Chapter 160: Chapter 160

Fu Family’s old house, when Fu Jichen returned, the housekeeper had just finished preparing dinner and brought it to the dining table.

Mr. Fu appeared at the staircase, seeing his grandson changing shoes at the entrance, he didn’t blame him for yesterday’s news, and as usual, his wrinkled face bore a gentle smile: "You came?"

Fu Jichen nodded, showing both closeness and respect to Mr. Fu: "Grandfather, why did you ask me to come?"

"Dinner is ready, we’ll talk after we eat." Mr. Fu pointed to the dining room.

Hearing the sounds from the living room, Fu Yuling came out from the kitchen holding a cat. She was wearing an off-shoulder black mohair sweater and a leather skirt, revealing one snow-white shoulder. Upon seeing Fu Jichen, her eyes brightened, her voice carrying a lively tone: "Brother, how come you have time to come over for dinner today?"

Even though he was in Beicheng, it was usually not easy to see him.

Fu Jichen glanced at her indifferently: "Grandfather called me back."

To Fu Yuling, it was rare for this brother to even say a word more to her. She let go of the cat in her arms, trailing behind Fu Jichen like a little tail as he turned on the faucet to wash his hands. She tilted her head and asked: "Have you been busy lately? You look like you’ve lost some weight."

Fu Jichen paid her no more attention, washed his hands, and went to sit in the dining room.

Fu Yuling pouted slightly but didn’t mind, pulling out the chair next to him to sit closer.

A short while later, Fu Zhengjun came over, sitting next to Mr. Fu.

There were only four people at the dinner table tonight, and not seeing the eldest daughter-in-law, Mr. Fu casually asked where she went.

Fu Zhengjun was unaware, he hadn’t seen Wei Ronghua since he got home.

Fu Yuling’s eyes darted, holding a cup of juice with both hands, her lips against the straw, she sweetly smiled at her father: "Mom arranged to have dinner outside with some ladies, she told me before she left that we shouldn’t wait for her."

She knew her mother went to negotiate with Shen Jianian tonight, so of course she couldn’t say this and had to help cover for her.

Mr. Fu started eating, prompting others: "Then let’s not wait, let’s eat."

Everyone ate with their own thoughts, the atmosphere was somewhat quiet, not much was discussed at the table, only Fu Yuling chirping now and then sharing some interesting tidbits, like a sparrow on a branch.

She spent her days not doing anything serious, either drinking afternoon tea and shopping or attending parties organized by friends in the circle, idle as could be.

As long as she didn’t make any major mistakes, Mr. Fu generally was too lazy to restrain her.

However, she and Fu Jichen were of the same age, once the lunar new year passed, they would be turning thirty, and she still didn’t have a boyfriend, which was concerning.

Even though she had a congenital heart disease and childbearing wasn’t a consideration, her family background was there, and she was quite attractive. Surely someone would be willing to welcome her. Over the years, many proposals were made, some young men of marriageable age were approved by Wei Ronghua and introduced to Fu Yuling, but she coldly rejected them all.

Thinking about these, Mr. Fu casually mentioned: "With you going out with friends so often, haven’t you met anyone who catches your eye?"

Fu Yuling had just raised her chopsticks to pick up some food, but paused at his words, instinctively glancing at Fu Jichen, who acted as if he hadn’t heard, casually serving himself soup and sipping it absentmindedly. Fu Yuling withdrew her gaze, smiling slightly at her grandfather, acting spoiled: "Is grandfather annoyed by me and eager to marry me off? I just want to spend more time with you, can’t I?"

Mr. Fu lightly grunted: "You’re thirty, if you delay a few more years, even when I close my eyes, I won’t see you married."

"How could that be, grandfather is in good health, surely you’ll live to be two hundred!"

Mr. Fu was amused, laughing: "Two hundred years old, I’d turn into a tortoise."

Fu Yuling also laughed, glancing at the person beside her, hugging his arm with both hands, and resting her face on his shoulder: "Brother isn’t married yet, so why should I hurry."

"Sit properly, stop fidgeting." Fu Jichen slightly frowned, withdrawing his arm.

Fu Yuling stuck out her tongue, obediently sitting properly, then took the communal chopsticks by her side and gave him a piece of braised pork ribs: "Eat more, with how hard you work."

Mr. Fu ate the soft and mushy porridge in his bowl, speaking softly: "Your brother’s marriage is soon, so you must also hurry."

As soon as these words were spoken, the dining room suddenly fell silent.

Fu Yuling looked bewildered, Fu Zhengjun felt a bit surprised, and Fu Jichen’s expression darkened slightly. The three of them said nothing, only the crisp sound of porcelain spoons clinking against the bowl came from Mr. Fu’s direction.

