Act Nine Escapism

Not really

When facing Qiao Jiaxuan, Fu Peijia inevitably found it difficult to swallow her food

Fu Chengxiong slowly raised his hand and patted her, saying, "Silly child"

For some unknown reason, Fu Peijia slept very soundly during this sleep, even with Qiao Jiaxuan by her side; she did not wake up in the middle of the night or at any other time.

Old man Jiang paused with the brush in his hand, yet he seemed oblivious, saying nothing at all

In fact, he is the executioner, personally pushing her down from the clouds, killing the pure and beautiful Fu Peijia, untouched by even a speck of dust.

The intricate twists and turns within this matter are fundamentally impossible to explain clearly to an outsider. Fu Peijia could only lower her eyes, offering a bitter smile in silence

Perhaps it is due to just waking up, his gaze is as profound as the boundless universe

What exactly constitutes the relationship between the two individuals, and when it will come to an end, Fu Peijia does not know either

Is there time like this, or is there no time? Fu Peijia was completely baffled

Tan suddenly came to his senses and, upon focusing his gaze, saw Fu Peijia, slowly revealing a hint of a smile on his face: "Miss Fu, have you reached your break time?"

Qiao Jiaxuan pushed the documents forward with a sense of resentment, turned around to look at the winding staircase, his chest rising and falling irregularly

Moments later, Fu Peijia heard the sound of the car starting. She slowly turned her head and only caught a glimpse of the car's shadow disappearing into the distance

During the time when her father was bedridden and in a coma, she purchased a set of simple haircutting tools from an online store to save on expenses and for convenience. She attempted to cut her father's hair, as he had no particular preferences while in a coma, and given the simplicity of men's hairstyles, she gradually became skilled at it.

Fu Chengxiong obediently took his seat in the wheelchair as per her instructions. Fu Peijia used shampoo to dry wash his hair, gently massaging his scalp. While washing, she playfully asked, "Dad, are you comfortable?"

In the next moment, he suddenly stood up and left without saying a word

If this person were not Qiao Jiaxuan, she would surely be even more delighted. Yet, she faintly feels that if that person were not him, but someone else, even Tan Zaicheng, Fu Peijia could not imagine it

After standing in the cold wind for a long time, Fu Peijia slowly stepped onto the path of the lawn

Father never knew that one year on Qiao Jiaxuan's birthday, she was determined to become a girlfriend who could enter the kitchen, hoping to impress Qiao Jiaxuan. Therefore, she secretly asked Lin Youqi's mother for help in finding a Sichuan chef to learn how to cook Sichuan cuisine

Fu Peijia pointed at her own nose with her finger, feeling quite proud of herself

Fu Peijia is not unmoved

A pile of clothes, while she was still organizing them, suddenly she saw Qiao Jiaxuan walking straight towards her, and the next moment, he kissed her passionately.

Peijia, no matter who you are or what you have been through, all of that is in the past. Tan paused for a second and said, "I mentioned last time that I would like to invite you to Wufu. Now that spring is warm and flowers are blooming, it is the best time of the year with the orioles singing and the grass growing."

The next day, the changing room was filled with a mess of clothes, and Fu Peijia had no choice but to wash them all over again

"You want to deceive your father? No way! Although I have been ill recently, I am still sharp. You cannot fool me, girl."

From the location of Qiao's Family Pavilion, one can easily see the slender figure bowing down to wash dishes not far away by simply lifting one's gaze

You do not understand, if it were not for her deep sadness, Youqi would not have made this call. If the roles were reversed, Youqi would certainly do the same for me.

On the white porcelain plate on the dining table, there lay the half-eaten fried egg. It was clear that he had not eaten enough

However, after the bankruptcy of the Fu family, she was as anxious as a lost dog, dragging her suitcase to Lin Youqi's home, only to be thrown out by the Lin family.

After visiting Old Jiang, I went to the hospital, and then hurried to work at the coffee shop. By the time Fu Peijia returned to the villa, it was already past midnight

Fu Chengxiong scoffed and laughed: "You did this? Dad doesn't believe it. You, you don't even draft your lies. From childhood to now, you have never set foot in the kitchen, not even able to cook a single vegetable properly, how could you possibly make such a complicated dish"

Upon learning this, Old Man Jiang held the teacup and stirred the clear tea with the teapot lid, taking a long time before finally saying, "It is going to rain today, and mother is to be married; these are matters beyond our control. Go on."

Luohai City is indeed large, yet it can also be considered small. The characters present in the scene are merely these. Encountering them is not particularly difficult.

