Chapter Ten: Reunion at the Bar

Pei Susu’s mind went blank for a moment. Wait—this man, with his brutal underworld aura and fierce tattoos, was actually acting cute and coquettish right before her eyes.

Lu Qianqian patted Pei Susu's shoulder reassuringly and whispered, “Don’t worry, he wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me.” She stepped forward and stretched out her hand towards Ji Chuan. “Hand over your wallet.”

Ji Chuan, understanding the situation, promptly took out his wallet.

Lu Qianqian pulled out a black card and tossed it to the waiter. “Go and call all your male models over. My best friend and I will take our pick. We’ll each choose three. Isn’t this supposed to be a drinking party? We'll drink together.”

Liang Wenru’s face darkened instantly. “Pei Susu, you’re being simply outrageous! Shameless!”

Pei Susu, caught in the crossfire for no reason, shot back immediately, “A proper ex-husband should be like the dead—gone without a trace at dawn. If your brain’s gone haywire, go to the hospital and get some meds.”

Ji Chuan grew anxious at this, clutching Lu Qianqian’s waist and nuzzling her with his head, his voice pitiful. “Qianqian, I came to see you as soon as I got off the plane, but there was an urgent meeting. Didn’t you agree to let me handle work first?”

Lu Qianqian’s face was expressionless. “When the red beans grow in the southern lands... There are male models in the private room. I’ll spend time with them first, then come home. Don’t worry, darling. I may be surrounded by others outside, but my heart still belongs to this family.”

No wonder she was her best friend, the one who’d fought alongside her all the way to the national debate championship—a lethal aura indeed. Pei Susu quietly headed out, not wanting to intrude on their private moment. “I have something to do, Qianqian. I’ll head out first.”

Liang Wenru trailed after her. “Pei Susu! Are you going to find male models again? Shameless, utterly incomprehensible!”

He sneered, “I must have been blind to think you were pure and good. Turns out you’re just used goods, passed through who knows how many hands. You’re spending my money on your boy toy, and carrying his bastard child in your belly.”

Seeing Pei Susu ignore him and continue walking, he rushed to her side, trying to drag her away by force. “Come with me to the hospital and get rid of that bastard in your stomach!”

Furious at not being able to shake off Liang Wenru, Pei Susu smacked him hard across the face. “We’re legally divorced, and have nothing to do with each other anymore. If you keep harassing me, I’ll sue you for sexual harassment.”

Liang Wenru winced, clutching his face, wary after his previous defeat in the divorce proceedings, and did not follow her further.

Finally rid of him, Pei Susu felt a suffocating heaviness in her chest.

At this rate, she could hardly breathe.

No, she needed a drink to cool down.

She made her way to the bustling first-floor lounge, settled herself at the open bar, and beckoned the bartender. “Give me a whiskey.”

The suggestive lighting bathed Pei Susu’s figure. Her tight red dress traced her alluring curves, and her delicate profile peeked out from beneath her slightly wavy black hair.

Men nearby couldn’t help but stare, glasses raised, itching to approach her. “Hey beautiful, care for a drink? My treat.”

Pei Susu’s pale hand swirled her glass as she turned to look.

The man was around thirty, about six feet tall, with handsome features, but the greed in his eyes marred his appearance.

Still, he was no match for Fu Zhichen. Thinking of that cold, handsome face lit up with passion, Pei Susu’s gaze softened slightly, her indifference giving way to a captivating charm.

Suddenly, she noticed not far away in a booth, Fu Zhichen was surrounded by a group of attractive men and women, being forced to drink. His fair, refined face was flushed, clearly unable to handle more. A woman beside him tugged his ear and pressed a glass to his lips, seemingly intent on forcing him to drink.

Pei Susu’s heart skipped a beat, an indescribable feeling flooding her. She strode over and, without a word, grabbed Fu Zhichen and led him out.

Fu Yanyue, watching her nephew get whisked away, stared in bewilderment and asked his friends, “My nephew, trained in military hand-to-hand combat, just got taken away like that?!”

The slightly tipsy heirs and heiresses from the three great families stared after them in confusion, then nodded, “If Fu Zhichen did that, he must have his reasons.”

Pei Susu didn’t stop until she’d pulled Fu Zhichen beneath a streetlamp five hundred meters from Royal KTV. She paused to catch her breath.

His aunt had forced so much alcohol on him that Fu Zhichen, with his guard down around Pei Susu, let the drink cloud the last of his senses. He slipped his arms around her waist from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder, and laughed softly.

The low, husky laughter made Pei Susu’s ears flush red. She sighed, “Didn’t I tell you to stop working as a male model? Are you that short of money? Have you already spent what I gave you last time?”

Fu Zhichen brushed his cool lips over the sensitive skin behind her ear, laughing openly. “Are you jealous, sister?”

Listening to his strong, youthful heartbeat, Pei Susu found her own heart racing in time. She forced herself to stay composed and hailed a taxi. “Where do you live? I’ll take you home.”

Special Assistant Liu had just parked and was preparing to pick up Fu Yanyue when he saw the two of them under the streetlamp. He called out instinctively, “President, I’m here to pick you up.”

Pei Susu turned at the voice. President? Who—Fu Zhichen?

Fu Zhichen pressed a kiss to her pale, slender neck. While she was still dazed, he gently nudged her into the taxi. “Sister, will you stay with me tonight?”

He guided her hand to his chest, letting it slide down. “Don’t you miss me?”

Surrounded by his warmth, Pei Susu felt her strength melt away, sinking into those soulful eyes. “I do.”

At dawn, Pei Susu woke from exhaustion and satisfaction. Opening her eyes, she saw her red dress and a suit jacket tangled together on the floor, and memories of the wild night with Fu Zhichen slowly returned.

Oh no, what had she done? Wasn’t she supposed to have broken up with Fu Zhichen for good?

Beware of pretty men—especially male models.

Maybe she should just make a run for it?

She grabbed her red dress, ready to bolt, when her gaze landed on a framed photo of herself on the bedside table.

Wait, this was her own home—why was she running?

Gathering her composure, Pei Susu went to the wardrobe, put on some loungewear, and walked out.

In the kitchen, Fu Zhichen was busy making porridge. He had broad shoulders and a slim waist, wore an apron over his bare torso, and had on a pair of black casual trousers. His fair back muscles were faintly visible.

Pei Susu was shamefully moved.

Noticing the door open, Fu Zhichen placed the fragrant porridge on the table, his obsidian eyes sparkling as he looked at her.

“Sister, I made your favorite porridge.”

Pei Susu coughed lightly, trying to keep her composure. “Um, I’ll pay you for last night. Also, sorry to keep you from spending time with new clients. I’ll transfer a hundred thousand to your account.”

Fu Zhichen stared at her, incredulous at her coldness after their night together. He angrily pulled off his apron, picked her up, and set her on the sofa, looming over her with gritted teeth.

“Pei Susu, do you think I’m just some gigolo who’ll go with anyone? That you can just throw money at me and be done?”

He bit her soft lips in frustration. “I work at the Fu Group, not as a male escort at some bar. Since you slept with me, you have to take responsibility.”