I Want a Lifetime with You novel Chapter 84

“You told me to make arrangements so you can meet my friends. Can we do it today?”

Shi Nuan treaded carefully, but Song Rongrong just had to yell from the side, “When are you going to treat us to a meal, brother-in-law?”

Fu Chengyan’s narrow eyes lit up upon hearing Song Rongrong’s words. As his lips curved into a smile that reached his eyes, his mood instantly brightened. He waved at Jiang Hu, indicating that he would take his leave.

Meanwhile, Jiang Hu’s eyes widened in shock. He stared at Fu Chengyan in disbelief.

To Jiang Hu, the second master was always a man who stood above others. No one could ever go near him. But now, he was seeing a gentle side to Fu Chengyan that he had never seen before. Even as Fu Chengyan walked further away, he exuded an air of warmth and gentleness.

“What’s up?” A hand slapped him on the back. Jiang Hu instinctively grabbed the person’s arm and a scuffle ensued. After a few rounds, Jiang Hu finally stopped. “Don’t slap my back as you please.”

Jiang Hu was a brawny guy, but he wasn’t simple-minded. “By the way, did something good happen to Mr. Fu recently?”

Zhou Zheng worked as Fu Chengyan’s assistant, so he was always by Fu Chengyan’s side. Jiang Hu envied how Zhou Zheng was much closer to Fu Chengyan than he was.

Zhou Zheng raised an eyebrow and tried to imitate Liang Lin who was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Zhou Zheng raised his hand to adjust his glasses. The problem was, he didn’t even wear glasses. Zhou Zheng smiled. “So you’ve also noticed something different about Mr. Fu?”

“Of course! He was being all gloomy, then he suddenly turned into a gentleman from just one phone call. I’ve followed Mr. Fu like a dog all these years, but I’ve never seen him treat anyone like that!”

“Not even the one from before?” The corners of Zhou Zheng’s lips tilted upwards. Jiang Hu shook his head. “No. Mr. Fu acted strange around her. Either way, I can’t describe it. It’s definitely not the same!”

“Come on, it’s not like you and I can interfere with Mr. Fu’s affairs. But since you asked, I’ll tell you the truth. The person who just called was most likely the madam. Remember when I borrowed two men from your side? It was to protect the madam. Get your men to be more alert. If anything were to happen to the madam, I can’t guarantee you’ll live!”

“Madam? Mr. Fu is married?”

Fu Chengyan was on cloud nine after hearing Song Rongrong call him her ‘brother-in-law’. “Are you free now?” He asked.

Shi Nuan blushed and gave Song Rongrong a whack before nodding. “Yeah, we just finished shopping. Rongrong and Yian want to officially meet you. I figured that today happens to be a non-working day, so…”

“Sure!” Fu Chengyan didn’t hesitate at all. “So which one of us will choose the venue?”

“Hmm, I’ll leave it to you!” Shi Nuan replied. “It’s still early, so there’s no need for you to come over so soon.”

“OK!” Fu Chengyan smiled faintly as he drove out of the parking lot and returned to the Wutong Residence. “Are your friends picky?”

“They’re alright!” Shi Nuan laughed. “They’re about the same as me. Actually, they’re not picky at all.” Shi Nuan gave it some thought and figured that a simple meal would do.

“She’s right, brother-in-law! As long as you’re with us, we’re OK with eating anything!” Song Rongrong yelled into the phone. “We’re just scrounging for free food anyway.”

“OK, Ms. Song. Then would you like to eat outside or…?”

“Can we drop by your place?” Song Rongrong snatched the phone from Shi Nuan. “Honestly, Yian and I can eat just about anything. It’s such a rare opportunity to be treated to a meal. Or maybe you could let us visit your home?”

Shi Nuan thought that Fu Chengyan would be displeased and wanted to reject her suggestion when she heard Fu Chengyan agree breezily. “That’s fine. Have Nuan take you both here then!”

With that, Fu Chengyan turned the car around and headed towards the largest shopping mall.

Song Rongrong hung up the phone and looked at Su Yian slyly. “Tsk tsk, look at how nice our brother-in-law is!”

Meanwhile, Su Yian shook her head, disagreeing with Song Rongrong’s actions. “We’re meeting him for the first time, so you should give him a good first impression. He’s Nuan’s husband, after all.”

“It’s fine. We get to take a look at Nuan’s and Fu Chengyan’s home and find out whether he really treats her well!” This was Song Rongrong’s main intention. She couldn’t care less about a meal.

Thanks to Fu Xicheng, Song Rongrong now regarded everyone with caution. Even if Fu Chengyan seemed to do well last night, she still wanted to personally observe how Shi Nuan living conditions were.

Truthfully, even if Shi Nuan never admitted it, Song Rongrong could tell that Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan didn’t have a very close relationship – at least not as close as Shi Nuan made it seem.

Shi Nuan couldn’t do anything about Song Rongrong. “Alright, shall we get going then?”

“What’s the rush? Let’s shop more,” Song Rongrong said casually. “Don’t tell me Chengyan can’t cook! Let me tell you: if a man can’t cook, it’s the woman who will suffer. You’d better be careful, Nuan. Don’t end up becoming an old housewife!”

