I Want a Lifetime with You
Chapter 269

Shi Wei's face still hasn't recovered despite being in the hospital for one week. In that same week, the news of the conflict between Shi Wei and Song Jingyu spread like wildfire.

Media outlets were indirectly controlled by Zhou Zheng; they reported everything according to plan. Meanwhile, the paparazzi employed by Song Jingyu kept attacking Shi Wei unilaterally. Shi Wei's fans hit back at them angrily in social media. They even managed to replace Song Jingyu's social media profile and attacked her there relentlessly.

The power of social media couldn't be underestimated. In a short time span of one week, public opinion over the matter changed. It started with Shi Wei being accused of being shameless, but now the attacks were focused on Song Jingyu for being crazy and narrow-minded.

As the relationship between Fu Chengyan and Shi Wei had never been substantiated and the fact that Fu Chengyan wasn't someone to be trifled with, the attacks rarely involved him. Even when his name was brought up, it was just about how rich and handsome he was and nothing negative.

It was under those chaotic circumstances that Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan celebrated their first New Year's Day as a married couple.

As few knew that they were married, they couldn't officially visit their families together. In the past, she had both looked forward to and dreaded visiting her own family on New Year's Eve.

Her relationship with the Shi family was complicated. Although Shi Yunsheng had always treated her well, all the other members of the Shi family didn't like her. Hence, going home to visit her family was Shi Nuan's biggest dilemma every year.

Last year, she didn't visit because she was overseas. But she didn't have any excuse not to this year. Notwithstanding the fact that Shi Yunsheng had called her specifically to remind her that visiting family was a must during New Year's Eve. And it didn't matter if she had an estranged relationship with Shi Jingzheng and Jiang Yu - she was still a member of the Shi family.

Shi Nuan had given it some thought and decided it would be best for her to visit. However, what made this year's visit more complicated was that Shi Wei was married and had so many unfortunate incidents happen to her. On top of all that, her relationship with Fu Xicheng remained unclear.

Shi Wei had been hiding at home ever since she was discharged from the hospital. Fu Xicheng had adopted an indifferent attitude towards Shi Wei. He didn't return home some nights; in fact, he'd rather stay overnight in the office than see Shi Wei at home.

One reason for which was recent rumors relating to Shi Wei. It was unacceptable to him all the more so because the person linked to Shi Wei was someone more capable than he.

Shi Wei and Fu Xicheng were still obliged to visit the Shi family during the New Year regardless of how reluctant they were. It was a family tradition that must be adhered to. However, Shi Wei was worried that Fu Xicheng had not gotten over Shi Nuan yet. To prevent her relationship with Fu Xicheng from deteriorating further, she asked Jiang Yu to call Shi Nuan to insist that she bring Su Bancheng back for a visit.

Shi Nuan declined the request straightaway: she was already married, and she had no real connection to Su Bancheng at all. Even if Su Bancheng was her boyfriend, it would still be too early to bring him home for such an important family event as the New Year festivities. If she brought Su Bancheng to visit her family, it would definitely send the signal that their relationship was serious.

Upon the relationship being acknowledged, Shi Nuan knew what her mother would be up to next. Her mother would use her as a pawn and insist that they get married. This way, Shi Wei would no longer be threatened by Shi Nuan.

"What are you thinking of?"

Fu Chengyan came out of the shower and saw Shi Nuan with a solemn expression as she held onto her phone. He walked closer and took the phone away from her hands. His eyes gleamed when he read the

message.

Shi Nuan recovered her senses and saw Fu Chengyan in his white bathrobe. His hair was still dripping wet.

She stood up and used a towel to help him dry his hair. After sitting him down on the sofa, Shi Nuan sighed gently. "Granddad just called, followed by mom next."

Fu Chengyan squinted and nodded. His expression became serious when saw Jiang Yu's number appear on her phone just now. "What did she say?"

"She talked about the New Year celebrations." Shi Nuan hesitated a while. "Don't be angry with what I'm going to tell you!"

"Why would I be angry? What did they say?" Fu Chengyan turned to look at her. He held her hand as he massaged her fingers. "Hmm?"

"They asked me to visit and... to bring Su Bancheng along!"

Just as she finished her sentence, she could feel the atmosphere in the room dampen.

It wasn't the first time she had seen this expression of his. It was just that ever since they were together, he rarely showed her this side of him. She was already used to him being calm and collected all the time. At that very moment, Shi Nuan could feel a strong sense of frostiness coming out of Fu Chengyan; it sent a chill down her spine.

Shi Nuan couldn't help but tighten her grip on the towel. Her eyes showed a little fear in them. She then slowly continued, “I didn't agree."

