After their intimate moment, Fu Shize got up to fetch a glass of warm water from the kitchen. Yun Li sat on the bed, wrapped in a blanket like a zongzi. She asked hoarsely, “What should we do?”
Fu Shize followed her gaze to the bedsheet and casually replied, “Let’s sleep in my room.”
He handed her the water. Yun Li took a few sips, her throat feeling better. She asked softly, “Will we sleep together?”
Fu Shize lowered his eyes. “Do you want to sleep alone?”
Yun Li’s body still ached. Concerned he might try something again in the middle of the night, she hesitantly nodded.
“I don’t want to,” Fu Shize stated.
“…”
Without asking for her opinion, Fu Shize picked her up, blanket and all, and carried her to his room. His bed only had a sheet, no blanket.
“…”
Yun Li realized he never intended for them to sleep separately.
Feeling annoyed, she curled up in the corner, not understanding why he pretended to ask her opinion. Fu Shize found it amusing. He went over and stroked her cheek, but she turned away.
Undeterred by her rejection, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“…”
“You…” Yun Li couldn’t think of how to retort. After a moment, she managed, “You’re so shameless.”
Fu Shize’s lips curved into a smile, seeming to enjoy her weak protests. He placed a pillow on the bed and said, “We’re short one.”
He turned to leave. Yun Li thought he was going to get her pillow from the other room. Panicking, she forgot her annoyance and hid half her face behind the blanket, whispering, “That one’s dirty.”
Fu Shize pondered for a moment, then replied, “We have plenty of other pillows.”
“…”
As his figure disappeared through the doorway, Yun Li recalled the events of the night – how he had completely overwhelmed her senses, the vivid sensations of his kisses and caresses. Her face flushed crimson. Wrapped in the blanket, she got off the bed and went to his closet, grabbing a shirt to put on.
Before she could find comfortable pants, Fu Shize opened the door. Startled, Yun Li quickly sat back on the bed, knees pressed together, tugging the shirt down.
The loose shirt, her messy hair, and her panicked look made Fu Shize’s eyes darken. He approached her slowly, like a predator stalking its prey.
Yun Li felt like a lamb awaiting slaughter. Fu Shize tossed the pillow on the bed and wordlessly handed her the water glass and her phone.
“I don’t want any more,” Yun Li said, worried the shirt would ride up if she moved. Fu Shize insistently placed the glass in her hand. Within seconds, his fingers brushed the shirt and roughly pulled it towards him.
Yun Li lost her grip on the glass, and the shirt got wet.
“Drink some,” Fu Shize coaxed. “Otherwise your throat will hurt later.”
“…”
…
Yun Li listened to the sound of running water from the bathroom, still panting softly as she rubbed her legs. Glancing at the shirt tossed in the corner, she slowly walked back to the wardrobe.
This time, she deliberately chose pajamas with a high neckline, covering herself from head to toe in long sleeves and pants.
Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Yun Ye calling.
Startled, she immediately hung up.
Yun Li: [?]
Yun Ye: [?? Why didn’t you answer?]
Yun Li: [Oh, I don’t want to see your face.]
Yun Ye: […]
Remembering something she’d meant to tell him, Yun Li messaged: [Don’t use that drone for now. It’s important to your brother-in-law.]
Yun Ye: [I accidentally hit it when I was confessing.]
Yun Li: [Just leave it then. I’ll take a look when I get back.]
Lost in thought about the drone, Yun Li realized that when Fu Shize gave it to Yun Ye, he must have considered the possibility it would get damaged. Yet he still gave it to him.
Yun Li clearly understood the intention behind this action. To Fu Shize, she was already the most special person. He loved her, and by extension, he loved her family too.
Fu Shize finished his shower, a towel still draped over his damp hair. He approached Yun Li, leaning down to gently kiss her lips. His eyes still held traces of raw emotion. Yun Li recalled what he had said earlier that night:
“Li Li, you’re the closest person to me now.”
Yun Li raised her soft hands and wrapped them around his neck.
“I’m holding onto you,” she said, her eyes curving into a smile. “And I’m never letting go.”
Fu Shize lowered his gaze. Her words carried the weight of a solemn promise.
A water droplet fell from his hair onto Yun Li’s face. She wiped it with the back of her hand and asked in surprise, “Are you crying?”
