Chapter 217: Chapter 217

Fu Bing calmly met Feng Yu’s gaze. "I believe every word you say. If your goal is to be friends, I have no objections and am very pleased to have such a friend. If your expectations for our relationship involve being boyfriend and girlfriend, or husband and wife, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that, nor do I intend to."

"You’re really straightforward in your rejection," Feng Yu said, not displeased by her blunt refusal.

"It’s better than giving you false hope and wasting your time," Fu Bing replied.

"I now understand why Qin Jinhai loved you so much. You’ve been through so much and yet remain bright and dazzling. Before the incident, you must have been even more captivating."

"Being liked by men is never a criterion to judge a woman," Fu Bing said. "I’d rather say that Qin Jinhai and I chose each other. We chose each other when we were at our best."

Feng Yu looked at her intently. "Even though he’s gone, nobody can replace his place in your heart, can they?"

"There’s no need for a replacement. Someone will place you as their top priority."

"What if I insist on choosing you?"

Fu Bing fell silent for a moment before saying, "I would probably go through another round of imprisonment."

Feng Yu’s face changed. "Are you comparing my family to the Qin Family?"

"The reaction to something one dislikes is the same: if it can be crushed, it will be. If not, various means are sought to ensure it’s out of sight," Fu Bing said with a smile. "Do you think your family’s love for you will stop them from dealing with me ruthlessly? Are your feelings for me strong enough for you to rebel against them for my sake?"

Feng Yu had no answer.

Fu Bing’s eyes, black as spilt ink, seemed to see through much.

Feng Yu said reluctantly, "Even if they don’t like you, they wouldn’t do anything to you for Mr. Ren’s sake."

"That’s only a possibility," Fu Bing said, her slender fingers fiddling with the delicate teacup. "Feng Yu, if you don’t have time to dedicate to your girlfriend or wife, then pick someone your family approves of. That would be better for you, your family, and her. Having the courage to face risks and crises doesn’t mean I’m looking for trouble. I’ve had a similar taste of suffering before, and I’m not interested in trying it a second time."

Fu Bing spoke very candidly. She didn’t like ambiguity, as it made her feel sticky and uncomfortable.

Feng Yu looked crestfallen for a while before looking up, his expression clear and carefree.

"I understand what you mean. Let’s be friends from now on, and be sure to tell me if you need any help. I admire your personality. Even if we can’t be lovers or spouses, I’d still like to be your friend."

"The pleasure is all mine," Fu Bing said, a smile gracing her lips.

Suddenly, Fu Bing’s expression changed.

She sat up straight and looked out the window.

Feng Yu, puzzled by her sudden change, also looked out the window. "What’s wrong?"

Fu Bing blinked, but among the bustling crowd, there was no sign of Su Kexin.

She must have been mistaken.

"Saw the wrong person."

"It must be someone you dislike."

"Indeed, quite unpleasant," Fu Bing laughed.

Lowering her head to check the time, Fu Bing said, "It’s getting late. There’s someone sick at home; I need to go back."

"You haven’t told me why you were in a bad mood."

Fu Bing thought it over and, seeing no reason to hide it, said, "Qin Sheng committed suicide in prison. His death was too simple for my liking. I couldn’t bring myself to act against him while he was alive, out of consideration for Qin Jinhai. Now that he’s truly gone, I’m not satisfied."

Feng Yu’s mouth fell open, momentarily lost for words.

After meeting Fu Bing three times, each encounter offered him new insights into her character.

After a long moment, Feng Yu said, "You really are quite unique."

"It’s just that I’m too lazy to come up with excuses. Telling lies means remembering which lies you’ve told to whom; you have to keep the story straight the next time. The best way is not to lie at all, then there’s no need to tax your memory."

Fu Bing stood up. "Thank you for the tea; it was quite special."

She liked sweets. Bitter things were not to her taste.

Feng Yu also stood up. "I’ll escort you home. I’ll have my driver take your car back."

Fu Bing thought for a moment, then nodded.

The two of them got in the car.

Fu Bing sat in the passenger seat, looking at the thousands of faces by the roadside.

There was no sign of Su Kexin. She must have been seeing things. Her interactions with Su Kexin had been few, so it was normal that she didn’t have a clear memory of her face.

After Fu Bing left, Su Kexin entered the tea room next door.

A gaunt man sat across from her.

Su Kexin knelt obediently before the man, devoid of the arrogance and presumptuousness she displayed with the Su Family.

"Lian Yingya has been dealt with cleanly," she said.

"Are you sure?" Su Zhen asked in a cold voice.

His voice was colder than an icy tundra.

Su Kexin’s body trembled. "I... Please enlighten me, Master."

"Lian Yingting is already investigating Lian Yingya’s whereabouts. With his skills, it won’t take him more than three days to trace it back to you. I’m giving you three days to clean up the mess you’ve made."

Su Zhen swept a contemptuous glance at Su Kexin. "I thought after my relentless training, you would turn out a bit better than your father. It seems I was wrong; you’re as useless as mud that won’t stick to a wall."

Su Kexin bowed her head and kowtowed several times, her posture one of humiliation, not daring to offer the slightest retort.

"Go and receive your punishment."

Trembling all over, Su Kexin didn’t dare to resist and obediently departed.

He turned on his cell phone.

Fu Bing’s voice filled the tea room.

"...Qin Sheng committed suicide in prison. His death was too simple for my liking. I couldn’t bring myself to act against him while he was alive, out of consideration for Qin Jinhai. Now that he’s truly gone, I’m not satisfied..."

Her clear voice wasn’t distorted by the transmission. The daughter of Su Jiang, even separated from the Su Family, still commanded attention. She lived beautifully, so beautifully it made one want to crush her.

The Jeep stopped outside the courtyard, and Fu Bing unfastened her seatbelt.

"It’s late today, so I won’t invite you in. Let’s make plans another time. Drive safely on your way back," she said.

Feng Yu didn’t respond. He watched the man who walked to the front of the car.

Without mental preparation, seeing Wu Shi’s face this late at night would be enough to scare anyone half to death.

Seeing this, Fu Bing hurriedly got out of the car, annoyed. "Wu Shi, how could you come downstairs and stand in the draft?"

Wu Shi withdrew his murderous gaze from Feng Yu and looked at Fu Bing with an air of grievance.

"I’m sick, and you’re out on a date?"

"I wasn’t on a date."

"Someone I encountered on the way."

"You think I would believe that?" Wu Shi was fuming.

With Wu Shi’s identity, he couldn’t even properly be jealous.

"There’s really nothing between Feng Yu and me. I’ve explained it. Now, hurry up and go back upstairs to sleep. If you get sicker, no one will take care of you," Fu Bing said, arms crossed, her expression unapproachable.

Wu Shi glared at her with his beautiful brown eyes, so full of grievance it seemed tears might spill at any moment.

Fu Bing patted her forehead. "Qin Sheng is dead. I’m not in a good mood, so I drove around by myself for a bit. I ran into Feng Yu on the road, and we had tea together."

"Now, get back to bed immediately!"

"Otherwise, don’t blame me for losing my temper!"