Chapter 53: Do You Really Hate Me Touching You That Much?

Qiao Xi’s heart leapt into her throat in an instant.

But Fu Yancheng suddenly pinned her against the wall and lowered his head to capture her lips in a kiss.

“Mmm—”

Qiao Xi struggled to push him away, but he seized her wrists and pinned them above her head.

Outside, Lu Yanzhi called her name again.

Fu Yancheng pulled back slightly, his lips still grazing Qiao Xi’s ear. “Tell him to leave.”

Qiao Xi bit her lip and refused to speak.

A shadow flickered in Fu Yancheng’s eyes, and suddenly his hand slipped into the slit of her gown—

Qiao Xi couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp.

Lu Yanzhi seemed to sense something. “Do you need any help?”

Embarrassed and anxious, afraid that Fu Yancheng would go even further, Qiao Xi could only respond in a trembling voice.

“It’s nothing! I’ll be out soon, you go ahead!”

There was a moment of silence outside.

Finally, Lu Yanzhi’s footsteps drifted away.

Only the sound of their ragged breathing remained in the emergency stairwell.

Fu Yancheng released her. Qiao Xi immediately raised her hand to slap him, but he caught her wrist with ease.

“What is it?” Fu Yancheng sneered coldly. “You’re so happy to accompany him to the party, but when you see your own husband you want to get physical?”

Qiao Xi’s eyes filled with angry tears.

“And what about you? It’s so gratifying to see yourself trending with Zou Xin, but you can’t stand to see me with someone else?”

“That painting was to repay a favor to Old Master Zou!” Fu Yancheng’s voice was icy. “And you? You show up here as his date?”

Qiao Xi was stunned, not expecting he knew even that.

“Then what about Zou Xin answering your private phone calls?” she retorted, refusing to back down. “Since when can just any woman touch your phone?”

The two faced each other, tension crackling in the air like gunpowder.

Fu Yancheng narrowed his eyes. Suddenly, he bent and swept Qiao Xi up in his arms.

“Fu Yancheng, put me down!” Qiao Xi cried out, pounding his back, but he held her securely on his shoulder.

Ignoring her struggles, the man strode out of the stairwell, heading straight through the banquet hall before the eyes of all the guests.

Everyone stared in shock at the scene.

Lu Yanzhi stood among the crowd, his gentle smile freezing on his lips.

He gripped his champagne glass tightly, watching helplessly as Qiao Xi was taken away by Fu Yancheng, a flash of unwillingness and gloom flickering in his eyes.

“Fu Yancheng! Are you insane?” Qiao Xi was consumed with shame and anger and wished she could disappear on the spot.

Without a word, Fu Yancheng shoved her into the back seat of the Rolls Royce.

He spoke coldly to the driver. “Home.”

The atmosphere inside the car was tense and suffocating.

Qiao Xi shrank into a corner, trembling with anger.

As soon as they arrived, Fu Yancheng dragged her into the bedroom and locked the door behind them.

He pressed her down onto the bed, his kiss landing with a note of punishment.

Qiao Xi struggled desperately.

Fu Yancheng halted, staring at her tear-reddened eyes and resistant expression, his own gaze darkening.

“You hate me touching you so much?” His voice was raw.

Qiao Xi turned her head away, saying nothing, but tears slipped down her cheeks.

Fu Yancheng slowly straightened, standing beside the bed in silence for a long time.

At last, he drew a deep breath. “Fine.”

He walked to the door, opened it, and said, “I’ll sleep in the guest room tonight.”

The door closed softly. Qiao Xi lay stunned on the bed, feeling a sudden emptiness inside her.

Exhausted, she picked up her phone and sent a message to Lu Yanzhi: [I’m sorry for troubling you tonight.]

Then she tossed her phone aside and curled up under the covers.

Qiao Xi, sleepless all night, came to the laboratory the next day, dark circles shadowing her eyes.

When she woke up that morning, her throat felt as though it were on fire.

