Chapter 199 -
Chapter 199: Chapter
Fu Fong’s voice was unusually low as he stood there in the middle of the road, his hands hanging stiffly at his sides while an expression Bai Ming had never seen before lingered on his face.
"You have to be careful."
Bai Ming stared at him.
For a few moments she said nothing.
Then her brows slowly furrowed.
"Careful of what?"
Fu Fong looked around the street as though making sure nobody was paying attention before turning back toward her.
His expression became even more complicated.
There was guilt.
And something that looked suspiciously like concern.
The sight alone was enough to make Bai Ming feel irritated.
Because if there was one thing she had learned during the years she spent married to him, it was that Fu Fong only showed concern when it was already too late.
"You have to be careful," he repeated.
This time his voice was firmer.
Bai Ming immediately folded her arms across her chest.
The basket hanging from her arm swayed slightly as she shifted her weight.
"Fu Fong."
Her tone was flat.
"If you have something to say, then say it."
"Stop talking in circles."
A bitter smile appeared on Fu Fong’s face.
For a long moment he simply looked at her.
The morning sunlight fell across her features, illuminating the woman he had once called his wife.
The woman who had stood beside him through years of hardship.
The woman he had betrayed.
The woman he had hurt.
The woman he no longer had any right to worry about.
The realization caused a sharp ache to spread through his chest.
Finally, he lowered his head slightly.
"I know I didn’t treat you well."
Bai Ming’s expression didn’t change.
"I know I was a terrible husband."
Still no reaction.
"I know there are things I did that can never be forgiven."
Bai Ming rolled her eyes so hard that he nearly lost his train of thought.
Then she sighed impatiently.
"Go straight to the point, Fu Fong."
"I didn’t come here to listen to you discover your conscience."
After taking a slow breath, he forced himself to continue.
"After everything that happened..."
His voice became quieter.
"You’re still the mother of my children."
Bai Ming’s expression immediately cooled.
"I am."
Fu Fong nodded.
"Even though I’m somebody else’s husband now..."
His eyes briefly lowered.
"And you’re somebody else’s wife."
The words felt strangely bitter leaving his mouth.
Because for the first time, he truly understood what he had lost.
Bai Ming belonged to another man now.
She laughed with another man.
She shared her life with another man.
And unlike him...
That man actually cherished her.
The realization was enough to make his chest tighten.
But none of that mattered now.
What mattered was why he had come.
His expression slowly became serious.
"Bai Ming."
This time she actually looked at him.
"What?"
Fu Fong hesitated.
Then finally said it.
"Be careful of Han Fuji."
Silence.
The bustling sounds of the street seemed to disappear.
For several seconds Bai Ming simply stared at him.
Then she blinked before she burst out laughing.
A loud laugh at that.
The kind of laugh that instantly attracted the attention of several nearby vendors.
Fu Fong’s face immediately darkened.
Bai Ming laughed so hard that she nearly had to wipe tears from her eyes.
Finally she managed to stop.
Then she looked at him as though he had lost his mind.
"You’re serious?"
Fu Fong frowned.
"I am."
That only made Bai Ming laugh again.
This time she shook her head.
"Of all the ridiculous things you’ve said in your life, this might be the worst."
Her amusement vanished almost immediately afterward.
What replaced it was annoyance.
"You came all the way here to warn me about my husband?"
Fu Fong clenched his jaw.
"I’m not joking."
"Neither am I."
Bai Ming’s expression became colder.
"Han Fuji has treated me better in a few days than you managed to treat me during years of marriage."
The words landed directly on Fu Fong’s chest.
Yet she wasn’t finished.
"He respects me."
"He listens to me."
"He protects my children."
"He treats them as his own."
Her gaze sharpened.
"So tell me."
"What exactly am I supposed to be careful of?"
Fu Fong opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
Because he couldn’t answer immediately.
Bai Ming noticed.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You don’t actually have anything, do you?"
"I do."
"Then say it."
Fu Fong looked away briefly.
His expression became troubled.
"That man..."
He hesitated.
"...isn’t as simple as it appears."
Bai Ming stared at him.
"And?"
"There are things about Han Fuji you don’t know."
Bai Ming almost laughed again.
"Of course there are."
She pointed at herself.
"I’m his wife, not his shadow."
"Nobody knows every single thing about another person."
Fu Fong’s frustration slowly grew.
"You’re not listening."
"No."
Bai Ming corrected.
"I’m listening perfectly."
Her voice became firmer.
"I just don’t trust a single word coming from the man who cheated on me, humiliated me, ignored me, and then expects me to believe he’s suddenly worried about my happiness."
Bai Ming adjusted the basket on her arm.
Then she took a step backward.
"Whatever problems you have with Han Fuji are your own business."
"My marriage is none of your concern."
Her eyes became cold.
"And if you truly feel guilty about the past..."
She paused.
"...then the best thing you can do is stay out of my life."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The morning breeze drifted through the street.
