Mr. Bigshot Is Obsessed with His Hidden-Marriage Wife
Chapter 28: Is He That Cheap?

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Is He That Cheap?

Fu Xingzhou was attending a cocktail party.

The location of this art exhibition was the Capital City which was also the focal point of his future development inland.

Those attending the cocktail party were all notable figures from the Capital City, who claimed they were there to view the art but were really seizing the opportunity to seek avenues for mutual exchange and cooperation.

At the venue, glasses clinked and beautiful women were as common as the clouds.

"Miss Nangong’s paintings truly live up to her reputation," several ladies said while talking to Nangong Yan, their words filled with admiration.

Nangong Yan’s paintings, which had sold for a staggering five million in Ao City, were certainly not child’s play.

Nearly everyone at the exhibition had bought one of her paintings today. The quality of her paintings was secondary; it was mainly to show face for Fu Xingzhou.

As an Australian Businessman and with his undeniable status in Ao City, many were eager to work with him as he planned his expansion into the mainland.

In their eyes, even if Nangong Yan wasn’t Fu Xingzhou’s girlfriend, she was definitely a woman of special standing with him. Having a harmonious relationship with her was all benefit and no harm.

"Not only does Miss Nangong paint well, but she also has a good eye for choosing a boyfriend. A young talent like Mr. Fu is one in ten thousand."

"When are Miss Nangong and Mr. Fu planning to get married? Don’t forget to notify us all when the time comes. Ao City isn’t far; just a travel permit away."

The ladies all laughed and agreed.

Nangong Yan maintained a proper smile, "At the moment, my career focus is on the mainland tour of my exhibitions. As for other matters, I follow Xingzhou’s lead."

She neither denied what the ladies had said nor gave a direct answer, leaving room for others to speculate. This was a technique taught to her by Sister Fang.

Nangong Yan looked around the crowd for Fu Xingzhou but couldn’t find him anywhere.

Fu Xingzhou, with his phone in hand, stepped out onto the balcony’s small garden and opened the photo Tang Jingyao had sent.

The woman sitting alone under the streetlight looked bleak and lonely, like a kitten abandoned by its owner, lost and unable to discern the direction home or the weather of tomorrow.

She looked as if she might shatter.

"What’s going on?" Fu Xingzhou immediately called.

Tang Jingyao did not seem surprised, reclining lazily in his chair: "All I know is she’s sitting there alone next to the police station. Could it be she’s gotten into some trouble?"

"Bullshit. If she had gotten into trouble, she’d be sitting inside the station by now." Fu Xingzhou had had quite a bit to drink tonight and was somewhat irritable as he placed a cigarette in his mouth, "Go check it out."

"Hey, hey, she’s your wife, why should I go check?"

"I’m not in a convenient position here inland."

"Busy keeping company with the Nangong beauty, huh?" Tang Jingyao snickered, "Be careful not to overwork yourself."

After hanging up, Fu Xingzhou smoked a cigarette and took a wet wipe from his bodyguard to clean his fingers.

Soon, the phone rang again.

"Dr. Ye really did get into trouble, but not her, her brother," Tang Jingyao’s clear voice came through, detailing the incidents.

Fu Xingzhou’s expression visibly soured, his whole being seemed to be enveloped in a menacing aura, the calm before a looming storm.

The nearby bodyguard’s brows twitched.

This was a sign the boss was angry, and very much so.

"You couldn’t be unaware, could you?" The silence on the other end led Tang Jingyao to guess, "Didn’t Dr. Ye ask for your help?"

Fu Xingzhou felt an urge to smoke again.

Tang Jingyao’s words felt like slaps to his face, loud and clear.

After all, he and Ye Yan were husband and wife, but whenever she encountered a problem, she never sought his help. Was it that she didn’t want to ask him, or did she simply not want to have anything to do with him at all?

That woman couldn’t wait to draw a clear line between them, as distinct as the Chu and Han rivers.

"Why should I help if she hasn’t sought me out?" Fu Xingzhou sneered, "She’s so capable, let her solve it herself."

Was he that cheap?

"This time, she probably can’t handle it. The opposition has the upper hand in public opinion, and their hired lawyer is Lin Yihang—the one who’s never lost."

Fu Xingzhou raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Given Lin Yihang’s standing in the legal field, why would he take on such a minor case?

This case touched upon the highly sensitive issues of school bullying and underage crime; a misstep could damage his reputation.

"By the way, Dr. Ye is looking for Nathan."

Fu Xingzhou was expressionless.

"When are you coming back?" Tang Jingyao sent a picture, "This limited edition bag is only sold in Capital City, and I’ve placed an order. Can you bring it back for me?"

"You want me to run errands for you?" Fu Xingzhou ground his teeth.

"I wouldn’t make my brother do it for nothing. I bought two of the same bags, take the other to Dr. Ye, to soothe her wounded heart."

"You’ve thought this through," Fu Xingzhou ended the call.

How could Tang Jingyao know that the bags he gave to Ye Yan had gone unopened, gathering dust? Another one would meet the same fate.

Better to throw it in the water and listen to the splash than waste it.

So, after he got the bag back, he sent it straight to Nangong Yan—his token of appreciation for her help in opening the inland circles.

After the cocktail party, Fu Xingzhou worked on business matters in his room.

"Mr. Fu, Miss Nangong is here," the bodyguard knocked and reported.

"Hmm," Fu Xingzhou didn’t look up, continuing to browse through documents.

Nangong Yan walked in and saw the man on the sofa, hunched over a tablet.

He was dressed in dark blue pajamas, with slippers on his feet, and as he typed, the neck of his top gapped slightly, revealing the clear definition of his pectoral muscles—each inch a vessel of strength and sensuality that seared the gaze, making it impossible to look away.

This man, despite his cold, ascetic face, possessed an explosively powerful physique.

She had already fantasized in her mind what it would feel like to be pinned beneath such a man.

The warmth of his palm, the strength of his waist and abdomen, his heavy breathing, his sensual sweat...

"Is there something you need?" Fu Xingzhou looked up, the light from the screen deepening his gaze.

Nangong Yan snapped out of her sexual fantasy, returning to her persona of a genteel, graceful artistic woman: "Nothing much, I just wanted to thank Mr. Fu for the gift."

"You’re welcome," Fu Xingzhou’s eyes returned to the tablet, "It’s what you deserve."

"That painting?" Nangong Yan’s gaze was drawn to the oil painting on the living room wall, "This is a Russell piece—I didn’t expect to see an original here."

Indeed, it was the presidential suite of a top hotel; even a casual wall hanging was a masterpiece.

"May I take a photo?" Nangong Yan excitedly requested.

"Feel free."

Nangong Yan moved in front of the painting, took several pictures, then flipped the camera for a selfie with the artwork.

Fu Xingzhou’s silhouette happened to appear in the frame; Nangong Yan adjusted the angle slightly and posed with a ’yea’.

After taking the photo, Nangong Yan, though reluctant, politely took her leave.

Sister Fang had repeatedly admonished her: with this man, she must not initiate, only wait patiently. Now was naturally not the right time.