Chapter 21: Piggy Stuck on Your Abs…
“Boss Shen, it looks like your husband got off work earlier than usual today.”
Inside the flower shop, Shen Zhuying was busy wrapping a bouquet when a regular customer spoke with a teasing tone.
“Is that so?” Shen Zhuying spared a glance outside.
A familiar black business car was parked in its usual spot.
Soon, a tall, upright figure stepped out of it.
“Seems like it really is a little earlier.” Shen Zhuying smiled, added a few white jasmine roses into the bouquet before handing it over. The whole bundle carried a vitality and an oil-painting-like beauty. “Wishing you and your husband a happy tenth wedding anniversary.”
“Thank you, I really love it.” The customer accepted it, bent down to smell it, then hooked her arm through the man beside her. Before leaving, she caught sight of the ring on Shen Zhuying’s hand, her smile delighted.
“And I also wish you and your husband a happy newlywed life, forever and ever.”
“Thank you.”
Shen Zhuying watched the two leave before she busied herself with other things.
She had always loved these fleeting moments when strangers exchanged kindness with each other.
As for Fu Sizhuo, after entering, he naturally found a quiet corner to read his book, not at all inclined to disturb her.
Now, he no longer had to hide in the break room to read.
All thanks to Xiao Chun and Xiao Tao tirelessly spreading paper notes to publicize the matter.
Many customers already knew, the man who always stepped into the flower shop bathed in the glow of sunset, who looked aloof and noble, was actually the husband of the flower shop’s owner.
In other words, the “boss’ husband” that Xiao Chun and Xiao Tao talked about?
The aura of “strangers keep away” on him, compared with Boss Shen’s warm and approachable temperament, was truly worlds apart.
It was hard to imagine two people like that being together.
But when Boss Shen took a spare moment to hand him a cup of coffee, in that fleeting interaction, the man’s cold, distant aura completely withdrew, transforming into something warm and gentle, mirroring hers.
Just like… the little orange cat that was always lounging on the cat perch at the counter.
At that moment, the little orange cat was lazily nestled in Fu Sizhuo’s arms. Once Shen Zhuying locked the door, the two of them and the cat walked together toward the parking area.
At the shop entrance, the roses that had originally been arranged into a heart shape were now placed into a smiling face. In the middle of the smile was a sign that read—
“Come take the first rose of winter for free, give it to the one you love and the one who loves you ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~”
The little orange cat.
No.
The big fat orange was now very close to Fu Sizhuo.
While Shen Zhuying merely turned to unwrap a stick of cat treats, it had already dragged its increasingly plump body off to who-knows-where.
Shen Zhuying searched the entire villa and finally fixed her gaze on Fu Sizhuo’s bedroom.
From inside came a faint meow.
The door wasn’t locked, just slightly ajar, a thin stream of light spilling out.
“Fu Sizhuo, Piggy seems to have gone into your room.” Shen Zhuying raised her voice outside the door.
But the only reply she got was the muffled sound of running water, and Piggy’s gleeful meowing.
Shen Zhuying reasonably guessed Fu Sizhuo was taking a shower.
Even more reasonably guessed: Piggy was about to wreak havoc in Fu Sizhuo’s room.
After spending time together day and night, Shen Zhuying had started to learn some of Fu Sizhuo’s little habits.
For example, he preferred lighter flavors, didn’t like spicy food, and disliked the smell of ginger.
For example, he drank a glass of milk at night and had the habit of going for a run in the morning.
And for example, he probably had a severe case of mysophobia and obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
Thinking of this, Shen Zhuying could no longer keep calm.
She pushed the door open directly, bent her body low, and let out one “meow” after another, trying to get the orange cat to respond to her enthusiastically.
“Meow” From some corner came the little cat’s slightly irritable reply.
But only the sound was heard, the cat itself was nowhere to be seen.
Shen Zhuying was nearly lying flat on the ground searching.