Old Man Jiang focused on landscape painting, not even lifting his head

She has never understood Qiao Jiaxuan. And now, it is even more impossible for her to understand.

Qiao Jiaxuan has already gone to work. On the first floor, the restaurant has a solitary breakfast set out, which consists of milk and a sandwich. Next to it lies a bank card and a note: My salary card, the money inside is used for household expenses.

However, in the end, all he gave her were just a few words that left her bleeding: "I have never liked you even a little..."

He slowly turned his head and met her gaze directly

In just a moment, he had prepared the three dishes and one soup that he had purchased.

The fact that her parents are arguing is not worth me running to their house in the middle of the night, but she, Qi, is worth me doing so

It is said that a lamp is a story in itself. However, there should not be a story that is similar to theirs, right

Lohai Club

After moving into the house by the lake, Yuan Jingren received instructions from Qiao Jiaxuan and conveyed to Fu Peijia: "Mrs. Qiao, Mr. Qiao has arranged a car and a driver for you. If you need the car, feel free to contact me at any time"

Therefore, Fu Peijia has eaten it many times, and the taste is not bad

Indeed. Now that Qiao Jiaxuan holds great power and possesses substantial wealth, why should she conceal her emotions and continue to act in front of her?

Firstly, after experiencing so much, she realized that relying on mountains may lead to their collapse, and relying on people may result in their departure. Ultimately, one can only depend on oneself for the most reliable support. Secondly, she enjoys working at Old Man Jiang's house, where she can be herself comfortably in front of him and Uncle Cai. She appreciates their company. They silently respect and care for her, reciprocating kindness, which is why she dedicates herself wholeheartedly to her work.

Suddenly, Fu Peijia stopped in her tracks at the staircase

Fu Peijia forced a smile and did not refute him. As long as her father was happy, it did not matter whether it was bought or made by her. Moreover, if he were to scrutinize further, she would have to tell more lies to cover up this lie

Fu Chengxiong slowly closed his eyes and said, "Comfortable." After a few seconds, he added, "Does Dad have a head full of white hair now?"

It is unclear what Qiao's family is thinking, as they bring home a bouquet of flowers every day after work. The day before yesterday, it was a yellow Oncidium orchid, and yesterday, it was a pink Crowea.

What else could she do besides this

Lin Youqi's father's small factory has always had a partnership with the Fu family. Due to the connection with Fu Peijia, Lin Youqi is able to come and go freely in the Fu household, sweet-talking and playing coy in front of Fu Chengxiong, while secretly bringing substantial benefits to her own family.

Having been busy until the afternoon, she took a thermos to the hospital to visit her father

But why is he suddenly angry for no reason? How could Fu Peijia possibly understand this?

If it were not for Qiao Jiaxuan, she might never have known that Lin Youqi approached her with ulterior motives

The familiar words of explanation caused Fu Peijia to momentarily pause her hand that was holding the cup of hot milk

Tan Zai Cheng stopped at the point. He did not inform Fu Peijia that at a banquet last night, Qiao Jiaxuan approached with a wine glass and said: "Mr. Tan Zai Cheng, is it?"

In their circle, the established practice for deliberately getting to know certain individuals has always been to seek introductions through friends with whom one has a good relationship. A friend of a friend is considered a friend. This way, any potential business collaborations can be mutually supported. It is rare for someone to boldly approach and introduce themselves. Unless they belong to a different wealth class and cannot find a friend to make the introduction. However, those who are able to receive invitations to attend the banquet hosted by the Duan family in the city today have backgrounds that have been meticulously selected. Thus, the person in front of him can be seen as someone with ill intentions, as those with good intentions do not come. Experienced in the business world, Tan Zhaocheng understands this principle, hence his polite demeanor is accompanied by a significant degree of caution.

Tan slightly bowed and said, "May I ask what Mr. Qiao needs my assistance with?"

This person is indeed the renowned Qiao Jiaxuan from Luohai City. Seeing is truly believing.

This is a very subtle and strange feeling

After her father finished eating, Fu Peijia wrung out a hot towel and squatted down to wipe his hands. As she did on other days, she gently held her father's hand with the hot towel, slowly wiping each finger with care and tenderness

Fu Peijia truly wishes to halt the passage of time

She is my best friend, she said to him with utmost seriousness

Fu Peijia felt a pang of sorrow in her heart as she embraced her father's neck, saying, "No, Dad, I won't allow you to grow old"

In today's Qiao Family Pavilion, when facing her, emotions of joy and anger are clearly visible. The gentle facade of the past is no longer present.

Tan discerned the question in her eyes and candidly admitted: "Indeed, I have finally come to know who you are. I also know that your ex-husband is Qiao Jiaxuan of the current Qian family."

