The powerful families seldom have genuine affection. From the moment he gained consciousness, Fu Ran understood this well.
Yet, his feelings for Fu Yuchuan were sincere, even though everyone claimed Fu Yuchuan's bloodline was impure.
They said he wasn't fit to be the heir of the Fu family, yet Fu Ran pleaded with his father to support him.
But now, he suddenly had a feeling that if his father didn't have absolute authority, perhaps he too would be an abandoned pawn, incapable of making any waves, as Fu Yuchuan put it.
"So, this matter is really going to be handled like this?"
Not one to give up easily, Fu Ran deliberately asked again.
Fu Yuchuan's impatience was obvious. "What else?"
It was common knowledge within their circle that Fu Feifei liked Yu Wenli, so using jealousy as an excuse was perfect.
Of course, there were better methods, but he felt they were unnecessary.
Fu Ran dejectedly lowered his gaze. "Okay, I'll make the arrangements."
-
As dusk settled, Hao Luoer walked up to Chi Zerui, carrying her bag.
Her voice was calm. "Are you still waiting here?"
Chi Zerui stared at the small leather shoes that entered his field of vision and asked emotionlessly, "How did you know I was here?"
Hao Luoer glanced at the eighteenth floor and gave a self-deprecating smile. "You came back for her. Where else would you go besides Ning An Apartment?"
But she really hadn't expected him to sit downstairs like an idiot for so long.
Did he like her that much?
Yes, he liked her that much.
If the roles were reversed, she too would choose to sit downstairs.
Therefore, Hao Luoer didn't say any unnecessary words and directly pulled him up.
"They'll be going to dinner soon. Do you want them to see you?"
Chi Zerui immediately stopped struggling and obediently followed her.
Stepping into the clothing store, Chi Zerui sat to the side with little interest.
Hao Luoer, on the other hand, listened to the sales assistant's introductions and carefully selected items.
He rejected three sets in a row.
The sales assistant nervously clenched her hands. "It's okay, we have other new arrivals."
"No need," Hao Luoer smiled at her, then picked up the last set and threw it next to him. "Go and change."
Chi Zerui, who just wanted to be left alone, immediately got angry. "Are you annoying or what?"
He had always been ruthless towards people he disliked.
Hao Luoer had endured his temper tantrums too many times to be bothered. At this moment, she was equally unfazed. "If you think you smell good, you don't have to change."
Chi Zerui stared at her with a darkened expression. Hao Luoer met his gaze, unmoved.
The sales assistants could sense the tension between them and were desperately trying to ease the situation when Chi Zerui, full of anger, walked into the fitting room.
Hao Luoer looked at the clothes he had deliberately ignored and sighed helplessly.
He had always been a germaphobe. The fact that he was willing to endure wearing someone else's old clothes on this journey was entirely due to his anxiety about Wen Tingxue, and he hadn't paid attention to such details.
Now that she had pointed out that he smelled, he naturally had no mood to continue dwelling in sadness.
However, he was somewhat displeased with her.
Hao Luoer bent down and resignedly picked up the clothes. When the sales assistant offered to help, she waved her away.
"Please wrap up those two sets. Thank you."
With that, she carried the clothes towards the fitting room.
The sales assistant found their relationship extremely odd and couldn't help but gossip with her colleague at the counter. "What is that guy thinking? This rich and beautiful woman is doting on him, and he's giving her such a cold shoulder."
"It's because he's so handsome," her colleague replied, glancing at the fitting room. "I've seen so many celebrities, and none of them are as handsome as him."
After all, it was a top luxury brand for men's wear, and there were always wealthy patrons and celebrities coming and going.
They saw quite a lot.
But honestly speaking, this one was indeed handsome.
Even the sales assistant who found him somewhat unpleasant had to nod. "Apart from being a bit poor and having a bad temper, he's truly perfect."
But she could also feel that she wasn't as eager for him on this trip back to the country.
As she was thinking, she heard Chi Zerui say, "Thank you."
He had recovered and realized his attitude had been poor.
Hao Luoer smiled as she always did. "It's nothing."
Having been through too much, she no longer hoped for his apology.
It was already a lot if he could lower his head and say 'thank you'.
Even more terrifying was that with just this small gesture of goodwill, her half-cooled heart began to heat up again.
She felt pathetic herself.
But what could she do? She liked him.
Upon arriving at the airport, the two queued up to buy tickets, one after the other.
In front of them were students from the Academy of Fine Arts, chatting and making vulgar jokes. The target of their discussion was Wen Tingxue, who had been in the spotlight these past two days.
"I don't think she plagiarized, but there's definitely something going on between her and Song You."
"I really want to ask Song You, what's that pure person like in bed?"
"Damn, I want to know too. She's exactly my type. When I want to do 'that,' I look at her pictures. Tsk, it's a pity. When will I get to have the real thing? That would be amazing."
As soon as the words fell, the person was flipped onto the ground.
If Hao Luoer hadn't held him back with all her might, that person would have been seriously injured.
Police station.
A group of people were brought in.
