Chapter 29

There was a clingy stuffed cat in the hospital. Its owner had gone abroad and left the cat in their care. Zhen Bao skillfully bathed and blow-dried the cat. After the grooming session, the adorable stuffed cat nestled in her arms and rubbed against her. Zhen Bao tried to put it in a cat cage, but the stuffed cat extended its four paws and clung to the cage door, turning its head to Zhen Bao and meowing as if pleading.

The pitiful look in its eyes filled Zhen Bao's heart with guilt.

"Alright, Zhen Bao, go and have your meal," Nurse Zhao Sister passed by the door, noticed the situation inside, and walked in, taking the stuffed cat into her own arms. Without being put in the cat cage, the stuffed cat became slightly obedient, but it still turned its round head and kept looking at Zhen Bao.

"Then, I'll leave now." Fu Ming Shi was still waiting outside for her. Zhen Bao patted the stuffed cat and bid farewell to Zhao Sister with a smile.

As she walked out of the hospital, it was already dark outside. Zhen Bao looked around and found Fu Ming Shi at the bicycle parking spot. He was sitting on the back seat of her bicycle, facing outward, engrossed in his phone like an ordinary college student waiting for his girlfriend.

The thought of Fu Ming Shi sitting like that for two hours made Zhen Bao feel especially guilty, so she hurriedly went to find him.

Hearing footsteps, Fu Ming Shi turned his head and saw his fiancee, who had kept him waiting for two hours. His gaze seemed to be glued to her face, and he kept looking at Zhen Bao as she walked up to him.

"Didn't I ask you to go back first?" Zhen Bao felt guilty and lowered her head.

Fu Ming Shi put his phone in his pants pocket and remained seated. He didn't stand up or say anything. Zhen Bao mustered up the courage to raise her head and met Fu Ming Shi's deep gaze, as if he was silently questioning her. Zhen Bao lowered her head again and explained softly, "I was afraid you would be unhappy with me doing part-time jobs, so I didn't tell you."

She looked like a child who had done something wrong, both pitiful and obedient, making people want to hold her. Fu Ming Shi resisted the urge to embrace her and locked his dark eyes onto hers, saying in a deep voice, "You knew I wouldn't be happy, yet you still did it. Deliberately defying me?"

Zhen Bao pursed her lips.

Fu Ming Shi's gaze shifted to her rosy lips. "How long have you been doing it?"

"For a little over half a month."

Fu Ming Shi smiled, but his laughter was cold. "How many hours a day, and how much is the salary?"

Zhen Bao confessed honestly.

Fu Ming Shi immediately said, "From now on, I'll give you an additional 1,500 yuan each month. Don't do it anymore and focus on your studies."

As a college student, some majors had lighter coursework, but Zhen Bao's major had many difficult courses, and Fu Ming Shi didn't want her to work too hard.

"You're already giving me enough. I want to earn money myself, and I enjoy this job," Zhen Bao avoided eye contact and her guilty expression turned into determination. Besides that, Fu Ming Shi also noticed her familiar stubbornness and a touch of unhappiness.

Not wanting to provoke Zhen Bao's stubbornness head-on, Fu Ming Shi changed his tone and said, "If Grandpa knew you were doing part-time jobs..."

"Don't tell him," Zhen Bao bit her lip and smiled mischievously.

Fu Mingshi's resistance to the matter was defeated by her smile. Ignoring the hospital staff walking across from them, he hooked his big hand around Zhen Bao's waist and pressed her forehead against his, gazing into her startled eyes. His voice was hoarse and low, "Bribe me, or I'll call Grandpa immediately."

Zhen Bao, who came from a small village and had watched few TV dramas and had little exposure to romance novels, didn't quite understand the ways of city people or their suggestive jokes. But at this moment, with Fu Mingshi's lips only a few centimeters away from hers, and the naked message in his eyes, she understood: Kiss me. Someone approached to take their bicycle, and Zhen Bao, anxious to leave, tried to pull away, but Fu Mingshi held her tightly, refusing to let go.

Zhen Bao turned her head toward where there was no one and whispered, "Please don't do this..."

"You made me wait for two hours, and I haven't had dinner. Shouldn't you show some gratitude?" Fu Mingshi felt justified in his demand and glanced at the students, doctors, and nurses moving around. He leaned closer to Zhen Bao's ear and said, "Let's go eat first, and then we'll settle the score." Zhen Bao felt a tingling in her ear and turned her head, covering it with her hand.

