“What did you say?”
A voice rang out behind Shi Wei, causing her to jump up from the sofa in shock. Her face turned pale when she saw Fu Yuqing. “Dad, why are you here?”
Fu Yuqing stared at Shi Wei, “What’s the matter? Why can’t I be here?”
“Don’t say that.” Shi Wei laughed awkwardly. After saying goodbye to Jiang Yu, she motioned Fu Yuqing to have a seat. “Dad, what I meant was if you miss us, we can always visit you and Mom instead.”
In response, Fu Yuqing snorted coldly. “Forget it, I know both of you just can’t wait for us to drop dead. You haven’t even visited us once over the last few months. If not for me dropping by today, I wouldn’t have known what happened to both of you.”
By now, Fu Yuqing was getting increasingly frustrated with Shi Wei. Before Xicheng and her were married, he had hoped that she would be of help to Fu Xicheng’s career, but now she had no influence at Huancheng. Almost a year had passed and both of them didn’t seem to be very much into each other. In fact, Shi Wei had acted that way from the day they were married.
When he first arrived, he heard from the servant that Fu Xicheng and Shi Wei have respectively not returned home for many months. The servants had no idea where they went. Shi Wei’s behavior was even more outrageous. The moment she came back, she constantly arranged dinner dates with others and it didn’t even occur to her to visit her parents-in-law.
It was very much unlike the time when Shi Nuan and Fu Xicheng were still going out with each other. During that time, Shi Nuan treated him and Liu Minjun extremely well. Furthermore, she didn’t put on airs, unlike Shi Wei.
In a nutshell, Fu Yuqing was extremely displeased with Shi Wei, especially when he heard that she had declined to have dinner at her parent’s home. By doing so, she indirectly rejected an opportunity to improve her relationship with Fu Chengyan.
Shi Wei blushed awkwardly, “Dad, what do you mean?”
“Let’s put aside your problems for now. What was going on just now? Is your mom asking you to go home?”
“I…”
“At the end of the day, Shi Nuan is your sister and she has married well. Both you and Xicheng have to rely on Fu Chengyan’s influence. After all, he is now your brother-in-law. If you can’t even leverage on such a powerful connection, how are you going to do well in the future?”
“But Dad…” Shi Wei wanted to defend herself but Fu Yuqing didn’t allow her the opportunity. “Enough, it’s already decided. You should call Xicheng right now and tell him to go with you.”
“But Dad…”
Fu Yuqing cut her off her again. “Remember, you must know how to flatter him. Now that you’re working at Xinhuang, as long as you know how to properly utilize Fu Chengyan as your pawn, your future will be secure.”
“But…”
“Enough. It’s already late. When is the dinner your mom invited you for?”
Shi Wei didn’t even have the chance to say a word as Fu Yuqing did not allow her to refuse.
He took out a card from his pocket and handed it to Shi Wei. “Use this to buy a proper outfit. Is it tonight or tomorrow night?”
“Tomorrow night at the Shi residence.” Shi Wei replied reluctantly.
Despite how unwilling she felt, she couldn’t deny the logic behind Fu Yuqing’s words. She had currently reached a plateau in her career and lacked a really good opportunity. Prior to this, she had even sacrificed her dignity for the sake of landing a good role. However, she didn’t have anything to show for it in the end.
Shi Wei was well aware that if she had a good relationship with Shi Nuan, Fu Chengyan would definitely help her.
As long as Shi Nuan said the word, she would be able to get her way in Xinhuang. However, the reality was the exact opposite. It was precisely because she had a poor relationship with Shi Nuan that caused Fu Chengyan to not do her any favors.
Shi Wei gritted her teeth. “I will give Xicheng a call and we will attend the dinner at the Shi residence.”
Fu Yuqing nodded in satisfaction while patting Shi Wei on her shoulders. “That’s the spirit and that’s how you be a good daughter-in-law. As long as you do as you’re told, you will be able to unlock all the benefits from the Fu clan. I heard that the patriarch of the Fu clan has planned to designate Fu Chengyan as the head of the family. When that happens, Shi Nuan will be the matriarch. As you are her sister, you will be able to have your way in the entertainment industry by leveraging that relationship.”
“Alright.”
Shi Wei smiled awkwardly while the hatred she had for Shi Nuan continued to grow.
Shi Nuan this, Shi Nuan that. For all my life, I have never been able to escape this name.
Ever since we were young, Granddad and Grandpa treated Shi Nuan a lot better. We were both their grandchildren, so why the show of favoritism? When they entered school, Shi Nuan had better results than her. Hence their teacher favored Shi Nuan and loved to compare both of them.
Later on, when Shi Nuan was in a relationship, Shi Wei was jealous of how wonderful Fu Xicheng was and how she had nothing when compared to her sister.
Shi Wei clenched her fist. Despite promising to do what Fu Yuqing requested of her, her heart was still filled with jealous rage.
She didn’t believe that Fu Chengyan would treat Shi Nuan well their whole lives. He’s just being nice to Shi Nuan because he’s not bored of her yet. Rich guys like him always end up as philandering playboys. Isn’t that always the case?
At the Shi residence dinner banquet, the Shi family had prepared to welcome Fu Chengyan and Shi Nuan as Fu Chengyan had informed them ahead of time. The whole place was redecorated. Lights and festoons were put up everywhere, just like a festival.