Unable to hold back words, Fu Yuling nibbled on the tip of her chopsticks and was the first to ask: "Brother’s marriage? Do you mean with that Miss Shen, or..."

She didn’t say "Miss Xu," secretly glancing at Fu Jichen, afraid of displeasing him.

The old man didn’t speak directly, gesturing with the spoon in the air: "Eat, eat, let’s not talk about it."

After dinner, the maid came to clear the leftovers from the table, and the old man called Fu Jichen upstairs with his hands behind his back.

In the living room, Fu Zhengjun sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette. The TV was on, broadcasting the news. Fu Yuling sat next to him, and whispered curiously: "Dad, what does Grandpa mean? Is Brother’s marriage settled? Why so suddenly? Is Grandpa hiding something from us?"

"You’re with your Grandpa at home every day. Is there anything about him that you don’t know?"

Fu Zhengjun couldn’t help but smile seeing his daughter acting sneaky, and not wanting her to inhale secondhand smoke, he leaned forward and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray after just two puffs.

Fu Yuling sheepishly touched her nose: "I went out to a friend’s gathering today."

Fu Zhengjun took the opportunity to advise her: "Your health isn’t good. Don’t go out so often. It’s easy to catch a cold when the seasons change."

"Got it." Fu Yuling replied absent-mindedly, glanced at the stairway, and feeling unsettled, she got up, slipped on her slippers, and ran to the kitchen to ask the maid, "Aunt Zheng, did we have guests today?"

Aunt Zheng was putting the dishes one by one into the dishwasher, glanced at her, and answered with a smile: "A gentleman from the Xu Family came over in the afternoon, and chatted with the old man upstairs in the study for over an hour."

"Xu Youxuan’s father, Xu Qinian?"

This young lady spoke with no reservation, and Aunt Zheng wasn’t surprised to hear her call out the elder’s name, she nodded and said: "Yes, him."

Fu Yuling pulled a face and left the kitchen.

Now she knows why Grandpa called her brother back. He must be discussing the marriage with Xu Youxuan.

Shen Jianian hasn’t been resolved yet, and now there’s another Xu Family heiress... So annoying.

Upstairs in the study, as soon as Fu Jichen sat down, he heard the old man say that it has been confirmed with the Xu Family that the 28th of this month is the nearest auspicious day for marriage, and the engagement ceremony is set for that day.

"The timing is a bit rushed, but if we call for more help, it’s still manageable." The old man poured tea for himself, implying seriously, "I don’t care about past troubles, but before the engagement, you must break off completely with that Miss Shen."

When Fu Jichen heard the old man’s words at the dinner table, he was already prepared, but when his suspicion was confirmed, he still couldn’t keep calm.

He truly hadn’t expected the old man to be so arbitrary and dictatorial, bypassing him to set the marriage with the Xu Family.

It’s simply laughable.

He absolutely did not agree, nor is it possible for him to agree.

Mr. Fu picked up the teacup, glanced at him, and spoke nonchalantly: "You can express your opinion, but the date of the engagement won’t be changed, and I will personally start writing the invitations tomorrow."

Fu Jichen stood up, out of respect for the old man, he lowered his head, but his gaze was exceptionally indifferent and determined: "I will not marry the Xu Family’s heiress. I hope you understand this."

Mr. Fu had a furrowed brow, and the teacup bumped heavily on the table: "Are you muddle-headed? Do you really wish to marry that Shen Family’s daughter?"

"There’s no ’if’ in this matter." The old man’s sharp eyes scrutinized him, speaking heavily, "You are the pillar of the Fu Family, the future helm of Junshan Group. Your partner must be your assistant and support, and absolutely cannot be a burden. The Xu Family heiress might be generous enough to tolerate the woman’s existence, but we, the Fu Family, cannot do something to be criticized by others, so you had better sever ties with that woman."

Fu Jichen scoffed, what does it mean by saying the Xu Family heiress generously tolerates Shen Jianian? He never thought of keeping Shen Jianian outside as a hidden mistress.

Seeing his staunch attitude, the old man became increasingly ruthless in his words: "If you insist on testing my limits, it only shows you are too naïve. Junshan Group is still under my command."

Fu Jichen nodded, smiled: "Yes, the shares in your hands clearly demonstrate it. Junshan Group is indeed under your control, no one is disputing that."

"If you persist in being stubborn, I think we could consider a different candidate for the future head of the Group." The old man was forcing him to make a choice.

Choose between power and love, for him to decide.

The old man knows better than anyone the ambition of this grandson; asking him to relinquish power is like thrusting a knife in him.

Ferocious waves surged in Fu Jichen’s chest, his fingers secretly clenched into a fist, and sharp lines appeared on his jaw. He has always been forbearing and restrained, his display of these emotions was enough to prove his anger.