When Jiang Fuyue went in, Lou Mingshen was leaning against the head of the bed holding a video conference.
“…Take it back and redo it. If you can’t do it well, you can get lost too!”
“This is the annual report your finance department submitted? Any fresh graduate majoring in financial management could do this! What do I need you for?”
“With a bunch of parasites like you in the Lou Corporation, it’d be strange if the company didn’t go bankrupt!”
“…”
After rebuking several people in a row, Lou Mingshen’s expression was cold and heavy, his gaze sharp.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, he looked toward the door. The moment his eyes touched Jiang Fuyue, his brows and eyes instantly softened.
On the other end, the Lou Corporation employees witnessed their president change faces with their own eyes; each of them almost had their jaws drop.
President Lou could actually smile?
That look, was it gentle?
They wanted to look more clearly, but unfortunately the video conference had already been cut off, leaving only a cold sentence: “Meeting adjourned.”
The change in attitude couldn’t have been more obvious.
At that moment, inside the hospital room,
“Sis, why did you come?” At that instant, the forty-three-year-old Lou Mingshen was nervous like a child, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.
But it didn’t matter.
Because one leg was still in a cast and one hand hung in a sling, everything was arranged clearly, he didn’t need to worry about where to place them.
Jiang Fuyue walked to the bedside, put the flowers on the cabinet, and straightened them. “I came to see you. Are you feeling better?”
“Mm-hm! It’s nothing serious anymore. Once the bone grows back in a while, I can be discharged. Sis, sit…” Lou Mingshen pointed to the chair beside the bed.
Jiang Fuyue sat down. “Don’t do foolish things again in the future. Life is precious. It’s not for you to waste like that.”
Lou Mingshen looked at her with burning eyes. “Sis, have you forgiven me?”
Jiang Fuyue’s gaze was calm, her tone steady. “You weren’t wrong, so there’s nothing to forgive.”
He lowered his eyes carefully. “Then… do you still acknowledge me?”
Jiang Fuyue didn’t speak.
Lou Mingshen became even more dejected, like a little dog that had been abandoned, head drooping, aggrieved and helpless.
“…Does it matter?”
“Of course!” He suddenly raised his head. “In my heart, you will always be my sister!”
“Mm.”
Lou Mingshen froze.
Mm? What did that mean?
He looked at Jiang Fuyue blankly. “Sis?”
“Mm. Didn’t I answer?”
For a moment he was stunned. The next second, wild joy appeared in the man’s eyes.
She answered!
She still acknowledged him!
“Sis, I, you…”
A dignified president managing multiple companies and thousands of employees, yet he was stammering, unable to form a complete sentence!
Whether it was Lou Mingyue in the previous life or Jiang Fuyue in this life, the appearance had changed, the age had changed, but the clear-cut love-and-hate personality and the cold temperament had not changed.
Because he understood her, he had once felt despair.
Lou Mingshen knew that the word “forgiveness” was too difficult for her.
And the way he chose to atone, by attempting suicide, was also a kind of distorted coercion toward her.
She should have been angry, furious, blaming him, even sentencing him to death completely, never acknowledging him again, never seeing him again.
But she didn’t.
“Sis, I’m sorry. I was wrong…” Lou Mingshen’s eyes reddened, tears pouring down like rain.
She used tolerance to accept his ruthlessness and resolve, and used understanding to respond to his questioning and insistence.
Lou Mingshen, what virtue or ability do you have to deserve this?
“Why are you crying?” Jiang Fuyue frowned. “A grown man, how did you learn to act like a woman?”
He sniffed and muttered softly, “But I was taught by you…”
Jiang Fuyue: “…” Careless.
……
After sitting for twenty minutes, Jiang Fuyue prepared to leave.
She placed the peeled apple slices on a plate and reminded him, “Take good care of yourself and lose your temper.”
Lou Mingshen: “…Oh.”
If he had known she would come, he wouldn’t have held the video conference. Just now when he scolded people… he probably didn’t scold them too harshly… right?
“I’m leaving.”
“Sis, will you come visit me often in the future?”
Facing his hopeful and pitiful eyes, Jiang Fuyue said, “Are you planning to live in the hospital forever?”
And visit often…
Lou Mingshen: “…”
Outside the ward, Xie Dingyuan was waiting quietly.
“All done? Let’s go.”
“So fast?”
Jiang Fuyue: “I’ve seen what I needed to see and said what I needed to say. Am I supposed to stay for dinner?”
Xie Dingyuan laughed, taking her hand. “Speaking of dinner, what do you want to eat later?”
Jiang Fuyue: “Hot pot!”
The answer that never changed.
“Alright.” The response that also never changed.
After Jiang Fuyue left, Lou Mingshen picked up the apple from the plate, eating it while grinning foolishly.
“Mingshen, you…”
Fu Choujun pushed the door open and walked in, but before she could finish speaking she suddenly stopped.
