Chapter 44: “Should I Move Up?”

Chapter 44 "Should I Move Upstairs?"

They got home by ten. Song Tan entered first, and Zhong Chen, who had been waiting, said goodbye when he saw her.

As she stumbled while taking off her shoes, the man who followed her in caught her by the waist.

"Thanks." Without turning around, Song Tan leaned against the shoe cabinet, kicked off her high heels, and walked unsteadily to the kitchen.

Ji Fuxi straightened the shoes she had kicked aside and followed her.

The thermos had water heated to 50°C. She found a cup but couldn’t locate the honey, so she asked, "Where’s the honey?"

She’d had a lot to drink tonight—mostly on purpose. Dinner had been tense, stifling, and she needed an outlet.

On the way back, she had already rationalized it: big risks always come with setbacks. Today had just been a bump in the road, nothing more. She’d try again.

Ji Fuxi retrieved the honey from a small compartment in the fridge. Instead of handing it to her, he dipped a spoon in and stirred it into her cup.

"Thanks."

Noticing her flushed face, Ji Fuxi asked softly, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

"No." After a pause, Song Tan added, "I’m not lying this time."

He chuckled. "Alright, not a lie."

After she took a few sips, Ji Fuxi propped himself against the counter and asked gently, "Who were those people tonight?"

Since he’d already seen them, Song Tan didn’t hide it. "Folks from Huaxuan Entertainment."

"What were you discussing?"

She hesitated briefly. "Investment."

Ji Fuxi narrowed his eyes. "Investment for your film?"

Hearing his voice dangerously quiet, Song Tan suddenly felt uneasy and murmured, "Yes."

"What did they say?"

When she didn’t respond, Ji Fuxi pushed, "How much do you need?"

"...Twenty million."

Ji Fuxi recalled her coming home late and leaving early recently—likely all for this. Yet, despite living under the same roof, she had never mentioned it to him.

His brow furrowed, his expression darkened. "Why didn’t you come to me?"

Sensing the tension, Song Tan tightened her grip on the cup and whispered, "I didn’t want to ask you."

Ji Fuxi stared intently at the woman before him, suddenly at a loss for words.

He could guess the reason behind her reluctance, but that excuse didn’t hold up anymore.

The first floor fell silent until Aqi, who had been sleeping in the living room, suddenly woke up and ran upstairs, ignoring the strained atmosphere between the two in the dining area.

Ji Fuxi took a deep breath and moved in closer. "Why?"

Song Tan took another sip of water before meeting his gaze calmly. "I shouldn’t take your money. It might sound trivial, but I want to earn my way step by step. If I rely on your money, any success or failure of mine might forever be branded as ‘riding coattails,’ ‘gold-digging,’ or ‘some fling.’ I don’t want that."

Ji Fuxi watched her silently for a moment. "You should know that from the moment you sought me out, we’ve been bound together."

"Which is why I want to cut ties—at least work-wise."

"How? I funded *The Great Dream* with three hundred million."

Song Tan fell silent.

"Sticking with me doesn’t stop you from pursuing your goals. Yuanhe Group owns Aijia Entertainment. You could get funding and make films through them. I won’t interfere, but I can ensure you receive fair treatment."

"I—"

Ji Fuxi took another step forward. "You didn’t ask me because you wanted a way out, right?"

"No."

"Then why? Too proud?"

He closed the distance, backing her against the dining table, his gaze unwavering. After a long pause, he asked softly, "Song Tan, after all this time together, I still don’t mean that much to you—not as family, not as a lover. Am I right?"

Song Tan stayed silent, frozen under his gaze, and turned her face away nervously.

She didn’t know. She *had* felt something—moments of warmth, even almost losing herself in that tender embrace not long ago.

She didn’t want to part with him either, imagined growing old together.

But the word "lover" was too heavy. It wasn’t just about being parents to their child but soulmates—open, trusting, unwavering in their devotion to each other.

She knew she hadn’t measured up.

Song Chuqing was her first priority, followed by herself. Life had taught her that relying on anyone but herself was unreliable.

The embrace half an hour ago had loosened the knot in her chest, leaving her wanting—and that scared her.

