Ji Yunchuan winced as he cradled his foot, glaring at Fu Hanning. "Damn it, why the hell did you step on me?"
Fu Hanning stood over him, his gaze icy and unyielding, as if he were ready to skin him alive. There was no hint of remorse in his eyes, only a cold, unwavering intensity.
"Alright, alright! I promise, no more hitting on girls," Ji Yunchuan conceded, though it was clear he wasn't happy about it.
With a slight, almost mocking smile, Fu Hanning replied, "She's my legally wedded wife." His words were accompanied by a slight furrow of his brow, a sign of the weight he attached to this statement.
In truth, he had never intended to share this fact with anyone. Despite his reluctance to divulge their marital status, he couldn't just stand by and let his friend make a move on her. She was his wife, bound to him by law, and that wasn't something he could take lightly.
Ji Yunchuan stared at him, utterly gobsmacked. "Wait... did I hear that right?"
"I'm not repeating myself," Fu Hanning retorted, his tone darkening. "Stay away from her from now on."
Ji Yunchuan swallowed hard, glancing back toward Gu Yining with a mix of awe and disbelief. She was undeniably beautiful, a rare beauty whose presence could light up any room. But Fu Hanning? He was the last person he'd expect to be married. The man was a perpetual bachelor, a lone wolf with a heart as cold as steel. How could he have gone and tied the knot?
The thought of how close he'd come to crossing the line with her sent a chill down his spine. He was beyond grateful that he hadn't let things go further, not even attempting to hold her hand. Had he done so, he was certain Fu Hanning would have seen to it that he disappeared without a trace.
"Alright, alright, I'll get out of your way. Enjoy your time with your lovely wife," Ji Yunchuan said, waving off his anxiety as he quickly made his exit. The second he was out of sight, he broke into a run, as if fleeing the scene of a crime.
Once Ji Yunchuan was gone, Fu Hanning slipped a hand into his pocket and strode toward Gu Yining. She noticed him approaching and set her drink down, smiling as she shifted to give him room. "That guy was your boyfriend, right? You sure know how to pick 'em."
"You're that desperate for a man?" Fu Hanning shot back with a scornful look, his dark eyes narrowing with a hint of anger.
Gu Yining was caught off guard by his sudden aggression. Was he really lashing out at her just because she had exchanged a few words with his so-called boyfriend? This man was truly something else.
Swallowing her irritation, she spoke up, attempting to explain herself, "He was the one who came to me."
"So you like drawing attention to yourself, huh? You enjoy being the center of it all, soaking in everyone's gazes just to feed your pathetic sense of superiority?" he sneered, his disdain apparent in every word.
Her temper flared, but she fought to maintain her composure, clenching her fists as she reminded herself that this man was, after all, her husband. She couldn't just slap him, no matter how much she might want to.
"You carry the title of Mrs. Fu now," he continued, his voice low but forceful. "Act like it. Watch your behavior."
His reprimand stung, and she felt a wave of defiance rise within her. "All I did was talk to your boyfriend," she said, her voice rising. "There's no need for you to lecture me like this. If you can't stand the sight of me, then I'll just leave."
Grabbing her handbag, she rose from the sofa and walked out of the ballroom with her head held high, never once looking back. As she stepped outside, she gazed up at the blue sky, feeling a lump form in her throat. She was beginning to regret the choices that had led her here. How had she ended up with a man so utterly devoid of warmth, so impossibly difficult to understand? Cold, unfeeling, and irrational—and to top it all off, he couldn't even give her a child.
Inside, Fu Hanning stood in the corner of the room, his gaze falling on a glistening crystal trophy that was tucked into a small nook on a nearby shelf. He picked it up, examining it closely. Only those with immense talent in the world of perfumery would earn such an honor. Had he gone too far? Was he too harsh on a young woman who clearly possessed so much talent?
His thoughts were interrupted as Li Feng hurried toward him, a sense of urgency etched into his features. It was clear something was amiss.