Chapter 3: Uncle’s Willingness to Help

The car was so quiet that one could almost hear the sound of breathing. Ruan Li glanced at the man sitting next to her—still looking cold and composed.

There was no sign of the tension that had almost arisen between them earlier.

Earlier, hearing the commotion behind her, she had purposely put on a pitiful look. After all, with her year of acting experience in the entertainment industry, no one could resist that move.

But this man had merely shifted his gaze from her fingers to her face, then, treating her like a stranger, asked, “Why?”

Ruan Li was stunned for a moment, but fortunately, she was quick to react. Smiling sweetly, she blinked her eyes innocently at the man.

“Maybe because Uncle looks kind and helpful, and wouldn’t have the heart to let someone like me walk back in the rain, right?”

The man turned slightly, seemingly letting out a soft laugh that disappeared into the pouring rain. Ruan Li wasn’t sure if she had misheard.

Regardless, when Fu Huaizhou turned to leave, his driver had already gotten out to open the car door for her. Naturally, Ruan Li eagerly gathered her dress and got into the car.

She wasn’t worried about embarrassing herself in front of anyone in the Fu family except for Fu Huaizhou. For one, he was known for being taciturn and wouldn’t gossip; and two, as a business genius, he’d be busy managing his company after returning to the country and wouldn’t have time to pay attention to the younger generation.

He was the perfect person to hitch a ride from.

Qin, the assistant, glanced cautiously at the two people in the back through the rearview mirror. Mr. Fu was looking down at his work files, while Miss Ruan, who had been curiously inspecting the luxurious interior of the car, had now fallen into a daze.

Anyone in her situation would have a headache. With her biological sister back, Ruan Li’s place in the family was naturally threatened. Outsiders didn’t know, but those who had worked in the Fu household for years knew that Ruan Li was not their biological daughter—she had been adopted.

Lost in thought, Qin was startled when Ruan Li suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the car.

Staring at the luxurious, understated interior, especially the beautiful starry ceiling, Ruan Li rested her chin in her hand and muttered angrily, “I want to buy one like this!”

Then she remembered her family’s current situation and the fact that she had just wrecked a car, so she added weakly, “But that probably won’t happen anytime soon.”

Qin couldn’t help but feel speechless. So the reason this young lady had been down wasn’t what others thought—it was because of a car!

Ruan Li glanced at the man who still ignored her and thought to herself how petty he was, still holding a grudge from the dinner. But she knew how to be flexible.

Suddenly, something fluffy blocked the light above. Fu Huaizhou closed his file and looked at the girl who had edged closer to him.

“Uncle, are you still mad?” Ruan Li asked sweetly. “I didn’t do it on purpose. You stained my dress, I damaged your car. Once I compensate you, we’ll be even, right? Please, calm down.”

Fu Huaizhou thought she could be quite noisy, constantly chattering away. When there were people around, she was sly; when alone, she acted pitiful. In a calm voice, he said, “No.”

Not even? Ruan Li almost asked him why.

Seeing her wide-eyed expression, as if she had misunderstood him, Fu Huaizhou sighed and added two words, “Not angry.”

“I knew you were generous,” Ruan Li smiled brightly, ready to keep flattering him. But then she noticed Fu Huaizhou looking at her coldly, unimpressed by her compliments.

“Get out. You’re home,” Fu Huaizhou said, slightly lifting his chin. Qin immediately got out to open the door for her.

“Goodbye, Uncle!” Ruan Li waved at him after getting out of the car, grateful that he had helped her. Otherwise, who knew how long she would have waited for Chen Jing to pick her up.

Qin escorted her under an umbrella to the Ruan family’s living room, and Ruan Li felt quite pleased. The Fu family was always polite and proper.

Oh, except for Fu Xingchuan.

Inside, the Ruan family of three was chatting on the couch. When they saw Ruan Li return, their expressions didn’t change much, but the sight of Qin, Fu Huaizhou’s assistant, made an impression. Everyone knew Qin had been working with Fu Huaizhou for many years.

Ruan Cheng immediately stood up. “We really shouldn’t have troubled Mr. Fu. It was careless of Ruan Li.”

Since Fu Huaizhou had sent her back, Qin naturally understood his intentions. “No need to be so polite, Mr. Ruan. Miss Ruan’s car broke down, so it was only right to send her home.”

The room fell silent, as if the family had only just remembered Ruan Li’s car trouble.

Ruan Sheng was about to suggest getting Ruan Li a new car when Zhou Min spoke up. “Speaking of which, we still haven’t taken Shu to pick out a car she likes. Let’s do that in a few days.”

The room fell silent again.

“Thanks,” Ruan Li muttered, dismissing Qin and heading upstairs. She had an early shoot tomorrow.

“Goodnight, everyone.”

As she was halfway up the stairs, Ruan Shu’s voice called out.

“Sis, that’s my room.”

Ruan Li paused and turned to look at the family of three standing in the living room. She had been staying in a hotel recently due to work, and now, it seemed, her room had been taken.

