“That’s quite enough. Do you think the Fu family is a place just anyone can enter? She—”

Someone in the smoking area was making a concluding statement, but before they could finish, someone caught a glimpse of a figure in their peripheral vision and immediately pulled the sleeve of the person next to them.

“Fu…”

—”What kind of place is the Fu family?”

A pair of bright gold pointed high heels stepped in, making sharp sounds on the bluestone pavement.

He Lan Xiang stopped about a meter away from the group, arms crossed, chin tucked in, only her eyes scanning up and down the person who had just spoken. “Hmm? Go on, what kind of place is the Fu family? The way you describe it, the Fu family sounds like a prison, how frightening.”

In the open-air smoking area, gusts of cold wind blew in, carrying ice particles that cut against everyone’s skin. Even their coats offered little protection against the bone-chilling cold.

For a moment, the small pavilion was so quiet that only the sound of wind rustling through leaves could be heard.

“Why are you all quiet now? I saw you were quite talkative earlier. In formal settings, you can’t squeeze out half a fart even if beaten with three sticks, but in private, your tongues are longer than each other’s. Why hasn’t the Wenzhou duck tongue factory recruited you yet?”

He Lan Xiang moved a step to the left, her fingers tapping her arms intermittently, her thick eyelashes fluttering up and down. “At such a young age, you’re throwing around words like ‘bitch’—have you even studied English vocabulary up to the letter ‘U’ before showing off?”

The woman was flushed with embarrassment, gritting her teeth, not knowing where to put her hands. “Auntie, you misunderstood.”

“What did I misunderstand?” He Lan Xiang stared into her eyes, making the other person unable to raise her head. “My son gives his girlfriend a necklace just for fun, and you all keep saying the necklace is fake. What exactly do you mean by that?”

She patted her chest, took a deep breath, appearing aggrieved. “Our Fu family has worked diligently for decades, suffering hardships, only to be seen as so contemptible in outsiders’ eyes. In the end, we’re just not worthy.”

Standing in the corridor, Ruan Si Xian looked on seriously, “…”

Why is she playing the victim now?

“Auntie, I-I didn’t mean it that way.”

He Lan Xiang ignored her, slowly turning to stand in front of another man, lightly covering her nose with her finger. “But since when did it become your place to decide who is worthy or not? Do you think you’re some master locksmith? My son is dating someone, and you feel entitled to judge? You should first check if you are worthy. The restroom is right there, hurry up and go take a look at yourself in the mirror.”

Looking at another man, He Lan Xiang paused, not saying anything.

The man’s heart pounded, quickly distancing himself from the situation, “Auntie, I was just passing by…”

“Someone who passes by is a passerby, but what breed is someone who passes by and can’t control their urge to take a piss?”

“…”

Meanwhile, Fu Ming Yu and Yan An were walking toward the exit from opposite ends of the banquet hall.

Fu Ming Yu, seeing that Ruan Si Xian hadn’t returned, was going to look for her, while Yan An wanted to go out for a smoke. They happened to meet in the corridor.

Walking one in front of the other, the atmosphere was somewhat tense.

Yan An was about to say something when his peripheral vision caught something in a corner. “Over there…”

Before he could finish, Fu Ming Yu had already quickened his pace in that direction.

“What’s wrong?” He walked to Ruan Si Xian’s side. “What are you all doing here?”

Ruan Si Xian hadn’t yet recovered from the scene in front of her. Turning her head to see Fu Ming Yu had arrived, she opened her mouth, but before she could speak, He Lan Xiang turned around and immediately frowned. “Nothing.”

She walked over, glancing at her son, her tone slightly acidic. “I just never expected that after spending half my life painstakingly raising two sons, I would be described as an evil mother-in-law, blocking true love, vicious and cruel, breaking up a good relationship, and even forcing my elder son to flee abroad.”

The four people in the smoking area, “…?”

No, that’s not what we meant.

Ruan Si Xian was also shocked.

So this was the ultimate move she was waiting to deploy?

And thinking carefully about what she said, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with it.

Ruan Si Xian looked up to see Fu Ming Yu narrowing his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the people in front.

She suddenly had the feeling that these people were about to lose their connections.

He Lan Xiang turned around, gave Ruan Si Xian a look, and added, “Oh, they also don’t believe the necklace you gave her is real. They’re insulting us.”

