Han Ji’s company had some overlapping business with Huading, but he could never manage to secure any cooperation with them. Sometimes he wondered if Fu Mingchuan had secretly blocked him. Otherwise, why would every potential collaboration fall through?
But then he’d doubt himself, especially considering how ugly things had gotten between Ruan Jing and Fu Mingchuan back then, yet Fengcheng and Huading continued to work together.
He never understood where the problem lay. Even though he had achieved some success and managed to climb the social ladder a bit, three years had passed, and he was still shut out by Huading.
In Zhongzhou, running a business without partnering with Huading meant you weren’t truly successful. Han Ji still liked You Wen, still thought of him often, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to do business with Huading.
Over the years, he’d heard plenty of rumors. It seemed Fu Mingchuan had finally become someone worthy of You Wen.
In the rumors, Fu Mingchuan was described as a model husband, but Han Ji was skeptical about how happy they truly were. He’d seen how Fu Mingchuan used to treat You Wen, and even Zhou Hui’s remarks about Fu Mingchuan had always been dismissive.
Recently, Han Ji had been busy with an auction for a package of bad assets. With countless chaotic matters to handle and endless details to investigate, he found himself moving through high-end dinners and increasingly exclusive gatherings. Inside, he felt frustrated, like he was constantly feeding people who would never be satisfied, but he had to endure it, unable to relax for even a moment.
After drinking too much, Han Ji went to the bathroom to splash his face and sober up. When he looked up, he saw Fu Mingchuan washing his hands beside him in the mirror. They exchanged glances, and Han Ji greeted him without thinking.
Fu Mingchuan nodded slightly. Unsure if he should make small talk, Han Ji noticed Fu Mingchuan’s steady gaze on him and instinctively asked, “Do you have something to ask me, Mr. Fu?”
Fu Mingchuan’s eyes remained on his face, not missing any subtle expression. “Why did you touch his face that day?”
For a moment, Han Ji didn’t understand what Fu Mingchuan was referring to until he reminded him of a specific time and place.
It was from years ago when You Wen had asked for a gift in return, and Han Ji had taken him to a hotel.
A whirlwind of emotions surfaced. Han Ji immediately realized that the reason he’d been blocked from cooperating with Huading all these years was indeed Fu Mingchuan.
He observed Fu Mingchuan as Fu Mingchuan observed him. It felt surreal, so he said, almost mockingly, “That day, he had nowhere to stay and asked me for money, so I took him to a hotel.”
Fu Mingchuan’s gaze sharpened instantly. “Don’t mislead me. I’ve seen the surveillance footage. You Wen wouldn’t let you into his room. You know better than I do how he treats people he dislikes.”
Han Ji forced a laugh, though it was bitter. Fu Mingchuan knew nothing had happened between him and You Wen, yet he still wanted to know why he had touched his face.
It had been nearly four years. How could Fu Mingchuan remember such a small detail for so long?
Long enough that, even after four years, he’d still bring it up.
The scattered rumors began to gain shape and clarity. Fu Mingchuan’s love—Han Ji now realized—had always been real.
What did Han Ji say?
That anyone would want to get close, to reach out to You Wen.
He even asked Fu Mingchuan why he had treated You Wen the way he did.
And Fu Mingchuan? Han Ji thought he was too drunk to read his reaction accurately, but it seemed Fu Mingchuan only wanted him to mind his own business.
Of course, Han Ji had stayed out of it. Otherwise, why hadn’t he appeared in front of You Wen all these years?
He said that the only reason Fu Mingchuan had “won” was due to his family background. Without that, they’d be no different.
What was Fu Mingchuan’s response? He simply said, “We’d already been together for a year before the engagement.”
That single sentence crushed all of Han Ji’s pride. So, that was how it was.
Meanwhile, You Wen, who’d been on many people’s minds, had recently noticed how much Fu Mingchuan liked touching his face. Finally, one day, You Wen couldn’t resist pushing his hand away. “What are you doing?”
Fu Mingchuan didn’t mention Han Ji. He just said that You Wen always took too long whenever he went out with Tiao Tiao. “Next time, wait until I’m home, and we’ll go together.”
Tiao Tiao wagged his tail from the side, perking up when he heard his name, yet he didn’t get so much as a glance from Fu Mingchuan.
You Wen agreed readily, “Though I think when you take me out, you’re walking me, not Tiao Tiao.”
Fu Mingchuan didn’t feel particularly attached to the dog, nor did he specifically make time to walk him. But when he went with You Wen, he’d happily accompany him anywhere, and he liked teasing You Wen instead of Tiao Tiao.
“I just want to go out with you. When I come home and don’t see you, it feels like something’s missing.” You Wen had once said he fell in love through his ears, so Fu Mingchuan always told him things he’d like to hear—sincere, genuine words that expressed how he felt. He wasn’t embarrassed; in fact, he was serious, wanting You Wen to stay happy.
You Wen, in turn, was willing to compromise for Fu Mingchuan. “Then, from now on, I’ll wait for you to pick me up from school, and we can go home together.”
Much later, he noticed in small ways how much Fu Mingchuan cared about Han Ji. He still didn’t understand why it was only Han Ji who stirred this reaction, so he privately reached out to Han Ji. After hearing what he had to say, he felt conflicted.
Before Fu Mingchuan came home, You Wen called him to explain, “It was right after Han Ji’s birthday. I wasn’t close with him, so it was already a bit much to give him a gift worth tens of thousands. Asking for it back may have seemed shameless, but I’d never taken advantage of him, so I didn’t feel that guilty about reclaiming it.”
“At the hotel, when he touched my face, it did feel hurtful, as if our family had fallen so low that anyone could take advantage.”
“But it seems like Han Ji genuinely liked me, so don’t take it too personally. He didn’t mean it as an insult back then.”
Before the call ended, the doorbell rang. When You Wen opened it, he was swept into Fu Mingchuan’s arms. He tried to console him and said softly in his embrace, “If Han Ji really wanted to find me back then, he could have. If he really wanted to help, he could have.”
“He’s built himself up. He’s the type to weigh the pros and cons. He figured helping me wouldn’t benefit him, so he let me go.”
“That’s normal. You don’t need to dwell on it, and you don’t need to be upset.”
“The reason you were willing to help me, to give me everything, is because you love me enough. I already know that, Fu Mingchuan.”
But the more he spoke, the heavier the ache in Fu Mingchuan’s heart grew. Though You Wen seemed innocent and kind, he understood everything—human nature and all its intricacies—he just pretended not to. Fu Mingchuan couldn’t even imagine the pain he’d endured back then.
After a long silence, Fu Mingchuan finally said, “I’ll always love you.”
