Volume One, Chapter Two: A Secret Underground Romance

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Fu Yunzhen watched her figure as she walked away, lost in thought. He was so distracted that he didn’t even notice someone entering.

“Mr. Fu, although the hospital is yours, is it appropriate for you to attend to my case?”

Fu Yunzhen’s thoughts snapped back. He cast a cold glance at the man who had just returned from outside and said icily, “Is it your turn to examine my woman?”

Huo Jianting frowned and shrugged. “In front of a doctor, regardless of gender or age, we’re just flesh and blood…”

“And besides,” Fu Yunzhen continued with a slight frown, “If I hadn’t found my sister-in-law, would you have reunited with her?”

“Have you kissed your girlfriend?” Fu Yunzhen asked sharply.

Huo Jianting burst out laughing. “You slept next to your sister-in-law since school days, so why can’t I kiss mine?”

Fu Yunzhen froze for a moment. True, he had harbored a secret crush on Qiao Nian’an throughout high school. They chose the same university, and for financial reasons, he ended up with her. She even bought an apartment near campus to coax him into living together.

“Enough playing around, get up quickly. Don’t delay my examination,” Huo Jianting said as he stepped forward to take the white coat off Fu Yunzhen’s shoulders and put it on himself.

Fu Yunzhen’s gaze fell on the small bed where Qiao Nian’an had been lying. Memories of her nervousness and bashfulness during the examination and sample collection came flooding back.

She was just like before—still irresistibly enchanting, making him long to whisk her away to bed for unspeakable things.

Six years had passed, but some desires still burned fiercely.

A man who has tasted meat grows restless without it, especially after six years of hunger.

Huo Jianting shook his head. “She dumped you back then. Six years without contact, and you’re still chasing after her? You need to cure that love-struck mind of yours.”

Fu Yunzhen scoffed lightly. “We’re both equally stubborn. Nobody mocks anyone here. Even if I got dumped, I’d still ask for a reunion.”

Despite six years of silence, Fu Yunzhen hadn’t let go of Qiao Nian’an—not for a second.

Huo Jianting wanted to argue that he wasn’t love-struck, but his mind flashed to when he learned that the girl he’d secretly loved for years was ill abroad, and he had taken a twenty-hour flight just to catch a glimpse.

He admitted he was love-struck too.

Even a powerful, respected tycoon like Fu Yunzhen was love-struck—how much more an ordinary person like himself?

“By the way, there’s a gathering tonight—it’s a reunion for the senior high school class.”

“I’m not going,” Fu Yunzhen replied.

“Qiao, the campus belle, is going.”

Fu Yunzhen asked, “What time? Where?”

“Galaxy Club, eight o’clock.”

…

After leaving the hospital, Qiao Nian’an felt deeply downcast.

They had no ties anymore, yet after six years, they met again under such awkward circumstances.

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He clearly recognized her but pretended not to. When he examined her so intimately, she felt mocked.

She had dropped out in her sophomore year after her father’s suicide. Multiple properties were seized, her assets frozen, and her mother fell ill, unable to accept the tragedy. Her savings were exhausted, and naturally, she had no money for school.

She didn’t want to be a burden and broke up with him.

She was beautiful, and her mother had always invested in her education. She had learned multiple languages from a young age, so even without a degree, she could earn a living on her own.

Now, she worked as a junior translator at a friend’s company during the day.

In the evenings, she took on part-time jobs at clubs, bars, and nightclubs.

Actually, her income was decent enough to live a comfortable, modest life.

But surviving in a big city while supporting an elder and a child, plus debts left by her father and a brother who was a ticking time bomb—that was no easy task.

She was even struggling to gather money for next month’s debts.

It was a constant juggling act, robbing Peter to pay Paul.

To repay debts, she had to work multiple shifts a day.

Qiao Nian’an returned to her rented attic in a village in the city, blessed with a large terrace.

Nearby were shining high-rises, upscale neighborhoods, and iconic urban landmarks.

“Mom, I transferred three thousand yuan to your WeChat for groceries. You work so hard to care for Manman and the family. I promise I’ll earn more and pay off the debts soon, so we can live well.”

Her goal was to clear the debts, then rent a better place.

Once stable, she would buy a three-bedroom apartment, even if secondhand.

“Your last money transfer is still there. It’s not easy for you to earn. You have debts to pay and still support us. I don’t spend that much on groceries. I usually buy discounted fresh produce at night and store it in the fridge for the next day. Our monthly food expenses don’t even reach nine hundred yuan.”

Hearing her mother’s words, Qiao Nian’an felt deeply ashamed. “Mom, we can’t skimp on this.”

“That’s just being prudent. It’s all fresh, just a day old. When you eat out, they might serve you meat kept in the freezer for decades… What can I do for you? We each have our path in wealth or poverty. I can’t help you much.” Her mother comforted her gently.

“Mom, I’m sorry for making you suffer with me. I swear I’ll make your life better!” Qiao Nian’an vowed.

“I know you will make life better for me and Manman. Just don’t overwork yourself; I’ll worry about you,” her mother said.

Qiao Nian’an opened her mouth to speak again when her phone rang.

“Nian’nian, there’s a part-time gig. Big shots are gathering at our club. The tips are amazing—ten thousand yuan a night is guaranteed! If it weren’t for no one here able to play the piano, you’d be perfect. Come quick!”

“If one of the big shots notices you, there could be even more benefits!”

Qiao Nian’an only heard the word “ten thousand yuan in tips!”

“Okay, I’m hailing a cab now!” she replied.

She had trained under top international piano masters since childhood.

This money she would definitely earn.

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While grabbing her bag, Qiao Nian’an called a cab on her phone. “Mom, you go to bed first. Don’t wait up. I’m off to make some money!”

Before her mother could reply, she was already downstairs.

Upon arriving at the Galaxy Club, the manager led her to a two-hundred-square-meter private room.

The piano stood on a raised platform, and Qiao Nian’an sat with her back to the guests.

Her task was simply to play the piano.

The guests gradually gathered.

When the last person entered, everyone, thinking it had been years since they met and this was the first time their tycoon friend attended a reunion, began playing truth or dare.

Game after game was played, but Fu Yunzhen grew impatient.

This time, the bottle pointed at him.

The class president cautiously asked, “Fu Yunzhen, truth or dare?”

They wondered if the powerful tycoon from the capital would play such childish games.

No one had expected him to come to this reunion!

They had invited him before, but he always declined.

Fu Yunzhen listened to the familiar piano melody, glancing casually. A slender figure appeared in his sight, making him momentarily dazed.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

“Truth,” he said calmly.

The class president looked around and quickly drew a card.

“When did you give your first kiss?”

Fu Yunzhen froze for a moment.

Memories surged in his heart.

Meanwhile, Qiao Nian’an, playing the piano, heard Fu Yunzhen’s name and stumbled on two wrong notes, though she quickly recovered.

The class president had invited her to the reunion, but she had refused.

Unexpectedly, her part-time job was at the very place where the reunion was being held!

Wait… Fu Yunzhen wasn’t going to expose that they had dated, was he?

After all, their secret underground romance had never been known to others…