Chapter 100: Chapter 100

Yunding Palace was quite far from the dining place, and by the time they returned, it was already past ten thirty.

Along the way, the two were silent.

Back in the room, Shen Jianian sat at the end of the bed, her cold fingers fiddling with the tassels at the end of her scarf.

Suddenly, there was a loud "bang" from next door, like something had crashed to the ground, causing Shen Jianian’s nerves to tense as she stood up from the bedside.

Driven by some impulse, she walked to Fu Jichen’s bedroom and stopped at the doorway.

The door was open, a silver suitcase lay open on the floor, and Fu Jichen was tossing a pile of clothes into it from the closet. He wore only a pure black shirt, and as he moved, the hem slid halfway out from his dress pants’ waistband, the sleeves casually rolled up in two folds, exposing his arms which were both sensual and powerful, with a thin gold chain wrapped around his cold white wrist, usually hidden under the sleeves from easy sight.

But Shen Jianian knew that ever since he put on this bracelet, he had never taken it off.

Seemingly sensing the gaze from the doorway, Fu Jichen straightened his posture and glanced at her face with an indifferent look.

Shen Jianian walked inside softly, stopping beside the suitcase, lowering her head to glance at the clothes inside, then looking up at the tall man again.

He said nothing, turning back to the closet to retrieve two ties.

Shen Jianian didn’t know how to start, and he showed no intention of explaining his destination voluntarily. The silence spread indulgently in the spacious room.

Finally, it was Shen Jianian who couldn’t resist first. As he turned again, she reached out and grabbed the hem of his shirt, her voice so soft it resembled a swallow skimming over the snow, leaving no trace: "Where are you going?"

She possibly wasn’t aware that there was a slight sense of dependence in such a simple sentence.

This house was entirely unfamiliar to her, and he was the only person she knew.

Fu Jichen turned back, his gaze falling on her small hand clutching his shirt corner, snow-white fingertips against black fabric, the stark contrast stimulating to the eye.

She clutched tightly, wrinkling a piece of the fabric, as if afraid he would leave just like that.

Fu Jichen couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, with a hint of mockery. Ever since she saw that person from the Pei Family tonight, she seemed to have lost her soul, her entire mind focused on that person, with no space for anyone else in her eyes.

She probably wished she could fly to that person and relieve his longing.

Two affectionate people, forced apart by inevitable factors, Fu Jichen didn’t know whether in such a situation, the feelings would deepen, or fade away with time.

"Shen Jianian, what are you trying to do acting ?" Fu Jichen pulled her hand away but didn’t immediately let go, his fingers distinct, exerting subtle force, veins bulging on the back of his hand, he said word by word, "Don’t tell me, you cannot bear for me to leave."

Shen Jianian lifted her gaze, staring at his defined face, long brows and deep-set eyes, seemingly shrouded in mist, and forgot the words she wanted to say in an instant.

"Speak," Fu Jichen was in a bad mood, unable to hide it even if he wanted to.

Shen Jianian pursed her lips, she just came to check after hearing a noise, saw the suitcase on the ground, and had a moment of panic, wanting to know where he intended to go in the middle of the night.

She didn’t know why it escalated to the current situation.

Thinking about it, that noise was likely from him accidentally knocking over the suitcase, nothing else.

She remained silent, which made Fu Jichen even angrier. He pushed her to the bedside and pressed her down on the dark bed.

Shen Jianian’s head of long, black, silky hair spread out, merging with the sheets, like being swept into a vortex, dizziness, and descent.

The man before her had eyes interwoven with desires and fury, like a beast newly released from its cage, wanting to tear its prey to shreds and devour it.

Shen Jianian’s heart beats accelerated uncontrollably, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t afraid.

Fu Jichen’s large palm was gripping her waist, instinctively her body responded by tensing like a spring stretched to the limit. He seemed unaware, or perhaps he was aware but didn’t want to stop, taking a moment to undo the collar buttons of his own shirt.

He lost patience after undoing only two, raised his upper body as he knelt on the bed, crossing his hands and grasping the shirt hem to pull it directly upwards, tossing it aside.

The shirt, like a fallen maple leaf, hung on the edge of the bed, swaying as it was about to fall.

In the room, aside from the interwoven breathing and rustling sounds, there was nothing else.

Fu Jichen went back to Yicheng for business, leaving the villa early in the morning.