Merchants continued calling out to customers.
Life moved on around them.
Yet Fu Fong remained rooted to the spot.
Because he could clearly see it now.
The woman standing before him was no longer the Bai Ming who had once silently endured every grievance he threw at her.
That woman was gone.
The current Bai Ming stood tall, spoke her mind, and no longer needed him for anything.
And perhaps that was the thing he regretted most.
Just as Bai Ming was preparing to walk away, Fu Fong suddenly spoke again.
His voice was low.
"Bai Ming."
She stopped.
But she didn’t turn around.
Fu Fong looked at her back.
Then slowly said,
"I hope I’m wrong."
For the first time since their conversation began, Bai Ming frowned slightly.
Something about the way he said those words felt strange.
But before she could think too deeply about it, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind.
"Sister-in-law!"
Fu Li’s voice rang through the street.
Bai Ming turned just in time to see Fu Li running toward them, slightly out of breath and carrying her own basket.
The moment Fu Li noticed Fu Fong standing nearby, her expression instantly changed.
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Then she moved directly beside Bai Ming like a protective guard.
"What does he want?"
Bai Ming looked at Fu Fong one last time.
Then she calmly replied,
"Nothing important."
And without waiting for another word, she turned and walked away with Fu Li, leaving Fu Fong standing alone in the middle of the road, staring silently at the figures disappearing into the crowd.
.....
The sky had already darkened completely by the time Fu Sheng and Su Long finally returned to the Fu residence.
The courtyard was much quieter than it had been earlier in the day. Most of the family had already finished their evening meal and retired to their rooms, while the servants were busy cleaning up after dinner.
As soon as the two entered through the gate, they were greeted by Bai Ming, who had been sitting beneath the corridor waiting.
The moment she saw them, she immediately stood up.
"You’re finally back."
A look of relief appeared on Fu Sheng’s face.
After spending the entire day discussing plans, gathering information, and preparing for the operation against Tiger Alley, he was mentally exhausted.
Without waiting for her to continue, he asked,
"Is there any food left?"
Bai Ming rolled her eyes.
"Of course there is."
She pointed toward the staircase.
"I had someone send your dinner to your room already."
Fu Sheng looked genuinely grateful.
For the first time that day, his expression relaxed slightly.
"Thank you."
Then, without another word, he headed upstairs.
At this point, food and sleep were the only things occupying his mind.
Su Long watched him disappear before turning to follow behind him.
However, before she could take more than two steps, Bai Ming suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Su Long paused.
Then turned around in confusion.
"What is it?"
Bai Ming hesitated.
Her expression looked strangely uneasy.
It was unusual enough that Su Long immediately noticed.
After a moment, Bai Ming finally asked,
"Where is Han Fuji?"
Su Long blinked.
For a second she simply stared at her.
Then one eyebrow slowly rose.
"Han Fuji?"
Bai Ming nodded.
"Yes."
Su Long looked genuinely confused.
"Didn’t he come home?"
Now it was Bai Ming’s turn to stare.
"What do you mean?"
Su Long shook her head.
"He left before we did."
"When we finished meeting with An Li, he said he had something to take care of."
"I haven’t seen him since."
The color slowly drained from Bai Ming’s face.
"He never came back."
Su Long’s brows furrowed.
"What?"
The atmosphere instantly changed.
A few moments earlier, the conversation had been casual.
Now it suddenly felt heavy.
Bai Ming lowered her eyes.
The worry she had been suppressing all day gradually surfaced.
She had already been uneasy ever since her conversation with Fu Fong that morning.
At first, she had convinced herself that she was overthinking.
Han Fuji was Han Fuji.
He was clever.
There were very few people capable of causing trouble for him.
But now...
The night had already become this late.
And he still had not returned.
Su Long immediately noticed the change in her expression.
"What happened?"
Bai Ming remained silent.
For several moments, she seemed to be debating whether she should say anything at all.
Finally, she let out a slow breath.
"Earlier today..."
Su Long waited.
Bai Ming continued,
"I ran into Fu Fong."
Su Long’s eyes narrowed slightly.
That alone was enough to make her suspicious.
"What did he want?"
Bai Ming folded her arms.
Her expression became complicated.
"He said he wanted to warn me."
"About what?"
Bai Ming looked toward the dark courtyard.
Then slowly answered,
"He told me to be careful."
Su Long remained silent.
Bai Ming continued,
"He said Han Fuji isn’t as simple as he appears."
The moment those words left her mouth, Su Long’s expression became strange.
Very strange.
Because among all the warnings Bai Ming could have received, that was not one she had expected.
"What exactly does that mean?"
Bai Ming shook her head.
"He wouldn’t explain."
"He just kept saying that Han Fuji wasn’t what he seemed."
The courtyard became quiet.
For a moment neither woman spoke.
Then Su Long sighed.
"Bai Ming.. I’m not sure myself but i think Han Fuji may be hiding something from us."