Chapter 16
1921 Words
“Don’t be shy, I didn’t see a thing,” Chu Yeran said with a mischievous grin.
Xu Mei replied through gritted teeth, “…I was just trying to stop him from fighting. It’s not what you think.”
“I was thinking the same thing. You were stopping him from fighting… Wait, who was he fighting?” Chu Yeran raised an eyebrow.
Before Xu Mei could answer, Han Shu and Xu Lang came out, supporting Xu Zhongya.
“Well, well, isn’t this our oh-so-famous President Xu?” Chu Yeran strode over gleefully, absolutely savoring the moment. “What happened? Karma? My apologies, heavens above—I take back everything I said. Clearly, you’ve been watching all along. Just… waiting for the right moment.”
Xu Zhongya, no stranger to swallowing his pride, ignored the taunts and looked straight at Fu Shuyang.
“Fu Shuyang, this isn’t over.”
Xu Lang and Han Shu also turned toward Fu Shuyang. Xu Lang’s eyes were red, as if he had something to say but didn’t dare.
Han Shu, on the other hand, was obviously hostile. “Do we know each other?”
“No,” Fu Shuyang replied coolly.
Han Shu didn’t buy it. “Then why the hell did you try to fight me just now?”
Fu Shuyang lowered his eyes, his aura completely different from his earlier violent self—now calm and indifferent, as if nothing in the world mattered to him. “I thought… you were bullying Xu Mei.”
“I was trying to catch her so she wouldn’t fall! I didn’t even touch her!” Han Shu exploded, then turned to Xu Mei in frustration. “Your boyfriend has serious anger issues. If he’s already throwing punches without figuring things out, what’s going to happen in the future? Just be careful, alright?”
Xu Mei opened her mouth but said nothing.
Even she was shocked. Fu Shuyang had always treated her well—but not to that extreme, right? That look in his eyes just now… It was like he was facing a mortal enemy.
Impulsive. Dangerous. Could this… be a sign he’s about to go dark?
Han Shu didn’t stick around, just helped Xu Zhongya into the car and drove off.
When they were gone, Xu Mei turned to Fu Shuyang. “What happened? Where have you two been these days? I’ve been looking everywhere.”
“You need something?” Fu Shuyang looked at her.
“Huh?”
“You were looking for me… because you needed something?” he clarified, his words clipped and cold.
Xu Mei: “…”
She got the message loud and clear, but couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.
If she told him she was worried he’d go full villain mode, he might just kill her on the spot.
“Can’t a friend look for you just because?” Chu Yeran swooped in like an angel, defusing the tension with a smile. “Friends should keep in touch, right? Xu Mei looks for me all the time. Speaking of which, I heard you came to my place today. What for?”
Xu Mei paused, then admitted honestly, “I couldn’t find Shuyang.”
Chu Yeran: “…”
Fu Shuyang turned his face away.
Before Chu Yeran could blow up, Xu Mei quickly added, “Just kidding. I couldn’t reach either of you. I was a little worried.”
“We were out of town. No signal,” Chu Yeran mumbled.
Xu Mei sighed in relief and asked, “That Xu guy said it was Shuyang who beat him up. What’s that about?”
Chu Yeran glanced at Fu Shuyang, who remained silent, so he explained, “Remember how Shuyang said Xu was trying to get that piece of land in Qianwan?”
Xu Mei nodded.
“Well, Xu wants to go into real estate. He’s got his eyes on the Qianwan project, but he doesn’t have the connections. When he heard Shuyang talking about it, he assumed he had inside info. So, Shuyang played along. He noticed someone tailing him, so he baited them by talking to a small-time government clerk. Xu thought the clerk had the scoop, tried to bribe her—and even made a move on her. Problem is, she already had a powerful backer. When he found out, well… things got ugly. We came over to watch the drama, and happened to run into Xu’s daughter at the alley.”
Chu Yeran told the story casually, but Xu Mei’s heart was racing.
She thought she was done with Xu Zhongya and Xu Lang, but it turns out they went after Fu Shuyang instead.
She’d dragged him into this mess.
And Fu Shuyang—he made it look like no big deal, but every move he made was calculated and precise. One slip-up, and he might’ve been the one getting beaten up today.
Xu Mei stared at him, feeling guilty and overwhelmed.
“Shuyang…” she said softly. “I’m sorry. I got you involved.”
Her voice was full of guilt and gratitude, eyes shining as she looked up at him. That gaze made Fu Shuyang’s heart skip a beat.
He curled his fingers slightly. “It’s fine.”
Chu Yeran piped up, “C’mon, that’s not enough. Shouldn’t you… show some real gratitude?”
“I’ll treat you guys to dinner!” Xu Mei jumped in. “Didn’t you want barbecue? My treat!”
Chu Yeran pouted, “You treat, I pay again?”
Xu Mei looked sheepish. Last time, she got drunk and Chu Yeran covered the bill. She tried to pay him back via WeChat, but he didn’t accept.
“I won’t drink tonight,” she promised. “And about last time—I couldn’t find you, I wasn’t trying to avoid it.”
