Shen Jianian raised her eyes, her hands stopping in their tracks, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her expression couldn't hide her astonishment: "It's you?"
The man she had met in the elevator.
At this moment, he had taken off his expensive tailored suit and was wearing a smoky gray V-neck sweater, the material gentle against the skin, outlining his thin scapulas. The slightly open neckline revealed faint glimpses of two clavicles, and the relaxed black trousers wrapped around his straight, slender legs.
His face was as handsome and aloof as when they first met, like a deity descending to the mortal world.
Shen Jianian's heart raced. In the elevator, her attitude towards his apology wasn't friendly, which now, in retrospect, filled her with a slight regret.
Fu Jichen watched her changing expressions with great interest, guessing she must be brewing a heartfelt thank you. After all, he was the one who saved her from the abyss.
Sure enough, Shen Jianian propped herself up on the bed with her palms and sat up straight, solemnly thanking him: "Thank you for saving me."
Fu Jichen seemed dissatisfied: "That's it?"
The raised tone carried a hint of mockery, pulling Shen Jianian back to that scene in the elevator, where he too, looked down at her with the posture of a superior towards an inferior, and said to her: This lady, is this your attitude when apologizing?
The scenario played out once more, but Shen Jianian didn't feel a shred of resentment. She lifted the quilt and got out of bed, bowing to him with the utmost sincerity, saying: "I truly thank you for your help, and if there's an opportunity, I am willing to repay your life-saving grace in any way."
Her attitude was fairly sincere.
Fu Jichen leaned lazily on the sofa, his fingers tapping idly on the armrest, carefully savoring her words, then picking out the key point: "Any way?"
Shen Jianian responded softly: "Yes, any way."
She quietly awaited this person to make a request, seconds passed, but nothing followed.
Fu Jichen changed the topic: "I still don't know your name."
"Shen Jianian." Shen Jianian answered the question with an extremely gentle and polite tone, articulating clearly, "Shen as in 'award,' Jianian as in 'miss.'
She didn't ask for his name, clearly judging him to be a person of high status, and such people generally didn't like others to casually mention their names.
Shen Jianian stood in front of him, two steps away, despite her efforts to conceal it, the slight pinching of her clothes betrayed the true emotions in her heart—unease and anxiety.
She was wearing his clothes, her legs bare, and was in his house, all of which made her feel uncomfortable, and she lacked confidence when speaking to him.
The pure black shirt highlighted her snow-white porcelain-like skin, the strong contrast between black and white being striking to the eye. The hem of the shirt barely covered her thighs, and as she bent and rose, the movement of her chest was fleeting, stirring one's nerves.
This not-so-old woman, every movement, every glance, carried an unconscious allure.
In the silence, Shen Jianian's anxiety slowly climbed to a peak.
Perhaps heaven heard her internal plea and sent someone to rescue her.
"Sir, Mr. Lu is here."
The maid knocked lightly on the door before entering to report.
Fu Jichen did not intend to stay long in the guest bedroom and immediately stood up, offering Shen Jianian a polite farewell: "Rest well."
"Sir..." Shen Jianian hastily spoke, her words not fully formed.
Fu Jichen stopped, his gaze returning to her, patiently waiting for her to finish.
Shen Jianian gathered her thoughts, and when she spoke again, her voice had returned to its former calm and gentle tone, with less awkwardness: "I am already fine, so I won't bother further here."
Fu Jichen's brows furrowed slightly, seemingly puzzled by her rush to leave. The commotion that night was not small, and those looking for her were not good folks. Could she not imagine the consequences once she left his territory?
"Have you thought it through?" Fu Jichen asked.
"Thank you for your hospitality these past few days." Shen Jianian lowered her gaze, keeping her back straight, not changing her mind.
She was already clear-headed, and her body was not seriously ill anymore, so staying at someone else's house was truly inappropriate.
Fu Jichen's voice was cold: "Suit yourself."
