Volume One, Chapter 18: I Only Spend Money on My Wife

Fu Che turned to her, his voice gentle as he explained, “He is who he is, and I am who I am. Our personalities are completely different.”

Bai Xuanxuan nodded repeatedly in a pecking motion. “Mm-hmm, Master is the most reliable person in the whole world.”

“I don’t even know what your future wife will look like, but since Master is so good, whoever marries you must be over the moon.”

The man pressed his lips into a smile, as if he could still hear the trembling sound reverberating in his chest.

Qiu Jinfeng, ever so timely, seized the moment to interject, “Brother, see how well I’m responding? The young lady is praising you.”

“Just tell me—who should pay for this meal?”

Fu Che nodded. “No problem. You want to eat wherever you like, eat well.”

Bai Xuanxuan’s eyes brightened a little more.

Her employer really was the best in the world.

After the meal, Fu Che took her to browse the state-run department store.

The place was packed with people. The variety of goods far surpassed that of Yingcheng’s department store. All kinds of items dazzled the eyes, and slogans on the walls proclaimed, “Develop the economy, ensure supply.”

She bought some yarn and smiled at Fu Che. “I’ll knit you a turtleneck sweater. You have a long neck; it’ll look great on you.”

Fu Che watched her smile, his gaze tender and lingering.

Qiu Jinfeng felt a little superfluous watching this and couldn’t help but speak up, “Shan Shan, since both of you see this, you should make one for me too.”

Bai Xuanxuan glanced at him. She could tell he was just teasing her.

She curved her brows with a faintly puzzled look. “You can ask your sister to knit one for you. I’m not stopping you.”

Qiu Jinfeng snorted and glanced sideways at Fu Che, his expression a bit sour.

Fu Che sent Qiu Jinfeng off to browse elsewhere, insisting he buy some things for his own wife and child as well.

Then, grabbing Bai Xuanxuan’s wrist, he headed in the opposite direction.

Qiu Jinfeng scoffed; it turned out he was just there to be a chauffeur.

Fu Che took her to buy clothes, all the expensive ones.

Bai Xuanxuan waved her hand repeatedly. “I don’t need to buy anything so expensive. I can’t afford it.”

Fu Che, being a meticulous man, could tell from her glance which ones she liked.

He bought five or six pieces in a row. Bai Xuanxuan’s heart ached. It was New Year, and these things were all so pricey.

Buying only the expensive ones—what a waste of money.

She would never be able to repay such a debt.

Fu Che swiftly paid the bill, still looking somewhat reluctant to stop. “Anything else you like? Pick a couple more.”

Bai Xuanxuan shook her head while tugging him away.

She had never seen such a spendthrift man, though it was all for her.

She said she was tired, but the man seemed not to hear. He pulled her over to the bracelet counter.

Bai Xuanxuan nearly fainted at the price. Even three years of hard work wouldn’t cover it.

“No, no more. If you keep buying, I’d have to work ten years to pay it off.”

Fu Che called the clerk over while glancing at her with a smile. “If you can’t pay it back, then don’t.”

Bai Xuanxuan shook her head. “Stop buying. Are you trying to spend our savings?”

Fu Che’s mouth curved into a grin. “I have plenty of savings; I won’t run out.”

“Besides, I only spend money on my wife.”

Bai Xuanxuan was frozen for a moment, then slowly grasped the meaning behind his words.

She asked in disbelief, “You… who is your wife?”

“Probably… it’s not me,” she added hesitantly.

Fu Che looked at her seriously. “If you want me to be your brother, then I am your brother. If you want me to be your master, then I am your master.”

He paused. “If you want me to be your husband, I would be very happy—very happy to be your husband.”

His eyes gleamed, like stars shimmering on an autumn lake, sparkling with reflected light.

They fully mirrored her figure.

Bai Xuanxuan was utterly stupefied. She even doubted if she was hallucinating.

Her master was her idol, someone she held in the highest regard. How could he like a girl like her?

Most importantly, she couldn’t respond to his feelings.

What if Fu Heng hadn’t filed for divorce? She was already a married woman—and had even borne a child.

But she hadn’t told him any of this before.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, the man was still there.

Fu Che’s lips curled into a gentle smile as he patiently looked at her.

Bai Xuanxuan lowered her head, lacking the courage to meet his gaze. “I… you know I lost my memory. What if, before I lost it, I was already married and had a child…”

“Let’s wait until I recover my memory before we talk about this. If you already like someone else, you can marry them first; you don’t have to wait for me.”

The noise outside the mall rose and fell, but Bai Xuanxuan seemed to hear her own heartbeat.

Thump, thump, thump—like the beating of a drum.

Fu Che, as always, ruffled her hair. “No rush. You can take your time.”

“When you decide, just tell me. I can wait.”

After all, he had been single so long—it wouldn’t matter to wait a little longer.

Bai Xuanxuan’s face flushed crimson. Embarrassed, she apologized, “Sorry, Master. I think I’ll stay at the guesthouse for now.”

Fu Che took a deep breath and murmured to himself, “What am I going to do? I promised my mother I’d bring my fiancée home this year.”

“Right now, where would I even find one?”

He gently took her hand. Seeing her pull back, he tightened his grip suddenly. “Shan Shan, why don’t you help me out? Be my fiancée for a while, to make my parents happy.”

“I promise I won’t touch you.”

Seeing her hesitation, he pulled her closer and bowed humbly. “Would you be willing to help your Master with this?”

The man’s scent was pleasant.

His eyes held a thin veil of moisture, impossible to ignore.

Besides, he was her idol. She would willingly take a bullet for him, let alone do this small favor.

She stared at her shoes, then slowly nodded.

Fu Che finally smiled. He beckoned the clerk to bring the most expensive bracelet and gently fastened it onto her wrist.

“You helped me. This is what you deserve.”

The man held her wrist tightly; she couldn’t break free at all.

In the car, looking at the bracelet on her wrist, she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

Fortunately, the man didn’t mention it again. Instead, he told her about the scenery outside in a gentle tone.

Her mood gradually relaxed.

Well, she would just repay him slowly once she had money.

The car pulled up to the compound gate, where fireworks were going off, creating a lively atmosphere.

Two or three familiar retired officials were standing there. Seeing Fu Che bring home a beautiful young lady, they couldn’t help but inquire.

Bai Xuanxuan spoke sweetly and with tact, charming the elderly men into smiles and laughter.

They had introduced many girls before, but only a few of average standing were willing to get close.

Everyone’s eyes were on Fu Heng.

After all, he was a young regiment commander with good pay and a bright future.

Even if divorced, he was still highly sought after.

Fu Che, aside from his good looks and family background, had little else to show for.

The girls in the compound were proud and ambitious—marrying a department head, military officer, doctor, or teacher, all respectable positions.

Who would let their daughter marry a tailor? It would be too shabby.

Seeing him bring home a girl even more beautiful than a movie star, most thought good fortune was near.

At the gate, Jiang Yan came out to greet them.