Pampered Rose

Chapter 4: A Smirk, Not Quite a Smile—’You’ve Grown Up.’

Inside the car, there was complete silence, except for the faint scent of cold sandalwood from the man that enveloped the entire space.

Tang Li sat sideways next to Fu Jiuye, with Zhou Cheng having already lowered the partition in the front.

The air conditioning was set a bit low, making Tang Li feel a chill on her exposed skin.

Fu Jiuye also noticed that the girl beside him was shivering slightly. He tilted his head and glanced at her.

The girl in the qipao looked very different from before. The dress highlighted her full curves and she looked cold and charming.

Although the qipao was a conservative style, the high slit on the side exposed her long, slender, and fair legs, with the beautiful curves becoming visible with her movements.

Her subtle intentions seemed to go unnoticed by others.

Fu Jiuye gave a faint smile, and the sound of black beads rubbing together filled the car. He glanced at Tang Li and casually asked, “How long have you been back?”

Tang Li’s hands were resting on her lap. At his voice, she tensed slightly and looked up at him with a hint of surprise on her beautiful face, “Uncle?”

Her heart raced a bit faster. Did Fu Jiuye remember her?

Fu Jiuye noticed the girl’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he raised his eyebrows. With his long, slender fingers tapping on the leather seat, he asked, “Are you eighteen now?”

He remembered that Tang Li was only sixteen when she left. At that time, he was abroad and unaware of domestic affairs. The last time he saw her, she was just a small child who would shyly call him “Uncle.”

Tang Li’s heart felt a bit sour, but she maintained a gentle and obedient demeanor. Looking at him with warm eyes, she corrected him, “Uncle, I’m nineteen now.”

“Oh.” Fu Zechen raised an eyebrow with a half-smile, “You’ve grown up.”

Tang Li’s heartbeat quickened as she looked at him.

He turned his gaze to the night outside the window, not looking at her. His tone was soft, with a trace of amusement, “But still a young girl.”

Tang Li didn’t speak, her hand on her qipao clenching slightly.

The Cayenne soon arrived at Jingwu University, situated in the northern third ring of Beijing.

The black Cayenne stopped steadily at the entrance.

“Master Jiu,” Zhou Cheng’s voice came from the front as he opened the door, respectfully announcing, “We’ve arrived at Jingwu University.”

Tang Li came back to her senses. She had provided the address when she got into the car and was surprised at how quickly they arrived.

Fu Jiuye nodded, his gaze indifferent, and did not turn to look at Tang Li.

“Thank you for the ride, Uncle,” Tang Li said, opening the car door with a warm voice.

Fu Jiuye nodded slightly, his stern, handsome face showing no emotion.

Standing outside the car, Tang Li was getting a bit wet from the rain that was still falling.

She tightened her grip on the hem of her qipao and took a few steps forward.

“Miss Tang,” someone called from behind. Zuo Cheng stepped forward, handing her an umbrella. “Master Jiu said it’s raining heavily and you should use an umbrella.”

Tang Li took the black umbrella, her pale fingers gripping it. She glanced down with a hint of determination and suddenly turned to approach the car.

She knocked on the car window.

The window lowered, and Fu Jiuye looked at her, his sharply defined jawline appearing cold and distant, his deep, dark eyes just as she remembered from her countless dreams.

Tang Li leaned in, mustered up her courage and asked, “Uncle, can I add you on WeChat? Or could you give me your phone number?”

The rain grew heavier, raindrops pattering on the umbrella.

Fu Jiuye heard what she said clearly, his dark eyes resting on her face for a moment. He seemed to smile slightly, then after a pause, he replied slowly, “Sure.”

He handed her a business card with simple black and white lines and only a phone number.

Tang Li’s lips curled into a smile, and her eyes sparkled with youthful excitement, “Thank you, Uncle.”

Fu Jiuye’s expression remained neutral as he leaned against the car window and raised an eyebrow, “What are you thanking me for?”

The rain continued to pour. Tang Li, unsure of where her courage came from, took a few steps back.

In her light crimson qipao, her long black hair damp on her shoulders, her face glowing like a rose, she looked at him and, over the sound of the rain, said, “Uncle, I’m nineteen now, not a young girl anymore. I’m a woman.”