Тhе nехt аfternoоn.
Тhе mеdiа team arrivеd аt the World Аirlines building on timе, аnd Ruаn Siхiаn wаs also gеtting styled by a makeuр аrtist at thе designаtеd lосatiоn.
Тhеrе wаsn’t much tо do, reallу. Shе still had tо wear her unifоrm, tie up hеr hair, and kеер hеr mаkеuр light to give оff а seriоus imрrеssion.
Тhat wаs just аs well, so shе wоuldn’t havе to redo еverything befоrе gоing to Fu Мingyu’s house аftеr thе interviеw.
Тhе оriginаllу schеdulеd threе-hour intеrview wraрpеd uр in just twо and а hаlf hоurs, аnd the proсess went excеptionallу smoothlу without аnу awkwаrd pauses.
On the way to Huguang Mansion, Ruan Sixian used her phone as a mirror, checking herself from left to right. “My makeup isn’t too heavy, is it?”
Fu Mingyu didn’t even look up, just gave a noncommittal “Hmm.”
“Could you at least pretend to be a little more sincere?” Ruan Sixian grumbled, fiddling with her hair. “You’re so tight-lipped when it comes to serious matters, but when it’s about nonsense, you act like you’re from the Deyun Club.”
Unfortunately, his hearing was surprisingly sharp.
“What nonsense have I been talking about?”
Ruan Sixian huffed, “Nothing.”
“How did the interview go today?” Fu Mingyu closed his iPad and leisurely unbuttoned his suit jacket.
“Nothing special. It went well, very smoothly. I was eloquent, articulate, and answered every question flawlessly.”
Fu Mingyu chuckled softly and closed his eyes to rest.
Of course it went smoothly. He’d had the media team revise the interview script early in the morning, removing questions about family matters. How could it not go smoothly?
During the interview, the team had gradually released some behind-the-scenes clips, and World Airlines had reposted one.
Now, in the car, Ruan Sixian browsed through the comments under the Weibo post, her pride practically soaring to the sky.
“Hey.” She nudged Fu Mingyu with her elbow. “Look how much presence your high school female classmate has.”
Fu Mingyu didn’t even want to open his eyes at the mention of “high school female classmate,” but her phone was already shoved in front of his face, forcing him to take a perfunctory look.
But when he opened his eyes, all he saw was a screen full of flattering comments.
【Wuwuwu, sis, my goldfish evolved into a koi just from seeing you.】
【Every frame of this beautiful sister is so heart-fluttering.】
【What’s it like living every day with such a face, and even being able to fly? I really want to experience it.】
【Does sis have a boyfriend? If so, would you mind having one more girlfriend?】
Fu Mingyu lifted his eyelids slightly. “So you wanted me to see this?”
He took the phone, scrolled a couple of pages, and read word for word: “Wuwuwu, sis, my goldfish evolved…”
“Alright, alright, shut up!”
Hearing those flattering words read aloud by him instantly filled her with embarrassment, making her feel like the comments had taken on a completely different tone.
It was like a curse.
Fu Mingyu scrolled further down and finally saw what Ruan Sixian had been referring to.
【Beautiful sis, please debut! Star in “Clouds Part, Sun Rises” as yourself. You’re way prettier than that high school female classmate with a story. I officially agree that World Airlines’ President Fu should let beautiful sis join the cast with investment!】
【What’s wrong with dragging my sis into this to put others down? [Question] Did you pay the appearance fee? Can you even afford it?】
【Did I mention any names? Don’t be so quick to identify, brainless fans. Isn’t it true that a certain high school female classmate with a story used her boss for clout? Are you blind or just pretending not to see?】
【I’m thinking, isn’t it blind to compare a top-tier female celebrity with an ordinary person? Who are you trying to insult?】
Perhaps because the fan team had informants, a large number of fans quickly flooded in, pushing this comment to the top of the hot list.Fu Mingyu chuckled and handed the phone back to Ruan Sixian.
"Trying to flatter me, boss?" Ruan Sixian flashed him an ingratiating smile. "Let's split the pay fifty-fifty."
