Chapter Nineteen

Shen Huaiqing’s heart gave a startled jolt, and she turned her head with remarkable speed.

Across from her stood Fu Chen, clad in a deep blue suit. His face was sharply defined, coldly handsome, with jet-black eyes as profound as a bottomless pool. Not a hint of a smile touched his features; his thin lips were pressed into a line as he gazed at Shen Huaiqing with icy indifference.

He stood there like a solitary sculpture hewn from ice, radiating a chill that pierced to the bone.

For a moment, Shen Huaiqing was frozen, unable to react. It was as if her feet were weighted by a thousand tons.

Fu Chen frowned at her dazed expression and strode toward her in long, purposeful steps.

In truth, Fu Chen had only passed by by chance. When he first saw Mu Jinghuai speaking with Shen Huaiqing, he told his driver to stop. He watched as Mu Jinghuai drew closer, placing a finger gently against her red lips.

Fu Chen decisively opened the car door and got out. In that instant, countless images flashed through his mind—he pictured them kissing, imagined the sensation.

Was it possessiveness? Jealousy? Anger? Whatever it was, Fu Chen was furious—furious beyond measure.

His approach drew the attention of onlookers, sparking whispers and speculation among the crowd. Most people recognized Fu Chen; after all, he was a regular guest on financial magazines and a favorite target for paparazzi.

The voices of a few young women drifted to Shen Huaiqing’s ears.

“Hey, who do you think is more attractive between them?”

“If you ask me, Fu Chen wins hands down—rich, powerful, and handsome. I don’t know what kind of luck Shen Huaiqing has. She’s got Fu Chen and still isn’t satisfied, flirting with that pretty boy.”

Were it not for the crowd, Shen Huaiqing would have gladly torn into those girls and shut their mouths.

Fu Chen walked over and immediately wrapped an arm around her waist. He lowered his gaze to the woman in his embrace, a softness flickering in his eyes. He smiled faintly and said, “Why didn’t you let the driver pick you up? I thought something had happened to you, so I came to look for you near your company.”

Shen Huaiqing subtly shifted forward, trying to avoid his touch, then replied pleasantly, “I was planning to go shopping, but I bumped into one of the company’s models and chatted for a bit.”

Mu Jinghuai watched the scene unfold before him, steadied himself, and offered a polite smile: “Hello, Mr. Fu, I’m Mu Jinghuai, a signed model with the magazine.”

Fu Chen paid no mind to Mu Jinghuai’s words; all he sensed was Shen Huaiqing’s attempt to evade him. His expression stiffened, and he tightened his grip around her waist.

“Are you still planning to shop? If you do, I’ll go with you. If not, let’s head home.” Fu Chen’s gaze toward her was especially gentle, completely ignoring Mu Jinghuai’s comment.

Shen Huaiqing hadn’t expected Fu Chen to squeeze so forcefully; her waist stung from his grasp.

“I won’t go shopping. Let’s head home,” she said, flashing an apologetic smile to Mu Jinghuai.

Mu Jinghuai didn’t mind in the least. Instead, he watched her leave with a brighter smile.

Back in the car, Fu Chen’s demeanor shifted instantly. He glared coldly at Shen Huaiqing, a trace of anger in his eyes.

Shen Huaiqing could tell he was upset, but she felt like teasing him for once. He was always scheming against her—he deserved a taste of discomfort.

So she feigned ignorance, turning her face to gaze out the window.

Fu Chen spoke to the driver through the rearview mirror: “Raise the partition.”

The moment the divider closed, Fu Chen pinched Shen Huaiqing’s cheek. Her lips, pressed by his fingers, formed a pout—charmingly adorable and a little ridiculous.

“Fu Chen, what’s wrong with you? First you squeezed my waist, now you’re pinching my face! It hurts!” she grumbled, her tone full of complaint.

Fu Chen’s brows knitted out of habit, and his voice went cold: “Being so intimate with another man in public—do you think that’s appropriate? Do you want tomorrow’s headlines to be about Fu Chen getting cuckolded?”

Shen Huaiqing lifted her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly. Then she rolled her eyes at him and smiled sweetly. “Are you really worried about the media? Or…”

“Or are you jealous?”

Her words made Fu Chen release her face as if shocked by an electric current. He straightened up, sitting against the car door, keeping his distance and saying nothing.

Shen Huaiqing’s interest was piqued. She leaned on the car door, encircling Fu Chen, tilting her head to study him. “What’s this? I never got jealous over you and Lin Yiqing, yet you’re angry at me for no reason.”

“Mr. Fu, could it be you’ve fallen for me?”

Her alluring eyes sparkled with starlight, locking onto Fu Chen’s serious gaze, and her red lips curved into a beautiful smile.

Fu Chen met her seductive gaze, swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he suppressed the surge of desire within him.

Shen Huaiqing keenly detected the overwhelming possessiveness in his eyes. Without thinking, she tilted her head and brushed her lips against his.

Fu Chen seized the opportunity, locking his hand around her waist and flipping her beneath him. One hand gripped her cheek, and he gently captured her lips, kissing her deeply and tenderly, tempting her into surrender.

In that shameless position, Shen Huaiqing could only cling to Fu Chen’s shoulders, breathless from his kisses. Just as she was about to suffocate, he finally released her, leaving both their breaths ragged.

Fu Chen propped his head with one hand, and with the other, stroked her face gently. His eyes were dark and deep as he whispered hoarsely, “You really are a little fox spirit.”

Shen Huaiqing was limp and weak, her face flushed, tingling from his touch. She mumbled, “So, has this thousand-year fox bewitched you?”

Fu Chen arched his brows with a teasing smile, “What do you think?”

A trace of anger colored Shen Huaiqing’s face. She raised her fist and struck his firm chest. “Shameless! You kissed me and still ask!”

Fu Chen caught her flailing hand, opened her fist, and interlaced his fingers with hers.

He held her hand tightly, gazing at her with an unusually gentle expression. His magnetic voice sounded softly in her ear: “You are my only wife. Now and forever. Don’t let your thoughts run wild, alright?”

Shen Huaiqing lowered her eyes to their intertwined hands, feeling as if it were all a dream.

She knew well what kind of man Fu Chen was. Everything he said now was just sweet words, like honey laced with poison.

When she had outlived her usefulness, Fu Chen would cast her aside without a second thought—she knew this, she knew it all.

But in this moment, she didn’t want to think about any of that. She just wanted to savor this brief moment, to bask in the warmth and peace that belonged to her.

Slowly, Shen Huaiqing closed her eyes, and a single warm tear slipped down her cheek, falling onto Fu Chen’s hand.

His heart was flooded with mixed emotions. The girl before him was like a wounded little rabbit, utterly stripped of her earlier slyness, stirring his deepest pity.

Without thinking, he gathered her into his arms, holding her close. He whispered into her ear, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll always be by your side.”