At the entrance of the living room, there was a square suitcase. Fu Peijia gently tilted her head and indeed saw Qiao Jiaxuan, looking weary and dusty, in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass window of the living room

To spend a lifetime like this with my father

The woman that Mr. Tan has recently been pursuing, Fu Peijia, is my partner. Mr. Tan is a person of good fortune, so he must be unaware of the relationship between her and me

After hearing this, Qiao Jiaxuan simply threw out a sentence: "You have two choices, resign from your job or terminate our agreement"

Tan felt a chill run through him. This person with the surname Qiao was indeed well-prepared and should not be underestimated

Only the silly and innocent her has always sincerely regarded Lin Youqi as her close confidante and best friend

Fu Peijia walked down the secluded and quiet road. As she turned around, Cai Bo was still standing at the door, watching her leave. Upon seeing her turn, he waved his hand at her.

It seems that Qiao Jiaxuan is still away on a business trip and has not returned. She is still alone

"Alright." Fu Peijia readily agreed.

Just as she could not understand why Qiao Jiaxuan, who clearly had other women outside, and not just one, would still be so passionately devoted to her, his ex-wife. Every day after work, he would return home punctually without fail, as if this place truly was his home

However, Qiao Jiaxuan knew that the unreserved love he once had for Fu Peijia had long since vanished

Youqi's parents had a quarrel and are on the verge of divorce. Youqi is very upset—I want to go and keep her company

Perhaps the father will regain his memory after a while. Then, the relationship between the two will come to an end

At this moment, Wanling brought over two cups of coffee and some snacks, gently placing them on the table, and then left with an ambiguous smile.

Fu Peijia was taken aback and raised her gaze. How could Tan Zai Cheng possibly know of Qiao Jiaxuan's existence

On the marble countertop of the kitchen, there are two servings of curry beef rice, the white porcelain plates feel icy to the touch

If I say yes, what will Mr. Qiao do? Tan, unwilling to show weakness, retorted, and the gazes of the two clashed in the air, sparking subtle fireworks.

He stopped her: "It's already so late, don't make this trip tonight. Just go to sleep obediently. I'll take you there first thing in the morning."

That night, after Fu Peijia finished her shower, there was, as usual, a cup of hot milk waiting for her on the bedside table

In the entire Luohai, there are only about three or four places that can prepare this dish. Do tell me, where exactly did you buy it from?

Tan waited in the city for a long time, but Fu Peijia kept her lips tightly pressed together. From his perspective, he could only see her beautifully shaped eyebrows and her pale, delicate face.

Could it be that he hasn't had dinner yet? Fu Peijia pondered as she placed the meal into the microwave to heat it up. Suddenly, her gaze paused as she noticed a bouquet of pale purple roses resting nearby. Beautifully wrapped, they bloomed abundantly in the light.

It seems that this is a matter of course and entirely justified

"Remember this. If you encounter any difficulties, just call me or the old man." Cai Bo emphasized this sentence with a bit more intensity.

After the two of them started living together, the most delightful thing for Fu Peijia was when Qiao Jiaxuan went on a business trip. Even if it was just for two or three days, she felt a great sense of relief, stealing a few days of peaceful solitude for herself

If it were not for him, she would still be in her own clear and bright crystal world, pure as a white dove. In that place, others would "smile" at her, and she would smile back at them. Others would be "kind" to her, and she would be kind to them in return. Others would be "sincere" with her, and she would be sincere with them as well. In her realm, there were no schemes or plots, no disputes over interests or deceit.

Fu Chengxiong suddenly said, "Peijia, it has truly been hard on you during this time when your father has been ill"

The required materials are indeed too numerous, so she had to simplify them. As for the financial aspect, since the Qiao family had given her a card, she decided not to be overly particular and would use it as needed

She has many thanks that she does not know how to express, and can only keep them in her heart.

Fu Peijia was unaware that Yuan Jingren had just reported her words. Qiao Jiaxuan's cold, sharp gaze swept over. Yuan Jingren stood by for quite a while, but Qiao Jiaxuan only said to him, "You may leave, I understand."

Unexpectedly, just two days later, the Qiao family actually changed their mind and agreed to let her continue working at the coffee shop, with the condition that: "You can only work during the day, and you must take weekends off to accommodate me."

Fu Peijia had already sampled some food at the café, so she felt full after eating only half. She set down her spoon and prepared to clear the dishes.

However, it is rare for the Qiao family to agree, so Fu Peijia eagerly approached Manager Ding Ying of the coffee shop with a mindset of trying her luck

It is naturally impossible

After tidying up my father's hair and chatting with him for a while, I realized that outside the window, the sunlight had quietly shifted, and the sun had already reached the time of setting.

