CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 53: A NARROW ENCOUNTER BETWEEN ENEMIES

Shen Jianian sat up, a bit speechless: "Why did you come?"

Fu Jichen’s half-dried black hair and the scent of body wash emanated from him as he looked down at her: "What do you think?"

"How would I know?"

"With the sheets and blankets dirty, how do you expect me to sleep?"

"I didn’t..." She stopped mid-sentence, suddenly remembering that she had indeed eaten in his bed, feeling somewhat guilty, "I was very careful."

"Yes, very careful." Fu Jichen imitated her, his tone mocking.

Shen Jianian choked a bit and apologized to him: "Sorry."

"Can you use different words? I always hear you say thank you and sorry."

Fu Jichen’s gaze was playful. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her profile. Her flushed face when she was drunk earlier suddenly came to his mind, and his heart tingled, his eyes gradually darkening.

Shen Jianian deliberately went against him: "No, I can’t."

Fu Jichen chuckled softly.

"If you won’t say it, then do it."

Fu Jichen pulled her into the blankets, his fingertip grazed her waist skin, as if it could ignite sparks.

Shen Jianian’s body shivered slightly, suddenly saying: "I haven’t showered or brushed my teeth."

The ambiguous action stopped abruptly. Fu Jichen raised his head, squinting his deep eyes at her, squeezing out words through his teeth: "Doing this on purpose to mess with me."

Shen Jianian was originally a bit nervous and flustered; she didn’t like doing this kind of thing. Every time it happened, the sensation of her heart nearly losing control terrified her, feeling like she was going through a particularly real dream. Fu Jichen’s words at this moment for some reason hit her funny bone.

This man has a phobia of dirt; he can’t tolerate mess. Her having drunk and eaten, coming back from the wedding banquet without having showered, carried some strange smell. It amused her to think that he couldn’t bring himself to kiss.

Shen Jianian bit her lip to hold back laughter, climbed off the bed, and went to the bathroom to shower, leaving him to stew!

*

From November 30 to December 2, a grand winter auction was held at the Delong Exhibition Hall in Yicheng, showcasing items including ancient and modern Chinese paintings, antiques, jewelry, and crafts.

During the preview, Lu Yanzhi took the time to go and took a fancy to an ancient painting. The old man loves literary paintings, gifting this would suit his tastes.

The painting’s estimated price was exorbitant, and he truly wasn’t well-off at the moment. The day he shared a ride with Fu Jichen was to ask him for help.

Who would have thought the conversation would go off topic, better left unmentioned.

Later, Lu Yanzhi went to the Rose Manor to specifically mention this matter.

Fu Jichen, generous as always, said directly: "I’ll attend then too, just let me know what catches your eye."

Lu Yanzhi gave a thumbs up: "You’re a stand-up guy."

On the last day of the auction, Fu Jichen was not busy and brought Shen Jianian to the Delong Exhibition Hall, accompanied by Zhu Yilan. After the auction, managing the handover of the items requires a series of procedures, so bringing someone along makes things easier.

Zhu Yilan wore a formal yet stylish professional suit, carrying a tote bag, setting her identity completely straight.

The auction was styled as a dinner event, with Shen Jianian wearing a dark green evening dress, without any special decoration; fine shoulder straps on both sides were embedded with rhinestones, so she didn’t wear a necklace, her black hair wrapped into a low bun, graceful and clean in temperament.

When setting out, Fu Jichen handed her a shawl.

At the entrance on the first floor of the exhibition hall, Zhu Yilan got out of the car ahead of them, took out an invitation from her bag, completed the registration, and obtained the auction number card.

Staff came to escort the VIPs to the seats closest to the podium in the hall.

The round table covered with a snow-white tablecloth had tea and a cluster of blue hydrangeas offered in a crystal vase, placed in the center of the round table.

Six seats were arranged at the table, but Fu Jichen’s table was an exception, with only him, Shen Jianian by his side, and a tardy Lu Yanzhi.

Lu Yanzhi sat down and unbuttoned his suit: "Signed a contract last minute, almost arrived late."

"No hurry, the treasures are always the highlight."

Fu Jichen’s long legs were crossed, with one hand casually resting on his knee, the black string unwound loosely at his wrist beneath his shirt cuff, the white jade lion dangling down, habitually played within his palm.

"True enough." Lu Yanzhi relaxedly laughed.

Zhu Yilan brought the booklet of the auction items over. No immediate tasks for her, she slightly bent down and whispered: "Mr. Chen, I’ll go to the back first, call me if you need anything."

Fu Jichen responded softly "Mm", Zhu Yilan turned and walked to the back, her figure soon swallowed by the dim light.

Shen Jianian just retracted her gaze when her hand was grabbed. Fu Jichen pulled her hand over, placing it on his leg, as the hand toying with the jade sculpture scratched at her palm.

"What are you doing?" Shen Jianian whispered.

Fu Jichen pushed the booklet recording auction items across the table, tapping it with his finger: "See if there’s anything you fancy."

Shen Jianian’s eyes skimmed the booklet roughly; fancy calligraphy and art antique pieces, she had no interest, except for a cello catching her attention.

She didn’t show it, shook her head saying: "No."

Fu Jichen: "Not a single thing?"

Shen Jianian still responded with those two words.

Lu Yanzhi lifted his tea to drink, looking at Shen Jianian with a smile: "Why act modest with Fu? The thing he lacks the least is money. I’ll teach you, just pick the priciest one and raise your card."

Shen Jianian knew which painting he wanted, deliberately pointing to the booklet on that painting said: "Then I’ll take the ’Green Mountains and White Birds’."

Lu Yanzhi choked a bit.

Fu Jichen’s lips lightly curved, glancing at him: "Why provoke her? She just looks docile."

Lu Yanzhi agreed deeply, deciding not to tease Shen Jianian anymore, lest he upset her and she really decides to bid on his desired painting. With Fu Jichen’s current pampering for her, he’d most likely comply.

The auction was about to begin, Yin Shuyao and Qin Fan entered the hall together. Yin Shuyao wanted to hold his arm but he raised it to avoid her.

This dodging posture made Yin Shuyao’s face a bit embarrassed.

She pursed her lips, enduring, closely following him inside, the two appearing harmonious yet estranged.

Today, they came to the auction under the instruction of her father-in-law Qin Zhongtian, to bid on a painting to give to a business partner next month.

Qin Fan originally hadn’t planned to bring her, it was she who exerted pressure by bringing up the old lady’s orders that forced him to comply.

The humiliation of their wedding night still hard to calm when thought about. Qin Fan, whom she’d heard was debonair and romantic, believing he was ultimately a successor cultivated by an elite family, would know his bounds deep down, but who knew... who knew he’d be so outrageous and reckless, remaining unrestrained even after marriage, openly bringing a woman to their marital home.

Listening to her husband and another woman’s moans, Yin Shuyao felt it was a torture, akin to heart-wrenching pain.

Her previous scheme against Qin Fan had been exposed. Now he detests her extremely, always showing disdain, speaking with sharp and hurting words.

She admitted her fault first, she conceded, now only able to humble herself to appease him, hoping one day he may be warmed by her, have a change of heart.

As they reached the front, Yin Shuyao lifted her gaze to see Fu Jichen and Shen Jianian sitting at the prime seat. Fu Jichen turned his head, saying something to Shen Jianian, who looked at him, putting on a small face.

From afar, it appeared to be a picture of deep affection, looking more like a newlywed couple than her and Qin Fan.

What a narrow path destiny had led them on. Yin Shuyao thought with hatred.