After this old man and the young girl exchanged greetings, they tactfully left, as if they had really only come over to exchange a few pleasantries.
But judging from the instinctive wariness and vigilance that surfaced in Xie Dingyuan’s eyes, Jiang Fuyue felt it wasn’t that simple.
Sure enough…
“Fu Zhengxin is an expert in the field of immunology. Back when a team was sent to support F Continent, the higher-ups hesitated between him and me, but at the time Fu Zhengxin had an important project in progress, so they sent me instead.”
In fact, Fu Zhengxin’s calculations were not hard to guess,
Xie Dingyuan had already won the Lasker Award long ago. Even if he were to develop the Schankwo vaccine, it would be impossible for this year’s Lasker to be awarded to him again. If the project in Fu Zhengxin’s hands succeeded, then either the Basic Medical Research Award or the Clinical Medical Research Award would inevitably fall to him.
It had to be said that the man’s calculation was well thought out, but unfortunately, he never anticipated Jiang Fuyue’s sudden rise, overtaking him from behind and snatching this juicy prize right out of his hands.
Understanding dawned in Jiang Fuyue’s eyes. No wonder that old man’s gaze toward her carried a sinister scrutiny, paired with a face full of hypocritical smiles. He looked just like an old monster.
Xie Dingyuan said, “Fu Zhengxin is narrow-minded and vindictive. Missing out on the Lasker this time, he’ll probably put this debt on your head. If you see him again in the future, just turn around and walk away. No need to worry about saving face.”
“What?” Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow. “Is this person very formidable?”
The man shook his head. “Not formidable, insidious. Villains are hard to guard against. If you can avoid him, do so.”
“Alright.” Jiang Fuyue took note of it.
But if a villain really dared to provoke her, she wasn’t afraid either.
……
When the banquet ended, this Lasker Awards ceremony was completely concluded.
Jiang Fuyue and Xie Dingyuan extended their stay, planning to spend a few more days in NY.
The next day, the two slept until they naturally woke up, then tidied up, ate breakfast, and went out shopping.
Since they had come all this way, they couldn’t return empty-handed.
Jiang Fuyue picked out gifts for everyone in her family and mailed them back to China, neatly solving the problem of not having enough suitcase space.
She asked Xie Dingyuan, “Aren’t you planning to buy anything?”
The man was taken aback.
Clearly, he had never had the habit of bringing back gifts.
Jiang Fuyue was surprised. “When you go on business trips, you never bring back any local specialties?”
Xie Dingyuan replied gloomily, “…You can buy everything domestically.”
Even if you couldn’t, there were international malls and daigou.
Jiang Fuyue’s expression was hard to describe. “How can that be the same?”
His eyes were full of earnest inquiry, not feigned at all. “Where is it different?”
Like a good student.
“……”
In the end, Xie Dingyuan probably realized his emotional intelligence was in arrears. He clenched his fist and coughed lightly to cover the awkwardness. “How about… you help me pick? See what to buy?”
Jiang Fuyue agreed.
From bags to perfume, then to lipstick, scarves, hats, and so on, they looked at everything.
The girl shopped with great enthusiasm; the man was dazzled by it all.
Oh, and he also had to be responsible for handing over the card at any time. After swiping it, he would put it away properly, then move on to the next store and swipe again.
The two almost finished shopping at all the malls and stores in downtown NY.
How much Xie Dingyuan spent, Jiang Fuyue didn’t know. Anyway, she spent all of her 250,000-dollar Lasker prize money, and even swiped her card a few extra times.
Originally, Xie Dingyuan had also tried to insist on paying for the things Jiang Fuyue bought, but Jiang Fuyue directly threw out one sentence: “Do I look poor?”
The man could only silently put away his black card, his eyes full of distress.
Wanting to spend money on his wife was just too hard…
Since she was helping Xie Dingyuan choose gifts for his family, Jiang Fuyue naturally had to ask about their individual preferences.
