The moment the question slipped out, Wen Baozhu realized it was a stupid one.
Sure enough, Fu Lian loosened his arms around her slightly.
"Baozhu, don't let your thoughts run wild."
Wen Baozhu was stunned. Feeling the man's body heat fading, she instinctively tried to get closer to absorb the warmth from his chest.
But when she looked up and met his now cold gaze, she instantly lost all her strength.
The once warm and ambiguous atmosphere in the room gradually cooled down.
Fu Lian directly evaded her question. Moreover, he seemed displeased and completely released his arms around her, creating a distance between them.
She watched as the man got up from the bed. She almost blurted out, "Where are you going, Mr. Fu?" but held her tongue.
Fu Lian's attitude changed so abruptly that Wen Baozhu hadn't had time to react. However, based on their recent interactions, she could quickly assess the situation:
Apparently, she had failed to gauge his mood and said something she shouldn't have, which had upset the "king".
Fu Lian got up and walked directly to the wall, reaching out to turn on the ceiling light.
The bright light instantly filled the entire room, leaving no darkness to hide, including Wen Baozhu's stunned face.
"I invited you to Hong Kong, Baozhu. Besides being my guest, the main reason is for you to do some work." His once gentle and doting gaze gradually faded, and his attitude became all business.
Although the room was warm, Wen Baozhu still shivered involuntarily.
"After the work is done, I will naturally send you back to Fucheng to reunite with your family and your grandmother."
Wen Baozhu moved her lips. "… I know, Mr. Fu."
Fu Lian nodded slightly and said indifferently, "Smart people get everything, while fools give me headaches."
And those who give Mr. Fu headaches will fall from a great height and be smashed to pieces.
Wen Baozhu swallowed hard but said nothing.
She could only remain silent.
Seeing that she was silent, Fu Lian knew she had understood. So he said in a calm tone, "Well, I may have to look through some documents tonight, so I won't be able to sleep with you, Baozhu."
"Sleep with", such an intimate word.
He used a term that a subordinate might use, but due to his superior status, there was no trace of humility in it.
On the contrary, this attitude was the coldest and most disorienting.
Wen Baozhu could tell that he was driving her away.
She bit her lip and got up from the bed. "Then I'll go to the guest room to rest. I won't disturb your work, Mr. Fu."
Fu Lian stared at her for a moment, then turned around and walked to the desk, clearly showing that he didn't want to be disturbed.
...
After going around in circles, she finally returned to the guest room to rest.
Compared to the previous room, the air here was cold, without a trace of warmth.
Wen Baozhu lay in bed, feeling empty inside.
Although Fu Lian hadn't answered her question, in fact, he had already given an answer.
It made sense. How could a mere country girl dream of becoming a wealthy lady in the Fu family?
Moreover, she was Fu Nian's fiancée, not Fu Lian's.
Some people shouldn't be greedy; some things should just take their natural course.
From Fang Yuan, she already knew how popular Fu Lian was among women in Hong Kong. It was already lucky enough to be spotted by him and work under him.
Wen Baozhu knew she should be content. The hospitalization fees for her grandmother, the alimony for her mother, the rescue of Sai Zhenzhu from euthanasia, and the doting she could get as long as she obeyed.
She had already gotten enough.
Heartbreak only lasted for a moment. Wen Baozhu quickly adjusted her mood and closed her eyes.
---
In the following days, as expected, Fu Lian didn't come again.
Aunt Jiang wasn't surprised. After all, Wen Baozhu was on her period. But only Wen Baozhu knew that she had angered Mr. Fu that day, which was why he was too lazy to show up.
When her period was almost over, Aunt Jiang checked the almanac and reminded Wen Baozhu that it was a good day to go to Wong Tai Sin Temple to pay respects.
"Okay." Wen Baozhu didn't refuse. Since she had nothing to do anyway, there was no harm in going to pay respects.
Wong Tai Sin Temple had always been bustling with pilgrims.
The pilgrims came in an endless stream. Wen Baozhu followed the crowd into the temple, took three incense sticks, and went to the main hall to pay homage.
The richer and more powerful people were, the more they believed in and respected the theory of feng shui and ghosts and gods.
Everyone had a look of piety and respect on their faces, but what they were praying for were their own desires.
Wen Baozhu bent down to pay respects and sincerely offered three incense sticks.
Just as she was leaving the temple, she happened to run into Fang Yuan.
"Baozhu, you're here to pay respects to Wong Tai Sin too?"
Wen Baozhu was also surprised. Seeing Fang Yuan hook her arm affectionately, she said, "I haven't seen you for a long time! Let's go for lunch together. I'll treat you."
Fang Yuan was always so enthusiastic, but her enthusiasm came with a touch of refinement and arrogance of the upper class, which always made Wen Baozhu a little uncomfortable.
Just like now.
"Last time, A Lian took me to Central. The Cantonese cuisine there is said to be the most authentic in Hong Kong! But the store owner is a Japanese. I bet he's lying."
"Whether it's authentic or not, I think it should be up to the locals to decide." Fang Yuan smiled. "Don't be shy. Just accompany me to try the food."
Since Fang Yuan had said so, Wen Baozhu had no choice but to agree. Any refusal or excuse would make her seem ignorant of social etiquette.
Otherwise, there might be headlines in the Hong Kong media like "The two daughters-in-law of the Fu family are at odds, glaring at each other in front of Wong Tai Sin Temple", and then she would be scolded by Li Wenshu again.
Fang Yuan happily hooked Wen Baozhu's arm and walked out of the temple. Just as they reached the parked car, they found someone standing there, as if waiting for them.
"Little Aunt!" Fang Yuan recognized the person and was overjoyed for a moment.
Fu Shuyi looked calm, exuding the elegance of a noble lady. She nodded at Fang Yuan with a smile, and her gaze landed politely on Wen Baozhu.
"Baozhu, don't you remember me?" Fu Shuyi tugged at her shawl and asked with a meaningful smile, "We met once at the Fu family's old mansion."
Remember? How could she forget?
The elder who had slapped her in the face as soon as she entered the door, giving her a real warning; the one who had stared at her menacingly during the meal, Fu Shuyi, the little aunt of Fu Lian and Fu Nian, how could she forget?
But unlike last time, Fu Shuyi was all smiles, without a trace of the overbearing attitude she had shown before.
Maybe it was because there were outsiders present this time?
Or maybe it was to maintain the harmony on the surface of the wealthy family and she had to smile?
Wen Baozhu couldn't figure out her intention and was very nervous, but she didn't lose her courtesy. "I remember, Little Aunt."
Fang Yuan seemed to be closer to Fu Shuyi. She was very good at acting coquettishly with her elders. "Little Aunt, you look so young. No wonder Baozhu didn't recognize you. I almost thought it was a Hong Kong star filming in front of the temple just now."
Fu Shuyi had a dignified bearing. Hearing her sweet words, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile gently. "You, your mouth is as sweet as honey every day."
Noticing that they were together, she asked again, "Are you two going shopping?"
"It's lunchtime now."
Fang Yuan blinked and said excitedly, "Since we've met by such a coincidence, why don't you join us, Little Aunt?"