Fang Junjie, twirling his car keys nonchalantly, replied, “I know, but if Xiaotang could easily forget Song Li, that would be a problem. I like her loyalty and passion; it balances out my usual coldness.”
Zhang Rong sighed, shaking his head, “You’re beyond saving. This girl might just be heaven-sent to challenge you.”
Fang Junjie chuckled, “Tenth Brother, I’ve noticed you’re good at everything except you’re too biased. I’m now considering if you might switch sides if you find out Xiaotang is the true chosen one, forbidding her from associating with me.”
Zhang Rong burst into laughter, “How could that be? If I had a daughter, I would definitely marry her to someone like you. Where else would I find such an outstanding young man?”
Fang Junjie frowned, “The term ‘outstanding young man’ sounds like an insult.”
Zhang Rong retorted, “I think when you say ‘biased,’ you’re actually complimenting me. Then I’ll be biased this once and solve the issue with Song Li for you, pushing him towards Liu Yi!”
Fang Junjie couldn’t suppress his smile, inwardly sympathizing with Song Li. But it served him right; he had always found him irritating from the start.
As Fu Xiaotang left Jinshui International, ready to leave with Ji Shan, someone suddenly rushed up, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her aside. Recognizing the person, Fu Xiaotang struggled, “What are you doing, Song Li? Let go of me!”
Song Li gripped her hand tightly, his expression serious, and whispered, “From today, be careful in everything, understand? Let Fang Junjie keep a close watch on you.”
Ji Shan, pulling Fu Xiaotang away, said to Song Li, “Young Master Li, you’re overthinking. Fang Junjie now treasures Tangtang like a precious pearl; he doesn’t need your reminders. You should worry about yourself; by openly opposing Zhang Rong, you’ve practically put yourself on a blacklist. Just keep your distance from Tangtang, and she’ll be safer than you.”
Fu Xiaotang was still staring intently at Fu Xiaotang, who suddenly remembered something and angrily said, “Why didn’t you sign? You’ve been scheming all this time just to get a divorce, haven’t you? Why didn’t you sign?” Song Li’s face, usually gloomy, suddenly broke into a mocking smile as he taunted, “I just won’t sign. What can you do to me?” “Suit yourself,” Fu Xiaotang forcefully shook off his hand and muttered as she walked away, “Anyway, there’s only one week left.” Song Li, who had been faintly smiling, suddenly froze, took a few quick steps to grab Fu Xiaotang’s shoulders, and demanded, “What did you say? What do you mean by ‘one week’?” “You know exactly what I mean!” Fu Xiaotang met his gaze fearlessly. “Didn’t you hear what Shi Ge said just now? He gave you one week to give Liu Yi an explanation. One week, huh? You’d better go back and sign the papers instead of messing around with me. Think about how you’re going to marry her.” Song Li pulled Fu Xiaotang towards him, glaring at her with the intensity of a hawk, as if he could see through her. He roared into her face, word by word, “Are you that eager for me to marry her? What benefit do you get from me marrying her? Would it make you happy, huh?”
Fu Xiaotang was speechless, biting her lip hard, her face flushed with emotion. His grip on her shoulders was like a vice, painfully tight, but she stared back defiantly. Cheng Yu, standing nearby, looked on with a complex expression, frowning and gesturing to pull Song Li away, “Li, let go, you’re hurting her!” Ji Shan also tried to pull Fu Xiaotang back, whispering to Song Li, “Song Li, isn’t this enough? There are reporters all around, and if this makes the headlines tomorrow, it will only drag Tangtang down.” Song Li abruptly released his grip, panting heavily as he stared at Fu Xiaotang, his chest heaving. “I’ll tell you, I keep my word. I won’t marry anyone else in this lifetime except for you!” Fu Xiaotang looked at him for a few seconds, then softly said, “That’s your business,” before quickly turning away with Ji Shan.
Cheng Yu watched the figure in light yellow disappear with reluctance before turning to Song Li solemnly, “Let’s go. What Zhang Rong said isn’t something you can take lightly.” Song Li, pulled by Cheng Yu, got into the car. Both lit cigarettes, not driving, just sitting there, lost in thought. Cheng Yu suddenly said, “Did you hear what I just said? What are you planning to do?” Song Li, distracted, replied, “What?” Cheng Yu said, “It’s what Shi Ge said. He always means what he says. When the time comes, forget about anything else, the old guys from Xin Song will certainly make a big deal out of this. I heard from Xiao Fu that she’s actually Dong Fangshu’s daughter!” “What?” Cheng Yu was greatly surprised. “Then why Liu Yi… Zhang Rong is too smart to be easily fooled, isn’t he?” “There must be some conspiracy here,” Song Li said calmly. “I need to find out.” Cheng Yu tried to lighten the mood, “Otherwise, you might as well just marry Liu Yi. At least, as the Zhang family’s son-in-law, you wouldn’t have to struggle for at least twenty years.” Song Li glanced at him, looking bored. “If it’s that good, why don’t you marry her? I remember you liked her more than I did. I’ll let you have her this time!” “Get lost!” Cheng Yu took a fierce drag on his cigarette, flicked the butt out the window, and shook his head, “Let’s go for a drive, I’m so annoyed.” With that, he floored the accelerator, speeding off.
On the other side, Fu Xiaotang took Ji Shan to Tang Li for dinner. Tao Li Si stared at Ji Shan for a few moments before pulling Fu Xiaotang aside and whispering, “This one’s not bad, I like this kind of gentle, delicate, and slightly sickly beautiful boy.” She then feigned confusion, “How could Young Master Jun Jie allow you to keep a pretty boy? Give him to me!” Fu Xiaotang told her to drop dead with clear enunciation. Using her privileges as the second boss, Fu Xiaotang secured a quiet private room. Tang Li’s business was booming; without a reservation, even single seats were hard to come by. Ji Shan looked around and sincerely praised, “It’s really nice!” Fu Xiaotang poured tea for him, “It’s all thanks to Xiao Tao. She’s really good at this, thriving every day, the busier, the happier she is. Now she’s planning to open a branch.” Ji Shan said, “This location is fantastic. How did you manage to get it?”
Volume Two: The Dancing Girl, Chapter Seventy-Three: Visiting Fu Xiaotang
