Mrs. Fu, please be mindful of the appropriate boundaries.

Ye Wenhan's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She was still shaken from the near-collision and, hearing Xu Qingcheng's sharp, knife-like words, her heart ached with anger, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Xu Qingcheng is a madman; he really wanted to run her over with his car just now!

Song Chang was still in shock; at that moment, she was terrified that Qingcheng would just crush her.

Seeing her get out of the car, Song Chang instinctively wanted to rush over, but the man stopped her just as her hand touched the doorknob.

Looking out the car window, Fu Jingting said, "She doesn't need your comfort at a time like this."

Song Chang withdrew his hand.

She watched as Xu Qingcheng turned and got into the car. The red sedan drove off arrogantly in front of Ye Wenhan, leaving behind a resolute posture even though the front of the car was deformed from the impact.

The man lowered his eyes slightly, unable to hear what she said from a distance, but her figure was stubborn and arrogant, and the smile on her lips was both alluring and wicked, making one's heart flutter.

The black sedan quietly disappeared into the shadows.

Song Chang glanced at Fu Jingting. "How do you know she doesn't need comforting?"

"intuition."

Unable to find Qingcheng, Song Chang panicked and called his brother for help, but Song Xingzhi brushed him off with a single sentence: "I'm busy, you should find Fu Jingting."

She really hadn't expected that she could command this man with just one phone call.

As Song Chang got out of the car, before closing the door, she leaned down and said, "Qingcheng only has one man in her heart. You originally had no chance."

She paused, then added, "Focus more on the heart, less on the body."

Fu Jingting raised an eyebrow; Song Chang had already closed the car door.

Song Chang called Xu Qingcheng, and this time the call was answered.

"Where did you go?" Song Chang asked her. "I was worried something had happened to you, and I couldn't get through to you on the phone. I was about to call the police."

"What could possibly happen to me? I just want to be alone." Xu Qingcheng's voice was faint and distant, with the sound of wind whistling through the receiver. "I still have a lot to do, nothing will happen, don't worry."

Song Chang hummed in agreement. "Do you need me to come over and keep you company?"

"No, I just want to be alone."

"Okay. Call me if you need anything." Song Chang hung up the phone and took a deep breath.

The moment Xu Qingcheng's car stopped in front of Ye Wenhan, Song Chang knew he could stop worrying.

She can remain calm even when she's angry, but she does need an outlet for her emotions.

Fu Jingting is right, she doesn't need comforting right now.

The fierce, cold wind blew against her face, making her exceptionally alert. Xu Qingcheng wrapped her coat tighter around herself.

She leaned her arm on the bridge railing and looked out. The moat outside Ancheng was very quiet in winter. The branches of the trees were bare. The desolate place was now illuminated by the New Year's decorative lights and bloomed in all shapes and sizes.

Her fingers were still trembling slightly, and her face was taut after the tears had dried. Ever since she realized that Qingyao's situation was more than just an accident, the demons in her heart had been tearing her apart, causing her pain and sorrow. What mistakes had Qingyao made that he had to bear all this?

Xu Qingcheng's resentment and anger made her want to step on the gas and make the Ye family taste the pain of their loved ones being framed and tortured.

But she remained rational; she wouldn't let her emotions control her, and she certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to be punished because of them.

What she needs to do is live better and better, and slap them in the face.

The man's face flashed before her eyes, his gentle, smiling voice still lingering in her ears.

Amidst the dazzling fireworks, he laughed heartily.

My beloved, marry me.

At that time, she thought she would smile at him for the rest of her life.

Xu Qingcheng sniffed, then pulled a ring from her pocket and threw it hard into the river.

The river is so wide that you wouldn't hear a sound if you fell in.

No matter how much I liked it, it's all in the past.

Xu Qingcheng turned her head and walked down the bridge. She was stunned when she saw the man leaning against the railing.

Fu Jingting had a cigarette between his teeth, the embers of which were set against his face. His black overcoat fluttered in the wind, and his gaze toward her seemed to carry a chilling coldness.

He stubbed out his cigarette, reached out to her, and said, "Come here."

His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time.

Xu Qingcheng walked over, and before she could even stand still, he pulled her into his arms. He turned around and pressed her against the railing, shielding her in his embrace.

The man exuded a chilling aura, yet when he stood before her, he acted as a barrier, completely shielding her from the cold wind.

Xu Qingcheng didn't know why he was in this place at this time, nor how long he had been standing there.

But the chill emanating from him was the same as hers.

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with an unfathomable doubt, a mix of confusion and bewilderment, yet also revealing a charming vulnerability born of being bullied.

Fu Jingting took a step forward, pinning her down completely. He pressed his face against hers and asked, "You've been looking at this river for over an hour, what's so interesting about it?"

He had a faint smell of tobacco on him, carried a cool scent by the wind, yet he was warm all over.

She looked up at him, slipped her hand inside his open coat, and hugged him against his shirt. "There's nothing to see."

"..."

Fu Jingting's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly as her arms naturally wrapped around his waist, as if seeking warmth.

The woman's eyes were sparkling with colorful lights, yet as clear as a lake's sweet spring. Fu Jingting clicked his tongue, instantly losing all his temper. He lowered his head and kissed her.

The crisp scent, mixed with the smell of tobacco, rushed into her mouth. She obediently let him conquer her, letting his lips and tongue invade every inch of her mouth.

Her fingers tightened around his shirt, Xu Qingcheng breathed heavily, and her already reddened eyes became even redder, like the most beautiful scenery in the night.

She was so obedient, not struggling or resisting, and even trying to respond to him. Fu Jingting's temples tensed up, and his arm, which was supporting him on the railing, suddenly reached around her waist, pressing her heavily into his arms.

He gently bit her lips, listening to her occasional soft moans of pain. She would wriggle in his arms, the annoyance in her eyes barely concealed by her lowered eyelids.

Fu Jingting suddenly chuckled, his fingers lifting her chin, his voice so soft it was almost like teasing her ear, "So obedient, what are you thinking about?"

Xu Qingcheng's face suddenly flushed red, or perhaps she felt guilty. She buried her face in his chest and said, "I wasn't thinking anything."

The voice was muffled.

Fu Jingting was silent for a moment, then looked down at the whorl of hair on her head. She didn't think that Xu Qingcheng's behavior at this moment was a stress reaction after being too heartbroken.

She was angry enough, but also calm enough.

But she nestled so obediently in his arms, like a kitten that just needed to be stroked.

Fu Jingting's gaze darkened slightly as he looked at the river before turning his attention back to it.

Regardless of what she was thinking, he wouldn't allow her to be outside his plans.

As he reached out to touch her body, Xu Qingcheng tensed up, afraid of what he might do. She grabbed his wrist and said, "You, here..."

"What's here?" He smiled, a smile curving his eyes, his fingers hooking the car keys in her coat pocket.

"I just want to get the car keys. Your car is broken; have the driver take it to get it fixed."

Xu Qingcheng, "..."