Sheng Xiangsi didn't look across the street. She got into Zhong Pei's car.
Watching the car drive away, Fu Hanjiang said nothing, but his phone in his palm was bent out of shape from his grip!
...
As the car drove off, Zhong Pei gestured to Sheng Xiangsi.
"There's a bag in the back seat. Could you get it?"
"Oh, sure."
Sheng Xiangsi was momentarily dazed, then turned around to reach for the bag. It was a bit heavy, and she wondered what was inside.
"Should I open it for you?"
"Go ahead."
"Okay."
It was an insulated food container, like a takeaway.
When she opened it, she found... a bowl of pumpkin sweet soup.
Sheng Xiangsi looked up, puzzled, "This is...?"
"Hehe." Zhong Pei smiled, "Pumpkin sweet soup, your favorite, right?"
"Yes."
She remembered he had bought it for her once before.
Only, last time, she couldn't eat it because of Fu Hanjiang.
"Eat up." Seeing her hesitate, Zhong Pei raised his chin, "It's for you."
This... Sheng Xiangsi felt a bit embarrassed. Did he buy it just for her?
Before, she had vaguely sensed that Zhong Pei seemed to have a subtle interest in her.
Someone like him, a young master and a frequent visitor to Misé, probably had the same intentions towards her as Zhao Ting did.
Sheng Xiangsi wasn't self-righteous, but now that Junjun's surgery fees were secured, she no longer intended to sell herself.
Selling oneself was a last resort, after all.
Seeing she still didn't move, Zhong Pei got a bit flustered, "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"
"How could I not?"
Sheng Xiangsi came back to her senses, smiling, "It's just, eating in the car isn't very good, right? It might leave a smell."
"What smell?"
Zhong Pei raised an eyebrow, "The sweet smell? That's a good thing."
"..." Sheng Xiangsi was momentarily stunned, then smiled genuinely. "Alright, I'll eat."
"Yeah, go ahead."
Sheng Xiangsi opened the lid, and a sweet aroma filled her nose. She couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Scooping up a spoonful, she took a bite, "Mm... so sweet, so good."
"That's good."
Zhong Pei watched her from the rearview mirror, unable to suppress his smile. His cheeks felt a bit warm.
The car stopped at the entrance to Wenchang Road.
Sheng Xiangsi got out of the car, "I'm here. Thank you for the ride."
"You live here?" Zhong Pei was surprised, thinking she lived at the Fu residence.
"Yes."
Sheng Xiangsi understood his meaning and explained, "Grandma just had surgery, so I stayed with her for a few days. But I'm not a Fu family member, so I can't stay there permanently."
Hearing this, Zhong Pei felt secretly pleased.
So, she really had no ties with Fu Erge.
Zhong Pei smiled, "You're right."
"I'll go now."
Sheng Xiangsi waved at him, "Drive carefully, stay safe, goodnight."
"Alright, goodnight."
Turning around, Sheng Xiangsi jogged into the alley.
Entering the apartment building, she used her phone to light the way, went up to the fifth floor, and took out her key to open the door. She turned on the light, then turned around to close the door.
'Bang!'
Suddenly, just as the door was about to close, a hand reached out and slammed against it, stopping her.
"!?"
Sheng Xiangsi was startled and scared, her eyes widening. It was Fu Hanjiang! He had followed her here!
The man's lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes deeply fixed on her.
"Didn't I tell you to wait for me? Why did you get into someone else's car?"
Before she could respond, the man raised his hand and pinched her chin. "Too polite to refuse? That habit will cause unnecessary misunderstandings."
He saw everything?
But, what was he talking about?
Sheng Xiangsi blinked in confusion, blurting out, "It wasn't that I was too polite to refuse; I wanted to get into his car. Uh..."
Before she could finish, she frowned and whimpered as his grip on her chin tightened.
Fu Hanjiang's gaze darkened, "You wanted to go with him? Do you know what you're saying?"
His eyes locked on her face, his deep voice tinged with mockery.
Sheng Xiangsi couldn't help but swallow nervously, "What's wrong? Can't I get into his car?"
"Sheng Xiangsi!"
Finally, Fu Hanjiang couldn't hold back his frustration, "I told you I would pick you up!"
"But I didn't ask you to!" Sheng Xiangsi lifted her chin defiantly, "I don't need it! Don't do this again!"
Instantly, the man's expression shifted slightly, as if he couldn't believe what he heard. He remained silent for a long time.
She didn't need him?
"Heh."
Fu Hanjiang let out a short laugh, his gaze heavy on her, "Don't tell me you really have feelings for Zhong Pei! You like him?"
"Yes!"
Without a moment's hesitation, almost definitively, Sheng Xiangsi answered him.
As if afraid he didn't hear, she repeated, "Yes, I like him. Is there a problem?"
"You..."
Fu Hanjiang paused, his dark eyes seeming to ignite with a bluish flame, "Say it again?"
Hmph.
Sheng Xiangsi wasn't afraid of him, meeting his gaze confidently.
"Yes, I like Zhong Pei! Why not? He's outstanding, has a good family background, and treats me well! Even Grandma says he's great, and we're a perfect match!"
"Enough!"
Her incessant chatter about Zhong Pei! The man's anger boiled over, spilling out like molten lava.
He restrained himself, his face an extreme mask of calm, "So quickly, you like Zhong Pei? Your feelings are so easy? Does any man work?"
Just days ago, she claimed to like Zhao Lianghan, and now, it's Zhong Pei!
A fierce flame burned in Fu Hanjiang's heart, growing hotter.
"Sheng Xiangsi, didn't you like me? Hmm?"
His nerves tensed, unable to resist pulling her waist and pressing her into his arms.
"Didn't you like me for many, many years? Does your liking for Zhong Pei compare to what you felt for me?"
His hand cupped her cheek.
The gesture was all too familiar to Sheng Xiangsi!
As he leaned in to kiss her, Sheng Xiangsi quickly turned her face away, avoiding his kiss.
"Sheng Xiangsi?" Fu Hanjiang's face darkened further. She avoided him?
"..." Sheng Xiangsi breathed heavily, watching him warily.
"Yes, I did like you! But you didn't want me! You hated me, didn't you?"
Suddenly, Fu Hanjiang froze, stiffening.
He couldn't argue.
Yes, he did hate her...
While he was stunned, Sheng Xiangsi pushed him forcefully, shoving him out the door.
"You shouldn't be here! Please leave! And don't come back!"
With that, she slammed the door shut.
Fu Hanjiang stood dazed at the doorway, motionless for a long time...