Chapter 54: I’m Staying Here Tonight

If it weren’t for the presence of the old lady and the Fu family servants, Ruan Li would have almost burst out laughing at Fu Huaizhou’s suddenly cold expression. But she maintained a sweet and obedient demeanor, softly calling out, “Third Uncle.”

Fu Huaizhou raised his eyelids to glance at her. The air grew a little tense, but he didn’t respond.

The old lady beside them frowned, clearly displeased with her son. “Why aren’t you saying anything?” she chided him, then turned to comfort Ruan Li. “Don’t mind him. He’s been an ice block since he was a child. You don’t need to take it to heart.”

Ice block, Ruan Li mentally repeated. *No one knows their child better than a mother, she thought. The description of Fu Huaizhou was almost too accurate.

“Mother, the banquet is starting. Let me help you downstairs,” Fu Huaizhou said.

“You go ahead. I still need to freshen up,” the old lady replied, standing up and letting the servant support her. “And tonight, make sure to take good care of Li’er. If anyone dares to bully her, I’ll hold you responsible.”

The two exchanged glances, and the atmosphere became a bit awkward. Just as Ruan Li was about to head downstairs, Fu Huaizhou took hold of her wrist, silently indicating that she should link arms with him.

“How else can I take care of you if we’re not together?” he asked.

The thought of walking into the banquet together, facing all the eyes and greetings, made Ruan Li feel annoyed. But with the old lady’s instructions, she had no choice but to place her arm through his and descend together.

Sure enough, once they appeared, nearly every family with an eligible daughter approached to introduce her to Fu Huaizhou.

“President Fu, this is my youngest daughter. She’s currently studying in university.”

Ruan Li’s ears were growing numb from hearing the same introductions. She glanced at the girl standing before them a fresh, youthful face, younger than herself. She discreetly rolled her eyes and tugged at Fu Huaizhou’s sleeve.

The man looked down at her. “Tired?”

Her shoes were a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn’t unbearable. The main reason was that she didn’t want to stay next to Fu Huaizhou any longer, listening to all these introductions.

“I’ll go mingle for a bit,” she whispered, turning slightly away.

“On your own?” Fu Huaizhou scanned the room, filled with not only prominent young men but also some young heirs brought here for social experience. In a low voice, he asked, “Listening to the old lady so obediently?”

Having spent enough time with Fu Huaizhou, Ruan Li was used to his sarcastic, cryptic way of speaking. She didn’t back down, replying, “Aren’t you doing the same?”

She glanced at the father and daughter who had just left. “That girl can’t be more than eighteen or nineteen. You’re nearly a decade older than her, practically a beast in gentleman’s clothing.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt Fu Huaizhou’s grip tighten around her waist. Fortunately, there was no one behind them to see their movements.

She tried to pinch his arm in retaliation, but he was all muscle, making it difficult to get any leverage. “Stop touching me! Someone might see,” she warned him.

Fu Huaizhou led her to a nearby sofa and pressed her shoulder gently, guiding her to sit. “Rest here. It’ll be over soon.”

Just as Ruan Li was about to relax and rest her feet, two unwelcome guests approached Ruan Sheng and Ruan Shu, daring to make small talk with Fu Huaizhou.

“President Fu, our families have known each other for years. We hope you’ll continue to take care of us in the future,” Ruan Sheng said with a fawning smile, which made him repulsive to look at.

Fu Huaizhou’s expression remained cold, and he stood silently beside Ruan Li. Ruan Sheng, picking up on the lack of response, quickly realized what was going on and, though he had more to say, decided to back off under Fu Huaizhou’s impatient gaze.

“This is your last chance, do you understand?” Ruan Sheng hissed to Ruan Shu. “If you don’t get Fu Xingchuan tonight, you know what’ll happen with Fan Zhou.”

The mere thought of Fan Zhou’s disgusting face made Ruan Shu shudder. She had once thought Fu Xingchuan would be easy to manipulate, but ever since he started working for the Fu family, he seemed to have forgotten all about her.

Even when she contacted him, his only reply was that he was busy with work.

Ruan Shu glanced over at Ruan Li, who sat elegantly on the sofa, looking stunning as always. Fu Huaizhou even stood next to her, handing her a glass of wine. This man, known for his ruthless methods in Beijing, was being so attentive to her.

Why does she still have the audacity to be here? Ruan Shu thought bitterly. Even after being kicked out of the Ruan family, how could she still have the Fu family’s favor?

“I’ve yet to figure out who she’s clinging to,” Ruan Cheng muttered. “I should have investigated her long ago.”

Seeing the expensive jewelry Ruan Li wore, Ruan Shu knew they were valuable pieces she’d never seen before. Her beauty has always opened doors for her, she thought.

Toward the end of the banquet, Ruan Li tugged on Fu Huaizhou’s sleeve again. “I want to go home…”

Fu Huaizhou noticed her tired expression and agreed that it was getting late. He was about to bid farewell to the old lady when she intervened.

“Li’er will stay here tonight,” the old lady declared. “She said earlier that she was feeling dizzy. It would only worsen if she traveled back by car.”

Touched by the old lady’s kindness, Ruan Li didn’t dare admit that she had been exaggerating her dizziness earlier. Reluctantly, she accepted the offer to stay the night.

“You haven’t been back to Yuyuan?” the old lady asked her son, preparing to head upstairs with Ruan Li when she noticed Fu Huaizhou still lingering in the living room.

Her son was a man of many quirks, preferring peace and quiet and disliking the company of children or pets. He had demanded his own place as a teenager.

Fu Huaizhou casually handed his jacket to a servant. “It’s late. I’ll stay here tonight as well.”

Ruan Li cursed him silently a thousand times over. Though no one would suspect anything immediately, his sudden change of plans was a bit too obvious.

And things weren’t over yet. Fu Xingchuan soon approached, supporting a drunken Ruan Shu.

“Grandma, Ruan Shu accidentally drank too much. Her father couldn’t take her home due to an urgent matter. Would it be alright if she stays in a guest room tonight?”

This sort of request wasn’t uncommon, as hosts would often look after inebriated guests. But it was clear what Ruan Shu’s true intentions were.

The old lady had seen it all before. She glanced between her cunning son, Fu Huaizhou, and her naive grandson, Fu Xingchuan, before asking, “Are you sure?”

“Is something wrong, Grandma?” Fu Xingchuan asked, puzzled.

“Suit yourself, then. You’ll learn your lesson eventually,” she said, waving her hand dismissively. She instructed the servants to prepare rooms. “Li’er will stay in the main room. The others can have the guest rooms.”

As the group began to disperse, Fu Huaizhou, still in the living room, spoke up, “Mother, where am I staying?”