Chapter 51 – A Night Away

In all her twenty-some years of life, Su Nian had never laid eyes on a man as strikingly handsome as this one. Her eyes widened, fixed intently on Fu Liangmu, her gaze unabashed and enamored like a love-struck fool. Just moments ago, Ye Nan had still lingered in her heart—but now, he was banished to the farthest corners of her mind.

She extended her hand dramatically, her tone deliberately coy."It hurts so much… Would you be so kind as to help me up, sir?"

Fu Liangmu's brows furrowed in undisguised disdain. Without sparing her a single glance, he turned and walked away.

Panic flickered across Su Nian's face. She scrambled to rise, only to land harshly on her backside. The pain stung. By the time she clumsily got back on her feet, the man was already gone.

She bit her lower lip in frustration, her heart brimming with resentment.

Outside, the sky was slowly paling with the coming dawn.

A faint light filtered through the bedroom window, casting soft shadows over Su Wanwan's face. She sat leaning against the headboard, her phone in hand, absentmindedly watching the drama playing on TV. Every so often, she tapped the screen to check the time.

It was already four in the morning.No texts. No calls.

As the episode ended, a faint sound drifted up from downstairs. Barefoot, Su Wanwan got out of bed and peered out the window. One of the maids was already up and heading out to buy groceries.

With a long sigh, Su Wanwan rested both hands on the cool windowsill, her chin atop her arms, her gaze unfocused.

Click.

The door creaked open behind her. Fu Liangmu stepped in, surprised to see Su Wanwan staring back at him, her hair touched by the early morning glow. Beneath her calm gaze, weariness was unmistakable—she hadn't slept all night.

This woman… had she really waited for him all this time?

"You're back," she spoke first, like a devoted wife awaiting her husband's return.

A flicker of delight passed through Fu Liangmu's heart, though his face remained impassive. He gave a low hum of acknowledgment and walked to the side to change his clothes.

Su Wanwan hurried over to him in small steps. His eyes swept over her pale feet, a slight tightness forming in his chest.

"Why aren't you wearing shoes?"

"Huh?" She glanced down, only now realizing she had been standing barefoot for over an hour.

Fu Liangmu crouched before her, his cool fingertips brushing her delicate foot. Su Wanwan instinctively retreated a step.

Just as he suspected—ice cold. The chill seemed to pierce through his fingertips.

His expression darkened instantly, his voice low and disapproving."You'll catch a cold like this. The air conditioning's so strong in here—don't tell me you want to end up taking medicine?"

No sooner had he spoken than Su Wanwan sneezed. She sniffled, blinking at him innocently.

With a helpless sigh, Fu Liangmu scooped her up and carried her to the bedside. The scent of strong alcohol and cigarettes clung to him, laced with a faint trace of unfamiliar perfume.

Unable to restrain her curiosity, Su Wanwan asked,"You went to a bar?"

"Mm."

Su Wanwan's lips curved gently in a magnanimous, wifely smile."Must've been a long night. You should rest."

Fu Liangmu's steps faltered ever so slightly. Was she truly… not angry?

The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom. Su Wanwan sat on the bed, fingers unconsciously fiddling with the bedsheet. Eventually, she couldn't resist. She rose and walked to the coat rack, picked up Fu Liangmu's discarded clothes, and brought them close to her nose.

The scent of perfume—undeniable.

He'd been to a bar… and kept company with a woman?

The bathroom door creaked open. Startled, Su Wanwan quickly returned to her seat.

Fu Liangmu stepped out, carrying a basin of hot water. Without a word, he knelt before her and placed her frozen feet into the warmth.

Su Wanwan blinked in surprise."What are you—?"

"Take better care of your body."

The warm water flowed gently, soothing her cold limbs. After hours of chill, the sudden warmth felt like a miracle.

Once her feet were thoroughly warmed, Su Wanwan went downstairs for breakfast and called in a leave to the HR department. She didn't wake again until three in the afternoon.

Uncle Zhang reported immediately,"Young master has been waiting for you a long time."

"He's here again?"

Su Wanwan casually threw on a robe and headed downstairs.

Fu Ziyang was sprawled on the carpet in front of the TV, engrossed in a racing game. When he heard her, he couldn't help but grumble,"You're like a sleeping goddess. I've been here since ten—it's been five hours!"

"What did you need?"

Su Wanwan sank into the sofa as the maid served her tea. She took a sip to soothe her parched throat and crossed her legs, her gaze idly following the car that crashed about the screen under Fu Ziyang's erratic control.

Halfway through the race, the screen glitched—four bold characters appeared.

Game Over.Rank: 8th.

Fu Ziyang threw the controller onto the couch in frustration and turned to glare at her."My aunt's birthday is in five days."

Su Wanwan responded absentmindedly with a soft "Oh."

"What are you planning to give her?" he asked with raised brows.

Su Wanwan blinked."What's it got to do with me?"

Fu Ziyang stared at her for a moment, speechless, then replied with quiet sarcasm,"She's your mother-in-law. Don't you think it might have something to do with you?"

Su Wanwan eyed him for a while before the complex web of relations clicked into place."…Got it."

Fu Ziyang beamed."My aunt even called specifically, asking me to invite you to her birthday party!"

Since the marriage, apart from his grandmother and the occasional run-in with Fu Ziyang, no one else from the Fu family had paid her the slightest attention. It was as if she were invisible. Even Fu Liangmu's biological parents had never once shown up.

This sudden invitation… clearly had something to do with the recent buzz online. They were curious—wondering who exactly she was.

"What's the matter? Nervous? Scared?" Fu Ziyang waved a hand in front of her face.

Su Wanwan shook her head.Nervous? Scared? As if.

"Good. People say my aunt is distant and hard to approach, but she's not so bad once you get to know her."

"Mm."

Fu Ziyang picked up the controller and started another round, only to finish last again.

"Damn! Is this game cursed or what?"

"Want me to try?" Su Wanwan asked, raising a brow.

"You can play?" he asked, skeptical.

Without a word, Su Wanwan snatched the controller and, with flawless ease, dominated the race—placing first.

Her seamless turns and precision driving could only have come from extensive practice—yet this game had just been downloaded recently by a bored Fu Ziyang. He stared in disbelief.

"Ahem… Real racing and gaming are two different beasts."

"Sure, I can't win in the game, but my real-life driving skills are top-notch. No joke."

"If you're interested, I can take you out for a real spin sometime."

Su Wanwan smiled and nodded."Why not tonight?"

Fu Ziyang slowly turned to her, stiff as a statue."…Huh?"

Weren't girls supposed to hate racing?He was just bragging. Did she really have to call his bluff?!