Fu You'an was the name she had chosen for herself in the human world; her true name was Meihuo, a fox demon who had cultivated for ten thousand years.
The fox demon, feeling restless due to a plateau in her cultivation, decided to head down from the mountains to roam the human world. By chance, she ended up at a grand, bustling auditorium. Transforming into her fox form, she curled up on a windowsill to watch a human wedding. On the steps, the newlyweds completed their ceremony while surrounded by guests offering well-wishes; the atmosphere was, in a word, delightful.
Except for the two leads—
The bride’s soul was unstable, her face twisted into a forced smile as she clung to the groom's arm. The groom faced the cameras with a solemn, heavy expression, showing not a hint of joy.
What a "loving and blissful" couple: one a transmigrator, the other a workaholic.
According to the world’s script, these two Sons of Luck would experience all sorts of events after marriage. The cold, heartless male lead would be too busy to be seen in the early stages, only to return home later due to work. This would lead to intersections with the female lead—a transmigrator dedicated to making money and running away, who possessed a distinct, comedic charm.
Eventually, sparks of love would fly through their friction. The workaholic would transform into his wife’s personal ATM, and with the mindset that her husband’s money and body belonged entirely to her, the female lead would fall for him, too. In the end, they would live happily ever after.
It was a classic "marry first, love later" story that would be the envy of all!
But as it happened, the wandering fox demon caught the alluring scent of the Son of Luck. He smelled divine—she wanted to snatch him up and tuck him into her own pocket.
Once the thought took root, the fox demon looked at their still-thin red thread of fate. Lacking any concept of morality or social norms, she decided to be a "good fox" this time and sever the love line between this pair once and for all.
After all, if it made her feel good, it was a good deed. There was no helping it; that thread was just too much of an eyesore.
...
Lunchtime arrived, and the employee in charge of the special meals placed the food on the table.
The office had been fitted with a separate room for dining. At first, Fu You’an had taken her meals at her workstation, but Shang Fuyan had pointed out, "The desk is covered in documents; bring it over here to eat."
And so, his dining table gained a guest.
During meals, there was only the sound of cutlery clinking. At the beginning, one could tell she was a bit reserved, and Shang Fuyan would leave as soon as he finished. This time, it was as quiet as usual.
Not long after they began eating, the office landline suddenly rang. Fu You’an pulled out a tissue to dab her lips, took a sip of water, and stood up to answer.
Across from her, Shang Fuyan looked up, continuing to eat.
"Hello."
A sweet, coquettish voice came from the other end. "Is this Secretary Fu?"
"Yes, it is. Madam, would you like to speak to the Chairman?"
It was strange—the Chairman's wife didn't even have his private number. She always contacted him through the landline, and when he was out, she only reached him through his secretary.
"Yes, is he free right now? Could you transfer me to his desk line?"
Fu You’an kept the receiver to her ear and turned to look at Shang Fuyan for an answer. He had finished his meal and drained his glass of water in one go.
Wiping his fingers with a napkin, Shang Fuyan tidied up his cutlery, stood, and walked over.
"Transfer it here."
What followed was no longer meant for Fu You’an to hear. She returned to the table to continue eating. Shang Fuyan, now in the main seat, picked up the phone. "What is it?"
"Honey~ I’m short on cash~"
Shang Fuyan’s eyes narrowed. He wasn't used to this unfamiliar term of endearment, and he was even more suspicious that the short-tempered Xu Shengsheng would speak like this. When things went against the grain, there had to be a catch.
"You receive exactly what the contract stipulates. And stop calling me that."
Having failed to get money, the person on the other end whimpered and whined, trying to act spoiled, but all she heard was the tone signaling the end of the call.
"Damn it! How could he be such a miser!"
What a stingy prick. Worth hundreds of billions and still this cheap—how could five million be enough! And he wouldn't even let her call him that; he was just acting high and mighty. Did he think she actually wanted to fawn over him?
Xu Shengsheng slammed her phone down. Beside her, her friends were eating fruit fed to them by male models. "Don't be mad. That’s just how your husband is; that’s why he’s a businessman."
