Chapter 193

Fang Hong crept forward quietly!

Liu Tianxian had her back to the door, unaware Fang Hong was approaching; she was still breathing deeply, jumping up and down, completely oblivious to the person behind her.

She was fully focused, utterly serious in her exercise.

"Hey, Xiao Feifei!"

Fang Hong suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist as she leapt, aiming to kiss her.

His actions were just like some creepy uncle sneaking up at night to kidnap a little girl and drag her into an alley.

But before he could rejoice, he felt the world spin—Liu Tianxian executed a perfect over-the-shoulder throw.

With a "thud," he slammed hard onto the floor.

"Ow! My poor lower back!" Fang Hong groaned, arching his body, clutching his waist—her strength was truly immense.

"Serves you right—who told you to sneak up from behind?" Liu Tianxian knelt half-on-the-ground, scolding him from above.

She felt not the slightest pity for him.

Just now, it had been an instinctive defensive move.

"I was trying to give you a surprise—you have no sense of romance," Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian patted his head: "You're talking? Do you even have romance?"

"I definitely do—you just won't cooperate," Fang Hong blamed her.

"You dare blame me for not cooperating?"

Liu Tianxian reached out to slap him again.

But Fang Hong wrapped his legs around her waist, rolled sideways with her, and switched positions.

Now Fang Hong was on top.

"Oh? You're pretty good!" Liu Tianxian praised—this man had real strength.

Fang Hong's gaze sharpened—he swung a punch straight at her face! Liu Tianxian's expression changed; she instinctively tried to dodge.

Then came a "thump"—the punch didn't land as expected, only striking the mat beside her.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" Liu Tianxian stared at the fist, startled.

She'd thought the man was actually going to hit her! "Scared?" Fang Hong grinned.

"Scared of you? Don't make me laugh," Liu Tianxian glared and tried to shove him off—but couldn't.

Fang Hong leaned down, his eyes softening.

Liu Tianxian automatically froze, meeting his gaze, whispering: "What are you doing?"

"I missed you," Fang Hong lowered his body, moving in to kiss her.

Liu Tianxian prepared to close her eyes and welcome him.

But as Fang Hong drew near, he stopped—realizing her face was drenched in sweat; he reached out and wiped it: "Your face is covered in sweat—I'll wipe it for you."

"Huh? What's that smell on your hand? Kind of greasy," Liu Tianxian sniffed.

"Really?"

Fang Hong lifted his hand and sniffed—it did smell: "Oh, I just used a rag to wipe your mom's dining table; that rag was oily."

"Eugh!"

Liu Tianxian shoved him away: "How disgusting—you used a kitchen rag to wipe my face!"

She rose and dashed toward the bathroom.

Fang Hong stared at his hand—was it really that dirty? Not that bad.

He followed her in, finding Liu Tianxian already washing her face with facial cleanser.

"Come here, put your hands under the water," Liu Tianxian said after washing, feeling much fresher.

She gestured for him to place his hands beneath the faucet.

Fang Hong walked over, extended his hands under the tap; Liu Tianxian squeezed soap onto them and scrubbed vigorously.

Their hands entwined, slippery and smooth.

"I'm going to help your mom clean the windows next—I don't need it this clean," Fang Hong said.

"You're really eager, coming all this way just to clean windows," Liu Tianxian said.

"I've got to make a good impression—your mom never liked me anyway; if I don't show effort, next time she'll really kick me out," Fang Hong said.

Every time he came, Liu Xiaoli would try to chase him away.

She never actually did—but the way she acted still made him uncomfortable.

Liu Tianxian smiled faintly, finished washing, then flicked water at his face with her fingers: "Then why aren't you going?"

"Oh come on—you soaked everything! If your mom sees this, she'll think we're two lovebirds playing in the water—how am I supposed to explain?" Fang Hong wiped his face.

"Hehe, get lost."

Liu Tianxian giggled—she knew he was joking.

She linked arms with him and headed downstairs; Liu Xiaoli was still cleaning on the first floor.

"Auntie, which window did you say needed wiping?" Fang Hong came to fulfill his promise.

"There—go help wipe it," Liu Xiaoli pointed.

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian followed her gesture—it was a window, completely covered in snow and ice on the outside, blurring the view beyond.

"Just wipe the inside, right?" Fang Hong asked.

"Wipe the outside—the inside's already been cleaned," Liu Xiaoli mopped the floor.

"Huh?"

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian exchanged glances—this was clearly meant to be difficult.

So the outside was deliberately left for him? To clean the outside, he'd have to climb up and go outside—the window frame was fixed shut.

You have to climb up to open the windows and doors.

Liu Tianxian frowned: "Oh my, why are you making things hard for him?"

"I'm not making things hard for him—he volunteered to clean the glass. If he didn't want to, he could've just said so; no one forced him." Liu Xiaoli straightened up, one hand resting on her waist, speaking as if it were obvious.

She gave off an air of "do it if you want, don't if you don't." "It's fine, Auntie, I can do it." Fang Hong said, immediately moving to climb without hesitation.

