Su Wanwan stood beneath the tree, waiting for him. From a distance, she couldn't discern whom he was speaking to. Yet, the chill that enveloped him grew more intense—amid the sweltering summer heat, Su Wanwan inexplicably felt a refreshing coolness, like the embrace of air conditioning.
"Was your call just for this?" Fu Liangmu's voice was icy cold, one hand thrust deep in his pocket, exuding ruthless detachment.
The other side retorted, "If not, then what?"
"I won't go." Fu Liangmu hung up his phone. But it seemed as if someone had installed a surveillance device on him, monitoring his every move.
"Dare to hang up?"
"As a junior, shouldn't she take the initiative to visit me?"
A cruel smile twisted Fu Liangmu's lips, the chill in his eyes spreading like frost, utterly devoid of warmth.
"You didn't show up for my wedding, and now suddenly you remember?"
The woman replied, "She was bought with money, after all. Why should I waste my time going to see her?"
"Next Saturday, I'm throwing a birthday party."
"I expect you to bring her and arrive on time."
Without another word, Fu Liangmu ended the call and returned to Su Wanwan's side. Sensing the shift in his mood, she refrained from pressing further and simply said, "If you're tired of wandering, let's go back."
"Let's go."
As dusk deepened, rain began to fall outside—soft pattering on the leaves, a soothing lullaby. After bathing, Su Wanwan emerged to find Fu Liangmu lying on the bed, the television flickering on.
"Come here."
Fu Liangmu patted the bed beside him. Su Wanwan perched on the edge, casting a casual glance at the screen.
"What do you want to watch?"
"Anything."
"Won't you lie down?"
Her eyes darted nervously. "No, thanks."
He didn't insist, merely nodded. "A glass of warm milk before sleep helps you rest better."
"I'm not thirsty now."
"But I am."
With a helpless glance exchanged, she rose and left the room. Fu Liangmu grabbed the remote, lowering the air conditioner temperature by four degrees.
Su Wanwan soon returned, placing the milk on his bedside table before resuming her seat. Fu Liangmu casually played a movie, but within ten minutes, the slight woman beside him shivered from the cold, curling up and hugging her knees, focusing as best she could.
"Achoo!"
A tissue was offered.
"If you're cold, come sleep inside. Catching a cold means medicine later."
Su Wanwan wiped her nose and resignedly slipped under the covers. Though they had shared a bed before, tonight's atmosphere carried a strangely intimate tension. Watching a movie before bed—wasn't that something lovers did? Applied to them, it felt oddly out of place.
When the film ended, Su Wanwan had no idea what it was about. She flicked off the light and settled down to sleep.
The man beside her stirred restlessly. Suddenly, she recalled Ye Nan's words: "Isn't it natural for a man to have needs?"
Silently, Su Wanwan shifted slightly away.
But that tiny movement sparked a wildfire.
"Are you afraid of me?" Fu Liangmu's low voice whispered in her ear, as if leaning close.
"No."
Her tone was resolute.
"Then why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not."
"Come closer."
She edged back a little.
"Closer."
She moved again.
"Keep going."
Like squeezing toothpaste, a little came out.
At last, her arm touched his burning skin.
The next moment, weight pressed down on her.
"Fu Liangmu! What are you doing?"
She gasped, eyes wide, struggling to see the man before her. Yet, as on that hotel night, darkness concealed everything.
"You don't like me, do you?"
His voice was heavy, tinged with wounded vulnerability.
Su Wanwan was stunned. "Why... why ask that all of a sudden?"
He lowered his head, shrouded in darkness, every expression hidden. Though he already knew the answer, he longed to hear her say it aloud.
Silence.
Fu Liangmu waited a long while, but no reply came.
He turned and climbed off the bed.
Bang! A flash of light swept past the door.
Su Wanwan blinked, emotions swirling, unable to pinpoint exactly what she felt.
Night had fallen utterly dark.
A Maybach sped along the highway, spraying up small splashes.
The car halted at the bar's entrance.
He stepped inside, found the familiar private room number, and pushed open the door.
"Well, well, not easy escaping the wife's grasp, huh?" The man's handsome face bore a roguish charm, his demeanor carefree and jaunty.
"Never thought the usually detached you would fall so hard for a woman. Tsk, tsk."
"My poor heart, I even went to listen to your music, hoping for some sympathy... but none came." Fu Liangmu's lips twitched involuntarily, goosebumps rising.
"Xie Cheng, put away your flirtatious tricks."
Xie Cheng sprawled his legs on the table. "You're just sour grapes, jealous of my skills."
Fu Liangmu raised an eyebrow. "So, you're going to teach me?"
Xie Cheng's hand trembled slightly as he offered a cigarette. "Did I hear right?"
His gaze scanned Fu Liangmu's flawless face. "With a face like that, just placing it there without a word, how many women would throw themselves at you?"
"Do you really need to... pander to one woman?"
With a snap, the lighter flickered to life. Fu Liangmu inhaled deeply and exhaled, smoke swirling to obscure his face.
"She's not interested in me."
Xie Cheng rubbed his ear. "Is there a woman who wouldn't like you?"
When he saw Su Wanwan, he had indeed been struck by her beauty for quite some time.
"Oh, not bad. Looks like I've got a chance."
No sooner had he spoken than cold glares shot his way.
"Don't look at me like that. Women are the most delightful creatures on earth."
"Besides, we've been brothers for years. If you can't handle it, leave it to me!"
Fu Liangmu clenched his fists until his knuckles cracked.
Xie Cheng taunted wildly: "What, wanna fight?"
"Come on! Who's afraid of whom?" Fu Liangmu's lips curled slightly. "You asked for this."
Half an hour later, Fu Liangmu emerged from the room with an icy expression.
Xie Cheng lay sprawled on the sofa, bruised and battered.
Just as Fu Liangmu was about to leave, a heavily intoxicated woman stumbled from behind a wall into his arms.
"Brother Nan... why... why do you treat me this way...?"
Fu Liangmu, upon seeing Su Nian's face, immediately shoved her away with disdain, showing no mercy.
Su Nian collapsed onto the cold tile floor, the chill sobering her slightly.
She opened her dazed eyes to find before her an exquisitely handsome man standing imposingly.