Chapter Twenty-Five

Ke Jing stared suspiciously at Shen Huaijing, her probing gaze making Shen Huaijing uneasy, as though all her secret thoughts had been laid bare before Ke Jing. Just as Ke Jing opened her mouth to speak, footsteps echoed from the staircase, drawing Shen Huaijing’s attention.

A man of around fifty strode toward her. He was tall, with piercing eyes and a thick mane of jet-black hair untouched by gray. His face was ruddy and glowing, and he carried an air of authority that filled the room. Most striking was the cane in his hand—not like Shen's father's, but a meter-long staff carved from rosewood, its surface adorned with a lifelike dragon coiled around it, the dragon's head opening its jaws and staring straight at Shen Huaijing.

This was Fu Chen’s father—Fu Heniang.

“Little Shen, you’re here. Sit down,” Fu Heniang’s voice boomed like a bell, and his cane struck the floor with a heavy thud.

An inexplicable sense of oppression made Shen Huaijing uncomfortable; Fu Heniang’s eyes sent chills through her. She sat obediently, and with a single look from Fu Heniang, Ke Jing opened her mouth but ultimately went upstairs in silence.

Fu Heniang gripped his cane, his sharp gaze sweeping over Shen Huaijing. He spoke boldly, “Little Shen, your mother was only concerned for Chen when she asked those questions, don’t take it to heart.”

His tone seemed gentle and caring, yet every word was a test.

“Dad, I understand. Fu Chen told me that your help to our family this time was at your direction. I was thinking of buying something to show our family’s gratitude to you.”

Only now did Shen Huaijing notice that the dragon’s mouth held a perfectly round imperial jade ball, glowing with a deep green light under the lamp. It was priceless, probably unique in all of China.

For the first time, Shen Huaijing truly understood the gap between the Shen family and the Fu family.

If that was the case, why did Fu Chen care so much about the mere ten percent shares of the Shen family? Wouldn't all the Fu family's assets eventually belong to him?

Unless... Fu Chen intended to swallow the Shen family whole, or perhaps Fu Heniang had more than one child?

The more Shen Huaijing thought about it, the more unsettled she became, cold sweat forming on her back.

Fu Heniang only needed a glance to discern Shen Huaijing’s nature. She appeared innocent and naive, but was actually quite clever.

A servant respectfully brought over a cup of tea. Fu Heniang took a sip and said calmly, “This money is nothing, really, but in business, there must be give and take. Since Chen didn’t ask for anything, I do have something I want. I wonder if old Shen would agree.”

Money was nothing? Shen Huaijing was almost speechless. Though she didn’t know the exact amount, she knew it was in the billions.

She absolutely could not reveal Fu Chen’s request for shares to Fu Heniang. Yet now he was proposing terms; the Shen family could not possibly offer more. What should she do?

Suppressing her panic, Shen Huaijing smiled lightly, “Please tell me what you want, but I don’t know much about business matters. I’ll have to ask my father, so I’m afraid I can’t give you an answer today.”

Fu Heniang picked up the teapot and poured tea for Shen Huaijing, the steam rising as he moved unhurriedly. “Ask your father. He has a smart home project on his hands that interests me. Our Fu family wants to invest and take a share.”

“As the saying goes, good things are meant to be shared, aren’t they?” Fu Heniang gazed at Shen Huaijing through the steam.

Shen Huaijing truly knew nothing about any smart home project, but if the Fu family was interested, it must be a lucrative venture. Such a prized opportunity, the Shen family could not simply hand over.

She was caught in a dilemma. Going home would yield nothing, but refusing now would make it impossible to appease Fu Heniang.

“Dad, you see, our family is struggling to stabilize these projects and repay the bank loans. If you join now, the profits will certainly be reduced. Wouldn’t that mean we lose both the money and the project?”

It had taken a long while for Shen Huaijing to come up with this rhetoric. She could only try and see how determined Fu Heniang was to get the project.

As soon as she finished speaking, Fu Heniang began to applaud, laughing heartily, “Looks like old Shen has raised a fine daughter! Good! Good!” His laughter made the skin on his face tremble.

“I won’t make things difficult for you. I’ll find a chance to talk to your father alone,” Fu Heniang continued. “Stay for lunch. The chef here is not like those at your family’s house.”

Shen Huaijing’s mind was in turmoil; she had no appetite for lunch. Besides, Fu Heniang’s invitation was not sincere. She plastered on a smile, “No, Dad. I’ve already arranged to meet someone from the magazine today and can’t cancel. You and Mom enjoy lunch—I’ll come visit you both another time.”

Fu Heniang smiled and nodded, watching her leave, his expression instantly darkening.

Ke Jing came down from upstairs, having evidently been watching the entire time.

“Are you really interested in that smart home project?” Ke Jing asked with a frown.

Fu Heniang’s face was full of disdain. “I just wanted to test Shen Huaijing’s intentions. We can’t let that young couple deceive us.”

“You noticed something odd?” Ke Jing pressed anxiously.

Fu Heniang glanced at her. “After all these years together, why can’t you keep your composure?” He paused and continued, “Nine times out of ten, the Shen family has already offered benefits to Fu Chen.”

“And Shen Huaijing is no simple girl. The two of them have likely reached an understanding.”

“They won’t slip out of our control, will they?” Ke Jing moved closer, her face full of worry as she asked in a low voice.

Fu Heniang sipped his tea leisurely. “Don’t worry. They’re not in a position to cause trouble yet.”

Ke Jing finally calmed down and instructed the servants to prepare lunch.

Meanwhile, Shen Huaijing left the Fu family’s old mansion and headed straight to the group headquarters. She had to discuss this with Fu Chen; she couldn’t handle it alone. If Fu Heniang really sought out her father, all their secrets would be exposed.

This was Shen Huaijing’s first time at the company. Fortunately, she had appeared in several magazine interviews alongside Fu Chen, so the receptionist immediately greeted her warmly, “Madam, the president is in his office. Let me take you up.”

Shen Huaijing nodded and followed the receptionist into the exclusive elevator to the twentieth floor.

Stepping out, she found the floor eerily quiet, the only sound the clicking of heels against the ground. The receptionist led her to the office door and left.

Just as Shen Huaijing was about to knock, she overheard Lin Yu’s voice inside.

“You really want to travel with Shen Huaijing? Do you think she’ll fall for it in just a few days? Don’t be too confident—she’s not so easily swayed.”

“I have my ways. She’ll do as she’s told,” Fu Chen’s deep voice drifted into Shen Huaijing’s ears.