Fu Mingyu: "Are you dreaming?"
"Cheapskate."
Ruan Sixian looked back at her phone. More and more fans were rushing in to argue, turning the comment section—once filled with nothing but praise—into a virtual battlefield.
"With so many people fighting, should we delete it?"
"No need to bother." Fu Mingyu glanced at her. "Is she worth deleting for?"
Ruan Sixian thought about it and agreed.
"Then can I reply like this?"
She showed him her phone again: My boyfriend says I'm dreaming, he won't fund my way into the crew [sad face].
Fu Mingyu looked at her sideways, a faint smile in his eyes.
"Up to you."
Two minutes later, Ruan Sixian's phone quieted down considerably.
No more fiercely combative fans flooded in; they all fell silent.
"We're almost there."
Fu Mingyu suddenly spoke up.
Ruan Sixian immediately put away her phone, sat up straight, and straightened her clothes.
The car drove into Huguang Mansion, slowly coming to a stop at the entrance along the lush pine trees.
With the New Year approaching, red lanterns hung elegantly among the greenery nearby, adding a touch of festivity to the solemn winter chill.
Auntie Luo had been waiting with ears perked up. Hearing the commotion outside, she immediately came out to open the door.
"You're here?"
Auntie Luo looked at Ruan Sixian. "Is this Miss Ruan?"
"Yes." Fu Mingyu said to Ruan Sixian as he took off his coat, "This is Auntie Luo."
"Hello, Auntie Luo."
Ruan Sixian followed them inside and took off her coat. Auntie Luo immediately reached out to take it.
She paused, unaccustomed to such service. "No need, thank you. I can handle it myself."
Auntie Luo smiled at her, took Fu Mingyu's coat, and added, "Doudou has already been taken to school. He won't be back until evening."
Fu Mingyu nodded. "Is he better now?"
"Pretty much recovered a while ago."
"Doudou?" Ruan Sixian looked confused. "Who's that?"
"Doudou..." Fu Mingyu, who had been untying his tie, stopped and looked at her seriously. "Oh, I never got the chance to tell you. Although I'm not married, I have a son. You don't mind, do you?"
Ruan Sixian's mouth hung slightly open, her brain crashing instantly.
Two seconds after rebooting, she had already envisioned one hundred and eight ways for Fu Mingyu to die.
Where did he get the nerve to ask if she minded being an instant stepmother???
Just because of that face???
"You..."
"Fu Mingyu, are you trying to die?!" He Lanxiang came downstairs from the second floor, overhearing their conversation. She hurried over, pulling Ruan Sixian half a meter away from Fu Mingyu. "Don't listen to him. He's just teasing you."
Fu Mingyu took off his tie and walked toward the living room with a smile.
Ruan Sixian took a deep breath.
She had already been considering how many years she'd get for murder.
It was cold today, so Auntie Luo had prepared hot water in advance. He Lanxiang shot Fu Mingyu a glare, took the cup from Auntie Luo, and handed it to Ruan Sixian.
"Have some hot water to warm your stomach first."
"Thank you, Auntie."
Ruan Sixian took a small sip, then heard He Lanxiang say, "Doudou is a dog he's raised for many years. It's practically like a son to him."
Ruan Sixian nearly choked.
True enough.
Fu Mingyu did have a dog he'd raised for many years. To her, it was no different from him having a biological son.
"You're here?"Fu Boting, with his hands clasped behind his back, descended leisurely from the second floor.
Fu Mingyu had said his parents wanted to invite her to dinner specifically because of the emergency landing incident that day.
But according to Ruan Sixian’s observation, only his father seemed to have that intention.
Because throughout the entire conversation, he never strayed from that incident, asking about various details—even more than the civil aviation authorities had. He Lanxiang grew visibly impatient beside him.
She gave a light, deliberate cough, and Fu Boting, catching her signal, stopped talking.
But the peace lasted no more than three minutes. When He Lanxiang remarked on how windy it was today, Fu Boting launched into a discussion about atmospheric structure.
