Chapter 132: Chapter 132

Shen Jianian slept for a long time. When she woke up again, the room was pitch black. She wasn’t sure if it was because the curtains were too effective or if it was already completely dark outside.

Feeling herself embraced warmly and comfortably, with a familiar and reassuring masculine scent wafting at her nose, she did not move, allowing time to pass by second by second.

At noon, she only had one drink, and although it made her a bit tipsy, it wasn’t enough to make her black out, so she still remembered bringing up the matter of ending the arrangement with Fu Jichen.

Fu Jichen did not agree.

Shen Jianian pressed her hand against her chest, unsure whether she felt more happy or more disappointed, and even less sure about what she should do next.

Should she continue staying by his side, pretending nothing happened?

In what capacity would she enjoy everything he has given her?

Shen Jianian had never realized so clearly that she had made a mess of her life, with no way to turn back and no foreseeable future ahead.

When she became Yan Qiusheng’s student, she once thought her future was bright, as if she had glimpsed a road filled with flowers and applause.

But that was just her naïve presumption.

Shen Jianian thought for a long time in the darkness, still unable to find any clarity. She reached out to turn on the lamp on the bedside table.

As the light came on, she squinted and, after adjusting to the light, looked at the man lying beside her.

Fu Jichen was still asleep, his breathing even and long. His handsome face had shed the sharpness and defensiveness of the day, revealing its most harmless side, offering a peaceful and gentle feeling.

His eyelashes were longer than those of many girls, casting a shadow beneath his eyelids. His skin was smooth and delicate, flawless, making one doubt if he was really thirty years old.

Shen Jianian had seen his ID card. He was born in September and hadn’t officially turned thirty yet.

She couldn’t help but lift her finger, gently sliding it over his high nose bridge, then further down, her fingertips resting on his thin lips. The touch was soft and warm, yet when he kissed her, it felt so domineering and aggressive, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.

They had been together once after coming back from outside.

She had drunk some wine and couldn’t remember many details, only that she had followed her heart, offering a passionate response she usually wouldn’t have, and he kept asking in her ear if she wanted to stay by his side...

Shen Jianian felt warmth in her chest and her cheeks gradually became hotter as she slowly withdrew her hand, lingeringly focused on the man’s face.

He was sleeping deeply, possibly because he had been too busy the past few days and hadn’t had time for a proper rest.

As she kept watching him, Shen Jianian couldn’t resist leaning closer, brushing her lips against his face for a kiss, her eyes full of unknowing attachment.

Not daring to disturb him, she carefully withdrew back to her original position. As soon as she lifted her eyes, she realized that Fu Jichen had woken up at some point and was looking at her, his eyes full of tender affection, with no sleepiness.

Shen Jianian was taken aback, realizing her sneaky kiss from earlier. Her face flushed intensely, her heart racing like never before.

Fu Jichen’s dark eyes rippled with laughter, drawing her closer with a gentle embrace.

He had woken the moment her fingers touched his nose, but he held still, pretending to continue sleeping, curious to see what she would do next.

He felt her soft fingertips resting against his lips, almost unable to resist gripping her hand.

But he didn’t; he patiently waited, and was rewarded with something even softer than her fingertips gently touching his face—it was her lips, she was kissing him.

If she had no affection for him, how could she act this way?

Before this, he had been angered by her preoccupation with Pei Che, but he hadn’t anticipated such a quick turnaround, revealing her feelings to him.

Locked in a gaze with him, Shen Jianian hoped he knew nothing: "Wh-when did you wake up?"

Fu Jichen’s smile didn’t fade as he asked her back, "When do you wish I had woken up?"

With his question, Shen Jianian understood. He had been awake long enough to know everything she did to him; suddenly, she felt naked before him, with nowhere to hide.

Fu Jichen’s large hand cradled the nape of her neck, sliding from her ear to her cheek, "Shen Jianian, have you fallen for me?" His voice was so tender it could melt, tinged with a hint of anticipation due to uncertainty.