Fu Ming Yu, “Is that so? A necklace is nothing. If she likes it, I can give her all the planes on the entire tarmac.”

He Lan Xiang suddenly widened her eyes.

???

Did I agree to this???

Giving them to Ruan Si Xian meant that Dong Xian would own half of their family’s planes in the future.

He Lan Xiang couldn’t accept this. She was a frugal person.

So she brushed 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, heading back to the banquet hall.

“Auntie, what do you mean ‘forget it’? I can’t let this go!”

Yan An was already in a bad mood today, and now he was even more furious after hearing this.

Although he usually didn’t get along with Fu Ming Yu, He Lan Xiang was still an elder who had watched him grow up. How could he allow these people to gossip behind her back?

Besides, these were just drinking buddies he normally hung out with, invited to today’s banquet just to liven things up. Young people could create an atmosphere, and his father, being older, also liked a lively scene. Who knew these people would cause trouble behind his back?

Yan An looked back to see He Lan Xiang walking away dejectedly. Looking at the people in front of him, he was furious. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, reminding himself that today was his father’s birthday celebration and he shouldn’t cause a scene.

Seeing that He Lan Xiang had left, the few people wanted to explain something, but Yan An raised his hand in a “shut up” gesture, eyes closed. “All of you, get out of here now. Don’t force me to have someone throw you out.”

With that, he hurriedly went after He Lan Xiang to console her.

The remaining people had just stepped out of the small pavilion when they met Fu Ming Yu’s gaze head-on.

Fu Ming Yu didn’t speak. As he turned, his gaze lightly swept over them, his eyes carrying ice and snow. Though he didn’t speak, he still made them feel as if they were in an ice cellar.

“Let’s go.” He held Ruan Si Xian’s hand, not saying anything else.

Ruan Si Xian looked back at the few people who wanted to leave but didn’t dare to come forward.

Whether I’m worthy or not, only I get to decide.

Back in the banquet hall, Ruan Si Xian saw Yan An sitting next to He Lan Xiang, smiling as he talked to her, sometimes offering snacks, sometimes bringing drinks, and acting more like a biological son than Fu Ming Yu did.

After more than half an hour, those people still hadn’t reappeared.

Ruan Si Xian took a sip of her drink, looking around. “Where are they? How come they haven’t left?”

“They left through the back.” Fu Ming Yu took her glass away. “This liquor is quite strong.”

?

Ruan Si Xian suddenly felt a bit dizzy.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I’ve already had quite a bit.”

“Is that my fault too?”

Fu Ming Yu took a sip from her glass. “I saw you drinking quite happily earlier.”

He lowered his eyes to look at her. “What’s wrong, can’t handle it?”

“It’s just one glass, not a big deal.” Ruan Si Xian secretly steadied herself against the table.

She didn’t realize the alcohol had already affected her face, with her cheeks flushed and her eyes appearing to be covered with a layer of water, sparkling brightly.

“But this tastes good.” She reached for the glass again, this time Fu Ming Yu wasn’t watching her. “I thought it was champagne.”

“Suit yourself.”

As the banquet was ending, Dong Xian finally found an opportunity to bring Zheng Tai Chu over to formally meet Ruan Si Xian.

She had always been a woman of few words, and Zheng Tai Chu was also a man of few words. The whole process was polite, with just a few pleasantries exchanged, and no more conversation.

But as Ruan Si Xian looked at the tall and straight Zheng Tai Chu, she couldn’t connect him with the person in her memory.

When leaving, as they walked out of the banquet hall, a cold wind blew over, lifting Ruan Si Xian’s hair, and she couldn’t help but shiver.

He Lan Xiang and her husband stood nearby, glanced at Ruan Si Xian, and handed her shawl to her.

“We’re going home first.” She didn’t give Ruan Si Xian a chance to refuse, linking arms with her husband as they got into the car. Before closing the car door, she leaned out and waved. “You all get some rest early too.”

Ruan Si Xian held the shawl, momentarily not reacting.

Fu Ming Yu took it and wrapped it around her neck, leading her to their car.

“Sigh…” Ruan Si Xian sat in the car, her chin buried in the fluffy shawl, suddenly sighing.

“What’s wrong?”

“Was this necklace originally hers too?”

“Mm, she said it’s a gift for meeting you.”