“Forget the money,” Chu Yeran grinned. “Just grill me ten skewers yourself, and we’ll call it even.”
Fu Shuyang shot him a cold glance.
Chu Yeran pretended not to see.
Xu Mei laughed and called Yao Jing. “Ms. Yao, barbecue time!”
——
The four of them found a well-rated barbecue stall at the plaza.
“Can I grill them myself?” Xu Mei asked eagerly.
The stall owner was busy, but seeing her puppy-dog eyes, he gave her a small section to work with.
He peeked over occasionally, expecting disaster—but was shocked. She was good. Really good.
“Not bad, young lady.”
Xu Mei raised an eyebrow proudly. “If you ever need help, I can work part-time here.”
The owner chuckled. “I’d hire you in a heartbeat—but your boyfriend might smash the place.”
Xu Mei looked up.
Fu Shuyang and the others were sitting just a short distance away, all three watching her.
Chu Yeran’s eyes were glued to the meat, Yao Jing looked curious, and Fu Shuyang… had that cold, unreadable face of his that was easily misinterpreted.
Xu Mei laughed quietly. “You got it wrong, boss. He’s not my boyfriend. He’s…”
The villain. The richest man alive… Just imagining dating someone like him felt insane.
As she brought the skewers over, she casually said, “I used to love grilling when we went on picnics. It’s not my best setup tonight, but hope it’s edible.”
“No need to explain. I get it. You just wanted us to say it’s delicious… which it is,” Chu Yeran said unconvincingly.
Yao Jing kicked him. “She wasn’t grilling for you. Stop being shameless.”
“I contributed too, okay?” Chu Yeran protested. “I was the one who passed on the info!”
Xu Mei chuckled, then placed a couple skewers and wings in front of Fu Shuyang. “Here, try these.”
Chu Yeran sulked, “Boss, bring me two crates of lemons… wait, make that beer!”
Xu Mei giggled and ordered grape juice instead.
——
By the time they were done, it was already 10 p.m.
Chu Yeran looked from Yao Jing to Xu Mei. “Want me to take you home?”
“No need. You take Ms. Yao.” Xu Mei stood up, stumbled slightly, and quickly steadied herself. “I didn’t drink. I’m fine.”
Chu Yeran frowned. “You sure? You look kind of… drunk without the alcohol.”
“You worry too much. I’ll go back with Shuyang.”
She gave Fu Shuyang an expectant look.
He gave a simple, “Mm.”
Chu Yeran took Yao Jing home.
Fu Shuyang pulled out his phone to call a ride, but Xu Mei stopped him.
“Let’s ride bikes instead?”
“Bikes?”
“I ate so much, I’m gonna gain weight,” she pouted. “I want to be a dancer. I need to stay in shape. Riding will help.”
Fu Shuyang paused, then put his phone away.
Xu Mei smiled. Riding back would take longer, more time to chat… and maybe, just maybe, get him to open up.
At the rental stand, Fu Shuyang unlocked a bike, casually resting a leg on the pedal.
Xu Mei also unlocked one, but after a few awkward attempts… she wobbled and promptly fell over.
“You okay?” Fu Shuyang rushed over, abandoning his bike.
They were on grass, so she wasn’t hurt—just dazed. “I swear I know how to ride…”
Fu Shuyang looked at her. “You’re drunk.”
“No way. I only had grape juice.” She paused, then muttered, “Wait a sec… It wasn’t fresh juice. It was… fermented!”
Fu Shuyang couldn’t hold back a laugh.
Xu Mei froze.
She always knew he was good-looking. The novel described his beauty in superlatives. But his usual aura was so dark, so dangerous, no one dared to really look at him.
But when he smiled just now… it was like winter snow melting, a warm breeze brushing past. Totally breathtaking.
“You have a beautiful smile,” she blurted.
Fu Shuyang’s smile vanished instantly.
Xu Mei scratched her nose awkwardly. “Okay, fine. I’ll forgive you for everything—just because you smiled so nicely.”
Fu Shuyang asked, “Can you stand?”
She could—but she definitely couldn’t ride.
He called a car.
——
The car was warm. The “grape juice” was definitely fermented. Her mind was foggy now.
She turned to look at Fu Shuyang, who was leaning against the window, eyes unfocused.
Suddenly remembering that breathtaking smile, she blurted, “Fu Shuyang.”
He turned to her.
She blinked, forgot what she wanted to say, and said instead, “Yang-ge.”
Fu Shuyang visibly flinched. He gripped the seat. “What do you want to say?”
“I want to ask…” Xu Mei rubbed her head, trying to think. “…Do you have a dream?”
Fu Shuyang was surprised. “A dream?”
“Or like… something you really want to do in this life, but haven’t had the chance yet?”
Fu Shuyang spaced out for a moment.
This life had only just begun. He wanted nothing.
But in his past life, he’d been poor, rich, humiliated, respected…
If he had to name a regret—he looked into her sparkling eyes, and one phrase suddenly flashed through his mind:
Fall in love.
Damn it.
The richest man in the world died a virgin.
- Writer