Fu Mingshi smiled and kissed the back of her hand before letting go of her. He moved the bicycle aside.

It was almost eight o'clock, and Fu Mingshi took Zhen Bao to a restaurant.

"Do you not feel hungry eating so late every day?" Fu Mingshi frowned as they waited for their food.

Zhen Bao shook her head. "It's fine. Sometimes when work isn't busy, I buy something to eat beforehand."

It had just gotten dark outside, and Fu Mingshi looked at Zhen Bao for a while, feeling like she had become thinner. After paying the bill, Fu Mingshi took Zhen Bao to the supermarket and bought her a few nutritional supplements. Zhen Bao tried to persuade him to put back most of the items in the shopping cart, and eventually, they succeeded.

After finishing their shopping, Fu Mingshi rode his bike and took her to the tree on the west side of the library, the place where they officially became a couple. They parked the bike by the roadside, and Zhen Bao carried two cups of hot milk tea while Fu Mingshi carried her bag and shopping bag, walking side by side toward the tree.

Fu Mingshi still hadn't given up. "Are you the only one in your dorm doing part-time jobs?"

Zhen Bao took a sip of her milk tea. "Xiao Yu said she'll look for a part-time job next year when it gets warmer." In Zhen Bao's eyes, having a house in Beijing meant being rich, but considering the living standards in the capital, Jia Xiao Yu's family was just an average family. They weren't lacking money, but Xiao Yu wanted to earn some extra pocket money.

"Is it really necessary?" Fu Mingshi put down his milk tea and turned to ask.

Zhen Bao nodded. Just as she was about to take another sip, her milk tea was suddenly snatched away.

"Bribe me." Fu Mingshi leaned closer, making it easier for her to bribe him.

They had kissed a few times before, but it was always Fu Mingshi who took the initiative. Faced with Fu Mingshi's lips, which Jia Xiao Yu had described as "sensually thin," Zhen Bao couldn't bring herself to initiate a kiss. She tried to move back while whispering, "Can we change it? I can treat you..."

"Either kiss me or go to the hot springs together. You choose." Fu Mingshi leaned her against the tree trunk and said softly, "I won't accept any other conditions."

Go to the hot springs together...

"Should we go together or soak in a pool?"

Zhen Bao's face grew warmer as she looked at Fu Ming Shi. She tightly closed her eyes, leaned in to kiss him as if surrendering herself to death, and then quickly pulled back as soon as their lips touched.

"No sincerity," Fu Ming Shi's voice was dangerous.

They had already kissed, so how could he say there was no sincerity?

Zhen Bao became angry and embarrassed. "You..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Fu Ming Shi leaned in with his handsome face, kissed her with great sincerity. As they kissed, he lifted Zhen Bao onto his lap like holding a rabbit, and the kisses grew deeper. This time, Zhen Bao was not drunk and could clearly feel the mature man's unique ardor. Besides her racing heartbeat, there was also a strange allure.

Zhen Bao grew anxious, vaguely sensing that if they continued kissing, Fu Ming Shi might do things she didn't dare to imagine.

She gently pushed him away.

Fu Ming Shi cradled her face and kissed her a few more times before reluctantly pulling away.

Her lips tasted so good, and he was already addicted.

"Let's go back," Zhen Bao said, lowering her head, her heart still pounding.

Fu Ming Shi didn't answer. After about a minute, he handed her a cup of milk tea. "Still want to drink?"

Zhen Bao took it. The milk tea, which had been snatched away by him when it was still warm, had now completely cooled down. It seemed that every time they kissed, it would last a long time. Once it cooled down, it didn't taste good anymore, and both cups of milk tea ended up in the trash.

Fu Ming Shi propped up his bicycle, and after Zhen Bao sat down, he finally set off. The wind blew from the front, and Zhen Bao hid behind Fu Ming Shi as they rode in silence. When they reached the dormitory building, Zhen Bao suddenly felt a bit reluctant. Being able to study at university made her happy and fulfilled, but the happiest time of the week was always the day when Fu Ming Shi came to see her.

"Take care of yourself, don't push yourself too hard. We're not short of money."

After locking his bicycle, Fu Ming Shi straightened up and touched her hair by her ear, speaking with a hint of helplessness.

