Shen Junyu and Fu Chenxuan joined forces to suppress the Li Family, which had been hit so hard they could barely catch their breath. If things continued like this, they would have to declare bankruptcy within a month.
Father Li lived every day in fear, worried that the mont he opened his eyes, his company would collapse. He deeply regretted not disciplining his son more properly back then, which led to such a disaster. If he could, he truly wished to remake his son from scratch, but it was all too late now.
Just as Father Li was considering once again pushing his son to apologize to the Fu Family, the police showed up, as his son was suspected of multiple counts of rape and the victims had already filed reports.
"Officer, there must be so mistake, my son would never do such things," Mrs. Li defended her son.
Father Li understood as soon as he heard it: it must be the Fu Family pulling strings behind the scenes. Several of the victims ntioned by the police were those he personally went to settle with, and the evidence he had destroyed with his own hands. Those who had promised not to pursue matters had suddenly filed a collective lawsuit and produced the supposedly destroyed evidence. He did not believe for a second that the Fu Family wasn’t involved.
He stopped his wife, who was still attempting to plead their case, and let the police take his son away.
"Are you crazy? Zhishen is your biological son, how could you just watch as he is taken away?" Mrs. Li blad her husband—her son was still injured, how could he endure the ordeal of the police station.
Father Li had aged a lot during this period, with white hair sprouting on his head. Hearing his wife’s words, his expression was ice-cold, "If you can fix things, go ahead. I told you not to spoil him, not to overindulge him, but you wouldn’t listen. Now that it’s co to this, you share half the bla."
When her husband lost his temper, Mrs. Li dared not oppose him. She had witnessed firsthand what the state of their ho had beco. If the Fu Family refused to back down, it was their family who would end up unfortunate—not just their son, but the whole family might end up begging on the streets.
"Do we really have to let our son go to jail?" Mrs. Li’s heart ached.
Father Li said bitterly, "What else can we do? He chose the wrong people to ss with—why did he target the daughter of the Fu Family!" Father Li felt torn, but when compared to the entire Li Family’s fate, he would rather give up on this son. After all, he had another son who, while not outstanding, at least wasn’t as much of a disaster.
Mrs. Li’s expression was one of sorrow. "Can’t we go beg the Fu Family again?"
"How many tis have we gone already? Do you think they wished to see us? Isn’t being turned away several tis enough, or do you want to keep embarrassing ourselves?"
Mrs. Li fell silent. Indeed, the Fu Family had no desire to see them. Wasn’t it obvious from the guards at the entrance of the Military District?
The Li Family knew that Li Zhishen could not be saved. They remained silent, symbolically hiring a lawyer for him, but that was the extent of their action. Li Zhishen suddenly realized that he had been offered up by his family as an apology to the Fu Family.
He made a ruckus in the detention center, but it was in vain. His parents didn’t want to see him—it was a complete abandonnt. At this realization, he was overco with despair and even more hatred—hatred for Lu Ying. If it weren’t for this damned woman, he wouldn’t be in his present plight. Lu Ying, too, hated him, knowing that if not for this man, she could still be enjoying her college life.
Lu Ying’s request to see Fu Shuyi was denied, and she could only beg her parents to appeal to the Fu Family on her behalf. That’s when Mr. and Mrs. Lu realized the ss their daughter had made.
"Have I deprived you of food or clothes? Your mother and I have given you everything. How could you dean yourself like this, Ying? You have disappointed deeply." Mr. Lu was heartbroken. He had genuinely been devoted and generous to his only daughter, providing the best life possible within his ans. How had she turned out to be so vain?
"Irritated, Lu Ying responded, "Dad, now is not the ti to talk about this. Do you really want to go to jail?"
"People really aren’t hard by you?" Mr. Lu was suspicious.
Lu Ying’s face fell, "Dad, I’m your biological daughter. Don’t you believe anymore? I’ve said it many tis—it was Fu Shuyi who injured them, not . They’re framing for revenge. I admit I’m vain, but I’m not bold enough to hurt others."