Lowering her lashes, she whispered, barely audible, "I’m sorry."

Ji Fuxi went silent at her words for two seconds before stepping back.

"Give me more time."

A noise came from Song Chuqing’s room upstairs. Ji Fuxi responded, "Alright," then headed up.

...

Song Chuqing had a nightmare—this time, monsters had stolen her mom, and no matter how long she and her father searched, they couldn’t find her.

She woke up in the dark, frightened, and called, scrambling out of bed, "Mommy! Waaah!"

After putting on her slippers, she grabbed her stuffed panda on the bed, reaching for it.

Hugging the toy, she opened the door and saw her dad rushing upstairs.

Song Chuqing flung herself into his arms, crying softly. "Daddy, I had a bad dream."

Ji Fuxi picked her up, turned on the light, and settled her back in bed. "Shh, it’s okay. Daddy’s got you."

Sniffling, she whimpered, "I dreamed Mommy was gone. Monsters took her... Waaah, Daddy, find Mommy!"

"Mom's home—she's downstairs."

Just as he said this, Song Tan, who had composed herself, came upstairs. She walked to the bedside and held the little girl's hand to comfort her. "Don't be afraid, baby."

Little Chu sniffled, her emotions slowly calming down. "Mom..."

Song Tan glanced at the man holding their daughter. He wasn't looking at her, and the warmth he had before coming home was gone from his face. After a few seconds, she averted her gaze. "Little Chu, sleep with Daddy. Mommy’s all sweaty and needs to shower first."

"Okay!"

The door closed. Ji Fuxi placed Little Chu in the middle of the bed and lay down beside her, pulling up the blanket. "Time for sleep."

After that scare, Little Chu couldn't fall asleep—closing her eyes just brought back the nightmare. "Daddy, I can’t sleep."

"Want Daddy to tell you a story?"

"No." Little Chu shook her head, studying him intently before asking softly, "Daddy, are you unhappy?"

Ji Fuxi was surprised by her sensitivity. He wasn’t exactly unhappy, just hadn’t fully adjusted his emotions yet.

He quickly put on a smile and tucked the blanket around her. "I’m not unhappy."

"But I saw it. You looked upset, and you didn’t talk to Mommy just now."

"..." Ji Fuxi apologized. "Sorry, sweetie. Daddy and Mommy are fine. Just go to sleep."

"Hmph, you’re lying."

Ji Fuxi looked at the little girl’s pouting lips and the fierce glare she gave him, feeling both helpless and amused. Was this the same girl who had been crying in fear just two minutes ago?

Little Chu sat up, hugging her chest. "Did you and Mommy fight?"

"No..."

"Then you made Mommy angry! Xixi is mean!"

"..."

"Little Chu is angry too!"

She huffed, her face turning red. Ji Fuxi had no choice but to coax her. "No, Mommy isn’t angry, and Little Chu shouldn’t be angry either."

She pushed his shoulder with her small hands. "Don’t worry about me, go comfort Mommy." Then she added seriously, "Mommy is a girl. Girls need to be comforted. Even Pei Qiu knows that! Daddy, you’re so silly!"

Ji Fuxi couldn’t help laughing. "Little Chu, sleep first. After you fall asleep, Daddy will go comfort Mommy."

The little girl relented, blinking her big eyes. "You promise?"

"I promise."

With that, no more convincing was needed—Little Chu obediently closed her eyes.

Two minutes later, a tiny voice came from under the covers. "Daddy, I’m asleep now."

He laughed again. "Okay, Little Chu is asleep. Then Daddy is going downstairs now."

"Mhm. Be gentle, okay?"

"Okay."

She should be fine now. Ji Fuxi left the room and went downstairs.

The downstairs was empty—Song Tan was probably showering.

Twenty minutes later, Song Tan reappeared at the staircase, wearing loungewear, her hair still damp and loosely hanging on either side.

Song Tan’s hurried steps back halted when their eyes met.

She came down and spoke casually. "Asleep?"

"Asleep." She should be.

Ji Fuxi watched her enter the kitchen. "What do you need?"

"There’s no water in the bedroom. I’m getting some—I might get thirsty later."

