What did that mean?
Sheng Xiangsi was stunned. Did it mean what she thought it did? No... that couldn't be possible, right?
"Grandma."
Sheng Xiangsi swallowed nervously and asked hesitantly, "What kind of 'like' do you mean?"
"This child..."
Fu Mingzhu put down her soup bowl and smiled warmly, "What other kind of 'like' could it be? Of course, I mean the kind between a man and a woman."
Afraid she wouldn't understand, she added, "Just like how you used to like Hanjiang."
"? ?"
Sheng Xiangsi was confused, "Grandma, why are you asking this?"
Was it just because Zhong Pei gave her a ride back?
She shook her head with a smile, "There's nothing going on between us. We just happened to meet on the way, and he kindly gave me a lift."
"Is that all?"
Fu Mingzhu probed, "At your birthday party last time, didn't you two chat and laugh a lot? I thought you got along quite well."
"Grandma." Sheng Xiangsi was both amused and exasperated, "What are you talking about? There's nothing like that..."
Fu Mingzhu thought she was just being shy, her expression softening, "I think Zhong Pei is quite good, and he seems to have some interest in you. Tell Grandma the truth, do you have any feelings for him?"
"Ah?"
This time, Sheng Xiangsi couldn't laugh it off.
The old lady didn't seem to be joking, and her words carried a lot of weight.
Sheng Xiangsi frowned slightly, "Grandma, I don't quite understand what you mean."
"Sigh..."
Fu Mingzhu sighed, wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin.
She looked at Sheng Xiangsi with deep affection.
"Grandma just wants to find you a good match. Zhong Pei is good, his family background is decent, and most importantly, you like him..."
"Grandma!"
Sheng Xiangsi was startled, her face turning pale.
She shook her head repeatedly, "Don't joke about this, how could that be possible?"
Her with Zhong Pei? That would be ruining a great young man!
"How is this a joke?"
Fu Mingzhu frowned, "Grandma wouldn't joke about your lifelong happiness. I'm sincerely considering your future."
"Grandma..."
Sheng Xiangsi didn't know what to say, this was too absurd!
"I know." Fu Mingzhu waved her hand, "You think you're not worthy, right?"
That was indeed the truth! Sheng Xiangsi thought silently.
"Don't worry."
Fu Mingzhu dismissed her concerns, "As long as you like him, you are worthy! As the adopted daughter of the Fu family, who would dare look down on you? Xiangsi..."
As she spoke, Fu Mingzhu's eyes reddened.
"The Fu family has wronged you, and Grandma won't be at peace until I see you happily settled."
"Grandma..."
Sheng Xiangsi was at a loss, "I don't need..."
"How can you say that?"
Fu Mingzhu was very stubborn, insisting, "Last time, you chose on your own, and Hanjiang told me the outcome was like that... it's Grandma's fault. This time, Grandma will personally oversee and ensure you find a good one."
"..."
Sheng Xiangsi was speechless, not knowing what to say.
Let the old lady think whatever she wanted, after all, there was nothing between her and Zhong Pei, and there never would be.
"Grandma has her plans, I just wanted to let you know so you won't have any concerns."
Fu Mingzhu stood up, "It's late, I'm going to my room."
"Grandma, let me walk you."
Sheng Xiangsi got up and helped Fu Mingzhu.
At that moment, Fu Hanjiang came in with a tray, a bowl of soup on it.
"Why did it take so long to get a bowl of soup?"
Fu Mingzhu glared at her grandson and released Sheng Xiangsi, "No need to walk me, drink the soup, be good."
"Okay, Grandma."
"Good girl."
Fu Mingzhu smiled and turned to go upstairs.
Fu Hanjiang put the tray down without looking at Sheng Xiangsi, "Drink it."
"… Okay."
Left alone with him, Sheng Xiangsi felt very awkward, her mind filled with the image of him kissing her last night...
She hastily picked up the bowl and took a big gulp.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, Sheng Xiangsi cried out.
"What happened?"
Fu Hanjiang quickly stood up, taking a long stride to her side.
"Mm..."
Sheng Xiangsi covered her mouth, her face flushed red, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Did you burn yourself?"
Fu Hanjiang realized and cupped her face, "What are you doing? Spit it out!"
However, Sheng Xiangsi had already swallowed the hot soup.
The scorching liquid burned her throat and chest, making her expression even more pained!
"Are you an idiot?"
Fu Hanjiang's face darkened, "Why would you swallow something so hot?"
Sheng Xiangsi covered her mouth, unable to speak.
How was she to know it was so hot? And besides, cordyceps were so precious...
Years of hardship had taught her not to waste anything, how could she bear to spit it out?
Seeing her teary, innocent, and aggrieved look, suddenly, a soft spot in Fu Hanjiang's heart melted.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
Sheng Xiangsi, tears in her eyes, nodded; the soup must have been simmering on the stove, it was extremely hot.
"Come with me!"
Fu Hanjiang held her hand and led her into the kitchen.
He opened the fridge and instructed, "Open your mouth!"
"?"
Sheng Xiangsi, bewildered, covered her mouth and widened her eyes. Why should she open her mouth?
"Hurry up!"
Turning around, seeing her standing still, Fu Hanjiang got anxious. He lifted his hand, gently pinched her cheeks, easily making her open her mouth.
"Ah... mm..."
Before Sheng Xiangsi could protest, he stuffed her mouth with ice.
Her cheeks puffed up like a little bun.
Fu Hanjiang smiled slightly, holding back laughter, "Wait here!"
He let go of her and turned to leave, but quickly came back. Sheng Xiangsi still stood there, ice in her mouth.
She was very obedient and quiet.
"Still standing?"
Fu Hanjiang walked over, pulled out a chair, and pressed her shoulders to make her sit. "You don't know to sit down yourself?"
While speaking, he unwrapped a box of medicine.
Sheng Xiangsi glanced at it but didn't understand, and she couldn't speak.
"It's a burn spray."
As if reading her mind, Fu Hanjiang finished unwrapping the box and pointed to her mouth, "Once it stops hurting so much, I'll spray it inside."
He... was being so nice?
Sheng Xiangsi blinked, feeling like it was unreal.
"Feeling better? Does it still hurt?"
He asked, pointing to the trash can, "If it doesn't hurt as much, spit out the ice. The effect of the ice is temporary, you still need the medicine."
Sheng Xiangsi nodded dumbly, turned her head, and spat out the ice.
"Come on, open your mouth." Fu Hanjiang lifted her chin, holding the spray.
"I, hiss..." Sheng Xiangsi could speak now, but it hurt to breathe in, "Let me do it."
"You can't see inside, how will you spray it? Be good, open your mouth."
Fu Hanjiang refused to let her do it, and Sheng Xiangsi had no choice but to tilt her head and open her mouth, "Ah..."
Revealing her neat, white teeth and pink tongue.
Everything about it was so cute...
Fu Hanjiang's Adam's apple bobbed up and down, holding her chin with one hand and the spray with the other, he gently coaxed.
"The medicine is bitter, bear with it. Okay?"
"Mm—"