Volume 1, Chapter 32: You Know, I Am Easy to Please

Fu Yunzhen watched her sudden display of coquetry, and his entire body felt electrified.

He obeyed her obediently, though his throat bobbed as he whispered, "Fine. Give me a kiss, and I’ll go hide."

"Knock, knock."

The door was knocked on again. Qiao Nian'an realized she had no choice but to open it. She stood on her tiptoes and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

Fu Yunzhen had only been teasing her; he never expected her to actually kiss him under such tense circumstances. He stared at her in astonishment, yet felt a secret thrill deep within.

Having secured his sweet prize, Fu Yunzhen kept his word and went to hide. Once he stepped into the bathroom and closed the door, Qiao Nian'an scrambled to change into a pair of pajamas. She ruffled her hair to look disheveled, then put on the appearance of someone who had just woken up before finally opening the door.

"Grandfather, I had just fallen asleep and vaguely heard the knocking. I'm so sorry to keep you waiting. Is there something you need?"

"Oh, it’s nothing urgent. Let’s go inside and talk." Old Master Fu supported Old Madam Fu as they entered.

A young woman stood at the doorway, staring intently at Qiao Nian'an.

Old Master Fu introduced them, "You two haven't met yet, have you? An'an, this is Yunzhen's fiancée. Yunzhu, this is Jingchuan's fiancée."

When Qiao Nian'an and Luo Yunzhu locked eyes, Qiao Nian'an offered only a polite nod. Luo Yunzhu, however, scrutinized Qiao Nian'an with a probing gaze, laced with a hint of hostility. It made Qiao Nian'an feel incredibly uncomfortable, as if she had been offended.

Qiao Nian'an looked at the two elders and asked softly, "Grandfather Fu, Grandmother Fu, is there something you wanted to discuss with me?"

Old Master Fu spoke, "I wanted to ask you, when do you intend to register your marriage with Fu Jingchuan?"

Qiao Nian'an hadn't expected such a question. She couldn't answer at once, because she had never planned to register a marriage with Fu Jingchuan, let alone marry him. She only allowed herself to be called his fiancée because she still needed to save her older brother. Her brother was the Qiao family's only hope. Once he was safe, she would make Fu Jingchuan pay the price. If not, the hatred in her heart would never be quenched. She hated nothing more than being schemed against, and she loathed being forced into a match even more!

Old Master Fu continued, "We have never seen Jingchuan care so much about any girl. This is the first time he has taken the initiative to say he wants to get married. He wants to marry soon to bring some good fortune to his grandfather; the boy is truly filial to his grandfather."

"We are also very pleased with you, so we hope you can marry Jingchuan soon."

Qiao Nian'an wore a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Fu Jingchuan liked her?

Qiao Nian'an said, "Grandfather Fu, I won't hide it from you. My family owes 900 million. I’ve already declared that whoever marries me must pay a dowry of one billion. Does he even have the money to marry a wife? Or is the Fu family planning to pay this billion-dollar dowry?"

Old Master Fu was stunned by her words, glancing at his wife in surprise. What a girl, to bring up the dowry so proactively. She was truly unique and distinctive—a breath of fresh air.

"Yes, he did mention the billion-dollar dowry to marry you," Old Master Fu said. "But given Fu Jingchuan's past reputation and his playboy lifestyle, we were worried that the two of you might be colluding to scam us. That is why we were willing to pay the billion, but only after you had registered the marriage."

"If that’s not the case, then he must find a way to come up with the billion himself before you register."

Qiao Nian'an understood. Old Master Fu’s concerns were reasonable. After all, a billion in dowry wasn't a small sum. If they were being scammed, it would be money down the drain. As for what that scoundrel Fu Jingchuan had said in the club box, she remembered it vividly. He wanted to use the guise of marriage to swindle money, wanting to marry a wife for a mere 500,000. He could keep dreaming!

"I need to see the money first before I get married," Qiao Nian'an stated.

Old Master Fu looked at her with even greater admiration. A woman who could protect her own interests was a smart one. Only such a woman was worthy of marrying into the Fu family. Those "dumb beauties" or hypocritical women simply wouldn't do. Qiao Nian'an was open and honest, never speaking falsely.

"But there are always exceptions..." Old Master Fu looked at her with appreciative eyes. "I am willing to put up the billion as a dowry for you. How you spend it is your business. Can you marry Jingchuan now?"