Once he started on atmospheric structure, he moved on to the theory of lift generation.
After discussing lift generation, he shifted to airfoil design.
Ruan Sixian felt as if the examination room had been moved to the dining table!
She carefully responded to each topic, afraid of making any mistake, while secretly kicking Fu Mingyu’s leg under the table.
I came to your house for a meal, not for an exam!
Fu Mingyu smiled slightly and spoke up, “Dad—”
“Are we going to eat or not?” He Lanxiang snapped before he could finish. “Can we please stop talking about these things?”
The professional topics finally ended there.
Throughout it all, Fu Boting’s expression remained calm and unreadable. Ruan Sixian couldn’t tell what his attitude really was.
At least examiners would give some feedback on the spot, but Fu Mingyu’s father didn’t reveal a single point!
So exhausting.
Fortunately, after being stopped from discussing those topics, Auntie Luo brought out the bowls and chopsticks.
Once the meal officially began, Fu Boting adhered to the habit of not speaking during meals and remained mostly silent. He Lanxiang was slightly more lively but didn’t engage in continuous conversation either, only occasionally saying a few words to ask about Ruan Sixian’s daily life.
Though quiet and not particularly lively, this kind of dining atmosphere was something Ruan Sixian hadn’t experienced in a long time.
It had been ages since she sat at a steaming dining table in the depths of winter, surrounded by a “family” atmosphere, peacefully enjoying a warm meal.
“Would you like some soup?”
By the time Fu Mingyu asked, he had already ladled soup into a bowl and placed it in front of her.
Ruan Sixian took it and said, “Thank you.”
“Oh my,” He Lanxiang chimed in. “You two are being so polite?”
“Yes,” Fu Mingyu nodded. “She’s usually very polite and respectful toward me.”
Ruan Sixian lowered her head and said nothing.
I’m just putting on a show for your parents, and you’re already auditioning for an Oscar.
He Lanxiang curved her lips slightly but didn’t respond.
If they were really that polite, she wondered where that slap mark came from—must be some kind of “fun.”
A few minutes later, both Fu Mingyu and Fu Boting’s phones buzzed simultaneously.
They took them out in sync and glanced at the screens.
Fu Mingyu’s brows suddenly furrowed, while Fu Boting across from him calmly set his phone down, wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and said, “Come with me for a moment.”
Ruan Sixian was in the middle of talking with He Lanxiang when she suddenly saw the two men stand up, signaling for them to continue eating.
Then, Fu Boting and Fu Mingyu walked upstairs one after the other.
The atmosphere suddenly turned tense—anyone could sense it. Ruan Sixian watched their retreating figures and said, “They…”
He Lanxiang paused thoughtfully, picked up her spoon to drink some soup, and said, “It’s probably something urgent. Let’s not mind them and eat first.”
Though she said this, her own expression struggled to remain composed.
She knew her husband and son best. How off things had just felt, she understood even better than Ruan Sixian.Given Fu Boting's personality, although he was a workaholic, usually stern and even somewhat rigid, he wouldn't abruptly call someone away in the middle of a meal when his son's girlfriend was over for dinner.
The dining room suddenly felt much emptier.
Ruan Sixian and He Lanxiang sat facing each other, neither speaking.
More than ten minutes passed, and the two upstairs still hadn't come down.
He Lanxiang wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, "I'm going to the restroom."
With that, she stood up and headed upstairs, making straight for the study.
The study was usually the most soundproof room, but even standing outside, He Lanxiang could hear voices from within.
The commotion was quite loud—Fu Boting was shouting.
She couldn't make out the specifics, only that his anger was intense.
He Lanxiang frowned and was about to knock when a sudden, loud crash of shattering glass came from inside.
Startled, she didn't bother knocking and pushed the door open, rushing in.
"What happened?!"
Fu Mingyu stood in front of the desk, his expression grave.
Fu Boting, unusually furious, had flushed red to his neck, his chest heaving violently as he glared at Fu Mingyu.
The shattered teacup at Fu Mingyu's feet was clearly something Fu Boting had thrown.
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