Xie Dingyuan said, “The old madam likes blending fragrances.”
So Jiang Fuyue took him to a perfume atelier.
There were top-quality musk and ambergris there, of course, the prices were also very impressive.
Xie Dingyuan didn’t even blink, cleanly and decisively pulling out his card to pay.
Jiang Fuyue then asked what the old master liked.
This time, Xie Dingyuan pondered for quite a while. “…Does playing with walnuts count?”
Uh!
“I guess… it counts?”
Whether it counted or not didn’t matter. Since the old master liked it, Xie Dingyuan wasn’t short on money, and Jiang Fuyue just happened to have connections. No matter what, they had to try and see if they could find something satisfactory.
“Uncle Liu, it’s me… in NY, I need fine-quality collectible walnuts… okay, send me the contact information.”
When Jiang Fuyue made the call, she didn’t deliberately avoid Xie Dingyuan.
A flicker passed through the man’s eyes. Although he was curious and had faint guesses in his heart, he didn’t pursue who this “Uncle Liu” was.
Anyway, he already knew that his wife had plenty of secrets on her, and was also deeply entangled with Yufeng Group.
After the call ended, Jiang Fuyue dialed the number Liu Jinzhong had given her. The other party was a very famous collector.
He told them the studio address, right in the city center, within walking distance.
The two went there, discussed, communicated, bargained back and forth, and in the end bought a pair of muffled-point Lion’s Head walnuts for a six-figure US dollar price.
As for Xie Dingyuan’s pile of sisters, he didn’t let Jiang Fuyue pick gifts for them one by one, but directly made the call: “One bottle of perfume and one scarf each.”
Simple and brutal.
Jiang Fuyue had no objections.
She didn’t need to curry favor with the Xie family. There was no need to be exhaustive. Personally choosing gifts for the old master and old madam was merely out of respect for elders, nothing more.
……
As the sky grew late and the sun set in the west, they had bought almost everything.
The two went to dinner, choosing a Michelin-rated restaurant with a good reputation. Unexpectedly, they ran into Fu Zhengxin and his granddaughter again.
The old man was impeccably dressed in a suit, hair slicked back, meticulous, looking at first glance like a British gentleman.
The girl wore a cyan qipao, her long hair coiled up, gentle and elegant, brimming with classical Huaxia beauty. As she walked along, she attracted many curious gazes, while she maintained a constant gentle smile, reserved and self-possessed.
Fu Zhengxin said, “Professor Xie, Miss Jiang, what a coincidence, we meet again.”
The two exchanged a glance. Xie Dingyuan nodded. “Indeed, quite a coincidence.”
Fu Qing smiled softly, even the curve of her lips interpreting delicate beauty. “NY is so big. Since we’ve met, it must be fate. Would you two mind if we sat down and ate together?”
As she spoke, she gestured as if to summon a waiter to add seats.
Xie Dingyuan said, “We mind.”
Jiang Fuyue said, “Sorry.”
The two spoke almost at the same time.
Ignoring Fu Qing’s awkward expression and Fu Zhengxin’s suddenly darkened gaze, the two looked at each other with smiles, utterly composed.
This d*mned tacit understanding!
Fu Zhengxin quickly returned to normal. His face-changing speed was truly superb. He laughed heartily. “Qingqing, it seems Professor Xie and Miss Jiang don’t welcome us. You were abrupt.”
Fu Qing showed regret. “I’m truly sorry. It was my lack of consideration. I disturbed the two of you in your private time.”
Xie Dingyuan said, “Mm.” Good that you know.
Jiang Fuyue gave a slight nod, at least she had some self-awareness.
Fu Qing: “……”
Fu Zhengxin’s expression shifted slightly. Knowing the two were deliberately embarrassing him, he immediately snorted coldly. “Let’s go!”
It wasn’t appropriate to make a scene abroad. Once back home, he would properly cross swords with these two!