As a result, the monthly income has naturally decreased significantly. However, I have at least left myself a way out. In case of an emergency, I still have a job to support myself.

This time is different. This time he bites very lightly, nibbling back and forth densely on her neck.

Fu Peijia shook her head and said, "No."

Later, when the bus reached the intersection, after making a turn, Fu Peijia could see nothing at all

Qiao Jiaxuan went to the guest room downstairs, freshened up, and remotely drew the curtains across the entire living room. The white mist lingered over Sun Moon Lake, resembling a fairyland

"It's alright, there are only a few." Fu Peijia opened her eyes and told a white lie to cheer her father up

Her vulnerability lies in the hands of Qiao Jiaxuan; no matter what he desires, she must endure it.

As for the work of the Jiang family, Fu Peijia was initially unwilling to resign

Such a severe injury, it is likely that it will be difficult to heal in this lifetime

On a white porcelain plate, there lies a simple breakfast. It is a ham and cheese sandwich with egg, made by his own hands. He once claimed that this is the unparalleled and unique Qiao's sandwich.

She is not worthy now

Fu Chengxiong sniffed with his nose and chuckled, "It smells just like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall."

"Have you forgotten? It was you who came to my house, took off your clothes, and actively climbed into my bed. Any man would find it impossible to resist such temptation"

The remaining large portion of the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall in the jar naturally all ended up in Qiao Jiaxuan's stomach. However, he did not comment on whether it was delicious or not. Nevertheless, his expression did not seem bad.

However, Fu Peijia truly does not know how to explain this chaos and her own helplessness.

This is a dish that Fu Peijia enjoys. On ordinary days, she is busy with her part-time job and does not have time to cook, so she does a big grocery shopping on Saturdays, buying some vegetables and beef to make a pot of curry. After work in the evening or when she returns from working late at night, feeling hungry, she scoops a spoonful of curry from the refrigerator onto cold rice and puts it in the microwave for two minutes

In this indifferent and ruthless world, it is expected that others may treat you poorly. When they treat you well, that is a matter of kindness

Given Qiao Jiaxuan's current status and position, what is the point of entangling with his ex-wife

From the floor-to-ceiling glass window of the restaurant, one can see the scene of him getting into the car and driving away in a cloud of dust. After a long while, Fu Peijia slowly withdrew her gaze, took the white porcelain plate, and directly dumped the nearly untouched sandwich into the trash can

Hearing her lock the door as she entered, Qiao Jiaxuan raised his head. In that moment, Fu Peijia caught a glimpse of a faint glimmer passing through his eyes, but it quickly vanished, so fast that it made one feel it was merely an illusion caused by the reflection of light

Fu Peijia stiffened and pushed him, but Qiao Jiaxuan suddenly seemed angry, and he opened his mouth to viciously bite her neck. Fu Peijia winced in pain and couldn't help but let out a soft "ah".

I apologize, Mr. Tan

After a whole afternoon of busy preparation, I simmered the shark fins and sea cucumbers that had been pre-prepared to remove the fishy smell, and blanched the chicken, duck, stomach, and trotters until cooked. Finally, I layered the ingredients at the bottom of the pot, poured in Huadiao wine, added the broth that had been simmered earlier, sprinkled in a little seasoning, covered the pot, and placed it on the stove to simmer over low heat

A few minutes later, with a "ding" sound, the microwave finished its operation. In an instant, the entire room was filled with the aroma of curry

However, Fu Peijia had no idea why Qiao Jiaxuan was angry the night before, nor did she have any interest in finding out.

Although the person in front of him looked very familiar, Tan Zai Cheng was certain that he did not know him. After pondering for just a second, the other party introduced himself: "I am Qiao Jia Xuan. I have a matter that I would like to ask Mr. Tan for assistance with"

After experiencing the vicissitudes of life, Fu Peijia has come to understand that one must always be vigilant in times of peace and prepare for potential crises in advance

Fu Chengxiong called her "silly child" again, paused for a long time before continuing, "Peijia, everyone will grow old. One day, Dad will also leave you. Just like flowers will eventually wither, there is no need to lament.

However, life is always like this; the more you wish to cherish something, the faster it disappears. For example, time

As Fu Peijia descended the stairs, Qiao Jiaxuan, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, turned around from the open kitchen, holding two plates in hand.

The open kitchen features a long and wide dining table, adorned with a transparent vase filled with several clusters of fringed peonies, creating a vibrant display of beauty.