With those two words, he no longer looked at her and descended the stairs with one hand in his pocket.
*
Zhou Rongzhen entered the guest bedroom carrying several paper bags, placing them at the foot of the bed, and addressed Shen Jianian with a respectful and friendly attitude: "These are clothes the mister ordered someone to urgently buy. We don't know if they fit you, please try them on first; if they don't fit, I'll think of another way."
"I'm sorry for the trouble."
Shen Jianian said she wanted to leave, but with her unpresentable attire, she couldn't step out, so she had to trouble that mister for an outfit to wear outside.
She would find a way to repay him in the future.
Shen Jianian sighed softly, picked up the clothes, and went to the bathroom to change. The set was complete from inside out, even with a thick cashmere scarf.
It's uncertain whether the consideration was from that mister or if the maids were thorough with their tasks.
When Shen Jianian emerged dressed, Zhou Rongzhen was organizing the bedding. Taking a casual glance, she was truly amazed.
The young lady, in her prime, had a slender figure, wearing a pure white thick-knitted sweater, with an oat-colored coat that was a bit loose but stylish, giving off a lazy and casual vibe. A black-and-white checkered scarf framed her small face, with loose dark hair and bright eyes.
Only that face was too pale, the lack of blood from a recent illness hadn't yet recovered.
Zhou Rongzhen couldn't help but feel a sense of pity and tried to persuade her: "Would you like to stay a few more days? Your body hasn't fully recovered, and with the weather cooling down, stepping out into the cold wind might cause a relapse."
"No." Shen Jianian shook her head, politely declining, "I've already troubled you for several days."
Descending the stairs through the living room, she met Fu Jichen and Lu Yanzhi who were in conversation. As he looked up, their eyes met.
In the midst of talking, Fu Jichen suddenly grew quiet. Lu Yanzhi found it odd and followed his line of sight to see Shen Jianian, raising an eyebrow in surprise: "Oh, she's still here with you."
Shen Jianian walked step by step to the sofa where they were, gave a brief farewell, and turned to leave.
Fu Jichen said nothing throughout, coldly watching her leave until her figure disappeared behind the closed door.
With her fragile body, not to mention elsewhere, she'd collapse before reaching the door. Fu Jichen called Qu Mo to drive Shen Jianian wherever she wished to go.
Lu Yanzhi listened to his calm instructions and was secretly surprised.
Qu Mo was Fu Jichen's exclusive driver, specially trained with exceptional skills, a match for many. He's both a driver and a personal bodyguard.
Lu Yanzhi scratched his chin, the newly sprouted stubble pricking his palm, and smiled with a hint of mischief: "It's rare to see someone not giving face to 'Grand Fu.' When leaving, she didn't even look back, and you're still so concerned about her."
From their first meeting in the elevator, the girl's attitude towards Fu Jichen was already evident.
Fu Jichen picked up the freshly brewed tea, the liquid clear with rising steam. He blew at a small floating tea leaf and said unhurriedly: "She'll be back."
Lu Yanzhi perked up: "Care to bet?"
Normally, Fu Jichen was too lazy to entertain such things, but perhaps he was bored, and agreed: "If I win, you will unconditionally handle my affairs for a month."
His eyes were certain, leaving Lu Yanzhi unsure, but after some thought, Fu Da was a master of playing with people's minds. Maybe he was deliberately feigning victory to make him retreat.
Lu Yanzhi: "And if you lose?"
"Impossible."
Fu Jichen calmly called Qu Mo in front of Lu Yanzhi, giving him some instructions.
Lu Yanzhi said: "No tricks from the shadows."
"You heard everything I said, this can't be considered a trick." Fu Jichen took a sip of tea, using a provoking tactic, "Perhaps you're the one who can't afford to lose."
"Who's afraid of losing? A bet is a bet." Lu Yanzhi finalized, "If you lose, you'll cover it with the shares in your hand. I'm a man who loves money, I'm not interested in anything else."