Her hand on the kettle, Song Tan hesitated before asking, "Have you showered yet?"

"No."

"Oh."

She fell silent, pouring water. When she turned around, she collided with him, who had somehow appeared right behind her.

Water sloshed over from the cup.

Ji Fuxi looked down, took the cup, and set it on the table.

When he looked back, his gaze intense. "Little Chu told me to comfort you."

"..."

Ji Fuxi: "I’m sorry. Earlier, I should’ve been more considerate. I shouldn’t have questioned you like that."

Song Tan shook her head—he wasn’t wrong, no need to apologize.

He stepped closer. Song Tan edged back. He advanced again, and she stepped back until she was against the dining table.

"Song Tan."

Lately, he liked calling her like this—just her name, two syllables, in an uncharacteristic tone.

If she didn’t respond, he wouldn’t continue, his gaze fixed on her.

It made her uncomfortable, avoiding his eyes. "Hm?"

"What do you plan to do?"

During her shower, she’d had time to think. Tonight, his words had effectively announced their relationship to their circle. Ready or not, she was now "Mrs. Ji."

And this matter would come to light sooner or later. Since things had reached this point, she needed to process her feelings and adjust her perspective.

If she couldn’t extricate herself, then she’d have to give it her all to prove herself.

Now that the position of "Mrs. Ji" was hers, her initial path should be much smoother, saving her from pointless social engagements like today’s and letting her focus on what really mattered.

Riding the wave—looked at this way, it was a good thing.

But she couldn’t lean entirely on his clout either. Song Tan met his gaze. "Stay out of it. I want to do this my way."

"Let me greet Yan Ning."

"No."

"I should make my position clear."

"...No."

Ji Fuxi looked at the stubborn expression on the woman's face, the corners of his eyes lifting slightly in amusement, his tone indulgent. "Xiao Chu's not as stubborn as you."

Song Tan lowered her gaze, biting her lower lip, silent.

Just showered, the air was filled with her fresh, gentle body wash fragrance. Her bare face was soft and clear, fair with a rosy tint.

Ji Fuxi took another step forward, pinning her firmly against him.

He murmured, "What else?"

Song Tan felt her breath growing uneven. "What do you mean...?"

"About us—how much more time do you need?"

Silence.

The motion-sensor light on the stairs clicked off with a soft *snap*, leaving the kitchen in shadowy half-light.

Ji Fuxi slid a hand around her waist, pulling her closer, while the other lifted her chin as he leaned in for a kiss.

Not just a brief peck this time, no longer lingering only at her lips.

Song Tan's heart raced, a sudden ringing in her ears muffling everything.

The temporary deafness heightened her other senses—the press of his lips, the warmth of his breath, every touch breaking down her resistance.

After a long moment, she finally regained her senses.

As his tongue brushed her lips, she parted them slightly, pushing up on tiptoe to loop her arms around his neck, responding.

Noticing, the man withdrew the hand at her waist, instead cradling her fair cheeks, deepening the kiss, drawing it out.

Outside, wind shrieked against the doors and windows.

The motion light blinked on and off, three or four times.

The storm outside quieted.

Ji Fuxi relaxed his grip, pulling her into his embrace.

The charged air between them still thrummed.

After a long pause, the man murmured, "Song Tan?"

"Hmm?"

"You switched toothpaste?" Ji Fuxi licked his lips, his mouth filled with the cool mint lingering from her kiss.

She turned scarlet, her voice still raspy. "Ah..."

"Nice flavor."

"..."

After a beat, he spoke again. "The downstairs room has bugs."

"What kind of bugs?"

"Don't know."

Song Tan understood his game, smiling against his chest. "Afraid of bugs?"

"Not scared. They're gross."

She feigned innocence: "Oh?"

Three or four seconds later, Ji Fuxi got to the heart of it. "Mind if I move upstairs?"

In a good mood now, Song Tan bit back a smile. "Xiao Chu says boys and girls shouldn't share rooms."

The man frowned, his brow deeply furrowed. "We're different. We're husband and wife. Her mom and dad."

"You tell her yourself. If she agrees, I agree."