I Want a Lifetime with You
Chapter 394

Shi Nuan waited outside until Fu Chengyan returned. When she spotted him, she smiled and took his briefcase from him. "What's wrong? You seem upset." Hmm, he seems a little down. Fu Chengyan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Did the Shi family do this to you often?"

"Huh?" Shi Nuan raised a brow. Something occurred to her as she chuckled out loud. "You heard them talking about me?" She seemed unperturbed, as that was what she had been through for the past twenty years. She used to be upset at their mocking words, but now she couldn't be bothered.

Since the Shi family refused to accept her, she didn't have to please them. No matter how hard she tried, they wouldn't change their minds. Why should she bother?

Shi Nuan knew they must've mocked her badly if even Fu Chengyan seemed displeased. She held his arm and rubbed her head on his shoulder affectionately. "Forget it. Why are you mad? You need to get used to it. I know they're not my family, so I won't get upset anymore. Ignore them. Besides, Grandpa and Granddad love me, don't they? I'm happy. Back then, I had them. Now, I have you!"

"Look at you. What a fool!" Fu Chengyan shook his head and pinched Shi Nuan's nose. He uttered affectionately, "You surely have me. I won't dump you."

"I know!" Shi Nuan giggled. "I'm stuffed!"

"Me too!" Fu Chengyan brought her out. Zhou Zheng was already waiting for them in the car. "Mr. Fu!" Zhou Zheng got off the car politely. "I've already paid Shi Jingzheng. Where are you heading now?"

Fu Chengyan knitted his brows and looked at Shi Nuan. "Do you want to take a walk or head back now?"

"Let's take a walk. I don't want to go home just yet." Shi Nuan could barely walk as she was so stuffed.

Fu Chengyan grinned and nodded. "Okay. let's go." He then told Zhou Zheng, "Leave the car with Jiang Hu. You must be tired. You can leave now."

"No, Mr. Fu. I'm not tired at all!" Zhou Zheng returned anxiously. "Let's not trouble Jiang Hu."

Fu Chengyan arched a brow. "Sure."

He held Shi Nuan's hand and left. "Should we enjoy the scenery of Quzhou River? I believe it's only a few streets away."

"Okay!" A smile flitted across Shi Nuan's lips. She felt warm in the cool night breeze as Fu Chengyan's huge hand held hers. "When I was young, I used to have fun at Quzhou River with Song Rongrong and Su Yian. After graduating, we got so busy with work and rarely had time to take a walk, especially night walks."

A faint smile appeared on Shi Nuan's face as she reminisced about her past. It was apparent that she had had a great time back at university. "Song Rongrong is an extrovert and a great friend. Yian was more quiet, like me. When we were at university, it was Rongrong who brought us out every time. We'd buy some barbecue meat and have fun beside the river. It was years ago." She sighed wistfully.

"Why are you sighing?" Fu Chengyan reached out and tried to smoothen the creases on her forehead. "You're still young. Stop sighing like an old lady."

"Fine, fine!" Shi Nuan muttered. "Yan, you're so naggy."

She might be grumbling, but her heart was warm as happiness filled her. She tugged on Fu Chengyan's hand and trailed behind him, stepping on their shadows cheekily. "Eh? Isn't that Shaoqing?"

When they were nearby Quzhou River, Shi Nuan suddenly spotted someone they knew. "Yan, look!"

Fu Chengyan narrowed his gaze. As the streetlights were dim, he couldn't see clearly, but that figure was obviously Su Shaoqing.

He furrowed his brows and strode forward with Shi Nuan.

"Shaoqing!" Shi Nuan called out.

Su Shaoqing spun around in surprise. "Why are you guys here?" he asked Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan.

"Why can't we be here?" Shi Nuan teased with a smirk. "Don't you have to work? I thought you doctors are supposed to work night shifts?"

"It's my day off today." Su Shaoqing looked at the river. "I mean, why did you come here all the way from Wutong Residence?"

"What about you? Your hospital isn't near either!" Fu Chengyan glanced around but saw nothing. He then stared straight at Su Shaoqing. "Why are you here alone by the river?" "None of your business!" Su Shaoqing scoffed. "I came because I love it! You and your wife can come, but I can't?"

