“You…”
Fu Zhengyun had never thought that his own grandson would talk to him in such a manner. “Are you serious? Aren’t you worried that I’d revoke all the power that you have right now? You could lose your position as the next head of the family!”
In response, Fu Chengyan turned to Fu Zhengyun, staring down at him from above. His grandfather was once a ruthless, young man. Despite being old now, he still had his ways.
“I’m well aware of that,” Fu Chengyan answered nonchalantly. “However, I’m afraid that you’re underestimating me, Grandpa.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It’s been so many years; do you think that I really care about being the head of the family?” Fu Chengyan glanced at Fu Sheng. “Dad, Uncle Heng, take good care of Grandpa. I have other things to take care of, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“I’m telling you, Yan! I’ll never acknowledge that woman, and neither will the Fu clan!”
Fu Chengyan froze for a brief moment before straightening his back. “I’ve said that I don’t care.”
“Yan!” Upon seeing how stubborn the man was, Fu Jiayu hurriedly chased after him. It took her much effort to catch up to him before she finally stopped him from entering his car. Soon, she placed her hand on the door handle. “How could you talk to Grandpa like that, Yan?”
Fu Chengyan pursed his lips as he shot his sister a blank gaze. Fu Jiayu began to tense up at his gaze. “Dad had instructed me to come back. I didn’t tell them about what you’d told me back then, so don’t worry. However, you should be aware that as the future head of the family, your future wife has to be capable enough to help you. Are you… serious about Shi Nuan?”
Shi Nuan.
Fu Jiayu was somewhat aware of this woman. There is no denying that Shi Nuan is rather capable. Nonetheless, she is still far from worthy of being the lady of the Fu clan. It wasn’t that Fu Jiayu was underestimating Shi Nuan. Rather, it was just that the Fu family was extremely strict when it came to selecting its master and mistress.
Moreover, Fu Chengyan… wasn’t an ordinary bloke. Ever since he was born, he was destined to be different from the rest.
“Only an incapable man would have to rely on a woman in his career,” Fu Chengyan answered while casting his sister a glance. “I believe that I’d made myself clear back then. If you want to stand on my side, I’ll sincerely welcome you. However, if you choose to side with the Fu family, I won’t be against that either. It’s just that I’ll walk my own path, and I’ll never involve myself in your affairs.”
Fu Jiayu paled at his response. “We’re family. Why do you have to do this?” she asked, pursing her lips slightly.
Fu Chengyan frowned. “You probably think that I didn’t mean what I’d just said. I really don’t care about not being the head of the Fu family. Tell Grandpa that I don’t mind if he wishes to replace me with someone else.”
Fu Chengyan opened his car door and hopped in, but not before shooting Fu Jiayu a second glance. “Cheng Zhi has never liked being involved, and Cheng An is still young.”
With that said, he drove away. Fu Jiayu remained still, standing outside the Fu Residence, gazing at the car that was vanishing into the distance. Chills ran down her body. It was a long while until the butler had finally approached her. “Ms. Jiayu.”
She then turned around. “What is it?”
“Master Zhengyun wants you to come back in.”
“Okay.”
Fu Jiayu entered the house to find that Fu Zhengyun was still boiling with rage, whereas Fu Sheng and Fu Heng clearly couldn’t see eye to eye.
“So, you’ve known about this matter since long ago?” Fu Zhengyun asked Fu Heng.
Fu Heng paused for a while before he answered, “Yes.” Indeed, he had long been aware.
“Since when?” Fu Zhengyun gritted his teeth in anger. He had never expected the son that he trusted most to be on Fu Chengyan’s side too. “You clearly knew about what had happened between Yan and that woman back then. You also know how closely Shi Nuan resembles Qianan, so why didn’t you stop him? Also, that woman is clearly up to no good. If Yan is putting up a fuss about this, are you going to do the same?”
Fu Heng furrowed his brows. “Dad, Yan is serious about Nuan. This has nothing to do with Shen Qianan.”
“And how would you know that? He’s obviously doing all of this on purpose.” The mere thought of Shi Nuan looking so much like Shen Qianan was enough to make Fu Zhengyun uncomfortable.
“I’ve met Shi Nuan before. She’s a decent woman, and it’s no surprise that Yan likes her. Besides, it’s not like Yan’s a fool. He knows what he wants.”
“I don’t think that he does at all!” Fu Zhengyun felt that Fu Chengyan had planned all of this long ago. “Tell me. Are they really married?”
Fu Heng nodded. “They are. That’s what Yan has told me, at least.”
Fu Zhengyun’s heart ached intensely. “Look at how you’ve raised your son!” he yelled, glaring at Fu Sheng.
Fu Sheng didn’t think that Fu Chengyan was doing the right thing either. Initially, he was quite fond of Shen Qianan, but ever since the incident from three years ago, he no longer felt the same. Still, he had never expected Fu Chengyan to pick…
“Are you sure that Yan and that lady are married, Heng? How long has it been? How are you and Ning aware of this?”
