Hawthorn Sugar Balls

"What else can I do?"

Fu Hanjiang's tone was resigned yet filled with indulgence. "She loves dancing. She won't be happy if she can't dance. Since she has to dance, shouldn't she dance at the best place?"

That made a lot of sense.

Fu Mingzhu sighed in admiration. "You've really thought this through…"

She gave him a sidelong glance. "It seems you're serious about Xiangsi?"

"Grandma." Fu Hanjiang was taken aback. "Did you think I was just fooling around?"

"Sigh…"

Fu Mingzhu sighed and nodded. "Alright, as long as you don't hurt Xiangsi, I won't interfere with how you pursue her. It's up to your abilities."

"Thank you, Grandma." Fu Hanjiang smiled.

"I plan to wait until Xiangsi returns and go with her…"

His expression darkened slightly as he continued, "At a time when Leyi isn't around."

It wasn't a secret that the two women didn't get along.

"That's wise…"

Fu Mingzhu lowered her voice and gave him a piece of advice.

"No matter what happens between you and Xiangsi, you need to show some respect to Leyi—she's had a tough time these years."

Fu Mingzhu sighed. "That child is Leyi's sore spot."

They could forgive Sheng Xiangsi's mistakes, but for Yao Leyi, who was directly involved, it wasn't so easy.

Even though she claimed to have moved on, Fu Hanjiang could sense that she still held a grudge against Xiangsi.

"Grandma, I understand."

Fu Hanjiang's eyes darkened as he spoke solemnly. "Don't worry, I'll handle it. Now, please drink your soup before it gets cold."

"Alright."

Outside, Yao Leyi held her breath and quietly walked away, her face pale and her mind in turmoil.

It turned out Fu Hanjiang's real reason for making Sheng Xiangsi struggle to find work was to get her into Gu Shaohua's dance troupe!

And he said he was pursuing Sheng Xiangsi?

Didn't he hate her? Didn't he say he'd never forgive her?

What had changed?

Where had things gone wrong?

...

Sheng Xiangsi returned two days later with Gu Shaohua.

Having just joined the dance troupe, she hadn't started rehearsing yet, let alone performing. Gu Shaohua brought her along to get her acquainted with the troupe's members, setup, and routines.

All arrangements, including the high-speed train ride, were handled by Gu Shaohua's assistant.

As soon as Sheng Xiangsi found her seat and sat down, her phone rang. It was Fu Hanjiang.

"Hello?" Sheng Xiangsi answered.

"Are you back?"

Fu Hanjiang's tone was subtly affectionate. "What time will you be at the station? I'll have Uncle Chen pick you up. Come to the office."

To the office?

Sheng Xiangsi frowned. "Is something wrong? What is it?"

"Yes." Fu Hanjiang teased, "You'll find out when you get here... Don't worry, it's good news."

"I can come."

Given the dance troupe's situation, Sheng Xiangsi was now more polite to Fu Hanjiang.

"But I don't need Uncle Chen to pick me up. I'll come on my own."

"Tsk." Fu Hanjiang was displeased. "Why refuse a ride?"

"Don't be mad."

Seeing that he was about to get irritated, Sheng Xiangsi hurried to explain, "I'll be with a lot of colleagues. Your car is too high-end. I've just joined the troupe, and it's already through connections. I don't want to draw more attention."

I see...

"Alright then."

Considering her situation, Fu Hanjiang agreed. "You want to keep a low profile, so I'll go along with you."

He chuckled and asked, "Xiangsi, am I good to you?"

"!!"

What kind of question was that?

Sheng Xiangsi was so startled that she immediately hung up.

"Huh?"

A colleague from the dance troupe next to her looked at her worriedly. "Xiangsi, are you okay? You look so pale."

"Pale?" Sheng Xiangsi touched her face in confusion.

"Yes." The colleague pointed at her face, teasing, "You look as if you've seen a ghost…"

A ghost?

Sheng Xiangsi forced a smile. It did feel like seeing a ghost after hearing what Fu Hanjiang had said.

...

On the other end, Fu Hanjiang held his phone, his eyes flickering before he laughed softly.

"She hung up on me…"

Fine, he didn't dare get angry. He really couldn't afford to be angry.

He put down his phone and resumed his work.

He had to visit his big brother in the evening and spend time with Xiangsi, so he needed to get his work done.

Passing by the secretaries' office, he saw them having afternoon tea.

He walked past but then turned back, stopping in front of a young secretary's desk.

"Mr. Fu…" The young secretary was very nervous, quickly wiping her mouth and standing up.

"Hmm."

Fu Hanjiang smiled at her.

Instantly, all eyes in the secretaries' office were on her—Mr. Fu smiled at her!

What was going on?

Could it be that Mr. Fu had taken a liking to this young secretary?

The young secretary herself was having these 'wishful thoughts'. She was so excited her face turned red. Mr. Fu was young, wealthy, and admired by many in the company. Was she really that lucky?

"May I ask…"

However, Fu Hanjiang's next words shattered her dreams.

Fu Hanjiang pointed at the brown paper bag in front of her. "What's this?"

"This?"

The young secretary took out a small round ball from the paper bag. "Mr. Fu, this is a hawthorn ball coated in sugar."

"Hmm, is it tasty?"

"Uh? Yes!" The young secretary nodded repeatedly. "Would you like to try it?"

"I'll pass."

Fu Hanjiang waved his hand, then smiled. "Tell me, where did you buy it? Get me a pack. No, make it two packs."

One pack didn't seem like it had many.

"Huh?"

The young secretary was stunned. Mr. Fu came over just to ask her to buy hawthorn balls?

"What's wrong?"

Fu Hanjiang raised an eyebrow. "Can't you?"

"No, not at all!"

The young secretary hurriedly said, "I'll buy them now!"

Though her dream was shattered, the idea that the big boss liked hawthorn candies was unimaginable… and adorable!

"So, Mr. Fu." The young secretary was still a bit excited and picked up her phone. "How will you pay me?"

Should she add him on WeChat?

"Right, payment."

Fu Hanjiang nodded, pointing to the man behind him. "Ask Mr. Rong."

Then he walked away.

Rong Zhen left a word, "After the meeting, find me."

"Okay, Mr. Rong."

The young secretary was deflated. After all that, she didn't get anything out of it.

Colleagues started to tease her.

"Dream on? Mr. Fu isn't the flirty type!"

"Let's disperse! I have to buy Mr. Fu's hawthorn balls."

"Ha ha… remember, two packs!"

"Ha ha…"

...

After the meeting, Fu Hanjiang returned to the president's office and found Yao Leyi there.

"Leyi, what brings you here? Is something wrong?"

Yao Leyi had just arrived and had been sitting for only two minutes.

Actually, Fu Hanjiang was just making small talk, but remembering the conversation he had with Fu Mingzhu that night, Yao Leyi couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't welcoming her.

"What, am I not welcome?"