As Shi Wei and Fu Xicheng arrived early, Jiang Yu and Shi Jingzheng got them to help with many of the preparations. Although Shi Wei was unhappy about it, she was warned by Jiang Yu repeatedly to not stir up any conflict with Shi Nuan. If the Shi family’s business were destroyed, the first person Shi Jingzheng would blame was Shi Wei.
Despite her resentment, Shi Wei had no choice but to agree.
After all, she too hoped to improve her relationship with Shi Nuan. Only then would Shi Nuan put in a good word for her in front of Fu Chengyan.
It was eight in the evening when Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan arrived at the Shi residence. Joining them today was Su Huaibei. He was someone the Shi family didn’t expect. Hence, they were caught off guard by his presence.
All the members of the Shi family had gathered outside early in the evening to welcome them. Therefore, when they saw the man tagging behind Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan, their expressions darkened, especially that of Jiang Yu’s.
Her eyes widened in shock as her gaze was fixated upon Su Huaibei. When she noticed that he was hobbling, she guessed that one of his legs was injured. Nevertheless, Su Huaibei’s gait was both steady and calm all the way.
Seeing how Su Huaibei’s gaze was focused on Shi Nuan, Jiang Yu suddenly feel a sense of guilt and fear. She wanted to leave but her rational mind prevented her from doing so. Despite wanting to vent the anger that was overwhelming her, she didn’t manage to find a suitable outlet for it.
Feeling equally shocked, Shi Jingzheng couldn’t believe his eyes.
Shi Wei too recognized Su Huaibei because she had seen his picture in Jiang Yu’s purse before when she was young.
Su Huaibei walked up to the members of the Shi family and smiled faintly. “It’s been a long time, Old Mr. Shi!”
Shi Yunsheng frowned. “Why are you here?” Feeling uneasy, he turned his attention to Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan. “Nuan?”
Shi Nuan knew deep down that this day would come sooner or later. She took a deep breath, held Fu Chengyan’s hand, and approached the older man. “Granddad.”
Shi Yunsheng shut his eyes for a brief moment before opening them. “I presume you know?”
Shi Nuan nodded and Shi Yunsheng sighed in response. “Forget it!” He waved his hands. “So, you’re not really here to visit me today? Instead, I’m guessing you have something to say to me?”
“Grandad.” Shi Nuan bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”
“Silly gal, why are you apologizing to me?” Shi Yunsheng shook his head. “The reason why I didn’t tell you was because I wanted to protect you. Also, I didn’t know whether you could take it. But since you’re here today and even brought him along, I can see that you know the truth. In fact, you have even accepted him, haven’t you?”
Shi Nuan nodded. “I’m sorry, Granddad.”
“As I said, there’s nothing for you to apologize for. You have the right to make your own choices. As for me, I didn’t carry out my duty as your Granddad properly, causing you to suffer in the Shi family.”
“Dad!” Jiang Yu exclaimed in disapproval. “What is the meaning of this? The Shi family raised her. So how can she break ties with the Shi family just because someone appeared out of nowhere claiming to be her father? Huh?”
Jiang Yu’s eyes were filled with rage as the words spewed from her mouth. She glared angrily at Shi Nuan. “The Shi family raised you, but little did I expect you to turn into an ingrate. What has this man given you? Don’t you forget that we were the ones that took care of you since you were young. So why are you here today and why did you bring him here? Do you plan to break ties with us?”
“Yu!”
Su Huaibei interrupted Jiang Yu. “I’m sorry for what happened in the past. But please, don’t vent the anger you have for me on Nuan.”
“Su Huaibei, who do you think you are? Don’t forget that you and Jiang Yuan betrayed me during that time. You also betrayed Zheng. Zheng and I brought up your child. And now, instead of thanking us, you want to take her away? Does the Su family not have any sense of decency at all?”
Su Huaibei frowned. “I did not betray you then. I told you from the beginning that I had no feelings for you. However, you insisted on taking action unilaterally and said all those things to my mother.”
“Su Huaibei!” Jiang Yu clenched her fists. “Do you mean it’s my fault?”
“I don’t mean that. I’m aware that my actions then have hurt you. But you shouldn’t take it out on the child. Nuan doesn’t know anything!”
“Haha, are you saying that I deserve it then?”
“Enough!” Shi Yunsheng tightened his grip on his walking stick as his fearsome gaze fell upon Jiang Yu. “These are all in the past and you have been married for so many years. Even the children are adults now. And yet, you can’t let go of the past and insist on humiliating yourself in front of the children?”
Shi Yunsheng gave Jiang Yu a look of disappointment. “During your time with the Shi family, have I ever mistreated you? Has Zheng ever mistreated you?”
“I…”
“Since we didn’t, why do you have to concern yourself so much with the Su family? Don’t forget now that you are the daughter-in-law of the Shi family.” Shi Yunsheng snorted before turning his attention to Su Huaibei and Shi Nuan. “Since you’re already here, you’re now our guest. Come in.”
Su Huaibei nodded. “I very much appreciate it, Old Mr. Shi.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m just tolerating your presence on the account of Nuan and Yan. If they did not acknowledge you, don’t you ever dream of stepping into my house!”