Mr. Lu gazed intently at his daughter, his only child. Even if it was really she who had caused the harm, he could not just stand by. "Stay here and be good. Your mom and I will find a way." After saying this, he pulled his wife out of the detention center and headed straight for the Military Region.
Of course, the two were denied entry. Mr. and Mrs. Lu didn’t persist; they simply knelt at the entrance of the Military District, instantly attracting the attention of everyone around.
Shen Qinglan listened to the guards’ report and, after a mont’s thought, spoke up, "Let them in."
The guard went out to fetch the couple, while Shen Qinglan went upstairs to call her daughter down, "Lu Ying’s parents have co. You should see them."
Fu Shuyi was chatting with Bai Junnan when she heard her mother. She paused, then answered, "Oh, okay."
Mr. and Mrs. Lu were visiting for the first ti. As average working-class people, they had never interacted with such a high level of society, and for a mont, they stood still, not daring to move.
Shen Qinglan and Fu Shuyi ca downstairs. Mrs. Lu looked at the two in front of her and couldn’t guess their relationship—Shen Qinglan seed too young to be anything but Fu Shuyi’s sister, she thought.
"Shuyi, these are Lu Ying’s parents," Shen Qinglan spoke first, looking at the couple, "Please have a seat. Aunt Zhu, please make two cups of tea."
Aunt Zhu acknowledged and turned into the kitchen.
"Uncle, Auntie, please have a seat," Fu Shuyi said politely.
Mr. Lu and Mrs. Lu exchanged glances and carefully sat down on the couch, only halfway, with a hint of caution. Mr. Lu rubbed his hands together, hesitated, and then spoke, "I know it’s my fault for not raising my daughter properly, which led to Ying becoming what she is now, but Mrs. Fu, Miss Fu, Ying is aware now. She’s in the detention center and can’t co out, so as her parents, we’re here to apologize on her behalf. Miss Fu, we are sorry."
Mr. Lu bowed deeply to Fu Shuyi, who, startled, sidestepped, thinking that as an elder, she couldn’t accept such a gesture.
"Please don’t be like that, Lu Ying is Lu Ying, you are you. There’s no reason you should apologize for her mistakes," Fu Shuyi said, pressing her lips together.
"If a child is not well-behaved, it’s the father’s fault. I failed to raise my daughter properly, letting her develop the heart to hurt others. This is my fault, and it’s only right that I apologize to you. But she’s my only daughter, she’s still young, and has a long life ahead of her. I beg Miss Fu to show rcy this once and let her off. I promise to discipline her well and ensure she won’t make such a mistake again."
Fu Shuyi looked helplessly at her mother, Shen Qinglan, who sat there silently, leaving the matter entirely up to her daughter to handle. Seeing that her mother didn’t interject, Fu Shuyi understood that she alone could make the decision today.
Looking at Mr. and Mrs. Lu before her, she thought honestly that the Lu couple looked more down-to-earth than she expected. They seed like honest people, so how did they raise soone with Lu Ying’s character?
"Uncle, Auntie, I’m very sorry, I can’t help with this matter."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lu looked up at her, "Miss Fu, Ying told us that she didn’t hurt anyone. I understand, it’s because she hard you first that she’s taking the bla for you, but now she’s potentially facing homicide charges. If she’s convicted, her life is over. So I beg you, please don’t make it harder for her."
Fu Shuyi was startled, clearly understanding the implication of Mrs. Lu’s words. A hint of coldness flashed in her eyes as she spoke calmly, "Uncle and Auntie, have you ever thought about what would have happened to if my boyfriend hadn’t arrived in ti that night?"
Mr. and Mrs. Lu stiffened, and Mrs. Lu said softly, "But aren’t you alright now?"
"Just because I’m alright, must I forgive those who hard ? In fact, I really want to ask Lu Ying, if my boyfriend hadn’t arrived that night, would she have saved ?"
The answer, of course, would be ’no’. If it would have been ’yes’, she wouldn’t have gone to great lengths to persuade Li Zhishen at that ti, when she revealed her identity, and he hesitated.
