"Еnоugh аlrеаdу, do yоu rеаllу think thе Fu family is a рlаce аnyonе саn just wаltz intо? Shе—"
Someоne in the smoking area wаs wrаpрing up thеir sрееch, but bеfоrе thе wоrds cоuld fully land, a figurе сaught thе corner оf someоne's eуе, аnd thеу immеdiаtely tuggеd оn the slееvе of thе pеrsоn beside thеm.
"Fu..."
—"Whаt kind of рlace is thе Fu family?"
A раir оf bright gold рointed-toе high hееls steрреd in, thеir shаrр cliсks еchоing on thе bluestonе pаvеmеnt.
Hе Lаnхiаng stoppеd about a meter аway from thе group, аrms crоssеd, chin slightlу tucked, her eyes sweeping up and down the person who had just spoken. "Hmm? Go on, what kind of place is the Fu family? The way you talk, it sounds like the Fu family is some kind of prison—how terrifying."
In the open-air smoking area, gusts of cold wind blew in, carrying flecks of snow that whipped against the group. Even their coats offered little protection against the biting chill.
For a moment, the only sound in the small pavilion was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
"Why so quiet now? You seemed quite talkative just a moment ago. In formal settings, you can't squeeze half a word out of you, but in private, your tongues are longer than anyone else's. Why hasn't the Wenzhou duck tongue factory hired you as spokespeople?"
He Lanxiang took a step to the left, her fingers tapping idly on her arm, her thick lashes fluttering. "So young, yet you throw around words like 'bitch' so casually. Have you even memorized the English alphabet up to 'U' before showing off?"
The woman she addressed flushed crimson, gritting her teeth, her hands fidgeting awkwardly. "Auntie, you've misunderstood."
"What have I misunderstood?" He Lanxiang stared straight into her eyes, making the other woman lower her head in shame. "My son gave his girlfriend a necklace just for fun, and yet you all keep insisting it's fake. What exactly do you mean by that?"
She patted her chest, took a deep breath, and put on a pitiful expression. "Our Fu family has worked diligently for decades, through hardship and exhaustion, only to be seen in such a poor light by outsiders. In the end, it seems we're just not worthy."
Standing in the corridor, Ruan Sixian watched with a serious gaze: "..."
Why is she playing the victim now?
"Auntie, I—I didn't mean it that way."
He Lanxiang ignored her and slowly turned to walk toward another man. She lightly covered her nose with her fingers. "But since when is it up to you to decide who's worthy? Do you think you're some kind of master locksmith? My son's girlfriend needs your approval? Maybe you should take a look at yourself first and see if you're even worthy. Isn't the restroom right over there? Hurry up and take a good look in the mirror."
She paused when she looked at another man, saying nothing.
The man's heart raced, and he quickly tried to distance himself. "Auntie, I was just passing by..."
"People who are just passing by are called passersby. What kind of creature passes by and can't even hold in their urge to take a piss?"
"..."
Meanwhile, Fu Mingyu and Yan An were walking toward the exit from opposite ends of the banquet hall.
Fu Mingyu, noticing Ruan Sixian hadn't returned for a while, decided to look for her, while Yan An wanted to step out for a smoke. The two happened to meet in the corridor.
Walking one behind the other, the atmosphere felt somewhat tense.
Just as Yan An was about to say something, he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye. "Over there..."
Before he could finish, Fu Mingyu had already quickened his pace and walked over.
"What's going on?" he asked as he approached Ruan Sixian. "What are you all doing here?"Ruan Sixian hadn't yet recovered from the battlefield ahead when she turned her head and saw Fu Mingyu approaching. She opened her mouth but hadn't managed to speak when He Lanxiang turned around in front of her, immediately furrowing her brows. "It's nothing."
She walked over, glanced at her son, and said with a hint of bitterness in her tone, "I just never imagined that after toiling most of my life to raise two sons, I'd be called a wicked mother-in-law—someone who cruelly separates a loving couple, ruthlessly destroys a good marriage, and even drives her eldest son far away from home."
The four people in the smoking area: "……?"
Wait, that's not what we meant.
Ruan Sixian was also stunned.
So the big move was waiting here?
And upon careful thought, what she said didn’t seem entirely wrong?
Ruan Sixian looked up and saw Fu Mingyu narrow his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the people in front.
She instantly had a feeling that these people’s accounts were about to be terminated.
