Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Hundreds of kilometers away in Beicheng, the lights stretched from the front courtyard to the back yard, the typical Chinese architecture revealing a dignified and ancient charm in the night, adorned by the lights, resembling a palace.

In the large study room on the third floor, the currently most powerful elder of the Fu Family sat behind a sandalwood desk, holding a blue and white porcelain tea bowl, listening to the children report their work.

The scent of tea lingered in the room.

Speaking was the second master of the Fu Family, Fu Qizhen, his tone respectful and cautious: "The project’s loss was expected; beginnings are always difficult, and I believe we can get on track next quarter."

Another person snorted coldly: "Second Brother, when you went to ask Dad for the budget, you didn’t give such guarantees. I remember you thumping your chest saying it would definitely be profitable, so how come it’s now an expected loss? Did you forget what you said?"

"Fourth Sister, what are you talking about?" Fu Qizhen’s eyes were cold, responding to Fu Jianfang who was gloating, "Give it to you and you might not achieve this level of completion."

Fu Jianfang did not argue with him, turning her head to the old master seated behind the desk, saying: "Dad, you heard him. Second Brother wants to hand this project over to me."

Fu Qizhen’s face grew long: "You!"

Was that what he meant? She sure knew how to distort it.

"Enough." Mr. Fu heavily placed down the teacup, the lid tilted to the side, swaying on the rim of the bowl, "I didn’t call you here to listen to you quarrel."

Fu Qizhen and Fu Jianfang both fell silent at once.

Mr. Fu’s authority among the four siblings was like Mount Tai, pressing down on them from childhood, and none could defy it; only his eldest grandson dared defy him.

The consequence was naturally severe, being "exiled" to a place like Yicheng for training...

Fu Jianfang softened her tone, saying: "Dad, give me this project. I will make it shine bright for you, no need for a whole quarter, at most a month, I’ll show you the results."

"Enough is enough for you." With the fat meat just landed in his hands ready to be snatched by someone, Fu Qizhen’s face darkened, speaking ruthlessly, "Your personal matters are a mess, causing a divorce that shook half the circle. You better keep yourself in check and not let others snatch away the Fu Family’s shares. That’s what’s important."

The shares were gifts from the old master as a wedding gift after Fu Jianfang got married. She had worried a lot over this matter; she wanted a divorce but also wanted to keep her shares.

She suspected the old master did it on purpose, tying her to Jia Wenying for life. Jia Wenying was the son-in-law personally chosen by the old master, not the one she loved.

Fu Jianfang couldn’t bear anyone mentioning her marriage; she would burst whenever it was brought up: "And you talk about me. I heard that good nephew of mine gambled and owed tens of millions in debt, and you covered it. I’m not saying this, but Second Brother, if you don’t discipline him strictly, no matter how affluent the Fu Family is, it’ll be exhausted eventually."

Fu Qizhen: "The matter of you keeping a pretty boy..."

"Say no more." Fu Zhengjun interrupted them with a calm voice, "Can’t you see Dad is irritated?"

The elder brother spoke, and the two warring parties temporarily ceased fire.

Fu Jianfang was even more displeased, clearly, it was Fu Qizhen who first ignited the war, hitting her sore spot, but it turned out it was her fault.

She was unhappy, so why should others be happy, thus she said ironically: "Big Brother, have you recently contacted Jichen?"

She purposely brought up Fu Jichen, and Mr. Fu’s gaze turned, looking at the steady and reliable elder brother, asking: "What’s Jichen been busy with lately?"

Fu Zhengjun couldn’t answer.

Every time he phoned his son to ask about his recent situation, the other party wouldn’t say much, hurriedly hanging up.

The always silent third, Fu Huaxian, laughed and said: "I have an old friend settled in Yicheng, recently mentioned Jichen’s really been living quite frivolously over there."

Someone was about to perform a drama, and Fu Jianfang was happy to set the stage: "Oh? Jichen has always been steady in doing things, quite like Dad in his younger days. How come he’s being frivolous? Tell us."

Fu Huaxian glanced at the old master, then at Fu Zhengjun, hesitating to speak.

"We are all one family, just say whatever there is." Mr. Fu spoke.

With Mr. Fu’s words, Fu Huaxian boldly said, "You all know he bought a manor worth over a hundred million as soon as he settled in Yicheng. Recently, I heard he’s keeping a woman there."

Fu Jianfang covered her lips with a smile: "Jichen is no longer young. It’s good to have an awakening, what’s the problem? As for buying a manor, when have we ever wronged ourselves when the Fu Family’s members are out? Bought it, then so be it."