Her whole body burned as if she were roasting over flames.

Forcing herself to focus on reviewing the experimental data, Qiao Xi felt chills creep over her.

She reached up to touch her forehead. It was burning hot.

She tried to concentrate, but the world spun around her.

Suddenly, the test tube slipped from her hand and shattered on the ground.

“Qiao Qiao, are you alright?” Lin Moran approached with concern. “Your face is so red.”

Qiao Xi shook her head weakly, wanting to say she was fine, but her legs gave out and she nearly collapsed.

Lin Moran quickly supported her, gasping when she touched her arm. “Oh my god, you have a fever!”

Qiao Xi was helped onto the sofa in the break room, a cold towel pressed to her forehead.

Soon, the laboratory door eased open and a familiar figure hurried inside.

In her hazy state, a large, cool hand touched her forehead.

It felt so comfortable, so soothing.

Half-conscious, Qiao Xi wondered if Fu Yancheng would come to see her if he knew she was ill.

But no sooner did the thought arise than she forced it down.

He was probably still angry—why would he care if she lived or died?

Fu Yancheng gazed at her flushed face on the sofa, his heart twisting painfully.

He carefully lifted Qiao Xi, placing her arms around his neck.

Qiao Xi struggled to open her eyes and realized it was him.

She twisted uneasily in his arms, feverish confusion making her mutter,

“Don’t bother… Go find your Zou Xin…”

Fu Yancheng’s arms tightened, holding her closer, his voice husky. “Be good, don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“I’m taking you to the doctor.”

On the way to the hospital, Qiao Xi leaned against his shoulder, drifting in and out of consciousness.

Whenever she grew a little lucid, she struggled to leave his embrace.

But the dizziness of the fever soon overwhelmed her, and she slumped weakly back against him.

Fu Yancheng looked at her parched lips, feeling both pain and regret.

He should have noticed something was wrong, not stubbornly insisted on sleeping apart.

At the hospital—

The doctor diagnosed a severe cold and exhaustion.

Fu Yancheng kept vigil by her bed, moistening her lips over and over with a damp cotton swab.

Even in sleep, Qiao Xi unconsciously clutched his shirt, as if afraid he’d leave her.

Fu Yancheng gently held her hand, murmuring at her ear, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay right here with you.”

It was not until night fell that Qiao Xi’s fever finally began to subside.

When she woke, she found Fu Yancheng asleep at her bedside, dark shadows beneath his eyes matching her own.

At her slightest movement, Fu Yancheng was instantly awake.

His hand went to her forehead at once. “Thank goodness, your fever’s gone.”

Looking at his weary features, Qiao Xi’s heart softened.

Most of her grievance and anger melted away.

But she still turned away on purpose, muttering, “Who asked you to stay…”

Fu Yancheng chuckled, his fingers gently tracing the color returning to her cheeks.

“Then who was it just now, hanging on to my shirt and refusing to let go?”

Qiao Xi’s ears reddened, but she insisted, “That was just the fever talking…”

“Oh?” Fu Yancheng leaned in, “Well, now that you’re clear-headed, do you want me to leave?”

His voice, deep and magnetic, seemed to carry a subtle allure.

Qiao Xi bit her lip and said nothing, but her fingers curled into his shirt sleeve.

Amusement glimmered in Fu Yancheng’s eyes as he took her hand in his.

“The doctor said you need to stay overnight for observation. I had Zhou Ze bring you some fresh clothes.”

Only then did Qiao Xi notice the elegant suitcase at her bedside, stocked even with her favorite skincare products.

“Who told you to make decisions for me…” she grumbled, though warmth filled her heart.

Fu Yancheng suddenly leaned in, his nose almost brushing hers. “Still angry?”

His sudden closeness made Qiao Xi’s heart race. She instinctively drew back, only for him to cradle her head.

At that moment, Fu Yancheng’s phone rang.

On the screen, the name “Zou Xin” was displayed in bold letters.