Her brows tightened abruptly. “What kind of work is that caregiver doing? After peeling an apple they don’t even cut it, just give you the whole thing. How careless!”
Lou Mingshen’s smile instantly faded. “Why are you here?”
Fu Choujun’s expression stiffened slightly, but she quickly smiled again. “Mom came to see you of course. This apple has already oxidized, don’t eat it anymore. Let Mom peel you another one?”
Lou Mingshen avoided her hand, his tone indifferent. “No need to trouble yourself.”
“How can that be trouble? Taking care of you is only natural for me. Besides, in your current state, Mom can’t feel at ease…”
“Go back,” Lou Mingshen interrupted. “Don’t come again. I don’t need you to take care of me.”
The smile on Fu Choujun’s face gradually faded until finally she became expressionless. “I don’t know what you’re being awkward about. After all, I’m your biological mother. I carried you for ten months to give birth to you, and this is the attitude you have toward me?”
Lou Mingshen clearly didn’t want to say more. He turned his head away coldly and didn’t look at her at all. “For all these years we’ve stayed out of each other’s way and lived peacefully. Isn’t that good? I don’t know the reason you suddenly came back, and I don’t want to know. I only ask that you stop disturbing my life.”
“Mingshen, ” Fu Choujun cried out sharply. “I’m your biological mother! Your biological mother!”
“I know. You don’t need to remind me again and again.”
“But why do you…”
Lou Mingshen finished the last bite of the apple, threw away the core, lay down, and turned his back to Fu Choujun. “I’m tired.”
The woman’s face darkened as she left angrily.
……
On January 10th, winter vacation officially began.
Two days later, the final exam results were released.
As expected, Jiang Fuyue received full marks in all nine subjects.
Han Ting volunteered to log into the student system to check the scores for her. The moment he saw the grades, although he had already been mentally prepared, he was still shocked.
He quietly moved next to Jiang Fuyue, tugged at her sleeve like a shy little daughter-in-law,
“Sis, can I ask you something?”
Jiang Fuyue: “Go ahead.”
“It’s just… how do you manage to get full marks every time?”
Jiang Fuyue pondered for a moment, then gave him a few words: “Study well and make progress every day.”
Han Ting: “……”
He’d better go play chess. As for studying, forget it. It was destined to have nothing to do with him.
Nowadays, when it came to full marks, the three Han uncles and the old master were already very calm.
“Yueyue, what reward do you want?”
Jiang Fuyue shook her head. “No need. I already have everything.”
Han Heng’s eyes rolled. “Yueyue likes plush toys. You should give her plush toys!”
Jiang Fuyue met her little uncle’s pleading gaze. “…Oh.” Plush toys then plush toys.
Han Shen crossed his arms. “Third Brother, do you really think we’re stupid?” As if we don’t know what you’re up to.
Han Ke: “Do I look that easy to fool?”
The old master: “I think your skin’s itching for a beating!” Originally I planned to turn a blind eye, and you just act as if I’m blind?
In the end, Han Heng not only failed to get the plushies, he also got thoroughly ridiculed.
Curled up in the corner of the sofa, he didn’t even dare make a sound.
Afterward Jiang Fuyue was very puzzled: “Little Uncle, aren’t you rich? Can’t you buy them yourself?”
Why do you have to trick others out of them?
Han Heng: “Ah, you don’t understand. How can spending your own money be as satisfying as getting it for free?”
Jiang Fuyue: “……” Sorry to bother you.
……
On the third day of winter vacation, Jiang Fuyue and Xie Dingyuan decided to go to Xishuang Banna, for a vacation!
Before departure, Jiang Fuyue was packing her luggage in the room when the Four Heavenly Kings of the Han family knocked on the door one after another.
Han Shen: “When you’re out, pay attention to safety. This ‘safety’ doesn’t only refer to external factors, but also internal factors. Understand?”
Jiang Fuyue: “?”
“I mean dangerous people aren’t only strangers outside, but also… those around you.”
Xie Dingyuan: You can just say my name directly [smile]
“Anyway, you’re a girl traveling outside. You must protect yourself well, understand?”
Jiang Fuyue: “…Understood.”
“That’s good.” Han Shen nodded, letting out a breath of relief before leaving.
Sure enough, daughters are still obedient.
Not long after, Han Ke knocked on the door again,
“This is for you.”
Jiang Fuyue took it and looked down. “What is it?”
“Don’t press it randomly! Little ancestor! An electric shock anti-wolf device. Carry it with you, better safe than sorry.”
After saying that, before Jiang Fuyue could speak, he ran off.
Two minutes later, Han Heng came to her room carrying a large suitcase.
Jiang Fuyue: “What’s this?”
He squatted down, opened it, and with a clatter the contents spilled out,
It was actually a whole suitcase full of sunglasses!
Han Heng: “You’re going to a tropical region, how could you lack the ultimate posing accessory?” Then he waved his hand generously. “Choose. These are my many years of treasured collection. Take whichever you like, don’t be polite.”
