Su Wanwan's mind stalled for a moment, her thoughts caught in a daze. She murmured blankly, "Huh?"
"Do you like me…"
"Or do you like me?"
A low, pleasant chuckle vibrated from Fu Liangmu's chest.
Snapping back to her senses and realizing what she'd just said, Su Wanwan's face flushed crimson, the blush spreading all the way to her ears.
"Both," Fu Liangmu replied candidly.
Since that night, he had longed for this moment, thinking of it constantly. He wanted Su Wanwan, body and soul, to be entirely his.
"So, what is your answer?" Fu Liangmu asked, locking eyes with her flustered gaze, his heart pounding.
The same hand that had signed countless multi-million-dollar contracts trembled ever so slightly.
"I…" Su Wanwan's rosy lips parted, but she couldn't bring herself to give a definitive answer.
"Is it because you think I'm ugly? Is that why you don't want to be with me?" Fu Liangmu asked, delivering a fatal blow.
Su Wanwan seemed to find an excuse in his question and clung to it desperately.
"Liangmu, I actually think you could try facial reconstruction! I know a really amazing doctor—maybe he can help."
A glint of light flickered in Fu Liangmu's dark eyes.
"So you're saying that if I fix my face, you'll agree to be with me?"
Su Wanwan nodded resolutely. "Yes!"
"If you get your face treated, we'll be together!"
As she spoke, she completely missed the triumphant curve of Fu Liangmu's lips—a hunter's satisfied smile upon securing his prey.
"Alright."
"You'd better not forget what you said today."
Su Wanwan forced a smile. "I won't, I won't. I have a great memory."
The moment she was released, she let out a long sigh of relief and patted her chest.
Click—the next second, the lights flicked on.
The sudden brightness made her squint.
Fu Liangmu, unfazed, walked over to the desk, scribbled a note, and handed it to her.
"Sign here. Press your fingerprint."
Su Wanwan blinked in disbelief.
Wasn't this a bit much? She was someone who kept her word—did he really need to go this far?
But under Fu Liangmu's unrelenting gaze, she gave in.
"Alright, alright, I'll sign!"
After the signature and fingerprint were in place, Fu Liangmu slowly folded the document and tucked it into his pocket.
There was something about his expression—a certainty, a hunger—that made Su Wanwan shiver.
He looked like a predator who had finally cornered his prey.
She must be overthinking. With the severity of his condition, even if his face could be healed, it would take a long time.
By then, she would have completed her mission and made her escape.
Fu Liangmu watched the flicker in her eyes and lowered his gaze to mask the brief flash of sharpness within.
"It's getting late. You should rest."
"Alright."
That night, perhaps because she had given him her word, Su Wanwan dreamt.
In the dream, Fu Liangmu had recovered his face. Handsome and poised, he knelt before her with a ring in hand, proposing.
She jolted awake in terror.
Daylight had already broken.
The wail of an ambulance siren echoed outside.
"Doctor! How is he?"
Su Nian breathlessly clutched the doctor's sleeve, her face painted with anxiety.
"Nothing serious—just surface wounds. He'll need to be observed in the hospital for now."
Su Nian breathed a long sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
"Thank you, doctor."
Inside the hospital room, Su Nian looked at Ye Nan lying pale on the bed. His face was mottled with bruises, lips cracked—his injuries clearly severe.
"What exactly happened…" she murmured, pouring hot water before sitting with a fruit knife and an apple in hand.
Click clack click—the sound of heels echoed from the hallway.
Xia Kelan entered, chewing bubblegum, sunglasses covering half her tiny face.
"Well, am I interrupting something?"
Su Nian shot her a cold glare and continued peeling the apple as if she hadn't seen her.
Xia Kelan blew a bubble, pop.
"Stop peeling. Look at his mouth—can it even open?"
"You might as well chew it up and feed him mouth-to-mouth."
Fury shimmered in Su Nian's soft eyes. Her grip on the fruit knife tightened inch by inch.
"What exactly do you want?"
"Are you looking for a fight because you want to avenge Su Wanwan?" Xia Kelan raised a brow, pretending to be puzzled.
"Avenge? Avenge what?"
"You picked up the trash she threw away—I should be thanking you, not fighting you."
"Auntie, you really overestimate yourself."
The word "Auntie" sent flames shooting up Su Nian's spine. She was a year younger than Xia Kelan—how dare she!
"Oh, calm down, calm down," Xia Kelan smirked.
"Look at those crow's feet by your eyes. Seriously, you should take better care of your skin."
"Otherwise, how will you look good on camera? How will you attract your darling Ye Nan?"
She paused, tapping her delicate chin thoughtfully.
"Wait, no—Ye Nan doesn't just like pretty girls. He likes rich ones too."
She twirled her car key in her fingers. "As soon as I waved this, he came running."
Su Nian's eyes blazed with fury. The anger she'd tried so hard to suppress was effortlessly provoked.
"Get out!"
"Get out? Who do you think you are?" Xia Kelan cocked her head, her tone mocking.
Su Nian gritted her teeth, then suddenly stood, her apple rolling to the floor.
She pointed the fruit knife directly at her.
"If you don't get out now, don't blame me for what happens next!"
Xia Kelan boldly stretched out her slender neck, even leaned in closer.
"Come on, right here—cut me."
Su Nian's eyes brimmed red, her blood boiling.
"You think I won't?!"
Her trembling hand raised the blade—
But before it could strike, another hand reached out faster, snatching it away.
Smack! A crisp slap rang out in sync with a bubble popping.
Su Wanwan stood there, eyes icy, staring coldly at Su Nian.
Her palm still tingled.
Xia Kelan stuck out her tongue provocatively.
"Come on, then! Hit me again!"
Tears streamed down Su Nian's face. She trembled as she spoke:
"You… You're ganging up on me?"
"Yes, and what of it?" Xia Kelan said smugly.
Su Wanwan pointed the knife straight at Su Nian.
"Get out."
Su Nian took a frightened step back.
With Su Wanwan's personality, she'd absolutely follow through.
Just then, a weak voice came from the hospital bed.
Su Nian immediately turned to look.
Without a word, Su Wanwan shoved the knife back into Su Nian's hand, gave Xia Kelan a meaningful glance, and strode out of the room.
Su Nian was still confused when Xia Kelan suddenly screamed.
"Miss Su Nian, please calm down! If you don't want me to see Ye Nan, I won't!"
"Don't point that knife at me—I'm scared… boo hoo hoo…"