Can't I Afford to Support You?

What??

Startled, Sheng Xiangsi widened her eyes, a piece of bread crumb stuck in her throat. She couldn't swallow it down, nor cough it out.

"Cough, cough cough!"

"Xiangsi?"

Fu Hanjiang was shocked, immediately getting up and moving to her side, "What's wrong? Let me see!"

He cupped her face, trying to open her mouth.

"Cough, cough cough…"

Sheng Xiangsi refused to open her mouth, shaking her head. Her mouth was full of bread crumbs, how could she show him?

More importantly, why should she show him?

"Stop being stubborn!" Fu Hanjiang frowned anxiously, almost forcibly trying to open her mouth.

"Second Young Master."

Mrs. Lin couldn't stand it anymore, bringing over a glass of water, "Miss Xiangsi is probably choking. Let her drink some water."

"…" Sheng Xiangsi couldn't speak, nodding her head.

"Give it to me!"

Fu Hanjiang took the glass, Sheng Xiangsi reached out to take it, but he didn't let her.

He brought the glass to her lips, "Drink up!"

There was no choice, Sheng Xiangsi didn't want to choke to death, so she let him feed her the water.

After gulping down several mouthfuls, she finally felt better.

Sheng Xiangsi looked up, pushing away the glass.

"Don't want any more?" Fu Hanjiang, still worried, asked, "Are you feeling better?"

"Mm." Sheng Xiangsi nodded, "I'm fine now."

"That's good."

Fu Hanjiang sighed in relief, putting down the glass and tapping her nose, "You can even choke on bread, can you be any more foolish?"

"…"

Sheng Xiangsi frowned, turning her head away.

She didn't like him touching her, not at all.

Feeling his hand empty, Fu Hanjiang's expression stiffened, but he didn't get angry.

His anger at hearing her say 'I don't like him' on the terrace was much greater…

Fu Hanjiang stood up and returned to his seat.

Lowering his head, he continued cutting the bread.

Sheng Xiangsi watched with alarm, hurriedly saying, "I don't want any more… you don't need to do this!"

"…"

Fu Hanjiang paused for a couple of seconds, then raised his hand, deeply gazing at her.

"Xiangsi."

His tone was very ordinary, but it carried an undeniable sense of pressure.

"If I want to give, no one can refuse me or say 'no' to me, understand?"

In other words.

She could only accept, whether she wanted to or not.

Sheng Xiangsi felt a chill in her heart. Yes, that's exactly the kind of person he was.

She struggled to speak, "Then what exactly do you want me to do?"

Finally, they got to the point.

Fu Hanjiang sat up, leaning slightly toward her, "I made it very clear. Come back to me, withdraw the divorce application."

"No…"

Sheng Xiangsi shook her head, looking into his eyes. Trying to see through his intentions, "I mean, why are you doing this?"

What?

Fu Hanjiang was taken aback by the question.

Was there even a reason? He wanted her, so he did it.

Hmph.

Sheng Xiangsi let out a barely audible laugh, "You want me back, but why? Surely you haven't suddenly fallen in love with me, have you?"

Love…?

Fu Hanjiang raised an eyebrow. He had never thought about this question.

His subtle expression was clear to Sheng Xiangsi. As expected, he had other motives.

She laughed and shook her head, "Of course, it wouldn't be for such a ridiculous reason. So, what is it then…"

"Wait."

Fu Hanjiang's expression didn't change, his tone calm, "You think it's ridiculous that I might like you?"

"Isn't it?"

Sheng Xiangsi didn't even think before retorting, "Who am I? I'm the notorious 'villainess' of Jiangcheng, the one you exiled abroad, the one with a malicious heart…"

"Enough! That's enough!"

Before she could finish, Fu Hanjiang interrupted her, a hint of anger in his eyes, "Your mouth is not suited for talking!"

As he spoke, he picked up the plate of cut baguette, dipped it in the soup, and brought it to her mouth.

Harshly, he said, "Open up."

What??

Sheng Xiangsi was dumbfounded. What was wrong with Mr. Fu?

What could be so important that he could even tolerate her speaking like this?

"I'm not eating."

Sheng Xiangsi frowned, turning her face away, "Unless you agree to let me go back to Mise to dance."

Fu Hanjiang paused. After all this, it was still about that.

He put down the bread, decisively saying, "Forget about going back to Mise to dance."

"Why?" Sheng Xiangsi was stunned, her scalp tingling. "That's my job!"

"What kind of job?"

Fu Hanjiang couldn't care less, waving his hand dismissively, "No need to do it. Can't I afford to support you?"

Support her?

He wasn't giving up?

Sheng Xiangsi was frustrated, struggling to speak, "I know how powerful you are, but I won't agree."

"Is that so?" Fu Hanjiang met her gaze.

They stared at each other, neither willing to back down.

"Alright."

Fu Hanjiang nodded, "I understand your point."

After hearing what she said on the terrace, he knew it wouldn't be easy to have her back.

As it should be.

After all, he hadn't treated her well enough or cared enough in the past.

He didn't expect that just one sentence would change her mind.

He was prepared to pursue her, to woo her…

Changing his tone, he said, "Let's eat. You've only had two pieces, how can you be full?"

He picked up another piece of bread and brought it to her mouth.

This time, Sheng Xiangsi ignored him, lowering her head and hugging her soup bowl, drinking noisily.

Hmm?

Fu Hanjiang was stunned, raising an eyebrow and laughing out loud, "Haha…"

After breakfast, they left together.

Chen Zhong drove, taking Sheng Xiangsi back to West Twelfth Street first.

If Fu Hanjiang had his way, he wouldn't be willing to send her back, but having just stopped her from working at Mise, he didn't want to force her to move out and risk her getting upset.

For now, he let her be.

Knowing she wouldn't be dancing at Mise anymore, and wouldn't be looked at by other men… Mr. Fu felt much better.

At the alley, Fu Hanjiang got out with Sheng Xiangsi, escorting her back to her apartment.

With limited time, he only took her to the door, not inside.

One inside the door, one outside.

He looked down at her, "I'm leaving."

"…" Sheng Xiangsi didn't want to answer him.

Fu Hanjiang smirked, knowing she was upset, but didn't mind, "Not letting you dance is for your own good. You can't dance there forever…"

"!" Sheng Xiangsi looked up sharply, glaring at him.

"Fine, I won't say it."

Fu Hanjiang raised his hands in surrender, "I'm leaving now."

He watched her, took two steps back, smiled, "I'm leaving!"

Turning around, he went down the stairs.

Listening to his footsteps, Sheng Xiangsi frowned. What exactly was his reason for holding on to her?

…

That evening, Fu Hanjiang and his friends met at Mise, including Zhong Pei.

When Fu Hanjiang called Qin Yanzhi, he specifically mentioned for Zhong Pei to join them.

Since entering, Zhong Pei had kept his eyes on the stage.

Unable to wait for Sheng Xiangsi, he became anxious and stood up, "I'm going to the bathroom."

Not long after he left, Fu Hanjiang also stood up, "I'm going to the bathroom too."