Chapter Thirty-Six: A One-Sided Affair

A crystal-clear tear rolled from the corner of her eye, leaving a conspicuous trail on her pale cheek. Her eyelashes, moistened with sorrow, seemed to shimmer, yet could not conceal the deep anguish in her eyes. In contrast, Zhou Haoyue’s face was flushed with anxiety, as if she could hardly restrain herself from carrying her straight to the hospital. Around them, cries of surprise erupted from the team.

“Isn’t that President Fu? Why is he here?”

“Wow! The girl beside him is so beautiful—they really look like a couple!”

“Alright, alright, let’s not disturb them. Young couples rarely get to go out together. Let’s not ruin their date.”

Those walking ahead chattered excitedly, apparently having seen something themselves, none noticing the strange silence of Pei Susu who followed behind. Only Zhou Haoyue furrowed her brows, casting a glance at the pair who so obviously appeared to be lovers, then turning to look at Pei Susu, who seemed so lost and forlorn. She sighed inwardly, helpless.

If President Fu were single, she would certainly encourage her friend to pursue him—handsome, wealthy men like him were rare. Nearly every woman at Fu Group harbored some secret hopes. But it was clear he already had a girlfriend. All she could wish for now was that Susu would move on from this quiet infatuation.

Clearly, Zhou Haoyue had misunderstood something.

“I’m fine.” Pei Susu was jolted back to reality by the team’s excited whispers. Not wanting to spoil everyone’s good mood, she forced a smile onto her pale face.

“Let’s wait here a moment. Once they go inside, we’ll follow. No need for awkwardness.”

With that, Pei Susu took out her phone and walked to the side.

[Acheng, when will you come pick me up?]

She tried to sound casual as she sent the message to Fu Zhichen.

Dong, dong, dong—

The special notification sounded, and Fu Zhichen, in the foyer, immediately knew it was a message from Pei Susu. Under the soft lights, his handsome face broke into a dazzling smile. He was about to reply when his ear was suddenly pinched.

“Acheng!” Fu Yanyue grabbed his ear, her cheeks puffed up with anger.

“Even when you’re accompanying your aunt for a meal, you’re distracted. Do I still matter to you?”

“What’s wrong, Auntie?” Fu Zhichen, interrupted, forgot all about replying. His smile faded, replaced with resigned helplessness as he wondered how to placate this little tyrant.

He wasn’t sure if she’d let him go soon—he still hoped to pick his sister up and take her home.

“The dishes are ready!” Seeing him lost in thought again, Fu Yanyue dragged him away by the ear.

He didn’t notice Pei Susu and her group entering after them.

…

Sky Room.

Accompanying Fu Yanyue for dinner, Fu Zhichen’s brows were tightly knit. He felt he’d forgotten something, but couldn’t recall what. Only when he took out his phone to check the time and saw the notification on the screen did he suddenly realize he hadn’t replied to his sister’s message!

[Sister, something came up, so I didn't reply in time. I won’t have much time today. Can you head home by yourself? I’ll finish up soon and come back to keep you company!]

He thought of Fu Yanyue’s plan to go shopping later, and knew she wouldn’t let him leave before dusk.

[Alright, go ahead and work.]

Her reply came quickly, as though she’d been waiting, but the tone lacked its usual cheer.

Fu Zhichen’s brows furrowed as he read—it was clear something was wrong with his sister. Yet the messages he sent after that vanished into silence, with no reply.

“Xiaochen, if I don’t get angry, do you just take me for a fool?” Fu Yanyue, annoyed by his constant distraction, found her meal tasteless. Her round cheeks puffed up, her sweet voice tinged with threat.

“I’m warning you, if this keeps up I’ll tell your brother and sister-in-law!”

Fu Zhichen ground his teeth. Unable to win, he endured.

…

In an ordinary private room on the same floor.

“Are you really alright?” Zhou Haoyue noticed Pei Susu put down her phone, her sadness deepening, worry etched across her face.

“If something’s wrong, just say it. I might not be able to do much, but I majored in psychology at university—emotional counseling is no problem.”

Go on, spill it all, she thought. Better to talk it out, and she could help her navigate the heartache.

“I’m fine.” Pei Susu missed her intent, shook her head, and her pretty face regained its gentle smile, burying all her sorrow deep within.

Family shame should not be aired in public. She didn’t want to dampen everyone’s spirits or share such matters outside.

Yet her mind kept circling back to that message—when he said he had no time, it was only to accompany that unfamiliar woman. And what about her?

The more she thought, the more bitter her smile became, as if she’d swallowed powdered licorice.

Soon, after several rounds of dishes and drinks, the group still hadn’t had enough and suggested heading to a bar.

“You all go ahead.” Pei Susu had no heart for it; even the bright lights of the corridor couldn’t dispel the darkness in her eyes.

“There’s still work at the office. I need to take care of it now.”

“Wow, President Pei, so dedicated! You should take it easy sometimes.”

“Nonsense. With so many people watching her, if SuSu doesn’t work hard, how could she hold onto the General Manager position?”

“Go, SuSu! Don’t work too late—remember to rest!”

Everyone admired Pei Susu’s dedication; with such effort, it was no wonder she was General Manager.

But it wasn’t just hard work—Pei Susu simply wanted something to occupy herself, anything to keep her from thinking about those things.

Little did she know, once she got busy, she worked straight through until the second half of the night.

…

The largest shopping mall in the capital, brightly lit even in the depths of night, thronged with crowds and lively as ever.

After dinner, Fu Yanyue dragged Fu Zhichen here. Though he was no longer distracted, his spirits were still low, and her pouty pink lips could have hung an oil pot.

“You little rascal, are you really so unwilling to keep your aunt company?”

“Look at you—like someone troubled by love. Wait! You haven’t really fallen for someone, have you?”

Recalling how his mood changed after checking his phone during dinner, Fu Yanyue couldn’t help but suspect he’d quarreled with his girlfriend.

“Come on, tell me—which young lady has caught the eye of our Young Master Fu?” Fu Yanyue, feeling like she’d discovered a new continent, stared at him with sparkling eyes, gossip written all over her face.

“Tell me, Auntie can help you out.”

“She…” At the mention of Pei Susu, Fu Zhichen’s mood unconsciously brightened; his cold expression softened, and his brows and eyes were filled with infinite tenderness.

Fu Yanyue hadn’t expected her reticent nephew to become so talkative, speaking so much her ears nearly turned calloused—as if all the beautiful words in the world weren’t enough to describe his little girlfriend.

“Alright, enough!” Fu Yanyue rubbed her ears, her expression pained.

“At this rate, you’ll still be talking next year. Let’s hurry and pick a gift for that little girl from the Mo family, before the mall closes.”

Fu Zhichen reluctantly fell silent, following her into a famous boutique. His gaze immediately fixed upon a pair of couple rings in the display case.

Under the lights, the diamond-studded rings glowed, radiant yet not vulgar, exquisitely beautiful.

“Thinking of buying one for your girlfriend?” Seeing him dazed, Fu Yanyue followed his gaze, her smile playful.

“I’ll pass.” Fu Zhichen quietly looked away—not out of thrift, but because he wanted something so meaningful to be crafted by his own hands.

He imagined the ring he would forge himself, how beautiful it would look on his sister’s hand, and couldn’t help but let a slightly foolish yet handsome smile bloom on his lips.