While looking, she muttered in a low voice, “Stupid Piggy, come out quickly. Once your dad comes out of the shower, even if your mom had heaven-reaching powers, I wouldn’t be able to save you.”
“Meow, meow, meow” The reply was the cat’s even more impatient cries.
Shen Zhuying followed the sound and finally located where it was.
It had gotten itself stuck in the gap of the bed, pawing twice pitifully toward Shen Zhuying with its little pads, letting out a sad “meow.”
Shen Zhuying was so exasperated she laughed, scolding, “Didn’t I tell you to eat less?”
At that moment, a voice full of amused interest came from behind her.
“Save who?”
Still lying on the floor in a rather inelegant posture, Shen Zhuying turned her head.
What came into view were the man’s chest muscles and abdominal muscles, bare, with droplets of water still clinging to them, no white sportswear covering them.
He lazily rubbed his hair with one hand, wearing a loosely draped bathrobe with the belt tied casually, revealing part of his upper body’s muscular lines, smooth and beautiful, broad shoulders, narrow and powerful waist.
A perfect picture of a handsome man just out of the bath.
Shen Zhuying froze right there, staring without blinking for a long time.
Until the little cat let out another cranky “meow.”
Only then did Shen Zhuying reluctantly move her gaze away, silently swallow, and speak to Fu Sizhuo:
“Piggy accidentally got stuck in your abs…”
“…”
“…Meow?”
Shen Zhuying: “No… I mean your abs accidentally got stuck in Piggy…”
Under Fu Sizhuo’s increasingly amused gaze, Shen Zhuying’s mind turned into a tangled mess. The more she tried to explain, the more nonsensical it sounded.
Finally, she could only sigh, her voice carrying the tone of someone resigned to ruin, and dejectedly said, “What I mean is… your abs are really beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Fu Sizhuo spoke unhurriedly, “What you meant to say is, Piggy accidentally got stuck in the bed crack?”
Shen Zhuying, with a faint sense of death all over her, silently nodded.
Fu Sizhuo casually draped the towel over his left shoulder, walked over, shifted the bed to the side, and Piggy nimbly leapt out from the gap, landing directly onto Fu Sizhuo’s body.
The little cat’s paws landed without obstruction, right on Fu Sizhuo’s abs.
Mm, its paws were pressed right on the abs that Shen Zhuying hadn’t managed to touch yet.
Shen Zhuying smiled as she snatched it away.
“I’ll take it out and give it a good scolding.”
She turned, wanting to flee this socially-dead scene, but Fu Sizhuo gently pulled her hand, not letting her leave.
Shen Zhuying tilted her head, meeting the man’s eyes, misty yet smiling.
“That friend you mentioned before, if I’m not mistaken, is getting married tomorrow?”
Tomorrow was the eighth.
Shen Zhuying nodded.
“I’m free tomorrow. Let’s go together.”
Right now Shen Zhuying couldn’t bring herself to look directly at him, or his abs. She only gave a quick “Alright” and tried to run, but unexpectedly, Fu Sizhuo still hadn’t let go of her hand.
“Anything else?”
Fu Sizhuo lifted his eyelids, amber pupils shining, and when he smiled, there was warmth in his gaze. “Say goodnight to me.”
Just that?
Shen Zhuying put her hands on her hips: “Goodnight! Goodnight!! Goodnight!!! Are you satisfied now?”
Fu Sizhuo’s lips curved. “Satisfied.”
He gently rubbed her head, unable to hide his smile. “Goodnight.”
“Ridiculous.” Hugging the cat in her arms, Shen Zhuying put on a proud look and strode off with her chin held high.
But the moment she returned to the living room, the expression on her face immediately collapsed.
She pinched the new fat on the little cat’s body, smiling like a sly fox who had just succeeded in a scheme.
“Piggy, truly mommy’s good little Piggy, you’ve fattened up at just the right time.”
“Next time your dad takes a shower, remember to get stuck by his bed crack again.”
Piggy: “Meow~”
