“Shen Xiangwen?”
In the private room, Fu Tingchuan sat on the sofa, playing with a knife. The silver blade reflected the cold light of the crystal chandelier, and the tip was still stained with dried blood.
The man called Shen Xiangwen had a swollen face. Blood streamed down from the hands he’d clenched together, the injuries far too severe to be caused by Jiang Luoluo’s slap.
He knelt on the floor, his legs tied, a guard correcting his posture whenever he leaned to one side or the other.
Shen Xiangwen mumbled a half-hearted acknowledgment, darting his gaze away from the knife in Fu Tingchuan’s hand as his legs quivered uncontrollably.
“Shen-gongzi, even if you’re from a prominent family, you sure don’t do a good job at kneeling.” Fu Tingchuan raised an eyebrow at him, seemingly dissatisfied with Shen Xiangwen’s attitude.
Shen Xiangwen didn’t dare fart, having completely lost his former arrogance. He shakily adjusted his disobedient leg.
Then came the sound of ripping fabric.
“The people under my command are not doing things accurately. How did they hurt Master Shen?”
Fu Tingchuan’s expression remained calm. He continued, “I might even need to visit another day with Luoluo to apologize for this incident.”
“I don’t dare, I don’t dare…” Shen Xiangwen’s words were mumbled, but his heart was filled with regret.
He’d heard of Fu Tingchuan’s ruthlessness, but this was too much. How could Fu Tingchuan be so blatant, beating me up right in front of everyone in that private room without any hesitation?
It was simply arrogant to the extreme.
And his so-called friends? Each one had been invited to watch him get thrashed, not saying a single word.
The physical pain and the anger of being humiliated in public, Shen Xiangwen knelt on the ground, each second feeling like an eternity.
“Our Luo Luo is young and timid. After being frightened by Shen-gongzi, I’m afraid he’ll have nightmares for days…”
Everyone glanced at Jiang Luoluo, who was supposedly “young and timid” yet had kicked Shen Xiangwen until he was rolling on the ground, and couldn’t help but twitch the corners of their eyes.
Embarrassed, Jiang Luoluo leaned close to Fu Tingchuan, looking as sweet and delicate as a pretty vase1huā píng
Shen Xiangwen shot a glance at Jiang Luoluo. “I’m a jerk,” he said. “I’m a prejudiced fool. I shouldn’t have said those things. My behavior was rude. I’m sorry, Young Master Jiang…”
Seeing that Fu Tingchuan remained unresponsive, Shen Xiangwen steeled himself, lifted his hand, and slapped himself several times. His already swollen face—the result of earlier punches—now sported two more red patches.
Fu Tingchuan let out a soft chuckle, and Shen Xiangwen sighed in relief.
In the next instant, a flash of white light streaked through the air, and something sharp slashed directly between his legs. As Shen Xiangwen’s eyes focused on the object, he nearly wet himself from sheer terror.
The knife, which Fu Tingchuan had been casually playing with, had slipped from his grip and landed precisely between Shen Xiangwen’s legs. The blade was so close to his crotch that, even through his trousers, Shen Xiangwen felt a cold chill. He let out a scream, his face turning deathly pale. The fear was clear in his trembling body.
“With this dagger in hand, Young Master Shen,” Fu Tingchuan warned his voice like a cold wind, “you shouldn’t bother yourself with any more schemes against me. Next time young master Shen dares to covet my people, who knows where this knife might strike?”
Shen Xiangwen’s spirit was utterly broken. He suddenly realized that Fu Tingchuan wasn’t just truly mad—he didn’t care at all! The man held no regard for his dignity whatsoever!
Shen Xiangwen cried out desperately,
“Spare me, Mr. Fu! I won’t ever dare to do it again!”
A hint of a playful smile danced across Fu Tingchuan’s handsome and noble face.
“Just kidding.”
He rose and patted Shen Xiangwen’s shoulder with genuine concern.
“It’s cold on the floor. Let’s get up.”
With one arm around Jiang Luoluo’s shoulders, Fu Tingchuan casually scanned the compartment, taking in the varied expressions of the group. “I apologize for ruining everyone’s evening today. I’m truly sorry.”
“All the expenses today will be charged to my account. Consider it our way of saying sorry to everyone.”
“I won’t disturb you anymore.”
