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From the moment Fu Chijing appeared, his dark eyes never left Tong Qing. He observed her every gesture and every smile with intense focus. This was Tong Qing at 20, so vibrant and full of life, as if she had never known hardship. The thought made Fu Chijing's heart wrench painfully, his hands tightening into fists on his knees. In his past life, he had believed his wife to be naturally timid, gentle, and sensible. Little did he know she wasn't simply compliant. The Tong family had worn her down, leaving her too scared to resist or seek his help, and he only learned what she had endured at the moment she died. In the Tong family, she had been discarded and exploited. Her legs had been broken, and her kidney had been taken. In the end, she had even lost her life. This time, he would keep Tong Qing under his protection and make sure she never suffered again. And then he would let her personally send every last member of the Tong family to hell. As Tong Qing sat in the car on the way to the Fu family estate, she stole a glance at Fu Chijing, bit her lip, and asked, "Why did you help me?" Her voice was soft, like a gentle spring breeze. Fu Chijing snapped out of his thoughts and turned to look at her. "Hmm?" After a moment of silence, Tong Qing said, "I'm just an unloved illegitimate daughter of the Tong family. I took Tong Nianyu's place and married you, yet you're not upset. You even stood up for me." Why? The Tong family had always publicly acknowledged only one daughter, Tong Nianyu. Now it was she who had married him, and she couldn't believe he was unaware. After all, this was Fu Chijing. "Silly girl," Fu Chijing said as he lifted his hand and gently ruffled her hair. "You said it yourself. You married me. That makes you my wife. Who else should I protect if not you?" Tong Qing's eyes flickered, the spot where he touched her feeling as if it had been seared by a red-hot iron. A playful glint flashed in Fu Chijing's eyes as he feigned hurt. "Are you saying that you, like the others, despise me for being disabled and don't want to marry me?" "How could that be!" Tong Qing quickly shook her head in denial. He didn't care that she was an illegitimate child, so how could she possibly hold anything against him?

Besides, he was such a good person. He was nothing like Tong Nianyu had described, not ugly or crippled at all. Fu Chijing's intense gaze fixed on her. "Really?" Tong Qing's ears turned red as she gave a small nod. "...Yes." "You don't mind me." Fu Chijing's smile deepened, as if he hadn't savored enough sweetness from her admission. He shamelessly prodded, "Then... does that mean you like me?" Like? Tong Qing was caught off guard. She clenched her fists, her eyes wide with surprise, struggling to find an answer. She looked like a startled deer, bewildered and endearingly vulnerable. Taking advantage of Tong Qing's embarrassment, Fu Chijing gazed at her unabashedly, like a wolf that had its prey within its grasp. True to his expectations, Tong Qing didn't lift her head again until they had exited the car. West Bay Happy Harbor. Fu Chijing didn't bring Tong Qing back to the Fu family home but instead to his private villa. Nestled against the mountains and overlooking the sea, the villa was everything Tong Qing liked. Plus, it was conveniently only a half-hour drive from Jiangcheng University, making her commute to school easy. That evening, after having dinner with Fu Chijing, Tong Qing was escorted back to her bedroom by a maid. Being away from the Tong family people allowed her to relax completely. She pushed open the door and stepped into the bathroom for a shower. The hot water cascaded over her pale skin, reviving every pore and easing her weariness. But soon, she remembered something. She had forgotten to bring her clothes. Tong Qing glanced at the empty clothes rack and bit her lip in frustration. There was no one outside, right? Wrapped in a towel, she cautiously opened the door. "Ah." A figure appeared before her, startling her into wide-eyed shock. "You... Why are you here?" When had he come in, and how had he done so silently? Fu Chijing effortlessly took in the sight before him, a smile playing on his lips. "This is our new home, and you are my wife. Why do you think I'm here?" Tong Qing stammered, finding herself at a loss for words. Fu Chijing cleared his throat, offering a gentle reminder. "You should get dressed first." Tong Qing glanced down, and her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.

She quickly grabbed her clothes and dashed into the bathroom. When she emerged, the blush still painted her face. Fu Chijing watched Tong Qing, who was trying to act as if nothing had happened. A barely noticeable smile crossed his eyes, and he felt a mischievous urge well up within him. Tong Qing moved slowly toward the vibrant red wedding bed, hesitating about whether to lie down, when she heard a voice from behind her. "Qing Qing." "Here," she responded instinctively. Tong Qing gave Fu Chijing a questioning look. After a moment of contemplation, Fu Chijing maintained his composed and reserved facade. "I'd like to take a bath. Would you mind helping me?" Tong Qing's pupils dilated in shock. Help him take a bath?

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