Ruan Si Xian was silent for a moment, then said in a muffled voice, “Auntie is so nice to me.”

She had given her such an expensive gift before even meeting her, stood up for her during their first real meeting, and then, afraid she would be cold when leaving, gave her the shawl to use.

Fu Ming Yu gave her a look that said “You just realized?”

“Do you still think she doesn’t like you?”

Ruan Si Xian smiled, looked down at the dress she was wearing, and asked, “This dress wasn’t also a gift from Auntie, was it?”

That day, Fu Ming Yu’s assistant had someone deliver clothes and shoes to her. When she opened and looked at them, she had momentarily doubted Fu Ming Yu’s sexual orientation.

A straight man couldn’t possibly have such taste!

But if they were from He Lan Xiang, everything would make sense.

Fu Ming Yu looked at her somewhat helplessly. “Am I a man-child?”

The implication was that the dress had nothing to do with He Lan Xiang.

“Oh.” Ruan Si Xian smoothed her skirt. “Do you like me in red dresses?”

Her memory of her birthday was very clear, and Fu Ming Yu’s words in her ear would often randomly come back to her.

“I prefer you in another outfit.”

“Which one?”

There was a driver in the front seat, so Fu Ming Yu leaned close to Ruan Si Xian’s ear and whispered, “Uniform.”

“…”

The image in Ruan Si Xian’s mind suddenly changed color, heading irreversibly toward Japanese adult manga.

“I think you belong in another place.”

“Hmm?”

“Jiang City Prison, everyone in uniform, satisfying all your desires.”

“…”

Fu Ming Yu, with a stern face, said through gritted teeth, “Ruan—Si—Xian.”

“Not here.”

Despite saying this, she still moved toward Fu Ming Yu, leaning against his shoulder and closing her eyes.

Today, although she had only had a little to drink, the alcohol content was indeed high, and she was already feeling light-headed.

Fu Ming Yu put his arm around her shoulder, letting her rest more comfortably.

The car was warm and quiet, with the person beside him breathing steadily and deeply.

Suddenly, a warm breath brushed against his ear.

Before Fu Ming Yu could turn his head, he heard her say softly in his ear, “Then I’ll wear it specially for you next time.”

Due to others in the car, Fu Ming Yu didn’t respond.

It wasn’t until she was carried out of the car that Ruan Si Xian slowly awoke.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Fu Ming Yu’s jaw. Recognizing who it was, she simply closed her eyes and continued sleeping.

When they reached her door, Fu Ming Yu said, “Open the door.”

Ruan Si Xian was getting increasingly drowsy. She reached out to press the passcode, and after opening the door, closed her eyes again.

Fu Ming Yu carried her inside and placed her on the bed.

Ruan Si Xian rolled over, hugging a pillow, mumbling drowsily, “Remember to close the door when you leave.”

She planned to lie down for a while before getting up to shower.

There was no footstep sound in the room for a long time. Instead, there was the sound of a wardrobe door being pushed open.

Ruan Si Xian opened her eyes to look at him, “What are you doing?”

Fu Ming Yu found that familiar uniform took it out, and threw it on the bed.

“Put it on now.”

Ruan Si Xian hugged the pillow, her consciousness gradually becoming clearer.

“What time is it? Fu Ming Yu, can’t you act like a normal human being?!”

Fu Ming Yu took off his jacket and placed it aside. Wearing only his shirt, he bent over her. When he leaned close, there was a faint smell of alcohol on him.

“Being human for too long gets a bit tiring sometimes.”

Seeing that Ruan Si Xian hadn’t moved, he said, “Will you put it on yourself, or should I help you?”

Ruan Si Xian paused, then suddenly smiled with a snort, “I’ll do it myself. You go out first.”

Fu Ming Yu’s eyebrows raised slightly as he turned and went out, closing the bedroom door behind him.

A few minutes later, the person inside spoke.

“Ready.”

Fu Ming Yu turned to face the door, and two seconds later, turned the doorknob.

Ruan Si Xian was facing away from him, buttoning up. Hearing the sound, she turned to look at him.

For some reason, a phrase suddenly popped into her mind, “Man, are you satisfied with what you see?”

Thinking about it, she realized the script wasn’t right, so she didn’t say it out loud.

But the man before her was very satisfied. Although his lips were tightly pressed together, his eyes were deep, with sparks of desire dancing in them.