Chapter 37 The First Argument

Without a moment’s hesitation, Fu Yancheng seized his car keys and swept out of the office like a gust of wind.

He left Zhou Ze and the assistants exchanging anxious glances, their hearts racing.

The sports car sped along the road, roaring like thunder.

Fu Yancheng’s face was grim, a chilling aura emanating from him that warned strangers to keep their distance.

He stormed straight into the restaurant where Qin Yiren had sent the location.

Qiao Xi, who was sipping tea with her head lowered, was startled and looked up in shock.

She froze at the sight of Fu Yancheng standing at the door, his face dark as iron, his eyes wild and predatory.

“Yancheng? Why… why are you here?”

Lu Yanzhi was clearly caught off guard by Fu Yancheng’s sudden appearance, but he quickly regained his composure, even flashing a provocative smile.

“President Fu? What a coincidence.”

Fu Yancheng didn't spare Lu Yanzhi a single glance. His gaze was fixed fiercely on Qiao Xi.

Especially on her glaringly red dress and her delicate makeup.

She had never dressed so carefully for him!

He strode forward, seized Qiao Xi’s wrist, and said, “Come home with me!”

“Yancheng! What are you doing?!”

Qiao Xi was both frightened and furious, struggling to break free from his grip.

Fu Yancheng’s eyes were dark, turbulent, and suffocating.

Qiao Xi’s heart sank when she saw the unrestrained madness of jealousy in his gaze.

“Yancheng, you misunderstand! I’m only—”

“Whatever you have to say, say it at home!” Fu Yancheng cut her off, refusing to let her explain.

“Fu Yancheng!”

The humiliation and embarrassment overwhelmed Qiao Xi, especially with Lu Yanzhi present.

She fought hard, “Let me explain!”

But Fu Yancheng, blinded by jealousy, paid her no heed.

He dragged her out of the restaurant, shoved her into the passenger seat, and slammed the accelerator.

Fu Yancheng’s lips were pressed tightly together, his jaw rigid, his profile cold and hard.

Qiao Xi looked at his unreasonable, domineering demeanor, and her grievance and anger peaked.

As soon as they entered the house, Qiao Xi finally erupted.

“Fu Yancheng! Am I, in your eyes, someone who would sneak around with another man behind your back?”

Her eyes were red with rage, her voice trembling.

“I was simply thanking him for helping me, just treating him to a meal!”

“You didn’t even ask, just barged in and dragged me away like a criminal—did you ever consider how I’d feel?”

“Helped you? Helped you with what?”

A storm raged in Fu Yancheng’s eyes.

“To thank someone, you need to dress like that? Let him touch your hand? Smile at him so sweetly?”

“Qiao Xi, do you think I’m blind?!”

He was consumed with jealousy whenever he thought of the photo where she and Lu Yanzhi held hands and gazed at each other.

“You… you’re completely unreasonable!”

Qiao Xi shook with fury at the suspicion in his words.

“You had people watch me? There’s nothing between me and him!”

“I believe in facts,” Fu Yancheng growled. “The fact is you dressed up for him, and met him in private!”

The word “private” stabbed Qiao Xi’s heart.

She looked at the man before her, who had lost all reason and trust in her, and felt a chill deep inside.

She drew a deep breath, fighting back the sting in her eyes.

No longer looking at him, she turned and hurried toward the bedroom.

Fu Yancheng thought she was just sulking, and irritably loosened his tie.

But a few minutes later, Qiao Xi emerged dragging a small suitcase.

She had changed out of her red dress, her face expressionless.

“Where are you going?”

Fu Yancheng’s heart clenched, and he stepped forward to block her path.

Qiao Xi lifted her head, her gaze distant.

“Fu Yancheng, we need some space. Until you learn to trust me, I don’t want to see you again.”

With that, she pushed his hand aside.

She pulled her suitcase behind her, not once looking back as she walked out the door.

“Qiao Xi!”

Fu Yancheng watched her retreating figure, suddenly coming to his senses, and rushed after her.

