Chapter 56: She’s Different

Inside Charles de Gaulle Airport, the shopping area was well-equipped, including duty-free shops. Before departure, Fu Xingzhou had sent her the time—about an hour or so—so she could stroll around a bit. He advised her not to head toward public transport, but to stay within the shopping complex.

Wen Yang replied that she would.

She bought a cup of coffee in the shopping area and wandered around casually. At this time, there were still quite a few people browsing. There were many Chinese people as well—some on business trips, others traveling for leisure. There were even more inside the duty-free stores, and many of the passersby were speaking Mandarin.

Wen Yang sipped her coffee slowly.

Her English was decent—she could understand most of it and reply reasonably well. That was mostly thanks to the long period she had spent binge-watching American TV series with Yu Qing. As for French, she only understood a few polite phrases—if it was a long sentence, she couldn’t make sense of it at all.

After wandering for a bit, the time was about right, so Wen Yang stepped outside.

A silver sedan was parked across the way. The car door opened, and Fu Xingzhou stepped out, dressed in a black shirt and slacks. Their eyes met from a distance, and Wen Yang winked and smiled at him.

Fu Xingzhou closed the door and strode over.

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

Mbl dlsd zktbvp sq vbl dktbv nypv y tzso clbkde bkx. Tkp vyzz, zlyd qktwal alynble bla, yde kd vbl pzktbvzu nbkzzu olyvbla, bl rwzzle bla kdvs bkp yaxp. Eld Zydt’p pxkzl ellrldle yp pbl cwakle blaplzq kd bkp lxcaynl yde pyke psqvzu, “Gx R csvblakdt usw? R nyxl okvbswv vlzzkdt usw.”

Ww Dkdtgbsw blze bla vktbvla yde jkpple vbl nbkzz qasx bla byka. “Gd wdlmrlnvle pwarakpl zkjl vbkp—bso nswze kv cl y csvbla?”

Eld Zydt’p lulp nwahle lhld xsal okvb bla pxkzl.

Fbl aykple bla yaxp vs bwt bkx cynj.

Xd vbl pvallvp sq Vyakp, kd vbl nssz lhldkdt, yxsdt vbl cwpvzkdt nasoe ryppkdt cu, Ww Dkdtgbsw qkdyzzu alzlyple bla y ckv. Tl jkpple vbl nldvla sq bla caso yde pyke, “Nlv’p ts.”

Eld Zydt dseele.

Ww Dkdtgbsw blze bla byde yde rwzzle bla pwkvnypl yzsdt yp vblu oyzjle vsoyae vbl nya ynaspp vbl pvallv.

Eld Zydt blze bla nsqqll yde oyzjle ynaspp vbl nasppoyzj okvb bkx.

After putting away the suitcase, Wen Yang got into the car with Fu Xingzhou. Inside, it was much warmer. Wen Yang loosened her scarf a bit and took a sip of her coffee. Fu Xingzhou started the car and glanced at her. Their eyes met. Wen Yang asked softly, “Want some? It was hot before, but it’s a little cool now.”

Fu Xingzhou freed a hand and took the cup, sipping from it.

He drank from the exact spot where Wen Yang had just sipped, and there was still a hint of peach-flavored lip balm on the rim.

Wen Yang’s ears grew a little warm. She said, “I think it tastes more bitter when it’s cold.”

Fu Xingzhou placed the coffee on the center console near her hand and said, “It’s fine. It tastes sweet.”

Wen Yang took another sip, confused. “Sweet? Where?”

Fu Xingzhou only smiled and stayed silent, focusing on driving.

The streets of Paris lit up in the night. The buildings glowed, and the whole city seemed to be steeped in a medieval atmosphere. Wen Yang looked at the night scenery outside the window. She admired her own courage—crossing thousands of miles to another country to see him. Actually, while on the plane, she had wondered whether she was being impulsive. Shouldn’t she be more cautious now, more concerned about gains and losses?

But she also realized that she was more certain about what she wanted than she had ever been before.

The moment she stepped onto the plane, there had been no anxiety or unease. She had simply come to this city to find him, to be with him, to do what a girlfriend was supposed to do.

“What are you thinking about?”

The man’s voice came from beside her.

Wen Yang snapped back to the present, turned to look at him, and smiled, shaking her head. “Nothing, just zoning out.”

Fu Xingzhou freed a hand to hold hers, placing their joined hands on the center console. Wen Yang’s hand was enveloped in his warm palm. She asked, “Where’s Auntie? Has the surgery started?”

Fu Xingzhou replied, “She was just taken into the operating room.”

Wen Yang responded with a soft “Ah,” then said, “You should have let me take a taxi here.”

Fu Xingzhou glanced at her and said, “I wouldn’t feel at ease. And don’t worry—my mom’s not alone here. Her whole team is around.”

Wen Yang muttered, “If I’d known, I would’ve just taken a cab myself.”

