Chapter 58 We Need to Calm Down

Fu Yancheng wanted to give chase, but was tightly held back by Zou Xin. “Yancheng, I think I twisted my ankle…”

His brows drew together in a deep frown. Suppressing his impatience, he nonetheless reached out to support Zou Xin.

“Can you walk?”

Zou Xin leaned into him, her eyes glistening with tears. “It hurts a little…”

She deliberately softened her voice, “I’m sorry for troubling you…”

Fu Yancheng signaled to a waiter for help, his tone distant. “I’ll have the driver take you to the hospital.”

“There’s no need for all that.”

Zou Xin held onto his sleeve, a single tear sliding down at just the right moment.

“Is Miss Qiao upset? It’s my fault. Should I go explain to her now?”

She made as if to get up, but stumbled, falling softly against Fu Yancheng.

A faint perfume lingered in the air—the very scent she had chosen, the same she wore back when they were lovers.

Fu Yancheng helped her again, his tone softening slightly. “Take care of yourself first.”

He recalled Qiao Xi’s icy expression as she’d left, and an unaccountable irritation rose in his chest.

She had been the one to push, yet now she stormed off in a huff.

Sensing his wavering resolve, Zou Xin seized the chance. “Miss Qiao may have misunderstood us, since we… in the past…”

She left her thought unfinished. “If you need, I can apologize to her myself.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Fu Yancheng let go of her and called for his assistant. “Take Miss Zou to the hospital for a check-up.”

As she watched his decisive retreat, Zou Xin let out a cold laugh.

By the time the assistant came to help, she had resumed her graceful, dignified smile. “Thank you, but there’s no need.”

When Fu Yancheng reached the hotel entrance, he saw only Qiao Xi vanishing in a taxi.

Frustrated, he loosened his tie and immediately dialed Zhou Ze.

“Find out where my wife went. And…”

His eyes darkened. “Look into why Zou Xin showed up here tonight.”

He couldn’t shake the feeling that this “chance encounter” was far too convenient.

—

In the airport’s waiting lounge late at night, Qiao Xi sat alone in the corner, her eyes red as she stared at her phone.

A news alert from half an hour ago was still displayed:

“Fu Group’s President Shields a Beauty Late at Night—Cuddles with Film Star Zou Xin at a Restaurant.”

The photo was taken from a cunning angle, capturing Fu Yancheng’s arm around Zou Xin’s waist while she leaned closely into his embrace—an intimate posture.

The comment section was already in an uproar, with speculation rampant about whether old flames had reignited.

“Heh…”

Qiao Xi gave a bitter laugh and turned off her screen.

She recalled how Fu Yancheng had protected Zou Xin earlier. Her chest ached with every beat.

He hadn’t believed her, insisting she apologize.

This time, she would never forgive him again!

“Qiao Xi?”

A gentle voice sounded nearby.

She looked up to see Lu Yanzhi standing not far away, dragging a suitcase. “What a coincidence—are you catching a flight too?”

Qiao Xi hurriedly wiped her tears and managed a strained smile.

“President Lu… what a coincidence.”

Lu Yanzhi sat down naturally beside her, concern in his tone. “What’s wrong? You look pale.”

He caught a glimpse of her phone screen before it went dark, his eyes flickering slightly.

“It’s nothing…”

Qiao Xi’s voice choked as she turned away.

Lu Yanzhi handed her a tissue, his voice soft. “Is it because of President Fu?”

Qiao Xi’s tears broke through at once.

She bit her lip, unwilling to lose composure before an outsider.

But the grievances she’d suppressed all night could no longer be contained.

Lu Yanzhi sighed quietly and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. “If you want to cry, let it out.”

Those words shattered Qiao Xi’s last line of defense.

She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders trembling.

Lu Yanzhi’s hand hovered behind her back, keeping a respectful distance—yet enough for anyone approaching from afar to misinterpret.

Fu Yancheng rushed to the airport, only to see this very scene.

Qiao Xi weeping against Lu Yanzhi’s shoulder, Lu Yanzhi’s hand resting gently on her back.

