Turning around, he left.
Sheng Xiangsi sat there dazed, feeling a bit confused after her outburst.
He left... and probably won't come back, right?
Being a shield isn't easy, having to witness Fu Hanjiang and his... sister-in-law.
Tsk tsk.
Sheng Xiangsi gently placed her hand on her stomach, silently praying, hoping she would get pregnant!
Watching Fu Hanjiang and Yao Leyi being all lovey-dovey was unbearable, absolutely unbearable.
...
Downstairs, Fu Hanjiang's expression didn't ease.
Yao Leyi noticed it immediately and took the clothes from him, smiling. "You let me stay here, and she got upset?"
"No."
Fu Hanjiang shook his head, but his chest felt heavy.
"Hmph."
Yao Leyi sneered, "Don't lie to me. I can tell she's unhappy. But what right does she have to be unhappy? When I met you, she wasn't even born yet. She's unhappy? Who does she think she is? She's not even your wife, and even if she were, she shouldn't give me attitude..."
The more she spoke, the more annoyed Fu Hanjiang became.
"Leyi, it's late. You should rest."
After saying that, he turned and headed upstairs.
Yao Leyi was stunned. Was he annoyed with her? Or was he eager to go and comfort Sheng Xiangsi?
Her arms tightened around the clothes, her eyes narrowing with hatred as she stared at Fu Hanjiang's back. "Sheng Xiangsi."
...
Sheng Xiangsi didn't expect Fu Hanjiang to come back, and so quickly.
He didn't turn on the light, slipping into bed beside her and pulling her into his arms with one long arm.
Sheng Xiangsi took a deep breath, closing her eyes, smelling his scent.
Perfume mixed with a hint of disinfectant.
Unable to hold back, she spoke up, "Can you sleep in the other room?"
Instead of loosening his grip, he held her tighter. "This is my bed. I should sleep here."
Sheng Xiangsi sat up abruptly. "Just for tonight, one night... please? Consider it a favor."
"Sheng Xiangsi."
Fu Hanjiang turned on the bedside lamp, his features shrouded in shadow.
"It's late. How long do you plan to keep this up?"
"I'm not making a fuss."
Sheng Xiangsi took a deep breath and spoke honestly, "You have a smell on you. It makes me uncomfortable, and I can't sleep."
"A smell? What smell?"
Fu Hanjiang pulled at his pajama collar, sniffing it.
"No smell at all."
It's hard to notice a smell on oneself.
Sheng Xiangsi stared at him silently.
Fu Hanjiang also stayed silent, his face dark with displeasure, revealing his current bad mood.
He thought she was deliberately picking a fight.
After much consideration, he held back and compromised.
Getting out of bed, he said, "I'll go take a shower."
As he walked to the bathroom, Sheng Xiangsi quickly grabbed her pillow and ran out.
If he wouldn't go to the other room, then she would.
No matter what, she didn't want to share a bed with him tonight.
"Xiangsi!"
Hearing her footsteps, Fu Hanjiang turned sharply,
But he was a step too late. When he chased after her, Sheng Xiangsi had just made it to the next room, slamming the door shut in his face.
"Xiangsi!"
Fu Hanjiang immediately twisted the doorknob, but it wouldn't turn. The door was locked from the inside!
"What's going on?"
Yao Leyi had come upstairs.
The commotion had naturally caught her attention.
Seeing Fu Hanjiang locked out, what wasn't clear?
Yao Leyi sneered mockingly, "She treats you like this?"
The handsome man's face was as dark as water, neither confirming nor denying, "We have some misunderstandings."
"Misunderstandings?"
Yao Leyi didn't believe his nonsense, "It's more like she's unilaterally misunderstanding you, no, slandering you!"
"Leyi!"
Fu Hanjiang interrupted her with a low growl, frowning in displeasure, "Don't talk about her like that. Xiangsi isn't unreasonable. If she misunderstands, there's a reason."
He had to admit, Yao Leyi was special to him.
But this specialness was incomprehensible to Xiangsi.
"She treats you like this, and you still speak for her?"
Yao Leyi was first shocked, and then a more complex emotion surged, indescribable, but it made her fingertips ache.
"Hanjiang."
Yao Leyi laughed softly, asking, "Are you in love with Sheng Xiangsi?"
Love?
Fu Hanjiang was stunned, his brow tightening instantly.
What is love? The word carries too much weight... He wasn't sure if he was in love, couldn't declare it easily.
He didn't answer directly but asked in return, "Xiangsi is my girlfriend. Isn't it natural to tolerate her?"
Did he really say that?
Yao Leyi's lips curved into a thin, cold smile. Had he forgotten that Sheng Xiangsi was once his wife?
Yet, back then, he didn't care for her this much!
He had changed!
For a moment, Yao Leyi suddenly doubted, even regretted—should she have encouraged Fu Hanjiang and Sheng Xiangsi to be together just to keep Fu Hanchuan?
...
Fu Hanjiang didn't sleep well that night.
He got up early and went downstairs, only to find Yao Leyi was up even earlier.
"Hanjiang, you're up?"
Yao Leyi was busy in the kitchen, smiling as she waved at Fu Hanjiang.
"Sit down, the coffee is ready."
Fu Hanjiang pulled out a chair and sat down. Yao Leyi brought the coffee over to him, "Have a cup of coffee first. I'm making dumplings. It's been a while since I made them for you."
"You're making dumplings?"
Fu Hanjiang set the coffee down, "What time did you get up?"
Making dumplings isn't a quick breakfast; it requires preparing the filling and dough, quite a hassle.
"I couldn't sleep, so I got up early."
As she spoke, Yao Leyi's lips tugged bitterly. "I saw there were plenty of ingredients in the fridge, so I decided to make them."
"Mm." Fu Hanjiang nodded, "Xiangsi lives here, it's inconvenient not to cook at home."
He usually ate out since he was alone.
So, it was to accommodate Sheng Xiangsi.
Yao Leyi's smile grew more forced.
She sighed softly, "You're so good to Xiangsi... Your brother never considered such small things for me."
She had been with Fu Hanchuan for many years. He indeed met her every need, but only when she asked.
Thinking carefully, he rarely considered things for her on his own.
Seeing Yao Leyi's sorrowful expression, Fu Hanjiang advised, "Don't think like that. Your situations are different. Aren't you managing the Fu household?"
She had control over the finances, meaning she could get whatever she needed herself, without having to go through Fu Hanchuan.
"No..."
Yao Leyi shook her head, looking at him with teary eyes, "A man's care for a woman isn't just about material things. It's a feeling, you understand? Sometimes, your brother doesn't even care about me as much as you do..."