Spoiled Sparrow

Winter Solstice, late at night.

Outside the window, the night was thick and dark; inside, the air was thick with the sounds of breathing.

After the volcanic eruption, lava flowed down the rock walls, and the surrounding high temperature suddenly dropped, gradually calming down over time.

……

"Yes, I'll be back tomorrow. How's Grandpa?"

Ruan Qing lifted a corner of the blanket to peek out. The man, wearing a bathrobe, stood on the balcony, calmly lighting a cigarette and answering the phone.

His height of 1.88 meters, combined with his slender muscles, broad shoulders, slim waist, and perky buttocks, formed a perfect inverted triangle, which was exactly what Ruan Qing found attractive.

It's a pity that I won't be able to enjoy such a perfect figure in another month.

In a time when fast-paced dating is prevalent, the two don't even qualify as having a romantic relationship.

Five years ago, her adoptive parents found their long-lost biological daughter, but on New Year's Eve, they heartlessly kicked her out of the Su family, leaving her to fend for herself in the snowy night at minus 10 degrees Celsius.

Just as she was standing on the rooftop contemplating suicide, Fu Chen appeared and asked her if she wanted to go home with him.

Family?

What a ridiculous word, what is a home...

That night, in order to survive, she went home with a complete stranger.

Her fears did not come true. Fu Chen found her a school to repeat her senior year and bought her an apartment outside the school.

An aunt was arranged to take care of her daily life, just like a brother to his sister, checking in on her via mobile phone every few months to see if she was still alive.

In the first year, she only met Fu Chen twice.

On the day the acceptance letter came out, she ran excitedly to Fu Chen's company building, wanting to tell him the good news, but was turned away at the door.

"This person claims to be President Fu's sister, but she doesn't look like him at all."

"What kind of girl is she? Is she trying to scam me? Why would President Fu like someone with a baby face?"

"Get out, get out! Don't let just anyone in..."

The fear of being "abandoned" resurfaced, plunging her into endless panic. What would she do if he abandoned her?

The girl's secrets were laid bare, and how could someone as good as Fu Chen possibly give her a second glance?

It's gratitude, it's admiration, it's physical attraction.

One night before the start of the semester, Ruan Qing secretly sneaked into Fu Chen's house, hid under the covers, and waited anxiously and expectantly for Fu Chen to return home from his social engagements.

Ruan Qing wanted it, and Ruan Qing got it.

And so, she took the initiative to begin this illicit relationship with Fu Chen that lasted for four years.

During their university years, the two rarely saw each other, only spending time together during holidays. Fu Chen never inquired about her life, and Ruan Qing never participated in his social circle.

The two rarely sat down for a meal together, and Ruan Qing couldn't accurately define their relationship.

As for love, she never dared to hope for it. Perhaps there was love, but it was certainly not the kind of love that lasted a lifetime.

Fu Chen's love for her was nothing but possession and desire.

As for her, she couldn't tell whether it was love or resentment.

Whether it was because he had been smoking or because he had been working too hard, Fu Chen's voice was incredibly hoarse and deep: "MULI has released a few new bags. Have Chen Yan deliver them tomorrow morning."

"In the afternoon, I can't wake up in the morning." Ruan Qing covered her head with the blanket tightly.

Fu Chen stubbed out his cigarette, scooped up Ruan Qing, who was curled up like a baby, and leaned her against the headboard, precisely pulling her into his arms.

He tilted his head back and took a deep breath, exhaling lightly with desire: "Little fox, come up."

Ruan Qing kept her eyes tightly closed and remained silent, suppressing her body's reaction.

Seemingly noticing the tension in the person in his arms, he frowned, rolled over, and pinned her beneath him, his fingertips tracing her lips: "What, don't you want to?"

"I'm tired, I have an interview tomorrow."

"Tsk." Fu Chen's hoarse voice carried a hint of displeasure: "I can't support you?"

Ruan Qing wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her head, and asked, "Can you support me for the rest of my life?"

"Otherwise what?"

Ruan Qing smiled, but her eyes were misty with tears.

"Okay, let's get married then."

The sudden remark was clearly unexpected by Fu Chen.

In recent years, the two have never discussed these matters, tacitly avoiding sensitive topics.

Fu Chen is not married, and there has been no other woman besides her in the past few years. Does he love her?

It's a habit, a habit of having someone like this by my side.

Fu Chen saw all sorts of women around him as just people, but Ruan Qing was different, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

Fu Chen chose to remain silent, but his brooked silence had already given her the answer.

In the cool of late night, the two finally fell into a deep sleep, exhausted.

When Ruan Qing woke up, it was already noon, and there was no one beside her pillow.

She picked up her phone, opened her mobile banking app, checked her balance, and then got up to wash up, feeling relieved.

She went downstairs in a daze and saw Fu Chen sitting on the sofa leisurely drinking coffee. She walked over and asked, "Big Boss, aren't you going to the company today?"

"The little fox has grown up and is starting to boss me around."

Fu Chen wrapped his arm around her waist, completely enveloping her: "Isn't someone going to a job interview, hmm?"

When her excuse was exposed, Ruan Qing retorted confidently, "Didn't you say you'd support me for life?"

She was wearing a light pink V-neck nightgown, which made her fair skin look radiant.

Fu Chen chuckled, head bowed, "Yeah, I'll take care of you. Just stay by my side obediently."

Ruan Qing couldn't stand him talking to her like that, as if she had been possessed by a devoted second male lead. She pushed him away uncomfortably and got up to go to the kitchen to heat up some milk.

Everyone says that President Fu is abstinent and doesn't love women, only money. Ruan Qing is the first to disagree. The word "abstinent" has nothing to do with him.

The little fox, who couldn't escape no matter how much it ran around the house, was forced to become a "lunch." After the people who had eaten and drunk their fill left, Ruan Qing booked a flight to Y City.

In the final month, this absurd relationship came to an end.

In the afternoon, Ruan Qing received a call from her best friend Lin Yun'en, and put on beautiful makeup before heading out to meet her.

Lin Yun'en was the only college classmate who knew about her relationship with Fu Chen.

As luck would have it, her grandfather was Fu Chen's middle school teacher. They met by chance at a party, found they shared similar interests, and quickly became friends.

"Honey, why are you so late? We've been waiting for you for ages."

As soon as Ruan Qing got out of the car, Lin Yun'en pulled her and acted coquettishly, revealing a surprisingly cute side to the 1.73-meter-tall mature woman.

"I went back halfway to get you a gift." Ruan Qing held up two large bags, which contained the new MUJI bags that Secretary Chen had given her.

Lin Yun'en wished she could marry Ruan Qing. She happily accepted the gift bag, squinted meaningfully, and teased in a low voice, "Wife Qingqing, you must be tired from working at that scheming guy's place these past few days. Come and lean on my shoulder and rest for a while."

No, it wasn't. After all, it was really great.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have taken the initiative.

"By the way, you said on the phone that you had something very important to say, what was it?"

Lin Yun'en put away her bag, and the smile on her face vanished in an instant.

"Take a deep breath with me first, I'm afraid you can't handle it."

Ruan Qing was amused by her: "Go ahead and tell me, I can handle anything."

After taking a few deep breaths, Lin Yun'en suppressed her anger and put her hands on Ruan Qing's shoulders.

"Did you know that Fu Chen is getting married?"