Chapter 126: Chapter 126

In the main hall, the housekeeper aunt brought a plate of freshly cut fruit and placed it in front of Shen Jianian, warmly inviting her to eat.

Shen Jianian was restless, gave the housekeeper a slight smile without touching the fruit on the coffee table.

The waiting time was too long, every minute and second was agony, and she looked toward the stairway entrance more frequently.

Someone suddenly sat down beside her, stretched out their arm to pick up the small fork from the tray, speared a piece of pear and put it in their mouth, teasingly saying, "Worried about Fu Da, huh?"

Shen Jianian recognized Fu Jianfang’s voice, not having a good impression of her, she didn’t really want to pay attention. Yet, as the elder, directly ignoring her would be impolite.

She turned her head for a look, barely raised the corner of her lip, smiled and replied, "A little bit."

Fu Jianfang put down the small fork, took a tissue to wipe her mouth, lightly chuckled, "I’d say, no need to worry, whenever he returns to the old residence, the old man always keeps him for a lecture, it’s become routine."

Shen Jianian momentarily couldn’t respond, couldn’t even manage a smile.

"Do you think the old man would scold Fu Da because of your presence?" Fu Jianfang covered her mouth slightly, the disdain in her eyes blatantly revealing itself, "It’s only young girls like you who foolishly believe in such vague things like love and affection. Fu Da is far shrewder than you imagine, would he not know the consequences of being with you?"

Shen Jianian couldn’t tell what she really intended to say, but she had a premonition it wasn’t anything good.

Seeing Shen Jianian silent, Fu Jianfang’s enthusiasm surged, "Last time the old man was hospitalized, I had an argument with him. In a fit of pique, I asked him if he sought out a woman to deceive the family, and he was struck speechless, as if I hit the nail on the head. You surely don’t understand why he found you; think about it, you’re young and beautiful, with no support after family troubles, easy to manipulate. Being with you made city-wide gossip, the ones at home vying for inheritance with him were fooled, thinking he indulged in beauty in Yicheng, neglecting family business, they relaxed their vigilance. So, upon returning, while everyone was off-guard, he plunged the household into chaos. His third uncle was investigated by police, though eventually proved innocent, he was crushed by such a blow, lost his spirit, now remains depressed. His cousin was severely punished by the old man, sent to the army for temper training, even on days like today, can’t be let back. Instantly lost two competitors, hence Fu Da’s bloodless killings."

Fu Jianfang’s sharp tongue defeated young Shen Jianian, her lack of worldly experiences left her pale after just a few words.

Shen Jianian’s fingers clenched together, nails digging into flesh, she slowly raised her head, gazing at Fu Jianfang’s smiling face, questioning based on her genuine feelings, "Why tell me all this?"

"I see a young girl lonely, worried you’d be fooled and helping others count money." Fu Jianfang said, "I also have a daughter, though young now, I fear she’ll be swayed by outside men in the future, losing herself. You think he cares about you, in his eyes, at most you’re a plaything."

Shen Jianian’s lips pressed tightly, her mind blank, the color drained from her lips.

With her goal met, Fu Jianfang rose, brushed the hair by her ears, found an excuse to leave, "I’ll check on Sibo, silent for too long, hope not causing trouble again."

After she left, Shen Jianian sat alone in the main hall, hands and feet somewhat cold.

The perplexity lingering in her heart all along suddenly cleared.

Previously, she vaguely sensed some purpose in all Fu Jichen did for her, but couldn’t fathom his intentions. Until Fu Jianfang spoke, then everything became clear.

During their time in Yicheng, someone stalked them, yet Fu Jichen didn’t panic, instead, there was an air of calm confidence, as if he knew who secretly shadowed them.

He adored her excessively, shamelessly boasting, not minding everyone knowing of his lavish spending to win a smile.

She recalled Bai Changxia learning and saying Fu Jichen felt true emotions for her, she realized then it deviated from Jichen’s deep, reserved nature.

