I Want a Lifetime with You
Chapter 410

Su Shaoqing glared at Fu Ling with a gaze so murderous he looked like a beast in the night. His hostility struck fear within Fu Ling. The woman instinctively gulped and took a few steps back, pursing her lips at the thought of what had happened three years ago.

Su Shaoqing closed in on her and grabbed her hand. Unable to respond in time, Fu Ling felt a hint of warmth on her lips as a minty scent from the man engulfed her senses.

She wanted to push Su Shaoqing away, but it was impossible. The difference in their strength was too vast.

He kissed her eagerly - it was slightly overwhelming.

Fu Ling tried to break free, but Su Shaoqing held her by her wrist and pulled her into a tight embrace, placing one hand on her waist.

With his eyes closed, Su Shaoqing explored her lips with his. Fu Ling's eyes flew open as she tried to push Su Shaoqing away, but the man had no intention of letting her have her way. In a brief moment where their lips separated, he lifted Fu Ling's chin with his slender fingers to raise her head.

The two panted slightly, and Fu Ling staggered backward as her legs turned jelly-like. Fortunately, Su Shaoqing caught her right before she fell. Fu Ling felt her body go numb wherever Su Shaoqing touched her. Finally, she shoved him aside and leaned against the side of the couch, staring at him with a pair of misty yet stubborn eyes.

Then, she violently wiped her lips while her eyes flashed with contempt.

Su Shaoqing's gaze darkened slightly when he saw the disdain in the woman's eyes. Taking a deep breath, he composed himself and loosened his grip on her. "Sorry, Ling. I—"

"Remember this, Su Shaoqing. I'm not the Fu Ling you once knew. I'm no longer someone who will love you until I lose myself. I used to do whatever you asked, but that's all in the past now. You were my entire world when I loved you, but now that I don't feel that way for you anymore, you mean nothing to me. This is the first and last time ever. I hope you'll remember what you said to me back then." With that, Fu Ling rushed upstairs, her heart pounding so hard that she couldn't control her emotions at all.

She couldn't believe that she still had feelings for this man even after three years. I was so determined to leave back then. I cut off all my feelings for him. What's wrong with me now? Fu Ling clutched her chest as she leaned against the door, looking ahead in a daze.

No. I can't go on like this. I've learned my lesson back then. It doesn't matter if he likes me; I'm not as brave as I once was to be near him anymore.

Su Shaoqing stood in the living room downstairs, his gaze darkening as he touched his own lips long after Fu Ling had left.

Shen Shixiu arrived somewhere as agreed upon and quickly spotted the Shi family's butler. "Mr. Yang!"

Mr. Yang immediately walked over upon seeing Shen Shixiu. "You made it, Master Shixiu! Master Yunsheng is waiting for you inside." Mr. Yang seemed rather pleased to see the other man. Shen Shixiu nodded and handed a gift box to Mr. Yang before walking into a courtyard.

Shi Yunsheng happened to be brewing some tea there. Next to him was a cage containing a crested myna. "Master Shixiu is here," the bird called out, mimicking human voices.

Shi Yunsheng looked up and saw Shen Shixiu striding toward him confidently. Still, that didn't distract him from brewing his tea. The old man pointed to a seat nearby. "Have a seat over there." "Hi, Dad," Shen Shixiu greeted Shi Yunsheng respectfully and sat across him before receiving a cup of tea. "Thanks!"

"No problem." Shi Yunsheng waved a hand, his gaze falling on Shen Shixiu. After a long while, the elderly man smiled faintly. "I thought you'd never come back."

Shen Shixiu's eyes looked inexplicable, but he let out a light chuckle anyway. "How could I not? You and Nuan are still here, after all!"

"You should call me Granddad instead. That way, you wouldn't be considered senior to Nuan." Shi Yunsheng put down his teacup and sighed. "How long have you been back?"

"A few days. It's been a while since I last saw you. Are you doing okay, Granddad?"

Since Shi Yunsheng didn't mind being addressed this way, Shen Shixiu naturally didn't either. The younger man took the teapot and served Shi Yunsheng more tea. "I didn't come back for a while because things were busy in the capital, but I believe you know why I've returned this time."

Shi Yunsheng's gaze darkened. "Had I known about this, I wouldn't have approved of Nuan's and Yan's marriage so easily." He couldn't help but shake his head as he stared at Shen Shixiu. "What on earth is going on with that child of Yan's and Shen Qianan's?"

"Don't worry, Granddad. That's why I'm here. I'll take Qianan away and make sure she doesn't pose any threat to Nuan." A contented smile appeared on Shen Shixiu's face as he thought about how well Fu Chengyan treated Shi Nuan. "Honestly, you shouldn't fret, Granddad. Fu Chengyan is a very reliable man."

