Chapter Fourteen: I’ll Help You Go Beat Him Up

When Luo Yunmian dragged her weary body back to the villa in the harbor district, it was already half past nine in the evening. She noticed the living room lights were still on; the warm yellow glow spilling through the window lifted her spirits. Quickening her pace, she carried her suitcase toward the living room.

“Dad, Mom.” A radiant smile blossomed across Luo Yunmian’s face as several people seated on the sofa turned their heads upon hearing the noise.

Si Lan, Luo Yunmian’s mother, was the first to rise, her eyes filled with affection. “My Yunmian, you’ve finally returned from your business trip.”

Luo Yunmian set down her luggage and immediately threw herself into Si Lan’s arms, pouting affectionately. “Mom, I missed you so much.”

Si Lan gently patted her back, teasing, “You’re already grown up, yet still so clingy.”

Only then did Luo Yunmian step back and ask, “Has Grandma come back?”

Si Lan nodded, her smile fading slightly with a trace of worry. “She’s back. Her health isn’t very good, so she’s resting upstairs. You don’t need to disturb her for now.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Yunmian frowned and hurriedly inquired, “How is Grandma’s condition?”

Si Lan sighed. “Grandma insisted on coming back early because she’s been worrying about your upcoming engagement. After your engagement is over, your father and I will take her to see the doctor again and arrange for her surgery. But she is determined to attend your engagement banquet.”

Mentioning the engagement banquet, Luo Yunmian almost spoke, but swallowed her words. She decided to discuss it with Fu Tingshen tomorrow.

“All right, Yunmian, you must be tired from the flight. Go rest first,” said Luo Huaichuan, Luo Yunmian’s father.

———

The next evening.

Both families had long agreed to dine together. Luo Yunmian carefully supported her grandmother as they walked toward Fu Tingshen’s house.

“Grandma, why didn’t you listen to Mom? You should have had the surgery earlier. The engagement isn’t such a big deal,” Luo Yunmian softly chided.

Duan Hua was displeased at this and immediately retorted, “How is it not important? My Yunmian is about to get married. If I don’t see it with my own eyes, I’d rather be dead...”

Before she could finish, Luo Yunmian hurriedly interrupted, “Grandma, you can’t say that. You’ll live a long life.”

Looking at her anxious expression, Duan Hua’s face instantly filled with a smile as she nodded vigorously. “Alright, alright, I’ll live long. I still want to bring grandchildren for our Yunmian.”

Blushing faintly, Luo Yunmian leaned her head on her grandmother’s shoulder coquettishly, murmuring, “Grandma...”

Thus, the group chatted cheerfully all the way until they arrived at the gates of Fu Tingshen’s villa.

Fu Yanchi’s parents, Fu Shengzong and Gu Qingxu, had also returned from abroad on this rare occasion.

———

Luo Yunmian obediently greeted everyone in turn. Gu Qingxu smiled as she took Luo Yunmian’s hand and praised her.

“Yunmian, you’re growing more and more beautiful—Fu Tingshen is truly lucky.”

“Mom, am I not pretty?” Luo Yunmian glanced up instinctively and saw Fu Yanchi standing at the corner on the second floor, one hand in his pocket. Wearing sportswear, he exuded a mischievous charm as he sauntered down leisurely.

“This brat, if you were a girl, I’d be happy. A young man growing up like this—if you want a girlfriend, what kind would you look for?”

Fu Yanchi seemed to ponder seriously, then his gaze unconsciously fell on Luo Yunmian’s face, his tone resolute.

“I’d look for someone like Sister Mianmian.”

Gu Qingxu laughed heartily. “Looks like we share the same taste. I also think someone like Yunmian is just right.”

Luo Yunmian twitched the corners of her mouth; Fu Yanchi’s words were clearly meant for her.

As they chatted and laughed, they reached the dining room and took their seats.

Fu Tingshen had just entered through the door. After greeting everyone, he apologized, “Sorry, the company meeting ran late today.”

Si Lan smiled teasingly, “We know you’re busy.”

Both families were prominent, so the conversation naturally flowed. The men drank, while the women mostly discussed arrangements for Luo Yunmian’s engagement.

Luo Yunmian sat there feeling uneasy, like sitting on pins and needles.

A certain gaze burned too fiercely for her to meet it; she kept her head down, sipping the soup in her bowl.

After dinner, everyone chatted on the living room sofa. Fu Tingshen’s mother, He Qiulan, was about to get up to prepare fruit, but Luo Yunmian rose first.

“Auntie, please stay seated. I’ll go.”

She then walked toward the kitchen.

Unexpectedly, Fu Yanchi appeared while she was preparing the fruit. Luo Yunmian paused, nervously glancing toward the living room.

In a low voice, she asked, “Why are you in the kitchen?”

Fu Yanchi leisurely came to stand opposite her at the counter.

“Sister Mianmian, this is my home. Isn’t it normal for me to be here?”

“Anyway, you’re not allowed to look at me with that expression anymore.”

Luo Yunmian simply couldn’t stand his pitiful look.

Fu Yanchi leaned in, a sly smile curving his lips.

“Sister Mianmian, what expression are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“I…” Luo Yunmian was at a loss for words.

At that moment, the maid Yun Jie entered. Fu Yanchi straightened and naturally stepped back.

“Yun Jie, what’s wrong?”

“Miss Luo, you’re here. Please take this sobering soup to the eldest young master.”

Thinking about the engagement, Luo Yunmian realized she needed to talk seriously with Fu Tingshen. She wiped her hands and took the soup.

Fu Yanchi quietly watched her accept the soup from Yun Jie, then hurried toward the stairway to the second floor as if fleeing. He chuckled softly before lazily following.

Luo Yunmian passed through the long corridor by the stairs, heading straight to Fu Tingshen’s bedroom.

She had come to eat dinner today, wearing thick-soled slippers that made a faint sound as she walked.

When she reached the bedroom door, she was about to knock but noticed it was ajar. Hesitating, she froze as voices came from inside.

“Tingshen, do you really want to have children with Yunmian and raise them for me?”

“Xiner, your body is no longer suitable for pregnancy, so…”

Fu Tingshen’s words pierced Luo Yunmian’s heart like a sharp blade.

“Yunmian looks somewhat like you. I think the child she bears will be very beautiful.”

The hand holding the sobering soup suddenly loosened, nearly dropping it. Fu Yanchi’s quick reflexes caught it, though a few drops splashed out.

He watched Luo Yunmian stand frozen as if under a spell, her tears uncontrollably rolling down her cheeks, her body trembling slightly, clearly trying hard to endure.

Luo Yunmian never imagined Fu Tingshen could be so despicable. She had planned to come today to tell him the engagement banquet was canceled.

But hearing those words, her heart felt as if it had been mercilessly crushed.

Fu Yanchi took her cold hand gently and whispered, “I’ll go teach him a lesson.”

He was about to push the door open when Luo Yunmian grabbed him, though the door still opened slightly, making a noise.

“Who’s there?”