Fu Peijia thought seriously for a moment and shook her head: "Because I have been seriously injured and have not yet recovered, I am unable to accept anyone at all"

No, Mr. Cai, I do not feel that it is difficult, nor do I feel that the salary is low

For a whole month, she interacted with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns every day. Eventually, she felt as if she had become a seasoning for stir-frying. After cutting her fingers N times and failing many times, she finally succeeded in preparing a small table of Sichuan cuisine

Fu Chengxiong silently touched her hair and brought up the topic: "You see, Dad's hair has grown a bit long, can you help Dad with a haircut later?"

Is it considered a home for her and him to live together in this house

Tan looked astonished and said, "Why would you resign when everything is going well? Didn't you say you were very dedicated to your work here?"

Tan suddenly said softly, "It is because of your ex-husband, isn't it?"

Silly child, your father has grown old, of course he has a head full of white hair, there is no need to deceive him

On the day she resigned from the coffee shop, after Fu Peijia finished playing, her colleague Wanling approached with a smile and pointed to Tan Zaicheng in the corner, saying, "That gentleman has come again"

After the incident with the Fu family, Fu Peijia experienced many changes in human relationships, making the warmth provided by Cai Bo and Old Man Jiang all the more precious to her

On the day she resigned from Old Man Jiang and Uncle Cai, Uncle Cai was extremely astonished and repeatedly asked, "Why resign when everything is fine? Is it because you find the old man's salary too low? Or do you think it is too hard?"

As Fu Peijia stepped out of the Jiang family's front door, Cai Bo called out to her from behind and forcefully handed her a thick envelope: "The old man asked me to give this to you. He wanted me to tell you to come back and visit him when you have time. Also, if you encounter any difficulties out there, just give us a call.

Fu Peijia lowered her head to change her shoes, subtly avoiding his gaze.

During a pleasant breakfast, Fu Peijia vaguely sensed that Qiao Jiaxuan seemed to be angry

Fu Peijia couldn't help but smile upon hearing this. She shook her head and said, "No, it's my own reason. My father has woken up, and I need to take care of him. I truly find it difficult to manage everything and cannot continue working anymore"

It is undeniable that the feeling of returning home to warm lights and someone waiting is, for Fu Peijia, who has experienced nearly two years of loneliness, confusion, and helplessness, something that cannot be described as having even a trace of fondness; to say otherwise would be a lie.

Upon hearing these words, Cai Bo realized that no amount of persuasion would be of any use.

Suddenly, Fu Peijia sensed someone approaching from behind. Just as she was about to turn her head, Qiao Jiaxuan had already forcefully pinned her between the floor-to-ceiling glass window and himself, leaving her completely unable to move

In an unprecedented turn of events, after two days, she surprisingly agreed to adjust Fu Peijia's working hours to Monday through Friday, working half a day each afternoon, with wages calculated on an hourly basis

Cai Bodu did not wait for her to explain and hurriedly said, "Miss Fu, if you feel that the salary is low, feel free to state your demands. I, Cai Bo, can make the decisions and guarantee that you will be satisfied. If you find it too strenuous, I will find another housekeeper to share your workload."

Strangely, he did not go to the study upstairs, but instead spread out many documents on the long dining table

Initially, he still had some expectations, believing that Qiao Jiaxuan was merely putting on a show. Many men share a similar mindset, preferring to destroy what belongs to them rather than easily relinquish it to others. Moreover, given the relationship between Qiao Jiaxuan and Fu Peijia, how could Fu Peijia possibly have any ties with him

When returning to the house where he lived with Qiao Jiaxuan, the entire space was silent.

That evening, when Fu Peijia returned home, Qiao Jiaxuan was already there, and it was unclear who had upset him, as his usually calm face was as dark as coal.

"Wow, Dad, you are amazing!" Fu Peijia said with a smile as she scooped a bowl out and handed it to him, "You should try a bite, how does it taste?"

Each day is counted as it comes. Although every day feels like being fried in a hot oil pan, apart from this, Fu Peijia has no other means at all

"Good, good, good. If you do not allow your father to grow old, then your father will not grow old. If you do not allow me to leave you, then I will not leave you." Fu Chengxiong smiled kindly

A few days later, Fu Peijia discovered that Qiao Jiaxuan had not even hired a housekeeper; aside from breakfast, which he was responsible for, she had to personally handle all the household chores, including laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, and various payments.

At that time, as she exited the hospital and took the bus to the coffee shop, she saw Qiao Jiaxuan, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings, holding a girl's arm through the bus's glass window. He had just come out of a well-known dessert shop, and he was thoughtfully holding the dessert takeout box in his hand as he assisted the girl in entering.

