As soon as the spray entered her mouth, Sheng Xiangsi felt a wave of bitterness shoot up to her brain! It was unbearably bitter!
"Mm..."
As if predicting her reaction, Fu Hanjiang raised his hand and firmly covered her mouth just as she turned her head.
His face stern, he glared at her fiercely.
"Bitter medicine is good for you. Don't spit it out!"
"?"
Sheng Xiangsi was dumbfounded. No! She couldn't hold it in, it was too bitter! She raised her hand to pry his hand away.
"Sheng Xiangsi, are you disobeying me?"
Suddenly, Fu Hanjiang stood up, his hand moving from her mouth.
Before Sheng Xiangsi could react, he cupped her face again, bent down, and used his own mouth... to seal hers.
"? !"
The unexpected kiss made Sheng Xiangsi freeze instantly, ceasing her struggle.
He... he... what was he doing?
He was kissing her again?
Unlike her stiffness, the man seemed somewhat intoxicated. Especially when her long eyelashes brushed against his skin, tickling and scratching his nerves.
His deep voice, mingled with his breath, caressed her.
"Is it still bitter?"
"..." Sheng Xiangsi, bewildered, opened her mouth, her mind blank, stammering, "N-no, it's not bitter anymore."
"Really?"
Fu Hanjiang chuckled softly, "A kiss makes the bitterness go away?"
"What?" Sheng Xiangsi looked dazed, not sure if she heard him right or understood him correctly.
"You little dummy."
Fu Hanjiang suddenly felt a strong urge, grabbing her waist and pulling her into his embrace.
"?" Sheng Xiangsi stared at him with wide eyes, her mouth slightly open, her breath tinged with the bitterness of the medicine.
"Xiangsi."
Her name rolled off his tongue.
His voice was calm, low, and steady, "You and Zhong Pei aren't suitable. Tell Grandma tomorrow that you don't like him, okay?"
!!
Suddenly, Sheng Xiangsi snapped back to reality.
She realized she was in his arms! She quickly pushed him away, stood up, and took two steps back to put some distance between them.
His arms now empty, Fu Hanjiang frowned in displeasure, "Xiangsi?"
"Why should I listen to you?"
Sheng Xiangsi's mind was a whirlwind because... Fu Hanjiang was acting too strangely! The man who despised her was now hugging and kissing her!
Sheng Xiangsi trembled slightly, shaking her head.
"I think Zhong Pei is great! My affairs are none of your business!"
With that, she turned and ran.
"Sheng Xiangsi!"
Behind her, the man's voice was clearly unhappy.
Sheng Xiangsi closed her eyes and didn't dare to look back. She was terrified! Everything he did to her...
Why? What was his purpose?
That night, Sheng Xiangsi couldn't sleep.
Tossing and turning, with her eyes open or closed, Fu Hanjiang's face and his kiss kept haunting her mind.
At dawn, she got up quietly and left the Fu residence without a sound.
She originally planned to say goodbye to Fu Mingzhu, but now she couldn't. The longer she stayed at the Fu family, the more frightened she became!
She would have to apologize to the old lady later.
Back on West Twelfth Street, lying on her own bed, Sheng Xiangsi finally felt more at ease and fell asleep.
...
In the evening, she went to Misé.
After changing clothes and before applying makeup, Sheng Xiangsi picked up her phone and called Fu Mingzhu.
"Grandma."
"Xiangsi."
On the other end, Fu Mingzhu sounded a bit unhappy, "Where did you go? Why were you gone so early?"
"Grandma."
Sheng Xiangsi smiled and explained, "I left early this morning, but I'm calling you now. I wanted to say that I've been staying at the Fu residence for several days, and starting today, I won't be coming back."
"Ah? But..."
"Grandma, we originally agreed I would only stay for a few days, right?"
That was indeed the agreement.
Fu Mingzhu sighed helplessly, "Alright, but remember, you must visit often. The Fu family will always be your home."
"Okay, I know." Sheng Xiangsi replied cheerfully.
Just as she hung up, Manager Wu came in.
Following behind were a delivery person and someone delivering flowers, filling the dressing room completely.
"Xiangsi." Manager Wu beamed, winking at Sheng Xiangsi, "It's from Second Master Fu."
But Sheng Xiangsi wasn't happy.
Her heart tightened, a cold sweat breaking out on her back as layers of fear enveloped her...
After the performance, Sheng Xiangsi received a call from Fu Hanjiang.
She didn't want to answer, but she couldn't avoid him forever.
"Hello?"
She eventually picked up.
"What time does it end today?"
On the other end, the man said, "I'm on my way. Wait for me, I'll pick you up."
"No need..."
As soon as he heard these words, he interrupted her, "I'm telling you, not asking for your opinion, understand?"
With that, he hung up.
Sheng Xiangsi held her phone, nervously biting her finger.
She couldn't understand why he was acting this way.
She was no naive girl...
Fu Hanjiang's actions towards her were those of a man towards a woman...
But to say he liked her? She couldn't believe that, not even in a million years!
She didn't want to know his reasons, she just didn't want him near her anymore.
Right... he said he was on his way!
Sheng Xiangsi hurriedly removed her makeup, packed up, and ran towards the main entrance.
"Xiangsi!"
Just before reaching the entrance, someone grabbed her arm.
"Hm?"
She turned to see Zhong Pei.
Sheng Xiangsi's anxious expression hadn't faded, and Zhong Pei frowned slightly, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
She seemed frightened, looking very uneasy.
"I..."
Sheng Xiangsi hesitated, forcing a dry smile, "It's nothing. I'm just tired and eager to go home."
"Is that really it?" Zhong Pei didn't quite believe her, sensing she wasn't telling the truth.
"Yes." Of course, Sheng Xiangsi couldn't tell him the truth.
"Alright."
Zhong Pei checked his watch, "I was just leaving too. I'll give you a ride."
"How could I trouble you?" Sheng Xiangsi quickly shook her head, waving her hand, "It's not right to have you drive me all the time."
Zhong Pei raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Aren't you very tired? In a hurry to get home?"
Just then, Sheng Xiangsi's phone buzzed.
Her heart skipped a beat, a bad feeling washing over her as she pulled it out and saw a message from Fu Hanjiang.
**[I'm at the entrance. Are you done? Should I come in?]**
After reading it, Sheng Xiangsi's face turned a shade paler.
"Xiangsi?" Zhong Pei noticed her unease, "Are you alright?"
"Uh?"
Sheng Xiangsi clutched her phone tightly, forcing a smile, "I'm fine..."
What to do? If she went out now, Fu Hanjiang would catch her for sure!
In a panic, she looked at Zhong Pei, "Could you do me a favor and take me home?"
Zhong Pei was taken aback, then smiled joyfully, nodding, "Of course."
He raised his arm, gesturing, "After you—"
"Thank you."
At the main entrance, across the street, Fu Hanjiang sat in his car, holding his phone, waiting for Sheng Xiangsi's reply.
He looked up to see a man and a woman, chatting and laughing, walking out together.