Chapter 56: How to Soothe Your Wife When She’s Angry

Still unsatisfied, he seized Lu Yanzhi by the collar and delivered another fierce punch to his face.

“Lu Yanzhi, stay away from her!”

Fu Yancheng’s voice was icy, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

Lu Yanzhi staggered back, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He let out a low chuckle, yet his demeanor remained composed. “President Fu, is this your idea of good manners?”

Qiao Xi stared in shock at the scene unfolding before her, a surge of anger quickly rising within. She hurried to place herself between Lu Yanzhi and Fu Yancheng. “Fu Yancheng! Are you out of your mind?”

Fu Yancheng’s eyes burned with barely contained fury as he fixed his gaze on her protective stance before Lu Yanzhi. “You’re really going to shield him like this?”

“So what if I am?” Qiao Xi trembled with rage. “Leave, Fu Yancheng. I don’t want to see you right now.”

His eyes darkened, locking onto her. “You’re going to drive me away for his sake?”

She bit her lip in silence, but the determination in her eyes left no room for doubt.

Fu Yancheng’s expression grew grim. “Fine.” His voice was cold as ice. “I’ll leave.”

He turned and strode off, slamming the car door behind him. The engine of the Rolls Royce thundered with rage as he sped away.

Qiao Xi stared blankly at the receding car, her heart feeling as though a piece had been suddenly hollowed out.

Lu Yanzhi asked, “Xiao Xi, are you all right?”

Qiao Xi shook her head, her voice weary. “I’m sorry, President Lu. I got you involved.”

“Why don’t you head back first? I’d like some time alone.”

She turned and walked into the stairwell, missing the fleeting hint of satisfaction in Lu Yanzhi’s eyes.

Meanwhile, inside the departing Rolls Royce, Fu Yancheng slammed his fist onto the steering wheel.

“To the office,” he said coldly to the driver, his gaze shadowed and unreadable.

Upon returning to the Fu Corporation, Fu Yancheng headed straight to Human Resources.

His expression was severe, but his tone remained businesslike. “How many days of leave did Team Leader Qiao request?”

The HR manager quickly checked the system. Qiao Xi had taken one day of sick leave and was scheduled to return to work the next day.

Fu Yancheng nodded slightly and made his way to the head of R&D’s office.

“Manager Li.”

He stood at the door. “Arrange for Team Leader Qiao to go on a business trip to City A tomorrow to inspect the new laboratory equipment.”

“All expenses are to be fully covered by the company.”

Fu Yancheng added, “Have her prepare tonight and depart first thing in the morning.”

After leaving R&D, Fu Yancheng dialed Zhou Ze.

“Book two first-class tickets to City A for tomorrow, and reserve a suite at the hotel.”

He paused, then added, “Arrange for Qiao Xi and me to share the same room.”

There was a moment of hesitation on the other end.

“President Fu, should we notify Team Leader Qiao in advance?”

“No need,” Fu Yancheng replied coolly. “Just do as I said.”

—

When Qiao Xi received the business trip email, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. The message mentioned only traveling with the R&D manager; it didn’t seem Fu Yancheng would be coming—he was probably still angry.

She packed her luggage carefully, channeling all her focus into preparing for work. This inspection was vital for the new project under her charge. She resolved to set aside emotional entanglements for now and devote herself fully to her duties.

Early the next morning, Qiao Xi arrived at the airport on time. Wheeling her suitcase, she searched the departure hall for her colleagues, but saw only two people.

Fu Yancheng stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit, eyes lowered to his phone. Beside him, Manager Li Ming from R&D looked as though he were being marched to his execution.

Qiao Xi hesitated, instinctively wanting to turn away.

“Team Leader Qiao.” Fu Yancheng looked up, his gaze locking onto hers. “Over here.”

With no other choice, she approached, doing her best to maintain a professional composure. “President Fu. Manager Li. Where are the others?”