"Fine, fine. You can be here." Shi Nuan was exasperated. "But Mr. Su, you've been acting strange recently. Oh, I saw you with a girl outside the mall that day. Are you dating her?" "No. Stop being so gossipy. You're already married," Su Shaoqing snapped impatiently. "I won't disturb your night walk. I'll leave now."

He left almost immediately like he was escaping from a ghost.

Shi Nuan stared at his retreating figure for a long time before she turned to Fu Chengyan, who was gazing at a dark spot thoughtfully. Curious, she called his name. "Yan?"

Fu Chengyan snapped out of his daze and looked at Shi Nuan. "Oh, it's nothing."

"What are you looking at? Is there something there? Shaoqing was staring in that direction, too. Are you "

"It's nothing." Fu Chengyan shook his head. "Come on, let's head over there."

After Fu Chengyan and Shi Nuan left, a lady stepped out from the dark spot. She stood there silently and watched as they walked away. A complicated look flashed across her face. After some time, her lips curved up gladly.

I never knew someone as heartless as him would get married. His wife seems like a nice person.

On the way back, Fu Chengyan remained silent, deep in thought. Shi Nuan was smart enough to know that she should not bother him. When they reached Wutong Residence, Fu Chengyan entered his study and made a call to Li Heng. “Li Heng, replace out if Ling is still in C Country."

"Chengyan?" Pei Huan's voice sounded at the other end of the phone.

She stopped and asked, "What about Ling?"

Fu Chengyan paused abruptly. Sighing, he revealed, "Ling might be back."

"What?" Pei Huan exclaimed. "She never told me she's back!"

"You know where she is?" Fu Chengyan looked askance. "You've been in touch with her?"

"Yes!" Pei Huan hesitated before explaining, "I saw her, but she was being stubborn and refused to keep in touch with me. I think..." She trailed off and exhaled. "Why is she back? I thought she said she won't be back, ever?"

Pei Huan knew Fu Ling well. The latter left Jiang City and cut off all ties because she had been hurt deeply. Hence, Pei Huan thought she wouldn't be back. "Chengyan, did you see her?"

"No." Fu Chengyan shook his head. "I've been keeping tabs on her, but I've never actually interfered in her business. But she's back now." He was confused. "Recently, Shaoqing has been acting weirdly. Ask L Heng to replace out if Ling is still in C Country."

"Don't worry, I will."

"Okay. How are you doing?" Fu Chengyan calmed down and questioned. "You've been there with Li Heng for some time. Did you replace anything?"

"Don't worry. Both Bao and I are fine." Pei Huan chuckled. "What about you and Nuan?"

"We're doing okay," replied Fu Chengyan. He could hear Li Heng and Bao arguing about who got to sleep with Pei Huan tonight. Fu Chengyan pinched his brows in exasperation. "Is that Li Heng?"

Pei Huan paused before bursting out into giggles. "Yes. He's been with Bao the whole day. Bao spends more time with Heng than I do!" The woman might be complaining, but the delight in her voice was evident.

Fu Chengyan smiled at her answer. "Good. I'm glad to hear that you're doing well."

"You should be," quipped Pei Huan. Suddenly, Li Heng's voice rang out. "Is that Chengyan?"

"Yep. Do you want to talk to him?" Pei Huan handed the phone to Li Heng.

"You were looking for me?"

"Yeah," came Fu Chengyan's reply. "Help me replace out if Ling is back."

"Sure!" answered Li Heng as Bao ran to him. "Daddy, are you talking to my uncle?"

"Yes. Do you want to talk to him?"

"Yes!" Bao giggled. "Uncle, I'm Bao!"

"Hi, Bao." Fu Chengyan's voice softened. "What are you doing?"

"Daddy and I were discussing who gets to sleep with Mommy tonight." Bao pouted unhappily. "Daddy is mean. He always goes back on his word! I slept with Mommy last night, but I woke up in my bed alone! Daddy said I ran back to my room. How is that possible!"

Bao was already four and could process his thoughts well. Li Heng couldn't fool the smart little boy. "Uncle, Daddy's a bad guy, isn't he?"

"Yes, he is. Bao, go have fun with your mommy. Let me teach your daddy a lesson!"

Fu Chengyan consoled Bao and chuckled when Li Heng came back on the phone. "Li Heng, you're getting more shameless by the day."