Zhou Min stepped forward, shielding Ruan Shu. “It’s hot in the summer, and Shu’s health isn’t great. She can’t tolerate the heat. That room has better ventilation. Why don’t you let her have it?”

Ruan Li blinked. “But I’m not in great health either. If I switch rooms, I might break out in a rash.”

Ruan Shu’s expression soured. This spoiled girl really had a princess complex—switching rooms would give her a rash? What an excuse!

Zhou Min was already angry. Naturally, her heart now favored her biological daughter. Seeing the adopted one was nothing but annoying.

“It was your sister’s room to begin with. If you don’t want it, figure something out yourself,” she snapped.

Ruan Li’s fingers tapped the banister. She hadn’t expected things to stay peaceful after Ruan Shu returned, but she hadn’t thought it would happen so soon. Years of living together were now meaningless in the face of blood ties.

“Enough. We’re all family. Stop arguing.” Ruan Sheng stepped in to mediate. “Ruan Li, just make do for now. I’ll have someone renovate a room for you just like that one in a few days. You know your mom’s been on edge and taking medication. Let’s not argue, okay?”

Ruan Li couldn’t be bothered to argue anymore. “Just remember to move my things out. Dad, I’m sure Sis doesn’t want to use my old stuff—it would be beneath her.”

She didn’t intend to stay long anyway. She’d mostly been living at hotels due to work, so it was just for tonight. She moved into the adjacent room, which was clearly prepared for this eventuality—it had everything she needed, though it couldn’t compare to her original room.

Ruan Li patted the bed a few times. She really couldn’t get used to new beds. As she drifted off, her mind wandered through all the mess that had happened today. Unexpectedly, Fu Huaizhou turned out to be the most normal one.

Her good opinion of him lasted right up until a few days later, when it abruptly ended at the filming set.

“What?! Ten thousand… hundred thousand…” Ruan Li stared at the bill Chen Jing handed her, focusing on the long string of zeroes. She almost raised her hand to rub her eyes but stopped just in time, remembering she still had makeup on.

“Are you sure they didn’t make a mistake?” Ruan Li counted the digits again, confirming there was no decimal point.

Chen Jing had been equally shocked when she first received the compensation bill from Qin. Even though she’d seen the high-end spending of the elite while working with Ruan Li, Fu Huaizhou, being the cream of the crop among them, still managed to blow her mind.

“What is it?” Ye Mian leaned in for a look.

Ruan Li handed over the paper she was holding. “I accidentally crashed Fu Huaizhou’s car yesterday.”

Today, she had a full day of filming, and her best friend Ye Mian had come to visit her on set. Now it was already evening, and Ruan Li had just finished shooting.

“If it was Fu Huaizhou’s car, that makes sense,” Ye Mian glanced at the shocking amount on the paper. “Though people like Fu Xingchuan are already impressive, the real top-tier businessmen are like Fu Huaizhou—his projects are worth billions.”

“I don’t even know of a car that costs this much. You could buy an entire estate with it,” Ruan Li muttered, counting her bank balance. After paying him back, she’d practically be “bankrupt.”

As expected, the nephew acts sweet and naive, while the uncle quietly gets things done—cool on the outside, but much more ruthless within.

“The car itself isn’t worth that much, but my brother and his friends love replacing the components. All the parts are globally limited editions, some even one-of-a-kind. Add everything together, and it’s worth millions. It’s not crazy, though—it hasn’t even hit a billion yet.” Ye Mian patted her affectionately.

In the capital, there were four major families: Fu was the top, followed by the Shi, Ye, and Jiang families. Ye Mian was the only daughter of the Ye family, while her brother Ye Ze was the family’s leader and a good friend of Fu Huaizhou.

Ruan Li grudgingly accepted the compensation bill. “Guess I really need to work hard from now on.”

“Stop thinking about it. I came to visit you today to take you to Hua Banquet for drinks.” Ye Mian stuffed her into her car. “You need to relax too!”

Even when they arrived at the lavishly decorated Hua Banquet, Ruan Li was still resisting. “I have to film tomorrow. Drinking will make my face puffy.”

“I’ll send you a truckload of iced Americanos to reduce the swelling tomorrow,” Ye Mian laughed. She was used to Ruan Li treating her face as her top priority.

Half an hour later—

The same person who had just refused to drink was now resting her face on her hands, her gaze hazy, with an empty wine glass beside her.

“Ruan Li, your alcohol tolerance still hasn’t improved at all,” Ye Mian remarked, still sober. “Looks like I’ll have to take you home again.”

Ruan Li waved her hand, her vision slightly blurred. “I have to go back early. I promised to work hard.”

“Who’s putting you under so much pressure?” Ye Mian asked, confused. “Is the Ruan family planning to cut ties with you or something?”

“Probably,” Ruan Li pouted in frustration. “It’s not like I’m their biological daughter anyway. But it’s my own issue, I never planned to ask them for help.”

