Fu Tingyu looked up at Fu Tingyan. He appeared no different from usual. With an air of indifference, he asked, “What’s the progress with your problem?”


  “Oh.” Fu Tingyan swallowed his food and responded casually, “I’ve decided to put my career first. I’ve already given up on the problem.”


  Fu Tingyan continued with his meal, seemingly unconcerned by Fu Tingyu’s question. He still preferred the food prepared at Bright Garden to what he was eating now.

  Fu Tingyan meant that it was useless for a bachelor like him to consider anything more than his career since he was not in a relationship. Therefore, it was pointless talking about anything else for the moment.

  Fu Tingyu and Qin Shu looked at each other. They both knew how significant the matter was.

  Fu Tingyan had come out of the closet the day he returned. His words were firm and resolute, broking no room for discussion, and there could be none when he spoke so seriously.

  It had only been a few days since he made the announcement. Had he given up on the idea already?

  Qin Shu shot Fu Tingyan a glance. For him to speak so calmly made it sound like more than two days had passed since the day of the incident.

  Could something have happened when they sent Bo Ye back?

  Xiao Jiu finished his last mouthful of rice. He wiped the stains around his mouth using a paper napkin. After which, he turned to Fu Tingyan and said, “Uncle, I’m full.”


  “I’m done too. Let’s go. Uncle will bring you to the backyard to play.” Fu Tingyan put down his chopsticks, mimicking his nephew’s actions. “Brother, sister-in-law, I’ll bring Xiao Jiu to the backyard to play for a while.”


  Fu Tingyu nodded. “Okay.”


  Fu Tingyan lifted Xiao Jiu from his chair and carried him to the backyard.

  Qin Shu watched Fu Tingyan carry Xiao Jiu away, “Xiao Yan seems to have been deeply hurt by the incident.”


  Fu Tingyu knew his younger brother well. He was not one to give up so easily – not after he had made such a reckless declaration. Everyone has a bottom line; it just so happened that his younger brother expressed it differently from most others.

  Fu Tingyan’s bottom line was his pride.

  “I’m sure he’ll bounce back soon enough.”


  “I hope, for his sake, that it’ll be as you say.” Qin Shu murmured.

  “Oh right, I’ll be going to Xiyan tomorrow with Mo Chengxu. I shouldn’t be gone for more than a few weeks. The dress ought to be ready by then. We can take our wedding photos when I return,” Fu Tingyu said.

  “Okay. Don’t worry about me. I won’t be at home.” Qin Shu continued eating.

  Fu Tingyu paused and turned to his wife. Seeing her indifferent expression, he asked, “Aren’t you going to come with me?”


  Qin Shu shook her head. “No, I plan to go to Nan Yue.”


  “What are you going to Nan Yue for?” Fu Tingyu asked.

  “Do you still remember Yun Yao?”


  “Yes, I do. Are you going to look for Yun Yao?”


  “Yes. Yun Yao asked for my help, so I’m going to see what I can do for him.”


  “… You agreed?” Fu Tingyu’s eyes darkened.

  “I did. I’m not going to Nan Yue just to return a favour, you know. I’m also going to see Master Baili.”


  Qin Shu missed Master Baili. She did not know what had transpired between Master Baili and her mother for him to leave so suddenly.

  Fu Tingyu could see that Qin Shu had already made up her mind, so he did not stop her. “Fine. Be careful when you go.”


  “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. You, on the other hand, should bring a few more bodyguards with you,” Qin Shu reminded him.

  Fu Tingyu nodded. “I will.”


  Qin Shu ate another two mouthfuls before whispering in Fu Tingyu’s ear. “You’ve been so busy at work lately. Would you like a massage later?”


  Fu Tingyu was in a bad mood, but when he felt Qin Shu’s breath against his skin, her voice in his ears, his throat tightened, and his heart raced. It was like a feather tickling his heart.