But he arrived only in time to see Qiao Xi hail a taxi and disappear into the night.

He stood beneath the dark sky, punching the wall beside him with all his strength.

—

Qiao Xi didn’t check into a hotel.

Instead, she asked the driver to take her to her mother’s house.

Zhao Huiyun was delighted to see her daughter at the door with a suitcase. “Xi Xi? Why are you home at this hour?”

She quickly stepped aside to let Qiao Xi in.

“Did you have a fight with Yancheng?”

Qiao Xi forced a smile. “No, Mom, don’t jump to conclusions.”

“It’s just… just that the project’s been really busy lately…”

“The stress is a bit much, so I wanted to stay here for a couple of days, clear my head and change my mood.”

She avoided her mother’s probing gaze, bent down to change her shoes. “And I missed you, wanted to spend some time with you.”

Zhao Huiyun was half-convinced, but seeing her daughter’s obviously swollen eyes and strained smile, her heart sank.

A mother knows her child best. She could tell Qiao Xi was troubled.

“Really nothing’s wrong?”

Zhao Huiyun followed her into the living room, still worried. “Does Yancheng know you’re home? Did you two…”

“He knows.”

Qiao Xi quickly cut her mother off, afraid she’d ask more.

“Mom, I’m a bit tired. I’d like to take a bath and rest.”

Qiao Xi’s mother saw her daughter clearly wanting to hide, and grew even more concerned.

But she didn’t press further, only nodded.

“All right, go rest. I’ve kept your room tidy, the sheets are freshly changed. Are you hungry? I can make you a late-night snack.”

“No, Mom, I’m not hungry.”

Qiao Xi shook her head, pulled her suitcase, and nearly fled into her room, closing the door behind her.

As soon as the door shut, all her forced composure collapsed.

Tears surged forth, and Qiao Xi bit her lip hard, refusing to let herself sob aloud.

—

A private club, awash in neon and liquor.

In a booth, Fu Yancheng drank glass after glass of strong liquor. His tie was loosened, his suit jacket tossed aside.

His usually immaculate hair was now disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, his whole demeanor steeped in despair.

Mu Censhan and Shen Yu, seated across from him, exchanged glances.

Mu Censhan couldn’t bear it any longer and snatched the glass from Fu Yancheng’s hand.

“That’s enough, old Fu! Stop drinking! Do you even care about your stomach?”

“It’s just a fight with your wife! Is it really that bad?”

Fu Yancheng glared at him with red-rimmed eyes, reaching for the bottle again, his voice raw. “Leave me alone.”

Mu Censhan’s temper flared. “Look at you! All this because you misunderstood her having dinner with Lu Yanzhi? It’s nothing!”

“When did you become so insecure, Fu Yancheng? Just drag her home and settle things in bed—what’s the point of sulking here?”

Shen Yu was calmer. “Yancheng, you acted rashly this time.”

“You didn’t give Engineer Qiao a chance to explain, and you didn’t trust her. That’s a big mistake.”

Fu Yancheng laughed bitterly, self-mocking. “I saw those photos… She smiled at him… Tell me, how am I supposed to stay calm?”

As he spoke, he took another swig.

Mu Censhan was both anxious and angry seeing him like this. “Then damn it, tell her!”

“Tell her you’re the one who secretly paid for her schooling, helped her through hardships! Tell her how many years you’ve cared for her!”

“You’ve done so much for her—maybe if she knew the truth, she’d forgive your reckless behavior tonight on the spot!”

Fu Yancheng’s grip on the glass tightened.

He was silent for a long time.

“There’s no need to tell her.”

Fu Yancheng shook his head, his eyes stubborn and clear despite the haze of alcohol.

“What I did wasn’t a bargaining chip, nor a rope to tie her to me.”

“I want her to come to me willingly, not because she’s indebted and forced to stay by my side.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a drunken woman stumbled into the booth, falling straight into Fu Yancheng’s arms!