CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER 141: DOES SU JUNLING LIKE HER?

Fu Bing chuckled. "The main point is that this opportunity benefits us both. That’s enough; there’s no need to split hairs."

Su Junling scrutinized Fu Bing seriously.

Fu Bing looked at him in confusion. "Suddenly think I’m stunningly beautiful?"

Su Junling was amused by her words. "Are you now so different from when I first met you, like you’re two different people?"

"Older?"

"You used to be very cautious. You were beautiful, yes, but your demeanor was rigid, very tense. Now, you’re relaxed and at ease, which is especially good."

"Perhaps it’s because I’ve had a brush with death and managed to survive; being overly cautious is useless now." Fu Bing smiled. "Let’s discuss the promotional content. Don’t let your movie flop under my watch; I can’t bear those consequences."

Su Junling nodded, then suddenly asked, "Do you want to direct?"

Fu Bing nodded subconsciously.

Then, she abruptly looked up. "You... you don’t need to take risks with me."

"Lai Shenyan is here; one more director isn’t too many," Su Junling said nonchalantly.

If Fu Bing were to stop acting in projects outside her own company, then collaborating directly with her would be best, perhaps even signing with her company.

"I understand your thinking. You don’t want me to lose too badly when competing with Dean Zeng and the others, and I can’t disregard your career plans and prospects. Currently, my company can’t offer you top-quality cinematography, screenwriting, or actors, which would significantly diminish your directing. Lai Shenyan’s participation would also face many limitations, and I haven’t had a deep discussion with him yet. If it means a severe step down for him, I’d feel terrible."

Watching Fu Bing deep in thought, Lai Junling felt a tickle in his heart, as if a kitten were gently scratching it. The more he looked at her, the more he wanted to protect her. The more time he spent with her, the more uncontrollably his gaze was drawn to her. Especially after her car accident, he felt an even stronger urge to shield her.

Su Junling fiercely suppressed the confession on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he said, "Lai Shenyan and I are adults. We know what we’re doing."

"I understand your intentions. Precisely because I do, I must pave the way properly before inviting you. I can’t bear to let you take pointless risks; I’d rather navigate some paths successfully myself first." Fu Bing had experienced so much malice that she cherished the warmth and kindness from others even more.

"As a friend, I also want to be there for you when you need help getting through tough times. And..." Su Junling hesitated but couldn’t resist asking, "If Qin Jinhai were the one asking, would you refuse him?"

Fu Bing’s heart clenched unexpectedly at the mention of his name.

She hadn’t answered when Wu Shi’s voice cut in.

"Xiaobing, let’s head back."

Fu Bing smiled at Su Junling. "You should spend more time with your mother. I need to follow the arrangements of those elders for now. We’ll see each other tomorrow."

Fu Bing walked towards Wu Shi.

As she passed Su Junling, he grasped her wrist.

Su Junling turned his head to look at her seriously. "If Qin Jinhai proposed joining at this time, would you refuse?"

The confusion in Fu Bing’s eyes deepened. She spoke softly, "I don’t really like hypotheticals. He’s already gone. Such an assumption is meaningless."

"You’re avoiding my question."

Wu Shi walked over, his face expressionless, and mercilessly pulled Su Junling’s hand away.

"Her hand hasn’t healed yet. Don’t just grab it."

With that said, he put his arm around Fu Bing and led her away.

Fu Bing wanted to turn back and say something to Su Junling.

Suddenly, she realized the implication in Su Junling’s words, which left her even more puzzled.

Does Su Junling like her? Is he jealous of Qin Jinhai?

Fu Bing dismissed the speculation.

Su Junling had so many women to choose from; the Su Family would never let him fall for her.

The Su Family wasn’t bothering her for now because she had just saved three of their members, so they could turn a blind eye.

If Su Junling showed he liked her, the Su Family would only assume she had seduced him.

People have such double standards.

Seeing Fu Bing silent the entire way, Wu Shi also grew nervous.

Just as they were about to get out of the car, Wu Shi managed to ask, "Are you angry?"

Fu Bing looked at Wu Shi blankly. "Angry about what?"

"I interrupted your conversation with Su Junling."

"It’s a good thing you did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known how to handle that."

Even through his mask, Fu Bing could sense Wu Shi’s astonishment.

Wu Shi caught on and asked, "You don’t want to marry into a wealthy family?"

"Marry into the Su Family? It sounds attractive, but I’ve been free-spirited since childhood. Marrying into a wealthy family might not be good for me. Besides, it’s not that easy to marry into such a family. Actresses who marry into wealthy families rarely have happy endings. In their eyes, I’m just an actor. No matter how capable, still just an actor."

She still vividly remembered her first visit to the Su Family.

Back then, even though she had already saved Old Madam Su, they still put on airs and clearly showed their disdain for her.

From that moment on, she had decided that with Su Junling and the Su Family, it was best to avoid animosity. Other interactions should be kept superficial, without getting any deeper.

A look of pity flashed in Wu Shi’s eyes. "Acting was just your former job."

"That’s how I see it too." Fu Bing smiled, opening the car door to get out. "From now on, if you see anyone looking like they’re about to confess to me, please step in and stop them. I currently have no plans to date or marry, so there’s no need to accept any confessions."

"Is it because of Qin Jinhai?" Wu Shi asked, a hint of hope in his voice.

"I can’t say it has nothing to do with him. After all, he’s someone I once loved so deeply it felt like it tore me apart; it’s impossible to just turn the page abruptly," Fu Bing said earnestly. "But it’s not entirely because of him either. My current situation demands too much of my attention, and dating would easily distract me."

As Fu Bing stretched her legs to get out, she realized they were numb.

"Help me out; my legs are numb."

Wu Shi promptly picked her up.

Fu Bing had been carried by him several times these past few days. She was starting to realize she might just have a preference for a certain type of man.

When Wu Shi held her, she didn’t even feel embarrassed.

Wu Shi carried Fu Bing into the house. Lai Shenyan was just coming down the stairs.

Lai Shenyan paused. "Did I pick an inconvenient time to show up?"

"Just think of me as a rag doll," Fu Bing said.

As soon as Aunt Ning heard Fu Bing’s voice, she quickly came out of her room. "Go back to your room and have a soak."

Without a word, Wu Shi carried her upstairs.

No matter how patient Fu Bing usually was, her current physical condition had worn her temper thin.

With her body in such poor health, no matter how many things she wanted to do, she couldn’t carry them out.

When Wu Shi came downstairs, Lai Shenyan was leisurely strolling in the courtyard.

Lai Shenyan asked, "Where’s my sister?"

"She’s at the Gu Family Hospital with Gu Sining," Wu Shi replied.

"Gu Yazheng treats Fu Bing quite well, actually allowing her people into the Gu Family Hospital."

Wu Shi didn’t respond.

He knew very well that Lai Shenyan wasn’t the impulsive, thoughtless person he appeared to be on the surface.

Six years ago, he was just a helpless young man who had lost his parents. It was understandable that he might have considered suicide along with his genius sister.

Having navigated the circles of high society and the entertainment industry for six years, if he were truly foolish, he would have been manipulated and destroyed by now.