Chapter 11: Let's See Who Your Man Truly Is

Before his words had even faded, before Qiao Xi could react, he had already lowered his head and captured her lips—lips parted with the taste of salty tears.

“Mmm!”

Qiao Xi’s eyes flew open in shock, her mind going utterly blank.

That kiss began with tentative gentleness, but in a heartbeat, Fu Yancheng’s lips became possessive, deep, as if he meant to swallow all her grievances and pain.

Their lips and tongues tangled, the crisp scent of cedar and his unique masculine aura overwhelming her every sense. Qiao Xi’s entire body went weak, a blush spreading swiftly from her cheeks to the tips of her ears and down her neck, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

Only when she was nearly breathless did Fu Yancheng finally, reluctantly, draw back. His voice was hoarse beyond recognition. “Now… are you still crying?”

Qiao Xi’s cheeks burned. Embarrassment consumed her; she dared not meet his gaze and could only bury her face deep in the hollow of his neck.

In the darkness, only their ragged breathing and the charged intimacy lingered between them.

“President Fu…”

Qiao Xi sprang from his embrace as if scalded, her voice trembling with panic. She did not dare to look up into Fu Yancheng’s eyes.

He remained where he stood, watching her slender form flee in haste, his hand slowly lowering before he slid it back into the pocket of his trousers. His gaze followed after her, Adam’s apple bobbing.

—

When the dinner ended, the car stopped beneath Qiao Xi’s apartment building.

She unfastened her seatbelt, murmured thanks, and reached for the door—

“Wait.”

Fu Yancheng’s low, deep voice halted her.

Qiao Xi froze, heart leaping, not daring to turn around.

He leaned over, shadow looming as he drew near.

“Engineer Qiao,” he said, his tone languid and husky, “you performed well tonight.”

Qiao Xi felt unspeakably awkward, her gaze darting in panic. “You flatter me, President Fu. It was simply my job.”

He smiled at her reply. Then, without warning, his hand reached out to touch the necklace at her throat.

“Don’t take this off. Wear it again for me tomorrow.”

As he said this, his fingertips grazed the smooth skin of her nape—an intimate, suggestive caress. “I like it very much.”

His breath brushed her ear, tantalizing and elusive.

Crimson swept instantly across Qiao Xi’s cheeks; her body stiffened, her breath caught in her throat.

Fu Yancheng watched her, amusement flickering in his eyes. He withdrew his hand, but his gaze never left her, filled with unconcealed admiration and possessiveness.

“Goodnight, Qiao Xi.”

His voice was crisp and clear in the quiet car.

“…Goodnight, President Fu.”

—

Qiao Xi’s reply was barely audible. She pushed open the car door and dashed into the stairwell without looking back, as though fleeing for her life.

Her heels struck the floor in a frantic, uneven rhythm, echoing the wild pounding of her heart.

Fu Yancheng sat in the dim car, watching her flustered figure vanish, his lips curving in a predatory smile. Only then did he instruct the driver to leave.

—

Qiao Xi hurried into the elevator. Leaning against the wall, she touched the necklace at her throat, her cheeks burning, her thoughts in chaos.

She had to admit—perhaps, just perhaps—her heart was beginning to change.

Drawing a deep breath to steady herself, she fished out her keys and walked to her rented apartment.

The key had barely entered the lock when, from the corner, a dark figure lunged out.

“Xi Xi!”

A voice, thick with alcohol and hoarse with emotion, rang out.

Qiao Xi froze, turning to see none other than Gu Heng’an.

He staggered toward her, eyes bloodshot, face ashen, a bottle in his hand—clearly, he had drunk heavily.

“What… what are you doing here?” Qiao Xi’s voice trembled, fear chilling her spine.

Gu Heng’an said nothing, only stared at her intently, his gaze lingering on her dress and the necklace at her throat, jealousy flaring in his eyes.

“Dressed up so beautifully… You must have enjoyed yourself with that Fu fellow, huh?” His words dripped with resentment.

Qiao Xi instinctively took a step back, intent on fleeing down the stairs.

“Xi Xi, don’t go!”

Panicked, Gu Heng’an lunged forward, seizing her wrist.

“I’m sorry, Xi Xi… I was wrong! I really was wrong…” His voice verged on tears, incoherent as he tried to pull her into his embrace.

“Let go of me, Gu Heng’an!” Qiao Xi screamed in terror, struggling desperately. “It’s over between us—I made myself clear!”

“No, it’s not over…” Her fierce resistance only provoked him further.

“You’ve fallen for that Fu, haven’t you? Haven’t you?!”

Suddenly, he slammed her against the wall, pinning her with his weight, the stink of alcohol hot on her face.

“Is it because he’s richer, more powerful, that you couldn’t wait to climb into his bed?”

“I never thought you were that kind of woman, Qiao Xi!”

“You’re insane, Gu Heng’an! Let me go!” Enraged by his filthy words and violence, Qiao Xi fought back with all her strength.

“Insane? You drove me to this!” Gu Heng’an sneered, clamping one hand over her mouth while the other tore at the straps of her dress.

“Tonight I’ll show you who your man really is!”

“Help!” Qiao Xi cried out in despair, tears streaming as terror blacked the edges of her vision.

The sound of ripping fabric was shockingly loud in the silent hallway.

At that moment—

Bang!

The heavy fire door at the end of the corridor crashed open.

Qiao Xi twisted around, eyes wide in disbelief.

It was Fu Yancheng.

Hadn’t he already left…?

Gu Heng’an, startled out of his wits, released her and turned in panic.

“Fu—”

Before he could finish, Fu Yancheng closed the distance in a few strides, his fist slamming into Gu Heng’an’s face.

“Bastard!”

A dull, sickening thud.

Gu Heng’an shrieked, reeling backward as blood gushed from his nose.

“President Fu…”

Freed, Qiao Xi’s legs gave way and she nearly collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably from terror and humiliation.

Without a glance at Gu Heng’an, Fu Yancheng stripped off his suit jacket, wrapping it quickly around Qiao Xi’s trembling form, shielding her within his embrace.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

His voice was deep and steady, though the fury in his eyes threatened to consume everything.

“Damn it! You dare hit me?!”

Driven mad by pain and drink, Gu Heng’an wiped the blood from his face, eyes venomous. Suddenly, he pulled a folding knife from his pocket.

“Fu Yancheng, I’ll kill you!”

With a roar, he lunged recklessly at Fu Yancheng’s back.

“President Fu, look out!” Zhou Ze, who had just arrived, shouted in alarm.

Fu Yancheng, who had been bent over comforting Qiao Xi, reacted instantly to the cry. He shoved Qiao Xi aside and twisted to evade.

But Gu Heng’an’s blade came fast and vicious. Though Fu Yancheng avoided a fatal blow, the knife still sliced into his raised left arm.

Blood welled instantly, soaking the sleeve of his white shirt.

He grunted, brow furrowing in pain as a sharp agony lanced through his arm.

“Fu Yancheng!” Qiao Xi turned just in time to witness the scene.

She stood frozen, terror and anguish overwhelming her, and let out a strangled scream.