Chapter 60: I Want Qiao Xi

Fu Yancheng's movements suddenly paused; his forehead rested against her shoulder, his breaths ragged and uneven.

Qiao Xi, her cheeks flushed red, hurriedly pushed him away and anxiously straightened her disheveled clothes.

By the time the doctor entered, Fu Yancheng had already regained his composure.

Only the faint flush at the tips of his ears and the redness swelling on Qiao Xi’s lips hinted at the intensity of what had just transpired.

Once the doctor left, Fu Yancheng pulled Qiao Xi back into his arms, his voice still tinged with lingering desire.

“We’ll continue tonight.”

Qiao Xi, mortified, gave him a playful punch.

Elsewhere.

Zou Xin returned to her hotel suite in the nanny van, seething with anger. She hurled her Chanel handbag onto the sofa with force.

Just as she picked up her phone to make a call, the doorbell rang abruptly.

Lu Yanzhi stood outside, dressed in a deep gray suit, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

Zou Xin regarded him warily. “President Lu, is there something you need?”

She had previously been the brand ambassador for the Lu Group’s cosmetics line, so there was a certain level of acquaintance between them.

Lu Yanzhi entered the room unhurriedly. “It seems Miss Zou isn’t in the best of moods.”

He handed her a document. “Perhaps we can help each other.”

Zou Xin took the file, her expression changing subtly.

It contained detailed records of several major projects currently underway at the Fu Group, including the Eternal Youth Project overseen by Qiao Xi.

“What is the meaning of this, President Lu?”

Lu Yanzhi sat elegantly on the sofa, crossing his legs with a slight chuckle. “You want Fu Yancheng, I want Qiao Xi. We take what we need.”

Zou Xin narrowed her eyes. “What exactly do you want me to do?”

Lu Yanzhi produced another file from his briefcase, this one containing the core data of the Eternal Youth Project.

He smiled meaningfully, assuring her that he would ensure she remained unscathed.

Zou Xin flipped through the documents swiftly, a glint of cold determination in her eyes, and finally nodded her agreement.

Lu Yanzhi stood, handed her his business card, and as he turned to leave, a cold smile traced his lips.

Back in his car, his gaze frosted over as he dialed a number. “Keep a close eye on Zou Xin. She’s just a pawn. Our true target…”

“…is the Fu Group’s core technology.”

Qiao Xi, don’t blame me. Blame yourself for choosing the wrong person.

Lu Yanzhi drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, a fleeting trace of regret for Qiao Xi passing through his eyes—soon replaced by the icy indifference of self-interest.

—

Fu Yancheng insisted on being discharged from the hospital. The doctor, unable to deter him, relented and wrote out a long list of medications along with reminders to take care.

On the drive back to the Fu estate, Zhou Ze at the wheel, Qiao Xi kept nagging, “Your pneumonia isn’t fully healed. You should’ve stayed in the hospital a few more days…”

Fu Yancheng simply smiled, holding her hand tightly. “There’s something more important at home.”

As soon as the car passed through the gates, Qiao Xi froze in astonishment.

The once elegant and classical garden had been transformed into a dreamlike glass conservatory.

Thousands upon thousands of champagne roses bloomed in the night, with winding paths illuminated by warm candlelight.

—

“This is…” She looked at Fu Yancheng in amazement.

He only smiled and led her through the floral corridor.

At the end of the glasshouse stood a small laboratory.

“This is your private space—facing south, with the best sunlight. It’ll be ready for use next month.”

Fu Yancheng wrapped his arms around her from behind. “From now on, you can do your research at home. No need to run to the company all the time.”

He nodded toward a nearby lounge area. “If you get tired, you can have tea here. I’ve had the finest Jin Jun Mei prepared for you.”

Qiao Xi’s eyes filled with warmth. She turned and hugged him tightly. “When did you prepare all this?”

“In Switzerland.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Every day after meetings, I’d sketch the designs, imagining your expression when you saw it.”

Deeply moved, Qiao Xi was lost for words and held him even tighter.

Suddenly, Fu Yancheng knelt on one knee, producing a velvet box from his pocket.

He opened it to reveal a magnificent, newly designed platinum diamond ring.

“Our wedding was so rushed—I never gave you a proper proposal.”

He gazed up at her. “Qiao Xi, will you give me the chance to spend the rest of my life making it up to you?”