Miss Chen's confidence and grace, Xie Yi's enchanting charm, and that girl's delicate and lovely demeanor, each possesses its own allure. Although Fu Peijia does not feel inferior, she finds it quite perplexing

Qiao Jiaxuan lifted the coffee cup and finished the last sip of coffee. Bathed in sunlight, Fu Peijia had her hair casually tied up in a bun, revealing her fair and smooth forehead, looking fluffy and relaxed

So peaceful and beautiful

Fu Chengxiong made another guess, but Fu Peijia continued to deny it

Tan frowned and said, "Your woman? I’m sorry, Mr. Qiao, but have you made a mistake? Or is there some misunderstanding here?"

She is not here. The living room seemed to become empty and cold in an instant, that thin chill gradually enveloping him, wrapping him tightly. Qiao Jiaxuan tried to calm himself and refocus on his work, but he simply could not do it. He felt hollow inside, restless and anxious.

After several days of absence, Qiao Jiaxuan's features appeared faint, revealing no discernible expression

The two of them seemed to be saying something, but from a distance, one could only see Qiao Jiaxuan's smiling eyes and brows, exuding a warm and indulgent demeanor, with a relaxed and joyful expression

Qiao Jiaxuan finished the last sip of his black coffee, took the suit jacket from the sofa, and turned his head to say, "I am going to work"

Qiao Jiaxuan forcefully threw down these words and turned away. After walking a few steps, he paused and casually remarked, "By the way, I heard that Mr. Tan is currently in Luohai, and there is a piece of land under review—related to the chemical industry, concerning the environmental protection issues that the country is most concerned about. The government is being extremely cautious about it. Mr. Tan, wouldn't you agree?"

After their marriage, on any day off without overtime, Qiao Jiaxuan's favorite activity was to take her out for a walk or to have a picnic by the lakeside in the countryside. He was responsible for setting up the tent and preparing the unique Qiao-style sandwiches in advance, while she took care of the fruits and small cakes. When he went fishing, she would sit beside him with a book or take a nap in the tent. They often left in the morning and returned home only at sunset. It was only later, when her father fell ill and his work increased, that they gave up this leisure activity.

"Why is that?" Cai Bo furrowed his brows and thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "I understand now. It must be that old man who has upset you again, right? Don't pay him any mind. He has that foul mouth that annoys people. In fact, after spending enough time with him, you'll come to know that he has a heart of tofu beneath that sharp tongue..."

At every moment of hunger, the deliciousness of curry surpasses all the delicacies in the world

At that time, the sky was always incredibly blue, with clouds like weeds gathering and dispersing above the heads of the two people.

Upon thinking about this, Qiao Jiaxuan suddenly felt as if a thousand swords pierced his heart.

The recruitment office is somewhat lacking, and in these days since Fu Peijia's arrival, I can only compromise on the three words "Mrs. Qiao" as mentioned by Yuan Jingren. Let Yuan Jingren call her whatever he likes.

The sky outside the window is as clear and blue as if it has been washed, with distinct clusters of clouds.

Such a simple sentence made Fu Peijia's eyes instantly redden with emotion. She lowered her head, secretly took a deep breath to hold back the tears in her eyes, and then raised her head with a smile, saying: "Not at all. I don't feel tired at all."

Breakfast is ready.

On this day, which is Saturday, Fu Peijia bought a large amount of ingredients and followed various steps on Baidu to make "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall". She had promised her father that she would make his favorite dish, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, for him as soon as he woke up.

At this moment, the two people sitting face to face are surrounded by a silent and stagnant atmosphere in the room.

Since sending out that rose, Tan Zaicheng has been coming over to Luohai every now and then. Colleagues like Wan Ling couldn't help but inquire about it. Fu Peijia honestly stated that they were just friends, but Wan Ling and others didn't believe it.

Qiao Jiaxuan seemed to be starving, eating spoonful by spoonful, and soon finished his meal

The first time she withdrew money, she looked at the amount inside, which was not much. The second time she withdrew money, the amount deposited was the same as what she had checked the first time. Looking at it, it really resembled a salary card.

Upon suddenly hearing the name Fu Peijia, Tan Zai Cheng's breath halted for a second. After a while, he slowly inquired without revealing his emotions, "What is the relationship between Mr. Qiao and her? I would like to hear more about it."

But at this moment, Fu Peijia's expression made him realize that Qiao Jiaxuan was not exaggerating in the slightest. The two of them still had not completely severed their ties to this day.

