Chapter 81 Then close your eyes, I'll do it myself...

Lin Xi was surprised that Fu Wenxun would change his mind so quickly.

Fu Qingli explained, "Because he can't have other children."

Lin Xi looked at him in confusion: "? What do you mean?"

“Back then, my mother discovered he was having an affair and insisted on a divorce. To keep her, he promised to marry only her and only have children with her, so he got a vasectomy.” Fu Qingli curled her lips into a mocking smile. “Isn’t it ridiculous? He can’t be faithful in marriage, yet he can stick to this pointless promise.”

"But what does it mean to a mother? All she ever wanted was a husband who was loyal to her."

Lin Xi pressed her lips into a straight line, unsure how to react to Fu Wenxun's behavior.

Undeniably, he once deeply loved Shen Yu.

However, his love could not last, and he did not have the ability to love only one person forever.

He probably knew his own problems and felt sorry for Shen Yu, which is why he was so insistent on keeping the promises he could keep.

Their failed marriage also made him determined to arrange a marriage for Fu Qingli that he considered to be "well-matched".

No matter what he does in his life, he can never make up for the harm he has caused to Shen Yu and Fu Qingli.

But he was, after all, Fu Qingli's closest relative.

"If he changes, will you... forgive him?"

“No, I have no right to speak for my mother and forgive her, and I don’t think she would forgive what he did.” Fu Qingli reached out and pulled Lin Xi onto her lap, stroking her soft cheek. “As for us, we’ve been separated for six whole years because of him, and it’s not something that can be made up for with just an ‘I was wrong’ statement.”

"Besides, he doesn't know he's wrong, he just can't bear the consequences."

Lin Xi knew that Fu Qingli did the right thing, but she still felt sad.

It seems he has conceded.

However, the rift between him and the Fu family had already formed and was difficult to repair.

The affection the Fu family had given him since childhood was already meager, and now he had even severed that last bit of affection with his own hands.

Fu Qingli noticed her sadness and comforted her instead: "It's okay, I stopped expecting anything from them a long time ago. If you don't have expectations, you won't feel sad."

He glanced at his watch and changed the subject, "Alright, it's almost six o'clock. How about I take you out for hot pot?"

Knowing he didn't want to continue the topic, Lin Xi readily followed his lead: "Okay, let's go with the one in the nearby mall."

The autumn evening breeze was slightly cool. Before going out, she went back to her room to put on a sweater and cardigan, and also grabbed a trench coat for Fu Qingli.

Taking the clothes from her, Fu Qingli frowned and thought for a moment, then suddenly blurted out, "After we finish eating, shall we go shopping?"

Lin Xi was focused on straightening his collar and didn't notice his expression: "Okay, is there anything you want to buy?"

"Let's buy a few sets of clothes in the same color scheme," Fu Qingli's voice was inexplicably tinged with a hint of grievance, "We don't have any matching outfits right now."

Only after he pointed it out did Lin Xi notice that she was wearing an apricot-colored trench coat, while the one she gave to Fu Qingli was black.

But the only coat he had in his closet was black.

She used to love buying matching items for herself and Fu Qingli, creating a couple's look.

Even her clothes are a mix of styles; she basically puts together matching outfits in the same color scheme for every single one.

But since they got married, she really hasn't bought him anything.

Not to mention those subtle ways they secretly show affection for each other.

However, she always thought that he hadn't noticed her childish behavior.

After all, his clothes were mainly black, white, and gray, so at first glance they didn't look any different.

"So you found out?" Lin Xi looked up, her expression slightly embarrassed by her past naiveté.

“Yes,” Fu Qingli said, exasperated by her slowness, and tapped her nose. “Didn’t you notice that I always have Aunt Tao hang up the clothes I’m going to wear the next day in advance?”

It makes it easier for us to match outfits.

Lin Xi stuck out her tongue.

She really didn't realize he was doing it on purpose.

I always thought it was because I was observant and even secretly took pride in my meticulousness.

Do you think I'm being childish by doing that?

"How could that be? Love is about possessiveness, and I want others to know you're mine!"

Fu Qingli naturally took her hand, their fingers intertwined.

Xiao Tao had already gone home, but left the car for them.

Seeing the car, Fu Qingli suddenly remembered that she had gone to the company: "By the way, Xiao Tao said you went to the company to see me. What was it?"

When he reminded her, Lin Xi realized that she had completely forgotten about Yaoshi Jewelry.

Having just experienced what happened with Fu Wenxun, she was somewhat at a loss for words regarding her unreasonable request.

As Fu Qingli bent down to fasten her seatbelt, he clearly saw the struggle on her face and understood: "Ye Baichuan is looking for you?"

"You want to help Yaoshi adjust the battle zones for the anniversary celebration?"

"Okay." Lin Xi tugged at the hem of Fu Qingli's coat and shook it. "Is it okay?"

Fu Qingli sighed and tapped her head with her finger: "Why are you so soft-hearted? You're soft-hearted to the Fu family and to Yaoshi."

Lin Xi let out a soft "Ah," covered her forehead, and argued, "But this is, after all, a project I took over, and I don't want to give up halfway through."

“Yes, Ah Zou and I have discussed it. Song Jia will definitely take full responsibility for this matter. Although Su Yi'an is the mastermind behind the whole thing, if it is not handled properly, it will become a major stain on your future career.”

