Chapter 76: Acquiring the Xu Corporation

“Don’t listen to my uncle’s nonsense. I chose this myself. My fate was always to enter the Zhong family as an adopted son, and my fortune was to meet you here. As for the Xu family, they brought this upon themselves. If they were left in society, I fear the harm would be even greater. Come back with me to the old residence. Let’s see who dares utter a word against you in my presence.”

Her hands trembled slightly.

In this life, only one person had ever given her an unprecedented sense of safety and favoritism.

All the darkness she believed in seemed to brighten in an instant.

Timidly, she wrapped her arms around his waist.

That waist was hard, likely all muscle.

“Don’t touch me.”

“I absolutely will.” she replied, mischievous for once, a playful smile gracing her lips. After their embrace, they got into the Red Flag car.

They quickly arrived at the Fu family’s ancestral home.

As soon as they entered, they heard opera in the garden. The willow trees on either side drooped with the season, swaying gently in the breeze.

Old Master Fu sat at the center with his companion; on each side sat two elderly men in traditional attire.

When Fu Yanyan arrived, they all stood to greet him.

Among them was Old Master Xu, Xu Chang.

He did not appear harsh; rather, he seemed affable. Yet his upturned phoenix eyes lent him a perpetual unease, even a cunning air. When he smiled, it spoiled his gentleness, making him seem like a sinister smiling tiger.

“Fu Yanyan, we haven’t seen each other in ages. Whenever you come by to listen to opera with Old Fu, you’re always too busy with work.”

Zhong Huayan admired Old Master Xu’s composure and immense capacity.

He showed neither agitation nor anger, instead welcoming them and inviting them to be seated.

“This must be Miss Li Yan. Though I’m old, I’ve seen your performances online. The ones singing today can’t compare—your singing truly outshines them all. The younger generation always surpasses the old.”

“Too kind,” she replied humbly.

Fu Yanyan deliberately placed his hand, adorned with jade beads, at her waist, then went to stand before Old Master Fu, disregarding family etiquette.

“Uncle…”

“Enough, Third. Spare me the nonsense. Old Master Xu is here as well. Think of a way to fix this mess.”

After Old Master Fu spoke, Old Master Xu, sipping his tea, spoke slowly.

“Fu Yanyan, the fault lies with my grandsons. At a critical moment, they fled with loans, leaving my son alone in prison. Now we face appeals and complications.”

Fu Yanyan sat across from him, his tone solemn, nothing like the man who had just embraced a woman.

“Old Master Xu, this matter has nothing to do with me. The Fu Group always acts with integrity, cautious in word and deed, fearing any misstep. We regularly restore temples and engage in charity, yet we must survive. We couldn’t simply abandon all those projects from the Xu family. As for stocks and subsidiaries, those were all gambling agreements with Xu Yaocai. Who would have thought the authorities would actually investigate? The fact that the Xu Group chairman is imprisoned suggests someone is stirring things up from above.”

With a few simple words, he cleared himself of suspicion.

Old Master Xu was ruthless. Even now, he remained composed as ever.

“So, what does President Fu want? In other words, what does President Fu think the Xu family should do now?”

“There is one way to preserve your assets: sell them to Fu Group at a low price.”

Fu Yanyan’s words stunned several present.

Even Old Master Xu nearly spilled his tea.

Old Master Fu’s temper flared; he slapped the table.

“What! Are you exploiting their weakness to destroy them? Third, don’t be so greedy!”

Fu Yanyan’s jade beads sounded against the rosewood table. His modified traditional shirt, white and elegant, suited him perfectly—where others might look aged, he appeared noble and restrained, with an aura reminiscent of aristocratic scholars. Whatever he did, he maintained strict self-control. Even opening the acquisition contract was a pleasure to behold.

“Old Master Xu, the Xu family’s stock has plummeted. Given their poor reputation, the internet is full of condemnation. The company is suspended and under investigation, likely overwhelmed. If you delay further, your company will be worth less than scrap metal. The price I offer is currently the highest you’ll get. Consider it carefully.”

“President Fu, one shouldn’t be so cold-blooded. This company was once my father’s dream…”

“If the Xu family hadn’t forgotten its roots, you wouldn’t be here today. Trust me, if you hand it over, the company might still be of use. Do you want to watch it decline? Your grandsons have taken plenty of money—if they start anew abroad, it’s possible. As the old saying goes, destruction brings forth renewal.”

Old Master Xu, seasoned in business, did not lose his composure or dignity. He took up the pen and signed the contract.

“Then I entrust the company to President Fu. As for the debts under the company, please don’t make things too difficult for my family.”

“No problem. If I really intended to harm the Xu brothers, I wouldn’t stop halfway.”

Zhong Huayan believed in Fu Yanyan’s ability; if he wanted to find Xu Yaocai and Xu Chuyin, he could dig them out—if not immediately, then within a year at most.

“I am old now, President Fu. I heard you like heaven beads. I’ve worn this one for many years—today, I give it to you.”

With trembling hands, Old Master Xu removed the bead and placed it on Fu Yanyan’s wrist, then quietly said, “Please, President Fu, leave us a way out.”

Fu Yanyan said nothing.

Old Master Xu politely bid farewell to everyone and left the ancestral home.

“Third! Are you mad? What are you after, that you must crush the Xu family and leave them with nothing but bones?”

He remained silent as always, gazing at the willow leaves, then sitting on the pipa chair used for opera.

Fu Yanyan’s right hand wore a string of black jade beads. His jade-like hand gripped the pipa; as he looked up and plucked the strings, his fingers danced with a faint melody.

In that moment, his jade-like hand appeared even more ethereal.

Tall and slender, with an air of immortality and refinement, he played the pipa with a grace that transcended the mundane.

He did not appear effeminate.

Rather, there was a sense of unspoken depths, astonishing, with an aura as gentle as a spring breeze. The heaven bead he now wore was hidden among his fingers, concealed in the crisp notes of the pipa.

Zhong Huayan had always known that, though Fu Yanyan was ethereal and refined, he was also cold and stern, commanding authority without anger. It was hard to imagine him playing the pipa…