  It was not the end, however. Qin Shu worked her way around Fu Tingyu’s tense shoulders, easing the knots through the thin fabric of his navy blue shirt. Her soft touch sent a jolt down his spine, tingling the firm muscles around his shoulders and back.

  “I taught myself a few tricks. This technique is said to improve sleep and relax the body. What do you think?”


  He could feel Qin Shu’s body against his; the heat radiating off of her, coupled with the heater in the dining room, quickly made him feel hot and thirsty.

  “It’s amazing… No, it’s more than that…” Fu Tingyu rasped, his voice full of expectation.

  –


  Fu Tingyu worked through the night, only exiting his study in the wee hours before dawn. He immediately went for a shower.

  When Qin Shu stepped out of the small study, she happened to see Fu Tingyu walking out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. His black hair was still dripping wet.

  Fu Tingyu had a killer figure, the envy of any runway model. He had muscles in all the right places, chiselled, clearly defined, and yet supple.

  His six-pack abs were displayed, tapering to a cut, V-shaped mermaid line. The position of the towel was just right to expose the sexy mermaid line. He was the epitome of masculine perfection.

  Fu Tingyu dried his wet hair with a towel. He became aware of a presence at the door and looked up, seeing his wife staring at him. “Weren’t you going to give me a massage? Let’s start.”


  “Okay.” Qin Shu smiled.

  Fu Tingyu led the way to their Alaskan King-sized bed, beckoning over his shoulder for Qin Shu to follow. He was eager to receive the massage promised to him.

  “Give me a moment. Let me get the essential oil.” Qin Shu squatted by the bedside table and opened the drawer. She took out the bottle of essential oil she had prepared beforehand.

  Opening it, she poured out a little and applied it to Fu Tingyu’s back.

  “I’m going to start,” she said as she eased him in.

  “Okay,” Fu Tingyu responded. He could feel Qin Shu’s hands working their way up and down his back and around his shoulders; her touch sent a current through his skin, pulling at his nerves and pining his muscles. Now and then, he could not help but tense up when she kneaded a particularly sensitive spot.

  Qin Shu adjusted her strength every time she felt him tense. Applying too much pressure was as bad as using too little; it had to be just right. “Relax. Close your eyes and enjoy it.”


  Fu Tingyu did not say a word, doing his best to unwind.

  He could not tell if Qin Shu was trying to help him or torture him instead.

  Around half an hour into the session, Qin Shu asked, “Baby Yu, how do you feel?”


  “You mean how I feel now?” Fu Tingyu quipped hoarsely.

  Qin Shu nodded. “Yes. If it feels good, I’ll continue for a while more.”


  Fu Tingyu managed a muffled laugh. “Come closer, and I’ll tell you.”


  Qin Shu supported herself on the bed with both hands, confused. She did as her husband bade, leaning in closer. “How do you feel?”


  “I feel good, so good that I can’t hold out any longer.” Fu Tingyu lunged forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her into his arms.

  Qin Shu only felt the world spinning around her. Suddenly, she felt a pair of warm lips pressing against her, catching her off guard.

  Though taking her by surprise, Qin Shu could guess what Fu Tingyu wanted.

  Wasn’t it supposed to be just a massage?

  How did she end up in this position?

  Fu Tingyu eyed her hungrily. “Babe, what do you think of my massage?”


  “You tricked me! All you want is revenge!” Qin Shu cried unhappily.

  Fu Tingyu chuckled. “Babe, you’ve got it all wrong. How could I think of taking revenge?”


  “Y-you rascal!”


  “Babe, don’t you think my massage is better than yours?”


  Fu Tingyu used all of Qin Shu’s techniques on her. At times, his strength was light and at others, heavy. He concentrated his efforts in a specific area.

  Qin Shu could not take it anymore, and so she threatened, “Enough, enough. If you don’t stop, you’ll force my hand!”


  Fu Tingyu chuckled again, “Babe, you’ve sure got some moves. Let me help you there… I’ll give you your heart’s desire……”