Chapter Thirty-Two: A Sister Must Not Act Recklessly

At dusk, the sky was awash with clouds tinged by the setting sun. Everyone paused their work to admire the view outside the window, some pulling out their phones to snap photos, others chattering away about their plans after work, sweeping away the gloom that had lingered through the day.

“Susu, aren’t you coming with us? There’s a new bubble tea shop downstairs, and they have so many adorable kittens. I saw lots of people checking in there.”

“That’s right! President Pei always leaves by herself, doesn’t she? Doesn’t anyone else go her way? I find walking that far alone so boring.”

“Oh, please, you’re you. Sis Susu goes home every day with work files, so busy she doesn’t even play games. Those handsome guys I send her on short videos? She takes ages to watch them.”

“You all go ahead. I need to review the contract one more time, I’ll leave a bit later,” Pei Susu replied with a gentle smile as she said goodbye, then lowered her head to meticulously check for any errors or omissions in the day’s files and contracts.

The commotion Bai Yuan caused in the studio had left her with much to ponder. Perhaps after becoming general manager and rarely making mistakes, she had grown lax, her guard against others softening, her calculating nature dulled.

There were no cameras in the dressing room, and she could be certain the gown in the paper bag was intact when she brought it to the studio. Where, then, had things gone wrong?

Could Bai Yuan have sabotaged it herself? But wouldn’t that be hurting herself as much as anyone else?

Pei Susu’s mind was crowded with thoughts of the shoot, so much so that when Fu Zhichen came to pick her up and take her home, not a word passed between them the entire way.

“Big sis, did the shoot go smoothly today? Bai Yuan was placed there by the CEO of Radiance Entertainment. She likes to show off her celebrity airs, though she’s been pretty well-behaved working with the Fu Group.”

“Susu, what do you want for dinner? Sweet and sour ribs, or braised fish?”

Fu Zhichen called her twice while driving, but seeing her distracted, he gave up on making conversation. Later, as he finished cooking and saw Pei Susu emerge in her pajamas, his expression grew dark enough to wring water from.

Her skin—neck, arms, and legs—was flushed red, with the telltale signs of burns and broken skin.

Fu Zhichen scooped her up and set her on the sofa in the center of the living room, crouched down, and rested her legs on his knees. His cold eyes carefully examined her pale skin, now swollen and angry.

“Pei Susu, how did you end up like this? Your skin is all sunburned. Was it today’s shoot? Bai Yuan showed up late, didn’t she?”

Pei Susu had just thought of a way to solve the missing gown issue. She quickly pulled out her phone and messaged another fashion studio as renowned as JK’s.

She finally felt a bit of relief. Coming back to herself, she glanced at her abraded arm and replied to Fu Zhichen with a hint of dullness, “I guess I stayed on the beach a bit too long and forgot to put on sunscreen. Got a bit too much sun, that’s all.”

Her careless attitude toward her own body made Fu Zhichen grit his teeth in frustration. He shot her a look full of exasperation, his long, strong fingers pressing gently around the spots where blood welled up.

Pei Susu’s breath caught for a second, her teeth digging into her lip from the sting, her clear, bright eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Fu Zhichen, it hurts.”

Her softened voice struck something deep in his heart, crumbling a corner of his stubborn reserve. He let go, carefully lowering her legs, his sharp brows furrowing.

“If it hurts, why didn’t you take care of it sooner? You let the burn fester all day, didn’t even complain when the water hit it in the shower, and now you realize it hurts?”

Pei Susu lifted a foot and pressed it to his chest, her dark eyes cast down as she straightened her back and looked down at him from above.

“There was a problem during the shoot. I got caught up thinking of solutions and pushed it out of my mind.”

She ground the ball of her foot into his firm chest, feigning a pout, “You didn’t even talk to me while driving. You used to share everything that happened at work with me.”

“You were ten minutes late picking me up after work. My feet got tired standing on the street, and now you have the nerve to scold me.”

“I called you twice on the way, but big sis was lost in thought and ignored me.” A note of complaint colored Fu Zhichen’s words, his attention caught by the slender leg pressed against his chest.

Her fair skin, now marked everywhere by angry red burns from the sun, only made his urge to leave his own mark stronger.

“This evening, I was caught up in a meeting with overseas clients and lost track of time. It was my fault. I won’t make you wait again. If you finish work early next time, why not come upstairs to my office?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed, his throat suddenly dry. “Don’t tease me, or the next place we’ll be heading isn’t the hospital, but the bedroom.”

Catching the restraint in Fu Zhichen’s cold eyes, a mischievous glint flashed in Pei Susu’s obsidian gaze. She deliberately grazed the inside of his thigh with her calf.

“No can do, my skin’s still hurt. You can’t get rough, Ah Chen.”

The last thread of reason snapped in Fu Zhichen’s mind. “Big sis, you’re the one teasing me.”

A soft gasp escaped Pei Susu as she was caught off guard by his sudden, fierce advance, but the panic in her eyes was quickly replaced by a look of fierce resolve.

Her arms wound tightly around his neck, fingers digging into his warm skin as if seeking an anchor, as if silently declaring her own counterattack.

Remembering he needed to take her to the hospital soon, Fu Zhichen tried to steady his breath, his chest heaving. Only after a long moment did he reluctantly let her go.

Through the thin silk of his shirt, Pei Susu could see the fine muscles of his chest. She smiled seductively and couldn’t help but run her hands over him twice. “The CEO has a mountain of work every day, and still finds time to work out each week. I’m in awe.”

Fu Zhichen caught her soft hand in his large palm, his deep, magnetic voice tinged with heavy breaths.

Susu, caught up in her mischief, pouted and shook off his hand. She reached for the tie draped over the arm of the sofa, using it to bind his hands behind his back. “I haven’t quite figured out how strong you’ve gotten yet.”

Fu Zhichen was burning with desire but couldn’t bear to push her away, waiting until she’d had her fun before retreating to the bathroom for a long, cold shower.

Listening to the faint sounds from the bathroom, a flicker of guilt crept into Pei Susu’s heart.

It seemed she really had bullied Ah Chen too much.

Towel-drying his hair as he left the bathroom and changed into sportswear, Fu Zhichen scooped up the absent-minded figure on the sofa and carried her to the car.

Settled into the passenger seat, Pei Susu protested helplessly, “It’s just a little sunburn, not like I broke an arm or a leg.”