CHAPTER 87 — The Scene He Shouldn't Have Seen
Fu Jian closed the door.
He didn't move for five whole seconds.
Then—
He regretted it.
Instantly. Violently. Deeply.
Because he should have looked longer.
He should have looked more.
His fingers twitched at his side, his chest tightening with the memory of smooth skin, dripping water, and curves he definitely wasn't supposed to see.
"Sir, please leave! My boss is busy!" the receptionist cried, trying to push him back.
Her voice trembled so badly that the security guards rushed in. Heavy footsteps thundered through the office as three men reached for Fu Jian.
Before they could grab him, Stella stepped in.
Her expression froze.
And then changed.
Recognition flickered through her eyes.
"Stop," she ordered sharply.
The guards halted mid-motion, confused.
"All of you, leave the office. Now."
The receptionist stared at Stella as if she had lost her mind. But Stella's cold gaze brooked no argument. One by one, they backed out of the room.
Stella bowed politely to Fu Jian.
Then she, too, left.
The door closed behind her.
Fu Jian was alone.
He didn't know whether to sit, run, break down the door, or apologize to every ancestor Bai Xia had.
He chose to stand still.
His mind spun wildly.
He had called her all through yesterday. She didn't pick up.
He assumed she was angry that he didn't visit her the previous night—he had been drowning in meetings.
He called this morning too.
No response.
He grew anxious. He couldn't go to her house—her family would misunderstand. So he came to her company. He arrived early, only to hear she'd just left. He waited hours until she returned, but she still refused to see him.
The receptionist even started giving him… disgusting, flirtatious glances.
He endured.
Until they indirectly told him to leave.
He snapped.
Forced his way up.
Forced the door open—
And saw something that would haunt him and bless him for the rest of his life.
His face burned at the memory.
As he spiraled deeper into his thoughts, the door to the small room opened.
He froze.
Bai Xia stepped out.
Her face, which had calmed earlier, instantly turned red again as she remembered exactly what had happened. Even if she was wearing a bra now, it barely contained her—she had outgrown her old underwear. That pathetic scrap of fabric had covered almost nothing.
He had practically seen everything.
In ancient times, she thought, someone would have forced them to marry on the spot.
She walked to her chair as calmly as she could, trying to pretend nothing happened.
But Fu Jian moved first. He rushed to her side, worry taking over embarrassment.
"What's wrong, my love? Are you angry at me? I called you all day yesterday."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted—unintentionally—downward.
Remembering the soft, dripping, breathtaking sight…
Bai Xia snapped instantly.
"Hey. My eyes are up here. What are you looking at?"
Fu Jian choked.
"I—I didn't—"
"I know what you did. Don't say it."
His ears burned bright red.
This man, who looked like a cold, untouchable demon carved from jade—
Could sometimes act like a flustered boy.
She secretly wondered…
Did he have two personalities?
Or did he only act this way with her?
"Fu Jian, yesterday was stressful," she said quietly. "My siblings were kidnapped by a business rival."
He stiffened as though struck by lightning. He grabbed her hands and pulled her closer.
"Why didn't you tell me? Are they safe? Are you safe?"
"They are. Everything is already handled. You don't need to worry." She lowered her gaze. "But I should apologize. I should have told you. I'm sorry."
He shook his head furiously.
"No. Don't apologize. I'm just glad you're safe."
Silence fell.
A soft, warm, gentle silence.
Then they both realized.
They were too close.
Too close to breathe properly.
Too close to think properly.
They separated instantly—
Bai Xia pretending to organize her desk,
Fu Jian pretending to adjust his suit even though his ears were glowing red.
Bai Xia spotted his embarrassment.
A wicked idea bloomed.
She slipped behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him from behind.
"Bro Jian," she whispered, her voice warm against his back. "I have something for you."
Fu Jian almost died.
His whole body stiffened as he felt the softness pressed against him. Softer than the last time—softer than the bike ride—soft enough to break his sanity.
His mind flashed back to the scene from a few minutes ago—her dripping hair, her bare shoulders, her—
He swallowed, hard.
"B-Bai Xia, just… let go, okay? Men and women aren't supposed to be this close."
"But Brother Jian," she breathed, "what I want to give you requires us to be this close."
His soul left his body.
"B-Bai Xia, you're still a minor."
"Me being a minor doesn't stop me from giving it to you."
"Yes, it does! Think straight! I have something to do—I'll leave first—"
He tried to pull away.
She held him tighter.
He tried again.
No use.
Was she even a teenager?! How strong was she?!
"B-Bai Xia, let me go first—please—" he begged, his entire body trembling. He felt like he was about to lose control..
She leaned in closer.
"Brother Jian, I thought for a long time about what I should give you. Ever since your gift in the car that day."
He froze.
The car.
The kiss he placed on her neck.
He wanted to hit his past self.
Why did he do that?!
Why?!
"You don't need to repay that," he panicked. "O-okay? We can't do something like that before we get married!"
"But Brother Jian…" she whispered, voice soft and dangerous, "I'm already ready."
Fu Jian nearly collapsed.
His brain overheated.
His heart malfunctioned.
His morality tried to jump out the window.
Finally, she let go.
He remained rooted in place, too terrified to move, face scarlet all the way to his collar.
Then—
"Brother Jian," she said softly, "turn around."
Fu Jian froze.
He dared not turn.
If he did…
He wasn't sure he would remain a proper gentleman.
"Bai Xia," he said in a strangled voice, "I'm… I'm leaving…"
He took one step toward the door.