Ye Mian became even angrier hearing this. “They dare cut ties with you? Don’t forget, Ruan family wouldn’t be where it is today without you—”

Ruan Li abruptly stood up, leaning on the table, and began heading toward the door. Ye Mian couldn’t stop her, so she followed, asking, “Where are you going?”

In the main hall, a hired musician was playing. Drunk, Ruan Li staggered onto the stage and sat down in front of the piano.

“I’m going to play. Clear the way.”

Her slender fingers landed on the black-and-white keys, and even though she was drunk, anyone who knew could tell she was very skilled—clearly someone who had trained for a long time.

“What brought on the sudden urge to play?” Ye Mian leaned nearby, holding her wine glass, watching with amusement.

Hua Banquet had strict VIP policies, so they didn’t have to worry about paparazzi sneaking in. Ye Mian decided to indulge in the fun with her friend.

Meanwhile, upstairs at Hua Banquet, three men stood by a private room’s floor-to-ceiling window, observing the scene below.

“Has Hua Banquet changed a lot since you were last here, Third Brother?” Shi Xun, who was lounging casually in his seat, asked the man beside him.

“Hua Banquet is his, are you drunk?” Another man, sharp-featured, teased Shi Xun.

Fu Huaizhou held a wine glass, the light reflecting off the drink as he watched it swirl.

“Try mocking me again, Ye Ze, and see what happens,” Shi Xun raised an eyebrow, casually glancing down at the hall. Their room had a full view of the hall below. “Hey.”

“What is it, Second Brother?” Ye Ze asked nonchalantly.

“Your sister is down there.”

“So what? She comes to Hua Banquet all the time,” Ye Ze shrugged, unconcerned.

He wasn’t worried since his investment ensured nothing bad would happen here, so he didn’t bother paying much attention.

Shi Xun gave him a sidelong glance. “And someone’s long-time crush is down there, too—causing a drunken scene.”

“What? Seriously?” Ye Ze stood up, looking down.

“Believe it or not, you know your sister and her friend are inseparable,” Shi Xun laughed, nudging Fu Huaizhou, who remained stoic. “You know, our dear Ye Ze recently returned from abroad, and at a Ruan family banquet, he ‘accidentally’ bumped into a girl and swore she was a fairy. Turns out the ‘fairy’ is four years younger than him.”

Fu Huaizhou’s calm expression shifted slightly. “Ruan family?”

Shi Xun suddenly realized and tapped his head. “Oh right, I forgot the Ruan family now has two ‘Miss Ruan’s. But you know which one I’m talking about, right?”

Fu Huaizhou glanced down, his gaze barely noticeable. “I’m nearsighted, not blind.”

Shi Xun chuckled. “This has nothing to do with me, by the way. Ye Ze’s the one trying to steal your nephew’s ‘fairy’—though it’s no secret your nephew doesn’t like Ruan Li. Didn’t you know?”

Fu Huaizhou stood by the window, watching the girl at the piano. Her skilled fingers continued to play despite her drunkenness. Her shoulders and neck were straight, as if it were muscle memory.

“I don’t care,” Fu Huaizhou murmured, swirling his wine as the red liquid distorted the girl’s image below.

“Fair enough. With the Ruan family now having two heiresses, who knows who’ll end up marrying whom?” Shi Xun smirked as he watched a group of people enter the hall below. “Speak of the devil.”

As Ruan Shu followed Fu Xingchuan into the grand hall, she hadn’t had a chance to take in the renowned venue before her attention was drawn to the girl playing piano on stage.

“Isn’t that Ruan Li?” she quietly tugged on Fu Xingchuan’s sleeve.

Fu Xingchuan recognized her instantly. Even though he disliked Ruan Li, he had to admit that her face was striking among the capital’s socialites.

“What’s she doing, acting crazy?” Fu Xingchuan stepped forward. “Isn’t Ruan Li supposed to be obsessed with maintaining her image?”

The girl on stage ignored him.

“She’s drunk, it’s probably not intentional,” Ruan Shu whispered, a hint of shrewdness in her eyes. She had planned to catch Ruan Li in an embarrassing situation last night by leaking photos of her leaving the Fu house, but Ruan Li had unexpectedly gotten into Fu Huaizhou’s car. Now, with her drunk, there was another opportunity to stir up trouble.

“She dares ignore me?” Fu Xingchuan gritted his teeth.

As the final note fell, the pink-cheeked girl propped her chin on her hands and glanced down. From her posture alone, she could recognize the man and the petite figure behind him. With a sweet smile, Ruan Li laughed.

“I ignored you on purpose. Haven’t you ever heard of a ‘sinking ship’?”

Fu Xingchuan shrugged, raising an eyebrow. “I see you’ve finally accepted reality. You know the engagement is over, right? Smart move.”

“Wrong.” Ruan Li interrupted him without missing a beat. She wasn’t in the mood to listen to his nonsense. Lifting her gown, she stood tall on the stage and tilted her head with an innocent expression. “I meant you are the sinking ship. Do you really think I’d hold on to you?”