Sheng Xiangsi stood there, dumbfounded, watching the man and woman embracing each other. Were they about to kiss?
Oh no!
And Fu Hanjiang was facing her directly, while Yao Leyi had her back turned and didn't see her.
Fu Hanjiang's expression froze, his face even turned a bit pale. His grip on Yao Leyi's arm became unconsciously stiff.
Sheng Xiangsi?
What was she doing here?
"!"
Sheng Xiangsi was the first to come to her senses. She turned and ran.
Why was she running??
Was he some sort of monster?
"Leyi!"
Fu Hanjiang awkwardly pushed Yao Leyi away. "You don't need to see me off. I can manage on my own!"
With that, he took off in long strides, chasing in the direction where Sheng Xiangsi had disappeared.
"Hanjiang!"
Yao Leyi watched his back in a daze, silently clenching her fists. He ran so fast... Was she too forward and scared him?
...
With his height and familiarity with the surroundings, Fu Hanjiang quickly caught up and cornered Sheng Xiangsi in the fire escape.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Sheng Xiangsi had nowhere to run, her back pressed against the wall.
Fu Hanjiang placed his hands on the wall behind her, trapping her in his arms. "Why are you running? Do I look like a ghost?"
You're scarier than a ghost!
Sheng Xiangsi thought silently. She shrank back, trying to avoid any physical contact with him.
She clasped her hands together and pleaded, "Please, let me go. I didn't mean to interrupt you two!"
Not to be rude, but if they wanted to get intimate, couldn't they find a more private place? Anyone could have walked by there, not just her.
What? Interrupt?
Fu Hanjiang's face darkened immediately. He squinted his deep eyes and called her name with a sinister tone, the syllables seeming to leap from his throat.
"Sheng Xiangsi! What kind of nonsense is running through your mind?"
Leyi was his sister-in-law. How could he possibly have anything with her?
Sheng Xiangsi wasn't the first to say such things about him.
Not just her, but the entire Jiangcheng. If not half, then two-thirds of the people misunderstood him.
He never explained.
Because there was nothing to explain. His past with Yao Leyi couldn't be erased... But he had nothing to hide and wasn't afraid of slander.
But for some reason, Fu Hanjiang found himself speaking up.
"Leyi and I are not what you think!"
"?" Sheng Xiangsi didn't understand. "Not what?"
"Sheng Xiangsi!"
Fu Hanjiang grew more agitated. "Are you done?"
Seeing his dark face, Sheng Xiangsi pouted and said uncertainly, "Are you explaining to me?"
His silence was an acknowledgment.
"There's no need." Sheng Xiangsi was surprised and didn't understand. "I'm just your ex-wife, you don't need to explain to me. You and Yao Leyi... As long as you know the truth, that's enough."
Fu Hanjiang was at a loss for words and wanted to get angry, but couldn't find a reason.
Yeah, why explain to her?
Completely unnecessary!
"Or..." Sheng Xiangsi thought for a moment and added, "You should explain to Brother Hanchuan?"
"Sheng Xiangsi!"
Her words reignited the man's anger.
"Are you looking to die?"
Sheng Xiangsi ducked and slipped out from under his arm, then bolted.
As she ran, she said, "Maybe you can ask Grandma to bless you both! In reality, cases like yours aren't unheard of!"
Cases like his?
What cases?
His elder brother was in a coma, and he ended up with his sister-in-law? That's impossible. The Fu family would never allow such a scandal.
Besides...
Watching Sheng Xiangsi's figure fade into the distance, Fu Hanjiang's expression turned unpleasant, and recalling Leyi's look just now, he felt a vague unease.
"Maybe I should find a woman."
A woman? Where to find one?
It's not like you can have one just because you want one.
A few years ago, he didn't have this idea. Even though Sheng Xiangsi was abroad, they were still married.
Now?
Who to find?
...
That evening, without arranging with Zhou Jinting or Qin Yanzhi, Fu Hanjiang went to Meser alone.
The large booth facing the stage was still reserved for him.
Manager Wu, hearing of his arrival, couldn't have been happier.
He hurried over to greet him personally. "Second Master Fu, you're here."
Fu Hanjiang propped one arm on the back of the sofa and the other on his knee, tapping lightly.
"When does she perform tonight?"
As expected!
Manager Wu was secretly delighted. Second Master Fu was here for Xiangsi! Xiangsi was his cash cow!
But he still had to put on a show. "Second Master Fu, there are many 'shes' here. Which one are you asking about?"
Hmph.
"Crafty fox!" Fu Hanjiang smiled, nodding at him. "Who else? For whom else would I break into the dressing room?"
"Haha, yes, yes."
Manager Wu rubbed his hands. "She? You have to wait three more songs."
"Hmm?"
Fu Hanjiang raised an eyebrow. "The time isn't fixed? Sometimes early, sometimes late?"
"Yes." Manager Wu quickly explained, "It's according to the girls' draw order."
Drawing lots? Drawing for what?
Manager Wu knew he wasn't familiar with the situation since it had been a while since he last came.
He explained the dance competition in detail, then looked at Fu Hanjiang with a beaming face.
"Second Master Fu, would you like to join the fun?"
Join the fun?
Fu Hanjiang raised an eyebrow. Manager Wu knew how to talk.
"Sure."
Fu Hanjiang came for S, so he waved Manager Wu over. "Remember, no matter who places the highest bet, I always add 500,000 more."
!!
Upon hearing this, Manager Wu was overjoyed!
He couldn't hide his grin. "Alright, Second Master Fu, on her behalf, thank you."
Then he asked, "Second Master Fu, what kind of wine do you like? My place is small. If you tell me in advance, I'll prepare it for you."
Fu Hanjiang glanced at him. This old fox was trying to make him pay for drinks too.
He didn't mind and waved his hand. "Let her choose. As long as she likes it."
"Alright!"
With this great news, Manager Wu immediately ran inside to find Sheng Xiangsi.
"Xiangsi! Great news!"
"What is it, that makes you so happy?"
Sheng Xiangsi didn't understand but still smiled with him.
"You've met a benefactor!"
Manager Wu excitedly rubbed his hands and made a gesture. "This benefactor said no matter who places the highest bet, he would add 500,000 more!"
That really was a benefactor!
The final bet amount was uncertain, but the additional 500,000 was enough to astonish anyone.
No wonder Manager Wu said she didn't understand the world of the wealthy.
Truly, they spent money like water!
"Get ready!"
Manager Wu saw she was still putting on makeup. "I won't disturb you. Now isn't a good time for you to show your face. Don't worry, after the competition, you'll meet him— Rest assured, he's not one of those bald middle-aged men!"
"Okay."
Sheng Xiangsi didn't care if he was a bald middle-aged man, just a toast, no problem.
In the booth outside, Fu Hanjiang waited unhurriedly.
Finally...
The stage lights dimmed. Was she about to perform?
The music started, countless tiny light circles lit up, and the light rippled like water, spreading out in waves.
The sound of water flowed in his ears.
And then, she emerged from the water...