A Wife and a Girlfriend are Not the Same

Bai Ran was crying so much that Sheng Xiangsi didn't want to say anything more.

After leaving the apartment building, she remained sullen.

Driving, Fu Hanjiang, aware of her mood, tried to console her, "Still worried about your friend?"

Sheng Xiangsi didn't speak, just nodded.

"Let me say something, don't be mad."

Fu Hanjiang tapped the steering wheel, "She's just a friend. You can care for her and help her, but it's her life to live. You can't live it for her. Don't worry too much, okay?"

"Mm."

Sheng Xiangsi nodded, still sullen, looking out the window.

She didn't really understand.

When she mentioned that Si Zhengze was married, Bai Ran's reaction was very calm, not surprised at all.

It seemed she knew.

Then why? Why was she still entangled with Si Zhengze?

They hadn't known each other long, but Sheng Xiangsi didn't think Bai Ran was the type to get involved with a married man...

What went wrong? She couldn't figure it out.

They drove in silence until they reached Silver Beach.

The car entered the community gates, and the security guard greeted them with a smile, "Mr. Fu, Mrs. Fu, you're back?"

"Mm."

Fu Hanjiang smiled, quite pleased.

Sheng Xiangsi was startled, looking at him. Right, earlier in front of Si Zhengze and Bai Ran, he had also called her his wife?

She was very averse to this title.

Frowning, she asked, "Why did he call me Mrs. Fu?"

"Well." Fu Hanjiang acted nonchalant, "Of course, I told him to."

Huh?

Sheng Xiangsi found it amusing, "Do you have a bad memory? Have you forgotten we're already divorced?"

Fu Hanjiang paused, just as the car entered the garage. He parked and turned to face her.

His deep eyes were unreadable. He hadn't expected her reaction to be so strong.

He apologized first, "Sorry, force of habit. Since before last year, you've been my wife. We've been divorced for how long? I haven't gotten used to it yet."

Really?

Sheng Xiangsi didn't know if she should believe him. Gritting her teeth, she said, "A wife and a girlfriend are not the same. Please make the adjustment."

Fu Hanjiang hesitated, then agreed.

"Okay, no problem."

But after nodding, he felt an inexplicable irritation. Unable to hold back, he looked up and, pretending to joke, said.

"But, Xiangsi, haven't you thought that if we continue like this, our relationship stabilizes... there's a chance we could get back together?"

"Impossible!"

He had just finished speaking when Sheng Xiangsi almost stepped on his last syllable, giving a decisive answer.

Fu Hanjiang hadn't expected her to respond so quickly and firmly. It stung his heart.

Feeling dissatisfied, he asked, "Why?"

"It's simple."

Sheng Xiangsi grabbed her bag, "Marriage, we already tried it. Didn't it fail? This path isn't for us. Why go through the same mistakes and failures again?"

She turned and got out of the car.

Stunned for a couple of seconds, Fu Hanjiang followed. His face was tense, darker than the night outside.

...

After taking a shower, Sheng Xiangsi lay in bed, turning on her tablet to watch a video.

Fu Hanjiang came up later, climbed into bed, and hugged her. "What are you watching?"

"Here."

Sheng Xiangsi was focused on the screen, not bothering to answer, just pointing casually.

"Oh. The American show 'Poker Face'. It's okay."

Fu Hanjiang's arm around her tightened, becoming less restrained. He kissed her hair, then moved down to kiss her cheek.

"Ugh."

Sheng Xiangsi, annoyed, put down the tablet.

"Are you done?"

"No."

Looking at her pretty face, Fu Hanjiang's eyes lit up, "Xiangsi, it's been a while."

Since their last time together, it had been a long time.

He was a healthy man.

Sleeping next to his girlfriend every night, and she was so beautiful, how could he endure not touching her?

He looked at her pleadingly, "Xiangsi, have pity on me."

Unfortunately, Sheng Xiangsi had a hard heart.

She pushed him away without a trace of sympathy, "I told you, I don't want to for now."

"You did say that." Fu Hanjiang frowned, trying to persuade her, "But it's been many days already."

"So, can't hold it in anymore?"

Sheng Xiangsi looked at him mockingly, "Then you can go find someone else..."

"Xiangsi!"

Before she could finish, Fu Hanjiang cut her off sharply. His thin lips pressed into a line, extremely displeased.

Holding back his anger, "If you don't let me touch you, I won't. Don't deliberately say things to upset me."

With that, he threw off the blanket and went to the bathroom.

Sheng Xiangsi was stunned. What was he doing? Acting like a chaste husband? For her?

Thud, her heart skipped a beat.

No, couldn't be, right?

In their relationship, respect and loyalty weren't good signs!

...

The next day, Sheng Xiangsi had a rare day off. Fu Hanjiang didn't go to work and took her to Mingpan Mountain Golf Course.

Fu Hanjiang also had work to do there.

For businessmen, many major decisions were made in informal settings like this.

Of course, he arrived early and played with Sheng Xiangsi for a while.

After all, being raised by the Fu family, Fu Mingzhu had spared no expense in educating Sheng Xiangsi, grooming her to be a socialite.

This was why Sheng Xiangsi's feelings towards the Fu family were so complicated over the years.

Like golf, Fu Mingzhu had hired teachers to teach her. Though she didn't play much, her skills were decent enough for social occasions.

"Not bad."

Fu Hanjiang was a bit surprised, "You play well."

"Mm." Sheng Xiangsi raised an eyebrow, "I don't play much, a bit rusty."

Ahead, Qin Yanzhi and two other men dressed like executives approached in a line.

Sheng Xiangsi gestured to Fu Hanjiang, "They're here for you. Go ahead."

"Okay." Fu Hanjiang wasn't in a hurry. He took off the towel from his neck and wiped her sweat.

"Make sure to wipe off the sweat, or you'll catch a cold."

He held her hand and pointed to a direction, "If you get tired, go rest over there."

There was a lounge where she could see the outside view.

"Got it, go on." Sheng Xiangsi urged, annoyed by his fussing.

He wasn't like this before. Was it because he was getting older? His nagging reminded her of her grandmother.

"Wait for me." Fu Hanjiang withdrew his hand, not angry. "I'll take you to a good lunch."

Sheng Xiangsi frowned, "I don't like eating with you businessmen. A table full of scheming businessmen gives me indigestion."

"Don't worry, it's just us."

Fu Hanjiang liked it when she made demands on him. It made her seem lively and vivid.

"I'll go now!"

"Mm, go quickly."

After he left, Sheng Xiangsi hit a few more balls, found it boring, and went to the lounge.

Fu Hanjiang multitasked, discussing business while keeping an eye on Sheng Xiangsi. Noticing she quickly stopped playing, he wondered if it was because he wasn't there with her.

Had Xiangsi become so dependent on him now?

Feeling a surge of joy, he couldn't help but smile.

Suddenly, a loud bang!

Followed by another bang!

Fu Hanjiang and his companions turned around simultaneously to see the lounge engulfed in flames and thick smoke!