Tears welled in Qiao Xi’s eyes; she nodded with all her might.

Fu Yancheng slipped the ring onto her finger. She threw herself into his arms, her voice choked with emotion. “You’re always like this—how could anyone stay angry with you…”

Fu Yancheng laughed softly. “So… have you forgiven me?”

Qiao Xi didn’t answer. Instead, she kissed him.

Fu Yancheng lifted her into his arms, carrying her into the restful depths of the glasshouse, his masculine scent overwhelming her senses.

The soft sofa sank beneath them; desire smoldered in Fu Yancheng’s eyes, his voice husky. “Is it alright?”

Blushing, Qiao Xi nodded.

Inside the flower house, the air grew steadily warmer…

—

The next morning, Qiao Xi woke in a daze to find herself nestled in Fu Yancheng’s arms, a soft blanket draped over her.

Her cheeks flamed instantly. She’d actually… with him… in the conservatory—while he was still sick!

“You’re awake?”

His amused voice drifted from above.

Fu Yancheng had been awake for some time, propping his head up to watch her.

Seeing her retreat under the blanket, he laughed softly and pulled both her and the blanket tightly into his embrace. “Why hide? Weren’t you quite enthusiastic last night?”

Qiao Xi, mortified, thumped him. “You… you’re still sick!”

“Mm, sick.”

He took her hand and pressed it to his chest. “But when you were on top of me, I couldn’t bear to stop.”

Sensing her annoyance, he wisely changed the subject, scooping her up—blanket and all. “Alright, I’ll stop teasing you.”

He carried her into the bathroom.

The bathtub was already filled with warm water, fresh rose petals floating on the surface.

“When did you do this?” Qiao Xi asked in surprise.

“After you fell asleep last night,” Fu Yancheng replied, placing her into the tub. “I was worried you’d be uncomfortable today.”

Qiao Xi’s heart warmed.

This man was always so sharp-tongued, yet his actions were impossibly tender.

“Are you still angry?” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

Qiao Xi shook her head, turning to hug him. “Next time you’re sick, you’re not allowed to mess around like that.”

Fu Yancheng chuckled and squeezed her hand. “So… when I’m not sick, it’s allowed?”

She glared at him, cheeks aflame, only to have him steal another kiss.

Their indulgence resulted in them barely making it to work on time. Fu Yancheng wanted to drive Qiao Xi to the laboratory, but she firmly insisted he stay home and recover.

After parking her car, Qiao Xi suddenly noticed a graceful, well-dressed middle-aged woman anxiously searching her handbag, clearly having lost something.

“Auntie, do you need help?” Qiao Xi approached her.

Madam Fu looked up in surprise.

Wasn’t this the girl from the photo Yancheng had sent to the family group chat? The one who’d made her stoic son bloom like a tree in spring!

Suppressing her delight, Madam Fu feigned calm. “I seem to have lost my subway card…”

Qiao Xi immediately pulled out her own card. “Here, use mine. Where are you headed?”

Madam Fu gave the name of a station near the Fu Group, all the while observing Qiao Xi discreetly.

She watched as Qiao Xi efficiently scanned the card, led her on her way, and thoughtfully reminded her to watch her step.

The more Madam Fu watched her earnest profile, the more satisfied she felt.

This girl was neither arrogant nor impatient, treated others sincerely—far better than those so-called ladies from prominent families.

As they parted, Madam Fu suddenly caught her hand, produced an exquisite brooch from her bag, and pinned it to Qiao Xi’s lapel as a token of thanks.

Qiao Xi quickly tried to refuse. “Auntie, this is too valuable…”

“Keep it.”

Madam Fu patted her hand, smiling meaningfully. “We’ll be seeing each other again soon.”

Watching Qiao Xi walk away, Madam Fu immediately called her husband. “Old Fu! I just met our daughter-in-law—she’s even prettier in person than in the photos!”

Fu’s father chuckled on the other end. “You sound delighted. Does Yancheng know?”

“Of course not!” Madam Fu replied smugly. “I want it to be a surprise for our daughter-in-law. By the way, tidy up the old house—we’ll invite them for dinner this weekend!”

Hanging up with a beaming smile, Madam Fu turned to leave.

But she had barely taken two steps when she spotted another figure—Zou Xin, impeccably dressed and holding a gift box.

Their eyes met; the air grew instantly frigid.

Madam Fu’s gaze hardened. What is this woman doing here?