Chapter 94 – Contrary to One’s Wishes

Night deepened, cloaking the world in silence. Su Wanwan sat stiffly at her desk, restless as though on pins and needles. The blueprint before her was crumpled in her grip, the table littered with shredded paper strips. From the bathroom, the soft patter of the shower echoed, misting the glass door with steam. She reached for the teapot and poured herself some water.

Click— The door creaked open. Fu Liangmu emerged, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. His upper body was lean and toned, with well-defined abdominal muscles and broad, powerful shoulders. Su Wanwan's hand trembled. The teapot nudged the teacup, spilling tea across the table. Flustered, she wiped it hurriedly, pretending nothing had happened.

"You should rest early. You must be exhausted from today."

Fu Liangmu responded with a low hum, picking up the hairdryer to dry his hair. Seizing the opportunity, Su Wanwan slipped into the bathroom.

"Those words were just to help Fu Liangmu out of a bind. He definitely didn't take them seriously... Stop overthinking..." she muttered to herself. She dawdled for nearly an hour before finally stepping out.

Fu Liangmu lay on the bed, seemingly asleep. Su Wanwan dried her hair, then tiptoed into bed, carefully placing the giant teddy bear between them like a barrier. She lay down with caution, not daring to cross the invisible line.

"Do you think that bear is of any use?"

The sudden, cool voice startled her.

"Huh?"

Long, slender fingers reached over, seized the bear, and flung it to the floor.

She stared at the man now inches away, and asked awkwardly, "W-what are you doing?"

"Have you already forgotten what you promised Grandma tonight?"

Fu Liangmu's fingers, cold as frost, traced the contours of her face, lingering over her refined features. His thumb pressed against her lips before gliding down to her delicate chin.

He gripped it. Lifted it.

Her eyes, bright as starlight, brimmed with panic, reflecting his striking visage with startling clarity.

"Didn't you say you were giving her a great-grandchild?"

"I was just speaking offhand…"

"But I took it seriously. What now?" Fu Liangmu chuckled lowly, his raspy voice dangerously alluring.

His gaze drifted to her lips, and inch by inch, he leaned in.

Their breaths mingled, the scent of freesia and mint merging into a new, intoxicating blend.

Knock knock— A sudden knock shattered the moment.

Fu Liangmu ignored it, continuing to close the distance.

Knock knock knock— His eyes narrowed, a glint of ice flickering within.

Knock knock knock knock—

Just as his lips were about to meet hers, Su Wanwan turned her head sharply. His kiss landed on her cheek instead.

Infuriated, Fu Liangmu shouted at the door, "Get lost!"

Uncle Zhang responded calmly, "Old Madam is here."

Fu Liangmu had no choice but to rise, threw on a robe with a dark expression, and opened the door.

Seeing his smoldering frustration, Uncle Zhang immediately sensed that something had gone awry.

Old Madam beamed as she handed him a bowl of soup. "Grandson, drink this quickly."

"What is it?" The smell was pungent, sharp enough to sting the nose.

"Didn't people say you're... not exactly capable? This should help you!"

Fu Liangmu: "…"

The next second, the door slammed shut with a bang.

Old Madam pounded on it from outside, furious. "You child! Can't even listen to a kind word? I'm only thinking of your good!"

Back inside, Su Wanwan sat on the bed, chuckling uncontrollably.

The storm on Fu Liangmu's face softened somewhat, a flicker of helplessness rising in his eyes. Forget it. If it could make her laugh, it was worth it.

…

In the brightly lit villa, furious roars echoed through the night.

Even the birds on the balcony were startled into flight by the wailing and screeching.

"Why does Su Wanwan always have to come after me?!"

"My restaurant's only been open for half a month!"

"All that effort—wasted!"

"I curated every single ingredient!"

"And now it's all ruined?!"

Su Nian patted her back gently, trying to calm her down.

"I didn't think she'd be like that either…"

"But why would she come for you? You two don't even have any history… Could it be… because of me?"

Li Zhen's eyes burned with fury. Her teeth clenched, her glare sharp as knives.

"She was targeting me even back at Auntie's birthday banquet!"

"Now that she's got the chance, of course she wouldn't let it go!"

Su Nian nodded thoughtfully, as if piecing something together. "That explains it…"

"When I saw them together today, Su Wanwan saw us too."

"She must've stirred up trouble and made that sugar daddy of hers shut down your restaurant."

Li Zhen's fists tightened. She slammed the table hard, making it quake. "That must be it!"

Su Nian sighed. "Zhenzhen, maybe we should just let this go. That man behind her is powerful. If we really cross him, we'll end up paying the price."

But Li Zhen's pride flared. "You think I'm scared of him?!"

"Once I find out who he is, I'll make sure he regrets it!"

A fleeting glint of satisfaction flashed across Su Nian's face. "Alright."

…

Morning light filled the sky.

Su Wanwan got up at a leisurely pace and began preparing for work. As usual, Fu Liangmu drove her to the vicinity and said, "I'll pick you up after work."

"Okay."

As soon as she stepped into the office, the atmosphere shifted, oddly tense.

The desk that used to belong to Li Manya now sat empty—perhaps she'd been promoted or given a raise.

Su Wanwan gave it no further thought and returned to her own desk.

"Wanwan, good morning!"

"Have you eaten yet?"

As always, colleagues came to greet her.

"Why are you walking with a limp? Did you get hurt?"

"I heard you stayed abroad a few more days—was it for work?"

Expressionless, Su Wanwan turned on her computer and casually opened a game, playing it openly at her desk.

No one expected her to respond anyway. After brushing up their presence, they quickly dispersed.

Half an hour after the bell rang, Li Manya finally appeared.

Gone was the vibrant, confident woman of yesterday. Her face was pale and weary, hair loosely tied, no makeup in sight.

This area was reserved for managers and regular staff—if she'd been promoted, she wouldn't have returned here.

Yet Li Manya silently made her way to a workstation among the ordinary employees and began her day's work.

Not a single person greeted her.

Su Wanwan stood, took her cup, and headed to the break room.

Before she entered, she overheard a few people inside discussing blatantly.

"I don't know how Li Manya still has the face to show up here. She got demoted—doesn't she get what President Ye meant?"

"If I were her, I'd have left long ago."

"Seriously. She made it sound like she'd land the deal easily—turns out she used her body."

"Our company has no place for that kind of filth!"

"Don't worry, it was Su Wanwan who signed it in the end. Had nothing to do with Li Manya."

"I really didn't expect Su Wanwan to be so well-connected. She's always so quiet…"

"If I'd known earlier, I'd have latched onto her instead."

"Alright, from now on, let's watch what we say around her."

"Otherwise, we might be the next ones to suffer."

Su Wanwan lowered her eyes slightly.

Footsteps echoed behind her.

She turned.

Li Manya stood there, eyes rimmed red—clearly, she had heard everything.