He Lanxiang turned around, glanced at Ruan Sixian, and added, "Oh, and they didn’t believe the necklace you gave her was real. How insulting."
Fu Mingyu: "Really? A necklace is nothing. If she likes it, I could give her every plane on the entire tarmac."
He Lanxiang suddenly widened her eyes. ???
Did I agree to that???
Giving them to Ruan Sixian would mean Dong Xian would own half of their family’s planes in the future.
He Lanxiang couldn’t accept it—she was a stingy person.
So she dabbed her eyes with the back of her hand. "Forget it, I’m cold. I’m going back."
With that, she walked out of the smoking area and headed toward the banquet hall.
"Auntie, what do you mean 'forget it'? I can’t just let this go!"
Yan An was already in a bad mood today, and now he was absolutely furious.
Although he and Fu Mingyu didn’t get along on a daily basis, He Lanxiang was still an elder who had watched him grow up. How could he tolerate these people gossiping behind her back?
Besides, these were just fair-weather friends who usually tagged along with him for food and drinks. He’d invited them to today’s banquet just to liven things up—young people knew how to create a lively atmosphere, and his father, who was getting on in years, enjoyed a vibrant scene. Who knew these people would stir up trouble behind his back?
Yan An looked back and saw He Lanxiang walking away dejectedly. Glancing at the people in front of him, his anger flared. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and reminded himself that today was his father’s birthday banquet—he couldn’t cause a scene.
Seeing He Lanxiang leave, the group wanted to explain themselves, but Yan An raised his hand in a "shut up" gesture. Without opening his eyes, he said, "All of you, get out of here right now. Don’t make me call someone to throw you out."
Then he hurried off to catch up with He Lanxiang and console her.
The remaining few had just stepped out of the pavilion when they found themselves directly facing Fu Mingyu’s gaze.
Fu Mingyu didn’t speak. As he turned away, his eyes swept lightly over them, cold as ice and snow. Though he said nothing, it still made them feel as if they were trapped in a frozen cellar.
"Let’s go." He took Ruan Sixian’s hand and said nothing more.
Ruan Sixian glanced back at the group who wanted to leave but didn’t dare approach.
Whether I’m worthy or not—only I get to decide.
Back in the banquet hall, Ruan Sixian spotted Yan An sitting beside He Lanxiang, wearing a bright smile as he leaned in to chat with her. He offered her snacks one moment and proactively fetched drinks the next, acting more like a biological son than Fu Mingyu did.
More than half an hour passed, and there was still no sign of the others.
Ruan Sixian took a sip of her drink and scanned the room. "Where are they? I didn’t see them leave either?""He came in from the back." Fu Mingyu took her glass. "This wine is quite strong."
Ruan Sixian suddenly felt a bit dizzy.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? I've already had quite a bit."
"And that's my fault?"
Fu Mingyu took a sip from her glass. "You seemed to be enjoying it just now."
He lowered his eyes to look at her. "What, can't handle it?"
"It's just one glass of wine, not that big a deal." Ruan Sixian subtly steadied herself against the table with her hand.
She didn't realize the alcohol had already flushed her cheeks, painting them a rosy pink. Her eyes seemed veiled with a layer of moisture, sparkling brightly.
"But this is really good." She reached for the glass again, and this time Fu Mingyu didn't stop her. "I thought it was champagne."
"Suit yourself."
As the banquet was nearing its end, Dong Xian finally found an opportunity to bring Zheng Taichu over to formally introduce him to Ruan Sixian.
She had always been a woman of few words, and Zheng Taichu was similarly reserved. The entire exchange was polite, with only a few brief pleasantries exchanged before conversation dwindled.
Yet, as Ruan Sixian looked at the tall and upright Zheng Taichu, she couldn't quite reconcile him with the person she remembered from her memories.
When they left, stepping out of the banquet hall, a cold gust of wind swept through, lifting Ruan Sixian's hair and making her shiver involuntarily.
He Lanxiang and her husband stood nearby. After glancing at Ruan Sixian, He Lanxiang handed her own shawl to her.
"We're heading home first." She didn't give Ruan Sixian a chance to refuse, linking arms with her husband and getting into the car. Before closing the door, she leaned out and waved. "You two should rest early too."
Holding the shawl, Ruan Sixian was momentarily stunned.
Fu Mingyu took it from her, wrapped it around her neck, and led her to the car.
"Ah..." Ruan Sixian sighed softly as she settled into the car, burying her chin in the soft, furry shawl.
