Chapter 59: Honest in Body but Cynical in Words

"Oh, I believe you," Gu Yicing replied with a calm demeanor, though internally she had her doubts. This man was all talk; he was honest in his actions despite his cynical words. He could have easily ignored her little act of revenge in the Gu family, yet he chose to involve himself. Perhaps, in his own way, he was considering her feelings.

With a skip in her step, she followed Fu Hanning into the living room. As soon as he sat down, Gu Yicing presented him with the latest fashion magazine and a refreshing glass of lemon water. She even went behind him to knead his shoulders and massage his back, performing tasks that were typically reserved for the house staff.

After just a couple of minutes of this attention, Fu Hanning slammed the magazine down onto the table. Gu Yicing's delicate fingers were nimble and soft, the fragrance of gardenias wafting off her body was intoxicating, and he found it impossible to focus on reading.

If it weren't for his business engagement scheduled for eleven-thirty, he wouldn't be home at all at this hour. 

"If you find being Mrs. Fu uncomfortable and prefer to act like a maid, I can certainly accommodate that," he remarked lazily, reclining on the sofa.

Gu Yicing's lips twitched at his words. He was like a stubborn rock in a pit—foul and unyielding, with no space for her to maneuver. After much deliberation, she decided to bring out her medical kit, placing the needle pouch on the coffee table. "Lie back on the sofa; I'm going to give you acupuncture. I've been saying I'd treat you, and it's about time."

Surprisingly, Fu Hanning complied. He removed his soft house slippers and let his feet dangle over the armrest of the sofa, reclining against the cushions. At nearly six foot three, his tall frame made it difficult for him to fit comfortably.

Gu Yicing sterilized the acupuncture needles and prepared herbal medicine, lighting it in an incense box to fill the air with a soothing aroma. She donned sterilized gloves and approached Fu Hanning, professionally examining his nasal acupuncture points.

His nose appeared uninjured, but he had lost his sense of smell due to some specific stimulus. What she could do was stimulate the acupuncture points to restore his senses. She aimed to open up his channels and gradually acclimate him to the scents she had prepared, guiding him through the therapeutic process.

As Gu Yicing pinched his nose, she inserted the needle, eliciting a slight tingling sensation that spread through his face. At that moment, her youthful visage seemed to magnify in his gaze. The delicate fragrance enveloped him, dissipating fatigue and inviting relaxation.

"You seem knowledgeable about scents. Have you ever concocted an aphrodisiac?" Fu Hanning suddenly asked, curiosity piqued.

Regaining her composure, Gu Yicing withdrew the needle. "Of course, I've made some before. Are you afraid I might use it on you? Don't worry; even though I'm tempted by you, I won't resort to such despicable methods. One day, you, Fu Hanning, will personally ask me to give myself to you."

"Hah, you're quite the confident one," he scoffed, a smirk on his face. 

Her bravado seemed almost ludicrous, akin to a cow flying in the sky. 

"When one is determined, they can achieve their goals. Ever since I was young, I've aimed to accomplish one thing: to make it happen." After finishing the acupuncture, Gu Yicing removed her gloves and sat beside him on the sofa, waiting.

With needles protruding from his nose, Fu Hanning looked less arrogant and more comical, a sight that amused Gu Yicing. 

She pulled out her camera and snapped several photos of his face. 

"What are you doing, Gu Yicing?" Fu Hanning shouted, his voice a mix of surprise and anger.

"Calm down! Be careful not to disturb the acupuncture points, or you might bleed and feel extreme pain," she retorted, trying to keep him in check.

"Delete those!" he commanded forcefully.

"No way! If you bully me next time, I'll sell these pictures. It'll make me money and be a perfect way to get back at you," Gu Yicing replied, admiring the photos on her phone and even setting a password on her album, ensuring that Fu Hanning wouldn't be able to decipher it.

In this playful exchange, a different kind of bond began to form between them, one marked by mischief, defiance, and a growing understanding that perhaps their relationship could flourish beyond the walls of obligation and expectation.