His tone lifted ever so slightly as he repeated, "Hmm?"
Celia's eyes widened. Oh no! She had completely forgotten to block out the nickname "Fu Toupai" from her chat history, and now Nathaniel had seen it.
What should she do?
Calm down. Don't panic.
She quickly replied, "Mr. Fu, that's meant as a compliment—an honor, really."
Nathaniel's gaze narrowed. She often addressed him formally as Mr. Fu, but to see her call him "Fu Toupai" in private with her best friend? That was something else entirely.
Nathaniel: "So… I thank you?"
Celia: "You're welcome."
She even added a playful sticker—a little animated flower with the words: Here, I'm giving you one.
Nathaniel let out a sharp laugh, more anger than amusement. What a shameless little thing. If I'd known Fu Jue would come sniffing around her, I should've just let her go. So why the hell am I still holding on?
······
He sent no further messages. Celia finally exhaled in relief. But just as she set her phone down, it began to ring.
The caller ID lit up: Fu Jue.
She answered softly, "Hello, Mr. Fu."
"Cici, do you really want to stay with my uncle?" His voice trembled with sincerity. "Is it because the gap between us is too wide? My uncle has always been the pride of the Fu family—even being born out of wedlock couldn't dim his brilliance. And me… I only like playing games."
"Mr. Fu," Celia gently interrupted, "you don't just play games. You also love creating them, don't you?"
Fu Jue froze in surprise. "Cici… you know?"
"Of course I do," she replied warmly. "I know you have unique ideas about developing games. You're young, ambitious, and talented. I truly believe you'll become a master in the field one day. In my heart, your uncle is remarkable—but so are you. So chase your own future, Jue. I'll be cheering for the better version of you."
Across the street, Fu Jue stood clutching his phone, his eyes locked on the girl he adored. Sometimes, the journey of youth and growth begins with the encouragement of the one you love. A single word of affirmation can ignite limitless strength.
Years later, when Fu Jue stood at the very peak of the game development world, he would still remember this moment: Celia standing across the street, her voice the most beautiful thing he had ever carried in his heart.
His handsome eyes reddened. "Yes, Cici, I will! I'll make you proud. I'm heading back to the capital. Goodbye."
Celia smiled softly. "Goodbye, Fu Jue."
After hanging up, she sighed in relief. Hurting him was the last thing she wanted.
But now—she needed to figure out Nathaniel's safe code as quickly as possible.
What kind of password would he use?
Celia sent a WeChat message to Zhou Jin:"Senior, can you help me find out that white moonlight's birthday?"
Zhou Jin replied almost instantly:"Got it."
······
Later that day, Celia went to the hospital to check on her grandmother. Her pulse was steady, and she looked like she might awaken soon.
That evening, her phone buzzed again. A WeChat message from Nathaniel:Where are you?
Celia: "At the hospital."
Nathaniel: I'll pick you up.
She didn't refuse. Half an hour later, she was waiting at the hospital entrance when his Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up smoothly in front of her.
Celia opened the passenger door and slipped inside.
Nathaniel's strong hand rested on the steering wheel as he drove. "Have you eaten?"
Celia shook her head. "Not yet."
"Whatever you're craving, I'll take you."
She thought for a moment, but her appetite had vanished. "I'm not hungry. I don't want anything."
Nathaniel turned his head toward her. The girl sat slouched against the seat, her delicate face downcast—like a flower losing its bloom.