Others might be wary of Xie Dingyuan, but he wasn’t afraid.
Soon, Fu Zhengxin left with Fu Qing.
With no flies buzzing around, Jiang Fuyue and Xie Dingyuan ate this meal with exceptional satisfaction.
The dishes were fresh and beautifully presented.
When it came time to pay, the manager recognized the two as the scientist couple who had stolen the spotlight at the Lasker Awards ceremony. He enthusiastically invited them to take a commemorative photo, adding further glory to the restaurant’s celebrity wall.
In return, the meal was on the house.
……
By the time they returned to the hotel, it was already dark.
Jiang Fuyue sorted through the things she had bought that day. Most of them were hers, not heavy and small in size, such as skincare products and commemorative figurines, so they could be directly packed into her luggage and taken back to China, without mailing.
After tidying up, she went into the bathroom to shower.
After washing up, she changed into a nightgown, blow-dried her hair only halfway, then ran next door and knocked.
Xie Dingyuan was drinking water. The moment he heard the knock, his scalp went numb and he nearly choked.
The scene of Jiang Fuyue teasing him last time was still vivid in his mind. He couldn’t think about it, once he did, everything got messy, and once it got messy he couldn’t help himself… ahem…
Actually, he didn’t really like handling things on his own.
“Xie Dingyuan, open the door. It’s me.”
“……”
“I know you heard me.”
“……”
“What are you afraid of? I’m not going to eat you.”
“……” That’s right, you’re exactly trying to eat me.
“If you don’t open the door again…”
He held his breath. He’d already made up his mind, no matter what she said, he wasn’t opening it.
Jiang Fuyue: “If you don’t open it, I’m going to be seen by people! I’m wearing a nightgown!” As she spoke, she stomped her foot in irritation.
Xie Dingyuan’s face darkened. Any resolve he’d made was instantly thrown out the window. He strode forward, pulled the door open, then dragged her inside.
The movement couldn’t have been faster.
The girl wasn’t lying, she really was wearing a nightgown, and it was a spaghetti-strap style.
The low-cut V-neck revealed a pair of delicate collarbones and a large expanse of fair, smooth skin at her chest.
The hem only reached above her knees, exposing a pair of straight, slender, pale legs.
On her feet were a pair of slippers, revealing ten round, adorable toes.
“You!” Xie Dingyuan was irritated the instant he looked.
“What about me?” She played innocent, blinking her eyes.
The man turned around, grabbed his suit jacket, shook it out, then draped it over Jiang Fuyue’s shoulders. “Too much exposed. Not good.”
“What’s not good?”
“……It’s not appropriate.”
“But this is abroad. The atmosphere is open, public kissing is no big deal. It’s not like you haven’t done it.”
Xie Dingyuan: “……”
Jiang Fuyue shrugged, shrugged the jacket off, and handed it back to him. “If you want to wear it, you wear it. It’s so hot, who still wears something this thick?”
As she took it off, she brushed the strap, which slipped straight off her shoulder.
The man’s pupils shrank abruptly, and he awkwardly turned his gaze away.
Too white.
Not only dazzling, but downright soul-hooking.
Jiang Fuyue caught his little movement, her eyes spinning as she deliberately leaned closer to him. “What are you hiding from?”
As the girl leaned her upper body forward, Xie Dingyuan was caught off guard and saw straight down through her slightly open neckline…
Hiss!
This is deadly!
He retreated two steps like he was fleeing a flood or a ferocious beast. “You… it’s late. You should go back and rest.”
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow. “You’re chasing me away?”
“……No.”
“Then I guess you’re keeping me?”
“……Also no.”
She ignored him completely, walked straight to the bed, sat down, propped herself up with both hands behind her, relaxed and leisurely. “Alright then, I won’t leave tonight.”
“No!” The man reacted strongly.
Jiang Fuyue didn’t argue with him at all. She simply kicked off her shoes and lay down on the bed.