Fu Yancheng’s steps halted abruptly, his heart gripped with pain.

“Qiao Xi.”

His voice was hoarse, filled with anguish and confusion.

Qiao Xi looked up at the sound, seeing Fu Yancheng standing not far away, his suit rumpled and his eyes bloodshot.

She instinctively pushed Lu Yanzhi aside and hurriedly wiped her tears.

Lu Yanzhi stood up calmly, blocking her from Fu Yancheng. “President Fu, may I help you?”

Fu Yancheng’s gaze was icy as he swept over him, then settled on Qiao Xi. “Come home with me.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

Lu Yanzhi’s tone was even. “Miss Qiao is emotionally unwell at the moment. She needs rest.”

The two men faced off, tension thickening the air.

Qiao Xi saw the exhaustion on Fu Yancheng’s face and felt a stabbing pain in her heart.

He had driven himself to this state over Zou Xin.

Suddenly, Fu Yancheng stepped forward, ignoring Lu Yanzhi, and looked straight at Qiao Xi.

“Xixi, I know you’re angry. But let’s talk at home.”

His voice was tinged with helplessness. “I can explain about Zou Xin. She’s just—”

“Just what?” Qiao Xi interrupted, her voice trembling. “Just someone who needs your care? Just someone who happened to fall?”

Fu Yancheng frowned. “You saw for yourself—she was hurt.”

Watching him defend Zou Xin, Qiao Xi suddenly found the whole thing ridiculous.

She gently pushed Lu Yanzhi aside and stood up.

“Fu Yancheng, we both need some time to cool off.”

She picked up her suitcase and headed for the boarding gate. “Don’t follow me. Go take care of your Miss Zou.”

Fu Yancheng tried to pursue her but was blocked by Lu Yanzhi.

“Didn’t you hear her, President Fu? She needs space.”

Watching Qiao Xi’s retreating figure, Fu Yancheng slammed his fist against the wall.

He couldn’t understand why Qiao Xi refused to see reason—after all, the Zou family had greatly helped the Fu family. He couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

—

Qiao Xi returned alone to S City, throwing herself into work and ignoring every call or message from Fu Yancheng.

She was always the first to arrive at the lab and the last to leave, numbing herself with busyness.

Late one night, as she left her company building, she spotted Fu Yancheng’s car parked by the roadside.

He leaned against the car, his suit slightly disheveled, his face pale and etched with exhaustion.

“Xixi.”

He stepped forward to block her path. “I don’t expect your forgiveness, but could you give me five minutes?”

Qiao Xi’s face was cold as she tried to walk past him.

But he gently held her wrist. “Just five minutes. I have something for you. I’ll leave right after.”

Seeing the near-pleading look on his face, her heart softened for a moment. “What is it?”

Fu Yancheng retrieved a delicate gift box from the car and held it out to her.

“Happy birthday.”

Qiao Xi was stunned.

Only then did she recall it was her birthday—the days of ceaseless work had made her forget.

“Open it.”

Fu Yancheng spoke softly, his gaze tender.

Qiao Xi hesitantly lifted the lid—and caught her breath.

Inside was a property deed and an equity transfer agreement.

The house was the old villa she had once mentioned in passing, nestled on Wutong Avenue beside her alma mater.

And fifteen percent of Fu Group’s shares, all transferred in her name.

Qiao Xi’s fingers trembled slightly.

These were assets worth tens of billions, given to her without a second thought.

Fu Yancheng covered her hand with his.

“I remember you once said your childhood dream was to have a home on Wutong Avenue.”

His voice was hoarse. “It took me ages to find this one. I renovated it just the way you like.”

He took out his phone and showed her photos.

The old villa still had its original arched windows and patterned tiles, the garden filled with champagne roses—her favorite.

“The study faces south, perfect for your experiments. The backyard is big enough for the corgi you always wanted…”

Fu Yancheng described every detail, as if he had planned it a thousand times.

Qiao Xi’s eyes grew hot. She was just about to speak—

The man suddenly swayed, his face turning ashen as he collapsed backward.

“Yancheng!”

Qiao Xi cried out, rushing to catch his limp body…