Obviously, Fu Huaxian hadn’t finished, continuing: "Sending clothes and jewelry worth millions frequently is one thing, but I heard he disrupted the Qin Family’s wedding banquet to support that girl. Not long after, at an auction, he dealt with a president again to take that girl’s side. He’s now famous in Yicheng upper circles, all for earning a beauty’s smile, lavishly spending millions, publicly declaring his love."

Fu Jianfang clicked her tongue, looking at the silent Mr. Fu, jokingly said: "That’s indeed quite frivolous, we’ve never had such a romantic fool in the Fu Family, have we?"

Fu Huaxian: "And that’s not all. The girl is now working at Dongke, and Jichen arranged her entry."

Mr. Fu’s fingers stopped fiddling with the bowl lid, with a clap, the lid overturned on the bowl’s rim, his expression became more serious: "Do you know whose family the girl is from?"

Fu Huaxian answered: "The Shen Family’s daughter."

"Shen Family?" Mr. Fu looked up, "Lingyue Group?"

"Yes." Fu Huaxian feigned concern and said, "You say Jichen couldn’t find a better girl from any family; he chose one from a fallen family, parents deceased."

Fu Jianfang added fuel to the fire, "I think he hasn’t reflected enough, still so self-centered and clueless."

Mr. Fu seemed lost in thought, squinting, his expression deep and indifferent, reflecting the inherent coldness of the Fu Family.

The four siblings left the large study. In the quiet, long corridor, Fu Jianfang said to Fu Zhengjun: "Brother, Jichen isn’t young anymore. This way of handling things won’t do. You don’t manage him. I heard before he spent his days gardening, playing with cats and dogs, shirking responsibilities, and now he’s messing around with women. Where does this resemble a descendant of the Fu Family?"

Fu Zhengjun’s face showed neither joy nor displeasure; he didn’t respond and walked ahead silently.

Fu Qizhen and Fu Huaxian lagged behind. Fu Qizhen glanced at the usually quiet third brother, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes: "You’re still the impressive one."

Fu Huaxian pushed up the glasses on his nose and said, "Just casual family talk, nothing impressive."

Fu Zhengjun returned to his room; the light was on. Hearing the noise, Wei Ronghua sat up from the bed, put on slippers, got up, and held his arm: "You’re back?"

Fu Zhengjun silently pushed her hand away, sat on the sofa, and lit a cigarette.

Wei Ronghua followed him, sat beside him: "Did you mention Jichen to Dad? When will he be able to come back? He’s been in Yicheng for more than half a year now; isn’t the punishment enough?"

"Your son is so happy in Yicheng, maybe he doesn’t want to come back."

Fu Zhengjun flicked ash from his cigarette. Seeing Wei Ronghua’s puzzled look, he didn’t explain further, extinguishing the cigarette after only two puffs in the ashtray, and went to the bathroom to wash up.

After the Monday morning meeting, Zhu Yilan came to Shen Jianian’s desk, tapped on it, and handed her a list.

"It’s best to send emails to these people’s inboxes by noon tomorrow." Zhu Yilan reminded carefully, "Remember not to send them in bulk; each person’s identity is marked, so pay attention to wording, don’t make any mistakes."

Before Shen Jianian could respond, Zhu Yilan reminded her: "If you can’t finish, find someone to help share the load. Holding out and messing things up could lead to serious losses."

"I understand." Shen Jianian assured her, "I can complete it."

"Alright. Thank you."

Zhu Yilan glanced at her, turned, and went back to the office to continue her own work.

Shen Jianian finished writing the meeting minutes, closed the document, stretched her arms, opened her email, and logged in with her password to start sending emails one by one.

When work was over, her tasks weren’t finished. Fu Jichen was waiting downstairs, urging her by phone.

Shen Jianian reluctantly packed her laptop into her bag and took it downstairs.

Fu Jichen was sitting in the car and saw her jogging over through the side window, a smile in his eyes, noting she seemed more spirited than when they first met.

Shen Jianian opened the car door, side-stepping inside, slightly out of breath.

"Why are you running so fast?" Fu Jichen’s fingers pressed to her forehead, gently nudging a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I wanted to stay and work overtime, but you insisted on me going home now."

"I didn’t mean it like that."

He’s the boss, her financial backer, she wouldn’t dare blame him.

Qu Mo initially found their ways surprising, but as time went on, became accustomed, not even glancing in the rearview mirror, focused only on driving.

The car drove smoothly, Shen Jianian retrieved her laptop from her bag, placed it on her closed legs, tethered to her phone’s hotspot for work.

"How come you’re busier than me, the boss?" Fu Jichen found it amusing, "What’s the rush?"

Shen Jianian ignored him and logged into her email. Perhaps due to Fu Jichen’s presence, she was distracted, only to find she input the wrong email account when the page opened.

She should have used her work email, but logged into a long-unused personal email instead.

It was filled with unread emails from Pei Che and Bai Changxia.