"What's wrong?"
"Was this necklace originally hers too?"
"Yes, she said to consider it a gift for meeting you."
Ruan Sixian fell silent for a moment before murmuring, "Auntie is so kind to me."
Even before they had met, she had given her such an expensive gift. During their first actual meeting, she had stood up for her. And when leaving, worried she might be cold, she had given her the shawl.
Fu Mingyu gave her a look that seemed to say, "You're only realizing this now?"
"So, do you still think she doesn't like you?"
Ruan Sixian smiled, then looked down at the dress she was wearing and asked, "This dress... it wasn't also a gift from Auntie, was it?"
That day, when Fu Mingyu's assistant had sent over the clothes and shoes, she had opened the box and, for a moment, questioned Fu Mingyu's sexual orientation.
A straight man couldn't possibly have such taste!
But if it had been a gift from He Lanxiang, everything made sense.
Fu Mingyu gave her a somewhat exasperated look. "Am I a giant baby?"
The implication was that the dress had nothing to do with He Lanxiang.
"Oh." Ruan Sixian brushed her hand over the skirt. "Do you really like me in red dresses?"
Her memory of her birthday was still vivid. The words Fu Mingyu had whispered in her ear would often resurface unexpectedly at the most random times.
"Actually, I prefer you in another outfit."
"Which one?"
With the driver in the front seat, Fu Mingyu leaned close to Ruan Sixian's ear and whispered, "Your uniform."
"..."
The images in Ruan Sixian's mind suddenly took on a different hue, veering straight into the territory of risqué Japanese manga.
"I think you belong somewhere else."
"Hmm?""Jiangcheng Prison, full uniform, fulfills all your wishes."
"..."
Fu Mingyu's face darkened, gritting his teeth as he enunciated each word: "Ruan—Si—xian."
"Not here."
Despite saying so, she still shifted closer to Fu Mingyu, leaning against his shoulder and closing her eyes.
Although she had only drunk a little today, the alcohol content was indeed high, and she had long felt dizzy.
Fu Mingyu reached out to wrap an arm around her shoulder, letting her lean more comfortably.
The car was warm and quiet, the person beside her breathing steadily and evenly.
Suddenly, a wave of warm breath brushed past her ear.
Before Fu Mingyu could turn his head, he heard her whisper in his ear, "Then next time, I'll wear it just for you."
Due to others being in the car, Fu Mingyu said nothing.
It wasn't until she was carried out of the car that Ruan Sixian slowly woke up.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Fu Mingyu's jawline. Recognizing who it was, she simply closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
When they reached her doorstep, Fu Mingyu said, "Open the door."
Ruan Sixian grew sleepier as she dozed, reaching out to enter the passcode. After opening the door, she closed her eyes again.
Fu Mingyu carried her inside and laid her on the bed.
Ruan Sixian rolled over, hugging the pillow, and mumbled drowsily, "Remember to close the door on your way out."
She planned to lie down for a while before getting up to shower.
For a long time, there were no footsteps in the room, but instead, the sound of a wardrobe door being pushed open.
Ruan Sixian opened her eyes to look at him. "What are you doing?"
Fu Mingyu found the familiar uniform, took it out, and tossed it onto the bed.
"Wear it now."
Ruan Sixian hugged the pillow, her consciousness gradually clearing.
"What time is it, Fu Mingyu? Can you act like a human being?!"
Fu Mingyu took off his jacket and set it aside, wearing only his shirt. As he leaned over, a faint scent of alcohol lingered on him.
"Acting like a human gets tiring after a while."
Seeing Ruan Sixian unmoving, he said, "Will you put it on yourself, or should I help you?"
Ruan Sixian was stunned for a moment. When she regained her senses, she suddenly let out a soft laugh. "I'll do it myself. You go out first."
Fu Mingyu raised an eyebrow, turned around, and left, closing the bedroom door behind him.
A few minutes later, the person inside spoke.
"Done."
Fu Mingyu turned to look at the door. Two seconds later, he turned the doorknob.
Ruan Sixian was facing away from him, fastening the buttons. Hearing the sound, she turned to look at him.
For some reason, a line suddenly popped into her mind: "Man, are you satisfied with what you see?"
After a moment's thought, she realized the script was wrong, so she didn't say it out loud.
But the man before her was clearly very satisfied. Though his lips were pressed tightly together, his eyes were deep, with sparks of desire flickering within.
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