Thinking of this made the slight tenderness that had started to rise in Fu Shuyi’s heart vanish without a trace. Disregarding Mr. and Mrs. Lu’s pleading looks, she said with resolve, "Lu Ying harbored evil intentions, plotted against , and hurt soone. I can’t help with this matter. Instead of pleading with here, you’d better persuade Lu Ying to confess and hope for leniency for a reduced sentence."
She turned her head away, not wanting to see Mr. and Mrs. Lu’s gazes. Mrs. Lu wanted to plead, but she t Shen Qinglan’s eyes, and the words she had left to say were stuck in her throat.
Knowing that pleading was futile, Mr. Lu had no choice but to leave the Fu family with his wife. He could understand the Fu family’s thoughts; he couldn’t bla them, but he also couldn’t accept the situation calmly and even-temperedly.
"Mom, do you think I’m too unkind?" Fu Shuyi asked her mother softly after the Lu couple had left, seeing both the hope and the shattered disappointnt in their eyes.
Shen Qinglan replied with a faint expression, turning the question back, "Then why did you choose to refuse?"
Fu Shuyi thought for a mont before answering, "I just feel that if you do sothing wrong, you should face the consequences. If Brother Jun Nan hadn’t arrived in ti that day, Lu Ying wouldn’t have saved out of compassion. Mom, I’m a selfish person; I can’t be magnanimous enough to forgive soone who wanted to harm ."
Shen Qinglan stroked her daughter’s hair, a flash of approval in her eyes. She didn’t need her daughter to be a saint; having her own principles and boundaries was good enough.
"Tangtang, you did very well, you are amazing, and I’m proud of you," Shen Qinglan said.
Fu Shuyi looked at her mother with surprise, seemingly not understanding why such a heartless approach would earn her mother’s appreciation.
Shen Qinglan smiled, "Shuyi, one must be kind; that’s a baseline. But one can’t be blindly kind. As the saying goes, ’People take advantage of the kind-hearted, and the good-natured are ridden like horses.’ What I hope you understand is, you must choose whom to be kind to. For so people, your kindness is a chance for them to reform and start anew, but for others, your kindness only abets their evil, allowing the wickedness in their hearts to erge limitlessly. You must learn to asure the extent to which you exercise kindness."
"Mom, don’t you think I’m too cold-hearted and ruthless? Like what Lu Ying’s mother said, I’m alright now, but Ying has been imprisoned. A regular person would think I should forgive her, right?" After all, it’s true that Lu Ying took the bla for harming soone on her behalf.
"That’s where you need to choose and set boundaries. Shuyi, so people are too deeply poisoned, stubbornly unrepentant, and your forgiveness is simply indulgence," Shen Qinglan spoke, her thoughts drifting to Li Xitong. She nearly forgot Li Xitong’s na and the person herself. Wasn’t Li Xitong like that? Greedy, selfish, failing to recognize reality, obstinately misguided, and ultimately bringing destruction upon herself.
Fu Shuyi appeared thoughtful, and after pondering for a while, she looked up at her mother, "Mom, I think I understand now."
Shen Qinglan smiled with relief, "It’s good that you’ve co to understand. By the way, your dad called last night. He’ll be ho the day after tomorrow, and he has invited your boyfriend to co over for a al this weekend."
Bai Junnan should have visited the Fu family earlier, but Fu Hengyi had to leave for a while due to unexpected circumstances, hence the delay.
Upon hearing this, Fu Shuyi imdiately beca nervous, "Dad is coming back? How co so soon?"
Shen Qinglan was at a loss for words. If Fu Hengyi heard this, he would be heartbroken again. This daughter really was raised in vain, not considerate at all, and all that talk about being a "little padded jacket" for her parents was just an illusion.
"Don’t be nervous, your dad is a reasonable person, he won’t get physical," Shen Qinglan comforted her daughter.
Fu Shuyi grew even more nervous with her mother’s words of comfort. Her dad might not get physical, but his full-on authoritative presence was scary enough.
"Mom, please say a few good words for Brother Jun Nan," Fu Shuyi pleaded, looking at her mother with a flattering gaze. There was no helping it; although her dad doted on her the most, the person he truly loved was her mom. One word from her mom was worth ten from her.
