Chapter 18: Why Do You Always Treat Me Like an Outsider
Shen Zhuying lifted her head, gave him a pitiful glance, then continued trimming roses.
“I was too busy today and forgot to tell you, I’ll be heading back late. You go ahead first.”
The other four heads also lifted in unison. When they saw it was him, they lowered their heads again as if it were nothing unusual.
The boss’s husband always came every night to pick their boss up.
Fu Sizhuo didn’t say much.
He lifted the sheer curtain, slipped off his suit jacket and black tie, tossing them onto the wicker chair. The black shirt sleeves were folded to his elbows, the platinum watch dial flashing with a muted gleam.
He walked over, half-squatted beside Shen Zhuying, picked up a rose and a pair of scissors, tilting his head as he asked,
“How do I do this?”
“Don’t mess around!” Shen Zhuying pretended to snatch back the scissors from Fu Sizhuo’s hand.
A man nearly one meter ninety, crouching like this, his long legs had nowhere to go, Shen Zhuying felt aggrieved on his behalf.
“Shen Zhuying.” Fu Sizhuo turned the scissors in his hand so the tips faced himself, then lightly clasped the girl’s delicate white wrist, amber eyes locking on her.
“Why do you always treat me like an outsider?”
“When have I ever treated you like an outsider?” Shen Zhuying averted her gaze.
“It’s just that you’ve worked all day and must be tired.”
“I’m not tired.” Fu Sizhuo’s tone eased, his voice still calm and unhurried, almost coaxing.
“Let me help you, alright?”
“…Alright.” Shen Zhuying silently lowered her head, her face flushing red again.
Men who’ve been in relationships really are different!!!
So skilled!!!
With one more person helping, the 9,999 roses were finally finished before midnight. Shen Zhuying counted them and let out a sigh of relief.
“Good work, everyone. The overtime pay has already been transferred to your accounts, and I’ll reimburse the cab fare home. Happy Start of Winter in advance!!!”
She let the four of them leave first, and soon only she and Fu Sizhuo remained in the shop.
The two looked at the floor covered in broken branches and leaves, then quietly swept it all clean.
By the time everything was done, the clock hands pointed past one.
Before turning off the lights, Shen Zhuying glanced at the man’s ruined expensive leather shoes and custom-tailored trousers, letting out a bleak sigh.
“Feels like the money I earn isn’t enough to pay for those clothes, I’m basically working on a loan.”
The girl lowered her head to lock the door, her side profile elegant, skin snow-white, brows and eyes like a painting.
Only, her cheeks had a smudge of gray.
Fu Sizhuo raised his hand, gently tilted her chin, and brushed away the dust with his fingertip.
That one instant of eye contact left them both stunned.
“You won’t be in debt.” Fu Sizhuo’s gaze lingered on her lips, only shifting after two seconds.
“The money you earn is yours. The money I earn—”
“——is also yours.”
It wasn’t until Fu Sizhuo casually pulled out the salary card from his wallet in the car and handed it to her that Shen Zhuying realized he hadn’t been joking.
“You’re really giving it to me?”
“Of course.”
Holding the card in her hand, Shen Zhuying blinked. “Is this the exclusive right of Mrs. Fu?”
“Yes.” Fu Sizhuo rested one hand on the steering wheel, his eyes still fixed on the road ahead, his voice carrying a lazy trace of amusement.
“A unique right, for my Mrs. Fu.”
“Alright.” Shen Zhuying curved her lips into a smile and decisively said, “Then I’ll accept it.”
Shen Zhuying’s first rule of marriage: Marriage is not about shirking responsibility, but about helping each other.
Because there were still follow-up matters to handle regarding those 9,999 roses, Shen Zhuying only slept four or five hours, yet still woke up very early the next day.
With messy bed hair, she clutched a bunny-shaped crystal bun, nodding off at the dining table.
Just as her head was about to knock down again, a warm hand covered her forehead.
“Fu Sizhuo, I’m so sleepy.” Shen Zhuying forced her eyes open.
“Sleep a little more. Eat breakfast in the car, I’ll drive you there.”
At the sound of his voice, Shen Zhuying tilted her head.
Beneath the white fabric of the man’s shirt, the perfect lines of his muscles came into view.
Her gaze slowly moved upward, catching the sweat sliding down his prominent Adam’s apple, disappearing into his collar. His damp black hair was carelessly tousled, revealing sharp, handsome features in full.
He had just finished exercising, yet… he smelled faintly of the same shower gel scent she used?
Shen Zhuying stared fixedly, blurting out instinctively, “No need, I’m full.”
“…?”
“I mean…” Shen Zhuying snapped back, trying to cover up, “I’m not sleepy anymore.”
“Alright.” Fu Sizhuo chuckled lowly. “I’ll take you later.”
Reluctantly, Shen Zhuying pulled her gaze away, lowering her head to gnaw silently on her bunny bun.
Wuwuwuwu, she was doomed.
Right now she really wanted to eat Fu Sizhuo instead.
At the flower shop, once everything was checked and ready, Shen Zhuying called the customer.
“Hello, the 9,999 roses are prepared. May I ask where you’d like them placed?”
“Just place them at the entrance of your flower shop. I’ll be there shortly.”
At the entrance of her flower shop?
What a strange request.
But after running her flower shop for four or five years, Shen Zhuying had seen all kinds of odd clients.
Without batting an eye, she agreed immediately.
Who cares, she was getting paid anyway.
Arranging the roses at the entrance took a great deal of time. The massive display attracted quite a crowd, with people stopping to take photos and watch.
Once everything was in place, Shen Zhuying called the client again.
“The roses are arranged, you may come by anytime.” She wiped the sweat from her forehead, still smiling.
“Good.” The voice on the other end also chuckled. “But Shen Zhuying, don’t you remember me?”
“What did you say?” Shen Zhuying’s smile slowly faded, a faint unease flashing in her heart.
From the crowd ahead came a sudden cheer. Shen Zhuying turned her head.
A man in a suit, holding a bouquet of roses in his hands, slowly walked out from the parted crowd.
The 9,999 roses had been arranged into a heart shape as requested, and Shen Zhuying was standing right in the center of that heart.
If Shen Zhuying still didn’t realize what was about to happen, she really would be a fool.
When the man came closer and she finally saw his face clearly, she remembered who he was.
A rich second-generation young master who had pursued her for nearly half a year.
Shen Zhuying ground her teeth, then actually laughed out of sheer anger.
Damn it.
She felt like all her hard work from the past few days had turned into a complete joke, wasted just like that.
Why didn’t he just hand her the money directly?
Her expression turned completely cold. She turned around, intending to leave.
“Zhuying, don’t go. I’ve put so much thought into this, aren’t you even a little moved?” He tried to reach out and grab her.
Shen Zhuying shifted her body aside to avoid him, then suddenly let out a laugh.
From being so infuriated. Yes, he had indeed put in a lot of thought, because all the work had been done by her!!!
Oh right, and also by her poor, gullible husband.
The rich young man saw Shen Zhuying laugh and thought he had a chance. He immediately dropped to one knee, holding the bouquet of roses out to her.
“Shen Zhuying, I’ve liked you for a long time. Will you be my girlfriend?”