Fu Chengyan narrowed his eyes and recovered his senses after a brief moment. When he saw the fear and nervousness in Shi Nuan's eyes, he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I'm not angry with you!" He didn't like this side of Shi Nuan; he detested the fact that she would fear him.

"May!" Fu Chengyan held her hand and pulled her into his embrace.

Fu Chengyan circled one hand around Shi Nuan's waist while the other hand held her slender fingers. He sighed gently. "Did I scare you? I wasn't angry with you!"

"I know!" Shi Nuan pursed her lips and tried to force a smile. But it came out awkwardly.

She could feel his remorse and patted him on the back of his hand. "I wasn't frightened, I... Next time please don't show me that expression, alright?

Fu Chengyan nodded. "I promise!"

Shi Nuan heaved a sigh of relief. She gathered her courage and pecked him on his lips and smiled. "Though I know your anger wasn't directed at me, it still made me uncomfortable." "Alright!"

"I just said that my mom wanted me to take Su Bancheng home with me. But I didn't say I was going to do that!" Shi Nuan put her arms around Fu Chengyan's neck and hung on it for support. "You should also realize that the Su Bancheng that my mom talked about isn't the real one. It's Su Shaoqing instead. If I really brought the real Su Bancheng home, it would definitely give them a shock!"

Fu Chengyan pursed his lips and reached out his hand to scratch Shi Nuan on her nose. "You naughty girl!" he added, "I know that you are really keen to take Shaoqing home with you!" "Why?" It was Shi Nuan's turn to be puzzled. "You don't know my mom. If I really brought Mr. Su home, it won't be as simple as sharing a meal together anymore. Do you know what it would signify?" There was a grave expression on Shi Nuan's face. "Su Bancheng's status is special because the Su family is rich and powerful in Jiang City. That's what they are aiming for. Why would they be nice to me for no reason?" As Shi Wei was married, they had no choice. Hence, they were banking on Shi Nuan marrying into the Su family. If that happened, the Shi family would not only be related to Fu Xicheng by marriage but also to Jiang City's Su family too, which was a much more prominent family than Fu Xicheng's.

"Foolish girl!" Fu Chengyan pinched Shi Nuan's hand. "Don't worry, even if your mom is planning for that to happen, she won't succeed. Who does she think the Su family is? It won't happen just because she said so!" Fu Chengyan pursed his lips as he stared at Shi Nuan. "It's better to let Shaoqing go with you than someone that I have no control over!"

"Do you mean that if Su Shaoqing doesn't go, my mom would replace someone else?" Shi Nuan raised her eyebrows in surprise. When she saw Fu Chengyan's hesitation, she felt a sudden sense of helplessness She couldn't deny that what he said was true. Based on Jiang Yu's character, she would definitely look for someone else.

Fu Chengyan stroked her forehead gently and tapped against it. "Don't furrow your eyebrows. This is not something that you can change." He knew what was troubling her and shook his head. "To let Shaoqing go with you is the best solution for now. Besides, it's not like your mom will ask him to marry you immediately."

"That's easy to say!" Shi Nuan had the niggling feeling that it wasn't going to be as simple as that.

Since Jiang Yu had invited her back home, she would definitely have an agenda. Shi Nuan had no clue what it was. But more importantly, she still couldn't understand why Jiang Yu despised her despite the fact that both she and Shi Wei were her daughters.

"Alright, don't overthink it. It's already late so we should rest early."

Shi Nuan nodded and put down the towel before hugging Fu Chengyan's at his waist. She buried her head in his chest and said, "I'll be spending New Year's at the Shi residence. What about you? Will you return to the Fu residence?"

"Yes!" Fu Chengyan nodded. "That's a given." His face darkened slightly as he replied. "So, May, when can I be official? We've been hiding our relationship for a while now; we can't even spend the new year together!"

"Fine!" Shi Nuan held Fu Chengyan up by his cheeks and kissed him on his lips. "I promise that after all this is over. I will immediately declare our relationship to the public, alright? We will have our wedding right after that!"

"Definitely!" Fu Chengyan stroked Shi Nuan on her back and then picked her up with both his arms. He then placed her gently on the bed. "I'll patiently wait for the good news then."

Filled with joy, Shi Nuan's smile was so wide that it looked like the crescent moon.

She laid on the bed with her arms around Fu Chengyan's neck. She pulled him in gently towards her, and proceeded to kiss him all over his face before finally landing on his lips. She let out a warm and gentle laugh. With a little bit of force, she pulled Fu Chengyan onto the bed.

Fu Chengyan lowered his gaze and turned his body immediately. With the help of his hand, he pulled Shi Nuan up so that he didn't land on her with all his weight.

They frolicked on the bed in each other's embrace. Fu Chengyan supported himself with his hand as his eyes sparkled. "Naughty you!" He pinched her nose and leaned in to kiss Shi Nuan on her lips.