Li Ming glanced nervously at Fu Yancheng, stammering, “There was… a last-minute change. It’s just the three of us now.”

Qiao Xi instantly understood. She looked at Fu Yancheng, but he had already turned toward the VIP boarding gate. “Let’s board.”

On the plane, Qiao Xi’s economy class ticket had been upgraded to first class—right beside Fu Yancheng. Li Ming was seated further back, separated by a curtain, perfectly relegated to the role of third wheel.

“What’s the meaning of this, President Fu?” Qiao Xi asked in a low voice.

Fu Yancheng flipped through a finance magazine, not looking up. “Company policy. Directors and above fly first class on business trips.”

“I’m not a director.”

“You’re Mrs. Fu.”

Qiao Xi was left speechless.

Just then, the flight attendant brought over a blanket. Fu Yancheng took it without a word and carefully draped it over her legs.

“Get some sleep,” he said quietly. “We’ll go straight to the inspection when we land—no time to rest.”

Qiao Xi wanted to protest, but seeing the faint shadows under his eyes, she fell silent.

He didn’t look as if he’d slept well either.

Throughout the flight, Fu Yancheng worked on documents, occasionally glancing at her, but making no further moves. His strictly businesslike demeanor only made Qiao Xi more uncertain.

Soon, fatigue from the previous night caught up with her and she drifted off to sleep.

Fu Yancheng gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, pulled out his phone, and sent a simultaneous message to two WeChat groups:

[Fu Yancheng]: I made my wife angry. How do I make it up to her?

Instantly, both groups exploded.

In the friends’ group:

Mu Censhan: Hahahahaha, even you have days like this!
Shen Yu: Tell us the details—then we’ll know how to treat the problem.
Mu Censhan: I know this one—buy her a bag. The most expensive. Buy ten!
Shen Yu: No wonder you’re still single, Mu.

…

In the family group:

Mother Fu: Oh dear, Yancheng made Xixi angry?
Father Fu: You rascal, what did you do this time?
Mother Fu: Yancheng, listen to your mother—take Xixi on a romantic getaway.
Fu Qinghuan: Brother! I have a great idea.
Fu Qinghuan: Tonight, wrap yourself up with a bow and present yourself on her bed—she’ll forgive you for sure!
Fu Yanchao: Sis, what kind of wild suggestion is that?

…

Fu Yancheng stared at the flood of messages, rubbing his forehead.

Not a single one of them reliable.

Just then, Shen Yu sent a private message: [What exactly happened?]

Fu Yancheng briefly explained.

Shen Yu: […Serves you right.]
Shen Yu: My advice? Apologize sincerely. Don’t bother with empty gestures. Qiao Xi isn’t materialistic.

When the plane landed smoothly, Qiao Xi awoke from her light sleep to find Fu Yancheng’s suit jacket draped over her.

She quickly returned the jacket, deliberately avoiding eye contact.

The inspection went exceptionally well.

Fu Yancheng maintained complete professionalism throughout, betraying not a hint of personal emotion. Qiao Xi, too, gradually lost herself in work, diligently recording equipment data.

By evening, the three of them arrived at the hotel. Zhou Ze had already completed check-in and handed out the room keys.

“Team Leader Qiao, your room is on the top floor,” Zhou Ze said respectfully, though his gaze flickered.

Not wanting to face Fu Yancheng, Qiao Xi dined alone before dragging her suitcase to the top floor and locating her room.

The moment she opened the door, she froze.

The presidential suite’s coffee table displayed her favorite scented candles. On the bedroom rack hung Fu Yancheng’s suit jacket. Through the frosted glass of the bathroom door, a man’s silhouette moved behind a curtain of steam and the sound of running water.

The realization struck her at once. Mortified and angry, she spun on her heel to leave—only to collide with Fu Yancheng, just stepping out of the bathroom.

He wore nothing but a bath towel, wet hair dripping with water, droplets tracing the lines of his solid chest…