Chapter 24: The Old Fu Family Residence

“I was just worrying that the Fu family might use their status to bully our little sister, but it turns out Fu Yanyan isn’t the type to throw his weight around. He seems rather well-mannered,” the eldest brother remarked, a hint of pride in his voice as he walked with a new-found spring in his step.

“That’s right. It’s actually my first time seeing Fu Yanyan in person. Sister, you’ve got some skills—able to charm such an exceptional man!” the third brother quickly chimed in, catching up with the group in admiration.

“Are you saying our little sister isn’t exceptional herself? As for Fu Yanyan, I haven’t seen him show any particular devotion,” the second brother retorted.

“You’re just too rigid, Second Brother. All that time in the lab is making you old-fashioned. Fu Yanyan may be a businessman, but years ago, he was a sensation in the entertainment industry for his looks alone. Any woman who could get close to him would instantly become an internet star.”

“And what does that prove? Are you suggesting our sister is the one chasing after him?”

“That’s not what I mean. What I’m saying is that Fu Yanyan became famous due to rumors women spread about him, so in recent years he’s been extremely wary of contact, keeping a low profile and avoiding women altogether. For him to appear in public with our sister is totally out of character for him.”

The second brother pushed his glasses up, suddenly at a loss for words. He could only snort, “Hmph, it’s all idle gossip. You can’t trust what’s online. People with power and status always have hidden depths. Of course I worry about our sister, but she’s an adult now—she should decide for herself.”

As they chatted, they noticed a group of young girls backstage, deep in conversation. The girls wore flamboyant, eccentric outfits, their hair dyed all colors of the rainbow, gathered in a vibrant cluster.

They gossiped excitedly. “I still think Xu Chuyin and Guan Yuxi make a great couple.”

“Have you heard about Fu Yanyan? I overheard some stories from my father’s generation.”

“Tell us! Don’t keep the fun to yourself—share it!”

“Actually, Fu Yanyan’s surname used to be Zhong. He was the adopted son of the former richest family. Later, he tried to forcibly marry his ‘sister’, failed, and then devoted himself to Buddhism. That’s where the legend of the ‘Buddha’s Child of the Capital’ comes from. It’s got nothing to do with some pure, noble image.”

The crowd of girls grew, sipping milk tea and listening eagerly, their interest mounting with every word.

“And then? This is wild—go on!”

“After Fu Yanyan disappeared from the scene for a while, the daughter of the wealthy family died in a fire! Later, the entire wealthy family perished in another fire. Not even the master geomancers could explain it!”

“Did he do something so evil he cut off the family line? That’s brutal.”

“What’s even more ruthless is that after the Zhong family perished, Fu Yanyan inherited a vast fortune and bought up their company at a bargain.”

The brothers, listening in, grew increasingly uneasy. The more they heard, the more sinister Fu Yanyan seemed, and the more they worried about their sister.

“A man like this can’t be good news. An adopted son wanting to marry his sister, breaking through every obstacle, and conveniently inheriting the fortune—it’s terrifying the more you think about it.”

“I told you, it was a mistake to let big brother bring our sister to study in the capital. She’s either in the wolf’s den or the tiger’s lair now.”

“Don’t be so absolute. I’ve been in the capital for years. Back then, I relied on the Fu family’s support for out-of-towners to get my start. Everyone I know in small business has benefited from the Fu Group. Their company offers the lowest loan interest rates, even lower for outsiders. It’s beyond business—the Fu Group’s reputation matches that of the Buddha’s Child of the Capital.”

Fu Yanyan sat in the car, still holding her in his arms. All around, the city’s lights glittered in the night. For the first time in years, he had the patience to gaze at the lights outside the window.

The driver glanced in the rearview mirror, uneasy at the strange atmosphere, and gripped the wheel a little tighter.

“To the old house,” Fu Yanyan instructed. At once, the driver turned left, taking a road he rarely traveled—he’d only visited the old house last year during the holidays and remembered its location.

In the darkness, Fu Yanyan’s usual cold refinement was tinged with unease. He had always been fascinated by the sight of women sleeping.

They arrived at the old house.

Servants hurried up from both sides to attend him, but he silenced them with a finger to his lips as he got out, cradling the woman.

Her hair ornaments had not yet been fully removed, dark tresses coiled in braids falling down, her delicate face pale and fragile. Beneath the coat draped over her, her ankles gleamed like ivory, ethereal as a fairy descending to earth, the weeping willows in the old courtyard only enhancing her otherworldly beauty.

He carried her as if she were a sacred gift from the heavens, unwilling to let anyone disturb his worshipful devotion.

He pushed open the door. An old man, plainly but carefully dressed, sat fingering an expensive string of walnut beads, with two rows of servants on either side.

The old man was about to have his evening drink, but stopped short upon seeing the young man carrying a woman. Their paths crossed, and he couldn’t help but look back several times, startled.

“Did my eyes deceive me just now?”

“No, sir, the one who just returned is indeed the young master.”

“That’s not what I meant. I meant the woman in his arms—she looks just like that ill-fated girl from three years ago.”

The old man’s young mistress, a bit envious, wondered why, though they were both mistresses, that girl could serve such a young, handsome, and wealthy man.

Feigning surprise, she tried to change the subject, offering flattery as she noticed the willows outside.

“Sir, let’s not speak of such ill omens. Just look at the willows—what a garden in bloom, spring’s beauty lingering on.”

“So many willows—only good for driving away ghosts! I’ll have a willow switch sent to the old house’s gate one of these days.”

Fu Hongxue was Fu Yanyan’s uncle.

The Fu family was the oldest in the capital, and they looked down on the nouveaux riches of the Zhong family.

Especially back in the day, when Fu Hongxue was still a rich young master, Zhong Qi was just a brash upstart. With a tip-off, he struck gold and caused the death of Fu Honglie, taking all the treasure for himself.

Afterward, the Zhong family’s business only grew, using underhanded means to take even more from the Fu family.

Fu Hongxue was enraged but powerless, until after Zhong Qi’s death, when Fu Yanyan found him and gradually built the Fu clan into the capital’s number one family.

“Don’t let it eat you up, sir—it’s not worth harming your health.”

The old man tossed the walnut beads onto a servant’s tray with a crisp clatter, his anger unabated. “Yanyan—he may not have grown up under my watch, but he’s still a nephew I’m proud of.

“He’s had a hard fate since birth—his father, Fu Honglie, was killed by the Zhong family, his mother drowned herself in grief, and as a child he was raised by the Zhongs!

“I was furious back then and went to confront the Zhongs, but they insisted on keeping the boy—wouldn’t give him up for anything!

“How could I not hate those Zhong bastards?”

The young mistress smiled slyly. “If you ask me, it’s a good thing that Zhong girl died—otherwise, the young master would’ve had to marry her.”

“It wasn’t just the old Zhong who wouldn’t allow it—I wouldn’t have either! Just look at him: even after she’s dead, he’s found someone who looks just like her! Enough—Fu Yanyan owes the Zhong family for this lifetime.”