Chapter 99: The Wedding Banquet

Ruan Li almost thought she misheard, especially since she had been fretting over Fu Chengjing’s speaking progress just a few days ago.

“What did you say, little Jing?” Ruan Li bent down and squatted in front of him, her expensive dress trailing casually on the floor. She looked eye-to-eye with the wobbly little one running towards her.

“Mama!” Fu Chengjing saw the bright light in his mother’s eyes and called out again, before diving headfirst into her arms, refusing to come out.

Everyone nearby was stunned, not just because Fu Huaizhou, the elusive CEO of the Fu Corporation, was standing right there, his gaze fixed firmly on the pair embracing in front of him. But also because this long rumored little “crown prince” of the Fu family, who had never appeared in public, was here for everyone to see.

Ruan Li had no intention of hiding anything. The reason Fu Chengjing wasn’t seen often before was due to his packed schedule. Ever since he started walking, he’d been running back and forth between the Fu family estate, the Shi family’s home, and the Imperial Garden every week.

“These are Mommy’s colleagues.” Ruan Li sat the little one on a chair next to her while Fu Huaizhou found a seat on her other side, which had been vacated for him.

Ruan Li introduced everyone at the table actors she had met during filming and shows. Fu Chengjing looked around the group without a hint of shyness, maintaining his usual calm demeanor.

“Hello~” he greeted them in his sweet, babyish voice.

The people at the table were smitten by his adorable tone and his angelic face. A few were eager to pinch his cheeks, but they hesitated, given that this was the little prince of the Fu family. Plus, his stern-faced father sat right next to him, so they pulled back.

Ruan Li was pleasantly surprised. She had assumed Fu Chengjing would only say “Mama,” but here he was managing simple greetings. She exchanged a look with Fu Huaizhou.

Fu Huaizhou raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to her, whispering softly, “Feeling reassured now?”

Ruan Li still couldn’t understand why Fu Chengjing, who clearly knew how to speak, had been so silent all this time. Was it really as Fu Huaizhou had suggested that he was simply too lazy to open his mouth?

Seeing her puzzlement, Fu Huaizhou explained.

“He gets whatever he wants with a single glance he doesn’t need to talk. Plus, the more he doesn’t speak, the more you worry, and the more time you spend practicing speech with him.”

It suddenly clicked for Ruan Li, and Fu Huaizhou had expected her to be upset and scold the little one. But instead

She looked even happier.

Because in her eyes, her little boy was a prodigy, a genius.

“What’s your name?” A young actress at the table playfully coaxed little Jing.

Fu Chengjing chewed on his finger, struggling for a while but only managed to mutter two muddled syllables.

“Little… Jing…”

Ruan Li couldn’t help but laugh, wondering if when little Jing grew up, he’d view these adorable photos and videos as embarrassing “blackmail material.”

little Jing, seeking help, looked up at her.

“His name is Fu Chengjing, but we call him little Jing,” Ruan Li explained on his behalf.

With little Jing at the center, the entire banquet’s focus shifted. Everyone pretended not to stare, but they were all sneaking glances at the little boy everyone had heard so much about. Representatives from luxury brands were also in attendance, eager to make connections with Fu Huaizhou.

“No business talk tonight,” Fu Huaizhou said, refusing the offered drinks.

Those representatives had no choice but to back away, somewhat embarrassed. At first, everyone thought that the rumors were true Fu Huaizhou was as unapproachable as they said. But as soon as they saw that anyone engaging with Fu Chengjing was welcomed, it became clear the Fu couple was perfectly content to let little Jing interact with the world, but any ulterior motives would be immediately shut down.

What began as a corporate gala quickly turned into a playdate.

When the evening concluded, Fu Chengjing walked between his parents, holding each of their hands, as they made their way to the waiting car. Ruan Li wasn’t worried about the press. Since last year, after Fu Huaizhou cracked down on dishonest media outlets, no one in Beijing dared release unauthorized photos of their son. Any pictures taken would be appropriately censored.

As soon as the family of three got into the car, Fu Chengjing refused to leave Ruan Li’s lap, burying himself completely in her arms, a stark contrast to his social ease earlier.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Ruan Li’s eyes filled with worry.

Just as she asked, she saw tears on his chubby face tears so rare they stood out. His eyes were red, like a little bunny, breaking her heart.

“Tell Mommy, okay?” Ruan Li anxiously asked, wondering if he had been overwhelmed by the social setting.

But little Jing now refused to speak, only sneaking a quick glance at the silent man beside them.

That one glance was all it took for Ruan Li to understand. She immediately turned to the nonchalant Fu Huaizhou, cradling the little one tightly.

“What did you do?” she demanded.

Fu Huaizhou casually replied, “Nothing. He wanted to call you, and I didn’t help. I made him speak on his own.”

His gaze shifted to the little boy peeking at him, and he softened his tone, addressing Ruan Li deliberately.

“Fu Chengjing stepped on my shoe.”

Ruan Li glanced at her son’s tiny feet, defending him, “Little Jing’s shoes aren’t dirty, and he’s not even that heavy.”

Of course, Fu Huaizhou expected such a response. He squeezed little Jing’s chubby arms a couple of times, a little indignant.

“Well, little Jing,” Ruan Li said, lifting the boy from her lap, “You shouldn’t step on others. You need to use your words.”

little Jing nodded fiercely, as if pledging to his mom, and then snuggled back into her embrace.

The incident seemed settled, until months later, when little Jing’s speech became fluent, and he was greeting everyone he met yet, Ruan Li realized she had never heard him say “Daddy.”

“You knew all along?” she asked Fu Huaizhou, who looked unperturbed.

He nodded slightly. It was so obvious that he couldn’t have missed it. Xiao Jing’s stubbornness was predictable, and he was confident his son would grow up with a clear vision and determination.

When little Jing turned two, Ruan Li won a major Best Actress award and took a few months off. Only then did their wedding photos, the official wedding banquet, and the formal Shi family recognition ceremony move forward, events that both families had long been awaiting.

Leading up to the wedding, all of Beijing’s billboards, newspapers, and social media platforms were bought out, running advertisements non-stop for a week

“On the night of September 9, all fireworks in Beijing will be for Miss Ruan’s smile, the first spark dedicated to the wedding celebration of Miss Ruan and Mr. Fu, inviting everyone to witness the spectacle.”