Chapter 22: Who Exactly Is Your Husband?

The awkwardness in Fu Yancheng’s heart dissipated, leaving only the desire to make her happy.

He took out his wallet, drew a black card, and handed it to her.

“Take it.”

Qiao Xi was startled. “What for?”

“My secondary card.” Fu Yancheng’s tone was calm but commanding. “From now on, buy whatever you like, just swipe.”

Qiao Xi looked at the card, her cheeks growing warm. “I don’t want it…”

“Take it.” Fu Yancheng shoved it directly into her hand. “I’ve enabled the intimate payments for you on WeChat as well. The password is your birthday.”

Qiao Xi clutched the card.

This man’s way of spoiling someone was really straightforward and hit all the right spots…

She took out her phone, intending to check the payment limits. As soon as she opened WeChat, Fu Yancheng’s gaze inadvertently swept across her screen—

Pinned chat: Mr. Fu.

His brows instantly knitted.

Fu Yancheng snatched her phone and pointed to the contact remark, his voice tinged with obvious displeasure. “Mr. Fu?”

His eyes locked onto her. “Qiao Xi, what am I to you?”

Her cheeks flushed at his question, and she glanced away. “Just… just Mr. Fu…”

Fu Yancheng laughed, exasperated.

Without another word, he opened his own phone, unlocked it, went to WeChat, found Qiao Xi’s chat, and showed her—

Pinned chat: Wife.

Qiao Xi stared at those two words, her cheeks blazing.

“When… when did you change it?!”

Her voice rose in pitch.

“The day we got our marriage certificate,” Fu Yancheng replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “And you? Mr. Fu?”

His slender fingers swiftly deleted “Mr. Fu” from Qiao Xi’s phone and quickly entered two characters: Husband.

“Done,” Fu Yancheng said, handing the phone back to her, a triumphant curve at his lips. “Call me that from now on.”

Qiao Xi stared at the glaring words on the screen, mortified enough to want to delete them instantly, but she dared not move under his domineering gaze.

“Fu Yancheng! You…”

She was utterly humiliated and angry.

“Hm?” Fu Yancheng raised an eyebrow, leisurely watching her.

All her protests stuck in her throat. She resigned herself, lowered her head, and muttered softly, “Overbearing!”

Fu Yancheng chuckled, his mood greatly improved.

---

“Qiao Xi… I’m not very good at comforting girls. If I do anything wrong or make you unhappy…”

Fu Yancheng looked at her with utmost seriousness. “Tell me, and I’ll change.”

Qiao Xi was warmed by his sudden honesty and awkward promise, her nose tingling.

She nodded gently. “Mm!”

—

That night.

Fu Yancheng emerged from the shower to find Qiao Xi curled up on one side of the bed, her back turned to him, seemingly asleep.

He lifted the covers and lay down, naturally stretching out his long arm to pull her into his embrace.

Qiao Xi’s body tensed slightly, but she didn’t resist.

His chin rested atop her head, and he was acutely aware of the changes in his own body; his Adam’s apple rolled uncontrollably.

But he only tightened his arm around her waist, holding her closer.

His voice was deep and husky, laced with restrained desire. “Go to sleep.”

“Tonight… I won’t touch you.”

With that, he closed his eyes, working to steady his breathing.

Qiao Xi’s cheeks burned fiercely.

She closed her eyes and, in his warm embrace, drifted into a deep sleep.

—

The next day, Fu Corporation building.

Qiao Xi unlocked her phone and saw the pinned chat: Husband.

Her cheeks instantly grew hot again.

A wave of sweet warmth quietly surged in her heart.

She quickly turned off the screen, as though caught in some guilty act, but the blush lingered.

Flushed, she tucked her phone away and tried to focus on work.

Soon, Lin Moran sidled up, lowering her voice with a mischievous grin.

“Qiao Qiao, I saw it all. Spill it—who’s that ‘Husband’?! When did you get married? Hiding it from me? That’s not fair!”

Qiao Xi’s cheeks burned under her questioning, and she quickly pressed a finger to her lips.

“Shh, Moran, keep it down!”

Her eyes darted nervously around to make sure no one was watching, then she pleaded in a hushed voice, “Please, help me keep it secret.”

“Why?” Lin Moran was puzzled. “Marriage is a good thing!”

“It’s… a bit complicated,” Qiao Xi hedged. “Just, don’t tell anyone for now, okay?”

Seeing her troubled expression, Lin Moran, though still curious, nodded. “Alright, alright! I’ll keep your secret. But… you owe me dinner.”

“Deal!” Qiao Xi breathed a sigh of relief and agreed quickly.

Just then—

—

“Well, what are you chatting about? Seems lively.”

A mocking voice sounded nearby.

Li Yan, holding a water cup, had somehow appeared at their workstation.

She glanced at Qiao Xi with an implied meaning. “Engineer Qiao is really shining lately! Even got a ride in Mr. Fu’s Maybach?”

Li Yan deliberately raised her voice, attracting the attention of several nearby colleagues.

“No wonder Mr. Fu takes such ‘care’ of you, letting you work alongside Dr. Q…”

She drew out her words, making malicious guesses. “Tsk, Engineer Qiao, your tactics are impressive!”

“Li Yan, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Lin Moran exploded, slamming the desk and standing abruptly.

“Nonsense?” Li Yan sneered, her gaze contemptuous. “I saw her get out of Mr. Fu’s car with my own eyes! What, you dare do it but not admit?”

Qiao Xi’s face turned pale, but she was at a loss for a retort.

“Dirty-minded people see filth everywhere!”

Lin Moran quivered with anger, pointing at Li Yan’s nose. “You think everyone is as twisted as you, with nothing but sordid thoughts?”

Seeing Qiao Xi’s aggrieved look and remembering the ‘Husband’ contact, Lin Moran’s blood boiled. She blurted out, “Qiao Qiao has been married for ages! She and her husband are very much in love—no need for your gossip!”

“Mr. Fu looks after her because she’s talented! People with crooked minds like you will never understand!”

“Married?!”

Li Yan was stunned, then her voice turned even sharper, as if she’d heard some ludicrous joke. “Married? Ha! Married but still riding in another man’s luxury car to and from work every day?”

“Qiao Xi, you sure are bold! Does your husband know? Could it be… he’s just a freeloader?”

“You!”

Lin Moran was about to charge at her, but Qiao Xi held her back tightly.

“Moran! Don’t…”

Li Yan watched their awkward state with smugness, gave a cold snort, and sauntered off.

As she left, she deliberately bumped Qiao Xi’s desk, sending the paperwork scattered across the floor.

Lin Moran stomped her foot in rage. “Qiao Qiao! Why’d you stop me? People like her deserve a lesson!”

Qiao Xi crouched down and silently gathered the fallen documents.

“Forget it, arguing with her is pointless…”

Lin Moran crouched beside her to help, still grumbling indignantly. “She drives me crazy! Qiao Qiao, who is your husband anyway? Hurry up and make it public! Let’s see if she dares spew nonsense then!”

Qiao Xi shook her head and didn’t reply.

Li Yan returned to her seat, growing angrier the more she thought about it, especially at Lin Moran’s declaration that Qiao Xi was married—it only stoked her jealousy.

Why should Qiao Xi have a good husband and be favored by Mr. Fu?

Her gaze was venomous as she looked toward Qiao Xi and Lin Moran, who were gathering papers together. A malicious idea brewed in her mind.