Fu Heng nodded. “I found out about it a few months ago, and they were already married by that time. In short, they’ve probably been married for about half a year,” he responded. “If you and Dad don’t believe me, you can always have someone look into it. I’m sure that there are records of their marriage registration.”
Fu Zhengyun could no longer control his own emotions, and his chest began to heave. “Do it. Look into it!” Then, he turned to Fu Jiayu, querying, “What did Yan say?”
Fu Jiayu hesitated briefly before answering, “What if Yan and Shi Nuan truly love each other, Grandpa?”
“True love? The head of the Fu family doesn’t need such a thing. All he needs is to serve the family, marry a woman of equal status, to produce his offspring.”
“But Grandpa—”
“What? Are you going against me too?” Fu Zhengyun glared at Fu Jiayu. “I’ve raised you all these years, but you’ve never accomplished anything.”
“Grandpa—”
“I demand details on Shi Nuan this instant. Get your men to gather every single bit of information on her!” With that, Fu Zhengyun left everyone behind as he soon made his way upstairs.
Falling into silence, Fu Sheng whipped out a box of cigarettes. He took several puffs before turning to Fu Jiayu. “I’m going to see your mom at the hospital.”
“Dad!” Fu Jiayu called out to him. “Don’t you have anything to say about this?”
“Your grandfather… has said all of that out of anger. Leave things be for now, and don’t lay a finger on Shi Nuan. Yan wasn’t joking around.” Fu Sheng didn’t understand his own son very well, but he knew how resolute the young man could be. If Shi Nuan truly meant so much to him, it was highly likely that he wouldn’t hesitate to attack his own family if they were to harm her.
The Song family is a prime example of that.
Fu Sheng could tell that much, just from Song Zhenyan’s recurring illness. He knew that he couldn’t outmatch his own son when it came to certain matters.
After Fu Sheng left, Fu Jiayu and Fu Heng remained, as they sat in the living room. The woman felt utterly horrible.
The Fu family was like a cage, and Fu Chengyan wasn’t the only one who was being imprisoned.
Unfortunately, while Fu Chengyan possessed the guts and the ability to fight back, the woman didn’t.
“Uncle Heng—”
“You should head back now. I’ll take care of your grandfather,” Fu Heng cut her off with a wave of his hand. “Yan is pretty loyal, so he won’t do anything too reckless. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I do.”
Fu Chengyan looked rather grumpy ever since he left the Fu Residence. Not long after, he received a call from Fu Heng. “Hello, Uncle Heng.”
“Your aunt—”
“She’s at the Wutong Residence,” Fu Chengyan answered, his expression softening slightly. “Don’t worry, Uncle Heng. I’ll take good care of Aunt Ning. She’ll be spending most of her time at the Wutong Residence, and May will keep her company.”
Hearing that, Fu Heng sighed with relief. “You had gone a little too far with your words today.” Fu Heng wasn’t against Fu Chengyan being with Shi Nuan. However, Fu Chengyan was still a member of the Fu family, so there were still rules that he had to adhere to. “Your grandfather… He’s doing this for your own good. Besides, he’s never met Shi Nuan, so he doesn’t know her character. That’s why it’s natural that he’d misunderstand her.”
“Thanks for your understanding, Uncle Heng.” Fu Chengyan was aware that Fu Heng had meant well. “There are just some times that I’ll have to show him where I stand.”
“I want to ask you about Shi Nuan and Shen Qianan,” Fu Heng continued. “You know how much your grandfather and father had liked that girl, and that’s exactly why the incident from three years ago affected them so greatly. There’s no way that they’ll accept Shen Qianan again, much less Shi Nuan… That face and background of hers— can you really differentiate the two women clearly?”
“Do you mean to ask me if I’m treating May as Shen Qianan’s replacement, Uncle Heng?” Fu Chengyan asked softly, showing no trace of emotion in his voice.
Fu Heng, on the other hand, didn’t sound too confident. “That’s right.”
“No. I’m well aware of what I’m doing. It’s never been about anyone else. I only care about May. You and Aunt Ning don’t have to worry about this, Uncle Heng. I’ll be sure to handle it well.”
“In that case, I won’t probe any further. However, please remember what you’ve just said. You’re serious about Shi Nuan, and it has nothing to do with Shen Qianan. You didn’t marry Shi Nuan because of Shen Qianan either.”
“I’m not a three-year-old, Uncle Heng. You don’t have to keep sounding me out.” Fu Chengyan couldn’t help but feel amused. “I can have any woman that I want with my looks, but I only want her.”
Fu Chengyan remained impassive, staring forward as he hung up, and he dialed Zhou Zheng’s number after a long while. “Where’s my wife?”
“I’ve sent your wife and Madam Ning home,” Zhou Zheng replied politely. “We were being followed. I believe that they were sent by the Fu family.”
“Okay.” Fu Chengyan nodded. “There may be people trying to look into May’s background. Be sure to interject.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Find out what Shen Qianan is up to and the people whom she is with.”
“What are you planning, Mr. Fu?” Zhou Zheng suddenly couldn’t tell what Fu Chengyan was thinking. “The last time I’d checked, Ms. Shen was in K Nation. As for now—”
“I want a definite update!”
