Chapter 17: What Was Owed Last Night, Made Up for Today

That night, the moment Fu Yancheng returned to the villa, he could no longer suppress his longing.

He strode forward, his long arms outstretched, and without giving her any chance to resist, swept Qiao Xi into his embrace, holding her tightly.

“Xi Xi…”

His lips descended upon hers, carrying the desire he had held back for so long—a kiss both deep and urgent.

Only after a long while did Fu Yancheng finally, still unsatisfied, let her go. He pressed his forehead to hers, their heated breaths mingling in the air.

“These past few days… did you miss me?”

Qiao Xi’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes evasive as she gave a soft, almost inaudible reply.

Fu Yancheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice hoarse. “Are you… all right now?”

His gaze fell meaningfully to her lower abdomen.

Qiao Xi instantly understood what he was asking. Her cheeks turned scarlet, and she nodded shyly.

Fu Yancheng said no more. He swept her up in his arms and strode toward the master bedroom.

“Ah!” Qiao Xi cried out in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

He laid her gently on the soft bed, leaned down, and pressed another heavy kiss on her lips, his voice urgent, “Go take a shower.”

With that, he turned and headed for the walk-in closet, clearly intending to wash up himself.

Watching his retreating figure disappear at the door, Qiao Xi’s heart pounded so wildly she thought it might leap from her chest.

She knew exactly what was about to happen.

Last time, things had been interrupted by accident. But now…

Qiao Xi took a deep breath and walked into the bathroom.

After showering, she stood before the dressing mirror, wrapped in a bath towel, conflicted.

What to wear?

She opened the wardrobe—the hangers were filled with all kinds of nightwear that Fu Yancheng had prepared for her.

An internal struggle raged.

At last, she bit her lip, as if making a final decision, and reached for a pink silk slip.

She had just put it on and hadn’t yet fastened the straps.

Click.

The bathroom door opened.

Fu Yancheng stood there, wrapped only in a towel around his waist, his well-built torso still glistening with droplets of water, radiating an intense masculine aura.

His gaze instantly locked onto Qiao Xi standing in front of the mirror.

The slip clung to her exquisite curves, and in the hazy mist, she looked breathtakingly beautiful, exuding a fatal allure.

Fu Yancheng’s breath caught sharply.

His Adam’s apple moved convulsively, his jawline tense.

Under his gaze, Qiao Xi’s entire body grew hot, her heart pounding like a drum.

She instinctively took a step back. “You… you go out first…”

But Fu Yancheng stepped in close, his tall frame engulfing her completely.

“Dressed like this…” His voice was so hoarse it was barely recognizable. “Are you inviting me, Mrs. Fu?”

Qiao Xi was so embarrassed she could hardly stand it.

He bent his head, about to claim her sweetness, when—

A sharp knock resounded from outside the bedroom door, cold water dousing the heat of the room.

Fu Yancheng froze, the fire in his eyes instantly replaced by fury.

“Who is it?!”

The anger and frustration of being interrupted was undisguised in his voice.

From outside came Zhou Ze’s apologetic, lowered tone, “Mr. Fu, sorry to disturb you… There’s an emergency at the European branch. They need your immediate decision.”

Fu Yancheng took a deep breath, forcing down the heat burning through him and his overwhelming rage.

He looked down at the dazed, flushed Qiao Xi in his arms, a flash of helplessness and apology in his eyes.

“Wait for me.”

He pressed a hard kiss to her parted lips, equal parts punishment and comfort.

“I’ll be back soon.”

With that, he straightened abruptly, pulling on the robe hanging beside him with a rough motion, tying the belt tightly around his waist, and strode to the door.

In an instant, Qiao Xi was left alone in the room.

Her heart was still racing, mortification flooding over her, her mind in chaos.

Lying on the bed, her eyelids grew heavy, and soon she drifted off into a confused sleep.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before Fu Yancheng finally returned from his meeting.

He rubbed his aching temples and quickly walked back to the master bedroom.

Opening the door, he saw Qiao Xi fast asleep. He lightened his footsteps and went to her side.

“You little fool.”

He smiled helplessly, murmuring softly, “Fell asleep just like that…”

He pulled up the covers, tucking her in with care.

“Next time…” Fu Yancheng whispered, “I won’t let you off.”

He slipped under the quilt, and through the blanket, gently drew the sleeping Qiao Xi into his arms.

Resting his chin on her hair, breathing in her faint fragrance, he closed his eyes.

—

In the morning, Qiao Xi woke to find herself tightly held in Fu Yancheng’s embrace.

The moment she stirred, his low laugh sounded above her. “Awake?”

He lowered his head, a teasing look in his eyes. “Mrs. Fu fell asleep so quickly last night. You must be exhausted from work. Should I give you a few days off?”

His gaze lingered meaningfully on the seductive nightgown she still wore.

At once, Qiao Xi recalled last night’s embarrassment and interrupted intimacy, her cheeks flushing bright red.

“Feeling shy?” Fu Yancheng chuckled. “What you owe me from last night… you’ll make up for it double tonight.”

Her heart pounded wildly from his teasing, and she dared not look at him.

Fu Yancheng relented, releasing her and getting out of bed first.

“Come on, get up.” His tone was more proper, but his eyes still danced with laughter. “After breakfast, I’ll take you to the office.”

—

The car stopped in front of the Fu Corporation building.

Qiao Xi unfastened her seatbelt, ready to get out.

“Wait,” Fu Yancheng called her.

She turned, puzzled.

He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.

“Go on, Mrs. Fu,” he said softly. “See you tonight.”

Qiao Xi’s face reddened even more. She pushed open the door and almost fled into the building.

Not far away, Li Yan, who had just arrived as well, witnessed the entire scene.

Her face froze, her expression shifting from shock to disbelief.

President Fu actually brought Qiao Xi to work himself?

What made her so special?!

Watching Qiao Xi’s obviously guilty demeanor, then glancing at the black Maybach, jealousy flared even hotter in her eyes.

—

The next day.

Qin Yiran officially joined the Fu Corporation’s R&D Center.

Dressed in Chanel, her makeup flawless, her aura cold and alluring, she immediately drew all eyes.

Lin Moran sidled up to Qiao Xi, lowering her voice.

“Tsk tsk, Qiao, is that the new Dr. Qin? No wonder President Fu personally invited her. So… feeling a little threatened?”

She grinned mischievously.

Qiao Xi’s gaze flickered toward Qin Yiran, recalling Fu Yancheng’s special appreciation for her…

A pang of sourness rose in her heart.

She lowered her lashes, hiding her complicated emotions.

“She really is impressive.”

“Pfft!” Lin Moran rolled her eyes. “Impressive, sure, but the way President Fu looks at her is totally different from how he looks at you! That’s the look for talent. When he looks at you, it’s like… a hungry wolf eyeing a little lamb!”

She teased Qiao Xi on purpose.

Not long after, Fu Yancheng summoned both Qin Yiran and Qiao Xi to his office.

“Engineer Qiao, let me formally introduce you,” he said, without concealing his appreciation. “This is Dr. Qin Yiran, the world-renowned cosmetics engineering expert—‘Dr. Q’.”

At those words, Qiao Xi jerked her head up, staring at Qin Yiran in disbelief.

How could this be?!

Dr. Q was supposed to be…