Cheers and applause had erupted from all corners of the hall, so no one noticed Song Jingyu nor heard her threats.
Song Zhenyan dragged Song Jingyu away and the hall eventually calmed down.
Shi Wei walked towards Fu Chengyan with a big smile and reached out her hand. “Mr. Fu, thank you for giving me this opportunity. I promise I won’t take it for granted.”
Fu Chengyan raised an eyebrow then looked at Shi Wei’s outstretched hand. He frowned slightly before shaking her hand. “I’m looking forward to what you have to offer.”
Fu Chengyan only shook hands with Shi Wei for a short while before quickly letting go, but it was enough for some to catch the moment on camera.
Fu Chengyan turned and looked at the audience. “Alright, let’s continue with the programs. What’s the next performance?”
“Mr. Fu, it’s time for the lucky draw!” Mai Qi rushed up to the stage to inform him. “We’ll need Mr. Fu to do the draw.”
Fu Chengyan grinned. “Oh? And what’s the prize?”
“It’s the grandest prize of the year.” Mai Qi indicated for the assistants to carry the lottery box onto the stage. Su Su went up to guide the very excited Shi Wei off the stage. In her excitement, she naturally didn’t notice Fu Chengyan taking out a handkerchief to wipe his hands, or see him tossing the handkerchief to Mai Qi and telling her to get rid of it.
Mai Qi raised an eyebrow and quickly tucked the handkerchief away.
Under the expectant eye of everyone, Fu Chengyan placed his hand into the lottery box. “The lucky number is… 127. A blue tag. Who is number 127?” announced Fu Chengyan while looking at the audience.
Shi Nuan felt the man sitting beside her suddenly stand up and looked over to see Lin Yu holding the lucky blue 127 number tag.
“Congratulations to Mr. Lin from the project management department.” There were hints of laughter in Fu Chengyan’s low register. “Ms. Mai, what’s this super grand prize?”
“It’s a car!” Mai Qi smiled. “Mr. Lin sure is very lucky. Congratulations, Mr. Lin. Please come with me to collect your prize when the annual meeting is over.”
Lin Yu grinned. “Thank you, Mr. Fu.” Lin Yu then sat back down in his seat, as calm as if he weren’t the person who just won a great prize. Other the other hand, Yuan Jia had nearly shouted in joy and was as excited as if she was the one who won. “Mr. Lin. Isn’t it amazing? A car! I heard that it’s a Land Rover! That’s worth at least several million!”
Lin Yu smiled faintly, “I think so.”
“Mr. Lin, why aren’t you happy?”
“I am. Can’t you tell I’m happy?” Mr Lin asked, yet he continued to chat on his phone. Yuan Jia wanted to continue but was stopped by Shi Nuan who discreetly shook her head and whispered, “Shush.”
“Fine.”
The annual meeting was nearing its end and it was time for the last performance which was Bai Qing’s.
Bai Qing had learnt many skills since she was a little girl and this traditional Chinese instrument was one she had played from young. Her state of mind had been affected by the endorsement model incident earlier, but since she was there, it was impossible for her to leave mid-way. She shoved down all the unhappy thoughts before going on stage, finished her performance, then quietly left the stage.
Finally, it was Fu Chengyan’s turn to give a speech, which also indicated the closing of the annual meeting. By the time everything ended, it was already twelve midnight. Most people quickly rushed off and soon there were only a handful of people left in the large hall.
Bai Qing, who was in a bad mood, quickly left with her manager. Shi Wei too left with Guan Jing and Su Su. Though there were a few unpleasant incidents that night, at the end of the day she had nabbed the endorsement deal and that was all that mattered.
In the end, there were only a handful of people scattered around. From the Fu family, there were Fu Sheng, Fu Heng, and Ning Xin. Seeing that most people had left, Fu Sheng approached Fu Chengyan. “Yan, today’s debacle will surely reach your granddad. That Shi Nuan…”
“What about her?” Fu Chengyan played dumb. “Shi Nuan has been doing well, especially in the project management department. Even the normally critical Lin Yu is complimentary of her.”
“You know that’s not what I’m talking about.” Fu Sheng replied sharply. “Did you not see what your mother and Song Jingyu did today? She and Qianan…”
“Father worries too much. I’m not that thoughtless. Shi Nuan is Shi Nuan, Shen Qianan is Shen Qianan, I know the difference. It’s getting late. Father and Uncle should go home soon.”
“Sheng, Yan is correct. He’s in his thirties, not three. He knows how to handle these matters. You don’t need to worry too much about him.”
“You… Forget it. I can’t be bothered with nagging at you anymore. But remember. It doesn’t matter what relationship you have with this Shi Nuan. But now that your mother and Song Jingyu knows of her existence, they surely won’t leave her alone. I can’t guarantee what they will or will not do to this innocent girl.”
