Fu Mingzhu pulled Sheng Xiangsi up and said, "Since we're talking about it, it's perfect timing. Come with Grandma and try on the dress."
"Grandma..."
"Behave! Don't make Grandma unhappy!"
Unable to refuse, Sheng Xiangsi could only follow Fu Mingzhu upstairs.
Because they kept it a secret from her beforehand, the dress was placed in Fu Mingzhu's room.
Fu Mingzhu led her into the dressing room and pointed to the dress hanging on the rack, already ironed and covered with a dust cover, "Look, isn't it beautiful?"
"Mm," Sheng Xiangsi nodded, "Beautiful."
Fu Mingzhu looked at Sheng Xiangsi and said, "You're tall and have a good figure, only you can pull it off. Hurry up, try it on?"
"Okay, Grandma."
Fu Mingzhu turned and left the dressing room, waiting outside.
"Grandma."
Lin Mama came over to consult Fu Mingzhu, "There's a list that I think is questionable and needs your verification."
"Okay," Fu Mingzhu agreed and went with Lin Mama. Yao Leyi wasn't around, so only she could handle it.
As soon as they left, Fu Hanjiang came upstairs.
He came back early today to see if there was anything to do. Not seeing Fu Mingzhu and Sheng Xiangsi downstairs, he went upstairs.
"Grandma, are you in the room?"
He knocked on Fu Mingzhu's door twice, and since it wasn't locked, he pushed the door open.
In the dressing room, Sheng Xiangsi had changed into the dress. It fit her well, but she encountered a little trouble.
The zipper was at the back, and she couldn't reach it.
Just as she was getting anxious, she heard footsteps behind her. Thinking it was Fu Mingzhu, she didn't turn around and said, "Grandma, could you help me zip up the dress? I've been trying for ages but can't reach."
The footsteps behind her paused, not very noticeable.
Then, they slowly approached.
Sheng Xiangsi could feel someone standing behind her. She turned her head, "Grandma, could you..."
But she was shocked when she saw it wasn't Fu Mingzhu but Fu Hanjiang!
"Ah..."
Sheng Xiangsi was startled, instinctively wanting to run.
"Don't move!"
But Fu Hanjiang stopped her. He grabbed her wrist with one hand and clasped her waist with the other, lowering his head so his breath was almost against her ear.
"Dressed like this, where are you going to run? Believe it or not, if you move, the dress will slide off you?"
"!"
At his words, Sheng Xiangsi froze, believing him.
So, she dared not move.
Fu Hanjiang's lips curled imperceptibly, reaching for the zipper at her waist.
"Can you help with the zipper?"
"Um," Sheng Xiangsi nodded with her eyes downcast, "Please..."
How did things turn out like this?
Where was Fu Mingzhu? She could only seek help from Fu Hanjiang now.
"Okay."
Fu Hanjiang groped around her waist for the zipper, but couldn't find it.
"You..." Sheng Xiangsi blushed, embarrassed, "It's right there! How can't you find it?"
"Where is it?" Fu Hanjiang wasn't pretending. "I've never worn women's clothes before."
"It's right..."
Seeing that she couldn't explain clearly, Sheng Xiangsi reached around to her back and grabbed Fu Hanjiang's hand.
When their skin touched, a tingling sensation surged through them, like a faint electric current.
Fu Hanjiang was taken aback by this sensation. What was this feeling?
He didn't dislike it; on the contrary, it felt somewhat comforting.
Unaware of this, Sheng Xiangsi held his hand, guiding it to the zipper head. "It's here, can you see it?"
"Um."
Fu Hanjiang's Adam's apple rolled violently, his throat dry and itchy, almost as if it were stuck together.
"Uh, I see it."
"Then hurry up," Sheng Xiangsi urged, "Help me zip it up!"
"Okay."
Fu Hanjiang held her waist with one hand and pulled up the zipper with the other, his gaze involuntarily following the zipper as it closed.
Wherever his gaze went, it was on her flawless, snow-white skin...
Such a beautiful back, unlike his...
Fu Hanjiang suddenly closed his eyes, flashes of blood-stained images flashing before him, accompanied by a throbbing pain in his head, and the ear-splitting sound of blows...
His back seemed to ache faintly...
"Is it done?" Sheng Xiangsi asked anxiously, why was it taking so long?
"Um, it's done."
Fu Hanjiang snapped out of it, quickly pulling up the last bit of the zipper. It revealed her beautiful shoulder blades.
He felt like his throat was going to catch fire!
He couldn't look anymore.
As Sheng Xiangsi turned around, Fu Hanjiang averted his gaze, reverting to his usual aloof demeanor.
But Sheng Xiangsi still felt uneasy, smoothing down her hair.
The two of them stood there, feeling awkward.
Unable to find anything to say, Sheng Xiangsi forced a smile, "Um, is it... beautiful?"
"?" Fu Hanjiang was taken aback, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Sheng Xiangsi regretted almost instantly. Was she out of her mind? She shouldn't have asked such a question without anything to say!
Help, someone save her!
"Xiangsi? Are you changed?"
Fu Mingzhu's voice came from outside, a savior!
"Grandma!" Sheng Xiangsi quickly responded, picking up her skirt and heading out, "I'm changed!"
Suddenly, a low voice came from behind her, "Beautiful... very beautiful."
He was answering her earlier question.
Sheng Xiangsi was stunned, not turning back, and hastened her steps out.
Hehe.
Fu Hanjiang stood still, his Adam's apple rolling, murmuring to himself, "Very beautiful."
Outside.
"Huh?"
Fu Mingzhu saw Sheng Xiangsi and asked in surprise, "What's wrong? Why is your face so red?"
"Huh?"
Sheng Xiangsi was startled. Was her face really red?
She nervously licked her lips, "It's nothing... I couldn't zip up the dress just now, so I was anxious."
"Oh, what's the big deal?" Fu Mingzhu chuckled, "Is it zipped up now? Do you need Grandma's help?"
"No need, it's zipped up!"
"Good, since Lin Mama wants to taste the dishes, shall we go together?"
"Okay, okay!" Sheng Xiangsi eagerly agreed, nodding repeatedly.
If Fu Mingzhu found out that she and Fu Hanjiang were together in the dressing room, it would be hard to explain.
"Grandma, let's go!"
After they left, Fu Hanjiang came out of the dressing room, furrowing his brows — what was she panicking for?
Was she afraid of Grandma finding out they were together?
...
Night fell.
Compared to the reception at the sanatorium a few days ago, tonight's birthday banquet was evidently much livelier.
The Fu residence had a large venue, capable of accommodating more guests.
At first glance, almost all of Jiangcheng's social elites were there, many of them coming with their families.
The previous reception was low-key, but tonight's birthday banquet was grand. The invitations sent out were clearly labeled — the birthday banquet of Fu family's adopted daughter, Sheng Xiangsi.
At this moment, Sheng Xiangsi was in her room.
She had already done her makeup and was ready to go out.
"Ah..."
She heaved a sigh in front of the mirror, pursed her lips, and smiled. Sheng Xiangsi got up, holding her skirt.
Fu Mingzhu and Fu Hanjiang had been welcoming guests early, and as they walked to the staircase, they could feel the festive atmosphere.
As they descended to the ground floor, Sheng Xiangsi looked around and found Fu Mingzhu, preparing to go over.
"Hi, hello!"
Just as she took a step forward, she saw a young man standing in front of her, smiling and waving at her.