The door to the bedroom creaked open with a groan.

  In the light of the hallway, Qin Shu could make out Fu Tingyu’s toned figure. His cheeks were flushed red and his hair was a little wet – though she did not think it was perspiration. If she were to hazard a guess, Fu Tingyu probably dunked his head in some water after his exercise to cool off.

  Fu Tingyu made a beeline for the closet, sparing his wife a quick glance as he did so. His whole body was covered in sweat, making him feel sticky and uncomfortable.

  “I’m going for a shower. I’ll be back soon.” He took his clothes out of the closet and headed to the bathroom.

  Inclining her head in acknowledgement, Qin Shu continued her perusal of the company’s management website. She was now the chairwoman. Although she had appointed Chu Ciwen as the general manager of the company, she could not just leave everything to his discretion.

  As the chairwoman of the company, there were many things she needed to do. She had to sign documents, approve proposals, and also negotiate contracts on behalf of the company. The most important decisions were still made by her.

  The company, at present, was on the verge of collapse. It lacked not only the capital but also the market share to stand firmly on its own two feet. Qin Hai’s negligence had all but ruined the company.

  If things continued as they did, Qin Shu was not sure if the company would be able to pay its employees their salaries – let alone their shareholders.

  The company was at its lowest. Anyone with designs on the company would be able to acquire it easily.

  Perhaps it was time for a change. The Qin Corporation was a thing of the past. Under her leadership, the company would take on a new name. Rebranded, it would rise from the ashes and be called the Wenhua Group.

  Chu Ciwen was a capable right-hand and Qin Shu felt more at ease with the company’s day-to-day affairs being managed by him.

  Fu Tingyu ambled out of the bathroom with light steps, a while later. He was dressed in a night robe. His raven-black hair was still wet in some places, looking like he had tussled it dry with a towel. It contrasted nicely with his pale skin and fair cheeks.

  Long eyelashes framed his deeply set eyes that drank in his surroundings hungrily.

  He had left the front half of his robe open, leaving his chiselled abs exposed.

  Putting away her laptop on the bedside table, Qin Shu made room for Fu Tingyu to sit.

  He moseyed over and sat next to her, his obsidian eyes locking firmly on hers.

  Qin Shu could see the ravenous lust in his eyes as he stared at her. It was unnerving. Blinking the image away, she teased, “Why are you staring at me like that? Shouldn’t you be in bed?”


  Fu Tingyu pursed his lips and said softly, “You’re leaving tomorrow.”


  As if a switch had been flipped, he draped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her into a crushing hug. It was evident how reluctant he was to let her go.

  Qin Shu rested her head on his broad shoulders. Smiling meekly up at him, she said, “It’s not like I’ll never return. As soon as I graduate, we’ll be together again. Nothing will ever tear us apart.”


  Fu Tingyu remained silent. The only sign that he had heard her came in the form of his tightening arm around her.

  A long silence ensued.

  Patting his back gently, Qin Shu whispered, “You should not sleep late. You’ll have to be up early tomorrow.”


  Only then did he release her from his tight hold, laying down beside her.

  With a flick of a switch, the lights went out and the room was swallowed in darkness.

  Qin Shu snuggled in Fu Tingyu arms, leaning against his chest and closed her eyes. Just as sleep was about to take her, Fu Tingyu’s rasped seductively in his deep baritone, “Bao’er, it’s still early.”


  Qin Shu buried her face in her pillow and pretended to be asleep.

  The next day……

  Fortunately, Fu Tingyu controlled himself and abstained from any crass actions. She would not have been able to get up at all, otherwise.

  Once he was sure that everything was ready, Fu Tingyu gallantly led Qin Shu, by the hand, to his private jet.

  Qin Shu decided to have President Ba tag along and so, he was being carried by Ye Luo.

  Though he maintained a serene expression, it was merely a carefully crafted facade as evidenced by his firm grip over her hand.

  Qin Shu wore a look of confusion as she regarded the private jet. Fu Tingyu had said he was going to send her to the station so why were they taking a plane, instead?

  This oddity was lost on her husband, however. With determined strides, he pulled her along towards the jet.

  Qin Shu surveyed the plane’s interior with a critical eye. It was certainly more spacious than the helicopter had been. Tables, beds and even a small bar furnished the exclusive carrier.

  Taking a plane to the capital shortened the time spent journeying there considerably.

  It felt like it had not been long since they boarded the jet when they touched down on an airfield in the capital.

  Before she could get off the plane, Fu Tingyu dragged her into his arms and kissed her.

  It was a passionate kiss that seemed to stretch for hours on end.

  A long while later, Fu Tingyu released her from the kiss and growled softly, “I’ll hold you to your word.”


  “Don’t worry. I have every intention of keeping my promise.”


  Qin Shu offered him a pleasant smile before disembarking from the aircraft.

  Ye Luo stood at the foot of the jet waiting for her. Ensconced in his arms was an irate cat. President Ba was less than pleased being made to suffer the company of his most hated foe.

  Qin Shu’s university was within seeing distance from the airfield. Receiving President Ba from Ye Luo, she made her way back to campus.

  Fu Tingyu trained his eyes on Qin Shu, watching as her figure retreated into the university’s compound. It was only after he could no longer see her that he ordered the pilot to prepare for take-off.

  “Go back.”


  Hearing the fourth young master’s command, the pilot readied the jet for their return flight.

  –


  –


  Qin Shu carried President Ba all the way back to the studio apartment.

  She did not inform anyone of her return.

  Placing President Ba on the floor, Qin Shu encouraged him to entertain himself while she cleaned up.

  Nine days was a long time for the dust to accumulate. Not only did she need to sweep the floor, but she also had to change her bedding and sun her clothes. It was a lot of work.

  It took her a few hours to make her apartment suitable for habitation once more.

  Just then, Gu Yan called.

  “I’ll see you at the hospital. I’ve sent you the address.”


  “Okay.”


  Qin Shu hung up the phone and read the message Gu Yan had sent. She read it once over, noting down the address listed.

  Opening a bag of dried fish treats, Qin Shu poured a little out for President Ba’s dinner.

  “President Ba, I’m going out for a while. I’ll probably be back late so don’t wait for me. Behave yourself, okay?”


  “Meow.” President Ba tilted his head in befuddlement.

  Qin Shu gave President Ba an affectionate pat on the head before locking up the apartment and rushing to the hospital.

  Half an hour later, at the hospital……

  Having arranged to meet Qin Shu at the hospital, Gu Yan left his residence and made his way to the hospital.

  By the time Qin Shu arrived at the hospital, Gu Yan was already there; waiting for her with a steaming cup of tea in hand. Although he was feeling quite nervous, he managed to school his expression into a mask of peace and tranquillity.

  Qin Shu was his sworn brother’s wife and he would not allow any harm to come to her. As far as possible, he would assist her in aborting the child – Fu Tingyu’s child.

  If he had any other choice, he would have opposed the abortion but, with her life at stake, it was best if she did not keep the child.

  Qin Shu took a seat on the sofa opposite Gu Yan, her cheeks were flushed a ruby red. “.…… are you going to operate on me now?” Qin Shu murmured timidly.

  Gu Yan nodded. “Yes, I am. I’ve asked a gynaecologist to assist me. It would be difficult for me to operate on you, otherwise. Your situation is…… delicate.”


  Gu Yan wasn’t a gynaecologist by profession but he felt a little better knowing that he had enlisted the best help possible from the hospital to bridge the difference.

  Despite knowing the risks involved should she choose not to carry out the abortion, Qin Shu was still reluctant to give up on her unborn child. It did not sit well with maternal instincts.