Chapter Twenty-Four

As the car approached her doorstep, Shen Huaijing swiftly jumped out, muttering under her breath, “Absurd!” To Fu Chen, this was nothing short of a panicked retreat, further confirming his suspicion that Shen Huaijing harbored secrets. Yet, he still couldn’t fathom why the Shen family would act this way.

“I finally see what’s different about Shen Huaijing today,” Lin Yu said with a troubled frown.

Fu Chen snorted coldly, “That woman has a complicated mind. She’s not easy to handle.”

Lin Yu hesitated, then finally asked, “What did you tell Yiqing?”

Fu Chen’s eyes clouded with an undefinable emotion as he replied calmly, “She’s settled for now. Arrange an apartment for her—I’ll visit when I have time.”

Lin Yu awkwardly rubbed his nose, probing, “Fu Chen, give it to me straight: what do you really think of Yiqing? Do you actually like her?”

Fu Chen’s brows drew together, his gaze dark as midnight. He spoke in a measured voice, “I do like her. But you know my situation—I need to lay the groundwork before I can be with her openly.”

“And what about Shen Huaijing? Haven’t you felt anything for her? I always thought you two were cut from the same cloth,” Lin Yu said, carefully choosing his words over and over before finally voicing them.

Normally, Fu Chen hated others making veiled references to his past, but this time he didn’t argue. His Adam’s apple rolled as he replied, “Perhaps.”

Sensing the atmosphere growing heavier, Lin Yu quickly changed the subject. “Our people say things are stirring in France.”

No sooner had he spoken than Fu Chen’s eyes flashed with a cold smile. “They’re already losing patience? Seems he has people on our side; otherwise, he wouldn’t sense any threat.”

Lin Yu parked the car by the seaside. The moon hung like a mirror in the night sky, casting silvery light across the calm waves. The beach was enveloped in boundless silence.

Fu Chen rarely smoked, but tonight he didn’t refuse the cigarette Lin Yu offered. The flame in the darkness flickered like a serpent’s tongue.

Leaning against the car door, Lin Yu felt the cool autumn breeze tinged with a faint salty scent. “Fu Chen, do you have confidence? If we fail... there’s no coming back.”

Fu Chen took a deep drag, his eyes narrowed against the sea wind, and answered without hesitation, “I won’t fail.”

“Good. That’s all I need to hear. We’ll wait a bit longer, let him lower his guard, then go to France ourselves,” Lin Yu said, stretching lazily, looking thoroughly unserious.

That night was destined to be restless. When the sun rose, it seemed as if everything had returned to its proper course.

In the early morning, a sliver of sunlight slipped through the window, bathing the room in golden warmth. Shen Huaijing sat in the small garden on the first floor, coffee cup in hand, surrounded by the fragrant scent of blossoms.

Such days felt almost celestial—after yesterday, Shen Huaijing had finally come to terms with everything. Rather than wasting her time in endless skirmishes with Fu Chen, she’d much rather enjoy the life of a wealthy wife.

She hummed a little tune, admiring the flowers and greenery in the courtyard, utterly content.

“Madam… the old lady has asked you to return to the ancestral house,” Aunt Feng said nervously, her hands restless on her apron.

Shen Huaijing slammed her coffee down on the table, spilling it everywhere with a loud clatter that made Aunt Feng shudder.

“Haunting me, are they?” Shen Huaijing hissed through clenched teeth.

Though she was reluctant in the extreme, she knew she had to go. As she passed Aunt Feng, she suddenly stopped, took two steps back, and sized up the trembling housekeeper.

With a sour tone, she said, “I know you report everything that happens in this house to Fu Chen. I won’t interfere with that—but today, don’t tell him I’m going to the ancestral home!”

“This family isn’t ruled by him alone. Think carefully before you act.”

Her words were forceful enough to leave Aunt Feng stunned, who nodded woodenly.

Normally, Shen Huaijing was polite to the servants, rarely angry—especially not with Aunt Feng, who had served the Fu family all her life, quick and diligent, always reading the room well.

But something about today felt off, though Shen Huaijing couldn’t say why. Her instincts told her: Fu Chen mustn’t find out.

Half an hour later, the driver parked in front of the Fu family’s ancestral home.

Seeing the house, Shen Huaijing finally understood what it meant to be a family of true stature—a mansion in every sense. The Shen family paled in comparison.

Romantic and noble, the villa’s ornate gates, rounded windows, and stone corners spoke of refined taste.

Inside, the grand hall was a vision of luxury. Intricate lighting cast a cold brilliance, famous paintings from around the world adorned the walls, their subjects’ eyes seeming to capture one’s soul. The whole place was filled with chill and oppression.

Ke Jing saw Shen Huaijing and her eyes flashed with anger, her tone sharp and mocking. “I saw your magazine’s entertainment headlines today. Shen Huaijing, you certainly have nerve—daring to make up stories about your own husband’s family?”

With so much going on lately, Shen Huaijing had forgotten all about the magazine incident—she’d been so focused on getting at Fu Chen that she’d overlooked Ke Jing entirely.

Now, she was doomed. Resigned, Shen Huaijing braced herself.

She stood obediently, speaking in a small voice, “Mom, I just wanted to annoy Fu Chen. He always bullies me—I never thought it would affect the group.”

She portrayed herself as an innocent heiress, just joking with her husband.

Ke Jing listened, her expression softening as she asked, “Did Chen help your family through its crisis?”

Shen Huaijing forced a smile. “Yes, I haven’t properly thanked you yet for raising such a wonderful son.”

Saying this, she felt genuinely sick—Fu Chen was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and Ke Jing was a scheming matron.

Not a single good apple in this family.

Ke Jing managed a strained smile and continued, “Did Chen ask for anything in return? He just gave the money?”

Finally, the real reason for the summons was clear—Ke Jing wanted information. Shen Huaijing had expected as much.

With an innocent, naïve look, she replied, “No, which is why I’m so grateful to him.”

Ke Jing frowned, anxiously twisting her jade bracelet, and asked again, uncertain, “Huaijing, I’ve told you before, anything about Chen you can tell me—this isn’t a big deal. He didn’t ask for anything?”

This old woman was truly difficult. Clearly, Ke Jing knew her son well. Shen Huaijing could only blush and admit, “Actually, he did…”

Ke Jing’s cloudy eyes shone with anticipation, waiting for Shen Huaijing’s answer.

“Fu Chen said… he said… he wanted me to give him more children…” Shen Huaijing stammered, face flushed.