed heartily.

"You're my fiancé. What's wrong with me caring about you?" Fu Ziqing retorted matter-of-factly.

That tone sent a fresh wave of deflation through the triumphant Chu Fei. He was once again reminded of Fu Ziqing's seemingly indifferent attitude toward this marriage. He couldn't help suspecting that even if she were betrothed to a pig, she probably wouldn't mind going through with the wedding.

"Hey, I am your fiancé, after all. Could you at least put on a little sincerity in front of me?" Thinking of this, Chu Fei grumbled with feigned annoyance.

"I didn't say you aren't my fiancé, did I?" Fu Ziqing asked innocently.

"I—"

Chu Fei felt an overwhelming urge to cry. He turned his head back and concentrated grimly on driving...

"Are you mad?" Fu Ziqing asked, looking rather perplexed. Despite her terrifyingly high intelligence, she was thoroughly inept when it came to romantic matters.

"No," Chu Fei shook his head.

"Actually, my personality is just like this. If you can't stand it, you don't have to pay attention to me in the future, and I won't bother you either," Fu Ziqing said earnestly, having vaguely guessed what was going on in his head.

Chu Fei cast a surprised look at her.

"Really. I know I'm not your only fiancée, and there are definitely other women out there. I don't mind if you maintain relationships with them; I'm used to being alone anyway," Fu Ziqing's tone remained completely natural.

"Who on earth told you these things?" Chu Fei's face turned dark. Fu Ziqing's words were far too alarming. Who could have leaked this to her? Or had she secretly investigated him?

"Sister Xiao Jing told me," Fu Ziqing didn't bother to hide it.

"Damn it!"

Right then, Chu Fei developed a sudden, violent urge to strangle that woman Xiao Jing. Just how deep was the grudge between that woman and him?

"You really don't care?" Yet a moment later, Chu Fei turned to look at Fu Ziqing, skeptical. He simply couldn't believe a woman could be magnanimous to this degree.

"I do care," Fu Ziqing gently bit her lower lip. "It's just that I know caring won't change reality. Besides, I'm not very good at being a good wife to begin with. Since that's the case, why should I fret over it and make us both miserable?"

Seeing the casual, unbothered expression on Fu Ziqing's face, Chu Fei felt a dull ache in his gut. He could tell she wasn't lying; this woman genuinely didn't care much. Did that mean she didn't care about him at all either?

The thought left Chu Fei feeling thoroughly discouraged, though strangely devoid of any guilt—perhaps because Fu Ziqing's demeanor was just too detached.

Good heavens!

However, Chu Fei's mindset shifted rapidly, reigniting with a surge of fighting spirit. He might not have cared much about the engagement with Fu Ziqing in the past, but things were different now. He wanted to conquer this woman!

Fu Ziqing didn't care right now simply because they were virtual strangers. Chu Fei refused to believe she would remain so indifferent once they truly spent time together. Women were emotional creatures, and even the toughest women were no exception. He simply didn't believe Fu Ziqing was a truly cold-blooded animal.

Let this big brother show you how to conquer a frosty beauty like you!

Chu Fei plotted with mischievous intent in his heart.

Yet, a second later, a crushing sense of pressure washed over him. Conquering Fu Ziqing seemed... unusually difficult, to say the least.

Thus, the two returned to Star Ocean Garden. True to what Fu Ziqing had said in the car, she would try her absolute best to carve out time during Chu Fei's stay in East Ocean to fulfill her duties as a fiancée—at least until he left...

However, no sooner had they stepped foot inside the villa and before Chu Fei could even grab a glass of water than Fu Ziqing's phone rang. She stood up immediately and looked at him apologetically. "There's an issue with a contract at the company; I need to go check it out in person. Are you coming with me, or will you wait here?" Her voice carried a hint of awkwardness. At that moment, she genuinely felt guilty; she had just promised to accompany him, only to break it right away.

"I'll wait for you here," Chu Fei said without a second thought. Following Fu Ziqing to the company meant waiting around anyway, so he might as well enjoy the comfort of the villa.

"Alright then. Feel free to watch TV, or go upstairs to rest if you're tired. I'll be back as soon as possible!" Looking even more apologetic, Fu Ziqing turned and hurried out of the villa, her movements decisive and entirely devoid of hesitation...

Chu Fei was left utterly speechless. Once again, he deeply realized just how busy his fiancée was. No wonder she was so open-minded about him having other women—at this rate, Fu Ziqing simply couldn't spare the time to be with him anyway.

What on earth am I even thinking about?

Chu Fei shook off the chaotic thoughts swirling in his head, picked up the remote control to switch on the TV, and idly flipped through the channels to kill time...

Yet no sooner had the screen lit up before he could find a single watchable program than the sound of a door opening echoed from behind him.

Puzzled, Chu Fei turned his head...

And caught sight of a woman dressed in nightwear walking out of one of the ground-floor bedrooms...

The woman seemed to have been startled awake, rubbing her drowsy eyes as she walked out. Her dark hair was tousled and messy, which oddly only added to her feminine charm, especially given the sheer, transparent red silk gown she wore...

It was Xiao Jing.

*(No bonus chapters today. There will be a bonus chapter this coming Monday. From now on, bonus chapters on Mondays will depend on the specific circumstances, mainly determined by red envelopes and subscription numbers—currently, both our red envelopes and subscriptions are very low!)*