Chapter 10: Afraid of Really Falling for Me?

Fu Jinghen settled onto the sofa opposite her, crossing his legs in a casual pose, and offered a rare kind-hearted reminder, "I've never been one to be threatened."

Wen Qiao had already figured that Fu Jinghen wouldn't readily help her, but even for such a trivial matter, he had to be so wishy-washy about it; it showed just how much he detested the original Wen Qiao.

"Let's make a bet, President Fu."

Fu Jinghen, recalling the earlier topic that had been interrupted, lifted his hand to signal her to continue.

Wen Qiao, propping her chin in her hands, looked at him with a smile, "President Fu, have you never been in a relationship before?"

"....."

Wen Qiao's words were tinged with teasing. Initially, she had thought Fu Jinghen would be embarrassed and annoyed, but instead, he leaned back with ease into the sofa, "What does that have to do with making a bet?"

"It's related. We'll bet on whether or not you can fall for me," Wen Qiao raised three fingers, "Three months' time. If you develop feelings for me, it would be icing on the cake for our relationship. If not, we can dissolve the engagement and go our separate ways. If you need it, I can even help you chase after Wen Shu."

Hearing this, Fu Jinghen's brows curled playfully, "Why do you think I would accept your bet? Miss Wen, don't forget what you did to Ah Ming at my house this afternoon."

"Setting a trap for Qi Ming was Wen Qiao's doing in the afternoon; making a bet with you is Wen Qiao's doing in the evening. The two cannot be confused," Wen Qiao said without a hint of embarrassment, tilting her head and spreading her hands. Then, she suddenly leaned in close to Fu Jinghen, placing her hands on either side of the couch where he sat, looking down at him with an inviting gaze, "Or are you perhaps afraid that you'll actually fall for me and don't dare to take the bet?"

Fu Jinghen slowly lifted his gaze to the young woman above him. Despite being in a passive position, there wasn't a trace of embarrassment about him.

Getting a closer look, Wen Qiao realized that Fu Jinghen's eyes seemed even more attractive—long and slightly double-lidded, with the corners tilting upward, full of charm and stillness.

It was easy to get lost in them.

Their breaths intertwined as they looked at each other for a while until Fu Jinghen suddenly raised his hand. Just as Wen Qiao thought he was going to push her off him, there was a sudden tightness around her neck, and her previously open collar was swiftly secured.

"..."

Truly a Liu Xiahui, able to remain unmoved.

The moment that thought settled, Fu Jinghen sat up straighter, closing the distance between them even further. His gaze drifted down, appraisingly direct, finally resting on Wen Qiao's rosy lips.

The man's gaze was too unabashedly intense; as his eyes lowered, the teardrop mole beneath his eye was extraordinarily captivating. Wen Qiao's heart, originally calm, suddenly skipped a beat.

The suppressed aura around her rose sharply.

Interesting. When she had read the book, she thought Fu Jinghen was a stuffy old man. Now, it seemed, there was a discrepancy.

Fu Jinghen's hand pinched her chin, his thumb casually pressing on the corner of her mouth before he looked back into her eyes, "Provocation doesn't work on me."

Wen Qiao instinctively asked, "Then what does work on you?"

Fu Jinghen didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked, "Why?"

It took Wen Qiao a second or two to realize what he was asking, "Because I want you to provide resources and support for me."

She said it nonchalantly, as plainly as remarking on fine weather, brazen even when begging.

"That will depend on Miss Wen's abilities."

It took a moment for Wen Qiao to realize he had agreed to the bet.

The man carried a subtle woody fragrance that was faint yet domineeringly enveloped Wen Qiao within it. Suddenly feeling a sense of danger, she nonchalantly widened the distance between them, sitting back in her original spot as Fu Jinghen's hand that had grasped her collar casually let go.