Chapter 9: Wishful Thinking

Page 1/3

Hearing the noise, Fu Siyu abruptly turned his head, quickly tossing aside the cloth in his hand. He took a few strides to her side, crouched down, and grabbed her hand firmly, his brows furrowed deeply with concern. “How could you be so careless?”

Shi Yun slightly withdrew her hand and whispered, “It’s nothing, just a small thorn.”

But Fu Siyu was relentless, holding her hand tightly as he examined the wound carefully, muttering, “Nothing? It’s bleeding.”

Watching his anxious expression, Shi Yun felt a bit uneasy. “Really, it’s fine. I’ll just get a band-aid.”

Still unconvinced, Fu Siyu led her inside and said, “Let’s go to the hospital.”

Shi Yun blinked in surprise.

For such a tiny wound, he wanted to go to the hospital?

The wound itself must be embarrassed and eager to heal quickly.

Fu Siyu frowned and spoke seriously, “What if it gets infected?”

Shi Yun rolled her eyes at him and gently shook off his hand, mumbling, “You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.”

She walked straight to the medicine cabinet, knelt down, and quickly found a band-aid, applying it smoothly to the wound.

Raising her chin, she signaled to Fu Siyu that this was the proper way to treat a wound.

Fu Siyu glanced at her, then took out his phone to call someone to clean up the mess at the door.

Only then did Shi Yun notice that the cuff of his sleeve and his hand were stained with red paint.

That bespoke suit.

Now, just treating him to a meal wouldn’t be enough; it called for a full banquet.

After finishing the call, Fu Siyu noticed her gaze, looked up to meet her eyes, and for a moment, the air between them was still.

Shi Yun was the first to speak. “Your sleeve and hand are dirty. Go wash up.”

Fu Siyu looked at his hand, expression unchanged. “It’s fine.”

Shi Yun took a pack of wet wipes from the table and handed them to him.

Fu Siyu’s lips curved slightly, but he didn’t take them. “I thought you were going to wipe it for me.”

Shi Yun shot him a glance, took out a wet wipe, and slowly approached him, eyes lowered, softly saying, “In your dreams.”

But her hand didn’t stop; she gently grasped his wrist, brought it in front of her, lowered her eyes, and began wiping the red paint off his hand.

Her fingertips brushed against his palm, warm to the touch.

Fu Siyu’s gaze darkened as he stared at her profile, his voice low and husky. “So proactive?”

Shi Yun’s hand paused briefly; she looked up and glared at him. “I’m just returning the favor. Cleaned up, all even.”

But Fu Siyu reversed his grip, holding her hand and taking the wet wipe. “Not finished yet.”

The scent of his unique woody cologne filled her nose, and she suddenly wanted to ask what fragrance it was.

Page 2/3

Lost in thought, she asked.

Hearing her question, Fu Siyu slowed his wiping.

His gaze swept over her lowered brows and slightly trembling lashes, a lazy tone in his voice. “Custom blend. Yun Yun likes it?”

The deep, intimate “Yun Yun” made her throat prickle.

She turned and sat down, poured a cup of tea, and took a light sip. “Just asking.”

With that, Shi Yun walked toward her workspace to organize the newly arrived tools and materials for mounting and restoring old paintings.

She spoke without turning back, “President Fu, are you free? If so, there’s a teahouse next door where you can have some tea.”

Fu Siyu chuckled softly, hands in his pockets. “Would the young lady Yun Yun accompany me?”

Shi Yun furrowed her brow.

Did he really not understand her hint?

She kept working, replying calmly, “No, I’m busy.”

After a while, Shi Yun wiped the painting table clean and neatly arranged the silk, paste, brushes, and other restoration tools.

Fu Siyu showed no intention of staying.

He took a long look at Shi Yun’s busy figure, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. In a low voice, he said, “Then you focus on your work. See you tonight.”

With that, he turned and headed for the door.

At the doorway, he glanced back once more, seeing Shi Yun still engrossed in her task before pushing the door open and leaving.

Hearing the door close, Shi Yun’s hands paused as she slightly turned to look toward the entrance.

Seeing Fu Siyu had left, she withdrew her gaze and resumed her work.

Time slipped by quietly as Shi Yun concentrated on her task.

Only when the old-fashioned wall clock chimed six times did she look up suddenly and check the time—it was already six in the evening.

She set down her tools and stretched her slightly aching back when footsteps sounded at the door.

Fu Siyu entered, dressed in a dark gray suit that made him look tall and imposing, his aura cold and sharp.

Shi Yun raised an eyebrow. “President Fu, you’re punctual.”

She thought to herself that he really couldn’t miss this meal.

Fu Siyu was about to speak when Shi Yun’s phone suddenly rang.

She glanced at the caller ID—Gao Qianan.

Apologetically, she smiled at Fu Siyu and answered with a voice full of delight. “Cousin! Why are you calling me? Missing me already?”

Page 3/3

“Yun Yun, I’m back in the country. Let’s have dinner tonight; I’ll wait for you at the old place. I brought lots of gifts you’ll like.”

Gao Qianan’s excited voice came through the line, the warmth and closeness palpable even through the phone.

Instinctively, Shi Yun looked at Fu Siyu, her expression troubled.

What a coincidence.

She couldn’t just stand him up halfway through.

Fu Siyu stood with his hands in his pockets, his dark, narrow eyes half-lidded, expression unreadable.

After a moment’s hesitation, Shi Yun said, “Cousin, I have something going on here... I might not be able to make it.”

“What’s going on? Is it inconvenient?” Gao Qianan asked with concern.

Biting her lip, Shi Yun replied, “I have a friend here. We’ve already made plans.”

At that moment, Fu Siyu spoke up, “We can go together. It’s not like I don’t know Gao Qianan.”

His voice was cold, emotionless.

Shi Yun hesitated, then said into the phone, “Then, cousin, let’s go together.”

Gao Qianan was silent for a moment, then agreed, “Okay, I’ll wait.”

After hanging up, Shi Yun looked at Fu Siyu and smiled awkwardly. “Um... my cousin just came back and wanted to have dinner with me.”

Fu Siyu’s hands remained in his pockets, his expression calm. “Let’s go.”

—

At the entrance of Linjiang Pavilion, Shi Yun couldn’t help but say to Fu Siyu, “Their food is really delicious.”

Her words betrayed her fondness for the restaurant’s dishes.

Gao Qianan used to bring her here often; whenever they mentioned the “old place,” they both knew it was this spot.

Fu Siyu nodded thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the restaurant’s sign.

At that moment, a waitress dressed in a qipao adorned with blue-and-white porcelain patterns politely asked, “Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”

Shi Yun promptly gave Gao Qianan’s name.

The waitress bowed slightly, gesturing ‘this way,’ and led them through a winding, secluded corridor.

On either side of the passage, several lush pots of asparagus fern were arranged gracefully, and exquisite ink paintings of Jiangnan water towns hung on the walls.

Shi Yun loved the ambiance here.