What should one do when their spoiled lover makes a request?
Fu Shu’s answer? Indulge her, of course.
Looking completely sated and feeling utterly refreshed, Fu Shu got up to get things ready for Youyou.
Leaning against the doorframe, she took the nutritious breakfast her two assistants handed her.
She narrowed her eyes slightly and asked, “Has Youyou ever seen you two?”
She was well aware of how much of a sucker Youyou was for a pretty face. And while it probably wouldn’t cause any real problems… the mere thought of Youyou’s gaze lingering on someone else was enough to make Fu Shu lose her composure.
At their boss’s question, the two elite, sharply-dressed assistants froze solid. They didn’t dare lie, but they didn’t want to court death, either. They were on the verge of tears.
“Heh.”
With a soft, ambiguous laugh, Fu Shu secretly put a mark against the two of them[mfn](t/n: “put a mark against the two of them”, (記了兩人、一筆 jìle liǎng rén, yī bǐ), means to take note of a misdeed or transgression, holding it against someone for the future. I couldn’t quite find a better way of phrasing it, but if anyone has a better translation, please lmk)[/mfn], though she wasn’t the type to abuse her power for personal revenge.
At least, these two hadn’t gotten to a point that warranted her taking revenge on them.
“You’re dismissed. Qika will arrange your future work assignments.”
Qika was Fu Shu’s chief assistant, a man of immense capability and great prestige within the company. Fu Shu saying this was her way of promoting them.
It must be understood that there was a world of difference between a chief assistant and a regular one. Take Chief Assistant Qika, for example—his status was such that even the branch families of the Fu clan knew to steer clear of him.
However, no matter how prestigious the Chief Assistant was, in front of his own boss, he could only resign himself to his rotten luck. Recalling how, just a short while ago, their boss had run the Chief Assistant so ragged that he’d abandoned all decorum to call and both threaten and entice them, the two assistants were suddenly filled with a premonition of a bleak future ahead. Weren’t they about to be worked to death by the Chief Assistant?
But for the sake of their livelihood, for money, money, money, for their families and loved ones…
They would just have to endure it.
Watching her two loyal subordinates nod with stiff expressions, Fu Shu’s lips curved into an imperceptible smirk. With a bang, she shut the door.
In truth, it wasn’t just those two she had stationed by Youyou’s side. There were undercover bodyguards who reported to her daily about Youyou’s activities; she even had people near Su Duo now.
She certainly wasn’t short on money. Since Bai Qu was no longer around, it was only right that she shoulder the responsibility of protecting Youyou, allowing her to live this life completely carefree, without ever having to mind anyone else’s moods.
After placing breakfast on the coffee table in the living room, Fu Shu expertly grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and found Youyou’s favorite cartoon.
Then she went to the bedroom and carried Youyou out in a princess carry.
Nestled in Fu Shu’s arms and enjoying being fed, Youyou’s long eyelashes trembled, her heart filled with an impossible sweetness.
The two of them ate breakfast, then snuggled affectionately on the sofa to watch cartoons.
Gazing at Youyou, whose rosy complexion was a clear sign of being doted on and pampered, Fu Shu’s eyes darkened slightly. She tilted her head and kissed the girl’s cheek.
“Youyou, will you come back with me? I’ll have people keep an eye on Yan City. They’ll notify us the moment Bai Qu returns.”
Yan City was a small city; her base of operations could never be established here. And while she was willing to live a life of traveling back and forth, she still wanted to be close to Youyou, holding her in her arms every night as she fell asleep.
Fu Shu’s voice was gentle, tinged with a hint of seductive allure. Seeing Youyou look at her in conflict, clearly already hesitating, Fu Shu kissed her lips again.
“Don’t worry, Youyou. Bai Qu won’t be angry. He loves you so much; how could he not want to see you happy? …Youyou, I need to apologize to you on my mother’s behalf. And I can promise you that from this day forward, no one can tear us apart.”
She was Fu Shu, and she was no longer constrained by her family.
And no one dared to question what she wanted.
Her long, strong fingers closed around the girl’s soft, delicate hand. Fu Shu brought it to her lips and kissed it, as if she were handling her most priceless treasure.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks. Youyou’s heart was in a turmoil, and she had no idea how to react. She was never good at thinking about such things to begin with, let alone making a decision in such a state.
“I… I…”
Mumbling to herself, not knowing what to say, Youyou suddenly buried her head in Fu Shu’s embrace, looking for all the world like a turtle pulling its head into its shell[mfn](t/n: “turtle pulling its head into its shell”, or “(縮頭烏龜 suōtóuwūguī)*” is an idion that literally translates to “head-shrinking turtle” and is used to describe a coward or someone who avoids problems by hiding. an english equivalent i could use is “ostrich burying its head in the sand,” but i tried to keep the original wording since it corresponds to Youyou’s action as well.)[/mfn].
A gentle smile flashed in Fu Shu’s eyes. She rested a hand on the girl’s back, her own eyes cast downward as she soothed her in a low, steady voice.
“Don’t panic, Youyou. We’re lovers. It’s only right and natural[mfn](t/n: “It’s only right and natural” or “(天經地義 tiānjīngdìyì)*” is an idiom that means “heaven’s principles and earth’s righteousness” and describes something that is perfectly justified, unalterable, and in accordance with the natural order of things. It’s used to say something is absolutely right and proper.)[/mfn] that we’re lovers. We haven’t wronged anyone, not Bai Qu and not the Fu family. They should be supporting our decision, not trying to find ways to stand in our way.”