Jiang Fuyue actually picked out one pair, then looked up and asked him, “Can I only take one?”
Uh!
Han Heng: “If you want two, that’s fine!” Cutting flesh, massive bleeding.
Jiang Fuyue: “Then I’ll pick one for Xie Dingyuan too.”
Han Heng: “?!” Is it still in time to take back what I just said?
In the end, the old master came.
He only said one sentence: “Come home early.”
Under the light, Jiang Fuyue smiled slightly and nodded to him. “Okay.”
……
The flight departed at one in the afternoon and landed punctually at 3:50.
Just after getting off the plane, a wave of heat rushed over them. The two took off their coats, revealing matching couple short-sleeve shirts and same-colored shorts underneath.
Vacation mode officially began!
On the first day, the two slept at the hotel until they woke up naturally.
Now Xie Dingyuan would never ask for two rooms anymore. Last night he had even clung to Jiang Fuyue and messed around with her until dawn.
“Aren’t you tired?” Jiang Fuyue yawned, looking at the certain someone pressing down on top of her.
Xie Dingyuan: “?” Is she questioning my ability?
To prove that he was powerful and vigorous like a dragon and tiger, the usually restrained man completely let loose that night.
Poor Jiang Fuyue had only asked casually, yet she paid the painful price of an aching waist and weak legs.
The next day she didn’t recover until noon.
In contrast, the man was well fed and refreshed, full of energy.
In the afternoon, the two went to Manting Park.
This place used to be the royal garden of the Dai kings and is also the oldest park in Banna.
The area is not large, but the scenery is beautiful. A faint fragrance of flowers drifts through the air, making people feel refreshed and happy.
At night, the two spent money to experience a bonfire party.
Lively, noisy, and full of commercial atmosphere everywhere, lacking a bit of the original simple authenticity.
But since they were already there, mingling in the crowd could still be enjoyable.
When they returned to the hotel it was already ten at night. Jiang Fuyue took a shower and began applying a facial mask.
Knowing she was going to Banna for vacation, Han Heng had thoughtfully stuffed a pile of sunscreen products and repair masks and creams into her suitcase.
Before she left, he didn’t forget to remind her: “You must do good sun protection! Ultraviolet rays are the number one enemy of aging!”
Once the mask was applied to her face, it immediately felt fresh and cool.
Jiang Fuyue simply lay on the bed, playing on her phone while waiting.
Little Uncle said it could be removed after more than ten minutes.
But somehow she fell asleep directly. It wasn’t until Xie Dingyuan finished showering and called her that Jiang Fuyue woke up.
“Are you sleepy?” The man sat by the bed, looking at her wearing the mask with both curiosity and amusement.
There was also an indescribable intimacy,
Only he had seen her like this!
Jiang Fuyue’s eyes were drowsy and her expression confused. “How did I fall asleep?”
She said as she sat up, but she still had no energy.
So sleepy…
“Tired?”
“Mm, a little.”
The next second, the man lifted her up in his arms. “I’m not tired. Do you need to go to the bathroom? I’ll carry you there.”
Xie Dingyuan not only carried her to the bathroom, he personally helped her remove the mask and wash her face.
After drying her face, he carried Jiang Fuyue back to the bed, pulled the blanket over her, tucked her in, and finally turned off the light and lay down himself.
“Sleep.”
“Good night, Xie Dingyuan.”
……
That night the two slept well. Early the next morning they set off for Menglun Town in Mengla County.
Here is the largest tropical botanical garden in China and also the only 5A scenic area in Xishuang Banna.
Xie Dingyuan: “Do you know what ‘Menglun’ means?”
“In the Dai language of Xishuang Banna, it should be… a soft place?”
The man chuckled softly. “You really know a bit about everything, don’t you?”
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow. “Of course!”
The botanical garden and Menglun Town face each other across the river. Where the Luosuo River turns 358°, it forms a gourd-shaped peninsula.
After arriving, the two did not just take a cursory glance but carefully observed the tropical plants here.
It had to be said, the number of species was overwhelming, dazzling to the eyes.
As they walked, they discussed the ecological habits, appearance varieties, growth environments, and so on of certain plants.
The words they spoke were professional and difficult, obscure and awkward, yet both of them were extremely enthusiastic.
The more they talked, the more excited they became. When their gazes met, there was nothing but tacit understanding.
No wonder some people say that true love, in essence, is actually a way of getting along that makes both people happy.
Some tourists passed by the two of them and thought they were talking about something interesting. They pricked up their ears to listen, then walked away with strange expressions.
In the evening, the two simply stayed overnight at the hotel inside the botanical garden.
Xie Dingyuan: “One room.”
The front desk receptionist smiled and handed over the room card. “Here you go. Thank you.”
At that moment, a richly dressed woman suddenly rushed forward, stretching out a plump hand wearing a jade bracelet to point at the staff. Her voice was sharp and her expression unruly, “Didn’t you just say there were no rooms left? Why can he still check in?!”
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