The moment those words left Fu Chen's mouth, the entire world seemed to stop.

Especially Shi Fang, who was standing at the side, his mouth opened and closed as he kept poking Qian Jiang.

"Did I hear wrongly? Leave after waking up? Young ladies nowadays are so bold. Do they become so unrestrained after just drinking some wine?

"She slept with our Third Master? Am I still asleep?"

Qian Jiang frowned and slapped him hard with the back of his hand. "Are you awake now?"

Shi Fang was dumbfounded.

This bastard must be doing it on purpose. I only poked him twice. I didn't hit him in the face!

I can't tolerate this.

Shi Fang raised his hand, preparing to return the slap. Qian Jiang made use of his height advantage and towered over him.

A certain someone lowered his hand resentfully. You're tall and strong. I can't win against you, so I'll tolerate it.

On the other side…

Song Fengwan's footsteps were a little weak, and her fingers tugged at the hem of her clothes uneasily. "Third Master, I was drunk last night and don't really remember what I did…"

"You were indeed drunk. Your mother asked me to take care of you, so I brought you back." Fu Chen's tone was calm.

"Thank you," Song Fengwan was so guilty that she didn't dare to look at him. "But… shouldn't you have sent me back to my room instead?"

After saying this, Song Fengwan even looked at him innocently.

Fu Chen raised his eyes to look at her. Is this little fox planning to expose me?

Hearing this, Shi Fangalmost laughed out loud. Miss Song, well done. Don't be a coward. Go on. Question him, call him out.

"After I sent you back to your room, you came out on your own, stayed at the door of my room, and refused to leave. In the end, you even occupied my bed."

"I…" Song Fengwan gritted her teeth. "I did that?"

"Do you think I brought you to my room on purpose?" Fu Chen raised his eyebrows. "I have a witness. Do you still want to confront me?"

Someone actually saw it? Song Fengwan wanted to cry, but no tears came out, and her expression instantly looked lost.

"Then did I do anything else last night?" She really couldn't remember.

"Isn't sleeping on my bed enough? What else did you want to do, or what else did you want to sleep with?" A certain someone's tone was slow and lukewarm.

Other than the bed, the only thing she could sleep with was naturally…

… this certain someone.

Song Fengwan hurriedly shook her head. "No, I just feel very sorry for causing you trouble."

"Come and eat." Fu Chen stood up and walked to the dining table.

Shi Fang stood at the side and shook his head helplessly. Miss Song can't remain like this. She's been completely fooled by Third Master. No one goes to the second floor usually. Last night, other than you two, there was only Fu Xinhan. How can a dog be a witness?

I bet a packet of spicy strips1 that Third Master definitely carried Miss Song to his room. How could he still be so self-righteous when he used such dishonest and underhanded means?

It's such a rare occurrence.

Third Master is scheming, and his tricks are far up his sleeve.

***

The two of them sat across from each other at the dining table. There were steamed dumplings for breakfast, but Song Fengwan felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles and had no appetite.

"I'm going out of town today. It might be a few days before I'm back." Fu Chen's tone was relaxed.

"How long will you be gone? A long time?" Song Fengwan had lived here for more than a month and was already used to Fu Chen being at home every night. Once he left, the house would instantly become cold and deserted.

"You don't want me to leave?" He raised his eyes to look at her.

"No."

"Then you want me to leave?" Fu Chen asked again.

Song Fengwan hurriedly shook her head. She couldn't answer either of these questions.

She buried her head in her food and stopped talking.

Fu Chen had to go to the airport in the morning, so he sent her to school in passing. After what had happened last night, Song Fengwan felt very embarrassed, and the two of them didn't say anything along the way. Fu Chen only spoke when the car stopped at a corner not far from the school entrance. "I'll call Aunt Yun later and ask her to accompany you."

After what had happened last night, he could tell that Song Fengwan was rather insecure. He was also worried about leaving her alone at home.

"Okay."

"If there's anything urgent, you can look for me or contact this person. He's in Beijing, so it'll be more convenient." Fu Chen took out a post-it from his pocket and handed it to her. There was a surname and a string of numbers written on it.

Song Fengwan was dumbfounded when she saw the last name.

What kind of people are hiding in Third Master's circle of friends?

Cousin was right. Third Master is indeed someone I can rely on. People can have an easy life if they're in his good books.

***

Fu Chen watched Song Fengwan enter the school before getting Shi Fang to drive him to the airport. Meanwhile, Qian Jiang stayed behind in the capital to protect Song Fengwan.

"Third Master, the Song family is in a mess right now, and Cheng Lan is eyeing us like a tiger again. If you leave, won't some people take advantage of this opportunity to make a move?" Shi Fang was puzzled.

"Old Master and Old Madam know very little about the outside world. If something happens, they won't be able to take care of Miss Song right away.

"That bunch of conniving vermin might be up to something."

Fu Chen sneered. "I also want to see how much trouble they can cause when I'm not around."

"With you here, those people are afraid and don't dare to act rashly. If you leave…" Shi Fang hesitated.

Fu Chen chuckled. "They're like venomous snakes, hiding in the dark and preparing to strike at you at any time.

"Instead of that, I might as well let them cause trouble.

"That way, we can catch them all at once."

Shi Fang instantly felt a chill run down his spine.

No one can beat him in terms of scheming and calculating.

Perhaps that group of people cheering for Third Master's departure don't know that there's someone carefully taking steps to lure the snakes out of their holes.

As soon as Fu Chen arrived at the airport, his phone vibrated.

He answered the phone. "Hello."

"Third Fu, you finally have a conscience this time. You knew I had a serious cold and was bedridden, so you're specially coming to pick me up. I didn't treat you as a brother for nothing."

Fu Chen responded dully.

"I heard that when you were at my place last night, that young lady fell into your embrace?"

Fu Chen frowned. "Are you spying on me?"

"Don't mind these details. But she didn't look for anyone else and only chose to throw herself into your arms. It shows that you're special in her heart. But she's still young. How will you get her to change the way she sees you, old man?"

Fu Chen held the phone tightly.

"I heard that there's some discord in her family. Her father even gave her an elder sister. Do you think it's because she lacks fatherly love, so she treats you…"

Fu Chen hung up the phone.

When he thought of how Song Fengwan had called him 'Dad' last night, his expression turned even colder. He pushed open the car door and rushed straight to the airport lobby. Lack of fatherly love? Does this fellow feel that life has been too comfortable recently?

Shi Fang chased after him with a dumbfounded expression. What did that man say to provoke Third Master? How is this picking him up? He's clearly going to seek revenge.

Is it finally time for that master to die in the hands of Third Master?

A scenario of 'dying in a foreign land'?

'辣條' (Latiao), a popular Chinese snack.