For a man like him, successful in career and wielding power, it was surprising to see he too could harbor hope and expectations for something.

Shen Jianian felt scorched by his gaze, her heart seeming to burn a hole.

She averted her eyes, unwilling to admit: "No."

Fu Jichen’s eyes darkened momentarily, not fully convinced, as she had often spoken against her heart: "Admitting to loving someone is not a shame."

Shen Jianian’s throat was dry. After a while, she asked, staring into his eyes: "And what about you?" Was it love for her, deception, or both?

Fu Jichen responded with another question: "What do you think?"

Shen Jianian was silent.

In an era where seeing doesn’t always mean believing, hearing doesn’t always mean believing, and vows don’t always materialize, distinguishing love from lack of love is too hard. How could she know what was truly in his heart?

Even if he verbally professed love, she couldn’t dare to hope it was genuine.

Besides, his mere "What do you think?" — wasn’t that a form of evasion?

The phone rang, and Shen Jianian felt a sense of relief, no longer having to continue the topic.

Hearing the ringtone coming from the sofa, she slipped off the bed, not wanting the caller to wait, and without grabbing shoes, walked barefoot over to pick up her small leather bag from the sofa, unzipped it, and dug out her phone.

The caller ID on the screen read "Teacher Yan."

Shen Jianian pressed a hand to her forehead, driving away the chaotic thoughts in her mind. After clearing her throat, she answered, "Teacher, what can I do for you?"

As she listened to the call, Shen Jianian walked to the window and pulled open the curtain.

Outside, it was indeed dark, with a moon hanging in the sky.

Yan Qiusheng on the phone said he was taking his mother to the hospital for a check-up as he heard that a specialist who focused on her condition had returned from abroad for an exchange, and he would be staying at the hospital for the next few days, telling her not to bother with the villa.

Shen Jianian turned back around, answering Yan Qiusheng’s words, her eyes landing on the bed where Fu Jichen was leaning against the pillow, his upper body naked, revealing fair, firm shoulders and arms.

"I understand," Shen Jianian turned her gaze back out the window, "Please give my regards to Auntie. If it’s convenient, I’ll visit her in a couple of days."

The instant the call ended, Shen Jianian suddenly found herself airborne, letting out a startled shout.

It was Fu Jichen who had silently gotten out of bed and come up behind her, lifting her into his arms.

"Don’t your bare feet feel cold on the ground?" His deep voice conveyed the most earnest concern.

He had put on a shirt, only buttoning two buttons carelessly, draping it loosely over himself, exuding a lazy charm, yet undeniably alluring.

Fu Jichen set her down on the bed, and lay down beside her, turning his head to ask: "Are you hungry?"

Shen Jianian instinctively placed her hand on her belly: "I ate too much at lunch, still not hungry yet."

The dishes at the western restaurant he took her to at noon didn’t disappoint; everything suited her taste, especially the black truffle flatbread—she had several helpings.

Fu Jichen rolled over onto her, his fingertip caressing the corner of her lips: "Still remember what I said?"

He had said so much, which one was he referring to?

Shen Jianian was about to ask when she suddenly recalled, he meant the last thing he said to her in the private room: Stay with me.

"Remember now?" Fu Jichen could tell from her expression that she hadn’t forgotten.

Shen Jianian averted her face, afraid to meet his gaze. She always felt that he was too good at reading people and situations, easily seeing through her every thought, including her little secrets.

"Does my answer matter?" Shen Jianian’s voice was light, "Even if I don’t agree, you won’t let me go."

Though her words didn’t sound pleasant, they were the truth. Fu Jichen’s fingers caressed her chin, speaking in a deep tone: "It’s good that you know."

Yet another phone call came through, and Shen Jianian picked up her phone to check. This time, it was Bai Changxia calling.

She pushed Fu Jichen’s shoulder away, sat up on the bed, and answered the call: "Xiaxia."