Chapter 31: She Is Coming Back

Early the next morning.

Qiao Xi was still sleeping peacefully in Fu Yancheng’s arms, her head resting on his arm.

Suddenly, the shrill sound of a phone rang out.

It was Qiao Xi’s phone, vibrating on the nightstand, its screen flashing the word “Mother.”

Fu Yancheng woke instantly, brow furrowing slightly as he immediately looked down at the woman in his arms, worried the ringing might wake her.

Carefully, he gently withdrew his arm, enduring the pins and needles, and got up to retrieve the still-vibrating phone.

Without making a sound, he stepped out of the hospital room.

“Hello, Xi Xi? Why did you take so long to answer? Have you been busy lately? You haven’t visited me in days,” came the voice of Qiao Xi’s mother.

Fu Yancheng walked to the window, unconsciously softening his voice, “Mom, it’s me.”

There was a pause on the other end, as though she hadn’t recognized the deep, magnetic voice. Hesitantly, she asked, “...Who are you?”

“Mom, it’s Fu Yancheng,” he replied naturally, his tone respectful.

Qiao Xi’s mother was silent for several seconds, then suddenly realized.

Fu Yancheng?

The name on her daughter’s marriage certificate?

The son-in-law she’d only seen in photos—a man renowned and capable, but whom she’d never met?!

“Yancheng!” Her voice instantly carried a hint of nervousness and surprise, mingled with delight. “Where’s Xi Xi?”

“Xi Xi’s fine, Mom, don’t worry,” Fu Yancheng answered steadily. “Her company is rushing a project, she stayed up late reading last night. She’s still sleeping now—I didn’t have the heart to wake her.”

He deftly offered a half-truth to explain the situation.

Qiao Xi’s mother breathed a sigh of relief. “So that’s it… That child, she always pushes herself. You must remind her to take care of her health.”

“Rest assured, Mom. I’ll take good care of her,” Fu Yancheng replied, sincere as ever.

Qiao Xi’s mother seemed both curious and pleased with her suddenly “online” son-in-law.

She rambled on with questions about daily life, which Fu Yancheng patiently answered one by one.

Finally, he offered, “When she finishes this stage of her project, I’ll bring her home to visit you.”

Qiao Xi’s mother was instantly delighted, agreeing repeatedly and offering more reminders before hanging up.

Fu Yancheng quietly pushed open the hospital room door.

He looked up, meeting a pair of sleepy, beautiful eyes.

—

Somehow, Qiao Xi had already awakened, propping herself up halfway.

She looked curiously at the phone in his hand, then at him. “What’s wrong? I think I heard my phone… Was it my mom?”

Fu Yancheng walked to the bed, returned the phone to the nightstand, and sat at the edge. There was a playful glint in his eyes, “Yes, it was your mom.”

Qiao Xi instantly became much more alert and asked nervously, “You didn’t say anything, did you?”

She dreaded her mother worrying, or that Fu Yancheng would let slip the matter of her injury.

Seeing her tense face, Fu Yancheng deliberately drew out his words, “I told her…”

When Qiao Xi’s eyes widened, he finally laughed lightly and added, “I told her you’ve been exhausted lately and need proper rest… Especially at night.”

His gaze swept meaningfully over her slightly open neckline and collarbone.

Qiao Xi’s face reddened in a flash, embarrassed and anxious, and she lightly punched him.

“How could you tell my mom that…”

She could hardly imagine what her mother would think upon hearing such things.

Fu Yancheng laughed, “What did I say? Mrs. Fu, where is your mind going?”

He leaned in, “I was simply reporting the truth. Mrs. Fu, you did sleep late last night—you need to catch up on rest.”

He paused deliberately, watching her ears turn scarlet, his smile deepening.

“You… Fu Yancheng!”

Qiao Xi’s blush was nearly glowing.

Fu Yancheng, enjoying her adorable embarrassment, was in excellent spirits.

“All right, I won’t tease you anymore. Mom was just worried about you.”

“I told her I’d bring you to visit her soon—she was very happy.”

Qiao Xi finally relaxed, glaring at him with a hint of reproach, though her heart brimmed with sweetness.

Fu Yancheng looked at her watery eyes and pouting lips, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

But he restrained himself, merely ruffling her hair. “Want to sleep more? Or get up for breakfast?”

Qiao Xi was about to reply when his private phone rang at the wrong moment.

She drew back slightly, her cheeks still flushed, and murmured, “You should answer it.”

Fu Yancheng glanced at the caller ID.

It was his mischievous brother, Mu Censhan.

He answered tersely, “What is it?”

Mu Censhan’s carefree voice immediately rang out, “Yo, President Fu, so fiery this early? Did I interrupt something good? Hahaha!”

—

Fu Yancheng couldn’t be bothered with his nonsense, his tone colder still. “Get to the point.”

“Fine, fine!” Mu Censhan chuckled, “Just wanted to tell you something important. Zou Xin is coming back! And she’s about to sign as Lu Corporation’s brand ambassador!”

Hearing the name, Fu Yancheng’s hand paused.

Zou Xin?

A few scenes flashed through his mind.

Nothing particularly memorable—just an old matter from years ago.

Back then, he’d been forced by Old Master Fu to go on matchmaking dates. The candidate was this lady of the Zou family.

He recalled they’d interacted for perhaps two months? Maybe less.

It was a brief acquaintance—polite, distant. They barely touched hands, and had only a handful of private meetings.

He couldn’t even remember what minor issue caused friction between them, but afterward Zou Xin had resolutely gone abroad to pursue her career.

He’d heard she’d made a name for herself, becoming a rising star.

Fu Yancheng had never cared, nor bothered to inquire about her current status.

To him, that experience didn’t even qualify Zou Xin as an “ex-girlfriend”—at most, she was a vaguely remembered matchmaking candidate.

So upon hearing Mu Censhan’s update, Fu Yancheng felt nothing.

He replied simply, “Mm.”

Without giving Mu Censhan a chance to continue, he cut him off.

“Got it. Anything else? If not, I’m hanging up.”

Before the words finished, he pressed the end button and tossed his phone onto the sofa.

“Are you hungry?” he asked Qiao Xi, as if nothing had happened.

Without waiting for her reply, he took out his work phone and told Zhou Ze to have breakfast from “Imperial Cuisine Hall” delivered.

“Their signature crab roe soup buns, crystal shrimp dumplings, and the classic shredded chicken millet porridge.”

He remembered these were her favorite flavors, especially the porridge—gentle on the stomach and nourishing, perfect for her current condition.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Who could it be so early?

Qiao Xi looked at the door in confusion. “Come in.”

The door swung open, and standing at the threshold was none other than Lu Yanzhi!