As they stepped out of the bar, the noisy chaos and stale air inside their hangout swept away.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, making them whisper and dance. From time to time, crickets on the trees burst out with loud, long calls.
Jiang Luoluo let Fu Tingchuan lead him by the hand as they strolled forward. The driver followed behind in the car, keeping a respectful distance.
Neither Fu Tingchuan nor Jiang Luoluo spoke.
Right now, Jiang Luoluo was feeling quite content—
Although Fu Tingchuan had left to protect his childhood sweetheart, Bai Tang, he’d quickly returned to stand up for Jiang Luoluo! This tycoon Fu Tingchuan was indeed a loyal friend!
They reached a fork in the road. Jiang Luoluo looked up at Fu Tingchuan.
Fu Tingchuan seemed to come back to himself. “Let’s go home.”
It was late at night. The black Rolls-Royce sped away, leaving the trees on both sides of the road behind. The streetlights flickered, shining through the car windows and illuminating half of Fu Tingchuan’s face.
His eyebrows were defined, his nose straight and tall, and his jawline sharp and angular. He looked especially cold and detached.
Fu Tingchuan lowered his eyelashes, his expression slightly furrowed. He couldn’t quite understand what he’d done earlier.
Despite his age, he still acted like a young man eager to assert his possessiveness, his anger boiling over and impossible to contain.
He couldn’t understand how, just an hour ago, he had hurriedly sent Bai Tang off in a car and heartlessly rejected his attempts at persuasion—
Over the years, without needing Bai Tang to ask, he had taken care of the Bai family. He never encroached on their business and often went out of his way to help them.
But then, an hour ago, Bai Tang, drunk, had grabbed his collar. For the first time, a hint of pleading in his voice, he called out to him, “Tingchuan-gege…2 “Gege” (哥哥 ) is a Mandarin Chinese word that means “older brother“. It’s also a common nickname for men in China. For example, a Chinese girl might call her boyfriend “gege”. I’m a bit scared…”
His mind was suddenly flooded with images of Jiang Luoluo looking up at him, obediently calling him ‘husband.’ He remembered those fingers clutching his sleeve, and how that shy face had hidden itself in his embrace…
Would he ever be scared too?
Those men’s eyes, like hungry wolves, stared at every inch of his exposed skin. Their gazes, filled with a desire all men understood, seemed about to pounce and devour him whole.
They were staring at his, Fu Tingchuan’s people!
The anger burning in his heart roared to life. The line of Fu Tingchuan’s neck tensed as he pulled Bai Tang’s hand away and turned to go back…
“We’re home!”
The enthusiastic voice byhis ear made Fu Tingchuan glance to the other side. Jiang Luoluo was leaning out the car window, enjoying the view, his round head turned away from him.
Typically carefree.
For dinner, the chef had prepared Chinese food. As Jiang Luoluo eagerly devoured bite after bite of sweet-and-sour pork with pineapples, Fu Tingchuan excused himself to take a phone call.
Qin Zeng’s voice, slightly slurred, came through amidst a noisy background.
“Tingchuan, bro, I’m sorry… I didn’t realize you took him so seriously… With Bai Tang around, I thought you were just keeping him around for some fun…”
Fu Tingchuan’s response was muted; he understood Qin Zeng was trying to explain why he hadn’t stepped in when Shen Xiangwen had harassed Jiang Luoluo.
“He must be giving you a hard time now, right? Who told you to take Bai Tang away without looking back?”
Qin Zeng sighed. “They’re both spoiled, arrogant, and jealous—they love attention. Don’t coddle him too much or you’ll be in for bigger problems later.”
Fu Tingchuan glanced at Jiang Luoluo, who was happily picking meat from his plate. He couldn’t find even a hint of jealousy or petulant pride on his face…
Fu Tingchuan’s brow furrowed. “He seems very happy. He’s not fussing or getting angry.”
“Then he just doesn’t have you in his heart!” Qin Zeng replied.
“If Fu Tingchuan can casually throw money around, maybe you can spare a little for my Ko-fi? Help me keep the drama going—grapes and knives aren’t cheap, you know!”
Qin zeng, you just triggered that maniac🤣
I can only say lol, tang bai is too attached to someone else’s husband anyway. Honestly it’s satisfying when win Zeng says that.Lol, mc has no feelings for you! Feel it!