Liu Tianxian grabbed him: "Climbing that high—aren't you afraid of danger?"

"It's nothing."

Fang Hong gave her a reassuring look, then put on the down jacket he'd worn earlier and began climbing toward the window.

His body was agile—after all, he was still young.

All he had to do was open the window and climb outside, but outside was nothing but snow and wind; one slip and he'd fall.

"Be careful," Liu Tianxian warned, holding the glass-cleaning tool.

Liu Xiaoli watched silently; she was clearly trying to test him, to see whether his enthusiasm was genuine or fake.

He seemed enthusiastic in front of her, but somehow felt off—lacking the calm composure of a successful person.

In truth, Fang Hong simply didn't understand Liu Xiaoli; his attempt at maturity and steadiness felt distant.

"Move aside—I'm opening the window, and a gust will come in. Don't get caught in it." Fang Hong gestured for Liu Tianxian to step back.

Liu Tianxian moved to the side, out of the wind's path—still wearing her short sleeves and loose shorts.

That breeze would freeze her solid.

Fang Hong put on his hat, opened the window, and instantly a blast of cold air rushed into the Villa. Liu Tianxian shivered involuntarily.

But it wasn't blowing directly at her—thankfully.

Liu Xiaoli was dressed warmly and stood far away, so she felt little of it.

"Hand me that thing."

Fang Hong gripped the outside edge, his feet resting on only a small ledge; he slipped one hand inside while wearing his hat.

Liu Tianxian handed him the glass-cleaning tool: "Just wipe it roughly—then come back in right away."

Fang Hong said nothing, took the tool, then closed the window, leaving only a narrow gap to keep the cold air from rushing in.

Then, one hand gripping the frame, the other cleaning the glass, he cleared away all the accumulated snow and ice.

He worked diligently. Liu Xiaoli glanced once, then returned to her own tasks, occasionally stealing glances at him.

She was also afraid the boy might have an accident.

But Liu Tianxian didn't move—she remained where she was, watching anxiously, terrified he'd lose his footing and fall.

From outside, he could see inside. Fang Hong glanced at Liu Xiaoli, then at Liu Tianxian's worried expression. He clamped the tool under his arm, exhaled onto the glass.

A mist formed on the glass; he drew a "heart," then another "heart," with an arrow piercing both.

Liu Tianxian saw it, and couldn't help smiling, showing her gums—after all this, he still remembered to cheer her up.

At that moment, Liu Xiaoli's gaze turned toward them. Fang Hong quickly wiped it away and resumed working.

Liu Tianxian turned back and looked at her mother. The two women exchanged a glance—no emotion, but mutual understanding.

This was the unspoken bond between mother and daughter.

Fang Hong's hands were numb with cold, but he endured it, moving carefully, operating the tool, and soon finished cleaning the glass.

The view outside was now crystal clear.

"That's enough—come in quickly," Liu Tianxian stepped forward, waving him over.

Fang Hong finished his work, climbed back in, closed the window, and Liu Tianxian reached out to help him down, then brushed off his down jacket.

It was covered in snow and ice, which had melted into water inside.

"Auntie, is there anything else I can do? I can handle anything." Fang Hong called out.

"No, you rest now!" Liu Xiaoli didn't push him further—she'd already seen enough of his character.

It was all minor work anyway, and he'd finished it all.

Hearing that, Fang Hong sat down to rest, joining Liu Tianxian on the sofa to chat.

But he didn't get too close—her mother was watching nearby.

They sat side by side. Fang Hong said: "You were called 'arrogant' because of Tang Ren."

"I know about that."

Liu Tianxian knew perfectly well Tang Ren had started it.

Not just Tang Ren—other companies and artists were still criticizing her.

She added: "Let them say what they want. I've stopped caring."

She truly had. No matter how well you performed, someone would always find a reason to criticize you.

"Earlier, I called Cai Yirong. I told her to stop, to back off—but she refused. So I sent someone to Shanghai." Fang Hong explained.

"Why did you send someone to Shanghai?" Liu Tianxian asked, puzzled.

"I plan to give Tang Ren a lesson."

Fang Hong outlined the situation briefly, then added: "I started with courtesy. She ignored me, treated my words like wind. I had no choice."

"You…"

Liu Tianxian didn't know what to say. Indeed, this man had changed since before.

Back when he had no power, he acted first and asked later—never giving others a chance to prepare. Now that he had some strength, he at least gave a warning. That was well done.

"This has nothing to do with you—it's my own action," Fang Hong added.

"How can it have nothing to do with me? They're criticizing me—I'm part of this too," Liu Tianxian said.

"If Tang Ren apologizes and backs down, I'll stop too. I won't push things to the extreme," Fang Hong stated his position.

That is, he didn't truly want Jiang Jinfu to stop filming—should Tang Ren back off, the drama could still continue.

A TV drama has so many people; if it really can't be made, it would harm all the other actors, and the impact would be significant.

Of course, if the Sugar Man refuses to see reason, then eliminate him.

Liu Tianxian nodded, said nothing, and left it to the man—just as long as he knew his limits.

(End of Chapter)