"Xiangsi..."
Zhong Pei couldn't help but stare, murmuring her name.
"Hmm?" Sheng Xiangsi's smile lingered.
"You've got something in your hair..." Zhong Pei raised his hand and gently removed the item from her hair.
"What is it?"
Zhong Pei handed it to her. Sheng Xiangsi saw it was a thin, shiny piece.
"Oh, it's a decoration from my practice outfit."
In the Bentley Azure at the corner, Fu Hanjiang silently watched this scene, his gaze gradually turning icy, freezing over slowly.
Suddenly, he looked away.
"Uncle Chen, drive."
"Yes, sir."
Uncle Chen started the car, not daring to breathe loudly.
A heartbroken man is someone an old servant doesn't dare to provoke.
As the car drove off, Fu Hanjiang closed his eyes and leaned back in the seat.
It was no big deal. He admitted that recently, he had developed some subtle feelings towards Sheng Xiangsi...
Let's call it affection.
But it was just affection, nothing so intense that he couldn't live without her.
In this world, who really can't live without someone?
He didn't believe in such sentiments! Eternal love? That's a term from myths...
Back there, Zhong Pei withdrew his hand and said softly, "Fu Hanjiang has left."
"Really?"
Hearing this, Sheng Xiangsi breathed a sigh of relief. She had been on edge, not daring to look around.
"So can we leave now?"
We?
Zhong Pei was delighted; he liked it when she said that.
He smiled and nodded, "Yes, we can..."
Suddenly a bit shy, he asked, "Xiangsi, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to dinner, is that okay?"
His request had a hint of courtship.
Sheng Xiangsi was caught between agreeing and not agreeing—if she didn't agree, it seemed ungrateful. But if she did agree, it seemed like giving him a chance.
"Xiangsi?"
Before she could decide, a car stopped beside them, and someone called her name.
They both looked up to see the car window roll down—it was Fu Mingzhu.
Fu Mingzhu had just visited Fu Hanchuan in the hospital and was on her way back home when she saw a familiar figure from afar that looked like Xiangsi.
Coming closer, she realized it was indeed Xiangsi.
And she wasn't alone.
Fu Mingzhu shifted her gaze to Zhong Pei.
"Zhong Pei?"
"Yes, it's me." Zhong Pei smiled and stepped forward, slightly bowing, "Grandma, how's your health recently?"
"Good, good."
Fu Mingzhu smiled, but her feelings were complex.
"You two are...?"
She probed, "On a date?"
"..." Sheng Xiangsi was stunned, her lips slightly parted.
"Yes."
Zhong Pei glanced at her and answered for her, "Grandma, thanks for your encouragement. Xiangsi and I are trying to see if we can be together."
"Is that so."
Fu Mingzhu looked at Sheng Xiangsi inquiringly. The girl's cheeks were slightly red, but she didn't refute it.
So it was true.
"Good, that's good."
Fu Mingzhu nodded with a sigh, "This is very good."
She was genuinely happy that Xiangsi could take this step. However, thinking about Fu Hanjiang's feelings for her...
It seemed all for nothing.
It would be a lie to say she didn't feel sorry for her grandson.
But Fu Mingzhu quickly adjusted her mindset, smiling and waving at Sheng Xiangsi, "Since we ran into each other, come home with Grandma and have dinner with me. It's been days since you visited."
This...
Sheng Xiangsi hesitated, looking at Zhong Pei.
"Oh."
Fu Mingzhu teased, "Can't bear to part with Zhong Pei? How about this, Zhong Pei, you come too. Don't mind having a date at Grandma's, right?"
"Of course not."
Zhong Pei was slightly embarrassed, "You're Xiangsi's grandmother, so you're my grandmother too."
"Oh, I love hearing that!"
Fu Mingzhu instructed the driver, "Quick, open the door for Xiangsi."
"Grandma, I can do it."
Without needing the driver, Zhong Pei walked over, opened the door, and held the car roof for Xiangsi, "Xiangsi, take it slow."
"Hmm." Sheng Xiangsi smiled at him and bent down to get into the car.
Zhong Pei then said, "Grandma, I'll drive my own car. You go first, and I'll follow."
"Huh?" Fu Mingzhu felt a bit embarrassed, "Aren't I separating you two?"
"Not at all." Zhong Pei waved at Sheng Xiangsi, "See you in a bit."
"Yes, see you in a bit."
Their interaction didn't escape Fu Mingzhu's notice. She silently sighed, realizing that Xiangsi had met someone who truly cared for her this time...
At the Fu residence.
Sheng Xiangsi and Zhong Pei had dinner with Fu Mingzhu. If they hadn't come, Fu Mingzhu would have eaten alone.
Because of work, Fu Hanjiang rarely came back for dinner, and Yao Leyi was at the hospital with Fu Hanchuan.
Now, the three of them sat in the living room, drinking tea and eating fruit.
Fu Mingzhu took a sip of tea, "Zhong Pei."
"Yes, Grandma." Zhong Pei sat upright, guessing that the old lady didn't invite him just for dinner.
"Don't be nervous."
Fu Mingzhu chuckled, "Just a chat."
"Yes, Grandma, please go ahead."
Seeing that he couldn't relax, Fu Mingzhu became more serious, "Since you and Xiangsi are together, there are some things I need to tell you."
The old lady held Sheng Xiangsi's hand, "I've always treated Xiangsi like my granddaughter, but she has still suffered a lot..."
Just because she didn't say it didn't mean she wasn't aware.
She truly cared for Xiangsi, but human nature is selfish, and she was ultimately more biased towards her own family.
"Grandma." Sheng Xiangsi was stunned.
"Xiangsi, I'm sorry." Fu Mingzhu murmured, her eyes slightly moist, "But now, you have Zhong Pei..."
Then she continued to instruct Zhong Pei.
"You must treat Xiangsi well and never wrong her."
"Yes." Zhong Pei straightened up, "Grandma, don't worry!"
"Ah..."
Fu Mingzhu sighed, "You might face some resistance."
This referred to Zhong Pei's family. While Zhong Pei might not mind Sheng Xiangsi's past, his family might.
"But don't worry."
Fu Mingzhu encouraged, "I'm here for you. Grandma will be your strong support. Zhong Pei...if you need anything, tell me, and I'll help."
"Grandma..."
Zhong Pei felt it was inappropriate to tell her their relationship was fake.
Even if it were real, he believed he could handle his family himself.
But he accepted the old lady's goodwill, "Alright, thank you, Grandma."
"Thank you? No need to be polite, it's what Grandma should do..."
As they chatted, they heard a noise at the entrance.
Fu Mingzhu was puzzled, "At this hour, who could it be?"
"Grandma."
The voice came before the person appeared.
Soon, Fu Hanjiang strode in. He had been drinking, and his features were shrouded in a slight intoxication.
Seeing Sheng Xiangsi and Zhong Pei, his lips curved into a smile.
"Guests?"
His tone suggested he didn't recognize them...
"Hanjiang."
Noticing her grandson's odd behavior, Fu Mingzhu quickly stood up.