Wen Baozhu took a deep breath and made a call, only to find that the other party's phone was turned off.
A series of busy tones came through, clearly audible in the corridor.
Perhaps, because she didn't answer the phone, Fu Lian was angry with her and blocked her.
Wen Baozhu clutched her phone tightly, feeling inexplicably nervous.
Because of his "friendly reminder".
Because of the unanswered call.
Because of the voice prompt saying "the phone is turned off".
She went back into the room, tiptoed to the window, and quietly lifted the curtain.
Sometime during the night, the snow outside had stopped.
Wen Baozhu couldn't fall asleep all night.
It wasn't until dawn was approaching that she finally felt sleepy due to exhaustion and fell into a slumber.
However, she didn't sleep for long before she heard someone ringing the doorbell of the room.
She opened her eyes and saw Zhou You sleeping soundly.
Wen Baozhu guessed it was the hotel's breakfast service. She quietly got up, walked to the door, cracked it open a bit, and whispered, "Hello, we don't need it for now—"
The person standing at the door wasn't a waiter.
It was Fu Lian.
He was wearing a dark gray overcoat paired with a black shirt. The collar wasn't as neatly ironed as usual, looking a bit loose and casual.
It was at least dozens of degrees below zero in the morning here, and Fu Lian's outfit was obviously too thin, making him look travel - worn.
She never expected to see Fu Lian, who should have been thousands of miles away, here in the north.
The familiar face of the man in front of her left her mind blank.
So was the phone turned off because he was already on the plane coming here?
The man propped one hand on the door frame, his voice neither angry nor happy. "Surprised, aren't you?"
The hotel was fully heated, so there was no cold wind. However, the tall figure of the man in front of her carried a chill.
Meeting Fu Lian's gaze, Wen Baozhu couldn't help but shiver.
She wanted to open her mouth to explain something, but found herself speechless. All her panic and fear showed on her face.
"Why aren't you happy?" Fu Lian reached out to touch her cheek.
His hand was cold. Wen Baozhu had a terrible premonition: Fu Lian probably hadn't even rested and had flown here overnight.
It was a more than ten - hour flight, and he came to find her right after getting off the plane.
Wen Baozhu's face was pale, and she couldn't say a word.
"Didn't you say you missed me on the phone? I don't see any surprise on your face."
The overwhelming sense of fear made Wen Baozhu feel like she was about to suffocate. She didn't even have the strength to open her mouth.
Fu Lian's gaze shifted down from Wen Baozhu's face. He saw that she was wearing a flannel nightgown neatly, but the first button of the collar was undone, making her look lazy.
Just woke up.
He squinted his eyes and looked past Wen Baozhu into the bedroom of the suite. His eyes instantly turned cold.
"Who's in there?" he asked softly.
His tone was calm, but there was already a chilling coldness in it.
Without waiting for Wen Baozhu's answer, Fu Lian stepped directly inside. When he reached the bedroom door, danger flashed in his eyes. He reached out and flung the door open—
Zhou You was lying in the bed, sound asleep.
After seeing who was inside, the fierce killing intent and hostility around Fu Lian dissipated instantly.
He gently closed the door.
Wen Baozhu stood there, choosing to remain silent all the time.
Fu Lian turned around, walked back in front of Wen Baozhu, and stared into her eyes.
"Look up."
Wen Baozhu kept her head down. She didn't dare to meet his gaze again.
However, the man reached out and pinched her chin, forcing her to lift her head. "What are you guilty about? There's no man in your bed."
When he said this, his tone was gentle.
Wen Baozhu said, "I didn't tell you in advance, Mr. Fu. Actually, I came skiing with Zhou You. I lied to you."
Fu Lian smiled. "Since you know where you went wrong, why did you lie in the first place? I've always been very tolerant of you, Baozhu. You can do whatever you want, as long as you tell me the truth."
Do whatever I want?
Wen Baozhu twitched her lips. Her voice was hoarse with fear. "… Because you were angry with me at that time, Mr. Fu. I thought you were still mad, and you were still accompanying Miss Fang… So, I didn't dare to contact you."
"What's there to be afraid of?"
He half - smiled. "You dared to lie. Is there anything you, Wen Baozhu, dare not do?"
Wen Baozhu said, "… I'm sorry, Mr. Fu. I know I was wrong."
Fu Lian quietly looked at her face.
Outside, it was already fully dawn. The morning sunlight shone on the snow, reflecting a brighter white light. The whole room became very bright.
In the light, Wen Baozhu's skin looked even fairer and flawless. Her features were still pure and beautiful. Her plain face looked even more pitiful and endearing, making people feel sorry for her.
Looking at her innocent face, it was hard to imagine that she would have ulterior motives.
Under his gaze, Wen Baozhu felt flustered. She remembered the punishment of the whip last time, and her body trembled slightly uncontrollably.
What kind of punishment was waiting for her this time?
She didn't know.
However, the man just quietly looked at her and didn't take any further action.
Later, his gaze gradually softened, showing a kind of reassurance. "I'm sorry, Baozhu."
He also started to apologize to her. "It's my fault. I lost my temper with you before I left, making you so cautious."
Wen Baozhu was stunned.
"Next time, no matter where you go or what you do, Baozhu, you have to tell me in advance. Understand?"
He was still as elegant and gentle as ever. He even lowered his stance, showing no sign of having been angry.
Whether it was true or not, Wen Baozhu was really confused.
She pursed her lips and nodded slightly.
Wen Baozhu didn't dare to ask why Fu Lian, who should have been in Norway, suddenly appeared here.
Was it because of her?
She didn't think she was that important.
Judging from the way he rushed towards the bedroom just now to confirm who was inside, he just didn't want his possessions to be touched.
It was just his possessiveness at work.
After they finished talking, the room became very quiet.
Wen Baozhu glanced at the time and noticed Fu Lian's slightly tired look. She opened her mouth. "Mr. Fu, do you want something to eat? I'll call the front desk…"
Before she could finish her sentence, the doorbell rang again.
This time, the person ringing the doorbell was Gu Xiujing.
And the person who opened the door was Fu Lian.
The moment the two men locked eyes, the atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.
"Mr. Fu?" Gu Xiujing also didn't expect to see Fu Lian here so early in the morning. He had come to call Wen Baozhu and Zhou You to have breakfast together.
"What a coincidence. Mr. Gu is here too." Fu Lian said expressionlessly, as if thinking of something.
He turned around and looked back at Wen Baozhu.
His expression was extremely calm.
Fu Lian didn't say a word, but Wen Baozhu knew exactly what this expression meant.
She was doomed.