Upon hearing that, Shi Yunsheng nodded and smiled. Indeed, he was very satisfied with Fu Chengyan. "You're right," he replied while receiving the tea Shen Shixiu served him. "Yan is quite reliable, and he treats Nuan very well."

Then, he paused. "But the Fu clan..."

Shen Shixiu's eyes gleamed. "You should believe in Nuan, Granddad. She'll do perfectly fine.”

"You're right." Shi Yunsheng pondered as he looked at the man before him. "Does Nuan know that you-"

"She doesn't." Shen Shixiu shook his head as he cut Shi Yunsheng off. "Don't let her replace out, if possible."

"Why not?" Shi Yunsheng frowned. "You know how Nuan has always depended on you ever since she was young. She's even nicer to you than she is to me. She... She hasn't seen you all these years. I'm sure she misses you."

"Granddad, about Nuan's origins... She-"

"You don't have to bring that up. Nuan is my granddaughter. This is a fact no one can ever change," Shi Yunsheng declared sternly. Hearing that, Shen Shixiu lowered his gaze slightly before nodding. "I'll do my best, but I'm sure you know how smart Nuan is. She'll figure things out sooner or later."

"Then we'll talk about it when she replaces out." Shi Yunsheng clearly didn't want to dwell on this matter. "How long are you here for this time?"

"About a month. I'll be leaving in a few days." While speaking, Shen Shixiu noticed Mr. Yang enter. "You have a phone call from Ms. Nuan, Master."

"Hmm? Nuan?" Shi Yunsheng took the phone from Mr. Yang. "Hello? Nuan!"

"It's me, Granddad!" Shi Nuan sounded cheery - it was clear that she was in a good mood.

Shi Yunsheng was delighted too. "It's this late already, Nuan! What can I do for you?" As he glanced at Shen Shixiu, the latter nodded and headed into the courtyard.

Then, Shi Yunsheng began speaking to Shi Nuan. "How have you been?"

"I've been great!" Shi Nuan couldn't sleep at the thought of getting a check-up the next day. After much pondering, she figured that the first people she had to talk to were Shi Yunsheng and Jiang Shizheng. Hence, she had immediately dialed Shi Yunsheng's number. "Granddad, I... I have some good news to tell you."

"Hmm? What could it be? Did Yan give you something?" Shi Yunsheng asked with a chuckle. Then, Shi Nuan responded, "I might be pregnant, Granddad. You're going to be a great-grandpa!”

"What? Really?" Shi Yunsheng's eyes shone as he suddenly stood up, knocking his teacup over and causing it to shatter.

Hearing that, Mr. Yang and Shen Shixiu immediately turned their heads. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm fine!" Shi Yunsheng was so elated that he couldn't feel the pain. "Are you really pregnant, Nuan? Have you gotten yourself checked?"

"I'm not a hundred percent sure yet, but Yan says he'll take me to the hospital tomorrow. I'm so happy that I just had to talk to you about this!" "That's wonderful! I'm so glad."

Yet, Shi Nuan seemed rather skeptical. "Who were you talking to earlier, Granddad?" It wasn't loud, but Shi Nuan had clearly heard another voice, and it sounded especially familiar. But despite pondering over this familiar voice for a long time, Shi Nuan didn't make any assumptions on who it could have been.

"Are you still having guests at such an hour?"

"Uhh... Haha! I'm not home right now. I'm at an old friend's place!" Shi Yunsheng hastily brushed this matter aside with a random answer. "Be extra careful with the child. Tell Yan not to go to work tomorrow. He should be taking you straight to the hospital."

"I know that!" Shi Nuan giggled. "Okay, Granddad, I'll be hanging up. I still have to talk to Grandpa!"

Shi Nuan beamed as she hung up. Then, she caught sight of Fu Chengyan walking out of the bathroom. He had a towel wrapped around his waist as he dried his hair with another cloth.

The man smirked when he saw how thrilled Shi Nuan looked while holding her phone. "What are you smiling about?"

With a grin, Shi Nuan put her phone down and took the towel from Fu Chengyan to dry his hair for him. "I just told Granddad I'm pregnant. He's really happy."

Fu Chengyan raised an eyebrow and grunted in assent.

He sat on the edge of the bed while Shi Nuan knelt behind him, gently towel-drying his hair with her nimble fingers. "Am I getting too excited, Yan? What if I'm not actually pregnant? Won't Granddad be really upset?"

"That's impossible." Fu Chengyan turned slightly and held Shi Nuan's hand before giving it a light pat. "I'm sure you are. But if you're not, we'll keep trying!"