Master Fu showed no surprise upon seeing her, just scrutinized her from top to bottom, his aged, profound eyes as calm as a still lake.
The housekeeper Zhao behind him hurried to step forward and said, "The young master is in the study, I’ll go..."
Master Fu waved his hand, and housekeeper Zhao imdiately fell silent, his expression freezing montarily before he cast a worried glance at Su Lingzhi.
"Should I say you’re being ungrateful, or that you’re indulging Yinli’s downfall?"
The old man’s voice was steady, understated yet carrying an invisible pressure that rippled through the room.
Everyone in the room felt compelled to submit to his authority.
In the suffocating silence, Su Lingzhi steadied herself, calmly walked over, and called out, "Grandpa Fu."
The old man dressed simply, with a beautifully crafted piece of agarwood hanging around his neck, and his eyes held a sharpness that seed to pierce through the soul. Even without speaking, his gaze seed to be judging sothing.
His eyes moved away from Su Lingzhi, and he walked towards the sofa and coffee table area, leaning on his cane.
Su Lingzhi followed him, selecting red tea and mountain spring water from the drawer to make tea.
Pale sunlight stread through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating her focused figure. The surroundings were strangely quiet, only the sound of pottery and flowing water remained.
A wisp of white smoke rose as hot water poured into the purple clay pot, highlighting her elegant and serene deanor, so pure it was hard to look away.
Master Fu cast a aningful glance at housekeeper Zhao and pointedly remarked, "Your handiwork, I presu."
Housekeeper Zhao respectfully replied, "Yes."
Su Lingzhi withdrew her gaze from housekeeper Zhao, unsure of how he could tell from whom she had learned.
She remained silent and brewed another pot, then handed the brewed tea to his left side, awaiting his drink.
The old man picked up the cup of tea, sipped it slowly, and comnted, "A bit weak."
He didn’t spare her any face at all.
Yet Su Lingzhi didn’t take it to heart.
The elderly shouldn’t drink strong tea, so she intentionally brewed it lighter.
She was also well aware this famous old man was testing her. Being tested, she wouldn’t be allowed to escape, so she might as well confront it with poise.
The ordeal of eting the family ca too quickly for her, leaving her unprepared, her palms sweating with nervousness.
Regarding this influential figure, she wasn’t familiar with his illustrious achievents or how he managed to securely pass down the family business in chaotic tis to reach a pinnacle position.
She only knew his na and status.
"Sit and let’s talk." The old man spoke.
Su Lingzhi straightened up, seated herself on the adjacent single sofa, and t his gaze with composure and confidence.
"How old are you?"
"This year, twenty-two."
"How long have you been seeing Yinli? How much do you know about our Fu family?"
Su Lingzhi’s face slightly darkened, and she replied truthfully, "We have been together for not even three months. I haven’t been to the Fu family, so I don’t know much about your family situation."
"He didn’t tell you?"
"Not a word."
To his surprise, facing such an untainted girl, the old man, who had prepared to intimidate, found himself unable to be harsh.
Nevertheless, he remained aware of his purpose there.
"Then you ought to know, as the head of the Fu family, the person standing beside him should be of equal social status."
With one sentence, she was placed in a difficult position.
It was clear the Fu family did not accept her.
In terms of social status, how could soone without a family match up with the Fu family?
She had anticipated family challenges but did not expect it to co so quickly, without any ti to prepare.
Like a sweet dream shattered, strength drained entirely from her body.
Housekeeper Zhao looked at her with pity, yet, given his position, he couldn’t intervene.
The old man advised, "Young miss, leaving sooner might be better for you; sinking deeper might lead to a situation where you cannot leave with dignity."
Su Lingzhi turned pale, unconsciously clenching her skirt edge with stubbornness in her eyes, "I never thought about separating from him, and I presu Yinli feels the sa. The kind of wife he wants is his decision, not subject to anyone else’s interference, is it not?"
"What if I retract his decision-making power?" The old man’s voice was firm, subtly threatening.
"Grandpa, you’ve seen much of the world; how can you say sothing so frivolous? Whether I stay or leave, what does it have to do with the Fu family’s power dynamics?"
"As the leader of the Fu family, he carries the rise and fall of the entire family, not just himself. You’re a smart person, you should know your place."
With those words, Su Lingzhi found herself speechless.
Ultimately, she couldn’t help the Fu family or offer any benefit. In their eyes, she was not worthy of the Fu family.
Though she currently lacked the ability to stand alongside Yinli, that didn’t an she wouldn’t qualify in the future.
She would strive towards that goal.
Yet, under the current circumstances, the Fu family had their stance, and no matter how much she compromised, she would gain no advantage, simply because she had no background.
"I will leave here, but not him. If Yinli chooses to give up for the Fu family’s interest, then I’ll respect his choice and not hold him back."
Finishing her words, Su Lingzhi rose, grabbed her phone, and decisively left Jing Garden.
A quiet settled over the room instantly, with the old man’s gaze fixed on the teacup, his expression unchanged, not a ripple of emotion.
Housekeeper Zhao frowned, couldn’t help but say, "You might have been a bit harsh."
The old man’s face darkened, sharply staring at him.
Housekeeper Zhao continued, "These past days, I’ve watched Miss Su and the young master co together; it has not been easy. Miss Su is different from others; she truly cares for the young master, and back then, it was the young master who gradually pursued her."
After speaking, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn’t know why, but today he dared to confront his employer.
"Yinli pursued her?" The old man seed sowhat incredulous.
Housekeeper Zhao nodded, "He pursued her for quite a long ti."
"Could it be so sort of coy tactic?"
"You don’t understand Miss Su. To us, she is a pure-hearted young girl, very upright and strong. In her field, she is a rare talent, and most importantly, her care for the young master cos from within. Only she can manage the young master; her qualities are unmatched by the society ladies."
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