Don't Worry, I Won't Compete with You

Fu Hanjiang couldn't understand why, even after everything, Xiang Si still hadn't fully accepted him.

"What's wrong?"

Xiang Si blinked. "Are you unhappy?"

She thought for a moment and then smiled, "Don't you think we're fine as we are now? Meeting occasionally, letting distance create beauty. Living together would ruin that; we'd end up getting tired of each other."

"No, I wouldn't," Fu Hanjiang denied decisively, without a second thought.

"Why not?"

Xiang Si reminded him, "Second Master, have you forgotten? I used to hang around you all the time, and you didn't like me then."

Was she bringing up old grievances?

Fu Hanjiang had nothing to say. After all, his past was full of 'sins'.

When he didn't speak, the atmosphere became tense again.

Looking at his darkened face, Xiang Si was afraid he might lose his temper. Right now, she still 'needed him'.

She raised her hand and hooked his little finger.

Fu Hanjiang squinted, "What are you doing?"

"Look," Xiang Si pointed to the plate in front of her. "There's too much food; I can't finish it. Can you help me with it?"

Tch.

Fu Hanjiang laughed. She knew how to order him around!

But his body responded naturally; he took her plate. "Fine, I'll eat."

What could he do?

He was smitten with her current demeanor. Her voice was soft, and she spoke neither too fast nor too slow. It was very soothing.

She had a bit of a temper but never went overboard.

Everything seemed just right.

He took a step back, "We won't talk about living together for now. But you still need to stay here when you rest, so you should look at the clothes."

This...

Xiang Si raised an eyebrow and agreed. This was good; she could get pregnant as soon as possible while she had time.

"Okay."

She nodded, resting her chin in her hands, smiling at him. "Eat up."

The doorbell rang.

"Oh no!"

Xiang Si got up, "It must be the people from FOURhours! I'll see what clothes they've sent."

...

That night, they stayed up singing and dancing until dawn.

...

The next day, Xiang Si only needed to go to the dance troupe in the afternoon, but Fu Hanjiang had to go to Lin City. They left together, and he dropped her off at Wenchang Road.

"I'll pick you up at noon the day after tomorrow."

"Okay."

Xiang Si waved, watching his car drive away.

In the car, Fu Hanjiang watched her in the rearview mirror, a constant smile on his lips. It was strange; he had been married once before.

And his partner hadn't changed.

Yet now he was just beginning to understand the subtleties of a relationship between a man and a woman.

Wonderful, indescribable.

Just as he was lost in thought, his phone buzzed.

It was a message from Xiang Si.

[Stop looking, I'm leaving.]

There was a little cartoon of a person running away.

Huh?

Fu Hanjiang was stunned, then looked in the rearview mirror. Xiang Si had already turned around and disappeared into the intersection, just like the cartoon.

"Heh, heh heh."

Fu Hanjiang couldn't help but chuckle, rubbing his forehead. 

How could she be so enchanting?

She was gone, yet she still made his heart itch!

...

Two days later at noon.

Xiang Si had just put Junjun to sleep and was about to leave when she received a call from Fu Hanjiang.

"Hello? Are you here?"

"No."

Fu Hanjiang apologized, "Something came up here; I can't make it by noon. I'll be there by evening. I'll have Uncle Chen pick you up. The dress is ready for you to try on. I'll definitely be there tonight. See you at the party."

"Alright then."

After hanging up, Xiang Si sighed.

She didn't really want to attend tonight's party.

Tonight was the celebration for Fu Corporation's new product launch. Both Yao Leyi and Fu Hanchuan would be there.

Fu Hanchuan was recovering. He could stand, walk intermittently, and say short sentences.

He'd be back at Fu Corporation soon.

Tonight's celebration was also to signal this to everyone.

Xiang Si understood that Fu Hanjiang wanted her there to show Fu Hanchuan and Yao Leyi that they were indeed together and 'emotionally stable,' so they could be at ease.

So, she couldn't refuse.

After all, she was using him as a tool; she had to let him benefit too.

Seeing it was almost time, Xiang Si grabbed her backpack and headed to Wenchang Road. It didn't take long before Chen Zhong arrived.

"Miss Xiang Si." Chen Zhong smiled, opening the car door for her, "Sorry I'm late. Please get in."

"Alright."

Chen Zhong drove her to Tingxi Road, where Fu family's formal dresses were usually ordered.

In the store.

The clerk looked troubled as she spoke to Yao Leyi, "Miss Yao, I'm sorry, but this dress is not for sale."

"Not for sale?"

Yao Leyi didn't mind, "Why? It's still here, isn't it? That means its owner hasn't taken it yet, so it's still up for grabs."

"Well..."

"How about this?"

Yao Leyi smiled, "I won't waste your time. Name a price. I'm willing to pay double for it."

As she spoke, she admired the dress.

"So beautiful. It fits my taste perfectly."

The clerk tried to persuade her, "Miss Yao, your original dress is also very nice..."

"But I prefer this one."

Yao Leyi was persistent, "I won't make things difficult for you. Contact its owner and let me talk to her, okay?"

"This..."

While the clerk was struggling, Chen Zhong pushed open the door, bringing in Xiang Si.

It was Xiang Si's first time here, so the clerk didn't recognize her.

But since she came at the appointed time and had Fu Hanjiang's instructions, the clerk had a guess.

"Hello." The clerk greeted Xiang Si. "Are you Miss Xiang Si, Miss Sheng?"

"Yes." Xiang Si smiled politely.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Xiang Si." The clerk gestured, "Your dress, arranged by Mr. Fu, is ready."

Xiang Si saw it but noticed someone eyeing her dress.

"Xiang Si?"

Yao Leyi was stunned, her expression awkward as she loosened her grip on the dress. "So, it's yours."

"Yes." Xiang Si smiled lightly, "Do you like it?"

"I do."

Yao Leyi didn't hold back, "I really like it. From the big design to the small details, and..."

She thought for a moment, "Tonight is the first time Hanchuan is appearing at Fu Corporation since waking up. I want to look beautiful standing next to him."

Xiang Si raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.

"..." Yao Leyi paused, then said regretfully, "It's okay. A gentleman doesn't take what others like. Don't worry, I won't compete with you. It's yours."

Heh.

Xiang Si almost laughed out loud.

Listen to her tone, as if she was giving it to her!