Xu Shengsheng didn't answer, but she felt anxious. She had transmigrated into this world three months ago and had only seen this cold, arrogant male lead once—at their wedding. He’d left on a business trip immediately after, and a honeymoon was out of the question!
According to the novel's plot, Xu Shengsheng, as the wicked supporting female character, spent her time acting lawless and arrogant as Shang Fuyan's sham wife. When the true female lead arrived, she would commit all sorts of evil deeds out of jealousy and eventually die a miserable death on the streets.
(PS: This world was a book-transmigration story. The Xu Shengsheng who had transmigrated became the new female lead. The one the fox had arrived in was a world where Xu Shengsheng had already become the female lead; the female lead Xu Shengsheng mentioned was already a thing of the past.)
She didn't want to die on the streets. The best outcome was to suck up to Shang Fuyan, save some money, and run. But the contract only provided five million a month, which was barely enough to live on in the expensive Capital. Having no choice, Xu Shengsheng had to swallow her pride and call him. If she couldn't get money, at least gaining some favor would be good.
But this guy was truly heartless! He hung up the moment she asked for money!
He was cold, distant, and stingy—he wouldn't even give her his cell number, claiming he didn't like being bothered. Now that she thought about it, he was just being snobbish. In her previous life, she would never have bothered talking to someone like this.
But, penniless as she was, she still had to find a way to get money out of him. It was a tough situation.
"Don't think about it. The male models invited today are so handsome, far more sensible than your husband."
Xu Shengsheng’s contemplation was interrupted. Her friend’s words made her nod in agreement. It was better to be rich—even the handsome guys would massage her feet, feed her fruit, and let her touch their abs!
Once she ran away, she would definitely keep a harem of male models! She’d live like a deity!
Enjoy life for now, she told herself.
After finishing her meal and cleaning up, Fu You’an took her phone and returned to her workstation. According to the normal schedule, he should have gone to the lounge for his afternoon nap by now. Fu You’an didn't understand why he hadn't, but she sat at her desk, waiting for him to finish his work. After all, if the boss hadn't clocked off, what employee could leave?
Until one o'clock in the afternoon, her internal clock signaled it was time for a nap, and she stifled a yawn.
Shang Fuyan was flipping through documents and signing them. Without looking up, he instructed, "If you're sleepy, go to the lounge."
Secretaries had their own dedicated nap rooms.
"Understood."
Fu You’an apologetically put down her files, picked up her phone, and stepped out lightly. Before leaving, she offered a polite formality: "You should get some rest soon, too."
There was an evening gala to attend and an international business trip tomorrow; it was best to conserve his energy.
"Mm," he replied perfunctorily, his pen never stopping.
The workaholic was as energetic as ever.
An hour later.
Shang Fuyan finished reviewing the remaining projects. He rubbed his temples, lifted his elbow, and checked the time: 1:40 PM.
He chose to lower the back of his executive chair, lay down, and close his eyes to rest.
*Tick.*
The sound of the office door opening.
The drowsy Shang Fuyan’s eyelashes trembled. Subconsciously, he let his body sink into relaxation, his head dropping slightly.
*Tap, tap, tap.*
Flat shoes tapped lightly against the floor.
He could tell that the person was moving carefully, returning to her workstation to tidy up. Then, she walked out and returned with a slower, more deliberate pace, quietly stopping to the left of his desk.
Shang Fuyan opened his eyes at the perfect moment. He saw her holding a teapot, placing it cautiously on the corner of the desk. To avoid making a sound, she set the teapot down with agonizing slowness.
The second she was discovered, a flash of surprise and shyness crossed her face.
"Did I wake you?"
The newly awakened Shang Fuyan squinted, covering his eyes with his elbow and remaining reclined in his seat. "No. Go ahead and open the curtains."
"Certainly."
She turned to pull the curtains.
Lying there with his eyes closed under his arm, Shang Fuyan let go of his wariness, laughing at himself for overthinking things. Because his previous female secretary had harbored improper intentions toward him, he couldn't help but feel the same suspicion toward new ones. Now, Assistant Li was away on business, and the secretary had been replaced by the newcomer, Fu You’an.
Fu You’an had a boyfriend; it was impossible for her to have any improper thoughts about him. This was good.
Very good indeed.