Fu Xingzhou raised an eyebrow. “I’d be even more worried if you did that. Don’t overthink it, okay?”

Wen Yang asked softly, “So, are we going to the hospital now?”

Fu Xingzhou looked at her. “Can you come with me?”

Wen Yang nodded immediately. “Of course.”

Fu Xingzhou looked into her eyes, and his gaze softened. The silver car sped down the street and soon arrived at a private hospital in the 16th arrondissement. Once the car was parked, Wen Yang tightened her scarf. Fu Xingzhou held her hand and took her upstairs. It was only then that Wen Yang began to feel a bit nervous. She didn’t know what kind of person Fu Xingzhou’s mother was. Would she accept her presence?

She glanced at Fu Xingzhou.

But she didn’t want to tell him she was nervous.

He was the one who was more anxious right now.

The floor gleamed under the lights, and the corridor was quiet. Occasionally, a doctor or nurse in a white coat would pass by. This hospital was different from those back home—there were fewer people, but the air still had that familiar scent of disinfectant. Outside the operating room stood two people in business attire. They saw Fu Xingzhou entering with a woman.

They smiled and walked over, saying to Fu Xingzhou, “Since you’re here, Mr. Fu, we’ll take our leave. Please let us know when Director Qiu wakes up.”

Fu Xingzhou nodded. “Thank you.”

They glanced at Wen Yang. She smiled politely, calm and composed. Fu Xingzhou introduced her, “These are my mom’s two deputies—Chen Shang and Li Luo.”

Wen Yang said, “Nice to meet you.”

Then he introduced her to them. “My girlfriend, Wen Yang.”

“Hello, Miss Wen. Thank you for keeping Mr. Fu company,” Chen Shang said with a smile.

Wen Yang smiled and nodded.

She had a gentle and serene air about her, yet she was beautiful—a kind of girl who easily left a good impression. Chen Shang and Li Luo were already in their forties. Looking at Wen Yang was like looking at a younger sister.

They were quite moved that young Mr. Fu had found such a lovely girl. Director Qiu wouldn’t have to worry about her son growing old alone anymore.

After they left, only Wen Yang and Fu Xingzhou remained in front of the operating room. A nurse brought over some coffee. Fu Xingzhou took it, added sugar for her, and handed it over. Wen Yang took a sip — it was sweeter than the one before, not as bitter.

She looked at the illuminated sign above the operating room, and it reminded her of the time Yu Qing had gone into emergency care. She had waited in a similar hallway back then.

Fu Xingzhou put his arm around her and they sat down on a bench.

After taking another sip, Wen Yang passed the coffee back to him. Fu Xingzhou drank a mouthful. It was now late into the night. Wen Yang asked, “Why did Auntie choose to have the surgery at this hour?”

Fu Xingzhou replied, “She said that when she wakes up, she wants to see the sunlight.”

Wen Yang thought that over. “Makes sense,” she said.

Fu Xingzhou looked down at her. In the quiet moment, he leaned in and kissed her lips. Wen Yang responded gently. Their kisses were not intense, but tender.

Afterward, Fu Xingzhou gently ruffled her hair. “Are you tired?”

Wen Yang blinked. “Not really.”

But she was. She was still adjusting to the time difference and had barely slept on the plane. Even the several cups of coffee hadn’t helped much. Fu Xingzhou saw through her lie and smiled, taking the coffee from her and setting it aside.

“Lean on me and nap for a bit. Or go rest in the family lounge.”

Wen Yang immediately leaned into him. “I’ll lean on you.”

Fu Xingzhou wrapped his arm around her waist and let her rest against his shoulder. A nurse was nearby; he signaled to her. She went into the lounge and came back with a black coat. Fu Xingzhou took it and draped it over Wen Yang’s shoulders. Feeling the warmth, Wen Yang couldn’t help but say, “I lied — I am a bit sleepy.”

Fu Xingzhou tucked the coat around her and looked down. “I figured.”

Wen Yang smiled softly, closed her eyes, and snuggled into him.

“When Auntie wakes up, remember to wake me.”

“Okay.”

She added, “Just a short nap.”

“Mm.”

His voice sounded softly above her head.

Wen Yang nestled into the crook of his neck, held in his arms. Half-asleep, she glanced at the light above the operating room and mumbled, “How did you convince Auntie?”

Fu Xingzhou looked down at her face. “She figured it out herself.”

“Figured out what?” she asked drowsily.

Just as he was about to answer, the woman in his arms had already fallen asleep. Fu Xingzhou gently pulled the coat tighter around her and whispered, “She said she wanted to meet you.”

But Wen Yang had already missed those words in her sleep.

The surgery took quite a while. Wen Yang, initially leaning on his shoulder, eventually slid down to sleep with her head on his thigh. Fu Xingzhou covered her with the coat and gently brushed her hair aside.

