Chapter 63: Chapter 63

When emotions intensified, the phone rang, its illuminated screen conspicuous in the dark.

Shen Jianian’s mind was scattered, unable to gather her thoughts, so much so that she didn’t react until the phone rang for a long time. She was too tired to move.

"Your call, aren’t you going to answer it?" Fu Jichen’s voice was right by her ear, the warmth of his breath clearly perceptible.

As he said this, he had already turned over and picked up the phone beside her pillow.

Having been in the dark for a long time, the screen’s brightness was glaring. Fu Jichen instinctively squinted his eyes, a string of unnoted numbers appeared before him.

He connected the call, cleared his throat, still a bit hoarse: "Who is this?"

The person on the other end was noticeably taken aback, unsure asked: "Is it... Jianian?" She wondered if she had dialed the wrong number, brought the phone closer to confirm again, it was indeed Shen Jianian’s new number.

Earlier, Shen Jianian mentioned she wasn’t free and would contact later, Bai Changxia waited by her phone for a long time, never receiving a callback, so she couldn’t resist calling.

However, the person answering was a man, his voice deep and slightly hoarse.

Bai Changxia was a bit bewildered, why would there be a man by Jianian so late? And holding her phone.

She searched through all her memories, quite sure she hadn’t heard this man’s voice before.

"Shen Jianian is asleep, if there’s anything, let’s talk tomorrow." Fu Jichen didn’t know who this person was nor did he want to know.

Bai Changxia linked it to Shen Jianian’s character, worried she might be bullied, her brain quickly calmed down and made a decision: "Please give the phone to Jianian, I want to hear her voice."

Fu Jichen glanced at the groggy person who seemed to have lost herself entirely, a small smile curled at his lips: "I’m afraid it’s inconvenient."

"Jianian! Shen Jianian!"

Bai Changxia shouted over the receiver.

In a daze, Shen Jianian heard a familiar voice and abruptly awoke from slumber, murmuring softly: "Xiaxia?"

Fu Jichen saw she was awake, handed the phone back to her, and got up to switch on the lamp, draping a robe as he headed to the bathroom.

"Jianian, are you listening?" Bai Changxia asked over the phone.

Shen Jianian hurriedly raised the phone to her ear, her waist was sore and too weak to sit up, she leaned half against the pillow, one hand pressed to her forehead, annoyed at herself for forgetting the commitment with Bai Changxia.

"I’m listening." She realized after speaking her voice was somewhat hoarse, unlike her usual tone.

"Who was that man?" Bai Changxia asked bluntly, "Why is your phone in his hand?"

Shen Jianian was stumped by the question, how was she to define Fu Jichen’s identity, how to explain their relationship.

"Jianian?" Bai Changxia was anxious.

Shen Jianian looked toward the bathroom, the sound of showering water pattered down like a small rain, inside her, a rain was also pouring.

"Xiaxia." Shen Jianian said, "This matter is somewhat complicated, can’t be explained in a few words, I’ll explain it to you slowly over time."

"I’m really worried about you." Bai Changxia said.

Bai Changxia had written those five words in every email, truly worried about her. Shen Jianian blinked back the acidity rising at the corners of her eyes: "I know, I know everything. I’m fine now."

Bai Changxia was silent for a while and said, "Can you give me your address? I want to come see you."

Shen Jianian hesitated. Should she give the address to Rose Manor, or East Ke Office Building? These were the places she frequented, but truth be told, neither was significantly tied to her.

"Call me when you arrive in Yicheng, I’ll come pick you up at the airport." Shen Jianian took a step back.

"Alright, await my news." Bai Changxia sighed in relief, Jianian was finally willing to see her, which was more important than anything, "You should rest, it’s already late."

Realizing she was about to hang up, Shen Jianian quickly said: "Wait!"

"Don’t tell my whereabouts to A... Pei Che." Shen Jianian nearly said "Ah Che" aloud.

Just as she finished, the bathroom door clicked open, Fu Jichen came out.

