Chapter 134: Cherish and Nurture

His messy hair still brushed against his eyelashes, giving him a languid and carefree air. As the light fell across the bridge of his nose, he seemed to belong to another world, possessing an almost unnatural, transcendent beauty.

The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, carrying a touch of wicked charm that shattered the serenity of the moment. He gently extended his left hand, slowly winding it through her hair, and with a light release, the strands cascaded down in disarray. He spoke in a husky, teasing voice.

"Ah-Hua, so you think I’m that wicked? If you don’t go and eat breakfast now, I’ll show you what a truly wicked man is like."

Zhong Huayan knew that mornings were the peak of a man’s desire, especially for the man before her, whose gaze was growing increasingly greedy. She had no intention of being "stir-fried" at the crack of dawn, as that would leave her back aching for days. The weather was so lovely today; she had an appointment to go shopping with Hongshu.

"I’m going to eat now."

Her voice was husky and milky from just having woken up.

Fu Yanyan was pleased by her docility. He had been worried she might suggest they just stay in bed.

This morning, he had heard her poutingly call him a villain. Yet, here she was, being so obedient—brushing her teeth, washing her face, and sitting down at the table to eat. Based on what he knew of her, in the past, if she were threatened, she would have argued back to the very end.

"Ah-Yan, I brought Guan Yujing’s female secretary to the place next door to recover. I saw her injured in the stables yesterday. It was that little bastard Guan Yujing who scalded her. If I had arrived a moment later, she probably would have died. Could you let her stay at a Fu Group hotel and find a way for her to change her identity and move away to start over?"

Fu Yanyan stood barefoot on the rug, beginning to change his clothes. "I listen to you; there’s no need to ask for my opinion. If it’s nothing major, handle it as you see fit. Your happiness is my happiness."

Zhong Huayan held her chopsticks, eating the local specialty breakfast from Changchun; it was truly delicious.

She felt that in the days she had been with Fu Yanyan, she had become a bit more sluggish. There was an extra layer of softness on her face, and she had become much more rounded. Before the fire, she had been skin and bones, with ankles that looked like they would snap at a touch, and a face devoid of flesh—a standard, sharp-chinned look.

Li Yanyan’s appearance and figure had once been like a willow in the breeze, with a gentle face. But she had never looked like the person in the mirror today: ruddy, natural, and possessing a more scholarly, serene elegance that radiated a sense of peace and prosperity.

Sigh... she had truly been fattened up by Fu Yanyan.

"I have to learn to eat less and lose some weight. I’ll go shopping and get some exercise this afternoon."

"Alright, may I join you?"

Fu Yanyan gently pinched her cheek, seemingly very satisfied, even wanting to lean in and take a bite.

Zhong Huayan rolled her eyes at him with a hint of sorrow. "Do as you please, but I’m going with Hongshu."

"You really do prioritize friends over lovers."

"Mainly because you’re too busy. Yesterday, I looked for you for a long time and couldn't find you."

Zhong Huayan gently pushed his hand away, her tone sarcastic and meaningful.

"My fault. Today, I’ll accompany you. Even if you shop until dawn, I’ll stay until the end."

Zhong Huayan had assumed he was just speaking casually, but she hadn't expected him to actually put his work aside to go shopping with her. Even his assistants, secretaries, and bodyguards had to follow behind.

In Changchun, the autumn afternoon sun was fierce. She hadn't walked far before she felt hot all over, so she quickly had someone find the nearest International Trade Plaza.

With the "God of Wealth" trailing behind, Hongshu even walked with a bit more confidence. She swore to herself that she would treat her boss well; anyone with eyes could see Fu Zong’s deep devotion to his lady.

He was so indulgent that, fearing he might disturb the conversation between the lady and her friend, he walked silently in the back. Dressed in a low-key black t-shirt and wearing sunglasses, his only roles were to swipe his card at the end and hand the shopping bags to the bodyguards. Meanwhile, the lady became happier the more she shopped; a woman who is deeply loved, even if she doesn't realize it herself, will subtly become more optimistic, cheerful, and generous.

They stepped into the Chanel boutique at the International Trade Plaza. The sales clerks initially looked down on Hongshu, as she appeared somewhat timid. Hongshu was drawn to a Chanel bag—small, exquisite, and beautiful. She couldn't take her eyes off it.

She knew the brand. Many years ago, when she was in high school, she had a boyfriend. When they passed a boutique, she had accidentally brought up a Chanel bag.

Her boyfriend had just sneered, "A woman from a family like yours doesn't deserve this brand at all. These are for rich people; can you stop being so vain?"

Every time Hongshu remembered those words, she felt ashamed and inferior. Even as she reached out to touch the bag, she keenly sensed the sales clerk’s contempt. She felt increasingly out of place; this sense of inferiority seemed carved into her bones, shouting in her heart at every moment that she didn't deserve anything expensive.

Just as Hongshu was hesitating and trying to pull away, she heard a bright voice from outside the shop.

"Hongshu, you have such a great eye! This bag suits you perfectly."

Zhong Huayan had just finished buying items at the shoe store next door and spotted Hongshu admiring the limited-edition Chanel bag.

The sales clerks were clearly stunned by the woman who had just walked in—she possessed such an elegant temperament. After a quick assessment, they rushed forward to introduce the bag.

"You can tell at a glance that you are frequent shoppers of our brand. This is a nationwide limited edition, one of the last few, and many people had pre-ordered it."

The clerks had expected the two to hesitate for a while, but Zhong Huayan simply picked up the bag and placed it on Hongshu.

"I’ll take this style in every color. Wrap them up. The man behind me will pay."

The clerk turned to see a man who was stylish and mysterious, his every move radiating nobility. Even the way he stood with his hands in his pockets seemed cool and aloof. He simply pulled out a card and handed it to the clerk without a second of hesitation—casual yet lethal. Wearing a black mask, his gaze made mortals seem like ants. His slender, powerful hands held the thin, limitless card.

The clerk knew they had encountered a major client and hurriedly began packing the bags, even hoping to leave contact information, but was rejected—though the rejection was quite polite.

In the back, the clerks packing the limited-edition bags began to whisper.

"Anyone who travels with bodyguards and has a limitless card, wearing a mask like that—they’re all famous moguls!"

"He looks so familiar, but I can't quite place him."

"I didn't expect that girl, who looked so plain earlier, to have such a powerful backer."

"True. I thought the first girl was just a college student saving up to buy a bag. The second one clearly looks like a young lady from a wealthy family; she certainly doesn't look like a mistress. Let’s stop talking; it would be bad if we offended them."

Outside, Hongshu was trying on one limited-edition bag after another. She had never experienced anything like this, which felt like a scene from a movie. Previously, she had thought such things were far beyond her reach.

At this moment, Zhong Huayan was like a light, shining into this dark, self-deprecating corner, ensuring she would never have to shrink away in fear again.