The chief recognized Chi Zerui's face and was about to call Chi Ye when Chi Zerui stopped him.
"No need to trouble my uncle. I can call a friend."
The chief handed him the phone and returned to his office to call Chi Ye.
Regardless, he had to inform Chi Ye; otherwise, he would be the one in trouble.
Chi Zerui debated between Yu Wenli and Wen Tingxue for a long time before finally dialing Wen Tingxue's number.
For some reason, he desperately wanted to see her right now.
At that time, Wen Tingxue was in her evening class and was quite surprised to receive Chi Zerui's call.
After learning about the situation, she quietly explained a few things to Jiao Yutong and slipped out through the back door.
The Academy of Fine Arts was not close to the police station, but Chi Ye was even further away.
Therefore, by the time Wen Tingxue arrived with Song Ruining, Chi Ye had not yet appeared.
Song Ruining was familiar with the bail process, so Wen Tingxue went to see Chi Zerui and Hao Luoer.
Before they could exchange many words, the police officers came to release them.
Wen Tingxue watched Chi Zerui emerge from the detention room and suddenly remembered the figure she had brushed past that afternoon.
"When did you return to the country?" she asked inexplicably.
Chi Zerui's expression faltered for a moment. Hao Luoer, however, replied casually, "We've been back for two days, but we've been busy with our studies. What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Wen Tingxue smiled and changed the subject.
Just then, Song Ruining arrived. "We can go now."
Wen Tingxue glanced at the time and asked, "Have you eaten?"
Hao Luoer inwardly didn't want to linger, but Chi Zerui had already spoken. "No, why don't you treat us to a meal at your school?"
"Sure."
The food at the Academy of Fine Arts was delicious. He had praised it last time, so Wen Tingxue didn't think much of it and enthusiastically recommended a few signature dishes.
Just as they were about to get into the car to leave, Chi Ye's car pulled up beside them. He rolled down the window, looked at no one in particular, and directly said to Chi Zerui, "Get in, I'll take you to the airport."
Chi Zerui was unwilling to see him and wore a very displeased expression. "I don't need you to interfere in my affairs."
"You think I'm happy to interfere?"
The two disliked each other, and a few words were enough to spark an argument.
Hao Luoer and Wen Tingxue were caught in the middle, unsure whether to mediate or not.
While they were having a headache, Cheng Lulu, who was sulking in the back seat, retorted at him impatiently, "How old are you, still picking a fight with your nephew?"
"..."
Silence fell upon the scene. Even Chi Zerui shut his mouth and squinted at the rear window.
Unfortunately, due to the privacy film, no one could see anything.
They could only hear Chi Ye turn and curse at her, "When is it your turn to speak?"
"Whether it's my turn or not, I've already said it. Are you going to kill me?" she replied with a tone of complete resignation.
"..."
Chi Ye raised his hand and rubbed his temples, finally conceding. "Fine, if you don't coax me properly, I'll kill you today."
With that, he drove away at a breakneck speed.
Wen Tingxue blinked in disbelief. Were they... together?
She remembered that the last time she met Cheng Lulu, she hadn't dared to speak to Chi Ye like that. Today, she was so brave.
Could it be that they were... together?
Although Chi Zerui was verbally sparring with Chi Ye, he actually cared about him.
After a moment of stunned silence, he urged everyone to get in the car.
After dropping them off at the Academy of Fine Arts, Song Ruining received a call and left quickly.
Wen Tingxue led the two towards the cafeteria, talking to Hao Luoer for most of the way.
This was partly to avoid suspicion, and partly because Hao Luoer was new to the Academy of Fine Arts, so Wen Tingxue needed to introduce more things to her.
Chi Zerui walked behind them with his hands in his pockets, rarely interjecting.
In any case, seeing her made him very happy.
He didn't ask for anything more.
-
After dinner, the news of Chi Zerui's return to the capital spread like wildfire.
Everyone rushed to the airport to see him and Hao Luoer off.
It had been a long time since they had all gathered, and they had a lot to say.
It wasn't until the boarding announcement that they reluctantly embraced and parted ways.
Yu Wenli was the last to hug Chi Zerui.
"Aren't you going to reveal it?" he asked in a low voice.
Chi Zerui paused for a moment, then pulled away and said, "She's living a good life now. I won't disturb her."
Yu Wenli thought he had come back with a change of heart, but he hadn't expected...
"Alright," he respected his choice.
Chi Zerui smiled and hugged him again. "Thank you."
-
On the plane.
Hao Luoer's eyes were wide open, unable to sleep. Beside her, Chi Zerui seemed to be sleeping soundly.
But she knew he wasn't sleeping.
He just didn't want to talk to her.
Or rather, he didn't want to talk to anyone.
But she couldn't help but ask, "She doesn't know you came back for her. Isn't that a pity?"
Chi Zerui turned his head to the other side, remaining silent.
"I know you've been watching her the whole time. You like her so much, why don't you just tell her? She'd be so touched if you told her you risked everything to come back for her," Hao Luoer said, unable to contain her sarcastic bitterness.