Chapter 150: Chapter 150

After ten o’clock in the evening, Fu Jichen returned from the company and took the elevator upstairs.

The two of them now shared a bed every night, no distinction between their two bedrooms. Sometimes they slept together in this room, sometimes in that room.

Hearing sounds coming from Shen Jianian’s room, Fu Jichen went straight over.

Without knocking, he opened the door to see Shen Jianian dressed in pajamas, sleeves rolled up high to reveal her tender, slender arms, carefully wiping the cello with a cloth, her phone on the bed playing a cello piece.

Upon hearing the door open, Shen Jianian quickly straightened up and turned around, her eyes bright: "Didn’t you say you’d be back very late today?"

Fu Jichen glanced at his watch, it was ten twenty: "Isn’t this considered late?"

"I thought it would be past midnight." Shen Jianian said.

Seeing her radiant and interested expression, Fu Jichen couldn’t help but guess: "Is there some happy news?"

Shen Jianian didn’t expect him to be so perceptive. She touched her cheek, wondering if she was being too obvious.

Fu Jichen took off his suit, loosened his tie, unbuttoned the collar of his shirt, and sat on the sofa, leaning back, motioning with two fingers for her to come over: "Come here."

Shen Jianian folded the cloth in her hand and walked over to him.

He grasped her wrist and pulled her onto his lap, arms encircling her waist—he often did this, so much so that when he reached out, Shen Jianian knew what his next move would be.

With a beguiling laziness, Fu Jichen said in a low, magnetic voice: "What’s the happy news? Tell me so I can be happy too."

"Well..." Shen Jianian leaned back into his embrace, pondered for a few seconds, and said somewhat uneasily, "It’s not confirmed yet. I’ll tell you when I have definite news."

"Keeping secrets from me?" Fu Jichen smiled.

Shen Jianian pressed her lips together.

Teacher Yan said Director Liao was likely to choose her, but she hadn’t received a phone confirmation from Director Liao and felt uneasy, worried that saying it out loud would dash her hopes.

"Just wait a little longer." She told herself, as well as Fu Jichen.

Fu Jichen didn’t press further, bending down to peck her lips, then lifted her onto the bed: "I’m going to take a shower, you rest a bit first."

While speaking, he gazed into her beautiful eyes, deep affection lingering there with a hint of some profound implication. Shen Jianian caught on, and her cheeks instantly turned a deep red.

Fu Jichen took his pajamas and went to the bathroom.

The sound of water started, and through the frosted glass door, she could see the silhouette moving, and Shen Jianian’s heart raced faster and faster.

A few minutes later, Fu Jichen came out wearing a black two-piece pajama set. His skin was a cool white tone, making the pure black contrast look both ascetic and inexplicably enticing.

Shen Jianian glanced at him and quickly diverted her gaze.

One corner of the quilt was lifted, and without any suspense, the man’s arm reached over, turning her side-lying body over, leaning down to kiss her forehead, and the tip of her nose.

His freshly bathed body carried the crisp smell of body wash, but his breath was so hot, burning inch by inch across her skin.

Shen Jianian did not refuse, even having a desire ignited by his deliberate teasing. She reached out to his shoulders and back, unable to distinguish whether the dampness on his skin was from water not fully dried or evidence of arousal.

The spring night was all enchanting.

Afterwards, much later, Shen Jianian’s heart was still in a state of weightlessness, hanging high and unable to fall. Her neatly trimmed nails left deep crescent-shaped marks on Fu Jichen’s arm.

She turned to sleep on her side, and the person beside her held her from behind, his chest fit snugly against her back, with the curve of her shoulder blades clearly felt.

Shen Jianian swallowed a bit, finding her throat dry and hoarse, murmuring: "I told you to be gentle, my stomach hurts a bit."

Listening to her complaint, Fu Jichen’s eyelashes fluttered a couple of times in the dark, a sense of regret arose, and he gently massaged her lower abdomen with his big hand: "My fault for not knowing the limit, I’ll rub it for you."

