The next day, Fu Yan met Fu Hanlin at the parking lot.

Remembering that Fu Hanlin took the bullet for me at Huo's residence yesterday, I was worried someone from the Huo family might have said something to him beforehand, leaving Fu Hanlin unprepared.

The main reason is that she feels guilty.

Fu Hanlin closed the car door, glanced at her, nodded in greeting, and then strode towards the elevator. The man's back was straight and tall, his broad shoulders giving off a particularly strong sense of security.

"Mr. Fu."

Fu Yan chased after him.

"Anything?" he stopped, the garage light dim, his face a stark silhouette.

That matter was too embarrassing for her to bring up. Fu Yan had yet to figure out how to start, when Fu Hanlin pressed the elevator button.

The door opened, and he walked in. "Come on in," he said.

"Alright." Fu Yan followed him in.

The elevator slowly ascended. Although the enclosed space felt claustrophobic, it was comforting to be alone and worry-free about being seen.

She braced herself mentally before hesitantly opening her mouth: "I've done something that could tarnish Mr. Fu's reputation."

"Hm?" Fu Hánlín seemed to not have heard clearly, slightly tilting his head to look at her.

She took a deep breath, "Mr. Fu should know that I'm from the Huo family?"

"Well, Fu Jing said so."

She pursed her lips and said, "Because of some embarrassing things, I told my family that you were my boyfriend."

Fu Hanlin's eyes widened in surprise, as if he hadn't expected this. After a two-second silence, he asked, "So have you overcome the difficulties?"

This time, Fu Yan was stunned. She had already prepared for Fu Hanlin's black face, but she didn't expect him to ask this.

She nodded. "Got through it."

Fu Hanlin let out a soft "Hmm": "It's nothing that would ruin my reputation. Don't worry about it."

Fu Yan's cheeks flushed, and rumors spread that Fu Hanlin liked men. If he really had a "boyfriend," how would hearing these rumors affect their relationship?

"Sorry to bother you."

After her words fell silent, a long silence followed. Fu Yan felt the seconds stretch into years. Through the reflective surface of the wall in front of her, she saw Fu Hanlin standing behind her, his head bowed as he looked at his phone messages, as if her words had absolutely no effect on him.

The elevator is about to arrive. Fu Yan still has the most important thing to say. Taking a deep breath, she says, "There's one more thing I want to ask you for."

The man put his phone away. "You go on," he said.

Fu Yan's face flushed crimson. It was truly too embarrassing to speak about.

Fu Hanlin glanced at her flushed ears, "Is the trouble you're having related to Fu Jing?"

Fu Yan was stunned.

"Yesterday I heard, but I don't know much about it. It was Fu Jing who caused trouble, wasn't it?"

Fu Yan wanted to shake her head, but also nod, weighing her answer: “It’s not entirely his fault.”

The elevator arrived, the doors opened automatically, Fu Hanlin pressed the button to close the door again, “He was wrong first, is there anything you need help with? Please don't be shy.”

Fu Yan bit her lip and said in a low voice, "If someone from the Huo family asks about us, you just say that it wasn't suitable and we broke up, okay?"

(Editor in charge：novel rick riordan)