Shi Nuan was a jumble of emotions. “What’s with that twisted logic?”

“I don’t think it’s twisted at all. Rongrong has a point,” Su Yian said. “Let’s continue shopping.”

Fu Chengyan was always efficient in everything, even when it came to buying groceries and cooking. He would accommodate Shi Nuan’s pace when shopping with her, but when he shopped on his own, it only took him over twenty minutes. He then drove back to the Wutong Residence.

The Wutong Residence was a real estate he had bought several years ago. He owned several similar residences, but Fu Chengyan decided to stay here out of convenience. He would occasionally drop by the other places when he felt like it.

This house was also further from the Fu family home, so Fu Chengyan felt more at peace. Aside from a few close friends and subordinates, Shi Nuan was the only person who had been to the Wutong Residence.

Earlier, Shi Nuan wanted to turn down Song Rongrong’s request because she knew how much Fu Chengyan enjoyed his peace. Strangers were seldom allowed into his home. In truth, Fu Chengyan felt that Shi Nuan had placed a small barrier between them, which was why he agreed to Song Rongong’s request without any hesitation.

He wanted her to know that she was different from everyone else.

Fu Chengyan’s cooking skills were commendable. He had gone through a lot in his younger days. Having left the country on his own at a young age, he had to do many things on his own. As time passed, he eventually formed the habit of looking after himself.

It didn’t take Fu Chengyan long to prepare the all the ingredients. Seeing that it was still early, he took his time cooking.

Shi Nuan was on the way with Song Rongrong and Su Yian. Her two friends exclaimed that the place was too remote, but approved of the tranquil environment as well as the fresh air. “Wow! It looks like Chengyan has some high living standards. I heard this area is selling like crazy in Jiang City, and it’s not because there are lots of buyers – it’s because the prices are crazy!”

Song Rongrong was a fan of gossiping, so she was more knowledgeable about these things. “Your man sure is rich!”

“Of course he is. Just his name alone could frighten someone to death,” Su Yian said while shaking her head. “By the way, Nuan, how did you meet him?”

Shi Nuan bit her lip, not knowing what to say. “It’s a coincidence, I guess. When I was drugged twice, he was the one who saved me. I then found out that he was actually my maternal grandfather’s student. Do you remember my grandpa talking about his star pupil? The prodigy who finished college at a young age and left the country?”

“Damn, that was Fu Chengyan?” Song Rongrong glanced at Shi Nuan in surprise. “Fate really brought you together! So you married Fu Chengyan because he was once your grandpa’s student?”

Shi Nuan shook her head. “You know the situation I’m in. You’re also aware of how everyone in the Shi family treats me aside from the old man.” Shi Nuan began to tell Song Rongrong and Su Yian about the previous incident.

Song Rongrong’s eyes widened. “So that’s why you married Fu Chengyan?” Damn, this is like a dream! That being said, those folks from the Shi family don’t have an ounce of humanity. You’re from the same family too, but they treated you horribly.”

“That’s not the point! The point is, is this really what you want, Nuan?” Su Yian was more concerned about how Shi Nuan felt. “I know you chose Fu Chengyan because the Shi family is oppressing you, but do you really love…”

“I know what you’re worried about, Yian. Feelings don’t come from nowhere. He treats me so well – isn’t it just a matter of time before I fall in love with such a brilliant man?” Shi Nuan took a deep breath, unsure if she was trying to convince Su Yian or herself. Even so, Shi Nuan’s heart began to beat erratically at the mention of Fu Chengyan.

“As long as you know what you’re doing.” Su Yian knew that Shi Nuan was actually a very tough person despite her gentle exterior. “If anything happens, don’t carry the burden on your own. You still have Rongrong and I.”

“Yup, you still have us,” Song Rongrong said while patting her own chest. “But you’re actually pretty cunning, Nuan.”

Hearing Song Rongrong say that, Shi Nuan shot her a glance while driving. “What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you say that Fu Xicheng’s family is just a small branch from Fu Chengyan’s huge family? And if we were to go by seniority, wouldn’t Fu Xicheng have to call you his aunt?” Song Rongrong began to laugh as she went on. “Hahah! Imagine how pissed Fu Xicheng and Shi Wei would be if they find out that you’re married to Fu Chengyan.”

Song Rongrong was in absolute glee. “When Fu Xicheng and Shi Wei get married, the whole family will be fawning over you and Fu Chengyan instead. Sh*t, just the thought of this makes me so happy!”

Shi Nuan froze. She had never thought about this. But now that she did, her lips curled into a smile. “Perhaps so!”

“What do you mean ‘perhaps’? It will definitely happen! Just imagine how pissed off Shi Wei would be, right, Yian?” Song Rongrong turned to look at Su Yian, who was quietly sitting at the back.

Su Yian couldn’t help but laugh too. “I never realized how funny it’d be until you mentioned it. But Fu Xicheng and Shi Wei really need to be taught a lesson. What goes around comes around. They used to bully Nuan so much, so it should be Fu Chengyan’s turn to get back at them!”