Chapter 3: Asking Him for Money

Seeing Sheng Xiangsi sitting on the sofa, Fu Hanjiang's beautiful almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly with displeasure. "Why didn't you open the door?"

—Because I didn't have the strength.

Sheng Xiangsi thought silently.

But she didn't explain, only shook her head.

She knew very well that any explanation she gave would be seen as an excuse by him!

When someone doesn't like you, even your breathing is wrong.

Feeling extremely uncomfortable, Sheng Xiangsi asked, "Why are you here?"

Doesn't he not want to see her at all?

"Hmph, do you think I want to be here?" Fu Hanjiang didn't hide his disgust, looking at her coldly. "Grandma asked me to come and take you to the airport!"

Oh, so that's it.

Sheng Xiangsi's heart sank. What was she still expecting?

"Where's your luggage? Upstairs?"

Fu Hanjiang was becoming impatient. For him, staying even a moment longer or looking at Sheng Xiangsi even once more was torture!

Sheng Xiangsi nodded, then shook her head. "It's upstairs, but I haven't finished packing..."

Originally, she intended to finish packing after coming back last night.

But she felt unwell and fell asleep.

"What?"

Hearing this, Fu Hanjiang's face turned even colder. "You have nothing to do all day, and you can't even pack your luggage?"

Seeing Sheng Xiangsi's dazed look, he grew even angrier, thinking she might want to stay. He urged her impatiently, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pack!"

"Oh, okay."

Sheng Xiangsi nodded in a daze and hurried upstairs.

After walking just a few steps, she broke into a cold sweat. Realizing something was wrong, she touched her forehead.

It was burning hot!

Even her breath felt like fire!

She had a fever.

It must have been from getting soaked in the rain yesterday!

Her first reaction was to go into her room and find some cold medicine. But just as she was about to take it, she stopped abruptly.

She was pregnant! She couldn't take this medicine!

She wasn't sure if she would keep the baby, but as long as it was in her belly, she had to take care of it.

"Ugh..."

Her stomach churned again.

Sheng Xiangsi covered her mouth and rushed to the bathroom, vomiting until she was almost exhausted.

She turned on the faucet, rinsed her mouth, and splashed some cool water on her face, trying to bring down her feverish temperature.

"Sheng Xiangsi!"

The deep, slightly hoarse male voice was filled with impatience.

It was Fu Hanjiang, who had grown tired of waiting and came up to urge her.

Seeing that she still hadn't finished packing, he shouted, "Sheng Xiangsi, where are you? Come out!"

"Coming." Sheng Xiangsi wiped her face and walked out of the bathroom, her face pale and voice weak.

"Fu Hanjiang."

For the first time, she called him by his full name instead of affectionately. "Can I... can I leave tomorrow instead?"

She felt so unwell, she feared she might faint on the plane.

If that happened, alone in a foreign country, she would be utterly helpless.

"What for?"

Fu Hanjiang frowned, looking wary.

"What are you trying to pull now? You went to the hospital yesterday to beg for Yueyi's forgiveness and got blocked, so now you're trying a different route?"

Did he really think so little of her?

"No, it's not that..."

Sheng Xiangsi looked at him with wide eyes, trying hard not to cry.

"I'm not feeling well. I need to see a doctor..."

"Enough!"

Fu Hanjiang interrupted her roughly before she could finish.

After scrutinizing her face for a moment, he smirked. "Faking illness again? Is this your new trick? Do you think I'll fall for it?"

He added coldly, "Even if it's true, how bad can it be? Yueyi lost her child and is lying in the hospital, but you're standing here just fine! Deal with it! It's not going to kill you!"

"!!"

Sheng Xiangsi was shaken, her mouth opened, "I..."

Fu Hanjiang ignored her, went into the closet, and pulled out the already packed suitcase.

"Anything that's not packed, don't bother. Buy it when you get there! It's all Fu family's money anyway. I don't have time to waste here!"

With that, he carried the suitcase downstairs.

Sheng Xiangsi bit her lip, her heart wrenching in pain! Tears flowed uncontrollably, and she wiped them away hastily.

Let's go.

Here or abroad, what's the difference?

She was alone, and her grievances, her life... no one cared...

At the airport, Fu Hanjiang didn't accompany Sheng Xiangsi inside. His assistant handled the paperwork and escorted her to the security checkpoint.

"Madam, have a safe trip."

Rong Zhen handed her the passport and ticket. "Call the old lady when you arrive. The living expenses will be transferred to you monthly."

Sheng Xiangsi nodded gently. "I understand. Thank you."

She stepped through the boarding gate.

…

A month later.

In a downtown Philadelphia apartment.

It was late at night.

But Sheng Xiangsi didn't dare turn on the light. She curled up on the bed, afraid to make a sound.

'Bang! Bang! Bang!'

The door was pounded loudly, and the gruff voice of the middle-aged, fat landlord called out, "Oriental girl! Are you in there? Your rent is due!"

"I know you're in there! Say something!"

Sheng Xiangsi covered her ears, closed her eyes, and shook her head, silently praying for the landlord to leave.

Getting no response, the landlord eventually gave up. "Do you think you can get away with this? Sweetheart, don't be naive!"

"Really not in there?" The landlord muttered to himself, "So late, oh, may God bless her."

The knocking stopped, and the footsteps faded away; the landlord left.

Sheng Xiangsi released her hands and let out a long breath.

She'd avoided it for another day, but what about tomorrow? What would she do then?

She took out her phone from under the pillow and found Fu Mingzhu's number.

She had been in Philadelphia for almost a month, but the living expenses still hadn't arrived. For the past two days, she'd been trying to call Fu Mingzhu, but couldn't get through.

She took a deep breath and dialed the number again.

It rang!

"Hello."

The familiar male voice, low and slightly hoarse, answered. It was Fu Hanjiang!

Sheng Xiangsi's mouth went dry with nervousness. "I... it's me."

"What do you want?" His voice was filled with obvious impatience.

Sheng Xiangsi froze and bit her lip. "I... I want to speak with Grandma. I've been calling her, but it says the number doesn't exist?"

"Hmph." Fu Hanjiang's cold voice came through, "Why do you need to speak to Grandma? You've been gone for just a few days, and you're already trying to cling to her to soften her heart and bring you back?"

"No..." Sheng Xiangsi hurriedly denied it, "That's not it..."

Fu Hanjiang cut her off, "Don't call Grandma anymore. I changed her number to prevent you from bothering her!"

"!" Sheng Xiangsi's eyes widened, filling with tears.

She knew he hated her, but wasn't sending her abroad enough?

Did he have to cut off her contact with Grandma too?

She had no family left; Grandma was the only person in the world who still showed her any kindness...

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Fu Hanjiang had lost his patience. "Sending you abroad was to make you change your bad habits. You're not a child anymore, learn to be independent. Stop relying on the Fu family like a parasite! I'm hanging up!"

"No, wait, I have something!" Sheng Xiangsi stopped him urgently, thickening her skin to say, "It's... the living expenses... I haven't received them yet."