A night that should’ve been hard to endure…

…felt warmer because of her.

Time passed.

The hallway was a bit cold. No one knew how many hours had passed with the light above the operating room still on. Then suddenly — with a soft click — it turned off. Fu Xingzhou instinctively looked up, and Wen Yang, as if sensing his movement, also woke up groggily. Seeing the light had gone out, she instantly became more alert and sat up, pulling the coat around her. Fu Xingzhou looked at her and stood, taking her hand.

The door to the operating room opened.

Dr. Reid, wearing a mask, removed his cap and said in French to Fu Xingzhou, “The surgery was a success. She’ll need some monitoring, but she’ll wake up after the anesthesia wears off.”

Fu Xingzhou thanked him.

It was the first time Wen Yang had heard him speak French — his voice was quite pleasant in that language.

Soon after, Qiu Pei was wheeled out, two nurses pushing her with great care. Though her face was pale, she was beautiful. Fu Xingzhou clearly resembled her.

Fu Xingzhou and Wen Yang took over and helped push the bed into the observation room alongside the nurses.

After the nurses left, Fu Xingzhou stood at the bedside, looking at Qiu Pei.

Wen Yang stood beside him.

He took her hand and said, “My mom and dad were childhood sweethearts. They grew up together and had a deep relationship. Falling in love, getting married, having me — everything happened naturally. But during the financial crisis, the entire company, Qingzhou, was placed on my father’s shoulders. After the crisis, it slowly broke his health over more than ten years. My mom was the last to find out — they hid it from her for a long time. When she learned the truth, she nearly broke down.”

Wen Yang looked up at him.

Fu Xingzhou kept his eyes on his mother as he continued, “I took over Qingzhou. She stayed in Paris and refused to return to China. She took antidepressants for a while but still wouldn’t go back to Hong Kong. Occasionally, she’d return to Nancheng.”

His tone was calm, like he was simply narrating.

But Wen Yang felt a deep ache for him. She reached out and looped her arm through his. Sensing her gesture, he looked down at her, then pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair gently.

“I’ve been trying to figure out the real cause of her illness,” he said.
“Emotional pain weakens the body.”

Wen Yang murmured, “You’re hurting too.”

Fu Xingzhou was silent for a few seconds. Then he kissed the top of her head, but didn’t respond.

He had taken over Qingzhou at twenty. He never had time to feel sad — balancing studies and the company. He no longer even remembered what sadness felt like. Only she would say it outright.

The two of them sat on the sofa in the hospital room, waiting for Qiu Pei to wake up. As dawn broke, Wen Yang went to the restroom. The hospital environment was excellent, with lush greenery visible through the windows. When she finished, her phone rang — it was Yu Qing, checking in.

Yu Qing had gone to bed early, which was why she was up now and calling.

Wen Yang answered, walking toward the window.

Yu Qing: “Babe, you didn’t even text me when you landed.”

Wen Yang softly apologized, “Sorry, I forgot.”

Yu Qing: “It’s fine, good thing I woke up early.”

In the hospital room—

Qiu Pei had woken up.

In truth, she’d woken a while ago. When she opened her eyes and saw her son chatting with a beautiful, gentle girl beside him, she closed her eyes again, wanting to listen a bit longer. But the girl only said a few words before stepping out.

Qiu Pei had no choice but to open her eyes and glance at her retreating figure.

Fu Xingzhou noticed and got up to tuck her blanket. “How are you feeling?”

Qiu Pei took a breath. “It hurts.”

“Should I call the doctor?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, I don’t want to see another doctor’s face right now.”

Fu Xingzhou let go of the blanket. “Want some water?”

Qiu Pei didn’t respond to that. Her gaze landed on Wen Yang, who was outside the window talking on the phone. “She’s nothing like Li Man.”

Fu Xingzhou followed her gaze to look at Wen Yang. His eyes unconsciously softened.

Qiu Pei caught the look and said, “If you’d told me sooner this was the kind of woman you liked, we wouldn’t have needed that whole contract marriage.”

Fu Xingzhou looked back at her. “She’s different.”

Qiu Pei asked, “How so?”

His expression was calm, but his tone was warm. “Some people… you only realize how good they are once you spend time with them. I can’t explain it clearly.”

Qiu Pei looked at him.

She said, “When people have money, they want power. When they have both, they start looking for something more — something spiritual. After your father passed, I’ve been alone because I met my spiritual anchor too early. After him, no one else could ever compare — no one understood me, supported me, loved me the way he did…”

“Xingzhou, have you found your spiritual anchor?”

Fu Xingzhou looked her straight in the eyes.

And said: “Then yes — I have.”

---

Thanks for visiting. If you like this story, then I’m shamelessly asking you to visit NovelUpdates and give a 5⭐ review. (人❛ᴗ❛)♪тнайк　чоц♪(❛ᴗ❛*人)

You can also check out my other translations Here