Shen Jianian’s heart suddenly clenched, unsure if he heard Pei Che’s name. She remembered every time Pei Che was mentioned, it ended unpleasantly.

"Got it, I’ll keep it a secret for you."

Though Bai Changxia was also Pei Che’s friend, ultimately, her connection with Shen Jianian was deeper, naturally siding with her, prioritizing her wishes.

After the call, Shen Jianian held the phone, carefully observing Fu Jichen’s face. He bowed his head to tie the robe’s waist belt, noticed a gaze, slightly lifted his eyelids, looking at the person on the bed: "What’s with that look as if you’ve done something wrong?"

This person was truly frightening!

Shen Jianian confirmed he hadn’t heard, she exhaled relieved and tossed the phone aside, lying down to sleep, her voice muffled from beneath the covers: "Nothing."

Fu Jichen slightly curved his lips, lay beside her, raised his arm wrapping her into his embrace: "Who called? They seem quite concerned about you."

Shen Jianian answered honestly: "My friend."

Fu Jichen didn’t ask further, his fingers began massaging at her waist, feeling her squirm away, his lips approached, kissing her, his speak blurred: "You seem quite energetic..."

The following words faded, replaced by actions.

Shen Jianian’s resistance was clear: "I haven’t finished my work!"

She originally intended to work overtime tonight, then busy herself for a couple of hours tomorrow morning to complete her tasks before noon, all plans disrupted by him.

It had been twice already, once more and she’d definitely not get up tomorrow, she promised Zhu Yilan she would complete her work on time, she couldn’t undermine herself.

"No..." Shen Jianian pinched his hand, brows furrowed, face determined, "I don’t want to."

Fu Jichen now had the leisure to joke with her: "When do you want to?"

Shen Jianian replied angrily: "Anyway, not now."

She crossed her arms, hugged herself in defense, Fu Jichen chuckled: "Shen Jianian, daring to say no to your boss, your courage is growing larger."

"I’m a person, not a bed warmer..."

"Alright." Fu Jichen frowned interrupting her, further conversation would be hurtful toward both, he didn’t want to listen.

The view darkened, Shen Jianian paused, realizing Fu Jichen had turned off the lights, relaxed entirely, yet the next moment, she was pulled into his arms again.

Just as she was about to resist, she heard Fu Jichen calmly say: "Sleep."

The next day, early at five, Shen Jianian crawled out of bed, under the lamp she hurried her workload, resulting in constant yawning during breakfast.

Zhou Rongzhen noticed, casually smiled and asked: "Jianian didn’t rest well last night?"

Shen Jianian glanced at the man sipping his soup slowly opposite her, smiled softly, tacitly agreeing with Aunt Zhen’s words.

Zhou Rongzhen placed a dish of dumplings on the dining table, caught the curve of Mr. Fu’s lips with the corner of her eye, suddenly understood, her face slightly embarrassed, wiped her hands on the apron, and quickly walked into the kitchen.

At seven-thirty, the two traveled to the company in the same car.

During the ride, Shen Jianian closed her eyes to rest, but her phone rang.

She fished it out of her bag, it was Bai Changxia calling.

Shen Jianian glanced at the man beside her, he leaned back against the seat, head lowered, eyes slightly closed, hands naturally placed on his knees, appearing asleep.

Shen Jianian turned toward the car window, answered while covering her mouth, voice kept low: "Hello?"

"Jianian, I’m arriving in Yicheng by noon, do you have time?"

Bai Changxia could not wait another day, after ending last night’s call with Shen Jianian, she booked her ticket, put aside everything, and hurried to the airport early this morning to fly to Yicheng to see her.

Shen Jianian controlled her emotions and responded: "See you at noon."

After hanging up, Shen Jianian sat upright, subconsciously turned to glance at Fu Jichen, not knowing when he’d opened his eyes, he rested his chin and looked at her.

Shen Jianian said: "I need to go to the airport to pick up a friend at noon."

"Pei Che?" Fu Jichen teased.

Shen Jianian said it wasn’t, somewhat annoyed he always brought up that name, catching her off guard, her heart would suddenly leap.