In an instant, Fu Hanjiang felt as if he was immobilized, unable to move.
Between him and Xiangsi, it seemed like he was the dominant one, but in reality, Xiangsi had always been in control.
He couldn't live without her.
Yet she always seemed distant, as if she could leave him at any moment.
But now, she was in his arms.
It felt like he was her entire world!
He paused for less than a second before Fu Hanjiang leaned down and held her tightly without hesitation. Her scent filled his nostrils.
So fragrant, so fragrant.
"Fu Hanjiang."
She called his name.
"Hmm?"
"I'm not feeling well. Take me down the mountain."
"Alright."
Fu Hanjiang looked down at her, touched her cheek; it was cold. Her hands were cold too.
Not daring to delay, he picked her up and quickly descended the mountain.
He opened the car door and put her inside. He then opened a bottle of water and brought it to her lips. "Drink some water."
"Mm." Sheng Xiangsi took a few sips with difficulty, then shook her head, not wanting more.
Fu Hanjiang wanted to ask if something had happened on the mountain, but seeing her pale face, he dared not ask. He stroked her hair. "Close your eyes and rest."
"Mm." Sheng Xiangsi nodded, closed her eyes, and leaned back weakly.
As the car started, Fu Hanjiang, fearing she might be cold, turned up the heat and drove slowly to avoid worsening her condition.
Sheng Xiangsi tilted her head, eyes closed.
It seemed she fell into a dream.
"Whimper, whimper..."
Fu Hanjiang couldn't see her face, only heard her low sobs. Unsettled, he pulled over to the side of the road.
He held her hand. "Xiangsi? Are you awake?"
"Whimper..." Sheng Xiangsi didn't wake up, still sobbing, mumbling, "Mom..."
Fu Hanjiang leaned closer and heard it clearly. Xiangsi was thinking of her mother.
"Mom, I'm sorry. Xiangsi was wrong, I'm sorry, sob..."
What did this mean? Why was she apologizing to her mother in her sleep?
"Sob, I was wrong, wrong..."
This made Xiangsi even more heartbreaking.
Fu Hanjiang gently held her, whispering softly in her ear, "Don't cry, your mom won't blame you."
Although he wasn't clear about the situation, what mother would blame her child?
(Of course, some beasts in human form excluded!)
In the silence, Sheng Xiangsi slowly opened her eyes, looking at him blankly.
"Awake?"
Fu Hanjiang touched her face; it felt warmer than before.
Feeling slightly relieved, he wiped away her tears. "You had a nightmare. I had to stop and comfort you. Do you feel better?"
Actually, Sheng Xiangsi hadn't been fully asleep; her mental state was drifting.
She had a vague sense of what Fu Hanjiang had done. She knew he was telling the truth and nodded.
"Much better. Let's go."
It was already dark, and if it rained or snowed, the road would be difficult.
"Okay."
He started the car and set off again.
Entering the city, Fu Hanjiang glanced at Sheng Xiangsi. "How about we go to Yintan tonight?"
He was really worried about her.
"No." Sheng Xiangsi frowned and shook her head. "Take me back to Hexiyuan."
She really missed Junjun and wanted to be with him.
"Xiangsi..."
"Will you take me or not?" Sheng Xiangsi, frustrated, looked at Fu Hanjiang. "If not, stop the car now!"
She already had her hand on the door.
"I'll take you!"
Seeing her intense reaction, what other choice did he have?
Fu Hanjiang had to agree and turned the car towards Hexiyuan.
The car fell silent. He secretly glanced at Sheng Xiangsi in the rearview mirror, silently advising himself to understand her.
Xiangsi was thinking of her mother today and was in a bad mood.
He was worried about her, but he should also be considerate.
Why rush? They had just reconciled two days ago.
Take it slow. Relationships are not built in a day.
As usual, Fu Hanjiang parked at the entrance of Hexiyuan. He wanted to go in with her. "Xiangsi, I'll tell the security guard."
"No need."
Sheng Xiangsi waved her hand. "Thank you for today. I'm tired and want to be alone. I'll call you tomorrow."
Then, she suddenly leaned over and kissed Fu Hanjiang on the lips.
"Bye-bye, good night."
"Bye-bye..."
That kiss left Fu Hanjiang feeling paralyzed again, his whole body tingling.
Watching Sheng Xiangsi's retreating figure, he felt like his soul wasn't his own. "…Good night."
…Xiangsi really knew how to handle him!
…
Originally, Fu Hanjiang planned to return to Yintan.
But thinking he'd be alone without Xiangsi, he turned the car towards Fu's residence.
After asking Lin Ma, Fu Hanjiang went to the backyard and found Fu Hanchuan.
Fu Hanchuan had just finished a round of rehabilitation training and was resting.
"Brother." Fu Hanjiang sat down after pulling out a chair.
Fu Hanchuan glanced at him. "Why did you come back today?"
"To see you and grandma."
Fu Hanjiang smiled cheekily, but then he got serious. "Brother, can I ask you something? Do you know how Xiangsi's parents died?"
Unlike him, Fu Hanchuan was born and raised in the Fu family. He knew Xiangsi when Fu Hanjiang hadn't joined the family yet.
So, he knew more about Xiangsi's past than Fu Hanjiang did.
"Xiangsi's mother?"
Fu Hanchuan frowned, recalling. "I heard from grandma it was an accident. She disappeared for two days, and when they found her, she was at the bottom of a cliff in the mountains. It was probably a misstep."
"I see."
Fu Hanjiang nodded. "How old was Xiangsi then?"
"Six or seven."
Fu Hanchuan looked at his brother, squinting slightly. "Asking about these things, are you starting to care about Xiangsi?"
"I'm just..."
Fu Hanjiang felt a bit embarrassed. "It's my responsibility, isn't it? I'm not doing enough."
"Realizing your shortcomings?"
Fu Hanchuan's refined face showed an unreadable expression. "Are you serious about Xiangsi?"
After thinking for a moment, Fu Hanjiang didn't say yes or no.
"Brother, this is my first time. I don't know if I'm serious enough, but I want to have a good life with Xiangsi."
That's being serious.
For a moment, Fu Hanchuan felt mixed emotions.
Looking at his brother meaningfully, he sighed, "You've grown up."
When a person wants to settle down, it's a sign of maturity.
Fu Hanchuan thought of Yao Leyi and sighed. "Treat Xiangsi well. Brother will be waiting for your wedding."
"Hehe."
Fu Hanjiang felt more embarrassed. "What are you saying? You're the elder brother. If there's a wedding, I'll attend yours and Leyi's first."
Him and Yao Leyi?
Fu Hanchuan smiled and patted his leg. "Alright. Just wait."
He stood up, leaning on his cane. Fu Hanjiang hurried to help, but Fu Hanchuan waved him off. "No need, I can manage."
On the side, Qi Si was already waiting.
Fu Hanjiang curiously asked, "Brother, where are you going?"
Sigh.
Fu Hanchuan sighed, frowning at his brother. "Hanjiang, you..."