Lin Xi took a moment to react, then looked at him with surprise and delight, her eyes sparkling as if countless stars had fallen into them: "So, you agree?"

"Yes, I agree. But on the condition that I can be there with you this time."

"OK."

Now that the two have gone public, there's no need for them to hide anything.

"However, won't this interfere with your work? I've been thinking about it, and it would probably take a whole day to make the adjustment."

"Won't."

Just as she finished speaking, Fu Qingli's phone, which was on the center console, suddenly rang.

He was driving and couldn't free his hands, so he gestured to Lin Xi to help him check.

"It's Zou Song calling, should I answer?"

Fu Qingli nodded: "Mm."

After Lin Xi connected, she immediately put the phone on speakerphone.

Before Fu Qingli could speak, Zou Song's voice came through: "Brother Fu, I've arrived at the airport. Will you still be able to make it to the bidding meeting tomorrow?"

Fu Qingli: "..."

Lin Xi: "..."

Lin Xi naturally knew what he meant by the bidding meeting, but Fu Qingli hadn't mentioned it before, and had just said he would stay with her at the site all day.

She looked at Fu Qingli with a puzzled expression.

Fu Qingli raised an eyebrow, her face remaining calm: "I won't go. You and Jiali can handle it."

"Well... if anything goes wrong, you can't blame us," Zou Song said timidly, trying to absolve himself of responsibility.

"Yes, I'll take full responsibility if there's a problem."

Fu Qingli's words reassured Zou Song.

Then he remembered Yaoshi's matter: "By the way, Brother Fu, I've looked at Yaoshi's repair plans, and none of them are usable. Why don't we have Ye Baichuan directly ask Su Yi'an for compensation? I'll just put in some more money myself, it's so annoying!"

Despite his complaints, Zou Song remained rational and knew that since it concerned Lin Xi's reputation, Fu Qingli wouldn't take it lightly. "However, my sister-in-law's reputation is indeed a problem. Well, I'll have them revise it again so that it's more noticeable."

"No need for that trouble, Xiaoxi will make the changes herself."

"Ah, my sister-in-law changed it herself, that's wonderful!" Zou Song was overjoyed. "Then Yaoshi's project is saved."

With such high expectations falling on her, Lin Xi was so nervous that she forgot Zou Song was on the phone with Fu Qingli and anxiously explained, "No, I can only try my best to remedy the situation, but I can't guarantee the results."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, probably because they hadn't expected to hear her voice.

Then, Zou Song's fawning laughter broke through: "Hehe, hello sister-in-law, it's alright, your plan is definitely good, I believe in your abilities!"

"By the way, sister-in-law, I have something to do, I'll go now, bye."

"Beep beep—"

Lin Xi held her phone, looking bewildered: "Why did he hang up so quickly?"

Fu Qingli shrugged, without explaining that Zou Song had run away because he felt guilty for revealing the bidding meeting tomorrow.

"The flight is probably about to take off."

Flights? Right.

Lin Xi began to settle scores: "Why didn't you tell me that the bidding meeting for your project was tomorrow? And you were even planning to come with me to the site?"

"Why don't you go back to Haicheng now to prepare? I can manage on my own. Things are like this now, Su Yi'an definitely can't take care of me, so there won't be any risks."

"It's really nothing," Fu Qingli reassured her. "We've already made all the necessary preparations. Going back to Haicheng to cram now won't do any good."

He glanced at Lin Xi while the light was red.

Seeing her pouting, looking worried.

He reached out and hooked her chin with his index finger: "Trust me, tomorrow will definitely be good news."

Although Fu Qingli appeared confident, Lin Xi couldn't calm down.

I kept getting distracted when I was writing proposals in the study.

I finally managed to finish the proposal before 11 o'clock, but I couldn't fall asleep even when I lay in bed.

While she was tossing and turning, Fu Qingli came out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe. Seeing that she was still worried about her, he rolled over and pinned her down without saying a word.

Cool lips landed on the corner of her lips, lingered for a moment, and then slowly moved up along her jawline.

As his lips and tongue nibbled at the soft flesh of her earlobe, Lin Xi felt a cool sensation on her calf, followed by a gentle, hot hand stroking her shapely legs.

"Since we can't sleep, let's do something else to help us fall asleep."

A slightly hoarse magnetic voice rang in my ears, making them itch.

Immediately, the itch spread to every part of my body, and even my heart started to itch.

The autumn night was slightly cool, but inside the room, it felt like springtime.

Considering that Lin Xi had to go to the anniversary celebration the next day, Fu Qingli only went so far as to make Lin Xi sleepy and then let her go.

As the tingling sensation throughout her body gradually subsided, Lin Xi regained a sliver of clarity in her mind.

Looking at Fu Qingli's bulging veins on his arms and the large beads of sweat on his forehead, knowing that he had been taking care of her all along, she felt that she had not been satisfied at all.

She struggled to raise her hand, placed it on his forearm, and gently massaged it: "Let me help you—"

She was too embarrassed to say what she was going to say next, but Fu Qingli understood.

He leaned down, gently brushed away the strands of hair stuck to his face with sweat, pecked at his swollen lips, and comforted him, "Close your eyes if you're sleepy and get some rest."

Lin Xi shook her head, shaking off her still drowsy mind: "No, you didn't have any—"

Fu Qingli chuckled, slowly lowering her arm around hers: "Then close your eyes, I'll do it myself, okay?"

Before he could even touch her, the person beneath him closed her eyes and fell asleep.