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

His movements were rough, and the pain made my bones tremble. I felt very wronged, and my voice reflected that feeling.

But when she uttered that aggrieved voice, it was also so alluring that it didn't seem like her at all; it was like a hook that completely drew out the desire within a person's body.

She felt embarrassed just listening to it, both in pain and longing. Longing was like a knife that split her in two, one side clear-headed and the other blind. Even though he only had physical interest in her, she was like a moth drawn to a flame, just waiting for him to burn her to ashes.

Fu Jingting's forehead was taut, and the beastly nature hidden within him could not be controlled. He lunged out with bared teeth and claws.

Her eyes were closed, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she hugged him, snuggling into his arms. There was no shyness or resistance, only a mature softness and an irresistible allure to men.

His body was burning with desire, while his heart was ice-cold—two extremes. He stared at her, the coldness in his eyes not melting, but rather intensifying. He gripped her neck, his voice mocking, "Your seductive skills are quite adept. How many people have you tried them on?"

His words dampened most of her enthusiasm. Xu Qingcheng stared at him, and after a long pause, finally asked, "Do you care?"

He laughed and retorted, "Do I need to care? You're just my ex-wife."

Ex-wife.

He had a handsome smile, and that roguish charm in the upturned corners of his mouth was something she liked. But she knew he looked down on her.

Let her take it easy. Some knots aren't something she can untie just because she wants to. But as long as they can be together, they'll talk things out sooner or later.

Tang Jinchao said he could have withdrawn the funds much earlier, but he didn't because of her. So, he must still have feelings for her.

She just didn't know it then, and didn't cherish it, so now, let's give each other a chance to start over.

She just wanted to give it a try, but she forgot that once the scales of emotion tip, all attempts will be in vain.

She clung to his neck, trying to kiss the scar between his brows, but he pulled her away, forbidding her to touch it, his disgust so intense he didn't even bother to hide it.

Xu Qingcheng suddenly burst into tears, tears streaming down her face. She reached out to wipe them away, then pounced on him and kissed him. "You won't let me kiss you, but I'll do it anyway."

She was willing to abandon all pretense of modesty and self-respect. Since she had already gone this far, and he thought she was shameless, she would show him that shamelessness.

She's not some innocent little girl; why can't she do it?

When she was with him before, she was just pretending; in the end, he still held the reins. Now, she wants to return everything he taught her to him.

She reached out and started tearing at his clothes. Why was he acting all high and mighty while she was naked?

She straddled him, trying to pull at his shirt, but he quickly flipped her onto the bed.

She couldn't overpower him, so she simply hugged him tightly, sat on his lap and twisted until he almost lost control, finally tearing off his shirt.

The gruesome wound stunned Xu Qingcheng. She stared blankly at it, then reached out to touch it, "How...?"

Before she could ask any questions, Fu Jingting pressed her down onto the bed.

Xu Qingcheng pressed her face into the bed, her back to him, her arms bent behind her back. Xu Qingcheng couldn't get up and couldn't see his wounds.

She knew he was doing it on purpose, not letting her see or touch it.

"Your wound..."

She wanted to ask, but the man's harsh actions mercilessly thwarted her.

His deep voice was husky and sexy, yet tinged with ruthlessness, "When you and Fu Hongxin plotted against me, did you ever think I would come back alive?"

Her face was covered in tears, hot and red, and all her sobs and groans soaked into the soft bed. Her thoughts were completely chaotic in her frenzy, unable to distinguish between pain and pleasure.

……

Xu Qingcheng lay exhausted on the bed. She reached out and pulled the sheet over herself. She was very tired and wanted to sleep, but her body felt sticky and uncomfortable.

He used to carry her to take a shower and get ready, then carry her back to bed. At the time, I didn't think much of it, but now that I've compared the two, I realize that they are really different.

There was the sound of running water in the bathroom. After a while, Fu Jingting came out, with a bath towel wrapped around his waist. His strong muscles were exposed, and the grotesque scars on his chest and abdomen caught her eye.

Her already red, swollen eyes hurt and ached, so Xu Qingcheng looked away and pressed her face hard against the bed.

He changed his clothes, concealing all the marks she had left on his body. The man fastened his watch and cufflinks, his face expressionless. In that short moment, Xu Qingcheng seemed to have forgotten how ruthless he had been in bed. The wildness driven by lust had vanished without a trace.

Fu Jingting's phone rang. He answered it. "Have the driver wait for me at the door. No, I'm going back."

"You...are you leaving?" Xu Qingcheng propped herself up on her arms and sat up, her voice hoarse and sore when she spoke.

It's already past midnight after all this time. She thought he wouldn't leave until at least tomorrow morning, as she still had so many questions to ask.

The man looked up at Xu Qingcheng. "You want the three core components of Shengshi? Fine, but you'll have to offer something that truly impresses me. Don't think you can just get anything you want so easily."

Her fingers tightened, and Xu Qingcheng lowered her eyes. "Is this exactly how you think of me?"

"Then how am I supposed to look at you?" Fu Jingting glanced at her, looking at her sarcastically.

Xu Qingcheng fell silent.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, "The Xu family must be at least the second-largest shareholder in the three core sectors of Shengshi, and our investment will be in the form of subscribed capital. I hope FUC can poach Wanhua CEO Chen Rui to manage the team, signing a three-year contract. After three years, it will be handed over to Qingyao for management."

After she finished speaking, she seemed to have used up all her strength, and her voice lowered, "As for anything else, I can do it."

Fu Jingting's expression remained unchanged, still mocking. "Anything is fine?"

The man suddenly laughed, a deep laugh that resonated in his chest, making his chest ache. He abruptly stood up, said no more, and slammed the door shut as he left with a cold face.

Xu Qingcheng sat on the bed for a long time before getting up and running to the bathroom.

The water from the showerhead cascaded down my head, soaking my face, so... I couldn't see any tears.

Xu Qingcheng, wearing a bathrobe, went to open the door. The hotel receptionist had delivered clothes and morning-after pills.

My whole body aches, inside and out.

She bit the pill into her mouth, crushed it, and swallowed it whole without drinking any water.

My heart was filled with bitterness, so bitter that my tongue trembled.

It was still early, but she couldn't fall asleep. Her body was exhausted, but her mind was frighteningly clear.

She knew this path would be difficult, and she lacked the confidence to open his heart and let herself move back in.

But we should at least give it a try.

She also wanted her family of three to be happy.

Anyway, he doesn't have a woman he likes yet, does he?

Xu Qingcheng returned to Xinghe Bay, fell asleep immediately, and slept soundly until the world seemed to end.

Her phone rang for a long time before she finally answered. Xie Yin yelled at her on the other end, "What are you doing? Didn't I tell you to go to a jewelry exhibition for me today? I've been calling you but you won't answer."

Xu Qingcheng exclaimed "Ah!" and glanced at the time. "I forgot, isn't it this afternoon? I'll get ready right away."

Hearing that her voice sounded off, Xie Yin couldn't help but ask, "Do you have a cold?"

"No, I stayed up late."

Xu Qingcheng got out of bed as she spoke, "I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm going to get ready. How's Yuanyuan?"

"That's good." Xie Yin asked, "I'm going back next week, and I'll take Yuanyuan with me. The weather's warmer now."

Xu Qingcheng paused for a moment, "Let me think about it some more. I'm afraid she won't be able to adapt and will get sick again."