He lured her deep into his trap, using both overt and covert methods to seduce her.

Song Zhi glanced at Fu Lu and gave him a coquettish look: "Ninth Brother, stop fooling around."

As she spoke, she opened the car door, got out, and gave the boy a firm hug.

Song Jiachen buried his face in her shoulder, his breathing trembling slightly.

"Take good care of yourself."

Song Zhi whispered in his ear, and then gently ruffled his soft hair.

As he let go, the boy quickly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and forced a smile: "Sis, you too."

Watching Song Jiachen walk into the apartment building, turning back every few steps, Song Zhi finally got back into the car.

The car door clicked shut, and the enclosed space was instantly filled with the cool, woody scent emanating from Fu Lu.

His long, slender fingers rested on the steering wheel, his knuckles distinct, and his tone carried obvious displeasure.

"You seem to care about him."

Song Zhi bent down to fasten her seatbelt, the metal buckle making a crisp sound.

"He is my younger brother."

Fu Lu turned his head to the side, his displeasure written all over his face.

"Younger brother? You two aren't related by blood."

Song Zhi turned to look at him and suddenly chuckled, "Ninth Brother, are you jealous?"

She reached out and poked the man's tense, handsome face. "You're even jealous of a child?"

Just as Fu Lu was about to speak, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the car window.

Song Zhi looked in the direction of the sound and saw Zhao Man running after her.

"Wait a moment!"

Zhao Man, panting heavily, pounded on the car window.

Song Zhi's finger paused on the window button for two seconds before finally pressing the down button.

The glass slowly lowered, and she asked indifferently, "What is it?"

Zhao Man nervously twisted her fingers, her eyes flickering: "I heard from Jia Chen that you two are getting married?"

"Ok."

When should the wedding be held?

"The time hasn't been set yet."

"That's it."

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Upon hearing that Song Zhi was about to leave, Zhao Man quickly said, "Wait a minute, I have something to do."

As he spoke, he took a bank card out of his bag and handed it over with trembling hands.

"There's 500,000 here; consider it your dowry."

She paused, then lowered her voice, "The password is your birthday."

Song Zhi stared at the card that gleamed with a cold light, momentarily lost in thought.

The woman who used to speak coldly to her in her memory now appeared somewhat hunched over.

"Take it." Zhao Man smiled bitterly. "I know you won't forgive me, but don't turn down money."

Song Zhi's fingertips twitched.

The father's exorbitant medical expenses, and the Fu family's subtle, almost imperceptible, glances.

With that thought in mind, she finally reached out and took the card.

Zhao Man breathed a sigh of relief, forcing a smile.

"Tomorrow, I'm taking Jiachen abroad. We might never come back."

"I know."

Zhao Man's smile froze for a moment, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the bag strap: "Well then. Be careful on the road."

Song Zhi didn't speak, but slowly rolled up the car window.

She looked down at the bank card in her hand, the metal edge leaving a faint mark on her palm.

"Let's go, Ninth Brother," she said softly.

Fu Lu gave her a deep look but didn't ask any further questions.

The engine emitted a deep roar as it slowly entered the lane.

Throughout the journey, Song Zhi remained silent, looking down at the bank card in her hand.

His fingertips gently traced the edge of the bank card, his eyes somewhat dazed.

Fu Lu glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his tone indifferent: "What, have you softened?"

Song Zhi snapped out of her daze and put the bank card back into her bag: "No, I just find it a little ridiculous."

"What's so funny?"

“She was unwilling to pay my tuition fees before, but now she suddenly gave me 500,000 yuan.”

Song Zhi twitched the corners of her mouth, but there was no smile in her eyes. "As if this could make up for something."

Fu Lu held the steering wheel with one hand and grasped her fingers with the other, gently squeezing them: "If you don't want to take it, then don't. We don't need this little bit of money."

Song Zhi shook her head: "No, I'll take it."

She looked up at Fu Lu and said calmly, "My father's medical expenses and follow-up treatment all require money. I don't need to make things harder for myself because of a fit of pique."

Fu Lu frowned slightly: "I said I would take responsibility for these things."

Song Zhi gently withdrew her hand and smiled: "I know you have money, but I can't rely on you forever."

Fu Lu's eyes darkened, and his tone turned colder: "I'm your husband. If you don't rely on me, who do you want to rely on?"

"No, that's not what I meant."

"Then what do you mean? Song Xiaozhi, we're already married, why are you still keeping such a clear distinction between us?"

Song Zhi didn't reply, but turned to look out the window.

A brief silence fell over the car, broken only by the faint sound of the air conditioning vents.

Fu Lu tapped his long fingers lightly on the steering wheel twice, then suddenly said, "Forget it, just remember, we're husband and wife, don't always be so clear about the distinction."

Song Zhi lowered her eyes, her eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes: "I understand."

"I'll try to find time to look at apartments tomorrow," Fu Lu suddenly said.

Song Zhi turned her head in surprise: "Why do you suddenly want to buy a house?"

"Are you going to make your dad keep renting?" Fu Lu glanced at her. "Are you planning to leave from that rented place on your wedding day?"

"Actually, you can also do it from the hotel," Song Zhi muttered softly.

Fu Lu's thin lips were pressed into a straight line, and his jawline became even more taut.

Looking at the rapidly receding street scenes outside the car window, Song Zhi said softly, "There's really no need to buy a house. The housing prices now..."

"I'm buying it for my father-in-law, not for you."

Fu Lu interrupted her, his tone carrying an unyielding force.

Song Zhi said helplessly, "But..."

"Song Xiaozhi,"

Fu Lu suddenly slammed on the brakes, stopped at the red light, turned around and looked her straight in the eye, "If you say 'no' again, I'll get angry."

Song Zhi was somewhat helpless, but had no choice but to compromise: "Then, buy a smaller one."

"We'll see how things go then."

Fu Lu restarted the car, then suddenly remembered something, "By the way, how many people are on your guest list?"

Song Zhi was taken aback.

Since my father's accident, I've lost contact with those so-called relatives.

She shook her head with a wry smile: "Maybe one or two."

"That's all?" Fu Lu frowned.

"Ok."

Song Zhi responded softly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the seatbelt.

Noticing her low spirits, Fu Lu changed the subject, asking, "What about your wedding photos? What style do you like?"

Song Zhi was a little confused by the series of questions and muttered softly, "Anything is fine."

Fu Lu sighed and reached out to rub the top of her head: "Never mind, I'll have my assistant send you a few options later."

He paused, then his voice softened, "Actually, I want to give you the grandest wedding ever."

Song Zhi felt a warmth in her heart, but still shook her head: "Really, there's no need."

"Why wouldn't I use it? I want everyone to know that you are my wife."

Song Zhi was amused by his childish declaration and touched her still-flat belly: "But the baby said he doesn't want his mother to be too tired."

Fu Lu's expression softened instantly, his gaze fell on her lower abdomen, and his voice unconsciously softened.

"That's true, let's keep it simple then."

"Actually, as long as the groom is you, it doesn't matter whether we have a wedding or not," Song Zhi said softly.

"I care a lot. I want the whole world to know that I am your husband."

Song Zhi's heart trembled at his intense gaze, and she nodded with a blush: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."