Chapter Seventeen

The moment Fu Chen leaned in, Shen Huaiqing’s long, thick lashes trembled like the wings of a startled butterfly, fluttering anxiously and uneasily.

She spoke bluntly, “How much are you willing to offer me?”

Fu Chen’s fingers twined languidly through her dark hair, a short laugh escaping him. “How much do you think you’re worth?”

Steadying herself, Shen Huaiqing lifted her eyes, her expression cold and indifferent as she gazed ahead. Her voice was cool and composed. “I want half—five percent of the shares.”

Fu Chen gripped the back of her head, turning her to face him. His eyes were as black as ink, piercing straight through her. “You certainly have a high opinion of yourself.”

He continued, “Ten million will be transferred to your private account.”

Shen Huaiqing let out a cold laugh. “Heh, do your parents even know about this, Fu Chen?”

Fu Chen’s gaze darkened, bottomless. “So, you’re threatening me? But how can you be sure they won’t side with me? Do you think they’ll support you? I’m doing this for the benefit of the group.”

What exactly has this woman figured out? Fu Chen was full of doubt—he needed to confirm his suspicions.

Shen Huaiqing lowered her eyes, toying with her fingers as she spoke airily, “Do you think I can’t see it? Right now, you’re nothing but half a puppet. The Fu family’s power is in your father’s hands. This share will likely change hands several times before finally ending up in your own pocket.”

Fu Chen’s pupils contracted, a shadow falling across his eyes. “Good. Very good. Since you want half the shares, then you’re responsible for convincing your parents.”

“That actually saves me a lot of trouble. I should thank you.”

Fu Chen stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked upstairs, completely unconcerned.

Shen Huaiqing’s hand, hanging naturally by her side, clenched tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh.

It was only then she realized—Fu Chen had been leading her step by step. From the very beginning, his goal was never the ten million; he simply wanted her to persuade the Shen family. Now, she truly wanted to go to the Fu family and expose this damned man, but reason told her she couldn’t. If Fu Chen were exposed, it would do her no good—she’d lose her support within the Shen family and would be left with nothing but dependence on this two-faced man.

In the study.

Fu Chen sat with one leg crossed over the other, unable to hide the smugness on his face. “Lin Yu, it’s settled on my end. It’s up to you now.”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. “That fast? Was the woman really so easy to reel in? Are you sure she’s not playing you?”

“I promised her half.”

“You’re insane. Ten percent wasn’t much to begin with, and you’re giving her half? What’s the point?” The voice on the other end erupted in exasperation.

Fu Chen idly fiddled with the ornaments on his desk, his tone careless. “But what if she falls in love with me? Then whose shares are they? She’s just holding them for a few days—what’s there to fear?”

A burst of raucous laughter came through the phone. “Fu Chen, you really are shameless. Only you could come up with a ploy like this.” Lin Yu’s laughter was so uncontrollable that passersby stared at the man doubled over in the luxury sports car by the roadside.

So handsome, yet clearly a madman.

“I’ll warn you one last time. Until things settle here, don’t let Yiqing come looking for me, and don’t approach Shen Huaiqing. Keep an eye on her.”

Suddenly, the computer screen lit up. In the surveillance feed, Shen Huaiqing was on the balcony, smoking for the second time in recent days.

“That’s enough—I have business to attend to. Goodbye.” Without waiting for Lin Yu to reply, he hung up.

Lin Yu choked back the words he’d been about to say, turned off his phone’s speaker, and looked at the woman in the passenger seat. “You see? There’s nothing to worry about. Fu Chen is only doing this for work.”

Neon lights from the street cast a jade-like glow on Lin Yiqing’s fair skin, her eyes clear and deep as if reflecting the water.

“I understand. I’ll try my best to restrain myself.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she pressed on, “But what if things become real? What if he does fall for Shen Huaiqing?”

“I was out of town on the day of their wedding, so I’ve never actually met Shen Huaiqing. I can’t judge from a photo alone,” Lin Yu admitted honestly; he didn’t want to deceive her.

Tears choked Lin Yiqing’s voice. “I’ve seen them together. They look perfect for each other. That’s what scares me.”

Lin Yu’s heart ached for the girl beside him. Couldn’t she ever turn back and look at him? He had everything Fu Chen had—power, wealth, and more besides…

Meanwhile, Fu Chen’s eyes were fixed intently on the surveillance feed, watching Shen Huaiqing.

Lost in thought, Shen Huaiqing forgot the cigarette between her fingers. The ember burned down, singeing her skin and raising a tiny blister. She hurriedly dropped the cigarette to the floor.

Shen Huaiqing stood on the balcony, gazing down at a corner of the city. The villa community was built on a small hill in the southern part of the city, offering a perfect vantage point over the nightscape. Scattered lights blurred through the buildings, carrying a touch of loneliness. Only the lingering echoes of passing cars on the bridge and the distant chirping of insects in the bushes broke the tranquil emptiness.

A different kind of chirping in the corner caught Shen Huaiqing’s attention. She followed the sound and saw a small bird, its leg seemingly injured.

It struggled to flutter its wings, trying to fly, but after several failed attempts, it finally gave up. All it could do was call out helplessly, hoping someone would come to its rescue.

In that moment, Shen Huaiqing saw herself in the little bird—so helpless, so afraid. The bird could at least choose to seek help from humans, gambling its fragile life on the hope of a kind soul’s rescue. But she had no choice, no way out.

Fairy tales always have a knight to save the suffering princess, to accompany her through all trials and tribulations, and in the end, she finds the prince who will cherish her for a lifetime.

But reality is no fairy tale, and Shen Huaiqing was no princess.

She hurried inside to fetch the first aid kit, then gently scooped the bird from the ground and set it on the table.

The little bird was docile now, quiet and still, as if it could sense its savior had arrived.

Examining its leg, Shen Huaiqing found a bloodstain. Fortunately, the wound wasn’t deep. Carefully, she dabbed at it with an iodine-soaked cotton swab, and heard the faintest whimper from the bird. She quickly tore some gauze and wrapped it gently around the wound.

Stroking the bird’s head softly, Shen Huaiqing murmured, “There, you’ll be better in a few days. Tomorrow I’ll ask Aunt Feng to feed you. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

The bird seemed to understand, chirping energetically, its voice much stronger than before—as if the bandage had revived its spirits a little.

Watching the little creature, a graceful smile curved Shen Huaiqing’s lips. Her eyes, luminous as starlight in the darkness, shimmered with tenderness and charm.

Fu Chen watched the entire scene, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

Even he did not realize it himself.