Zhen Bao nodded.

"Go upstairs," Fu Ming Shi let go of her and his tone carried a trace of resignation.

"Drive slowly," Zhen Bao repeated the farewell words they exchanged every time, reluctantly leaving. Back upstairs, she continued standing on the balcony, secretly watching Fu Ming Shi until he disappeared from sight.

~

On November 10th, Zhen Bao received her half-month salary from last month, a little over 800 yuan. Before returning to the dormitory, she bought four cups of milk tea to celebrate with her roommates. Jia Xiao Yu and the others often brought her food from home, but Zhen Bao hadn't reciprocated much, unlike the things Fu Ming Shi treated her to.

"Zhen Bao, your salary came just in time for Double Eleven," Jia Xiao Yu sat in front of the computer, browsing and talking at the same time. "Oh, this coat looks nice!"

Zhen Bao leaned over to take a look. It was a camel-colored coat that seemed a bit mature.

Back at her seat, Zhen Bao also started searching for things online. She had brought her laptop with her, but she was very frugal with internet expenses. Apart from buying necessary clothes and searching for study materials, Zhen Bao rarely used the computer to surf the internet. Occasionally, when she wanted to relax, she would move her chair to Jia Xiao Yu's side to watch idol dramas...

What would be a good gift for Fu Ming Shi?

Zhen Bao searched online for suggestions.

Lighter... Fu Ming Shi seemed to not smoke, at least she had never seen him do so. Shirts, belts, leather bags, these kinds of things, Fu Ming Shi wore them every day to the company. Even if she spent 800 yuan, she couldn't afford clothes that matched Fu Ming Shi's level. It would be meaningless to buy something cheap that he wouldn't wear.

Couple's mug... No, too straightforward.

Shaving razor?

Zhen Bao's heart skipped a beat. One time when Fu Ming Shi kissed her, the stubble on his chin brushed against her neck, making it tickle. Plus, the shaving razor was used at home, so she didn't have to worry about embarrassment.

Having decided on the gift, Zhen Bao went to the mall to browse. She entered "shaving razor," and with a quick scan of the homepage, she found some that were tens of yuan and some that were hundreds. The gift for Fu Ming Shi couldn't be too cheap. Zhen Bao quickly settled on one that was a little over 600 yuan, originally priced at over 2,000 yuan due to the Double Eleven promotion.

Zhen Bao clicked "Add to Cart."

"Wow, Zhen Bao, you're being really generous. You've spent half a month's salary on a gift for your Mr. Shi!" Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder. Jia Xiao Yu, who knows when she sneaked over, deliberately exaggerated, "Tsk tsk, I've discovered the potential of a sugar mommy in you, Zhen Bao! You usually only spend a few tens of yuan on clothes for yourself, but you're willing to splurge on your boyfriend."

"I think they're mutually supporting each other." Qian LeLe chimed in, poking her head out. "The presidential suite, oh!"

Zhen Bao felt both shy and embarrassed. Feng Yue let it slip last time after the autumn outing.

"Why is Zhen Bao giving him a gift? Is it Shi Ming's birthday?" Fan Xuan was even more curious, walking up behind Zhen Bao to see the shaving razor she had chosen, and also giving her some ideas. "The Shi family should be pretty wealthy, they don't lack these things. The other day, I saw a girl buying yarn to knit a scarf. Why don't you give him a scarf that you made yourself? It would be more meaningful."

"Yes, yes, give him a scarf, trap him!" Jia Xiao Yu chimed in.

Zhen Bao didn't have many urban skills, but she was particularly adept at knitting. She learned the craft from the neighbor's grandmother, and all the sweaters for winter at home were made by her. After being suggested by her roommates, Zhen Bao also thought the gift was good. She immediately picked out some yarn.

However, after the internet was cut off at midnight, Zhen Bao still used her mobile data to secretly buy that shaving razor.

She would save the scarf for Christmas and give it to him then, while the shaving razor was a gesture of goodwill. Fu Ming Shi had spent so much money on her, and this was the first time she had earned money, so she felt she should express herself in some way.

The Double Eleven logistics was slow, and it took a week for Zhen Bao to receive the shaving razor.

She threw away the original packaging and bought a beautiful and inexpensive gift box, ready to give it to him on the weekend.