Upon waking up, Shen Jianian noticed the warmth of the person beside her was already gone. She could only recall the vivid and passionate scenes from last night and the words he left amidst their drowsiness.

"I’m flying to Yicheng tomorrow. The important project with Dongke is almost wrapped up, and I need to personally finalize it. Rest assured and stay here, I’ll be back soon."

Shen Jianian got up to tidy herself and came downstairs after nine o’clock.

In the open space of the living room, several boxes of varying sizes were placed, among which two particularly large ones. They were bound with wooden frames, filled not just with foam boards but also packed with cushioning sponges.

"Things sent from Yicheng have just arrived at the house. Do you need help organizing them?" Cheng Jin inquired.

Shen Jianian was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Thank you."

The two large boxes should contain cellos, while the rest were some personal items she couldn’t part with. It seemed Fu Jichen intended for her to stay in Beicheng long-term and not return.

"It’s no trouble at all, just wait a moment. I’ll prepare breakfast for you first." Cheng Jin smiled, unfamiliar with her but spoke with restraint and courtesy.

Shen Jianian sat on the sofa, turning her head to look outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Several workers were digging in the front yard, unsure of what they were going to plant.

The greenery facilities in this villa were excellent, albeit a bit monotonous in color, mostly featuring green trees, especially holly and camphor trees.

After having brunch, Shen Jianian received a call from Bai Changxia.

The two agreed to meet at a newly opened café.

Shen Jianian changed her clothes and wrapped a scarf around her neck, just like yesterday, to conceal the horrifying scars.

Before leaving, she greeted Cheng Jin, saying she was going to see a friend and would return after dinner.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jin hurriedly pulled out his phone from his pocket: "Please wait a moment, I’ll call a driver over."

Shen Jianian said, "No need to trouble; it’s convenient for me to take a taxi."

"Mr. Fu instructed before leaving that a driver must be arranged to take you if you go out." Cheng Jin smiled awkwardly at her and dialed the driver’s number, explaining briefly and then reporting to her, "Please sit down and wait for a bit; the driver will arrive soon."

About ten minutes later, a black Mercedes-Benz van pulled up and stopped steadily under the porch.

Shen Jianian carried a small bag and went out, opened the car door; inside, there were three rows of seats, with the second row empty, and two burly men in suits sitting in the third row.

The driver wasn’t Qu Mo, but someone older than Qu Mo, around thirty, with a build just as robust as the two men in suits.

Shen Jianian stood dazed in the cold wind.

After a moment, she slowly turned around, casting a puzzled look at Cheng Jin, who stood at the door.

Cheng Jin smiled faintly and explained, "All arranged by Mr. Fu."

Shen Jianian carefully examined the vehicle, confirming it was the same one Song Fang used to pick her up from the airport yesterday. She hesitated, then got in, glancing at the two men in the back seat.

Noticing her anxiety, one of the men spoke, "We are bodyguards hired by Mr. Fu to protect you. You can pretend we’re not here."

The van drove on the road, and drizzle began to fall from the sky. Shen Jianian alternated between looking at the rainy street scene and glancing at her phone, never managing to act like they were not there.

Upon reaching the café, Shen Jianian got out of the car, and the two bodyguards from the rear followed, maintaining a distance neither too close nor too far. Watching her enter through the glass door, they didn’t go inside but stood outside, ensuring they could see her through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

With such a stance, curious glances were thrown her way, assuming Shen Jianian was a big star.

Shen Jianian pulled her scarf up higher and searched for Bai Changxia with her gaze, walking towards her.

Bai Changxia, like others in the café, noticed the scene outside and was quite surprised, whispering to her, "Are those bodyguards? How over-the-top?"

Shen Jianian put her bag on the empty chair next to her and sighed, "The police haven’t found the murderer yet, and Fu Jichen might worry about something similar happening again."

Bai Changxia ordered her a glass of juice, commenting simply with two words, "Not bad."

The two chatted all afternoon and found a nearby restaurant for dinner when mealtime came.

After seven in the evening, Shen Jianian took a car back.

At the villa’s entrance, a delicately dressed young woman was blocked in front of the guardhouse, with a nanny aunt behind her holding an umbrella.

The woman’s voice was crisp, with a bossy and domineering tone, scolding the security guard, "Do you know who I am? Dare to stop me, don’t want to work here anymore?!"