Shen Jianian enjoyed his service, didn’t make another sound, and soon fell asleep with her eyes closed.

The next morning, Shen Jianian opened her eyes as Fu Jichen finished dressing in formal wear and came out of the closet.

Nowadays, both of their clothes were in the closets of both bedrooms, so he didn’t need to return to his room to get dressed, which was very convenient.

As Fu Jichen fastened his wristwatch, he casually asked: "Not going to practice piano today?"

Shen Jianian grabbed her phone to check the time, her eyes suddenly widened, realizing that Liao Kai had called her after eleven last night, but her phone was on silent and she hadn’t heard the call.

She pressed her hand on the bed, turned over to sit up, and called him back eagerly.

Standing by the bed, Fu Jichen watched her expression full of nervous anticipation and curiously asked: "Who are you calling?"

The call connected at this moment, and Shen Jianian looked at the man in front of her, raised her index finger to her lips to signal him to be quiet, and then spoke in a polite and modest tone: "Hello, Director Liao, sorry, my phone was on silent last night and I missed your call. Calling you early in the morning, I hope I’m not disturbing you."

Fu Jichen heard her addressing him as "you" so politely, which raised an eyebrow for him.

On the phone, Liao Kai panted and said: "No disturbance. I just ran a lap in the park. I called to notify you to confirm the piece for the program’s performance and report it to me. If you’re uncertain, you can discuss it with your teacher."

Shen Jianian delighted: "You’ve decided to use me!"

"Yes, happy cooperation."

Liao Kai chuckled, not explaining the twists and turns.

He did indeed have many concerns and planned to abandon Shen Jianian for someone else. It was Yan Qiusheng who vouched for her, assuring there would be absolutely no problems and promised that in the future, if needed, he would not hesitate to help.

Opportunities to owe Yan Qiusheng a favor were rare, and after weighing the options, Liao Kai relented.

He teased Yan Qiusheng on the phone yesterday: "You’re quite good to your apprentice. I couldn’t convince you to budge, and yet you made an exception for her."

Yan Qiusheng laughed: "They say parents love their children, planning far for them. It’s the same for a mentor and apprentice. That child has had a hard time. I didn’t know much before, but hearing her challenges from you, I must plan for her future."

She is alone, even with the protection of the Fu Family, but who can predict the future of a romantic relationship? It’s safest for her to carve out a path of her own.

Ending the call, Shen Jianian leaped off the bed, stepping on the quilt, her face unable to contain her joy. She wrapped her arms around Fu Jichen’s neck: "Director Liao said I passed and can be on his show!"

Fu Jichen caught her, his large hand around her lower back, saying with mixed amusement and exasperation: "What Director Liao, what show?" He didn’t understand a word.

Shen Jianian let go and told him about meeting the famous music variety show director yesterday at Teacher Yan’s villa.

Fu Jichen understood and asked her: "How long does this program need to be recorded for?"

Shen Jianian’s brows raised: "One episode, I think. Every episode features different guests."

Fu Jichen, watching her excitement brimming like a little rabbit, animated and full of small gestures, felt happy for her and asked: "When does the show air?"

"Why are you asking?" Shen Jianian jumped off the bed, needing to look up slightly at him.

Under her shining eyes, Fu Jichen lifted a hand to brush her ear, speaking in a low voice: "Of course... it’s to schedule time in advance to support you."

Gazing into his eyes, Shen Jianian suddenly felt a bit shy, took his hand off of her face: "I’m going to wash up. You hurry and go downstairs for breakfast, don’t be late!"

She said it all at once and fled into the bathroom.

Fu Jichen’s lips curved into a gentle smile, glanced affectionately at the bathroom door, and went downstairs.

In the bathroom, Shen Jianian saw a trace of blood on her underwear. Her menstrual period was usually punctual, and she realized it was over a week late this time, recalling that the stomach ache last night was likely due to this.

She didn’t think much about it, changed into fresh underwear, and got a sanitary pad.