“I can promise you that if Bai Qu returns, I will personally explain everything to him and get him to agree to our relationship. As for the Fu family, Youyou, our relationship is a matter between the two of us. Even when we go back there, we’ll be living separately from them. I won’t give them any chance to get near you or bully you.”
This was the truth.
In her eyes, no one was more important than Youyou. She would secretly eliminate any and all dangerous elements. It was just as she had once told Mu Ziqi: if he hated Youyou, he was to never appear before her again.
She would use all her energy to shield Youyou from everything, keeping her completely sealed off from any harm. At the same time, she also knew that Youyou couldn’t care less about those people.
Don’t be fooled by how soft and sweet Youyou seems; Fu Shu understood that Youyou’s world had always been very small. So small that, aside from a select few, everyone else was an existence to be quickly forgotten.
Whether it was because of her poor memory or her slow reflexes, Youyou’s perception of the outside world wasn’t very keen.
In a way, Youyou could be considered a very self-absorbed person.
Gently stroking Youyou’s fingers, Fu Shu stared at the adorable hair whorl on the crown of the girl’s head and continued to speak in a low, quiet voice.
“I only want Youyou to come back with me because I don’t want to be separated from you for a long time. You probably know this about me—once I start working, I can’t stop. Only when Youyou is with me can I remember to eat and sleep on time. So while taking care of Youyou, I can take care of myself as well.”
Sensing Youyou’s body stiffen slightly, Fu Shu’s lips curved as she continued, “To Youyou, coming back with me is just a matter of changing cities. But to me, it’s a long-awaited blessing.”
“I don’t want to be separated from my Youyou. Every single second apart is torment. So, even if it’s just out of pity for me, Youyou, please agree to this, okay?”
Shattering Youyou’s hesitation bit by bit… for the Fu Shu of today, getting the soft-hearted Youyou to agree wasn’t difficult.
The young woman was hers, and could only be hers. Without Bai Qu protecting her, she would never escape the palm of her hand.
Sure enough, after a long silence, the young woman nodded. Fu Shu touched the corner of her lips, thinking that Bai Qu’s absence was truly wonderful.
“And… also Su Duo.”
Her face reddening, Youyou lifted her head. She shyly pursed her lips, her gaze as bright and clear as water. “She… she’s a dependant. She can’t be abandoned.”
Since she had rescued her, she had to be responsible for her life. Bai Qu had left her a lot of money, and if Fu Shu wasn’t willing to bring her along, then she wouldn’t go either.
Fu Shu was speechless.
Wouldn’t a sweet, romantic world for just the two of us be nice?
Why does there have to be a third wheel! She fumed.
Having already made up her mind to get Su Duo out of the picture as soon as possible, Fu Shu met Youyou’s hopeful gaze and nodded firmly. “Fine. We’ll go together.”
Anyway, the villa has plenty of rooms. We won’t be living on the same floor.
True to her word, once Su Duo returned from her trip, Fu Shu brought both her and Youyou back to her home base. By that time, Su Rui had already married the young master of the Ji family. Upon hearing this, Fu Shu simply smirked and told Mu Ziqi to get lost.
It was just as Fu Shu had expected. So what if Su Rui was reborn?
In the face of absolute self-interest, hadn’t Father Su still abandoned this daughter of his, who had suddenly undergone a personality change, becoming not only sensible but also exceptionally outstanding?
Besides, was Su Rui really reborn?
After Su Rui was hypnotized, Fu Shu got the answer she wanted—it was obvious. In Su Rui’s memories, she, too, had come to know and fall in love with Youyou. The point of focus was Youyou, not the “Qian Li” that Youyou had believed it to be.
Therefore, Su Rui wasn’t reborn; something had forcibly implanted her with a memory that was both illusory and real.
But none of that mattered to her anymore.
She only wanted Youyou.
Nothing more.
As for the deeply angsty romance that followed between Su Rui and the young master of the Ji family, Fu Shu paid it no mind. Under her control, they couldn’t stir up any trouble anyway.
For several decades, Fu Shu truly kept her promise, protecting and pampering Youyou, taking exceptionally good care of her. Although Bai Qu and Su Ling never returned, Youyou clearly lived a very, very happy life.
Fu Shu never interfered with Youyou’s friendships; anyone with ulterior motives or ill will toward Youyou had long since been weeded out.
Take Mu Ziqi, for example.
Until he swore an oath that he would absolutely never harm Youyou, Fu Shu had kept him barred from her door, never letting him set foot in her house. Later on, though it hurt her heart to see Mu Ziqi and Youyou become such close friends, she gave her tacit approval upon seeing Youyou happily running around with him, getting into mischief, and no longer being a homebody.
After Youyou passed on, Fu Shu also shed her mortal shell. She drifted aimlessly in the void, silently enduring the surging waves of malice.
It was as if she were already numb.
Countless memories born of a shared feeling swept over her, and the aura around her grew increasingly terrifying. Her face became hideously contorted, unable to withstand the evil, as if only slaughter, only blood, could soothe her frenzy.
Like a single drop of water merging with an endless ocean, those beautiful memories, carved into her very bones, were instantly shattered into dust by the overwhelming malice, until not even a speck remained.
She returned to the Sea of Blood[mfn](t/n: “Sea of Blood (血海 xuèhǎi)” is a term often appears in xianxia and xuanhuan novels as a literal place—a sea made of blood, usually associated with immense evil, slaughter, or demonic power.)[/mfn], following her instincts.
She didn’t know why she had to restrain her destructive instinct.
Why she had to abide by the agreement with that person.
But… just have to endure a little longer.
If you’re interested in advance chapters, please consider supporting me by buying me a kofi or becoming a patron <3