Fumanxuan

With Fu Chengxiong's incident, Fu Peijia naturally holds no value for the Lin family anymore

On this day, Father Fu Chengxiong inquired again about Qiao Jiaxuan. Fu Peijia then called Yuan Jingren to ask: "Can Mr. Qiao arrange an hour to come to the hospital tomorrow or the day after?"

Old man, thank you for taking care of me during this time. Fu Peijia sincerely expressed her gratitude

Fu Peijia called out to him, "Mr. Tan--."

Tan stood in the city with his arms crossed, wearing a contemplative and silent expression

Where is the choice here? Fu Peijia simply has no choice.

After collecting the laundry in the laundry room, she folded the clothes and placed them in the wardrobe. Having been busy all day, she felt a bit hungry, so she went downstairs to prepare a simple fried rice to satisfy her hunger

Neither of them spoke as they enjoyed the bright sunlight in the restaurant and the apricot-colored roses blooming on the table. They finished their breakfast.

Qiao Jiaxuan ascended to the ranks of the wealthy elite in Luohai by seizing the assets of his wife's family. His wife's family is the renowned Fu family—Fu? Fu Peijia? When Tan Zaicheng first connected these two names in his mind, a series of thoughts flashed through him like lightning, and he felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, causing him to shudder involuntarily

And now, the two of them are nothing. This bouquet appears particularly out of place and strange

If given the choice, Fu Peijia believes that she might truly consider it

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the air this morning exceptionally fresh and sweet.

But after waiting for quite a while, Yuan Jingren did not reply to her. When she called again to inquire, Yuan Jingren responded, "Mrs. Qiao, Mr. Qiao said he is aware."

Mr. Tan, I will resign starting from tomorrow. So today, please give me the opportunity to invite you for a cup of coffee.

She did it for the first time. The seafood was extremely fishy and smelly. Fu Peijia endured and endured, but in the end, she couldn't hold it back and vomited some clear water into the basin. However, due to a previous promise to her father, she persevered wearing a mask.

Old man, I'm leaving. Remember to measure your blood pressure every day and take your medicine on time.

Every time Tan Chengyi appears, they reveal a smile of mutual understanding. No matter how much Fu Peijia explains, it is of no use; she can only go along with them.

In addition to Miss Chen and Miss Xie Yi, she also saw another pure and fair girl.

Fu Peijia woke up late. When she went downstairs, Qiao Jiaxuan had already prepared breakfast. He made bacon and eggs for himself, while Fu Peijia had a bowl of congee with preserved eggs and lean meat, which was cooked until it was very soft.

Qiao Jiaxuan is still buried in the documents without any intention of making progress. Fu Peijia went to the laundry room upstairs to collect clothes and prepare to fold them and put them in the wardrobe.

"Dad, look at what good stuff I brought for you today."

Unexpectedly, Qiao Jiaxuan remained silent and reached out to take the plate in front of her. Fu Peijia watched helplessly as he dipped the silver spoon she had used into her leftovers and quickly finished the remaining food on the plate.

Previously, all the mysterious and inexplicable feelings that Fu Peijia gave him have finally been solved one by one.

Guess.

Fu Peijia was eating slowly, completely oblivious to the taste of the food

This kind of Qiao Family Pavilion is something she has never known before

That evening, Tan learned Fu Peijia's true identity in the city, which was the female protagonist of the entire melodramatic story in Luo Hai City - Fu's daughter, bankrupt and divorced. He finally understood why he felt familiar with Qiao Jiaxuan because they had crossed paths on × × Island before.

After listening, Ding Ying only said she would consider it.

However, since moving in, Fu Peijia has never used a car. She would rather take the bus every day, traversing the entire Luohai City to go to the hospital and to work at the coffee shop

Fu Chengxiong tasted it and asked, "Where did you buy this? The ingredients are good, but they seem to have cut corners and left out several ingredients."

Such a foolish thing, in this lifetime, she has only done it for him alone

I have exchanged a few words with him

The four characters "family purchasing and selling" left Fu Peijia in a daze for a long time

In fact, Qiao Jiaxuan's culinary skills are exceptional. In the past, whenever he was willing to cook, she always enjoyed the meal immensely

I remember one time, Lin Youqi was in a bad mood and called in the middle of the night, so she wanted to rush over to comfort her

Qiao Jiaxuan understood that Fu Peijia was doing everything in her power to avoid him, to draw clear boundaries wherever possible.

The empty room, the vacant hall. Peijia felt a sense of relaxation while simultaneously experiencing an indescribable subtle emptiness.

Although Tan Zaicheng had anticipated this answer, he was always unwilling to accept it. Ever since his wife's passing, Fu Peijia was the only woman who had captured his heart. Regrettably, before leaving, Tan Zaicheng asked, "Peijia, I have been pondering one thing. If I had not approached you in the initial way that I did, would it have been possible for you to accept me?"