"Are you sure you want to speak up for him?" Shen Qinglan raised her eyebrows slightly. She didn’t have a problem doing so, but whether Fu Hengyi would accept it was another matter.
Thinking of sothing, Fu Shuyi quickly shook her head, "No need, no need, Mom. I suddenly feel it’s better for Brother Jun Nan to handle it himself. If he wants to be with , he has to get past my dad anyway." How could she have forgotten? Her dad was the jealous type who even got jealous over his three children, let alone Brother Jun Nan. She shouldn’t end up making matters worse.
**
On Saturday, Bai Junnan woke up at five in the morning. There was no helping it; it was his first ti visiting his potential future father-in-law, and he was nervous. He hadn’t slept well the night before, his mind occupied with what he should talk about with his potential future in-laws. Having no experience with this sort of thing, he called Fu Chenxuan at three in the morning, hoping for so advice.
Fu Chenxuan, who had been fast asleep, was rudely awakened and feeling fiery. After hearing what Bai Junnan had to say, he snorted coldly, "You an to say I have experience? Bai Junnan, have you got water in your brain calling in the middle of the night?"
It was then that Bai Junnan rembered what Fu Shuyi had ntioned about Gu Qingzhu’s parents having passed away. Embarrassed, he hurriedly hung up the phone.
Since he couldn’t count on Fu Chenxuan, Bai Junnan had to rely on himself.
Zhang Suxin got out of bed and passed her son’s room, noticing the door was open. She went in and found her son choosing clothes in the walk-in closet, frowning and discontentedly holding up one outfit after another against himself.
"Jun Nan, what are you doing?" Zhang Suxin asked.
When Bai Junnan saw his mother, it was as if he’d seen a lifesaver, "Mom, perfect timing. Please help pick out an outfit."
Zhang Suxin walked in, "Are you attending so important event?" Her son had a good sense of style. Any piece of clothing here would be suitable, so there was no need for such ticulous selection.
"I’m visiting my future in-laws," Bai Junnan stated truthfully.
Zhang Suxin paused mid-action. Future father-in-law? It seed she missed sothing important.
"Jun Nan, what future father-in-law?"
Bai Junnan looked at his mother, realizing he hadn’t yet told her about having a girlfriend. Embarrassed, he said, "Um, Mom, didn’t I tell you? I have a girlfriend. Her na is Fu Shuyi."
Zhang Suxin frowned. The Fu surna?
"A daughter from the Beijing Fu Family?"
Bai Junnan nodded.
Zhang Suxin knew her son was acquainted with the Fu family’s son but wasn’t aware of any connection with the Fu family’s daughter. However, regardless, it was good news. Scoldingly, she said, "You child, how could you not tell about sothing so important until now? You’re going to visit them today, where am I supposed to find a gift for you at such short notice?"
Bai Junnan smiled, "Mom, don’t worry about the gift. I’ve already prepared it. Actually, Shuyi and I haven’t been dating for that long. I was planning to wait until our relationship was more stable before telling you. Last ti Shuyi was unwell and hospitalized; her parents happened to see , and they invited to dinner. I couldn’t really say no."
"Go, you must go. What gifts have you prepared? Let tell you, on the first visit, you can’t skimp on the gift. Your father brought countless things when he visited your maternal grandfather’s ho; he nearly moved a whole shopping mall," Zhang Suxin was very pleased. That was the daughter of the Fu family, the only daughter at that, and very precious. If her son married her, all those in the corporation would have to listen to her son obediently.
Moreover, she had heard that the Chairman of the Junlan Group was very fond of his only niece, and with that connection, working with the Junlan Group would be a matter of a simple conversation in the future.
In just a few short minutes, Zhang Suxin had already figured out the benefits involved.
Bai Junnan knew what his mother was thinking from her expression, but he didn’t point it out. It was best that she didn’t object.
"Mom, first help with the clothes."
"Alright, Mommy will help you take a look and make sure you’re dressed sharp and imposing."
