"Okay."
Hand in hand, Fu Hanchuan and Yao Leyi walked into the room. At a glance, they recognized the familiar figure standing by the table.
Fu Hanchuan frowned and his pupils contracted.
Could it really be her...?
Yao Leyi's reaction was immediate, blurting out, "It's you?"
Bai Ran stood there, hands clasped in front of her, looking a bit nervous. "Hello, Mr. Fu. Hello, Miss Yao."
To be honest, she had only submitted her design on a whim, not expecting much. After all, she never presumed to be the best.
But to her surprise, luck was on her side, and she was actually chosen.
Given their past encounter, Bai Ran felt a bit guilty.
Yao Leyi, too, was uncomfortable. Why did it have to be her?
"What's the matter?" Fu Hanchuan asked, looking at Yao Leyi.
He was aware of their previous 'conflict.'
Honestly, he also didn't want to have any more dealings with Bai Ran.
So, he held Yao Leyi's hand. "If you don't like her, we can choose another designer."
With this statement, he effectively dismissed Bai Ran without further discussion.
Bai Ran's face stiffened, her smile faltering. She had expected this. It seemed all her efforts were in vain.
"Hehe."
Bai Ran forced a smile. "If Mr. Fu feels that way, I'll take my leave."
She bent down to pick up her bag from the chair.
"Wait."
Yao Leyi hesitated for a moment but eventually spoke up, "Although we had some unpleasantness before, I'm a person who focuses on the task at hand. I'm buying your design this time, so let's put personal issues aside. What do you think?"
"Of course..." Bai Ran's eyes lit up, and she nodded, ready to respond.
"Leyi."
Unexpectedly, Fu Hanchuan stopped her. "A wedding dress is very important, and there will be frequent communication. You don't have to choose a designer you don't like and give yourself unnecessary trouble. There are plenty of excellent designers out there."
Bai Ran: ??
She couldn't help but mentally criticize.
This Fu guy is something else. The person involved doesn't mind, but he's the one nitpicking. For a man, he's surprisingly petty! Hmph!
Yao Leyi was pleased.
Leaning against him, she said, "I know you mean well, but I really like her design. It's okay... I'm not a petty person. Let's give her a try."
"Leyi." Fu Hanchuan refused to agree. "I'm worried it will affect your mood. Weddings are such a happy occasion."
"With you being so considerate, how could I be in a bad mood?"
Yao Leyi smiled brightly, her eyes curving. "As long as you're good to me, I don't care about anyone else."
Seeing he couldn't persuade her, Fu Hanchuan sighed. "Do you really like her design that much?"
"Yes, I do." Yao Leyi pouted and nodded.
"Alright." Fu Hanchuan relented. "We'll do it your way and give her a try."
"You're the best!"
Yao Leyi happily stood on tiptoe to kiss Fu Hanchuan on the cheek.
Bai Ran quickly lowered her gaze: Watching people being affectionate will give you a sty.
Speaking of which, this Fu guy really pampers his wife. Yao Leyi just has to act a bit coquettish, and he agrees to anything. It seems he would even fetch her stars from the sky if she asked.
"Bai Ran."
"Yes."
Hearing her name, Bai Ran smiled brightly, her grin almost reaching her ears. "Miss Yao, do you have any instructions? Just let me know."
Yao Leyi was amused by her. "I didn't realize you had such a humorous side. The past is the past. I'm entrusting my wedding dress to you."
"Of course."
Bai Ran's smile widened even more, almost splitting her face. "Miss Yao, you're so magnanimous. Don't worry, I'll do my best to make you satisfied!"
"Good."
Fu Hanchuan frowned slightly, silently thinking: He hadn't expected this side of Bai Ran's personality.
Putting it nicely, she's adaptable. But more bluntly, she's a sycophant.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Perhaps this very trait allowed her to survive and thrive until today.
…
That evening, Sheng Xiangsi and Fu Hanjiang stayed over at the Fu residence.
Fu Hanjiang was still busy, so Sheng Xiangsi returned to their room to rest first. When she arrived, she realized she had taken Fu Hanjiang's jacket with her.
He had handed it to her earlier when he felt warm.
Sheng Xiangsi got up to return it to his room.
Suddenly, her palm felt something.
What's this?
Reaching into the suit pocket, she pulled out a small jewelry box, quite delicate.
What's inside?
A necklace? A bracelet? Something he bought for her?
When he suggested she join him today, she had refused. Did he still secretly buy her something?
Opening the box, she found… a pair of Minnie Mouse hair clips?
Hmm?
Sheng Xiangsi was surprised. Is this Fu's aesthetic? Why would he think of buying such clips for her?
She picked up one clip and compared it in the mirror. "Does it suit me?"
Her look was bright and lively, not the cute type, so this style…
Really didn't suit her.
She put the clip back, closed the box, and placed it back into the suit pocket.
She had plenty of jewelry he had given her, most of which she never wore. One more wouldn't make a difference.
Late at night.
Sheng Xiangsi had already fallen asleep, feeling a weight pressing down on her, and then, her mouth was covered, her breath taken away.
"Ugh!"
She lifted her foot and kicked out.
"Hehe."
Fu Hanjiang chuckled. "Using the same trick again? What if you hurt me? Do you ever consider your own happiness?"
"Fu Hanjiang!"
Sheng Xiangsi, now wide awake, glared at him. "Can't you let people sleep at night?"
"I can't sleep without doing something. Please…"
"Ugh." Sheng Xiangsi protested, "Can't we skip one day?"
Even though she was eager to have a child, she wasn't as relentless as he was.
"Sure." Fu Hanjiang agreed readily but didn't stop kissing her. "Tomorrow, we'll rest..."
The next day, Sheng Xiangsi understood why Fu Hanjiang had said that.
It turned out he was going to Haicheng, leaving that afternoon.
Before leaving, Fu Hanjiang dropped Sheng Xiangsi back at Hexiuyuan, stopping at the entrance.
Before getting out, Sheng Xiangsi looked at Fu Hanjiang skeptically.
"What's wrong?" Fu Hanjiang touched his face. "Is there something on my face?"
"No, it's not that." Sheng Xiangsi shook her head, her gaze unintentionally drifting to his suit pocket.
He hadn't given her the childish Minnie Mouse hair clips.
Had he forgotten?
Sheng Xiangsi smiled. "I'm going now."
"Okay."
Getting out of the car, Sheng Xiangsi ran into the community. After Fu Hanjiang drove off, she reappeared suddenly.
She hurriedly hailed a taxi at the entrance. "Driver, please follow that Bentley in front!"