The ex-husband and ex-wife live together without a trace of love after their divorce

This store is not one she entered, so how can she decide when to work? Moreover, the coffee shop is busiest on the weekends, Saturday and Sunday, as well as every evening.

Qiao Jiaxuan lightly raised her thick eyebrows and answered the question indirectly: "It seems that Mr. Tan cares a lot about her"

The person from the past would occasionally bring flowers back for her on her birthday or anniversary. Because it happened so rarely, she felt immense joy each time she received them

However, upon waking, there remained a lingering sense of drowsiness in her mind. Fu Peijia rubbed her forehead and was about to get up when, in the next moment, she saw Qiao Jiaxuan standing by the bedroom window, gazing out at the scenery.

In the next moment, he ended the call, turned around, and gazed deeply into her eyes.

His words were neither too light nor too heavy, yet the tone was imperative

Fu Peijia gently touched the rim of the cup, remained silent for a long while, and then picked up the cup, slowly drinking it all in one go

In her early years at the Fu family, Fu Peijia was cherished like a precious gem by Fu Chengxiong, who was reluctant to let his daughter ride in a car alone. As a result, she was always accompanied by a chauffeur for her outings, and thus, Fu Peijia never learned to drive

She focused intently on drinking the porridge in front of her, without raising her head.

Even though so much time has passed, every time she thinks of it, Fu Peijia feels as if her heart is being sliced open with a blade, an unbearable pain.

Yuan Jingren: "Mrs. Qiao, I will check the schedule and get back to you."

Quickly, Fu Peijia finished washing the dishes and tidied up the kitchen, then quietly went upstairs

In any case, I do not allow you to grow old. Without my consent, Dad, you are not allowed to grow old, nor are you allowed to leave me or abandon me

Now, whenever she makes any movement, she raises her sharp quills like a hedgehog, remaining ever vigilant against him. Qiao Jiaxuan is well aware of this. He paused for a moment and, in a calm and unhurried manner, instructed: "I am hungry. Please heat up the food."

Once upon a time, during breakfast, she would occasionally refill his coffee and sweetly smile at him. At that time, the sunlight streaming in through the window was not as bright and warm as her smile.

Qiao Jiaxuan's lips curled slightly, and he went straight to the point: "Mr. Tan, please stay away from my woman."

As for the relationship between her and me, I reckon it's widely known throughout the city of Luo Hai. If Mr. Tan wants to know, he can simply ask anyone on the scene.

The next day, it was easy to imagine a patch of bite marks on the neck. Fortunately, they were not as deep as the ones from the last time on the island, which took a full month to fade away

He is angry

On the marble countertop in the kitchen, there are several food containers he brought back and a bunch of half-opened apricot-colored roses.

For some reason, her cry of pain seemed to pierce his heart in an instant. He let out a light laugh, but then turned his head and bit down again

Qiao Jiaxuan is fully aware of all of this

Dad will never grow old. In my heart, Dad will never age.

If it were not for him, she would have married Huang Pinyou or a similar scion from a well-matched family, becoming a socialite and a noblewoman, with the Fu family backing her, and with Fu Chengxiong protecting her completely. With a substantial fortune at her disposal, even if she were oblivious to the ways of the world, remaining as innocent as a child, she would still live a stable and worry-free life.

Fu Peijia did not wish to provoke him, so she silently placed the food into the bag, poured the dishes one by one into a porcelain plate, and put it in the microwave to heat it up

On the last day of work at Old Man Jiang's place, Fu Peijia worked diligently, even preparing a detailed list for Uncle Cai, specifying where each item should be placed, the time periods for administering medication to the old man, and listing all of the old man's preferences clearly and concisely. Fu Peijia sincerely hoped that the new caregiver would quickly adapt to the work.

In the bedroom, Fu Peijia stood by the window, her head resting against the glass, silently tugging at the sheer curtain. Outside the window, the Moon Lake appeared dark and murky, with the only visible lights being the flickering flames from the residents across the lake.

A graceful and virtuous woman is a suitable match for a gentleman, and this is as it should be. However, it would be better for Mr. Tan to keep his distance from my woman. This is my advice to Mr. Tan

He grasped her arm and gently kissed her ear

The indoor lights are bright, and through the floor-to-ceiling glass window, one can see Qiao Jiaxuan diligently working. His bow tie is slightly loose, his sleeves are rolled up halfway, and amidst his calm intelligence, there is a hint of laziness and despondency that others cannot perceive