Zhang Suxin’s face was full of smiles, none of the powerful businesswoman aura was to be seen as she happily picked out clothes for her son, even giving him advice, "When you visit soone’s ho, you have to act like a gentleman and leave a good impression."
"Mom, I’m not a child, I know how to behave."
"Rember, when you co back from the Fu Family, find a day to invite that girl over, so Mom can et her."
Bai Junnan casually agreed, but in his heart, he had no intention of bringing Fu Shuyi ho just yet, not until he had sufficient say in the company.
Fu Shuyi had been lingering at the doorway early in the morning; her boyfriend was visiting for the first ti, after all, and she had to greet him.
Today, Gu Qingzhu and Fu Chenxuan were also ho. Gu Qingzhu was in the living room chatting with Shen Qinglan, while Fu Chenxuan ca over to his sister with an orange in hand, "No wonder they say you can’t stop a girl from growing up; she’s not even married off yet, and her heart has already flown away," he said with a sour tone.
Fu Shuyi glanced at the orange in his hand, "Brother, the oranges today are really sour," her words dripping with jealousy.
Not offended by his sister’s retort, Fu Chenxuan popped a slice of the orange into his mouth, "Stop looking, he’ll co in when he arrives. Can you stare him back here? Or are you planning on turning into a pining rock?"
Fu Shuyi was slightly annoyed, "Brother, can’t you just not talk?"
Fu Chenxuan sarcastically replied, "Fu Shuyi, that’s enough from you."
His response was t with a cold snort from Fu Shuyi, and seeing this, Fu Chenxuan tapped her forehead with his hand.
In the midst of the sibling’s banter, Bai Junnan’s car stopped at the gate. Seeing this, Fu Shuyi imdiately abandoned her brother and dashed toward the courtyard entrance. Fu Chenxuan pursed his lips, now fully understanding his father’s feelings, and decided in his heart that he absolutely wouldn’t let Bai Junnan off easily later. If soone wanted to marry their girl, they would have to show so sincerity.
"Brother Jun Nan, you look so handso today." Fu Shuyi’s eyes sparkled, her brows joyfully curved up; she hadn’t seen Bai Junnan for five days.
Bai Junnan smiled indulgently, "Are you saying I’m not usually handso?"
"Of course you are always handso, but today, even more so." She stepped closer and whispered, "Brother Jun Nan, my Daddy is in a great mood today, so just relax."
Bai Junnan nodded, taking out the gifts from the trunk one by one. Hmm, quite a number of them.
anwhile, the man Fu Shuyi said was in a great mood was in the study, chatting with Han Yi. Hearing the car engine outside, he knew the visitor had arrived, and his expression darkened gradually.
The reason for Han Yi’s appearance was naturally because he knew that Fu Shuyi’s boyfriend was visiting today, so he made a special trip early in the morning to watch the drama unfold.
"Why the stern face? Your daughter is bound to have this day sooner or later. Isn’t that what you told ?" Han Yi said, a playful smirk on his face, throwing back the advice Fu Hengyi had given him not so long ago.
Fu Hengyi coldly glanced at his friend, finding his schadenfreude unbearable.
Taking his ti, Han Yi rose to his feet, "Co on, the guest has arrived; how long can you hide up here?"
Fu Hengyi was silent... Where was he hiding? It was just a young guy, hardly worth him ducking away. He stood up and strolled downstairs.
Bai Junnan was greeting Shen Qinglan, whose lips bore a slight smile. Fu Hengyi, coming downstairs, caught sight of this, the coldness in his eyes intensifying.
"Hello, Uncle Fu, Uncle Han," Bai Junnan greeted them politely.
Han Yi’s eyes arched in amusent, "You know ?"
"In Beijing’s business circles, I think there’s no one who doesn’t know Uncle Han," Bai Junnan replied with a gentle and respectful deanor.
Han Yi, of course, knew about the young man from the Bai Family, a capable lad, but the Bai Family... well.
"Since you’re here, take a seat," Fu Hengyi said in a rigid tone.
Reviews
All reviews (0)