Despite his harsh words, Fu Hanjiang still approached and picked up Sheng Xiangsi in his arms.
He reminded her, "Lean on me, don't fall!"
"..." Sheng Xiangsi quietly leaned against his chest.
The man smiled contentedly, thinking she was being quite obedient for now.
He carried her to the car, secured her seatbelt, and Sheng Xiangsi opened her mouth, her voice hoarse, "I..."
"What do you want to say?"
Fu Hanjiang squinted warily. "Don't tell me you think I'm meddling and that you don't need my help!"
"No."
Sheng Xiangsi was startled and shook her head.
She really didn't think that. Previously, she did find him annoying, but this was different. Tonight, he saved her and helped her.
She lowered her eyes, her voice soft and low, "Thank you. Thank you."
Suddenly, a spark lit up in Fu Hanjiang's eyes, his heart skipping a beat.
He smiled, "At least you have a bit of conscience. Alright, the doctor said you shouldn't talk, so stop. I understand your feelings."
He walked around the car, got in, and drove her home.
...
For the next couple of days, Sheng Xiangsi couldn't work. Manager Wu at Mí Sè gave her a two-day leave.
The next day, Fu Hanjiang first went to the nursing home to see Fu Mingzhu.
"You're here? Just in time."
Fu Mingzhu, still thinking about Sheng Xiangsi's boyfriend, pulled him over to ask, "Did you find out? What kind of person is Xiangsi's boyfriend?"
"Grandma."
Fu Hanjiang's expression was a mix of satisfaction and irritation.
"Forget about it."
"Forget about it?"
Fu Mingzhu was surprised. "How could that be? Xiangsi said that person treats her well."
"Good? What good?"
Fu Hanjiang sneered disdainfully, "He's old enough to be her father! With children of his own..."
"That won't do!"
Before Fu Hanjiang could finish, Fu Mingzhu's face darkened, firmly opposing. "Xiangsi must be out of her mind. With her qualities, how could she settle for someone like that? She's a Fu family daughter. There's no shortage of good men for her."
Seeing his grandmother agree with him, Fu Hanjiang was very pleased.
"Exactly, I don't agree either."
"Yes." Fu Mingzhu urged, "You have to handle this well. Will Xiangsi listen to you? If not, should I talk to her?"
"No need."
Fu Hanjiang stopped his grandmother. "Just focus on recovering. Leave this to me. Don't worry, it's already taken care of. They've broken up."
"Really?"
Hearing this, Fu Mingzhu sighed in relief. "That's good... Xiangsi listens to you. She's not too foolish after all."
Fu Hanjiang made no comment on that.
Not foolish? If he hadn't used some tactics, she would have stubbornly persisted.
"Hanjiang," Fu Mingzhu advised her grandson, "You did well. In the future, you should continue to care for Xiangsi like this."
"I know, Grandma."
Leaving the nursing home, Fu Hanjiang drove to West 12th Street. The car's trunk was filled with things his grandmother wanted him to give to Sheng Xiangsi.
This gave him a legitimate reason to visit.
West 12th Street.
When the knock sounded, Sheng Xiangsi was making porridge.
She had been drinking it all day, as her throat hurt too much to swallow anything else. She couldn't eat much rice; too thick and she couldn't swallow it.
Hearing the knock, she went to open the door and was puzzled to see Fu Hanjiang carrying bags of things.
He was here again?
"Move aside!"
Fu Hanjiang walked in with the bags, placing them on the shoe cabinet by the door. Seeing Sheng Xiangsi standing there in a daze, he frowned.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Sheng Xiangsi pointed to the things he brought.
"Grandma asked me to bring them." Fu Hanjiang coughed, feeling a bit awkward. "Cough... Do you think I wanted to come to your shabby place? There's not even a proper place to stand!"
Despite his words, he had already entered and sat down on the sofa, casually picking up a water cup from the table and drinking from it.
"..." Sheng Xiangsi wanted to stop him, but it was too late; he had already used her cup.
Putting down the cup, Fu Hanjiang realized but didn't feel he was wrong.
Instead, he pointed at Sheng Xiangsi. "No other cups? What do you expect me to drink? I can't make a trip here and not even get a sip of water, can I?"
Sheng Xiangsi lowered her head, saying nothing.
"You..."
Thump thump.
Fu Hanjiang was about to say more when the door was knocked on again.
Both of them looked up, puzzled about who it could be.
Sheng Xiangsi went to open the door, and to her surprise, it was Zhao Lianghan standing there.
She opened her mouth, her voice raspy like an old bellows. "Director Zhao..."
"Xiangsi." Zhao Lianghan smiled dryly. Seeing the medicated patch on her neck, his eyes darkened.
"I'm sorry for the trouble you've been through."
"..." Sheng Xiangsi covered her neck and shook her head.
She stepped aside, inviting Zhao Lianghan in.
"No need."
Zhao Lianghan understood her gesture but shook his head with a smile. "I won't come in. I just need to say a few words and I'll leave."
"Mm." Sheng Xiangsi nodded blankly.
She had a good idea of what he was going to say.
Their relationship had always been clandestine, and now that his children knew and had caused a scene...
This time it was his daughter; if they continued, next it would be his son.
"Xiangsi, I'm sorry."
Zhao Lianghan's voice was hoarse. "For now, let's call it off."
As expected.
Sheng Xiangsi paused, her long lashes trembling slightly, and she nodded, "Mm."
Actually, he didn't need to come and tell her personally. In their kind of relationship, he didn't owe her anything.
Even though she couldn't become his mistress, Sheng Xiangsi still admired and respected Zhao Lianghan.
Just like how he felt about her.
Sheng Xiangsi covered her throat, trying to speak, "It's okay, I don't blame you."
"Xiangsi..."
Zhao Lianghan looked at her deeply. He was reluctant to let her go.
So he tried, "Why don't you wait for me? When things calm down at home, we can..."
"Well, who is this?"
Unexpectedly, a man emerged from inside.
Tall, towering over Zhao Lianghan, with an imposing presence.
Even in silence, his presence was undeniable.
Then, recognizing the man's face, Zhao Lianghan was stunned, unable to believe it. "Fu... Fu Second Master?"
"Yes." Fu Hanjiang nodded slightly, a polite but restrained smile on his lips. "Director Zhao, we meet again."
"You... he..."
Zhao Lianghan looked from Fu Hanjiang to Sheng Xiangsi. "You two?"
Why was Fu Second Master here?
He had heard at Mí Sè that Fu Second Master had once favored Sheng Xiangsi. Was he back again?
Fu Hanjiang didn't know or care what Zhao Lianghan thought.
He took out a bag from his pocket and threw it at Zhao Lianghan.
"Perfect timing. Here's your stuff, take it back!"