Fu Shize casually dried his hair with the towel, which covered his face to the bridge of his nose. Yun Li could only see him smiling as he lowered his chin. She smiled too, cupping his face and saying earnestly, “I want to live longer than you.”
“This way, your world will always be filled with my love.”
At that moment, Fu Shize intensely felt that the most difficult times of his life were truly behind him.
It wasn’t for any particular reason. It just seemed that as long as she was in his future, no matter what happened, life would never be unbearable again.
It was nearly midnight. Fu Shize checked his phone and saw a message from Xu Qingsong from a few hours ago asking: [Late night snack?]
He handed the phone to Yun Li, clearly leaving the decision up to her.
After the evening’s exertions, Yun Li was feeling a bit hungry. However, she felt awkward about seeing Xu Qingsong again, since she and Fu Shize hadn’t been back together the last time they met. After hesitating for a while, she looked up at Fu Shize and asked, “Shall we go?”
Fu Shize considered for a moment. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen him.”
Back when they were at EAW, Xu Qingsong and Fu Shize had been practically inseparable. As Yun Li took her shoes from the rack, she tugged on Fu Shize’s sleeve and asked, “Is President Xu a good friend of yours?”
“Mm,” Fu Shize nodded, turning to look at her. “Why do you ask?”
“No reason,” Yun Li said as she slipped on her heels. “I’m just happy you have another friend.”
Hearing this, Fu Shize’s lips curved into a smile. He pulled her up as she finished putting on her shoes, then caught her and reminded her, “You can call him by name. Technically, he’s your nephew.”
“…”
As they left, Yun Li felt like she was floating. Her former boss had suddenly become her nephew, a generation younger than her.
It seemed unbelievable.
The meeting place was a seafood stall near Jiangnan Garden. Yun Li and Fu Shize arrived first on foot and had just sat down when they saw Xu Qingsong crossing the street towards them.
Winter had come to Nanwu, but he was dressed lightly in a suit jacket over a light blue shirt, the top two buttons undone.
His gaze quickly found them, and Xu Qingsong flashed a slight smile, patting Fu Shize’s shoulder. “You’re looking well.”
“Mm,” Fu Shize’s tone was relaxed and natural. He gave Yun Li a meaningful look. “Li Li’s been taking good care of me.”
Hearing this, Yun Li’s face grew warm. How had she taken care of him…?
Xu Qingsong raised an eyebrow and smiled, nodding to her. His demeanor was elegant as he sat down, smoothing out the creases in his jacket.
Yun Li glanced in his direction a moment longer.
When she looked away, she met Fu Shize’s gaze. Seeing him staring at her, Yun Li felt inexplicably guilty and pretended to study the menu intently.
Fu Shize asked Xu Qingsong directly, “Where did you buy that outfit?”
Yun Li: “…”
“You like it?” Xu Qingsong looked down at his clothes, half-joking, “I can just give it to you. It should suit you too.”
Instead of answering, Fu Shize turned to Yun Li and asked, “Do you like it?”
“…”
Xu Qingsong assumed he was just asking for Yun Li’s opinion and smiled silently as he poured himself some water.
Yun Li squirmed under Fu Shize’s stare, mentally berating herself for not controlling her wandering eyes. After hesitating, she decided to be honest: “It looks good. Qingsong has great style.”
Her voice was soft, the two syllables of his name sounding intimate.
“You’re too kind,” Xu Qingsong didn’t notice her familiar address, graciously accepting her praise. He asked Fu Shize, “Should I send it to your school directly?”
Fu Shize pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, “Thank you, President Xu.”
Yun Li: “…”
After this interlude, Yun Li obediently reverted to her usual way of addressing Xu Qingsong. She felt somewhat exasperated with Fu Shize, realizing he must have been jealous.
And he called her the jealous one.
He had even reminded her to call Xu Qingsong by name when they left home, only to backtrack now.
The seafood stall specializes in seafood. Yun Li first passed the menu to Fu Shize. He glanced at it briefly and said softly, “You order. Get what you like.”
Yun Li then passed it to Xu Qingsong.
He just flashed a bright smile and lightly pushed the menu back to her. “You go ahead and order.”
