Chapter Sixty-Five: Do You Love Me?

Shen Huaiqing gazed at Fu Chen. His dark eyes were as deep as a cold pool, as if a faint mist lingered within them, concealing something beneath their surface.

“It’s nothing, go ahead,” she said. But as she spoke, it felt as though a wad of cotton had been stuffed into her chest, making it impossible to breathe. Her heart pounded so loudly she feared that, with one more word, it might leap straight out of her throat.

“You have to wait for me at home, all right?” Fu Chen’s warm, magnetic voice carried a lingering reluctance with every word, as if he could not bear to part.

In this moment, Shen Huaiqing wanted to blame his tenderness on ulterior motives, that Fu Chen only sought to win her over. But she could no longer convince her anxious heart of that. She wanted to believe that Fu Chen’s feelings for her were genuine, not merely for the sake of advantage.

Rising on tiptoe, she pressed a swift kiss to his cheek, her tone proud as she declared, “You’d better come back soon. I won’t wait too long.”

Fu Chen fondly ruffled her hair. “I’ll do my best,” he replied, his eyes betraying an unspoken longing.

Their gazes met, and the sadness in his eyes pierced her deeply. Not wanting to shed tears so easily, she hurriedly changed the subject.

“Let me help you pack,” she said, darting upstairs.

Fu Chen watched her flee in haste, his eyes unfathomably deep, shimmering with heartbreak. Lifting his gaze, a silent sorrow lay hidden in those dark pupils, secrets untold.

He didn’t follow her upstairs, but instead sought out Aunt Feng.

He spoke to Aunt Feng in a low voice. She gasped, shock plain on her face as she choked out, “Young Master! Why must it be this way…”

Fu Chen lowered his eyes, his gaze growing dim. “Aunt Feng, this is the best way I could think of.”

She looked at him and sighed deeply. “I understand, Young Master. When the time comes, I’ll do as you ask.” With that, Fu Chen retrieved something from his pocket and handed it to her.

Upstairs, Shen Huaiqing placed the suitcase on the floor, checking the weather in France on her phone. She opened the wardrobe and carefully inspected each article of clothing, only to realize that most of Fu Chen’s clothes were suits.

After much searching, she finally found a few coats and trench coats. She wanted Fu Chen to try them on, but he hadn’t come up yet.

As she walked to the top of the stairs, she finally saw him.

“You’re so slow. I wanted you to try on some clothes,” she teased.

“I had to give Aunt Feng some instructions before leaving. That’s why I was delayed,” Fu Chen replied, a faint smile on his lips.

“Well, that’s true. If your mother comes again, I really won’t be able to handle her alone,” Shen Huaiqing said, crouching by the suitcase with a playful grin.

Fu Chen stepped forward, patting her shoulder. “I’ll pack myself. You should rest.”

“I don’t have work, and business trips are tiring enough. Let me do it,” she insisted.

She packed with meticulous care, sorting clothes, toiletries, and medicine neatly. Each garment was held up against Fu Chen to check the fit before she placed it in the suitcase.

The soft orange glow of the lamp bathed the room in warmth, casting a gentle light over Shen Huaiqing and giving her an ethereal radiance. Now and then, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear; her fair skin glimmered like jade, her long, arched brows delicate, and her eyes clear as spring water. Her lips gleamed temptingly red.

As she finished packing, Fu Chen, sitting at the edge of the bed, pulled her to him.

He sat while she stood, his arms circling her waist, his face pressed against her abdomen.

“If only we really had a child,” he murmured, lost in thought.

Her waist was held so tightly she could hardly move. She caressed the back of his head softly. “I’ve thought about it, too.”

After a long silence, she asked the question again.

“Fu Chen, do you love me?”

Her eyes, bright and sparkling, brimmed with hope. This time, she truly wished to hear his answer.

“I do.” His arms tightened, as though he would never let her go.

The instant she heard that word, her heart ached painfully and her breath came in quick, uneven bursts.

Once the heart is stirred, it cannot be called back.

She lifted his head from her waist and bent down, her soft lips pressing against his cool ones, teasing and exploring, drawing him in.

With just a little effort, Fu Chen toppled her onto the bed. Her face was buried in the pillow, her hair fanning out beside her, her body turned languid and pliant from their kiss, leaving Fu Chen parched with longing.

His gaze bewitched her—where once his eyes were deep and clear, now they shimmered with desire, mesmerizing and seductive.

Gradually, only their breaths filled the room, rising and falling in tandem. The gray bed sheets twisted and tangled, the atmosphere growing thick with intimacy, heating the air around them until it felt impossible to breathe.

———

“Well, look at that—going on a business trip and your wife is here to see you off. I never had such good fortune,” Lin Yu said sourly, standing by the car and watching Fu Chen and Shen Huaiqing.

Shen Huaiqing had little fondness for Lin Yu and didn’t hold back. “With the women you’ve been involved with, all threatening to end their lives, who would dare get close to you?”

Lin Yu’s face darkened. “Fu Chen, why does your wife have such hostility toward me? If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t be here. I was the one who saved her from you, remember? She would have died otherwise.”

“If you can’t speak properly, then keep quiet,” Fu Chen said coldly, his eyes frosty.

Shen Huaiqing no longer cared about that incident. At the time, she’d wanted to provoke Fu Chen, never expecting him to react so ruthlessly. But now, she believed he wouldn’t do such a thing again.

Seeing he’d gained nothing, Lin Yu closed his mouth and got into the passenger seat.

Fu Chen and Shen Huaiqing sat in the back. At times like these, they found themselves at a loss for words.

As the airport drew near, Fu Chen took her hand, affection flooding his gaze. “If anything happens, call me.”

She squeezed his hand in return, her eyes curving with a gentle smile. “I know. You take care, and make sure to eat properly.”

Lin Yu had already gotten out, helplessly watching the two of them whispering in the car. He knocked on the window. “Can we go now? It’s not like you’re never coming back. Must you act as though you’re parting forever?”

Shen Huaiqing was about to get out with Fu Chen, but he closed the door on her without mercy. “Don’t get out—it’s windy. Go home.”

Before she could protest, Uncle Liu, the driver, stepped on the gas and the car sped off from the airport.

Through the window, Shen Huaiqing saw Fu Chen cast her a meaningful look before turning away. She watched his retreating back, as if branding him with her gaze, unwilling to look away until he vanished from sight.