Fu Chengyan grinned. “It looks like father is quite worried about me. Don’t worry, father. I know what I’m doing.”
“Then I have nothing else to say. But remember, whatever your mother does, she is still your mother.”
“I understand. As long as they don’t do anything too drastic, then I won’t do anything.”
After sending Fu Sheng and Fu Heng off, Fu Chengyan took out his phone and sent Shi Nuan a text asking her where she was.
“Backstage. I’m with Mr. Lin and the others. Yuan Jia insisted on seeing Mr. Lin’s new car,” replied Shi Nuan. Then in a separate message, “Have your father and uncle left?”
“Yup,” replied Fu Chengyan before giving her a call. “I’m nearly done here. Shall we go home together?”
Shi Nuan hesitated and bit her lip. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Your car is too eye-catching. Plus, I’ve gotten enough attention today.” Even though most people had left, there were still enough people around to be a witness.
Plus Shi Nuan had enough of being at the center of attention that night. She didn’t want to become an easy target for any attacks. It gave Shi Nuan goosebumps when she recalled Song Jingyu’s expression when she had seen her earlier — as if she had seen a ghost.
“Then what are you going to do?” Fu Chengyan laughed in exasperation. “You’re not thinking of ditching me are you, May?”
Shi Nuan blinked her eyes. “Don’t use such a pitiful, childlike tone with me. When did I say I was going to ditch you? I just think we should go home separately. Also, you drove, but I drove too!” Shi Nuan sighed helplessly. “Behave!”
“Very well.”
Fu Chengyan put his phone away and saw Zhou Zheng walking towards him. “Has the matter been taken care of?”
“More or less. We should see some headlines about you and Shi Wei tomorrow.” Zhou Zheng showed the photos to Fu Chengyan. “Mr. Fu, please choose one.”
Fu Chengyan quickly browsed through the photos and halfheartedly chose one. “This will do.”
He then noticed another photo with Song Jingyu. He pointed at it and said, “Use this one too.”
“Mr. Fu, this…” Zhou Zheng felt surprised and confused. “Mr. Fu, I don’t quite understand. You’re putting yourself on the line and it doesn’t seem worth it.”
Fu Chengyan narrowed his eyes. “This is the fastest solution. I don’t want to wait any longer.” Fu Chengyan waved his hand. “Have someone sort it out tonight. I want to see these in the headlines tomorrow. Even better if it reaches those in the capital.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it right away!” Zhou Zheng knew Fu Chengyan was willing to put himself on the line because he was tired of waiting. Plus, they had crossed the line. If not, he wouldn’t be in such a hurry to take them down.
After Zhou Zheng left, Fu Chengyan dismissed his bodyguards and headed to the parking lot. He called Shi Nuan again. “Not done with looking at the car?”
“Nearly done. We’re about to head downstairs. Mr. Lin will send Yuan Jia home and I’ll drive myself. What about you?”
“I’m at the parking lot. Let’s go together. I know you don’t want to go in my car, but you can at least follow my car.”
“Okay!” Shi Nuan couldn’t help but laugh and agree, thinking that there likely wouldn’t be anyone around. “I’ll follow you from behind.”
Fu Chengyan got in his car and departed a few minutes earlier. Shi Nuan too got into her car and said her goodbyes to Lin Yu and Yuan Jia before leaving Prosperous Dynasty.
It had been a tiring night. Shi Nuan could feel the tiredness setting in. She drove slowly, all the while maintaining the phone call with Fu Chengyan. Liekkas’ music came from over the phone and it was very soothing. Shi Nuan gradually found herself relaxing and laughed lightly. “I didn’t think you would listen to songs like this.”
“Mai Qi was the one who downloaded it but I found it alright too,” chuckled Fu Chengyan. “May, do you know what we look like right now?”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t we look like we’re having an unspeakable affair? We’re legally married and yet we’re running around in secret. May, when are you going to make me official?”
Shi Nuan couldn’t help but laugh, her face blushing red. “As if I’m the one who is unwilling! To be honest, if you wanted to, we could make the announcement tomorrow.” Shi Nuan had thought it through. All this hiding and keeping things a secret wasn’t going to work. If the Fu family weren’t willing to accept her, then the timing of it all wouldn’t matter. They would still reject her either way. So rather than hiding and running around in secret, they might as well have it all out in the open.
“This way, your parents will know that you are my husband and they shouldn’t go around arranging blind dates or recruiting fiancés for you,” pouted Shi Nuan.
Fu Chengyan froze before he chuckled out loud, with a hint of affection in his voice. “Is my wife jealous? Hmm? Is she jealous of my ‘relationship’ with Song Jingyu?”
“Of course not!” Shi Nuan quickly denied, unwilling to admit that Fu Chengyan had guessed her thoughts. “I just think that you’re my husband, but your parents keep arranging future wives for you. How do you expect your legally married wife to respond?”