As the only person who had come for a late-night snack, Yun Li ordered some of her favorites – mantis shrimp and shellfish. Considering Fu Shize’s stomach, she asked Xu Qingsong’s opinion and chose steamed or poached preparations for everything.
When the food arrived, Fu Shize picked out a large mantis shrimp for Yun Li. He didn’t particularly enjoy seafood which was troublesome to eat, so he just casually put a few things in his bowl without eating.
Xu Qingsong wasn’t hungry either. He took a mantis shrimp and leisurely peeled it on his plate, occasionally looking up to chat with Fu Shize.
Their conversation mostly revolved around recent events. Yun Li couldn’t join in, so she focused intently on peeling her mantis shrimp.
“What are your plans after graduation?” Xu Qingsong asked teasingly. “Want to come to EAW?”
Hearing Xu Qingsong’s question, Yun Li’s mind wandered.
Fu Shize replied, “I’m considering staying in Xifu for now.”
Distracted, Yun Li pricked her finger on a shell. She flinched slightly, embarrassed by her clumsiness, and kept her head down as she continued peeling.
Fu Shize noticed her movement and handed her a napkin. “Did you hurt yourself?”
Yun Li shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”
It had just pricked her, not breaking the skin.
Fu Shize took her mantis shrimp. Still talking to Xu Qingsong, he clumsily peeled it for Yun Li, removing the shell piece by piece before placing it on her plate.
“Yousheng organized a competition at universities for VR game development,” Xu Qingsong mentioned casually, unable to hold back a laugh. “Fu Zhengchu said he wanted to participate at first, but then said he had to accompany his girlfriend.”
Fu Shize had heard that Fu Zhengchu was dating, though it wasn’t the first time. He wasn’t particularly interested.
At the moment, his attention was focused on the mantis shrimp in his hands as he pondered how to remove the shell without getting his hands dirty. Xu Qingsong watched curiously. “Is it hard to peel?”
“It’s fine,” Fu Shize replied absent-mindedly, successfully peeling another one and placing it in Yun Li’s bowl.
“I can do it myself…” Yun Li protested.
With someone else present, Yun Li didn’t want to appear helpless. Fu Shize just made a noncommittal sound and asked Xu Qingsong about his company while unhurriedly picking up another mantis shrimp.
Yun Li’s bowl now contained several neatly peeled shrimp.
Xu Qingsong looked at his fingers, the skin visibly soft and delicate. Fu Shize frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Xu Qingsong wasn’t embarrassed at all and deliberately said, “I pricked my finger.”
“…”
Yun Li couldn’t help but laugh, quickly taking a sip of water to cover her amusement. Fu Shize glanced at her, then directly took a shrimp from the plate and tossed it into Xu Qingsong’s bowl. “Do it yourself.”
Xu Qingsong let out a slow “Ah” and lowered his head, smiling as he peeled the shrimp.
It was past 1 AM when they finished eating. The couple saw Xu Qingsong off to his car. He nodded to Fu Shize first, then looked at Yun Li briefly before averting his gaze.
The blue sports car became a dot in the distance.
Fu Shize put Yun Li’s hand in his pocket. She leaned against him as the streetlights stretched their shadows.
Recalling the harmonious interaction at dinner, Yun Li couldn’t help but say, “This time, it felt like President Xu treated me like a friend.”
Before, he had always been polite but somewhat distant with her.
Fu Shize made a soft sound of agreement. “Mm.”
Gradually, their respective friends would become each other’s friends. Their social circles would overlap more and more, becoming increasingly synchronized, making them even more inseparable.
After they entered the residential area, Fu Shize stopped and asked her, “Does it hurt where you pricked yourself?”
Yun Li realized he was referring to her finger that had been pricked by the shrimp shell. She held out her thumb and rubbed it. “It does hurt a little.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Fu Shize took her hand and put her finger to his lips, sucking on it gently. His dark eyes looked down at her. Yun Li’s heart raced. The soft sensation on her fingertip made the area tingle.
His gaze remained fixed on her until he gently released her finger. In the lamplight, Yun Li noticed that the fingers on both his hands had been scratched by the shrimp shells. She took his hands, feeling a pang of distress.
Fu Shize, however, maintained an aloof expression as he watched her.
As if waiting for something.