Chapter Forty: Let My Sister Decide

“You—you’re shielding a thief.” Liang Wenru’s wrist was gripped so tightly his face turned pale with pain, yet he gritted his teeth and forced his tone to sound tough.
“Is this how President Fu’s character is as well, that he would defend such a person?”
A derisive laugh slipped from Fu Zhichen’s lips, curling into threads of mockery. The way he looked at Liang was as if he gazed upon refuse.
“President Liang, there’s no need for you to introduce yourself here.”
“As for this thief you mentioned…”
His smile deepened, carrying a weight of meaning. “I hope you’ll still have the courage to say that in a moment.”
“What do you mean?” A flicker of guilt flashed in Liang Wenru’s eyes, a foreboding sense of unease settling over him.
There was no need for Fu Zhichen to reply. The projector in the meeting room had already begun to play a recording—
On the screen, it was clear: Chu Qingzhu had hidden the pen herself.
The truth was plain for all to see; the two had conspired to frame someone else.
Unable to withstand the contemptuous stares from everyone present, Liang Wenru and Chu Qingzhu turned and fled.
Fu Zhichen’s timely appearance brought a faint arc to Li An’an’s lips.
She never paid much mind to Chu Qingzhu’s petty tricks, but it was truly a nice feeling to have someone stand up for her.
With the contract secured, the department spared no effort in throwing Pei Susu a celebration. By the time she returned to the Song family home, night had fallen. She tiptoed into the entryway, only to find the lights still on inside.
“Fu Zhichen?”
“Achen?”
She called out tentatively, making her way to the study. The door was half open, a gentle light spilling from within.
The young man sat with his gaze lowered, writing and sketching on paper, the delicate sound of his pen soothing, as if it could melt away the exhaustion of the day.
Fu Zhichen had always been alert, but he was now so accustomed to Pei Susu’s presence that he didn’t notice her approach until she entered the room and tapped on the desk with a gentle smile.
“What are you working on, so focused?”
The moment Fu Zhichen looked up and saw her, he gathered the papers on the desk, swiftly folding them and tucking them into a drawer before she could react—a seamless, practiced gesture.
When he looked up again, his eyes glimmered faintly.
“You’re back? I just warmed some milk in the kitchen. You must be tired; I’ll go get it.”
Unchanged in demeanor, Fu Zhichen rose, his tall figure enveloping Pei Susu in the soft light as he drew her into a gentle embrace.
“I missed you.”
Pei Susu could tell he was hiding something from her, but his flustered and awkward manner was oddly endearing, a stark contrast to the decisive, commanding presence he showed others.
She couldn’t help but laugh.
“The contract was signed smoothly. All the hard work paid off—none of the effort was in vain.”
Seeing she’d let the matter drop, the tension in Fu Zhichen’s expression eased, and he changed the subject. “Tomorrow, will you come with me to the mall, to pick out some gifts for our new partners?”
Pei Susu had done the most research on their clients and understood them best, so it was only right she should choose the gifts.
Without much thought, she agreed.
“All right, let’s go out. After you finish your milk, it’s time to rest.”
Fu Zhichen took her wrist, his warm fingers gently brushing the soft skin there. Pei Susu nodded, her long hair falling obediently over her shoulders.
Seeing Fu Zhichen deliberately close the study door, the attempt to cover his tracks made her want to tease him.
“What were you writing just now? Not letting me see—are you keeping secrets from me?”
She tilted her head, leaning in so close their breath mingled. She could feel Fu Zhichen’s breathing falter.
“Susu…”
His gaze grew dangerous, as deep as the night outside the window, his lips drifting ever closer. Sensing this, Pei Susu hurriedly stepped back, coughing twice under his watchful eyes.
“Honestly, I’m not that curious. Let’s go rest—there’s shopping to do in the morning.”
It had been a long day; she had no energy left to be toyed with by Fu Zhichen.
Watching her make her hasty escape, Fu Zhichen let out a quiet laugh, his eyes lingering on the closed door, unable to hide his amusement.
Inside the drawer, the pages lay quietly—a design sketch for a pair of couple’s rings.
“A special surprise prepared just for you, Susu. Will you like it?”
For once, uncertainty colored the young man’s face. If the world knew that the president of the Song Group could be so vulnerable and anxious, they would never believe it.
Yet, in front of Pei Susu, all he wanted was to give her the very best, to pave a smooth road beneath her feet.
—
Early the next morning, Fu Zhichen drove Pei Susu to the mall.
The moment they walked through the main entrance, they drew countless eyes.
Such a handsome couple was a rare sight, and though they weren’t holding hands, an undeniable intimacy lingered between them.
“Would you two like to come in and have a look?”
The sales associate’s face lit up with surprise at their looks.
It wasn’t a workday, so Pei Susu’s attire was casual—a modernized cheongsam draped carelessly over her frame, exuding the gentle charm of the southlands.
Fu Zhichen, with his cold, dignified features and impeccably tailored suit, radiated refinement, yet his eyes softened whenever they fell upon the woman beside him.
The sales associate couldn’t help but marvel.
Though the attention was a bit disconcerting, Pei Susu could sense there was no malice. This boutique happened to be a brand she’d been satisfied with before, so she glanced at Fu Zhichen.
“Achen, shall we go in?”
Fu Zhichen’s focused gaze met hers, and he nodded.
“Whatever you decide, Susu.”
Seeing how obedient he was, Pei Susu couldn’t help but smile, reaching up to gently pat his head.
“If people knew how well-behaved President Fu is in private, they’d die laughing.”
Hearing this, Fu Zhichen pulled her closer, leaning in to whisper by her ear, “Well, are you going to tell anyone, Susu?”