Chapter 8: A Subtle Confession: I Like Ginkgo, and I Like You

"Yuan Qing."

Yuan Qing responded to the call and stepped forward.

Fu Jinzhou ignored Shen Mubai and, holding the girl, brushed past him.

Shen Mubai, furious, reached out, wanting to grab her.

The moment he raised his hand, Yuan Qing stretched out his hand to block his arm.

Shen Mubai threw another punch.

Yuan Qing immediately twisted his arm in a counterhold, pinning him down, and whispered in his ear, "Mr. Shen, I advise you not to overestimate your capabilities."

After speaking, he let go of him and followed Fu Jinzhou.

Shen Mubai was filled with rage.

He helplessly watched the man take Ah Heng and get in the car, which drove off quickly.

He punched the wall angrily.

Taking out his phone, he dialed a number. "I need you to find out the identity of a person for me, immediately!"

---

In the Lincoln car, the cabin was quiet.

After a long time, Fu Jinzhou spoke first.

"You've been following him for four years."

"Mm." Ning Heng did not deny it.

From 18 to 22, she had given her best years to him.

"You love him." This time, it was a firm statement.

When Shen Mubai appeared earlier, he could sense that her hand, gripping his clothes, tightened even more.

Ning Heng bit her lip.

When she first arrived at the Ning family, she faced prejudice everywhere.

Only Shen Mubai was different.

He had never judged her, never mocked her, and even helped her when others bullied her.

He was a flicker of light in her dark world.

"Maybe" She responded.

Fu Jinzhou's dark eyes flashed with an ambiguous depth.

After a pause, he took out a cigarette, lit it, then turned to her and asked, "Do you mind if I smoke?"

"I don't mind." Ning Heng shook her head.

The sound of the lighter clicking echoed.

The scent of nicotine filled the air.

Ning Heng remained silent for a while before finally asking, "Where are you taking me?"

Fu Jinzhou leaned back in his seat. "You'll know when we get there."

About half an hour later.

The car left the wide road, drove out of the city, and after several turns, stopped in front of an elegant manor.

The villa was surrounded by tall trees and appeared mysterious and grand.

The car stopped.

Fu Jinzhou got out and extended his hand toward her.

Ning Heng hesitated for a moment but finally placed her hand in his.

They walked slowly into the manor, hand in hand.

The stone path was lined with large ginkgo and fir trees, and the ground was covered in fallen leaves.

Ning Heng looked around.

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that such a quiet, beautiful place could exist in the heart of the capital city.

In the evening sunlight, a ginkgo leaf slowly fell onto her shoulder.

He reached out and gently brushed it away.

Ning Heng raised her eyes and asked, "Do you... really like ginkgo? There are so many here."

Fu Jinzhou's eyes darkened as he looked at her, his gaze meaningfully intense. "Mm."

After a pause, he added, "I like it."

Ning Heng couldn't understand the fiery emotion in his gaze, but it made her feel uneasy for some reason.

She looked away and casually asked, "Where is this place?"

"Galaxy Bay." Fu Jinzhou led her forward. "It's my private residence. From now on, this will be our marital home."

Marital... home...

Ning Heng almost choked.

Stepping on the golden ginkgo leaves, they entered the living room.

The villa's servants had already lined up, waiting respectfully.

The butler approached and said, "Sir, the downstairs has been arranged as you requested."

Fu Jinzhou nodded in response.

He led Ning Heng upstairs and opened the door to the master bedroom. The room, decorated in light blue tones, was cozy and exuded a subtle luxurious feel.

"From now on, you will live here."

"And you?" Ning Heng asked, then suddenly froze.

She shouldn't have asked that question.

Fu Jinzhou smiled at her without answering, only saying, "It's still early. Rest first. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

With that, he turned and went downstairs.

Ning Heng stood in the spacious room, feeling a little dazed.

---

Downstairs, the servants whispered nervously.

"Mr. Fu actually brought a woman home?"

"Who is she?"

"Mr. Fu even held her hand. He's never done that with Miss An Yangxi..."

The sound of footsteps echoed from the spiral staircase.

Standing tall on the second floor, Fu Jinzhou leaned against the handrail, his dark eyes scanning the people below.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Fu Jinzhou's gaze swept across the group. "From now on, she is the lady of this house. Treat her as you would treat me."

Everyone quickly nodded. "Yes, sir."

---

At the Ning family's house.

Shen Mubai naturally informed Ning Yuan Guo and his wife of the news.

Ning Yuan Guo slapped the armrest of the sofa heavily. "This is absurd!"

Xue Zhitang frowned.

However, Ning Xuan felt joy deep in her heart, though her face remained calm as she instructed the servant to bring a cup of Biluochun tea and handed it to Ning Yuan Guo. "Dad, please calm down."

Ning Xuan, raised by Ning Yuan Guo and his wife, naturally referred to them as parents.

Ning Heng's marriage was a great stroke of luck for her!

Ning Yuan Guo took a sip of the tea and then asked, "Have you found out who the other person is?"

Shen Mubai replied in a low voice, "I've already sent someone to investigate, but their background is extremely secretive. My men haven't found any clues."

No matter who it was, how could anyone be better than Shen Mubai, the young master of the Shen family?

Ning Xuan smiled slyly, "It's just a delay in the wedding. How could sister do something so rebellious? Moreover, we don't even know who the other person is. What if he's a swindler or a man of low standing? What if he's a fraud or from the underworld? How could she do this and embarrass Dad and Mom, and the entire Ning family? What about Mubai?"

She carefully glanced at Shen Mubai and saw that his expression was quite unpleasant.

Ning Yuan Guo immediately raged, "This unfilial daughter!"

"Enough!" Xue Zhitang interjected. "The most important thing now is to find her and bring her back!"

Ning Yuan Guo clenched his brows, then coldly chuckled. "If she wants to get married, let her. But the man she marries, I'll choose myself!"

---

Fu Jinzhou had spent the entire afternoon dealing with documents in his study.

As night fell, he stood up, put down the papers, and walked toward the master bedroom.

The room was dimly lit.

His footsteps were silent as he approached the bed.

On the bed, the girl's dark hair spread across the pillow, her delicate face calm and serene. Her long lashes curled, and her red lips were slightly parted, as if she could be sipping nectar.

His gaze deepened.

Suddenly, he reached out, his long fingers gently brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear, then his lips pressed firmly against hers.