Marrying a good woman brings prosperity for three generations. If a woman like Qiao Nian'an could marry Fu Jingchuan, she would be the ceiling of his life. She deserved better. When Fu Jingchuan first said he wanted to marry her, he had already had her birth chart checked. She was born with a life of wealth and prosperity, a woman destined to bring fortune to her descendants.

Qiao Nian'an stood there, stunned. What? He was making an exception for her? She had behaved so poorly, showing only an interest in money—why didn't the Fu family despise her? Instead, they wanted to pay the dowry first? Were they afraid she would run away?

Before she could speak, a noise came from the bathroom. Everyone looked toward it, making Qiao Nian'an’s heart race. She saw Old Master Fu starting to walk over. "What's going on in the bathroom?"

"Grandfather Fu, perhaps it's just some items I left by the window that blew over when I opened it to ventilate after my shower." Qiao Nian'an quickly stepped in to stop him. "Grandfather Fu, Grandmother Fu, Fu Jingchuan and I are still in the early stages of getting to know each other. There’s no rush to marry; I want to observe him a bit more."

Grandmother Fu took Qiao Nian'an’s hand. "You should call us Great-Grandfather and Great-Grandmother, just like Jingchuan does."

"...Fine, Great-Grandmother." Qiao Nian'an figured she would end her relationship with Fu Jingchuan soon anyway; a title was just a title.

"An'an, we know Jingchuan is at fault. Being able to marry you is truly his blessing. We’ve spoiled him, which led to his playfulness, but if he settles down, perhaps he will turn over a new leaf. Plus, by marrying into the Fu family, you know the power we hold; it can pave the way for you."

"Besides, the entire Beijing circle knows Fu Jingchuan wants to marry you. You are already his fiancée. If you don't end up together and you become single again, no one would dare marry you if you wanted to join a wealthy family—no one dares to go against the Fu family..."

Old Master Fu looked at her. "You know what I mean. Get some rest tonight and think it over carefully. As long as you are willing to marry him, besides the billion-dollar dowry, you can name your price."

Qiao Nian'an said nothing. After seeing the elders out, she locked the door. She marched toward the bathroom, furious at Fu Yunzhen. She shoved the door open, only to find that he had already taken off his shirt.

He had the perfect physique—lean while dressed, yet muscular underneath. His muscles were like carved stone, the bulging lines looking even more powerful in the dim light, exuding masculine strength and charm. Broad shoulders, a narrow back, and a firm waist. Her legs had once wrapped around him. He was full of raw power.

Qiao Nian'an’s anger vanished by more than half upon seeing him. Her ancestors were right: find someone handsome, and you can even soothe your own anger during an argument.

She asked calmly, "Do you know that the noise you just made almost blew my cover!"

Fu Yunzhen looked at her with an innocent expression, pointing at his white shirt. "When you kissed me, your lipstick accidentally got on my shirt. I was washing it off, and I accidentally knocked over the face wash."

He held up the shirt with the lipstick stain to show her. Qiao Nian'an frowned. "Why are you washing clothes? It’s not like you don't have anything else to wear."

"I was afraid that if someone came in and saw the lipstick, they would misunderstand you." Fu Yunzhen stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close, his tone filled with a hint of grievance. "Baby, I was thinking of you, yet you’re so fierce to me."

Qiao Nian'an didn't buy it. "If you hadn't taken your shirt off and turned on the water, no one would have noticed you were in the bathroom, and no one would have asked where the lipstick came from..."

This man had made the noise on purpose. He wanted people to know he was in her room.

Qiao Nian'an pushed against his chest. "If you hadn't come into my room, none of this would have happened." She tried to push him away. Why did he have to take his shirt off?

Fu Yunzhen picked up a pair of black lace panties hanging on the towel rack. Qiao Nian'an’s face turned crimson! Damn him, why was he holding her undergarments?

"Give that back to me." She reached for them, but he held his hand high, and she couldn't reach.

As she stood on her tiptoes, one hand gripping his arm and the other reaching for her private item, the struggle only made them more intimate. Fu Yunzhen effortlessly lifted her onto the vanity, his body pressing against hers.

"Niannian, kiss me again, and I’ll give it back."

"You were mean to me just now, and I’m hurt. If you kiss me, I’ll be fine. You know I’m easy to soothe."