He did it on purpose, as Fu Jianfang said, leading those secretly watching to believe he was neglecting serious affairs.

Bitterness rose within Shen Jianian’s eyes, she slowly blinked twice, realizing she’d unconsciously held her breath for long, feeling a bit suffocated.

She continually inhaled fresh air to fill her lungs.

Footsteps sounded at the stairway, Shen Jianian looked up, Fu Jichen descended, composed, no sign of having been reprimanded.

Shen Jianian stared at the man’s tall and firm figure, recalling past events, including recent times where she clearly felt her reliance on him growing irrevocable.

It wasn’t just reliance, perhaps there was something else.

What it was, she wasn’t willing to admit.

Fu Jichen walked to the sofa, saw her in a trance, couldn’t help but laugh, "Worried about me?" he said, holding her hand on her knee, slightly creased his brow, "Why is your hand so cold?"

Shen Jianian’s drifting gaze finally fell on his face, his eyes full of deep affection, not seeming fake.

If it’s all fake, then his acting was too good.

Shen Jianian’s smile was barely visible, her voice weak, revealing unmistakable fatigue, "Can we leave?"

"Wait a moment for me."

Fu Jichen glanced around, went to the tea room to bid farewell to Fu Zhengjun, before entering, he overheard Wei Ronghua complaining, "Look at your son’s deeds, who knows how the old man will punish him! You’re something, showing that woman a good face, don’t tell me you really consider that insignificant woman as your daughter-in-law!"

Fu Zhengjun angrily replied, "Say less."

"If I don’t speak, your son will marry that woman..."

Fu Jichen forcefully slid the door open, "Clang!" Wei Ronghua startled, her voice stopped abruptly, timidly looking at the doorway, meeting Fu Jichen’s unreadable face.

"We’re preparing to leave." Fu Jichen feigned ignorance of the exchange, casually greeting, ready to depart.

"Wait," Fu Zhengjun called, "Come in, let’s talk."

Fu Jichen declined, "It’s too late, another time."

He turned to leave, took a simply cleaned cheongsam from the housekeeper aunt, wrapped his arm around Shen Jianian’s shoulder, and left the brightly lit building.

After a while, Wei Ronghua held her pounding heart, vented long-held frustration, "Ruined perfectly good days, what a mess this is!" She turned to Fu Zhengjun, "Look, who at home can influence him now?! I heard from the Xu Family’s second wife, Xu Youxuan is returning soon, he’s about to marry, still entangled with outside women, what do the Xu Family think?!"

Wei Ronghua’s usual gentle nature vanished, her voice becoming sharper with each sentence.

Fu Zhengjun was disturbed, his head throbbing, "If he truly doesn’t want to, you can’t force him to marry Xu Family’s heiress with a knife to his throat."

Wei Ronghua’s brow twitched, "Are you saying to abandon this marriage? Go ask the old man if he agrees!"

"Things haven’t reached a conclusion, you shouldn’t interfere."

"Do you think I want to interfere?! It’s not that I fear Jichen destroying his future!"

Fu Zhengjun was utterly annoyed, speaking without restraint, "Do you fear him ruining his future or fear losing your position as Fu Family’s Madam?"

The arguments in the tea room intensified, Fu Jianfang passed by, overhearing no specifics, aware only of the shouting. She knocked on the door, raised her voice, "Brother, sister-in-law, speak calmly, don’t argue."

Despite her words of persuasion, her eyes gleamed with gloating.

Fu Jichen and Shen Jianian walked toward the parking area.

Darker skies made the courtyard lights glaringly bright. Shen Jianian stopped a few steps away from the car, seeing Qu Mo sitting inside, some words were unsuitable to be overheard by him.

"Fu Jichen, I have a question for you, please answer truthfully." She turned to face him.

No longer waiting, whether feigned or genuine, she wanted clarity now.