If it’s not okay now, it has to be okay.
Xie Dingyuan was full of helplessness. He walked over, trying to pull her up.
But the girl went completely limp, refusing to cooperate.
“Yueyue, stop messing around.”
Jiang Fuyue let him tug at one of her hands, not struggling at all, yawning on her own. “Sleepy. I want to sleep.”
“Go back to your room to sleep.”
“We walked around too long today. My legs are sore. I can’t walk.”
The man frowned and carefully examined her two legs exposed outside the covers, still so white, still so blinding.
“I’ll call a masseuse up.”
Five-star hotels all have paid massage services, one phone call and they’re at your door within five minutes.
“Too much trouble.”
Xie Dingyuan laughed helplessly. “Fine. Then tell me, how do your legs stop being sore? Other than staying here.”
Jiang Fuyue pouted. “You make it sound like I’m dying to stay…”
The man just looked at her, wearing a smile that saw through everything.
Jiang Fuyue: “……”
“You sit down.”
Xie Dingyuan did as told, wanting to see what she was up to.
Then Jiang Fuyue directly stretched her legs over and placed them on his thighs, looking completely ready to receive service. “Massage.”
“Me?”
“Mmhmm.”
The man was a bit embarrassed, not unwilling, but: “I don’t know how.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
He sighed softly. In the end, he resigned himself and placed his hands on her legs. But the moment his palms touched them, the warm, smooth sensation made his entire body stiffen.
Jiang Fuyue: “Why did you stop moving?”
“……”
Seeing no reaction from him, she gently nudged his thigh with her foot. “Pinch a little!”
Xie Dingyuan snapped back to his senses.
“……Okay.”
What followed was a sweet torment. Jiang Fuyue was comfortable, but the man was burning all over, drenched in sweat, even his breathing slightly labored.
Jiang Fuyue: “?” Is it really that bad? She didn’t even ask him to use much strength.
“……Alright.” Xie Dingyuan patted her calf. “Go back and sleep.”
Jiang Fuyue pulled her legs back with the flow. Not only did she not leave, she directly lifted the blanket, covered her head, rolled herself up, and spoke muffledly, “I can’t anymore, I’m so sleepy. I’ll sleep first.”
“……”
In the end, Xie Dingyuan really had no way to deal with her and could only sleep in the same bed.
The already “asleep” Jiang Fuyue rolled right into his arms. Sensing the man’s body stiffen for a moment, she curled her lips slightly. “Don’t be afraid, I won’t do anything to you.”
He blurted out, “Neither will I!”
If only his body’s reaction were that honest too, but unfortunately, it couldn’t help itself…
Jiang Fuyue: “Move closer.”
Xie Dingyuan didn’t move. Once he got close, nothing could be hidden.
If the mountain won’t come to me, then I’ll go to the mountain. Jiang Fuyue shifted over, the two of them pressed tightly together.
“Hiss!” The man sucked in a sharp breath. “What are you do…”
Before he could finish, a kiss landed at his neck. Jiang Fuyue sucked hard. “Good night!”
……
As a result, when Xie Dingyuan got up the next morning and was brushing his teeth, he discovered a red mark on his neck.
“Tsk…” He touched it in the mirror and clicked his tongue softly.
Today the two of them were still planning to go out, but not to shop, just to stroll around a nearby church and maybe feed some pigeons.
But right before heading out, Xie Dingyuan’s phone rang…
“Hello?” Seeing a string of unfamiliar numbers on the caller ID, he didn’t know who it was.
“Ah Yuan, it’s me.”
To be honest, Xie Dingyuan didn’t recognize the voice right away.
There was a pause on the other end, sounding a bit stifled. “Me, Yunqian.”
He suddenly realized.
……
At two in the afternoon, Jiang Fuyue and Xie Dingyuan arrived at a café.
And Xie Yunqian had already been waiting there for quite some time.
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
