Chapter 36 Drunken Deer

Chapter 36: The Drunken Doe

The department head and colleagues nearby stifled their laughter, their faces flushed, not daring to utter a sound for fear of being overheard by the person on the phone.

Lu Jingtang’s mind was hazy with drink, yet she recognized the voice on the line. She giggled, "Oh, I know who this is—you’re Fu Nanyu, aren't you?"

Fu Nanyu’s temple twitched. He gritted his teeth and said, "Stay put. I’m coming to get you."

"What, get me?" Lu Jingtang slowly, softly murmured, "Oh," then added, "No, don’t bother. Minister Zhou said young people don’t need to sleep so early... *hiccup*... We’re still going clubbing!"

Minister Zhou, whose name had just been dropped, waved frantically at Lu Jingtang to no avail, convinced his days as department head were numbered.

The phone was handed back to Lin Yixiao. Fu Nanyu simply told her to keep an eye on Lu Jingtang and that he was on his way.

After the call ended, a colleague eagerly asked, "Well? What did President Fu say?"

Lin Yixiao replied, "President Fu... he’s coming to pick her up now."

Fu Nanyu grabbed his coat from the sofa, announcing he had to leave. Qi Heng and Li Chen exchanged a knowing smile as they watched him rush out.

Li Chen, with an arm around a beautiful woman, smirked and mused, "I sensed something was off with him back at Zishan Mansion. I’ve never seen him like this. Could he really have fallen for his 'sister'?"

"She’s not his biological sister anyway," Qi Heng scoffed dismissively.

"True."

This type of music bar was a magnet for young men and women. The moment Fu Nanyu and Qin Xianzhao entered, they commanded attention. The simultaneous appearance of two distinctively handsome men was undeniably eye-catching.

Especially the one leading the way—tall and imposing, his long legs striding beneath a trench coat, with finely chiseled features and sharp eyebrows, though his expression was rather cold.

Lu Jingtang sat in the farthest seat, dizzily propping her chin as she stared blankly. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. Dazed, she looked up with bleary, drunken eyes and saw an arrestingly handsome face.

She slowly grinned, "You actually came to pick me up."

Minister Zhou hurried over, "President Fu, you’re here. I’m so sorry. It’s a department gathering today, and everyone got a bit carried away with the drinks."

Fu Nanyu nodded, helping her to her feet. This time, Lu Jingtang didn’t utter any more wild remarks. Limply, she leaned against Fu Nanyu’s strong arm, stood up, and waved to everyone, "Everyone, enjoy the food and drinks!"

Qin Xianzhao opened the car door, and Fu Nanyu gently guided her into the back seat before sliding in himself with his long legs.

Light from outside the window streamed into the car, casting an indescribable allure on his cold, handsome face. His dark eyes gazed intently at the person beside him.

Lu Jingtang leaned against the window, sound asleep, her head occasionally tapping lightly against the glass as the car swayed.

Suddenly, a car from the left lane cut them off, causing the vehicle to jolt violently. With a thud, Lu Jingtang’s head hit the window hard.

She hissed in pain, then dry-heaved a few times from the alcohol, her eyes still tightly shut.

Noticing Fu Nanyu’s icy glare, Qin Xianzhao cleared his throat and said, "Sorry."

Fu Nanyu sighed, taking hold of Lu Jingtang’s limp form and bending down to let her head rest on his shoulder.

As her head settled on something firm yet comfortable, the little drunk whimpered softly, nuzzling her cheek against the expensive fabric of his suit.

Her soft, warm breaths brushed against his firm jaw. Fu Nanyu’s dark eyes traced from her brows to her lips. He felt something burst in his chest like fireworks, an indescribable sensation flowing through his entire body, setting off a pulse that resonated deep in his heart.

The car stopped in the courtyard. Fu Nanyu said to Qin Xianzhao, "It’s too late. You can rest here tonight and come to the company with me tomorrow."

Qin Xianzhao closed the car door, "Alright."

Xiao Qin parked the car in the garage. There was still a short distance to the house. After taking two steps, Lu Jingtang felt too dizzy to continue and squatted on the ground, refusing to move.

"I’m not going. I’ll sleep right here tonight," she mumbled, burying her face in her knees and stubbornly staying put.

Fu Nanyu was both annoyed and helpless. He reached out to support her elbow, "It’s too cold. You’ll catch a cold."

She still refused to move. He crouched down, softening his voice to coax her, "Then get on my back. I’ll carry you inside."

After about a minute, two arms wrapped around his neck, and her soft body pressed against his warm, broad back. He thought to himself, all his principles in life had been shattered by this one person.

He hoisted her up steadily. The person on his back rested her chin on his shoulder. The orange-yellow courtyard light fell on them, casting two closely pressed shadows on the ground.

Suddenly, he felt a warm wetness on his neck and heard the person on his back sob softly, like a kitten. She called out weakly,

"Brother."

Fu Nanyu’s steps faltered. After a moment, he gently responded, "Hmm."

"Brother," she called again. After a pause, he heard Lu Jingtang choke out, "Brother, why didn’t Mom and Dad come to pick me up?"

"Brother, it’s so dark in the box."

When Lu Jingtang was three, she and her mother, Jiang Yue, were kidnapped. Jiang Yue used her last ounce of strength to hide her daughter in a box, telling her not to make a sound until she saw uniformed military personnel. And so, Lu Jingtang stayed beside Jiang Yue’s body, trapped in the dark, cramped box for a full day and night.

She didn’t make a single sound the entire time. It was Fu Xiaqing, who came to investigate, who noticed something amiss and personally carried her out.

Fu Nanyu’s throat tightened. He said softly, "It’s okay. Mom and Dad asked me to come pick you up."

He remembered.

When Lu Jingtang first moved into the Fu family, he had carried her on his back like this too. Back then, Lu Jingtang couldn’t sleep night after night, plagued by nightmares whenever she closed her eyes.

So he would carry the little one on his back, walking round and round in the courtyard until she fell asleep.