Chapter 39 The Unavoidable Fu Nanyu

Chapter 39: The Inescapable Fu Nanyu

Fu Xiaqing persuaded Jiang Cheng to stay the night, mentioning a room had already been prepared. Unable to decline further, Jiang Cheng agreed.

With Jiang Cheng present, Lu Jingtang didn't seek out Fu Ting for games that evening. Instead, munching on a peach, she ambled to Jiang Cheng's room. She knocked, "Little Uncle, may I come in?"

"Come in."

Hearing a response, Lu Jingtang pushed the door open. Jiang Cheng, having just taken out the next day's clothes from his luggage and closed the suitcase, glanced at her. "Not asleep yet?"

"It's still early," Lu Jingtang replied, settling onto a nearby sofa, nibbling her peach and scrolling through her phone. Her legs dangled over the armrest, and she occasionally giggled, revealing faint dimples.

The girl was growing more beautiful with age, reaching an age where romance was expected.

Recalling the fleeting glance Fu Nanyu had given his niece during dinner, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but frown. Forty years of life and a career as a screenwriter meant he wasn't oblivious to such subtleties.

He casually remarked, "It seems the Fu family treats you quite well."

Lu Jingtang took a bite of her peach, earnestly responding, "Hmm... everyone is very kind to me."

Jiang Cheng smiled, moved to sit beside her, and idly picked up a script from the table. "I noticed Fu Nanyu is particularly attentive to you. Earlier, he even came to the door to greet you when we returned."

"Little Uncle, just ask what you want directly. I'm getting sleepy," Lu Jingtang said without looking up. She wasn't foolish; Jiang Cheng's roundabout approach clearly had a purpose.

Jiang Cheng hadn't anticipated her perceptiveness. He took a deep breath and stated seriously, "Do you know that Fu Nanyu has a fiancée?"

Lu Jingtang blinked, then nodded. "Yes, I know."

Jiang Cheng was momentarily speechless at her innocent, somewhat naive expression. "So, what do you think about that?"

"What?"

Lu Jingtang's eyes widened in confusion. What did she think about Fu Nanyu and Ji Yunyin's engagement? Well... of course, she wished them a long and happy marriage.

Before the female lead married into the family, she needed to save as much as possible. Then, after being ousted from the Fu family, she could live out her days "miserably" with her nine-figure savings and two villas, crying tears of joy over some handsome man's six-pack abs.

But she couldn't share these thoughts with Jiang Cheng yet. She tentatively asked, "Then... will I need to help them during her confinement period?"

Jiang Cheng spluttered his water. Judging by her reaction, it seemed Fu Nanyu's feelings were unrequited, and Lu Jingtang hadn't even considered such a possibility. He exhaled in relief.

Fu Xiaqing had three sons, and Lu Jingtang could date any of them—except Fu Nanyu.

The Fu family was prestigious, and the eldest son typically held the most power. Especially someone like Fu Nanyu, who was a standout among the elite. Even without Ji Yunyin, Fu Nanyu would only marry a woman of comparable background who could further his influence.

Jiang Cheng advised, "Your eldest brother is engaged. Remember to maintain a respectful distance. Even if you see him as a true brother, outsiders might misinterpret your actions."

Lu Jingtang paused. She realized she had indeed been spending a lot of time with Fu Nanyu lately. She nodded in agreement.

"Knock, knock."

Chen Ma had prepared a midnight snack. Fu Nanyu first went to Lu Jingtang's room to call her but found it empty. He guessed she might be with her little uncle.

Jiang Cheng opened the door. "Yes, Nanyu?"

Fu Nanyu calmly stated, "We've prepared some midnight snacks, Mr. Jiang. Would you like to join us downstairs?"

"Sure, you go ahead. I'll change and be right down," Jiang Cheng replied, not refusing. He was in a bathrobe and needed to change.

Lu Jingtang emerged from the room, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "What's for the snack?"

Fu Nanyu glanced at the half-eaten peach in her hand, teasing, "You still have room?"

"Fruit isn't filling," Lu Jingtang pouted.

Fu Nanyu's lips curved slightly as he took his hand from his pocket, intending to ruffle her hair.

Previously, Lu Jingtang might have allowed it, but after Jiang Cheng's warning, she leaned forward and twisted away, evading his hand.

Fu Nanyu's smile vanished, his eyes darkening. "What are you avoiding? Not letting me touch you anymore?" His voice was low, his expression unreadable.

Lu Jingtang immediately shook her head timidly, forcing an awkward smile. "No, I was just eager to see what Chen Ma made for the snack."

Fu Nanyu was silent for a moment, as if accepting her explanation. The smile returned to his lips, and this time, he firmly ruffled her hair. "Be good."

Lu Jingtang let out an awkward laugh. *Sorry, Little Uncle, Fu Nanyu is just too intimidating. It's not that I don't want to keep my distance!*

Jiang Cheng owned an apartment in Beijing, so he stayed there during his work trip instead of a hotel.

The next day, Fu Xiaqing arranged for a driver to take him back. Since it was Sunday, Lu Jingtang accompanied him to see his place and familiarize herself with the area.

Jiang Cheng had purchased a three-bedroom apartment within Beijing's Second Ring Road. Though it was in a moderately-rated complex, in a city where land was as precious as gold, the property was still quite valuable.

Unsure when she'd be heading back, Lu Jingtang asked the driver to leave first, planning to take a taxi home later.

At the apartment building, Jiang Cheng got out to retrieve his luggage from the trunk while Lu Jingtang waited nearby. She wore a pink V-neck knit sweater, white trousers, and carried a new limited-edition bag, her face uncovered. Once Jiang Cheng had his luggage, they walked into the building together.

Both had forgotten that Jiang Cheng was a public figure and susceptible to paparazzi.

Hidden in the bushes, a paparazzo frantically snapped photos of their retreating figures and the license plate of the Fu family's car. His heart pounded—every paparazzo in the circle recognized that plate. It belonged to the Fu family, one of Beijing's top elite families.

The paparazzo knew he had struck gold!